Bulldogs perplexed by umpires' calls on marks
A series of puzzling play-on calls at the MCG yesterday led Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade to wonder if the rules governing marking had been changed but not gazetted. Full report

Pickett, Davey limp out for up to four matches
Melbourne's accomplished 51-point victory over the Western Bulldogs yesterday did not come without a cost. Full report

Kouta a 50-50 chance to call it quits
Carlton captain Anthony Koutoufides is a "50-50" chance to retire at season's end, but would take a significant pay cut if he played on. Full report

Cats on last life for hope of finals spot
Geelong's finals hopes were badly wounded but not killed by the Kangaroos in their swansong game at Canberra yesterday, says coach Mark Thompson. Full report

Hille shows just how great the game can be
We love sport hard, and we even approve of a reasonable degree of gamesmanship, but we also love sportsmanship. Full report

Coach says team should be lauded for road wins
Fremantle coach Chris Connolly said his club should be recognised for its success on the road this year. Full report

JAKE NIALL
Pain by the spoonful for sad Blues
The bookies were much quicker off the mark than Carlton yesterday. Full report

McLaren steals title for Victoria in thriller
Former St Kilda and North Melbourne midfielder Joe McLaren propels Victoria to victory over the ACT in the final of the Australian Country Football Championships. Full report

Aka eyes political career
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie confirms his interest in recruiting soon-to-be ex-Brisbane Lion Jason Akermanis to the ALP. Full report

VFL
North Ballarat sounds a warning
North Ballarat yesterday upset Williamstown by 33 points, sending a warning to the top teams not to underestimate it. Full report

ROBERT WALLS
Errant trio would be risky bets
Only Jason Akermanis - as long as he's in a good team - would instil confidence at a new club. Full report

ROHAN CONNOLLY
Brains over brawn
When stakes are high, mind games play a pivotal role in football. Full report

Shaping the destiny of Carlton
It may be languishing at the foot of the AFL ladder again but Carlton's young band of guns have their own "Blue-print" for future success mapped out. Full report

Brown likely to miss rest of season
Richmond star forward Nathan Brown is likely to sit out the rest of the season after injuring his hamstring in yesterday's big loss to St Kilda. Full report

Next five games key for Barker
When John Barker weighs up his career prospects again, the veteran key forward says the next five weeks will be more instructive than his most recent senior outing. Full report

A win's a win, but Sheedy is unmoved
Kevin Sheedy is decidedly unmoved by his team's 37-point defeat of the Brisbane Lions. Full report

GREG BAUM
Hird gives fans glimpse of a past heaven
The ghosts of a recently great rivalry stirred creakily and then with a flourish at Telstra Dome. Full report

Hird's decision hard to predict: Sheedy
Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy says it is difficult to predict whether James Hird's match-winning form against Brisbane will coax him to play on for another season. Full report