The babysitter, the iPad texts and the media rumour that won't go away... Plus, Cate Sayers' 'new lover' sparks whisper campaign - here's the truth behind the smear as she sues husband Luke: COSTELLO'S MELBOURNE
- PLUS: Fresh blow for 3AW's Tony Tardio after radio axing
- Who's who at Rita Panahi's conservative Australia Day power lunch
- So long, Ozempic. High society getting shredded on buzzy $300 peptide
Nothing to hide
Cate Sayers is proving living well is the best revenge - but not everyone is keen to spin the story in such a positive way.
Costello's Melbourne has been told she's 'running around town with a European lover' after splitting from her husband, former Carlton boss Luke Sayers, last year.
Cate has been the subject of much chatter within footy circles since she took the bold step of launching a defamation suit against Luke, alleging he implied to the AFL Integrity Unit that she had posted the now-infamous 'd*** pic' to his Twitter account in January 2025, and accusing him of making false claims about her mental health as he fought for his top job.
So, does she have a 'European lover' as the gossips are so keen to tell me?
Short answer: yes. But it's a deliberately unflattering characterisation of what I'm assured is a normal and not remotely secret relationship that began well after the Sayers broke up.
Sadly, that's the nature of whispering campaigns such as this: the whisperer omits key details, adds a whiff of scandal, and lets the power of suggestion do the rest.
Fortunately, friends of Cate have been quick to set the record straight: the marriage was over some time ago, and Cate has never hidden her new man.
Cate Sayers is proving living well is the best revenge - bagging herself an Italian boyfriend after her marriage split - but not everyone is keen to spin the story in such a positive way
Cate (centre) is understood to have a new partner after the end of her marriage to businessman Luke Sayers AM, formerly CEO of PwC Australia and President of Carlton from 2021 to 2025
Yes, she's in a relationship - and yes, he's Italian - but this is no scandalous secret.
Cate's been seen out and about with her partner, entirely at ease and refreshingly unapologetic. Our view is that her new relationship is entirely her business and unrelated to the defamation case against her estranged husband.
(The Mail does not suggest Luke Sayers is involved in spreading gossip about his wife's new relationship. We also do not suggest Cate Sayers posted the lewd image from Luke's Twitter account, or that Luke accused her of doing so).
It comes after the Sayers drama took another twist last week, when two of Cate and Luke's daughters released a statement backing their father.
'Based on what we have lived and experienced, we stand behind our father and his position. If needed, we will give evidence to support Dad's defence,' they said in part.
The girls' statement has rocked Melbourne, largely because no one saw it coming - and because it was, frankly, bizarre.
Kids taking sides in a divorce is usually any parent's worst nightmare. But allowing them to do so publicly, in a statement to the media, is almost unprecedented.
One of Cate's supporters was equally baffled, telling me this week: 'Do they know what they are defending?'
Cate has taken the bold step of launching a defamation suit against her estranged husband, former Carlton boss Luke Sayers, claiming he defamed her to the AFL Integrity Unit last year
Yes, Cate is in a relationship - and yes, he's Italian - but this is no scandalous secret. The romance began well after the Sayers' marriage fell apart last year
Cate, for her part, appears to be taking the latest swerve in her stride.
She remains the primary carer for one of the Sayers' other daughters who has special needs. We also hear she has an Italian getaway lined up in the coming days.
Whatever the court decides, Cate Sayers is clearly thriving.
The Nepean question
When he's in town, former Victorian MP Tim Smith loves a long drive down to the Mornington Peninsula, where his parents have been based in recent years.
Perhaps that fondness is why his name has been floated as a potential Liberal candidate for the seat of Nepean?
Nepean - home to plush Portsea and sparkling Sorrento - will see a new MP at the next election following the resignation of former tennis pro Sam Groth.
Former Victorian MP Tim Smith (pictured) has ruled out a return to state politics
But the whispers are just empty talk: Costello's Melbourne can reveal a comeback isn't on the cards. Turns out Smith isn't interested in returning to state politics, having based himself in the UK as a consultant to Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.
