Melbourne desk

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

Sports · 25 September 2026

Wildcats’ Last‑Second Flick Sends 36ers into the Dark

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

In a thriller that felt like a footy grand final, Wildcats snatched a 98‑97 victory over the 36ers with a last‑second three‑pointer from Elijah Pepper, leaving the opposition in a state of disbelief.

Sports · 25 September 2026

Moose on the Field: Alex Pearce’s Home Town Turns Purple as He Scores an Emotional Victory

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Alex Pearce’s hometown throws a purple‑beer party to celebrate a thrilling win, but a probing question about his teenage “bag of bones” past brings the star to tears on the field.

Sports · 25 September 2026

Lions Coach Fagan Pondering Retirement After Grand Final

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After the Lions’ triumph in the grand final, coach Chris Fagan admits he may not return next season, leaving fans to wonder if the next chapter will be on the sidelines or a quiet life away from the roar of the crowd.

Sports · 25 September 2026

Hore’s Hundredth: Dees Dominate North, While IKON Park Turns Into a Weather‑Bowl

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

In a double‑header showdown at IKON Park, the Melbourne Demons celebrated Kate Hore’s 100th AFLW game by outgunning the angry North Melbourne side, while a sudden council‑ordered rain‑delay turned the venue into…

Sports · 25 September 2026

Lions Skipper Fires a Six‑Metre Dive Over Neale Hearing Verdict

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After the appeal board upheld the ruling against teammate Lachie Neale, Lions skipper Harris Andrews launched a blistering commentary that could make a referee’s whistle jealous.

Sports · 25 September 2026

Appeal Board Surrenders: Neale’s Verdict Hits Home, Brisbane Bounces Back

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The appeal board’s decision on Lachie Neale’s case was a clean win for the player, sending cheers through Brisbane’s stands and a muted sigh from the opposition side.

Sports · 25 September 2026

Neale’s Grand Finale: How a One‑Size‑Fits‑All Review System Made the Right Call

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The league’s match review panel has decided Neale can take the field in the grand final, sparing the crowd a ‘grey‑matter’ dilemma and proving that a rigid grading system can still produce a fair outcome.

Sports · 25 September 2026

Woolf Wields the Final Whistle: 20 Years of Coaching DCE Now Ends in a Bizarre Homecoming

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After a 20‑year coaching stint that saw him mentor DCE, former Dolphins coach Woolf announces his retirement in a match that feels like a throw‑in from the 90s. The game ends with a bizarre twist that has fans talkin…

Sports · 25 September 2026

Sydney Set to Host AFLW Gather‑Round? Footy Fiasco Unfolds as Four Games, Three Venues, One Eyesore

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Sydney's bid to stage an AFLW Gather‑Round has taken a tumble, as organisers line up four matches at three different venues, one of which has been dubbed an eyesore by locals.