Herald Sun sports journo Michael Warner wins Walkley Award for coverage of AFL drugs scandal
The Herald Sun’s Michael Warner has taken out a prestigious Walkley Award for excellence in sports journalism, for his expose on illicit drugs in the AFL.
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The Herald Sun’s Michael Warner has taken out the prestigious Walkley Award for excellence in sports journalism, for his bombshell exposes on illicit drugs in the AFL.
Warner was awarded the honour on Tuesday night for his outstanding investigation blowing the lid on Melbourne player Joel Smith’s cocaine trafficking and use charges, which resulted in a career-ending ban, and revelations about “off the books” illicit drugs tests to allow AFL players who had used substances to avoid testing positive on match days.
Warner also broke the heartbreaking story of the father of ex-Melbourne and Fremantle footballer Harley Balic, who died after a battle with substance abuse, revealing he blamed the AFL and its illicit drugs policy for the tragedy.
Herald Sun editor Sam Weir congratulated Warner saying: “Michael is without doubt Australia’s finest investigative sports journalist and these scoops were standout examples of his powerful coverage of the illicit drugs scourge in the AFL”.
“He is relentless in his pursuit of the truth and an unrivalled newsbreaker and agenda-setter across all areas of the sports industry”.
It’s not the first time investigative journalist Warner has been awarded for his work within the competitive industry. In 2022 he also 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.
Warner is also the author of the best-selling book The Boys’ Club — the inside story behind the power and politics of the AFL.
Originally published as Herald Sun sports journo Michael Warner wins Walkley Award for coverage of AFL drugs scandal
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