The pictures on the front page told the story of leadership. A trio of images of John Howard sitting behind his embattled leader Alexander Downer, having had it out in private earlier over rumours the Treasure was canvasing numbers.
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Adding to the sense of danger surrounding the embattled leader, Mr Howard publicly refused to pledge his unqualified loyalty, holding the line he'd first expressed 10 years earlier when he'd sat behind Andrew Peacock: "it is not possible or indeed reasonable for a person in my position to state or be required to state categorically that there are no circumstances in the future in which he would ever seek the leadership of the party."
During his tense meeting with Mr Downer, Mr Howard repeated he was not organising a challenge, but "publicly, he did not call off his supporters, who have been canvassing support for his return to the leadership,'' the report said.
A Newspoll the previous day put Paul Keating's Government back in front of the Opposition and had Mr Keating at 53 per cent to Mr Downer's 24 per cent in the preferred PM stakes. Mr Downer lasted a little under two months more before resigning, allowing Mr Howard to ascend to the leadership and begin his march to the prime ministership.
Meanwhile, a happier end to a leadership career was noted on the front page. Canberra Raiders legend Mal Meninga made a "glorious exit" from rugby league after leading the Kangaroos to a world record 74-0 win against France. He declared he was "glad it's over" and looking forward to the rest of his life.