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Rumours and Stuff

Johnny88

Johnny88

Juniors
Messages
1,713
The Panthers have 13 players who will become free agents on November 1, including co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, while rising star and try-scoring machine Tom Jenkins does not have a deal for next year.

They might be red-hot favourites to win the 2026 title, but right now, Panthers chief Matt Cameron has a bigger job than coach Ivan Cleary, who is also off contract at the end of 2027.
The list of Panthers players who can speak to rivals from November 1 includes Cleary, Yeo, Kenny, Martin, Blaize Talagi, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Paul Alamoti, Isaiah Papali’i, Luron Patea, Billy Phillips, Billy Scott and Sione Fonua.

Gentle nudge out the door​

Next in line out the door will be the Sea Eagles’ recruitment boss and general manager Peter Gentle. He has an obvious tie to sacked coach Anthony Seibold, and that era is now over. He is capable and will get a different role at another club.

NRL ramps up Super League bid​

The NRL’s push to take over the UK-based Super League is about to go to another level.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is heading to the UK to make it happen. The offer won’t be astronomical, but it will involve covering the teams’ salary caps and evening out the playing talent.
The NRL will need someone to run its interests over there. Blake Solly has formerly worked in the UK, but he is working in a job he loves as South Sydney chief executive.
There are two reasons the NRL wants to take over the competition: one is to make sure the game is run better and survives; the other is to get subscribers for its NRL game pass. The NRL believes there is a potential million new subscribers for its app in the UK and Europe.
The NRL would also use it as part of its TV rights negotiations, as it would allow it to offer a world-wide deal.

Rivals set to circle McEwen​

Jermaine McEwen is shaping as one to watch on the NRL market, with several clubs keeping tabs on his situation.
Knights forward Jermaine McEwen.

Knights forward Jermaine McEwen.Getty Images
Newcastle’s push to land Marata Niukore could have a flow-on effect, potentially placing promising young Knight McEwen in the shop window. Should the deal with Niukore get done, McEwen may suddenly become one of the more intriguing young names available.

Staggs won’t walk out on Broncos​

Rumours about Kotoni Staggs wanting a change of scenery have been floating around. We have been told it started because Staggs is dating the daughter of Warriors media manager Richard Becht. Staggs’ agent, Isaac Moses, says there is nothing to it.

www.smh.com.au

The Panthers might look unbeatable now, but dark clouds are looming

More than a dozen Penrith players – including some of the biggest names in the game – could become targets for rival teams from November 1. Could the dynasty finally be coming to an end?
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
 
JokerEel

JokerEel

Referee
Messages
20,239
Johnny88 said:
The Panthers have 13 players who will become free agents on November 1, including co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, while rising star and try-scoring machine Tom Jenkins does not have a deal for next year.

They might be red-hot favourites to win the 2026 title, but right now, Panthers chief Matt Cameron has a bigger job than coach Ivan Cleary, who is also off contract at the end of 2027.
The list of Panthers players who can speak to rivals from November 1 includes Cleary, Yeo, Kenny, Martin, Blaize Talagi, Brian To’o, Moses Leota, Paul Alamoti, Isaiah Papali’i, Luron Patea, Billy Phillips, Billy Scott and Sione Fonua.

Gentle nudge out the door​

Next in line out the door will be the Sea Eagles’ recruitment boss and general manager Peter Gentle. He has an obvious tie to sacked coach Anthony Seibold, and that era is now over. He is capable and will get a different role at another club.

NRL ramps up Super League bid​

The NRL’s push to take over the UK-based Super League is about to go to another level.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is heading to the UK to make it happen. The offer won’t be astronomical, but it will involve covering the teams’ salary caps and evening out the playing talent.
The NRL will need someone to run its interests over there. Blake Solly has formerly worked in the UK, but he is working in a job he loves as South Sydney chief executive.
There are two reasons the NRL wants to take over the competition: one is to make sure the game is run better and survives; the other is to get subscribers for its NRL game pass. The NRL believes there is a potential million new subscribers for its app in the UK and Europe.
The NRL would also use it as part of its TV rights negotiations, as it would allow it to offer a world-wide deal.

Rivals set to circle McEwen​

Jermaine McEwen is shaping as one to watch on the NRL market, with several clubs keeping tabs on his situation.
Knights forward Jermaine McEwen.

Knights forward Jermaine McEwen.Getty Images
Newcastle’s push to land Marata Niukore could have a flow-on effect, potentially placing promising young Knight McEwen in the shop window. Should the deal with Niukore get done, McEwen may suddenly become one of the more intriguing young names available.

Staggs won’t walk out on Broncos​

Rumours about Kotoni Staggs wanting a change of scenery have been floating around. We have been told it started because Staggs is dating the daughter of Warriors media manager Richard Becht. Staggs’ agent, Isaac Moses, says there is nothing to it.

www.smh.com.au

The Panthers might look unbeatable now, but dark clouds are looming

More than a dozen Penrith players – including some of the biggest names in the game – could become targets for rival teams from November 1. Could the dynasty finally be coming to an end?
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
Click to expand...


