CROATIA, Uruguay, Paraguay, Portugal and even a revenge mission against world champions Italy are all possible match-ups for Australia in a blockbuster World Cup farewell match in Melbourne next May, but the chances of the Socceroos resuming their age-old rivalry with New Zealand seem remote.

DAVID STRASSMAN – TED E BARE'S FAREWELL TOUR The Athenaeum, until December 6, $50-60. Daniel Ziffer Reviewer

A SENIOR WorkSafe executive has been forced to apologise for an "offensive" speech in which he wore a blonde wig and made disparaging comments about the need for women's policy.

Melbourne have learnt the lessons of three consecutive finals series, writes Roy Masters. A rugby league season is a prolonged battle between the forces that hold a club together and those that seek to pull it apart. Sharks coach Ricky Stuart alluded to this when he wished Storm coach Craig Bellamy..read more

A COLD, hard fact – Hazem El Masri could be 80 minutes away from the end of a 14-year career.