Andrew McGarry

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history A fellowship of sailors will embark on She's 23rd Sydney to Hobart campaign. As they do they will honour one of the most resilient boats in the race's history and remember late owner Peter Rodgers.

It's been a busy couple of days, so I thought I'd put up this Sydney to Hobart feature I did for Christmas Day for ABC.
The boat She is on it's 23rd trip to Hobart, more than all but six boats in the race's history. They are still going on the NSW South Coast:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

Challenges overcome, Jamie Melham is back at the top of racing Jamie Melham overcomes numerous challenges to reach the pinnacle of her racing career, joining Michelle Payne in the rarest of rare clubs.

And on a day with a multitude of stories, this moment just after the #MelbourneCup was one of my favourites. For both these stars of racing, days like these are moments to reflect on successes — and on the hard times that had to be overcome to get there:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

Melham makes Cup history, as top jockey suffers nasty fall in later race Jamie Melham has become the second female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, riding Half Yours to a famous victory at Flemington.

Today the @abcsport @abcnews live blog from Mick Doyle and I of the #MelbourneCup had a lot of engagement and strong numbers - showing that there is still a lot of life in the great race and racing more generally:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

'A champion becomes a legend': Makybe Diva's 'impossible' third Cup win From quiet beginnings, an unknown English filly came Down Under and changed Australia's racing history by achieving the impossible. This is how Makybe Diva won a historic third Melbourne Cup 20 years ...

It's been a huge start to the #MelbourneCup Carnival, and now I've caught my breath I want to share some stories I've done over the last few days for @abcsport and ABC News. First up, a long-read piece on the 20th anniversary of Makybe Diva's third Melbourne Cup: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

From Ablett to Anderson — the Suns' long road to the AFL finals From Gary Ablett to Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell, from Guy McKenna to Damien Hardwick, it's been a long, long road to September football for the Gold Coast Suns. Andrew McGarry looks back on the jour...

It’s taken 15 years, but the Gold Coast Suns have finally made it to the AFL finals - it’s been a long road, with superstars and young guns, false starts and near misses, but wins on the road and the right finally got them over the line. My analysis piece for ABC: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

Live: Pressure ramps up at Docklands for Bulldogs-Giants clash Round 21 of the AFL begins with the Western Bulldogs and GWS at Docklands, with the hosts desperate to avoid potentially dropping two games off the finals pace, and the Giants going for seven wins in ...

It's footy time again, and I'm live blogging a Friday night blockbuster between the Bulldogs and GWS at Docklands #AFL #AFLBulldogsGiants

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

Two heartbroken clubs and a rivalry like no other — the Phil Walsh Showdown, 10 years on The tragic death of Crows coach Phil Walsh stunned the football world and united the two halves of Adelaide — two weeks later, Adelaide met Port Adelaide in a game like no other. On the 10th anniversa...

Ten years ago today, the biggest game of footy in South Australia took place, a Showdown like no other following the tragic death of Crows coach Phil Walsh. I've done a retrospective for @abcsport @abcnews
#Showdown39 #PhilWalsh www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

'It was hard to accept': The day the AFL said goodbye to suburban footy Twenty years ago today, suburban VFL/AFL men's footy in Melbourne came to an end. On the anniversary of Carlton vs Melbourne at Princes Park, we talk to Anthony Koutoufides and others, looking back at...

Twenty years ago today, Carlton said farewell to Princes Park with the last men’s suburban AFL footy game in Melbourne. To mark the anniversary I’ve spoken to former Blues skipper Anthony Koutoufides and former Carlton coach Denis Pagan for a feature for ABC:

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

Live: Footy world mourns Adam Selwood as Saturday games get underway The AFL world is in mourning again after the tragic death of Adam Selwood, as Saturday's games get underway. Follow live.

It's a big day of AFL football, but also a day of mourning, as tributes flow for the late Adam Selwood. I'm live blogging Collingwood - Adelaide for ABC, but please take the chance to share your memories of the West Coast premiership player on this sad day:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

How these disabled women are changing the face of mainstream sport Telaya Blacksmith is facing a crossroads, to continue her Paralympic journey, or pursue Aussie Rules — she is one of several disabled women building a name in mainstream sport.

Like many people, I'm an avid viewer (and blogger) on the Paralympics. But these days there are a growing number of female athletes living with disabilities who compete against able-bodied opposition. Elizabeth Wright has written a great feature on this for ABC:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

Live: Bulldogs, Power in Ballarat kick off a big AFL Saturday The Bulldogs and Port Adelaide are set to face off in Ballarat with a top eight spot in the balance, ahead of Adelaide vs Carlton and tonight's MCG blockbuster between the Magpies and Cats. Follow all...

It's footy time again - I'm at the blogging desk for Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide in Ballarat, ahead of some other ripper contests, including Adelaide vs Carlton, Collingwood vs Geelong and West Coast vs Melbourne. Join us!
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

I don’t want texts from ANY political party / candidate, quite frankly. There’s been enough through the letterbox!

I’m in Brisbane, and I’ve had EIGHT 🙄

Balta verdict a lesson from real court to AFL about off-field incidents The AFL does not pull punches when it comes to on-field incidents, but its soft handling of the Noah Balta case shows it is time to get just as serious about matters off the field.

As a former courts reporter, I often think about the differences in how incidents are treated on and off the field. My ABC teammate Chris De Silva has written a considered analysis piece on the Noah Balta court case and the lessons for the AFL. It's well worth a read:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...

One of sport's greatest final-day battles ends with McIlroy's name in lights Rory McIlroy has finally achieved golfing immortality in a modern masterpiece of sporting theatre, its flawed brilliance so relatable and so wonderfully symbolic of the Northern Irishman's career as a...

