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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

Aus Open

USA's Sofia Kenin (R) consults her coach, Alexander Kenin, seated in the court-side coaching pods during her women's singles match against compatriot Coco Gauff on Day 2 of the Australian Open in Melbourne, January 13, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Gauff throws support behind divisive on court coaching pods

After the AO’s new on court coaching pods received backlash from players, Coco Gauff remains optimistic towards the new initiative, while Stefanos Tsitsipas declares it ‘good for tennis.’

Sport

Kokkinakis shamed by Aussie tennis great

Thanasi Kokkinakis’ Australian Open gets underway today, but the popular star has found himself in the crosshairs of one Aussie great for his involvement in a ‘shameful’ tournament.

AFLW

AFL issues apology for ‘disturbing’ social media abuse against star

The AFL has apologised to Tigers AFLW player Kate Dempsey for an unmonitored social media post that attracted a barrage of disgusting abuse.

AFLW

AFLW snoozefest orchestrated ‘on purpose’ – and this is no one-off

The Western Bulldogs failed to kick a goal in one of the AFLW’s worst ever games on Friday night. LAUREN WOOD looks at why we are seeing low scores, with coaching and the league to blame.

UPDATEDAFLW

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Fans watch on during the round four AFLW match between Collingwood Magpies and West Coast Eagles at Ikon Park, on September 17, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The AFLW games league will ignore in crowd calculations

The AFL wants average crowds of 6000 at AFLW matches to expand the season, but an email reveals the league has agreed to leave some matches out of this year’s tally.

AFLW

AFLW season extension looms as players push for schedule change

The AFLW season is set to get longer in 2025, but could the kick-off date change too? For some players, a return to the hotter months would be a welcome idea.

AFLW

Four games in 14 days: ‘Cruel’ AFLW fixturing savaged

The AFLW’s compressed fixture has been labelled “cruel” and “unfair” by a former All-Australian, as the Magpies count the cost of some critical injuries at a crucial point of the season.

AFLW

The ‘baffling’ reality for potential AFLW GOAT as top 50 players revealed

The AFLW Top 50 is here – ahead of the new season, we rank the competition’s best players. Is Collingwood’s Bri Davey unlucky? And what more does a star Roo have to do? See the full list.

AFL

AFLW top 50: Lauren Wood’s ultimate rankings

The level of talent in AFLW has never been higher. Ahead of the new season, LAUREN WOOD ranks the competition’s top-50 players — with a few notable omissions.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 4: Andrew McQualter, Interim Senior Coach of the Tigers addresses his players during the 2023 AFL Round 21 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium on August 4, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

‘Mini’ emerges as key contender for Eagles job

After just missing out on succeeding Damien Hardwick at Richmond, Andrew McQualter is back in the mix for a senior coaching role.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/lauren-wood/page/5