The Box Hill Hawks produced a stunning final-quarter surge to secure a six-point victory over Port Melbourne in a hard-fought clash in Wonthaggi on Sunday the Hawks showed enormous resilience to overturn Port Melbourne’s small lead and run out 5.10 (40) to 5.4 (34) winners applying early scoreboard pressure and forcing Box Hill to play catch-up through the first three quarters the Hawks struggled to capitalise on inside 50 opportunities which resulted in a few missed shots at goal a dominant midfield effort from Isla Baldwin (16 disposals) and Ellie McLinden (15 disposals) had the Hawks take back control of the contest Nat Exon and Rebecca Neaves also provided crucial drive Box Hill’s spread of goalkickers proved decisive with Fogarty’s late goal giving the Hawks the lead for the first time Despite a few nervous moments as Port Melbourne pressed forward and a series of behinds extended the Hawks’ advantage ensuring they stayed just out of reach.With now two wins on the board for the 2025 season the Hawks will look to continue this energy and excellent display of footy into the coming rounds Six Hawks polled votes in the club's 65-point Centenary Match win Massimo D’Ambrosio has been voted the Round 8 Superhero of the Week Read the coach's thoughts on a significant day for the club Lloyd Meek has been voted the Round 7 Superhero of the Week We're taking centre stage in the quest to build upon an exciting campaign last year Our 2025 season will be a historic occasion for our club as it 100 years since we joined the VFL/AFL competition Be among the first to add your name to our new home Put your footy knowledge to test with other Hawks fans Join us as we celebrate a golden era of Hawthorn on Friday 20 June Re-live Hawthorn's exhilarating ceremony from last weekend's victory Watch Huddo speak to the boys about the current KCC build Hear from Sam Mitchell after our centenary match victory against the Tigers We chatted to Tom Barrass after a hard-fought contest against the Tigers in our centenary match Hawthorn Football Club acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the lands and water on which we live We pay respects to Elders both past and present and stand together with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders of today and tomorrow bringing with it the capacity for 1100 students to enrol and be Fishermans Bend’s first senior cohort Funded through a Victorian Government initiative the state-of-the-art school building is located at 477 Graham Street Built adjacent to JL Murphy Reserve and on the proposed future Fishermans Bend tram route together these facilities will provide a focal point for the family-friendly community that will call the area home in the coming decades Government announced it would invest $1.5 million into pedestrian safety including new electronic speed signs and improved signage to be installed along Graham and Plummer streets adjacent to the Port Melbourne Secondary College These safety upgrade works are nearing completion Designed with environmental sustainability at its core and a focus on science the secondary school features the following amenities: Children in the local area will be able to complete all their schooling within safe walking and cycling distance, with the secondary school complementing the existing South Melbourne Primary School in the Montague Precinct and the under construction Fishermans Bend Primary School (Interim Name) in the Wirraway Precinct School zones and links to enrolment information can be viewed at findmyschool.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window). The landmark Victorian at 53 Bridge Street, Port Melbourne, was once part a row of cottages all under a single roof. Thomas and Catherine McCormack were the original owners, building the homes around 1890, naming it Catherine Terrace, after Catherine.  The couple owned the Cricketers Arms Hotel around the corner in Cruikshank Street and lived in a house behind the pub in McCormack Street. In 1959, Robert and Ella Atkinson became the second owners of the row. “Originally it was built as five separate two-bedroom cottages,” current owner Mick Arter told Domain. “Robert Atkinson, the previous owner had passed away, so we bought it from the deceased estate. He combined number 59 and number 63 together to make a three bedroom home.” Arter, who has an accounting background, purchased the properties in 2015.  Kensington: This Melbourne suburb evokes the charm of its famous London counterpart 9 of the best properties for sale in Victoria ‘We didn’t know this existed’: Melbourne’s most affordable liveable suburb “The three single fronters, including number 53, were like caves,” he said, a description his daughter coined when first seeing inside the homes.  The close quarters meant renters had their couch against one wall and had their TV on the kitchen bench.  Arter said he was drawn to the homes as he was searching for a project.  He and his wife had hoped to move from Box Hill to the Port Melbourne area after becoming empty nesters. In 2019, he worked on extensive renovations of the homes, including key restoration work, with his brother, a qualified and experienced builder. The end result was a restored heritage facade with new houses behind it and a large rear courtyard with secure pedestrian row access to Esplanade East and Edwards Park. Inside number 53, the modern three-bedroom, two-bathroom home has a wide hallway with an architectural skylight. The hallway leads to a stunning open-plan living and dining area.  Stepping up the home’s suspended oak staircase to the first floor there are two bedrooms, including one with a rooftop city-view terrace.  The third bedroom is at the front of the home on the entry level. At the heart of the home is the kitchen, with its sleek stone surfaces and premium Miele appliances. Past the kitchen, a sliding door provides access to a private courtyard.  Once the renovation work was completed, Arter subdivided the four houses into individual freehold titles. He and his wife live in one of the homes and rented out the remaining three. Over the years, he has learned about the history of Catherine Terrace. “My wife and I were in our house and we just heard a bit of a kerfuffle outside so we opened the door and there were a couple of ladies with their elderly mum outside,” he said.  “They explained that they’d just been around the corner at the Cricketers Arms Hotel for lunch and their mum used to live in one of the terraces. So we invited them in.” The elderly lady, who had lived in one of the homes as a child, was amazed by the change following the renovations. “The way she described it, her mum and dad were in the front bedroom, she and her sister were in the second bedroom and her brother was in a bungalow in the backyard,” Arter said.  “We were trying to conceptualise where the bungalow would be, because it must have been an extremely small bungalow because there wasn’t much of a yard. So, it was interesting times.”  Arter said a neighbour also told him Atkinson, or Acky as he was known by locals, was a bit of a Port Melbourne identity. He was once the runner for the Port Melbourne VFA club. Arter estimated the elderly woman’s family must have lived in the home from when the McCormick family had owned it to when Atkinson purchased it. “There was a bit of history there. [Atkinson] was given a notice from the housing commission – as effectively being a slum landlord,” Arter said.  The letter, as Arter remembers being told, ordered Atkinson to improve the standard of the house. The home is on the market with Marshall White Port Phillip. It is set to go to auction on April 5. It has a price guide of $1,575,000 to $1,675,000. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate VAFA The VAFA is delighted to announce the inclusion of a brand-new club, the PORT MELBOURNE CHARGERS Women’s Football Club The Chargers will initially field two senior women’s teams in Premier B Women’s and Division 5 Women’s providing the Port Melbourne Colts Junior club with a senior women’s partnership that completes the broader Port Melbourne Pathway “The VAFA is excited to welcome the Port Melbourne Chargers women’s teams into our competition in 2025,” said VAFA Chief Executive Officer “The Chargers committee made a strong submission to play in the VAFA endorsing the standard and values of our current women’s competition which continues to grow and remains the largest community women’s football competition in Australia exponential population growth forecast for the Port Melbourne area and strong female pathway connections to teams at both local junior girls and VFL level we are confident that Port Melbourne Chargers will make a positive contribution to our VAFA community for many years to come.” I would like to extend a warm welcome to Port Melbourne Chargers,” said VAFA President “Our statistics demonstrate Port Melbourne as a growth area for women’s football We look forward to an influx of young women who are now eligible seniors joining our League.” has always been at the heart of Port Melbourne bringing people together and strengthening our community,” said Port Melbourne Chargers President “The Port Melbourne Chargers Women’s Football Club is more than just a club – it represents the drive and determination of local women to shape their own future in the game This club is about more than just playing footy; it’s about building a lasting legacy where women have the opportunity to compete giving women a place to play in the Port Melbourne Pathway at every level and will strengthen female participation for future generations.” Port Melbourne Junior Football Club President “This is an exciting step forward for our entire community The Chargers give local girls and women the chance to stay connected to the game It’s about building a lifelong football family where every player feels supported The Chargers will host Old Melburnians in their inaugural match in Round 1 on Saturday if you’re considering pulling on the boots in 2025 and are looking for a fresh challenge with an exciting new club in a quality women’s competition Port Melbourne Chargers Women’s Football ClubPhone: 0419 938 764 Email: [email protected] Port Melbourne ChargersPhone: 0423 765 765 Email: [email protected] Another intriguing weekend of William Buck Premier Women’s action unfolded in Round 4, headlined by a top-four clash