Our Journalists

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

PodcastAFL

Listen: Robbo spills on Demetriou’s Dons drugs phone blow-up

A fiery response from Andrew Demetriou to chief football writer Mark Robinson made front page headlines. Robbo reveals how it escalated in a Bombers drugs saga special.

AFL

James Hird arrives at Federal Court ahead of his appeal on Monday, November 10, 2014, in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

Hird Sr: Bombers ‘treated like Lindy Chamberlain’

James Hird’s father has called for a key Essendon figure to break his silence on the ‘fatal mistake’ that changed the course of the supplement saga.

ExclusiveAFL

*** WARNING DO NOT USE EMBARGOED - SPEAK TO SARAH MATRAY BEFORE ANY USE*** MELBOURNE, JANUARY 31, 2023: Sports scientist Stephen Dank poses for the Herald Sun ten years on from the Essendon drug saga. Picture: Mark Stewart

‘Lies and corruption’: Dank details drugs saga ‘set up’

Essendon supplements program architect Steven Dank has explained how he believes he was set up by federal government criminal investigators.

NRL

Sea Eagles and Panthers fans wave a flag during the Round 14 NRL match between the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Penrith Panthers at Brookvale Oval in Sydney, Sunday, June 12, 2016. (AAP Image/Paul Miller) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Explosive texts link Sea Eagles to ‘darkest day’

The ASADA sledgehammer crippled the Cronulla Sharks over its drugs crisis in 2011. So how did evidence about players at another club using a banned peptide appear to be ignored?

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 11: CEO of Elite Sports Properties and former Collingwood footballer Craig Kelly arrives for the service in celebration of the life of Jill Lindsay held in the Olympic Room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 11, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. Lindsay was the longest serving employee of the AFL and the only woman acknowledged with life membership. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Kelly reveals benchmark Pies must breach for success

Incoming Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly has identified three clubs the Magpies must strive to overhaul if they are to go all the way to the top.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos controls the ball during the round 10 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium on May 21, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

‘Your time is coming’: Women accuse Roo of threats, harassment

Multiple women have contacted the AFL detailing allegations of harassment and threatening and intimidating behaviour by Tarryn Thomas.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos in action during a North Melbourne Kangaroos AFL training session at Arden Street Ground on January 23, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

AFL ‘hypocrisy’ slammed in Tarryn Thomas case

An anti-gambling advocate has hit out at the AFL for allowing North’s Tarryn Thomas to play on while the umpire accused of Brownlow betting breaches has been cast aside.

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