Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Tigers set to tie down Galvin on whopping deal
The clubs interested in Roosters star Brandon Smith, how the Tigers are going to spend leftover cash from John Bateman’s exit and possible State of Origin changes. All that and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
At least two rival NRL clubs have expressed an interest in Brandon Smith as the Sydney Roosters hooker prepares to leave the club at the end of next season.
The arrival of Reece Robson on a four year deal from 2026 has all but ended any hope of Smith staying at the club when his contract expires.
His management have already asked for expressions of interest as they brace for bad news and it is understood that two clubs have asked to be kept informed of developments on Smith’s future.
He isn’t the only Roosters hooker on the lookout for a new club. Zach Dockar-Clay was in the extended New Zealand squad for the Pacific Championships but he is yet to land a full-time deal for next season.
LOSS OF BATEMAN WILL BE GALVIN’S WIN
The Wests Tigers’ bid to retain Lachlan Galvin on a long-term deal could be given a helping hand as English forward John Bateman edges towards the exit door.
Galvin has another two years remaining on his contract with the Tigers but the club is intent on extending his deal in a bid to ensure he doesn’t head on the open market, where he would command plenty of attention from the Tigers’ rivals.
Bateman’s future could have an impact on those plans.
The English international looks set to join South Sydney, where he would be reunited with his former England coach Wayne Bennett.
That would free up a significant amount of money for the Tigers, which they could then use to help extend the contract of Galvin, who is with the club until the end of 2026.
Galvin was one of the shining lights for the Tigers last season, only suspension preventing him winning the Dally M rookie of the year award.
He has upped the ante this pre-season, smashing his own records in fitness testing in a sign that he is not resting on his laurels.
The arrival of Jarome Luai shapes as the other big lever the Tigers will pull in their bid to retain Galvin given the pair have the potential to form one of the most potent halves combinations in the NRL.
Luai has signed a long-term deal with the Tigers although he has the ability to leave after the 2026 season, the same time Galvin comes off contract.
The Tigers will do everything in their power to convince the pair to stay well into the future as they look to build the club around a pair of playmakers capable to stacking up against any in the competition.
SAINT
The NRL was rocked this week by the sudden passing of long-time employee Shaun Wendt. Wendt worked at head office for nearly 30 years across a variety of roles, most recently in game day and operations. He was admired and respected across the game for the way he carried himself and represented Rugby League Central. He will be sorely missed.
SINNER
Gold Coast Titans haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory with their handling of young forward Josiah Pahulu. If reports are to be believed, the Titans sat Pahulu out for the final game of the season, costing him a $40,000 bonus. Not surprisingly, Pahulu’s camp is not happy. The NRL and players union are watching closely.
SHOOSH
Which CEO let fly at an NRL official during a heated discussion at the midweek meeting of club bosses?
SHOOSH I
Which senior club official has been struck down by a bout of Covid-19?
SPOTTED
New Wests Tigers recruit Jarome Luai sporting some brand new ink courtesy of Pacifink Tattoo.
SPOTTED I
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star George Burgess lining up for a photo with Santa in Noosa.
SPOTTED II
NRL club bosses enjoying a feed at the Museum of Sydney following the chief executive meeting on Wednesday night. We’re told they were all on best behaviour.
SPOTTED III
The chips were down for the home team, too, with the Japanese powerhouse winning 4-0. X user @kurisu210 captured this image at the AFC Champions League.
FIXING ORIGIN
NRL club bosses have been presented with a series of scheduling options to solve the current State of Origin conundrum – although they will have to wait until 2028 for any changes to come into effect.
It is understood that among the options discussed were:
– retaining the existing schedule;
– playing Origin games one week apart; and
– playing Origin games with a two week gap in between.
Origin scheduling has been a vexing issue for the game as officials look to balance the integrity of the NRL competition with the need to maximise one of the showpiece events on the rugby league calendar.
It appears any changes will need to wait until the existing broadcast agreement expires at the end of 2027.
However, the clubs are set to have a decisive say in how it is played from 2028 as the NRL prepares to open talks with broadcasters over fresh agreements.
The NRL has traditionally bundled Origin into the commercial broadcast rights but they haven’t ruled out selling the series as its own entity in future.
GOLD FOR JOJO
Jojo Fifita is on the verge of a new deal with the Gold Coast Titans after agreeing to stay at the club until the end of 2027. Fifita scored 10 tries in 19 games for the Titans last season and has been rewarded for his outstanding form with a bumper new deal.
The 21-year-old played the vast majority of his games off the wing but may look to transition into centres during the life of his new deal.
