Roosters keen to ensure JWH’s next game isn’t his last

The Roosters believe the return of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will provide just the finals boost they need as they attempt to avoid making their next game the last for their “fearless leader”.

Penrith blew the Roosters off park in the opening match of the finals, racing to a 24-0 half-time lead on Friday night. Coach Ivan Cleary labelled it his side’s most complete 40-minute performance of the year.

Props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota were dominant for the Panthers in the opening exchanges, ensuring the game was effectively over by the break. Their performances highlighted just how much the Roosters missed their own enforcer, Waerea-Hargreaves, who will return from suspension next week.

“He’s our spiritual leader there in the pack,” Roosters forward Angus Crichton said. “He’s our alpha, and you need that alpha on the park. We all tried to lift with him missing, but it wasn’t our night.

“[His absence] hurts a lot. We’ve missed him, and he’s a big part of our team. It’s sad we’ve had to miss those memories, and we’ve got to make sure we make the most of what we’ve got [left].”

The Roosters are desperate for “alpha” male Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to return for their semi-final.Credit: Getty

Waerea-Hargreaves recently became the most capped Rooster of all time with 308 appearances for the club, surpassing the previous mark set by Mitchell Aubusson. The 35-year-old will be seeking to add further to the tally by leading the Roosters deep into the finals.

“Of course, he’s our fearless leader and he’s so good for us,” Connor Watson said. “It will be a massive in to have Jared back for sure.”

Roosters stars James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou will escape with fines after the match review committee charged them with low-grade dangerous tackle offences. Of more concern will be starting faster while still missing injured stars Sam Walker, Brandon Smith and, most likely, Victor Radley.

“We’ve got to take our lessons from it,” Watson said. “Let it hurt over the weekend, but once we come in next week we’ve got to focus on next week and not dwelling on it too much.

“That’s why, one thing about rugby league you know, we’re fortunate that we’ve got next week at the moment. We take our lessons, lick our wounds and then we’ve got to go and take a good mindset into Manly or Bulldogs.”

After a scrappy win over the Titans last week, the Panthers played on Penrith Park for the last time before a two-year renovation. It was a fitting way to farewell the venue, inspired by the return of halfback Nathan Cleary.

While questions were raised about the quality of the football played in the preceding weeks, halves partner Jarome Luai had no doubt the three-time premiers would lift when the stakes were raised.

“People should know us by now,” Luai said. “We’re a confident side and when the big occasion arises, we’re ready for it. There was a bit of chat about us not being ready for this finals series – they’ll be looking over their shoulders now.”

Luai said the Panthers still had another gear – “there’s more in us” – and was amused by suggestions the side’s winning run was coming to an end.

“It makes us giggle more than anything,” Luai said. “You can never count us out, even when we’re down in games. We know what to do. It’s outside noise. When we’re on our A-game, we’re a hard team to beat.”

Bellamy likes the idea but can’t see a NRL grand final at MCG

Melbourne Storm have a serious plan to bring the NRL grand final to the MCG in a future season but coach Craig Bellamy doesn’t see it happening.

The Storm made headlines this week with plans to buy the rights to run the grand final from the NRL which only has a one-season deal with New South Wales to keep the event in Sydney, unlike the AFL’s pact with Victoria which runs until 2059.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy, left, watches over training on Wednesday. Credit: Getty Images

It would likely need to be a season, like this year, where the NRL grand final is the week after the AFL’s grand final although the club is confident it could also run the event if it was the day after the AFL’s showpiece.

But as the Storm prepares to host Cronulla Sharks in a qualifying final at AAMI Park on Saturday, Bellamy was quick to bring some reality to the plan.

“I’d like to see it there but I’ve got more chance of flying to the moon tomorrow than that happening,” Bellamy said with laugh on Friday.

“I come from NRL [heartland] in New South Wales and I’ve spent some time in Queensland as well and I can’t see it happening.

“I don’t think I will see it happen anyway.”

Club sources told this masthead the Storm’s plan would revolve around paying the NRL a set sum, equal to what they would expect to make from a grand final, and then backing themselves to make a profit on the event.

The Storm’s board includes experienced event operator Bart Campbell and chairman Matt Tripp who are well-versed in running successful businesses and events and their plan is a serious one although it would face some serious competition from Queensland should hosting rights become available.

A number of hurdles would also need to be jumped within Victoria as the installation of the summer cricket pitch usually begins very soon after the AFL grand final to give the ground the best chance to be at its best for the Boxing Day Test match.

While club bosses dream of a future NRL grand final, the top-of-the-ladder Storm still need to two wins to qualify for this year’s decider starting with their clash with the Sharks on Saturday.

A crowd of more than 28,000 is expected and the club is basking in the extra attention due to the AFL having both its semi-finals interstate this weekend.

“Did someone die?” Bellamy exclaimed when he saw how many cameras and journalists were at his pre-game press conference at AAMI Park on Friday morning.

Bellamy expects a difficult clash with the Sharks whom he listed as equal with his side as the form teams in the NRL going into the finals.

Bradman Best to miss sudden-death Cowboys clash in blow to Knights

Bradman Best is set to be ruled out of Newcastle’s must-win finals clash with North Queensland after his latest hamstring issue.

Back-rower Dylan Lucas is an option to move into the centres in place of the NSW Origin star as the Knights prepare to play without Best in a significant blow ahead of Saturday’s elimination final in Townsville.

Best has battled hamstring issues in both legs this season that have limited him to 17 NRL games and kept him out of the Blues Origin campaign until game three.

His latest issue is with the left hamstring that ruled him out of Origin I in May and club officials decided it was not worth risking him against North Queensland.

Should the Knights spring an upset of the Cowboys and earn themselves a week two clash against Cronulla or Melbourne, Newcastle expect Best to return from what is hoped to be only a one-week lay off.

The Knights are flying to Townsville on Thursday afternoon on an NRL-chartered flight after the late finals scheduling change that has them making one of the game’s toughest trips on a six-day turnaround.

Dragons sign veteran forward to new deal

The Dragons have rewarded veteran forward Tom Eisenhuth with a new contract after he resurrected his career under Shane Flanagan.

Eisenhuth, who had to wait almost seven years between his first and second NRL games, has agreed to a one-year deal to stay in the Red V for 2025.

The 32-year-old is one of rugby league’s great stories of perseverance, reviving his career under Craig Bellamy at the Storm in 2019, having made his NRL debut for the Panthers in 2012.

Flanagan handed him a lifeline as he searched for experienced players this season, and Eisenhuth rewarded the club by playing in all 24 matches as the Dragons stumbled at the final hurdle in pursuit of a finals berth.

It will give Eisenhuth the chance to play another 17 games and reach what was once considered an improbable 100-game milestone.

‘We move on’: Reagan Campbell-Gillard passes on St George Illawarra

Christian Nicolussi

St George Illawarra officials have confirmed that Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will not be wearing the Red V in 2025.

Campbell-Gillard kicked the final goal during the Eels’ final-round win over the Wests Tigers last Friday night, which suggested that an exit from the club was imminent.

The front-rower himself revealed after the game: “I am still contracted for next year. If it is my last game, then I have enjoyed my time, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I wouldn’t change it for the world … we will see what happens in the next few weeks.”

Reagan Campbell-Gillard lines up a goal lick last FridayCredit: NRL Photos

The Dragons were widely seen as the front-runners for Campbell-Gillard – and a club in need of a powerful front-rower – but coach Shane Flanagan confirmed to this masthead late on Monday that he would not be joining the club and “we move on”.

Campbell-Gillard is earning around $750,000 for next year in the blue and gold but was told by the club that he was free to explore his options.

There were reports on Monday night that Brisbane had entered the race for Campbell-Gillard to partner Payne Haas up front. The club was also linked to experienced Storm premiership winner Christian Welch over the weekend.

North Queensland met with Campbell-Gillard a couple of weeks ago but could only offer him a two-year deal. Campbell-Gillard’s management has informed clubs that the 31-year-old is chasing a three-year deal.

Canterbury have the money and need for a front-rower, and were linked with Campbell-Gillard about six weeks ago. Club supremo Phil Gould worked with Campbell-Gillard at Penrith. The Dogs chased hard for Stefano Utoikmanau before he joined the Storm.

The Dolphins are another club in need of a big-name prop following the retirement of Jesse Bromwich, while the Wests Tigers missed out on signing Corey Horsburgh – the fiery forward re-committed to the Raiders – but confirmed they are not interested in the man known as ‘RCG’.

On the same day the Dragons became aware of Campbell-Gillard’s intentions, utility Jack Bird was granted a release to officially sign with the Tigers on a two-year deal.

Roosters legend takes on new role

Michael Chammas

The Sydney Roosters have appointed three-time premiership-winning player Mitchell Aubusson as the club’s director of rugby league.

Aubusson, the second most capped Roosters player of all time behind Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, with 306 games to his name, was recently elevated to the senior role to oversee the club’s NRL, NRLW and junior systems.

The role, which is similar to Phil Gould’s at Canterbury, has been created to provide the club with a rugby league figurehead to be the link between chairman Nick Politis and NRL coach Trent Robinson.

With so many key players leaving the club at season’s end, Aubusson will oversee recruitment and retention and work with senior figures on the Roosters’ rebuilding mission.

“First of all there aren’t too many better people than Mitchell Aubusson – he’s a role model in every aspect,” Politis said.

“I can’t remember him ever getting into any trouble, on or off the field. Of course, he will gain some valuable experience in the role, but he understands the game so well and has a great feel for what makes a good player.

Mitchell Aubusson will oversee the Roosters’ rugby league program.Credit: Getty

“He’s done an excellent job running the club’s academy and has been with the club since he was a teenager. He deserves it.”

Horsburgh remains a Raider

Adrian Proszenko

Corey Horsburgh has knocked back a three-year deal to join Wests Tigers to stay put in the nation’s capital.

Horsburgh was the unlikely hero in Canberra’s last-gasp 26-24 win over the Dragons on Saturday, scoring the match-winning try with a kick and regather.

The one-time Maroons prop had requested permission to explore his options despite still having three years to run on his Canberra deal.

But after being recalled to first grade for the final three games of the season - all of which the Raiders won - Horsburgh decided to remain a Raider.

The Tigers were contacted this morning to inform them of his decision. Had he joined the joint-venture outfit, Horsburgh would have linked with Sharks recruit Royce Hunt, with whom he was previously involved in a memorable stoush.

Taupau recommits to Broncos

Adrian Proszenko

Another front-rower has also ended speculation over his future after Martin Taupau agreed to a one-year deal with Brisbane.

Taupau’s contract had just expired, prompting speculation that he could be on the move after two years at Red Hill. However, the Broncos have handed the 34-year-old veteran a new deal for the 2025 season.

The Broncos were interested in Horsburgh’s services, but opted to retain the Kiwi and Samoan international after Horsburgh decided to remain in Canberra.

NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now