Could GWS be rebranded and given a new name?
More academies. But where?
All that and more from media buzz...
Major tip on preference of Luke Hodge's son
Brisbane or Hawthorn? That's the decision Cooper Hodge, son of four-time premiership player Luke, needs to make.
Cooper is eligible as a father-son at the Hawks, but is currently playing for the Lions academy.
The Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle panel discussed the prospect of who Hodge will select, and given he's been playing for the Brisbane academy, the reigning premiers would seem to be leading the charge.
New Giants name?
GWS president Tim Reed is understood to be considering a rebranding for the club in a bid to become a powerhouse of the competition.
According to Footy Classified, Reed says no one in Sydney says they're from Greater Western Sydney (GWS).
The NSW Giants have been floated as a new name.
The NSW Giants? 🤔
The Giants are open to a name change in their bid to become a 'powerhouse' club of the competition, @CalTwomey#9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/XDYOSSBHKz
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) May 5, 2026
More academies... in WA?
Fremantle and West Coast are pushing hard for academies to help build talent in the football state.
Much controversy has surrounded the northern academies, especially over the past few years, given the top-line access clubs like Brisbane, Gold Coast, GWS and Sydney have received.
The Dockers and Eagles are lobbying for their own academies.
"We can reveal that Freo and West Coast are pushing hard to have their own academies in WA."@CalTwomey reports the WA clubs' proposal to build talent in the state. #9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/hmQ3HWfKfX
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) May 5, 2026
Devils coaching plan
Tasmania coaching call is set to heat up in the coming months as a change in tack by the club has emerged.
The Devils wanted to hold off on their coaching call until they found a football boss, but that has now been flipped on its head.
Nathan Buckley has been linked to the new AFL side, but there's a host of experienced heads to consider, such as Ken Hinkley, John Longmire and Adam Simpson.
"That says to me the market is going to be rife for a senior coach."@CalTwomey believes the coaching race is about to heat up, with two clubs likely to start looking over the next month. #9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/j0B3iAzv5i
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) May 5, 2026
New framework for special assistance packages
The AFL is working on a new framework to determine how dwindling clubs will be assisted after years of low finishes.
The model, reported by AFL Media, would include eight aspects, such as games won, percentage, and ladder position over a certain period.
There's been no guide over the years that has seen North Melbourne and West Coast offered help by the league. Gold Coast were also famously gifted the top pick in 2019, ultimately securing best mates Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell.
