Jake Niall

AFL boss Andrew Dillon has told a briefing of all 18 clubs that the league will continue with a health-based illicit drugs policy. In practice, this would mean no sanction on the first offence.

The AFL has a major brand protection imperative. It does not want to look soft on players using drugs. There’s a pressure to be narcotically correct from governments and sponsors.

The AFL is keen to scan the brains of players when they are drafted, as one of a series of measures to reduce the risks associated with concussions.

Carlton’s comeback win over the Brisbane Lions should put paid to the specious notion that there isn’t room for Harry McKay in a Charlie Curnow-centred attack.

Gun Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver is on track to play in the AFL season opener against the Swans at the SCG. Sydney, however, will be without three of their best midfielders for the intriguing clash.

The Collingwood great sat in front of a projector screen and revealed his fears - that this would 2018 all over again - and the conversations with coaches, teammates and umpires behind a modern classic.

The Essendon coach explains it may be unrealistic for Stringer to become a “10 out of 10” professional footballer, while the 29-year-old has taken steps to improve his lifestyle during the off-season.

In a candid interview, Brad Scott discusses Essendon’s cultural change to embrace “an elite AFL lifestyle”, having said that there were too many players just happy to be on an AFL list.

Ross Lyon’s first stint as St Kilda coach represents a kind of Camelot for the Saints. Now, surrounded by his knights from that era, he has been handed the keys in what appears to be a slow-motion coup d’etat.

View our interactives to find out what gives the world No.1 the edge over up-and-comers Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton.

The AFL has cleared Collingwood key defender Nathan Murphy to resume his playing career after an examination by the league’s concussion panel.

Hawthorn have budgeted to pay a total of more than $2.5 million in legal fees and potential payouts in the fallout from the investigation into alleged mistreatment of First Nations players and their families.

Collingwood have already broken records for AFL merchandise sales but aren’t pocketing the bulk of the money.

The Magpies have had a bumper year financially, off the back of a mighty premiership win, record membership and playing in a large share of the AFL’s biggest blockbuster games.

Hopkins came off the bench to kick four goals in the second half of the 1970 grand final as Carlton stormed to a dramatic victory. But his biggest impact on football was, arguably, made off the field.

Joel Smith has been provisionally suspended after he returned a positive test for cocaine. Separately, Carlton revealed Elijah Hollands has been served with a notice to face court in relation to possession of an illicit substance.

The reality is, on exposed form, there does not appear to be a game-changing player who has changed clubs this AFL trade period.

Jack Ginnivan has summed up his situation well. If he hasn’t always taken advice on board in the past in his short career, this time he’s taken the hint. For three main reasons, he has to leave.

They’ve been busy players in trade week, with Ben McKay, Xavier Duursma, Todd Goldstein and Jade Gresham all on the shopping list. So what is the strategy behind Essendon’s splurge?

It was evident at half-time that Collingwood v Brisbane Lions was a classic. But was it the best grand final of the 21st century? From my vantage in the press box, it is clearly on the podium.