Moves, Rumours,Judiciary, Injuries ...

[DoubleD]

11 hours ago, Graham said:

The Roosters will be sweating on Luke Keary to pass all the necessary concussion protocols to make the field on Anzac Day.

Keary copped a nasty knock late in the Roosters’ win over Melbourne and will need to be “perfect” to be named to play the Dragons on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Meanwhile, Sharks’ rising star Briton Nikora has accepted a one-match ban for a dangerous throw and will miss Cronulla’s clash with the Broncos on Saturday.

Nikora has been excellent this season when I’ve seen him, a real find. 

[DavidM]

On 22/04/2019 at 21:56, Graham said:

Manly’s Brad Parker has avoided suspension after being hit with a grade-one contrary conduct charge for tripping in his side’s loss to the Dragons on Saturday.

Parker can accept an early plea and $1150 fine.

Deliberate trip should be a ban . Then if gouging is a fine there there’s no rhyme or reason 

[Graham]

Phil Gould love him or hate him is slipping out the back door of Penrith Panthers. Gone or going. His spin on things is that his job is now redundant as the Cleary regime has taken over.

You reckon a manager would love his job if Gould was looking over his shoulder all the time.

[Graham]

St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt is set to recover from his ANZAC Day injury against the Roosters in time for the Dragons’ next game against the Eels next Sunday.

Hunt suffered a shoulder contusion during the contest and was subbed off in the 67th minute of his side’s 20-10 loss.

Despite the injury, the Dragons expect Hunt to line-up at halfback next Sunday afternoon.

[Graham]

 Sharks currently sit in eighth position on the NRL ladder with three wins from six games. Purely based on results, they certainly haven’t set the world on fire, but they’ve not fallen behind either.

In reality though, even the most expectant of Cronulla fans have to be happy considering the horror injury toll that has plagued the club in the opening month and a half.

Strangely enough though, as difficult as it has been for first year coach John Morris and his charges, the injury crisis may ultimately prove to be a blessing in disguise.

The Sharks depth has been tested in a huge way thanks to injuries to Matt Moylan, Shaun Johnson, Aaron Woods, and Paul Gallen. Add in the fact that club captain Wade Graham won’t see football until at least round ten.

[Graham]

Wests Tigers have stood down utility Michael Chee Kam from Saturday’s NRL clash with the Gold Coast after he pleaded guilty to common assault.

Just hours after boarding a flight to Tamworth with teammates for the match, Chee Kam was told on Friday evening he would miss the game after admitting to assaulting a ride-share driver in December.

It’s understood the decision to stand Chee Kam down came after discussions with the NRL on Friday afternoon, as the club continues to work with the integrity unit.The 27-year-old was charged in January with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, however that was withdrawn and dismissed at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.

Instead the New Zealand-born forward pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of common assault.

[southwalesrabbitoh]

Folau is talking about condemnation, when we give a player a second/third chance that's redemption. Obviously very different things. 

[Graham]

Cronulla's multi-million-dollar casualty ward is at standing room only with Shaun Johnson the latest Sharks star copping a long-term injury.

Johnson will be out for the next month with a torn hamstring picked up in Saturday's loss to Brisbane.

The Kiwi international joins fellow big names Matt Moylan (hamstring), Aaron Woods (fractured foot) and Wade Graham (ACL) in the stands for Cronulla, amounting to almost $3 million of sidelined talent.

The prognosis on Josh Dugan is at least a positive one for coach John Morris, with Dugan pushing to be fit for Friday's short turn around against the Storm.

[Graham]

Warriors have dropped an NRL "bombshell" by making an immediate bid to sign Bronco Kodi Nikorima to solve their halves crisis, according to a media report.

The Brisbane Courier-Mail says the Warriors will table on offer for the 25-year-old, who has played 13 tests for the Kiwis, within the next 48 hours.

