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Mitch Bourke is a sports reporter at the Mackay Daily Mercury, and also for CODE Sports. Born and raised in Melbourne, he previously founded his own website ‘The Sporting Landscape’ before moving to Mackay to join the News team. Inspired by his love of storytelling, Mitch is passionate about Aussie rules, rugby league, cricket, and all things sport.

@Mitchbourke

Mitch Bourke

Latest

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: Ross Lyon the coach of the Saints looks on during the round seven AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium, on April 26, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

‘It’s not personal’: Lyon explains Saints blow up

The Saints have now lost three games on the trot — and Ross Lyon is not happy. See what the coach of St Kilda had to say about his animated chat with his players.

Draft news

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Archie Ludowyke of the AFL National Academy celebrates kicking a goal during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys match between Australia U18 and Richmond VFL at RSEA Park on April 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Ultimate APS school footy guide: Top draft prospects to watch

An APS footy season loaded with AFL Draft hopefuls is upon us. Find out the top prospects, surprise packets and club linked talents from every side and how every school will fare in 2025.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Noah Balta of the Tigers looks on during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on April 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

‘Wrong and dangerous’: Premier doubles down on Balta criticism

Premier Jacinta Allan has doubled down on criticising Richmond over selecting Noah Balta this weekend after Adem Yze this week said the swingman had been ‘punished enough’.

AFL

LYNDOCH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Shai Bolton of the Dockers celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 05 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Fremantle Dockers at Barossa Park on April 13, 2025 in Lyndoch, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Dockers hit their straps as Bolton comes back to haunt Tigers

Fremantle have continued their rich vein of form, proving too strong for Richmond in the Barossa Valley, as Shai Bolton showed Tigers fans what they are missing.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Jayden Short of the Tigers handballs during the round four AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on April 05, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Short dilemma, on-field rookies: The key SuperCoach takeaways

It was another big Super Saturday of footy – and there some big SuperCoach scores to match. But there were also some concerning numbers. Here’s what it all means going forward.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: Jason Horne-Francis of the Power in action during the 2025 AFL Round 03 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

SuperCoach: Three takeaways from Essendon v Port Adelaide

JHF owners. explain what’s actually going on here, can we trust him? And there’s a new Reid to think about, grabbing. Check out the key SuperCoach takeaways from the Bombers’ win.

SuperCoach

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Jayden Short of the Tigers competes with Jackson Mead of the Power during the round two AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval, on March 22, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Time to go? The big SuperCoach lessons from Super Saturday

It was another huge Super Saturday – and it handed out a number of important learnings for SuperCoaches. Recap the action and find out what it all means going forward.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: Jacob Weitering of the Blues in action during the 2025 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Blues star calls for tighter regulations around AFL gambling ads

Carlton defender Jacob Weitering has a new ambassadorial role for an initiative aiming to tackle problems around gambling in sport. Here is why.

Sport

Hayden Kenny with Steve Smith at the 2022 Boxing Day Test. Picture: Supplied.

Teen’s tumour battle before record smashing performance

Two years ago he was meeting the Australian cricket team through the Make-A-Wish Foundation but now this Melbourne teen has set records of his own. Read his remarkable story.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Clayton Oliver and Simon Goodwin of the Demons looks dejected after losing the round one AFL match between Melbourne Demons and GWS Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 16, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

‘We’re on the right path’: Goodwin confident after Dees’ Giant shock

It was a heartbreaking start to 2025 after a lean 2024, but Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is confident of his side’s path despite their loss to GWS.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/journalists/mitch-bourke