In this section of the web site you will find articles contributed by guest writers.
We’re now 20 rounds in and it is official that the London Broncos will be playing in the Championship next year, with Bradford almost certain to follow. The Broncos have prepared though, and it’s good to see. Round 20 includes a few big score-lines, and a few shock ones, too. Wakefield Wildcats vs Widnes Vikings…
The on again, off again side that is the New Zealand Warriors have finally had more on days lately than off, and it looks like it all comes down to Andrew McFadden. The Warriors have won five of their past six games, including their last three straight. Their latest victory was a scintillating 48-0 win…
The long awaited (by hard core Raiders fans) first grade debut of Jeremy Hawkins will sadly not come this season after the NRL ruled Hawkins out on the basis of the 2nd tier salary cap. Whilst it is disappointing for Hawkins, Raiders fans should not be so quick to blame the hated 2nd tier cap…
Round 19 saw a chain of shock results, including in the Wakefield vs Leeds game, a close win for Catalan and an easy win for the Wigan Warriors. Widnes Vikings vs Castleford Tigers An experiment for both teams before the real important Challenge Cup Semi-Final in Leigh for these two sides. Castleford settled their nerves…
Brad Walter at the Sydney Morning Herald is among the premier rugby league writers in Australia. In addition to his regular reporting Walter also produces a weekly opinion piece titled “Winning Starts Monday”. I’ll let you guess what day of the week it runs (surprise – it’s Tuesday). The premise of this week’s column (http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/cutting-players-down-to-size-pays-dividends-for-blues-and-clubs-20140707-zsyp1.html)…
Perhaps I’m the only one but I find myself thoroughly unenthused about State of Origin III tonight. Now that NSW have slain the 8 in a row dragon there seems very little to get excited about. I’m convinced that I am not the only fan who feels this way as the breathless anticipation and fervor…
Tomorrow night will see NSW attempt to record a whitewash, rather than avoid one, which has unfortunately for us long suffering NSW fans, been the flavour of the past almost decade. In this series we have seen Jarryd Hayne become an absolute legend of the game, the emergence of young Hodkinson and Reynolds as a…
As we approach State of Origin Three, which in terms of the series doesn’t really matter, players seem to be putting their club futures at risk. Josh Morris has taken extraordinary measures to be fit for Origin Three after suffering a potentially season altering injury in the first game of the series. Luke Lewis will…
“One in five Australians are affected by mental illness each year.” My name is Zoe and like many other Australians, I suffer from a mood disorder. I’m raising money for the Black Dog Institute, which is an organisation that assists in the diagnosis of mood disorders, raises awareness through community events and performs mental health…
The Sharks week from hell has ended on a high with the dailytelegraph announcing the club has landed a major sponsor for the rest of the season in the form of Labour Health. I’m sure NO ONE sees the irony in the Sharks attracting a company that specialised in drug and alcohol testing in the…
Round 18 saw one of the biggest derbies in Rugby League take place, a tight win for Leeds and Wakefield secure another important point. Hull KR vs Huddersfield Giants The Thursday night televised game went to this clash, with Hull KR trying to fight their way back into the top 8. The highlight of the…
Round 17 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles ANZ Stadium, 4/7/14 7:45pm Do not be fooled, time does not in fact heal old wounds. Friday night the Sea Eagles will venture into hostile territory when they face the Bulldogs at ANZ stadium. This modern day rivalry is still bubbling along nearly 3 years after Des…
With the last six rounds of the NRL draw set to be released at 11 am (it is now 12:40 pm and no sign of said draw) multiple media outlets have confirmed the return of Thursday Night Footy…and the fans are not happy. Channel 9, the true rulers of the game, are set to once…
The series winning NSW blues have named the side they hope can complete a historic three-nil whitewash in Brisbane next Wednesday night. Josh Morris is back after suffering an unfortunate injury in his heroic Origin One effort and will replace the injured Michael Jennings. Boyd Cordner also comes into the side after missing the first…
There is currently a very troubling story circulating in the rugby league rumour mill that the Canberra Raiders are interested in signing Robert Lui. As a Raiders fan I honestly can’t think of a player in the NRL that I am less interested in bringing to the club. Not just because he’s a mediocre player…
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…
It’s an ongoing debate in stadiums, lounge rooms and pubs around Australia – who is the most injury prone player in the NRL? Now it’s very easy to bag from the sideline. Most of us are has-beens who never really amounted to much more than fourth grade trundlers, but being fantasy players, well it’s just…
Ricky Stuart was quoted in the media last week saying that for the club to rebuild, more short-term pain would probably be required. Ricky was, however, adamant that better times were coming as the club developed, and recruited, the sorts of players needed for the future. Then, on Friday night, we got a little bit…
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….
This is one is for the ladies (well even some men) Now this is a tribute to some of the lookers of the NRL that have graced the fields with their buff bodies and tough guy looks. Now before you roll your eyes, yes I love my rugby league! I have since I was 6…
Round 16 saw a battering for the Vikings, revenge for the Warriors and an important win for the Wakefield Wildcats. Leeds Rhinos vs Huddersfield Giants This week’s Thursday night game was at Headingley stadium, where 6th place took on 2nd place. Huddersfield Giants survived a last-minute scare, as a Leeds try was disallowed and this…
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…
The lull in the competition, due to players being out, meant last Saturday Night I turned on 7mate to watch Essendon vs Richmond. Although AFL is about a million light-years behind the NRL in terms of the game, the quality of the television presentation was far superior. Not only was the game broadcast LIVE, but…
Round 15 saw a derby win for Bradford, St Helens moved to the top of the table and Leeds saw their 3rd defeat of the season. Huddersfield Giants vs Wigan Warriors Thursday night saw the inconsistent Giants face a still-injury hit Wigan side, but with O’Loughlin returning from injury, they would have had some confidence….
This is very clearly an unpopular opinion that I am about to put forward, but I love the idea of having a State of Origin game in Melbourne every three years. I am originally from New South Wales, but have grown up in AFL-mad Melbourne. I will not deny that above all else, Melburnians love…
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…
Round 14 saw St Helens move up to 2nd place in the table, Castleford Tigers move up to 3rd and another battering for broken Bradford. Salford Red Devils vs Wigan Warriors This round’s Thursday night game was held at the AJ Bell Stadium, where a young Wigan side faced an experienced Salford side. A low-scoring…
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…