Carlton is set to move quickly on an untried coach, with four remaining candidates for the role.
But a Blues icon has made the call on who will be leading the club next.
Has Collingwood gone past its captain, prompting a Bombers legend to suggest a change in club or game style?
All that and more from media buzz...
Fevola makes Carlton coaching call
Brendon Fevola says Corey Enright will be the next Carlton coach.
A report indicated Enright was among a list of four the Blues had narrowed down to, with Josh Fraser, James Kelly and Jaymie Graham still in the running.
But according to Fevola, that is not the case.
“I've got it on good authority that the Carlton coach has already been elected," Fevola said on The Fox's Fifi, Fev & Nick.
“In the paper today they said they've dwindled it down to four… Josh Fraser is one of them, but he's not going to be the coach. Take this to the bank, this is a proper DM… I've been told on good authority that the new Carlton coach will be Corey Enright. He played at the Cats; he's an assistant coach at St Kilda under Ross Lyon. He'll be named the Carlton coach for 2027.
“Apparently, he's very, very good. He's reached out to some old teammates to be coaches as well, so that's how I found out the information.”
Blues, blues, blues, blues
Carlton has narrowed its senior coaching search to four names.
Corey Enright, James Kelly, Jaymie Graham and Josh Fraser, according to Footy Classified.
"We can officially say it is down to four to be coach of the Carlton football club."
Sam with some big news on the Blues' coaching search, with the club narrowing down its final contenders.#9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/P0TgwOEmSs
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 20, 2026
Demons dump major sponsor
Melbourne has ended its major sponsorship with Zurich following criticism of the insurance company's decision to remove head trauma coverage for AFL players this year.
According to the Herald Sun, the pair cut ties for commercial reasons, and couldn't find a suitable financial arrangement.
Zurich denied payments to AFL medically retired players such as premiership Demon Angus Brayshaw, as well as flag Pie Nathan Murphy and former Crow Paul Seedsman.
Brayshaw failed to receive compensation as he was studying at Oxford University.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn spoke on the disappointment of the decision in May this year.
"Look, angry isn't the right word, but I'm incredibly upset that Angus hasn't been successful in his bid to be able to get his insurance money," Gawn said on Triple M.
"I think that (situation) is something that the AFL has to look into. I think they already are, to be fair, so that is something we want to get covered.
"I have Angus' blessing [to continue promoting Zurich]. Angus spoke really clearly to me about that.
"It just feels like this is a situation where Angus just lost a compo claim that we wish he got, but technically, probably shouldn't have got it."
Pies gone past Moore according to Bombers legend
"I just wonder whether Collingwood becomes a better team without Darcy Moore."
Those are the words from Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd.
The Pies skipper has been sidelined for the majority of the season due to injury. But Lloyd posed whether Moore's best football is behind him, and is in need of a change.
"I just wonder whether Collingwood becomes a better team without Darcy Moore."
Matthew Lloyd believes the Collingwood skipper may need to seek a fresh start or drastically change his game.#9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/jJ48E8ZsDX
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 20, 2026
Bombers urged to make tough captain call
Essendon is encouraged to consider changing captains from Andrew McGrath to Sam Durham under its new coach.
McGrath assumed the role from Zach Merrett after the latter's failed trade attempt last year.
“The coach that comes in has got difficult decision on who he thinks will be captain of this football club,” ex-Hawk Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy's On the Couch.
“I don't think it's a lay-down misère that McGrath will be captain.
“The clear choice for me would be Durham. The way he played yesterday, the inspirational stuff he does on the field, the contest, the unwillingness to give up the ball.
“I just think from the outside looking in, and yes, I don't know how he conducts himself inside the football club. But for me, if you want to change the identity of your football club and you want to get back to week in, week out, ‘gritty not pretty', he is your man to lead this club forward.”
Enright out of Saints
Even if St Kilda assistant Corey Enright doesn't land the Carlton coaching role, he is still tipped to depart Moorabbin.
Enright is one of four names in the running for the Blues vacancy.
"[Even] If he doesn't get Carlton, I don't think he'll be at St Kilda next year."
Sam McClure on Corey Enright 🗣️#9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/wWcxqYFUwZ
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 20, 2026
Former Tiger tames murmurings about coach's future
Richmond premiership player Jack Riewoldt has attempted to diffuse the situation regarding Adem Yze's future after the club slumped to 18th on the weekend.
Yze has struggled with injuries to key players and emerging stars, limiting his ability to put a strong team on the park. However, questions have come for his coaching capacity given the lack of effort and intensity.
Riewoldt was steadfast in Yze's future, saying he will be Tigers coach in 2027.
“Speaking to Richmond people today, and high up Richmond people - Adem Yze will be coaching Richmond in Round 1 next year,” Riewoldt said.
“There's rumblings that potentially his job was on the line, but the Tigers are sticking fat, as they did with Damien Hardwick.
“Injuries are a massive issue for them, they haven't been able to get their best players out on the park, but I would challenge the development piece. I think there's maybe three players that have developed.”
Hawks culture potentially in jeopardy over King play
Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis believes his former club will need to tread carefully with its attempted acquisition of Gold Coast's Ben King.
Lewis is concerned over the club culture, and whether landing King, while there's a host of key forwards, will be good for the club.
“There's certain decisions on positions I think you need to canvas that idea with the playing group. That's a difficult thing to do, because you can go to too many players and get too many opinions,” he said.
“But it's a key forward coming in who will be on more money than any other key forward in that. You've got a key forward there (Lewis) that is performing well and well liked within the playing group.
“So the one thing you don't want to do is bring in a player for a position you already have on more money that upsets the culture of the football club.
“It's not as easy as saying who would rather. Those decisions are multifaceted.
“I don't think you can have Ben King and keep Mitch Lewis. But they may do it.”
Trio of rivals in Devils' sights
Alex Pearce. Rhyan Mansell. Tom Green.
All three are in the sights of Tasmania as they begin to build its list ahead of its entry to the AFL.
Pearce and Mansell hail from the Apple Isle, while Green is in line to be the next captain of the Giants.
But could all three be lured by the exciting opportunity and a big contract?
"I'd still have Alex Pearce as their first captain." 👀
Sam and Damo on the Dockers skipper being a person of 'major interest' to the Devils, along with Tom Green and Rhyan Mansell.#9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/EzElL11SlW
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 20, 2026
