Latest news with #Dragons
The Age
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘He's no Nadia Comaneci': Mark Riddell rates the best try celebrations of Try July
In 2002, I produced the greatest post-try celebration of them all. That makes me eminently qualified to rate the class of 2025's offerings for Try July. In a world exclusive column, here are my critiques. Dragons star Zali Hopkins does a 'Pig Riddell' I'm an assistant coach for the Dragons, and Zali told me she was cooking up something special for me. She felt duty-bound to follow through because some of the girls in the team were poised to steal it. I'm certainly glad I didn't have to run as far for my version - Zali's had to travel 30 metres before she even gets to the fence. I wouldn't have got there. And neither of us was going to scale that massive wall at GIO Stadium. There's nothing wrong with a good remake. But the original is still the best. 8/10 'Up the milk' for Raiders pair This one flew under the radar a bit; it was done in the same game as the Zali Hopkins' effort. Good areas from Chante Temara and Sophie Holyman, they really lean into celebrating the areas surrounding Canberra that are farming regions. Even if it took me a moment to really zone in and work out what they were doing under there. Everyone loves the Canberra milk, and this one hits it out of the park for originality. 6/10
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘He's no Nadia Comaneci': Mark Riddell rates the best try celebrations of Try July
In 2002, I produced the greatest post-try celebration of them all. That makes me eminently qualified to rate the class of 2025's offerings for Try July. In a world exclusive column, here are my critiques. Dragons star Zali Hopkins does a 'Pig Riddell' I'm an assistant coach for the Dragons, and Zali told me she was cooking up something special for me. She felt duty-bound to follow through because some of the girls in the team were poised to steal it. I'm certainly glad I didn't have to run as far for my version - Zali's had to travel 30 metres before she even gets to the fence. I wouldn't have got there. And neither of us was going to scale that massive wall at GIO Stadium. There's nothing wrong with a good remake. But the original is still the best. 8/10 'Up the milk' for Raiders pair This one flew under the radar a bit; it was done in the same game as the Zali Hopkins' effort. Good areas from Chante Temara and Sophie Holyman, they really lean into celebrating the areas surrounding Canberra that are farming regions. Even if it took me a moment to really zone in and work out what they were doing under there. Everyone loves the Canberra milk, and this one hits it out of the park for originality. 6/10
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wrexham boss Parkinson's lowdown on new signings
Wrexham are preparing for life in English football's second tier for the first time in 43 years and manager Phil Parkinson has added to his squad during Dragons have brought in Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward from Leicester City, forward Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle and left-back Liberato Cacace for a club-record fee from George Thomason from Bolton Wanderers has also signed along with forward Josh Windass, who was a free agent after leaving financially troubled Sheffield signing of midfielder Lewis O'Brien from Nottingham Forest is another statement of intent by the club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob and Hardie were signed early on in the close season while Parkinson has added another four over recent weeks."We were working hard while we were away in Australia and New Zealand," Parkinson said."It was pointless flying any new signings over because of the jet lag situation, so we'd arranged to finalise deals when we got back."We're pleased with that business we did while we were out there and the new lads have had a good week training with the lads so far." Danny Ward "He's come in and he's been everything we expected. A really good lad, obviously a homecoming for him as well."But a very good goalkeeper and wants to get himself back going again."I think he's done remarkably well to play for Wales when he hasn't been a regular at his club team."I think that's a huge testament to his professionalism." Ryan Hardie "Obviously Ryan, when you look at his goal scoring record in the last two years in a Championship team which was down the bottom of the league and always fighting against it, showed real quality and real coolness in front of goal."He was a signing we wanted to make early and we were able to bring him in, which obviously enabled him to come on the tour with us." Liberato Cacace "We watched him a lot and had a good chat with him over the last few weeks prior to him coming in."I feel he's a good profile for us. - he's hungry, he wants to improve, he's got real determination about the way he plays and he's got power and pace."As we go up into this next division, that's going to be so important."I feel Libby's settled in well. He's a little bit behind in terms of his training than the others because obviously he hasn't done as much pre-season, but he'll get there. George Thomason "I've always liked George and I've watched him a lot over the years."I think he's a player with a lot of potential. He's only 24 and he's eager to test himself at this level."He captained Bolton in the second part of last season and he's a good profile for us in terms of a player who's got a real hunger and desire to keep improving."We're very pleased we were able to bring George in." Josh Windass "He's a player with so much experience and an eye for goal and assists as well. "Josh is a real talent and I think our supporters are going to enjoy watching him play."We looked at him a lot over the summer and obviously there's a bit of turmoil at Sheffield Wednesday."But not just his ability, we looked at his physical output as well and it's really high for his position and that's important as we go into this league or any league."But yeah, he's got craft, he's got quality in and around the box and that's obviously important in the Championship."Games are going to be tight, you're going to need players who are going to produce moments."I think for a free transfer, it was a great opportunity for us and we took it quickly." Lewis O'Brien "I've known him for a long time from his Huddersfield days when he went on loan to Bradford when he was a youngster and he did great."He was part of the Huddersfield team that got in the [2022 Championship] play-off final and obviously got a big money move to Forest."He's had a period where he's been on loan in the MLS and he went to Swansea in the back part of last season."I really like Lewis, I think he's a player with a lot of Championship pedigree. He's a player who's played at this level and done really well and we're very pleased."Lewis is versatile. He can play as a 10, which he did for Swansea. He can play anywhere across the midfield three or sitting in there as a six in a midfield two."So he gives us that flexibility in there. There was a lot of clubs who were trying to do the deal and we were able to get it over the line and we're pleased with that."
