Melbourne have been crowned minor premiers – and in even better news for the club, Ryan Papenhuyzen is back to his blistering best. The Storm fullback produced his best game since returning from a sickening concussion suffered during Magic Round. He scored three tries and grew as a threat the longer the game went against Cronulla during the 28-16 win. […]

Former Balmain prop Steve Edmed, having coached Lachlan Ilias for longer than anyone else, knew it was only a matter of time before he was bound for the NRL. “I knew that all we had to do was get him into a program,” said Edmed, who coached Ilias for almost a decade at the Leichhardt Wanderers. “Right from day one, […]

For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan expects the league to have a vaccination policy in place by the end of the season, but it is unlikely to make vaccinations mandatory for players and officials. Instead, the AFL has been strongly encouraging vaccinations after rolling out an extensive education process across the clubs. […]

Latrell Mitchell, one of the most influential Indigenous voices within his community, is going to pay another huge price for the tackle that shattered Joseph Manu’s cheekbone with the NRL set to rule him ineligible for next year’s All-Stars match. As Mitchell prepares to start a six-game suspension for a tackle that left former teammate Manu with severe facial fractures, […]

Marcus Bontempelli has become just the second Western Bulldogs player to be voted football’s best player by his peers. The Bulldogs skipper was on Thursday night announced as the 2021 AFL Players Association’s most valuable player, another string to the midfielder’s remarkable bow. Marcus Bontempelli.Credit:Getty Images Bontempelli, 25, claimed the Leigh Matthews Trophy with 1176 votes, well clear of Carlton’s […]

Nicho Hynes will be out to break Cronulla hearts while giving them a glimpse of their future No. 6. There will be mixed emotions for incoming Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon and supporters when sitting down to watch Friday evening’s showdown with Melbourne. The Shire club need a win to keep their finals hopes alive. And the man who stands in […]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info To celebrate it, a team at the motor company’s mass distribution centre at Portbury Docks, Bristol, created the unusual rugby-themed […]

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said he would deliver the exact same comments if he had the chance to go back to last Friday night’s press conference, declaring “we felt there was an injustice and we reacted towards that”. The Roosters were fined $40,000 for their reaction to incidents during the fiery loss to arch rivals South Sydney, which included Latrell […]

Collingwood’s sober introduction of their new coach Craig McRae was decidedly not an Eddie McGuire moment. The choice of coach was a significant departure from the McGuire years, the method of announcement an even greater stretch from the McGuire era. Collingwood’s new senior coach, former triple premiership-winning Brisbane Lion, Craig McRae. In terms of how it was announced, club president […]

Ricky Stuart has leapt to the defence of good friend Craig Bellamy’s resting policy – even if it ends his own team’s finals chances – arguing the NRL’s expansion plans will be tested with dozens of stars putting their feet up. Stuart’s Raiders need to beat the Roosters on Thursday night and rely on the minor premiership-chasing Storm toppling eighth-placed […]