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The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Toohey's News: Two halves told they're free to leave the Knights; veteran re-signs
Experienced Newcastle halves Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble have been told they are free to leave at the end of the season if they can secure a longer-term deal at a rival club as the Knights prepare to announce the re-signing of veteran forward Tyson Frizell. We're told Frizell and Knights officials reached a mutual agreement on a new 12-month contract earlier this week, effectively bringing to an end protracted negotiations that dragged on for well over a month. In a carbon copy of the new deal Dane Gagai signed last week, the Knights gave up some ground on their initial offer to the 33-year-old to get him over the line after originally opting not to take up the option in his existing contract. But while doubt over Frizell has been put to bed, the future of a number of his contracted teammates is not cut and dried. Cogger and Gamble both have a year to run on their current deals and are well within their rights to stay and fight for a top-grade spot next season. But with Dylan Brown's arrival, it's understood their agents have been encouraged to find them longer-term contracts elsewhere as neither are expected to feature in Newcastle's plans post 2026. Gamble has been linked with a rumoured move to the English Super League but at this stage, that appears unlikely. Another contracted player said to be on the outer less than 12 months after he switched codes is rugby recruit Taj Annan. The former Queensland Reds winger is yet to play NRL and appears to be struggling to adapt to the physicality of rugby league. He seems almost certain to be squeezed out at the end of the season with a year to run on his deal. The player shake-up comes as Knights head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan looks to create some space in a crowded roster. As it stands with Frizell staying and the signing of former Penrith and Wests Tigers outside back Asu Kepaoa late last week, the club's top 30 roster is full. Something has to give with the club in negotiations to sign Trey Mooney after meeting with the Canberra Raiders prop in Newcastle on Tuesday. They also want another top-grade hooker. The Knights are playing a waiting game for the hooker with their preferred option believed to be currently contracted to a rival club. Jake Arthur's footy smarts and superior kicking game is behind his elevation to the top grade for his Knights' NRL debut against Penrith on Friday night at the expense of Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings. His NSW Cup stats are impressive. In 14 games this season, Arthur has 25 try assists and forced seven line dropouts. His long kicking game is also a strength. Arthur is a free agent at the end of the season and his future at the Knights may hinge on whether the club can offload either Gamble or Cogger. He has attracted interest from Hull in the English Super League. Young centre Kyle McCarthy may be signed for next year with an option in his favour for 2027 but the dogs are barking he is no certainty to remain at the Knights. We're hearing there are at least a couple of rival clubs who are sniffing around the 21-year-old and may be prepared to offer him even more security than he has in Newcastle. At the same time, it's believed there are those at the Knights who are yet to be convinced about his long-term prospects as an NRL centre after his six appearances in the top grade. Given top 30 spots are at a premium, the word is he could be another player let go if a better offer materialises elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Knights don't appear to be in any rush to lock down promising youngsters Wilson de Courcey or Connor Votano either. Both are contracted next season with De Courcey in the top 30 despite not having debuted yet while Votano is one of three players with development contracts in 2026. Both are certain to attract interest from rivals if their contracts aren't extended prior to November 1. One player the Knights have vowed to play the long game with is highly touted teenage centre Kingston Seve. Seve, who linked with the club last month, doesn't turn 17 until December but has already attracted plenty of media attention north of the border after Peter O'Sullivan signed him to the Dolphins as a 14-year-old. At the time, he had a host of NRL clubs chasing him. So highly does O'Sullivan rate his potential, he has brought him to Newcastle on a four-year-deal. MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Experienced Newcastle halves Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble have been told they are free to leave at the end of the season if they can secure a longer-term deal at a rival club as the Knights prepare to announce the re-signing of veteran forward Tyson Frizell. We're told Frizell and Knights officials reached a mutual agreement on a new 12-month contract earlier this week, effectively bringing to an end protracted negotiations that dragged on for well over a month. In a carbon copy of the new deal Dane