Sunday Session: The NRL players, legends, and identities who won’t be exchanging Christmas cards
Bulldogs rake Reed Mahoney will have a bounty on his head heading into 2025 after accruing an array of victims in 2024. We reveal the best, and worst, feuds of the year and who won’t be exchanging Christmas cards.
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Christmas cheer need not apply here. For all the dazzling play and sportsmanship on show in 2024, nothing quite piqued the interest of fans than warring factions in the rugby league community.
From the serious to the slapstick, left-field and down right dirty – these are the feuds that will spill into the New Year.
See which NRL identities won’t be exchanging Christmas cards this year.
REED MAHONEY AND EVERY OTHER TEAM
Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney maintained his title as the NRL’s best niggler, accruing an array of victims in 2024.
There was Knights forward Jack Hetherington, who Mahoney riled so much he waited for him in the tunnel at Accor Stadium and earned himself a one-match suspension.
He goaded one of the NRL’s nicest guys, Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes, into a scuffle, was in the middle of a melee with the Wests Tigers which resulted in Alex Seyfarth being sin-binned for headbutting him.
“I think people get big-man syndrome because they don’t like little people talking up to them. Maybe that’s their fault, not mine,” Mahoney said.
However, a flare-up against Manly’s Reuben Garrick in week one of the finals sparked a Sea Eagles comeback that eliminated the Bulldogs from the competition.
SPENCER LENIU AND EZRA MAM
The NRL’s historic season opener in Las Vegas was marred by ‘Monkey-gate’, after Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu allegedly made a racist remark towards Brisbane’s Ezra Mam on the field.
Relations between the club hit an all-time low when Leniu challenged Mam post-game.
“Whatever he wants to do with it (the allegation) he can come see me after if he wants,” Leniu told Channel 9.
Leniu verbally attacked Mam a second time after a chance meeting between the parties in the hotel the teams were sharing that quickly became heated, prompting Broncos teammate Pat Carrigan to leap to his defence.
Leniu was suspended for eight games.
ANTHONY MUNDINE AND LATRELL MITCHELL
The two Indigenous icons had a very public slanging match after Latrell Mitchell threw his support behind Ezra Mam over the ‘Monkey-gate’ scandal, challenging the NRL to “deal with this shit”.
Mundine had a surprising take, declaring it wasn’t racism because Leniu was of Samoan heritage, a claim Mitchell declared was “absolute bullshit”. Choc doubled down, telling Mitchell he hadn’t earned the right to an opinion, and criticised his on-field performances.
The Man has since backtracked on his comments, saying he “felt a bit disrespected” by Mitchell’s response.
LATRELL MITCHELL AND BRAITH ANASTA
Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell and Fox Sports NRL 360 host and player agent Braith Anasta became involved in a heated argument outside popular Surry Hills restaurant Chin Chin in May.
Mitchell, out for dinner with his family, approached Anasta, upset at the TV personality’s
criticism of his form for the last-placed Souths at the time. He invited Anasta outside to discuss it further, and the pair argued on the street for several minutes, but at no point did it look like getting physical.
Anasta had been particularly scathing of Mitchell avoiding sanction for an expletive-laden interview, in which he swore five times in 30 seconds following a loss to the Broncos.
“If it was another player in our game, (Penrith’s Jarome) Luai, would the NRL be sanctioning a meeting or would he be sanctioning him?” Anasta asked on NRL 360.
SHANE RICHARDSON AND LEE HAGIPANTELIS
The current chief executive and former chairman are not on good terms.
Lee Hagipantelis delivered a brutal attack on his former club, describing the process that brought him down as “despicable” in a letter to announce he was terminating his $1 million sponsorship. He labelled the review a “sham” and referred to key stakeholders at the club as “cowards.”
He also took aim at Shane Richardson’s comments he believed were aimed at the former Tigers administration.
“Business people, they take their head off and put a pumpkin on. They think they know all about running a sports organisation,” Richardson told The Australian Financial Review.
PETER FITZSIMONS AND JAMES GRAHAM
This long-running feud added another chapter this year when Nine newspaper columnist Peter FitzSimons called for Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco to retire after suffering another concussion.
On his Bye Round podcast, James Graham likened FitzSimons to a ‘parasite’, accused him of using rugby league’s concussion issues to remain relevant, saying he had caused Tedesco’s family and friends “unnecessary anxiety and stress”.
Of course, FitzSimons bit back, saying I think he is working somewhere as a commentator of some sort but, also very sadly, he only seems to make headlines when ranting on concussion, usually at me.”
