The 10 biggest domestic feuds in AFL history

North Melbourne 2017 pre-season There were brutal scenes down at Arden Street during the 2017 pre-season, with Brayden Preuss, a rugby league convert, spear tackling Andrew Swallow during an intra-club match, invoking a heated wrestle on the ground. During the same session, Luke McDonald's overzealous spoil hit Lindsay Thomas on the back of the head, which led to their own scuffle and a war of words as the pair went at it all match. It was McDonald's second domestic in the past month, having fiercly tangled with Shaun Higgins at an earlier training session. “He’s (McDonald) competitive — that’s his biggest trait and that’s why he got drafted where he did. That’s what we love about him,” Swallow told reporters post-game. Brad Scott was sure making a mark on this team. [caption id="attachment_25002" align="alignnone" width="1201"] (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Brendan Goddard Anzac Day 2018 Essendon player Brendan Goddard's on-field behaviour towards his teammates was brought into question following a series of blow ups during the Bombers' 49-point loss to Collingwood on Anzac Day 2018. Goddard was seen yelling at midfielder David Zaharakis during the third quarter and having words with forward Joe Daniher in the break. His future in AFL was questioned at that point with many experts criticising his demonstrative behaviour. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/989037640426098688 https://twitter.com/ethan_meldrum/status/989047012770316290 Setanta O'hAilpin v Cameron Cloke In 2009, Carlton teammates Setanta O'hAilpin and Cameron Cloke were involved in a bust-up after O'hAilpin king hit and kicked Cloke during an intra-club match. The unprovoked attack led the tribunal to suspend O'hAilpin for four games, charging him with a level four striking offence and a level two offence for laying in the boot. Campbell Brown / Steven May In 2013, Suns teammates Campbell Brown and Steven May were involved in a drunken altercation outside an LA nightclub which saw May emerge with a broken jaw. The fight resulted in May requiring two plates and eight screws to keep his jaw in place and Brown being sacked from the Gold Coast Suns after a 205 AFL game career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS_orcZBczw Ben Cousins / Daniel Kerr Back in 2002, Eagles teammates Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr were witnessed having an argument outside a Perth nightclub, which was rumoured to be about Kerr's relationship with Cousins sister. Cousins allegedly walked up to Kerr pointed his finger said "this is not over". Kerr's response prompted the punch, leaving Cousins with a broken arm. Both Cousins and the Eagles denied that the injury occurred from the fight, instead claiming that he fell down a flight of stairs. Derek Kickett / Kevin Sheedy In 1993, Essendon's Derek Kickett was controversially dropped from the Grand Final team by coach Kevin Sheedy, despite not missing a game all season. The Bombers went on to win the flag that year, but the shock omission saw Kickett walk from the club. The two did not speak for 25 years until they met on the Marngrook Football Show this year, bringing an end to the feud. https://twitter.com/marngrook/status/1001748601846943744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1001748601846943744&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbs.com.au%2Fnitv%2Farticle%2F2018%2F05%2F31%2Fkickett-addresses-25-year-afl-feud-sheedy-1 Heath Shaw / Nathan Buckley Current GWS and ex-Collingwood defender Heath Shaw claims that he was "pushed out" of Collingwood by coach Nathan Buckley. Shaw departed Collingwood in 2013 after 173 games and winning a premiership with the club. The departure of Shaw left tensions between him and Buckley with the defender saying that he is not sure if he would answer the phone if Buckley were to call and isn't looking to make up. Jason Akermanis / Western Bulldogs You could always trust Jason Akermanis to make a headline, and his feud with the Western Bulldogs in 2010 led to his eventual sacking. Akermanis was a colourful character - he wrote strong opinion pieces in the newspaper, had bleached blonde hair and did handstands after games. And the Bulldogs did not like it, wanting him to be more in line with team culture. Akermanis was suspended for writing a contentious article encouraging gay footballers to stay in the closest and got called out in front of the playing group during a private meeting. His relationship with the club had become toxic and after refusing club's power brokers advisement to retire, the triple-premiership Lion was let go. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Jason Akermanis of the Bulldogs looks on during the round nine AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on May 22, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Leigh Matthews / Don Scott Despite winning three premierships together during the 1970's, Matthews and Scott were not friends. During their decade of playing together they only spoke once and came into contact during a trial game. The fight started when Matthews tried to sling tackle Scott, however he quickly retaliated. Matthews then tried to elbow Scott but he quickly moved away. While there were no more blows between the two, it was accepted that they were not going to get along. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - 1980s: Leigh Matthews of the Hawthorn Hawks looks on during a VFL match. (Photo by Getty Images)[/caption] Wayne Carey / Anthony Stevens The dispute began in 2002 when Carey’s extra-marital affair with Stevens former wife Kelli became public. The scandal was massive within the AFL and resulted in Carey being forced out of North Melbourne. The ongoing feud between the former teammates continued for 14 years until they recently decided to bury the hatchet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0FnXkMia1I

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

The 10 biggest domestic feuds in AFL history

Here are some of the AFL’s gnarliest domestic feuds.

5. Derek Kickett / Kevin Sheedy

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