Copyright 2026 Nine Entertainment Co. Pty LimitedThe top News headlines from The Age. For all the news, visit https://www.theage.com.au/https://www.theage.com.au/rss/sport/afl.xmlhttps://www.theage.com.au/icons/rss/theage.pngen-AUFri, 06 Mar 2026 17:20:58 +1100https://www.theage.com.au/rss/sport/afl.xmlFri, 06 Mar 2026 17:20:58 +1100Sport / AFLDanny Russell, Greg Dundas, Peter RyanCarlton has copped some truth bombs from one of its own - Sam Docherty, a revered figure at the club who was in its club’s inner-sanctum just months ago.f09ccfaf-7acf-4876-8339-5811ceec2071https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/that-s-not-true-magpie-coach-dismisses-rumours-on-two-fronts-20260306-p5o827.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 16:52:57 +1100Sport / AFLRecently retired Carlton star Sam Docherty has slammed the club after their loss to Sydney.2dc28497-676e-462e-acbf-bc2f0c8c7d09https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/ex-carlton-skipper-slams-club-after-horrid-loss-20260306-p5o893.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 16:10:50 +1100Sport / AFLNeil MitchellThe AFL would never admit it, but some around football say it has turned its back when Australia most needs it because it’s nervous about a public backlash.3d90f384-00c9-4c7e-af1c-5aa8c772115fhttps://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-afl-usually-loves-pushing-a-social-cause-so-why-is-it-ignoring-this-one-20260306-p5o82s.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 15:45:00 +1100Sport / AFLJonathan DrennanTrailing by 10 points at half-time, the Swans’ remarkable 75-point third quarter kick-started their season. We break down how they did it.6311561c-83f3-4467-8401-599d68f49c93https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-third-quarter-that-changed-the-game-and-maybe-the-swans-season-20260306-p5o843.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 15:45:00 +1100Sport / AFLTom DecentAs he slotted his maiden goal for his new club against his old one, Charlie Curnow staked his claim as the successor to Lance Franklin, Barry Hall and Tony Lockett.193130c0-41ac-43d4-9437-885ac300e9e1https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/buddy-2-0-sydney-falls-in-love-with-its-latest-forward-superstar-at-the-scg-20260306-p5o841.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 11:54:10 +1100Sport / AFLPeter RyanClayton Oliver says he is ready to resurrect his career at the Giants.1754d00b-4265-4968-8018-7a8182e5f3a9https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/wish-i-had-done-it-a-couple-of-years-ago-oliver-on-dees-years-trade-and-the-diagnosis-that-changed-his-life-20260305-p5o7u5.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 11:30:00 +1100Sport / AFLPeter RyanCarlton started on a new path in October, while the Swans returned to their old ways. In opening round, both clubs showed they can still walk away winners.5fd1db11-e920-4afa-bcad-f3cd5a899929https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-blues-were-blown-out-of-the-water-on-opening-night-but-they-could-still-win-from-the-curnow-trade-20260305-p5o7yh.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 08:36:44 +1100Sport / AFLThe Swans belt Carlton at the SCG to open the AFL season with new recruit Charlie Curnow.da52df6e-c5dd-451f-bc5f-3841e6fe1e9fhttps://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/swans-belt-blues-in-fiery-scg-clash-20260306-p5o81k.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 08:05:45 +1100Sport / AFLJon PierikYoung Geelong spearhead Shannon Neale opens up on his grand final heartbreak, a junior football injury that shaped his future, his carb-heavy pre-game routine and, of course, Bailey Smith.f5d6ec9a-6527-44fa-abd4-a2386bfa5381https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/how-a-10-fine-with-interest-could-drive-the-cats-to-a-flag-20260302-p5o6lt.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 05:30:00 +1100Sport / AFLDanny Russell, Peter Ryan, Jonathan DrennanTwo-time Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow went head-to-head with his former side for the first time in the 2026 season opener, which at times produced some eyebrow-raising moments.c80464d4-8707-4835-8075-b42e6e5ebed9https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-opening-round-live-blog-carlton-braces-for-curnow-onslaught-in-sydney-colours-20260305-p5o7p4.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflFri, 06 Mar 2026 00:01:04 +1100Sport / AFLSydney superstar Isaac Heeney cops a knee to the head from Carlton recruit and former Swans teammate Ollie Florent.7a264eb5-84a8-46e7-9ceb-875ae21a5e33https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/heeney-rattled-by-ex-teammate-20260305-p5o7zq.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 21:40:42 +1100Sport / AFLAll the teams for the AFL’s opening round – plus the experts give their tips for the first weekend of footy for the 2026 season.d2ad9528-f4bc-4d53-8658-359036cb1f70https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-opening-round-teams-and-expert-tips-swans-blues-named-for-grudge-match-20260304-p5o7kk.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 20:20:24 +1100Sport / AFLAn enormous cheer goes up for Bondi Beach hero Ahmed Al Ahmed ahead of Sydney's clash with Carlton.d3443da1-1244-42e6-a90d-5395967047f6https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/huge-cheer-for-ahmed-al-ahmed-at-the-scg-20260305-p5o7z9.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 19:50:32 +1100Sport / AFLAFL legend Matthew Lloyd supports Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick not picking gun recruit Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in his round one team.1cf67e2c-870a-44e9-b32f-8b46dd4ea787https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/lloyd-backs-suns-not-picking-ugle-hagan-20260305-p5o7st.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 12:45:52 +1100Sport / AFLNick WrightThere are early signs the Brisbane star is ready to cast aside his 2025 form, and show the AFL world a new version of a once-emphatic goalscorer.2867c872-8c2a-48c1-80a8-c16d054bd322https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/why-cameron-repeated-a-phrase-three-times-in-a-seven-minute-press-conference-20260304-p5o7c1.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 12:04:51 +1100Sport / AFLAndrew WuFrom March to September, these people are weekly guests in your home, providing the soundtrack to your football season. This is how they do it.4f42828b-e4c3-4601-a4c4-a4b902b54c81https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/that-s-as-good-as-it-gets-inside-the-obsessive-world-of-the-afl-s-top-callers-20260227-p5o665.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 11:50:00 +1100Sport / AFLCollingwood coach Craig McRae and his wife Gabrielle addressed "annoying" rumours about their marriage.67b15228-4808-49de-9629-35c78d79e5d5https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/mcrae-addresses-untrue-rumours-20260305-p5o7n3.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 07:56:33 +1100Sport / AFLCaroline WilsonWorking alongside the legendary caller, I was introduced to another side of his analytical brilliance.3fe62809-95f6-4d1b-80a0-9f5ef15c461dhttps://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dennis-cometti-brought-joy-to-the-commentary-box-but-there-was-one-thing-he-loathed-20260304-p5o7hq.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 05:30:00 +1100Sport / AFLJon PierikPatrick Cripps heads into his 13th season still chasing an elusive flag, but a fellow champion says there are no guarantees, no matter how good you are.08135ced-cfe3-4c45-ae1c-7972dbf41576https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/deserving-counts-for-little-how-cripps-has-overcome-the-blues-20260224-p5o52s.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflThu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +1100Sport / AFLFranco Colapinto reflects on his call up to represent Alpine after the team parted ways with Australia's Jack Doohan.b6d5006f-97bd-496f-b3e5-db707062d551https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/alpine-star-reflects-on-taking-over-aussies-spot-20260304-p5o7li.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport_aflWed, 04 Mar 2026 20:27:06 +1100