Moves, Rumours,Judiciary, Injuries ...

[Graham]

Former Warriors coach Tony Kemp believes the club will not retain gun halfback Shaun Johnson and should instead pursue Penrith star Nathan Cleary.

It comes after the Warriors were knocked out of the finals by the Panthers on Saturday in a quiet showing from their marquee playmaker.

Kemp would like to see coach Steve Kearney remain at the helm, but was adamant that Johnson needed to be shipped off.

[Graham]

Dragons skipper Gareth Widdop’s season may be over after suffering a shoulder dislocation during his side’s 18-48 win over the Broncos.

It was the same shoulder Widdop dislocated three weeks ago, who was brought into the side with the knowledge that he would need surgery in the off-season.

The playmaker was instrumental in guiding the Dragons to a 34-18 lead, before sustaining the game ending injury early in the second half.

[Graham]

Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell has been penalised for a dangerous charge on Shark Josh Dugan during Saturday night’s qualifying final.

The match review committee handed Mitchell a grade one dangerous contact charge with a base penalty of 100 points, and should he accept an early plea, will receive 90 points.

However, due to 75 carry-over points, Mitchell would miss his side’s preliminary final clash.

Should the club decide to challenge the charge and be unsuccessful, he would receive 125 points and miss the do-or-die contest.

Therefore, Mitchell’s only chance of playing in the preliminary final is if he successfully challenges.

Edited September 11, 2018 by Graham

[Graham]

Will Chambers and Nelson AS are apparently available for selection again according to Dale Finucane who was giving an interview where he said Storm would benefit from a week off.

[Graham]

Latrell Mitchell will miss the next Roosters game - the preliminary final - after being found guilty of a crusher tackle on Josh Dugan.

It was a Grade 1 charge. he challenged it as he knew he would only get one match suspension whether he challenged or not.

It apparently took one hour forty minutes to hear his case. He was then found guilty in ten minutes of deliberation.

Edited September 11, 2018 by Graham

[Graham]

Judge for yourself

[Graham]

Greg Inglis' rib damage he got in the game this last weekend against Storm was actually an old injury aggravated he got - yes - in a previous match against Storm

[Farmduck]

Sydney Roosters second-rower Ryan Matterson will join Wests Tigers at the end of the season on a three-year deal.

The 23-year-old has played 57 first-grade games since making his debut for the Sydney Roosters in 2016.

"Ryan is a talented young man and we're very pleased to have him join the club next season," Wests Tigers coach Ivan Cleary said.

"He has developed in to a quality forward since his debut and we're looking forward to seeing him grow further at Wests Tigers over the next three years."

 

[Farmduck]

The 16 club players of the year award winners, as they are announced.

Parramatta Eels Ken Thornett Medal: Daniel Alvaro

New Zealand Warriors Simon Mannering Medal: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Wests Tigers Kelly-Barnes Award: Luke Brooks

Gold Coast Titans Paul Broughton Medal: Ryan James

Newcastle Knights Danny Buderus Medal: Kalyn Ponga

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Dr George Peponis Award: Dave Klemmer

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Roy Bull Award: Jake Trbojevic

NSW Origin Brad Fittler Medal: James Tedesco

RLPA Players' Champion: Kalyn Ponga

 

[Graham]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/11/newcastle-knights-fullback-kalyn-ponga-wins-2018-rlpa-players-champion/

[Graham]

[Graham]

[Graham]

[Graham]

[Graham]

[Graham]

Pasifika Leadership & Excellence: Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)

NRL Academic Player of the Year: Dale Copley (Gold Coast Titans)

Women's Academic Player of the Year: Kody House (Brisbane Broncos)

NRL Academic Team of the Year: Aiden Tolman (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters), Jason Bukuya (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Dunamis Lui (Canberra Raiders), Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys), David Gower (Parramatta Eels), Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos), Ryley Jacks (Melbourne Storm), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons), Dale Copley (Gold Coast Titans), Kody House (Brisbane Broncos)

[DavidM]

Thurston must be an emotion vote if he gets in any team of the year 

Edited September 12, 2018 by DavidM

[Graham]

15 hours ago, DavidM said:

Thurston must be an emotion vote if he gets in any team of the year 

I agree with that. By his previous standards he has been ordinary this season. He’s definitely doing the right thing retiring at this point.

[Graham]

NQ Cowboys 

As well as seeing off retiring stars Johnathan Thurston and Antonio Winterstein, the club has also said goodbye to Coote, Linnett, Shaun Fensom, Sam Hoare, Josh Chudleigh, Kyle Laybutt and Shaun Hudson.

So after their poor season, the club is having a clear out.

[Graham]

Souths' Zane Musgrove will appear in court next week facing domestic violence charges.

[Irish Saint]

Cameron Smith will play for the Storm next year and if he stays injury free will crack the 400 game barrier! Even if like me not a fan of the bloke that stat earns RESPECT.

[Graham]

1 hour ago, Irish Saint said:

Cameron Smith will play for the Storm next year and if he stays injury free will crack the 400 game barrier! Even if like me not a fan of the bloke that stat earns RESPECT.

I am a fan of the bloke and he has my respect by the bucket load.

[Graham]

Brisbane five-eighth Anthony Milford will have shoulder surgery later this week, after suffering an injury in the Broncos’ final round clash with Manly a fortnight ago.

Milford sustained subluxation of the shoulder, which occurs when the joint pops out before going back in.

The 24-year-old suffered the injury in the first half of their clash with Manly in Round 25, but played on against the Sea Eagles before facing the Dragons last weekend.

“He actually subluxed his shoulder in the first half against Manly,” Brisbane’s High Performance Manager Jeremy Hickmans told the club’s website.

“But he managed to play on and handle it for the rest of that game and the following week.

[Graham]

South Sydney Rabbitohs are unlikely to ban Sam Burgess ahead of their preliminary final clash against the Roosters, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

It is understood that Burgess has claimed the lewd photos and video chat were consensually shared, in which several Souths players exposed themselves to an anonymous woman via Burgess’ Facebook messenger account.

Pressure is mounting for the NRL and the Rabbitohs to take action against Burgess, with Roosters fans especially petitioning for the star forward to be stood down.

South Sydney have designated a five-person panel to investigate the claims, appointing NRL investigator Karyn Murphy to ensure the matter is dealt with expediently and in an unbiased manner.

[Graham]

North Queensland Cowboys have confirmed the departure of Kane Linnett, Lachlan Coote, Shaun Fensom, Sam Hoare, Josh Chudleigh, Kyle Laybutt and Shaun Hudson. Johnathan Thurston and Antonio Winterstein also retired this year.