Nic Negrepontis

4 days ago | nine.com.au | Nic Negrepontis

Former Essendon coach and club legend James Hird is excited about his side's developing key-position duo Zach Reid and Nate Caddy. Reid was the 10th pick in the 2020 draft, but only managed nine games in his first four seasons dealing with stress fractures in his back, three hamstring injuries, a ruptured pectoral, bone stress in his right foot and, on top of all that, glandular fever. But he has had a clean run at the 2025 season, improving week after week as an intercept-marking key defender.

4 days ago | nine.com.au | Nic Negrepontis

James Hird believes Jesse Hogan is a strong chance to win back-to-back Coleman Medals if he can stay healthy. The 30-year-old Giant sits second on the leaderboard after round nine with 25 goals, two behind Gold Coast's Ben King, however Hogan has played two fewer games. He kicked seven goals in GWS's win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in round eight, and a bag of nine against West Coast earlier in the season.

4 days ago | nine.com.au | Nic Negrepontis

Round nine of the AFL season is done and dusted, and was the game of the round another epic Showdown? Was it the shootout at the Cattery? Or was it the wooden-spoon brawl between West Coast and Richmond, which featured 15 lead changes? It was a great weekend of action. Carlton and Gold Coast continued their yo-yo form, while Essendon and Collingwood put further doubts over Sydney and Fremantle's 2025 credentials respectively. Here are five takeaways from the weekend's results.

4 days ago | nine.com.au | Nic Negrepontis

Brisbane midfielder Jarrod Berry and North Melbourne defender Luke McDonald were both left bloodied after an ugly collision in the first quarter of their clash in Hobart. Berry was subbed out almost immediately with a concussion, while McDonald needed immediate attention as blood streamed down his face. The former Roos captain was attempting to intercept a kick and clearly did not see Berry, running straight into him.

4 days ago | nine.com.au | Nic Negrepontis

A desperate diving tackle from Richmond defender Tom Brown has ultimately saved the day in the club's two-point win over West Coast at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. A big contested mark in the centre of the ground with 38 seconds remaining gave the Eagles one last roll of the dice to steal their first win of 2025, with a handball chain ultimately ending up in the hands of substitute Tom Gross, streaming to the 50.