Melbourne desk

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

Sports · 28 September 2026

Goodman’s Gold: Sam Wins IBF Interim Title in Tokyo, Kicking Off a New ‘Kangaroo‑Kicking’ Era

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Australian featherweight Sam Goodman captured the IBF interim super‑bantamweight title in a one‑night knockout that left the Tokyo crowd roaring and the judges in a state of shock. The fight, billed as a “kangaroo�…

Sports · 28 September 2026

Wallabies Edge Springboks 42‑38 in Perth Test After 11‑man Collapse

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

In a Perth Test that read like a rugby version of a last‑minute footy comeback, the Wallabies outscored the world‑champion Springboks 42‑38 after a frantic flurry of tries and a final‑minute 11‑man collapse.

Environment · 28 September 2026

Storm, Stake and a Shock: Two Billionaires’ Bet Powers Aussie Energy Revolution

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

When a ferocious South Australian storm rattled the nation, two billionaires turned a casual online wager into a global grid revolution, leaving the world’s power grids in a new, electrified state of mind.

Environment · 27 September 2026

The Great Bet: How Dodging a Storm in the Outback Broke the Grid, Fixed It, and Made Two Very Rich Men Look Smarter Than Us

Priya Nair, Sydney desk

A decade of grid instability in South Australia, triggered by a massive storm, led to an informal wager between two wealthy individuals that inadvertently accelerated the adoption of battery storage, fundamentally changi…

Sports · 27 September 2026

Walker’s Worth Soars Past the NRL Ceiling as Roosters Roar Toward Premiership

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After a scintillating comeback, Sam Walker’s market value is set to climb alongside the Roosters’ hopes for a premiership. The article pokes fun at the frenzy of player valuations and the inevitable hype that follows…

Sports · 27 September 2026

Mulitalo Unmasks the ‘Samoan Storm’: Winger Brings the Weather to the Pitch

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Ronaldo Mulitalo opens up about the annual barrage of abuse he endures from Samoan supporters, turning a heated rant into a footy‑style weather report that has even the Melbourne council taking note.

Sports · 27 September 2026

Boks Bench: A Bomb Squad or a Bluster? Wallabies Face the Depths of South Africa

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

In Sunday's Test, the South African rugby side's bench depth is under scrutiny. While the Boks' replacements are touted as a potential bomb squad, the Wallabies will need to be at their best to counter the depth advantag…

Sports · 27 September 2026

Lions Coach Fagan Takes a Shoulder‑High Dive into the Flag‑Frenzy

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After clinching their third straight flag, the Brisbane Lions’ legendary coach, Chris Fagan, was literally launched onto the shoulders of co‑captain Harris Andrews in a celebratory spectacle that had the crowd roarin…

Sports · 27 September 2026

England's Penalty Puncture Leaves Spain in the Lead – A Nations League Classic

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

England’s Harry Kane missed a decisive penalty, leading to a defeat against Spain in the Nations League, with Spain claiming the win in a match that felt like a footy final.