Shayne Bugden, Sports Editor, Australia

After spending 21 years as a journalist with Australia's biggest magazine company - including editing the title widely known as the footy bible, Rugby League Week - Shayne has been with Daily Mail Australia for almost six years, first as an assistant editor before making the switch to running the Sport desk when it was introduced this March.

Coverage: Sport

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM SHAYNE BUGDEN

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Recap on all the drama as jockey Jamie Melham and Half Yours claim stunning Melbourne Cup victory - but horror fall scares fans on racing's biggest day

03/11/25 10:39

Follow Daily Mail's live blog for all the best and worst of the fashions in the field, celebrity appearances and updates from the action on the track at the nation's biggest race....read

Their marriage split rocked Perth's elite. Now Liverpool star Brad Jones and his ex-wife Dani are both dating other people... and local gossips are all saying the same thing
19/10/25 12:43
Former Liverpool star Brad Jones and his ex-wife Dani Rose have both moved on with new partners - weeks after we exclusively revealed their marriage breakdown.
- 17 comments
- 40 shares
Major development after child rapist sport star was named to compete in Australia as one of the country's most powerful politicians steps in
16/10/25 04:08
On Tuesday, Steven Van de Velde was named to play in the world championships despite being jailed for repeatedly raping a 12-year-old girl.
- 132 comments
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Ariarne Titmus reveals the turning point that led to her shock retirement from swimming aged just 25
15/10/25 10:40
The pool queen, 25, announced the shocking development on Instagram on Thursday morning.
The NRL warns superstars like Reece Walsh that they risk being banned from the competition for 10 YEARS
15/10/25 04:35
The top brass at NRL headquarters have cracked down on a looming threat to the competition.
- 11 comments
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Aussie surfing star reveals she got death threats from Indians after social media video saw her accused of defecating in a sacred lake
15/10/25 02:20
The clip, which was actually filmed in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, exploded on Indian social media for all the wrong reasons.
Footy great Phil Gould takes a photo in a toilet for social media - then rushes to delete the post because it showed WAY too much
15/10/25 12:49
The 67-year-old Canterbury Bulldogs boss laughed off his eye-opening mistake while footy fans had a field day.
- 5 comments
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Inside the vile past of child rapist sports star who is trying to come to Australia to compete in the world championships
14/10/25 02:41
He has competed in world cups, European championships and even the Paris Olympics - and now a world-ranked star is trying to get an Australian visa despite his horrific crimes.
- 38 comments
- 1 share
Footy great Nathan Buckley gets a shock new job NOBODY saw coming
14/10/25 01:08
The 53-year-old Collingwood legend guided the Pies for 10 years and had been connected to a job with the AFL's newest team, but he has gone in a very different direction.
- 7 comments
- 7 shares
Footy player who had to cover up the most controversial tattoos in Australia almost burns his house down
13/10/25 05:25
Last June, the Daily Mail exclusively unmasked Joshua Taylor-Myles as the NSW rugby league player who had his thighs tattooed with two vile phrases.
- 20 comments
- 1 share
Aussie fans horrify Americans in another shocking video after they were slammed for booing the US national anthem at huge sport event
13/10/25 03:07
The crowd at Perth's RAC Arena left American commentators stunned when they launched into a vile chant about a Japanese star.
- 17 comments
- 2 shares
Aussie Olympics star Mollie O'Callaghan gets unwittingly caught up in scandal over trans swimmer Lia Thomas
13/10/25 01:06
Swimming Australia has taken action after fake quotes attributed to the Paris Olympics superstar started spreading on social media.
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Last-minute drama decides the winner in one of the greatest Bathurst 1000 races ever held
12/10/25 08:23
It took almost seven hours of intermittent chaos, but Garth Tander and Matt Payne are the kings of the mountain for 2025.
- 3 comments
- 16 shares
See the moment footy star Angus Crichton gets the shock of his life as he finds out he's going to be a dad
12/10/25 06:19
The Roosters, NSW and Kangaroos forward married wife Chloe in a stunning ceremony in the NSW Hunter Valley in May.
See the VERY Aussie moment a Supercars star drinks a beer just seconds after disaster struck at the Bathurst 1000
12/10/25 05:16
Chaz Mostert's attempt to win a third Bathurst 1000 crown ended on lap 59 of the great race, but fans were far from disappointed after what he did next...
- 2 comments
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Angry Americans lash out as Aussie sport fans boo the US national anthem in stunning scenes broadcast around the world
12/10/25 04:20
Sophie Foster sang the Star-Spangled Banner in front of 13,000 fans - and Hollywood superstar John Cena - in Perth.
