Sydney desk

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

Entertainment · 24 September 2026

Rolf De Heer Steers Tokyo Jury, Aussie Waves Hit the Competition

Doug Kettle, Sydney desk

Australian filmmaker Rolf De Heer has been appointed president of the International Competition jury at Tokyo International Film Festival, bringing his Tasmanian flair and the film The Survival Of Kindness to the spotlig…

Sports · 24 September 2026

Rabbitohs' $300k Offer to Walker Sparks League-Wide Head‑Scratching

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

South Sydney Rabbitohs have offered Cody Walker a modest $300,000 a year contract for 2027, a deal that has left many in the rugby league community scratching their heads, questioning whether the club is playing in a dif…

Sports · 24 September 2026

Local Legend Issues Comprehensive Briefing on the Existential Weight of Post-Season Football

Lina Okoro, World desk

Newcastle Knights fans, recently elevated to the psychological purgatory of the NRL preliminary finals, have been subjected to an educational session by local icon Andrew Johns regarding the true nature of the achievemen…

Sports · 24 September 2026

Racing NSW’s Big Break: V'landys Bows Out, Waller Calls the Shots

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Peter V'landys steps down as Racing NSW boss, and Sydney’s star trainer Chris Waller responds with a mix of bemusement and a touch of footy flair.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Waller's Shock at V'landys' Exit Sends Racing NSW Into a Turnover Spiral

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

When Peter V'landys stepped down as Racing NSW boss, leading trainer Chris Waller made a public reaction that left the racing community wondering if the boardroom was as chaotic as the track.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Cleary and Walker Duel in the Mind: NRL Grand Final Qualifier Turns into Mental Marathon

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

In a grand final qualifier shrouded in injury clouds, NRL's top No.7s Cleary and Walker face off in a mental showdown that could see the Panthers champion stumble.

Sports · 24 September 2026

McKenna’s Magic: Brisbane’s Unpredictable Wizard to Light Up Grand Final

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Brisbane Lions forward Conor McKenna has already wowed with two season‑long freak goals, and fans are hoping his spell‑binding performances will carry the club into a triumphant grand final finish.

Sports · 24 September 2026

Dockers’ ‘Wharfie Time’ Gambit: A Grand Final Showdown on the Wharves

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

The Fremantle Dockers have been cleared to deploy their trademark ‘Wharfie Time’ tactic at the 2026 AFL Grand Final, sparking a flood of memes and speculation about whether a dockyard drill could decide the champions…

Environment · 24 September 2026

Albanese and Trump Trade Blows Over Digital Duty of Care Laws, Media Credentials Vanish

Clyde Rook, Washington desk

Australia’s new digital duty of care laws hit a snag at the White House, as Albanese rebuffs Trump’s censorship jab while the former president removes press credentials and sues media outlets.