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Cody Atkinson
Cody Atkinson has been contributing to ABC News Digital since 2018. Cody has written about sport and culture for various publications for over a decade, and contributed to Footballistics, released by ABC Books. He is a fan of pretty much anything played competitively (and not), and has written about cricket, football, basketball, tennis, rugby league, rugby union among other sports. Follow him on Twitter at @capitalcitycody
Latest by Cody Atkinson
Analysis
analysis:The rise of the north and a shock new Giant: Recapping the 2023 AFL draft
The number one pick was all but confirmed, but the 2023 AFL draft shows a surprising shift into the northern states as the Suns strike local gold.
Analysis
analysis:In a battle for the corridor, it was the thriller kings who prevailed on footy's biggest day
No team in history has won more close games than Craig McRae's Magpies, and on the biggest day of all, that ability to control the tight moments was the difference, writes Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.
Analysis
analysis:A mobile defence and the bogeymen from Brisbane: How this grand final will be won and lost
Brisbane has been Collingwood's bogey team, winning its last six against the Magpies. But grand final day, at the Lions' bogey ground the MCG, with 100,000 supporters heavily skewed towards the black and white, might be a different prospect.
Analysis
analysis:Lachie Neale joins an elite club with his second Brownlow Medal. Here's how he did it
Ten years after playing in his first grand final, Lachie Neale is preparing for a second with a completely different game that has put him in lofty heights as a two-time Brownlow medallist.
Analysis
analysis:The leaders or the challengers? How two massive AFL preliminary finals will be decided
The AFL's preliminary finals weekend pits the league's two most consistent teams of the year — Collingwood and Brisbane — with the most in-form challengers — GWS and Carlton. Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson break down how the games will be won and lost.
This Carlton defender was an anomaly as the top draft pick — but his selection was a risk that's paying off for the Blues
If the Blues are to make the grand final, or even win the premiership, Jacob Weitering will almost certainly play a huge role, writes Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.
Analysis
analysis:The AFL's All-Australian Team will be announced tonight. Who should make the cut?
From an initial squad off 44 players, 22 will earn the honour of being selected in the final All-Australian Team. Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson run the rule over who deserves to be in and who may miss out.
Analysis
analysis:Geelong's gap year — how the Cats' premiership defence unravelled
Off the back of the 2022 flag, Geelong were once again expected to compete strongly this year. But with a round to go, a series of crucial losses and key absentees mean their defence is already over, write Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.
Analysis
analysis:Patience pays off as Essendon still controls its own finals fate
A weekend win over the Kangaroos means Essendon's finals chances are still in their own hands — Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson look at the Bombers' season, and how coach Brad Scott's message is sinking in with players.
Analysis
analysis:Behind Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow's push for a second straight Coleman Medal
Charlie Curnow is on track for a second Coleman Medal in as many years. This is how Carlton is getting the best out of the multifaceted star key forward.
Analysis
analysis:The career of two hall of famers in one — Lance Franklin retires as an AFL great
Lance Franklin's awe-inspiring career may be the closest we get to footy becoming an art form. Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson take a deep dive into Buddy's awe-inspiring time with the Hawks and Swans, and the things that made him special.
Analysis
analysis:Kingsley's Giants on a path to success, inspired by freewheeling Magpies and Tigers
Former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick's influence is being felt across the AFL, most notably at Collingwood but now also at GWS, who are plotting a similar path to success.
Analysis
analysis:How the Brisbane Lions are switching directions to achieve attacking success
Sitting third on the AFL ladder, the Lions' attack has featured renewed verve this season, as they push towards another finals campaign.
Analysis
analysis:Why Stuart Dew was sacked — but the future is still bright for the Suns
A week after receiving a vote of confidence from the Gold Coast board, Stuart Dew has been sacked as the Suns' head coach. Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson look at what went wrong, and why the future might be still be bright for the Suns.
Collingwood and the captain's call
While changing captain can be a positive process for AFL teams, it is also fraught with danger — but for Collingwood, the transition between Scott Pendlebury and Darcy Moore so far is a success beyond even the Magpies' dreams. Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson investigate.
Analysis
analysis:Anatomy of a demolition — how the Swans picked apart the Eagles to create AFL history
It was one of the biggest losses in AFL history — so how did the Swans do it, and what's next for the struggling Eagles? Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson explain.
Analysis
analysis:Dollars and democracy — what your membership actually means to your AFL club
Every season it seems a new record is set for memberships across the AFL — but what impact is growing sign ups actually having? Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson explain.
Analysis
analysis:The Lions are facing an MCG hoodoo — but how does that compare to the worst streaks in history?
Brisbane has lost 12 games in row at the MCG during the home-and-away season, but that's not the worst run of any one team at any one ground in AFL/VFL history.
Analysis
analysis:It's an age-old question: What makes a good kick in the AFL?
What constitutes an effective or ineffective kick has been discussed for years, but one data scientist thinks he may have unlocked the next evolution of settling this debate, write Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.
Analysis
analysis:Marking out history — how to take a speccie with Harry Himmelberg
From Jesaulenko to Modra, Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson, take a deep dive into the art of the speccie, including a chat with the man who's hot favourite to take out this year's mark of the year.
Analysis
analysis:How Luke Beveridge and the Bulldogs have adjusted on the fly this AFL season
Luke Beveridge ended a 62-year premiership drought for the Western Bulldogs, but the polarising coach is not resting on his laurels seven years later, write Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.
Levi Strauss, baseball and history repeating — inside the AFL's trademark battle for the Devils
From jeans to baseball teams, the AFL has an interesting history of battling for trademarks — but the fight for the Devils might be the most intriguing of all, writes Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.
Analysis
analysis:How the Hobart stadium spend is a game-changer in Australian sport
It is set to be the final piece of the puzzle in Tasmania's bid for the AFL's 19th licence, but the federal government's massive funding injection for the project may have a deeper impact on how money is spent on major sporting infrastructure.
Analysis
analysis:The Lions' key forwards have put their own spin on the AFL's traditional 'spearhead'
The hunt for a "spearhead" key forward is as old as footy itself but, with its unique forward line, the Brisbane Lions are revolutionising the role, write Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.
Analysis
analysis:How the Crows have used the kick-in to surge into AFL finals contention
It's one of the simplest parts of footy — kicking the ball back in after a behind — but Adelaide's unique approach is one of the reasons the club has been one of 2023's biggest improvers, write Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson.