‘I was ashamed': Departing Dolphin's impassioned plea in fight for change
Yet soon after, he was called up on stage as co-skipper of the Indigenous All Stars in their triumph of their Maori counterparts, offering the inspirational words 'culture elevates culture'.
'I didn't know I had to do a speech, I'd never been a captain before so I didn't realise I had to get up on stage,' Kerr jokes.
'I was shaking and stuff – 'oh, thank you, Harvey Norman'.'
But Kerr's pride in his Indigenous roots had not always been so obvious.
Growing up, he reveals he simply wanted to fit in at school, and was not so willing to express his cultural background with admiration.
'I've been very blessed in my life, but when I was going through school I was probably ashamed at points in time to identify as proudly as I was as an Indigenous Australia,' Kerr says.
'The thing is I now feel embarrassed looking back on that and being that kind of person I was. But it was probably one of the best things for me because you learn to be proud within yourself.
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'When you get older, and you realise the impact you can have on the younger generations, that's what made me really want to dive in and be a great leader to my family and cousins.'
Kerr will enter this week's NRL Indigenous Round the same larrikin and charismatic presence which has made him an endeared figure to media, but now driven by a higher purpose.
As an ambassador for Deadly Choices, the 29-year-old has cast a keener eye on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – namely the angst generated this year regarding Welcome to Country.
The prop cuts a more frustrated demeanour when discussing his anger at social media critics of the ceremonies – 'I'm sick of hearing 'why do I have to listen to Welcome to Country?''
But while he laments it's 'crazy that there's still a lot of that going on in the world', he stresses his role as an Indigenous leader and advocate was to help educate the 'arrogant' sceptics of the impact racial vilification has caused.
And he implored the rugby league community to not limit their education on Indigenous culture and issues to NRL rounds dedicated to such awareness and celebration.
'You don't really like looking back at the past and all those atrocities that happened, however you need to have that bit of pain, look back and say 'how can we do better?'' Kerr says.
'Everything seems impossible until it's done. I would just love to be able to leave a legacy knowing I did my part for my kids when they grow up to make sure they're not ashamed, and they're very proud of who they are.'
Kerr will enter Saturday's clash with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium to begin his final stretch with the Dolphins, as the club confirmed he had not been re-signed beyond his 2025 deal.
He will instead return to the Dragons, where he played his first 68 games, on a two-year contract.
While Kerr was ushered into the Queensland Maroons' fold for their State of Origin game three preparations, Woolf said in July the squad's plethora of injuries – including forwards Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath – had opened doors for other prospects to make their case for extensions.
'It [the salary cap] is evolving all the time, what this year has given us with the injuries we've had is a real opportunity for other guys to step in and have a presence, and put their own mark on the team,' Woolf said, while expressing hope they could squeeze Kerr into their roster.
'Some guys have put their hands up to say they need to be in this club going forward.'
Despite his desire to remain in Redcliffe, Kerr refused to get caught up in the hysteria of his next move, believing whenever he did his form plummeted.
He now stands a key pillar in his side's finals charge, averaging 85 running metres a game off the bench at a time when he and his fiancé welcomed their first child – Atlas – into their lives.
