Our Journalists

Stephen Drill covers organised crime, business and the politics of sport. His investigative podcasts include Mafia’s Web, Bikie’s Inc. and Faith On Trial. Drill was Europe correspondent for the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail and Adelaide Advertiser from 2019 to 2021. The Walkley Award winner has also worked at The Wall Street Journal in New York and The Sun in London.

@steveheraldsun

Stephen Drill

Latest

Victoria

Police raiding a house in Templestowe Lower. Thursday, March 13. 2025. Picture: David Crosling

Police raid Melbourne properties as part of CFMEU probe

Two major Australian Federal Police raids have been executed — in Templestowe Lower and Northcote — as part of an investigation into the scandal-plagued CFMEU.

News

New move to smash crims’ $5b illicit tobacco honeypot

Police will get more money to throw at Australia’s out of control illicit tobacco market, which has fuelled firebombings and daylight executions.

ExclusiveTrue Crime

Foreign criminals are suspected of infiltrating the $44 billion NDIS scheme, raising concerns about taxpayers being ripped off for false invoices and participants becoming victims of standover tactics.

Foreign cartels are ripping off the $44b NDIS

A fraud taskforce has sounded an alarm over the infiltration of foreign cartels in the NDIS. Bikies are also suspected of defrauding the $44 billion dollar scheme.

True Crime

DO NOT USE BEFORE CONTACTING HS PIC DESK *EMBARGO* Screen grabs from Rick Olarenshaw 50th birthday celebration at his alleged strip club in Bali. Source: Facebook

‘We love the sweat’: Inside raunchy brothel linked to AFL star’s ex-wife

An unearthed video has revealed former Essendon premiership player Ricky Olarenshaw boasting to friends inside a Bali brothel as pole dancers performed. See the footage.

True Crime

NETWORK SPECIAL. PLEASE CONTACT NETWORK PICTURE DESK BEFORE PUBLISHING. Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife Saranitha in court in Bali. 6/3/25

‘In tears’: Ex-AFL star’s wife learns fate over Bali brothel case

Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife Saranitha and an Aussie couple have appeared before a Bali court on charges of running a brothel.

Asia

NETWORK SPECIAL. MUST TALK WITH NETWORK PIC DESK BEFORE PUBLISHING. Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife Nitha has arrived in court praying for her freedom ahead of a sentencing hearing over allegations she ran a brothel., , The mother of Olarenshaw’s child is facing up to 12 years jail if convicted on pornography charges, as offering sexual services is illegal in Indonesia. , , Speaking outside Bali’s Denpasar District Court, Nitha said she was hoping for her “freedom” as she arrived to hear her fate.

Update on ex-AFL star’s wife’s Bali brothel court case

A Bali judge has made an unexpected call during the court case for Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife Nitha, who is facing up to 12 years jail if convicted over allegations she ran a brothel.

National

Major update on Hutchy’s sports teams

Craig Hutchison’s Sports Entertainment Network is slashing costs, leaving two New Zealand teams at risk of folding.

ExclusiveNational

Louis Vuitton and $45K to a drug trafficker: NDIS spending scandal

An NDIS provider exposed for sending more than $45k to her drug trafficking boyfriend and splashing $7k on designer handbags has defended her actions. See the video.

National

Lynley Le Grand, 44, and her husband Michael Jerome Le Grand, 50, were arrested earlier this week for allegedly operating a spa that offered prostitution services in Kuta, in Bali. Source: Facebook

Aussie couple front court over Bali brothel charges

There has been a major update after an Australian couple facing criminal charges for running a brothel appeared in an Indonesian court.

Police & Courts

Former Essendon star Ricky Olarenshaw and his ex-wife Sarnanitha have been engulfed by a sex crime scandal in Bali. Source: Facebook

Olarenshaw’s wife’s tearful courtroom outburst at ex-AFL star husband

Premiership player Rick Olarenshaw has come under fire from his estranged wife after failing to attend her trial in Bali over allegations she breached Indonesia’s strict prostitution ban.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/stephen-drill/page/2