As for Groth, his future is less certain.
Some speculate he could depart parliament early, potentially triggering a by-election. However, when we spoke to him this week at his Rye office, he was emphatic: 'My office is open. If a Nepean constituent has a matter to raise, it's business as usual.'
Meanwhile, BP Government Affairs professional Martin Barr is another Liberal name being linked to Nepean, and long-standing local branch member David Burgess also intends to seek pre-selection. Watch this space.
Dusty's ballsy move
Dustin Martin is a hit at the Australian Open after scoring some 'ace' feedback from tennis figures over his eye-catching skincare line, Trademark.
Among his products, Dusty has developed a 'Face + Body & Balls Wash' which is described as an 'effective all-over wash for everything from balls to backside'.
It's a refreshingly blunt sales pitch.
After 15 dazzling years in footy, the greatest AFL player of the 21st century stepped back from the spotlight in 2025, but now he's poised to enter his 'media era'.
After 15 dazzling years on the footy field, Dusty Martin (pictured in August 2024) is entering his 'media era'. Oh, and he's selling body wash for your balls
Costello's Melbourne expects to see Dusty delivering his trademark footy commentary on Foxtel before long.
Martin and his manager Ralph Carr met with Foxtel execs in 2024, but the conversation was put on ice due to the network's sale.
Last year, Foxtel - including sports streamer Kayo - was sold by News Ltd to international entertainment giant DAZN. Talks are yet to formally resume, with Foxtel's Steve Crawley away on leave for the next few weeks.
The AFL industry believes Dusty left the game with more footy in him. At least three clubs - in and out of Victoria - tried to get him to the negotiating table in 2025.
But ultimately - after 300 games, three premierships and three Norm Smith medals - Dusty decided he'd gone out the way he wanted: close to the height of his powers and as a Tiger for life.
In the meantime, Dusty - who's currently single - has been busy on the commercial front. He inked a two-year deal with luxury car dealership Cavalo Prestige in September and has been cruising around Melbourne in a Porsche Macan ever since.
'Dusty's the greatest of all time and we're pretty good at what we do too. It's a friendship that's turned into a partnership,' Cavalo's Hass Fahd tells Costello's Melbourne.
Players at this year's Australian Open received welcome packs of Dusty's products, much to the delight of international guests.
Even top-flight coach Petar Popovic, who's worked with the likes of Ivo Karlović and Andrea Petkovic, was suitably impressed, saying: 'I'm blown away by the prebiotic balls deodorant. It really fills a gap.'
Clearly, for Dusty, the transition from champion footballer to media personality and entrepreneur is off to a polished start - both on and off the court.
And if the Open's courtside buzz is anything to go by, Dusty's skincare game is just as strong as his sporting legacy.
Hand-ling offers
Melbourne MAFS alum 'Big' Dave Hand is making solo moves in 2026.
The Albert Park local has built a following of 200,000 on Instagram, but he's not ready to tip all his eggs in one basket.
'I've got some big projects coming up,' Dave told Costello's Melbourne this week.
'But I'm also still running my caulking company and we've got jobs all over the place.'
'Big' Dave Hand shot to fame on the 2025 season of Channel Nine's Married At First Sight, paired with on-screen bride Jamie Marinos. (The couple is pictured together on the show)
Dave is no longer 'married' and has just one dependent - his dog Willow
Ladies, Dave's not 'married' and his only dependent is his dog, Willow.
'I'm definitely just cruising when it comes to dating. I've been on a handful of dates but it's not where my attention is right now,' he said.
As the promos for a brand-new season of MAFS - rumoured to be the most explosive yet - hit our screens, Dave has been reflecting on the whirlwind experience.
'It definitely changed my life. But it was brutal too. So to this year's MAFS crew I say: "Buckle in, guys!"' he said.
And finally, I asked Dave if he was still in touch with his on-screen bride, Jamie.
'No, she took everything in the divorce,' he laughed.
Car theft karma
It's been a summer of s**t for radio newsreader, Tony Tardio.
