Slater HEAPS praises on Mitch Moses' return: Billy Slater Podcast Ep09
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7NEWS
12 hours ago
- 7NEWS
NRL clubs circle in-demand Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui: ‘Better when he's on your side'
Bulldogs prop Max King isn't even trying to hide how badly he wants Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to join his team. Fa'asuamaleaui has a clause in his contract that allows him to speak to other clubs from November 1 for the 2027 season. And the Titans skipper — considered to be the game's best prop — will test the open market with big-money offers waiting from the Dogs and the Perth Bears circling. Titans chairman Dennis Watt has already said he is determined to keep the inspirational Test and Queensland star. But that might not be possible. 'Great teams go after great players and Tino fits that role, he would fit in great knowing him personally. He's a great fella and he's team first with everything,' King, who played with Fa'asuamaleaui at the Storm, said. 'He's a big boy, you know you are in for a physical day when you verse Tino. He's a hard man to handle. He's one that I have played with him and against and it's better when he's on your side.' It has been reported the Perth Bears have a $7.5 million, five-year deal on the table for Fa'asuamaleaui. And the Dragons are also interested, with another report that their offer is 'absolutely massive' and will make him 'the richest' player in St George Illawarra history. Speaking on SEN, incoming Bears coach Meninga said: 'I'd be silly if I didn't go and have a conversation with him. 'He's a leader already, plays long minutes and is charismatic around the club. 'I know Tino well. His preference would be to stay at the Titans but he's been pretty open with his commentary. The club has to prove to him the Titans have a future. 'There's no doubt if he became available, I wouldn't be the only person trying to talk to him. He's such a talent and young.' Bulldogs' Hayward switch could be best in 15 years No NRL premier has made such a big and late tactical change at hooker in 15 seasons but Canterbury players insist Bailey Hayward's promotion to No.9 can help the Bulldogs become even better. With five rounds before finals, Hayward started as an NRL rake for the first time in Canterbury's defeat of the Warriors and retains his spot for Friday's clash with the Sydney Roosters. It's left North Queensland-bound Reed Mahoney, starting dummy-half in a grand final three years ago, consigned to a bench spot as the third-placed Dogs eye a first premiership since 2004. 'Respectfully, there probably wasn't a spot for (Hayward) in the 17 at the start of the year and he's just forced his way into the team every week,' said Bulldogs prop Max King. 'Now he's forced himself inside that 13, in the No.9. It's a credit to himself and how he's going.' Hayward's breakout season notwithstanding, it is rare for premiership-winning teams to make such a dramatic shift in the crucial position so late in a campaign. The most recent example of a team tinkering with its starting hooker this late in a premiership run was in 2022, when Penrith's Mitch Kenny began to start ahead of Api Koroisau. But that change was nowhere near as seismic as the Hayward move, with Koroisau always swapped to the bench on game day and still playing the majority of each game at hooker. South Sydney memorably thrust Koroisau into starting hooker when Issac Luke was suspended for the 2014 grand final, while rookie Sam Verrills replaced the injured Jake Friend with seven regular-season games to play in 2019. But it's not since 2010 that a side has made as big a tactical move at hooker this late in the season and gone on to win the premiership. That year, St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett began deploying Dean Young at the expense of dual premiership-winner Luke Priddis, who only started again when stars were rested before finals. Coincidentally, Bennett began the tactical change with five games before finals - the exact same time of the season as Canterbury have begun starting the newly re-signed Hayward. But Hayward's teammates are confident the late change can take the Bulldogs to new heights. 'Bailey's biggest attribute is his communication and the way he works with teammates,' King said. 'He makes us all better. Everyone speaks about the greatest compliment you can get is (being) a player that players want to play with. He fits into that mould. 'He makes us a better team.' Canterbury retooled their attack ahead of their season's best performance, a 42-4 walloping of Manly three weeks ago, and Hayward has been tipped to continue their ascent in that area. '(Hayward at hooker) is obviously going to add that value to us in attack. We're obviously building on that each week but he'll bring a dimension to that as well,' said five-eighth Matt Burton. 'He's been great for us all year.' Mahoney played 16-and-a-half minutes from the bench on Saturday, only coming on once the result was sealed. '(The change) is not really a discredit to him, it's just more of a credit to Bailey and how he's been performing. It's a tough position for Reed but I feel like he's handled it really well,' King said.
