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The best footy writers bring you all the stories behind the game.
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News, results and analysis of the weekend’s big games.
Victoria’s push for Chinese students puts state on a collision course with Canberra
Premier Jacinta Allan has declared boosting international education the top priority of her China strategy unveiled on a trip to Beijing.
‘Like a Mad Max movie’: How hot it will really get in ‘unliveable Australia’
The National Climate Risk Assessment 2025 predicts catastrophic outcomes for Australia if global temperatures continue to rise.
Hastie threatens to quit frontbench, issues net zero ultimatum to Ley
Andrew Hastie’s opposition to net zero emissions is well known, but his provocative comments about quitting the frontbench are a fresh test of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s authority.
Opinion
Life in the ’burbs
My suburb has a rat problem, but at least the Aperols and sandwiches are cheap
Friends asked why I’d chosen my suburb over cooler ones like Fitzroy, Collingwood, or Brunswick to start my new single life. Until I introduced them to “Tom”.
Nina Culley
Writer
Opinion
Violence
The dangerous logic behind the killing of Charlie Kirk
Political extremism isn’t caused by other people saying things you don’t like. It’s caused by those people having no constructive way to air their frustrations.
Josh Szeps
Journalist and podcaster
Opinion
Food
What do the locals eat in Puglia? Look away if you’re vegetarian
Before moving to Italy, I ate to live. After moving to Italy, I live to eat.
Chris Harrison
SMH content director
Jane wanted to die on her own terms. But this is what prevented her
Terminally ill people living in rural and regional Victoria are dying before they can be approved for the medication they need to end their lives, families say.
Updated
Climate crisis
Catastrophic forecast pushes case for Australia to spend big and cut hard on emissions
Heat deaths will nearly triple in Melbourne at 3 degrees of global warming.
Analysis
Climate crisis
Horrifying report paints grim picture of Australia’s future
The Albanese government’s Climate Risk Assessment report makes for horrifying reading – and makes clear the very real implications of inaction.
‘Get that cup for him’: Hawks ready to do it for ‘Punky’
Nick Watson has opened up on mentor Luke Breust’s career-ending injury, and what he may have in store for Bailey Smith in Friday’s preliminary final against Geelong.
The player exodus fears driving talks about selling the Big Bash
Australian cricket risks losing its own top players and missing out on the best players from India unless it opens up the Big Bash League to private investment, Cricket Australia has declared.
Updated
Lleyton Hewitt
Hewitt says video of incident with anti-doping official was ‘manipulated’
Lleyton Hewitt has alleged that “manipulated” video evidence was used to depict an incident where he shoved a doping official.
Strong winds spark blackouts, close train lines and damage properties
Winds peaking at over 100km/h have left thousands without power, forced the closure of some of Melbourne’s busiest train lines and downed trees.
‘Safe to visit’: Businesses hit by hunt for alleged police killer urge tourists to return
Businesses hard hit by the ongoing search for Dezi Freeman have welcomed a $2.5 million rescue package for the region.
The best dressed celebrities on the Emmys red carpet
Strategically placed gemstones, statuesque silhouettes and fairy floss-style trains made for red-carpet-ready looks with a nod to old Hollywood glamour.
Opinion
Education
Don’t tell children they’re ‘gifted’. Call them this instead
Telling children they’re “gifted and talented” sets them up for a lifetime of disappointment. There’s a better way.
Eleanor Kirk
Writer
The young Victorian stars appearing in MJ the Musical
Daniel Makunike and Zavier Pillay play brothers in the jukebox musical about the King of Pop.
shorts
Victoria
St Kilda outraged after charity reveals plan to sell 50-year-old institution
Labor MP Josh Burns said it was a “shameful betrayal” for St Kilda PCYC to close its Inkerman Street facility.
Woman admits throwing newborn baby out a window
A 26-year-old has pleaded guilty to reckless conduct endangering life after she put the baby in a bag and threw the child out a window.