between Old Geelong and Old Scotch, while other contenders continued to build Prahran’s continued efforts to ‘tread water’ amidst an early-season injury crisis, have finally caught a break, although not on the scoreboard. A largely competitive 16.18 (114) to 9.8 (62) loss Round 4 of the Division 4 Women’s competition saw Beaumaris and Westbourne each go a game clear of the rest of the pack on the ladder, riding high after being The VAFA acknowledge the traditional owners of country, on which we play our great game, and pay our respects to them, their culture and Elders past and present. Despite heavy rain and lightning storms, the Blessing of the Waters ceremony proceeded as planned at Port Melbourne’s Princess Pier, drawing hundreds of attendees at midday on Sunday. The event, which was scheduled to begin at 12 pm, faced a delay of just over an hour due to the downpour. Initially, the MC took to the stage to announce that participants could still register to dive for the cross. However, as soon as he finished, a torrential downpour caused a sudden scramble for shelter. Children, elderly attendees, and families clutching souvlakia sought refuge under the gazebo at the pier’s center, while others huddled near food trucks or other covered spots. Intermittent lightning illuminated the stormy sky, with the cracks of thunder prompting gasps from the crowd. Though some attendees left during breaks in the rain, others continued to arrive, undeterred by the weather. By just after 1pm, the storm had passed, and the ceremony resumed. Participants and spectators gathered at the pier’s edge, where the stage was set for the Blessing of the Waters. Thirty-five registered divers, both men and women, leaped into the bay, awaiting the ceremonial throw of the cross. Among them, Panagiotis from Clayton emerged victorious, retrieving the cross for the second time in his many years of participation. Speaking to the media, Panagiotis expressed his joy at the achievement, noting that the tradition holds a special place in his heart. The event, despite the earlier disruptions, concluded on a high note, with attendees celebrating the cherished annual tradition. ABC News News HomeSport Western Bulldogs and Adelaide score big winsBy Andrew McGarry Jack Crisp (centre) is consoled by Magpies teammates after missing his late shot on goal Link copiedShareShare articleGeelong has held on to beat Collingwood in a thriller at the MCG as the drama extended beyond the final siren In an unbelievable finish, record-breaking Magpie Jack Crisp marked on the siren and had a shot to win the game but hooked the kick right to give the Cats a three-point win It's testament to the character and culture that we have," Magpies coach Craig McRae said after the agonising 13.12 (90) to 12.15 (87) loss regardless of what the scoreboard said." Meanwhile, West Coast threatened a boilover against Melbourne but the Demons took control in the second half to claim a comfortable 32-point victory The Western Bulldogs demolished Port Adelaide in a one-sided encounter in Ballarat The Bulldogs-Power match featured fewer than 5,000 spectators because of building works at the Ballarat venue Bailey Smith played a key role in the Cats' triumph over the Magpies Cats recruit Bailey Smith could not help himself with the former Bulldog comparing the atmosphere created by more than 80,000 spectators at the MCG to playing in Ballarat "It's beautiful … I'm not getting that at Ballarat," Smith told Fox Footy after the Cats' win over the Magpies Also on Saturday, the Adelaide Crows broke Carlton's winning streak, handing the Blues a hefty 60-point defeat after Jordan Dawson starred Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog Submit a comment or question Log in to commentLive updatesLatestOldestPinnedSat 2:56amSat 3 May 2025 at 2:56amAFL Saturday scoreboardABy Andrew McGarry ReactReactCopy linkSat 1:11pmSat 3 May 2025 at 1:11pmCrisp misses after the siren as Cats claim modern-day classic against the PiesCBy Chris De Silva Collingwood's ironman Jack Crisp has missed a shot at goal after the siren as Geelong claimed an epic duel by three points Crisp marked about 50m out and his shot missed to the right with Geelong ending the Magpies' six-game winning streak on Saturday night at the MCG 13.12 (90) to 12.15 (87) the Cats took a 17-point lead late in the game on the back of an outstanding last quarter from captain Patrick Dangerfield set up Crisp for the potentially fairytale finish This is Crisp's 245th-consecutive game breaking the long-standing record set by Melbourne great Jim Stynes There was also controversy in the frenetic last few minutes with Bobby Hill running down Shaun Mannagh in the middle But Mannagh was paid the free kick because Hill's tackle was too low on his legs Collingwood small forward Lachie Schultz had a shot at goal late and it was ruled a behind The Magpies will rue this as one that they let slip given they dominated for plenty of the game When Ollie Henry pounced and snapped his second goal eight minutes into the last quarter the Cats led for the first time since the opening term Dangerfield had 13 possessions in the last term as he put the Cats on his back and kicked a goal Geelong sent Oisin Mullin to sit on Nick Daicos and while the Magpies star still had 28 possessions Daicos' frustration was apparent in the last term when he gave away a free to Mullin and a 50m penalty Needing to respond after last week's loss to Carlton the Cats made a quick start and kicked the first three goals But the Magpies settled and when Mihocek converted from his strong mark Geelong lost ruckman Rhys Stanley at quarter time with a hamstring injury Collingwood continued to look more threatening in the second term and piled the pressure on the Cats who managed to stay with them and only trailed by seven points at the main break Mihocek missed a shot at goal and the Magpies held a game-high lead of 20 points But Geelong kicked three of the next four goals including Oliver Wiltshire's first in his second senior game and the margin was still seven points at three-quarter time despite Collingwood having 14 more inside 50s ReactReactCopy linkKey EventSat 1:01pmSat 3 May 2025 at 1:01pmPetracca's heartfelt message to Oliver's 'bravery'CBy Chris De Silva Melbourne star Christian Petracca has paid tribute to teammate Clayton Oliver who missed tonight's win due to mental health reasons Petracca lauds Oliver for being able to speak out about his mental state I just want to give him a massive shoutout," he tells Fox Footy "It's incredible bravery and vulnerability to be able to speak up and say that he's not alright "We're wrapping our arms around him and I think we've come a long way I think it's incredible his ability to just own it and accept that he's not going well but I'll give him a call and a text message and send my best to him sometimes we get ridiculed or shut down for showing emotion or expressing our feelings the ability to show bravery and vulnerability is really good."  12:56pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:56pmImperious Gawn leads Demons to big win over EaglesDBy Dean Bilton Max Gawn has produced yet another rucking masterclass as Melbourne overcame a wasteful first half to post a 32-point AFL win over West Coast at Perth Stadium The Demons trailed by 12 points early in the third quarter of Saturday night's match but they kicked nine of the next 10 goals to secure the 16.12 (108) to 11.10 (76) in front of 41,991 fans Melbourne's third win on the trot improved its record to 3-5 while West Coast (0-8) remains winless and on bottom of the table racking up a career-high 35 disposals to go with 47 hitouts The 33-year-old also played match-winning roles in recent wins over Richmond and Fremantle and he helped Melbourne win the clearance battle 48-26 and inside 50m count 59-43 against the Eagles Demons forward Jake Melksham could be in trouble for his body shove on Jeremy McGovern that catapulted the star Eagles defender into a marking contest McGovern slammed into the back of Harrison Petty after receiving the shove The premiership defender was subbed out at half-time and his absence was heavily felt by West Coast as the Dees dominated in the second half Melbourne also subbed out Petty at halftime due to concussion West Coast debutant Bo Allan also faces a nervous wait for his swinging arm to the head of Jack Viney as the Demons tagger took a mark Christian Petracca finished with 29 disposals eight clearances and a goal for the Demons in the absence of Clayton Oliver (personal reasons) seven clearances) restricted Harley Reid to just 14 disposals and no clearances Eagles midfielder Tim Kelly finished with just 14 disposals and three clearances West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen did some nice things in an under-siege defence while Jake Waterman and Elijah Hewett kicked three goals apiece 12:52pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:52pm'Nearly brought a tear to my eye': Crisp reacts after heartbreaking missCBy Chris De Silva  Here's Jack Crisp after that heartbreaking finish on the post-siren set shot "A lot's going through my mind," he says "I was feeling pretty happy and content and confident in my ability to kick the goal at the end there "I had lots of blokes talk to me about this is what dreams are made of and then it was just about routine "We practice these scenarios and set shots that often throughout the week and I got the distance easy Crisp says he was emotional after being embraced by his teammates following the miss "We feel like we've built a really good culture like that," he says "We like to celebrate what happens on the field even if we win or lose we celebrate people and what they're achieving and their milestones as well "I definitely felt a lot of love with everyone getting around me "It nearly brought a tear to my eye to be fair." 12:45pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:45pmFinal stats from the MCG after a thrillerCBy Chris De Silva Here's how the final numbers look after an incredible win by Geelong Here were the top three-ranked players on the ground and there's no surprises as to who was the leader 12:36pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:36pm'Not getting that at Ballarat': Bailey Smith's swipe at the BulldogsCBy Chris De Silva It's safe to say Bailey Smith is enjoying life in Geelong and there appears to be no love lost between he and his old team He has a little swipe here at the Bulldogs Smith gets asked what it was like playing in front of that bumper crowd and here was his response so it's beautiful," he tells Cam Mooney "I'm very grateful to be where I am "I'm just forever in debt to this club so I'll keep working my ass off to repay them "I'm doing what I love and that's competing 12:30pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:30pm'It was a pretty special match': Dangerfield reacts after epic contestCBy Chris De Silva Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield was absolutely superhuman in that final quarter An incredible 13 of Dangerfield's 29 touches came in the final quarter He ends the game with a game-high 11 groundball gets I think," he tells Cam Mooney on Fox Footy and it was (about) wrestling back that momentum "We weren't great around the ball and they were starting to get some nice looks out of stoppage and I felt like we wrestled back that momentum and made it a bit more of a scrap and controlled play a bit better I think we were in an OK position and then bang they are a team that never gives up and they always fight." 