NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has blamed the Rugby League Players Association’s unwillingness to compromise for the stalemate in negotiations over pay and conditions that threatens to derail the start of the season. In a wide-ranging interview at his Moore Park office, Abdo spoke about the hostile and protracted collective bargaining agreement negotiations that have led to players boycotting official […]

Geoff Walsh is stepping down as head of football at St Kilda. Club sources said Walsh was stepping down for family reasons, leaving the Saints with a vacancy in a revamped football department headed by prodigal senior coach Ross Lyon. The highly regarded Walsh, a former head of football at both Collingwood and North Melbourne, had only been in the […]

Even Josh Hodgson’s wife found it impossible not to comment on that photo. Social media went into meltdown last week when Parramatta and then the NRL posted a picture of Hodgson with bulging biceps at Eels training. This photo of Josh Hodgson and his chiselled physique has gone viral.Credit:Parramatta Eels It even made headlines back in Hodgson’s northern England hometown […]

St Kilda have confirmed the appointment of Stephen Silvagni as their new list manager, rejoining his friend Ross Lyon at the Saints as the club continues to move back to the future. Silvagni left Carlton at the end of 2019 after joining the Blues as list manager and was responsible for recruiting Jacob Weitering, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay to […]

Luke McDonald remembers all too well the AFL’s green-vest days, and a certain Western Bulldogs substitute who would create trouble as soon as he was injected into the action. That Bulldog was the silky Daniel Giansiracusa, a man who knew where the goals were. “He would always come on and kick a couple of goals,” said McDonald, North Melbourne’s freshly […]

Key points NRL and RLPA just need to get a deal done Peter V’landys’ future in rugby league Sydney Roosters open a new chicken coop What happens in Noosa, stays in Noosa for Michael Clarke and Karl Stefanovic Earlier this week, I asked a veteran rugby league player when he was going to stick his head above the parapet and […]

Hawthorn key forward Mitch Lewis will miss at least round one after spraining his anterior cruciate ligament in an injury blow for the rebuilding club. Hawthorn’s head doctor Liam West said that although Lewis had sprained the same knee he injured in 2022, the two injuries were unrelated. Mitch Lewis will miss round one after injuring his kneeCredit:Getty He said […]

Alastair Clarkson has been charged with rebuilding North Melbourne on the field, but one of his first moves has been to take down a wall at his new club – literally. As Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin were officially unveiled as co-captains after a training session of more than two hours at Arden St on Monday, McDonald said Clarkson had […]

Last Friday night Stephen Crichton phoned a former teammate to gauge his feelings towards Penrith over the way the club had handled his contract negotiations. The advice was in line with what most players will tell you these days – look after yourself and your family. Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Izack Tago and Taylan May.Credit:Janie Barrett His manager, Liam Ayoub, […]

Key points Papenhuyzen today flew out to America for a two week camp with Bill Knowles. Knowles worked with Latrell Mitchell last year and will link up with Tom Trbojevic this month. Papenhuyzen still isn’t running after breaking his knee cap in July last year. Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has today flown out to the United States for a two-week […]