- 822 comments
- 47 shares
Drama at the Bathurst 1000 as 'embarrassing' pre-race entertainment is blasted by fans and team boss makes a BIZARRE protest
12/10/25 03:11
According to race fans, the musical entertainment on the grid just before the start of the action at Mount Panorama was 'straight out of the Bathurst RSL'.
- 13 comments
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How Danika Mason's new footy star fiancé Liam Knight came back from homelessness and a battle with alcoholism and drug addiction to find love with the Channel Nine star
12/10/25 01:38
Liam Knight endured a family tragedy aged just five and a rough upbringing to find success on the field - and love off it.
- 5 comments
- 11 shares
Jaime Chapman and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's split scandalised footy. Four months on, telling details reveal how their lives have taken VERY different paths
09/10/25 12:36
The Daily Mail exclusively broke the news of their break-up, then followed up by exposing the reason their romance fell apart: Tabuai-Fidow had been featured in a sex tape with another woman.
- 7 comments
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Dark twist after cops were called over footy club's 'Silly Sunday' party scandal as child porn allegation surfaces
09/10/25 04:50
A Perth mayor has lashed out angrily with a stunning claim about a costume worn to an end-of-season party.
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Inside the shocking downfall of AFL star Shannon Cox who started smoking meth at 13 - before killing two women in horror car crash when he was coming down from the drug
09/10/25 12:25
Shannon Cox was sentenced to 10 years and six months' imprisonment on Wednesday after admitting to unlawfully killing Thelma Clausen and Coral Seinor.
- 10 comments
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See the powerful moment Reece Walsh reunites with his ex at the NRL grand final after they had a baby when he was just 18
07/10/25 06:56
Freda Puru and the Broncos fullback found each other among all the heartwarming moments and chaos in the aftermath of Brisbane's win.
- 7 comments
- 11 shares
Footy legend Nathan Buckley lays claim to the title of Australia's fittest 53-year-old as he jogs with his son
07/10/25 03:31
He was known as one of the fittest stars in the game until his playing career ended in 2007, and Buckley is obviously still taking his training very seriously.
- 4 comments
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NRL grand final player ratings: See who starred and who flopped as Reece Walsh leaves legends in awe
05/10/25 01:52
On a night when Reece Walsh outshone everyone else on the field, several other stars also excelled - while others will be stewing about their performance all offseason long.
- 10 comments
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NRL grand final RECAP: Re-live every moment as Reece Walsh leads the Broncos to victory in one of the greatest deciders ever played
05/10/25 02:50
After trailing by 10 points at halftime, the Broncos scored their first premiership since 2006 despite suffering two disastrous injuries.
- 55 comments
- 2 shares
Reece Walsh's dad opens up for the first time about how the NRL grand final star rose above the trauma of his mum's drug addiction
05/10/25 02:01
He's become arguably the most popular and sensational player in the NRL - but Reece Walsh's journey to footy superstardom got off to a very rough start.
- 43 comments
- 29 shares
NRL star reveals his bizarre diet habits convinced his wife he's on the autism spectrum
02/10/25 06:21
Brisbane Broncos star Billy Walters made the admission in a candid chat with his father, and former NRL coach, Kevin.
- 1 comment
- 15 shares
The AFL axes a part of the game that's been a tradition for more than 130 YEARS
01/10/25 01:40
AFL headquarters has decided to get rid of a divisive feature of the game out of concern for health and safety.
- 17 comments
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NRL makes big call on grand final entertainment after Teddy Swims was forced to cancel shows due to health problem
01/10/25 12:57
The American singer sent the code into a spin when he suddenly cancelled performances just days out from the biggest game of the year.
- 27 comments
- 3 shares
Mary Fowler stuns as she joins superstars Kendall Jenner and Eva Longoria to make history on the catwalk in Paris
29/09/25 10:40
The 22-year-old Matildas star was joined by big names like Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne at the Hotel de Ville in the City of Light.
The Mad Monday photo Bailey Smith did NOT want you to see: AFL star's shock sexual sledge about female footy reporter Caroline Wilson is exposed in now-deleted post as he joins teammates for bash
29/09/25 04:09
The Geelong Cats arrived to drown their sorrows after their devastating grand final defeat on Saturday, with Smith taking a nasty swipe at a journalist who criticised him.
- 140 comments
- 41 shares
Go inside the Brisbane Lions' unhinged party after they crushed Geelong in an AFL grand final win for the ages
27/09/25 09:52
The wild celebrations on the field after the final siren sounded paled in comparison to the scenes in the dressing room after the Lions' ruthless 47-point victory.
- 17 comments
- 7 shares
