Best sport coverage by an individual – written

This award recognises an individual who has delivered exceptional written coverage of sport in print or online media during the nomination period. Entries should demonstrate responsible and well-researched coverage and provide a detailed and innovative insight into sport.

Winner

Will Swanton, The Australian

The reinvention of Mitch Marsh, opens in a new tab from the so-called most hated cricketer in Australia to one of the most loved and the achingly sad story of the Fanning family, opens in a new tab, as mother Liz Osbourne details her own heart attack following the passing of her third son Edward, are just some examples of Will Swanton’s work across the nomination period. Swanton also detailed Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan’s fairytale win, Penrith captain Nathan Cleary leading the Panthers to their fourth straight premiership, Alexa Leary’s golden swim at the Paris Paralympics and Australia’s youngest ever gold medalist in skateboarder Arisa Trew.

Finalists

Emma Kemp, Sydney Morning Herald

From observing people to unpacking issues, Emma Kemp’s work covers a broad range of features, profiles and analysis pieces. They include a long-form profile on Australian weightlifting coach Paul Coffa, opens in a new tab and his coach-athlete relationship with dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Eileen Cikamatana. Kemp also covered swimming and track cycling at the Paris Olympics. Her feature on the latter examined the aerodynamic arms race, opens in a new tab that has propelled well-funded national teams to new frontiers each Olympic cycle. Kemp’s Olympics coverage also included a tribute to Brazilian football great Marta on the eve of her final international appearance - the Paris 2024 final loss to the United States.

Julian Linden, News Corp

Julian Linden focuses on governance and welfare issues in sport, particularly Olympic sports. While Linden says it’s not a particularly popular genre, it can lead to important reforms and make sports safer or fairer. His world exclusive revealed how 23 Chinese swimmers were secretly let off despite testing positive to a banned performance-enhancing drug before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, making it one of the biggest talking points in the lead up to and during the Paris Games. He also wrote extensively about Ice Skating Australia’s hidden secrets, which led to the sport losing its formal government recognition until it adopted major reforms and a new constitution. He also covered the ongoing struggle to recognise the victims of East German doping in the Cold War.

Konrad Marshall, Good Weekend

Konrad Marshall’s writing on sport has always stood out, mainly for his longform features in the pages of Good Weekend. But in 2024, he stretched a different set of muscles producing an array of varied work, showcasing a truly versatile skill set. He began the year by crafting a profile of Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur, opens in a new tab, which became the most widely read Good Weekend sports portrait piece of the year.  He followed that up with a number of pieces including an in depth-look at the rising talent within the ranks of Australian distance runners, a tribute to retiring AFL superstar Dustin Martin and a colourful firsthand reflection on completing the Marathon Pour Tous, opens in a new tab while in France covering his first Olympics.

Peter Badel, News Corp

Peter Badel covered some of the biggest stories in Australian sport in 2024, including breaking the sacking of Broncos coach and club legend Kevin Walters. Badel showcased his versatility with features on former State of Origin player Chris Walker, who opened up about steroid use, an often taboo subject and how it helped save his life, while Harry Garside, opens in a new tab shared how he overcame depression and suicidal thoughts to qualify for his second Olympics. Badel also detailed Broncos player Ezra Mam’s car crash and failed roadside drug test while driving unlicensed and the gender eligibility debate involving two boxers who have the XY male chromosome competing as women at the Paris Olympics.