Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: NRL club’s bizarre points change suggestion, Knights launch bid for Storm playmaker

The Knights’ big offer for a Melbourne halfback, an ex-Tigers players heads to arbitration with club, plus which NRL club has suggested some bizarre rule changes? That and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.

The NRL’s recent survey of club bosses on potential rule changes for next season uncovered some interesting responses.

The most intriguing came from a Sydney club who suggested that tries scored from kicks should be worth less points than tries scored through the hands.

Sunday Sesh understands the same club also called on the NRL to become more vigilant on the disrupter rule by penalising players for attempting to tap the ball back rather than trying to catch it.

Neither move is expected to win support from the NRL, with head office reluctant to make major changes over the off-season.

If there are to be any rule changes, they will more likely be subtle interpretations rather than any significant overhaul.

However, it is understood officials at one club suggested one of the most revolutionary rule changes in the game’s history by treating tries differently depending whether they are scored through the hands or off the boot.

Should tries scored from kicks be worth fewer points? Picture: NRL Photos

Their concern is that some teams have become over-reliant on kicks to the wing to score tries to the detriment of the game.

While there is an art and technique to scoring off cross-field bombs and the like, the club involved believes rugby league has become less entertaining and interesting as a result.

They also took aim at the contentious disrupter rule, which was brought in this season to prevent players pretending to jump for the ball with the sole purpose of putting off their opponent.

There is a school of thought that the rule has made contesting kicks a lottery.

However, some clubs clearly believe the rule doesn’t go far enough and the simplest way to clean it up would be to penalise any player who contested the ball without attempting to catch it.

KNIGHTS LAUNCH BID FOR PEZET

Melbourne are facing a multimillion-dollar fight for Jonah Pezet as they brace for the young half to make a call on his future next week amid a monster $2.5 million bid to lure him back to Newcastle involving the Knights’ biggest star.

Pezet and his agent Braith Anasta have been locked in talks for weeks with the Storm over a contract extension – he entered the final year of his existing deal on November 1.

The emerging playmaker is regarded as one of the game’s rising stars and despite having made only 10 appearances in the NRL, it is understood the Knights have weighed in with an offer reflective of his growing status in the game.

As part of their pitch, Sunday Sesh understands the Knights took Pezet out for an intimate dinner which was also attended by Newcastle captain and superstar Kalyn Ponga.

The Storm have also tabled a sizeable offer for Pezet as they look to ensure they secure their long-term successor to Jahrome Hughes.

Storm playmaker Jonah Pezet is set to be offered a huge deal by former club Newcastle. Picture: NRL Imagery

We understand a crucial meeting next week with Melbourne is likely to have a decisive say over Pezet’s future as his camp seek assurances he will have the option to leave if Hughes signs a new deal.

Hughes is contracted until the end of 2026 and is likely to demand in excess of $1 million a season on his next deal, which will coincide with the addition of a new team in 2027.

Hughes is likely to be in hot demand.

Pezet is as well given the lack of quality halves on the market and his burgeoning reputation, which has only grown as he has recovered from a knee injury that prematurely ended last season.

The Knights loom as the most serious threat to Melbourne after tabling a deal which is believed to be worth in the vicinity of $2.5 million over four years.

A move to Newcastle would represent a homecoming of sorts for Pezet.

He was a member of Newcastle’s junior representative teams from 2018 until the end of the 2020 season, playing Harold Matthews and SG Ball for the club.

He then moved to the Melbourne Storm but rugby league was awash with rumours on Friday that Pezet was close to making a move back to the Knights, although it is understood the Storm remain well and truly in the mix as they prepare for crunch talks with the 21-year-old.

SINNER

Critics of Marnus Labuschagne. Fair dinkum, the Queenslander is going through a lean patch at the moment but he has only just turned 30 and still averages over 48 in Test cricket. Give him some time and he’ll turn it around.

Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne at Allan Border Field training with the Queensland Bulls on Thursday. Picture: Lachie Millard

SAINT

It’s been a difficult week in the cricket community as the sport marked the 10-year anniversary of Phil Hughes’ passing. Everyone involved in the game deserves kudos for the sensitive way the matter was handled. It brought a tear to the eye, but also a smile as Hughes was remembered for his impact on the sport and those around him.

SHOOSH

Which club from north of the border is believed to have made a subtle inquiry about an international forward at a Sydney club last week. We’re tipping his current club wouldn’t stand in the way if they followed through with an offer.

SHOOSH I

Which highly-regarded sports official has had a second interview for the Dragons chief executive job. If he gets offered the position, it will be a popular appointment. He is a shrewd operator.

SHOOSH II

Which experienced NRL spin doctor is on the hunt for a new gig?

SPOTTED

Former Wests Tigers star Beau Ryan back at his old stomping ground at Concord Oval only hours after he was unveiled as the new host of Triple M’s breakfast show.

SPOTTED I 

South Sydney captain Cameron Murray slurping on an iced coffee with a huge cast on his left arm at Carriageworks markets.

SPOTTED II

Former Sports Integrity Australia boss David Sharpe sitting in the coaches box alongside Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga throughout the Pacific Championships. Sharpe and Meninga know each other from their Raiders days.

SPOTTED III 

Mark Taylor boarding a recent Virgin Australia flight to Perth …. and he was queuing with the punters at Sydney airport

SPOTTED IV 

Sydney Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello walking the touch footy fields at Queens Park on Thursday.

SPOTTED V 

Former Dragon Matt Dufty back from England and doing his grocery shopping at Mortdale in Sydney’s south.

SPOTTED VI 

Brisbane chair Karl Morris and former Melbourne star Cooper Cronk eating dinner at up-market eatery Bambini Trust.

Axed Wests Tigers forward Jordan Miller and the club have failed to find a resolution over his termination. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

TIGERS HEADED FOR MILLER ARBITRATION

Wests Tigers are headed for arbitration in their fight with axed prop Jordan Miller.

Miller had his contract terminated by the club and enlisted former major sponsor Lee Hagipantelis to take up the fight on his behalf.

It is understood the matter will now be determined by independent arbiters after the parties failed to find a resolution on the dispute.

Miller played a handful of first grade games in 2024 but was sacked by the Tigers after being late for a training session for the second time.

It is understood the young forward claimed there were extenuating circumstances for his tardiness.

Former NRL prodigy Ronald Volkman is set to make his return to the game with Parramatta. Picture: Richard Dobson

VOLKMAN CLOSES IN ON LIFELINE

Ronald Volkman has officially begun the long path back to the NRL after agreeing to join Jason Ryles at Parramatta this season.

Volkman was one of the most promising playmakers in the game before he was struck down by injury, and then caught in a contract crossfire that resulted in the NRL fining St George Illawarra over their handling of the matter.

The 22-year-old has been locked in talks with a handful of clubs, but Sunday Sesh understands he has landed on the Eels and will join the club initially on a season-long deal, although the hope is that his contract will be upgraded at some point during the year.

He still has to undergo a medical but the deal is expected to be confirmed imminently after a second round of meetings were held this week.

“Ronald Volkman is an exceptional half coming through the ranks, and after what happened to him this season he is ready to stamp his mark and the challenge of being an NRL player for a long time to come,” Volkman’s manager Mario Tartak said.

Volkman played five games across two seasons at the Warriors before agreeing to a deal at the Dragons, only for it to go pear-shaped after he underwent a medical. The Dragons were fined $40,000 by the NRL over their handling of the matter.

Blake Mozer sweats it out during pre season training with the Broncos at Red Hill. Picture: Adam Head

BRONCOS FACE FIGHT FOR SMITH CLONE

The Brisbane Broncos are playing a dangerous game with the hooker who has been earmarked to take them into the future.

