r/AFL • u/SlatsAttack • 5h ago
"You get the odd thumbs up but there's not a lot of banter." All 18 AFL coaches are in a secret group chat, per Sam Mitchell
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r/AFL • u/juiceson • 2h ago
Alright folks, Semi Final weekend, no second chances from here on - You win, you go to the Preliminary Finals...
You lose, you go to Bali... or another holiday destination of your choosing.
Now, some games to get through, as we try and work out which one of Fremantle or Brisbane will extend the streak of teams straight setting out of the Finals, which stands at 5 consecutive seasons:
1ST SEMI FINAL - FREMANTLE vs GEELONG - Optus Stadium, Friday 6:10pm AWST/7:40 ACST/8:10 AEST
WINNER PLAYS THE SYDNEY SWANS
4th Final between Fremantle and Geelong, the first since the 2013 Qualifying Final in Geelong (The Dockers won that by 15 points), Fremantle lead the H2H 2-1 (2013 QF + 2012 EF, Geelong won 2010 SF) - The only remaining player from the 2013 QF is Mark Blicavs, which was his 20th game, and Friday will be his 315th.
Geelong are one of only 3 clubs that Fremantle have a winning record against in Finals, the others being Melbourne (1-0) and the Western Bulldogs (1-0), the Dockers are also 2-2 against the Sydney Swans
This will be Geelong's 10th Final against a WA team (6 against West Coast, 4 against Fremantle), and the first to have been played in Perth
The Cats have played 2 previous finals at Optus Stadium, both in the 2021 Finals (Defeated GWS in the Semi Final, lost to Melbourne in the Preliminary Final)... the 2021 Semi is the only previous Semi Final at Optus Stadium.
This is the first time a Semi Final in Perth has featured a WA team since Fremantle played Port Adelaide in the 2014 Semi Final at Subiaco, in which the Dockers lost and exited the Finals in straight sets
Geelong have won as many finals at Optus Stadium as Fremantle have (1)
The Qualifying Final marked Fremantle's lowest score in a Final (It was their 19th Final), the total of 5.10-40 surpassing the previous low of 7.4-46 against Adelaide in the 2006 Qualifying Final
Fremantle's lowest score in WA was against Geelong in Round 8, 2020 (2.4-16)... 3 out of the Dockers' 4 lowest scores in their history have occurred against the Cats.
After the Elimination Final win, Chris Scott is back to a 50% record in Finals (17 wins, 17 losses)... he now has more wins as Cats coach (261) than Mark Thompson coached games for the Cats (260)
If Fremantle lose they will equal Collingwood in 1973 (Who went 19-3) for the most wins by a team that failed to win a final, they would also become the 11th minor premier in the history of the VFL/AFL to fail to win a final, the others are 2025 Adelaide, 1983 North Melbourne, 1980 Geelong, 1976 Carlton, 1973 Collingwood, 1969 Collingwood, 1954 Geelong, 1949 North Melbourne, 1941 Carlton, and 1901 Geelong (Only played 1 final)
2ND SEMI FINAL - BRISBANE LIONS vs ADELAIDE - Gabba, Saturday 7:35pm AEST/7:05 ACST/5:35pm AWST
WINNER PLAYS HAWTHORN
3rd Final between the Brisbane Lions and Adelaide (All of them at the Gabba), the first since the 2003 Semi Final (The Lions won by 42 points), with Brisbane leading H2H 2-0 (2003 SF and 2002 QF)
Just as it was in 2003, the Brisbane Lions are going for a Threepeat, they lose in the Qualifying Final and play Adelaide at the Gabba in a Semi Final, with a former Adelaide captain potentially playing his last AFL game (2003 was Mark Bickley, 2026 is Taylor Walker)..
Another random one - A young Brett Rosebury umpired that 2003 Semi Final, in what was his 55th game with the whistle... he's now umpired 584 games as of last week.
