General Rugby League & NRL Media

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cobarcats
  • Start date Start date
NZTiger said:
We've counted at least five major issues boiling away in the background that must be some sort of distraction for rookie coach Benji Marshall. In no particular order, they are:

A stoush between current and former board members that threatens to end up in the Supreme Court​

A push to ease veteran prop David Klemmer out of the club​
​
Former player Jordan Miller's legal action following his sacking for failing to turn up at training on time​
​
An arm wrestle with the NRL over whether centre Justin Olam can be medically retired, potentially freeing up $1 million in salary cap space​
​
The fight to convince gun playmaker Lachlan Galvin the club has a future before he goes to the open market on November 1​

Have we missed anything? Marshall, as his fights to prove he has what it takes to lead a club, has enough on his plate without dealing with these off-field dramas coming across his desk.

As James Graham told Triple M: "The Tigers play a lot of teams (early) that didn’t play finals last year. It’s the Eels next week, the Dolphins away the following week, the Warriors at home and then the Broncos before the Knights again. It's a favourable start for Benji's second year in charge. There's no such thing as an easy game but you'd look to build off that (draw). It’s important they get their game management right and look to close out and win tight games."

au.news.yahoo.com

Roosters cop fresh blow as Benji Marshall's problem with Lachie Galvin laid bare

Benji Marshall has a number of unwanted distractions. Read more here.
au.news.yahoo.com au.news.yahoo.com
Click to expand...
Have they missed anything? More like, have they found anything?🤣🤣🤣

is it a push or an ease of Klemmer?

What does a boardroom stoush at Wests Ashfield really have to do with Marshall any more than you or me?

Former fringe Top 30 player Jordan Miller's legal battle is even off Jordan Miller's radar. He has now taken up boxing.

An arm wrestle with the NRL? Tigers are following the NRL's policy. Can't wait to have an arm wrestle with Services NSW next time I go to renew my license.

The fight to convince Galvin the club has a future lol Galvin watches more Tigers footy than most coaches and defo this journo..Galvin's at Lidcombe Oval, he's at Camden. The guy's heart is in the club.

I doubt if this journo has ever undergone change. The list is always long and because of that there are always multiple pots on the stove. But it's not a a pusg, a fight, an arm wrestle or a stoush. If there's a plan, it is all about patience and consistency.
 
I watched Braith explaining his confrontation with Latrell on Buzz and Webster's podcast.
His version really rings true, particularly the part where Latrell tried to intimidate him but then was rattled when Braith failed to go to water and stood up to him.
It really mirrors what happens on the football field.
 
Paul Kent's podcast featured Clint Newton admitting that not all payments to players are above board.
Like I've always said, no player is going anywhere for less money because that would mean their agent gets less money.
I guarantee Galvin is on a better deal than we could ever have offered. Phil the liar admitted as much when he was pretending to not be interested. The sociopath confessed that Galvin would be the highest paid player in the game, knowing that the salary cap compliance is a joke.
 
Forward Passes
I know over time these have just got worse , old days your back line was back on an angle and all passes were pretty much sent back to the receiver as time went coaches float ideas to come up with flat pass , allowing the receiver more time to get speed up to take it or a sneakily ball close to the line , NOW. Bloody hell most passes are flat or forward , nrl has the tec to grid the field and let the bunker rule on it , it’s very simple and even Belinda sharp could do it I think 😁 if it goes over the line towards the try line your attacking its forward , hand over play on , and no it’s not hard as coaches will just train the forward pass out of his team , it’s out of control now with probably a good majority of tries having forward passes in them , Once betting is allowed on the game a forward pass becomes cheating
 
Ron Brodrick's Spirit said:
Paul Kent's podcast featured Clint Newton admitting that not all payments to players are above board.
Like I've always said, no player is going anywhere for less money because that would mean their agent gets less money.
I guarantee Galvin is on a better deal than we could ever have offered. Phil the liar admitted as much when he was pretending to not be interested. The sociopath confessed that Galvin would be the highest paid player in the game, knowing that the salary cap compliance is a joke.
Click to expand...
Who knows, Gould may well have got a kick back himself for getting Galvin over the line…
 
Rugby union continues to nosedive ,crowds good ,tv ratings laughable .
Afl are bleating over a 50mill lose on the ladies /if comp takes in every club loses to be 200 . League projects the same figures .Push back for spending those projected loses on grass roots
 
Brandon Smith has been charged with drug supply and an “inside knowledge” betting offences, after he was interviewed by Queensland police officers at Coolangatta.

