Graham

50 days to kick off NRL Round 1 2019

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George Burgess has knocked back an offer from the Parramatta Eels, per NRL.com. The English international will remain with the Bunnies until at least the end of the 2019 season despite drawing interest from the Eels on a multi-year contract. Burgess told Parramatta on Tuesday of his desire to remain in South Sydney, despite not having a deal in place beyond this season. The 26-year old is confident of earning a new contract under super coach Wayne Bennett after appearing in 27 games for the Rabbitohs last season. Burgess was reportedly close to agreeing to a deal with the Eels but it ultimately fell through.

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.

Wests Tigers have submitted their response to the breach notices issued by the NRL last month as they look to downgrade the severity of the punishment they face. NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg stunned the Tigers before Christmas when he hit the club with a pending $750,000 fine – and a salary cap reduction of $639,000 in 2019 – for not declaring a post-career arrangement with Robbie Farah when he left the club in 2016. As a result, chief executive Justin Pascoe was also deregistered. The club was given until the end of January to submit its response, however in a bid to fast-track a decision and remove the cloud over the club's head, both the Tigers and Pascoe submitted their respective paperwork to the NRL on Tuesday. It's understood the Tigers are accepting responsibility for mismanagement but believe the punishment is heavy-handed given they believe they gained no competitive advantage from a deal that Farah is yet to collect a dollar for, or even decide to take up. It's understood Pascoe has decided to link with Brydens Lawyers principal Lee Hagipantelis, who also happens to sponsor the Tigers and several other rugby league teams, to represent him. In December, Tigers chair Marina Go released the following statement: "We do not accept the allegations outlined in the breach notice. "We reject that the club has breached the NRL rules or that our conduct warrants the sanctions proposed. The breach notice relates to events that occurred some time ago, in relation to an ambassador role for Robbie post-retirement. "The arrangement was entered into years after his playing contract had been signed and had nothing to do with Robbie's playing commitments. The club derived no competitive advantage from the arrangement."

Shane Flanagan has resigned as head coach of the Sharks effective immediately. The premiership-winning mentor and the club released a joint statement on Monday. “Shane was our first premiership winning coach, he is the coach of our team of the half century and he has given exceptional service and dedication to our club,” Cronulla chairman Dino Mezzatesta said. “He worked tirelessly to build our team and our club into a competitive force and he will forever hold a special place in the club’s history. “While disappointed his tenure at the Sharks will come to an end, Shane can look back with pride on some outstanding achievements during his time at the helm.” Flanagan was deregistered by the NRL last month after it was found he had breached conditions that he could not communicate with the Sharks during his 2014 suspension over the club’s peptides scandal

Several NRL teams will play official trial fixtures in Pacific nations over the next three years, after an announcement was made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday morning. Players and coaches of the teams involved will be in the country for a few days before each match, in a bid to not only prepare for the contest, but to participate in NRL and DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) programs to promote equality, health and wellbeing among other things. Minister of Foreign Affairs Marise Payne spoke about the initiative, and said it’s important to strengthen the ties between both nations. “These announcements are part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the Australia-Pacific Sports Linkages Program which will deliver $40 million in grants over five years to support the development of sport throughout the Pacific,” Payne said during the announcement. “Sport has been a longstanding element of our engagement in the Pacific. This new program recognises the role and reach of sport as a major connection between Pacific and Australian people and communities.”

52 days ...

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.

North Queensland Cowboys forward Scott Bolton has pleased guilty to common assault, after an incident at a Sydney bar back in May. Bolton allegedly grabbed a woman on the upper thigh as she moved off a couch, and the 31-year-old pleaded guilty to common assault for that action in Waverley Local Court on Monday morning. The Cowboys released the following statement surrounding the incident. Today, North Queensland Cowboys player Scott Bolton appeared in Waverley Local Court as part of the legal process surrounding an allegation made against him in May of 2018. Both police and the complainant agreed to the fact sheet tendered to the Court which alleged a common assault and confirmed Scott’s insistence that he never touched the complainant in an indecent way. Scott pleaded guilty to the common assault and the Court accepted that there was no indecent conduct nor violence on his part. The Court ordered that no conviction be recorded and imposed a 12-month good behaviour bond. No fine or any other sanction was imposed by the Court. Scott will make a statement in due course.

Cameron Smith and Melbourne Storm News: Cameron Smith joins Melbourne Storm pre-season with 400 games in sight Cameron Smith’s impasse with the Melbourne Storm is officially over, paving the way for him to become the first player to play 400 top grade games. Smith returned for a remarkable 18th pre-season when Melbourne resumed training last Thursday. It ended months of uncertainty surrounding Smith’s future after he threw everyone a curveball by hinting at retirement during Melbourne’s finals charge last year. Instead the 35-year-old was given an extended break including a family holiday to Port Douglas having enjoyed a rare off-season without international commitments. Despite the delay, Storm officials were always confident there would be a resolution between the club and Smith. Cameron Smith has set his sights on bringing up 400 games with the Melbourne Storm this season. Picture: Getty Images Barring injury, Smith will now add to his long list of records. He already holds the most first grade games with 384, which means he is tracking to become the first player to crack the 400 mark when he plays arch rivals Cronulla in Melbourne in round 17. Smith will also break Hazem El Masri’s record for most points in an NRL career. The goalkicking hooker sits 32 points behind the former Canterbury winger. El Masri has held the record since taking over from Andrew Johns in 2009. Smith ended his representative career in 2017 as the second most capped Australian player and his 42 games for the Maroons sees him feature in more State of Origin games than anyone else. Smith’s durability has been among his greatest assets, having featured in at least 20 games pre season since his first full year of first grade in 2003. He played in all but one of the Storm’s 27 matches last year, including their premiership loss to the Sydney Roosters. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy spoke openly about his desire to retain Smith especially given the retirement of star fullback Billy Slater. Smith turns 36 in June which sees him the second oldest player in the game behind Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen, who turns 38 in August.