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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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AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: James Worpel of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 03 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 01, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hawks confident on Worpel deal despite rival interest

James Worpel has been linked to several Victorian clubs including Geelong, St Kilda and Melbourne. But Jon Ralph writes, Hawthorn are ramping up their own negotiations.

Sport

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 21, 2024: Disgraced former North Melbourne midfielderTarryn Thomas leaves Broadmeadows court. Thomas is accused of making a series of allegedly harassing phone calls to his former partner after he was axed by the Kangaroos in May. Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

Local club blocked from signing Tarryn Thomas

Tarryn Thomas is still desperate to return to football at any level, but is finding no suitors. See the club which was wanted him to put pen to paper, and why the move was shut down.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows celebrates a goal with Taylor Walker of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 09 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on May 10, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fixture whispers: Dons-Suns finale day, standalone Showdown in play

The lobbying for a standalone Showdown is officially on with the second half of the 2025 fixture due to be released this week. But the day of the Dons-Suns season finale remains up in the air.

Sport

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Jarrod Berry of the Lions stays down after a collision with Luke McDonald of the Kangaroos during the round nine AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions at Ninja Stadium, on May 11, 2025, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Liable or not? Why Kangaroo will be spared despite bloodied Lion

Jarrod Berry was immediately subbed out of the Roos-Lions clash in Hobart after a clash with Kangaroo Luke McDonald, but the veteran shouldn’t be worried about a ban. Here’s why.

AFL

Leek Aleer during the GWS Giants training session on June 2, 2023. Photo by Phil Hillyard(Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - **NO ON SALES** - Â©Phil Hillyard )

Victorian clubs set to load up for dominant VFL Giants

They’re starring for the Giants’ VFL side but can’t get a crack in the big time – and Victorian clubs are circling two potential defensive superstars.

AFL

Six premiership puzzle pieces en route to mammoth deals in 2025

Clubs can always find a midfielder or flanker but finding a key piece of your premiership build is worth its weight in gold. And it’s why a rising Bomber is set to become a highly-paid star.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Lewis Hayes of the Bombers reacts to an injury during the round nine AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on May 10, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Merrett spared as Dons confirm the worst for debutant

Zach Merrett has dodged a suspension for a swinging arm on Nick Blakey, but the Bombers have confirmed the worst for Nick Bryan. Plus, how hard will the Bombers go at the mid-season draft?

AFL

‘Like he’s played 100 games’: Insider’s view on Tiger cubs

Tom Lynch has declared he will finish his career at Richmond, content with mentoring the club’s next batch of stars instead of chasing a premiership. He tells Jon Ralph what Tiger fans have to look forward to.

Hockey

Shattered comeback star opens up on Paris Olympics coke bust

Banned Kookaburra Tom Craig is set for a return to the national team and has spoken out for the first time since his Paris Olympics drug bust, revealing that he feared his career was over.

AFL

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Nick Daicos of the Magpies checks on Lachie Schultz after a collision during the round nine AFL match between Fremantle Dockers and Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium, on May 08, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

AFL admits umpires made another error after Pie’s horror KO

Collingwood forward Lachie Schultz couldn’t get to his feet after a sickening collision on Thursday night – and the Pies have had their concerns about what happened in the aftermath validated.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/jon-ralph/page/6