Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: NRL consider bunker overhaul to give on-field referees more control
The NRL is considering serious changes to the bunker, a rising star could leave Melbourne, and how Brisbane’s sponsors have responded to the Ezra Mam saga. All that and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
The NRL will consider placing more power in the hands of the on-field referee for head contact as they look to reduce the influence of the bunker in a bid to combat players staying down to milk penalties.
Head office is currently in the midst of a review involving coaches and officials from across the game but Sunday Sesh understands that regardless of the outcome, one of the considerations will be whether to empower referees to make a call on the bunker interfering in contact with the head.
Under the current system, the bunker reviews incidents involving high contact, often prompted by players being slow to rise to their feet. However, it is understood there is a view that the referee should dictate whether the bunker is called on to adjudicate head contact.
The changes would potentially have a threefold impact – they would speed up the game by referring less incidents to the bunker for review, they would return power to the referees, and they would make players more reluctant to stay down.
The NRL is in the process of receiving feedback from club officials as part of a wide-ranging review of the game.
Officials have specifically been asked what suggestions they have to improve on-field officiating, bunker officiating, the match review committee and judiciary, and head injury assessment rules and processes.
SAINT
Parramatta Leagues Club continues to be the largest supporter of junior sports in the area. Through its club grants, the club introduced a one-off rebate for families with multiple junior rugby league registrations living at the same address. Families have already begun receiving their rebates, which builds on the $350,000 donation made to the Parramatta Junior Rugby League earlier this year.
SINNER
Broncos star Ezra Mam who was lucky he didn’t kill someone after his driving antics last weekend. The NRL should come down heavy.
SHOOSH
Which player who has been shopped by his club is avoiding answering phone calls from his club or agent?
SHOOSH II
Which club offered an international player a train and trial deal which was quickly rejected?
SHOOSH III
Which NRL talent, who can’t afford another slip-up, was spotted at his local establishment in the week of his club’s huge semi-final clash?
SPOTTED
Dual international Sonny Bill Williams sitting on the sand at Wanda Beach.
SPOTTED II
Josh Addo-Carr tucking into inner-west icon Frango Charcoal Chicken
SPOTTED III
Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans enjoying The Weeknd at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.
SPOTTED V
Roosters great Luke Ricketson enjoying lunch at Woolloomooloo Wharf on Friday.
SPOTTED IV
Channel 9 star Danika Mason with her former Canterbury forward boyfriend Liam Knight sharing loved up photos at Sam Burgess’ wedding in Italy.
WHALE OF A DEAL FOR JONAH
The Storm and rising halfback Jonah Pezet are locked in delicate talks which could see the 21-year-old follow the path of teammate Harry Grant and be loaned out to an NRL rival for 12 months.
There could also be a Jahrome Hughes clause attached to a deal.
Pezet will attract a stack of interest from clubs should he and Melbourne not reach an agreement before the November 1 deadline hits.
Already a host of clubs have indicated they would be keen and they could offer him something the Storm cannot – and that’s a starting halfback spot immediately.
But it is understood that Pezet is keen to agree to a deal with the Storm but with a few strings attached.
While Pezet wants to be Melbourne’s long-term halfback he does not want to continue to sit behind incumbents Hughes and Cameron Munster for multiple years.
Munster is contracted until the end of 2027, while Hughes has two more seasons left on his deal.
Pezet wants formal assurances that if he does agree to a long-term deal to stay in Melbourne, there is the potential for him to be granted a release should the Storm opt to extend Hughes’ contract beyond 2026. He is also keen on exploring the potential of playing elsewhere for the 2026 season as part of a one-year loan before returning to Melbourne to take on the no.7 jersey in 2027.
The Storm had success doing that with Grant who was an obvious talent but was stuck behind Cameron Smith. Grant played for the Tigers in 2020 to get some much needed experience before returning to the Storm the following season.
Pezet is making his comeback from a knee reconstruction but that won’t stop rival clubs from making a serious play for him if he can’t come to terms with Melbourne.
SPONSORS STILL MAM UP FOR BRONCOS
The Broncos’ latest drama involving Ezra Mam hasn’t scared away corporate support as the club edges towards announcing long term deals with Asics and Kia.
Brisbane, in dire need of some good news after Mam was involved in a car accident that threatens his future at the club, are believed to have struck a new deal for ASICS to remain as their apparel sponsor and Kia to own the front of the jersey for up to five years.
