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Russell Bennett

Russell Bennett

Russell Bennett is a deputy editor (sport) at The Age.

Dylan Moore is embraced by coach Sam Mitchell after overcoming a tumultuous period off the field to shine on it.

Hollywood Hawks step up, prevail in a nail-biting finish over Swans at the MCG

Hawthorn and Sydney put on a classic in the battle of the birds at the home of footy. Both showed enough to indicate they’re genuine contenders this year.

  • Roy Ward, Andrew Wu and Russell Bennett

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Zach Merrett with Essendon teammates.

‘Everyone’s had enough’: Essendon legend Hird thinks Merrett will stay with the club

James Hird thinks Zach Merrett will stay at the club, despite his former player trying to secure a trade to bitter rivals Hawthorn in the off-season.

  • Russell Bennett and Jon Pierik
Oscar Piastri after his race day reached a nightmare end.

Australian Grand Prix as it happened: Piastri breaks down his gut-wrenching crash as attention turns to Shanghai

Recap all the news, action and talking points from the season’s first Formula 1 grand prix from Albert Park.

  • Russell Bennett, Scott Spits, Hannah Kennelly, Matthew Clayton and Selma Milovanovic
A post-Christmas hamstring injury has made Moore touch and go for round one.

Magpies rule out two stars; Crows onballer managing an irregular heartbeat

Fresh from an off-season sabbatical, Collingwood coach Craig McRae now has selection headaches before an opening round match against St Kilda. He’s also navigating Bobby Hill’s return to the team.

  • Jon Pierik and Russell Bennett
Matt Rowell’s finger injury is worse than first thought

Brownlow medallist to miss at least a month; Bombers gun recommits; star mid’s horror run

Matt Rowell’s injury from the State of Origin match is worse than first thought. Meanwhile, Essendon have re-signed one of their most important players.

  • Michael Gleeson and Russell Bennett
Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright of the Stars looked dejected after the game.

Waiting for the Stars: Why Maxwell, Stoinis barely batted in brutal BBL loss

Could Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis played more of a role with the bat as the Stars desperately tried to keep their Big Bash season alive?

  • Russell Bennett
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Ollie Peake with Sam Elliott after hitting the winning runs against the Scorchers.

Peake performance: 19-year-old prodigy smashes last-ball six to win BBL thriller

With the future of Australia’s ageing batting line-up a hot topic of discussion, the Geelong product nervelessly came to the Renegades’ rescue.

  • Russell Bennett and Steve Barrett
Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy had a few choice words for Zach Merrett.

Sheedy laments Essendon’s talent drain; Star Saints forward has further surgery

Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo is stepping down from the role after three years to return to South Australia, while the Bombers announced Andrew McGrath as Zach Merrett’s replacement as skipper.

  • Michael Gleeson, Russell Bennett and Scott Spits
Lando Norris.

Papaya rules: Piastri wins McLaren battle, but Norris the drivers’ crown over Verstappen

Oscar Piastri will have to wait to become just the third Australian to win the F1 world title – his teammate Lando Norris doing just enough to claim the 2025 crown.

  • Russell Bennett
Darren Crocker, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos, Jasmine Garner of the Kangaroos and Nicole Bresnehan of the Kangaroos hold the Premiership Cup aloft.

‘We may never lose again’: Euphoric scenes as Roos win back-to-back AFLW flags, go undefeated

North Melbourne have done the remarkable, going through the entire 2025 season without dropping a game to win their second straight flag. Follow along for all the reaction.

  • Roy Ward, Danny Russell and Russell Bennett