Latest news with #CodeSports
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Secret document flips script on Lachlan Galvin salary drama as Bulldogs primed for NRL premiership
Lachlan Galvin's move to the Bulldogs has been clouded in controversy as many questioned where he fits into Canterbury's side, but a secret document shows it may be the final piece of their NRL premiership puzzle. The teenager's future was finally confirmed on Friday, with the Tigers releasing him and the Bulldogs later confirming they had signed him on a three-and-a-half-year deal worth around $750,000 a season. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. However, his arrival at Belmore means halfback Toby Sexton – who has been a revelation in 2025 – is expected to make way. Therefore many Bulldogs fans felt bringing the 19-year-old was not only unnecessary but could destabilise the club, who are first on the NRL ladder. But statistically, the Bulldogs' bid to end their 21-year premiership drought is only boosted by the arrival of Galvin, with their roster now ready for a serious title challenge, according to the NRL's confidential benchmarking documents. The salary cap documents, obtained by Code Sports, outline the average wage for each position and provide somewhat of a blueprint for building a premiership-winning roster. And they revealed that last year's top four spent 40 per cent of their salary cap on their top five players and 60 per cent on their top 10 players – meaning the top five paid players are paid $4.5 million. The teams also had an average spine age of 26. So the data says the way to build a premiership-winning team is to have at least three marquee players on $800,000 a season, a younger spine and a top-heavy roster. Incredibly the Bulldogs, with the arrival of Galvin, now tick every box except their overall spend on top players being below the $4.5m benchmark. That is because Canterbury is one of the only clubs without a $1m plus marquee player. Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton are the only three at the club on more than $800,000 a season, with that number up to four when Leo Thompson joins the Belmore outfit. But many could argue Galvin is a $1m player himself, given he was offered more than that a season to stay at the Tigers, which means data-wise wise at least the Bulldogs are primed for a premiership. If you take a look at four-time premiers Penrith, the way their squad is structured is very similar to that of how the Bulldogs. The Panthers' spine had an average age of 26.75, they had three players believed to be earning more than $800,000 a year – Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris and Isaah Yeo – and had other stars just under that mark, Dylan Edwards and Jarome Luai. Salary structures historically also showed those who didn't have several stars on at least $800,000 found themselves near the bottom of the table. Last year, for example, the bottom four teams had an average of 2.8 players in their roster on at least $800,000. So if data and history are anything to go by, the key to building a premiership-winning side is to have several stars on close to $1m a year and a handful of others around the $600,000 to $800,000 mark, and a spine that is reaching their prime and not beyond it.
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Lachlan Galvin's bombshell move hinges on one contract clause
Lachlan Galvin's move to the Canterbury Bulldogs is officially official. The 19-year-old was linked with joining the Dogs earlier in the week after turning his back on a contract extension with the Wests Tigers in April. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. According to Code Sports, the teenager's drawn out contract saga has come to an end as he puts pen to paper on a contract until the end of the 2028 season. It will now see him make an immediate move and join his new club this week with his salary reportedly set to see him earn $750,000 per-season. The blockbuster move however hinges on one major stipulation within his release from the Tigers … a non-disparagement clause. That clause would legally stop Galvin from discussing the situation surrounding his exit from the merger club and the Bulldogs are reportedly supportive of the Tigers' demands. Canterbury will reportedly pay a $175,000 release fee to secure the rising star's services. A formal announcement from the club won't be made until after the State of Origin series opener. Galvin's move comes as Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould finds himself in the spotlight after he was accused of deliberately misleading fans. The switch confirmed rumours that the Bulldogs' general manager of football had been working behind the scenes to negotiate a deal to lure Galvin from the Tigers. The 67-year-old had batted his eyelids at the young playmaker with glowing public comments about his abilities for months, but repeatedly insisted the club had no interest in signing him. And even after that was proven untrue, Gould claimed he had nothing to do with the signing of the talented teenager. 