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Sydney Swans player Nick Blakey seeks trade amid suspensions and police investigation
Five Sydney Swans players, including Nick Blakey, were suspended for breaching club behavioural standards after the Round 23 game against Essendon in August, separate from an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into sexual assault allegations at the Pullman Hotel. Blakey, a 26-year-old according to THEAGE and SMH, is seeking a trade at the end of the season, with reports suggesting he wants to leave in 2027. His contract runs for five more years and is worth over $1 million annually. Blakey previously considered moving to Gold Coast due to his girlfriend’s relocation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics but ultimately stayed. The AFL trade period runs from October 5 to 14, but police expect no update on their investigation for about eight weeks, potentially complicating any trade negotiations. Teammate James Rowbottom, a 25-year-old midfielder, has supported Blakey as a housemate but has not discussed trade details with him. The suspensions have left a void in the Swans’ midfield, with Rowbottom and others stepping up to fill the gap.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
- Nick Blakey is a 26-year-old suspended Sydney Swans player seeking a trade at the end of the season
- Blakey is one of five Swans players suspended for breaching club behavioural standards after the Round 23 game against Essendon in August
- The suspensions are separate from an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into sexual assault allegations at the Pullman Hotel after the Round 23 game
Today
Alex de Minaur's early US Open exit and Dane Sweeny's upset win
Alex de Minaur suffered a shock second-round exit at the 2026 US Open, losing in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp, marking his earliest defeat in New York in five years. The Australian, who had reached the quarterfinals the past two years, struggled with unforced errors and serve issues, leaving wildcard Dane Sweeny as the sole Australian remaining in the singles draw after his upset victory over Lorenzo Musetti. Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios accepted a one-month suspension for cocaine use, reducing a three-month ban, while de Minaur’s form downturn continued after his Wimbledon loss in July. Sweeny, ranked 123 and standing at 170 centimetres, celebrated his first top-20 win, having returned from a multi-month break two years ago after a form slump.
Suzie Miller's play *Strong is the New Pretty* about AFLW's formation and its 2026 premiere
Suzie Miller’s play *Strong is the New Pretty* dramatizes the seven-year struggle to launch the AFLW, premiering in 2026 during the league’s 11th season. Both the ABC and the Guardian confirm the play’s focus on overcoming sexism and misogyny within the AFL, with the ABC emphasizing the 2017 inaugural season and grand final, while the Guardian highlights a 2015 exhibition match as pivotal. The play fictionalizes real figures like Sam Mostyn and Jan Cooper, blending humor and satire to depict the AFLW’s formation. The ABC notes the play’s ties to Miller’s attendance at the 2017 grand final and under 9s games, while the Guardian links it to recent Sydney Swans scandals and Samantha Lane’s 2018 book. Both sources agree on the play’s 80-minute runtime and its role as a celebratory yet critical reflection on gender equity in sports.
Australian athletes dominate Diamond League final in Brussels with record-breaking performances
Australian athletes delivered standout performances at the Diamond League final in Brussels, with Cameron Myers securing a historic victory in the men’s 1500m in 3:30.14, becoming only the eighth Australian to win the event. Myers outpaced Olympic champions Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Cole Hocker, finishing ahead of Kenya’s Phanuel Koech and Ethan Strand. In pole vault, Kurtis Marschall cleared 5.82m to finish third, while Emmanouil Karalis set a meet record of 6.12m. Lachlan Kennedy ran a 9.99sec 100m, finishing fourth behind world champion Oblique Seville, and Matthew Denny threw 68.04m in the discus. In the women’s 5,000m, Rose Davies, Georgia Griffith, and Linden Hall placed fourth, sixth, and tenth respectively, with Freweyni Hailu winning in 14:35.20. Both sources agree on key results, though ABC provides additional context on Myers’ recent performances, including a 3:28.00 national record in June and a 3:30.96 win in Berlin less than a week prior, while the Guardian focuses on the immediate race dynamics and athlete quotes.
Aryna Sabalenka halts US Open match due to cannabis smell, advances to fourth round
Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round of the US Open in New York after halting her match to complain about a strong cannabis smell on the court. She defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4, citing the distraction as unusually strong during her years competing in New York. Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion and former 2021 men’s singles champion, has held the No 1 ranking for 97 weeks and is aiming for her third consecutive US Open title. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev, both 2021 US Open champions, also reached the fourth round, with Alcaraz returning from a four-and-a-half month injury layoff. The event has seen multiple players advance, including Tommy Paul, Jessica Pegula, and Sorana Cîrstea, with Sabalenka’s focus now shifting to her next match against Taylor Townsend. The cannabis smell incident has become a recurring issue at the tournament, with Sabalenka urging spectators to avoid smoking near the courts.