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Perth Now
‘Encouraging stuff': Dogs finals boost
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is confident injury-plagued star Adam Treloar won't 'compromise' his team's finals push, with a likely VFL return this week a possible precursor to a surprising AFL return. It comes as the Bulldogs confirmed Jordan Croft, son of former defender Matthew, would become the club's fifth debutant this season against West Coast on Sunday. The Bulldogs have to win their final two games against the Eagles and Fremantle to lock in a finals spot and a fit Treloar, an All-Australian in 2024, would enhance their chances. But the 32-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been limited to just four games in 2025, his most recent in round 16, after a series of calf issues that impacted his pre-season. Beveridge said Treloar's progression through to full training in recent weeks had been 'encouraging', and while caution would be exercised, Treloar could yet be a presence in the finals should the Bulldogs make it. 'He's had a couple of good weeks, almost surprising weeks,' Beveridge said on Wednesday. 'Encouraging stuff, to the point where now we can consider him for some state league minutes. 'My philosophy around playing players who are underprepared is they can't compromise the team at any level. 'But we believe that he won't because he's done the necessary preparations. 'We just need to firm it up. It's still early in the week and we've got another session on Friday.' But while Treloar could return in the VFL this week, troubled forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan won't. Beveridge said comments from Bulldogs assistant coach Brendon Lade last weekend that Ugle-Hagan had 'put himself back a couple more weeks' by missing more training sessions and would be 'lucky to get a game' in the VFL side were a lesson for the prospective senior coach. 'I think it was more about how well Footscray are going, rather than Jamarra's preparation,' Beveridge said. ''Ladey' will live and learn. 'That's the thing about taking lines like that in different contexts, it can come back to bite you. 'He's learned an early lesson if he's hopefully part of that market for a senior coaching job.' Beveridge said it 'remains to be seen' whether Ugle-Hagan would get back to his best. He has another year of his contract to run in 2026. Croft, taken at pick 15 in the 2023 draft, comes in after kicking three goals in the VFL against the ladder-leading Box Hill Hawks last Saturday. His father played 186 games for the Bulldogs as a key defender.
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Bulldogs star on verge of return, debutant picked
Injury-plagued Western Bulldogs star Adam Treloar is pressing to return via the VFL this week following his latest calf setback. Treloar won't play in the AFL against West Coast on Sunday, but father-son recruit Jordan Croft will. The 20-year-old was told he will make his AFL debut on Wednesday at training, after being drafted with pick 15 in 2023. Croft, who is 201cm tall, has kicked six goals in the VFL during the last two weeks and can play at either end of the ground. The son of Matthew continues a long line of father-sons at the Bulldogs, with Sam Darcy, Tom Liberatore and Rhylee West already established in the senior team. Coming off a career-best season in 2024 when he was named All-Australian for the first time, Treloar has been restricted to a career-low of just four games this year. The 32-year-old again trained strongly at the Whitten Oval on Wednesday, following a match simulation session last weekend. The Bulldogs will be extra careful with Treloar given his wretched run with soft-tissues this year. But the star midfielder is being strongly considered to play for Footscray in the VFL on Sunday when they host Carlton. "He's had a couple of good weeks, almost surprising weeks," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said of Treloar, who is a "chance" this week. "Encouraging stuff, to the point where now we can consider him for some state league minutes. "My philosophy around playing players who are under prepared is they can't compromise the team at any level. "But we believe that he won't, because he's done the necessary preparations. "We just need to firm it up, it's still early in the week and we've got another session on Friday." The Bulldogs need to win both of their remaining games against West Coast and Fremantle to be guaranteed of playing finals. Even if they only win one and finish the season on 14 wins, it will likely not be enough to qualify. If that happened the Bulldogs would have a strong case to be one of the most unlucky teams of all-time given 12 or 13 wins is usually enough to make finals, and no team has ever missed out with 14. Even if the Bulldogs and their VFL team make strong runs into the finals, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is increasingly unlikely to make an appearance at any level. The troubled forward has been back at training, at times, following an extended break. Bulldogs assistant coach Brendon Lade believed Ugle-Hagan had "put himself back a couple more weeks". "The way the VFL is playing at the moment he might be lucky to get a game," Lade told 3AW on Sunday. Beveridge called Lade's comments "tongue-in-cheek". "I think it was more about how well Footscray are going, rather than Jamarra's preparation," Beveridge said. "Ladey' will live and learn. "That's the thing about taking lines like that in different contexts, it can come back to bite you. "So he's learned an early lesson, if he's hopefully part of that market for a senior coaching job." Beveridge was also bullish on the senior coach prospects of another assistant at the club. Former Eagles coach Adam Simpson said last week Bulldogs assistant Daniel Pratt was more than ready to be a senior coach. Injury-plagued Western Bulldogs star Adam Treloar is pressing to return via the VFL this week following his latest calf setback. Treloar won't play in the AFL against West Coast on Sunday, but father-son recruit Jordan Croft