Although the timing of the AFL Grand Final has been confirmed, will the date change?

Have the Western Bulldogs mismanaged their greatest asset?

And is there more ARC controversy?

All that and more from media buzz...

First Saturday in October?

The AFL is considering pushing the start time of the 2027 season back a week, meaning the grand final would be moved into October.

The league is weighing up how to structure the season, given the unavailability of the MCG in early to mid-March, while discussions over how Opening Round will look.

It is understood that host broadcaster Channel Seven is in the latter stages of confirming an October grand final, following suit in the 2020 COVID-19 impacted year, 2016 and the replay of the 2010 decider.

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Bold Bulldog call coming back to bite

The Western Bulldogs have been questioned over their management of star Sam Darcy as he faces the remainder of the season on the sidelines due to an ACL injury.

It was on the same leg that Darcy seriously hyper-extended last year, however, the Bulldogs intriguingly didn't send him in for surgery, and he miraculously returned before the end of the 2025 campaign.

Media personality and former Port Adelaide gun Kane Cornes has questioned why the Whitten Oval club didn't opt for surgery, despite saying Darcy needed it in April last year, as well as putting their "most valuable asset" in the ruck.

Pies update on star trio

Collingwood coach Craig McRae thinks captain Darcy Moore will be right to go against Hawthorn, not this week against Essendon.

Jordan De Goey (concussion) and Steele Sidebottom (hip pointer) will need to get through training, but are expected to be available.

Concerns over Stengle

The AFL playing future of Geelong forward Tyson Stengle has reached a concerning level once again with the All-Australian producing inconsistencies in his training schedule, according to SEN.

The report indicated that Stengle's behaviour has drove a wedge between some of his "closest supporters and confidants".

Another ARC controversy

The league has admitted the ARC doctor during the Gold Coast-Essendon clash made a mistake when pulling Bombers tall Tom Edwards from the field.

After a heavy knock, Edwards was assessed by the Essendon club doctor, passed the HIA test, and was sent back out onto the ground. However, the ARC doctor intervened with five minutes remaining on the clock, forcing the tall from the field, ultimately ruling him out for the remainder of the match.

Bulldogs great makes call ahead of club's 10-year premiership reunion

Chris Grant is set to attend the club's 10-year premiership reunion on Thursday at Marvel Stadium ahead of the clash between Sydney.

Grant left the Western Bulldogs as a director of football at the end of 2014 after a strained relationship with Luke Beveridge.

According to the Herald Sun, Grant is expected to attend the MCG gala celebrations with members and supporters on Monday night, but not the first part of the reunion at the game on Thursday.

He missed the Bulldogs' 100th birthday celebration last year.

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