Essendon Bombers
From ‘scrawny kid’ to one half of Melbourne’s ‘it’ couple: The former carpenter putting Bombers in shape
Essendon’s Sam Durham may have taken the long route to the top, literally and figuratively, but life is changing quickly for the boy from Seymour.
- by Andrew Wu
Latest
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Blues, Dees teams named for blockbuster; Pies’ depth tested; Cousins responds to hall of fame snub
Carlton make four changes ahead of a huge MCG clash; Mum’s the word as the Pies prepare for Mother’s Day at Marvel; and Ben Cousins speaks out on the hall of fame.
- by Peter Ryan, Andrew Wu, Danny Russell and Roy Ward
Opinion
AFL 2024
Why personalities like Sam Draper should be celebrated, not gagged
Seeing Sam Draper’s reaction to the crucial decision late in the Bombers’ last-minute win against Adelaide was revealing and hilarious – unless you barracked for the Crows.
- by Mathew Stokes
AFL clubs wary of reputation damage in Tarryn Thomas decision
Of 11 AFL clubs who spoke to The Age about a potential return for Thomas, three said they were highly unlikely to offer him a career lifeline. Others will do their homework on the former Kangaroo who was suspended for threatening women.
- by Jake Niall, Michael Gleeson and Wendy Tuohy
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Blues bolstered by midfielder’s return; Bomber’s long-term commitment; Beveridge labels Draper’s jibe ‘bizarre’
Andrew McGrath has made a huge call on his playing future; Carlton’s firing midfield has received another boost ahead of their Pies blockbuster; and Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has responded to Essendon ruckman Sam Draper’s “bizarre” jibe.
- by Andrew Wu and Roy Ward
Updated
AFL 2024
‘Forgiveness is not working’: Bartel uncomfortable with potential Thomas return
Essendon coach Brad Scott said his former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas is “a good person”, despite having made “some terrible mistakes”. But Jimmy Bartel would be “incredibly uncomfortable” to see Thomas back on an AFL list.
- by Scott Spits and Marnie Vinall
‘Our players deserved the end result’: Scott backs Bombers’ controversial win
Essendon and Adelaide clash in what is a vital round six clash for both sides to stay in touch with the top eight.
- by Danny Russell and Steve Barrett
AFL round seven teams and tips: Hawthorn bolstered by Day’s return
Our experts have entered their tips for the nine games of round seven. See which way they’re predicting each match will go as the season kicks into gear.
The dark humour helping Kyle Langford get over his missed chance at glory
Both clubs on Thursday night were wrapping their arms around heartbreak kids Langford and Jamie Elliott, who missed opportunities to win the game in the frantic final stages of one of the best Anzac Day clashes between the two sides.
- by Andrew Wu
Big trouble in the Lions’ den as Giants make statement with punishing win
Brisbane’s stuttering AFL campaign has continued at Manuka Oval, thrashed by a surging GWS outfit to slump to 2-5 for the season. The 2023 grand finalists fell to their biggest loss of the year.
- by Scott Spits and Andrew Wu
A screamer, a banana and a monster torp: Breaking down the brilliant moments of Anzac Day draw
Jamie Elliott was still rubbing his eyes in wonder at Bobby Hill’s laser-guided sidewinder of a kick to him in the first quarter when he said this Anzac Day skyscraper of a mark was the best of his career.
- by Greg Baum