Our Journalists

Josh Barnes is an AFL and sport reporter with News Sport and CODE Sports, who has previously worked as the Geelong Advertiser’s Chief Footy Writer and with Leader Newspapers.

@Josh__Barnes

Josh Barnes

Latest

AFL

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Marcus Bontempelli and Bailey Smith of the Bulldogs look dejected after the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Gary Day/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Grudge match looms as silent Smith-Dogs feud explodes

A genuine grudge match is coming in round 11, and the angst between Bailey Smith and his former teammates goes well beyond the Geelong star’s recent comments about them, writes JON RALPH.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 3rd, 2025 . AFL . Round 8. Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide at Mars Stadium, Ballarat. Bulldog Ed Richards rides Jason Horne-Francis of the Power in the tackle . Picture: Michael Klein

The Bulldogs onslaught that exposed big Port problems

Port Adelaide’s bright start in Ballarat didn’t last long. The Bulldogs flicked a switch to proves they are the real deal – and raise even more questions about Ken Hinkley’s side.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 1, 2025 . AFL . Round 8. Essendon vs North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. Zach Merrett of the Bombers during the 1st qtr. . Picture: Michael Klein

Merrett’s Buckley-like heroics expose bigger Dons problem

Zach Merrett might be Nathan Buckley 2.0. His coach said it, and his actions prove it. But, as JOSH BARNES writes, Brad Scott’s comparison may cut deeper than even he expected.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 1, 2025 . AFL . Round 8. Essendon vs North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes . Picture: Michael Klein

Roos’ week of Cornes pain ends with a blunder

Kane Cornes’ stoush with North Melbourne peaked on Thursday night, and they may have had the last laugh, if not for an error from the newest Kangaroo against the Bombers.

AFL

False dawn? Examining the rise of reborn finals contenders

Carlton and Port Adelaide are back in finals contention and Melbourne isn’t far behind. The question supporters are asking though — is their resurgence real?

AFL

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Harley Reid of the Eagles reacts after celebrating a goal that was called a behind during the round one AFL match between West Coast Eagles and Gold Coast Suns at Perth Stadium, on March 16, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

‘Waste of money’: Inside clubs’ $200k tribunal pain

AFL clubs continue to roll the dice at the tribunal, but a close look at the numbers suggests they would be better off thinking otherwise. Josh Barnes analyses the huge cost of a failed appeal.

AFL

1981. Carlton's Peter Bosustow. [Sp Globe 25/5/1982]

Carlton premiership legend dies after battle with cancer

Carlton is mourning the loss of electrifying goalkicker and two-time premiership player Peter Bosustow, who passed away on Monday at the age of 67.

AFL

MELBOURNE - July 7 : AFL. Craig Macrae, senior coach of the Magpies barks orders from the bench during the round 17 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on July 7, 2023. Photo by Michael Klein.

Cause of Anzac Day MCG phone chaos revealed

The MCG is confident it can avoid a repeat of the issue which caused both coaching boxes to lose communications during Friday’s Anzac Day blockbuster. Here’s what happened.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: Josh Sinn of the Power is tackled by Paul Curtis of the Kangaroos during the 2025 AFL Round 07 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval on April 26, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Roo hit with big ban as MRO make call on Green

The MRO has made its call on Tom Green’s bump on Joel Freijah, while one of the Roos’ best players this season has been hit with a big ban. See the full MRO news.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: The number 27 pick, Matt Whitlock is presented his North Melbourne Kangaroos jumper by Andrew Swallow during the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 20, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Trade buzz: Roos adamant bold pick swap won’t be disastrous

North Melbourne look set for another year of pain on-field, and it could get even worse with Richmond owning their first pick of the draft. But the Roos remain adamant they made the right call.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/josh-barnes