will. The 20-year-old was told he will make his AFL debut on Wednesday at training, after being drafted with pick 15 in 2023. Croft, who is 201cm tall, has kicked six goals in the VFL during the last two weeks and can play at either end of the ground. The son of Matthew continues a long line of father-sons at the Bulldogs, with Sam Darcy, Tom Liberatore and Rhylee West already established in the senior team. Coming off a career-best season in 2024 when he was named All-Australian for the first time, Treloar has been restricted to a career-low of just four games this year. The 32-year-old again trained strongly at the Whitten Oval on Wednesday, following a match simulation session last weekend. The Bulldogs will be extra careful with Treloar given his wretched run with soft-tissues this year. But the star midfielder is being strongly considered to play for Footscray in the VFL on Sunday when they host Carlton. "He's had a couple of good weeks, almost surprising weeks," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said of Treloar, who is a "chance" this week. "Encouraging stuff, to the point where now we can consider him for some state league minutes. "My philosophy around playing players who are under prepared is they can't compromise the team at any level. "But we believe that he won't, because he's done the necessary preparations. "We just need to firm it up, it's still early in the week and we've got another session on Friday." The Bulldogs need to win both of their remaining games against West Coast and Fremantle to be guaranteed of playing finals. Even if they only win one and finish the season on 14 wins, it will likely not be enough to qualify. If that happened the Bulldogs would have a strong case to be one of the most unlucky teams of all-time given 12 or 13 wins is usually enough to make finals, and no team has ever missed out with 14. Even if the Bulldogs and their VFL team make strong runs into the finals, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is increasingly unlikely to make an appearance at any level. The troubled forward has been back at training, at times, following an extended break. Bulldogs assistant coach Brendon Lade believed Ugle-Hagan had "put himself back a couple more weeks". "The way the VFL is playing at the moment he might be lucky to get a game," Lade told 3AW on Sunday. Beveridge called Lade's comments "tongue-in-cheek". "I think it was more about how well Footscray are going, rather than Jamarra's preparation," Beveridge said. "Ladey' will live and learn. "That's the thing about taking lines like that in different contexts, it can come back to bite you. "So he's learned an early lesson, if he's hopefully part of that market for a senior coaching job." Beveridge was also bullish on the senior coach prospects of another assistant at the club. Former Eagles coach Adam Simpson said last week Bulldogs assistant Daniel Pratt was more than ready to be a senior coach. Injury-plagued Western Bulldogs star Adam Treloar is pressing to return via the VFL this week following his latest calf setback. Treloar won't play in the AFL against West Coast on Sunday, but father-son recruit Jordan Croft will. The 20-year-old was told he will make his AFL debut on Wednesday at training, after being drafted with pick 15 in 2023. Croft, who is 201cm tall, has kicked six goals in the VFL during the last two weeks and can play at either end of the ground. The son of Matthew continues a long line of father-sons at the Bulldogs, with Sam Darcy, Tom Liberatore and Rhylee West already established in the senior team. Coming off a career-best season in 2024 when he was named All-Australian for the first time, Treloar has been restricted to a career-low of just four games this year. The 32-year-old again trained strongly at the Whitten Oval on Wednesday, following a match simulation session last weekend. The Bulldogs will be extra careful with Treloar given his wretched run with soft-tissues this year. But the star midfielder is being strongly considered to play for Footscray in the VFL on Sunday when they host Carlton. "He's had a couple of good weeks, almost surprising weeks," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said of Treloar, who is a "chance" this week. "Encouraging stuff, to the point where now we can consider him for some state league minutes. "My philosophy around playing players who are under prepared is they can't compromise the team at any level. "But we believe that he won't, because he's done the necessary preparations. "We just need to firm it up, it's still early in the week and we've got another session on Friday." The Bulldogs need to win both of their remaining games against West Coast and Fremantle to be guaranteed of playing finals. Even if they only win one and finish the season on 14 wins, it will likely not be enough to qualify. If that happened the Bulldogs would have a strong case to be one of the most unlucky teams of all-time given 12 or 13 wins is usually enough to make finals, and no team has ever missed out with 14. Even if the Bulldogs and their VFL team make strong runs into the finals, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is increasingly unlikely to make an appearance at any level. The troubled forward has been back at training, at times, following an extended break. Bulldogs assistant coach Brendon Lade believed Ugle-Hagan had "put himself back a couple more weeks". "The way the VFL is playing at the moment he might be lucky to get a game," Lade told 3AW on Sunday. Beveridge called Lade's comments "tongue-in-cheek". "I think it was more about how well Footscray are going, rather than Jamarra's preparation," Beveridge said. "Ladey' will live and learn. "That's the thing about taking lines like that in different contexts, it can come back to bite you. "So he's learned an early lesson, if he's hopefully part of that market for a senior coaching job." Beveridge was also bullish on the senior coach prospects of another assistant at the club. Former Eagles coach Adam Simpson said last week Bulldogs assistant Daniel Pratt was more than ready to be a senior coach.