The claim was countered by one from 7News who stated the Broncos had not heard from the Warriors about Nikorima since the off season.

The Warriors are certainly facing major challenges in the halves.

[Graham]

Daly Cherry-Evans's chances of captaining Queensland remain alive but could require a return from injury directly into the Origin arena as the Manly skipper faces a month on the sidelines.

A syndesmosis strain to his right ankle is expected to keep Cherry-Evans out for the next 4-6 weeks after he met with specialists on Monday.

[Graham]

Manly are after signing Clint Gutherson. They are apparently putting a deal together to tempt the former Manly Junior back to the club.

He has put himself up for sale after Eels made an offer to re-sign him after originally stalling on approaching him.

From Eels point of view they have reportedly made a number of offers to Gutherson but his manager Sam Ayub has knocked them back on his behalf.

[Graham]

Well given the pecking order at Raiders this is not surprising news:

Raiders five-eighth Aidan Sezer will seek a move from the club by June 30,according to reports.

The 27-year old has struggled for senior opportunities this season and has found himself buried behind playmakers Sam Williams and Jack Wighton.

It is believed that a number of rival clubs could be interested in Sezer should he secure a release from Canberra.

Sezer had played just two first-grade games this season and has been playing for Mounties in the NSW Cup.

[Graham]

Brisbane’s Kodi Nikorima won’t play in Thursday’s NRL grudge match against South Sydney, with coach Anthony Seibold giving the long-time Broncos halfback a chance to “ponder his future”.

Teenager Tom Dearden will debut in place of Nikorima, who has been linked to an immediate move to the Warriors.

“He also has some decisions to ponder around his future, decisions that are not easy to sift through, and that may affect his family,” Seibold said.

“It will give Kodi the time and space to think through his decision.”

[Graham]

The North Queensland Cowboys will be without No. 1 Te Maire Martin as the fullback seeks medical support for a bleed on the brain.

[Graham]

Seems like Paul Green is losing the respect of an increasing number of his players at Cowboys. It may be just that they keep losing but he is reported to be late in ways that he would fine players for. (eg late for team bus).

Edited May 1, 2019 by Graham

[DavidM]

On 30/04/2019 at 11:26, Graham said:

giving the long-time Broncos halfback a chance to “ponder his future”.

It’s in Auckland 

[DavidM]

On 30/04/2019 at 10:50, Graham said:

Well given the pecking order at Raiders this is not surprising news:

Raiders five-eighth Aidan Sezer will seek a move from the club by June 30,according to reports.

The 27-year old has struggled for senior opportunities this season and has found himself buried behind playmakers Sam Williams and Jack Wighton.

It is believed that a number of rival clubs could be interested in Sezer should he secure a release from Canberra.

Sezer had played just two first-grade games this season and has been playing for Mounties in the NSW Cup.

If you’re behind Sam Williams it’s probably time to go

Edited May 1, 2019 by DavidM

[Graham]

Wests Tigers utility Michael Chee Kam will be free to return in round nine against Penrith after the NRL club finalised his punishment for a common assault.

The Tigers on Wednesday stood Chee Kam down for two matches and fined the 27-year-old an undisclosed amount following his guilty plea in court last Wednesday.

[Graham]

Darren Lockyer has given Tom Dearden the tick of approval as the precocious teen prepares for a torrid NRL debut in Brisbane’s grudge match with Wayne Bennett’s South Sydney on Thursday.

Dearden has added seven kilograms to his frame since the season began to couple size with his highly-touted smarts, with coach Anthony Seibold backing him as a long-term halfback for the club.

Seibold consulted club great and board member Lockyer, who also debuted at 18, before selecting Dearden, who will become the youngest current player in the NRL as he replaces Kodi Nikorima in the Broncos side.

[DoubleD]

5 hours ago, Graham said:

Darren Lockyer has given Tom Dearden the tick of approval as the precocious teen prepares for a torrid NRL debut in Brisbane’s grudge match with Wayne Bennett’s South Sydney on Thursday.

