History says the premiers are unlikely to come from outside the top four but the tale of the tape can only tell so muchIt won’t be lost on the Sydney Roosters that winning a premiership from outside the top four is about as likely as cracking a double-yolked egg. An exaggeration, perhaps, but the odds are not good. In the 113 years since 1908, 111 champions finished inside the four – Brisbane claimed the title from fifth in 1993 and the Bulldogs from sixth in 1995.Still, there’s something brewing in Bondi. The Roosters, who finished sixth on the ladder, are on the longest winning streak of any team entering the finals. The last match they lost was to Penrith at...
Australia’s relatively early investment in the domestic competition, which enters its sixth season this weekend, will be notable in a World Cup yearAlthough it is only 131 days since the Sydney Roosters and St George-Illawarra Dragons contested the last NRLW grand final, a new season is about to kick off. With the 2021 season postponed to the start of this year due to the pandemic, NRLW players are backing up only four months after they finished last season to do it all again.It may seem jarring, but for the players the short turnaround is a small price to pay for another season on the field and the increasing professionalism of the game. With the postponed Rugby League World Cup taking...
Even when he doesn’t play, his impact is still profound. Brad Fittler and Queensland know it, and so do the RabbitohsAfter South Sydney training, Latrell Mitchell stood calm and proud between his two families. With him were his father Matt and mum Patricia, down from Biripi country up Taree way. Clinging to his tree-trunk legs like koalas in pyjamas were his daughters Aleena and Inala. Close by was big brother teammate Shaquai. The Mitchells spoke together softly as Redfern locals walked by, nodding their respect as Latrell flashed them smiles or shot back a wink.As members of the Rabbitohs family chatted to a nearby media huddle, singing his praises, Mitchell quietly radiated confidence and happiness. Yet the ink was still...
The greatest of the game threes, featuring heroes and villains and everything in between (and yes, that includes The King)So, here we go again. Another State of Origin decider is upon us and it’s hard to tell who is more excited – footy fans or Nine Network executives. In a world of streaming services and watch on demand, an Origin decider is one of the few TV events that can still put millions of bums on lounge-room seats at the same time and Wednesday night’s climax to the 2022 series will be no exception.From the moment rugby league’s interstate war went to a best-of-three contest in 1982, we have witnessed 21 deciders, with Queensland emerging triumphant on 14 occasions but...
His forced absence is bad news for Queensland but Maroons mythology was built on these backs-against-the-wall momentsWhatever seemed the most prescient storyline heading into State of Origin III quickly took a back seat when news dropped from the Queensland camp that Covid-19 had struck, with star five-eighth Cameron Munster and winger Murray Taulagi testing positive and forced to miss the decider.As important to the 2022 team as Wally Lewis was to the Maroons sides of the early 1980s, Munster’s forced absence is the worst possible news for rookie coach Billy Slater and the Queensland faithful who had attached their wagon to his horse for the all-important game three. The loss of is a hammer blow to Queensland’s chances, seen no...