12:25pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:25pmFT: Melbourne 16.12 (108) def West Coast 11.10 (76)DBy Dean Bilton You always felt as if Max Gawn and Melbourne would break this one open at some point and the floodgates certainly burst clear in the third quarter The Demons' midfield dominance was profound and that turned into big wins in the inside 50 count also this might actually be the most disappointing showing of the season so far Against a team 14th on the ladder and at home this was seen as potentially a winnable game and they were indeed in front at half-time a horrible showing from a team that looks as far away from a victory as ever and only a handful of young players contributed anything at all Three in a row gets the season back alive again 12:19pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:19pmFT: Geelong 13.12 (90) defeats Collingwood 12.15 (87)CBy Chris De Silva That is one of the best games of footy I have ever seen Collingwood looked absolutely gone for all money with four minutes left The umpires gave a free kick against Mark Blicavs for holding the ball in the middle of the ground with six seconds left Steele Sidebottom grabbed the ball and slammed it on the boot haphazardly and Jack Crisp Crisp went back and badly missed the set shot so the Cats survive Pies teammates come from everywhere to console Crisp after his miss "It was like a footy Gods sort of moment wasn't it?" says Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield after the match Dangerfield was absolutely outstanding in that final quarter putting on the Superman cape has he has done so often throughout his career There was a number of controversial calls go against the Pies in the final few minutes the most controversial being that disallowed Schultz goal which will be a massive talking point in the wash-up 12:18pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:18pmCRISP MISSES GAME-WINNING EFFORT!CBy Chris De Silva 12:17pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:17pmCRISP TO KICK AFTER THE SIRENCBy Chris De Silva Steele Sidebottom sends it forward and Jack Crisp with a diving mark 40m out seconds before the siren 12:16pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:16pmMihocek goals with 20 seconds leftCBy Chris De Silva The margin is four points with 20 seconds remaining 12:15pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:15pmHUGE tripping call goes against the PiesCBy Chris De Silva Bobby Hill with an excellent chasedown tackle on Shaun Mannagh in the middle of the ground Everyone thinks it's holding the ball but the umpire says Hill's tripped Mannagh That's a stiff call but replays show that Hill's tackle attempt did slide below the hips so it's probably the correct call from the umpire 12:13pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:13pmMihocek keeps the Pies alive with a crucial goalCBy Chris De Silva Brody Mihocek drills a set shot to cut the margin to 10 points but there is enough time here for the Pies 12:12pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:12pmPies denied a goal after a dubious touched callCBy Chris De Silva Lachie Schultz doesn't quite make the distance on a set shot but Mark Blicavs goes for a spoil and doesn't really look to make any contact with the ball The boundary umpire comes in to call it touched but it's sent upstairs The ARC deems that there is insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field call Geelong by 16 points with three minutes left 12:09pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:09pmBowes snaps truly after another Dangerfield assistCBy Chris De Silva Jack Bowes makes it five straight goals for the Cats and it's going to be tough from here Patrick Dangerfield is doing everything but serve the popcorn in the stands He rucks at the forward line stoppage and then wins the loose ball on the ground and dishes it off to Bowes Dangerfield has completely taken over this match 12:06pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:06pmFive minutes to go at the MCGCBy Chris De Silva What does Collingwood have left in the tank here The Cats are running all over the top of them in this quarter Mark Blicavs and Patrick Dangerfield are all having HUGE quarters 12:04pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:04pmDangerfield drills a HUGE set shot to extend leadCBy Chris De Silva Patrick Dangerfield drills a set shot from 45m out on a slight angle to give the Cats an 11-point lead Max Holmes steamed out of a centre clearance and decided to go for a banana inside 50 and Dangerfield read it best to take a sliding mark on the lead Brayden Maynard reckons Dangerfield put his knee into him after taking the mark and he's not happy 12:02pmSat 3 May 2025 at 12:02pmDempsey puts Cats back in front after contested markCBy Chris De Silva Ollie Dempsey drills a set shot from directly in front 20m out from goal to give the Cats a five-point lead Dempsey outpointed his man Jack Crisp after a long kick deep inside 50 and the Pies defence is LIVID Brayden Maynard giving the back six a stern talking to as the ball travels back to the centre Nick Daicos has been held to just one possession in this quarter CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Injuries to many of its star recruits crippled Port Melbourne’s hopes of a successful 150th birthday party with a 0-5 start ending the Borough’s finals hopes before they got going Position: 16thW-L-D (%): 6-12 (92.8%)Players used: 44Played every match: 4 – Billy Gowers Jimmy MillerEx-AFL players: 11 (136 matches)Debutants: 8 – Sam Allen Best and Fairest: 1st: Billy Gowers (205 votes) Felix Flockart (6)Coaches MVP Award: Billy Gowers (50 votes) Fraser Rosman (11)Leading Goalkickers: Billy Gowers (50 goals Kyle Viccars (11)Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year: Billy Gowers (full forward) (Averages – Minimum 6 matches)Disposals: Harvey Hooper 25.8 Lachie Rankin 19.3Contested possessions: Harvey Hooper 15.2 (3rd) Felix Flockart 9.0Kicks: Harvey Hooper 17.0 Fraser Rosman 13.2Handballs: Josh Green 13.2 Lachie Rankin 4.0Tackles: Harvey Hooper 5.8 Robbie McComb 3.7Hitouts: Felix Flockart 21.2 Billy Gowers 0.1Clearances: Harvey Hooper 7.5 (7th) Rourke Smith 3.2Inside-50s: Harvey Hooper 6.2 (2nd) Anthony Anastasio 3.0Rebound-50s: Lachie Rankin 5.3 What went right: Luring Billy Gowers back from local footy was a masterstroke He provided a regular spark and showed he has lost none of his ability as he booted 50 majors to win the Frosty Miller Medal and make the Team of the Year Tom Highmore was just as impressive at the other end of the field also earning Team of the Year selection with his intercepting ability Jimmy Miller provided great leadership and Felix Flockart benefited from that with a strong year Wins over finalists Williamstown (by 10 goals) Geelong and Box Hill Hawks and pushing Footscray to the brink showed what they capable of when it all came together What went wrong: Serious injuries to many of their star recruits crippled the Borough’s hopes of a successful 150th birthday party Gun skipper Harvey Hooper still ranked in the VFL’s top seven for inside-50s contested possessions and clearances but missed five weeks after his 100th game Guy Barnes or Owen Mulady managed more than 11 games Josh Green and Anthony Anastasio also missed chunks of footy having strong leads run down by the Gold Coast Suns Summary: So much went wrong in Port Melbourne’s landmark 150th year with five consecutive losses off the top rendering the Borough’s finals hopes over before they got going But there were enough signs there for a watching James Hird to get the bug back and in the Essendon great and new coach Brendan McCartney they have two of the smartest minds in the VFL coaching sphere in the same box in 2025 particularly in attack where they have multiple scoring options there is every reason to suggest the finals drought could be about to end Gold Coast Academy’s Usher on her ACL injury rehab battles and best friend Havana Harris incredible misses and more in our look back on the April action of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership season Three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse gives host Bharat Sundaresan the rundown on how Australian football began and how it became such a significant part of Australian culture With a challenging month of away clashes ahead Fremantle needs to find a way to win on the road if it's to seriously contend in 2025 One of footy's famous rivalries will kick off the AFLW season to mark the 10th season of the competition Check out all the action from the state leagues around the country Damian Barrett and Matthew Lloyd with the latest news and opinions from Round 8 Collingwood players hit the track on Tuesday as pre-season training kicks up a gear Footy Feed: Sarah Olle and Riley Beveridge with the latest news Check out the Rising Star for AFL’s Round 8 Will a hard tag from Jack Viney be the reason Harley Reid leaves the Eagles Vote now on your favourite marks from Round 8 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season The Match Review findings for Sunday's round eight games are in In the spirit of reconciliation the AFL acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today PORT Melbourne will walk a little taller in its rebel VFLW match of the round against the Box Hill Hawks at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve on Sunday with premiership hard-luck story Laura Wright to make her long-awaited comeback Wright played 11 matches for the Borough in their 2023 flag year but devastatingly injured her knee in the preliminary final over Essendon and missed the Grand Final She didn’t play at any level last season as she rehabbed the injury and this game will be her third on the comeback trail after one in the NTFLW with Southern Districts in December and another for Essendon league club Keilor a fortnight ago Wright comes into the Port team that beat Essendon last week alongside East Ringwood debutant Nicola Davidson replacing recruit Paris Gebel-Lamb (ankle) and Meg Buchanan (unavailable) with the Hawks going in unchanged after their big win over Geelong Western Bulldogs and Essendon have both rolled out a host of AFLW-listed talent for their games against Darebin and Collingwood respectively ensuring they will start clear favourites in their games The Bulldogs have called on last year’s Debbie Lee Rising Star Keeley Hardingham Brooke Barwick and Cleo Buttifant will all be on VFLW debut The Falcons have Lulu Beatty returning from an AFLW stint at Carlton and two debutants in Lucy Burgess and Amy Duguid but lose Ella Southgate indefinitely to a back injury and ruck Sarah King to other commitments The Bombers have named nine AFLW-listed inclusions with debuts for Taya Chambers and Sophie Strong alongside fellow draftee Grace Belloni while prolific former Geelong player Abbey McDonald will don the sash for the first time alongside Christina Bernardi but Sophie Molan is unwell and Courtney Murphy injured Collingwood has lost last week’s debutant best afield Tahlia Sanger to other commitments but has replaced her with former Richmond AFLW player Amelia Peck and youngster Jacinta Baxter Sandringham will unveil 2023 Port Melbourne premiership player Izzy Hartog for its clash with Casey Demons at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval while West Australian teen Natasha Entwistle will debut the experienced Tayla Kearns and Abbey Tregellis will join them in the team But the Zebras have lost St Kilda trio Emmalie Fiedler the former for the season with a knee injury and Lambert-Pearce medallist Simpson with a back problem The Demons will be without suspended Melbourne pair Ryleigh Wotherspoon and Delany Madigan and injured teammates Gabby Colvin and Maggie Mahony but they have called on AFLW player Georgia Campbell Jo Lin and Kasey Phillips and given a debut to Dandenong Stingray Natalie Bancevic-Mills Geelong has two debutants for its clash with Carlton at Deakin University bringing in former Australian volleyballer Caitlin Tipping and North Geelong teen Faith Qoon but ruck Simone Nalder is out indefinitely with a stomach issue and captain Mel Staunton is away for three weeks Carlton has lost former Sandringham Dragons captain Scout Howden (foot) for six weeks and Irish returnee Erone Fitzpatrick with injury Danika Di Santo and Whitehorse recruit Roxy Maslin Williamstown has received a boost for its challenging rebel VFLW Anzac Day contest with reigning premier North Melbourne-Werribee with important defender Lori Stepnell lining up for her first gamer of the season at Arden St The 2024 rebel VFLW Team of the Year back pocket is the most experienced player on the Seagulls’ list with 71 games under her belt Her return is timely as they try to back up their impressive road win over Western Bulldogs last Sunday against a Kangaroos team coming off an ominous thrashing of Carlton who was helped off the field against the Bulldogs in the second quarter after rolling her ankle Teams for all remaining Round 2 matches will be announced on Friday BROADCAST AND STREAMING: All matches in the 2025 rebel VFLW season will be live streamed free via the AFL website Head-to-Head: North Melbourne 5-1; At Arden Street Oval: North Melbourne 3-0; Streak: North Melbourne 1; Last time: North Melbourne 8.5 (53) def Williamstown 5.5 (35) Second Semi Final 2024 Turvey Park/Ainslie/Giants Academy; Kaylee Kimber Kilmore/Diamond Creek/West Preston-Lakeside/Calder Cannons Head-to-Head: Western Bulldogs 5-2; At Mission Whitten Oval: 1-1; Streak: Darebin 1; Last time: Darebin Falcons 6.5 (41) def Western Bulldogs 3.5 (23) – Round 12 Olinda-Ferny Creek/Eastern Ranges/Box Hill Hawks; Taya Chambers Canning Vale/East Fremantle; Abbey McDonald Head-to-Head: Collingwood 5-4; At Windy Hill: Collingwood 2-0; Streak: Essendon 1; Last time: Essendon 10.4 (64) def Collingwood 7.5 (47) – Round 6 North Geelong/Geelong Falcons; Caitlin Tipping Head-to-Head: Geelong 5-3; At Deakin University: Geelong 1-0; Streak: Carlton 2; Last time: Carlton 5.3 (33) def Geelong 4.6 (30) – Round 7 Head-to-Head: Sandringham 7-4; At RSEA Park: Sandringham 2-0; Streak: Sandringham 1; Last time: Southern Saints (Sandringham) 7.8 (50) def Casey Demons 5.4 (34) – Round 14 Buchanan (unavailable)NEW: Nicola Davidson Head-to-Head: Level 2-2-1; At Wonthaggi: Never Met; Streak: Port Melbourne 2; Last time: Port Melbourne 7.7 (49) def Box Hill Hawks 4.7 (31) – Elimination Final 2024 NORTH MELBOURNE-WERRIBEE vs WILLIAMSTOWNFIELD: Doug Haworth WESTERN BULLDOGS vs DAREBIN FALCONSFIELD: Henry Buckley ESSENDON vs COLLINGWOODFIELD: Samantha Ritchie SANDRINGHAM vs CASEY DEMONSFIELD: Sam Duewell BOX HILL HAWKS vs PORT MELBOURNEFIELD: Liam Clark Join Damian Barrett and Nat Edwards for AFL Daily we will be shining a spotlight on one Match of the Round each week and all the action as it unfolds on match day The 2025 NPLM Round 6 Match of the Round has lot at stake as Port Melbourne FC hosts Melbourne Victory FC A battle of emerging talent is set for Friday night at JL Murphy Reserve as Port Melbourne hosts Melbourne Victory in a clash between two youthful and exciting squads Port Melbourne currently sits 12th on the table with one win from their opening five matches With a young squad still finding its rhythm in 2025 the Sharks will be eager to claim a crucial three points on home turf Victory’s academy side is also filled with promising young stars but finds itself in 13th place still searching for a first win after a tough early-season draw featuring matchups against Oakleigh With both teams looking to build momentum and showcase their next generation of talent expect an intense battle under the Friday night lights Joey Katebian; Coach: Vaughan Coveny; Cautions: Katebian 86 Jacob Eliopoulos; Coach: Eric Vassiliadis; Cautions: Viola 82 Arguably the greatest impact had by a Melbourne Victory player this season has been from one with just a single start to his name Tommaso Minutoli has appeared as a substitute in four of Victory's five matches thus far this season and his clinical finishing was ultimately the catalyst for a point secured against South Melbourne in Round 2 he could provide the x-factor needed to secure all three points away from home a former Academy player with Victory in 2023 made the leap from VPL2 to the NPL last season with Port Melbourne featuring in 20 matches in a breakthrough season He hasn't missed a minute in 2025 and will be critical to the Sharks' defense as it strives to keep the Victory young guns at bay The 2025 NPLM Round 6 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel Commentators: Jordan Kounelis & Josh ByrneNPLM Round of 6 Matches 7:30pm: Green Gully vs Melbourne Knights @ Green Gully Reserve 7:30pm: Heidelberg United vs Hume City @ Home of the Matildas 8:15pm: Oakleigh Cannons vs St Albans Saints @ Jack Edwards Reserve 8:15pm: Port Melbourne Sharks vs Melbourne Victory @ JL Murphy Reserve 3:00pm: Avondale vs Preston Lions @ Avenger Park 7:45pm: Altona Magic vs Dandenong City @ Paisley Park 8:15pm: Dandenong Thunder vs South Melbourne @ George Andrews Reserve Port Melbourne produced a solid defence of its rebel VFLW premiership with the Borough defying a long injury list to finish among the last four teams vying for this year’s flag Position: 4thW-L-D %: 7-8-1 (113.03%)Players used: 42Played every match: 2 – Lauren Caruso Maggie McKellarAFLW players used: 13 (37 matches)Debutants: 12 – Issy Bacon 5th: Bella ClarkeLambert-Pearce Medal votes: Ava Seton (12) Emily Harley (4)Coaches MVP votes: Ava Seton (73 Lauren Caruso (22)Rebel VFLW Team of the Year: Lauren Caruso Ava SetonLeading Goalkickers: Emily Harley 14.15 (Averages – Minimum 6 matches)Disposals: Eloise Ashley-Cooper 18.4 Lauren Caruso 16.8Contested possessions: Ava Seton 12.4 Lauren Caruso 8.8Kicks: Lauren Caruso 11.5 Georgia Booth 6.7Hitouts: Beth Wilson 24.6 Lauren Caruso 2.9Inside-50s: Ava Seton 3.3 Jessie Williams 2.5Rebound-50s: Lisa Davie 2.5 What went right: It’s always hard to back up a premiership but the Borough made a good fist of it early by holding Essendon goalless in Round 1 before thrashing Collingwood and Williamstown across the next two matches they built nicely into the finals and had a strong victory over Box Hill Hawks first up in the first elimination final Couldn’t quite go with the Western Bulldogs in the first semi final when hit by injury but still put up a great fight Queensland recruit Ava Seton emerged as a star of the competition and Lauren Caruso backed up her Lisa Hardeman Medal-winning form What went wrong: Port was another team that left itself needing to defend a lot given its lack of avenues to goal after Fed Frew departed early and Emily Harley struggled with injury The Borough failed to kick more than five goals in a game from Rounds 3-12 a problem that surfaced again in the first semi final against the Bulldogs when they went goalless in the first half Summary: A solid performance to win a final in their premiership defence while they were in just about every game into the last quarter Nine home and away wins last year became six and a draw this season and in an even competition that was enough to put paid to their premiership chances They can expect to remain in contention next year under new coach Tom Chitsos who takes the reins following premiership coach Sean Buncle’s decision to step aside at season’s end The Borough but would ideally like to find some support for Harley in attack Gold Coast Academy’s Usher on her ACL injury, rehab battles and best friend Havana Harris Unusual celebrations, freak