By a technicality, Collingwood should not have drawn Hawthorn, and instead, been awarded the victory over an interchange breach.
Brewing at the Bombers is a struggling relationship between the senior coach and an assistant.
And should the Pies change the captaincy?
All that and more from media buzz...
Pies robbed of two premiership points
Collingwood could deem themselves stiff when speaking about their Round 8 draw against Hawthorn.
It has been revealed on Channel Seven's The Agenda Setters the Hawks had an extra interchange rotation on the night, counting 76 instead of the cap of 75.
As Dylan Moore lined up for a shot on goal, captain James Sicily replaced Jack Gunston on the field. Given the umpire hadn't called full-time, on a technicality, Collingwood should've been awarded a free kick and a 50-metre penalty for the interchange breach.
"By the book, at this very moment a 50m penalty and an opposition free kick should have been paid (to Collingwood)... which means that Collingwood would have won by six points."
🗣️ Xander McGuire on an unpaid interchange infringement as Dylan Moore was lining up for goal against… pic.twitter.com/Ezn3NWL36S
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 25, 2026
The "ordinary" relationship brewing at the Bombers
The relationship between Essendon coach Brad Scott and assistant Dean Solomon is understood not to be getting along.
The Bombers have slumped to 18th spot on the ladder after one win from 11 starts as pressure mounts on Scott ahead of his uncertain future.
Solomon departed the club's board to join the coaching group after a passionate plea
"My understanding is that he (Dean Solomon) has a really ordinary working relationship with Brad Scott."
🗣️ Tom Morris on the relationship Dean Solomon and Brad Scott pic.twitter.com/jwNjJoDrjV
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 25, 2026
Calls for Collingwood captaincy change
Kane Cornes has called for Collingwood to make Nick Daicos captain.
Daicos has filled in over the past 18 months during Darcy Moore's absence with injury, sharing the duties with Brayden Maynard.
The call comes as Moore went down with another soft-tissue injury, which has limited his outings to four this year. Three of which he has failed to get through the game.
"It's time for him to be captain."
🗣️ Kane Cornes on Nick Daicos pic.twitter.com/NCu9bLA2Cj
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 25, 2026
"I would just build my club now around Nick Daicos and give him the captaincy."
Matthew Lloyd believes it's time for change at Collingwood. #9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/PELc4SDFOP
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) May 25, 2026
Clubs fuming over advantage rule
More confusion and anger has emerged over umpires calling advantage.
Discussed on Channel Nine's Footy Classified, clubs have been suggested to believe that the rule has "got out of hand".
"As we sit here tonight, there are clubs that are fuming."
Sam McClure reports clubs believe the adjudicating of the advantage rule 'has got out of hand'. #9FootyClassified | Watch on 9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/FYnarDeHUD
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) May 25, 2026
Injured Demon retires
Melbourne forward Shane McAdam has retired from AFL football after a string of injuries that has plagued his career.
McAdam will return to Western Australia after 53 games for the Demons and Adelaide.
"Shane has been a valued member of our club and we fully support his decision to return home to his family," General Manager of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said.
"Unfortunately, Shane has battled injuries during his time at the club, which has made it difficult for him to contribute out on the field the way he would have liked.
"On behalf of everyone at the Melbourne Football Club, we thank Shane for his contribution and wish him and his family all the very best for the future."