It is understood the ASICS deal was agreed after chair Karl Morris and chief executive Dave Donaghy recently flew to Japan to finalise a new agreement.
RUGBY TAKE FIGHT TO WAHS
New Zealand Rugby are set to try and raid highly regarded Warriors boss Cameron George as the cross-code battle in New Zealand reaches a tipping point.
With the Warriors now dominating the New Zealand sporting landscape – once owned by the All Blacks – New Zealand Rugby is trying to mount a comeback by getting George on their books.
It is understood that top level talks have commenced about stealing George after New Zealand Rugby’s Commercial chief executive Craig Fenton announced he would leave the job at the start of next year.
With the Warriors selling out every home game and enjoying record sponsorship, their rugby counterparts will try to steal George to try and close the gap between the two codes.
RAID FAIL ON ENGLISH HOOKER
Canberra have called time on their bid to sign Warrington hooker Danny Walker after their initial offer of a transfer fee was rejected by the Super League side.
The Raiders had been keen to lure Walker, part of the England squad for their Test series against Samoa, to the NRL next year and were prepared to table a lucrative deal to the 26-year-old.
However, they were unable to strike a deal and have now withdrawn their interest.
Walker has made no secret of his desire to try his hand in the NRL for 2026, but it appears it will not be with the Raiders.
At the Dolphins, back-rower Connelly Lemuelu won’t hit the open market after he agreed to a new one-year contract. Lemuelu was set to talk with rival clubs come November 1, but the Dolphins have ensured that will not happen by locking him down until the end of 2026.
LAUNDYS’ COME TO THE FORE
The Laundy family have come to the aid of one of the country’s rising sports stars after a tragic accident left golfing sensation Jeffrey Guan fighting for his career.
Guan, who made his debut on the PGA Tour earlier this year, underwent delicate eye surgery last month after being struck by an errant golf ball in Sydney’s southern suburbs.
That’s when the Laundy’s, whose pub empire is measured in the billions, chimed in thanks to a longstanding relationship with Guan’s coach Paul Davis.
Craig and Stu Laundy grew up playing golf with Davis and are members of The Australian Golf Club, where they have played with Guan.
The Laundys reached out to friends Mario and Bill Gravanis, who run the Novotel Hotel at Brighton-Le-Sands, to arrange for Guan to spend some of his time recuperating in one of their rooms and have vowed to be there for Guan throughout his recovery.
“If anyone can fight and overcome it, I am sure he can,” Craig Laundy said.
“He comes from a very humble background. They are of humble means. He shares a bedroom with his brother and was coming out of multiple surgeries.
“Billy and Mario Gravanis – they own the Novotel at Brighton-Le-Sands – I rang them and they arranged a room for him.
“Dad just said listen, we are looking after it.”
Guan was one of the best amateurs in the world before turning pro earlier this year and signing with the same management company that counts Masters champion Jon Rahm among its stable.
Golf authorities have confirmed that his recovery is expected to be a “long and challenging journey”.
“This is the start of a journey for Jeff and we are there to help whenever we can,” Craig Laundy said.
“He needs a hand and that is where our family tries to help. He’s a great young kid. We have known him for five or six years now and it is our time to give him a helping hand. Paul knows …. we are there to help out.”
JOHNSON’S MAGIC COVERING
Shaun Johnson’s playing contract expires at the end of October meaning the recently retired Warriors star will be without an NRL deal when he takes to the field for the Kiwis having put back his decision to hang up the boots.
It prompted us to check if Johnson would be insured when he takes to the field. We’re told he will be covered before and after under various NRL insurance policies.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CEO, WITH MANLY BOSS TONY MESTROV
First job: It was a part time job as a shop assistant at David Jones for a couple years. I was in the men’s clothing section first then moved in the toy section. After not knowing what I was doing at first, I grew to love it! Christmas was hectic!
Greatest personal sporting achievement: Winning the Super League Grand Final with Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford in 1998. I was lucky to be part of such a great Wigan team.
Sporting team you supported as a kid: No surprise the Manly Sea Eagles. Growing up in the Manly district in the 1970s you had to support Manly, plus they won four grand finals!
Who was your sporting hero: I have a couple. Graham Eadie, the wombat was my first hero, and then Greg Norman. I am a tragic golfer, he put Australian golf on the world stage.
What did you want to be when you were younger: To play first grade for Manly.
Most famous person in your phone: Buzz Rothfield
What’s at the top of your 2025 wish list: A premiership – simple.
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