For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. Senior players and support staff at three of Melbourne’s biggest clubs have told their employers they will return home if Victoria extends its lockdown beyond this week and clubs have to spend an extended period on the road. The AFL is scrambling to keep the 2021 season moving, rescheduling games away […]

NSW legend Ryan Girdler has turned up the heat on Queensland, installing the Maroons as favourites to retain the Origin shield because they have two home games in this year’s series, starting with next Wednesday’s opener in Townsville. The Blues have named a star-studded team loaded with form players, but Girdler believes the Queenslanders hold the edge given they will […]

Chiefs first five-eighth Damian McKenzie will miss the next three weeks of the Sky Super Rugby Transtasman competition, Sanzaar has announced. McKenzie pleaded guilty after receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle in the 22nd minute of the Chiefs’ 40-34 Sky Super Rugby Transtasman defeat to the Reds in Townsville on Saturday. He has been suspended from all forms […]

NSW coach Brad Fittler says Jack Wighton’s versatility led him to select the 2020 Dally M winner on the bench rather than at five-eighth for this year’s Origin opener. On Sunday evening, Fittler announced Panthers star Jarome Luai would make his Origin debut at six in Game I, pushing Wighton out of the starting 13. However, Fittler recognises both Wighton […]

Jack de Belin will make his return to the NRL on Thursday night with his St George Illawarra teammates backing him to handle the long-awaited comeback. De Belin joined his teammates at training on Monday after surviving his first hitout via the NSW Cup on the weekend since learning he would not stand trial for a third time on sexual […]

Richmond’s Mabior Chol says he didn’t see Jack Riewoldt coming in the lead-up to the Tigers star’s stunning hanger late in Sunday’s win over Adelaide. Chol had been leading to a kick inside 50 from Jack Graham but was upstaged by Riewoldt, who soared to take a spectacular pack mark after running back with the flight of the ball. Riewoldt […]

Sydney’s banged-up star Isaac Heeney has vowed to never change the way he attacks the football after revealing the full extent of the injury battles he has faced this year. Heeney won the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal for best on field in Sydney’s impressive 22-point win over Carlton on Sunday, kicking three goals in a match-winning performance that prompted former Melbourne great […]

Blues great Braith Anasta is blowing up over Queensland’s reported State of Origin coup to have the series opener moved to Townsville. Reports firmed on the weekend the NRL will be forced to turn to Queensland Country Bank Stadium as a result of Melbourne’s lockdown and ongoing COVID-19 situation. The venue remains in limbo with the NRL yet to announce […]

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has implored ARLC chairman Peter V’landys not to back down in the face of player power, despite Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton claiming the game’s stars are “frustrated, angry, confused and concerned” about the game. The Sydney Morning Herald reported Newton stopped short of declaring the players wanted to oust V’landys, but Bennett urged […]

Collingwood premiership player Ben Johnson has slammed the prospect of an extraordinary general meeting, saying stability at board level is vital so that informed changes can be made to the football department. He said the current board, with Mark Korda as president, had not had the chance to put its imprint on the club after the departure of his long-standing […]