Saturday, November 29 is AFL Draft Day. To some on The Roar, the combination of the AFL draft and the AFL salary cap is the embodiment of “manufactured” and “contrived” evenness in a regional, provincial and inconsequential sport. They may be right.

How the 16 clubs fared in the 2009 AFL draw released today.

Australia Coach Mick Malthouse says Ireland’s band of amateurs are just as professional and better prepared than his professional AFL stars for the international rules series.

The second-biggest sporting arena in Melbourne will undergo another name change, with the venue in the Docklands to be officially known as Etihad Stadium from March next year.

Tall forwards and ruckmen are likely to be at a premium in the upcoming AFL national and pre-season drafts, after several clubs failed in their attempts to trade for them this week.
Mitchell to Freo, Barker to Hawks

Adelaide is a nice enough town and the Crows play finals regularly, but both were again unpopular in trade week. Recruiting manager Matt Rendell admitted there is a stigma over the city, making it tougher to attract players.

AFL clubs and players faced anxious waits as the futures of Ryan O’Keefe, Robert Warnock and Brad Green remained up in the air heading into tomorrow’s final day of trade week.

There is an urgent need for the AFL and the Tasmanian Government to work together and upgrade York Park in Launceston to hold at least 30,000 spectators, regardless of whether it continues to be Hawthorn’s part-time home or Tassie gets its own team.

Sydney want a first-round draft pick in exchange for AFL premiership forward Ryan O’Keefe, but they have not given up hope of holding onto him.
Exclusive: ‘Trade Week is meaningless!’

Chris Judd’s not available, but recruiting conservatism is. They’re the two compelling factors which should make clubs tread carefully in AFL trade week, which starts tomorrow.

Out-of-contract Sydney forward Ryan O’Keefe will reveal his intentions by the end of this weekend. The All-Australian half forward met with coach Paul Roos, who described their discussions as amicable.
Roos extends his Sydney commitment

With serious doubts about luring a ready-made quality power forward, the Western Bulldogs are planning a long-term solution to cure their problems in attack.

With much discussion around AFL expansion and the number of clubs in Victoria, a lot of people have pointed to the need for the AFL to ‘prop up’ a number of clubs. This has been sited as a weakness, and a contrivance.

As Western Bulldogs great Scott West continued to absorb the shock of learning he would not play with the AFL club again, his coach and captain forecast a bright future in the coaching ranks.

Despite being the most prestigious award for individual players in the competition, the Brownlow Medal is quickly becoming another boring event and the award itself has less credibility every passing season.

The career of one of the Western Bulldogs’ favourite sons, Scott West has come to a sad end as he learned he would not receive another year at the AFL club.

Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney was left ruing Mad Monday and no acceptance speech after winning last night’s AFL Brownlow Medal.
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Port to Hawks, and Dew due for another grand final
Harley ready to console axed Cat
Hawks’ big week starts well as Mark Williams cleared

Geelong are one step away from back-to-back AFL premierships after prevailing 12.11 (83) to 7.12 (54) against a tenacious Western Bulldogs in their preliminary final at the MCG.
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Cats coach locks in Varcoe for decider
‘Dogs fail to take their chances
Collingwood players to be given say on Cousins: McGuire

It appears to be the end of an era for Sydney, but coach Paul Roos isn’t certain they need to reach ground zero before becoming an AFL force again.

Nick Riewoldt proved superstars aren’t subdued in successive finals as he led St Kilda to a semi-final belting of Collingwood at the MCG last night.
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Saints and Pies attract big crowd
Roos not sure Swans must return to ground zero