Sydney desk

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

Sports · 10 October 2026

Old NSL Giant South Melbourne Meets A‑League Titan Melbourne Victory in Historic Australia Cup Final

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

South Melbourne, a former NSL heavyweight, will take on A‑League side Melbourne Victory in a historic Australia Cup final at a packed AAMI Park, pitting old‑school pedigree against modern might.

World · 10 October 2026

Surf’s Up, Justice’s Down: Three Men Convicted After ‘Wave of Wrongdoing’ in Mexico

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Three men were found guilty of murdering Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad during a surf trip in Mexico, after an apparent robbery went tragically wrong.

Politics · 10 October 2026

Taylor’s CPAC Debut Turns Into Hanson‑Style Tears‑Fest

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Angus Taylor, billed as CPAC’s keynote speaker, was compared to a Pauline Hanson opening act, prompting Hanson’s fans to weep – a stark contrast to his usual reception.

Sports · 10 October 2026

Mott's bold move lands Attrition a rich breakthrough win in Sydney

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After missing a ride in the Caulfield Guineas, Jamie Mott travelled to Sydney, took the mount on Attrition and secured a rich breakthrough win.

Politics · 10 October 2026

Melon‑Mishap: Albanese Hurls a Juicy Joke, Then Ploughs Ahead on Social Media

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s melon‑themed joke on a podcast missed the mark, prompting a quick pivot to a new social‑media push aimed at reaching voters in a fragmented media landscape.

Sports · 10 October 2026

Verstappen Snags Neon Pole While Piastri Sips Coffee on the Second Row

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Max Verstappen took pole for the Singapore sprint qualifying, beating George Russell, while Australian Oscar Piastri qualified fourth, earning a spot on the second row.

World · 10 October 2026

Panama’s Shaky Show: Two Tremendous Quakes and an Uninvited Colombian Audience

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Panama was hit by two powerful earthquakes followed by numerous aftershocks, with the first tremor felt as far away as neighboring Colombia.

Finance · 10 October 2026

Firmus’ IPO Deflates in Five Days, Investors Left Clutching Empty Balloons

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Datacentre firm Firmus listed on the ASX with great fanfare, only to see its share price tumble within five days, leaving investors scrambling to limit losses.

Finance · 10 October 2026

Firmus IPO: The Titanic of Tech Sinks Beneath Its Own Debt

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The biggest IPO in three decades, Firmus, sank as investors fretted over its heavy debt load and overly ambitious expansion plans.