Sports writers and sports stars rarely meet on the same playing field. But veteran sports journalist Martin Flanagan and former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy are doing just that. Both, now, as authors. And both drawing on a true triumph-of-the-underdog tale: the Bulldogs’ miraculous 2016 Grand Final victory.

Bob Murphy and Martin Flanagan at the Wheeler Centre — Photo: Scott Limbrick

Murphy’s second book, Leather Soul, describes ‘Footscray winters and the glorious liniment-scented afternoons’: all the laughs, scraps and yarns of his 17-year footy career. And Flanagan’s latest, A Wink from the Universe, draws on player interviews, diaries, videos and fans’ recollections, to build a layered narrative of the Dogs’ 2016 victory – a triumphant 25-year conclusion to his acclaimed Southern Oval, Western Sky, which covered the Dogs’ failed 1993 season and battle to survive.

If you missed the pair’s last Wheeler Centre event, now is your chance to catch the long-awaited rematch. Join them as they share tall footy tales and discuss the scrappy, winsome club they both love.

A previous encounter   Podcast episode

The Wheeler Centre

Martin Flanagan and Bob Murphy in Conversation  /  Sport

Sally Warhaft, Richard Di Natale and Fiona Patten in discussion at the Wheeler Centre — Photo: Jon Tjhia

In the 1980s, Australia was an early adopter of free needle syringe distribution programmes. At the height of the AIDS epidemic, this controversial harm-reduction strategy played a crucial role in mitigating the spread of HIV among Australian injecting drug-users.

Despite our history of success with harm-reduction approaches, legislators – and large portions of the public – remain squeamish about these policies. Across Australia, parliaments are still more inclined to pass punitive anti-drug laws. But is this working, and is this even cost-effective, in the context of our spreading problems with ice?

Richard Di Natale and Fiona Patten both worked, in differing capacities, in public health prior to their careers in politics. Both have been vocal and active with regards to drug legislation since entering parliament. With Sally Warhaft, the pair discuss the possibilities and limitations of harm reduction in Australia.

Fiona Patten — Photo: Jon Tjhia

Richard Di Natale — Photo: Jon Tjhia