Geelong Cats
Krakouer of a fightback
EMMA QUAYLE Collingwood shows that the spark remains as it ends Geelong's unbeaten run.
Next generation needs to step up, says Cats coach
EMMA QUAYLE 12:24am Geelong will continue to expose its next generation of centre-square players to excellent opposition, despite coach Chris Scott's belief that his side needs to quickly improve that part of its game.
Magpies' joy tempered by setbacks
JAKE NIALL 12:13am Collingwood's gritty come-from-behind upset of Geelong has been tempered by an apparent setback for injured gun midfielder Dayne Beams and a report on ruckman Darren Jolly for a high bump.
A tale of two footies
MARTIN FLANAGAN Game's finest strut their stuff in an era in which the game is undergoing rapid change.
Ageless Cats still defy odds
GARRY LYON The Geelong Football Club has been an impressive outfit over the past seven years.
Errant Bomber punished
MATT MURNANE Essendon has sent a message to its players by disciplining defender Courtenay Dempsey for breaking team recovery protocols.
Hawks to copy Cats with a rest-is-best approach as stars look for a break
MATT MURNANE Hawthorn will follow Geelong model of resting and managing players throughout the season in effort to hit September in best possible shape.
It's time to scrap the match review process
ROHAN CONNOLLY The AFL’s judicial system continues to fail its most basic test, to deliver verdicts consistent with the football crimes committed.
Work, rest and play philosophy gives Cats a fresh start
EMMA QUAYLE Geelong's start will enable club to rest players through the tough middle part of the season.
AFL
Cat Chapman still battling hamstring niggle
Geelong At first inspection, Geelong utility Paul Chapman's hamstring strain seemed so minor he was not expected to miss any AFL action.
AFL
Kelly to contest charge at tribunal
Geelong Geelong midfielder James Kelly will head to the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night to challenge a two-match ban for a high bump on Essendon's Brendon Goddard.
Cats and Magpies lose Kelly, Shaw for MCG clash
JESSE HOGAN Geelong, Collingwood both set to be without key players when they clash at the MCG.
Unbeaten Cats cool but as good as Hawks or Lions?
JON PIERIK Debate over just where modern-day Geelong side rates in history begins again.
Enigmatic Johnson mixes his match
Geelong's Steve Johnson is testing his coach's patience in much the same way that the Cats keep testing their form this AFL season.
AFL
Sore Hawkins not at risk: Scott
Chloe Saltau and Jake Niall Geelong coach Chris Scott insists that time out of the game won't help Tom Hawkins.
Classy Cats leaders of pack
JAKE NIALL As of Friday evening, Geelong's claims to leadership of the competition cannot be disputed.
Poor ball usage cost us: Hird
JAKE NIALL Essendon coach says Bombers did not use the ball well enough or convert opportunities against Geelong.
'Lucky' Cats have a long way to go: Scott
MICHAEL GLEESON Geelong coach admits his side has been lucky at times in its undefeated start to the season.
AFL
Ex-Bombers fan keen to lift Cats to victory
Peter Hanlon and Rohan Connolly Geelong's Allen Christensen barracked for Essendon as a boy, and will have two younger brothers in the crowd on Friday night who are still avid Bombers.
Sharing in a football family's adventure
PETER HANLON The well-travelled Christensen family has made friends wherever it has gone.
Dons make six changes
JESSE HOGAN Essendon has brought in six players in its bid to turn around a grim recent record against Geelong - and live up to Cats coach Chris Scott's claim that the Bombers have been this season's top team.
Space a premium in the new frontier
PETER HANLON Peter Hanlon looks at a classic and how it might play out today.
Bartlett mocks coach 'confusion' over marking rules
Laws of the Game committee member slams critics of recent umpiring rulings, including coaches and star players, and says the game was "out of control" when legends like Tony Lockett dominated.
AFL pushes the friendship
MICHAEL GLEESON AFL message meant to clarify issue of contact in marking contests only serves to further muddy the issue.
AFL
Scott praises Cats forward Hawkins
Geelong's leading goalkicker Tom Hawkins will again be a key figure in Friday night's AFL table-topper against Essendon, even though he continues to be hampered by a stiff back.
Deledio defends his patchy form
MATT MURNANE Richmond star defends himself against mounting criticism of his performance.
Scott claims Essendon the hot favourite for clash of titans
MATT MURNANE History says Geelong's start to season has club on track to, at least, play off in grand final.
Bombers play copycats
ROHAN CONNOLLY Essendon has spent much of the past three years aspiring to emulate Geelong.
Cats lesson learnt, says Longmire as Swans ready for Hawks
ANDREW WU Sydney will enter their grand final rematch with Hawthorn confident they have addressed the flaws that were brutally exposed by Geelong in their only significant examination this year.