goals, incredible misses and more in our look back on the April action of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership season Three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse gives host Bharat Sundaresan the rundown on how Australian football began, and how it became such a significant part of Australian culture With a challenging month of away clashes ahead, Fremantle needs to find a way to win on the road if it's to seriously contend in 2025, writes Nathan Schmook Damian Barrett and Matthew Lloyd with the latest news and opinions from Round 8. Join Damian Barrett and Michael Whiting for AFL Daily Check out the Rising Star for AFL’s Round 8, Hugo Garcia Will a hard tag from Jack Viney be the reason Harley Reid leaves the Eagles? Vote now on your favourite marks from Round 8 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season. In the spirit of reconciliation the AFL acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. South Melbourne opened their 2025 campaign with a determined 1-0 victory over Port Melbourne at JL Murphy Reserve, securing three points in a tense and physical contest. The match started with high intensity, as both teams battled fiercely in midfield, with no shortage of strong challenges. South controlled possession early and created several chances through Max Mikkola, George Mells, and Jake Marshall, but Sharks goalkeeper Kondoleon produced crucial saves to keep the game level. The game’s turning point came in the 19th minute when Port Melbourne’s Nathan Dib was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Nahuel Bonada. The foul sparked a heated exchange between both teams, but South remained focused and capitalised on their numerical advantage. Soon after, South found the breakthrough as Mikkola displayed smart control and a sharp turn inside the box before firing past Kondoleon, giving South a deserved 1-0 lead. Both teams continued to create opportunities, with new signing Chairle Leech coming close to an equaliser, only to be denied in a one-on-one by Kontoleon once more. South, however, continued to press forward, with chances falling to Moller, Mells, and Andy Brennan, but Kondoleon remained resilient in goal for the Sharks. Despite not adding to the scoreline, South defended strongly, with Lopez barely tested in goal. The team managed the final moments well, ensuring they secured all three points to kick-start their campaign in positive fashion. South now turn their focus to their first home game of the season, a highly anticipated clash against traditional rivals Melbourne Knights at Lakeside Stadium. 4 x National Champs10 x Victorian Champs (Men)4 x Victorian Champs (Women) You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream. You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream. You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream. Press PLAY to listen to Tony Leonard’s full review Website: https://www.cricketersportmelbourne.au/ VENUE: Not too many venues boast a second reference, but the Cricketers in Port Melbourne has been fondly referred to as the ‘The Hole in the Wall’. Its backstreet location makes this the rarest of beasts in Melbourne pub life, such anonymity long replaced by units. And as endearing as this moniker is, it can be a drawback as the Cricketers has had a checkered trading history with many aliases for reasons that escape me. (The House of Food and Wine being one such). And to the present: This is as good an iteration of the Cricketers as I can recall. The pub, so small with townhouse appearance, has had a deceptively brilliant facelift. The front bar, moved from right side to left, has somehow opened up this snug, intimate space. Hallway divides and has 2 rooms for dining, with the glorious courtyard now fully paved and enclosed. For such a seemingly small pub, any sized function/gathering would be brilliantly accommodated. For all the aesthetics, the basics of running a pub, summed up as hospitality, are all here. Food, wine, beer, service, community come from the get go with a welcome from the front bar to set you up. Food menu offers pub different but reasonably priced; the identical comment is applied to the wine list. (Quibble: The website offers no clear indication of what’s available due to constant change. Personal preference is for it to be displayed). The steak night, $28, black angus 300g porterhouse, Wednesdays, has been going for a short time and the response has been outstanding. Tap beer offers all popular brands. Carlton D, ($7/pot), along with Stone & Wood, Guinness, Great Northern. Monday – Friday, 4-6pm, $5 pots. Wine list is neatly crafted and pricing is so fair. The per glass is $13.5 (average) and again one of the best value whites – Chrismont Riesling – is offered at $11 per glass. – Cumberland sausage scotch egg ($14) truffle mayonnaise, petit herbs. As 2024, was the year for meats/seafood to be skewered, this year is shopping up as the year of the scotch egg. Suspect variations of this British pub dish will be served, but assured the one here was a ripper. – Traditional fettucine carbonara ($33), pancetta, egg yolk, pangrattato, parsley, parmesan. Not sure this is “traditional” with a yolk and fried breadcrumbs but it works. Rich, serves two easily, and popular. Something Different to Eat: Sundae $14. Vanilla bean ice cream, pretzels, fruit loops, honeycomb, marshmallow, chocolate sauce. Yep, fruit loops. A staple of the menu so it must work. Surcharges: None e.g. cards/weekends listed (Feb 25). Summary: The Cricketers, under the guidance of Steve from the Limerick, is flying. Every element is to be enjoyed. The changes to the interior have elevated this pub to a status of one of the best in the most competitive areas for pubs in Victoria. If you love a pub, make this a must do this year. If you like the content that Draft Central provides and don’t want to miss any of it, then sign up to receive our newsletter today. If you like the content that Draft Central provides and don’t want to miss any of it, then sign up to our subscriber list. The centre for the latest in sports and draft news. It was James Hird who in fact reached out to Brendan McCartney regarding the Port Melbourne coaching job Former Western Bulldogs coach McCartney has taken the reins at the Borough recently signing a deal to lead them for the next three years The VFL club was initially hoping to lure Essendon great James Hird as head coach but he was unable to commit and has instead taken up a director of coaching role at the club where his son Tom has spent he last two seasons who spent the last two seasons working part-time at Collingwood explained how his move to North Port Oval came about stemming from the season he spent under Hird at the Bombers in 2011 I think they were very keen to get him involved,” McCartney said on SEN Breakfast “He wasn’t in a position to coach them with his son there and he’s just building a new business himself He said there’s a light tower around on the wing that’s got his footprints all over it as he used to kick it when he got frustrated with some of the things he was seeing on the ground “He just asked me would I consider doing it and over a couple of weeks I warmed to it a little bit and is a really switched on lady who really knows what she’s doing and Toby Pinwill (football director) who is a legend of the club “I never really liked him much because I’d go and watch the young blokes play against him and he’d belt them he toughened a lot of them up and taught them what footy was all about “The chat was great and it went from there.” The Borough also landed former Bombers captain Dyson Heppell who retired from the AFL at the end of the 2024 season Heppell penned a two-year deal with Port and has taken up a multi-faceted role as a player The signing of the 253-gamer obviously came about through that strong Essendon connection “Then Hirdy went to work on Dyson and they have a great relationship,” the former Melbourne “I had a year with ‘Hep’ at Essendon and loved him in his first season there (in 2011) I did a lot of work with him so the relationship was strong he still wants to run the foundation for his little mate ‘H’ (Harrison Pennicott) “He wants to have a really good footprint in the community it’s positive and he still looks at the game from a player’s point of view which is really important as well.” Port Melbourne finished 16th on the VFL ladder in 2024 under Adam Skrobalak They last won the premiership in 2017 under Gary Ayres Listen to McCartney on SEN Breakfast below: Crafted by Project Diamond Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Neighbours have watched in horror as an erratic driver in a stolen car tore down an inner Melbourne footpath The driver behind the wheel of a dark-coloured vehicle mounted a Port Melbourne footpath about 7.10pm on Wednesday pursuing a man and a woman along the path in front of apartments The front of the vehicle was seen hanging off as the car looped onto the road and mounted the footpath a second time quick,” one neighbour says in footage of the incident but he did not appear to be seriously injured A Victoria Police spokeswoman said he left the scene with a woman before officers arrived Several neighbours called triple zero to report the erratic driver careening along footpaths near Esplanade East and Rouse Street Police are yet to speak to the man hit by the car or his female companion “Ongoing enquiries by police have confirmed the vehicle was stolen,” the police spokeswoman said “Police believe at this early stage the incident was targeted and the people involved may have been known to one another.” The car was found abandoned on nearby Tom Hills Drive shortly after the incident and officers urged anyone with information to come forward Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here. Neighbours have watched in horror as an erratic driver in a stolen car tore down an inner Melbourne footpath, forcing pedestrians to flee. The driver behind the wheel of a dark-coloured vehicle mounted a Port Melbourne footpath about 7.10pm on Wednesday, pursuing a man and a woman along the path in front of apartments. The front of the vehicle was seen hanging off as the car looped onto the road and mounted the footpath a second time. \\u201CCall the police quick, quick, quick,\\u201D one neighbour says in footage of the incident. \\u201CWhat the f---.