Late in 2025, Tardio was wound up by 3AW station management after more than 30 years on air.
Nine Radio was keen to clarify he was made redundant, not dismissed - a distinction that matters little to the person getting shafted, but I digress...
To cheer himself up, Tardio bought himself a New Year's present - a pre-owned 2021 model black Lexus.
But just 13 days after taking ownership, the car was stolen off the street near Tardio's Clifton Hill home.
'First of all, I'm not happy about the car,' Tardio told Costello's Melbourne.
'In fact, I'm very unhappy. I'm p***ed off! People should be able to own what they want to own and enjoy it.'
The car still hasn't shown up but there might be some karma waiting for the thieves.
'I left a dozen eggs in the boot of that car,' Tardio said. 'Hopefully the eggs have gone rotten, and the crooks have to deal with that smell!'
Meanwhile, the scent of new ownership is in the air at 3AW.
Sports media heavyweight Craig 'Hutchy' Hutchison is reportedly the frontrunner to buy the Nine Radio stable, which includes 3AW, 2GB Sydney and 4BC Brisbane.
Costello's Melbourne managed to reach Hutchison for a quick chat while he was travelling through Utah, USA.
Hutchy wouldn't confirm or deny his interest, but word is he's the favourite among network bosses.
Don't change the (dinner) date
If you're among the Who's Who of Melbourne's conservative heavy hitters, the place to be on Australia Day was buzzy CBD joint Maison Bâtard.
Sky News host Rita Panahi was there celebrating with Gina Rinehart adviser James Radford and conservative Liberal MP Bev McArthur.
Costello's Melbourne caught up with Panahi the day after the patriotic power lunch, as she enjoyed coffee at Bec Judd's favourite Brighton café The Pantry.
Sky News star Rita Panahi 'robustly' celebrated Australia Day at French restaurant Maison Bâtard, where their table was draped in Australian flags
'We were covered in Australian flags and were very robustly celebrating the day,' said Panahi, whose fondness for fine-dining was recently noted by our sister column Inside Mail.
Maison Bâtard is the brainchild of hospitality king Chris Lucas, who famously once refused a booking from Daniel Andrews' wife, Cath.
True to form, it doesn't sound like there were any 'Change the Date' agitators dining near Panahi on January 26.
'If there were any self-loathing Australians who hate Australia Day at Maison Bâtard they kept to themselves,' she said.
'The neighbouring tables took some of our flags to decorate their own spot.'
So did McArthur try to recruit Panahi for a safe Liberal seat?
'Bev and I agree on a lot of things but there are things we disagree on. We have great debates. I enjoyed debating her,' Panahi said, leaving Costello's Melbourne none the wiser.
Summer shred shortcut
It's tricky to pronounce, but apparently not so tricky to get.
Retatrutide is the latest peptide sparking buzz in Melbourne's high society. The in-crowd simply call it 'Ret' - which sounds a bit grim, honestly.
One blushing Melbourne bride was raving about the stuff to Costello's Melbourne after she returned from her overseas wedding five kilos lighter.
But before the TGA starts drafting an infringement notice... we are certainly not recommending this injectable compound.
It's still an experimental substance and the potential side effects are not fully known.
What we do know is that some Melburnians have ditched Ozempic and Mounjaro in favour of 'supercharging' their results with 'Ret'.
The vanity set is going crazy for the stuff, which can be purchased in vials online for around $300.
Guess who, don't sue
Which two prominent broadcasters are flirting dangerously close to the line?
Word is a loose‑lipped babysitter recently got more than she bargained for while setting up an iPad at the family home.
All she wanted was to queue up some kids' TV. Instead, a stream of eyebrow‑raising messages began lighting up the screen.
Who are the two texters? I won't say, and won't name their employer either. The media world is a small one - even the tiniest breadcrumb would give the game away.
But with at least one party of this chat in a relationship, it's a timely reminder: nothing escapes the babysitter...
- The subjects of this blind item are not mentioned or pictured elsewhere in this column.
