It's 27 degrees out right now. Bring on the airconditioned office!

And with a top of 37 predicted, it's the hottest start to Autumn in 30 years.

Here's a weather update on our scorching end to summer.

A man is fighting for his life in hospital after he was stabbed in Collingwood early this morning.

Police said the man was walking along Hoddle Street about 4.30am today when he was approached from behind by two men.

The victim was pushed to the ground and stabbed. The pair then fled the scene.

Police said one of the males was "perceived as African in appearance" while the other was Caucasian or Middle Eastern.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

In other police news, a Nissan 350Z coupe was seized last night after the driver was caught travelling at more than twice the speed limit.

Police stopped the speeding vehicle on Stephensons Road in Mount Waverley after clocking the vehicle at 131km/h in a 60km/h zone as it overtook another vehicle.

A 22-year-old Malvern man was arrested and interviewed for dangerous conduct.

The car was impounded with $932 towing costs and the man was released pending summons.

Police will hold a press conference shortly about that fatal crash in Epping early this morning.

A teenage girl died and her friend is in hospital after the young driver lost control of the car and crashed into a tree about 1.10am.

Police are investigating whether the car was stolen.

They are urging anyone who may have seen the car before the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Australian shares are expected to open slightly higher this morning despite a negative lead from Wall Street overnight.

The SPI200 futures contract was up 6 points, or 0.10 per cent, at 6,155.0 at 7am (AEDT), suggesting a flat start for the benchmark S&P/ASX200 today.

The Aussie dollar is buying 70.94 US cents, up from 71.44 US cents yesterday.

It's hot and it's Friday.

But surely there's no better use of your brain this morning than figuring out the nine-letter word?

We'll print the first few names of those with the correct answer before 9am.

Go!

More from our court reporter Adam Cooper on the George Pell trials.

"Several moments over the past six months stand out: watching Pell in the dock clasp his hands, face flushed, the first time the prosecutor outlined the allegations to the jury; the eerie, shocked silence in court when the jury foreman said "guilty" five times; and this week's anxiety and adrenaline as he waited on the judge to lift the suppression order," he told Melbourne Express.

"Covering the trial was a pinch-yourself moment at times and it's been interesting watching the commentary about the trial and the verdict.

"I now wonder what the jurors - the only people who heard all the evidence - make of it all.

"And, the immense coverage makes me appreciate the surviving victim's bravery in contacting police, and withstanding the scrutiny that has come his way ever since."

It's been a big week in Melbourne's courts, with reverberations from the George Pell case echoing throughout the world.

Our court reporter Adam Cooper has been at the centre of it. Here's how he saw it play out.

"Covering the George Pell trials required great patience," he told Melbourne Express.

"My usual job is to report daily court proceedings, so to sit and play the long game over days and weeks, watching the trial and subsequent retrial unfold, was certainly different.

"Pell was found guilty almost three months ago so between then and Tuesday, it was preparing stories in advance, all the time waiting and hoping we would eventually be able to publish such an important story."

Cooper Street in Epping (although the VicTraffic tweet below says Campbellfield) remains closed in both directions after a fatal crash in Melbourne's north early this morning.

A teenage girl is dead and her friend in hospital after the car they were travelling in lost control and hit a tree.

Police are investigating whether the car was stolen.

VicRoads are urging drivers to use Craigieburn Road East or the Ring Road as alternatives.