How will the start of the 2027 AFL season look?

The league is considering introducing an AFLW representative game in next year's Gather Round edition.

And who is set for contract extensions?

All that and more from media buzz...

Power coach blasts former teammate over forward's trade call

Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr didn't mince his words when addressing trade chatter from former teammate Chad Cornes over claims Mitch Georgiades will depart the club.

Cornes suggested that West Coast will snare the gun forward sooner rather than later given Georgiades has links to the state.

"I wouldn't have thought Chad and Mitch ever had a conversation about what he wants to do," Carr said.

"He'd have no idea what Mitch wants to do."

Essendon coach offers Gimlet voucher to Merrett's wife.

Bombers coach Brad Scott says there is no expectation for players' partners to attend games in the wake of the divisive TikTok posted by Zach Merrett's wife.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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"Absolutely not," Scott said.

"We're very fortunate to do what we do, as players and coaches. In a lot of ways, it's harder on the partners than it is on the players.

"We can absorb just about anything, but when your partners have to absorb it, it can be extremely hard.

"I'll pick up Alexandra another gift voucher to Gimlet next week if she wants it."

Sydney boss provides update on Chad's future

Sydney has yet to put a long-term deal to star Chad Warner beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of 2027.

Swans chairman Andrew Pridham says there is a fair way to go before the club puts forward a new contract, despite the expected interest from Western Australia, especially West Coast.

"Who knows?" Pridham responded to the challenge of keeping Warner on SEN.

"Chad's got another two years on his contract. I know he's very settled in Sydney. He loves it. He's very invested in the financial markets, he bothers me for advice.

"No (we haven't put an extended deal to him). I think, (his contract) has two years to go, so there's a fair way to go there."

Opening Round set for major change

The 2027 iteration of Opening Round is set for a major change as the AFL works through the scheduling headache involving the MCG being unavailable for the first two weeks of March.

It is understood that league boss Andrew Dillon is working towards including all 18 teams in the first week of the season, which would remove the disjointed start and early-season byes.

Blue omission "first casualty" of football evolution

Carlton's decision to drop midfielder George Hewett from the side has been deemed the "first casualty" of football's evolution, according to Kane Cornes.

Speaking on The Agenda Setters, Cornes said coaches are leaning toward more explosive midfielders to suit the modern game. He acknowledged that captain Patrick Cripps is "lucky".

"He is just going," Cornes said. "If he wasn't the captain of this side I think his position would be at risk as well.

"The impact isn't there."

Mason Cox joins Scott in bashing over AFL Wildcard Round

Fremantle forward Mason Cox made his feeling known regarding the AFL's introduction of the Wildcard Round, joining the chorus led by Geelong coach Chris Scott in his stance against it.

"There's no hiding from that whatsoever," Cox said of the cash-grab labels on the Red Time podcast. "I think we all know that is the reasoning the Wildcard exists. Same thing with Gather Round, they implemented two new rounds and weekends of games over a five-year period. It's cheeky, but there's no hiding from that.

"The players and coaches aren't getting their fair share of that money, and everyone is very well aware of that," Cox said. "You look at percentage revenue of what we get comparatively to other sports around the world, and it is close to half."

The league to introduce AFL/AFLW double headers

For the first time, football will see AFL/AFLW double headers in 2026 when the two competitions overlap in August.

The decision, reported on SEN, will help create a 'one-club' mantra, and will allow fans to watch back-to-back games at venues, including Marvel Stadium.

It will also help the women's league to play games at 'tier one' grounds, which has been a major request of the competition over the years.

Veteran Crow pleads for fixes, not apologies

Taylor Walker is getting fed up with the AFL apologising for umpiring errors in the wake of the missed 6-6-6 warning in the final quarter of the thrilling contest against Fremantle last week.

Adelaide have been on the backend of plenty deplorable calls, and this latest one has Walker pleading for solutions.

"I don't get sick of mistakes because I reckon everyone in this vicinity has made a mistake in their life," he said

"I just would like to know what we're doing about it.

"Don't continue to make apologies, but tell us what you're going to do about it.

"It's not really about the Adelaide footy club at all ... just gather round and find a solution for it, not be part of the mistake."

Gather Round set for Rep footy

League boss Andrew Dillon says the AFL is considering introducing representative football next year during Gather Round, which could host an AFLW clash.

“We're looking at how we get our best AFLW players on the ground at the same time,” he said.

“Whether that's a State of Origin type, which we had earlier this year for the men, or Australia v Ireland, which I think playing Australian Rules footy would be an incredibly close game and would be an amazing spectacle.

“That's certainly on the horizon for us with AFLW, and Laura Kane and her team are leading those discussions at the moment with the playing group just to find the right time in the calendar for a game like that.

“I think there's certainly an appetite.”

Essendon circling around Sun

The Bombers' need for more established talent has resulted in them registering interest in Gold Coast forward Jed Walter.

The Suns tall has been on the outer in recent times, either spending time in the VFL or spending less time on the field under Damien Hardwick.

Given the key forward squeeze at the Suns, Essendon, as well as West Coast, are keen to lure the services of Walter, says AFL Media.

Giant duo tabled extensions

GWS has shown its commitment to veteran pair Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan by offering the gun duo two-year extensions, according to AFL Media.

Greene and Hogan come out of contract, but it hasn't crossed the AFL landscape's mind that they'd consider a move away from New South Wales.

Roo beauty

North Melbourne veteran Jack Darling is set to hit a trigger in his contract to extend his career into 2027.

Darling signed a two-year deal when he joined the Kangaroos from West Coast, with a third season on offer pending he reached a certain amount of games.

Young Lion set to be rewarded with new deal

Brisbane tall Zane Zakostelsky is poised to put pen to paper on a two-year deal.

He debuted in Opening Round as a second ruck but has shown attributes as a key position player in other areas of the ground.

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