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Shane Jones is a sports reporter for Leader, Herald Sun and CODE Sports, who has been covering sport around Australia for almost a decade. He was based in Bundaberg from 2015 until 2020, covering local sport for the NewsMail before making the move to Victoria in 2022 to cover country sport around the state.

Shane Jones

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Country Footy

Central Highlands FL, Grand Final, Beaufort V Buninyong, Mars Stadium, Ballarat, Nick Sullivan, 14, celebrates his goal for Beaufort Crows , Picture Yuri Kouzmin

How inspiring coach has helped lift Beaufort

There’s plenty to Crow about at Beaufort after the Central Highlands club ended its winless drought. The president opens up on the coach’s impact, two gun debutants and what lays ahead.

Country Footy

Melton SouthÃs Mitch Fino during the BFL football match between Darley and Melton South in Darley, Saturday, July 9, 2022. Picture: Andy Brownbill

‘Nothing is off the table’: Melton South on its future

A Ballarat league battler has admitted tough conversations could be needed about its future after another thumping loss on the weekend. Here’s what could be on the cards.

SuperCoach

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: Jarome Luai of the Panthers pre game during the round 15 NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium, on June 16, 2024, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

SuperCoach wrap: Underdogs shine during weekend of chaos

It was a wild weekend of SuperCoach with key players dropping like flies at the last moment, but a number of unheralded players made their mark. Here are the Winners and Losers from round 15.

Aussie Rules Live Stream

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Isaac Kako of the Cannons handballs under pressure during the round two Coates Talent League Boys match between Calder Cannons and Sandringham Dragons at Highgate Recreation Reserve on April 01, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

REPLAYS: Cannons stay calm to deny Ranges double success

While Eastern Ranges girls cruised, the boys huffed and puffed, but couldn’t quite blow Calder’s house down in a tight Coates Talent League contest. See the girls/boys REPLAYS.

SuperCoach

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Referee Chris Butler speaks with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and roo1 during the round 15 NRL match between Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium, on June 15, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

NRL SuperCoach: Saturday’s biggest winners and losers named

It was another wild evening of rugby league with crazy games causing SuperCoach mayhem. Catch up on which players starred and which spluttered on Saturday.

Ballarat

No Comm Games but Ballarat scores another sporting coup

After losing the Commonwealth Games and the cycling Road Nationals, Ballarat is looking to bounce back and has just secured a major sporting event for next year.

Country Footy

Interleague Championship, Under 23, Ballarat V Hampden, At Mars Stadium, Ballarat, Ballarat FNL wom 13-13-91 v 11-9-75, Mitch Fino, 14, Ballarat FNL & Hamish Cook, 25, Hampden FNL, Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Kouta’s army: Ballarat names squad for Interleague clash

Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides will lead the Ballarat interleague team into battle against Hampden. He’s just named his squad of players.

Country Footy

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - June 8: Cody Walker of Vic Country celebrates a goal during the AFL 2024 Under 16 Boys Championships match between Vic Metro and Vic Country at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on June 08, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)

Son of a gun to make senior country footy debut

At just 15 he is firmly in the eyes of recruiters at both Richmond and Carlton but this weekend Cody Walker, the son of former Blue Andrew, is preparing for another big milestone.

Country Footy

Ballarat FNL grand final: Darley v North Ballarat: Isaac Carey of North Ballarat at City Oval on September 23, 2023 in Lake Wendouree, Australia.Picture: Hamish Blair

Country league set to make big decision on grand final

It’s home to an AFL-standard stadium yet one country league is considering playing its grand final at a rival venue. Here is what we know.

Ballarat

Victorian sport stars recognised in awards

International athletes and a doctor who has been in sport for more than five decades have been honoured at the latest Victoria Sport Awards. Check out the winners here.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/shane-jones/page/18