Category: Behind the News
Behind the News
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AFL ladder: Does it really mean much anymore?
It took a month, but finally, the 2026 AFL season has parity, 18 teams all having played four games prior to Thursday evening. The ladder gives us at least some idea what's going on. Or does it? Rohan Connolly breaks it all down.
Behind the News
Latest
Easter Monday epic: ‘That’s what I’m talking about!’
Easter Monday's Hawthorn-Geelong epic was a salient reminder of just what makes us love the game, and why we should be focussing on it a lot more, says Rohan Connolly.
Behind the News
Latest
No Daicos, no depth. Pies’ loss highlights list problem
Is Nick Daicos even more important to Collingwood than we already suspected? Rohan Connolly picks over the bones of the Pies' Gabba thrashing.
Not that simple: Still too early for Blues to sack Voss
Would sacking Michael Voss be the right move for Carlton? Not right now, says Rohan Connolly, unless the Blues’ board, having changed much around the coach to support him, wants to admit it got all that wrong, too.
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AFL about to slap real fans in the face again?
The AFL continues to put hardcore fans of the game offside with its tone deafness, says Rohan Connolly. And abandoning a day Grand Final, the last bastion of footy tradition, would be its dumbest move yet.
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State of the game? Now young men yelling at clouds!
Let’s back off the ‘hot takes’ about what impact the rule changes are having on AFL football this season, says Rohan Connolly. Fact is we’re getting a bit of everything so far, and that’s a good thing, isn’t it?
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Footy looks fun again for revitalised Demons
Steven King’s new-look Demons have cast aside memories of departing stars, stodgy footy and a coach sacking, and the guilt-free ride which is the 2026 season could be a lot of fun, writes Rohan Connolly.
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Bleak outlook for Bombers on top-end talent
It’s been a dismal couple of decades for Essendon. And a dismal start to another new season last Friday night against Hawthorn. The current outlook is bleak, and there’s no escaping that for Bomber fans, writes Rohan Connolly.
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Bulldogs’ backline tweaks making a big difference
The Western Bulldogs have made a blistering start to 2026, and some defensive tweaks appear to have had a lot to do with it. Rohan Connolly looks at how the Dogs have gone about it.
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Time is right for Roos to rise, says new skipper Larkey
New North Melbourne skipper Nick Larkey is bullish on his side’s prospects in 2026, telling Rohan Connolly the Kangaroos will “improve again” as they eye a long-awaited September return.
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A decade on, this really might be McGrath’s moment
He hasn’t enjoyed team success, he hasn’t the individual heights everyone thinks a No.1 draft pick should, but this really might now be Andrew McGrath’s time to shine. He speaks with Rohan Connolly.
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Are the Bulldogs about to boot us in the backside?
Rohan Connolly has finally jumped off the Western Bulldogs as a flag threat. But with a degree of trepidation after what he’s seen during the lead-up to the Dogs’ first game of the new season.
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Vale Dennis Cometti: Ladies and gentlemen, you have just seen a classic
It wasn’t just Dennis Cometti’s puns which made him such a great commentator, says Rohan Connolly, it was the voice, the timing, the sharp analysis, the whole package. We were lucky to have him.
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Five keys to who wins the 2025 AFL Grand Final
Either Geelong or Brisbane will mount the AFL premiership dais having emerged triumphant in some critical areas. What are they? Rohan Connolly analyses the biggest keys to the grand final.
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Max Holmes: Cats speedster gets his grand chance
Injuries haven’t been kind to Geelong speedster Max Holmes in the penultimate game of the season. But having survived last Friday night’s win over the Hawks, he finally gets a shot at a flag. Rohan Connolly reports.
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Which match-up will give us the best AFL grand final?
Two massive AFL preliminary finals about to happen. But which match-up would give us the best grand final. Rohan Connolly ranks the possible scenarios for the big one.
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Can Crows respond in cut-throat semi-final?
It’s all on the line for Adelaide tonight. Can the Crows cope with the finals pressure this week? Rohan Connolly analyses the task ahead.
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Footyology Podcast: Sorting out the semi-finals
On the Footyology Podcast, proudly brought to you by ESPN Australia, Rohan Connolly and Rodney Eade keep you abreast of all the footy news and offer the most incisive previews of the AFL games each week.
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Mannagh hitting his straps when it matters most
Geelong’s Shaun Mannagh is playing an increasingly important role in the Cats’ 2025 premiership push. Rohan Connolly spoke to the AFL’s oldest “best young player”.
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AFL Finals: Cats just keep keeping on
Such is Geelong’s incredible consistency that the greatest certainties of life may soon be acknowledged as death, taxes and the Cats contending for a premiership, says Rohan Connolly
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Fear the great motivator for Dogs and Dockers
Fear is a great motivator, but in Sunday’s Western Bulldogs-Fremantle clash it might be even more pivotal than usual, given the consequences of a loss for the Dogs or Dockers, says Rohan Connolly.
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Ranking the contenders: Who’s really flag favourite?
The finals are almost here and it’s tighter than ever at the top. Who is the best chance to win the 2025 AFL flag? Rohan Connolly ranks the contenders.
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Final rehearsal: Crows’ credentials v Pies’ pluck
On Saturday night, it’s Adelaide’s credentials v Collingwood’s fight for survival. The Crows’ form says they’re a genuine premiership threat, but the Pies’ history and knack for spoiling parties makes this the ultimate finals dress rehearsal, writes Rohan Connolly.
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