Sign them all up!
 
Johnny88

Johnny88

Juniors
Messages
1,713
DOGS DISARRAY
The writing is on the wall for Bronson Xerri at Canterbury.
A left centre, Xerri would have thought his chance at NRL redemption had come as soon as skipper Stephen Crichton left the field against the Rabbitohs with a shoulder injury.
Instead, coach Cameron Ciraldo shifted Matt Burton into the left centre position – for a second week running – over Xerri.
Xerri was unhappy over his relegation to NSW Cup but by all accounts hasn’t since agitated for a release from his contract, which runs until the end of 2027.
After Xerri’s latest snub, that might quickly change.
The other fascinating subplot at left centre is Burton’s cameos in the position.
Bronson Xerri dog days appear to be numbered. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

Bronson Xerri dog days appear to be numbered. Picture: NRL PHOTOS
In Round 4, five-eighth Burton was shifted there with Crichton moving to the halves in a bid to spark Canterbury’s attack against Newcastle.
Ciraldo said it was a necessity but many, like Dogs’ premiership winner Braith Anasta, are convinced it could only serve to rattle Burton’s confidence as a playmaker.
Especially, when Burton was again shifted to left centre against the Rabbitohs for playmaker Sean O’Sullivan because Ciraldo felt Crichton’s loss meant losing their best communicator.
Crichton’s injury on the weekend let Ciraldo test a red-hot theory among pundits, including this columnist, that Burton is better suited as a centre with an organiser like O’Sullivan a better option as Lachlan Galvin’s partner in the halves.

Ciraldo opted to play Burton at left centre over Xerri after Stephen Crichton left the field. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
But that halves combination also doesn’t appear to be the answer for Canterbury’s attack, which despite scoring four tries was still clunky and hampered by 11 second-half errors.
Burton and Galvin, like he did on Good Friday, have both delivered decent individual performances over the opening rounds.
The duo will need to be at their best at Accor Stadium on Thursday when they face the might of Penrith, who are fresh from serving Storm a demoralising loss.
The powerhouse side will show Canterbury, whose try tally is less than that of the 12 tries Panthers winger Tom Jenkins has scored, no mercy.
WHITE V CLOBBERED IN REDCLIFFE
The Dolphins kicked off a bad week for teams wearing red and white with big Vs on their jerseys, delivering a disgraceful showing against Manly on Thursday night.
The only thing that stood up for the Dolphins were the impressive white collars on their home strips for the clash at Redcliffe.
There is too much talent at the Dolphins for them to get lapped the way they did by the Sea Eagles.
They looked like a side who thought they only had to turn up to beat battling Manly. They didn’t count on an emotional Sea Eagles side hellbent on winning for new coach Kieran Foran.

Herbie Farnworth rocking the ‘White V’. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images
And if Kristian Woolf’s team found Manly hard to deal with, wait until they get a taste of their next opponent - Penrith. Thankfully for the Dolphins, they have a bye in Round 6, they need it.
Considered a premiership contender at the start of the season, the Dolphins look like a team in free fall and headed for a third straight loss barring a Round 7 miracle against the Panthers in Darwin.
Then it’s off to face the Warriors in Wellington before hosting Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium. It’s a big month coming up for Woolf, and without the wins he’s another coach that will quickly find himself facing the blowtorch.
It’s sink or swim time, you could say.
FORWARD PASS BLUNDER
Lachlan Ilias and the Titans have had a tough season and so it was especially hard to watch the playmaker robbed of a great moment against the Broncos on Saturday night.
Referee Gerard Sutton called a forward pass after Ilias threw what looked like a magnificent out ball to put AJ Brimson over.
It would have made the score 16-10 with the prospect of making it a four-point game with a successful conversion early in the second half.
Fox commentators Greg Alexander and Dan Ginnane were shocked at the call and were still discussing it as Brisbane broke away on the next set to score a try to make it 20-6.
To add insult to injury, the Titans’ final try in the dying stages of the match, came from a Tino Fa’asuamaleaui pass in the lead up that should have been called forward.

NRL: Josh Hannay and Tino spoke to the media after the Titans loss to the Brisbane Broncos at home.
BEST BLOW?
Like every NRL fan, Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga could barely believe what he was seeing on Sunday - last year’s wooden spooners are running second to powerhouse Penrith on the ladder.
His Knights put reigning minor premiers Canberra to the sword in front of a sell-out crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium in another tough and gritty performance.
The convincing win sets up an even more unlikely top of the table clash in round six against the Wests Tigers, who can finish the round as high as third if they overcome Parramatta on Monday.


But again, the injury hits kept coming for coach Justin Holbrook with star cebtre Bradman Best at risk of joining multimillion-dollar men Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga on the sidelines.
Best failed to return for the second half against the Raiders after picking up a groin injury early in the match.
Not that it mattered for the Knights, it was the next man up.
Just as Fletcher Hunt had filled in for Ponga and Sandon Smith for Brown in recent weeks.
On Sunday that was rookie Wilson De Courcey, who stepped up to replace Best.
Best looked in high spirits on the sideline, with ice strapped to his leg, as he celebrated a Knights try.
But given the nature of soft tissue injuries Best could be racing the clock for next week’s clash against the Tigers.

