Criticised heavily alongside his twin brother George by the fans, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have opted to re-sign Thomas Burgess on a new long-term deal.
Burgess, who will have the chance to add to his 119 NRL games over the course of the new deal, stays on at the club with brothers George and Sam.
An English international, Burgess has played across numerous international competitions for the England side.
The man himself is pleased to continue his tenure with the Rabbitohs.
“I’m really looking forward to the seasons ahead and wearing that famous Red and Green jersey,” Burgess said.
“Souths are all I’ve known and I’m really pumped to be signed up long term now.
“The Club gave me a chance when I came to Australia for the first time, a 20-year-old young lad, not knowing what to expect.
“Now six or seven years down the track, I’m still enjoying my football here.”
The Englishman is proud to play in front of the vocal Souths fans and was even prouder to bring up 100 NRL games in 2018.
“I love calling Sydney home and I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else in the NRL than with the Rabbitohs,” he continued.
“To play my 100th game with Souths last year was really significant for me, but now it’s about quality rather than quantity and I want to play my best each week.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and performing for the Members.
“They are the cornerstone of our Club and without them, the Club wouldn’t be in the position it’s in today.”
In a move that should surprise no-one, Shane Flanagan has resigned as head coach of the Cronulla Sharks effective immediately.
In charge of the club for seven seasons, Flanagan led the Sharks to the promised land, guiding the side to a maiden NRL premiership.
Club Chairman Dino Mezzatesta praised Flanagan for his efforts with the club in his time as coach.
“Shane was our first premiership winning coach, he is the Coach of our Team of the Half Century and he has given exceptional service and dedication to our Club,” said the Chairman.
He worked tirelessly to build our team and our Club into a competitive force and he will forever hold a special place in the Club’s history.”
Joining as an assistant in 2007, Flanagan was handed the head coaching mantle in 2010.
Embroiled in numerous sagas during his tenure, Flanagan made the decision in the best interests of the club.
“This was obviously one of the toughest decisions of my 36-year rugby league career to resign from the head coaching role at Cronulla,” said Flanagan.
“The last month has taken an enormous mental and emotional toll on my family and myself.”
Although his decision is now made, Flanagan intends on responding to notice handed to him by the NRL.
“I intend on responding to the notice issued by the NRL, however I have made this decision in the best interests of the entire club and the players to allow the best possible preparation for the 2019 season without constant speculation and uncertainty as to who their Head Coach will be,” he continued.
Canterbury Bulldogs and QLD Maroons prop Dylan Napa
NRL, what a complete mess. PeteW72 is back, as he looks at the NRL’s poor handling of incidents in recent years. Should incidents be a blanket permanent ban?
It’s time to get tough and make decisions that will drive a better culture for the future of the game.
As fans, we have witnessed mad Monday shenanigans, the lies and deceit of the coaching merry go round, the Cronulla Sharks and Wests Tigers debacle of recent days.
Of course, we have also seen a string of police charges against stars of our game.
This is not a new phenomenon or the current generations problem. Things of this nature would have occurred in other times. Times without social media and different ideology of what society deemed acceptable.
Over the past few years, we have had players involved in betting, social and performance enhancing drugs scandals, DUI, assaults, sexual and physical abuse.
When will players learn! The NRL needs to set an example and make a statement. For too long, the game has taken a soft stance on off field discretions.
Life or lengthy bans need to be imposed depending on the offence. This may sound harsh but how do we as a game promote itself to all men, woman and children if we take a soft stance.
Wests Tigers forward Michael Chee-Kam
This is the only way that will stop the continuous unsavoury incidents that have plagued our great game.
Players will soon realise that if they misbehave, commit a crime or disrespect woman, they will not have a future in the game.
Easier said than done. After all, we are in the main talking about keeping a lid on young men to make better decisions.
Add alcohol and temptations and it can equal mayhem. Boys will be boys; their just young blokes having fun like they all do, right?
Of course they can and most do it without harm to themselves or others. However, if they know that if they overstep the line which society accepts, they will be punished accordingly.
By setting a tough example, the players will witness first hand their peers being removed from the game, carry the shame of their deeds and see the impact on family as they lose their livelihood and lifestyle.
