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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

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AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Liam Ryan of the Eagles takes possession of the ball during the round 19 AFL match between St Kilda Saints and West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium, on July 20, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Eagle trains as club probes alleged festival fight

West Coast is investigating reports star forward Liam Ryan was involved in a street fight after a music festival. WATCH THE VIDEO

AFL

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Shannon Neale of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round 20 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Geelong Cats at Blundstone Arena, on July 27, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Predictions, best 23: Breakout Cat can fill Hawkins-sized hole

Geelong is quietly — and confidently — building for another premiership assault, and one young spearhead could be the key to their flag chances. MATT FORREST previews their season.

Hawthorn

How Hawks fit star recruits in best side as big names miss out

Hawthorn have plenty of work to do at the selection table as they attempt to squeeze Tom Barrass and Josh Battle into an already strong side. Who swings forward and who misses out? Find out here.

North Melb

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Luke Davies-Uniacke of the Kangaroos thanks the crowd after his 100th match during the 2024 AFL Round 16 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on June 29, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Make or break: Time is now for Roos with LDU at stake

North Melbourne simply must avoid another bottom-two finish in 2025. The future of their best player depends on it. Check out the full Kangaroos’ season preview here.

AFL

Full injury list: Every club’s biggest Christmas concerns

The first chunk of the pre-season is over, with plenty of players racing the clock to prove their fitness before the start of the new campaign. We run the rule over who is fit at every club here.

AFL

MELBOURNE, DECEMBER 6, 2024: St Kilda pre-season training at RSEA Park. Jack Sinclair. Picture: Mark Stewart

Swapping magnets: The positional switches over pre-season

Coaches love swinging the magnets around in pre-season, and we’ve had eyes at nearly every club’s sessions to get the word on who’s shaping up to change roles.

AFL

Tobie Travaglia at St Kilda training. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Track watch: Top Saints draftee outlines midfield ambition

Fans wondered why St Kilda went to the draft targeting midfielders then picked two defenders in the top-10. Now, one of those picks has set his sights on joining Jack Steele in the engine room.

AFL

MELBOURNE, DECEMBER 6, 2024: St Kilda pre-season training at RSEA Park. Tobie Travaglia. Picture: Mark Stewart

Summer standouts: The kids turning heads on the track

They’ve been at their clubs less than a month, but a number of new draftees have already made a big impression at training. See all the recent standouts here.

Port Adelaide

‘Huge privilege’: John McCarthy’s number handed to new recruit

Twelve years on from his passing, Port Adelaide has handed John McCarthy’s No. 35 guernsey to their fresh recruit. Plus see all the other new Power jumper numbers here.

AFL News

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Daniel Rioli during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session at Austworld Centre Oval on November 25, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Rioli sidelined with knee issue in horror start to Suns career

Daniel Rioli’s Gold Coast career has suffered a first-week setback, with fears the star Suns recruit could need surgery after sustaining a knee injury.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/matthew-forrest/page/2