Irish Saint

A heart warming story I do hope that medal doesn't end up on EBAY!

To that list Anthony Geĺling can now be added.

"George Burgess has had both his hands amputated and he’s still playing" I would like to take credit for that witty comment but I discovered it reading comments on The Roar

The Penrith Panthers have officially lodged James Maloney’s three-year deal with the NRL, which will see fullback Matt Moylan make a move to the Cronulla Sharks. NRL.com reports the NRL still needs to rubber-stamp the deal but it’s expected to end months of speculation over the futures of both Maloney and Moylan. Maloney had a year to run on his current Sharks deal but will secure his future with the $2.4 million three-year deal with the Panthers. Maloney will slot straight into the five-eighth role at the Panthers alongside young gun Nathan Cleary. The Panthers were desperate to add an experienced playmaker to their squad after rookie playmaker Tyrone May suffered an ACL injury late in the season and is expected to miss the opening rounds. Moylan on the other hand only recently re-signed with the Panthers and still had four years remaining with the club. The Sharks will essentially take over this contract, with the club reportedly signing him to a four-year deal worth $4.6 million. Although Moylan has played much of his career at fullback, it’s unlikely he’ll fill that position at Cronulla with both Valentine Holmes and Josh Dugan also vying to wear the No. 1 jersey. Moylan is expected to slot into the halves for the Sharks alongside Chad Townsend

The Canberra Raiders have re-signed local junior Nick Cotric for a further two seasons, with the NRL rookie of the year secured in Canberra until the end of the 2020 season. Cotric, who collected the NRL and Raiders rookie of the year awards had an electrifying start to his NRL career, playing all 24 matches for the Raiders in 2017, scoring 16 tries. The 18-year-old outside back said he’s excited to remain in Canberra and said the support he’d received in his first season had been a huge help in his decision. “It’s been a massive year being able to make my NRL debut and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Cotric said. “The boys have been a huge help for me and it helped me make my decision to re-sign. There’s been heaps of support from the team and club and I’m looking forward to continuing to play for the Raiders.” Raiders CEO Don Furner said the club was thrilled to retain Cotric and said it was great to see another local talent progress into the NRL. “Nick’s had a huge first season in first grade and the clubs proud to have a player who grew up in Canberra recommit to the club,” Furner said. “We pride ourselves on developing talent and Nick is one of the best upcoming talents in the game.”

Jarryd Hayne to quit Gold Coast Titans Zero Tackle - November 2, 2017 - 9:50 am Jarryd Hayne is looking to quit the Gold Coast Titans just a few months after triggering his option for another season with the NRL club. The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Hayne’s agent Wayne Beavis has told the Titans he is looking for opportunities elsewhere. Hayne apparently wants to move back to Sydney to be closer to his daughter and sources have said that Beavis is exploring all options to make it happen. Hayne is currently with the Fiji team for the World Cup and the Titans are still expecting him to return for pre-season training in January.

Taken from the Roar agree with a lot the author says Player recruitment needs an overhaul in the NRL By David Holden, 29 Oct 2017 David Holden is a Roar Pro Todd Greenberg has copped his fair share of criticism over the past few years, some fair and some unfair. However, if he chooses, he has the opportunity to implement what rugby league really needs. It will no doubt be controversial but there needs to be a complete overhaul of the player recruitment system. This need was best shown by the media attention over the past week. There is a Rugby League World Cup on, albeit a Cup that Australia is expected to win comfortably although the tournament opener showed it won’t be easy. Instead of completely focussing on that, a lot of attention was diverted to Cooper Cronk and the potential impact of his signing at the Roosters. I’m sure Cronk would say he is not bigger than the game, but it certainly seemed that way with the coverage. Many things need to change. Firstly, let’s look at the Cronk situation. Despite a few rules, at present, it’s effectively open season all year round on player purchases for next season while, from first November, clubs are allowed to negotiate with players for 2019. While negotiations for next season can be destabilising for a club, signing players more than 12 months out is destabilising for fans. Poor crowds are an ongoing issue for the NRL. I’m not suggesting that this is the only reason crowds are disappointing, but it is clearly disengaging for supporters. It’s time to follow the AFL and introduce a trading period, or additionally even open a trading window for a week or two during the season. The idea isn’t to restrain trade for players, it’s purely to allow focus on the game itself rather than who’s buying who for next year. Of course, not all players are equal. While some would be straight player trades, some will involve compensation. While money is obviously an option for making up the difference, so are draft picks. Rugby league implemented a draft in 1991 and it lasted just a season due to legal action. If they were to implement one now successfully, it would have to include only un-contracted existing NRL players, after the trading period closed, or juniors unwanted by their original clubs. This allows the NRL clubs to still foster development in their region and keep the juniors they want in their system, although how this works without a Holden Cup next year is anyone’s guess. The draft broke down in the early 1990s as it was forcing players to move to a club they didn’t want to move to. You could argue that the players on this revised draft above would likely be keen to move anywhere to get the chance to play NRL. Let’s also look at third party agreements. Corporates sponsoring players should continue to be encouraged but there is a perception that one team towns such as Brisbane and Melbourne, or clubs with wealthy backers such as the Roosters, have an unfair advantage given they would attract more third party agreements. It’s hard to argue against that perception as there is no transparency. Increase the salary cap if required but those agreements should be transparent and form part of the cap. The NRL could look at slightly higher grants for clubs where third party agreements are less prevalent. We need a level playing field. The NRL has been fortunately in recent years in having a good spread of Premiership winners. I’d argue that this is more due to injuries to key players and crucial retirements than an effective recruitment system. Regardless of this, fans really want to focus on the game itself rather than the player rumour sideshow. Having a month in the off season for a trading period and restricted draft achieves this.

