There’s a slight disconnect between the data, the record and the eye test for the Brisbane Lions to start season 2024. This week, Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne reported on the numbers behind the Lions’ profile to start the season, indicating that the team’s current output would leave them shocked should the numbers continue and the Lions not reach a preliminary final at least. The data indicates that the common premiership trends – being rated a top-four offence and defence for scores and ball movement and being one of the best teams in the “turnover game”, with 17 of the last 18 premiers being ..read more

Amid all the hysteria and gnashing of teeth that accompanies any team following a particular galling loss, it’s worth remembering at all times that our game has an unmatched capacity to be very, very funny. How else would you describe a team and a coach in the gun all week, with rumours of player discontent running rife and suggestions even the captain and perhaps that club’s greatest player ever might not be all that happy, with their leading goalkicker and best midfielder absent, winning anyway by 10 goals in a manner that felt like double that in dominance? How else could you explain such a ..read more

Former AFL star Ben Cousins believes his ‘life’s never been better’, following a years-long battle with a substance abuse problem. The 2005 Brownlow Medallist, Cousins’ standing as one of the game’s modern greats was tarnished after drugs derailed his career, causing him to be sacked by West Coast at the end of 2007 before further off-field incidents following his retirement in 2010 after a stint at Richmond led to a 10-month prison sentence. However, in an appearance on The Front Bar, the 45-year old, who is currently reading sports news on Channel 7 in Western Australia and is set to appear ..read more

After near-perfect tipping scores across the board in Round 4, the going was significantly tougher last weekend – a slew of upsets made 5 par while many of us were left scrambling to so much as earn a 50/50 split. If anything, Round 6 promises to be even tougher, and so it has proved with our experts: five of the eight games this weekend have divided opinion, with Thursday night’s critical St Kilda-Western Bulldogs clash one of the toughest of all. Having endured a week of heavy scrutiny, will Luke Beveridge be able to inspire his troops to a face-saving win? Or will another loss condemn the D ..read more

Going into Round Six, some teams are absolutely flying, some look lost and the others, well we don’t really know what to make of them. To build up for another significant weekend, let’s ponder some of the questions that lay ahead. St Kilda v Western Bulldogs Can the Saints on-ballers take advantage of a weakened Dogs midfield? If the Bulldogs didn’t already have enough problems heading into Thursday night, they will be without arguably their best player this year in Tom Liberatore, who is out following concussion protocols. The Bulldogs midfield got beaten badly by Essendon last week. The in ..read more

There’s no disputing that the AFL competition is tough and season 2024 is no different. Coming into Round 6 there are two teams left undefeated, while at the other end of the ladder two teams haven’t won a game. Melbourne and Richmond have the bye this round, therefore we will be taking a look at the other 16 teams and their respective players who will need to make a difference to get their side over the line. St Kilda v Western Bulldogs St Kilda Mitch Owens has so much potential to be a key part of the St Kilda forward line. The 20-year-old has scope for improvement and should bring belief in ..read more

Western Bulldogs fans are beyond fed up with Luke Beveridge. Most are angry to the point of being irate. In many ways, Beveridge is this era’s Kevin Sheedy, except a poor man’s version of him. Both like speaking in riddles – Sheedy had his Martians and marshmallows, while Beveridge spouts indecipherable nonsense. Erratic coaching moves are a signature of both. At least Sheedy coached a flag on average every seven years, Beveridge will have one in 10 if he survives this year. More AFL Luke Beveridge is on borrowed time - he's an inconsistent coach who gets inconsistent results When the Eagles ..read more

Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already. Below I have given my thoughts on the games and which players I feel should get the Brownlow Medal votes. Melbourne Demons v Brisbane Lions at MCG, Melbourne Brisbane Lions won by 22 points Brisbane was brilliant on Thursday night against the Dees. At a venue they have traditionally struggled at, Brisbane came out firing. From the outset, they had a very clear plan to combat the intercept defending of Jake Lever and Steven May through uncontested mar ..read more

North Melbourne star Nick Larkey has declared it would be his worst nightmare if he left Arden St before the Kangaroos emerged as a premiership contender. As he prepares for a major milestone on Sunday, the 25-year-old forward has played in just 20 wins across his first 99 games at North. Larkey, who was taken with pick 73 in the 2016 draft, is staying loyal to the Kangaroos after signing on at the club until the end of the 2029 season. The three-time North leading goal-kicker has no ambitions to chase short-term success elsewhere, saying the “tough times are going to make the good times even ..read more

Free speech is one of the big misunderstandings of today’s society – and unfortunately, sport, while largely based on games and fun, is not immune to the flow-on troubles. Just because a person is unlikely to be fined or imprisoned by the government for having a voice or opinion in Australia, unless it breaks the law, it should not be seen as a free licence to do and say whatever we want, regardless of what platform we are using. It all comes down to one word that we hear a lot and say we support – respect. But how many walk the walk when challenged? Treat others how you’d like to be treated a ..read more