'I've had this drama before where I've been in contract negotiations and I start really overthinking things,' Kerr admitted last month.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Four sin-binned as Roosters wallop Dolphins
The Sydney Roosters have thrashed the Dolphins 64-12 and sent a warning to the rest of the NRL after four players were sin-binned in an explosive confrontation. A huge melee erupted at Suncorp Stadium after Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase scored the second of his three tries in the ninth minute. Tricolours' forward duo Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte were binned, as were Dolphins pair Frank Molo and Aublix Tawha after a fiery clash broke out. From the ensuing kick-off Siua Wong was knocked senseless in an accidental head clash. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said the Roosters deserved the win but was dumbfounded by his two players being marched. "I don't understand the sin-binning," Woolf said. "The opposition score, we are standing in the dead-ball area and two guys come over pushing and shoving and shaping up. I don't know what our blokes are supposed to do. "Do we have to allow ourselves to get punched to not get sin-binned? But that's not why we lost the game." Roosters coach Trent Robinson said it was "a lot of hot air". "It was push and shove but ... four off was a lot," he said. "One from each side would have been enough because nothing really happened." The late and great Arthur Beetson would have loved the physicality in a showdown that honoured his enormous legacy to both clubs. The rugby league Immortal won premierships at the Dolphins in 1965, in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, and Roosters in 1974-75. They stay in ninth position on 26 points, equal with the eighth-placed Dolphins. The hosts' for and against is still superior but it took a battering in their biggest ever loss. Roosters captain James Tedesco had a blinder and won the Artie Legacy Medal for man of the match, but had plenty of mates. The Dolphins, without eight of their best players, hit a brick wall and were unable to thwart the rampant visitors. Dolphins lock Kurt Donoghoe was heavily involved in all the early heated moments, with counterpart Victor Radley in his face. It was magnificent theatre. The physicality of the clash was a throwback to the Beetson era, but the Roosters had all the aces. Nawaqanitawase leapt high to snaffle a Hugo Savala bomb to open the scoring. The man they call "Marky Mark" was in again after brilliant work by centre Robert Toia. Then all hell broke loose with the sin-binnings before the Roosters administered torment upon torment. Speed demon Tevita Naufahu, who scored twice, crossed out wide with a show of blistering speed. Roosters centre Billy Smith went over after a sensational Tedesco tip-on. Radley crashed over and Savala scored before Leniu, relishing his reputation as the man opposing fans love to hate, stormed over to make it 36-6 at the break. Tedesco notched a double inside eight minutes of the second half getting underway. Nawaqanitawase was at it again to snaffle a high ball and take the Roosters beyond 50 and the procession continued with Daniel Tupou notching a late double. The Roosters, brilliantly guided by half Sam Walker, made a huge statement while the ill-disciplined and bumbling Dolphins have a huge task to recover from what was a rugby league lesson they must learn from quickly. The Sydney Roosters have thrashed the Dolphins 64-12 and sent a warning to the rest of the NRL after four players were sin-binned in an explosive confrontation. A huge melee erupted at Suncorp Stadium after Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase scored the second of his three tries in the ninth minute. Tricolours' forward duo Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte were binned, as were Dolphins pair Frank Molo and Aublix Tawha after a fiery clash broke out. From the ensuing kick-off Siua Wong was knocked senseless in an accidental head clash. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said the Roosters deserved the win but was dumbfounded by his two players being marched. "I don't understand the sin-binning," Woolf said. "The opposition score, we are standing in the dead-ball area and two guys come over pushing and shoving and shaping up. I don't know what our blokes are supposed to do. "Do we have to allow ourselves to get punched to not get sin-binned? But that's not why we lost the game." Roosters coach Trent Robinson said it was "a lot of hot air". "It was push and shove but ... four off was a lot," he said. "One from each side would have been enough because nothing really happened." The late and great Arthur Beetson would have loved the physicality in a showdown that honoured his enormous legacy to both clubs. The rugby league Immortal won premierships at the Dolphins in 1965, in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, and Roosters in 1974-75. They stay in ninth position on 26 points, equal with the eighth-placed Dolphins. The hosts' for and against is still superior but it took a battering in their biggest ever loss. Roosters captain James Tedesco had a blinder and won the Artie Legacy Medal for man of the match, but had plenty of mates. The Dolphins, without eight of their best players, hit a brick wall and were unable to thwart the rampant visitors. Dolphins lock Kurt Donoghoe was heavily involved in all the early heated moments, with counterpart Victor Radley in his face. It was magnificent