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Dazzling Dearden helps ease pressure on Cowboy coach
The blowtorch on under-pressure North Queensland coach Todd Payten has eased ever so slightly after the Cowboys overcame a spirited second-half comeback from the Dragons to claim a 38-32 home win. North Queensland looked like they might squander a 16-point halftime lead when the Dragons scored three unanswered tries midway through the second half at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Friday night. However, Cowboys skipper Tom Dearden proved the difference. Dearden scored twice, including the match sealer, set up another and proved typically defiant in defence. The victory keeps the Cowboys' slim NRL finals hopes alive, leapfrogging the Dragons into 11th place, five points outside the top eight with five matches to play. The Cowboys have the bye in the final round. A slashing 25-metre angled run by Zac Laybutt saw the Cowboys open the scoring in the fifth minute, and they had a second five minutes later when Reece Robson darted out of dummy half 45m out to send Dearden over untouched. The Dragons bounced back midway through the half through winger Tyrell Sloan. He was followed up by Mat Feagai, who pounced on a deft Lyhkan King-Togia grubber. But the end of the half belonged to the Cowboys, with Coen Hess, Scott Drinkwater and Jeremiah Nanai all scoring inside the last seven minutes, the home side heading into the break up 28-12. The Dragons mounted their comeback midway through the second period, Corey Allan, Sloan and Jacob Liddle all touching down in a nine-minute period to take advantage of a glut of possession. It was Sloan's sixth try in his past four games. Dearden then intervened, scoring a brilliant individual running try with nine minutes to go to seal the win, before Jaxon Purdue and then Liddle both crossed late. It wasn't pretty for the Cowboys, but it was a welcome relief for Payten's men, just their second win in their past eight starts. Meanwhile, the Dragons have now won just one of their past seven and sit in 12th place, six points outside the top eight. With six games to go, five of which are against teams currently in the top eight, they may well see 2025 as a season of "what if'', having suffered seven defeats by six points or less, and staring down the barrel of no finals for a seventh consecutive year. The blowtorch on under-pressure North Queensland coach Todd Payten has eased ever so slightly after the Cowboys overcame a spirited second-half comeback from the Dragons to claim a 38-32 home win. North Queensland looked like they might squander a 16-point halftime lead when the Dragons scored three unanswered tries midway through the second half at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Friday night. However, Cowboys skipper Tom Dearden proved the difference. Dearden scored twice, including the match sealer, set up another and proved typically defiant in defence. The victory keeps the Cowboys' slim NRL finals hopes alive, leapfrogging the Dragons into 11th place, five points outside the top eight with five matches to play. The Cowboys have the bye in the final round. A slashing 25-metre angled run by Zac Laybutt saw the Cowboys open the scoring in the fifth minute, and they had a second five minutes later when Reece Robson darted out of dummy half 45m out to send Dearden over untouched. The Dragons bounced back midway through the half through winger Tyrell Sloan. He was followed up by Mat Feagai, who pounced on a deft Lyhkan King-Togia grubber. But the end of the half belonged to the Cowboys, with Coen Hess, Scott Drinkwater and Jeremiah Nanai all scoring inside the last seven minutes, the home side heading into the break up 28-12. The Dragons mounted their comeback midway through the second period, Corey Allan, Sloan and Jacob Liddle all touching down in a nine-minute period to take advantage of a glut of possession. It was Sloan's sixth try in his past four games. Dearden then intervened, scoring a brilliant individual running try with nine minutes to go to seal the win, before Jaxon Purdue and then Liddle both crossed late. It wasn't pretty for the Cowboys, but it was a welcome relief for Payten's men, just their second win in their past eight starts. Meanwhile, the Dragons have now won just one of their past seven and sit in 12th place, six points outside the top eight. With six games to go, five of which are against teams currently in the top eight, they may well see 2025 as a season of "what if'', having suffered seven defeats by six points or less, and staring down the barrel of no finals for a seventh consecutive year. The blowtorch on under-pressure North Queensland coach Todd Payten has eased ever so slightly after the Cowboys overcame a spirited second-half comeback from the Dragons to claim a 38-32 home win. North Queensland looked like they might squander a 16-point halftime lead when the Dragons scored three unanswered tries midway through the second