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

With Sally Warhaft, Les Hinton – Rupert Murdoch's right-hand man for more than 50 years – talks about the past, present and future of the mainstream press … as well as life alongside the man he calls ‘an authentic colossus’.

Sally Warhaft and Les Hinton — Photo: Jon Tjhia

Hinton has enjoyed both a close-up and a long view of the radical changes that have swept through the newspaper business. His new book, The Bootle Boy, is a memoir of his progress through the ranks of the Murdoch Empire.

Prior to stepping down in 2011, Hinton oversaw the administration of mastheads including the Times, the News of the World and Wall Street Journal; newspapers that, for better or for worse, shaped destinies and held a stake in world affairs.

In the book, Hinton gives an insider’s account of the media jostlings of major political figures, provides his own perspective on the phone-hacking scandal and reflects on changing revenue models for newspapers.