\\u201D A man was struck by the car, but he did not appear to be seriously injured. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said he left the scene with a woman before officers arrived. Several neighbours called triple zero to report the erratic driver careening along footpaths near Esplanade East and Rouse Street. Police are yet to speak to the man hit by the car or his female companion, a police spokeswoman said. The driver remains on the run. \\u201COngoing enquiries by police have confirmed the vehicle was stolen,\\u201D the police spokeswoman said. \\u201CPolice believe at this early stage the incident was targeted, and the people involved may have been known to one another.\\u201D The car was found abandoned on nearby Tom Hills Drive shortly after the incident, police said. The investigation was ongoing, and officers urged anyone with information to come forward. Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. . An eyewitness has described the dramatic unplanned hot air balloon landing on a go kart track in Port Melbourne this morning. Caller Gav told Tom Elliott he thought the hot air balloon was going to crash down on the West Gate Freeway. Press PLAY to hear his full eyewitness account of the incident  “People looked quite panicked and they were sort of rushing around,” Gav said on 3AW Mornings. Press PLAY below to watch the footage he captured signalling the latest development in what industry research identifies as an emerging boom sector in Australia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe proposal is NextDC’s fourth major facility slated for\u0026nbsp; Melbourne as demand for data processing capabilities continues to surge nationally.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe M4 facility is proposed for a 2.64ha site at 127 Todd Road The project is in the early planning stages.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt follows NextDC’s significant expansion across Melbourne including the recently completed M3 facility in West Footscray.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat project spans 100,000sq m and has a 150mW capacity across its technology campus The first stage delivered 15,986sq m of gross floor area across four levels with 27mW capacity and six data halls.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“For property developers NextDC’s Melbourne data centres offer strategic opportunities across multiple locations,” the filed document said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe company’s Melbourne portfolio includes M1 at Port Melbourne with 6000sq m of technical space and the M3 with 41,000 square metres.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKapitol Group the construction partner for NextDC’s 60mW M2 data centre facility expansion has implemented several value-management initiatives that could provide a framework for future developments.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese include prefabricated modular designs with precast core modules and super T-bridge beam superstructures in the data halls \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecent research from M3 Property indicates rapidly increasing demand for data centre facilities across Australian property markets.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe report identifies 135 operational co-location data centres nationally with about 183,000sq m of space under construction.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMelbourne is to receive nearly three-quarters of this new supply.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eM3 Property national director James Ruben said data centres had evolved beyond their traditional role as ancillary property uses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This is changing with the rapidly growing demand for data centres in Australia,” he said data security requirements and the need for companies to provide reliable IT services to a remote workforce is leading to the need for developers to build bigger and more secure purpose-built data centres.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor all the hype Ruben acknowledges the sector faces significant challenges.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“While data centre facilities are seeing increasing demand from both users and investors in major property markets the sector is also facing several key challenges,” Ruben said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“These include finding suitable land for new developments access to adequate and steady power supply serif;\" data-mce-style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman' serif;\"\u003e’\u003c/span\u003es M1 facility.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe expansion of data centre facilities presents opportunities for property developers including increased land values in specific regions and improvements to local infrastructure.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe construction of data centres can drive upgrades to roads enhancing the appeal of surrounding areas for residential commercial and industrial development.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMajor international investment is underscoring the sector’s growth with AWS announcing $13 billion in Australian projects and Microsoft committing $5 billion to local developments CDC has also revealed plans for a $1.4-billion site in Western Sydney.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe M3 Property report also identifies opportunities beyond new builds including the potential to repurpose older warehouses into data centres.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith metropolitan land becoming scarce the report suggests regional areas offer viable alternatives for development.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe report suggests developers can also consider building powered cold-shell facilities targeted at data centre operators.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eM3 Property’s market analysis shows data centre vacancies across Australia are now in single digits with the sector evolving from $300-million assets to billion-dollar projects requiring substantial land holdings and infrastructure investment.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c!--\u003cp\u003eInsurance brokerage Lockton said that with the \u0026ldquo;growing use of and need for technology data centres have become vital in providing digital connectivity through data processing and economic growth\u0026rdquo;.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLockton head of global real estate and construction Lendlease’s third residential building in the Collins Wharf precinct of Victoria Harbour.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 28-storey building at 971 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Docklands will deliver 312 homes in a mix of one two and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses and penthouses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Lendlease the project has already secured more than 50 per cent in presales.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHickory is the construction contractor—it completed the precinct’s first development in 2019 and is also working on LendLease’s second tower Regatta.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Ancora Hickory is implementing several technical construction methods including various piling techniques and precast concrete solutions that enable a parallel-track construction program.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe building’s facade designed by architect Warren and Mahoney uses a three-stage design incorporating double-glazed glass and textured precast concrete with Reckli and brick finishes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe structural design transitions from a solid podium base to lighter upper levels “reflecting a maritime theme” aligned with the Collins Wharf design objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncora will connect to the neighbouring Regatta development via a podium allowing resident access to shared amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned as an all-electric building that includes electric vehicle infrastructure the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification Completion is expected in 2027.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegatta including build-to-rent and build-to-sell units.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtensive wharf works including remediation of pre-existing wharf piles installation of raker piles and construction of the extension to Australia Walk are also part of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnical challenges include constructing on the finger wharf and co-ordinating extensive above-wharf road reserve and public parkland works.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Collins Wharf precinct will ultimately comprise six residential buildings of more than 1800 homes surrounded by over 5000sq m of parks and community space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease is developing the parkland concurrently with the residential components including the extension of Australian Walk that forms part of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said Collins Wharf “is fast becoming a sought-after address .. which took just a handful of hours to emerge on Saturday night the Coalition’s failure to sway voters has come under intense scrutiny.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts lack of policies around property that resonated with voters has been a large part of that criticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong those policies was a $5-billion infrastructure program to unlock up to 500,000 new homes was greeted with no small amount of scepticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Coalition also campaigned on its previously revealed plan to allow first home buyers to draw down on their superannuation giving access to up to $50,000 to help fund mortgage deposits.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile that proposal had won some support it got the thumbs down from many of Australia’s top economists who said the measure could prove highly inflationary among other issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilarly its plan to allow mortgage interest for first home buyers to be tax-deductible was roundly criticised for its likely inflationary and regressive effects.