Dean Bilton
LightNews LightNews
banner
deanbilton.bsky.social
Dean Bilton
@deanbilton.bsky.social
140 followers 35 following 38 posts
ABC Sport. Writing cricket, AFL, bunch of other stuff.
Posts Replies Media Videos
deanbilton.bsky.social
Perth, day two. Utter madness.

#Ashes
Australia's Head explosion sums up and decides Perth's TikTok Test match
The innings of a lifetime from Travis Head may be the resounding memory from an often farcical first Test in Perth, won by Australia and lost by England in spectacular fashion.
www.abc.net.au
November 22, 2025 at 11:23 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Perth, day one. Bit on.

#Ashes
As Starc reached new heights, Australia copped an Ashes warning
Mitchell Starc's career-best day had Australia on track for a dream Ashes opening, only for England to offer back an ominous warning for the series ahead.
www.abc.net.au
November 21, 2025 at 11:55 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
It’s a very silly rivalry, but it’s a lot of fun too. We got the Port-Hawks game we deserved to close out Gather Round.
A silly rivalry gets a silly game as Port claims last Gather Round laugh
The Port Adelaide-Hawthorn rivalry is very real, but also built on some rather odd foundations. In that sense, their Gather Round grand finale was more than fitting.
www.abc.net.au
April 13, 2025 at 1:09 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Hell of a day at Adelaide Oval. Couple of hilarious games. Gather Round should reserve a day like this every year.
Gather Round's Sicko Saturday treats Adelaide Oval to some gloriously bad football
As Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs played one of the games of the year in Norwood, Adelaide Oval was treated to a double header of gloriously bad football. This was Gather Round's first ever Sicko S...
www.abc.net.au
April 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Turns out the Pies, like Steele Sidebottom, are now somehow good because they are old.
Older, wiser, better: Sidebottom's Pies are primed for another flag tilt
It is a compliment to say Steele Sidebottom plays like a 34-year-old, and his battle-hardened know-how proved influential in Collingwood's ominous victory over Sydney.
www.abc.net.au
April 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
If you’re going to host a party, you’ve got to be prepared for your house to get trashed.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...
As Adelaide welcomed the AFL to its party, Geelong ransacked the house
With the whole AFL watching, Adelaide had everything set up for its perfect Gather Round welcome, only for Geelong to stroll in, crash the party and ransack the house on the way out.
www.abc.net.au
April 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
The Gabba’s long goodbye.
The Gabba's long farewell will see Brisbane grow up, but lose some of itself
The Gabba has been left behind by Australia's other marquee stadiums, but is also a place where sporting magic happens, with memories that will survive the much-needed move to Victoria Park.
www.abc.net.au
March 26, 2025 at 2:23 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Jackson Archer did very little, if anything wrong. In trying to suspend him, the #AFL is waging war on the accident - but also upholding its duty to the game.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...
The AFL is putting the accident on trial in the Jackson Archer case. Can it win?
Jackson Archer certainly did not mean to hurt Luke Cleary and may not have even meant to hit him, but in the AFL's battle against concussion it is a distinction that may not matter at the tribunal.
www.abc.net.au
March 18, 2025 at 1:58 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Opening Round. Who is it for?

#AFL

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...
The AFL, 'Vic bias' and the flawed logic behind Opening Round
The AFL's Opening Round is pitched as a way to celebrate and evolve a truly national competition, but there is really only one winner from this increasingly unpopular weekend — the AFL itself.
www.abc.net.au
March 10, 2025 at 1:20 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
On the #AFL year ahead, one which could well change the game immeasurably.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...
The AFL braces for 2025, a season that could change the game forever
As a new footy season arrives, fresh with promise and hope for clubs and fans across the country, the AFL braces for a year set to be dominated by discussions of concussion, drugs and trade and free a...
www.abc.net.au
March 6, 2025 at 10:37 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Are the Hawks ready to be hunted - and a little bit hated - in 2025? #AFL

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...
The hunted and hated Hawks are ready to take on the world
Hawthorn was one of the stories of 2024, winning admirers and driving opponents crazy in equal measure. Now in 2025, the Hawks have an oversized target on their backs.
www.abc.net.au
February 25, 2025 at 4:36 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Kicking off a series of looks at the biggest #AFL stories of 2025 with a bit on Harley Reid. Who, you may have heard, attended a wedding last week.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...
Harley 2.0: Can Reid handle a year under the AFL's biggest microscope?
Not even a mate's wedding can offer Harley Reid an escape from speculation about his future, as the AFL's most sought-after young player embarks upon a truly unique and highly challenging second seaso...
www.abc.net.au
February 20, 2025 at 5:01 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Last one from a spectacular Test series, as good as any here that I can remember.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
The defining triumph of the Cummins era comes after one of the greatest Test series
A glorious Test series ends with a famous Australian victory, a new Tasmanian hero born and a summer-long triumph that stands as the most significant for Pat Cummins's champion team.
www.abc.net.au
January 5, 2025 at 5:28 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
While Rishabh Pant cut sick it felt like the series might be decided tonight. As it stands we have to wait for tomorrow after one of the most ballistic days of Test cricket since we’ve seen since… yesterday?