Relive every moment as Brisbane win their second straight AFL grand final and fans slam Bailey Smith after match full of drama on and off the field
26/09/25 11:26
Daily Mail Australia live blog: Get all the latest updates and scores as Geelong face Brisbane in the game that stops the nation in its tracks.
- 191 comments
- 1 share
Channel Seven gets BANNED by the Brisbane Broncos just before huge NRL finals match
25/09/25 05:59
The broadcaster was blacklisted by the Brisbane Broncos just days before they try to avenge their 2023 grand final defeat to Penrith.
- 2 comments
- 12 shares
Footy great Scott Selwood makes stunning call on his career after two of his AFL-legend brothers died in tragic circumstances
25/09/25 04:24
The deaths of Adam and Troy Selwood, just weeks apart, threw the AFL world into a state of deep shock earlier this year. Now their brother Scott has made a huge call.
- 2 comments
- 10 shares
Footy star Victor Radley shares a tender moment with his baby son as he's seen for the first time since being hit with record ban over drugs scandal and barred from glitzy awards night
19/09/25 06:55
The 27-year-old has been going through the most stressful period of his career - but still managed to look happy and carefree with his young family on a beach outing on Friday.
American website rushes to delete 'gutless' post mocking Gout Gout's name after barrage of criticism from outraged fans
19/09/25 03:18
Gout Gout finished fourth in his semi-final at the World Athletics Championships on Thursday night, but not everyone was impressed with his run.
- 8 comments
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Female reporter cops an elbow as Brandon Smith reveals his plea to drugs and betting charges - with NRL bad boy also accused of an illegal act in the courtroom
18/09/25 12:29
Smith fronted Southport Magistrates Court in Queensland and is next due to appear on October 9.
Gout Gout goes one better than Usain Bolt as he has a dream debut at the World Championships
17/09/25 09:18
Bolt was watching on from the stands in Tokyo as the Queenslander took a big step up in his fledgling career.
- 20 comments
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Channel Seven axes popular sport presenter Matt Carmichael after 23 years with the network
17/09/25 06:28
The popular veteran of such shows as Sunrise got the dreaded news on Monday after a long and successful stint with the broadcaster.
- 3 comments
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Read the alleged texts between footy stars Brandon Smith, Victor Radley and a drug dealer as stunning police report is revealed
17/09/25 04:02
Souths star Smith is due to face a Queensland court on charges of alleged drug supply and disclosing inside knowledge for betting on Thursday.
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- 14 shares
Aussies stunned after Garry Ablett Jr's Instagram post on Charlie kirk
16/09/25 06:11
The former Geelong Cats champion made his feelings known about the conservative activist on Monday night.
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Footy fans are left shocked by AFL legend Gary Ablett Jr's Instagram post about Charlie Kirk
16/09/25 02:22
The former Geelong Cats champion made his feelings known about the conservative activist on Monday night.
- 276 comments
- 1 share
Athletics star accuses 'powerful organisation' of trying to cancel her book detailing the shocking assaults she suffered from disgraced NRL player
12/09/25 04:34
Curtis Scott was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after attacking Tay-Leiha Clark in 2018. Now she claims a powerful group is trying to torpedo her book about the ordeal.
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Sam Kerr's dad reveals why he and her mum were worried as she battled the biggest setback of her career
12/09/25 02:38
It's been 20 months since the Matildas' superstar striker last played a match - and her fans are still waiting to see her on the pitch.
Club takes action after Daily Mail exposed star's awful sexualised comments about his teammates' partners - including Mary Fowler
12/09/25 12:50
The drama over winger Brian To'o's Instagram posts has taken a turn just before the Panthers play a do-or-die final against the Warriors in their quest to win a fifth straight grand final.
- 10 comments
- 28 shares
Penrith star Brian To'o is BUSTED making unthinkable sexualised comments about his teammates' wives and girlfriends - including Nathan Cleary's partner Mary Fowler - in awards night shocker
11/09/25 04:15
The Penrith Panthers held their awards ceremony on Tuesday night - and now superstar winger Brian To'o has been caught red-handed making 'gross' remarks.
- 54 comments
- 67 shares
Bailey Smith unleashes F-bomb tirade at female photographer as attention is heaped on the star footy player over his relationship with Tammy Hembrow
10/09/25 04:14
Smith couldn't contain his anger at Geelong's Wednesday training session as the team makes the most of their week off during the AFL finals series.
- 33 comments
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Heartbreak for Matildas superstar Sam Kerr as her grandmother dies months after making a miracle recovery following horror road accident
09/09/25 05:50
