Melbourne desk

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

Sports · 4 days ago

Retiring Swans stalwart Dane Rampe urges teammates to keep confronting Pullman scandal truths

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Dane Rampe announces his retirement and uses his farewell to remind the Sydney Swans to continue probing the uncomfortable truths revealed by the Pullman Hotel scandal.

Sports · 5 days ago

Inglis and Carey’s 145‑run stand lifts Australia to 330‑4, a one‑run edge over South Africa at Newlands

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Marnus Inglis (85*) and Travis Carey (51*) added an unbeaten 145‑run partnership for the sixth wicket, taking Australia to 330‑4 and a one‑run lead over the Proteas as day three begins at Newlands.

Sports · 5 days ago

Sydney Gets Marquee Billing as AFL 2027 Fixture Promises Spicy Reunions

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The AFL’s 2027 schedule gives Sydney marquee status and lines up a series of high‑profile reunions with former clubs. The league markets the match‑ups as “spicy reunions”, promising a blend of nostalgia and riv…

Sports · 5 days ago

Saint George Scratched from Melbourne Cup After Scan Failure

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Saint George, the Caulfield Cup runner‑up who dazzled in the Cox Plate, was withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup after a mandatory pre‑race scan failed.

Sports · 6 days ago

Robbie Williams Rocks Melbourne Cup as VRC Turns Flemington into Pop Festival

Nell Hartley, Melbourne desk

VRC chief Kylie Rogers has turned the Melbourne Cup into a pop‑festival, luring Robbie Williams to perform on the Flemington track and continuing a strategy that previously saw DJ Fisher and Calvin Harris on the sa…

Sports · 6 days ago

James Hird swaps coaching hopes for AI firm role

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

James Hird, passed over for the Essendon senior coaching job, will head the sports division of a $220 million AI company backed by former Essendon chairman Paul Little, marking a shift from footy tactics to data‑dr…

Sports · 6 days ago

Collingwood’s late‑night coach call throws AFLW programme into limbo

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Collingwood phoned former premiership coach Craig Starcevich to gauge his interest in a return, prompting the club to review its AFLW programme.

Sports · 6 days ago

Mao‑Meme Mayhem: Mbappé’s Apology Kicks Off Chinese Backlash

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé apologised for a viral meme comparing him to Mao Zedong, prompting a backlash in China that cost him promotional deals.

Politics · 28 October 2026

Bluey cartoon sparks parliamentary squabble as ABC urges One Nation to yank the violent sketch; AFP warns hate may step off screen

Mabel Crowe, Sydney desk

The ABC has asked One Nation to remove a cartoon that pits the beloved Bluey against former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, while the AFP cautions that online vitriol may soon leave the internet. The clash has turned a…