Melbourne desk

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

Sports · 24 September 2026

Peter V'landys Takes the Helm: NRL's New Executive Chairman Strikes a Grand Final

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Peter V'landys, former racing administrator, has been appointed the NRL's executive chairman, earning the title of the most powerful figure in the sport's 118-year history.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Neale’s Grand Final Gambit: The Tribunal’s Tackle on the Lion’s Dream

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Lachie Neale’s bid to overturn his one‑match suspension is on the line as the tribunal sits on a Saturday night, while fans wonder whether the Lions’ star can finally play in the grand final.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Freedman Family’s Late‑Bloomer: 7‑Year‑Old Magnatear Storms the Training Pitch

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The Freedman brothers’ 7‑year‑old prodigy, nicknamed Magnatear, has burst into a career‑best run that’s leaving senior coaches baffled, as the family pushes him toward the club’s “rich spring targets.”

Sports · 24 September 2026

Piastri’s Love‑Hate Startup Pitch: From Baku’s Grand Prix to the Tram‑Lane Disruption

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

Oscar Piastri returns to Baku, where he has experienced the full spectrum of racing emotions, and he’s now re‑imagining the circuit as a startup showcase, complete with a tram‑lane twist and a lunch‑time disrupti…

Sports · 24 September 2026

Baxter Duo Hang Up Boots After Decade‑Long Family Footy Legacy

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Corban Baxter and her son, both former league stars, have retired after years of playing side‑by‑side, leaving fans and the club to wonder what the next chapter holds.

Sports · 24 September 2026

CoHealth Kangaroos Prove That Being Disqualified From Normality Is Actually A Team Strategy

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The CoHealth Kangaroos have entered the fray, offering a home for players who find standard AFL uniforms slightly constraining. It is a masterclass in turning exclusion into a competitive advantage, much like a council m…

Sports · 24 September 2026

Rabbitohs Hold Off on Latrell Negotiations Until March: Injury Woes Leave Club in Stalemate

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

South Sydney Rabbitohs are postponing talks with star back-rower Latrell Mitchell until March, giving his serious back injury time to heal before he becomes a free agent on Nov 1.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Lees Seeks Golden Start in Special Group 1 Pursuit

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Kris Lees is hoping his team can deliver a golden opening half to secure a coveted Group 1 win, but doubts linger over whether they can find the rhythm they need.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Four Umpires to Face Grand Final Hysteria: Only Courage, Judgment and Process Will Keep Them In Play

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Four field umpires chosen for Saturday’s AFL Grand Final prepare to endure a barrage of player antics, shouting and thrown objects, relying on their courage, judgment and process to keep the game fair and the crowd in…