News that covers Rugby League in Australia.
2022 Clive Churchill Medalist Dylan Edwards has re-signed with the Penrith Panthers on a 4 year deal said to be around $3.4 million. Edwards took a long time to cement his spot as the Panthers fullback but boy has it paid off. He joins a long list of Panthers players who have chosen to remain…
The Penrith Panthers loss to a Parramatta Eels team sputtering to the end of a disappointing season was, in itself, disappointing. Even accounting for the fact that the Panthers have been trying to cycle their regular starters out of the side in recent weeks to get players a week off here and there leading into…
In early 2022 the Wests Tigers brought in former coach Tim Sheens to do a complete review of the club. The result of that review is that Sheens recommended that the club sack then coach Michael Maguire, and install the best man for the job to coach the club going forward. Tim Sheens. Thats right,…
There are reports by various News Ltd journalists suggesting that Tevita Pangai Jr will retire from Rugby League at seasons end to take up boxing, this dispute having a season remaining on his deal at the Bulldogs. This feels like a very strange decision , and call me a cynic, but this feels like a…
Payne Hass has chosen to remain at the Brisbane Broncos through to the end of the 2026 season according to Channel 9 reporter Danny Weidler. Hass had a clause in his contract which allowed him to look at other avenues to continue his career going forward. While the media was outraged by this, and tried…
The NRL and its clubs are all flushed with cash. With ticket sales, merchandise, deals with local governments and the broadcasting deal all bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into the sport every single year. The NRL grant to clubs covers all players payments and then some, so don’t think this is about the business…
The Parramatta Eels extremely slim chances of making the 2023 NRL Finals series have been dealt a major blow with halfback Mitchell Moses suspected up picking up a fractured eye socket in the clubs loss to the Brisbane Broncos. Moses picked up the injury trying to make a cover tackle late in the first half….
Want to know what the biggest losing margin in the Wests Tigers history is? You’ve come to the right place! On July 1st in 2023 the North Queensland Cowboys defeated the Wests Tigers 74-0 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. North Queensland Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes scored 30 points in the match through 2…
The Gold Coast Titans have announced the re-signing of forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita to long term deals, with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui signing a ten year deal that is now the biggest contract in the history of Rugby League. The deal will end when Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is 33 years old, and is similar to the…
Coming into the 2022 NRL Grand Final the Penrith Panthers faced their old foe the Parramatta Eels, one of the few teams who could boast that they beat the Panthers during the regular season, and a team that was confident of their chances of preventing the Panthers from joining the very short list of Future…
The standoff between the NRL and the Rugby League players association looked like it may have come to an end according to the Sydney Morning Herald, with talks in recent days resulting in agreement on a number of issues. The RLPA will now take the deal to the players to vote upon. The RLPA has…
There is a push right now for the NRL to have a national reserve grade competition, where each NRL club would have its own reserve grade team that would travel around the country, and to New Zealand, to play games against everyone else’s reserve grade team. A basic look at the concept makes a bit…
Note: This article has been updated in 2024 to show players that have continued to be lost by the Penrith Panthers. I always find it funny when you hear people whinging that “The salary cap isn’t working” as we watch one of the closest seasons in Australian Rugby League history. You can turn into the…
Shaun Johnson’s consistent performances have made him a standout player in the New Zealand Warriors’ line-up. With the 2023 National Rugby League (NRL) season unfolding, Johnson’s contributions to the team and the sport have been significant, making him a key player to watch. Shaun Johnson’s journey is a compelling narrative of talent, perseverance, and an…
The State Of Origin series one of the greatest success stories the game of Rugby League has ever created. It is looked upon with envy from the liked of New Zealand and England, as they both either wistfully talk about creating a similar series of their own, or trial and fail miserably as we saw…
