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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

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 13th, 2025 . AFL . Sir Doug Nicholls round launch at Wurrdha Marra and Bark Salon at the NGV. Jesse Motlop - Carlton, Bobby Hill - Collingwood, Alwyn Davey Jnr - Essendon,Tyson Stengle - Geelong Cats, Jy Simpkin - North Melbourne, Shane McAdam - Melbourne, Rhyan Mansell - Richmond, Brad Hill - St Kilda and Arthur Jones - Western Bulldogs at todays launch . Picture: Michael Klein

The meaning behind every club’s guernsey for Indigenous Round

Clubs are all-in on Sir Doug Nicholls Round – from embracing their First Nations players to new jumpers. Here’s every clubs Indigenous guernsey – and the story behind it.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan of the Bulldogs looks dejected after a loss during the 2024 AFL Second Elimination Final match between the Western Bulldogs and the Hawthorn Hawks at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 06, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jamarra checks into health retreat in bid to save football career

Two weeks into his period of indefinite leave from the Bulldogs, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has ventured north to an interstate health retreat in a bid to save his football career.

VWeekend

‘I feel humbled’: Beloved breast surgeon hangs up her scrubs after 50 years

Dr Jenny Senior, one of Melbourne’s most experienced breast surgeons, who treated pop star Kylie Minogue 20 years ago, is hanging up the scalpel, having saved the lives of countless women.

AFL

Willie Rioli and Brad Close in 2024. Fox Footy

Rioli saga explained in 5 minutes: What you need to know

Willie Rioli’s alleged threats to opposition players have created a firestorm ahead of Showdown 57. Lauren Wood explains what’s happened and what could happen next.

AFL

Baz’s perfect storm: The ‘trauma, distractions’ behind Geelong move

There wasn’t one standout moment that ended Bailey Smith’s time at the Bulldogs, it was death by a thousand cuts. Now he’s almost the pantomime villain in a battle between Cats and Dogs.

AFL

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Willie Rioli of the Power nearly marks the ball during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Port Adelaide Power at Mars Stadium on May 3, 2025 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘Willie’s made a mistake’: Bevo speaks on Rioli saga

Luke Beveridge says Willie Rioli has “made a mistake”, speaking for the first time about how defender Bailey Dale is faring after the threatening message. See what he had to say.

AFLW

More double-headers planned for early part of AFLW season

The AFLW will aim for more double-headers during the six-week crossover with the men’s season, but the fixture won’t be revealed for another month – leaving clubs and players livid.

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.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/lauren-wood/page/4