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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

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AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 20 2023 Jack Billings of The Melbourne Demons trains at Stribling reserve in Lorne. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Dees best 23: Where does ex-Saint fit in Melbourne’s flag equation?

Melbourne snared both Shane McAdam and Jack Billings in the trade period, but are they walk-up starters in 2024? Lauren Wood previews Melbourne’s season.

AFLW

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jemma Rigoni of the Chargers runs with the ball during the Coates Talent League Girls Preliminary Final match between Dandenong Stingrays and Oakleigh Chargers at Shepley Oval on September 16, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

AFLW draft: Likely top-10 picks revealed

A potential father-daughter Demon, a Super Netball prospect planning to juggle two sports and a 157cm pocket rocket. Meet the top prospects in this year’s AFLW draft crop.

AFLW

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Lila Keck of VIC Country celebrates a goal during the AFL National Championships U18 Girls match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Pentanet Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/Paul Kane)

The chainsaw? AFLW clubs lining up for master Bendigo celebrator

Bendigo’s Lila Keck can play footy – but there’s something else that sets her apart from the rest of the pool. She opens up on her motivation, unique approach and what Monday’s draft means.

AFLW

From benched to star: Huge boon for Sydney bolter

Laura Gardiner got traded and then became one of the best players in AFLW this season – now she’s been rewarded with a huge deal. Details here, plus the teammate that also signed on.

UPDATEDAFLW

MELBOURNE . 30/03/2023. AFL Round 3. Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium. Daisy Pearce during her role as a Channel 7 expert . Pic: Michael Klein

Pearce stays on as Channel 7 commentator despite coaching gig

Daisy Pearce will continue with her TV work as an analyst on Channel 7, juggling that commitment with her new job as the coach of West Coast’s AFLW team.

AFLW

Dees raided, top-10 pick moved in AFLW trade chaos

The AFLW trade period opened on Thursday and, just 24 hours later, one of the competition’s stars requested. Plus, a top-10 pick has been traded. Get all the latest news here.

AFLW

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: Christina Bernardi of Carlton poses during the 2023 VFL/VFLW Season Launch at Ikon Park on March 14, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

AFLW Draft: Every nomination and full order

569 players have nominated for the upcoming AFLW Draft – see every name, who might be taken early and your club’s selections ahead of the trade period.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 03: Dakota Davidson of the Lions celebrates with the premiership Cup during the AFLW Grand Final match between North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions at Ikon Park, on December 03, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

‘As we speak’: Lions waste no time prepping the trophy cabinet

While Lions players were busy celebrating their second AFLW premiership, club officials wasted no time making room in the trophy cabinet for their latest silverware.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: Kangaroos players celebrates as the final siren sounds during the 2023 AFLW Second Preliminary Final match between The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and The Adelaide Crows at IKON Park on November 26, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘Extra special’: Secrets behind Roos’ AFLW success

Eight clubs established the AFLW competition and despite its deep connection to women’s football, North Melbourne was not one of them. They had every right to be miffed, but they refused to let it stop their dream.

AFLW

Roo ruse: The AFLW shock 17,343km in the making

As the Roos plot their premiership push, a pair of Irish parents bit the bullet to surprise their AFLW-playing daughter on the eve of the biggest game of her life. So how did they pull it off?

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/lauren-wood/page/3