In the electrifying world of sports, where adrenaline rushes and emotions run high, one of the most exhilarating events is speculating on the outcomes of National Rugby League (NRL) games. Nonetheless, this activity requires a significant measure of financial prudence and strategic planning. Without these, the enthusiasm of wagering can swiftly morph into a perilous…
In this episode Elliott Richardson from 1Eyed Eel joins us to have a chat about the Parramatta Eels. We talk about the Dylan Brown situation, how the Eels have managed to cope with the player losses they had over the off season, the junior development system that is coming up big, how the Eels will…
In early 2022 the Wests Tigers employed former club coach Tim Sheens to do a full review of the clubs off field football operations in an effort to try and end the clubs decade long absence from the NRL Finals. After careful consideration Sheens came back to the club with a solution… Michael Maguire would…
On May the 20th in 2023 the Wests Tigers beat the North Queensland Cowboys 66-18 at Leichhardt Oval. On July the 1st in 2023 the North Queensland Cowboys beat the Wests Tigers 74-0 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. That is a 122 point turn around between the two results! North Queensland Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes…
In 2023 we are seeing more and more penalties given against defenders when they pressure kickers in general play. Rules were brought into the NRL to protect kickers from sustaining lower leg injuries. As a kicker is in a vulnerable position, with no change to protect themselves due to the mechanics of kicking a ball,…
So you know the story. Ben Hunt signs a contract extension with the St George/Illawarra Dragons, then Anthony Griffin gets fired mid season, and it is the final straw for Hunt who asks for an immediate release from his contract. The Dragons are standing firm, they are saying they will not release him. Behind the…
In this episode of the podcast League Freak breaks down the second State Of Origin match of 2023 that saw Queensland retain the shield and Brad Fittler have another coaching breakdown! This was a bit shocking to see. Hopefully there isnt too much swearing! To join our FREE NRL tipping competition, click here: https://tipping.nrl.com/comps/join?code=L2YWRVWM Twitter AndrewRLP and LeagueFreak…
When it comes to sports betting, the National Rugby League (NRL) offers an exciting avenue for enthusiasts to engage in the thrill of predicting match outcomes and potentially earning profits. However, for beginners, navigating the world of NRL betting can be overwhelming. With a multitude of teams, players, and betting markets to consider, it’s essential…
In what is clearly a pet project of ARL Chairman Peter V’landys, the NRL is looking to play up to 10 games in Las Vegas from 2024 as part of supposed “Australia Week extravaganza”. If it sounds like a who lot of bullshit, thats because it is. There doesn’t seem to be any real strategic…
As we gear up for State Of Origin one on Wednesday night I keep thinking about how lucky we are in Rugby League to have a series that gets so much attention, fills the biggest stadiums we can find, and one that always lives up to expectation. State Of Origin games have thrilled us, made…
Latrell Mitchell has been forced to withdraw from the New South Wales team for State Of Origin one after suffering a calf injury. Stephen Crichton will m Ove into the starting side with Bulldogs half Matt Burton called into the New South Wales squad as 18th man. While Crichton is a very handy replacement, it…
Formed in 1998, the National Rugby League (NRL) TELSTRA Premiership has developed into the big tournament it’s widely known as now. Furthermore, this Australian rugby league consists of various clubs that will bring excitement to the field – those expanding from Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, New Zealand, to the Capital Territory. With plenty of…
Coach Trent Robinson has acknowledged the significant problems the Sydney Roosters have been facing lately, particularly after their unexpected defeat to the Cowboys at Magic Round. Although they managed a close victory over the Dragons on Anzac Day and showed tenacity against the Warriors in challenging weather, the Roosters were still expected to maintain their…
Do you want to know who the best player in the game is? I have ranked every player in the NRL. Just remember even the players on the lower end of the list are still amazing players and have to be exceptional in what they do to even get an NRL contract. Do you agree…
Rugby league is a sport that has been dominated by men for decades. However, in recent years, the rise of women’s rugby league has been remarkable. Women’s rugby league has seen significant growth in participation and popularity, and it is poised to become a major force in the world of sports. In this article, we…