'I never said we weren't interested (in Galvin). What I said was we're on a different course because he wasn't off contract until 2027,' Gould said on Monday night. 'We couldn't talk to him until November.' But veteran journalist Phil Rothfield believes the latest incident has severely damaged his credibility with both fans and the network. 'I reckon he's been seriously damaged credibility wise and his reputation has been severely damaged at Channel 9 over this,' Rothfield said on the Off the Record podcast. 'I think the punters are awake to it and they are the lifeblood of every TV network that provides the ratings. I honestly think he's been badly damaged and people won't cop his bullsh** anymore.' While speaking on Triple Ms daily NRL podcast on Tuesday, Rothfield added: 'He gets away with so much rubbish and has for years but he's been caught on the hop here and in my view, he has misled Channel 9 viewers for some time about Lachlan Galvin. 'Rugby league officials do lie and it's a fact we have to live with but when you are being paid nearly $1 million to sit on a (TV) panel, you are there to inform and say the truth. But this is where Gus gets himself into an awkward situation. As a viewer, he hasn't been upfront with us.' Rothfield also noted that what Gould says and what is true are often two very different things. 'Gus was talking his usual crap about not knowing this, not knowing that and trying to cover himself and I don't think he did a very good job at it,' Rothfield continued about Gould's 100% Footy appearance on the Off the Record podcast. 'When he says so clearly that Lachlan Galvin is not on our radar, if you're not on the radar and if the goalposts move you're still not on the radar. This crap about that he's the best kid he's ever seen is also so disrespectful to (Brad) Fittler, (Laurie) Daley and these guys. 'He said Bryce Cartwright will be the best forward the game's ever seen. He said that in recruitment meetings at Penrith. Then he sent him to the Titans. 'He said Matt Moylan in 2016 was the future of Penrith and would be a lifetime member here. Next year he sold him to Cronulla.' Phil Gould claims he never intentionally misleads viewers When pressed on Monday night about if he deliberately misleads people on 100% Footy, Gould categorically denied doing so, and instead pointed the finger at the media for spinning the truth. 'I'm just saying these are things we do internally, most of our issues are created by the jibber in the media and what you want to do and extend on it,' Gould said on Monday night. 'You say a lot of things that just aren't true. You say a lot of things that are exaggerated. You exaggerate what's going on and that makes it difficult for us. 'I'm not going to sit here and point out everything you (Chammas) have done wrong, it doesn't worry or interest me.' Gould also added: 'I misled no one. I mislead no one. Mind your words son'. However, whether deliberately or not, several of Gould's claims have ended up not being accurate over the last 12 months. Late last year Gould denied the Bulldogs were interested in Knights forward Leo Thompson only for Kiwi international to pen a four-year deal with Canterbury in January. Gould also denied reports that he'd signed Sitili Tupouniua last year only for the club to confirm a four-year deal a week later.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Furious Broncos investigating Reece Walsh punch video
The Brisbane Broncos are reportedly furious after footage emerged on social media of Reece Walsh punching a man to the ground. Code Sports first reported the video, which Walsh uploaded to his own TikTok account before deleting it. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The clip, which you can watch below, shows Walsh in a social setting wearing a boxing glove and punching a friend in the head in an apparent prank between mates. Walsh later posted on Instagram: 'Just to add context to the video recently posted - it was a joke with me best mate no one was harmed, boys being boys', along with a face palm emoji. His friend wrote in an Instagram story: 'Everything was for a laugh and nothing more … We have mucked around like this our whole life.' Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy is aware of the footage, while Walsh's manager Nash Dawson told Code Sports: 'They're best mates. It was supposed to be a joke.' According to Code, the Broncos are 'furious' over the footage, and Walsh's decision to share it, especially in light of team's struggling form on the field. Walsh was on the sideline at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday with his daughter as the Broncos lost 30-26 to the Dragons. The star fullback launched his own YouTube channel on the weekend channel ReeceTV, which aims to give fans a glimpse into his off-field life. Walsh, 22, is currently sidelined with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee sustained during the round 7 game against the New Zealand Warriors. The injury made him unavailable for selection in Queensland's squad for the State of Origin opener, with Kalyn Ponga picked at fullback. The Broncos have a bye this weekend and Walsh could make his return to NRL action in next weekend's Round 13 game against Manly. Brisbane sit ninth on the ladder with scrutiny on Michael Maguire's coaching growing steadily throughout a relatively poor start to the season. Veteran forward Martin Taupau was released from his contract last week after he endorsed social media criticism of Maguire's coaching methods from a former NRL player who played under the Broncos coach.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
AFL and Carlton legend Robert Walls passes away, aged 74 after battle with rare blood cancer
AFL legend Robert Walls passed away on Thursday morning by voluntary assisted dying after a long battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer. The 74-year-old Australian Football Hall of Famer and Carlton Team of the Century member passed away at his East Melbourne home, surrounded by loved ones including children Rebecca, Daniel and David and partner Julie. A doctor was also present. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The triple premiership winner and 1987 premiership coach had battled acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since being diagnosed just before the 2023 Grand Final. He had been in remission, but when the cancer returned, the Carlton legend decided against another round of chemotherapy. Friends of the AFL icon said the horrific toll of his wife Erin's long battle with cancer played a part in Walls' decision to end his life by voluntary assisted dying, as well as the intense pain he was in as a result of his own fight. Walls told his closest friends and family he had spent around 250 days in hospital in the last 18 months since his cancer diagnosis. But despite all that Walls was said to be in good spirits in recent days and was at peace with his decision, according to Code Sports. A close friend of his said: 'It's incredible how strong he was, he was consoling me and others. 'He was taking calls non-stop from well wishers and had dozens of visits. He certainly knew how much he was loved.' Before passing away, the Carlton legend called friends and former football associates and teammates to bid them farewell. He is understood to have made it clear that there was to be no publicity about his decision before his passing. Walls informed them on those calls that with the diminishing quality of life with another chemotherapy he would rather end his life on his terms.
News.com.au
05-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli investigated over alleged threatening text to rival
Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli is reportedly under investigation over an alleged text message sent to a Western Bulldogs player. As first reported by Code Sports, the star forward sent a message to a Bulldogs player where he allegedly indirectly threatened Dogs defender Bailey Dale. Rioli and Dale were involved in a heated moment during the Bulldogs' 20.11 (131) to 5.11 (41) thrashing of the Power in Ballarat on Saturday. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Rioli got away with just a $1000 fine after he was reported for striking Dale off the ball during the match. He is clear to play this weekend's Showdown blockbuster against the Crows. However, he may yet be facing further disciplinary action with the Western Bulldogs reported to have begun an investigation into the claims surrounding the alleged online message. Code Sports reports the club is expected to raise the issue with the AFL and Port Adelaide officials. Rioli was clearly unhappy after the on-field incident and hit out with posts shared on Instagram. Fox Footy commentator Ben Dixon said during the game Rioli was potentially going to face action from the AFL Match Review Officer. 'You can see (Rioli) trying to get away then makes contact with Bailey,' former Hawks sharpshooter Ben Dixon said. 'Willie was a little bit disappointed with himself when he came off the ground. 'The MRO will surely have a look at that one.' It has been a turbulent season for Rioli after he took a brief leave of absence from the club for personal reasons last month. That move came after he posted a message on social media sharing his 'hatred' for Hawthorn. He wrote in the deleted post: 'Play with fire, you're gonna get burnt. My hatred for this club goes way past last year antics, what they did to my dad, and my brother, is why I can't stand them. Not the players. #Cococlub.' The social post was met with racist backlash from users of Instagram. The AFL Players Association came to his defence after the racist comments were shared.
