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Josh BarnesAFL reporter

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.

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AFL51 minutes ago

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Jake Bowey of the Demons in action during the 2025 AFL Round 24 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 22, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Gun Demon to miss chunk of 2026 with dreaded injury

Melbourne has suffered a major blow after scans revealed a serious injury to important defender Jake Bowey. Plus, a first-round draft pick has suffered another setback.

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PICTURESAFL

Collingwood pre season football training at Olympic Oval, Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough

Track watch: ‘Virtual’ Pies recruits shine, cut Blue’s fight for lifeline

A pair of Collingwood youngsters returning from ACL injuries have impressed while Nick Daicos ramps up his pre-season. And over at the Blues a delisted midfielder is showing he still has AFL potential.

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Jack Silvagni at St Kilda training, November 2025. Picture: Jarryd Thomas, St Kilda FC

Silvagni to be sidelined until 2026 as injury lingers

A lingering injury kept Jack Silvagni sidelined for a large chunk of this season — and it’s set to keep him off the park until 2026. See the latest on the Saints new recruit.

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AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and AFL CEO-elect Andrew Dillon with the Tasmania jersey at Dial Park, Penguin. Picture: Grant Viney

The 948 days of backroom dealing that delivered Devils dream

On May 2, 2023, the AFL’s 19th license was provisionally granted to Tasmania. Almost 1000 days and plenty of doubts later, the final tick of approval came. But what really happened in between?

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Clayton Oliver during his first session with the GWS Giants as the 1- 4 year players return to training on November 24, 2025. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only - NO ON SALES - copyright Phil Hillyard )

Track watch: Greene’s jab at Dees over Clarry, King hits milestone

GWS captain has taken a cheeky jab at Melbourne over trading Clayton Oliver, while St Kilda spearhead Max King has taken his biggest strides on his comeback trail. See the pics, plus the latest from Brisbane.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 29: Jasmine Garner, Darren Crocker and Kim Rennie of the Kangaroos embrace during the 2025 AFLW Grand Final match between the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and the Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park on November 29, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The vision and pre-game address which inspired Roos to ‘lean in’

It was a glimpse into the future that Darren Crocker held on to for the entire AFLW season, only to use at the perfect time. Go inside the speech that spurred North Melbourne to the flag.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Matt Rowell of the Suns poses with the 2025 Brownlow Medal during a media opportunity at Crown Promenade on September 23, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

The major change coming to the Brownlow in 2026

After a recent meeting at league headquarters, the huge Brownlow Medal-winning totals of Matt Rowell and Patrick Cripps might be a thing of the past.

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UPDATEDAFLW

North girls with a cab driver

Tattoos, taxi driver selfies, speaker pick-up: How the Roos celebrated

The tattoo gun came out on Sunday after a long night of partying for North Melbourne – but it was a taxi driver who stole the show. Here’s how the Roos partied — plus see the pictures from Arden Street celebrations.

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Greg Swann and Laura Kane

Kane v Swann: Fresh tension sparks unrest at AFL House

As a result of the working relationship between Laura Kane and Greg Swann, one industry figure said the workplace environment at league headquarters was becoming untenable.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 28: Daniel Gorringe of the All Stars is seen during the 2025 AFL Legends Match for Prostate Cancer match at Marvel Stadium on August 28, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFL media swings axe as pivot looms to use of content creators

Major job cuts have hit the AFL’s media department as the league abandons some in-house production in favour of content creators and outsourcing.

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