Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr apply to have All Stars game count toward suspension
Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr have made a play to have their bans reduced, applying to have the All Stars count toward their suspensions. See the full Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
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South Sydney and Parramatta have lodged applications to have the All Stars clash counted towards the suspensions of Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr.
If granted it would pave the way for Addo-Carr to make his Parramatta debut against his former club Canterbury in round three.
The Rabbitohs formally requested permission from judiciary chair Geoff Bellew on Thursday to have Mitchell serve his one game ban in the All-Stars clash, which would free him for the round one game against the Dolphins.
It’s understood the Eels have done the same for Addo-Carr.
South Sydney has also opted against appealing Mitchell’s ban which created a circus in the final match of the regular season and led to a bitter showdown between the Rabbitohs and the NRL.
The Rabbitohs unsuccessfully tried to have the final game of the regular season count as Mitchell’s one-game ban after he was rubbed out because of the white substance photo. The Rabbitohs had two independent medical reports claiming Mitchell would be right to play if the NRL allowed him, despite a long lay-off with injury.
Addo-Carr still has three games to serve following his own off-field incident while at the Bulldogs. Should he be granted permission to use the Indigenous All-Stars clash then he will be right to play his first game of the season against Canterbury in round three.
It would be unusual for their application to be rejected given Mitchell (six matches) and Addo-Carr (four) have been regulars for the Indigenous side in recent years.
The players are fortunate that plans to switch the annual All-Stars clash to the end of the season were scrapped. Instead it will take its usual spot before the season proper with the match on February 15 at CommBank Stadium.
A host of players have been able to use recent international games to count towards the bans they received during the NRL.
The Tigers successfully applied to have Api Koroisau’s games count towards two of Fiji’s pool matches while Cameron Murray also used the PM’s XIII match for his ban.
Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona will miss just the NRL opener after it was ruled that New Zealand’s three Tests in the Pacific Championship would count towards his five-game ban.
PLAYERS POLL REVEALS SHOCK ONLINE ABUSE RATE
A concerning poll by the RLPA has found NRLW players are the subject of online abuse at twice the rate of their male counterparts.
The results of the RLPA’s Players’ Pulse survey revealed the troubling rates of abuse that NRLW players received compared to that of the men.
It was no surprise to learn that social media accounts for the biggest source of abuse and racist attacks for players with 100 per cent of respondents saying they’ve been targeted via their social media accounts.
The rest of the results showed that 24 per cent of players equally felt they received abuse at games, out in public or via the media. Just six per cent came from other clubs.
Almost equally as troubling though is that 67 per cent of players have opted to not report incidents with players preferring to ignore or block abusers.
However, 91 per cent of players value the importance of speaking up about issues but only 69 per cent believe the industry accepts their voice.
The full results into the most in-depth survey completed by the players will be released in the coming days.
SAINT
Jarome Luai showing his intent by reporting to Wests Tigers training earlier than expected. He was on the tools this week despite not being due back to training until next Saturday. Luai’s holds the key to the Tigers hopes next season.
SINNER
Rugby Australia. Aiming for a Bledisloe Cup win every second year. Hello … do you think the All Blacks are thinking they could win it every year? These sort of statements serve no purpose except to make the hierarchy look silly in years to come. If they don’t win a Bledisloe in that five year period? Well that’s a massive failure. If they win it every year then why didn’t they have the faith in the team to do so?
SHOOSH
Which Super League hooker rejected an approach to sign with an NRL club for 2026? He is now likely to stay with his club.
SHOOSH
Who is the big-name NRL star who has recently switched player agents?
SHOOSH
Which current NRL star is in the process of piecing together an autobiography?
SPOTTED
Incoming Triple M breakfast radio host Aaron Woods looking every bit a retired rugby league player as he tried his hand at lawn bowls at Olds Park Sports Club in Beverly Hills. He also walked away with the prized meat tray after winning the raffle.
SPOTTED
Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam visiting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and PNG Tourism Minister Belden Namah at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney recently.
SPOTTED
New South Sydney Rabbitoh Josh Schuster bypassing the burgers and ordering a salad at Grill’d at Wetherill Park.
SPOTTED
Troubled former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill at the The Killers concert.
SPOTTED
Penrith’s superstar winger Brian To’o shopping in the city last Sunday.
SPOTTED
Former Wests Tigers chairman and major sponsor Lee Hagipantelis enjoying lunch with radio giant Ray Hadley at Totti’s Rozelle to help celebrate Hadley’s retirement.
PVL FOR PM
He has rubbed shoulders with presidents and prime ministers across the world but on Thursday it was ARLC chairman Peter V’landys’ turn to step onto the dais which just seconds earlier had been occupied by Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
With the Australian and PNG flags behind him, V’landys look every bit prime ministerial as he answered questions from the waiting press pack moments following the historic announcement of PNG’s entry into the competition.
“I felt very comfortable on that podium,” V’landys joked. “I always wanted to be there.”
DOGS EYE PONGA REPLACEMENT
Canterbury has expressed interest in a rising 18-year-old fullback trapped behind Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga at the Knights.
Connor Votano played on the wing for NSW under-19s this season and will be on the Knights’ development list in 2025.
However, his path to first grade is blocked by Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe, another Newcastle No. 1 who forced his way into first grade last season on the wing.
