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

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AFL

AFL Round 21. Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast. Jake Carlisles snap on goal seconds before the final siren misses and the Suns win by 2points . Pic: Michael Klein

Carlisle tweets cost Dons under doping code

TWEETS posted by Jake Carlisle on his worldwide end-of-season jaunt cost Essendon a $2500 fine under the AFL’s anti-doping code.

Richmond

NEAFL NT Thunder V GWS Giants, Giants Jacob Townsend

Tigers land Giants tackling machine

RICHMOND has secured GWS midfielder Jacob Townsend and is close to deals involving David Astbury and Chris Yarran.

Sport

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 12: Patrick Dangerfield and Chris Scott the coach of the Cats speak to the media during a Geelong Cats AFL press conference at Simonds Stadium on October 12, 2015 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Gore’s decision seals Dangerfield defection

DEAN Gore spent four days agonising over the move that broke the deadlock in Patrick Dangerfield’s defection to Geelong.

AFL

The GWS Giants play Belconnen at Blacktown Olympic Park.Jacob Townsend for the Giants

Treloar’s teammate next on Tigers’ list

RICHMOND has conceded defeat in its pursuit of a big name star and turned its attention to Greater Western Sydney hard nut Jacob Townsend.

Essendon

Tearful Hird bites the bullet at last

JAMES Hird has walked away from football forever with a $1 million payout and the hope that Essendon players will now be free of the AFL’s greatest crisis.

VIC News

Calf blood extract used widely

Actovegin is a calf’s blood extract widely used by athletes, who believe it improves recovery by enhancing oxygen flow around the body.

AFL

AT LEARNING LIFE CENTRE. Greater Western Sydney Giants will join Sport and Recreation Minister Gabrielle Upton for the opening of the learning centre. AFL bosses Andrew Demetriou and Mike Fitzpatrick and Fed treasurer Joe Hockey open Giants 11.5 Mill facility

AFL hits back at Colless’ blast

UPDATE: THE AFL has responded to claims it broke its own rules in a bid to get Lance Franklin to GWS following Richard Colless’ explosive claims against the league’s commission chairman.

AFL