Dearden has added seven kilograms to his frame since the season began to couple size with his highly-touted smarts, with coach Anthony Seibold backing him as a long-term halfback for the club.

Seibold consulted club great and board member Lockyer, who also debuted at 18, before selecting Dearden, who will become the youngest current player in the NRL as he replaces Kodi Nikorima in the Broncos side.

7kgs is a hell of a lot to put on in only a few months. He looked a tidy organiser for the Schoolboys over here in December but didn’t pull up any trees

[Graham]

Brisbane hooker and Queensland incumbent Andrew McCullough has gone down at training on Monday morning with what could be a serious knee injury.

According to Seven News Brisbane’s Chris Garry, McCullough was carried off the ground at training with a knee injury, while “looks bad” according to Garry.

[Graham]

Judiciary after Round 8:

Penrith five-eighth James Maloney will attempt to avoid suspension by beating a dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.

Maloney and Panthers teammate Liam Martin both pleaded guilty to a separate dangerous throw charge on Monday but the club has opted to challenge the dangerous contact charge.

If Maloney wins at the judiciary he will be free to play in Penrith's Magic Round clash with Wests Tigers on Friday night. If he loses he will miss the match.

The NSW and Test representative is in a no-lose situation - he would have been suspended for one match if had pleaded guilty to both the charges he was facing.

Martin's decision to plead guilty means he will miss Saturday's match.

Four players were charged after Sunday's matches, with Adam Blair (Warriors) the only one facing suspension.

The Kiwis international will need to win at the judiciary to avoid ban following a tackle on Newcastle's Hymel Hunt.

Lachlan Burr (dangerous throw) and Tepai Moeroa (dangerous contact) can avoid suspension with early guilty pleas while Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga was fined after a trip during his side's win in New Zealand.

In the other two charges from Saturday's matches, Ben Matulino (Wests Tigers) has avoided suspension by pleading guilty to a grade one dangerous contact charge coming out of his side's loss to the Roosters. He will have 75 carry-over points.

There were no charges from the Thursday and Friday matches which started round eight.

[Graham]

The Roosters are interested in signing forgotten Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa to replace the injured Jake Friend.

Friend will be sidelined for up to four months after suffering a bicep tear, with Victor Radley currently filling in the No. 9 jersey for him.

It is understood that the Bulldogs are willing to let Lichaa go if they can reach a suitable agreement with Sydney.

The 25-year old responded well to his axing to the NSW Cup last week, running nearly 150 meters and scoring a try.

He made his NRL debut for Cronulla in 2014 before crossing to Canterbury the following season, logging 102 first-grade games to date.

[bobbruce]

On 22/04/2019 at 15:41, Irish Saint said:

Sad to see Nathan go for what he did at Saints. however it has to be said he has been given time at Newcastle to build a team and sadly just doesn't seem to be happening.

Very surprised having spent so long at the Giants and Saints that he isn’t doing what Ricky Stuart is doing at Canberra. Using his knowledge of the English game to pick out so top quality bargains. 

Edited May 6, 2019 by bobbruce

[Graham]

Melbourne has signed Nicho Hynes until the end of the 2020 season in a bid to bolster it’s backline depth.

Hynes, who currently plays for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Intrust Super Cup, worked out with the Storm for the first time on Tuesday morning.

Melbourne’s general manager of football Frank Ponissi told the club’s website they had been impressed by Hynes when he trained with the Storm over the summer.

“Nicho has continued on to have a great start to the year with the Falcons, and we expect he will have a very successful career with us at Storm,” he said.

 

This Falcons affiliation with Storm has also resulted in the Storm taking a number of players on from them:

Brandon Smith

Ryan Papenhuyzen

Harry Grant

Justin Olam

Ryley Jacks (two seasons with Storm and now with GC Titans)

Edited May 7, 2019 by Graham