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Old rivals unite as uprooted teams prepare for battle like it’s 1899
As Sydney and the Brisbane Lions face off in the grand final, South Melbourne and Fitzroy will be out there with them, too.
‘They come at you in waves’: The tactical moves that will decide the grand final
This former AFL coach knows how to beat the Brisbane Lions. He talks us through the key battles.
What makes big Joe Daniher tick? The real life of footy’s biggest character
Joe Daniher is a brilliant footballer who thrills crowds in big games and then retreats to a quiet life as a father-of-two in a sleepy beachside hamlet.
Updated
Vale
British actor Dame Maggie Smith has died aged 89
British actor Maggie Smith, who won an Oscar for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” in 1969 and won new fans in “Downton Abbey,” has died, her family said on Friday. She was 89.
ABC journalists face criminal probe in Russia over ‘illegal’ border crossing
The ABC’s Europe correspondent and a camera operator are the subject of a criminal investigation by Russia’s Federal Security Service.
John Pesutto’s unwinnable position: Save himself, or save his job
The Liberal leader is battling two realities – a father of three fighting a costly defamation suit versus the senior politician trying to hang on to his job. It’s possible even if he wins, he loses.
Tony Wright’s Column
AFL grand final
My family felt a bit like royalty at the footy
A couple of weeks ago, I drove past a country footy ground on a Saturday afternoon. And there sat my childhood.
I fell in love on grand final day, but not with football
It’s always a massive occasion for our city and for The Age, but grand final day is special to me for another reason.
Melbourne Storm march to another grand final after thrashing Roosters
The Storm are through to another grand final following a 48-18 win over the Roosters – but they risk losing Nelson Asofa-Solomona to suspension for a high shot.
Analysis
Nuclear energy
‘Cheaper with nuclear’: What will Dutton’s nuclear plan really cost
The opposition says it will release the costings of its nuclear policy on its own timeline, but its ambitious claims have raised fresh doubts.
‘Not unusual’ for a treasurer to model negative gearing, says Chalmers
The treasurer has defended the use of federal officials to explore changes to negative gearing after days of dispute over the housing crisis.
Podcast
The Morning Edition podcast
‘He’s being a bit cute’: Why the PM needs to pick a fight, and pick it soon
Federal politics got a little bit interesting this week. James Massola and David Crowe unpack the negative gearing debate – and how Labor is positing ahead of the next election.
Beyond Paris and Tokyo: The world’s 12 most underrated capital cities
They may not be the big, well-known places, but look beyond the obvious and you’ll find some of the world’s less-lauded and yet most interesting capitals.
Tripologist: Where should we go to sample Italy’s best country dining?
According to the food experts, Italy’s gastronomic capitals are all in the north. However, I’m batting for Puglia in the south.
AFL FINALS 2024
Dual premiership coach, or four-time loser? Longmire’s legacy should not be defined by flags alone
Swans coach John Longmire shouldn’t need a second grand final win to frank his reputation as one of the AFL’s all-time greats. But that’s just the way it is.
The time capsule fuelling the Lions’ bid to avoid grand final heartbreak
Coach Chris Fagan had his players pen their memories after last year’s losing grand final, hoping to revisit them if they again reached football’s grandest stage.
Victoria
Justice for Oscar: Teens mourning slain friend plead for end to knife violence
A family representative urged Oscar Hamilton’s friends to stay safe as they gathered to remember the teen who was stabbed to death at a Melton West shopping centre.
Updated
Metro Tunnel
Fresh blowout takes Metro Tunnel price tag past $15b
The rail project will set taxpayers back an extra $837 million, the state government revealed on the eve of the grand final public holiday.
Mongols bikie’s dash with $10,000 cash after encrypted app arrest
Accused drug importer Emmanuel Kappos was arrested at Melbourne Airport bound for North Cyprus after a federal police crackdown on the encrypted Ghost app.
