NRL 2023: NFL reaches out to help fix hip drop crisis | Sunday Sesh
The NFL has reached out to the NRL about their concern over the growing hip drop epidemic. Here’s what the NRL told them about getting rid of the tackle.
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The NFL is in the midst of a hip drop epidemic and the NRL has put its hand up to help the US sporting giant deal with the ongoing problem.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley has opened his door to the NFL as his American counterparts consider eliminating the hip drop tackle.
A spate of injuries to some of America’s biggest stars — the latest to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith — has prompted the NFL to once again review the controversial technique that was first identified by the NRL more than four seasons ago.
The two codes have already swapped intelligence on the tackle and Annesley said the NRL was happy to help out if the NFL wanted further help eradicating the tackle.
“We have discussed our approach to these tackles with the NFL on several occasions, particularly, the ‘hold, twist, and drop’ elements the NRL has adopted to educate, identify, and sanction these incidents in successfully reducing the number of offences,” Annesley said.
“We are happy to continue doing whatever we can to help if requested.”
Hip drops continued to be a talking point throughout the season. The NRL maintained its vigilance throughout the year as it focused on trying to eliminate the tackle following a riseat the start of the season.
At the halfway point of the season there were 25 charges. That dropped to 15 in the second part of the year.
St George Illawarra’s Jack de Belin missed four games late in the year because of the tackle.
A GOOD DEAL TO LOOK FORWARD TO FOR HOOKER
Another Arthur may be on the verge of playing in the NRL after Matt Arthur – the son of Parramatta coach Brad Arthur – signed a contract extension that will eventually see him become part of the Eels top 30.
A hooker, Matt Arthur made his NSW Cup debut this year while still a teenager and was considered a surprise omission from the NSW under-19 State of Origin team.
He can take some solace out of a new deal with the Eels that will see him spend the next two seasons on a development contract before becoming a top-30 squad member in 2026.
Arthur’s retention is part of a signing drive aimed at ensuring the Eels keep their best young talent. Plenty of experts believe Arthur may be the pick of them.
The Eels may need him to step up as well given hooker is one position where the side lacks genuine class.
The retirement of Josh Hodgson has left Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick to fight for the No.9 jersey heading into the 2024 season.
Next year may be too soon for Arthur but it’s not out of the realm of possibility to suggest he could push for a first grade debut in 2025.
COOKING UP SOME FUN
Cook Islands players were mobbed when they travelled through parts of PNG in the lead-up to their clash against Fiji on Sunday. The male and female teams visited Hanuabada Village which was founded by Cook Islands missionaries about 150 years ago. We’re told coach Karmichael Hunt and ex-Rabbitoh Steven Marsters were among the favourites.
TENDING TO HIS COWS
Player agent Issac Moses was spotted in Townsville. No surprise really given Moses looks after Cowboys coach Todd Payten and some of their star players, most notably Jordan McLean, Kyle Feldt and Heilum Luki.
It is understood that Moses was in Townsville to finalise a new deal for McLean but he has also signed Queensland and Australian star Reuben Cotter, who stands to be one of the big winners when he sits down to negotiate his next deal.
Cotter has two years remaining on the contract he signed some years ago. He is in line for a big raise when the time comes.
MENINGA KEEN TO STAY ON FOR NEXT WORLD CUP
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has declared he wants to stick around as Test mentor until the end of the next World Cup despite his deal coming to an end on November 1.
“Hopefully we will get to it sooner rather than later,” Meninga said. “I’d like to (stay on). I enjoy what I do. It’s a great job. One of the best jobs in the game.
“If I’m doing a good job and getting good feedback I will keep going.”
Meninga has a near perfect record since taking over as Kangaroos coach in 2016. He has led Australia to two World Cup wins with the Kangaroos dropping just two games of the 24 Meninga has coached.
The winning ratio of 91.7 per cent puts Meninga just behind Don Furner (93.5 per cent with 29 wins from 31 games). Dick Poole was undefeated in his three stints.
The 63-year-old hopes a new deal will cover him until the end of the next World Cup in 2026 which will be played in the southern hemisphere.
“I’d like to (coach at the next World Cup),” Meninga said. “It will be here in Australia.
“I love the game. There’s no other reason. It’s been kind to me and I love giving back.”
SLEEPY RONALDO DOING IT FOR KIDS
Kiwi flyer Ronaldo Mulitalo will take some time out before Christmas to sleep either in his car or outside his home.
Playing commitments will prevent him from taking part in Stepping Stone House’s annual Sleeping Under the Stars on Friday night – which raises money for disadvantaged children.
Mulitalo, a long-term ambassador for Stepping Stone House, will instead be in Melbourne preparing to play the Kangaroos, but he insists he will make up for it when rep duties are over.
“Wherever I am in the off-season I make sure I do it,” Mulitalo said. “I’ll sleep in my car or outside. If you’re going to speak about it, you better be doing it.
“We are talking about kids’ lives here. I look at some of these kids and the situations they are in. It would be hard for any parent.”
CHOOKS LOCK IN BUTCHER AND WHYTE
The Roosters have ensured some of their best talent will not hit the open market come November 1 after securing forwards Nat Butcher and Naufau Whyte to long-term deals.
Both were off-contract at the end of next season but the club has made a significant play to keep the pair for at least the next three years.
Butcher, 26, has established himself as a key part of the Roosters’ forward pack with 126 games to his name. Whyte is part of the new generation of Roosters players. The 21-year-old played nine games this year. With Angus Crichton still locked in talks to cross codes and join rugby, the Roosters are ensuring they have the forward depth to cover his impending departure. Winger Junior Pauga has also been rewarded for his strong season with a two-year top 30 contract. He arrived at the Roosters on a train and trial deal this season before going on to play in nine matches.
MEDIA BUZZ
Jelisa Apps
Age: 33
Job title: Channel 7 sports reporter/presenter
First job?
Boorowa Chinese Restaurant at age 14 – a rite of passage if you grow up in Boorowa.
Your sporting heroes?
My pop – I was raised by my Nan and Pop and he gave me a love of watching cricket and NRL. He took 7-14 in local cricket once and his trophy sits pride of place in my house! Also love Laurie Daley — because of the Raiders and he’s a good bloke.
What NRL team do you follow?
I follow the Canberra Raiders and have no other interests.
What sports did you play? Mostly touch footy and netball. Badly.
How do you spend a day off?
Recovering from days on. I like to go on a drive and find somewhere new to eat, preferably near the water. I also try and get back home to the country when I can.
Career highlight?
Covering the Rugby League World Cup last year in England. Being there to watch Tonga and Samoa in the quarter-final and witness how much it meant to the players and supporters was such a privilege.
ALPHA MALES AND THEIR DISHLICKER
As a kid, Steve Crawley frequented the dog track twice a week with his grandfather.
Now the Fox Sports supremo stands on the cusp of winning the most prestigious greyhound race in Australia in partnership with AFL legend Jonathan Brown.
Crawley and Brown are co-owners of Alpha Zulu, an exciting dog with 14 wins from 19 starts. It won at Sandown on Thursday night and is joint second favourite for the $1m Melbourne Cup, which will be run on December 2.
Brown’s late mother Mary was a dog trainer of some note.
When she passed away last year, Crawley and Brown made a pact to buy a dog in her honour.
That dog was Alpha Zulu.
“He’s (Brown) got a mate called Jason Thompson, who is the Chris Waller of dog trainers,” Crawley said. “He (Brown) rang me up one day and said Jason thinks he has found our dog. It looks like he might be right.”
Crawley is one of Australian sports’ most powerful people but you don’t climb to those heights without knowing when to talk and when to leave it to experts.
“Those guys know what they’re talking about so I shut up and get out of the road,” he said. “He’s a nice dog. They love him.”
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