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Lachlan McKirdy is a sports reporter for The Daily Telegraph and CODE Sports, primarily focused on covering the AFL in NSW. On top of his work with the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants, he also has a strong passion for covering cricket and the Olympic sports, with previous experience working for the International Olympic Committee. He has won awards for his journalism, including from Cricket NSW, while loves bringing a multimedia edge to his work through video and audio means.

@LMcKirdy7

Lachlan McKirdy

Latest

Olympics

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Bronte Halligan of Australia gets fouled during the International Water Polo Test Match between Australia Stingers and Italy at Perth HPC on July 06, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

National captaincy caps off incredible month for water polo star

Recently, Bronte Halligan’s life has been a whirlwind of triumph capped off by the Stingers’ captaincy. But the Olympic silver medallist knows the real test is yet to come.

AFL

Lachie Whitfield ahead of his 250th game with fellow Giant 250 gamers Callan Ward and Toby Greene. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - NO ON SALES - copyright Phil Hillyard )

How Whitfield overcame the ‘do the two years’ and leave mentality

When Lachie Whitfield was drafted to the Giants in 2012, he thought he would “do the two years” and request a trade back to Victoria. Ahead of game 250, he opens up on why he stayed.

AFL

Sydney's Errol Gulden snaps a goal during the AFL Round 17 match between the Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers at the SCG on July 6, 2025. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - NO ON SALES - copyright Phil Hillyard )

The key figure behind Swans’ late-season revival

The Sydney Swans still have a pulse — just. And one returning star is a massive part of that turnaround, but not just for what he’s doing ball in hand. Lachlan McKirdy explains.

AFL

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan celebrates with Joe Daniher after winning the 2024 AFL Grand Final between the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at the MCG on September 28, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard(Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - Â©Phil Hillyard )

Cox responds to potential Daniher return rumours

While Joe Daniher enjoys the European high life, both his former and rumoured future coaches have spoken out about reports linking him to a potential AFL return.

AFL

The SCG playing surface has come under scrutiny as multiple players could be seen slipping at one particular end of the ground.

‘Blown out of proportion’: SCG curator hits back at criticism

SCG curator Adam Lewis has launched an emotional defence of his ground staff after the worst week of his career, calling out the ‘ill-informed’ criticism that followed the Swans-Bulldogs turf debacle.

AFL

Fans celebrate as Sydney's Isaac Heeney snaps a goal during the AFL Round 16 match between the Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs at the SCG on June 27, 2025.. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - NO ON SALES - copyright Phil Hillyard )

Venues NSW under fire as Swans boss addresses SCG turf fears

Concerts at the SCG could be a thing of the past as Swans chairman Andrew Pridham rubbished suggestions that the Sydney-Fremantle game on Sunday could have been relocated.

UPDATEDAFL

Justin McInerney marks during the AFL Round 16 match between the Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs at the SCG on June 27, 2025.. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - NO ON SALES - copyright Phil Hillyard )

Dillon slams SCG surface with AFL sending ‘grass god’ to fix turf

The AFL is pulling no stops in fixing the turf at the SCG ahead of next Sunday’s Swans game, with ‘grass god’ Bruce Macphee to be sent to Sydney to repair the ‘shocking’ surface.

UpdatedSuperCoach

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Joel Freijah of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the round 16 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 27, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Beveridge praises unsung Dogs in gritty win over Swans

While all eyes were on Marcus Bontempelli in his 250th game and Sam Darcy in the forward line, it was two lesser-known Bulldogs who earned their coach’s praise after the match.

Sport

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Justin McInerney of the Swans celebrates a goal with team mates during the 2025 AFL Round 15 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval on June 21, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘Clipped us across the chin’: How Swans kept their season alive

From one of their lowest points this century to suddenly having momentum, Justin McInerney reveals the exact moment everything changed for the Swans.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Adrian Caruso, National Recruiting Manager of the Giants speaks with media during The 2022 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period at Marvel Stadium on October 03, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The unique strategy keeping GWS ahead of the rest at the AFL draft

Taking the best-available player in the draft is a tried and true strategy over many years. That’s not the Giants’ way however, and zigging when other teams zag continues to pay dividends.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/lachlan-mckirdy/page/3