Xander McGuire @XanderMcGuire7
Hawthorn has announced that Jai Newcombe will be the co-captain of the Hawks in 2026 - alongside James Sicily.
Newcombe has fast become one of the best big game players in the AFL - a fitting honour for the 24 year old taken in the 2021 mid-season draft.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse as with 1906 and 1966
In 1906 Carlton won its first VFL flag and in 1966 St Kilda won its first, and only VFL flag to date.
Patrick Cripps and Marcus Bontempelli will skipper WA and Victoria respectively in the State of Origin match on February 14.
A year of the fire horse also means big changes
- The centre-bounce is scrapped
- Final 10 system introduced
- Introduction of a wildcard round, effectively extending the finals and giving the top 6 teams a bye in the first week with 7-10 in a wildcard round
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2018 Brownlow medallist and Collingwood premiership player Tom Mitchell announced his retirement today.
2009: Rafael Nadal defeated Fernando Verdasco in an epic semi in 5hr and 14min on Friday, January 30 and then wins his first Australian Open title by defeating Roger Federer in the final on Sunday, February 1
Geelong won the premiership that year, vs St Kilda, on September 26
2026: Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev in an epic semi in 5hr and 27min on Friday, January 30 and then wins his first Australian Open title by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday, February 1
Geelong to win premiership, on September 26
2008: Geelong lost Grand Final vs Hawthorn on September 27
2025: Geelong lost Grand Final vs Brisbane on September 27
WA have finalised their squad for next weekâs State of Origin against Victoria, with Brandon Starcevich ruled out due to injury.
Both Origin squads are now finalised.
â 7AFL (@7AFL) February 4, 2026
The winner will be _________ pic.twitter.com/km9SE4JkYv
hey all, starting off the tipping comp a little early to include the Origin!
if you want to join in, feel free! 
Jeremy Cameron has been ruled out of this Saturdayâs Origin clash, and has been replaced by Ben King.
Every weekday from today, Bob Murphy will give his ranking to every AFL team from 1st to 18th for this season, on ABC Melbourne breakfast. He will do this in random order.
So far this morning, Bob said Geelong (who lost last yearâs grand final) would finish 9th, because the average age of the clubâs top eight players is over 30.
Tuesday 10/2
Richmond: 14th (âyoung team, donât score enoughâ)
The AFL revealed yesterday that the best player from WA and Victoria at Saturdayâs Origin match would receive the Graham Moss Medal and the E.J. Whitten Medal respectively. Kim Farmer, daughter of the late Graham Farmer, would present the Graham âPollyâ Farmer Cup to the winning team captain.
Essendon has appointed its current vice president Tim Roberts as the new CEO, replacing Craig Vozzo.
2014 Seahawks won Super Bowl
2014 Hawthorn won the premiership; Alastair Clarkson became a triple-premiership coach
2026 Seahawks won Super Bowl
If the Brisbane Lions do win this yearâs flag, Chris Fagan will become the second coach (after Damien Hardwick) to win a third flag since leaving Hawthorn.
But Fagan would be the first to achieve a hat-trick in as many years (Hardwickâs three flags came in a four year period, 2017-20, with 2018 the outlier - but even then, an ex-assistant of Alastair Clarksonâs, Adam Simpson, won that yearâs flag with West Coast).