The stop in MEL was to pick up new tech crew. Upon landing in SYD new TC could not be called in before curfew. The poor cabin crew operated the whole way with the customers. The customers took it all rather well by all accounts.
I worked with the cabin crew PER-SYD yesterday. They said it was an experience to say the least. They started their day in SYD so did SYD-CBR-SYD-MEL-PER... Throw in the semi cabin prep into SYD and it makes for a long enough duty I reckon.