It is understood the Bulldogs have asked the Knights whether they would consider releasing Votano given there was no clear path to the No. 1 jersey.
Votano made four appearances for the Knights in the NSW Cup last season, featuring three times at fullback and once in the centres.
MEALS FROM EELS
The Eels players got together as part of their yearly visit to Ronald McDonald House to cook for sick children and their families as part of the meals from the heart program.
The likes of Dylan Brown, Will Penisini, Josh Addo-Carr and Jack Williams cooked, served the food and played with the children.
TRUTH BEHIND MAY MOVE
Benji Marshall’s pitch to try and sign Terrell May from the Roosters was easy – and according to May it was a conversation like nothing he had with a coach before.
It was also Marshall, not Jarome Luai, who was pivotal in getting him to the Tigers.
May has made plenty of headlines since his surprising split from the Roosters.
While he was naturally disappointed at the way he exited the club, May said it was an opening conversation with Marshall which helped convince him that the Tigers is where he should be.
“He just told me he was going to put his family first like I do. Family first for me, then footy. It was amazing to hear a coach say that, it’s refreshing,” May said.
“I’ve never heard a coach say that before. I’m keen to play under Benji and I’m going do everything I can and for Benji to pay them back.
“Benji’s amazing, I had him when I was first here. He looked after me as a younger guy and I want to pay him back because he’s the reason I came here, that meeting I had with him.
“It was just amazing to see someone put their family before footy.
“Family first for me, then footy. It was amazing to hear a coach say that, it’s refreshing.
“I’ve never heard a coach say that before. I’m keen to play under Benji and I’m going do everything I can and for Benji to pay them back.”
May was told of the news when in camp with Samoa alongside fellow Tigers recruit Luai. While May and Luai are close, the prop played down the impact Luai had on his signing.
“I grew up with Romey,” May said of Luai.
“I’ve known him since I was like six years old. A lot of people have speculated that I came here because of him. He was a little bit in my ear but I came because I wanted to come.
“He’s blossomed heaps. I remember him always being immature and just that guy that mocks everyone but he’s really taken on his role of leadership.
“It’s surprising to see because I’ve known him as that mocking, young, immature dude. It’s good to see him like this now and hopefully he can prove to all the young boys.”
BUNNIES DUNK ON LODGE
Tallis Duncan is on the verge of inking a multi-year extension to remain at South Sydney but one player who is unlikely to join the club next year is Matt Lodge.
The Rabbitohs are close to securing Duncan on a two year deal when his current contract expires at the end of next year. The 22-year-old played 20 games for the Rabbitohs this year. While Duncan looks set to find his long-term home, the Rabbitohs have closed the door on the prospect of securing Lodge.
Lodge had been linked to the club along with John Bateman.
Bateman’s decision to reject the Rabbitohs to most likely sign with North Queensland could have opened the door for Lodge but that does not seem to be the case.
Jock Madden – who was told he is free to leave the Broncos – won’t be at the Rabbitohs despite a mooted move.
NEVER TO’O MUCH COKE
Brian To’o picked up more than a fourth premiership ring in grand final week.
His revelations of his game day breakfast to this masthead made headlines and memes in the lead-up to the premiership decider.
To’o told us he consumed two breakfast burgers, a large bowl of chips with aioli sauce and six cans of Coke Zero for breakfast each game day.
His reward? A gifted delivery from Coke in recent days with To’o hopeful another industry giant will jump on board.
“It arrived last week actually. It feels like an early Christmas present, so I’m pretty happy about it,” To’o laughed.
“I reckon already through two boxes... yeah, I know, it’s such an addiction I need to stop but I love it too much.
“Maccas? Nah, they haven’t been in contact yet but we’ll see what happens in the near future.
“I always get asked now (after the story)... and kids these days are asking me, ‘How many Coke Zeros do you actually have?’ or ‘Are you lying?’ I’m like, ‘Nah, I’m not’.
“I wish I can take everyone with me on game day breakfast so they can actually see what I actually eat, it’s not good but it works for me.”
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CEO... WITH STORM BOSS JUSTIN RODSKI
First job?
My first job was at Taco Bill in South Melbourne making the guacamole mix and preparing the corn chips. I didn’t last long.
Greatest personal sporting achievement?
Not a long list to choose from but probably winning a best and fairest award at Old Scotch (Australian rules) in the A-Grade Amateurs
Sporting team you supported as a kid?
My AFL team was the Bombers (Essendon Football Club) but in the NRL, I supported the Canberra Raiders. Not entirely sure why, I think it was the success they had at the time and the green jerseys.
Who was your sporting hero?
Michael Jordan. I was a teenager in the 90s, I still don’t think there has ever been a bigger sporting star than Jordan.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I always wanted to be a film director. I’ve written and produced short films and had a couple short-listed at festivals but unfortunately, I never made it to Hollywood.
Most famous person in your phone?
Richard Branson. I sat next to him on a domestic flight from Sydney to QLD once. We got chatting and exchanged details. Not sure if I got the number right though, I sent him a text and never heard back. Must have written it down wrong.
What’s at the top of your 2025 wish list?
We obviously want to go one better and win the premiership. We have added a couple of players to our squad in key areas. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us and you need some luck with injuries but hopefully we can give ourselves another opportunity.
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Milford signs with Brisbane Broncos feeder club
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