NRL finals form guide: Injuries, X-factors, week 1 predictions
After 27 rounds, 17 has become eight as the NRL finals are locked and load for 2024. DEAN RITCHIE puts the microscope over every week 1 match-up.
Match Centre
Monday Buzz: The missing Dog needed back at Belmore
Has the Canterbury Bulldogs bubble burst? Their disappointing loss to the Cowboys exposed their lack of middle field oomph, which is why now more than ever they’re missing a former Dog, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
‘Not running scared’: Why NRL switched final after Gus tweet
An innocent tweet from Phil Gould has caused massive fan confusion as the NRL locked in its finals schedule, which included shifting a match to avoid a clash with rival code AFL.
Locked in: NRL week one finals match-ups, full schedule
Newcastle has denied the Dolphins an inaugural finals appearance in the final regular season fixture of the year. See the full week one finals schedule and potential week two match-ups.
Buzz’s highs, lows: NRL clubs won’t receive Mad Monday memo
The NRL traditionally sends out a memo via email around behaviour expectations on Mad Monday, but clubs won’t receive one in 2024. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals his highlights and lowlights.
NRL Rich 100: Rugby league’s mega earners revealed
Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga has once again topped our list of rugby league highest paid players but he has plenty of company in the million dollar plus bracket. SEE THE FULL LIST HERE
NRL Rich 100: The true cost of rugby league’s injury crisis
Analysis of our exclusive NRL Rich 100 list reveals the incredible proportion of their salary cap some clubs had left languishing on the sidelines in 2024. SEE THE NUMBERS HERE
‘We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge
Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.
Why Broncos review must be an open book for fans
The analysis of Brisbane’s horror finish to the 2024 season needs to be an open book. And no, it’s not as unfair as players would have you believe, writes PAMELA WHALEY.
The Tackle: Why Reynolds must relinquish Broncos captaincy
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters can begin restoring the pride his side has been searching for by making a homegrown Broncos talent the side’s leader in 2025.
NRLW Tackle: Rooster’s injury blow; star banned for season
The Roosters’ injury woes have worsened with one of their rep playmakers suffering a suspected AC joint injury. Plus, a Raiders enforcer has been hit with a suspension for a horror hip drop. THE NRLW TACKLE.
‘Rubbish talk’: Bennett shuts down claims he ruined the Knights
As Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins prepare for a do-or-die clash against Newcastle for a spot in finals, the super coach has hit back at claims he left the Knights in crisis when he departed the club.
Kevin Walters makes early call on Broncos 2025 captain
As the Broncos hierarchy delve into their NRL side’s failed season, coach Kevin Walters has already made the decision to retain veteran Adam Reynolds as captain for 2025.
SuperCoach NRL: Winners and Losers from Super Saturday
It’s been a huge Super Saturday of NRL games, as the Panthers and Cowboys secured home finals, while the Raiders came back to beat the Dragons. See all the SuperCoach winners and losers.
Finals frauds? Bulldogs blown away again as Cowboys secure home final
After boasting the NRL’s best defence a fortnight ago, the Bulldogs have now suffered heavy losses in back-to-back weeks, as the Cowboys blew them off the park to secure a home elimination final.
What’s the Buzz: 10 biggest NRL feuds of 2024
NRL stars, retired players, coaches, CEO’s, club chairs, media commentators and even WAGS … Phil Rothfield ranks the 10 biggest feuds in rugby league right now.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Buzz’s open letter to Latrell Mitchell
An open letter to suspended Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell, the latest Knights big name to be shown the door, and Brad Fittler’s cameo at the Blues awards explained, in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
NRL Rich 100: The best bargain hunting clubs revealed
Ahead of the release of our full NRL Rich 100 numbers on Sunday morning we reveal which clubs have proven the masters of extracting premium performance at a bottom-dollar budget.
‘It’s a sh*t way to finish’: Brown downbeat despite positive scan
Parramatta star Dylan Brown just wants a holiday, but instead of a trip to Bali he’s looking at a trip to rehab – it’s not all doom and gloom though with scans indicating Brown might be ready for round one of 2025.
NRL Market Watch: Bird opens up on Tigers switch
Departing Dragons star Jack Bird has revealed why he signed with the Wests Tigers, while a Warriors star could join him at the club next season. SEE THE LATEST NRL PLAYER MOVES
Ponga in a comfortable place ahead of Bennett showdown
Wayne Bennett delivered some home truths to recruitment target Kalyn Ponga in 2022, now he meets the Dolphins with a final spot at stake and he couldn’t be more comfortable with his decision.
NRL Casualty Ward: Koroisau to miss start of 2025
The Wests Tigers will begin 2025 with the wooden spoon but without Api Koroisau after he copped a massive ban, but the news is better for the Roosters with three players escaping suspension.
NRLW Rd 7: Raiders snap five-game losing streak to avoid spoon
The Raiders will avoid the wooden spoon after snapping a five-game losing streak to heap more misery on the Dragons, while the Cowboys handed the Wests Tigers a 14th straight defeat.
Benji begs for patience after Wests Tigers ‘win’ Spoon Bowl
The Tigers have ended their season in the worst possible way but coach Benji Marshall insists that won’t change his approach and he won’t waiver from the long-term goals for the club.
SC NRL Winners & Losers: Teddy delivers owners another century
James Tedesco has delivered the goods throughout the SuperCoach season and he gave loyal owners one last monster score. See the full Winners and Losers from Friday Night Footy.
Titans lock down greatest modern day schoolboy grand final winner
He’s the hard as nails Palm Beach Currumbin forward who can’t stop winning when it counts, and now he is NRL bound. Find out more ahead of the NRL Schoolboys Cup national final.
Hasler eyes more changes at Titans after another horror finish
Des Hasler is adamant the Titans have shown signs of growth in 2024 despite finishing in the bottom four for the third straight year. But he is eyeing more changes at the club.
The NRL heavyweight phone call that rugby league needs
If South Sydney CEO Blake Solly and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo could end their feud the two would prove an unstoppable force in rugby league, writes BRENT READ.
NRL star’s shattering surgery news
Damage to a nerve in his shoulder limited Tom Flegler to just four games in 2024. Now the Dolphins star is facing nerve surgery that threatens to end his NRL career.
‘Yes men’: Former Broncos staffer unloads on Kevvie and players
A former Brisbane Broncos trainer has savaged Kevin Walters as a poor leader who can’t hear home truths, while also spraying the current ‘pampered’ crop of players.
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