The December 27 incident left her in critical condition with multiple fractures and internal injuries, forcing her into months of hospitalisation and rehabilitation.
- 22 comments
- 1 share
Astonishing detail in Danika Mason's beach photos that'll definitely catch the eye of her ex-fiancé - as the Today host flaunts her bikini body with footy star boyfriend Liam Knight
09/09/25 01:48
Mason, 34, whose star has risen significantly this year with her promotion to the Today show, looked sensational in a lavender bikini as we spotted her and Knight enjoying the good weather on Sunday.
- 39 comments
- 37 shares
Cricket legend Michael Slater is hit by family tragedy just weeks after posting worrying message in the wake of his domestic violence disgrace
09/09/25 01:31
The former Test opening batter broke the sad news to his followers with a simple five-word statement.
- 5 comments
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TV star Hugh Riminton is caught out making the WORST possible mistake over the AFL's homophobia scandal
08/09/25 03:15
Channel Ten national affairs editor Hugh Riminton's slip-up came as he introduced viewers to a story about the homophobic abuse scandal that blew up in the AFL's face last week.
- 9 comments
- 26 shares
Libby Trickett doesn't look like this anymore! Olympics star opens up about her 'deeply uncomfortable' choice to change her appearance
08/09/25 01:51
The four-time Olympic gold medal winner confessed she was 'shocked' when she first saw the results of her big switch.
- 10 comments
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Grace Hayden cuts a glamorous figure at world-famous sporting event in the middle of the Australian outback
05/09/25 06:26
The 23-year-old TV star swapped the swanky surrounds of Sydney's Randwick Racecourse for the red centre this week.
See the stomach-churning secret police video that ended the career of Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer Darren Weir
05/09/25 03:43
Weir won the 2015 Melbourne Cup with 100/1 outsider Prince of Penzance after starting his racing career as a strapper.
Footy stars and fans smash 'grubby' Aussie city over disgraceful scenes at AFL match
05/09/25 01:28
Shameful, gutless, atrocious, embarrassing - footy supporters and big names like Brian Taylor and Eddie McGuire could not believe what they were hearing on Thursday night.
- 9 comments
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Legendary footy coach Mick Malthouse, 72, is injured while fighting off three armed intruders during home invasion: 'They tried to stab me'
04/09/25 02:36
The record-setting coaching great confronted the trio at his East Melbourne home in the early hours of Thursday morning.
- 70 comments
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Jilted footy star Jaime Chapman gets the best revenge months after her embarrassing split from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow... following his sex tape scandal with another woman
04/09/25 02:08
Jaime Chapman has endured a hellish year after the humiliating and very public end to her relationship with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. But as the saying goes, happiness is the best revenge.
- 40 comments
- 123 shares
Wayne Carey and Sam Newman make bizarre prediction about bisexual AFL star Mitch Brown, Dani Laidley and the Brownlow Medal
03/09/25 08:03
Podcasting duo Wayne Carey and Sam Newman called Mitch Brown a 'hero' for his history-making announcement last week. Then their discussion went off the rails.
- 1 comment
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Footy controversy magnet Warwick Capper reveals why he's desperate not to be in the same room as Wayne Carey as pair's feud resurfaces
03/09/25 05:31
They were both high-profile stars on the field, now they're both known for their wild behaviour off it - but despite their similarities, Carey and Capper remain at loggerheads.
- 3 comments
- 23 shares
PR shocker as NRL team comes up with bizarre reason why video of Reece Walsh drinking out of a TOILET isn't as bad as fans think - as star makes light of scandal in a new Instagram post
02/09/25 01:18
After his club tried to throw cold water on the furore surrounding his toilet video, Reece Walsh appeared to bring it right back up again in a new Instagram post.
Aussie soccer hero is sensationally accused of an AFFAIR with a married woman while his wife was PREGNANT with their second child - as shattered husband breaks his silence
30/08/25 02:41
Former A-League star Jack Hingert has been accused of having an affair with a married woman for the past 18 months. The defender made over 300 appearances for Brisbane Roar in the A-League.
- 47 comments
- 74 shares
Dave Hughes' wife jokes that his decision to go vegan played a role in his horror footy injury - as Brendan Fevola blasts AFL great for 'dog's act' that hurt comedian
29/08/25 03:02
Holly Hughes rushed her husband to hospital at 5am on Friday after he was smashed in the AFL Legends match at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
Dave Hughes is put into intensive care in hospital with serious injury after playing in AFL legends match and partying until 2am
28/08/25 11:50
The comedian said he knew he was in big trouble in the first quarter of the match but kept playing on while he wondered, 'Am I going to die out here?'
