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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

AFL

MARCH 3, 2021: Crows Chairman John Olsen and incoming Chief Executive Officer Tim Silvers pictured at the clubÃs West Lakes headquarters. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

How Crows’ board had its wings permanently clipped

Adelaide fans have long bemoaned what some call the ‘boys’ club’ running the Crows board. But the AFL’s fingerprints are all over the Crows at the high level. MICHAEL WARNER investigates.

NSW

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 09 2023: Collingwood AFL President Jeff Browne, pictured in Domain Road Gardens in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Ex-Nine boss slams leadership, asked to come back

Former Channel 9 boss Jeff Browne has slammed the leadership of the network under chairman Peter Costello and confirmed he’s been asked to come back.

Victoria

Ex nine boss slams leadership, asked to come back

Former Channel 9 boss, now Collingwood president, Jeff Browne has slammed the leadership of the network under chairman Peter Costello and confirmed he’s been asked to come back.

ExclusiveAFL News

‘It was the sliding doors moment’: AFL’s critical error in Hawks probe

Exactly one year ago, on May 30, 2023, the AFL’s Hawthorn racism investigation was shut down. Today, MICHAEL WARNER reveals what really happened with Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt.

AFL

Chairman of the Demons Glen Bartlett is seen after the First Semi Final between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Melbourne Demons in Week 2 of the AFL Finals Series at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday, September 14, 2018. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

AFL’s ‘reckoning’ has arrived in Glen Bartlett war

The AFL continues to be haunted by the “shoddy execution” of former Melbourne president Glen Bartlett, writes MICHAEL WARNER — and the league’s time of reckoning has only just arrived.

EXCLUSIVEAFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Joel Smith of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 23 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 20, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Family fears for ‘scapegoat’ Smith facing multi-year ban

With Demon Joel Smith facing a multi-year ban after testing positive to cocaine post-game in 2023, his father Shaun says Smith could be the fall guy to cover up rampant drug use in the AFL.

ExclusiveAFL

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Harley Balic of the Dockers sidesteps Sharrod Wellingham of the Eagles during the round six AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Domain Stadium on April 29, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

‘We may have saved him’: Father’s pain over AFL drug tragedy

The father of former AFL player Harley Balic says his son’s tragic story could have been avoided if the league had informed his family of the late footballer’s drug issues.

Sport

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Greg Norman of Australia, CEO and Commissioner of the LIV Golf Tour, walks down the fourth hole during the second round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

LIV recruiting drive far from over as Shark attacks Augusta

Sport’s biggest civil war continued at the weekend as LIV mastermind Greg Norman infiltrated the Masters, despite his defectors failing to fire a shot at Augusta. While Tiger hints at peace talks.

Golf

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Cameron Smith of Australia reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Smith slams ‘BS’ LIV sledge after Masters carnage

Australian Cameron Smith has taken a swipe at LIV Golf critics, blasting rumours about the circuit’s stars – while making a ‘crazy’ prediction about his own Masters future.

Sport

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Scottie Scheffler of the United States poses with the Masters trophy after winning the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Scheffler matches Tiger heroics at Masters to cement greatness

Scottie Scheffler has joined one of golf’s most elite groups as he surged to his second Masters triumph – with Australia’s best chances slipping away.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/michael-warner/page/5