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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

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 19: Noah Balta of the Tigers celebrates during the 2025 AFL Round 06 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on April 19, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Nankervis: Balta a changed man since summer incident

Noah Balta played his first game of 2025 on Saturday night — and his skipper welcomed the return with open arms. Plus, Damien Hardwick takes aim at the Victorian Premier.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 5th March, 2025 . Western Bulldogs training at Whitten Oval . Bulldog Jamarra Ugle-Hagan during todays session . Picture: Michael Klein

Ralph: Ugle-Hagan will get second chance, but not on his terms

It looks increasingly likely that Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will leave the Western Bulldogs. But instead of considering $15 million offers, his second chance may not be on his own terms.

AFL

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Darcy Moore of the Magpies is seen leaving the field in the hands of a trainer during the 2025 AFL Round 06 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Magpies at The Gabba on April 17, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

MRO clears Morris after Moore push, Neale slams ‘coward’ trolls

Logan Morris’ push on Darcy Moore has been cleared by the MRO despite the Pies’ skipper coming off with a bloody ear, while Lachie Neale has unloaded on trolls. Watch the video.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Darcy Cameron of the Magpies and Sam Draper of the Bombers compete in a ruck contest during the 2024 AFL Round 07 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A free path out? What Dons’ contract calls means for Draper

The Bombers took a calculated risk over the off-season, and it could mean Sam Draper walks for nothing in 2025. But will he be the only ruckman potentially on the move?

AFL

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Will Ashcroft and his brother Levi Ashcroft of the Lions pose for a photo after the round one AFL match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Sydney Cricket Ground, on March 15, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

‘Wouldn’t say it’s fair’: AFL great’s admission on contentious draft rule

Leigh Matthews says Chris Fagan deserves more credit for wooing the ready-made stars, but does admit the Lions have a key advantage on the rest of the AFL that isn’t really “fair.”

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 27th March, 2025 . AFL. Round 3. Essendon vs Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium. Sam Draper of the Bombers after kicking a 1st quarter goal . Picture: Michael Klein

SA return unlikely for Draper as Victorian rivals circle

Sam Draper is happy in Melbourne and not looking to head back to South Australia … but Bombers fans shouldn’t relax, with Victorian clubs coming hard for the out of contract big man.

UPDATEDAFL News

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Willie Rioli of the Power in action during the 2025 AFL Round 05 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Hawthorn Hawks at Adelaide Oval on April 13, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘Deep-seated pain’: Rioli backed after racist backlash to post

Port Adelaide says Willie Rioli and his family hold ‘deep-seated pain’ towards Hawthorn, and the club has backed him after racist backlash despite conceding social media wasn’t the right forum.

EXCLUSIVEAFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Christian Petracca of the Demons leaves the field injured during the 2024 AFL Round 13 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 10, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Petracca pulls out of investigation into ribs injury

Christian Petracca won’t take further part in a joint review by the AFL and player’s union into the catastrophic rib injury he suffered on King’s Birthday. JON RALPH has the details.

EXCLUSIVEAFL News

MELBOURNE , AUSTRALIA. May 3, 2024. AFL. Carlton vs Collingwood at the MCG. Shhhh. Mason Cox of the Magpies gestures towards the crowd after kicking a 2nd qtr goal . Pic: Michael Klein

Mid-season draft with a twist: AFL’s ploy to find next Mason Cox

The AFL is set to head to America to find a new batch of talent to bring to the game. But there is a catch that might just show where footy is headed in its next evolution.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Jordan Dawson of the Crows leads his team out during the round five AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval, on April 10, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Ralph: ‘Catastrophic’ idea to have Gather Round anywhere else

Gather Round III is officially done, and if there’s one key takeaway, writes Jon Ralph it’s that no matter if there’s higher bids, the AFL can’t consider moving the festival of footy.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/jon-ralph/page/13