Aussie Olympics superstar Jess Fox drops health bombshell as she reveals results of surgery to remove tumour
28/08/25 02:54
The winner of three Olympic gold medals made the shocking announcement on social media along with a photo of her recovering in hospital.
- 12 comments
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Cricket star Usman Khawaja pushes Anthony Albanese to punish Israel over the Gaza war after PM's last-minute backflip
28/08/25 02:12
The Test batter is well known for his stance on Palestine and the war in Gaza - and now he has made his feelings known directly to the highest office in the land.
Footy star Shane Christie dies of suspected suicide aged just 39 after suffering shocking health problems from a string of concussions
27/08/25 07:52
Shane Christie became an advocate for footy players who suffer the after effects of head knocks as he documented his own struggles on social media.
- 17 comments
- 71 shares
Danika Mason can't hide her happiness as she reunites with her footy star boyfriend - but it's not all good news for the star couple
27/08/25 06:10
The Channel Nine star and the former Souths forward are usually separated by 17,000km as he stars for his new team in England.
- 10 comments
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AFL star Mitch Brown makes history by coming out as bisexual - as his ex-wife reacts to the bombshell news with a stunning post
27/08/25 02:55
Mitch Brown went where no AFL player has gone before against the backdrop of yet another homophobia scandal that hit the league just before the finals.
- 360 comments
- 34 shares
Brandon Smith's Roosters teammates 'turn on him' after club was dragged into his alleged drug dealing scandal
27/08/25 01:52
Smith was a well liked member of the Roosters even after he left the club for arch rivals Souths earlier this year - but that has all changed.
- comments
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The NRL makes a HUGE call on footy star Brandon Smith's future over alleged drugs and betting scandal
26/08/25 06:01
The South Sydney star is due to face a Queensland court on September 18 on charges of alleged drug supply and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
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Cops make bombshell move over alleged suspicious gambling on the AFL's Brownlow Medal
26/08/25 12:57
Police have been investigating wagers placed on the AFL's most prestigious award in 2021 and 2022.
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Scandal over NRL star Brandon Smith's alleged dealing explodes as one of footy's biggest names is 'dragged into police investigation'
26/08/25 12:17
The controversy surrounding the South Sydney star has expanded to take in the rival Sydney Roosters after news of the bombshell charges broke on Monday afternoon.
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Footy star Brandon Smith is charged with alleged drug dealing and a betting offence after police questioned him at airport
25/08/25 04:41
The 29-year-old South Sydney Rabbitohs star was stopped by officers when the team flew in to the Gold Coast on August 9.
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Revealed: The star who'll be playing the NRL grand final - and he's NOWHERE near as well known as the AFL's Snoop Dogg
25/08/25 01:45
The AFL has had the wood on the NRL when it comes to musical star power at the year's biggest game for the last few years - and that trend shows no signs of being reversed in 2025.
- 10 comments
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The AFL said Snoop Dogg's controversial takes on gay people were all in the past. The rapper just proved them wrong at the worst possible time
22/08/25 07:32
The furore over the league's choice of Snoop to perform at the grand final just won't go away - and this time it's the hip-hop icon himself who has poured petrol on the fire.
Sam Kerr fans go berserk over Matildas star's HUGE news
22/08/25 12:33
The Matildas superstar has been sidelined with a serious knee injury for 20 months, leaving her legions of fans waiting for some good news about her return to the pitch.
- 44 comments
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Lucy Zelić was the poster girl for SBS soccer. Now she reveals the 'sinister' personal cost of speaking up for women in sport, how she REALLY feels about her woke former co-host Craig Foster - and the one place she could never work again
21/08/25 02:33
The former SBS star spent 15 years covering soccer and copped her share of abuse along the way - but things took an even nastier turn when she began to tackle the controversial issue.
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The AFL hands down SHOCK decision on banning star for using a homophobic slur during match
21/08/25 06:03
Izak Rankine is the sixth AFL star to be banned for an on-field homophobic slur since April last year.
- 127 comments
- 14 shares
Revealed: Deputy prime minister Richard Marles' son competes in one of the most dangerous sports on the planet
18/08/25 08:02
As Deputy PM Richard Marles battled for last-minute votes on the day of the federal election, his son, Sam, was involved in a very different fight of his own.
- 3 comments
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Stars of sport

Fixtures

Saturday 08 November

Spurs