Blake Mozer entered the final year of his deal on November 1 and rival clubs are watching closely given they can now talk to the 20-year-old, who played eight games last season and has drawn comparisons with Maroons and Kangaroos legend Cameron Smith for his style of play.

Sunday Sesh understands the Broncos are keen to keep Mozer, but the arrival of Ben Hunt has put a squeeze on their salary cap and they now have hookers in abundance given Hunt is expected to spend time there when Ezra Mam is cleared to return to play.

Mozer played all eight games off the interchange bench this season as he shared time with Billy Walters. However, Hunt’s signing is expected to lead to some departures as the club adjusts their books to accommodate his arrival.

Centres Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo seem the most likely to feel the squeeze, with one expected to leave at the end of next season to balance the salary cap.

Mozer has been asked to remain patient but the longer the Broncos take, the more likely he is to have his head turned by a rival.

NRL CONCERN FOR SUPER LEAGUE

The NRL is keeping a close eye on the financial stability of Super League after it emerged that at least two clubs had been offered to Australian consortiums and teams as they look to alleviate their money woes.

Sunday Sesh revealed last week that former Wests Tigers star Robbie Farah and his business partner Jai Ayoub had been sounded out about their interest in buying a stake in the London Broncos.

This column can also reveal that a consortium involving former Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis and ex-chief executive Justin Pascoe has also been quizzed over their interest in investing in Super League clubs.

On top of private consortiums, at least one Australian club has been asked whether they would be interested in buying a stake in Salford.

The financial woes of the London Broncos have been well documented while Salford have also hit financial turbulence and have asked for an advance on their 2025 grant to fill their financial hole.

The money dramas in Super League are being watched by the NRL given their desire to strengthen the international side of the game.

They have made inroads in the Pacific but they need England to not just survive, but thrive, if they want the international game to catch fire.

“The health and growth of rugby league internationally is extremely important,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“One of the priorities of the ARLC has been to invest in and grow international rugby league. “As the Pacific’s biggest sport, rugby league is growing in the southern hemisphere, and we want to see similar success in the north.”

North Queensland Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel, former Cowboys player Joel Riethmuller, current player Jake Clifford and 1995 season player Dean Schifilliti launch their 30 year jersey at the Cairns Esplanade lagoon. Picture: Brendan Radke

GET TO KNOW YOUR CEO … WITH COWBOYS BOSS JEFF REIBEL

First job?

As a schoolkid at Magees Supermarket and Liquor in my home town of Bowen. I did everything from checkout operator, bag and shelf packing and the cleaning. My first full time job out of uni was as a trainee accountant for Caltex in Cairns and first full time job in the industry was as corporate sales manager for the Cowboys in 2002.

Greatest sporting achievement?

There is a reason why I am in sports administration and not an athlete. I had a very solid career up to the under-15s coming off the bench for the Bowen Tigers. In Year 12, I opened the batting for Bowen High’s cricket and indoor cricket teams. We were state runners up and looking back, it was an achievement for a small country town.

Sporting team you followed as a kid?

The Balmain Tigers. I used to love watching the old ABC coverage on a Saturday afternoon. Their team of the late 80s and early 90s was full of talent and personality!

Who was your sporting hero?

I can’t go past Allan Border. AB took over the Australian cricket captaincy at what turned out to be a pivotal time. I loved his grit, his determination. He was a leader by his actions and I believe he was a catalyst and played a major role in lifting Australian cricket to the status it now enjoys. I also continue to be drawn to the high performance environment that is Formula 1.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I don’t think I exactly knew. I did know I wanted to do something in business and my initial qualifications are in accounting, although I have never practised. I have always had a passion for sport. I never would have dreamt that I could combine that passion into a full-time career.

Most famous person on your phone?

It’s going to have to be a tie between Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott.

What tops your 2025 wish list?

If you are not looking to win it all, you are in the wrong business.

Originally published as Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: NRL club’s bizarre points change suggestion, Knights launch bid for Storm playmaker