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has also been pointed out that the Coalition’s rejection of the Green’s policies around housing supply affordable housing and help for renters did it no favours.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ALP went to the polls spruiking an extension of schemes introduced during its previous term including a $10-billion promise for its first-home buyers’ scheme to encourage 100,000 more homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt also had its Help to Buy shared equity scheme under which the Government pays up to 40 per cent of the house price to point to.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it was these policies per se or the lack of detail and depth to the Coalition’s the nation's ready for the Albanese government to act.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is clear been endorsed to follow through on its policies and fix the crisis that is crippling the Australian property sector.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive\u0026nbsp;Tom\u0026nbsp;Forrest has pointed out it is time for the Federal Government to get back to work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Housing affordability and housing supply featured large during the campaign,” Forrest said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The key now is for the Government to strike while the iron’s hot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“If legislation is needed to support the delivery of Labor’s $10-billion 100,000 new homes commitment—then pass it through the parliament now and get on with it.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe states have made many changes to how they enable home development The Federal Government’s support of that is crucial to its success material supply assistance or any other factor that affects getting homes out of the ground.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis has been a pivotal election Then Cities for Total Fan Immersion\",\"slug\":\"billionaire-arsenal-rams-denver-nuggets-sports-anchored-precincts\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-30T00:00+10:00\",\"tags\":[],\"summary\":\"Why your next home might be stadium-adjacent; sports are the hook signalling the latest development in what industry research identifies as an emerging boom sector in Australia The proposal is NextDC’s fourth major facility slated for  Melbourne as demand for data processing capabilities continues to surge nationally The M4 facility is proposed for a 2.64ha site at 127 Todd Road The project is in the early planning stages It follows NextDC’s significant expansion across Melbourne including the recently completed M3 facility in West Footscray NextDC’s Melbourne data centres offer strategic opportunities across multiple locations,” the filed document said The company’s Melbourne portfolio includes M1 at Port Melbourne with 6000sq m of technical space has implemented several value-management initiatives that could provide a framework for future developments These include prefabricated modular designs with precast core modules and super T-bridge beam superstructures in the data halls eliminating the need for columns and creating additional net lettable area Recent research from M3 Property indicates rapidly increasing demand for data centre facilities across Australian property markets The report identifies 135 operational co-location data centres nationally with about 183,000sq m of space under construction Melbourne is to receive nearly three-quarters of this new supply James Ruben said data centres had evolved beyond their traditional role as ancillary property uses “This is changing with the rapidly growing demand for data centres in Australia,” he said data security requirements and the need for companies to provide reliable IT services to a remote workforce is leading to the need for developers to build bigger and more secure purpose-built data centres.” Ruben acknowledges the sector faces significant challenges “While data centre facilities are seeing increasing demand from both users and investors in major property markets the sector is also facing several key challenges,” Ruben said “These include finding suitable land for new developments The expansion of data centre facilities presents opportunities for property developers including increased land values in specific regions and improvements to local infrastructure The construction of data centres can drive upgrades to roads Major international investment is underscoring the sector’s growth CDC has also revealed plans for a $1.4-billion site in Western Sydney The M3 Property report also identifies opportunities beyond new builds including the potential to repurpose older warehouses into data centres the report suggests regional areas offer viable alternatives for development The report suggests developers can also consider building powered cold-shell facilities targeted at data centre operators M3 Property’s market analysis shows data centre vacancies across Australia are now in single digits with the sector evolving from $300-million assets to billion-dollar projects requiring substantial land holdings and infrastructure investment The Greek Community Cup continued on Wednesday January 22 Port Melbourne Sharks and Heidelberg United all walking away victors South Melbourne cruised to a commanding 4-1 victory over Kingston City reaffirming their position as strong contenders this year They were led by Toby Simeonis and Daniel Hudson who both delivered with two goals Simeonis gave his team an early lead with a composed finish around the keeper which saw South Melbourne lead 3-0 at half time Although Kingston City lifted their game in the second half and pulled one back when George Gianakarios scored to make it 3-1 Box Hill’s victory over Bentleigh Cobras told a different story It was a tighter more tactical affair with Box Hill claiming a 1-0 win The Cobras thought they had taken the lead in the first half when their number 13 found the back of the net they struggled to contain Box Hill’s relentless pressure The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Box Hill capitalised on a quick counterattack to score with the Cobras gaining momentum and creating several chances but it Box Hill’s defence that held firm Port Melbourne delivered an impressive 3-1 win over Keon Park The Sharks showcased their attacking flair early on taking a 2-0 lead into halftime through sharp play on the wings Keon Park fought back valiantly in the second half with Daniel Reyes scoring a goal to cut the deficit by one They came close to an equaliser but were ultimately undone when Ben Kulesza of the Sharks add a third goal late in the game Heidelberg United also secured a 3-1 win when they defeated Bentleigh Greens Alexandros hit the scoreboard first with Charlie Cunningham finding the back of the net Heidelberg then opened the second half with another goal Bentleigh managed to score to cut the deficit to one goal but another goal to United from James Thalassinos would seal the deal South Melbourne and Port Melbourne Sharks advance confidently while Heidelberg and Box Hill’s fate hinges on upcoming results Port Melbourne has made the first major move of the off-season with the Borough signing former Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell for the next two years Heppell played 253 AFL games across 13 seasons before retiring at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign He was captain of the Bombers for six seasons from 2017 to 2022 Among his accolades were the AFL’s Rising Star award in 2011 and selection in the 2014 All Australian team in a season he also won Essendon’s best and fairest Continue below to read a statement from Port Melbourne Football Club confirming Heppell's signing The Port Melbourne Football Club (PMFC) has today announced that recently retired AFL legend Dyson Heppell will once again don the boots after he committed to a two-year contract with the Borough for 2025 & 2026 who played 253 games for Essendon over his 13-year AFL career will join the club in a dual role as a Playing-Assistant and Community Ambassador “When Brendan reached out and told me of his plans for next season and beyond I was genuinely excited and wanted to be a part of it” commented Heppell Heppell brings a wealth of experience which is a major coup for the club and is sure to make an impact both for his skills and for his leadership Off the field Dyson will be the leader for the Borough’s Football Programs and Clinics These programs are to be delivered through schools and junior clubs and will allow junior players to have the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the game “Football has given me so much so to be able to be part of the program that the Port Melbourne Footy Club has put together is fantastic It is a small way to give back and hopefully inspire the next generation” This key signing is a huge scalp for new VFL Head Coach Brendan McCartney who has hit the ground running and is putting together a strong squad for next season “Having a bloke like Dyson in your group can only strengthen the team His skill is evident and his leadership abilities is a bonus especially with a lot of young guys in our team They can learn a lot from Dyson and Dyson is excited to share his knowledge and experience with them” commented McCartney The decision by West Coast to trade pick No.3 out of this year's draft may seem ridiculous on the surface South Melbourne begins the 2025 NPL Victoria season with a tough away clash against Port Melbourne at JL Murphy Reserve there’s always plenty of intensity when these two sides meet with a strong history of competitive battles over the years Playing under the lights on a warm Melbourne evening both teams will be looking to set the tone for the new campaign South enters the season with momentum after a solid pre-season The squad has been strengthened with the additions of George Mells all of whom have settled in well and bring fresh energy to the team With both sides eager to make a statement in Round 1 this matchup is set to be another fierce encounter With many former Sharks players also returning back to