The Courier-Mail has confirmed Smith, has been charged with one count of supply dangerous drugs and one count of using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.

Smith, spoke with police in Queensland after arriving ahead of the August 10 Rabbitohs’ match against Gold Coast Titans.

At the time, police said Smith spoke with police and was released without charge.

Police who were investigating as part of wider probe, later charged him with two offences.

It’s unclear what the disclosing knowledge for betting charge relates to, however the legislation is related to betting.

A police spokesman confirmed Smith was facing charges.

“A 29-year-old man has been issued with a Summons by Queensland Police on August 20 for supplying dangerous drugs and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting,” a spokesman said.

“The man is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on 18 September.

“Investigations by detectives from the Organised Crime Gangs Group, Taskforce Maxima, South Eastern Region are continuing.”

Earlier this month Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said Smith was spoken to as part of ongoing police matters.
 

Fittler and Johns inducted into Stadium Australia Hall of Fame​

NRL.com
Tue 16 Sep 2025, 06:56 PM

Share on social media​

Rugby league legends Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have been inducted into the Stadium Australia Hall of Fame.

A gala function to mark 25 years since the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics was staged on Monday night with Johns and Fittler among the first 10 inductees into the Hall of Fame.

The inaugural inductees were drawn from the sports that have attracted more than 35 million people through the venue since it opened in 1999.

Others to receive the honour were John Aloisi (football), John Eales (rugby), Cathy Freeman (athletics), Louise Sauvage (athletics), Mark Schwarzer (football), Tim Sullivan (athletics), Ian Thorpe (swimming) and Jonny Wilkinson (rugby).

“This is more than a celebration of individual excellence,” said David Gallop, Venues NSW and Accor Stadium Chairman.

“It’s a tribute to the collective effort of the people of NSW and the enduring legacy of a venue that has hosted the world’s biggest events, from the Olympics to World Cups, Grand Finals and concerts by global superstars.”

Andrew Johns​

'Joey' was in the Newcastle team that defeated Manly 41–18 in the first NRL game played at Stadium Australia, on 6 March 1999, scoring a try, six goals and a field goal. Later that season, he played in the first Test and first Origin game staged at the venue. By this time, Johns was recognised as one of the best halfbacks in the premiership, having led the Knights to grand final glory in 1997. Over the next seven seasons, he produced so many brilliant efforts, several of them at Stadium Australia, that in 2012 he was named the game’s eighth Immortal. Johns won three Dally M medals, awarded to the NRL’s best
player
(1998, 1999 and 2002), the Clive Churchill Medal in 2001 (when he led Newcastle to a 30–24 win over favourites Parramatta in the grand final), two Golden Boots as the best player in the world, and four State of Origin player-of-the-match awards (three of them won at the Stadium). He suffered a broken jaw early in 2005, but was back for Origin II in Sydney and was involved in all five NSW tries in a 32–22 win. A neck injury forced his retirement early in 2007. Twelve months later, Johns was named the halfback in Australian rugby league’s
Team of the Century.

1758150567121.jpeg

Brad Fittler​

'Freddy' played 336 premiership matches from 1989 to 2004: 119 for Penrith and 217 for the Sydney Roosters. He won premierships at both clubs, for the Panthers in 1991 and the Roosters in 2002, appeared in 31 State of Origin matches for NSW, first playing as an 18-year-old in 1990, and in 40 Tests. He won the Golden Boot as the world’s best player in 2000 and captained his country 25 times, including in the first rugby league Test staged at the Stadium - the Anzac Test of 1999, won by Australia 20–14. Fittler was also NSW skipper for
the first Origin match at the venue, a 12–8 home win in 1999. He would lead his state to further victories in 2000 (twice, the second by 56–16) and 2001, and then return in his final season, 2004, to inspire another famous Blues triumph. Fittler was Roosters captain in four of the first six NRL grand finals played at the Stadium (2000, 2002–2004). His kick to set up a try for winger Chris Walker against Canterbury in his final appearance was masterful.
 

Storm to enter new era of Pathways​

Authormelbournestorm.com.auTimestampFri 19 Sep 2025, 11:00 AM

Share on social media​

Melbourne Storm will field seven teams across NRL, Male and Female Pathways in 2026 including a stand-alone reserve-grade side for the first time, creating Club history.

