AFMA awards: Herald Sun footy team recognised at 2022 Australian Football Media Association Awards

Herald Sun sports journalists and photographers have been honoured for their outstanding work at the Australian Football Media Association’s annual awards.

Herald Sun reporters Sam Landsberger, Lauren Wood, Mark Robinson and Jon Ralph with their AFMA gongs.

The Herald Sun’s award-winning footy team has done it again, recognised with major gongs at the AFL media’s night of nights.

Herald Sun journalists Mark Robinson, Lauren Wood, Jon Ralph and Sam Landsberger were recognised for their outstanding performances in 2022 at the Australian Football Media Association (AFMA) awards held at Metropolis on Tuesday night.

Herald Sun reporters Sam Landsberger, Lauren Wood, Mark Robinson and Jon Ralph with their AFMA gongs.

Robbo was awarded Life Membership to the AFMA after decades as a leader in footy media at the Herald Sun, Fox Footy’s AFL 360 and radio.

He was also commended for his fine feature writing.

Wood was named best AFLW reporter for her “exemplary” standards and leading the pack with her CBA and the AFLW draft coverage.

Herald Sun Sports journalist Lauren Wood was recognised for her AFLW reporting. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

Jon Ralph’s article on Patrick Bines’ debilitating neck injury resulted in a $500,000 compensation scheme.

Ralph won the best news reporting category, highlighted by his stories on West Coast’s Patrick Bines’ debilitating neck injury that resulted in a $500,000 compensation scheme.

Ralph was also commended in the Alf Brown Award (best overall media performer won by Fox Footy’s Gerard Whateley) and the podcast category with Glenn McFarlane for their Sacked podcast.

Sam Landsberger was named best feature writer.

Lauren Wood’s exemplary work landed her best AFLW reporter.

Landsberger was best feature writer for his story on abuse suffered by female umpires and his piece detailing the racist abuse encountered by Michael McLean.

He was also commended for his news reporting.

News Corp’s Phil Hillyard won best action photo by “perfectly capturing the magical moment when Lance Franklin booted his historic 1000th goal as fans started their invasion of the SCG in their thousands”.

Phil Hillyard perfectly captured the moments after Lance Franklin’s 1000th goal.

Fans stream towards Lance Franklin after his 1000th goal. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

The Herald Sun’s Michael Klein was commended for this news and feature photography.

Dwayne Russell was awarded best TV match caller for Fox Footy.

2022 AFMA AWARD WINNERS

ALL MEDIA

Best AFLW reporting: Lauren Wood, Herald Sun.

Best AFLW program or feature: Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW, JAM TV.

Best diversity and inclusion presentation: The Friday Huddle, Triple M.

Best podcast: Credit To The Girls, AFL.com.au. Commended: Sacked, Herald Sun.

PRINT AND ONLINE

Best opinion or analysis: Peter Ryan, The Age.

Best news reporter: Jon Ralph, Herald Sun. Commended: Sam Landsberger, Herald Sun

Best feature reporting: Sam Landsberger, Herald Sun. Commended: Mark Robinson, Herald Sun.

Best action photo: Phil Hillyard, AFL.com.au/News Corp Australia.

Best news or feature photo: Michael Willson, AFL.com.au. Commended: Michael Klein, Herald Sun.

News Corp National Sports Editor Matthew Kitchin with Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson, who was inducted as a life member of the AFMA.

RADIO AND TV

Best news of feature reporting: Ryan Daniels, Seven

Best opinion/analysis: Leigh Matthews, 3AW. Commended: Leigh Montagna, Fox Footy

Best radio program: Gerard Whateley, SEN

Best radio match caller: Gerard Whateley, SEN

Best TV program: The Front Bar, Seven. Commended: AFL 360, Fox Footy

Best TV match caller: Dwayne Russell, Fox Footy. Commended: Anthony Hudson, Fox Footy

CLUB

Best club content: One-Eyed Giant, GWS

MAJOR AWARDS

Alf Brown Award: Gerard Whateley, Fox Footy. Commended: Jon Ralph, Herald Sun

Lou Richards Medal: Matthew Richardson, Seven. Commended: Nathan Buckley, Fox Footy

Clinton Grybas Emerging Talent Award: Luca Urso, JAM TV. Commended: Jess Webster, Fox FOOTY

LIFE MEMBER: Mark Robinson, Herald Sun and Fox Footy

Originally published as AFMA awards: Herald Sun footy team recognised at 2022 Australian Football Media Association Awards