One of the most dramatic editions of The Masters ended with Rory McIlroy burying the ghosts of majors past and finally completing his career grand slam. My ABC teammate Simon Smale has brilliantly written up the day’s fantastic storyline: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...

Live: Port and Hawthorn meet for first time since bitter ending to semifinal Exactly seven months on from a nail-biting semifinal that ended on a sour note, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn headline Sunday's Gather Round action. Follow live.

It's time for the last day of Gather Round, with footy at Barossa Park, Norwood Oval and Adelaide Oval. First up, it's Richmond vs Fremantle at Lyndoch - and I'll be on the blog for ABC! Later Chris De Silva will take over for GWS-St Kilda and Port Adelaide-Hawthorn:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...

Live: Davies-Uniacke leads North against Suns after signing monster extension Fresh from signing a multi-million-dollar deal, Luke Davies-Uniacke is in action for the Kangaroos against the Suns as the AFL's Gather Round continues in South Australia. Follow live.

It's time for Super Saturday in SA in Gather Round!
I'm in the blogging seat for ABC for the opener - North Melbourne vs Gold Coast at Lyndoch in the Barossa. Up later is Carlton vs West Coast, Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane and Melbourne vs Essendon:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...

'Bitter blow': Hawthorn star Will Day out for up to four months High-flying Hawthorn hit with a major blow, with star midfielder Will Day to undergo foot surgery and expected to miss up to four months of football.

Terrible news for Will Day and Hawthorn, with confirmation the Hawks young gun has fractured the navicular bone in his foot and is set to be out for three to four months #AFL #SportsInjuries: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...

Live: Crows seek top two spot as they host the Kangaroos in Adelaide The Crows look to maintain their unbeaten start to 2025 as they host the Kangaroos, before West Coast and Fremantle complete round three. Follow the action in our live blog.

We're back for the conclusion of round three of the AFL on ABC! Later, Dean Bilton will handle the Western Derby, but first up I will be blogging Adelaide vs Nth Melbourne - two teams that have shown plenty early on. This should be a cracker!
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...

Live: Demons seek first win against Suns out to make MCG statement Melbourne is yet to win in 2025, and will face yet another challenge against a Gold Coast team desperate to prove it is the real deal with a rare win at the MCG. Follow the action in our live blog.

It's been a while, but I'm excited to be back in the live-blog booth for ABC Sport Online, for Melbourne vs Gold Coast at the MCG. Can the Dees finally get on the board for 2025, or can the Suns make it back-to-back wins on the road? Join me on the blog! #AFLDemonsSuns
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...

Live: New Brisbane stadium to be built for 2032 Olympics A new stadium will be built at Brisbane's Victoria Park for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

So, it’s official - a new Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park; a 25,000-seat aquatic centre at Centenary Pool; para-sport for Chandler; arena and Athlete’s Village at the Ekka; an upgraded Tennis Centre; and goodbye Gabba. This is the #Olympics #Paralympics 2032 plan:

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...

Live: Tigers roar back to beat Blues as Lalor stars on debut With top draft pick Sam Lalor in the thick of the action, an inspired Richmond outfit comes from behind to defeat Carlton by 13 points at the MCG. Follow live.

There’s a reason the cliche about one-sided contests on paper can fall apart - when the underdog plays like they’re not … Richmond stuns Carlton at a packed MCG. Can anyone find the clips from some pundits saying the Tigers could go winless? #AFLTigersBlues

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...

Ok, so clearly the umpires have a directive to jump in anything they think is under a 15-metre kick. That’s fine if you want to live up to the law, but if this keeps up we’re going to see a rash of long kicks and people making 20m kicks to earn a mark. And that’s NOT the law. Not impressed, #AFL!!!

I have a lovely little hip fracture I’m trying to sort out, so the couch is alright - if I never need to get up again … 👀

Outstanding #4Nations final in ice hockey - crazy atmosphere, ridiculous overtime action, heroic goaltending by Jordan Binnington, and Connor McDavid wins it for Canada over Team USA. I think they enjoyed it a bit above the 49th parallel!!! #CANvsUSA

Did you already have Jy Simpkin? Because he’s definitely a non-rage preseason trade for me after yesterday…

In the face of tragedy, this moment may have been the Selwoods' most courageous Known for their courage on the field, the Selwood brothers faced up to the Kardinia Park grandstands on Friday and put in their most courageous performance of all.

One of my boss’ favourite phrases about writing sport is “make me feel something”. Well on a tough day for the Selwood family and the wider footy community, @kylepollard.bsky.social has done just that, with a beautiful piece on the memorial for the late Troy Selwood:

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...

US Open organisers lashed for 'terribly shocking' mixed doubles change Tennis stars criticise US Open officials for scheduling the mixed doubles during fan week at this year's tournament in New York.

Shameful decision by the USTA, scheduling mixed doubles for the US Open during “fan week”, or singles qualifying week. It’s a disservice to fans and players alike, makes a mockery of tennis tradition and is just plain wrong:

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...

THE @Eagles ARE SUPER BOWL LIX CHAMPIONS! #SBLIX #FlyEaglesFly

Live: Aussie Jordan Mailata wins Super Bowl as Eagles thump Chiefs The Philadelphia Eagles dominate two-time defending champions Kansas City, winning Super Bowl LIX 40-22 to give Australian Jordan Mailata an NFL championship ring. Follow live.

It’s been a big night in New Orleans, but not if you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan! The Philadelphia Eagles are #SuperBowlLIX champions, crushing the Chiefs 40-22. Congratulations to Eagles lineman Jordan Mailata, who becomes the first Aussie to win a Super Bowl ring!

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...