Graham

Sydney Roosters have confirmed recruit Ryan Hall is ahead of schedule as he continues his rehab from an ACL injury. Halfback Cooper Cronk has also returned to full contact training following a succesful surgery on his fractured scapula.

South Sydney captain Greg Inglis has announced he will retire at the end of the 2020 season, while also hanging up his representative boots at the end of the 2019 campaign. The 32-year-old currently has 261 NRL games to his name, and could be in line to play his 300th in his final season of rugby league. “It’s what I’ve known. I feel like I have given everything I have to the game, and it’s given me everything that I have in my life,” Inglis told rabbitohs.com.au. “I’ve been fortunate to play with two fantastic clubs in the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Melbourne Storm. “If it wasn’t for the Storm I would not have had the chance to fulfil my life’s dream.

Former Kiwi International Lewis Brown has announced his retirement from rugby league in an emotional Instagram post. The New Zealand-born player will hang up his football boots and follow a career in the fashion industry. Brown took to social media to reminisce on his football career, as well as to thank New Zealand Rugby League, the New Zealand Warriors, the Penrith Panthers, the Manly Sea Eagles, and his family for their support.

Triple Header next month at AAMI Park, Melbourne. Women's game: Indigenous Women’s All-Stars team: Akayla McQuire, Amber Pilley, Caitlan Johnston, Jenni-Sue Hoepper, Kandy Kennedy, Kyara Nean, Layla Fauid, Quincy Dodd, Rebecca Young, Samartha Leisha, Shakiah Tungai, Sharon McGrady, Shaylee Bent, Tahlia Hunter, Taleena Simon, Tallisha Harden, Terri-Ann Caine, Tommaya Kelly Sines. Coach: Dean Widders. New Zealand Maori Ferns team: Acacia Claridge-Te Iwimate, Amber Kani, Botille Vette-Welsh, Harata (Charlette) Butler, Christyl Stowers, Hilda Mariu, Jonsal Tautari, Kahurangi Peters, Kararaina Wira-Kohu, Kathy Keremete, Kerehitina Matua, Krystal Rota, Rona Peters, Geneva Webber, Tazmin Gray, Te Aroha Hapuku, Tyler Birch, Zahara Temara. Coach: Rusty Matua. There will also be a men's game and a touch-footy game.

Here's the list of players who have played 300 or more NRL games as of now. At the top of the list is Cameron Smith who has signed on again with Melbourne to play inthe 2019 NRL season. If he steers clear of injury that 400 game mark might well come his way. If it does it will be a huge achievement. Cooper Cronk and Paul Gallen intend to battle on this coming season too.

Wade Graham has signed a contract extension with the Sharks, and has now re-committed to the club until at least the end of the 2022 season. Graham has signed a three-year extension, with the 2018 co-skipper the sole captain-in-waiting after Paul Gallen calls time on his career. The 28-year-old has played 177 games for the Sharks, and has represented Australia on six occasions and the NSW Blues four times. “I have tremendous belief in the club and in our playing group and I’m looking forward to the next four years and to the next chapter of my career,” Graham told the club’s website. Graham will miss the start of the 2019 season after suffering an ACL injury during last September’s finals series, but is working hard on returning before the midway point of the season.

St George Illawarra captain Gareth Widdop will be released from his contract at the end of the 2019 season, as he takes up an opportunity with the Warrington Wolves in the Super League. Widdop will join the Wolves in 2020, with the Dragons releasing the 29-year-old only on the grounds he returns to St George if he does come back to the NRL. “I’ve made a big decision in my career having decided to move back to England next year,” Widdop told the club’s website. “It certainly hasn’t been the easiest decision but sometimes in life we have aspirations and playing in the Super League has been one of mine for a while now. “The Dragons have played a big part in my career. I’ve been here a long time now and to get to where we have with the roster we’ve got, to leave it all behind especially being the captain will be difficult.

Melbourne have re-signed winger Sandor Earl to a two-year contract extension, and announced the deal on social media on Wednesday.

I thought you were joking Irish Saint, then I went to look on their shop site and found this: Are they saying they can’t or won’t comply with these data protection rules? By the way Sharks there should be no new sentence at the ‘We are not permitting’ part. It is just the second part of your sentence. How complicated. Writing in completed thoughts. Is.

Valentine Holmes flies off to the US tomorrow to pursue his NFL dream.

Players working hard to be ready for NRL Round 1 2019

Sydney Roosters are open to the prospect of veteran playmaker Cooper Cronk playing next season. The lack of playmakers available on the 2019 market outside of Mitch Moses and Te Maire Martin could prompt the Rooster to wait a season for an bevy of playmakers off-contract in 2020. This would include big names Brodie Croft, Kodi Nikorima and Chad Townsend. Cronk has already indicated to the club that he could extend his stellar career at least a season, which would give the Roosters time to land a suitable replacement. No matter what happens, Cronk is expected to play an active role in helping the Roosters find his halves successor.

Canberra Raiders have added to their list of British recruits by adding John Bateman to their ranks. Bateman joins fellow countrymen Elliott Whitehead, Josh Hodgson and Ryan Sutton. Raiders winger Jordan Rapana has known the Brits for a couple of years, but still has one distinct issue with them. “To be honest I still struggle to understand Elliott and Hodgo and I’ve been pretty good mates with them for the past two years,” “He’s a new boy so he’s going to have to have little Hodgo there translating for him, he’s pretty hard to understand.” (Me: Very funny Jordan - what was that again?) Bateman has already played 15 Tests for England along with 167 Super Leaguegames for Wigan and has previously been nominated for the Golden Boot. The 25-year-old is looking forward to testing himself in the NRL. “I just thought I wanted a good challenge. I’m looking forward to working with them (Raiders pack) to learn off them and improve my game,” Bateman said. “I mainly play big minutes in the back-row, but often spend time in the middle from there.”

Maybe this will be of interest to them David: Former Souths winger Richie Kennar is set to abandon his Mormon mission to re-up with Anthony Seibold at the Brisbane Broncos. The 24-year old departed the Rabbitohs at the end of last season to follow his faith overseas, but has reportedly changed his mind and is keen to play at Red Hill. Kennar developed a close bond with Seibold during their time at South Sydney in a season where the utility scored seven tries from eight matches. It is understood that the Samoan will begin the season for Brisane’s Queensland Cup affiliate Wynnum Manly Seagull and provide the Broncos’ squad with solid depth. Kennar began his NRL career at the Melbourne Storm before crossing to the Rabbitohs last season and has played a total of 17 first-grade games.

I admire Shaun's attitude to the game and the way he plays it. Good to see his career moving on.