Graham

Any media rumours that Sezer and DCE would swap places Titans/Manly appear to have been quashed. Sezer has home on Gold Coast and seems settled. The criticism of Sam Thaiday at Broncos has set rumours of him parting with that QLD outfit to move to the Titans where he might be happier and give some experience to the GC side. Thaiday is out of contract at Broncos at the end of this season. Wests Tigers prop Matt Lodge has signed with the club until the end of 2017.

Sounds today like it would be Kurt Mann not Dufty who would be moved on.

Just totally wrong eh David? Dufty or Hayne? I’d choose Dufty every time.

Seems like Eels are trying to move at least one of their current squad along and out of the club to try to keep Hayne

Here's the first I've found: GOLD COAST TITANS: 2019 Playing Kit: New sponsor for the next three years NEDS (Bookmakers)

Apart from having a criminal record which he'll carry the rest of his life (presumably) this result at court seems more lenient in terms of what he lost by not playing the remainder of the 2018 season and the damage to his professional and private reputation.

The Rugby League International Federation have confirmed that Australia will host the Nines World Cup and be a part of the Oceania Cup in 2019 and tour Britain in 2020, as agreed upon on the new international calendar. While the calendar is not yet set in stone, the structure of it have been agreed to in principle. Electives from over 20 countries held a meeting in York earlier in the week for the RLIF Congress, electing ARLC chairman Peter Beattie as deputy chair and promoting Graeme Thompson into the chair role. Thompson, a former Scotland international, replaces John Grant as chair, who stood down at the AGM. Discussion points from the meeting included the future of rugby league and locking in key dates for the next eight years and the lead in to the 2021 World Cup.

Raiders Injury News Canberra have confirmed Jordan Rapana will miss the first half of 2019 due to shoulder surgery. The Raiders’ winger dislocated his shoulder playing for New Zealand in the second Test against England last week, leaving Anfield with his right arm in a sling after the Kiwi’s 14-20 loss. Rapana’s surgery will see him sidelined until late May of next year, with his earliest possible return for the Raiders in Round 11 of the 2019 season. The injury of the star winger is a huge blow for the Raiders, who are also contending with the loss of Ata Hingano, also to a shoulder injury. Hingano is expected to return from Round 6 to 8 next year, while captain Jarrod Croker is on target for a Round 1 return from his knee reconstruction

Newcastle Knights have signed emerging back Hymel Hunt on a one-year deal, beginning next season. The 24-year old provides the Knights with versatility, capable of playing centre or wing, while bringing valuable experience from the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs. “Hymel’s been in two good systems, in Melbourne and Souths,” Brown told the club website. “He brings great versatile. He’s at home at wing or centre and can even play backrow. “He’s a nice addition to our squad.”

One or two things said and done recently by well known and previously respected figures in Aussie RL have caused some folk in the UK to question their attitude to RL players, clubs and national sides other than Australia. There is in my mind no doubt that NRL and Origin are the most competitive competitions in RL. However the players, clubs and organisations in other countries should be given respect. I was prompted to post the having just read an impassioned article on the Serious About RL website. It covers the perceived scorn of the recent Golden Boot winner Tommy Who? and the reluctance to play an Ashes series against GB. Have a read and see what you think. Guess who Mal Meninga has dubbed the Mouth from the North? http://www.seriousaboutrl.com/a-disgrace-to-the-greatest-game-18414/

Wayne Bennett has replied to the comments from the people like Greg and Freddy calling them ignorant and saying they ought watch before they open their ‘paid to comment’ mouths.

Tommy Who?

You couldn’t make it up Dave. It’s a stupid situation.

Peter Fox is still about, but he’s not as mobile as he was. Strong, straight talking bloke who knew how to spot talent, develop it and blend a team.

I really hope he clicks with Tigers and they make good progress.

South Sydney have secured the signatures of two of their rising stars with Cameron Murray and Campbell Graham extending their tenure at the club until the end of the 2021 season. The products of the South Sydney Juniors system were integral parts of the Rabbitohs' charge to the finals last season.

So to avoid awkwardness or embarrassment: Manly have reached a bizarre agreement with Trent Barrett that the outgoing coach will continue to be paid, but won’t have turn up to club headquarters or training. Barrett was a no-show at Sea Eagles pre-season training on Friday, avoiding awkward scenes as his four-month stand-off continued.

The Warriors have officially released front rower James Gavet from the final year of his contract. “James has been a good servant of this club and always gave it his all on the footy field,” Warriors CEO Cameron George told the club’s website. “But he’s been given a great opportunity and we wish him all the best for the future.” The NZ Herald understands Gavet is set to be released from his 2019 contract, and is ready to link up with the Newcastle Knights on a two-year deal. The 29-year-old will be released for disciplinary reasons, after a number of incidents has lead the two parties to the position they’re currently in.

Thought Woods played better last season - worked harder and from the outside seemed to have less off. Maybe he was worked hard at Sharks or had his mouth sewn up or similar.Not a favourite of mine. Sharks would be daft to pass on the chance of signing up you guys. What a wealth of experience you could bring to the pack... Clogiron, Irish Saint and Farmduck. It would be interesting to see how some of the commentary team pronounced the names. They do have a way of mangling them. Maybe you'd end up as Clag-Ian, I-Risk Stains and Firmed-Up and that's on a good day.

I call that young. You should be approaching your best in a few years time. Cronulla will benefit from your youthful enthusiasm I St.

The Rabbitohs face an uphill battle to retain the services of three of their top forwards in Tom and George Burgess and Damien Cook. The Daily Telegraph reported the Bulldogs see one or both of the Burgess twins as ideal replacements for David Klemmer, if as expected he joins the Knights. Meanwhile Cook will be chasing a massive pay increase after his stellar year for club, state and country and has attracted interest from a number of rival clubs. The Eels, Tigers and Knights are all understood to have expressed interest in signing Cook, who comes off contract at the end of next season. Cook is set to earn 300,000 next season and the Rabbitohs are looking to give him a well-deserved pay increase, as they aim to lock up the gun rake long term. The Rabbitohs have two places to fill in their 30 man squad for 2019 and are reportedly close to finalising a deal with club stalwart John Sutton to go around again next season. With Cook on a modest contract prior to his breakout year in representative footy, holding on to their star No.9 may cost the Rabbitohs one or both of the Burgess twins. Adding to the intrigue is the appointment of Wayne Bennett as coach for 2020, a deal that could yet be brought forward a year with a straight swap with Anthony Seibold. Bennett has been a staunch advocate of not paying overs for props and with both the Burgess twins on big money deals, they face being squeezed out as the club prioritises re-signing Cook.

St Helens and England winger Tommy Makinson has claimed this year’s Golden Boot award. Makinson was recognised by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) for his phenomenal season, scoring 11 tries for a Saints outfit that won League Leaders’ Shield. Additionally, the 27-year old scored a try on his international debut against New Zealand in June and added a hat-trick against them on Saturday, also being named in the Super League’s Dream Team last season. Makinson beat out James Tedesco, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Elliott Whitehead who were also shortlisted for the award. Australia’s Isabelle Kelly won the inaugural women’s Golden Boot, beating Ali Brigginshaw , Brittany Breayley, Georgia Roche and Honey Hireme.