Our Journalists

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, FEBRUARY 14, 2025: Richmond Football Club pre-season training at Punt Road Oval. Noah Balta. Picture: Mark Stewart

‘Hope he never comes back’: One-punch victim’s dad lashes Tigers

Pressure is mounting on the AFL and Richmond to extend the suspension of Tigers defender Noah Balta, with the father of one-punch attack victim Pat Cronin hitting out at the Tigers.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 04: Gather Round signage is seen during the 2024 AFL Round 04 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval on April 04, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Revealed: Rival state’s ploy to poach Gather Round from SA

Gather Round is locked in to be in South Australia in 2026, and likely 2027, but one rival state has begun informal discussions to host footy’s marquee weekend the year after.

AFL

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Malcolm Rosas of the Suns looks on after the round 18 AFL match between Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide Power at People First Stadium, on July 14, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Trade latest: Clubs prepare to raid Gold Coast for unloved Sun

The Suns’ hot start to 2025 has some great talent sitting on the sidelines, leaving rival clubs plotting to steal some young stars away from Damien Hardwick’s squad.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Rhyan Mansell of the Tigers in action during the round three AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium, on March 29, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

The case for and against Mansell’s suspension

Rhyan Mansell’s case has divided opinions across the AFL after the young Tiger pushed Saint Liam O’Connell into an oncoming pack. Lauren Wood breaks down the for and against a ban.

AFL

Yokayi Footy co-host and former AFL footballer Andrew Krakouer. Picture: Supplied

‘Learnt from it’: How Krakouer made the most of second chance

Andrew Krakouer epitomised making the most of a second chance at life. Lauren Wood writes about the man who never shied away from his mistakes and tried to give his all back.

AFL

Collingwood v Adelaide, AFL football,Melbourne MCG, Andrew Krakouer, goal,

‘Genius, trailblazer’: AFL world mourns death of Andrew Krakouer

The AFL world is mourning the sudden death of former Richmond and Collingwood forward Andrew Krakouer, who passed away in Perth on Sunday night.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Simon Goodwin, Senior Coach of the Demons and Max Gawn of the Demons pause for the national anthem during the 2023 AFL First Qualifying Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 07, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘Put a sock in it’: Goodwin admits fault in cryptic Gawn comments

Simon Goodwin has been criticised for inviting questions about Max Gawn’s private life in a cryptic post-match press conference. Now, the Demons coach has spoken publicly for the first time.

AFL

***EMBARGOED TILL 5.30PM 18/3/25*** Launch of the Rum'un the Devil is Tasmania Football Club's first mascot. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Watch: Tassie locks in first AFL recruit

On the Tasmania team’s first birthday, watch live as the club unveils its newest recruit – the Tasmanian Devil named Rum’un – its mascot for its entry into the AFL.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 13th March, 2025 . AFL. Tom Liberatore, who this week will captain the Western Bulldogs against North Melbourne in the absence of Marcus Bontempelli . Picture: Michael Klein

Libba’s ‘insane’ reality: Tattoos, head knocks and leadership

Tom Liberatore has been thrust into the Western Bulldogs captaincy in the absence of injured skipper Marcus Bontempelli. It’s an “insane” situation he never dreamt would happen, writes LAUREN WOOD.

AFL

New Melbourne signing Jack Henderson. Picture: MelbourneFC

Dees revamp official as Goody confirms six debutants

It’s been a summer of change at Melbourne – and it will continue on Sunday, with the Demons to hand out six new jumpers for the clash with GWS.

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