Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Ethan Strange details devastating illness that ruled him out of finals
A shattered Ethan Strange lost 5kg and is still recovering from the devastating illness that ruled him out of the Raiders’ heartbreaking semi-final loss.
Raiders star Ethan Strange admits he’s still shattered, a week after the heartbreak of missing out on Canberra’s semi-final loss to the Cronulla Sharks.
The boom five-eighth had to reluctantly withdraw on the morning of the game on doctor’s orders after being struck down with influenza A.
“I couldn’t help it,” Strange said.
”But you feel like you’ve let the boys and the coach down.
“It was shattering. And I’m still shattered. I feel terrible about it.”
Strange came down with the illness after the captains’ run on Friday.
“I started going downhill really fast,” he said.
“The doctor came over and did my resting heart rate and it was way too high.
“Then I was up all through the night vomiting.
“I was vomiting blood. The doctor said I’d burst blood vessels from all the coughing and spewing up.”
Strange said he would be okay to play if the Raiders had made it through to the grand final qualifier.
“I’ve lost about five kilos,” he said.
“And I’ve only just come good.
“But if we were playing this weekend I’d be all right.
“While it’s a terrible way to finish the year we’ve got a young squad and we can do it all again next year.”
NRL PUTS DAYTIME GF ON AGENDA
The NRL is finally coming around to the idea of an afternoon grand final on the back of an avalanche of support from fans and record breaking television ratings.
Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys says he is now prepared to make the kick-off time part of upcoming negotiations with TV networks for the next broadcast deal.
It means we could get an afternoon grand final for 2028, the first year of a new TV deal.
The last time the NRL ran with an afternoon decider at Homebush was in 2000 - just prior to the Sydney Olympics - when the Brisbane Broncos beat the Sydney Roosters 14-6.
“The commission has shown over the years that it is prepared to make decisions to the benefit of our fans,” V’landys said.
A midweek poll by this masthead revealed 93 per cent of footy supporters favoured scrapping night-time grand finals.
“Right now we have a broadcast agreement that requires us to play the grand final at night,” V’landys said.
“However, it is something we can discuss in negotiations for the next broadcast deal.
“We would also have to consult all major stakeholders.
“Sunday afternoon finals football has been a huge success with record TV ratings.
“Last weekend alone our numbers were up 34 per cent in Australia and New Zealand.”
The 3pm or 4pm kick-off would be a massive victory for fans.
And also a win for Channel 9 considering the huge ratings this year for Sunday afternoon games during the finals.
Sunday’s Broncos v Penrith blockbuster is again tipped to break all-time viewership records, especially in New Zealand in a more viewer friendly time slot.
It also has support from government heavyweights in that it would be a huge boost for NSW tourism.
Rather than fans heading straight home after 11pm, fans would fill restaurants and bars across the city once they leave the venue.
SAINT
A Dolphins NRL star rescued a drunken teammate who was behaving like an absolute drop kick at Burleigh Pavillion on the Gold Coast last weekend. This guy not only restrained his teammate but apologised to those in the bar area for his misbehaviour. It could have gotten really ugly if he wasn’t there.
SINNER
We have so much respect for Anthony Mundine for his achievements in rugby league, boxing and in the indigenous community. However, his latest project, bare-knuckle boxing, is a disgrace. His first event was launched on the Gold Coast last weekend. Shocking blood and violence even worse than UFC. Thankfully it is banned by the combat sport authority in NSW.
SINNER
Who on earth decided it was a good idea to schedule the NSW Cup grand final on Sunday between St George Illawarra and the Warriors on the same afternoon as the Panthers v Broncos NRL blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium. The NSW Cup kicks off at 3.15pm at CommBank Stadium and the NRL at 4pm.
SHOOSH
Luke Keary won’t be joining the Newcastle Knights’ coaching staff under Justin Holbrook. He remains close to Roosters coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis and is talking to them about taking on a role at his old club.
SPOTTED
Perth Bears plan to have a huge presence in North Sydney when Mal Meninga launches the new franchise in 2027. The Bears will set up camp in the North Sydney area and do their captain’s run at North Sydney Oval before NRL away games in Sydney to make every effort to connect with the local community.
SPOTTED
Parramatta Eels winger Zac Lomax is off the market. The Blues Origin star has gone Instagram official with new partner Emily Kayla. And don’t they just look a happy and loved-up couple.
SPOTTED
An advert for tickets to England v Kangaroos at Wembley on October 25 at Vauxhall tube station in London.
SPOTTED
Boxer Tim Tszyu looking happy and relaxed having a coffee at the popular Rushi café in Cronulla on Wednesday.
SPOTTED
Sharks prop Toby Rudolf happily doing a social media promotion for So Fresh juice bar in Cronulla, supporting a local business free of charge — unlike some other sports stars and influencers these days who want to get an earn out of everything possible.
MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS
Two coaches have left Pacific Sports Management - the company run by long-time agents Chris and Gavin Orr.
From here on, Jason Demetriou and Brad Arthur will be doing their own business.
Arthur has extended his deal at Leeds in the UK Super League and Demetriou has been appointed coach of the London Broncos. He will be back in 2028 to coach PNG for its entry into the NRL.
NINE, DOGS NOW EVEN COSIER
The appointment of business executive Peter Tonagh as chairman of Nine Entertainment has created some scepticism at NRL headquarters.
It’s all about the Canterbury Bulldogs and the cosy relationship they now have with Channel 9.
You see Tonagh is also chairman of Quantium - a data business owned by Woolworths - whose CEO is none other than Bulldogs chairman Adam Driussi.
