Our Journalists

Jon RalphSports Reporter

Jon Ralph has covered sport with the Herald Sun, and now CODE Sports as well, for over two decades working primarily as a football journalist… (other fields)

@RalphyHeraldSun

Jon Ralph

Latest

AFL

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Jake Lloyd of the Swans celebrates with Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham after winning the AFL First Qualifying Final match between Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Sydney Cricket Ground, on September 07, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Pridham: How Swans keep breaking new ground 30 years in

Swans president Andrew Pridham says there are a few key reasons behind the Swans’ sustained success in Sydney, and tells JON RALPH the club is reaping the rewards.

AFL

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Joe Daniher of the Lions looks on while warming up during the round 18 AFL match between West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium, on July 14, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Daniher considering retirement bombshell post AFL GF

In a shock to the AFL world, Joe Daniher is considering his future post this weekend’s game. JON RALPH has the Lions’ response, plus the link to Brian Taylor’s cryptic comments.

AFL

Injured ruckman Oscar McInerney at the Lions final training session in Brisbane before heading to Melbourne for the Grand Final against the Sydney Swans. Picture Lachie Millard

Big O, Mills cleared for on-field roles after injury pain

Injured stars Oscar McInerney and Callum Mills will be allowed on field during the Grand Final on Saturday in what has been praised as a “fantastic gesture”.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. September 26 , 2024. Eddie Betts and Bachar Houli with some of the boys from the Eddie Betts Foundation and the Bachar Houli foundation who are playing each other at Punt Rd tomorrow night . Pic:Michael Klein

Betts: The golden opportunity to find future Indigenous stars

As the number of Indigenous players on AFL lists continues to fall, champion Eddie Betts says clubs who are too scared to create “safe spaces” for young Aboriginal talent will miss finding future stars.

Sport

Health battles denying club greats chance to witness history

Bob Skilton and Kevin Murray are not only champions of Fitzroy and South Melbourne, but also Sydney and Brisbane Lions. JON RALPH and GLENN MCFARLANE reflect on their impact on this year’s Grand finalists.

EXCLUSIVESport

Brisbane Lions player Callum Ah Chee (left), former Brisbane triple-premiership player Chris Johnson and Lions small forward Charlie Cameron (right) wearing the club's 2021 Indigenous guernsey. Credit: Brisbane Lions

Lions add triple premiership hero to board

Brisbane has welcomed a triple-premiership defender to its board as the club looks to add some more silverware, with the elevation strengthening the Lions’ links to Fitzroy.

AFL News

‘I’ll play Bunyip twos’: When Papley almost quit AFL for family

Tom Papley’s father David has revealed how the Swans star threatened to walk away from the AFL as he dealt with the turmoil of a family issue which prompted his trade request to Carlton.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Dan Houston of the Power celebrates a goal during the round 21 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, on August 03, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Power play: How Port could nab No. 1 pick in Houston deal

An All-Australian leaving your club is always a massive blow, but one club’s offer could see Port Adelaide with a draft pick as high as No. 1. JON RALPH has more.

ExclusiveAFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Tom Stewart of the Cats speaks to the umpire during the AFL Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 21, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Revealed: Umpire pleas to see stats denied by AFL

AFL umpires have had their pleas to see statistics before deciding on Brownlow Medal votes denied in the last two years, it can be revealed. JON RALPH has full details.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Patrick Cripps of the Blues wins the Brownlow Medal during the 2024 Brownlow Medal at Crown Palladium on September 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Every vote: Cripps obliterates Brownlow record in wild count

Patrick Cripps has smashed the votes record with 45, seven ahead of Nick Daicos on 38, to claim a second Brownlow Medal. See every vote from every game here.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/jon-ralph/page/10