Our Journalists

Matthew Forrest is the AFL Chief of Staff for News Corp’s national sports team. He has worked at News Corp since 2021 in a variety of sports journalism roles including at the Mackay Daily Mercury and the Geelong Advertiser. Previously, Matthew was the Chief Football Writer at the Geelong Advertiser until 2024, when he started in his current role.

@mattforrest29

Matthew Forrest

Latest

AFL

MELBOURNE , AUSTRALIA.February 8 , 2024. Essendon AFL training at the Hangar, Tullamarine. Vigo Visentini during todays training session. Pic: Michael Klein

Teams: 19-year-old rookie leads Dons’ charge to Perth

Essendon debutant Vigo Visentini will have a one-out ruck battle with Luke Jackson, with the teams for Essendon’s clash with Freo on Thursday night locked in.

AFL News

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Harley Reid of the Eagles in action during the round 14 AFL match between West Coast Eagles and Carlton Blues at Optus Stadium, on June 15, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

TV wrap: 10 years, $15m or don’t bother asking about Harley

There could be another decade-long deal arriving in the AFL, plus what makes Sam Darcy such a complete ‘nightmare’. Here’s everything you missed on TV.

EXCLUSIVESport

At home with Warwick Capper the Iconic swans player who played for both the Swans and Brisbane Lions. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

‘That stinks’: Capper hits out over five-year ban

Warwick Capper has been banned from attending all AFL venues for five years and fined after obscene behaviour to women at the MCG – and he’s not happy about it. See his response here.

AFL

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 14: Aaron Cadman of the Giants celebrates a goal during the round 14 AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney Giants at The Gabba, on June 14, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Young Giant arrives on dark day for reigning premiers Brisbane

Aaron Cadman has arrived – and the rest of the competition is on notice. But what will the league think of Brisbane after another day of wasted opportunities and a shattering injury blow?

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Jordon Sweet of the Power competes Max Gawn of the Demons with during the round 22 AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Port Adelaide Power at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on August 10, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Sunday teams: Port’s huge plan to stop Gawn masterclass

Port Adelaide will unveil another debutant this round and has unveiled a two-pronged ruck plan to stop Max Gawn. SEE FULL ROUND 14 TEAMS HERE.

AFL News

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the Saints is tackled by Ben Keays of the Crows during the 2025 AFL Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on March 16, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Caro whacks Nas denials, Cats defend Baz joke: TV Wrap

Caroline Wilson has doubled down on her Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera story despite the Saint’s manager calling it ‘false’. Plus Bailey Smith’s ‘joke’ that didn’t hit the mark and more in the footy show wrap.

AFL

Carlton or Essendon: Which club is closer to its next premiership?

They both have 16 premierships but look a long way off their 17th. We delve into the key areas defining Carlton and Essendon to determine which club will get to the promised land first.

AFL

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Daniel McStay of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Round 06 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Magpies at The Gabba on April 17, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

King’s Birthday teams: Pies, Dees recall spearheads

Collingwood have received a boost for their clash with Melbourne on King’s Birthday, but two key players are out with injury. See the teams here.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Sam Mitchell, Head Coach of the Hawks watches on during the round 13 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn Hawks at Marvel Stadium, on June 05, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

This NRL coach was in the Hawks’ box — here’s why

Sam Mitchell has revealed he’s been trading industry secrects with a coach from the AFL’s rival code. See why there was some NRL flavour in Hawthorn’s box on Thursday night.

AFL News

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 22nd, 2025 . AFL Round 11. Geelong vs Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong . Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes pre game . Picture: Michael Klein

‘The allegations…were false’: Cornes sorry for ump criticism

Kane Cornes has issued an apology to the umpires involved in the Lachie Schultz concussion saga over comments he made on Channel 7.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/matthew-forrest