In what is a key milestone for rugby league in Victoria, local juniors in the state will have a clearer pathway than ever before to the top-flight of rugby league.

Storm’s first ever official female sides will play a key role in the expanded pathways system entering U17 and U19 NSWRL competitions with an eye towards a future NRLW license.

The Club’s continued investment into the future generation comes oL the back of the implementation of the Storm Academy in 2022 and Road to AAMI Park Pathway Program which was launched to secure the Club’s future and allow elite junior players to develop through a Storm system, with the end goal to graduate into the NRL.

Storm CEO Justin Rodski said the announcement was an exciting move for the future of Melbourne Storm and young rugby league players in the state.

“This move will continue critical local investment into the future of our Club and help to set us up for success on the field for the years ahead,” Rodski said.

“We are working closely with the NRL to ensure we make the most of the growth the game is experiencing here in Victoria by creating localised
programs and pathways for players, regardless of where they live.

“We have already begun to see results following the creation of our Storm Academy and are passionate about providing Victorian rugby league players a local pathways system.

“We are also thrilled to be able to introduce two female Melbourne Storm sides next year following the success of our Female Development Squad over the past two seasons.

“Laying the foundations and setting up a strong local pathway for the female game in Victoria will be essential for when our Club moves into the NRLW.”

54572914999_f47a95f738_o.jpg

The introduction of Storm’s first ever reserve-grade side to compete in the NSW Cup competition from next season will allow locally produced male players a consistent path from U17’s through to NRL level. The new set up will fill a gap in Victoria for those graduating from the Club’s current U21 program.

Mark Russell, the Club’s current Pathways and U21’s Head Coach will take the reins of Storm’s inaugural reserve-grade side next season. Russell, has spent the past two seasons in Melbourne, spending significant time with Storm’s Junior Representative players ensuring the alignment of the Club’s coaching program across pathways and Academy.

In other staffing changes, Todd Lowrie will become the Club’s Head of Development overseeing all Pathways coaches in the Storm system while still leading the NRL Leadership Program.

Current U21’s Assistant Coach Dan Murphy will make the step up into the Jersey Flegg Head Coach role next season with Russell moving into the NSW Cup post.

Matt Duffie will continue as Head Coach of Storm’s SG Ball outfit after taking the U19s into week two of the finals in 2025. In 2026 he will be assisted by former teammates Justin O’Neill and Ryan Hoffman on the coaching panel.

Caine Sinclair, who assisted Duffie this season will move into the Harold Matthews U17s Head Coach role in 2026. Sinclair hails from the Altona Roosters Junior Rugby League Club and headlines a number of local Victorian coaches who will be on coaching panels and football staff roles across the male and female programs from U17 Junior Representatives right through to NSW Cup level.

Recruiting for coaching and staffing positions in Storm’s historic first ever U17 and U19 Female sides is currently underway.

The move means Storm’s partnerships with current feeder clubs Brisbane Tigers, Sunshine Coast Falcons and the North Sydney Bears will end at the conclusion of the 2025 season as announced last month.

Melbourne Storm Football Director Frank Ponissi thanked the clubs for their relationships with the Club while reinforcing Storm’s continued commitment to southeast
Ǫueensland via Club Academies.

“We have had proud partnerships with Brisbane Easts and the Sunshine Coast Falcons for more than 10 years, alongside the Bears more recently which has helped produce some fantastic NRL players for Storm,” Ponissi said.

“It’s critical that we continue to invest in our pathways structure here in Victoria and build on the success of our Storm Academy but we are determined to remain present in South-East Ǫueensland, continuing to identify and develop talent from the area and give them opportunities with Storm.”

Melbourne Storm Pathways Structure – 2026

NRL – First Grade

NSW Cup – Reserve Grade

U21 Male – Jersey Flegg Cup

U19 Male – SG Ball Cup

U17 Male – Harold Matthews Cup

U19 Female – Tarsha Gale Cup

U17 Female – Lisa Fiaola Cup

www.melbournestorm.com.au

Storm to enter new era of Pathways

Melbourne Storm will field seven teams across NRL, Male and Female Pathways in 2026 including a stand-alone reserve-grade side for the first time, creating Club history.
www.melbournestorm.com.au www.melbournestorm.com.au
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 286 (members: 16, guests: 270)
Back
Top