Our Journalists

Ed BourkeSports reporter

Ed Bourke is an AFL and AFLW reporter for the Herald Sun and CODE Sports. He is also quick to jump on the bandwagon whenever any cricket or tennis comes to town. Ed previously worked as a sports reporter at NewsWire after completing a cadetship at the Herald Sun in 2022.

@edbourke6

Ed Bourke

Latest

AFL

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Oscar Allen and Harley Reid of the Eagles walk from the field at the half time break during the round one AFL match between West Coast Eagles and Gold Coast Suns at Perth Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

‘Should go for it’: Darling’s advice for Allen, Reid as rival clubs loom

Jack Darling made the move away from the Eagles to the Kangaroos last year. Now he has some advice for two of his ex-teammates as speculation on their futures intensifies.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 13th March, 2025 . AFL Round 1. Richmond vs Carlton at the MCG. Patrick Cripps of the Blues battles at the centre bounce ruck contest with Richmonds Kamdyn Macintosh during the 3rd qtr. . Picture: Michael Klein

New normal: Why midfield ‘Ferraris’ are ploughing the field

Former stars want Patrick Cripps out of the ruck, but there’s a reason clubs are turning increasingly to their midfielders in the unglamorous position. Ed Bourke dives into the numbers.

AFL

Every mascot ranked: Where does divisive Devil sit?

Tasmanian primary school students designed Rum’un – a big, furry freak. Here’s why they might have done better than some of the other AFL clubs. HAVE YOUR SAY.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Christian Petracca of the Demons runs with the ball during the 2025 AFL Round 01 match between the Melbourne Demons and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Petracca opens up on return from injury, ‘infectious’ young Dees

He may not have had the result he wanted, but Christian Petracca showed he hasn’t lost any touch in his first game back from injury – while being thrilled with his ‘infectious’ young teammates.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Luke Cleary of the Bulldogs is taken from the ground on a stretcher after a contest with Jackson Archer of the Kangaroos during the round one AFL match between Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium, on March 15, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Latest on KO’d Dog as Beveridge, Clarkson weigh in

An incident in the final term of the clash between the Dogs and Roos brought Marvel Stadium to a standstill. Get an injury update and see what the coaches had to say here.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: Josh Battle of the Hawks handballs whilst being tackled by Zach Merrett of the Bombers during the round one AFL match between Hawthorn Hawks and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 14, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Hawk benefiting most from Battle, Barrass move — and it’s not Sicily

Much has been made of James Sicily’s new-found freedom after Hawthorn traded in Tom Barrass and Josh Battle. But another Hawk is flying under the radar without much attention at all.

AFL

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Aidan Johnson of the Demons fumbles the ball during the 2025 AAMI AFL Community Series match between Fremantle Dockers and Melbourne Demons at Rushton Park on March 02, 2025 in Mandurah, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

R1 teams: Dees name incredible six debutants for Giant test

Melbourne and St Kilda will unleash a combined nine debutants on Sunday, while GWS has regained one of its biggest stars as it prepares to take on the Demons. SEE FULL ROUND 1 TEAMS

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. August 23 2024. AFL Round 24. Melbourne vs Collingwood at the MCG. Retiring umpire Ray Chamberlain gets a guard of honour after umpiring his last game . Pic: Michael Klein

Razor return? AFL umpire shortage sparks call for help

An unprecedented umpire shortage is looming for the AFL later this year, and it could force the league to call on some old umpiring faces to make a return.

AFL

MELBOURNE , AUSTRALIA. April 27, 2024. AFL... Carlton vs Geelong at the the MCG. Elijah Hollands of the Blues . Pic: Michael Klein

Personal issues sideline Blues’ rising star

Elijah Hollands made a splash in his first season at Carlton in 2024. His second hasn’t started as well, with his season delayed and a return date unknown.

ANALYSISAFL

Collingwood's Jeremy Howe head knock in this marking contest with Reef McInnes during the AFL Opening Round match between the GWS Giants and Collingwood Magpies at Engie Stadium on March 9, 2025. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - Â©Phil Hillyard )

The five-minute Pies patch that will worry Fly the most

If Collingwood thought it was hot in Sydney, just wait for the heat if the most experienced side in club history fails to click soon, writes ED BOURKE. And it’s obvious where the focus will be.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/edward-bourke/page/2