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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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Trade HQ

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)

Three picks and a player? Houston haul could land in Power’s lap

The Pies are now the resounding favourite to acquire Port Adelaide star Dan Houston, but could another club slow down a possible deal? Jon Ralph has the details.

Trade HQ

MELBOURNE - June 30 : Western Bulldogs training at Whitten Oval. Bulldog Bailey Smith at training today . Photo by Michael Klein.

Ball: Don’t put Smith through draft ringer

Fifteen years after he was forced to go through the draft to reach Collingwood, Luke Ball has urged the Cats and Dogs to come to terms to trade Bailey Smith and avoid the anxiety he felt while in limbo.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Levi Ashcroft of the Dragons celebrates a goal during the 2024 Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final match between the Sandringham Dragons and GWV Rebels at IKON Park on September 21, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

How ‘footy’s greatest rort’ will be curbed after Lions’ heist

From next season, major changes to the draft will force clubs to pay a steeper price to match bids. JON RALPH unpacks what the Lions should be paying – and how they’re the last club to heist the draft.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 20: Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom of the Magpies are seen before the 2024 AFL Round 06 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 20, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘Crazy brave’ or reckless? Old Pies’ massive trade gamble

Collingwood has the oldest list in the AFL and is again shunning the draft in favour of chasing free agents and older trade targets as its youth flounders. Are they flying too close to the sun?

AFL

MELBOURNE, JULY 26, 2024: 2024 AFL Football - Round 20 - Carlton Blues V Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium. Alex Cincotta of the Blues and Dan Houston of the Power in action. Picture: Mark Stewart

Revealed: Blues’ plan to for draft, trade period coups

Carlton is still interested in securing Dan Houston, but won’t compromise its hand in the draft to do so. JON RALPH unpacks how the Blues hope to pull off a magic trick.

ExclusivePolice & Courts

Geelong Cats players arrive back at Melbourne Airport following their Qualifying Final win against Port Adelaide. Geelong midfielder Tanner Bruhn. Picture: David Caird

Tanner Bruhn dragged into probe over alleged sex assault

Geelong young gun Tanner Bruhn has been interviewed by police about what he may have witnessed over an alleged sexual assault.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Dyson Heppell of the Bombers kicks during the round 16 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 29, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Hird reunion? VFL club chasing fellow ex-Essendon skipper

Will Dyson Heppell join James Hird and Brendan McCartney at VFL club Port Melbourne? The Borough are making a big play for the former Bombers skipper and another massive Essendon figure has quietly joined.

AFL

MELBOURNE . 16/03/2023. AFL Round 1. Richmond vs Carlton at the MCG. Richmonds Tom Lynch celebrates the goal that ties up the scores late in the game . Pic: Michael Klein

Lynch the Lion? How Brisbane can fill huge Daniher hole

Joe Daniher has retired, walking away from a $1m contract at the peak of his powers. JON RALPH unpacks what it means for Brisbane’s premiership defence and how the Lions can replace their spearhead.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 24: Dustin Martin of the Tigers and Damien Hardwick, Senior Coach of the Suns embrace after during the round 24 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Gold Coast Suns at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on August 24, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Dusty warned: You’d be ‘mad’ to join Suns

Dustin Martin has been warned about a potential move to the Gold Coast and the backlash he could face from Richmond supporters if he backflips on his retirement plans.

St Kilda

Ollie Lowe takes a kick for Sandringham.

The handful of Zebras in frame for St Kilda rookie spot

St Kilda will follow through on its plan for a Sandringham Zebra to become a Sainter this year as part of an initiative to improve their alignment – though it’s slim pickings for a rookie-list option.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/jon-ralph/page/8