Football was good to Richo, but boy, he was great for football, writes Martin Flanagan.

MALCOLM TURNBULL has brushed aside the "anonymous smart-arses" who believe his leadership days are numbered as he and his backers hit the phones to drum up support for his demand that the party negotiate with Labor on climate change.

NOT only is Ross Lyon getting his ears bashed from former St Kilda coaches about Max Hudghton's exclusion from his team, he's apparently getting grief on the home front as well.

OF THE many Carlton supporters who left the Gabba devastated by their teams final quarter fade-out in the club's first final in eight years, spare a thought for AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick, who suddenly had the worst seat in the house.

RICHMOND players unable to live up to Damien Hardwick's desire for relentless attacks on the football will "find themselves very quickly out the door", the rookie coach warned yesterday on his first day at the club.