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Some lessons learnt from his brother Jacob have helped Benji van Rooyen become one of the AFL draft's best ruck prospects.

AFL draftVideoPremiumHow sibling support has spurred on van Rooyen’s draft dream

Benji van Rooyen is one of the premier ruck prospects eligible to be taken in this year’s AFL draft — and his dreams have been spurred on by his brother, Melbourne star Jacob.

Josh Kempton

Amelia Velardo kicks the ball long for the Blues against Hawthorn Hawks. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumBlues dare Demons to beat them on their home deck

With an AFLW grand final spot on the line, Carlton are ready to take on Melbourne at Ikon Park in a blockbuster preliminary final.

Anna Harrington

Darcy Vescio has kicked Carlton into the last four of the AFLW season. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremium'Poetry': Vescio the hero as Blues reach AFLW prelim

Carlton will face Melbourne in an AFLW preliminary final after 100-gamer Darcy Vescio sealed a comeback five-point win over Hawthorn in the semi-final.

Anna Harrington

Harvey Spawton-Guy shapes as one of Western Australia’s leading draft prospects after shining at WAFL league level.

AFL draftVideoPremiumThe ‘privilege’ which has made promising Falcon AFL-ready

Around the country, there are plenty of prospective AFL draftees who will be dreading the testing transition from from playing underage football into senior ranks. Harvey Spawton-Guy is not among them.

Josh Kempton

Taylor Smith celebrates with Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich.

AFLPremiumSwans book prelim spot with bruising AFLW win over Cats

Sydney will play off against AFLW heavyweights North Melbourne for a spot in the grand final after downing Geelong by three points.

Callum Godde

Hayley Miller, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong at McDonalds for McHappy Day.

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exclusive
AFLVideoPremium
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Brayshaw reveals his approach to grand final re-watch

Is it worth re-watching the end of the grand final for education and motivational purposes, or avoiding it altogether? Andrew Brayshaw opens up on how he’s approached it - and how he’s channelling the pain.

Craig O'Donoghue

Jake Soutar was not even in East Perth’s league side at the start of the year, but now appears a near-certainty to be taken in the AFL draft.

AFL draftPremiumWhy winding journey has left bolter ready to make AFL impact

The fact Jake Soutar appears set to achieve a dream he has held since he was “about five years old” has still not yet sunk in — but the WA draft bolter says he is ready to have an impact at the next level.

Josh Kempton

A devastated Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir

AFLVideoPremiumRevealed: Why Freo didn’t have loose man in front of Morris

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has unpacked the crucial play where Logan Morris was left alone against Oscar McDonald late in the grand final and explained the decisions around having a loose man in defence.

Craig O'Donoghue

Justin Longmuir will coach WA.

AFLVideoPremiumWill Justin Longmuir be allowed to pick Chad Warner for WA?

Justin Longmuir wants as many big names as possible to be playing for Western Australia during AFL Origin and now he’s addressed whether he’ll be allowed to select Sydney Swans star Chad Warner.

Craig O'Donoghue

Matthew Pavlich says there is still work to be done at Sydney, while Chad Warner is keen for 2027.

AFLVideoSydney ‘not celebrating’ police findings as Warner issues statement

‘This is not a day for anyone to really celebrate. We’re still looking very hard at the program and understanding where we need to get better for the future and examining that in really thorough detail. ‘

Cameron Noakes

Sydney Swans players Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Nick Blakey have been questioned by police over an alleged sexual assault inside a hotel room at the Pullman East Melbourne on August 17.

AFLVideoSydney Swans issue statement after police end Pullman probe

The Sydney Swans have issued a statement just hours after Victoria Police cleared four of the club’s players following a sexual assault investigation. 

Tegwen Bescoby

Isaac Heeney has issued a statement and Nick Blakey could soon follow.

AFLVideoIsaac Heeney speaks out after Swans stars cleared by police

Isaac Heeney has issued a statement after police declined to lay charges over the alleged Pullman scandal.

Glenn Valencich

Sydney Swans fans were urged to stick with the club despite the scandal. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumWhat has happened with the Sydney players' scandal

As Victoria Police confirmed four AFL players would not be charged, a timeline of what has happened since the night of August 16 at Melbourne's Pullman Hotel.

Roger Vaughan and Joanna Guelas

Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Nick Blakey will not be charged by police. (Robert Duong/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumCharges dropped but 'work to be done' at Sydney Swans

The Sydney Swans AFL club has defended its decision to stand down players at the centre of a hotel room scandal after police decided not to lay charges.

Nick Wilson, Tom Wark and Holly Hales

Isaac Heeney has released a statement thanking his family, friends and club for their support following the scandal. Picture NewsWire / Monique Harmer

UPDATEDPremiumAFL may start new probe into Swans scandal

The Sydney Swans’ “Pullman Four” have been cleared of criminal charges, but the AFL has reserved the right to launch its own investigation.

Blair Jackson

Sydney Swans players Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Nick Blakey have been questioned by police over an alleged sexual assault inside a hotel room at the Pullman East Melbourne on August 17.

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updated
AFLVideo
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No charges: Swans players cleared after police investigation

Victoria Police have confirmed the four players at the centre of the Sydney Swans’ Pullman Hotel scandal will not be charged. 

Chris Robinson

WA will have another crack at the State of Origin trophy when they take on South Australia in 2027. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumAFL names coaches for WA-SA State of Origin clash

Craig McRae and Justin Longmuir will coach South Australia and Western Australia respectively in State of Origin.

Anna Harrington

Tanya Kennedy has a massive role to play for the Sydney Swans when they meet Geelong. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumUnsung Swan set for tag on Cats star in AFLW final

Sydney captain Lucy McEvoy is backing an unheralded midfielder to claim another AFLW scalp in their semi-final against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

Joanna Guelas

Justin Longmuir with Shai Bolton, Jordan Clark, Luke Jackson and Jaeger O'Meara last season.

AFLVideoPremiumI cannot wait! Longmuir pumped to coach WA in AFL Origin

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir will be unveiled as Western Australia’s coach for AFL Origin on Friday morning and he is pumped about the chance to lead the state for the first time.

Craig O'Donoghue

Fremantle huddle together following their Grand Final defeat.

AFLVideoPremiumPremiership or bust for Dockers says Cornes

Channel Seven commentator Kane Cornes has deemed 2027 would be a fail for Fremantle unless they are able to go one better on their agonising grand final defeat from this year.

James Palumbo

A decision on whether to charge four Sydney Swans players over an alleged incident at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel has been delayed.

Sydney SwansVideoTwist in Swans Pullman Hotel saga as police delay decision

A decision on whether to charge four Sydney Swans players over an alleged incident at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel has been delayed.

Chloe Maher

Reuben Ginbey has back West Coast teammates after they received heavy criticism on social media. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremium'Run until they drop': defender slams weak Eagles call

Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell has labelled West Coast's training efforts as embarrassing, but Reuben Ginbey says it couldn't be further from the truth.

Justin Chadwick

Bontempelli and wife Neila are adjusting to being first-time parents of baby Daisy. Josie Hayden

AFLPremium‘Peak at right time’: Bont’s plan to prolong career

Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli says Zak Butters’ arrival will help share his load and allow him to extend his glittering AFL career.

Tyler Lewis

The West Coast Eagles have trained at Mineral Resources Park in Lathlain. PIctured - Reuben Ginbey

AFLVideoPremiumYoung Eagle Reuben Ginbey hip and shoulders criticism

West Coast defender Reuben Ginbey says vision of his teammates running “til they drop” at their first official pre-season session of the summer should be viewed as a strength not a weakness.

Glen Quartermain