Michael Gleeson
Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.
Gout’s rival had one advantage over him. So the 18-year-old went to work
Lachie Kennedy crashed the Gout Gout party in Melbourne last year. Can he do it again?
- Michael Gleeson
Latest
- Analysis
- AFL 2026
‘Their best senior player doesn’t want to be there’: Dons great sums up their woes
Monday night’s TV rounds made brutal viewing for Bombers fans as Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson, Matthew Lloyd and co picked apart their dismal record, the coach’s damning comments and searched for answers to the club’s woes.
- Michael Gleeson
- Four Points
- AFL 2026
‘It’s too familiar’: Why Essendon are a bottom four side, and no one is surprised
The familiar nature of the loss was a depressing sight for the Bombers, who comfortably look a bottom four team.
- Michael Gleeson
Her rival was banned for doping, but got a discount. Torrie Lewis could race her within months
New world champion Torrie Lewis is on a collision course to face the drug cheat who initially denied her gold after seven months of her two-year doping ban was suspended.
- Michael Gleeson
- Four Points
- AFL 2026
Any fixture changes should be primarily focused on fixing inequities, not creating new ones
The AFL coach didn’t raise the problem of the distortion and avoidable inequities that opening round creates, but he was clearly glad someone noticed there was an elephant sitting in the corner.
- Michael Gleeson
Sick but still slick: Gout overcomes illness, caps title win with hug from mum
The Australian sprint star wasn’t at his best at the Queensland Athletics Championships, but he says his performance was an important stepping stone to achieving higher goals.
- Michael Gleeson
Bedridden one day, champion the next: Gout Gout defies virus and ‘crazy’ conditions
Gout Gout was blocked up from the sinusitis he has been struggling with this week, and still ran to 100m gold in Queensland.
- Michael Gleeson
- Analysis
- AFL 2026
The Blues kicked one goal in a half and still won. But that wasn’t the real story
The reaction had Carlton lost to Richmond, after last week’s drubbing by Sydney, requires no imagination. But there was a more interesting storyline than another Blues fadeout.
- Michael Gleeson
Steak with Scott, Japanese with Mitchell: Inside Merrett’s bid to defect to Hawthorn
Zach Merrett and his manager drew up a shortlist of three clubs. Hawthorn were keen. Here’s how his bid to join Essendon’s most hated rival escalated, and why it collapsed.
- Michael Gleeson
‘We were targeted all week’: Voss’ pointed words after Blues’ thrilling prime-time win
After a week of intense scrutiny, Michael Voss’ men hold on right when they needed to most. Follow all the post-match reaction
- Roy Ward and Michael Gleeson