Cooper Cronk signs with Sydney Roosters Roosters.com.au - October 30, 2017 - 1:07 pm The Sydney Roosters have announced the signing of Cooper Cronk on a two-year deal for seasons 2018 and 2019. 33 year-old Cronk is a two-time Dally M Player of the Year medalist and has played 323 first grade games since making his NRL debut with the Melbourne Storm in 2004. “We are delighted to have secured the services of Cooper for the next two seasons,” said Roosters Chief Executive Joe Kelly. “Cooper has played the game at the highest level for a number of years and we are keenly aware of what he brings to the Club. Together with the established leaders within our squad, we see him as a wonderful addition to our roster,” he added. Cronk expressed his delight to be joining the Foundation Club, saying: “The Sydney Roosters are a proud Club with an esteemed history, and this is an exciting new opportunity for me.” “It marks the start of a new chapter for me both professionally and personally and I look forward to joining my new teammates and coaches, and immersing myself in the Club’s culture in lead-up to the 2018 season,” he added.

A few years ago Roosters didn't have a cap they had a sombrero perhaps they found it again.

Meninga apologises to dumped Thaiday Wed 04 Oct, 2017, 10:43am Matt Encarnacion, AAP Sam Thaiday missed out Kangaroos selection for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Credit: Grant Trouville. Copyright: NRL Photos. Mal Meninga has apologised profusely to jettisoned forward Sam Thaiday following the former representative's attack on the Kangaroos coach on Tuesday. Thaiday tore into Meninga after failing to receive a phone call to be informed of his axing from the 24-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. Thaiday was one of two incumbents omitted from the team due to form and made his feelings known in an angry social media post on Tuesday. Meninga called the Brisbane star immediately after learning of Thaiday's comments. "It's my fault. There's no excuses. I apologised to Sam, I had a good yarn to him. I couldn't be more apologetic to be more honest with you," Meninga told AAP. The 32-year-old Thaiday was considered instrumental in helping rebuild the Kangaroos culture, including the penning of an ode during last year's Four Nations tour in Europe. Despite playing in the mid-year Test against New Zealand, he was dropped from the Queensland State of Origin team after their game one loss. The Maroons won the last two games to claim the series, however Meninga insisted it was still an oversight to not speak to him. "I put my hand up. There's no excuses for that," he said. "I agree with his comments and part of what I wanted to achieve around the Kangaroos was around the rise and part of that respect. "I just forgot. That's not an excuse. I should've shown respect. He's been a warrior for the big game in general and he needed that respect." Meninga and Thaiday have a long history dating back to when the former Maroons coach handed the Broncos second-rower his Origin debut in 2006. He hoped the phone call would save their relationship. "I hope that he appreciated the phone call," he said. "He vented, I understand that too. He's had a tough year, particularly representatively. He had every right to vent. "I phoned him because I was deeply apologetic and didn't show him the respect he deserved." Asked how close Thaiday was to selection, Meninga said: "That's not for me to comment publicly on to be honest with you. "We're talking about the incident. I fully support Sam's comments and I can't be more sorry." Thaiday's omission is likely to end a 10-year career in the green-and-gold jumper dating back to 2006 totalling 34 Tests. Sam will no doubt now concentrate on television

Sydney right now... .... no offence meant to any die hard follower of any Sydney team.

Boyd and Oates will play for Broncos https://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/09/19/11/55/broncos-rally-around-mourning-skipper-boyd?ocid=Social-NRLFS Watch the video also mentions that Bulldogs have no intention of paying Hasler out on his two year contract!