Gagai signed last week, the Knights gave up some ground on their initial offer to the 33-year-old to get him over the line after originally opting not to take up the option in his existing contract. But while doubt over Frizell has been put to bed, the future of a number of his contracted teammates is not cut and dried. Cogger and Gamble both have a year to run on their current deals and are well within their rights to stay and fight for a top-grade spot next season. But with Dylan Brown's arrival, it's understood their agents have been encouraged to find them longer-term contracts elsewhere as neither are expected to feature in Newcastle's plans post 2026. Gamble has been linked with a rumoured move to the English Super League but at this stage, that appears unlikely. Another contracted player said to be on the outer less than 12 months after he switched codes is rugby recruit Taj Annan. The former Queensland Reds winger is yet to play NRL and appears to be struggling to adapt to the physicality of rugby league. He seems almost certain to be squeezed out at the end of the season with a year to run on his deal. The player shake-up comes as Knights head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan looks to create some space in a crowded roster. As it stands with Frizell staying and the signing of former Penrith and Wests Tigers outside back Asu Kepaoa late last week, the club's top 30 roster is full. Something has to give with the club in negotiations to sign Trey Mooney after meeting with the Canberra Raiders prop in Newcastle on Tuesday. They also want another top-grade hooker. The Knights are playing a waiting game for the hooker with their preferred option believed to be currently contracted to a rival club. Jake Arthur's footy smarts and superior kicking game is behind his elevation to the top grade for his Knights' NRL debut against Penrith on Friday night at the expense of Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings. His NSW Cup stats are impressive. In 14 games this season, Arthur has 25 try assists and forced seven line dropouts. His long kicking game is also a strength. Arthur is a free agent at the end of the season and his future at the Knights may hinge on whether the club can offload either Gamble or Cogger. He has attracted interest from Hull in the English Super League. Young centre Kyle McCarthy may be signed for next year with an option in his favour for 2027 but the dogs are barking he is no certainty to remain at the Knights. We're hearing there are at least a couple of rival clubs who are sniffing around the 21-year-old and may be prepared to offer him even more security than he has in Newcastle. At the same time, it's believed there are those at the Knights who are yet to be convinced about his long-term prospects as an NRL centre after his six appearances in the top grade. Given top 30 spots are at a premium, the word is he could be another player let go if a better offer materialises elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Knights don't appear to be in any rush to lock down promising youngsters Wilson de Courcey or Connor Votano either. Both are contracted next season with De Courcey in the top 30 despite not having debuted yet while Votano is one of three players with development contracts in 2026. Both are certain to attract interest from rivals if their contracts aren't extended prior to November 1. One player the Knights have vowed to play the long game with is highly touted teenage centre Kingston Seve. Seve, who linked with the club last month, doesn't turn 17 until December but has already attracted plenty of media attention north of the border after Peter O'Sullivan signed him to the Dolphins as a 14-year-old. At the time, he had a host of NRL clubs chasing him. So highly does O'Sullivan rate his potential, he has brought him to Newcastle on a four-year-deal. MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Experienced Newcastle halves Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble have been told they are free to leave at the end of the season if they can secure a longer-term deal at a rival club as the Knights prepare to announce the re-signing of veteran forward Tyson Frizell. We're told Frizell and Knights officials reached a mutual agreement on a new 12-month contract earlier this week, effectively bringing to an end protracted negotiations that dragged on for well over a month. In a carbon copy of the new deal Dane Gagai signed last week, the Knights gave up some ground on their initial offer to the 33-year-old to get him over the line after originally opting not to take up the option in his existing contract. But while doubt over Frizell has been put to bed, the future of a number of his contracted teammates is not cut and dried. Cogger and Gamble both have a year to run on their current deals and are well within their rights to stay and fight for a top-grade spot next season. But with Dylan Brown's arrival, it's understood their agents have been encouraged to find them longer-term contracts elsewhere as neither are expected to feature in Newcastle's plans post 2026. Gamble has been linked with a rumoured move to the English