AFL

Grand final prognostications and Norm Smith Medal predictions

Most of The Age experts are tipping Melbourne - but not by a whole lot - while the Norm Smith contenders include Christian Petracca, Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver and Marcus Bontempelli.

Explaining the magic and the madness of Luke Beveridge

by Jake Niall

How Dogs and Demons built their grand final teams

by Daniel Cherny

Not so mad Max: From footy nobody to standout captain

by Greg Baum

‘Without a doubt’: Clarkson on whether he’d coach Tasmania’s inaugural team

by Russell Bennett

Insight & Analysis

The remaking of Michael Voss, Carlton coach

Michael Voss spent five seasons at the helm of the Brisbane Lions, his final match as senior coach eight years ago. In 2022, he will put the lessons he’s learned to good use when he takes the reins at Carlton.

Peter Ryan

Sports columnist

Explaining the magic and the madness of Luke Beveridge

Whether this pugnacious, emotional yet calm, bold but calculating tribal chieftain Luke Beveridge can lift his team to the pinnacle again, or if he fails, we can count on this: He won’t be embarrassed.

Jake Niall

Chief football writer, The Age

Does Beveridge have another bold move up his sleeve?

A master motivator, how Luke Beveridge has managed to get his team this far has been incredible. Locked in a hotel for weeks on end, he’s rallied his Bulldog troops with an ‘us against them’ mantra that’s fired them to the verge of another premiership.

Wayne Carey

Two-time AFL premiership captain

Latest in AFL

Barassi was invited to this year’s grand final in Perth, but quarantine protocols made it impracticable.

AFL grand final

‘I’ll play’: Barassi’s up for Demons big day

At 85, footy legend Ron Barassi is eager for Melbourne to add another grand old flag to the six he won as a player with Demons more than 50 years ago.