JL Murphy Reserve it promises to also add an extra bite to what will already be a big clash Fans unable to attend can watch the game live and free on YouTube Where to Find Australia’s Best Inner-City Bakeries By Katya Wachtel By Katya Wachtel By Matheus Head into Salam everyday from 8am to 1pm for all-you-can-eat breakfast feast cheese and other Lebanese breakfast favourites Mariana Chedid could never find flatbread in Melbourne that made her happy the Le Cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef set out to remedy that with this homey Port Melbourne Bakery Chedid’s yeast-based dough is made fresh each morning and baked to order for just a few minutes in a scorching Neapolitan-style oven It’s then rolled into wraps filled with chicken or falafel or transformed into manakish (topped flatbread) topped with akkawi cheese and Chedid’s own za’atar blend Salam sells Franco-Lebanese hybrid pastries including croissants folded cheese and that aforementioned za’atar; almond croissants with orange blossom and rosewater; and crepes topped with everything from ham and cheese to labneh To give Salam its own identity – and a nod to her Lebanese roots – Chedid has painted the venue in a rich olive green Phone: (03) 96463790 Website: salambakery.com.au We do not seek or accept payment from the cafes bars and shops listed in the Directory – inclusion is at our discretion Venue profiles are written by independent freelancers paid by Broadsheet Bakeries and Restaurants That Opened or Closed in April 32 of the Hottest Dishes and Drinks in Melbourne Right Now Menu Reveal: Five Things To Order at Junda Khoo’s Ho Liao First Look: Filipino Pop-Up Palay Moves to Fitzroy for Good South Melbourne and Port Melbourne Sharks will face off in the Greek Community Cup Final this Saturday after both teams secured their places following hard-fought semi-final victories The two sides who fell short in the semi-finals will now compete in the bronze match to determine third place South Melbourne claimed a narrow 2–1 victory over Box Hill with both sides building from the back and probing with long balls Tempers would flare midway through the first half as a scuffle broke out that saw the referee hand out multiple yellow cards It was Box Hill who would capitalise on the tense atmosphere converting a penalty for the first goal of the game Their lead would dissipate within minutes with back to back goals from South Melbourne’s George Saristavros just before half time The hotly fought first half saw seven yellow cards handed out The second half was just as contested that saw South tactically waste time to hold their lead and despite a late push from Box Hill Port Melbourne also dug out a 2-1 victory over Oakleigh Cannons Port Melbourne took an early lead after Ben Kulesza converted a penalty and doubled their advantage late in the first half when Lukas Katelis capitalised on a defensive lapse Oakleigh wouldn’t die wondering however pressing high when Arman Hasikic scored a scrappy goal to reduce the deficit to one goal Their momentum was derailed however after Harry Parrett was issued a red card Oakleigh continued to push for an equaliser but Port Melbourne held on to claim the win and book themselves a spot in this Saturday’s final Add videos to your saved list and come back to them any time Whether you’re a south-side local or a visitor looking for a breezy summer daytrip the inner-city beaches around Melbourne’s City of Port Phillip offer a good mix of seaside and urban cultural experiences Comprising a strip of suburbs along the bay all within 10 kilometres of the CBD – including Elwood Albert Park and Port Melbourne – there are plenty of ways to spend the day in the beachside district Maybe it’s with a morning dip at the beach or a pub feed for dinner – maybe it’s all three travel spots and more – curated by those who know It’s free and open to everyone – just bring yourself and a towel Grab a coffee and a snack from the beachfront kiosk, or head into central Elwood – to institution Jerry’s Milk Bar, perhaps, or stylish 2024 newcomer Arlo on Ormond Road – for something more substantial it’s just 10 minutes’ stroll along the Bay Trail to Point Ormond Lookout where you’ll find one of the best views of the Melbourne city skyline The waterside views don’t stop at lunch. Dine al fresco at Elwood Bathers and take in the ocean breeze while tucking into an aptly seafood-heavy menu and baked Shark Bay scallops with fresh lemon and café de Paris butter you can’t go wrong with the fish and chips – but there’s also seafood linguine in a garlicky chilli or burgers for those less crustacean-inclined Ready for dessert? Head into St Kilda for baked goods from Monarch Cakes an institution that’s been baking Eastern European cakes from its Acland Street storefront for 90 years Here you’ll find sweets like its famous kooglhoupf (a sweet ring-shaped cake-like bread with dark chocolate and almond meal and Polish baked cheesecakes made from a century-old recipe We recommend stocking up on a few treats for the road Just up from Monarch on the quieter end of Acland Street, Linden New Art is a public art gallery in a grand historical home (entry is free) Spend the afternoon checking out the annual Linden Postcard Show the long-running exhibition sees hundreds of intricate postcard-sized artworks by acclaimed artists the show has evolved to include some larger 2D and even 3D works.) Linden also hosts exhibitions by contemporary artists and designers working in a variety of mediums Melbourne painter Sean McDowell’s show And the World Turns is on until mid-January; it’s a series of eight vibrant new paintings created using oil on woven hessian fabric For a bit of a different waterside walk that isn’t on the bay At this picturesque park right on the edge of the city you’re sure to catch other pedestrians (and plenty of pooches) out for an arvo stroll You’ll also spot lots of visitors (and locals) taking snaps of the exceptional palm-tree studded CBD views Stop for a breather on one of the park benches and enjoy the tranquillity of the water or set up on the grass and watch the sun set After a day of sun, salt and fresh air, nothing hits quite like an intimate wine bar. And in a corner building on Cardigan Place, Wally’s is exactly that Take a seat in the banquette – lined from end to end with wine bottles – and order seeasonal dishes like asparagus gribiche octopus n’duja and flank au poivre with cime di rapa there’s a book-sized wine list that celebrates French and Australian bottles After dinner, take a 15-minute stroll (or five-minute drive) into the heart of Albert Park for a scoop or two from Billy Van Creamy’s recently opened fourth store on Bridport Street honeycomb or cookies-and-cream varieties for a hit of nostalgia or a vegan peppermint fudge scoop made from cashew and coconut milk for something different Hop over to Port Melbourne to round out your day on the bay with a nightcap at The Saba Rooftop Perched on the 16th floor with a pool and a European beach club vibe this new spot has 360-degree views across the city skyline at night There are two types of Spicy Margaritas if you’re keen to get the party started or keep things low-key with a spiced rum and butterscotch Espresso Martini as a digestif This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with What’s On St Kilda & Southside. Explore more of the area’s restaurants, bars, cafes, events and things to do nearly a decade after relocating to Australia from Lebanon she was inspired by Julia Child’s late-in-life career change (her monumental Mastering the Art of French Cooking wasn’t published until she was 49) moved to Paris to study at Child’s alma mater “Julia Child inspired me not only on the culinary level but as a human as well,” Chedid tells Broadsheet After earning a Grand Diplome and completing six months at Michelin-starred La Tour d’Argent in Paris as a commis chef she returned to Melbourne and started French bakery Brulee in 2020 in her mum’s garage before moving to a corner building in Port Melbourne Chedid relocated it to a larger venue down the street She has since transformed Brulee’s former home into French Lebanese bakery Salam The hero of Salam’s menu is Lebanese flatbread “I never found a piece of flatbread that makes me happy in Melbourne so it was always in the back of my mind that I needed to satisfy my cravings,” Chedid says The soft bread is rolled into falafel wraps and served with fried eggs and beef mince and awarma (lamb confit) hummus But the best way to eat it might be when it’s transformed into manakish (topped flatbread) with toppings including akkawi (a Levantine cheese similar to haloumi) Lebanon gained independence from France in 1946 but the influence remains in the architecture and some of the food found in both countries including the za’atar-dusted croissants that Chedid says are popular in France she puts her own spin on the pastry with cheese and her house-made spice blend (which contains a generous amount of toasted sesame seeds) folded through laminated dough made with Pepe Saya butter Other French Lebanese hybrids include almond croissants with orange blossom and rosewater and crepes topped with everything from ham and cheese to labneh To give Salam its own identity – and a nod to her Lebanese roots – Chedid repainted the venue in a rich olive green salambakery.com.au Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker This is probably not the page you’re looking for The “Greek Australian” club will trust the experienced coach to lead them in the 2025 season The Port Melbourne Sharks are getting a makeover The “Greek-Australian” crew is now placing their trust in veteran coach John Markovski This experienced wizard has one goal in mind – to take his team to the top level next season He’s not afraid to face the big dogs and may even give them a run for their money John Markovski has had quite a journey in the realm of Australian football managing various teams throughout his career having suited up for big names like Perth Glory and Melbourne Knights the 54-year-old coach is already scheming for the upcoming season he’s determined to bring the Sharks up to par with the top dogs The fans are buzzing with excitement over John Markovski’s addition taking to social media to share their optimism The club’s management couldn’t be happier now focused on fulfilling the coach’s player wish list