Super League but at this stage, that appears unlikely. Another contracted player said to be on the outer less than 12 months after he switched codes is rugby recruit Taj Annan. The former Queensland Reds winger is yet to play NRL and appears to be struggling to adapt to the physicality of rugby league. He seems almost certain to be squeezed out at the end of the season with a year to run on his deal. The player shake-up comes as Knights head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan looks to create some space in a crowded roster. As it stands with Frizell staying and the signing of former Penrith and Wests Tigers outside back Asu Kepaoa late last week, the club's top 30 roster is full. Something has to give with the club in negotiations to sign Trey Mooney after meeting with the Canberra Raiders prop in Newcastle on Tuesday. They also want another top-grade hooker. The Knights are playing a waiting game for the hooker with their preferred option believed to be currently contracted to a rival club. Jake Arthur's footy smarts and superior kicking game is behind his elevation to the top grade for his Knights' NRL debut against Penrith on Friday night at the expense of Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings. His NSW Cup stats are impressive. In 14 games this season, Arthur has 25 try assists and forced seven line dropouts. His long kicking game is also a strength. Arthur is a free agent at the end of the season and his future at the Knights may hinge on whether the club can offload either Gamble or Cogger. He has attracted interest from Hull in the English Super League. Young centre Kyle McCarthy may be signed for next year with an option in his favour for 2027 but the dogs are barking he is no certainty to remain at the Knights. We're hearing there are at least a couple of rival clubs who are sniffing around the 21-year-old and may be prepared to offer him even more security than he has in Newcastle. At the same time, it's believed there are those at the Knights who are yet to be convinced about his long-term prospects as an NRL centre after his six appearances in the top grade. Given top 30 spots are at a premium, the word is he could be another player let go if a better offer materialises elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Knights don't appear to be in any rush to lock down promising youngsters Wilson de Courcey or Connor Votano either. Both are contracted next season with De Courcey in the top 30 despite not having debuted yet while Votano is one of three players with development contracts in 2026. Both are certain to attract interest from rivals if their contracts aren't extended prior to November 1. One player the Knights have vowed to play the long game with is highly touted teenage centre Kingston Seve. Seve, who linked with the club last month, doesn't turn 17 until December but has already attracted plenty of media attention north of the border after Peter O'Sullivan signed him to the Dolphins as a 14-year-old. At the time, he had a host of NRL clubs chasing him. So highly does O'Sullivan rate his potential, he has brought him to Newcastle on a four-year-deal. MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
The Advertiser
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Great Scot: From the Commonwealth Games to Newcastle netball
Norths have bolstered their defensive stocks with the acquisition of Scottish international Emily Nicholl as they eye another Newcastle championship netball finals series. The 31-year-old Scot, who has played at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, stepped out for Norths for the first time at National Park on Saturday and helped last year's minor premiers seize outright second place with a hard-fought 47-39 win over Nova. The two sides were level-pegged on 26 points heading into the round-11 showdown on Saturday, and Nova were quick out of the blocks to lead 14-6 at quarter-time. But Norths fought back with a strong second quarter, outscoring Nova 13-7 to trail 21-19 at half-time before taking a 33-30 lead into the final period. The biggest talking point of the game was the appearance of Nicholl, who played goal defence and at one point lifted goal keeper Maddy Melvelle in a rugby-style line-out move to block Nova's shooters to the delight of the Norths supporters. Nicholl, who captained the Strathclyde Sirens in English Super League, has been playing for Penrith in NSW Premier League this year. Until Saturday, she had never played outdoors. "She's a good friend of [midcourter] Lucy Tonkin and has been playing premier league down in Sydney and wanted to play here with us," Norths coach Leah Gledson said. "She's a really good goal defender. She'll go back and play Commonwealth Games for Scotland. "We've registered her, so hopefully she'll be able to play the back end of the season. She didn't win us the game, but just the experience in that calibre of a player obviously makes a massive difference." Tonkin was back on court after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a leg injury. Attacking player Kayle Dyer also returned from a torn calf. "We had a bit of a scrappy first quarter, at one stage