Melbourne desk

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

Sports · 25 September 2026

Rally of the Reluctant: NRL’s Brain Trust Confirms Sam Walker Is Mathematically Impossible

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

A collective of elite NRL playmakers, possessing a combined 1,500 appearances and fourteen premiership rings, have convened to admit they cannot see how Sam Walker’s playbook works, likening his ambidextrous unpredicta…

Sports · 24 September 2026

Freo or Lions: The Grand Final’s Last‑Minute Pitch‑Black Decision

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The AFL Grand Final pits Fremantle’s hopefuls against Collingwood’s seasoned Lions in a clash that could see a first‑premiership crown or a historic three‑peat. Norm Smith medallist fans line up for the big momen…

Sports · 24 September 2026

Young's Near-Teary Moment: Dockers’ Rising Star Keeps the Premiership Dream Alive

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The Dockers’ 20‑year‑old forward limped to the sidelines, eyes misting, after a fightback from five‑goal deficit, vowing that the premiership is the only thing left to conquer.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Suaalii Set to Set the Wallabies Wing Ablaze as Springboks Await the Fire

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is slated to take the Wallabies wing, promising a high‑octane clash with the Springboks that could ignite the crowd and the field alike.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Wallabies and Springboks Set to Reignite Old Feud Down Under, Perth to Serve as Battleground

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The Wallabies and Springboks will clash in Perth this Sunday, rekindling a long‑standing rivalry that’s as fiery as the summer sun. Fans can expect a brutal, high‑octane showdown.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Snowden’s Sidelined Speculation: 13‑Metre Rail Slams Beadman’s Caulfield Dream

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Commentator Peter Snowden warns that a 13‑metre rail and a wide draw at Caulfield could doom Beadman’s chances, despite the horse’s recent form.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Waverley Wolves’ Bold Gamble Catapults Katoa into Generational Stardom

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The Wolves’ daring decision to sign Katoa from the dominant Tigers has yielded a breakout star whose rise could have stalled without the bold move into the unknown.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Melbourne Stablehand Bets Entire Career On Two Horses With Unrelated Personalities

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

A Victorian trainer is sending two contrasting horses to Sydney for Group 1 races, claiming both are in prime condition despite one potentially being a shaggy dapper gentleman and the other a chaotic greyhound in a neckt…

Sports · 24 September 2026

Wallabies’ 62‑Year Ellis Park Curse Vanishes as Springboks Drop the Ball

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After a 22‑0 scare, the Australian side turns the tables in Ellis Park, ending a six‑decade curse while the Springboks look on in stunned silence.