Melbourne desk

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

Sports · 21 September 2026

Hewitt’s Blowing the Whistle: Australia’s Davis Cup Bid in Brisbane Is a Test of Resilience

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Lleyton Hewitt’s blunt assessment of Australian tennis has the nation staring at a Davis Cup tie in Brisbane that feels more like a ruck‑up than a grand slam showdown.

Sports · 21 September 2026

Lachie Neale's Brain Explosion Leaves Grand Final on the Line

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Brisbane Lions forward Lachie Neale faces a possible ban after a hard‑hitting punch on Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan, risking a loss of his grand final debut. The decision looms just as the Lions look to lift the trophy.

Sports · 21 September 2026

Gold Coast’s Youthful Storm Drenches Bombers at Windy Hill, Demons Take the Lead

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

In a match that felt more like a school‑yard brawl than a professional showdown, the Gold Coast Suns’ youngsters thumped the Essendon Bombers by 41 points at Windy Hill, while the Collingwood Demons seized the top sp…

Sports · 21 September 2026

Preliminary Final: The Hardest Match of the Season, Not the Grand Final

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

In the high‑stakes world of the NRL, the preliminary final is the true test of nerves – one misstep could cost a team the chance at a premiership, leaving fans and players alike in a state of hyper‑awareness.

Sports · 21 September 2026

Daicos Dominates: Brownlow Ballad Ends Before the Crowd Arrives

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Nick Daicos is poised to clinch the Brownlow Medal ahead of the final round, leaving tipsters scrambling for the next big surprise. In a season that has felt like a footy‑themed sitcom, the star's early victory may hav…

Sports · 20 September 2026

Neale's Knockout: One-Match Ban Sends Lions' Midfield into a Puddle

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Lachie Neale is banned for one match after a gut‑punch in the preliminary final, leaving the Lions’ midfield in limbo as they prepare for the grand final.

Sports · 20 September 2026

Umpire, Umpire, Who's Got the Call? Ray Chamberlain's Third Grand Finale Sparks Pre-Game Debate

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

With three contentious free kicks and a single wild minute, Ray Chamberlain's third grand‑final stint has the Melbourne crowd buzzing, the council debating a rain‑delay, and the footy world wondering who really calls…

Sports · 20 September 2026

Lions Leap to the Skies: Airlines Add Thousands of Seats for AFL Grand Final After Victory

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Brisbane’s Lions win has airlines scrambling to add seats, turning the flight‑booking front line into a footy ruck that could use a better coach.

World · 20 September 2026

Melbourne's Tribute to John Farnham Caught in Health Crunch

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

Legendary singer John Farnham pulls out of a much‑anticipated Melbourne tribute, leaving the city’s music scene and a fledgling health‑tech startup scrambling to pivot.