From Nrl.com Milford to miss World Cup Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett says Anthony Milford is no chance of playing for either Australia or Samoa in this year's Rugby League World Cup. ‌Eligible for both countries, Milford will instead be forced to have surgery on his injured shoulder after dislocating it during Brisbane's six-point win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 14. He returned to the Broncos side in Round 19 and has played injured since, battling through the pain to try and end Brisbane's 11-year premiership drought. The 23-year-old was prepared to continue playing in discomfort after the NRL season had finished, desperate to represent his country on the world stage. But Bennett has quashed any such thought, saying his star five-eighth will be in for surgery as soon the Broncos' season finishes. "[Playing] at the World Cup? Yeah that's Milford's idea of getting out of surgery. He's no chance," Bennett said. "I'm happy for him to play but he knows what has to happen and I know what has to happen. "Our intentions are for him to have surgery when the season is over. There is no alternative to that. There's no grey area." Milford will instead have to settle for finals football, with his Broncos team well placed to go deep into September. Brisbane will play the North Queensland Cowboys on Thursday night and a victory would mean the Broncos would finish the regular season in no lower than third position. Although Brisbane have lost prop Korbin Sims for the season with a fractured arm, they have been bolstered by the return of two young enforcers who shape as key figures in the local derby. Tevita Pangai Junior and Joe Ofahengaue are back and ready to take it to hulking Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo, and Bennett has full faith that these two will step up in Sims's absence and match it with North Queensland's pack. "We have Joe back and Tevita back. They have been playing well for us and we have a pretty good bench there," he said. "Jai Arrow has been really good for us and he's 18th man. We have a bit of coverage. We are in good shape." In a first for the year, Brisbane utility Ben Hunt will start the match at hooker, with Bennett hoping the crafty playmaker can play out the 80 minutes. "It is ideal for me because Ben is the best player we have to play hooker. I'd rather have him out there for 80 minutes than 60 minutes," he said. "We had to work him into the position. I want the best players on the field to start the game and he is the best player in that position. That's why he's there now. We just had to take our time with it." Second-row forward Alex Glenn failed to train on Wednesday because of groin soreness but he is expected to play. Wayne Bennett is now off to the Melbourne Storm to tell them the spine of their team should go on holiday for the month of November.

Will the Dragons play Dugan this Sunday. Rumoured he missed the bus as more interested in the Mayweather McGregor fight. Why have Cronulla signed this clown?

Brisbane Broncos winger Jordan Kahu has been ruled out of his side's clash with the Parramatta Eels on Thursday night with a groin injury. ‌ Kahu last week revealed to NRL.com that it was an injury he had been battling for four months, with the New Zealand international first tweaking it during his side's Round 7 win over the Gold Coast Titans. It is why Kahu has not been kicking goals in recent weeks, resting his injury in a bid to try and play out the season. But this week it has flared up again and the Broncos are playing it safe, with David Mead coming onto the wing to replace him.

Former Parramatta Eels, NSW and Australia great Brett Kenny has been diagnosed with cancer. The 56-year-old has lymphoma cancer and will begin chemotherapy next week in a bid to beat the disease. On the field Kenny made his name in the blue and gold, winning four premierships during his 265 game career for the Eels. The revered playmaker was in a particularly jovial mood on Wednesday considering the diagnosis he has been given. ''Even the specialist said to me - as a bit of a joke - she said tell your kids not to worry about putting their hand out for your inheritance just yet,'' Kenny said BEST WISHES

Flanagan on why Maloney won't get a pay rise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uhnNRQ

James Maloney fractured his hand against the Rabbitohs and will miss the next three rounds. Konrad Hurrell did his hamstring against the Panthers.

Allora has posted on the international thread. Johnson out for season and will miss world cup due to a ruptured ACL

Savelio to Broncos. The Brisbane Broncos have confirmed the signing of young British forward Andre Savelio on a two-year deal. The 22-year-old Warrington player will join the Broncos at the end of this English Super League season. Savelio actually played against the Broncos in the World Club Series earlier this year, scoring a try in Warrington’s upset victory. "Andre is a strong young forward and we have seen first-hand what he can do on the field in England," Broncos CEO Paul White said. "He is an exciting young prospect that will add depth to our forward stocks."

Melbourne centre Cheyse Blair is unlikely to play again this NRL season after re-injuring his ankle in his first game back from surgery. Blair was unable to go the distance in his return as the Storm fell to Parramatta 22-6 at AAMI Park on Saturday night. He limped off the field midway through the first half and sat on the bench with his leg in a moon boot. "It looks like he's cracked his ankle again," said Storm coach Craig Bellamy. "He had a pin in there five or six weeks ago so I don't think we'll see Cheyse again this year by the sound of it. "I'm not quite sure what's gone wrong, whether it's a new injury or the pin hasn't stayed in and they won't know until he has the scan but it's bad news." The 25-year-old was part of Melbourne's losing grand final side in 2016. Fellow centre Curtis Scott was a late withdrawal from the side through illness, while utility Tohu Harris failed to play out the match with a persistent knee problem. The Melbourne players will do a match review on Monday and then have a week's holiday, with the team enjoying the bye next weekend

Yes was there from start of season along with young Brailey. In other news an article in today's SMH states with a Sunday stand alone SOO game next year the season may be only 25 rounds.