Young men who will need to adjust from earning hundreds of thousands per year to a modest pay rate working in a real job without the perks and adulation they once had. For some, perhaps even incarcerated.
The majority of players are young men earning extremely good money. Amounts most will never receive in the workforce. Most don’t have higher education or work qualifications to fall back on.
Parramatta Eels utility Jaeman Salmon
Everyone deserves a second chance. Do they? How do we welcome back someone convicted of abuse or assault particularly against a woman? What message and example does that send?
For the current players under investigation or those that have been charged, they have the presumption of innocence until convicted. If convicted, then the administration needs to make the tough call.
This is not an over reaction. Off field incidents impact the game and the clubs and eventually the fans.
A prime example are the Cronulla Sharks who in recent times have had tremendous success on the field. Yet, they are in financial trouble and without a major sponsor.
It is a shame that a few are ruining the reputation of the many. I feel sorry for the so many great young men and woman involved in the game.
They do not deserve to be associated with the bad reputation the game gets by the off field dramas.
I love Rugby League, watching, reading, talking about it. Just not all the rubbish that goes with it. I am sure I am not alone.
He requested a release and it has been granted, with Gareth Widdop to depart the St George Illawarra Dragons to return home to play for the Warrington Wolves in 2020.
Countless reports of his apparent desire to return to England emerged, with release now officially confirmed by the Dragons.
There is a condition on the release, however; should Widdop return to the NRL, it must be with the Dragons and no other team.
Moving to Australia at a young age to play with the Melbourne Storm, Widdop eventually moved to the Dragons with 119 club games to his name to date.
The Englishman admits that it was not an easy decision but that he always wanted to play in the Super League.
“I’ve made a big decision in my career having decided to move back to England next year,” Widdop said.
“It certainly hasn’t been the easiest decision but sometimes in life we have aspirations and playing in the Super League has been one of mine for a while now.”
With his decision made, Widdop thanked the Dragons for how they dealt with the situation in allowing him to leave.
“The Dragons have played a big part in my career,” Widdop continued.
“I’ve been here a long time now and to get to where we have with the roster we’ve got, to leave it all behind especially being the captain will be difficult.
“This situation has been handled in the most professional way possible.
“I worked really closely with the club who have been great. We worked towards getting the best outcome and I thank the Dragons for that.”
When it came to picking a club, the Wolves felt like the right fit for Widdop due to several reasons.
“With decisions like this there are a lot of things to look into. I think Warrington, in terms of the club itself, has got a lot of history, is a great team and is run very well,” the half continued.
“I have a lot of mates in the team and it’s been a top club for a number of years. It’s a club I want to be a part of and win some silverware with.”
Seen as a future captain of the club, a new long-term deal will see Wade Graham remain at the Cronulla Sharks.
The new deal will see Graham a Shark until the end of the 2022 season.
Seen as a future captain of the club, Graham has been at the Sharks since 2011.
In that time, he has proven his mettle as a consistent performer, primarily as a back-rower.
With 219 NRL games to his name so far, 177 of which have come to the Sharks, Graham looks forward to continuing his Sharks tenure.
“I have tremendous belief in the club and in our playing group and I’m looking forward to the next four years and to the next chapter of my career,” he said.
Although Graham is set to miss the start of the season due to a previous ruptured ACL, his return is slated for mid 2019.
Set to become the first Australian player to play 400 NRL games, Cameron Smith has finally put pen to paper with the Melbourne Storm.
A polarising figure in the rugby league landscape, Smith’s new deal with the Storm will run for two seasons.
Although his signing was key for the Storm, Smith was adamant that re-signing a young core around him was an important first step.
“We had some talented young guys coming off contract with the club looking to attain or extend their contract,” he said.
“I recognised that was important and I was wary of that – there is no use going in and signing a contract and having no quality players around me.
A special player and a one club man with the Storm, the club praised him for just how much he has put in for them.
“Cameron made it clear to us through the season he wanted to play on in 2019 but he saw it was more important to secure the future for the likes of Cameron Munster before him,” Donaghy said.
“Being a one-club player is rare in footy these days and it’s a credit to Cameron for sticking with us.
