Dale Thomas will be sidelined until the final rounds of the season with an ankle injury. (Picture: Pat Scala)
Thomas, Beams sidelined with injury
DOUBLE BLOW: Collingwood has suffered a cruel blow with injuries to star midfielders Dale Thomas and Dayne Beams looking to keep them on the sidelines for a large proportion of the season.
3AW Football expert footy tips - Round 9 2013
FOOTY TIPS: Find out who 3AW Football's call team picked for Round 9. Who will win the big Dream time at the G' Clash? And Can Collingwood defeat the reigning premiers Sydney in a Friday night blockbuster?
Ball to return
AFL: Collingwood look set to regain premiership midfielder Luke Ball from injury for Saturday night's must-win clash with unbeaten Geelong.
Geelong unbeaten from 7 games
UNBEATEN: Geelong is the only unbeaten side in the league following Friday night’s win over the Bombers. They have clearly been the best side of the modern era and still have unfinished business.
AFL fixture 2013: Round by Round
3AW FOOTBALL: The 2013 AFL fixture has been released with last season's top teams getting fewer games against the bottom sides. You can view your club's round-by-round fixture or download a copy here.
Bombers could still be benefiting
ESSENDON AFFAIR: An athletics expert is claiming Essendon players could still be benefiting from the effects of performance-enhancing drugs if they were found to have taken them last year.
Mark rule interpretation changed heaps: Cloke
FOOTBALL: Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has been the best contested mark in the league for the last three years, but says the rule interpretation in marking contests has changed dramatically since he first joined the AFL.
Leigh Matthews calls for goal post rule change
GOAL REVIEW: The goal review system has had plenty of coverage since it's introduction last season. Leigh Matthews told 3AW football a way that he thinks could reduce confusion in these circumstances.
Mitch Clark out for 6 to 8 weeks
3AW FOOTBALL: Melbourne forward Mitch Clark has been ruled out for the next six to eight rounds after a planned out-of-season operation on his right foot was brought forward.
Taylor Walker to miss rest of season
3AW FOOTBALL: Adelaide and Hawthorn have been hit by the injury bug, with stars Taylor Walker and Cryil Rioli expected to miss significant time due to injuries sustained at the weekend.
Caro sorry for Kangaroos comments
SPORTS TODAY: Caroline Wilson has apologised to North Melbourne’s director of medical services, Steve Saunders, for implying that he had previously overruled advice from club doctors, instead saying she believed he was a leader in his field.
Nathan Jones, the 'little pit bull'
SPORTS TODAY: Coming off a resounding 41-point win and the highest scoring 4th quarter ever in the history of the Melbourne Football Club, Nathan Jones hopes the Demons are back on track. He joined Gerard, Dwayne and BT on Monday.
Goddard's tears a 'perfect symbol'
GODDARD TEARS: After playing 205 matches for St Kilda and being a hero of the club for many years, Brendan Goddard was forced to face the inevitable on Saturday evening when he came up against his old side while playing for Essendon.
Demetriou: I received death threats
DEMETRIOU THREATS: AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has told Neil Mitchell he received threats following reports he said James Hird should stand down.
Demetriou's Demon anger
MELBOURNE INVESTIGATION: Andrew Demetriou has told Neil Mitchell an investigation will be launched, following allegations Melbourne Football Club players received injections from controversial former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank.
Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank linked to Melbourne Demons
SUPPLEMENT SCANDAL: The Melbourne Football Club has been drawn into the AFL supplement scandal with allegations demons players received injections from controversial former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank.
Trent Cotchin on Sports Today
RICHMOND: As Richmond prepares for its blockbuster clash on Saturday against Collingwood, Captain Trent Cotchin says their 3-0 start is no fluke. Listen to the skipper on Sports Today.
Patton to miss season with ACL
PATTON ACL: Greater Western Sydney key forward Jonathon Patton is set to miss the season after rupturing his right ACL in yesterday’s loss to the Saints.
Bombers smile on the field
ESSENDON: After a week of ongoing scrutiny regarding the Essendon Football Club and James Hird, Friday night’s comeback win against the Dockers away from home gave the club a reason smile once again, even if it is temporary.
3AW Football expert tips - Round 3
FOOTY TIPS: Find out who 3AW Football's call team picked for Round 3. Only two members of the team picked Sydney, last year's premiers, to beat North Melbourne.
Hird putting himself before his club: Caroline Wilson
3AW FOOTBALL: An Outspoken Caroline Wilson says James Hird's decision to coach the Bombers through Round 3 is a major distraction for the club. Also, Stephen Dank hits back at Hird and Andrew Demetriou.
Schwab sacked as Melbourne CEO
DEE-STRUCTION: Embattled Melbourne Football Club chief executive Cameron Schwab has left his role as the club just two matches into the 2013 AFL season.