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
Cancel your plans, Australia and India's grand finale is upon us already
After an endless bombardment of twists, highlights and high drama on day two in Sydney, all we know for sure is this incredible series between Australia and India will be decided in the next 24 hours.
www.abc.net.au
January 4, 2025 at 9:19 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
On Scott Boland, the Kohli non-catch, the Sundar glove, Pant’s innings, the last ball, all of it. Arguably too much of it.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
The greatest catch that never was can't stop Boland dominating day one
On a gorgeously green SCG wicket Scott Boland was the perfect man to wreak havoc, his brilliance only interrupted by some line-ball umpiring decisions sure to be debated for some time.
www.abc.net.au
January 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Fantastic Test match. Had it all, from the first ball to that mad final session. One to remember.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Australia battles to victory in MCG epic, controversial and captivating to the last
It took every last sinew of energy and self-belief, but Australia battled its way to a sorely needed victory over India in an MCG Test that will be forever remembered for its theatre, skill and contro...
www.abc.net.au
December 30, 2024 at 7:44 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Jasprit Bumrah, fairly confident the best I’ve seen.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Jasprit Bumrah, perhaps the best we've ever seen, sets up a classic MCG finale
A thrilling finish at the MCG awaits after a day when the famous old ground was shaken to its foundations by the deeds of India's Jasprit Bumrah, perhaps the greatest bowler we have welcomed to Austra...
www.abc.net.au
December 29, 2024 at 9:51 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Australia’s margin for error in Melbourne has been completely eroded by the brilliant work of Nitish Kumar Reddy.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Australia's hopes of MCG victory worn down by fighting spirit of India's youth
Day three was supposed to be a batting day for Australia, and one where the hosts set themselves up for a crucial MCG victory. But in its way was Nitish Kumar Reddy, and the dogged determination of In...
www.abc.net.au
December 28, 2024 at 11:04 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Peak Smudge, Kohli and Cummins all in the same day. The cricket is good.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Kohli combusts while Smith steps up as veterans take centre stage at the MCG
Steve Smith and Virat Kohli have been carrying the hopes of their nations for more than a decade now, and so it proved again on day two of the Boxing Day Test — but by stumps, one had risen to the occ...
www.abc.net.au
December 27, 2024 at 11:47 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Sam Konstas, eh?

#AUSvsIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Introducing Sam Konstas, the snarling and smiling face of Test cricket's future
In a little over 90 minutes and with only 65 balls faced, Sam Konstas's debut innings in the Boxing Day Test has forced Australian cricket into a new generation, and there is no going back now.
www.abc.net.au
December 26, 2024 at 7:35 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
At 1.29pm, Steve Smith played an on-drive.

#AUSvsIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
The tiny tweak that allowed Steve Smith to rediscover himself
Steve Smith has been trying everything to rediscover his form, and in the end it took a return to the method that launched his career to bring about his breakthrough Gabba ton.
www.abc.net.au
December 15, 2024 at 8:28 AM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Travis Head only needs Plan A.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Head knows only full throttle, and it's leading Australia to victory
As proactive and frenetic as ever, Travis Head enjoyed a day in Adelaide where everything went right and his thrilling knock has set Australia on the path to a critical victory.
www.abc.net.au
December 7, 2024 at 9:40 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
Mitchell Starc is in his wily veteran era, and he’s never bowled better.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Starc's pink ball mastery hands Australia a chance to control its destiny
Nobody can control the pink ball like Mitchell Starc, but his career-best performance on day one in Adelaide was more than just speed and swing — and has put Australia in a dominant position.
www.abc.net.au
December 6, 2024 at 9:07 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
What do you do next after your worst home Test defeat for at least eight years? If you’re Australia, probably not a whole lot.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...
Horror Perth Test defeat means Australia's future will be defined by what happens next
The scale of Australia's defeat in the first Test against India has left us all searching for answers, and means careers will be put on the line in Adelaide and beyond.
www.abc.net.au
November 25, 2024 at 11:49 PM
deanbilton.bsky.social
The carpet too is moving under you.

#AUSvIND

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...
The end of an era is approaching for Australian cricket. Its best laid plans may need to be ripped up
A champion Australian team may have had visions of glorious Ashes farewells next summer, but as India continues to make the hosts look second rate in Perth, those plans may need a dramatic rethink.
www.abc.net.au
November 24, 2024 at 10:35 PM