ESSENDON have done it the toughest of the four teams involved in the Anzac blockbusters, with the Bombers making at least five changes for Sunday’s AFL clash with Melbourne. The 13th-ranked Bombers have rested ruckman Tom Bellchambers and midfielder David Myers, dropped defender Michael Hartley and lost Josh Green and Josh...

SHAUN Higgins has returned to North Melbourne after his brutal concussion but a return to AFL action is likely to be at least a couple of weeks away. The Kangaroos utility was knocked out cold in a sickening collision with Hawthorn’s Ryan Burton on Sunday, just hours after his wife gave birth...

BRENDON Goddard wants to tone down his fiery mood with teammates during AFL matches, saying it doesn’t help. The veteran Essendon defender became the focus of attention after several on- field incidents during their poor Anzac Day loss to Collingwood. Commentators ripped into Goddard for angry confrontations with David Zaharakis and Joe Daniher,...

COLLINGWOOD have mauled Essendon by 49 points for their 14th AFL Anzac Day win. Midfielders Adam Treloar, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom were outstanding on Wednesday for the Magpies in their 14.17 (101) to 7.10 (52) win in front of 91,440 fans at the MCG. Treloar won his first Anzac Medal for...

PORT Adelaide midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper has been suspended by the AFL for a further week following an alcohol-fuelled incident at an Adelaide nightclub. An AFL investigation has found the 20-year-old engaged in conduct “unbecoming for an AFL player by being intoxicated in a public place and by making inappropriate contact with...

RICHMOND have stormed to the top of the AFL ladder with a late burst sealing a 46-point win over a fading Melbourne in the Anzac Day eve clash at the MCG. The Demons trailed by just six points in the third quarter, but the Tigers slammed home seven of the last...

PORT Adelaide forward Lindsay Thomas is out of action for a total of four AFL matches after pleading guilty at the tribunal. The tribunal handed him a three-game ban for rough conduct, plus earlier on Tuesday he had accepted a one-game suspension for striking Joel Selwood. Thomas’ case was heard immediately before Selwood,...

THE blows keep coming for the Sydney Swans with Lance Franklin ruled out for at least this weekend’s AFL clash with Geelong. Franklin has been quietly battling a bruised heel for the past month but coach John Longmire revealed on Tuesday the star forward had aggravated the injury during Friday’s 10-point home...

MELBOURNE have dropped three players in the wake of their round-four AFL shocker for the Anzac Eve clash against Richmond. The Demons have made four changes in all, losing Jordan Lewis to a broken hand, while Richmond have lost three players to injury and suspension. As expected, Essendon small forward Orazio Fantasia is...

HAWTHORN star Tom Mitchell does not face suspension, meaning his Brownlow Medal hopes stay alive, but AFL match reviewer Michael Christian has referred Port Adelaide forward Lindsay Thomas and Hawthorn defender James Sicily directly to the tribunal. Thomas has been sanctioned twice from the weekend and along with Geelong captain Joel Selwood...