we were nine down," Gledson said. "We had a lot of faces come back, so there was a little bit of inconsistency, a few combinations that just haven't been playing together for a long time, so it was moreso just trying to gel, I think. "Going into the second quarter, we just come out like a different team. We turned ball over and it was just a really tough, nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire win by our girls. "To be nine down against a team like Nova, to claw your way and win that, it's credit to them and the amazing players that they are. "It just goes to show that we are, hopefully, one of the top contenders." The result elevated Norths to 29 points with three rounds remaining, two points behind six-time defending champions West Leagues Balance (31 points) and two ahead of Nova (27). Norths had been competition leaders until back-to-back defeats to Souths (42-38) and West (47-40) in rounds eight and nine respectively. West, who next play Nova, beat fifth-placed Junction Stella 72-42 on Saturday. BNC defeated Waratah 38-29 and Souths were 66-22 winners over Kotara South. Points: West 31, Norths 29, Nova 27, Souths 25, Junction Stella 21, BNC 16, Waratah 15, Kotara South 11. Norths have bolstered their defensive stocks with the acquisition of Scottish international Emily Nicholl as they eye another Newcastle championship netball finals series. The 31-year-old Scot, who has played at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, stepped out for Norths for the first time at National Park on Saturday and helped last year's minor premiers seize outright second place with a hard-fought 47-39 win over Nova. The two sides were level-pegged on 26 points heading into the round-11 showdown on Saturday, and Nova were quick out of the blocks to lead 14-6 at quarter-time. But Norths fought back with a strong second quarter, outscoring Nova 13-7 to trail 21-19 at half-time before taking a 33-30 lead into the final period. The biggest talking point of the game was the appearance of Nicholl, who played goal defence and at one point lifted goal keeper Maddy Melvelle in a rugby-style line-out move to block Nova's shooters to the delight of the Norths supporters. Nicholl, who captained the Strathclyde Sirens in English Super League, has been playing for Penrith in NSW Premier League this year. Until Saturday, she had never played outdoors. "She's a good friend of [midcourter] Lucy Tonkin and has been playing premier league down in Sydney and wanted to play here with us," Norths coach Leah Gledson said. "She's a really good goal defender. She'll go back and play Commonwealth Games for Scotland. "We've registered her, so hopefully she'll be able to play the back end of the season. She didn't win us the game, but just the experience in that calibre of a player obviously makes a massive difference." Tonkin was back on court after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a leg injury. Attacking player Kayle Dyer also returned from a torn calf. "We had a bit of a scrappy first quarter, at one stage we were nine down," Gledson said. "We had a lot of faces come back, so there was a little bit of inconsistency, a few combinations that just haven't been playing together for a long time, so it was moreso just trying to gel, I think. "Going into the second quarter, we just come out like a different team. We turned ball over and it was just a really tough, nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire win by our girls. "To be nine down against a team like Nova, to claw your way and win that, it's credit to them and the amazing players that they are. "It just goes to show that we are, hopefully, one of the top contenders." The result elevated Norths to 29 points with three rounds remaining, two points behind six-time defending champions West Leagues Balance (31 points) and two ahead of Nova (27). Norths had been competition leaders until back-to-back defeats to Souths (42-38) and West (47-40) in rounds eight and nine respectively. West, who next play Nova, beat fifth-placed Junction Stella 72-42 on Saturday. BNC defeated Waratah 38-29 and Souths were 66-22 winners over Kotara South. Points: West 31, Norths 29, Nova 27, Souths 25, Junction Stella 21, BNC 16, Waratah 15, Kotara South 11. Norths have bolstered their defensive stocks with the acquisition of Scottish international Emily Nicholl as they eye another Newcastle championship netball finals series. The 31-year-old Scot, who has played at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, stepped out for Norths for the first time at National Park on Saturday and helped last year's minor premiers seize outright second place with a hard-fought 47-39 win over Nova. The two sides were level-pegged on 26 points heading into the round-11 showdown on Saturday, and Nova were quick out of the blocks to lead 14-6 at quarter-time. But Norths fought back with a strong second quarter, outscoring Nova 13-7 to trail 21-19 at half-time before taking a 33-30 lead into the final period. The biggest talking point of the game was the appearance of Nicholl, who played goal defence and at one point lifted goal keeper Maddy Melvelle in a rugby-style line-out