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

Essendon

The young Bomber tipped for 2025 breakout

Essendon fans will be crying out for more output from this young forward next season, and he might just deliver. See our season preview for the Bombers here.

Essendon

Ex-Don backs injury-hit Bomber to shine in 2025 and beyond

The Bombers have been searching for more key back support for Ben McKay and Jordan Ridley. One Essendon great says an injury-plagued high draft pick will be the man to chip in.

AFL

Group picture of the team. Picture: Kabaddi Melbourne Raiders/Instagra,

‘Competitive buggers’: AFL greats align for India’s top contact sport

Dyson Heppell thought he was about to have a relaxing summer after retirement, that was until Campbell Brown came calling. Now, he and a host of AFL greats are set to play India’s top contact sport.

AFL

Full injury list: Every club’s biggest Christmas concerns

The first chunk of the pre-season is over, with plenty of players racing the clock to prove their fitness before the start of the new campaign. We run the rule over who is fit at every club here.

AFL

Set up to fail? Every AFL club’s nightmare 2025 fixture slot

When the 2025 fixture arrived, most looked straight at the marquee games, but every club footy boss went for the day breaks between clashes. Which game is your team set up to fail in?

AFL News

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Mark Blicavs of the Cats is tackled by Darcy Parish of the Bombers during the 2023 AFL Round 18 match between the Geelong Cats and the Essendon Bombers at GMHBA Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘I don’t want to go to Geelong’: Dons fan anger boils over at AGM

Essendon has played in Geelong twice in the past 31 seasons — outside of the Covid years. But that didn’t stop fan anger boiling over about being sent down the highway in 2025 at the club’s AGM.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Essendon Bombers President, David Barham speaks to the media during a press conference at The Hangar on August 19, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Barham: Any Dons living in past ‘working against the club’

Essendon president David Barham has told Bombers faithful the club must look to the future instead of being caught up in the glory days of the 80s and 90s and disunity of the past 20 years.

AFL

St Kilda ruck Rowan Marshall put through his paces at St Kilda training on Wednesday. Photo: Jack Cahill.

Track watch: Saints’ first hint at extent of Marshall’s forward move

SANFL recruit Harry Boyd has been given the keys to St Kilda’s midfield as Rowan Marshall transitions into attack. How will their split work? JOSH BARNES has the latest intel.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUGUST 3, 2024: 2024 AFL Football - Round 21 - Collingwood Magpies V Carlton Blues at the MCG. Jordan De Goey of the Magpies celebrates a goal. Picture: Mark Stewart

‘Super fit’ De Goey primed to shake off injury pain

Jordan De Goey’s bid to put an injury-riddled 2024 behind him is on track, with a teammate declaring the “super fit” Magpies star is determined to get back to his matchwinning best.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Bradley Hill of the Saints celebrates victory on the final siren during the round 19 AFL match between St Kilda Saints and West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium, on July 20, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

The decline: Are these numbers a sign of things to come?

Brad Hill’s numbers were down 25 per cent in the final six rounds of 2024. Is it sign or just a slump? Similar questions are being asked across the league. See every club’s data here.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/josh-barnes/page/21