Sports

Sports · 23 September 2026

Hawthorn Hurlers, Hawker of the Field: Umpires Fear for Their Post‑Match Survival

Glenys Pike, Melbourne desk

After a bruising AFL showdown, umpire Hayden Meyer reports being harassed by Hawthorn players, sparking a debate over the safety of the sport’s adjudicators.

Sports · 23 September 2026

Dylan Lucas: From Dragon‑Unwanted to NRL Unicorn, Back‑From‑The‑Dead Startup Pitch

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

After a career‑end‑scary stint with the Dragons, Dylan Lucas turned to the Knights, where late‑coach Scott Dureau gave him the launchpad he needed. The former ‘unwanted’ player now stands as a shining example o…

Sports · 23 September 2026

Mary Fowler’s Goal‑Scoring Gala: Wallaroos Rally to Celebrate City’s New Kick‑star

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After scoring in Manchester City’s season opener, Mary Fowler was met on the pitch by a wave of Wallaroos players, turning a football match into a cross‑code fiesta. The unexpected show of camaraderie left fans baffl…

Sports · 23 September 2026

Daicos' Tribute to 'Best Friend' Logan Leaves Crowd in Awe, Council Still Baffled

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After a thunderous applause at the Brownlow, Nick Daicos paid a moving tribute to his friend Logan, prompting an emotional chat with Logan and his dad Shane on Today. The moment was so heart‑warming that even the local…

Sports · 23 September 2026

Wallabies Coach Kiss Takes a Wild Gambit: Suaalii Swaps Midfield for Wing

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

Coach Les Kiss has shifted star Joseph‑Aukuso Suaalii to the wing, betting that a change of scenery will spark a new offensive spark for the Wallabies.

Sports · 23 September 2026

Rohan Browning Retires, Leaving Track for Trams: Sprinting’s Final Lap in the City’s Transit System

Lotte Nguyen, Melbourne desk

Rohan Browning, the sprinter who once sprinted past the pandemic’s empty stadiums, has officially retired, promising that his next sprint will be through Melbourne’s tram lanes rather than the track.

Sports · 23 September 2026

Lachie Neale’s One‑Match Ban: Brisbane Lions’ Grand Final Gamble in a Weather of Uncertainty

Glenys Pike, Melbourne desk

The AFL tribunal upheld Lachie Neale’s one‑match suspension, leaving the Brisbane Lions to weigh an appeal before Saturday’s grand final while Melbourne’s commuters wonder if the weather will be as indecisive as…

Sports · 23 September 2026

Grand Final Gutted: Tones and I Decline to Play, NRL Swaps Pre‑Match Anthems for Silent Ball

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

In a surprising turn of events, the NRL has abandoned its long‑standing pre‑match entertainment tradition after Tones and I declined an offer to perform, citing overseas commitments. The decision leaves fans wonderin…

Sports · 23 September 2026

Five Swans Return to SCG: A Spectacular Comeback or Just a Wet Weather Rally?

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

After a month of standing down, the five Swans players have stepped onto the SCG turf, sparking a mix of cheers, squints, and a sudden rain shower that felt more like a council‑issued water‑bounty than a natural down…