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, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 18: Number 4 pick Brooke Barwick is presented her jumper by Ellie Blackburn of the Bulldogs during the 2023 AFLW Draft at Marvel Stadium on December 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFLW’s landmark move to shake up draft process

AFLW players will enter an open draft in a landmark move for the football’s elite women’s competition, leaving the country’s best young players open to head anywhere in Australia.

AFL

SHANGHAI, CHINA - JUNE 02: Paddy Ryder of the Power and Callum Wilkie of the Saints during the 2019 AFL round 11 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Port Adelaide Power at Adelaide Arena at Jiangwan Stadium on June 02, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

AFL’s stance on China revealed amid Port, government interest

The federal government is reportedly interested in bringing Aussie rules back to China, a move Port Adelaide is ‘watching closely’. Now the AFL have had their say.

AFLW

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 30: Ellie McKenzie of the Tigers and Madison Prespakis of the Bombers pose for a photo during a photoshoot to announce that an AFLW match will be played for the first time in Darwin in the 2024 season at Pipemakers Park on May 30, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFLW Fixture: Huge double-header to kick off new-look season

The full AFLW fixture for 2024 has landed – and there is plenty to unpack. Daisy Pearce’s debut, a Dreamtime clash, a footy frenzy and a Showdown under lights. See every game here.

AFL

MELBOURNE, APRIL 19, 2024: Richmond AFLW player Rebecca Miller. Bec is pictured in from the of the Jack Dyer Stand at Punt Road Oval. Picture: Mark Stewart

Clubs ‘pressured’ by compressed fixture as footy returns to Punt Rd

The AFLW fixture is set to be released this week, with clubs expected to play 11 games across 10 weeks. As LAUREN WOOD reports, clubs are concerned it will make it impossible to hit metrics the AFL has put in place to measure growth.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 5: Alastair Clarkson, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos during the round four AFL match between Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Norwood Oval, on April 5, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

Clarko, Roos leaders to start Pride in Sport training this month

Alastair Clarkson will finally undergo his Pride in Sport education program after he was found to use homophobic language in a pre-season game. But he’s not the only North leader completing the training.

AFL

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 14: Montana Ham of the Swans kicks during the round seven AFLW match between Sydney Swans and Hawthorn Hawks at Henson Park, on October 14, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

National shift on the cards for AFLW draft

AFLW players might be forced into following Montana Ham’s lead in moving interstate, with a switch to a national draft on the cards for the league as early as this year.

AFL

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Griffin Logue and Aidan Corr of the Kangaroos walk from the ground after during the round 17 AFL match between Geelong Cats and North Melbourne Kangaroos at GMHBA Stadium, on July 09, 2023, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The worrying holes North need to fill to improve in 2024

North Melbourne have stockpiled an impressive array of forward and midfield talent through draft and trading but there is an area of the ground where they seem even weaker than in 2023.

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.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/lauren-wood/page/6