DAVID FIFITA AND NICK POLITIS
David Fifita shocked the NRL world with his decision to quit the Titans to sign a four-year, $3.3 million deal with the Sydney Roosters, even verbally committing to Roosters supremo Nick Politis. Incredibly, six days later, Fifita got cold feet, recommitted to the Titans.
“Despite his management making the initial approach to the club and Fifita personally informing the Sydney Roosters’ chairman and head coach of his intent to join the club, Fifita has since expressed doubt about his decision,” the Roosters said in a statement, revealing they had withdrawn their offer as a result.
“The club wishes Fifita all the best.”
Although we’re not entirely sure the Roosters meant it.
JOE OFAHENGAUE AND JOSH ALOIAI
A very rugby league stoush.
Parramatta forward Joe Ofahengaue was placed on report, accused of administering a “squirrel grip” hold on New Zealand’s Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Inconclusive evidence and a lack of desire from the winger to proceed with his complaint meant the Eels star escaped any potential match review committee sanction.
But that didn’t stop Manly prop Josh Aloiai from taking aim at Ofahengaue on social media.
“Joe doing what he does best,” Aloiai posted on Instagram. “Grub.”
It came out of the blue as their hadn’t been any murmurs of past issues between Aloiai and Ofahengaue.
ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD AND TRENT ROBINSON
Tensions flared between Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead and Roosters coach Trent Robinson when the Raiders captain attempted to check on the welfare of injured hooker Brandon Smith following their round 26 clash.
Whitehead tried to apologise for his hip-drop tackle that ended Smith’s season and his own NRL career, but Robinson didn’t accept the gesture.
“I was just not happy with the way I went up to ask about Brandon and Trent Robinson’s had a go at me,” Whitehead said.
Robinson wasn’t in the mood, given Smith suffered what turned out to be a serious knee injury.
“He said it was an accident and I just said, ‘You’ve done it too many times’ and that was it,” Robinson said. “He’s done a lot in his career. I like Elliott but it’s been pretty common in his game his whole career.”
The pair are unlikely to cross paths again with Whitehead signing with Catalans Dragons for next season, Robinson’s old team.
WALTERS FAMILY AND GREG MARTIN
The criticism of Broncos coach Kevin Walters from Triple M breakfast show host Greg Martin forced Billy Walters to quit his role with the radio network in support of his dad.
Former Wallabies star Martin, Dan Anstey and Margaux Parker, the wife of former Broncos skipper Corey, head up Triple M’s popular Brisbane breakfast show.
In August, Martin slammed Brisbane’s playing group and questioning if Walters should be axed, claiming he was too soft on his stars.
Martin described the Broncos as “poncy rock stars” who needed “a kick up the ass”.
Walters’ wife, Narelle, was so stunned by Martin’s attack she called Margaux Parker after the segment to express her disappointment.
Kevin Walters was eventually sacked, and Billy, who had been a regular on the network for two years, hasn’t been back.
GORDEN TALLIS AND MICHAEL MAGUIRE
And we’re guessing Gordie Tallis doesn’t send Christmas cards, either. Especially to Michael Maguire.
Gorden Tallis rejected a peace offering from new Brisbane coach Michael Maguire after the pair accidentally bumped into each other at the NRL grand final.
Tallis continued his support for friend and ousted Broncos coach, Kevin Walters, having already declared Maguire wasn’t a better option.
Tallis was walking back from a Bundaberg Rum promo when he ran into Maguire and his wife Joelle, prompting the unscheduled encounter.
“He said, ‘G’day mate,’ and shook my hand and he said, ‘We should catch up for a coffee’,” Tallis said. “I told him, ‘I don’t drink coffee’.
“I don’t need to be friends with any coach. What I say is just my opinion. It’s not on behalf of the Broncos old boys. No-one tells me what to say.”
GORDEN TALLIS AND ADAM REYNOLDS
While Gorden Tallis staunchly defended Kevin Walters during Brisbane’s struggles, he wasn’t as forgiving of the Broncos playing group, calling for Adam Reynolds to be sacked as captain and accusing him of failing to publicly back his coach.
He also questioned Reynolds’ decision to take on extra guest appearances for broadcaster Triple M after teammate Billy Walters quit the network following criticism of his father.
“He’s entitled to his opinion,” Reynolds said, refusing to get into a public slanging match.
KALYN PONGA AND MAL MENINGA
Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga caught Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and national selectors off guard when he announced he was making himself unavailable for Test selection to concentrate on Newcastle.
