Somewhat surprisingly, after just one series loss after eight straight wins, there is talk of Mal Meninga turning to the next generation of superstars in Origin three. Although I severely doubt there will be sweeping changes, surely a dead rubber Origin game is the perfect place to blood the stars of the future. One enforced…
Yesterday reports surfaced that a possible bronze statue of Paul Gallen will be created for the new ANZ Stadium precinct after he captained NSW to a doubt breaking Origin victory. Let me just say I am 100% behind the idea of immortalising the NSW and Sharks captain, but I’d place the statue outside Remondis Stadium….
Earlier today, multiple sourced confirmed what most have already known for some time. A two year deal for Michael Ennis to join the Sharks, a deal which will see him finish his career in the Shire. As usual with signings, opinion has been split, although the majority of Sharks fans seem to agree that Ennis’s…
It seems that each and every year, an NRL side is decimated during the Origin period, and loses the momentum they had built over the opening ten or so rounds. Usually it is the Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos or Sydney Roosters, however this year, the boys from Belmore are the ones most affected. The table…
Yesterday it was confirmed that Will Hopoate and Josh Dugan will replace the injured Morris brothers in the squad for the second State of Origin squad, with Dugan set to take up the centre position. Josh Dugan has always lifted in the Origin arena, and was amongst the state’s best in last years series, however…
After last night’s man of the match award the question has come up, is Jarryd Hayne the most important player in league? Not necessarily the best, or most consistent, but on his game, there are very, VERY, few better. Hayne had an off season last year and the Eels finished with the wooden spoon. This…
Today the struggling Canberra Raiders have announced a massive player signing. That of the in demand and exciting James Tedesco. After a horror start to the 2014 competition, the Raiders have targeted new blood to give them the shot in the arm needed for a successful 2015 and beyond. They were also thought to have…
This weekend we saw half a round, played out between half sides, in front of half a crowd, so why shouldn’t games played during Origin be worth half the competition points? Of course this is something that will never happen however if you want a snapshot of just how mixed up Origin affected NRL games…
Mixed reactions have greeted reports that incumbent NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce will not be picked for game one of this year’s series. Some say that Pearce’s likely overlooking for the series opener is the final nail in the blues origin coffin, whilst some are saying it is a blessing in disguise. No one has born…
For the first time in recent memory, a Suncorp Stadium hosted State of Origin game has not sold out within mere hours of tickets going on sale. As of 8:00 pm on Wednesday night, 9,000 seats remained unsold for Game One of the Origin series, with the majority of fans agreeing that tickets are just…
Angry Newcastle Knights fans have started an online petition calling for the removal of multi time premiership winning coach Wayne Bennett in the wake of their record loss to the Panthers. Surely no one saw this coming, and although only supported by a small percentage of fans, the fact a petition to remove Bennett exists…
A rampant Canterbury Bulldogs side has run rampant against the hapless Dragons, running out 36-8 winners in front of a decent Sunday afternoon crowd at ANZ Stadium. Reading that statement, you’d be forgiven to thinking the Bulldogs won yet another home game. Amazingly the big win came in front of their ‘travelling’ fans. St George-Illawarra…
Social media and talkback radio have exploded after the news of bans being handed down as a result of two separate incidents from the Under 20’s Origin match. Tiger Mitch Moses has been handed a two week ban, with threat of more severe punishment to be handed down if he were to re offend for…
I never really had a problem with Fifita taking the larger than life offer on offer at the Bulldogs. Sure I was disappointed that a player who had seemingly made his name at the Sharks leaving the club, however if a rival workplace offered me an extra $50,000+ a year, I’d be out of there…
It has been yet another mixed week for the Canberra Raiders, who after their disappointing 26-12 loss to the Knights, have been buoyed by the good news of the re-signing of Joel Edwards. This comes less than a week after the good news that big man Dane Tilse had re-signed to play for the club…
With State of Origin one rapidly approaching, and every man and his dog predicting the NSW line up, I’ve decided to produce the side I would choose to take on the red hot favourite home side come Origin One. As with last year, this is not the side I expect to be chosen, or the…
Each and every week until the finals I will present the totally unofficial LeagueFreak.com power rankings. Just a quick explanation, these are not based on who the better team is, or who would win if they played each other etc, it’s more a who would be happier with where they are, form, judgement type of…
Earlier this afternoon the Newcastle Knights posted a statement in response to the seven week suspension handed out to Melbourne youngster Jordan McLean last night. For those who haven’t read it yet: “The Newcastle Knights is frustrated with the inconsistencies in relation to the NRL Judiciary following Jordan McLean’s seven-week suspension. Firstly, the Club takes…
Each and every week until the finals I will present the totally unofficial LeagueFreak.com power rankings. Just a quick explanation, these are not based on who the better team is, or who would win if they played each other etc, it’s more a who would be happier with where they are, form, judgement type of…
I’m sure by now everyone has heard the breaking news that Andrew Fifita four year deal with the Dogs has been torn up. There are conflicting reports as to why but the official line is that the Dogs could not agree to a few terms after third party deals fell through. Fans, rightfully, questioned whether…
Each and every week until the finals I will present the totally unofficial LeagueFreak.com power rankings. Just a quick explanation, these are not based on who the better team is, or who would win if they played each other etc, it’s more a who would be happier with where they are, form, judgement type of…
With reports that Tigers youngster James Tedesco has signed with the Sydney Roosters, fans have rightfully questioned whether there is any loyalty left in rugby league. Until there is an official announcement from the clubs we have to assume it is just a rumour at this time, however if true, continues a worrying trend of…
Each and every week until the finals I will present the totally unofficial LeagueFreak.com power rankings. Just a quick explanation, these are not based on who the better team is, or who would win if they played each other etc, it’s more a who would be happier with where they are, form, judgement type of…
The long anticipated round one fixtures have come and gone. We saw some great footy, especially at Brookvale Oval when the Storm beat the Eagles in a golden point thriller, while the Dragons and Eels ran up big scores no one expected to see. The Sharks are in crisis, Newcastle have lost their best attacking…