Herald Sun: Geelong footballer Tom Lonergan nearly died after a dramatic on-field collision cost him a kidney last month.
West Coast will give defender David Wirrpanda until the last minute to prove his fitness for Saturday's preliminary final against Adelaide, while half-back Mark Nicoski will play in a Grand Final only if others are injured.
Andrew McLeod has declared himself fit and grateful for the "little miracle" he dreamed would become a reality.
Collingwood's Jason and Cameron Cloke have been left to consider their futures after a meeting with coach Mick Malthouse yesterday.
Richmond captain Kane Johnson held off a string of hot contenders to win his first best-and-fairest award for the Tigers last night.
In the macho world of AFL football, Andrew McLeod never expected to be cut down by an ailment that usually strikes women in high heels. McLeod's battle with a painful bursa under his left foot was big news for much of the season, but it was the dreaded Morton's neuroma that was causing more angst.
Richmond may have taken some encouraging steps this season, but there's one damning statistic which highlights how much work is still to be done at Punt Rd. The Tigers finished the year with a 2-10 record against teams in the eight.
Victorians' love affair with the MCG is back on track as fans flock back to the home of football. Melbourne's sporting shrine has recovered from a shaky 52 per cent vote in 2004 to 66 per cent this season in a quest to identify Victoria's favourite AFL stadium.
He has been accused by some AFL club chiefs of "trashing the brand" and labelled "self-indulgent" by others, but Rex Hunt's fans have never left him. The man, known affectionately as the Bearded Burbler, has again been voted the best radio caller.
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas was voted worst AFL coach by fans, in a case of public opinion preceding the official verdict by several months.
Sandringham faces a tough selection dilemma today before finalising its team for Sunday's VFL grand final against Geelong at Princes Park.
The Devils-Kangaroos VFL partial alignment seems set to continue next season.
Sydney coach Paul Roos and co-captain Barry Hall say the Swans won't be sucked in by Fremantle's niggle as the mind games increased yesterday.
Dockers coach Chris Connolly has compared the scrutiny of Fremantle's first meaningful September to the constant intrusion of reality TV show Big Brother.
As silly as it might seem, Andrew Embley has thought long and hard about how a whistle could be installed into a mouthguard. Such crazy thoughts have occupied the West Coast star's mind during recent weeks as he battled a virus that has paralysed his right vocal chord and made him sound like Marlon Brando in The Godfather.
Fremantle defender David Mundy knows nothing about Telstra Stadium, nor is he too fussed.
The Advertiser: A month ago it was all doom and gloom. Now Adelaide vice-captain Simon Goodwin says the Crows could not be better prepared for Saturday's sellout preliminary final against West Coast.
Adelaide stars Brett Burton, Andrew McLeod, Mark Ricciuto and Ben Hart have put their hands up to play in Saturday's preliminary final against West Coast after training strongly at AAMI Stadium today.
Andrew McLeod yesterday revealed the nasty foot infection which has kept him out of the Crows' past two games had given him some "scary" moments.
Less than four weeks ago Jason Torney was wondering if he would pull on a Crows guernsey again this season. Having recovered from a neck injury, the versatile defender was playing solid football for South Adelaide in the SANFL but could not get a look in at West Lakes. It wasn't that coach Neil Craig and his match committee held a grudge against Torney . . . there was simply no room for him in Adelaide's best 22.
Brett Burton concedes Eagles game-breaker Chris Judd cannot be completely shut out of the preliminary final.
Sydney coach Paul Roos has predicted a fiery opening to tomorrow night's preliminary final against Fremantle but added he expected his players to focus on the ball.
Scott Thompson believes Saturday's preliminary final against nemesis West Coast will provide Adelaide with a definitive "test of character" and road to "redemption".
The Age: No news is good news for Sydney, almost certainly the most durable team in the AFL.
Stephen Quartermain and Anthony Hudson will call Channel Ten's fifth grand final, with Tim Lane sidelined in what the network describes as one of its toughest decisions.
Collingwood tells Cameron and Jason Cloke their football futures are likely to reside elsewhere.
Richmond heads the list of clubs interested in acquiring Fremantle's under-utilised key position player Graham Polak.
Key midfielder Simon Goodwin says Adelaide cannot be better prepared for Saturday's preliminary final against West Coast at AAMI Stadium.
Capping off his second season as Richmond captain, Kane Johnson is awarded the Jack Dyer Medal as the Tigers' best and fairest.
All is quiet on the western front for Andrew Embley, whose paralysed vocal cords could cost him his finals berth.
There was only one Tony Lockett, but the man who fittingly wears the No. 1 guernsey for Sydney has now surpassed even Plugger's on-field contribution to the club that Lockett built in the mid-'90s.
Adelaide's Graham Johncock says he has learned from last season's disappointment.
The Australian: Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley yesterday called on the AFL to outlaw the bump because of the high number of collision injuries this season and the confusion it is causing.
The cameras were focused on Chris Connolly last night as the Dockers arrived at Sydney Airport, but it is something the Fremantle coach is getting used to.
Classy West Coast defender David Wirrpanda could be a surprise starter in Saturday's preliminary final against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
Fremantle has faced more tribunal charges than any other club this season and Sydney coach Paul Roos will warn his players not to get sucked into any trouble before the opening bounce tomorrow night at Telstra Stadium.
Sitting down with Andrew Embley is like an audience with The Godfather. There is nothing remotely sinister about the West Coast midfielder but his voice is a dead ringer for Marlon Brando's ageing Vito Corleone. Despite losing the use of one vocal cord, Embley has kept his sense of humour.
The only thing now standing between Brett Burton and Andrew McLeod and a spot in the preliminary final side is how adventurous Adelaide Crows coach Neil Craig is feeling.
The Courier Mail: Ken McGregor's part in Adelaide's AFL premiership campaign could be revived with a surprise assignment against West Coast on Saturday – as a key defender.
Leigh Matthews will see out his contract at Brisbane and reports he would return to Melbourne to take over the vacant St Kilda coaching position are wishful thinking, according to Lions chairman Tony Kelly.
The Daily Telegraph: If his coach had it his way, Aaron Sandilands would get around in stilettos and a top hat. The taller, the better. As it stands, the Fremantle man mountain is the biggest professional footballer inAustralia.
Barry Hall: Now is the time for Sydney to unite and to get behind the Swans - let's make Friday night's preliminary final at Telstra Stadium the biggest AFL event ever outside of Victoria.
Sydney Morning Herald: Leigh Matthews will see out his contract at Brisbane and reports he would return to Melbourne to take over the vacant St Kilda coaching position are wishful thinking, according to Lions chairman Tony Kelly.
Paul Roos conceded that it was tempting, but he could not find a reason to change his winning 22 for tomorrow night's preliminary final against Fremantle.
The West Australian: West Coast pair Drew Banfield and Jaymie Graham are almost certain to miss Sunday’s WAFL grand final even if they do not play for the Eagles against Adelaide in the AFL preliminary final at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
