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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

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AFL

AFL 25: The biggest scandals this century

Sex, drugs, lies: Scandals that rocked the AFL this century

A game adored by millions, yet footy often seems to find itself engulfed in scandal. Michael Warner lists the 25 biggest shocks and sagas to hit the AFL this century.

AFL News

Neil Mitchell farewell/retirement lunch at Melbourne town hall. Gillon McLachlan, Andrew Dillon and Andrew Demetriou. Friday, February 9, 2024. Picture: David Crosling

The ‘cashed-up bogans’ that ruled like no other

Tax-exempt and answerable to no-one, the AFL has wielded unrivalled power and influence over Australia’s sporting landscape this century. But who is the true top dog?

AFL

The Power 25: ‘Cashed up bogans’ who ruled like no other

This century, the AFL – once described as ‘cashed up bogans who did what they wanted’ – has wielded unrivalled power and influence over Australian sport. But who is the true top dog?

West Coast

Gutted ex-Eagles boss calls for change after Hunter death

Former Eagles boss Dalton Gooding has revealed he pushed for a club-controlled funding program for former stars during his time at West Coast, in the wake of the tragic death of Adam Hunter.

ExclusivePolice & Courts

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, NOVEMBER 4, 2022. Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews pictured with his wife Catherine, and the Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Lily DÃAmbroio, make an announcement at Pawfield Park Fenced Dog Park in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

‘No more lies’: Andrews faces new legal threat over crash statements

Daniel and Catherine Andrews have been given 28 days to apologise and pay compensation after being hit with new legal action over a near-fatal car crash with a teenage cyclist in Blairgowrie.

AFL News

The conteders to be next Carlton president

‘Fresh start’ as contenders emerge for Blues presidency

Billionaire powerbroker Bruce Mathieson has called for change at Carlton. So, who takes over from Luke Sayers? And what happens next? Here’s the inside word.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - July 28, 2023. AFL . Carlton president Luke Sayers after the round 20 match between Collingwood and Carlton at the MCG on July 28, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

Warner: Even Luke Sayers couldn’t survive this mess

Luke Sayers may no longer be at Carlton, but that doesn’t mean the mystery of the “dick pic” has been solved. Michael Warner writes, there’s still plenty we’re yet to find out, but will we?

Carlton

Sayers steps down in wake of lewd pic scandal

After being embroiled in a scandal regarding a lewd picture on X, Luke Sayers has stepped down as president of Carlton despite being cleared by the AFL.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. August 31, 2024. AFL . Carlton training at Princes Park. Carlton president Luke Sayers during todays training session . Pic: Michael Klein

Pressure mounts on Blues boss to step aside as AFL moves in

The AFL has announced that the league’s integrity unit officers are investigating the lewd photograph scandal involving Carlton president Luke Sayers.

AFL

Blues boss urged to come home amid deepening lewd pic scandal

Embattled Carlton president Luke Sayers is under pressure to return to Australia after choosing to remain in Italy despite a scandal surrounding a “dick pic” posted to his X account.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/michael-warner/page/2