theatre. The physicality of the clash was a throwback to the Beetson era, but the Roosters had all the aces. Nawaqanitawase leapt high to snaffle a Hugo Savala bomb to open the scoring. The man they call "Marky Mark" was in again after brilliant work by centre Robert Toia. Then all hell broke loose with the sin-binnings before the Roosters administered torment upon torment. Speed demon Tevita Naufahu, who scored twice, crossed out wide with a show of blistering speed. Roosters centre Billy Smith went over after a sensational Tedesco tip-on. Radley crashed over and Savala scored before Leniu, relishing his reputation as the man opposing fans love to hate, stormed over to make it 36-6 at the break. Tedesco notched a double inside eight minutes of the second half getting underway. Nawaqanitawase was at it again to snaffle a high ball and take the Roosters beyond 50 and the procession continued with Daniel Tupou notching a late double. The Roosters, brilliantly guided by half Sam Walker, made a huge statement while the ill-disciplined and bumbling Dolphins have a huge task to recover from what was a rugby league lesson they must learn from quickly. The Sydney Roosters have thrashed the Dolphins 64-12 and sent a warning to the rest of the NRL after four players were sin-binned in an explosive confrontation. A huge melee erupted at Suncorp Stadium after Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase scored the second of his three tries in the ninth minute. Tricolours' forward duo Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte were binned, as were Dolphins pair Frank Molo and Aublix Tawha after a fiery clash broke out. From the ensuing kick-off Siua Wong was knocked senseless in an accidental head clash. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said the Roosters deserved the win but was dumbfounded by his two players being marched. "I don't understand the sin-binning," Woolf said. "The opposition score, we are standing in the dead-ball area and two guys come over pushing and shoving and shaping up. I don't know what our blokes are supposed to do. "Do we have to allow ourselves to get punched to not get sin-binned? But that's not why we lost the game." Roosters coach Trent Robinson said it was "a lot of hot air". "It was push and shove but ... four off was a lot," he said. "One from each side would have been enough because nothing really happened." The late and great Arthur Beetson would have loved the physicality in a showdown that honoured his enormous legacy to both clubs. The rugby league Immortal won premierships at the Dolphins in 1965, in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, and Roosters in 1974-75. They stay in ninth position on 26 points, equal with the eighth-placed Dolphins. The hosts' for and against is still superior but it took a battering in their biggest ever loss. Roosters captain James Tedesco had a blinder and won the Artie Legacy Medal for man of the match, but had plenty of mates. The Dolphins, without eight of their best players, hit a brick wall and were unable to thwart the rampant visitors. Dolphins lock Kurt Donoghoe was heavily involved in all the early heated moments, with counterpart Victor Radley in his face. It was magnificent theatre. The physicality of the clash was a throwback to the Beetson era, but the Roosters had all the aces. Nawaqanitawase leapt high to snaffle a Hugo Savala bomb to open the scoring. The man they call "Marky Mark" was in again after brilliant work by centre Robert Toia. Then all hell broke loose with the sin-binnings before the Roosters administered torment upon torment. Speed demon Tevita Naufahu, who scored twice, crossed out wide with a show of blistering speed. Roosters centre Billy Smith went over after a sensational Tedesco tip-on. Radley crashed over and Savala scored before Leniu, relishing his reputation as the man opposing fans love to hate, stormed over to make it 36-6 at the break. Tedesco notched a double inside eight minutes of the second half getting underway. Nawaqanitawase was at it again to snaffle a high ball and take the Roosters beyond 50 and the procession continued with Daniel Tupou notching a late double. The Roosters, brilliantly guided by half Sam Walker, made a huge statement while the ill-disciplined and bumbling Dolphins have a huge task to recover from what was a rugby league lesson they must learn from quickly.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Warriors defiant after loss, Bulldogs answer critics
The Warriors' top-four dream is threatening to slip away after a 32-14 loss to Canterbury continued their disastrously timed form slump ahead of the NRL finals. Saturday night's loss in rainy Sydney caps a tough month for the depleted Kiwi side, who will finish a weekend outside the top four for the first time since round six. Now in fifth, the Warriors' top-four hopes have been left to rely on red-hot Penrith losing once on the run home - assuming they win all four of their own remaining games. That is easier said than done for the Warriors, who have lost their last three matches and have watched the Panthers, 17th after round 12, jump into fourth. "Everyone wants to be a top-four team. It gives you a really good shot at the end of the season," said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "But tonight won't define us. We've got a lot of football to play at the back end of this year. "No one is happy in there (in the dressing room). We wish we were winning each week at the moment. But there's a lot to build off and a lot of spirit in