They are extremely tight.
Tonagh once rang me to try to patch up a disagreement I’d had with Driussi.
Nine also has Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould at the network.
Could you imagine the perception issues if the Bulldogs now start getting favourable treatment on free-to-air coverage; especially at a network with the slogan ‘Independent Always.’
PANTHERS’ DOING NUMBER ON RIVALS
No wonder the Penrith Panthers keep on winning premierships despite losing star players.
Check out these participation numbers in comparison to rivals.
The Panthers had 9770 registered players in their junior nursery this year - compared to Sydney Roosters with just 636. That is not a misprint – just 636.
St George’s junior rugby league has only 1818 and Manly 2914.
Cronulla juniors are No.2 to the Panthers with 6274 participants, but still a long way short of 9770.
Parramatta Eels are third with 5644 registrations.
Penrith’s dominance starts from four-year-olds through to A-Grade.
And the numbers are growing not on the back of the unprecedented interest and excitement from playing in five-straight grand finals.
MEMBERSHIP HIKE PAYS DIVIDENDS
We told you last week how the Broncos’ ASX share price had gone up 24 per cent in 12 months.
Here’s one of the reasons why – a steep rise in club membership prices.
In some areas prices have gone up more than 20 per cent in the last two years, which can be tough in a cost-of-living crisis.
A club spokesman told us: “We work hard to provide unbeatable value for our members and fans with memberships starting at $230, which is less than $20 per home game at Suncorp Stadium.
“While there have been some recent price increases in several membership categories to cover rising costs, the member offers continue to provide exceptional value.”
Your columnist reported earlier this year on the enormous financial gulf between Brisbane and its 16 premiership rivals.
The Broncos now generate $9 million from membership sales while the average across the game is just $3.2 million.
RADIO ACTIVE
Catch you at 9.40am on the Weekend Big Sports Breakfast with Ray Thomas and Dean Bulldog Ritchie and then at midday on TripleM with Ben Dobbin, Gorden Tallis and James Graham for the Broncos v Panthers blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium.
FANS FLOG GUSTIFICATION
Phil Gould has come under fire for his appearance on 100% Footy last week in which he attacked the media’s coverage of the Bulldogs’ season of self-destruction.
There is one thing I have learnt over a long period of time – never treat your audience like mugs.
Check out the reader comments on Brent Read’s story of Gus trying to justify coach Cameron Ciraldo’s sackings of Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney for Lachlan Galvin and Bailey Hayward.
The great man cops a barrage from fans.
“The heart of the issue is that Gus and Ciraldo blew it and they are now trying to bluster their way through the train wreck at the end of the season.”
“Whatever way you look at it, they were disastrous calls and destabilised the Dogs season. Fact.”
“It’s embarrassing that Gus and Ciraldo haven’t taken ownership of their huge mistake. Out in straight sets.”
“Gus shifting the blame - funny game rugby league, funny game.”
“Typical Gould spin and whining.”
“Gus can’t sugar coat this one.”
“How about you just say we got it horribly wrong.”
“One thing about Gus, he’s never wrong. Just ask him.”
“If he’s (Galvin) never played halfback before, why would you ask him to do it, at a brand-new club, mid-season.”
“Unfortunately for Canterbury the ego of Gould was too big to realise the mistake they made by destroying a winning culture they had going.”
THE BETTER HALF - with Regan Stephens, partner of Dragons star Lachlan Ilias, who plays in today’s NSW Cup grand final
You must be proud how he’s performed this year in a season not playing NRL?
Proud is an understatement. What stands out most is the way he has carried himself. To me it was less about on-field stats or performance and more about the attitude and work ethic he has shown for everyone around him, especially his teammates. The results speak for themselves.
Did it ever get him down?
I guess it would have.
Perspective is something we focus on a lot in our household. Anyone in the same position would be lying if they said it did not affect them; he is human at the end of the day.
But we are blessed to have amazing support from family and friends, no matter what Lachy is doing or where he is playing, and that makes all the difference.
You get to see how hard he works.
One of the biggest investments he made for himself this year though was working with a mindset coach. It was not cheap, but in hindsight it has been one of the most valuable things he could have done. They are now preparing for a big final this week together.
Big day with the GF. How does Lachy cope with the big game nerves. Can you notice any change?
Lachy’s a creature of habit. Sticking to his routine is how he copes with nerves. The only difference is the massage requests, they come a bit more often and last a little longer.
Lachy’s not the biggest player in a brutal game. Do you worry about injuries like the broken leg last year?
Yes, all the time, it is hard not to. I struggle to watch his games, especially those last kicks. Like I mentioned, these days I honestly care less about the result or the stats and just hope everyone walks off the field injury free on both sides.
Where did you guys meet and how long have you been together?
I first heard of Lachy when I moved to Australia from New Zealand in 2019 through my cousins, who are in the Aussie women’s rugby sevens program and had known Lachy since he played Aussie schoolboys. The first time we met, I asked if he wanted to come to dinner. He told me he had an earache, to which I responded, “Lucky you don’t eat with your ears”. He ended up coming along and the rest is history.
Have you always been a rugby league fan?
Nope, growing up in New Zealand it was rugby union — end of story. But if you had asked me who my favourite NRL team was, I still would have confidently said, “the Warriors, of course”, without knowing a single thing about them.
What about at home? Does he cook, stack the dishwasher or other chores?
He knows his way around the kitchen and the chores. Still waiting for him to do it without being told though … lol.
Any bad habits?
How long do you have?
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