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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

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Jaxon Prior of the Bombers is tackled by Nick Larkey of the Kangaroos during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on May 1, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFL dodges another week of North tackle angst

The AFL has avoided another week of tribunal angst from Arden St after North Melbourne spearhead Nick Larkey escaped suspension for his tackle on Jaxon Prior.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: Mattaes Phillipou of the Saints celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 07 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 26, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFL Now: Sunday teams, young Saint’s huge show of faith

Matteas Phillipou is poised to re-sign with St Kilda in a huge show of faith in Ross Lyon’s rebuild. Find out and more and get Friday’s biggest footy news in AFL Now.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Kyle Langford of the Bombers handballs during the round eight AFL match between Essendon Bombers and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium, on May 01, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)

‘We would love him’: Langford on Harley race, injury carnage

A ‘gutted’ Kyle Langford has touched on Essendon’s horror injury run. But after another close win the star Bomber has full belief that the club’s culture can attract some big-name recruits.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Chris Scott, Senior Coach of the Cats addresses his players during the 2025 AFL Round 05 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on April 10, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Late outs, vague injury lists, criticism: Chris Scott vs AFL

With weekly criticism and vague injury reports that were supposed be outlawed, Geelong and Chris Scott have shown they aren’t afraid to take on AFL House. Jon Ralph unpacks what the Cats coach is really saying.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: St Kilda during the 2025 AFL Round 07 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on April 26, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Ross’ rebuild truth: Which of these 12 Saints will make it?

St Kilda has done a mountain of work on its list over the past two years – but just how good are the kids? Ahead of yet another debutant running out, we pull back the curtains on the rebuild.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Zach Reid of the Bombers and Dan Houston of the Magpies compete for the ball during the 2025 AFL Round 07 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Merrett: Dons’ hidden gem worth the long wait

Injuries cruelled the first four years of Zach Reid’s AFL career. Now he’s finally fit and showing why Essendon has put so much faith in him to emerge as a linchpin of its backline.

EXCLUSIVEAFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 15th March, 2025 . AFL Round 1. Collingwood vs Port Adelaide at the MCG . Brayden Maynard and Bobby Hill of the Magpies . Picture: Michael Klein

Premiership hero baulks at rivals to re-sign with Pies

One of Collingwood’s 2023 premiership heroes has officially turned his back on offers from rival clubs, showing plenty of faith in the ladder-leaders. Get the latest trade news in Moneyball.

Sport

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. April 26th, 2025 . AFL Round 7. St Kilda vs Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium. Dougal Howard of the Saints canÃt believe umpire Nicholas McGinness paid a free kick against him in the 4th qtr . Picture: Michael Klein

Umpiring boss’ ‘urgent’ plea to AFL to lift whistle-blower standards

AFL umpires boss Rob Kerr says finding whistle-blowers a permanent home must be an ‘urgent priority’ for the league as the standard of refereeing comes under fire.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 21, 2024: Tarryn Thomas arrives at 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 /ÃDavid Geraghty

Legal options on the table in Thomas’ quest to return to footy

Tarryn Thomas is assessing his legal options in his quest to return to football despite a lack of interest from clubs at all levels. Jon Ralph has the latest on the disgraced former Roo.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 20th November 2024. AFL Draft at Marvel stadium . Alix Tauru after being drafted to St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

MRO, tribunal latest: Monster VFL ban, star Blue and Ginni punished

While Paul Curtis faces the impossible task of overturning his three-game ban, a Saint has copped an even greater suspension. Plus the MRO’s verdict on a Blues gun and Jack Ginnivan here.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/jon-ralph/page/9