About Stephen Rielly
About Stephen Rielly
A two-time AFL feature writer of the year (1995/1996) and winner of the AFL news reporter of the year award and the Alf Brown Trophy for overall excellence in 2005, Rielly has written about football for The Age for more than a decade. Rielly was recognised by the Australian Football Media Association for a season of excellence two years ago, including an article detailing the split between old friends, then St Kilda coach Grant Thomas and president Rod Butterss. Rielly has an acute understanding of the tactics of the game and his other sporting passion is surfing. He considers the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing contest at Bells Beach to be one of the treasures on the Australian sporting calendar.
McMahon picks Tigers over Port
Richmond last night put Jordan McMahon into a yellow and black jumper, with the Western Bulldog defender choosing the Tigers over Port Adelaide for a three-year deal worth almost $1 million.
Saints move for ruckman Blake
St Kilda has offered a three-year contract to Geelong's Mark Blake that, financially, is likely to be beyond the premiers to match.
In-demand Jolly sticks with Swans
Darren Jolly, the most experienced and decorated member of the band of ruckmen thought likely to shape much of this year's trading period, has removed himself from the deal-making fray, which officially begins today.
Dogs miss out as Robertson re-signs with Demons
Russell Robertson has ended his contractual stand-off with Melbourne and agreed to a new two-year contract.
Faster pussycats
In 2007, football embraced the idea that audacity breeds life where order breeds habit.
Power's pride becomes a sore point
Port Adelaide revels in history like a lotto winner in a spa of champagne and yet by half-time yesterday it was looking to run from it, trying to stave off the worst grand final loss of all time.
Whiff of feud puts Judd off Saints
The deepening threat of instability at St Kilda appears to have dashed any hope of the Saints securing Chris Judd.
Carlton reaps the rewards of a determined ineptitude
In the end, the Blues lost but they won, Melbourne won but it lost, and football just lost.
Bulldog, Lion may hang up their boots
Chris Grant and Chris Scott could join the extraordinary exodus of
champions from football at the end of this season.
Sheedy's year too far
Ending the coach's tenure in 2006 would have been a better option for several reasons.
Kangas fall short of their goals
Goalkicking under pressure is the difference between the Roos and the team they seek to emulate - West Coast.
Thinking the unthinkable
On Monday night, nine Essendon directors confirmed that this was to
be Kevin Sheedy's last season as coach.
Essendon mindful of honouring Sheedy
The decision to replace Sheedy as coach has been made. How he exits is now being debated.
Time heals, but it's victory that settles all for Demons
A tough week at Melbourne Football Club ends with the winds of change starting to settle and a first-up victory for the new coach.
AFL chiefs look to South Africa
South Africa is the AFL's preferred international recruiting field of the future.
Saint boss to 'flush out' Thomas
St Kilda president claims the lingering influence of Grant Thomas
is akin to a "virus".
Harris warns of AFL class system
Melbourne CEO warns of a permanent order of first, second and third-world clubs.
Analysis backs long kicking
Dr Mark Stewart of RMIT reveals a secret to AFL recruiters and
football department heads.
Saints chief sues ex-coach
St Kilda president Rod Butterss and the man he sacked as coach, Grant Thomas, head to court.
Bradley's blooper on the big stage
Sadly for Kepler Bradley, it is not only good reputations that are established on the big occasion.
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