move to block Nova's shooters to the delight of the Norths supporters. Nicholl, who captained the Strathclyde Sirens in English Super League, has been playing for Penrith in NSW Premier League this year. Until Saturday, she had never played outdoors. "She's a good friend of [midcourter] Lucy Tonkin and has been playing premier league down in Sydney and wanted to play here with us," Norths coach Leah Gledson said. "She's a really good goal defender. She'll go back and play Commonwealth Games for Scotland. "We've registered her, so hopefully she'll be able to play the back end of the season. She didn't win us the game, but just the experience in that calibre of a player obviously makes a massive difference." Tonkin was back on court after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a leg injury. Attacking player Kayle Dyer also returned from a torn calf. "We had a bit of a scrappy first quarter, at one stage we were nine down," Gledson said. "We had a lot of faces come back, so there was a little bit of inconsistency, a few combinations that just haven't been playing together for a long time, so it was moreso just trying to gel, I think. "Going into the second quarter, we just come out like a different team. We turned ball over and it was just a really tough, nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire win by our girls. "To be nine down against a team like Nova, to claw your way and win that, it's credit to them and the amazing players that they are. "It just goes to show that we are, hopefully, one of the top contenders." The result elevated Norths to 29 points with three rounds remaining, two points behind six-time defending champions West Leagues Balance (31 points) and two ahead of Nova (27). Norths had been competition leaders until back-to-back defeats to Souths (42-38) and West (47-40) in rounds eight and nine respectively. West, who next play Nova, beat fifth-placed Junction Stella 72-42 on Saturday. BNC defeated Waratah 38-29 and Souths were 66-22 winners over Kotara South. Points: West 31, Norths 29, Nova 27, Souths 25, Junction Stella 21, BNC 16, Waratah 15, Kotara South 11. Norths have bolstered their defensive stocks with the acquisition of Scottish international Emily Nicholl as they eye another Newcastle championship netball finals series. The 31-year-old Scot, who has played at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, stepped out for Norths for the first time at National Park on Saturday and helped last year's minor premiers seize outright second place with a hard-fought 47-39 win over Nova. The two sides were level-pegged on 26 points heading into the round-11 showdown on Saturday, and Nova were quick out of the blocks to lead 14-6 at quarter-time. But Norths fought back with a strong second quarter, outscoring Nova 13-7 to trail 21-19 at half-time before taking a 33-30 lead into the final period. The biggest talking point of the game was the appearance of Nicholl, who played goal defence and at one point lifted goal keeper Maddy Melvelle in a rugby-style line-out move to block Nova's shooters to the delight of the Norths supporters. Nicholl, who captained the Strathclyde Sirens in English Super League, has been playing for Penrith in NSW Premier League this year. Until Saturday, she had never played outdoors. "She's a good friend of [midcourter] Lucy Tonkin and has been playing premier league down in Sydney and wanted to play here with us," Norths coach Leah Gledson said. "She's a really good goal defender. She'll go back and play Commonwealth Games for Scotland. "We've registered her, so hopefully she'll be able to play the back end of the season. She didn't win us the game, but just the experience in that calibre of a player obviously makes a massive difference." Tonkin was back on court after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a leg injury. Attacking player Kayle Dyer also returned from a torn calf. "We had a bit of a scrappy first quarter, at one stage we were nine down," Gledson said. "We had a lot of faces come back, so there was a little bit of inconsistency, a few combinations that just haven't been playing together for a long time, so it was moreso just trying to gel, I think. "Going into the second quarter, we just come out like a different team. We turned ball over and it was just a really tough, nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire win by our girls. "To be nine down against a team like Nova, to claw your way and win that, it's credit to them and the amazing players that they are. "It just goes to show that we are, hopefully, one of the top contenders." The result elevated Norths to 29 points with three rounds remaining, two points behind six-time defending champions West Leagues Balance (31 points) and two ahead of Nova (27). Norths had been competition leaders until back-to-back defeats to Souths (42-38) and West (47-40) in rounds eight and nine respectively. West, who next play Nova, beat fifth-placed Junction Stella 72-42 on Saturday. BNC defeated Waratah 38-29 and Souths were 66-22 winners over Kotara South. Points: West 31, Norths 29, Nova 27, Souths 25, Junction Stella 21, BNC 16, Waratah 15, Kotara South 11.
