About the Setter
David Stickley has been writing crosswords professionally since 1995. His cryptic puzzle, The Stickler, reached number 4786 before being axed in July 2013 due to cutbacks. In 2024 David and his wife Linda secured a weekly cryptic and quick slot in The SMH and The Age. David has also been published in the NYT, the UK's FT and Church Times.
Tag Archives: AFR Cryptic
AFR Cryptic (17/1/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BIG TOP Dance around one great entertainment centre (3,3) BOP outside (I + GT) 5 PARABLE Lesson given by expert following average golf score (7) ABLE after PAR 10 AFTER SCHOOL CARE Teacher of … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (10/1/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 PLUNDERED Raided place belonging to newspaperman (9) PL + UNDER + ED 6 HUMPS Decision-maker in high school carries a heavy load (5) UMP inside HS 9 CHAMP Christmas fare replacing contents of cup? … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic Alphabetical Jigsaw (New Year 2026) Solution
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AFR Cryptic (New Year 2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 POSTSCRIPT Supplement rent prescribed in court after appointments (10) (RIP inside CT) after POSTS 6 TIFF Firm not starting a minor dispute (4) (s)TIFF 9 PLACE Locate soft and delicate ornamental fabric (5) P … Continue reading
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AFR End Of Year Special 2026 Solution
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AFR Cryptic (Christmas 2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 MISMATCH Clash is concealed by two males at church (8) (IS inside M+M) + AT + CH 5 STAIRS Celebrities taking one flight (6) STARS outside I 9 SLOPPY Careless spy seen hanging around … Continue reading
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AFR Christmas 2025 Clueless Solution
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AFR Cryptic (13/12/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 FREE-FOR-ALL Go down outside bar or fight (4-3-3) FALL outside (REEF + OR) 6 LIST Write down orderly’s tip (4) Double Definition 10 ALTER Modify components in general terms (5) generAL TERms 11 SUCCESSOR … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic (6/12/2025) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 HURTS Inflicts injuries on regiment primarily occupying small buildings (5) (R)egiment inside HUTS 4 FLATTERED Fine coffee and wine should be praised (9) F + LATTE + RED 9 DOUBLE CREAM High-fat dairy product … Continue reading
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