“There’s no doubt having Cameron around to help with the development of our next wave of players will be of enormous value to the team and the Club more broadly.”
Coming off one of his best seasons fitness wise, Smith felt like he was ready and able to go for another two seasons.
“I was feeling really good after the 2018 season… as good as I’ve ever felt and that was the reason I asked the club for two years,” Smith said.
“There was no haggling or pushing the club into a decision, I just posed the question.
“If it was a dead-set no from the club I would have been happy to go ahead with the 12 months and reassess during this season.”
Back again for another season, it’s Ricky’s NRL previews for the 2019 season, kick-starting with the Brisbane Broncos!
With so much uncertainty around the head coaching role, questions over the halves and juggling the number of young guns, can the Broncos get themselves back into the second or third week of the finals in 2019?
The coaching saga
All off-season, everyone has been talking about Wayne Bennett and Anthony Seibold. Will they swap or will they stay? What would be the differences with either as coach in 2019?
As we know, Bennett is very old-school. One of the greatest coaches that Australian rugby league has ever seen, Bennett is a tough and stern but fair and honest coach.
That sort of approach is one that his players often appreciate.
However, as the game has changed, Bennett’s inability to often change with it has affected his side, the way they play and their unison and cohesiveness as a team.
If Bennett cannot adapt to the ever-changing NRL atmosphere, can he continue to get the best out of any side?
As for Seibold, many see him as one of the coaches on the rise. Surprising many in just how much he managed to extract from the South Sydney Rabbitohs side in 2018, can he do the same at the Broncos?
In the Craig Bellamy mold of coaching, Seibold has an affinity with Queensland and the Brisbane area and so coaching the Broncos seems like a perfect fit. Or is it?
With so much uncertainty surrounding the Broncos side and their overall makeup, fitting in all the young players and satisfying the egos will be difficult.
Brisbane Broncos utility Kodi Nikorima
The halves make-up
Kodi Nikorima or Sean O’Sullivan? One is a relatively established half that has his critics, the other is a young, budding half, yearning for consistent opportunity.
For as long as he has played, Nikorima has always had criticism. Whether it be in general or whether it be specifically related to attack, the naysayers have been there.
A quiet achiever in terms of the way he goes about his business, he has proven on occasion that he is up to the task of leading a team or at least contributing to it.
Alongside Anthony Milford, who is very much a natural ball-runner rather than creator, Nikorima has been forced in some ways to be that creative source.
Despite being a natural ball-runner himself and a player whose versatility has perhaps limited him from developing one particular position in the past, it raises some interesting questions.
Is the Seibold era the one where Nikorima finally has a chance to settle as a half and adapt his game to complement that of Milford’s? Or do you run with the same game plan and just hope that they are both able to penetrate the defence and use quick feet and guile to bamboozle defenders?
Of course, the man on the outside looking in at all of this, is Sean O’Sullivan. A relative newcomer to the first-grade atmosphere, Sydney Roosters fans were and have been impressed with his ability for some time.
Now a Bronco, is it feasible for O’Sullivan to nab a starting spot or even a bench spot in the eyes of the Broncos fans?
Despite his relative inexperience, O’Sullivan impressed enough that some think he deserves a chance.
Is that chance now or will he be forced to wait?
Brisbane Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr.
The Young Ones
Blessed are they who are young and able to perform at the NRL level. The Broncos, a team able to produce a litany of talented kids destined for bigger things.
With so many on the horizon, though, and so many already getting a taste of first-grade, who features regularly?
Whether Bennett or Seibold are in charge, tough decisions will have to be made and not everyone will be pleased with those decisions.
Tevita Pangai Jr, Jaydn Su’A, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, David Fifita, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan.
All have the talent and ability but not all will be playing first-grade week in and week out.
One thing is for certain, though. When the Broncos need some quality depth, they won’t be lacking on recruits to call upon.
Player to Watch
One of the best emerging props you will see in 2019, David Fifita is ready to take the rugby league world by storm.
A hulking young forward, Fifita is at the Broncos for the long-term and will be looking to make the most of his opportunities.
