Michael Lynch, The Age's expert on soccer, has had extensive experience of high level journalism in the UK and Australia. Michael has covered the Socceroos through Asia, Europe and South America in their past three World Cup campaigns. He has also reported on Grands Prix and top class motor sport from Asia and Europe. He has won several national media awards for both sports and industry journalism.
On paper it looked like a regulation assignment, and that's how it turned out as Melbourne Victory eased to a 4-1 win over Central Coast Mariners to end round 12, setting themselves up perfectly for a New Year's clash with Newcastle Jets in Geelong.
Melbourne Victory ran rampant against the hapless Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Wednesday night, as Kevin Muscat's side scored four goals to move to a clear second on the A-League ladder.
Rumours of her imminent retirement scotched by history-making jockey as she details big plans for herself and the industry.
Was this the greatest game in A-League history? With six goals, three penalties (two saved), red cards, frantic action and refereeing controversies, it has to be up there.
City's air of W-League invincibility has well and truly disappeared after the champions crashed to their third straight loss, going down 3-2 at home to Perth Glory on Tuesday evening.
What a Christmas cracker of a match this was - a game that began at a furious speed and only picked up the pace from that point onwards before ending in high drama and controversy with Melbourne City missing a second penalty in stoppage time, and with it the chance to snare a last-gasp winner.
The harsh Australian sun presents a challenge to all – but professional sports players, whose workplace is often in the open air, are more vulnerable than most to the dangers that exposure to sunlight can present.
There's nothing better than a cunning plan bearing fruit - especially when its executed through a rarely utilised loophole.
Its been an extraordinary year for Michelle Payne, the history-making rider who became the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in November 2015.
She's got giant shoes to fill, but the stage is set for Black Caviar's first foal, Oscietra, to follow in her mother's footsteps at Flemington on Sunday.
Search pagination
Save articles for later.
Subscribe for unlimited access to news. Login to save articles.
Return to the homepage by clicking on the site logo.