Manly lose Sironen for at least 8 weeks Sea Eagles second-rower Curtis Sironen. Credit: Paul Barkley. Copyright: NRL Photos. Manly's NRL premiership stocks have suffered a blow with improved second-rower Curtis Sironen expected to miss at least eight weeks with a pectoral injury. Sironen will meet with surgeons on Tuesday, where he is likely to be told he will need surgery after getting caught awkwardly attempting a tackle in Sunday's win over Cronulla. His absence will take some serious air out of a flying Sea Eagles side that have surged into the top four for the first time since 2014. The former Wests Tigers forward is considered one of the most improved players in the competition this year following his move to the northern beaches over the summer. He had started in every single game under coach Trent Barrett this season, and scored two tries against the Sharks in what was arguably his best performance of the year. "He's been one of our best players this year," teammate Dylan Walker said on Tuesday. "He was really starting to find form, it's a bit upsetting and a bit sad for him because he's had so many injuries over the years. Hopefully it's not too bad and we can get him back soon." The Sea Eagles will aim to continue an impressive record away from Lottoland this season when they host the Warriors in Perth on Saturday. Their only loss on the road came when they took a home game to Suncorp Stadium in round 10, only to lose to the ground's tenants Brisbane. Walker credited his team's strong away form to a greater team bond compared to last year, however he believes it's a growing trend across the league. "Everyone here are real close together, it could be the little things of going out to golf, coffee or brekky. We definitely like each other's company, and it's just a close-knit group," he said. "There's a lot of teams doing good away from home. You only look at State of Origin, when they've both won away. It might be something new happening. "...Playing away is something we like doing and hopefully we can continue to do so."

Confirmed on nrl.com North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland Maroons playmaker Johnathan Thurston will have surgery on his injured shoulder and will not play rugby league again in 2017. The injury comes as a blow to both the Cowboys' premiership hopes and Queensland's Origin aspirations, with Thurston being an integral part of both teams. Cowboys coach Paul Green and Thurston addressed the media on Friday, but released few details on the injury that Thurston sustained in Queensland's epic 18-16 win in Origin II, or when the surgery is scheduled for. Green confirmed that the problem is in the rotator cuff, while Thurston cited a recovery time of six months, which will have him fit in late December, likely after the Rugby League World Cup. "After Johnathan sustained his injury in Origin II, given that it was already an injured shoulder, the club and the player have decided that it's best for him to get surgery immediately, effectively finishing his season for 2017," Green said. The problem has stemmed from the same injury that kept Thurston out of State of Origin I, and the increased damage had to be addressed with surgery to ensure Thurston's health after he retired. Thurston kicks the match-winning conversion in Origin II. Despite being in obvious pain in the first half of Origin I, Green was happy for Thurston to stay on and finish the game, and didn't criticise the decisions made by the Queensland staff. "Origin is a high stakes game and you don't know at that stage what had happened. It could have been a cork. Lucky for Queensland he didn't [go off] he kicked us home to victory so that's not an issue for us," Green said. "Having known him for the last few years that I've worked with him it doesn't surprise me. I don't need to sit here and expunge about how great he is but toughness is one of his traits and he displayed that on Wednesday night. To kick the goal to win the game that doesn't surprise me at all that's the type of player he is." The Cowboys are looking to the future, and are confident that they can still achieve their goals for 2017, albeit with some extra difficulty given the absence of the champion playmaker from the field. "[Thurston] is an integral part of the team and the club, he's one of our captains. [The team's] first thought was for 'JT' to make sure he's alright and the injury comes next," the coach said. "It gives us a bit of steely determination too. We know what we want to achieve this year as a team and that's probably made it a little bit tougher given how good a player he is. "It's probably given the group a bit more determination now to come together and still achieve what we wanted to achieve." A devastated Thurston was disappointed to find out the severity of the injury, believing it was initially a simple cork to an already-tender area. "The next morning doing some tests I could lift my arm above my head, out to the side whereas after the (Anzac) test I couldn't do that so it was encouraging signs [Thursday] morning," Thurston said. "I got the scan and the news isn't good and the best decision for myself and the club is to get the operation done. "I thought I might have been able to pump one or two more games out but the medical advice I've been given is, 'if you want to live a healthy life after football it's best to get this done now.'" Green has no intention of letting Thurston's knowledge and experience go to waste, and has plans for the playmaker to take up a position with the coaching staff. "It's alright, he'll have a job on the coaching staff. I'll keep him busy," Green said. Thurston stated that he will stick to his decision to retire from representative football at the end of the year, meaning Game Two on Wednesday night will more than likely by the last representative match Thurston plays.

Any Other Business/ Any Other Sports Forum could we please have a separate Political World Forum.