Although injury cut his 2018 campaign short, his 11 games were impressive and have many Broncos fans eager to see him run around again.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench remains to be seen but his sheer power and tenacity, are sure to provide a big impact either way.
If he had not of played a total of 11 games, a rookie of the year award may have been on the horizon.
2019 Gains and Losses
Gains: Shaun Fensom (North Queensland Cowboys, 2019), Thomas Dearden (2019), Thomas Flegler (2019), Myles Taueli (2019) and Sean O’Sullivan (Sydney Roosters, 2020).
Losses: Josh McGuire and Tom Opacic (both North Queensland Cowboys), Jonus Pearson and Korbin Sims (both St George Illawarra Dragons), Marion Seve (Melbourne Storm) and Sam Thaiday (retired).
NRL News Predicted Line-up
Darius Boyd (C)
Corey Oates
James Roberts
Jack Bird
Jamayne Isaako
Anthony Milford
Kodi Nikorima
Matt Lodge
Andrew McCullough
Joe Ofahengaue
Matt Gillett
Jaydn Su’A
Tevita Pangai Jr.
14. Alex Glenn
15. Payne Haas
16. David Fifita
17. George Fai
Initially haggling with the Parramatta Eels over a small amount, the club has finally released Corey Norman who has signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Norman, who had an up and down time during his Eels career, will join the Dragons until the end of the 2021 season.
With the release from the final year of his contract confirmed by the Eels, they wished Norman all the best for the future in a statement.
“The Parramatta Eels Club has released Corey Norman from his final year of his NRL playing contract.
Corey played 106 NRL games for the Eels and we thank him for his contribution to our Club and his community efforts off the field.
The Parramatta Eels Club wish Corey all the best for the future.”
Norman, a Beenleigh junior, has played in 169 NRL games to date with the Eels and previously the Brisbane Broncos.
With his Dragons move confirmed, he looks forward to what lies ahead in his career.
“It’s a big day for myself and my family,” Norman said.
“There are some exciting times ahead.
“The Dragons squad at the moment is really good and coming off a good year so I’m really looking forward to playing with the boys and spending plenty of good seasons here.”
As expected, the club are pleased to have Norman on board as it bolsters their halves and fullback depth ranks.
“Corey is a player who will entertain all members and fans with his ability in attack,” Dragons Director of Rugby League Pathways and List Management Ian Millward said.
“He is a player who we see will take us to the next level with the way he plays the game.
“When we make these decisions, it’s not always about pure recruitment.
“We talk to our senior players, we speak to our coach. Overall, we have been impressed.”
After a strong individual season, Tariq Sims has been rewarded by the St George Illawarra Dragons with a new contract.
Already contracted for the 2019 season, Sims’ new deal is from 2020 and will run for three seasons.
The local junior hails from Gerringong and played in all club games except one in 2018.
In the end, the opportunities to stay at his local club and in his local area were too good to pass up.
“The Dragons has always been a club I’ve wanted to play for and represent being from Gerringong,” said Sims.
“To have the chance to extend my time with this special playing group, it was too good an opportunity to go anywhere else.”
Initially, the chance to work alongside Paul McGregor lured Sims to the club and he looks forward to continuing that.
“Mary (Paul McGregor) is a coach I’ve always wanted to play for and he has always wanted to coach me, which was very important when I first came to the Dragons,” continued the back-rower.
“I’d like to think I’ve taken my opportunities here at the club with both hands.”
With his aim to win a premiership, Sims is also excited with the young talent coming through the club ranks.
“The goal is always winning a premiership, but I can’t wait to help develop the players coming through,” added Sims.
“To see some of these young kids kick on in their careers from the Under-20s to the NRL in the coming years will be a real highlight.”
The club knew that retaining Sims long-term was a key priority, given how well he played in 2018.
“There’s a lot of things we like about Tariq on the field, but there’s also plenty of things we like about him off it,” said Director of Rugby League Pathways and List Management Ian Millward.
“He’s a real leader and will be a great mentor for some of our young players.”
“Tariq personifies personality and commitment, and what he does around the club on and off the field is enormous.
“His enthusiasm is infectious and his standing in the game at present is very important to our club.”