half at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Friday night. However, Cowboys skipper Tom Dearden proved the difference. Dearden scored twice, including the match sealer, set up another and proved typically defiant in defence. The victory keeps the Cowboys' slim NRL finals hopes alive, leapfrogging the Dragons into 11th place, five points outside the top eight with five matches to play. The Cowboys have the bye in the final round. A slashing 25-metre angled run by Zac Laybutt saw the Cowboys open the scoring in the fifth minute, and they had a second five minutes later when Reece Robson darted out of dummy half 45m out to send Dearden over untouched. The Dragons bounced back midway through the half through winger Tyrell Sloan. He was followed up by Mat Feagai, who pounced on a deft Lyhkan King-Togia grubber. But the end of the half belonged to the Cowboys, with Coen Hess, Scott Drinkwater and Jeremiah Nanai all scoring inside the last seven minutes, the home side heading into the break up 28-12. The Dragons mounted their comeback midway through the second period, Corey Allan, Sloan and Jacob Liddle all touching down in a nine-minute period to take advantage of a glut of possession. It was Sloan's sixth try in his past four games. Dearden then intervened, scoring a brilliant individual running try with nine minutes to go to seal the win, before Jaxon Purdue and then Liddle both crossed late. It wasn't pretty for the Cowboys, but it was a welcome relief for Payten's men, just their second win in their past eight starts. Meanwhile, the Dragons have now won just one of their past seven and sit in 12th place, six points outside the top eight. With six games to go, five of which are against teams currently in the top eight, they may well see 2025 as a season of "what if'', having suffered seven defeats by six points or less, and staring down the barrel of no finals for a seventh consecutive year.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘We've offered him a contract': Benji Marshall and the Wests Tigers fight to keep Adam Doueihi as rival clubs circle
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has confirmed the club has offered off-contract star Adam Doueihi a new deal for 2026, with the in-demand utility showing his value and versatility with the matchwinning field goal while playing lock last week. Doueihi has attracted interest from rival clubs, with the Dragons reportedly interested in signing him given his ability to play in the halves, at centre or at lock, where he looked comfortable. Injuries have plagued him throughout his career, but the 26-year-old has been in outstanding form for the Tigers this season, which is why they're keen to extend his current deal. 'I don't say a lot about recruitment publicly, but what I will say is that we've offered him a contract,' Marshall said. 'What happens from there is behind the scenes. My part's done, but we definitely want to keep him.' Players like Melbourne's Tyran Wishart have become invaluable in today's game where injuries and head injury assessments can cause major reshuffles. The Bulldogs were originally criticised for signing what appeared to be a stack of utilities, but the move has paid off with coach Cameron Ciraldo finding roles for everyone in a team that is flying in 2025. 'Canterbury has proved that you can sign players that play in a lot of different positions, and that helps. Adam is a natural footballer who can play anywhere, and that's a bonus,' Marshall said. 'I thought he did a really good job at lock last week, and we're looking for him to do a similar job for us this week.' Tigers fans will get another chance to see Doueihi at lock when they take on the Panthers this weekend, with Marshall looking for an improved performance after they snuck past the Titans at Leichhardt Oval last Sunday. They pushed Penrith all the way earlier in the season and will head into the rematch buoyed by the news that former Panther Api Koroisau has signed an extension to keep him at the Tigers until the end of 2028. Koroisau turns 33 later in the year but Marshall isn't worried about his age, which is why the club was willing to let young gun Tallyn Da Silva walk if it meant their skipper would stay. 'It's a big thing for the whole club that Api's re-signed with us given his experience, he's our captain, what he's done for us so far and what he can still do for us in the coming years,' Marshall said. 'It was really important to get him locked down, and we're just happy it's done. 'What he's given us has been his heart and soul in all the games he's played. All our fans and the club will agree that he gives everything. 'I think he's got a lot more to offer as well, so as a club we're happy that it's done. 'Age is just a number. At the end of day, if you're still performing, that's what it's all about. For us, his experience, his performance, the way he's travelling and the way his body has been, we're confident (his age isn't a concern).'
