Jake Niall

In a final that Carlton effectively had to win three times, the most critical performances came from players who’ve been either disregarded or dismissed due to their inability to stay healthy.

Jack Silvagni is likely to remain at Carlton after the Blues offered the out of contract forward/utility a two-year deal. Elsewhere, Chad Wingard got a one-year contract extension at Hawthorn.

The Bombers are a chance to snare St Kilda free agent Jade Gresham as the forward-midfielder weighs up his future.

The Brayden Maynard incident divided opinion in the football public, but it also was the cause of a division within the AFL’s decision-makers.

Max Gawn’s draft interview in 2009 stood out from the pack for its candour and flashes of humour. In a new interview, the premiership skipper looks back at that scruffy teenager.

Collingwood’s All-Australian wingman Josh Daicos says he was somewhat immature when he started at the Magpies and needed time to become the player he is today.

Every elite athlete has special traits. Talking to Nick Daicos’ teammates - such as Scott Pendlebury and Nick’s brother Josh - plus a range of experts, we examine just what makes the younger Daicos stand out.

They’ve been busy players in trade week, with Ben McKay, Xavier Duursma, Todd Goldstein and Jade Gresham all on the shopping list. So what is the strategy behind Essendon’s splurge?

Jack Ginnivan has summed up his situation well. If he hasn’t always taken advice on board in the past in his short career, this time he’s taken the hint. For three main reasons, he has to leave.

Joel Smith has been provisionally suspended after he returned a positive test for cocaine. Separately, Carlton revealed Elijah Hollands has been served with a notice to face court in relation to possession of an illicit substance.