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

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 28th March, 2025 . AFL. Round 3. Carlton vs Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium. Two thumbs up from Luke Beveridge , Senior Coach of the Bulldogs after tonights win over Carlton . Picture: Michael Klein

Bevo dials up the pressure as coaching ‘uncertainty’ lingers on

Luke Beveridge’s future remains up in the air, and the premiership coach has dialled up the pressure on the bosses at the club as the Bulldogs continue to fly on the field.

AFL

Giants Toby Bedford is collected by Sydney's Lewis Melican during the AFL Round 8 Sydney Derby XXX between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants at the SCG on May 4, 2025. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - NO ON SALES - copyright Phil Hillyard )

Swans’ defender cops major ban, 16 fines from Hawks-Tigers melee

The Swans will be forced into another defensive revamp, with Lewis Melican banned after his hit on Toby Bedford. Meanwhile, plenty of Hawks and Tigers pay the price for a melee.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 3rd, 2025 . AFL . Round 8. Collingwood vs Geelong at the MCG. Bailey Smith of the Cats after tonights win . Picture: Michael Klein

What the Bulldogs really think about Bailey Smith

May 22, mark it in the calendar, because a true footy grudge match looms, writes Jon Ralph. And Bailey Smith’s war with the Dogs goes well beyond a sledge about them playing in Ballarat.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Shaun Mannagh of the Cats is tackled by Bobby Hill of the Magpies during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 3, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘It’s the right call’: Former AFL ump backs controversial Hill trip

Pies fans will feel aggrieved after being on the wrong side of some calls in the thriller against the Cats. But a former AFL umpire says he didn’t see any clangers in the final term of the epic clash.

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.

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