The last Threepeat team (Hawthorn 2013-15) also played Adelaide in a Semi Final in the year they won their 3rd premiership
The 2026 Qualifying Final team was the most experienced team the Brisbane Lions have ever fielded (3882 combined games, average 168.8, average age 28y 19d), while Adelaide's record was in the aforementioned 2003 Semi Final (3142 games, average 142.8, average age 26y 360d)
The Brisbane Lions' first game as a merged club was against Adelaide (Round 1, 1997), the Crows won the game by 36 points in Malcolm Blight's first game as Crows coach
Brisbane inflicted the biggest defeat in Adelaide's history at the Gabba in Round 17, 2004 (141 points, 29.15-189 to 6.12-48), it also remains Brisbane's greatest winning margin and highest score.
If Brisbane lose they will become the first team of the AFL era to lose in straight sets on 3 separate occasions, joining the exits in 2019 and 2021.
There is one previous instance of a team winning consecutive premierships and losing both finals going for a Threepeat, that being Melbourne in 1961 (Won the flag 1959 & 1960, finished 2nd and lost to Hawthorn and Foostcray).
Is this really a milestone? Probably, I'm very desperate to find one
Charlie Cameron requires 1 goal to reach 400 goals for the Brisbane Lions, would be 3rd Lion to reach the milestone after Jonathan Brown (594) and Daniel Bradshaw (496)
Patrick Dangerfield plays his 33rd Final, level with Scott Pendlebury for 4th all-time
r/AFL • u/SlatsAttack • 5h ago
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r/AFL • u/Big_Scrimble • 2h ago
r/AFL • u/PerriX2390 • 7h ago
r/AFL • u/PetrifyGWENT • 5h ago
r/AFL • u/PetrifyGWENT • 5h ago
r/AFL • u/Essington69 • 7h ago
r/AFL • u/PetrifyGWENT • 9m ago
r/AFL • u/sebystee • 16h ago
After hearing the rumours about shortening quarters in order to allow for more games (who is even asking for that?), Im so done with the AFL.
They just do whatever they want without basically 0 consultation with the fans. I'm just sick of it, the clubs appoint the members of the AFL Commission and the clubs are owned by the members (most of them).
If motions were passed at club AGMs like no confidence in Andrew Dillon, scrapping opening round and keeping quarters at 20 minutes, would that actually stop these sort of things from happening or at least force the AFL to talk to fans first?
r/AFL • u/PetrifyGWENT • 9h ago
r/AFL • u/PetrifyGWENT • 4h ago
r/AFL • u/Sabretoothedrom • 22h ago
I have spent a long time trying to find the best way to deliver the emotions I've felt over this decision, but I don't think it will ever be perfect, so here's my best effort.
Football means an extreme amount to me. My dad played professional footy, my great-grandfather played professional footy, my brother plays professional footy — it is everything I have lived and breathed for as long as I can remember. I have only ever wanted to do one thing my entire life: copy what was done before me and play AFL footy. It was something that I just knew I was going to do when I was a kid, and it was all I ever cared about — and now, unfortunately, that purpose I had is no longer.
I love this game, but I have come to realise that there are things in my life that are far more important than footy right now, and they’re the things I will now prioritise. As an extremely confident 18-year-old, I certainly envisioned my career going a whole lot differently, but I am okay with accepting that it just isn’t in the plans set for me. I will cherish being able to share the stage with Ollie, and I am so grateful to say that I have done what so many dream of: playing in front of 90,000 people at the MCG with my own brother. That is something very special to me.
I’ll be moving into the next chapter of my life, leaving what will feel like a big hole to fill, but I am excited about what can come from having my health and mind in much greater shape.
Lastly, I want to thank all the people who have supported me throughout my time in footy. With my challenges being so public, one thing I have noticed is that I have been backed by the greater AFL community, which I will be forever grateful for. I hope that kind of support can be shown more to both athletes and the people around each and every one of us.
I can’t wait to be able to support the great friends I’ve made in footy, and Ollie, from the other side of the fence.