It’s been a big few weeks for the Fifita family – Jojo’s young brother Viliami Fifita recently agreed to a four-year contract extension with the club.
The 16-year-old is a member of the Future Titans program.
NEW INTEREST ON-BRAND
STORMING MAGIC ROUND
Magic Round ticket sales have exploded following the release of three and four-day passes in recent days.
So much so that the release of single-day passes have been brought forward to cope with the demand.
Total sales for Magic Round three and four-day passes has edged close to 20,000 just a few days into the on sale, which is a 40 per cent jump on the same time last year.
With the new four-day passes being released for the first time, there has been a 280 per cent jump in sales for women’s State of Origin One on the Thursday night prior to Magic Round on May 1.
Interestingly, aside from the obvious support from Broncos and Dolphins fans, the biggest take-up so far of the club member allocation has come from Melbourne Storm and Warriors members.
Eels and Sharks members lead the way from the Sydney teams.
“The popularity of Magic Round continues to grow,” said NRL boss Andrew Abdo.
“The addition of the four-day passes has given fans an opportunity to see nine games for $109, which is amazing value.
“We’re well on the way to seeing sell outs for all three days of Magic Round as well as a new record crowd for Women’s Origin.”
Single-day passes will now go on sale on December 16 for club members and a day later for the general public.
Details: nrl.com/tickets
SEIBOLD SEES ’SADERS
Manly coach Anthony Seibold and assistant coach Jim Dymock are heading to New Zealand to observe rugby giants the Crusaders at work.
Seibold and Dymock will spend three days working alongside the coaching and players at the multiple Super Rugby champions.
“We’ll also do a bit of shared learning,” Seibold said.
“They want to see what we are doing and our planning. We’ll get the opportunity to spend a couple of days observing their staff and players.
”I’m looking forward to it.”
Seibold has already used his off-season to pick the brain of some sporting giants, having headed overseas to watch the LA Rams and then meet Robin Thorpe, the head of performance at Red Bull in Santa Monica.
Thorpe spent a decade as the head of performance at Manchester United, working for a time alongside legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
BEER BETTER FIT
Former Central Coast Mariners Chairman Rich Peil has expressed his dismay at Football Australia’s decision to award the naming rights for the Australia Cup to beer company Hahn last week over his company Anytime Fitness Australia.
Football Australia approached Anytime Fitness asking them to sponsor the Australian Cup on an ongoing basis.
Anytime Fitness offered very close to their asking price and a 20% discount on memberships across Australia for all people registered with the over 700 clubs that take part in the Australia Cup.
“I have absolutely nothing against Hahn, in fact I own shares in a beer company,” Peil said.
But Football Australia had a genuine opportunity to promote health and fitness over alcohol consumption for this competition, which you would think would be a priority for arguably the largest sporting organisation in Australia.
“And considering the reported near $6,000,000 that Football Australia just received from the government and the reported $200,000,000 TV deal for the Matildas and Socceroos, they surely could have afforded to promote the health of the country over a foreign-owned alcohol company!
“We were never given a chance to match Hahn’s offer – this is not a great way to do business and is very disappointing”
Given the massive problems we have with physical inactivity and alcoholism in Australia right now, Peil believes Football Australia could and should have used this opportunity to promote a positive product for the health of their constituents.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CEO … WITH BRONCOS BOSS DAVE DONAGHY
First job?
McDonalds in Gladstone. I started out the back and never graduated to the front counter. It was a job that taught me a lot about teamwork and process.
Greatest personal sporting achievement?
I always said I’d run a marathon when I turned 40, so I ran my first (and probably) last on the Gold Coast in 2023. I set myself a target of sub-4 hours and my ASICS helped me hit my goal.
Sporting team you supported as a kid?
I jumped around footy teams a bit, I liked following players as a kid. But I’d always support Queensland in State of Origin and the Australian cricket team. We had a family connection to Aston Villa, they’re still my EPL team.
Who was your sporting hero?
I admired plenty – Wally Lewis, AB, Michael Jordan and Michael Johnson. I watched Michael’s last race at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane in 2001. He was an unbelievable competitor and always came across as humble in victory.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
A foreign correspondent. My dad would always have the news on the radio at home, back when the ABC had news bulletins every 15 minutes or so. It was drilled into me.
Most famous person in your phone?
Bluey. Well, Joe Brumm, he’s the creator of Bluey, a total legend and a Broncos member. It’s an unbelievable Brisbane success story – the most watched TV show in the US this year.
What’s at the top of your 2025 wish list?
For our teams to bring the NRL and NRLW Premierships back to Brisbane.
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