Melbourne desk

Filed from the Melbourne desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Sports · 5 October 2026

Collingwood’s Future Pie: Nephew Breaks Combine Record, Draft Drama Ensues

Nell Hartley, Melbourne desk

Top AFL draft prospect, the nephew of a premiership‑winning Collingwood player, obliterated a long‑standing combine record, igniting speculation about his draft future and the club’s legacy.

Sports · 4 October 2026

St Kilda’s Winless Woes: Is Dal Santo on the chopping block?

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

After a historically bad run that left St Kilda winless for three straight matches, pressure mounts on coach Nick Dal Santo as fans and the board call for change.

Sports · 4 October 2026

Averillo’s Hat‑Trick Turns Panthers’ Afternoon into a One‑Man Show

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Jake Averillo darted over for his third try, completing a hat‑trick that turned a routine mid‑week clash into a solo spectacle against the Panthers.

Sports · 4 October 2026

Cummins backs Smith’s South Africa return but doubts he’ll finish 19‑Test marathon

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Pat Cummins says he expects great things from Steve Smith on his first South Africa Tests since 2018, but admits there’s no guarantee the veteran will complete the 19‑test program in the next ten months.

Sports · 4 October 2026

Packer’s 1995 Riddle: Why You Can’t Buy a Grand Final

Nell Hartley, Melbourne desk

A 1995 meeting between Kerry Packer and Craig Fittler reveals that while media empires can be bought, sporting titles must be earned through strategic timing and team stability, not just capital.

Sports · 4 October 2026

Roosters Aim for Redemption, Wakefield Nab First Title, and AFL Anthem Nearly Missed

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

On a day that felt like a footy circus, the Sydney Roosters chased a long‑awaited comeback in the NRLW, Wakefield Trinity captured their first Grand Final trophy, and Mike Brady almost missed performing the AFL anthem.

Sports · 4 October 2026

Sam Walker’s Instincts Leave Roosters' Defenders in a Dizzy Spin

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Sam Walker’s unpredictable, instinct-driven play turned the Roosters' backline into a circus act, leaving opponents chasing shadows and the coaching staff rewriting the playbook. The chaos resulted in a comfortable vic…

Sports · 4 October 2026

Knights’ Premiership Charge Overshadows 1997, but Pundit Declines to Rally the Troops

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The Newcastle Knights are on a premiership charge that feels larger than the club’s 1997 title-winning campaign. A long-time footy pundit has publicly announced he will not be delivering a grand-final speech, citing th…

Sports · 4 October 2026

Les Kiss's Six-Word Mantra Slams Wallabies Into Backyard Glory

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Coach Les Kiss deploys a terse six-word chant to transform the Wallabies' demeanor, turning a tense match into a chaotic, backyard-style victory that leaves opponents baffled and fans meme-ing the phrase.