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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

Lauren Wood

Latest

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Harry Sheezel of the Kangaroos takes possession of the ball during the round four AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on April 05, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Roos blacklist ‘bully’ Cornes over ‘vindictive’ attacks

North Melbourne has black-listed controversial AFL media figure Kane Cornes over repeated criticism it says is “bullying”. Watch Cornes’ response here.

AFL

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Luke Beveridge, Senior Coach of the Bulldogs signs a footy during the 2024 AFL Round 24 match between the Western Bulldogs and the GWS GIANTS at Mars Stadium on August 25, 2024 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

30-year low: Footy fans locked out of Ballarat blockbuster

The Bulldogs are set to play in front of their smallest crowd in over 30 years, with construction at Mars Stadium in Ballarat set to lock out over 5,000 footy fans.

AFL

Brooke McIntosh who is currently running 14,080 km around Australia in just 180 days to raise $1 million for mental health charity The Blue Tree Project. she was joined by her Richmond player brother, Kamdyn McIntosh. Tuesday, April 29. 2025. Picture: David Crosling

Watch: Dual-premiership star upstaged by sister’s 14,000km run

When Brooke McIntosh said she was going to run a lap of Australia, her older brother – dual premiership Tiger Kamdyn – was gobsmacked. She’s proving him wrong, and for a good cause.

Sport

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. April 26th, 2025 . AFL Round 7. St Kilda vs Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium. Dougal Howard of the Saints canÃt believe umpire Nicholas McGinness paid a free kick against him in the 4th qtr . Picture: Michael Klein

Umpiring boss’ ‘urgent’ plea to AFL to lift whistle-blower standards

AFL umpires boss Rob Kerr says finding whistle-blowers a permanent home must be an ‘urgent priority’ for the league as the standard of refereeing comes under fire.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. April 26th, 2025 . AFL Round 7. St Kilda vs Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium. Ross Lyon, Senior Coach of the Saints . Picture: Michael Klein

‘Unapologetic, hard-arse’: Has the real Ross Lyon returned?

Earlier this season, there were reviews of The White Lotus and reality powerhouse Married At First Sight from Ross Lyon. Now that they’re well and truly gone, is the ‘hard-arse’ here to stay?

EXCLUSIVEAFL

Watch: Balta breaks silence after fiery Yze press conference

Noah Balta has spoken for the first time since his assault charge, detailing his remorse for his “stupid” act and committing to working on himself as a person in light of the incident.

AFL News

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. April 19th, 2025 . AFL Round 6 . Geelong vs Hawthorn at the MCG. Gryan Miers of the Cats is helped from the ground by medicos as Conor Nash of the Hawks apologises after cleaning him up during the 3rd qtr. . Picture: Michael Klein

Major ban looms for Hawk after being sent straight to tribunal

Conor Nash’s swinging arm on Gryan Miers could see the Hawks hardman miss a month of footy, but it could open the door for the return of a forgotten young gun.

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.

Goulburn Valley

22/04/2025 Richmond footballer Noah Balta arrives at Albury Court for sentencing over the assault of a man in December.Picture: David Geraghty

Night games, interstate travel chaos for Balta after pub assault

Richmond premiership player Noah Balta has walked free from court after assaulting a man who “had his back turned” outside a NSW pub — but he has to be home by 10pm.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. April 19th, 2025 . AFL Round 6 . Geelong vs Hawthorn at the MCG. Chris Scott, Senior Coach of the Cats at 3 qtr time . Picture: Michael Klein

Scott calls for umpires to focus on improvement

Geelong coach Chris Scott thinks umpires need to be “working as hard” as they can to improve after fans from both sides were left livid over several calls during Geelong’s win at the MCG.

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