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'We've got enough talent': Larkey confident Roos can make long-awaited rise
Timing can be everything in sport, and Nick Larkey concedes that from a career perspective, his probably couldn't have been a lot worse. But now, as skipper he's aiming to flip the script, writes Rohan Connolly.
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TOP HEADLINES
Bombers vs Hawks
An 'authentic' new era: McGrath ready to embrace Dons captaincy challenge
His opportunity to lead the Bombers may have come about through unusual circumstances, but Andrew McGrath says he 'lives and breathes red and black' and is ready to usher in a new era.
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'He's been an idol': New Bombers skipper has Merrett in his corner
New Essendon captain Andrew McGrath has Zach Merrett in his corner - and he hopes he can keep him there long-term.
Blues vs Tigers
RED TIME
FULL EPISODE OUT NOW
Are coaches more important than talent on a playing list?
1:44
'Fire in the belly': Mason Cox on Fremantle's 2026 hunger
Former Collingwood premiership hero Mason Cox is preparing to have a great impact at Fremantle, as the Dockers gear up to launch their 2026 campaign against Geelong this Saturday.
ROUND 1
ARE WE OVERREACTING?
AFL overreactions: Reaction to Docherty and Gorringe has been over the top
Is the reaction to Sam Docherty's rant been over the top? Is this the beginning of the end for Geelong? In the AFL overreactions this week, we judge the biggest takeways as legitimate or irrational.
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Joly: Carlton showed the same 'issues' in Sydney loss
1:12
OPENING ROUND IN REVIEW
AFL Stocks: Trac cooks the Cats; same old problems for Voss and the Blues
Christian Petracca pulled out an all-time performance, and the Bulldogs shocked the reigning premiers. But the hot seat got hotter for Michael Voss. Here's whose stocks are up and down after the AFL's Opening Round.
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Saints vs Magpies
Daicos stars with 41 as Magpies open season with tight win over Saints
Collingwood maestros Nick Daicos and Scott Pendlebury have orchestrated a stirring 12-point triumph over St Kilda in their AFL season-opener.
IWD: Fairer, safer and more equitable sporting culture for women? Not just yet
Top Headlines
- Round 1: Huge blow for Pies, more pain for Lions
- 'Child sex victim' had links to footy champ, trial told
- Pies defender sidelined again for Adelaide clash
- 'Absolute unicorn': Cox hails Dockers trio
- Devils face likely three-year wait for stadium
- Port appoint ex-Blues assistant as AFLW coach
- Dees ready to support Pickett through family issues
- 'Foolish mistake': Hawks spent night in US jail
- Brisbane Lions pair learn fate at AFL tribunal
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Expert tips, best tips for Round 1 of the AFL
Who should you be tipping in Round 1 of the 2026 AFL season? Our footy experts have put their heads together to help you out. So open your ESPN Footytips app, take notes, and get ahead of the game!
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Listen to the ESPN Footy Podcast
Join ESPN's footy team for some of the best AFL and AFLW analysis and insight on the ESPN Footy Podcast.
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We're misty-optically: Paying tribute to Dennis Cometti, a footy commentary icon
It's inevitably the witticisms which first spring first to mind when think of Dennis Cometti, but, more broadly, he was Australian football's greatest ever caller and will be sorely missed, writes Rohan Connolly.
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The 50 best AFL players heading into season 2026
It's that time of year when ESPN's Jake Michaels counts down his 50 best players in the AFL. Spoiler alert: two-time Brownlow medalist Patrick Cripps has made the cut.
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Hold your horses: AFL's Origin revival was real, but its long-term future is not
AFL Origin's return was a clear success, but one brilliant night is not enough to prove it's truly back for good.
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Ranking every AFL after-the-siren winning goal since 2000
Since the turn of the millennium, there have been 32 after-the-siren goals kicked which have won the game. We've ranked them -- taking into account shot difficulty, context of the match, conditions, and more to determine which clutch kick rules them all.
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AFL player record holders, statistical leaders, and more
Who has played the most AFL games? Who has kicked the most AFL goals? Here are the league leaders in history for all the stats that matter.
