AFL preliminary final teams and expert tips: Skipper’s replacement named; Lions make a key call

The Sydney Morning Herald - Sep 17, 2026

Here are the all-important teams and expert tips for the cut-throat games on Friday and Saturday.

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Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie says point guard position will be played ‘by committee’ in season opener

Sep 17, 2026

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie says point guard position will be played ‘by committee’ in season opener

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie says his side’s point guard position will be played “by committee” in Saturday’s NBL season opener, with two key backcourt pieces unable to take to the floor.

Sleepy Hollow to evil empire: how Cats beat the system

Sep 17, 2026

Sleepy Hollow to evil empire: how Cats beat the system

Toby Greene's looming move from GWS to Geelong is the latest in a string of draft and trade successes for the perennial powerhouse Cats.

Joey's advice to target injured players

Sep 17, 2026

Joey's advice to target injured players

Andrew Johns says current NRL players need to do a better job targeting injured rivals, with Braydon Trindall and Nathan Cleary both playing wounded.

Cox gives nod to Swans fans amid challenging period

Sep 17, 2026

Cox gives nod to Swans fans amid challenging period

Sydney coach Dean Cox acknowledges the support of Swans fans as the club continues to navigate a difficult time, with a preliminary final against Fremantle looming.

Fans' chants show faith restored in bulked-up Hipwood

Sep 17, 2026

Fans' chants show faith restored in bulked-up Hipwood

Aware of the criticism the Lions stalwart has copped, Chris Fagan was moved by the crowd chanting Eric Hipwood's name during their finals defeat of Adelaide.

AFL finals: Sydney opt for one bold selection but against another

Sep 17, 2026

AFL finals: Sydney opt for one bold selection but against another

A long-awaited return headlines Sydney’s preliminary final team, but the Swans have resisted making too many changes to their winning formula.

Chinese runner becomes first athlete to complete 330km Tor des Géants in under 66 hours

Sep 17, 2026

Chinese runner becomes first athlete to complete 330km Tor des Géants in under 66 hours

Chinese runner Zhao Jiaju became the first athlete to complete the 330km Tor des Géants in under 66 hours on Wednesday, breaking the course record to claim victory in Italy using a “fragmented sleep” strategy. Wearing bib No 1, he crossed the finish line in Courmayeur at 9.55am with a winning time of 65 hours, 55 minutes and 22 seconds, making history as the first Asian competitor to win the event. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most gruelling ultra-trail races, the flagship event offers...

Gillingham’s injury crisis has created a problem Ainsworth won’t mind

Sep 17, 2026

Gillingham’s injury crisis has created a problem Ainsworth won’t mind

Gillingham’s youngsters are making such an impression that some of the club’s senior players could find it difficult to win their shirts back.

Scoop in September: The brutal internal email that heralded a club great’s exit

Sep 17, 2026

Scoop in September: The brutal internal email that heralded a club great’s exit

When the time came to tell the football world that Toby Greene wanted to leave the Giants, a club boss decided the occasion deserved something special.

Subbies rugby player hit with three-year ban after contact with referee in grand final

Sep 17, 2026

Subbies rugby player hit with three-year ban after contact with referee in grand final

A Hunters Hill player has been suspended for 42 matches after being found guilty of making contact with a referee during last weekend’s Subbies decider.

This issue 'infuriates the locals'. Canberra sports want it fixed urgently

Sep 17, 2026

This issue 'infuriates the locals'. Canberra sports want it fixed urgently

The latest news and gossip from around the grounds in Canberra.

Pfieffer takes fresh approach to Ice Kool in Melbourne spring audition

Sep 17, 2026

Pfieffer takes fresh approach to Ice Kool in Melbourne spring audition

Trainer David Pfieffer wants to see Ice Kool back to his best at Randwick on Saturday before taking him to Melbourne for straight-track features this spring.

Stable confident Chilly Girl will fire with clear running in Tea Rose

Sep 17, 2026

Stable confident Chilly Girl will fire with clear running in Tea Rose

Chilly Girl was shaded in the Furious Stakes but the run has given co-trainer Sterling Alexiou confidence she can thrive up front over 1400m in the Tea Rose.

McInerney to return but free agent Amartey will miss Swans’ prelim final

Sep 17, 2026

McInerney to return but free agent Amartey will miss Swans’ prelim final

Coach Dean Cox has been forced into making two changes for Friday night’s clash with Fremantle, while key forward Joel Amartey has been overlooked.

'Backing him in': Swans make selection call for finals

Sep 17, 2026

'Backing him in': Swans make selection call for finals

Sydney winger Justin McInerney and forward Joel Amartey are fit again, but coach Dean Cox will gamble on only one for their finals clash against Fremantle.

AFL finals: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on the ‘punch’ to the face his side needed

Sep 17, 2026

AFL finals: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on the ‘punch’ to the face his side needed

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says a round 22 face-punching triggered the mirror-looking the Hawks needed to earn a preliminary final shot.

The big intrigue that’s looming for Brownlow night

Sep 17, 2026

The big intrigue that’s looming for Brownlow night

There’s an almost certain winner for this year’s count. But there’s a secondary question that is very much up in the air.

GWS skipper to depart after 15 years

Sep 17, 2026

GWS skipper to depart after 15 years

Toby Greene has informed the GWS Giants that he will depart the club at the season's end to pursue an opportunity with Geelong.

The 'wake-up call' that helped Hawks prep for prelim

Sep 17, 2026

The 'wake-up call' that helped Hawks prep for prelim

Thrashed by Brisbane last month, Hawthorn have surged into a home preliminary final and will be out to right some wrongs when they host the Lions at the MCG.