Queensland farmer Darryl Young convicted of triple murder and attempted murder at Bogie cattle station
Darryl Valroy Young, a 63-year-old Queensland farmer, was convicted of the triple murder of Mervyn Schwarz (71), Maree Schwarz (59), and Graham Tighe (35) on August 4, 2022, at his Shannonvale Station property near Bogie. The victims were lured to the property under the pretense of resolving a dispute over stolen calves, which escalated into a shooting spree. Young, dubbed the 'Beast of Bogie,' was also found guilty of attempting to kill Ross Tighe, Graham’s brother, who survived the attack after being shot in the stomach. The trial, held in Townsville Supreme Court, heard testimony from Ross Tighe, who described witnessing the shootings and fleeing the scene. Young’s defence argued there was no scientific evidence linking him to the crime and suggested Ross Tighe’s credibility was questionable, even proposing he could have been the shooter. The jury deliberated for days before returning a guilty verdict on the murder charges, with a majority finding Young guilty of attempted murder. The case highlights tensions over livestock disputes in rural Queensland and raises questions about the reliability of eyewitness testimony.
Yesterday
Death of former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski at 67 after cancer battle
Former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski died in Brisbane on September 2026 at age 67, months after retiring due to a battle with stage four lung cancer diagnosed in February 2025. A career officer since 1980, Gollschewski served as Queensland’s 21st commissioner from April 2024 until his retirement in early 2026, leaving behind a legacy of leadership during crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, major floods, cyclones, and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Despite a grueling 18-month cancer journey, he returned to work in September 2025 after treatment before stepping down to prioritize health. His family described him as a determined leader who gave his all to policing, family, and hockey, while colleagues and officials praised his strategic vision, integrity, and contributions to community safety. Gollschewski was honored with the Australian Police Medal, the Order of Australia, and the King’s Birthday Honours for his service. His death leaves a void in Queensland’s policing history, with tributes highlighting his role in reforming the service amid challenges like rising demand, workforce instability, and public safety concerns.
Melbourne man jailed for enslaving a vulnerable woman in 2022
Chee Kit Chong, a 47-year-old Malaysian man, was sentenced to six years in prison for enslaving a vulnerable woman in his Melbourne home between January and October 2022. The victim, a woman in her 60s, was subjected to starvation, sleep deprivation, and forced labor, including cleaning, childcare, and providing domestic services without pay. She escaped in October 2022 and later died of natural causes in 2024. Chong’s wife, Angie Liaw, was acquitted of assisting in the crime in May. The case highlights modern slavery in Australia, with authorities emphasizing the need for better awareness and support systems for victims. Chong will serve a non-parole period of four years and is expected to be deported to Malaysia after his sentence, with parole eligibility set for 2030.
Australian Dane Sweeny upsets Lorenzo Musetti at US Open second round
Australian wildcard Dane Sweeny stunned the tennis world by defeating world No.14 Lorenzo Musetti in four sets (3-6 6-1 6-2 6-2) at the US Open second round on Thursday (Friday AEST), marking his first Grand Slam third-round appearance and earning a minimum payday of $US290,000 ($A402,750). Ranked over 100 places below Musetti, Sweeny’s victory—coming two years after his own upset over Novak Djokovic in the same tournament’s third round—catapulted him into a last-32 clash with world No.22 Luciano Daredri on Saturday (AEST) and lifted his rankings to a career-best No.115. Meanwhile, fellow Australians Tristan Schoolkate and Alexei Popyrin fell in four-set defeats to Flavio Cobilli and Alejandro Tabilo, respectively, ending their hopes of joining Sweeny in round three. Schoolkate’s match lasted two hours and 41 minutes, while Popyrin’s loss mirrored his near-replication of a US Open third-round upset over Djokovic. Australia’s sixth seed Alex de Minaur was set to face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp on The Grandstand, adding to the day’s Australian focus at Flushing Meadows.
Australia’s proposed 80% tobacco excise cut and illicit tobacco market debate
Australia’s political debate centers on the Coalition’s proposal to slash tobacco excise by 80% from around $30 to $6 per packet, legalise and tax vapes and nicotine pouches, and invest $200 million in law enforcement to combat the illicit tobacco market. Illicit tobacco now dominates, accounting for 80% of cigarettes smoked in 2025, with untaxed packets costing as little as $10 compared to $40+ for legal ones. Public health experts and Labor warn the excise cut would reverse decades of progress in reducing smoking rates, particularly among young people, while the Coalition argues it would undermine organised crime profits and restore market regulation. The Parliamentary Budget Office estimates the policy could boost revenue by $8 billion over four years, though critics argue it lacks evidence for effectiveness. Meanwhile, the illegal vape market remains rampant, with 96% of products sold being unregulated, and violence linked to the tobacco trade has surged, including firebombings and arson attacks. One Nation’s similar 75% excise cut proposal has further complicated the debate, framing it as a battle between free-market policies and government restrictions.