The Advertiser
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Coach explains reason Dogs dropped Sexton for Galvin
Cameron Ciraldo says Canterbury had to make tough decisions if they want to take it to the NRL's best, after dropping halfback Toby Sexton to bring in Lachlan Galvin. Six weeks after arriving at Belmore, Galvin will play his first game alongside Matt Burton in the halves on Saturday against St George Illawarra. The decision to drop Sexton is one of the toughest of any team this year, after the former Gold Coast No.7 helped take the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder. But after falling to third in recent weeks, Ciraldo said he had to make the tough call in order to challenge the best sides. "The last little period we've been working really hard on our attack," Ciraldo said on SEN. "We've been trying to evolve our attack gearing towards the back end of the year, understanding what's going to beat those top teams who have really good defensive systems. "And we just felt like we weren't sort of getting there."Probably because we're sitting on a good part of the ladder people think you don't have to change. "But we're coming in every day wanting to be a better football team and wanting to be better players, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions around that." Ciraldo said he expected Galvin to benefit from being left out of last week's win over North Queensland, after spending the game with him in the coach's box. Since arriving as a mid-season signing from Wests Tigers last month, Galvin has played two games off the bench and twice started during State of Origin-impacted rounds. He now has eight games to fit into the Bulldogs' structures before finals. "Lachie has been showing some really good signs at training with his natural talent with the ball and with how he can unlock players around him," Ciraldo coach again rejected any suggestion Galvin's arrival had impacted squad harmony, and insisted it had not put unnecessary pressure on Sexton. Sexton has since agreed to move to Catalans in the English Super League next season, after the Bulldogs did not open negotiations for an extension. "He has improved a lot over time. Him leaving for a really good deal at Catalans makes us really proud of the environment we were able to create," Ciraldo said. "It was a tough decision (to drop him) because we love Toby and he's done a great job for us, and we're not giving up on him. "Everyone has that (selection) pressure. "I remember having that conversation with Jacob Preston at the end of last year telling him we were bringing Sitili Tupouniua in. "We've got jobs to do, but we've got a deep squad and that's the great thing we've been able to put together." Meanwhile, Ciraldo revealed Tupouniua was on track to return from a hamstring injury against the Dragons, provided he got through training on Thursday. Cameron Ciraldo says Canterbury had to make tough decisions if they want to take it to the NRL's best, after dropping halfback Toby Sexton to bring in Lachlan Galvin. Six weeks after arriving at Belmore, Galvin will play his first game alongside Matt Burton in the halves on Saturday against St George Illawarra. The decision to drop Sexton is one of the toughest of any team this year, after the former Gold Coast No.7 helped take the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder. But after falling to third in recent weeks, Ciraldo said he had to make the tough call in order to challenge the best sides. "The last little period we've been working really hard on our attack," Ciraldo said on SEN. "We've been trying to evolve our attack gearing towards the back end of the year, understanding what's going to beat those top teams who have really good defensive systems. "And we just felt like we weren't sort of getting there."Probably because we're sitting on a good part of the ladder people think you don't have to change. "But we're coming in every day wanting to be a better football team and wanting to be better players, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions around that." Ciraldo said he expected Galvin to benefit from being left out of last week's win over North Queensland, after spending the game with him in the coach's box. Since arriving as a mid-season signing from Wests Tigers last month, Galvin has played two games off the bench and twice started during State of Origin-impacted rounds. He now has eight games to fit into the Bulldogs' structures before finals. "Lachie has been showing some really good signs at training with his natural talent with the ball and with how he can unlock players around him," Ciraldo coach again rejected any suggestion Galvin's arrival had impacted squad harmony, and insisted it had not put unnecessary pressure on Sexton. Sexton has since agreed to move to Catalans in the English Super League next season, after the Bulldogs did not open negotiations for an extension. "He has improved a lot over time. Him leaving for a really good deal at Catalans makes us really proud of the environment we were able to create," Ciraldo said. "It was a tough decision (to drop him) because we love Toby and he's done a great job for us, and we're not giving up on him. "Everyone has that (selection) pressure. "I remember having that conversation with Jacob Preston at the end of last year telling him we were bringing Sitili Tupouniua in. "We've got jobs to do, but we've got a deep squad and that's the great thing we've been able to put together." Meanwhile, Ciraldo revealed Tupouniua was on track to return from a hamstring injury against the Dragons, provided he got through training on Thursday. Cameron Ciraldo says Canterbury had to make tough decisions if they want to take it to the NRL's best, after dropping halfback Toby Sexton to bring in Lachlan Galvin. Six weeks after arriving at Belmore, Galvin will play