Our Journalists

Paul CrawleySenior Rugby League journalist

Paul Crawley is a senior rugby league journalist for The Daily Telegraph and CODE Sports. A former Sports Editor of both The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, he has reported on the game since the early 1990s. Paul is respected for his strong opinion, analysis and his ability to break the big stories.

Paul Crawley

Latest

Storm

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Maika Sivo of the Eels is attended to by a trainer during the round 15 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Melbourne Storm at Bankwest Stadium on August 20, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Refs powerless to stop controversial ‘injury’ ploy

The NRL will ask Melbourne for a ‘please explain’ over the controversial Suliasi Vunivalu time out call to treat cramps, but has made a stunning admission in the process.

ANALYSISNRL

Coach Wayne Bennett during the South Sydney Rabbitohs training session ahead of the do or die final against the Knights. Bennett is expected to be announced as this years State of Origin coach for Queensland. Picture. Phil Hillyard

How a relaxed Bennett can take the Bunnies to glory

If not for the headlines, you wouldn’t know that Wayne Bennett is facing an off-field crisis, such is the calm the master coach is displaying right now – and it has put his players on the path to finals glory, writes PAUL CRAWLEY.

NRL

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Blake Ferguson of the Eels reacts after injuring his knee during the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium on October 03, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Casualty ward: Are Eels better off without Fergo?

Parramatta will make a late call on Blake Ferguson after he injured his knee against Storm, but Immortal Mal Meninga has questioned whether the club can trust the winger anymore.

Roosters

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers and Brian To'o of the Panthers celebrate after winning the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters at Panthers Stadium on October 02, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Resilient Cleary, Panthers show maturity beyond their years

Friday night may have been Nathan Cleary’s most complete performance of an exemplary season. The halfback’s toughness and willingness to put his body on the line typified a resilient Penrith. And it’s the only way he knows.

Storm

NRL investigates explosive cover-up claims

The NRL will launch a probe into allegations of a club cover-up of substance abuse and violence, including claims of fake identities, that could drop a bomb on the finals series.

NRL

‘No knowledge’: Ex-Souths official responds to Burgess claims

As police and NRL launch probes into allegations of a Rabbitohs club cover-up of substance abuse and violence surrounding Sam Burgess, a former key South Sydney figure has spoken out.

NRL

Artwork for crucial finals players content

Cleary v Keary: The keys to NRL finals blockbuster

Nathan Cleary has the chance to steer the Panthers to new heights but he faces a stellar opponent on the other side of the field. PAUL CRAWLEY delivers his verdict on each team’s most crucial finals players.

NRL

Storm player Max King's ordinary tackle on Blake Lawrie.

Coaches slammed for encouraging dangerous new tackle

Chicken wings, rolling pins, crushers – now rugby league is dealing with the hip drop tackle – and it has two of the most respected voices in the game locked in a war of words.

NRL

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers passes the ball during the round 19 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Penrith Panthers at QCB Stadium on September 18, 2020 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Penrith’s chance to finally settle NRL debate

They’ve racked up 15 straight wins and just one defeat for the entire season — but one nagging question remains for Nathan Cleary and the Panthers. NRL FINALS FORMGUIDE

NRL

Mareeba Junior Rugby League player Darcy Adams fights his way through Redlynch players. PHOTO: Kristy Moore

V’landys delivers huge win for junior footy parents

The power of Peter V’landys has delivered yet again, with more families finally cleared to attend junior footy games just in time for this weekends’ rugby league finals.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/paul-crawley/page/69