Hangin' Out with MARK STEVENS: AFL journalism and joining the Zero Hanger team!

AFL journalist Mark Stevens joins the Hangin' Out podcast to discuss his legendary career covering footy. From his 20 years as a senior sports journalist at the Herald Sun and 8 years as Chief AFL Reporter at Channel 7, to now joining Zero Hanger at Zero Digital Sports, 'Stevo' shares incredible stories about doorstop journalism, the art of breaking news, and some wild moments including encountering a streaker during a live cross. He opens up about covering the 2016 Bulldogs premiership, Essendon's supplement saga, reporting from the COVID hubs, and reveals insider tricks of the trade like staking out managers' offices and playing cat-and-mouse with rival journalists.Plus: why 'Dusty' Martin is the hardest player to catch, and the competitive world of AFL journalism.⬇️ RUNDOWN:00:00 - Intro & Welcome to Zero Hanger03:52 - Shepparton Cadetship to the Herald Sun13:31 - What is sports journalism really about?17:25 - Being first vs being right22:00 - Leaving politics career at Parliament House26:59 - Covering your own team29:28 - Changes in the media box35:00 - 2016 Grand Final: The drought-breaker38:26 - The 2021 Grand Final heartbreak40:25 - COVID-19 & being in the hub41:00 - Streaker story52:00 - The Essendon supplement saga52:36 - The art of doorstop journalism54:00 - Flying to Auckland to chase Dusty Martin1:02:18 - Tricks of the trade: Decoys & positioning1:08:21 - What's next for Zero Hanger in 2025RECORDED: 04/12/2025For all your AFL news go to ZeroHanger.com and make sure to FOLLOW Zero Hanger on social media:NEWS: https://www.zerohanger.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/ZeroHangerFB: https://www.facebook.com/AFLZeroHangerX: https://x.com/zerohangerTT: https://www.tiktok.com/@zerohangerYT: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZeroHangerAFL