NRL 2023: Hay Magpies banned from Group 20 finals after forced forfeit
One of the most famous old clubs in country rugby league has been banned from playing finals football after having had to forfeit a recent game. Buzz’s Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
One of the most famous old clubs in country rugby league has been banned from playing finals football this year in a decision that has rocked a small bush town.
The Hay Magpies have won 12 premierships in 87 seasons but have been kicked out this year because they had only nine fit players and had to forfeit a recent game.
Rugby league is struggling to such an extent in the area that the club has no reserve grade or U18’s team to call on for back-up players.
Group 20 has a rule where clubs can’t forfeit in the three weeks before the finals to ensure no team rests players before the playoffs.
However, according to the club’s coaching co-ordinator Neil Nisbet, it was physically impossible for the Magpies to field a team.
They had one player suspended, six injured (one with a broken leg) and two players were out of town working on a property 250km away as sheep shearers.
“These guys had to work,” Nisbet said. “It’s their living.”
The club informed Group 20 officials and their opposition on the Friday before the game that they could not field a side.
“There was nothing we could do about it,” Nisbet said. “We’ve still got players this weekend carrying injuries into the game.”
Nisbet said he was unaware of the disqualification rule when the club forfeited.
“That’s my fault,” Nisbet said, “We have a small committee that chops and changes. Things like this can get overlooked. The players are so devastated.”
The Magpies are playing Yenda in the final round this afternoon. They are equal fifth on the table and the winner would have gone through to play the finals.
Decisions like this one are not helping in a town where rugby league is on its knees.
“Rugby league here is dying,” Nisbet said, “We’re working so hard to keep it going.
“We’ll see a NSWRL development officer twice a year.
“We’re against the AFL. They’ve got people all through the schools all the time. They’re killing us.
“They’ve now got more juniors than us by a mile. These are kids who used to play rugby league.”
A spokesman for the NSWRL said the organisation supports the decision by the Group 20 board.
“All clubs who compete in NSWRL community rugby league competitions are aware of the rules that discourage teams from forfeiting any of their final three matches in order to contrive an advantage for participation in a finals series,” he said.
FLANAGAN REACHES OUT TO ROOSTERS STAR
Incoming St George-Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has expressed interest in signing boom Sydney Roosters’ teenager Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i to join the Dragons next year.
Flanagan has heard the rumours that the Roosters are to consider releasing Suaalii at the end of the season — 12 months before he is due to join rugby union.
The 2016 Sharks premiership-winning coach recently spoke to his own agent Isaac Moses — who also manages Sua’ali’i.
Flanagan told Moses he would be interested in having Sua’ali’i at Saints if the Roosters wanted to offload him.
The Roosters next year have speedster Dom Young arriving from the Newcastle Knights and veteran Daniel Tupou to play on the left wing. Billy Smith and Joseph Manu will play in the centres in a star-studded backline.
This puts the Roosters in a position where they can save $700,000 in their salary cap by releasing Sua’ali’i early, although he is now playing much better than earlier in the season.
Plus Nick Politis’ initial anger and disappointment around his code switch on a $5 million contract has now subsided.
Six weeks ago Flanagan would have had a better chance of making this happen.
It’s interesting that the incoming coach is keen on signing the boom teenager knowing he is available for only 12 months, rather than look around for a long-term signing.
The problem is, there are few options for next year.
At least Suaalii could add something to a side desperately short on quality players before Flanagan chases a more permanent solution when more big names become available for 2025.
Flanagan’s only signing to date is South Sydney star Hame Sele.
SAINT
To Sam Kerr and the Matildas: thank you. Your passion for the Australian jersey inspired a nation. We weren’t the best team at the World Cup, but no side showed more pride or commitment.
SINNER
An NRL player manager has been ordered by a magistrate to install a breathalyser in his car after being caught for medium-range drink-driving for the second time. This guy is hardly setting the right example for the young players he manages.
SPOTTED
Hostilities between warring media companies News Corp and Nine Entertainment were put on hold at the Matildas game on Wednesday night when Tele editor Ben English was seen embracing SMH managing director James Chessell after Sam Kerr kicked her miraculous goal.
SPOTTED
Kangaroos and Manly Sea Eagles legend Max Krilich is 73 – and has had two knee replacements. But it hasn’t affected his golf. On Wednesday, he hit a hole in one on the third (145m) at Monash, where he has been a member for 50 years. “I just got lucky,” he said. Not really. The former Kangaroos captain has now had seven holes in one.
SPOTTED
It’s a busy time of the year for all NRL stars, particularly those preparing for the finals. It didn’t stop Penrith’s Origin and Kangaroos forward Liam Martin from returning to his home town of Temora for a junior gala day. He spent hours doing selfies and autographs.
SPOTTED
Maroons State of Origin legend Billy Moore demolishing a huge seafood platter at Bondi Icebergs before his shift on NRL 360 last week.
LEGACY
There is a legends game and lunch in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon to honour Paul Green, the late and great Cowboys premiership-winning coach, prior to the Wynnum Manly v Easts Hostplus Cup game. Paul’s wife, Amanda, has organised a fundraising lunch – which has sold out – with all proceeds going to the Australian Sports Brain Bank. She is doing an amazing job to ensure Paul’s legacy lives on.
BULLDOGS LOSE ONE OF THEIR FINEST
The Canterbury Bulldogs have lost one of their finest servants.
George Coorey, 64, was a board member for over almost four decades — the longest serving official in the club’s history.
He passed away on Thursday.
George was one of the game’s last colourful old officials; a great rugby league man and popular with the players.
Josh Addo-Carr wrote on social media: “A true legend and even better person. Gonna be missed dearly.”
He was a former chairman of Canterbury Leagues and helped build the club into one of the biggest and most successful licensed premises in NSW.
Up until his death he was still a director on the board. Such was his popularity with long-time members, George would always finish at or near the top at every board election.
ALL EYES ON BUNKER
The NRL bunker might get its fair share of criticism, but over recent months it has hosted visits from World Rugby, Super League UK and FIFA to check out the technology and systems involved.
Particular interest was shown in the live head injury and independent doctor processes with all parties walking away hugely impressed.
Sometimes we all get so fixated on individual decisions made by humans operating the technology and can lose sight of the fact it’s actually a world-class facility.
LOWY ON THE LINE
Newly appointed Venues NSW boss David Gallop attended the Matildas semi-final on Wednesday night and received a surprise phone call during the game from old Westfield boss Frank Lowy.
The legendary businessman, now 93, lives overseas in Tel Aviv.
He was asking Gallop about the atmosphere at the venue and the success of the tournament.
It was Lowy, as chairman of Australian soccer and Gallop as CEO, who convinced FIFA to bring the World Cup finals to Australia and New Zealand.
FURNER’S WIFE WINS $1.5M COMPO CLAIM
David Furner’s position as an assistant coach at the Wests Tigers has been the subject of much speculation in recent days amid talk he will be moved on.
Not that he needs the money.
Furner’s wife, Kellie, was recently awarded $1.5m in damages over an accident three years ago during an open house inspection in Newcastle.
She fell over on a slippery driveway and required surgery for a neck injury.
Kellie told the court she had since struggled to complete even basic household chores.
At the time, she was working for the Newcastle Knights as a community relationship co-ordinator while her husband was an assistant coach.
Supreme Court judge Ian Harrison ruled that the homeowners were liable.
Where Furner finishes up will be interesting, although he does have a year to go on his contract.
He has worked at South Sydney (under Anthony Seibold), Newcastle (under Adam O’Brien), North Queensland (under Paul Green), Leeds (head coach), Canterbury (under Trent Barrett) and the Wests Tigers (under Tim Sheens) in the last decade.
NO FREEBIES FOR PREMIER
There is something pleasantly unusual about NSW Premier Chris Minns.
He attended Randwick races yesterday and, unlike most politicians, paid for his own tickets.
Minns was there to support a fundraiser for the family of Tim McPhail, who recently passed away from viral meningitis. Tim’s 13-year-old son, Ollie, has muscular dystrophy.
Minns also took the opportunity to catch up with Racing NSW boss and NRL chairman Peter V’landys.
No doubt they got to chat about the possibility of government funding for suburban grounds.
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