Updated
International affairs
‘Real risk of torture’ for Melbourne woman arrested in Turkey: Moore-Gilbert
Former political prisoner Kylie Moore-Gilbert says “there is a crucial window of time” in which the foreign minister can assist detained Melbourne woman Cigdem Aslan.
What a ride: Family celebrates 100 years at the Melbourne Royal Show
When Marjorie Chant was a girl, she had the run of Melbourne’s Royal Show, while her parents manned a stall. Now she’s doing the work, and it’s her great-granddaughters’ turn to have some fun.
WEEKEND READS
Explainer
‘It’s mayhem’: Can all-out war in Lebanon be prevented?
Why has the war in the Middle East suddenly escalated? How bad is it looking? And what do Iran and the US want to happen?
The transcendent play that cuts to the heart of what it means to be human
In its exploration of two different relationships, the Pulitzer-winning play Cost of Living is truly great theatre.
Politics
Exclusive
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
ASIO called Raneem’s uncle a threat. The family’s fighting to find out why
The first person from Gaza to challenge his cancelled Australian visa has been refused information about why he was knocked back.
Business
Australia running risk of gas crunch next winter: ACCC
Homes and business in eastern Australia are running short of gas amid new warnings that supplies are tightening ahead of next winter.
World
Breaking
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli airstrikes rock Beirut, target Hezbollah command
The Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Friday in an attack that shook the Lebanese capital and sent thick clouds of smoke over the city.
Opinion
‘I’m your protector’: Trump’s vow to women is an appeal to fragile men
Nia-Malika Henderson
Explore
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Property
The type of homeowner most likely to fall behind on their mortgage
Interest rates are putting pressure on home borrowers, but some are feeling the pinch more deeply and have fewer options to manage.
Melbourne’s house price record could be broken with first $100m sale
The Myer family’s historic Toorak home, Cranlana, is about to come to the market – a once-in-a-generation opportunity for buyers with deep pockets.
Good Food
Recipe collection
Footy food
40 of the best snacks to eat in front of the big match
Lifestyle
Freaky sneaks: The mutt shoe beloved by Beyoncé and JLo making a comeback
Sneaker heels were everywhere in the 2010s. But the divisive shoe hybrid has a long history, from post-war athletic wear to hip hop.
Culture
Mormon Wives: How a TikTok scandal became a record-breaking reality show
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives isn’t just TikTok drama on a slightly bigger screen. It’s an exploration of a religion evolving in real time.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
‘They come at you in waves’: The tactical moves that will decide the grand final
This former AFL coach knows how to beat the Brisbane Lions. He talks us through the key battles.
Storm march to another grand final, but sweat on Nelson Asofa-Solomona
The Storm are through to another grand final following a 48-18 win over the Roosters – but they risk losing Nelson Asofa-Solomona to suspension for a high shot.
What makes big Joe Daniher tick? The real life of football’s biggest character
Joe Daniher is a brilliant footballer who thrills crowds in big games and then retreats to a quiet life as a father-of-two in a sleepy beachside hamlet.
‘The first time I’d seen tatts’: Swans and Royboys of old return to fly the flag
As Sydney and the Brisbane Lions face off in the grand final, South Melbourne and Fitzroy will be out there with them, too.
Updated
Horse racing
Melbourne Racing Cub postpones chairman vote
Caulfield rebel John Kanga will have to wait until Tuesday to find out if he has the votes to become the Melbourne Racing Club’s new chairman.
NRL finals as it happened: Melbourne through to NRL grand final after thrashing the Roosters 48-18
The Storm bounced back after enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona was sin-binned in the opening 18 seconds of Friday’s elimination final to qualify for their first NRL grand final since 2020.
‘Wild and wonderful’: Red Bull sack Australian F1 driver Ricciardo
The eight-time F1 race winner has been let go after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Have Your Say
Gambling, the Brownlow and Hinkley’s outburst: League chief on the AFL’s biggest talking points
From the pre-finals bye, to Gather Round, to mid-season trading – in a wide-ranging, frank interview, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon discusses the biggest issues currently facing the league.