that group. We'll keep fighting." To make matters worse, Te Maire Martin will join an already busy casualty ward after a head knock 23 minutes into his first game replacing Tanah Boyd at halfback. Boyd is set to replace Martin for next week's clash with giant-killers St George Illawarra, who could leave the Warriors as low as seventh on the ladder by the end of round 24. The Warriors are still not guaranteed to play finals but will finish the season with a winning record if they can snatch one more victory. Canterbury's three biggest losses this season have all come in the wet, but the Bulldogs finally mastered the slippery conditions before 25,377 home fans. "I woke up and read in the paper today that we couldn't play in the wet. It was nice to prove that one wrong," said coach Cameron Ciraldo. They remain in the hunt for a top-two spot, only behind second-placed Melbourne on points differential. After three early penalty goals between the sides in the driving rain, the Bulldogs began to control territory on the back of Matt Burton's boot. Bailey Hayward replaced North Queensland-bound Reed Mahoney at starting hooker as a possible glimpse into the Bulldogs' future. Mahoney only made it on in the final 16 minutes when the result appeared beyond doubt, with Ciraldo indicating Hayward would remain at No.9 next week. "He's earned the right to start the game through his performances. That's really hard on Reed, because Reed's been doing a lot of good things for us," Ciraldo said. "It's not so much about him, it's more about Bailey." Hayward sent a short ball from dummy half for Viliame Kikau to score the Bulldogs' first try, the big man slipping over attempting a left-foot step and sliding to the tryline. Errors hurt the Warriors and put the Bulldogs in position to score their second on the left through rookie winger Jethro Rinakama. On the back of two repeat sets, Enari Tuala dived over on the right in the final 90 seconds of the first half to lift the scoreline to 20-2 and leave the Warriors at sea. A crisp pass from Jacob Kiraz helped Tuala to his second as the final 10 minutes approached. In his fourth NRL game, Sam Healey had his first try with a kick for himself out of dummy half, before a late Roger Tuivasa-Sheck intercept try put some respectability on the scoreboard. The Warriors' top-four dream is threatening to slip away after a 32-14 loss to Canterbury continued their disastrously timed form slump ahead of the NRL finals. Saturday night's loss in rainy Sydney caps a tough month for the depleted Kiwi side, who will finish a weekend outside the top four for the first time since round six. Now in fifth, the Warriors' top-four hopes have been left to rely on red-hot Penrith losing once on the run home - assuming they win all four of their own remaining games. That is easier said than done for the Warriors, who have lost their last three matches and have watched the Panthers, 17th after round 12, jump into fourth. "Everyone wants to be a top-four team. It gives you a really good shot at the end of the season," said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "But tonight won't define us. We've got a lot of football to play at the back end of this year. "No one is happy in there (in the dressing room). We wish we were winning each week at the moment. But there's a lot to build off and a lot of spirit in that group. We'll keep fighting." To make matters worse, Te Maire Martin will join an already busy casualty ward after a head knock 23 minutes into his first game replacing Tanah Boyd at halfback. Boyd is set to replace Martin for next week's clash with giant-killers St George Illawarra, who could leave the Warriors as low as seventh on the ladder by the end of round 24. The Warriors are still not guaranteed to play finals but will finish the season with a winning record if they can snatch one more victory. Canterbury's three biggest losses this season have all come in the wet, but the Bulldogs finally mastered the slippery conditions before 25,377 home fans. "I woke up and read in the paper today that we couldn't play in the wet. It was nice to prove that one wrong," said coach Cameron Ciraldo. They remain in the hunt for a top-two spot, only behind second-placed Melbourne on points differential. After three early penalty goals between the sides in the driving rain, the Bulldogs began to control territory on the back of Matt Burton's boot. Bailey Hayward replaced North Queensland-bound Reed Mahoney at starting hooker as a possible glimpse into the Bulldogs' future. Mahoney only made it on in the final 16 minutes when the result appeared beyond doubt, with Ciraldo indicating Hayward would remain at No.9 next week. "He's earned the right to start the game through his performances. That's really hard on Reed, because Reed's been doing a lot of good things for us," Ciraldo said. "It's not so much about him, it's more about Bailey." Hayward sent a short ball from dummy half for Viliame Kikau to score the Bulldogs' first try, the big man slipping over attempting a left-foot step and sliding to the tryline. Errors hurt the Warriors and put the Bulldogs in position to score their second on the left through rookie winger Jethro Rinakama. On the back of two repeat sets, Enari Tuala dived over on the right in the final 90 seconds of the first half to lift the scoreline to 20-2 and leave the Warriors at sea. A crisp pass from Jacob Kiraz helped Tuala to his second as the final 10 minutes approached. In his fourth NRL game, Sam Healey had his first try with a kick for himself