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Michael Warner is an award-winning investigative journalist with Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper, and also CODE Sports, and author of the best-selling book, The Boys’ Club, the inside story behind the power and politics of the Australian Football League. In 2022, he won the Walkley Award for sports reporting, the Melbourne Press Club Gold Quill and was named the Harry Gordon Australian Sports Journalist of the Year.

Michael Warner

Latest

Sport

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 14: Umpire Troy Pannell calls for the video review during the round seven AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium on May 14, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Missing AFL umpire Troy Pannell’s case fast tracked

Former AFL umpire Troy Pannell’s case has been moved forward just days after he was involved in a car accident.

AFL

Jacqui Lambie has slammed Andrew Dillon and the AFL

‘Not much chop’: Lambie savages AFL chiefs over Tassie debacle

Senator Jacqui Lambie says the AFL has the ‘most unimpressive leadership’ she’s ever seen, blasting the league for ripping Tasmania apart and urging it to ‘come back to the f***ing table’.

Police & Courts

AFL umpire hospitalised after single car crash on Vic rural road

AFL umpire Troy Pannell was reportedly rushed to the Alfred Hospital for surgery following a car crash just hours after failing to appear in court as the key suspect in an embezzlement case.

AFL

Was AFL’s ‘dodgy’ Tassie venture designed to fail all along?

Sitting across from Andrew Dillon at AFL House in late January, Jacqui Lambie smelt a rat. Now, after a week of political turmoil, she’s not the only one questioning the league’s motive.

BreakingAFL

Missing ex-AFL umpire a no show in court

Troy Pannell, a former AFL umpire on the run over an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud, has failed to front court.

AFL

Why the AFL’s Swann coup won’t save Richard Goyder

Securing Greg Swann won’t be enough to appease the unrest between the AFL and its clubs. There is one person who still needs to go to complete the cleanout, writes Michael Warner.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 11: Lachie Neale of the Lions is congratulated after his 250th match by Lions CEO Greg Swann during the 2024 AFL Round 05 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 11, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Lions boss weighs up move to bolster Dillon’s under-siege team

Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann has been identified as the AFL’s preferred candidate to partner Laura Kane in a new football role on the under-pressure AFL executive.

AnalysisAFL

‘Bikies and drugs, laughing stock’: The stigmas that stuck to Suns

Ross Lyon sparked a war of words when he referred to Gold Coast as the AFL’s nepo baby. The Suns called it offensive but uncovered documents reveal how footy’s perennial basket case believed it was perceived by rivals.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 28: Incoming AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon and newly appointed AFL Executive General Manager Football Laura Kane are seen during an AFL Media Opportunity at Marvel Stadium on August 28, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Laura Kane shock in major AFL executive shake-up

The under siege AFL has responded to growing angst, confirming significant changes to its leadership team, including the role of Laura Kane.

National

Round 18. 20/07/2018. St Kilda v Richmond at Etihad Stadium. Umpire Troy Pannell . Pic: Michael Klein

Kangaroo excuse: Missing AFL umpire’s bizarre court no show

A former AFL umpire blamed a kangaroo for his failure to attend court to answer claims that he defrauded his employer of $8.7 million.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/michael-warner