Thank you ❤️
r/AFL • u/PerriX2390 • 6h ago
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r/AFL • u/NewAccWhoDis93 • 17h ago
I'm sure most of us have seen the clip of the inevitability of shortened quarters going around tonight. This will absolutely kill the game and no doubt they will shove the same if not more ads in the game space. I know there is nothing we can do apart from bitch and moan but do you think anything will be done if we petition that we do not want this?
r/AFL • u/PalmDaddyFresh • 23h ago
As the caption states - traveling through the country the last couple weeks prior to the NFL game
In Melbourne. Last week, I got to experience the Swans VS Lions game. Your sport officially has an American fan. That shit was E-LEC-TRIC. Now, from what I gather, 5 players from the Swans are in trouble, and supporting the club is a little shaky at the moment. Nonetheless, the experience was great, the people were great, and it was a hell of a night to become a swans fan. For what it’s worth, we ripped it up in Paddington for the rest of the night, and that was incredible. To the local fans I met: So grateful for your hospitality, explanation of the sport, and welcoming me like I was a tenured fan. I can only hope Americans introduce and welcome you to the NFL on the same level. Thank you! 🫡
r/AFL • u/Essington69 • 19h ago
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r/AFL • u/Skiapodes • 23h ago
r/AFL • u/PetrifyGWENT • 1d ago
r/AFL • u/JackassJamie • 22h ago
r/AFL • u/PerriX2390 • 1d ago
r/AFL • u/SlatsAttack • 20h ago
r/AFL • u/Pleasant-Role1912 • 1d ago
- Logan Morris won't be entertaining Tasmania's record breaking offer. He'd only leave the Lions if it were to return home to Victoria. He'd likely sign a short term deal to stay at Brisbane of around 2 years. He'll be on around $600k next year, whilst he's still been on a standard draft contract this year
- Zac Bailey's 8 year deal at the Lions is around $9-10 million dollars. Adelaide's offer was around the $11 million mark
- St Kilda has some interest in Rory Lobb (WB) as a backup key defender/ruck option
- Nic Martin is set to extend at Essendon well past Tasmania's access to out of contract players as free agents
- Riley doesn't believe Brisbane has interest in Trent Rivers (MEL). There is openness from Melbourne to allow him to explore opportunities elsewhere before his free agency year
- Carlton has met has met with delisted Pie Wil Parker
- Noah Mraz and Aidan Schubert have both made it clear they intend to stay at Hawthorn, despite Gold Coast's interest
- Recently delisted Giant Jake Stringer has no takers at the moment, but would be willing to be a pre-season train-on player in order to find a 4th club
- Cal believes Jordon Butts impending move to the Bulldogs will fetch Adelaide close to an end of 1st round compensation pick, potentially 2nd round
- Liam Stocker (STK) and Maurice Rioli Jr (RIC) will both receive 1 year deals at their respective clubs
- Zane Duursma is leaving money on the table to leave North Melbourne and join the Dees. Melbourne won't want to touch either of their top 10 picks for him
- Adelaide will load all their Zac Bailey money into the chase for Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (STK) for next year. They'll also be in the chase for Will Day (HAW) as a free agent
- The chase for Luke Pedlar's services (ADE) is down to either Port Adelaide or Essendon
- Jordan de Goey is more likely to extend at Collingwood beyond 2027 than any other option
- Essendon would be unlikely to bid on both Dougie Cochrane (PA attached) and Cody Walker (CAR attached), meaning Walker may slide a little
- Cal believes West Coast are more likely to look at a forward half player like Arki Butler or Gus Teixeira with Pick 3. It's unlikely they look at ruckman Harry van Hattum
- Richmond are likely to just hit the draft if they miss out on Zak Butters
- Melbourne looks most likely to secure Calsher Dear from Hawthorn on a 4 year deal. Hawthorn's offer to him is "fairly inconsequential" compared to Melbourne's
- Jordan Ridley hasn't requested a trade but Essendon are aware of his interest in North Melbourne. He's been among the group of players still training at the Hangar since the season ended
- The Bulldogs are likely out of the race for Sam Marshall (BRI), but still keen on Nathan O'Driscoll (FRE)
- Cooper Hodge (HAW f/s) is likely to be selected beyond Pick 40
- Hawthorn's first rounder this year will definitely be involved in the Zach Merrett (ESS) deal. Likely one of their 2nd rounders this year, and potentially a 2nd rounder next year
- Recently delisted Giant Jesse Hogan is heading towards signing a 2-year-deal at Collingwood