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Lauren WoodSports Reporter

Lauren Wood is an AFL and AFL Women’s reporter for the Herald Sun and CODE Sports. She also covers a range of other sports across the busy Melbourne sporting calendar.

@LaurenHeraldSun

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AFLW trade week art work

Ultimate guide: Every player linked to each club in AFLW trade week

With season 2025 done, the AFLW’s trade period is upon us. We’ve got the ultimate guide to who’s linked where and all the big moves that could happen.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 29: Blaithin Bogue and Emma Kearney of the Kangaroos celebrate after the AFLW Grand Final match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park on November 29, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The secret pact driving Kearney to play on, Shannon’s post-game act

Emma Kearney will play on into her 37th year after securing her third premiership medal on Saturday, revealing the pact driving her to continue. Plus, Eliza Shannon’s touching post-game act.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 29: North Melbourne Kangaroos players celebrate winning the AFLW Grand Final match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park on November 29, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

27th heaven: Invincible Roos go back-to-back

North Melbourne has won its 27th straight game, completing an unbeaten season and making history as the AFLW’s first back-to-back premier.

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The secret North Melbourne ingredient

Made By Marcia: The secret ingredient to Roos’ greatness

Darren Crocker is the man driving North Melbourne’s unparalleled success. But he, or the team, couldn’t have done it without someone special – his wife, Marcia, and the famous weekly award.

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NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. November 25th. AFLW .. North Melbourne set ups Arden St. Irish woman Blaithin Bogue of the Kangaroos poses during the North Melbourne media session before Saturdays AFLW Grand Final against Brisbane . Picture: Michael Klein

How Irish Roo beat homesickness in All Australian season

Blaithin Bogue enjoyed a breakout All-Australian season, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. The Irish Roo opens up about homesickness, footy, and going from a one-street town to the AFLW’s biggest stage.

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2025 aflpa mvp jasmine garner

Garner joins footy’s elite with latest MVP crowning

Ahead of its shot at history, North Melbourne continues to scoop the individual award pool, with Jasmine Garner claiming yet another AFLPA MVP award.

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Mia Austin, late brother Jack and cousin Ben

How Mia found strength in footy after unimaginable family pain

While Carlton’s Mia Austin is experiencing all the highs on the footy field, the Blue is also balancing unimaginable family heartache. She opens up on the strength she’s found in footy, as her younger brother and cousin watch from above.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Mimi Hill of the Blues celebrates during the 2025 AFLW First Semi Final match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Carlton Blues at Ikon Park on November 15, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Burying a snag: The bizarre ritual behind Blues’ finals success

Sport is full of weird and wonderful traditions, but Carlton may well have stumbled on the strangest. Mimi Hill explains why she buried a sausage before the Blues’ last final — and why she’ll do it again.

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Opening of Hawthorn FC new ground and headquarters at Dingley Village in MelbourneÃs south east. MenÃs Captain James Sicily and WomenÃs Captain Emily Bates in the Kennedy Community Centre. Picture : Ian Currie

Watch: Go inside the Hawks’ new multimillion-dollar HQ

Hawthorn has officially opened it’s game-changing, multimillion dollar new training base at Dingley, with even Hawks fan Anthony Albanese in attendance. See the pictures and watch the video here.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: Richmond draftees (L-R) Luke Trainor, Harry Armstrong, Josh Smillie, Sam Lalor, Jonty Faull and Taj Hotton pose for a photograph during the 2024 AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 21, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Tigers ‘open for anything’ at draft ahead of ‘their grand final’

It’s grand final night for Richmond list boss Blair Hartley on Wednesday night. And with plenty of ammunition at the top of the draft, the brass at Tigerland are ready to listen to offers.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/lauren-wood