Western Bulldogs and Herald Sun Launch Sam Landsberger Journalism Fellowship

The Western Bulldogs have formalised a partnership with the Herald Sun and the Melbourne Press Club to establish the Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship.

The initiative serves as a professional tribute to the award-winning journalist and son of long-serving club doctor Jake Landsberger, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 35.

The Fellowship is designed to provide an immersive pathway for aspiring storytellers, specifically targeting school leavers or university graduates residing in Melbourne’s western suburbs. By integrating traditional newsroom experience with professional sporting club media, the program aims to cultivate the high-calibre journalistic standards for which Landsberger was renowned.

A Multidimensional Six-Month Placement

Highlighting the deep emotional and historical significance of the partnership, Western Bulldogs CEO, Ameet Bains, said: “The club is delighted to play a small part in helping it come to life,”

“The Landsberger family has been a key part of the Bulldogs’ family for decades now, so to be able to honour Sam’s memory and legacy this way is fantastic,” Bains said.

The Fellowship offers a unique “insider” perspective on the sports media landscape, structured across two primary environments:

• Herald Sun Sports Desk: The successful applicant will spend four months at Victoria’s leading daily, learning the rigours of breaking news, match reporting, and investigative journalism.
• Western Bulldogs Digital & Communications: A two-month mid-season stint will be spent within the Bulldogs’ internal media department. Recipients will contribute directly to the club’s social media, video production, and digital communications teams.

By providing a recipient with access to the Bulldogs’ internal “Media & Communications” department, the Fellowship prepares young journalists for a modern industry that demands proficiency in both editorial integrity and digital content creation.

Honouree Legacy

Sam Landsberger was a recipient of the prestigious Quill Award and was widely regarded as one of the most talented journalists of his generation. His father, Dr Jake Landsberger, served as the Bulldogs’ team doctor for 25 years, underscoring the deep-rooted relationship between the family and the club.

The Fellowship is intended to mirror Sam’s own dedication to mentorship and his commitment to the craft, ensuring his influence on the industry continues to inspire the next wave of top-tier sports writers.

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