Two-vehicle crash on Bass Highway in Tasmania with fatalities and serious injuries
A two-vehicle crash on the Bass Highway near the Gannons Hill Road intersection at Elizabeth Town, Tasmania, has left five people seriously injured, with three fatalities confirmed by 7NEWS. The collision involved a white Chery and a white Isuzu D-MAX towing a trailer, blocking traffic in both directions. Emergency services, including a rescue helicopter, responded to the scene, and police advised motorists to avoid the area. The Bass Highway was closed for several hours while investigators examined the crash site, which occurred in the afternoon. While ABC reports five serious injuries, 7NEWS specifies three deaths and two critical cases, highlighting a discrepancy in casualty details.
Russian drone attack on Ukraine's SBU headquarters escalates war
Russian forces launched a drone strike on Ukraine’s SBU intelligence headquarters in central Kyiv on Friday, marking a significant escalation in the four-and-a-half-year war. The attack, which injured at least seven people, targeted the building opposite St. Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and was condemned by Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha as a deliberate escalation. Kyiv has faced relentless drone and missile attacks for over a week, with the SBU strike occurring just two days before a planned visit by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The SBU, responsible for high-impact operations like last year’s Operation Spiderweb, vowed a 'tangible response,' while international partners urged condemnation of Russia’s actions. The strike also raised concerns about Kyiv’s ability to protect critical infrastructure amid Russia’s intensified campaign. Separately, the Guardian reported unrelated developments, including political tensions in Serbia over the funeral of war criminal Ratko Mladić, scheduled for Monday, and far-right gains in Germany’s upcoming election, while also detailing economic shifts like Volkswagen’s planned job cuts.
Forklift fire at Brisbane commercial site injures multiple people
A forklift fire at a commercial site on Anton Rd in Hemmant, Brisbane, injured multiple people and sent five patients to hospital. Both 7NEWS and ABC report the blaze involved shipping containers, with three people suffering smoke inhalation. 7NEWS details two women with severe burns, one in life-threatening condition, while ABC notes one patient with life-threatening burns to the chest, head, and face, and another with serious burns to the arms. The time of the incident differs slightly, with 7NEWS reporting about 10.50am and ABC reporting about 11am. Evacuations included over 100 workers and nearby businesses, according to 7NEWS, while ABC focuses on the ongoing firefighting efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to more containers.
Jarome Luai's PNG trip and Wests Tigers contract transition
Jarome Luai’s recent trip to Papua New Guinea while still contracted to the Wests Tigers has sparked debate. Both sources confirm Luai will play his final game for the Tigers on Sunday, after which he will join the PNG Chiefs in 2028, marking his transition from a four-time premiership winner to the inaugural NRL franchise’s marquee player. The Tigers, now in their 15th consecutive year out of finals and ranked 15th-placed, have faced criticism over Luai’s dual commitments, with ABC noting his promotional role in PNG while still earning a seven-figure salary. SMH details how Luai’s trip followed a 24-10 loss to the Cowboys and included a medical examination for a leg injury, while ABC highlights the financial and promotional aspects of his PNG visit. Contradictions arise over Luai’s immediate future, with SMH suggesting a direct move to the Chiefs in 2028, while ABC states he will first join Parramatta in 2027 on a one-year deal before the Chiefs. Both sources agree Luai’s move has been a distraction for the struggling Tigers, though coach Benji Marshall defends Luai’s actions as his personal time off.
Rohan Dennis seeks new judge after driving while disqualified, linked to wife's 2023 death
Former Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis, 36, has pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified in July 2026 and is seeking a new judge to hear his sentencing after previously receiving a suspended 17-month jail term in 2025. The case stems from the death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins, 32, who was struck by his vehicle on December 30, 2023, near their Medindie home in Adelaide. Dennis was reported driving while disqualified in June 2026 with two children as passengers, leading to his current legal troubles. Both sources confirm his lawyer, Craig Caldicott, is pursuing a recusal of Judge Ian Press, though Caldicott has not disclosed the specific reason. 7NEWS adds that Dennis’s car was impounded for 28 days and that he faces potential jail time for breaching his two-year good behaviour bond, while ABC notes the matter will return to court on the 22nd of September 2026. The case involves complex legal maneuvers, with Dennis’s prior charges of causing death by dangerous driving dropped in favor of a lesser aggravated charge.
