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Meet the Writers

Jon RalphSports Reporter

Jon Ralph has covered sport with the Herald Sun, and now CODE Sports as well, for over two decades working primarily as a football journalist. He has covered over 20 AFL Grand Finals and reported on footy’s biggest stories including the Essendon saga, Covid era and Melbourne tanking controversy. He is the co-host of the popular and award-winning Sacked podcast. Jon has covered Olympic Games in Rio and London and Commonwealth Games in Delhi and Glasgow.

@RalphyHeraldSun

Jon Ralph

Latest

AFL12 minutes ago

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 25th March, 2025 . AFL. Melbourne training at Gosche Paddock. Clayton Oliver of the Demons during soccer warm up at todays light training session at Goschs Paddock . Picture: Michael Klein

Demons’ key questions answered: What is Clarry actually worth?

2025 might be a slow march toward the inevitable for Simon Goodwin and the Demons. Where do they go from here and who could be on the chopping block to accelerate the rebuild?

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Tom Lynch of the Tigers reaches for the ball as Liam O'Connell of the Saints and Rhyan Mansell of the Tigers run towards the pac during the round three AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium, on March 29, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Betts: Forward craft will change forever if Mansell is banned

Eddie Betts made a living at the feet of big marking packs, and says if small forwards are banned from nudging opponents around packs it will change the craft forever. Have your say.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Rhyan Mansell of the Tigers in action during the round three AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium, on March 29, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

Tiger hit with massive ban as pre-season warning comes to the fore

No ban had been handed to any player who shoved their opponent into trouble this year, until now. A young Tiger is set to be the first test case of an AFL pre-season warning.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Jake Melksham of the Demons looks dejected after losing the round three AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Gold Coast Suns at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 29, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Dees brass still talking finals, adamant Pickett heading nowhere

The Demons are in crisis mode after back-to-back smashings, but that won’t deter them from their goal of September footy, while also remaining confident one of their stars is going nowhere.

AFL

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 3rd March, 2025 . Richmond training at Punt Rd Oval . Richmonds Noah Balta during todays training . Picture: Michael Klein

Balta’s AFL return looms despite guilty plea, civil case settled

Richmond star Noah Balta has pleaded guilty to assault charges – but he will soon be available for AFL selection given the club’s ban will stand.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Kane Farrell of the Power celebrates a goal with Willem Drew of the Power during the round two AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval, on March 22, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Port defender on brink of committing to big call on future

Port Adelaide has a host of defenders coming out of contract at season’s end. But one of the Power’s most important, Kane Farrell, is set to make a decision this week.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: Ben McKay of the Bombers attempts to marks the ball during the 2025 AFL Round 03 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Ex-AFL star calls out ‘horrible’ McKay boo boys

An ex-AFL star has called out Essendon supporters who jeered Ben McKay during the club’s win over Port Adelaide, revealing the mental toll of being targeted by his own fans during his career.

AFL

Farewell tour? Decoding Bevo’s public PR campaign

Rather than beg for a new contract, Luke Beveridge is taking it up to the Bulldogs hierarchy with an unprecedented media tour. Jon Ralph unpacks Bevo’s power play.

AFL

MELBOURNE . 24/10/2022. AFL. New St Kilda coach Ross Lyon enters the room with president Andrew Bassat and CEO Simon Lethlean at todays media conference at RSEA Park, Moorabbin ]. Picture by Michael Klein

Destination Moorabbin: ‘Messiah complex’ holding back the Saints

Who wants to be a Saint? There’s been plenty of swings at Moorabbin, but not many hits, so far. Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane dive into what their future holds with footy’s biggest war chest.

AFL

AFL Auskick 30th Birthday. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon speaks at the launch. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Dillon’s move to ensure the next generation of AFL leaders

A wealth of experience has departed the AFL landscape in recent years, and AFL CEO Andrew Dillon is determined to build up the next generation to lead the league.