Chris Fagan dismisses previous blowout as Brisbane Lions prepare for Hawthorn preliminary final

Sep 17, 2026

Chris Fagan dismisses previous blowout as Brisbane Lions prepare for Hawthorn preliminary final

Lions coach Chris Fagan has torn up the form guide, insisting Brisbane’s dominant August win over Hawthorn counts for nothing.

What do these Raiders have in common? The answer to an NRL trivia question

Sep 17, 2026

What do these Raiders have in common? The answer to an NRL trivia question

The Raiders kick off their NRLW finals campaign on Friday night.

‘He’ll tear you apart’: Why Dane Gagai knew he couldn’t take a backward step against Latrell Mitchell

Sep 17, 2026

‘He’ll tear you apart’: Why Dane Gagai knew he couldn’t take a backward step against Latrell Mitchell

The 35-year-old Knights centre knew there was only one way to survive his battle with good mate Mitchell in the elimination final.

Rockhampton's Olympic venue confirmed

Sep 17, 2026

Rockhampton's Olympic venue confirmed

The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton has been given the green light to host the Olympic and Paralympic rowing events.

Sydney Swans make bold selection call for blockbuster preliminary final against Fremantle Dockers

Sep 17, 2026

Sydney Swans make bold selection call for blockbuster preliminary final against Fremantle Dockers

Sydney coach Dean Cox has confirmed which way the Swans will go at the selection table with a pair of big-name players - while another veteran is racing the clock to be passed fit.

Premiership coach rules himself out of Kangaroos job

Sep 17, 2026

Premiership coach rules himself out of Kangaroos job

The search for a new North Melbourne head coach to replace Alastair Clarkson continues with Adam Simpson ruling himself out of the running.

Veteran Matthew Wade makes decision on career

Sep 17, 2026

Veteran Matthew Wade makes decision on career

Big-hitting wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who played 225 games for Australia across three forms of cricket, has made a call on his career.

Depleted, doubted and written off, yet somehow the Swans are just one win from another grand final

Sep 17, 2026

Depleted, doubted and written off, yet somehow the Swans are just one win from another grand final

The Dockers and Swans dominated the 2026 season, but, for different reasons, both hit the wobbles late in their campaign. Friday night’s preliminary final will prove who recalibrated best.

Grass greener on the other side as Smith builds career-best team

Sep 17, 2026

Grass greener on the other side as Smith builds career-best team

Warwick Farm trainer Matt Smith is enjoying a career-best run and he has no doubt his investment in the Hunter has been a major factor in his success.

AFL footy boss Greg Swann in damage control after comment about fans not caring

Sep 17, 2026

AFL footy boss Greg Swann in damage control after comment about fans not caring

‘Stop pissing in the wind and telling us it’s raining.’

Be croc-wise: river snapped up as Olympics rowing site

Sep 17, 2026

Be croc-wise: river snapped up as Olympics rowing site

A crocodile habitat has been approved as the Brisbane 2032 Olympics rowing host venue but an expert says the reptiles should not trouble competitors.

The special one: why Longmuir is on the cusp of history

Sep 17, 2026

The special one: why Longmuir is on the cusp of history

Justin Longmuir's playing days ended at age 26, setting the platform for a coach who has confounded critics while reshaping Fremantle's quest for a maiden flag.

GWS captain finally makes big call on his future

Sep 16, 2026

GWS captain finally makes big call on his future

GWS skipper Toby Greene is leaving the Giants after 15 seasons at the club, electing to move back to Victoria for family reasons.

Toby Greene: GWS star confirmed to leave Giants, join Geelong

Sep 16, 2026

Toby Greene: GWS star confirmed to leave Giants, join Geelong

GWS captain Toby Greene has confirmed he wants out of the Giants, with the club's most-capped player and all-time leading goalkicker declaring he has his sights set on heading to Geelong.

‘Those Swans players were gods to me’. The bond driving Gulden’s best football

Sep 16, 2026

‘Those Swans players were gods to me’. The bond driving Gulden’s best football

Errol Gulden says the enduring connections at the Swans continue to shape his football.

Aussie F1 race gets a shake up

Sep 16, 2026

Aussie F1 race gets a shake up

The 2027 Australian Grand Prix will be held on the first weekend of April, and will include a sprint race on the Saturday for the first time.

AC Milan humbled in Europa, Sunderland triumphant

Sep 16, 2026

AC Milan humbled in Europa, Sunderland triumphant

Benfica, debutants Sunderland and Olympique Lyonnais were among the winners in the first round of Europa League action.

Boos ring at Old Trafford as Man Utd crash out of Cup

Sep 16, 2026

Boos ring at Old Trafford as Man Utd crash out of Cup

Manchester United are out of the Carabao Cup, while Aston Villa and Everton have posted wins over Coventry and Wolves respectively to advance.

Football fixtures and results

Sep 16, 2026

Football fixtures and results

Catch up with all the week’s football fixtures and results here.

Djokovic tries to reboot in China after 11-year absence

Sep 16, 2026

Djokovic tries to reboot in China after 11-year absence

Serbian great Novak Djokovic will attempt to reboot his ailing season at the China Open after his shock first-round exit at the US Open.

Volkanovski trains with rising UFC star

Sep 16, 2026

Volkanovski trains with rising UFC star

Alexander Volkanovski trains alongside Brazilian lightweight Mauricio Ruffy ahead of UFC 331.

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