Our Journalists

Jay ClarkSports reporter

Jay Clark is a leading AFL reporter for News Corp and CODE Sports, based in Melbourne. For almost 20 years, he has helped set the football agenda with his breaking news, deep-dive feature writing and issues-based reporting. He is a trusted voice on the biggest stories in the AFL.

@ClarkyHeraldSun

Jay Clark

Latest

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Andrew Bassat, President of St Kilda Football Club celebrates with Josh Battle of the Saints during the round 17 AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on July 07, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The factor tempting Battle to reject big-money offers

Hawthorn has made no secret of their hunt for St Kilda defender Josh Battle, but he tells JAY CLARK the factor which has him considering staying.

UPDATEDAFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 07: Isaac Heeney of the Swans kicks the ball during the round 17 AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on July 07, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Brownlow in danger? Heeney in strife, Rankine set for ban

Isaac Heeney’s Brownlow hopes are at the whims of the match review panel after a blow to Saint Jimmy Webster left the defender with a blood nose, while Izak Rankine is also in the firing line. HAVE YOUR SAY.

UPDATEDAFL News

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 14: Max King of the Saints celebrates a goal during the round 14 AFL match between Brisbane Lions and St Kilda Saints at The Gabba, on June 14, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Saints: King can rebound just like Curnow

Max King is out for the remainder of the 2024 season after tearing his posterior cruciate ligament. But St Kilda are confident he can bounce back in a similar vein to a Blues star.

AFL

PORT ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - Advertiser Photos February 9, 2024: Port Adelaide AFL premiership captain Warren Tredrea has won the highly publicised battle for a place on the Power's board. He is pictured at Alberton Oval. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Port’s quiet word with Tredrea revealed post radio controversy

Port Adelaide officials have spoken with board member Warren Tredrea following his ‘good call’ comment to a radio caller abusing Ken Hinkley. See what was said here.

AFL

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 28: Will Ashcroft of the Lions in action during the 2024 AFL Round 16 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Melbourne Demons at The Gabba on June 28, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Swann: Academies, father-son rule vital to stave off talent poaching

The Lions are pleading with the league to leave AFL academies in Brisbane untouched as part of the competitive balance review, while, Jake Waterman is set to turn his back on significant rival interest.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Sam Walsh of the Blues celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 16 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 30, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

How ‘worried’ Walsh overcame his injury fears

In January, Sam Walsh was worried about his season. Six months on, the superstar is tearing up the MCG on a weekly basis. He tells JAY CLARK about how he’s managing his injury – and his expectations.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIAÃ June 29 , 2024. AFL Round 16. Geelong vs Essendon at the MCG. Tyson Stengle of the Cats celebrates a 3rd quarter goal . Pic: Michael Klein

Stengle re-signing confirmed, Cats ‘in box seat’ to land mega star

Tyson Stengle has re-signed with Geelong on a long-term deal, plus the Cats are primed to land of the biggest names in the competition.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: (L-R) Patrick Cripps, Elijah Hollands and Matthew Kennedy of the Blues celebrate during the 2024 AFL Round 13 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 09, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Moneyball: New Blues hero locked in until 2026

One of the heroes in Carlton’s emergence as a genuine premiership contender has been rewarded with a contract extension. Plus, all the latest trade whispers in Moneyball.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: General scenes of AFL House on March 28, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Confidential whistleblower service launched for AFL players

In the wake of a series of major scandals over the past decade, AFL and AFLW players have now been given access to ‘a protected, confidential environment’ to voice their issues.

AFL

Banned Essendon players are allowed back at the club from Wednesday. Dyson Heppell returns to Essendon Football Club. Picture: Kylie Else

‘I don’t blame anyone’: Retiring Heppell on Dons’ darkest hour

Retiring Essendon champion Dyson Heppell was one of the public faces of the club’s supplements saga. He tells JAY CLARK about why he harbours no ill will to those involved.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/jay-clark/page/16