- Sydney Morning Herald

Coach Chris Scott has declared Geelong’s boom off-season recruit Jeremy Cameron ready to play ahead of the Cats’ tough task against West Coast.

Our AFL Sunday blog will bring to you all the action as round five comes to an exciting conclusion.

North came with a plan to stifle the Cats but for a team who only had a percentage of 43 coming into the match, they should not have troubled last year’s grand finalists as they did at GMHBA Stadium, in conditions perfect for football. 

Unbeaten Melbourne face a “fantastic problem” ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster against reigning premiers Richmond, with Ben Brown and Sam Weideman fit to play and Steven May and Bayley Fritsch possibilities to return.

Carlton’s lack of midfield class is evident with draft droughts hurting; Toby Greene looks a natural captain; the AFLW grand final deserves prime time; Saints must respond.

It’s impossible to set the world alight every single week, but the best teams find ways to win even when well short of their best. This was Melbourne on Sunday.

Fremantle shook off a week of criticism for their road form and Adelaide’s persistent challenge before motoring home for their first away victory of the season on Sunday afternoon.

The Melbourne Cricket Club has submitted plans to the state government for a return to 100 per cent capacity, with the door not yet shut on the prospect of a full house at the MCG on Anzac Day.

The Lions and Crows fight it out for the 2021 AFLW Premiership. Follow all the action here.

Four bumpers games await as AFL Saturday kicks off. Follow all the major moments here.

Blues coach David Teague admits his side is still to reach the skill level of elite teams such as Port Adelaide, but he sees positive signs from his group despite their loss to the Power on Saturday night.

Port Adelaide showed they are more than comfortable playing on the MCG with a business-like win over Carlton.

Joe Daniher has always been a player with a sense of theatre, a man for the moment. Lining up for the Brisbane Lions against his old club Essendon for the first time, all the attention was on the rangy forward.

It’s one of the best rivalries in the modern game with Luke Beveridge looking forward to resuming their battle with the Giants on Friday night.

Walker looked a defeated man, finished even, after his 14 games in 2020. At the start of round five in 2021 he led the Coleman Medal.

Dustin Martin is the almost undisputed No.1. Two usual suspects and two emerging champions are vying to be No.2 in a changed AFL.

A brilliant snap from Josh Kelly with one minute to go ended Sydney’s unbeaten start to the season in dramatic fashion.

The Western Bulldogs opened with 11 unanswered goals to set up a match-winning lead against Gold Coast who were gallant in the second half when it was all over.

A dominant third quarter from the Brisbane Lions set up their AFLW grand final triumph. Their identity was on full display.

One of the great country Victorian footy clubs couldn’t have been better suited to two of the AFL’s most beloved figures - Bob Murphy and Jarryd Roughead - who became Sea Eagles for a day on Saturday.

While Gary Ablett has raised the spectre of a comeback via the mid-season draft, sources close to the dual Brownlow medallist said on Saturday that such a return was unlikely.

The Brisbane Lions have proven third time’s a charm, snatching their maiden AFLW premiership and denying the Adelaide Crows their third flag.

The Brisbane Lions have won their first AFLW premiership, denying the Adelaide Crows their third flag in five years and ending the home team’s perfect record at the Adelaide Oval.

Due to integrity concerns all players are expected to hand over their phones to the club’s compliance officer when they enter the rooms before the match.

The academies at the Swans and Giants are pumping out locally bred AFL stars. They’re also helping to foster a living, breathing footy culture in parts of Sydney that are traditionally rugby union heartlands.

Collingwood is set to be missing key players for the big Anzac Day clash with Essendon, while Eagles boss Adam Simpson believes their best is as good as anyone’s.

The Eagles and Magpies are desperate for a win as they face off in Friday night football.

Collingwood’s nightmare start to the season continued in front of a packed crowd in Perth when Nathan Buckley’s injury-hit team battled bravely but couldn’t match West Coast.

How the experts tipped for round five, and all the ins and outs as they drop across the weekend. Stefan Martin is out (managed) for the Western Bulldogs.

Mitch McGovern gets another chance to prove his worth to Carlton supporters as he plays his first game for 2021 against Port Adelaide.

Jonathon Patton spent five weeks in hospital and his health issues meant the AFL did not interview him for their investigation after women alleged the forward had sent lewd messages.

Richmond defender Rhyan Mansell says he is spurred on by North Melbourne’s decision to bypass him in his draft year, having been a member of the Kangaroos’ next generation academy.

Richmond’s Sydney Stack was mobbed by teammates when he kicked a goal in the third quarter.

The Crows have two titles and, with home-ground advantage in Saturday’s grand final, are in the box seat to add a third premiership.

Chelsea Randall will miss the decider because of concussion, leaving her friend Angela Foley in charge.

A shorter pre-season, new rules, reduced rotations and fewer staff all raised fears of increased injury rates, which the AFL and AFLPA are monitoring.

Aaron Naughton is a grounded, outdoors type off the field but a high flyer when he is on it. The 21-year-old is a crucial cog for the Bulldogs’ 2021 campaign.

Three coaches who have stood in the shoes of North Melbourne coach David Noble come up with ways of dealing with the hard times.

Brett Ratten left himself with no wriggle room when asked whether St Kilda would consider axing their most under-fire player this week.

The Saints and Tigers kick-off round five with their annual ‘Maddie’s Match’ tonight.

Damien Hardwick said during the week that premierships aren’t won in April and at least in the men’s domain, he was right. Richmond made a statement of their own, shouting from an industrial-sized megaphone: “We haven’t gone anywhere.”

The battle of the big men will go a long way towards deciding Friday night’s West Coast-Collingwood match.

It would seemingly take a minor miracle for the Pies to win, but this club - as far back as that 2002 qualifying against Port Adelaide - have made a habit of winning against the odds. 

Geelong’s Stephen Wells, the AFL’s longest-serving recruiting boss, is stepping back from his role and considering his future

Mason Cox was in reasonable form in the previous two rounds but had a poor match against the Giants when he struggled to win a contest and did not kick a goal.

Essendon’s list regeneration will take another big step forward on the weekend when Zach Reid becomes the third top 10 pick from 2020 to debut for the club.

Six months on, and with the benefit of hindsight, it’s safe to say the Aliir Aliir-Tom Hickey trade has worked out pretty well for all concerned.

A ceiling was put on Lauren Arnell’s AFLW career before it even started. But this weekend she hopes to go out on top, with a premiership at Brisbane via the scenic route.

Joe Daniher says facing his former team this weekend will probably be enjoyable for everyone involved. Ben Rutten says he just wants the four points.

Our experts give their tips for the 2021 AFLW grand final.