Port Adelaide's Dougie Cochrane is tipped to go first in a mock AFL National Draft, after Essendon places a bid on the 195cm utility. Father-son and academy selections are expected to feature prominently in the top 10. Ethan Drever is projected second to Essendon, which needs to rebuild its midfield after losing Zach Merrett. Cody Walker is expected to join Carlton as a father-son selection, while Mitch Harris is tipped to Melbourne as the best key defender in the draft.
Essendon has decided not to renew AFLW coach Natalie Wood's contract after a one-win season. The club told her of the decision after Sunday's 3.7 (25) to 3.2 (20) loss to Hawthorn. Wood will coach the remaining round against Collingwood at Windy Hill. Essendon chief executive Tim Roberts thanked Wood for setting the club's standards and culture since 2022. The club will now search for a new AFLW coach.
A triple-brick home in Northcote, with a separate apartment, passed in at auction on a vendor bid of $1.7 million, below its $1.8 million reserve. The property is now listed for private sale at $1.775 million. Meanwhile, a fully renovated art deco home in Fitzroy sold for $1.531 million, above its $1.35 million reserve, to a first-home buyer. In Essendon, a four-bedroom home sold for $2.285 million, above its $1.95 million reserve, to a young family.
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Three people have been charged over an alleged plot to import 120 kilograms of cocaine into Melbourne. The trio was arrested on Tuesday and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. Australian Border Force officers found 120 packages of suspected drugs hidden in two cabinets declared as household furniture, shipped from Greece. Police will allege a 49-year-old Pascoe Vale South woman was the consignee and coordinated collection of the shipment at an Essendon storage facility.
Three people face potential life sentences over an alleged plot to import 120 kilograms of cocaine concealed in cabinets. Border officers flagged a consignment from Greece in October, and X-rays revealed 120 packages inside two cabinets declared as household furniture. Authorities conducted a controlled delivery to a storage facility in Essendon, where a 49-year-old Pascoe Vale woman allegedly coordinated the consignment. Two men, aged 31 and 40, were also arrested. The trio has been charged, and the two men were refused bail while the woman was granted conditional bail.
North Melbourne thrashed Essendon by 52 points at Windy Hill, winning 12.13 (85) to 5.3 (33). Essendon led at quarter time, but the reigning premiers kicked eight goals to two in the second half. Ash Riddell was prolific with 32 disposals, and Tahlia Randall kicked three goals. North Melbourne's 9-1 record keeps it on track for the minor premiership. Elsewhere, Sydney beat Collingwood 12.8 (80) to 4.5 (29), and GWS beat Hawthorn 7.13 (55) to 7.12 (54).
A woman who built a beauty clinic from scratch fears she may have to move interstate after a suspicious overnight fire gutted her Moonee Ponds salon. Firefighters were called to Rejuvenate Hair and Skin on Shuter Street about 12.50am on Wednesday. Police believe two jerry cans were thrown inside before the business was set alight. Offenders fled in a light coloured vehicle towards Puckle Street. The owner, Hamidah Dildar, said the salon had been targeted by vandals three times in six months.
Police are investigating two suspicious fires in neighbouring Melbourne suburbs overnight. An unoccupied house on Deakin Street in Essendon was alight just before midnight on Tuesday. Firefighters brought it under control within an hour. Less than an hour later, a hair and skin clinic on Shuter Street in Moonee Ponds was set alight. Police allege unknown offenders threw jerry cans into the business before igniting it, then fled in a light-coloured vehicle. Police say there is no information linking the fires, but the investigation is at an early stage.
North Melbourne has agreed to acquire Blakey from Sydney in a major AFL trade, the first deal of the day. The Kangaroos gave up the No.6 pick in this year's draft, pick 47, several future second-round picks and a 2028 first-rounder. In return they received pick 52 and Sydney's 2028 second-rounder. Blakey apologised for the events that led to his exit from Sydney, where he had been suspended over the Pullman Hotel scandal. Elsewhere, Carlton added Lachie Whitfield from GWS and sent Flynn Riley to Collingwood.
A four-bedroom Art Deco home in Essendon passed in at $2.55 million at auction on Saturday, then sold in post-auction negotiations for $2,655,000. The buyer, a local professional looking to upgrade, paid just below the $2.7 million reserve. Domain recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 58 per cent across Melbourne, with 78 auctions withdrawn. From Friday, new state laws require vendors to publish reserves at least seven days before auction. Agents say buyer hesitancy is growing after the September interest rate rise.
Police arrested two people after a chase involving a stolen Hyundai across Melbourne's north and east suburbs on Thursday, October 8. Unmarked police vehicles first spotted the allegedly stolen car in Maribyrnong at 2.45am. Officers followed it through Essendon and Coburg, where it was allegedly seen driving erratically and on the wrong side of the road. Stop sticks damaged a front tyre in Preston. The car was later dumped in Mitcham, where the driver and his passenger fled on foot to Antonio Park and were arrested without incident.
Ange Lamanna has been appointed as the new women’s coach for the Hillside Sharks in the Essendon District Football League premier division. Lamanna, who has over 17 years of coaching experience, previously guided Diamond Creek women’s to a premiership in 2025. He expressed excitement about coaching in a strong league and aims to retain players while introducing a competitive playing style. The club will host a meet-the-coach night on 7 October at the Sporting Globe Watergardens.
North Melbourne has offered Nick Blakey an $11 million contract, making them favourites to sign the Sydney Swans player. Blakey has met with officials from Geelong, Gold Coast, and St Kilda, with Essendon also expressing interest. His current contract with the Swans runs through 2031. Geelong traded its first-round pick to St Kilda for ruckman Rowan Marshall and a 2028 third-round pick.
Essendon has acquired Jack Bowes, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick in exchange for Jordan Ridley and draft selections. The Bombers have expressed interest in Sydney's Nick Blakey, but prioritise adding young talent. Geelong and St Kilda remain at an impasse over a potential trade for Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall. Fremantle has signed former Bulldogs forward Dom Bedendo, who kicked 38 goals in the VFL this year. Brisbane has revealed a panel to select Chris Fagan's replacement as senior coach, with Danny Daly elevated to General Manager of Football.
