AFL

Gold Coast Suns midfielder Michael Barlow suffered the strangest injury of his career this season, when his eye literally would not shut. His career was at a crossroads. So guess who just got selected for this weekend's match against the Lions?

Having chosen basketball over footy and battled Jayson Tatum for a world title, Tom Wilson was recruited to US college hoops by an iconic coach. But a few twists later, he's hoping to make the NBA via the Sydney Kings.

He had the six year rehab, the fanfare around his return, then the miraculous win in his first match back. Now Alex Johnson has got something he's craved even more. Normality.

When your mum drives 50-tonne trucks in a remote mining town, you grow up fast. This is how Arianna Clarke escaped a tough life and found something more valuable than gold.

Mark Brayshaw is CEO of the AFL Coaches Association but most importantly, he’s Andrew Brayshaw’s dad. He was at Optus Stadium, saw the punch, and this is why he forgives Andrew Gaff.

The debate around red cards has been swirling for decades. Paul Roos believes there is one reason why it's different this time around. And that reason changes the whole shape of the discussion.

Five knee reconstructions, 12 surgeries, 2,136 days sidelined. And today, the most wonderful of footy comebacks. As a man who has gone from Grand Final teammate to coach in that time explains, Alex Johnson has been extraordinary since his first Sydney Swans game.

Few AFL players have copped the criticism that Dale Thomas has at Carlton. Within a few days at the Blues, he had the toughest time of his career and the best moment of his life.