Bindi and Robert Irwin honor Steve Irwin 20 years after his death in 2006
Bindi and Robert Irwin honored their father Steve Irwin on the 20th anniversary of his death in 2006, marking two decades since his tragic passing at age 27. Steve, a renowned wildlife conservationist, died on September 4, 2006, after being fatally struck by a stingray barb while filming in the Great Barrier Reef. His legacy lives on through Australia Zoo, which his parents founded in 1970 and which he later expanded. Bindi, who was 8 at the time of his death, and Robert, who was 2, have both followed in their father’s footsteps, continuing his conservation work. Bindi’s tribute highlighted Steve’s impact as a 'superhero' and 'guardian,' while Robert shared childhood photos to reflect on his father’s enduring influence. The family’s efforts, including Wildlife Warriors, ensure Steve’s mission to protect wildlife persists, with his documentaries still inspiring new generations like Bindi’s 5-year-old daughter, Grace.
Political debate over gendered education, teacher treatment, and online radicalization in Australian schools
Australian politicians are clashing over claims that schools push political agendas, particularly targeting boys. Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan accuse teachers of promoting 'anti-boy ideology' through programs like Respectful Relationships, linking them to online radicalization. A Monash University survey of 2,600 teachers found 78 per cent experienced sexism or misogyny, with one in three occasionally considering leaving due to gendered violence. Meanwhile, Health Minister Mark Butler and Education Minister Jason Clare defend respectful relationships education, calling it 'common decency' and blaming Big Tech for toxic online influences. Pauline Hanson’s accusations of teacher 'brainwashing' have fueled tensions, with only one in four teachers being male, raising calls for more male role models. The debate highlights growing polarization over gendered education and teacher treatment.
18-year-old Lucas Herrington's rise in Premier League and World Cup
Lucas Herrington, an 18-year-old Australian defender, has made a meteoric rise in football, signing a five-year deal with Hull City for a reported $33 million transfer fee. Both the Guardian and ABC highlight his rapid ascent, including his Premier League debut against Manchester United and his World Cup appearance at such a young age. Herrington’s calm demeanor and humility are emphasized, with both sources noting his focus on continuous improvement despite his success. His mum is currently with him in Hull, and he plans to return to Brisbane soon. The Guardian details his early career in the NPL and MLS, while ABC focuses on his recent Socceroos debut in March and his upcoming friendlies against Brazil later this month in Townsville and Brisbane. Both articles underscore his role as a role model for young Australian footballers, with Zlatan Ibrahimović’s public support noted by ABC.
Netherlands moves 86 tonnes of gold from US/Canada to London amid geopolitical concerns
The Dutch central bank (DNB) relocated 86 tonnes of gold from the US and Canada to London between March and August 2026, citing geopolitical unrest and the need for greater crisis preparedness. The move increased London’s share of Dutch gold reserves from 18.1% to 32.1%, while reducing holdings in New York and Ottawa. Both sources agree the transfer aimed to improve the liquidity and deployability of gold in emergencies, with the Bank of England’s gold being the most tradable globally. The total Dutch gold stock was 612.4 tonnes, valued at €72.2bn ($83.7bn or $116.7bn) at the end of 2025, and the bank still retains 30.8% of its gold domestically. The operation combined physical transfers and market transactions to mitigate risks. Experts suggest the move reflects broader European concerns about relying on US storage, particularly under the Trump administration, which has taken a confrontational stance toward allies. Other central banks, including Germany’s Bundesbank, have also repatriated or considered repatriating gold from New York, though Germany has not yet acted on its remaining 1,236 tonnes. The Guardian highlights the decade-long trend of central banks diversifying gold storage, while ABC ties the Dutch decision explicitly to Trump’s policies and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Wallabies' No 10 selection tussle and Argentina Test matchup
The Wallabies are navigating a competitive No 10 selection battle ahead of next year’s World Cup, with Ben Donaldson earning his first start in two years against Argentina in Mendoza. Coach Les Kiss has benched Carter Gordon despite his fitness, citing a need to evaluate all contenders. The team is seeking five-straight wins for the first time since 2021, following a tight victory in the first Test of the series. Donaldson’s return marks his first Test since a heavy 67-27 loss to Argentina in 2024, while Ryan Lonergan remains a consistent starter at scrum-half. Kiss has reshuffled the squad, with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii forming a new centre pairing, and Filipo Daugunu making his first start of the season on the wing. The team’s focus is on refining game management and kicking execution ahead of the World Cup, with a cultural shift under Kiss emphasizing player trust and balance between training and off-field activities.