out of dummy half, before a late Roger Tuivasa-Sheck intercept try put some respectability on the scoreboard. The Warriors' top-four dream is threatening to slip away after a 32-14 loss to Canterbury continued their disastrously timed form slump ahead of the NRL finals. Saturday night's loss in rainy Sydney caps a tough month for the depleted Kiwi side, who will finish a weekend outside the top four for the first time since round six. Now in fifth, the Warriors' top-four hopes have been left to rely on red-hot Penrith losing once on the run home - assuming they win all four of their own remaining games. That is easier said than done for the Warriors, who have lost their last three matches and have watched the Panthers, 17th after round 12, jump into fourth. "Everyone wants to be a top-four team. It gives you a really good shot at the end of the season," said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "But tonight won't define us. We've got a lot of football to play at the back end of this year. "No one is happy in there (in the dressing room). We wish we were winning each week at the moment. But there's a lot to build off and a lot of spirit in that group. We'll keep fighting." To make matters worse, Te Maire Martin will join an already busy casualty ward after a head knock 23 minutes into his first game replacing Tanah Boyd at halfback. Boyd is set to replace Martin for next week's clash with giant-killers St George Illawarra, who could leave the Warriors as low as seventh on the ladder by the end of round 24. The Warriors are still not guaranteed to play finals but will finish the season with a winning record if they can snatch one more victory. Canterbury's three biggest losses this season have all come in the wet, but the Bulldogs finally mastered the slippery conditions before 25,377 home fans. "I woke up and read in the paper today that we couldn't play in the wet. It was nice to prove that one wrong," said coach Cameron Ciraldo. They remain in the hunt for a top-two spot, only behind second-placed Melbourne on points differential. After three early penalty goals between the sides in the driving rain, the Bulldogs began to control territory on the back of Matt Burton's boot. Bailey Hayward replaced North Queensland-bound Reed Mahoney at starting hooker as a possible glimpse into the Bulldogs' future. Mahoney only made it on in the final 16 minutes when the result appeared beyond doubt, with Ciraldo indicating Hayward would remain at No.9 next week. "He's earned the right to start the game through his performances. That's really hard on Reed, because Reed's been doing a lot of good things for us," Ciraldo said. "It's not so much about him, it's more about Bailey." Hayward sent a short ball from dummy half for Viliame Kikau to score the Bulldogs' first try, the big man slipping over attempting a left-foot step and sliding to the tryline. Errors hurt the Warriors and put the Bulldogs in position to score their second on the left through rookie winger Jethro Rinakama. On the back of two repeat sets, Enari Tuala dived over on the right in the final 90 seconds of the first half to lift the scoreline to 20-2 and leave the Warriors at sea. A crisp pass from Jacob Kiraz helped Tuala to his second as the final 10 minutes approached. In his fourth NRL game, Sam Healey had his first try with a kick for himself out of dummy half, before a late Roger Tuivasa-Sheck intercept try put some respectability on the scoreboard.
The Australian
5 hours ago
- The Australian
Matildas captain Steph Catley nominated for 2025 Ballon d'Or
Matildas captain Steph Catley is the latest Australian to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or. The veteran of 138 caps for Australia follows Sam Kerr's five nominations and Hayley Raso in 2023. Catley is one of seven Arsenal players on the nominations list. Spain's two-time Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas have also been nominated. Steph Catley (right) with fellow Matildas, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord celebrate Arsenal's Women's Champions League win in May. Picture:Midfielder Bonmati, 27, won the Spanish league title with Barcelona and was named the Best Player of the Tournament at the Women's Euro 2025. Bonmati won the last two Ballon d'Ors. Barcelona captain Putellas, a winner in 2021 and 2022, has also been short-listed. Arsenal, the English Women's Super League runners-up, are the club with the most nominees, with seven in total. The evergreen Brazilian Marta, 39, has been nominated after her latest Copa America title. The Orlando Pride forward is the oldest nominee. Chelsea's French international winger Sandy Baltimore, 25, also made the list for the first time. The 2025 Men's Ballon d'Or will have a new winner for the second year running after Rodri failed to make the list of 30 nominees dominated by Paris Saint-Germain. The Manchester City midfielder had already suffered a knee ligament injury ending his season by the time he won the 2024 award last October. Lionel Messi, who won the last of his eight awards in 2023, is not on the list, nor is five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo. PSG, who claimed the Champions League in commanding fashion, have nine nominees. Barcelona, who won a Spanish league and cup double, are represented by four players including the youngest, Lamine Yamal, who has just turned 18, and the oldest, 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on September 22. Read related topics: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