Mark Evans on Sports Today
LISTEN: Football Operations Manager Mark Evans joined 3AW Sports Today and addressed a number of issues, including fresh racial vilification claims, flares at the football and the role of cameras in reviewing umpiring decisions.
AFL won't step in uninvited: CEO
DEMONS CRISIS: AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has made it clear the league does not have the authority to step in and help embattled club Melbourne based purely on its dismal on-field performances.
Time to shorten the AFL season
DARREN BOYD: Yes, we all love our footy, but you can have too much of a good thing! Shortening the season is a strong and sustainable option that has the potential to provide significant benefits.
Scott regrets temper, wants roof shut
SPORTS TODAY: North Coach Brad Scott has told 3AW Sports Today he regrets angrily approaching the AFL's match-day official after the final siren on Sunday, a game in which the Roos squandered a 41-point lead to his twin brother's Geelong squad.
Footballers turning to Viagra
NEIL MITCHELL: I am told Viagra has become an extremely popular drug with AFL footballers. Why? Well, not for the obvious reason. Some of them believe it improves sports performance.
Blues wanting MCG deal
Carlton want to play more games at the MCG and are looking for the fans to become members in order to push for a deal from 2015.
Opening weekend: But no MCG games
3AW FOOTBALL: After a long off-season riddled with never-ending controversy, footy fans are celebrating 2013's commencement. But unlike previous years, something is amiss: The MCG will be devoid of fans.
Mark Evans appointed league GM
STATEMENT: Mark Evans has joined the AFL as the new football operations manager, replacing Adrian Anderson, who resigned last year. AFL chief Andrew Demetriou denies Evans role at Hawthorn gave him the inside running, saying his track record speaks for itself.
Chris Scott impressed by young gun
LISTEN: Geelong young ruckman Mark Blicavs has been widening eyes throughout the NAB Cup. Cats Coach Chris Scott told Sports Today the former steeplechaser has put on an impressive show in the pre-season.
Mark Neeld on Sports Today
LISTEN: Melbourne head coach Mark Neeld spoke to Gerard and Dwayne on Sports Today Wednesday and discussed his team's preparation for their Round 1 match-up against Port Adelaide in two weeks time.
'Franklin should stay at Hawks'
3AW FOOTBALL: AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says under no circumstances would the league support any specific player moving to another club.
Josh Kennedy looking for a repeat
LISTEN: Bob Skilton award winner Josh Kennedy joined Gerard and Dwayne on Sports Today on Tuesday night and discussed whether the Swans' poor performance in the NAB cup will affect their chances of a repeat premiership in 2013.
Lloydy inducted into Dons HOF
LISTEN: Bombers great and 3AW's Own Matthew Lloyd joined Gerard and Dwayne on Sports Today Monday for a chat about his induction into the Essendon Hall of Fame, where he'll be one of only 24 members.
Alistair Clarkson on Sports Today
LISTEN: The Hawthorn Head Coach joined Gerard Healy, Dwayne Russell and Caroline Wilson on Sports Today and said he expects his boys to go deep into September and beyond as the season kick-off rapidly approaches.
Listen Live to 3AW Football
GAME STREAMING: Click here for the best way to tune in so you don't miss a second. You can stay connected to the best team in Footy from whereever you are in the world. 3AW is Football.
Behind 3AW Football!
PHOTO GALLERY: Behind the scenes of the 3AW Football team in 2013. 3AW is Football!
3AW chats with the 2013 AFL Team captains
3AW FOOTBALL: The AFL team captains converged on Melbourne today to officially help launch the 2013 Premiership season. 3AW's own Shane McInnes ventured down to Etihad Stadium to catch up with a number of the leaders.
3AW Football Profiles
In 2013, the 3AW Football team is the most experienced and successful in the league. Matthews, Ling, Richardson, Russell, Taylor, Lloyd, Shaw. Get to know the 3AW Football team.
PHOTOS: Behind 3AW Football 2012
<b>GALLERY:</b> Prime Minister Julia Gillard dropped by the 3AW Commentary box for the GWS vs Bulldogs clash. Check out all the snaps taken from behind the scenes of 3AW Football.
AFL All-Australian Team 2012
ALL AUSTRALIAN: A record 15 players have been named in the All-Australian team for the first time . Star Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin has been named for the fourth time despite missing six games with injury.
3AW Finals Footy Archive
FINALS FOOTY: Look back on all the excitement and build-up of all of 3AW Footy's Finals Broadcasts.
3AW Football on Twitter
Follow 3AW Football on Twitter this year to receive up to the minute information and live match coverage. You will need a Twitter account to follow the feed, which will be displayed live on Media House's big screen on the corner of Collins and Spencer Streets.
Dayne Beams: 3AW player of the year
BREAKOUT: Collingwood midfielder Dayne Beams has won the 3AW player of the year. The 22-year old is enjoying a breakout campaign and spoke to the 3AW panel about the award on Sunday afternoon.
