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Dan BattenDigital Sports Reporter

Dan Batten is a digital sports reporter specialising in AFL, cricket and SuperCoach.

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The mankad from Lethbridge against Murgheboluc. Picture: Frogbox

Watch: Two bizarre run outs cause controversy in local cricket

Two dismissals caused controversy in local cricket, with one player run out after being struck in the groin, while the other was out via mankad. See the dismissals here and have your say.

Cricket Torquay v Geelong West match. Game started at 12.15pm at Geelong West Oval. Geelong West bowler Sam Kelly reacts to a close call on Torquay batsman Finlay Carter Picture: Mark Wilson

‘Into backyards’: Recruit unleashes to win thriller, side’s staggering 8-5 collapse

Torquay was in strife until a recruit went large, forcing his own teammate to jump neighbourhood fences to retrieve big hits. It wasn’t the only thriller, while a top side suffered an almighty collapse.

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James Kelly on applying for Melbourne job.

Inside ‘emotional risk’, Cats duo’s bizarre duel in Dees coaching race

James Kelly went for his very first senior job up against his flag teammate and Steven King, all while they fought for another Cats premiership. Kelly reflects on how it played out, his coaching ambitions and more.

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Cody Walker following dad's footsteps

Scouting notes: NGA, father-son prospects set to dominate ‘26 draft

AFL clubs already have their eyes set on the next crop of young guns who will soon enter the league, but plenty of them won’t be available for the rest of the competition at this stage.

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SuperCoach AFL 2026 draft rankings

Way too early expert 2026 SuperCoach Draft rankings

Pre-season is underway which means it’s time to rank the best SuperCoach Draft picks for next season. See the expert consensus No.1 plus full draft lists.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Oliver Peake of Victoria plays a shot during day one of the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and Victoria at The Gabba, on November 22, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

‘Massive honour’: Geelong cricket star to be a national skipper

Geelong’s brightest cricketing prospect has opened up on being handed the national captaincy, his biggest leadership mentors and his personal challenges this summer.

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25-11-2024 Geelong Cats pre-season training at Deakin University Waurn Ponds. Xavier Ivisic. Picture: Brad Fleet

Local powerhouse lands former Cat after unlucky delisting

After being delisted by Geelong in October after just one season, a promising young talent has joined a local club that tasted flag success in 2025.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Mick Stinear, Senior Coach of the Demons during the 2025 AFLW First Preliminary Final match between the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and the Melbourne Demons at Ikon Park on November 22, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Cats lock in flag coach as new AFLW leader after leaving rival

A premiership coach has been appointed as Geelong’s new coach after departing a club last month. He is eager to begin an exciting chapter, but is ‘forever grateful’ for his former side.

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Football GFNL Lara v North Shore. Lara goal Picture: Mark Wilson

‘Rumours’: Lara issues strong statement on playing future

Lara has spoken out on its playing future after several departures over the off-season.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Gryan Miers of the Cats and Mark Blicavs of the Cats react following the AFL Grand Final match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)

‘Hurt forever’: Miers’ GF pain, inside word on new Cats

After the 2020 grand final loss, Gryan Miers said it was the flag that got away. But 2025 feels different. He opens up on how, Geelong’s new draftees and his 2026 role.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/dan-batten