Bradman Best could the next big-money star facing a stint on the sidelines at the Knights.

SILVER LINING
Some fans booed, some fans are calling for Shane Flanagan’s head but one Dragons fan went to bed with a smile on his face.
Dragons fans mercilessly booed their players at Kogarah on Saturday, and their frustrations are understandable.
But a number of players braved the tough crowd at full-time even though fans had spent 80 minutes letting them know how they felt, in no uncertain terms, about the Dragons’ efforts.
Jaydn Su’A was spotted giving his boots to a young boy decked out in Dragons gear.
Jaydn Su'A hands over his boots to a young fan.

Jaydn Su'A hands over his boots to a young fan.
The young fan with Jaydn Su'A’s boots.

The young fan with Jaydn Su'A’s boots.
But the forward wasn’t the only player not to duck for cover immediately at full-time.
Rising youngsters Hamish Stewart and Jacob Halangahu were spotted taking selfies with young fans and signing autographs.
Su’A and Luciano Leilua were two of the Dragons’ better performers on Saturday night but both of their futures beyond 2026 are uncertain.
Su’A has an option in his favour for 2027 but is unlikely to rush into a decision.

SHOULD DRAGONS FOLLOW MANLY’S FORAN CALL?
St George Illawarra bosses could do worse than follow Manly’s lead on Kieran Foran and throw a club legend, like Dean Young or Ben Hornby, in the coaching hot seat.
The question for the Dragons board this week will be just how much more time will Shane Flanagan get at the helm of the once proud club?
To his credit, Flanagan didn’t shy away from the abysmal performance against the Cowboys.
His disappointment was palatable but worryingly, Flanagan could not provide a reason why the joint venture has slumped to its worst ever start to a season.
Flanagan will spend the week finding the tactical answers, like how to reignite the Dragons’ limp attack and fix the even worse execution.
For the players, the mental battle appears already lost.
NRL 2025 RD07NRL 2025 RD07 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v St. George Illawarra Dragons – Shane Flanagan, Coach. Picture: NRL Photos

NRL 2025 RD07NRL 2025 RD07 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v St. George Illawarra Dragons – Shane Flanagan, Coach. Picture: NRL Photos
This is a Dragons team that is not playing for the famous Red V, its fans or even the coach.
Nothing screamed a team checked-out more than Braidon Burns’ 80-metre intercept try.
Somehow the closest player to Burn before diving over to score was local junior and prop Toby Couchman.
Rather than chase after Burns, Valentine Holmes is seen remonstrating at Lyhkan King Togia, who threw the pass.
Winger Christian Tuipulotu also just watched Burns streak away, leaving Couchman to make chase from near the middle of the field.
Dean Young. Picture: Supplied

Dean Young. Picture: Supplied

Ben Hornby. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
Burns was always going to score the try but the lack of care, and effort, was telling.
Compare that to Penrith on Friday night. After putting 50 points on the Storm, five Penrith players still swarmed Melbourne centre Manaia Waitere, defending their tryline in the final second of the game.
In February, Flanagan said he wasn’t setting stupid expectations by declaring his side a title contender.
Flanagan was being a realist but the sentiment is every bit defeatist – and after Saturday’s performance you can’t help but wonder if players have taken it to heart.
It’s obvious the Dragons need a roster overhaul. Players also need to rediscover their pride in the Red V. The club’s best shot at that might be to take a leaf out of Manly’s book.


 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

Post Whore
Messages
101,408
hineyrulz said:
So now he's average???? How many average players are walk up starts for NSW and Aus??? Derp!!
Click to expand...
Not many, but you can tell the ones who do because they're not allowed to touch the ball. Martin made 17 carries across three games last year. You didn't notice because you were entranced by his angry face.

17 runs in three games ffs! His superior teammates made this many runs in the same three games:

To'o: 71
Cleary: 51
Yeo: 40
 
Poupou Escobar

Poupou Escobar

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Messages
101,408
King-Gutho94 said:
Penrith must have a great coach with all these average players they seem to have.
Click to expand...
Every roster has mostly average players. This is what I've been trying to tell you merkins. The difference between the best rosters and the worst is that the best rosters have mostly average players plus a few stars in the top 17 while the worst rosters have mostly average players plus a few reserve graders in their top 17. Over a 24 game season that leads to the top teams winning 16+ games while the worst might only win 8 games if they all stay fit.

It doesn't mean the minor premiers had a team full of stars. They just look that way to the uneducated fan.
 
JokerEel

JokerEel

Referee
Messages
20,239
Poupou Escobar said:
Not many, but you can tell the ones who do because they're not allowed to touch the ball. Martin made 17 carries across three games last year. You didn't notice because you were entranced by his angry face.

17 runs in three games ffs! His superior teammates made this many runs in the same three games:

To'o: 71
Cleary: 51
Yeo: 40
Click to expand...


So its just runs that make a player good?

To'o takes a run or 2 every set so not surprised by his numbers..
 
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