Losses, low crowds, leaked texts, drunken brawls between teammates. These are inevitabilities in the AFL’s alpha male world. But at a club like Melbourne, they matter.

In 1995, the previously undefeated Carlton hit a flat spot, dropping games to the bottom two sides. At training on Monday, captain Stephen Kernahan stopped the group mid lap and growled in that gravelly gutted voice of his – “we’re not losing another fucking game!” They completed their lap, beat Hawthorn by 102 points that weekend, won their next 16 games, and coasted to the Premiership. They were one of the great teams, a team that bridged the semi and fully professional eras, a team that pretty much coached itself, a team whipped back into shape with six guttural words.

That wouldn’t cut it as man management these days. In 2022, football clubs stress the importance of culture, of connection, of roles, of safe environments, of talking through your problems. Melbourne would have done a lot of that this week. In the space of a fortnight, they’ve had two losses, injuries, illnesses, criticism of low crowds, leaked text messages, drunken sledges, haymakers, infected hands, community service penalties, an integrity department investigation and a conga line of question marks. What the fuck, as Steve Kernahan would no doubt ask, is going on here?

• AFL investigating social media images of star Bulldog with illicit substance
• Smith, 21, is currently serving two-week suspension for head-butting

The Western Bulldogs have launched an investigation after images surfaced showing star midfielder Bailey Smith holding a bag of white powder at a party.

The news dropped on Saturday morning and while it’s unclear when the photo was taken, a video showing Smith at a party has also been circulating on social media. It’s unclear what substance is in the bag, but the Bulldogs confirmed on Saturday they are looking into the matter.

Despite a few upticks in recent weeks, the current campaign has seen, on average, the lowest crowds in a quarter of a century

Nearly 44,000 people were at the MCG on Sunday, a reasonable turnout on a stinker of a day. There were 47,000 at Optus Stadium too, but AFL crowds, on average, are the lowest they have been since 1996. Just over 30,000 watched the reigning premiers on their home ground on Saturday night, while the crowd at the Adelaide Oval was well below par.

One commentator suggested the game has become “too woke” with all its rule changes and crackdown on umpire dissent. Others believe the standard of play is driving punters away. But, arguably, the football has been far superior to that played half a decade ago, when crowd numbers peaked. West Coast’s dire year, the redevelopment of Kardinia Park, the floating fixture and a recent Arctic blast have also played a role. Here are some of the possible major contributing factors.

• Leaked report contained allegations of sexual harassment
• League wanted to take private steps to remedy problematic culture

The AFL has acknowledged it “could have” publicly shared a leaked report detailing what it called “unacceptable experiences” of sexual harassment alleged by female umpires across Australia.

Acting chief executive, Kylie Rogers, has written to stakeholders amid the fallout of the now-public report to explain that, despite receiving it in late 2021, the AFL had chosen not to publish it in favour of taking private steps to remedy the problematic culture surrounding women and girls in umpiring.

• Collingwood 15.3 (93) beat Essendon 12.10 (82)
• Jack Ginnivan wins Anzac Day medal in front of 84,205 fans

Teenage sensation Jack Ginnivan has slotted a career-best five goals to help lift Collingwood to an 11-point win over Essendon in an enthralling Anzac Day encounter. In front of 84,205 fans at the MCG – the largest crowd since the 2019 grand final because of the global pandemic – small forward Ginnivan starred in his side’s 15.3 (93) to 12.10 (82) victory.

The 19-year-old had just 12 disposals but was awarded the Anzac Day medal as best afield for his match-winning haul in the traditional blockbuster. The result squared the Magpies’ season record at 3-3 and left Essendon reeling at 1-5, with their finals hopes just about shot.

• Indigenous star says president’s ‘joke’ comments were ‘final straw’
• Rioli says ‘gaslighting’ at club hastened his retirement in 2018

Jeff Kennett has come under increasing pressure to step down as president of AFL club Hawthorn after allegations about the treatment of star Indigenous player Cyril Rioli that led to the four-time premiership star’s premature AFL retirement in 2018 at the age of just 28.

In a report in The Age on Saturday, Rioli said he will not return to the club while Kennett remains in his post. The four-time flag hero’s stance is the result of a series of issues that Rioli said fractured the relationship between Hawthorn and its Indigenous players during his time there between 2008 and 2018.

• Indigenous star says president’s comments to wife were “final straw”
• Rioli says ‘gaslighting’ at club hastened his retirement in 2018

Jeff Kennett has come under increasing pressure to step down as president of AFL club Hawthorn after revelations about treatment of star indigenous player Cyril Rioli that led to the four-time premiership star’s premature AFL retirement in 2018 at the age of just 28.

In a report in The Age on Saturday, Rioli said he will not return to the club while Kennett remains in his post. The four-time flag hero’s stance is the result of a series of issues that Rioli said fractured the relationship between Hawthorn and its Indigenous players during his time there between 2008 and 2018.

Lance Franklin’s quest to become just the sixth VFL/AFL player to kick 1000 career goals must wait another week

Lance Franklin’s bid to become just the sixth VFL/AFL player to kick 1000 career goals will have to wait at least another six days after the Sydney superstar was held to just one major against GWS.

Franklin entered Saturday’s match sitting on 995 goals, and he got off the mark with a goal at the 10-minute mark of the second term. But he couldn’t add to the tally from there, finishing the match with one goal to show from his eight disposals.