Exclusive
Crime
The state opposition said each machete collection bin cost $300k. They were well off
The state government’s machete amnesty needed bins for disposal of the weapons. Those bins caught the unlikely attention of social media users.
He took his kids to circus class. Now he holds a world record
What do you do after rolling a plane 987 times? For this Melbourne father, you join the circus.
Chadstone is already groaning at the seams. Soon, 2500 more workers will move in
It’s only accessible by car or bus, but Chadstone’s visitor numbers are up by almost a third and the shopping centre’s buildings are heading ever skyward.
AFL FINALS
AFL Briefing
State of Origin to return, but one footy state has been snubbed
AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon confirmed Western Australia would play Victoria in the first State of Origin game since 1999.
Four Points
How Zach Merrett and Essendon can salvage their relationship
There was a different path for Zach Merrett to take, although it would have taken patience.
Politics
Kim Beazley defends controversial decision to deny Chris Masters a literary prize
The Australian War Memorial Council chair insisted the decision had nothing to do with the fact Masters’ book was about war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith.
Business
The secret loan to secure Rupert Murdoch’s succession
The succession battle may have been resolved but the exact details of the complex arrangement that made it happen remain murky.
World
‘I’d like to do it for the kids’: How TikTok could bring Trump and Xi together
The latest round of trade negotiations could pave the way for a leadership summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month.
Opinion
Trump’s ill-advised assault has reached boiling point
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
The smartphone feature that no one asked for
Tim Biggs
Consumer Technology Writer
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Property
Yarraville vendors gain double payday as underbidder buys the new home next door
A young family paid $1.46 million for a brand-new townhouse under the hammer. Then the underbidder inspected the house next door.
Lauren tried to get her bathroom fixed. Then she got told to leave
A Melbourne renter says she was left without a safe bathroom, and told by her property manager to use public facilities like pools and the library instead.
Good Food
Lifestyle
What Denmark’s diet experiment and a deadly eye disease teach us about our vitamin obsession
The claims vary from promises of longevity and improved vitality to treating everything from menopausal symptoms and sleep issues. But do you know what you’re swallowing?
Culture
Easter eggs, snubs and ‘free Palestine’: What you missed at the Emmys
Couldn’t watch the awards today? Here are all the highs, lows, and whoa!
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Updated
Lleyton Hewitt
Hewitt says video of incident with anti-doping official was ‘manipulated’
Australia’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt has alleged that “manipulated” video evidence was used to depict an incident where he shoved a doping official during last year’s semi-finals.
‘Left behind’: The player exodus fears driving talks about selling the Big Bash
Australian cricket risks losing its own top players and also missing out on the best players from India unless it opens up the Big Bash League to private investment, Cricket Australia has declared.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2025
AFL announces return of State of Origin, but one footy state has been snubbed
Collingwood are unlikely to risk Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill in Saturday’s epic preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions.
Scoop in September
AFL 2025
Scoop in September LIVE: Why Hawthorn’s president brought a slab of VB to dinner with the PM
Follow Scoop in September for news, fresh views and whispers during footy finals.
British broadsheets, German TV, French radio: He’s just a teen, but Gout is taking the world by storm in Tokyo
Gout Gout wants to break 20 seconds in Tokyo and make it out of the heats at his first world championships. Meanwhile, his fame keeps growing.
The Carlton player whose 12-hour shifts as a psychiatric nurse are helping her thrive in AFLW
Welcome to our weekly AFLW blog for round five. Throughout the season, follow along for updates from every game, as well as news and analysis across the round.
‘Get that cup for him’: Hawks ready to do it for ‘Punky’
Nick Watson, Hawthorn’s wizard, has opened up on mentor Luke Breust’s career-ending injury, and what he may have in store for Bailey Smith in Friday night’s preliminary final against Geelong.
Have Your Say
How Zach Merrett and Essendon can salvage their relationship
There was a different path for Zach Merrett to take, although it would have taken patience.