NRL playing contracts make it clear that a player must make himself available for representative football.
Meninga spoke with Ponga but was left bitterly disappointed he had opted not to play. Eventually, Ponga apologised and made himself available for the Kangaroos, but was overlooked anyway for the 21-man squad.
RAY HADLEY AND SEAN MCELDUFF
Veteran broadcaster Ray Hadley has retired from his 2GB morning show, following another year when he had Parramatta in his sights.
He’s been critical of former coach Brad Arthur, CEO Jim Sarantinos and chairman Sean McElduff.
“Mr McElduff was appointed for his business acumen,” Hadley told this masthead recently. “He’s too involved in the football side of things and has presided over this year’s disaster – he thinks a football coach has four wheels.”
Needless to say, McElduff and the Eels will welcome some radio silence from one of their biggest critics.
DARRYL BROHMAN AND LES BOYD
In what could lay claim to the longest-running feud in rugby league, former Queensland Origin forward Darryl Brohman slammed ex-NSW forward Les Boyd’s induction into the NRL Hall of Fame.
Some 41 years after Boyd viciously broke Brohman’s draw in an Origin game, it erupted again. Boyd responded by saying he “couldn’t give a f..k”, prompting Brohman to double down, declaring that he hopes he never hears from him again.
Boyd’s daughter then joined in, labelling Brohman “sad” in an emotional social media post, telling him to “let it go and move on” from the pair’s infamous clash.
Somehow, we don’t think either of them will.
Les Boyd…..9 Months suspension for breaking my Jaw in 1983. 12 Months for Eye gouging Billy Johnston……Gets inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame. Please!!!!
— Darryl Brohman OAM (@therealbigmarn) August 14, 2024
DES HASLER AND TONY MESTROV
The court case may have been avoided, but the bitterness remains.
Former Manly coach Des Hasler sued the Sea Eagles after he was dumped at the end of 2022 following a disappointing end to the season in the wake of the Pride jersey scandal.
At the centre of that decision was CEO Tony Mestrov, who joined the club after the saga had unfolded, but was at the helm when Manly parted ways with Hasler.
It dragged on until November of this year, before an out-of-court settlement meant a full-blown legal battle was avoided.
Hasler is still a club legend as both a player and coach, but there is little love lost with those who played a hand in his demise.
THE HOLMAN BARNES AND THE HOLMAN BARNES GROUP
A bizarre civil war broke out between owners of the Wests Tigers after three board members were sensationally banned from entering any venue under the control of the Holman Barnes Group.
Tony Andreacchio, Rick Wayde and David Gilbert warned they were lawyered up and ready to launch legal action to protect their reputations after they were “excluded from entering the club and all club premises” operated by Holman Barnes Group, the majority owner of the Tigers.
Some of the accusations? A board member allegedly referred to the wife of a fellow director as “darl”, a claim that is denied, while another failed to sit with his fellow directors at a number of events.
CAMERON GEORGE AND DAVID MOFFETT
The NRL rejected three South Island expansion bids for a second New Zealand team, with Warriors CEO Cameron George declaring another Kiwi franchise was 10-15 years away.
He cited the lack of a second-tier competition in New Zealand, and then turned the blowtorch or former NRL and NZRL CEO David Moffett, who is part one of the three failed New Zealand franchise bids, the South Island Keas.
“It’s funny because David Moffett has been quite vocal about how he’s coming to get the Warriors,” George said.
“This is the problem. He was the CEO of the NRL (in 2001), why didn’t he put money into New Zealand rugby league then?
“Then all of a sudden, we’re saying we’re ready to go now.
“(But) he knows it’s not ready to go.”
TERRELL MAY AND TRENT ROBINSON
Terrell May was coming off a career-best season that included a two-year contract extension, which explains why he was so bemused when Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson called him in late October to tell him he was surplus to requirements.
It wasn’t just the decision, but the timing of it, and suggestions of an attitude field issue that frustrated May.
“I felt like it was a strategy for him (Robinson) so I don’t go to certain clubs (like) Melbourne, Penrith,” May said.
Robinson said his decision was based around the Roosters’ playing style.
“He’s not a bad character, he hasn’t done anything wrong,” Robinson said. “He’s been a value-add for our group and there’s just some small bits there around how we want to play. We felt like it was time to move in a different direction. But the difficult thing is that people have questioned his character and that shouldn’t be the case.”
Pencil in July 6 at Allianz Stadium when the Roosters host May and his new club, the Wests Tigers.
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