his first game alongside Matt Burton in the halves on Saturday against St George Illawarra. The decision to drop Sexton is one of the toughest of any team this year, after the former Gold Coast No.7 helped take the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder. But after falling to third in recent weeks, Ciraldo said he had to make the tough call in order to challenge the best sides. "The last little period we've been working really hard on our attack," Ciraldo said on SEN. "We've been trying to evolve our attack gearing towards the back end of the year, understanding what's going to beat those top teams who have really good defensive systems. "And we just felt like we weren't sort of getting there."Probably because we're sitting on a good part of the ladder people think you don't have to change. "But we're coming in every day wanting to be a better football team and wanting to be better players, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions around that." Ciraldo said he expected Galvin to benefit from being left out of last week's win over North Queensland, after spending the game with him in the coach's box. Since arriving as a mid-season signing from Wests Tigers last month, Galvin has played two games off the bench and twice started during State of Origin-impacted rounds. He now has eight games to fit into the Bulldogs' structures before finals. "Lachie has been showing some really good signs at training with his natural talent with the ball and with how he can unlock players around him," Ciraldo coach again rejected any suggestion Galvin's arrival had impacted squad harmony, and insisted it had not put unnecessary pressure on Sexton. Sexton has since agreed to move to Catalans in the English Super League next season, after the Bulldogs did not open negotiations for an extension. "He has improved a lot over time. Him leaving for a really good deal at Catalans makes us really proud of the environment we were able to create," Ciraldo said. "It was a tough decision (to drop him) because we love Toby and he's done a great job for us, and we're not giving up on him. "Everyone has that (selection) pressure. "I remember having that conversation with Jacob Preston at the end of last year telling him we were bringing Sitili Tupouniua in. "We've got jobs to do, but we've got a deep squad and that's the great thing we've been able to put together." Meanwhile, Ciraldo revealed Tupouniua was on track to return from a hamstring injury against the Dragons, provided he got through training on Thursday.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Until Blues find their own Wayne Bennett they won't get Origin
Bennett was speaking of game three in that year's Origin series when the Maroons were embarrassed by that scoreline – 56-16. It sealed a three-nil series whitewash with the Blues celebrating tries in outrageous fashion, including Bryan Fletcher's now infamous 'bomb detonation'. It was a complete humiliation at the hands of Brad Fittler and co. So much so, some Sydney scribes wrote the dominance of NSW was so great the Origin concept itself was under threat because it was hard, in their eyes, to see Queensland ever being able to compete again. At the lunch, Bennett said he could not stand by and watch Queensland being beaten so badly and that he wanted to coach Queensland again. To his credit, he was extremely sensitive about dethroning current coach Mark Murray. In the end, once Bennett declared his hand, with the help of The Courier-Mail, a relieved Murray handed over. Incredibly, but not surprisingly, Queensland did it. A year after NSW threw a party in their faces and the Origin concept was declared 'dead', Bennett led Queensland to a series win thanks to the fairytale return of Allan Langer from the English Super League for the deciding game three. The stuff of legend. At the end of that 2001 series, Queensland had won the shield ten times and NSW nine, with one draw. The tally is now 25 to 17 in Queensland's favour with two draws. After last Wednesday's embarrassment at Accor Stadium, who in the NSW rugby league establishment will do what Bennett did and decide it can never happen again? Who will stand up and say it is unacceptable to lose the 2025 series in the manner they did after winning last year's series, then completely dominating in game one this year? Who will say trailing by 20 points at halftime in two consecutive Origin matches can't be tolerated? The answer is - probably no one. And that's the distinct difference between the two states. While Queensland doesn't cop it, and finds ways, NSW says things like coach Laurie Daley did in the post-match press conference. He was asked if he was the man to lead NSW again next year and he said he was because 'of what we've been building'. He was hurting and shattered and scratching for answers when he said it, but you're not 'building' when you won last year, then won game one easily, only to lose the series. Except maybe mediocrity. Having a crack at Daley is like shooting Bambi - you're bagging a wonderful guy who served his state as well as anyone in the history of Origin, and he desperately wants to replicate his playing success with coaching success. But whichever way you cut it, he was outgunned again and is now one series win in six attempts. Queensland lost game one this year and coach Billy Slater dropped his skipper and chief playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans. NSW lost game two and did nothing, except reference poor goal kicking and the ref while patting themselves on the back for a second-half fightback. Queensland won game two and made even more changes - introducing late career breakout star Gehemat Shibasaki and recalling retired favourite son Josh Papali'i. It's about finding an edge, a source of inspiration, a reason to get up. Like bringing Alfie back. Whatever it takes. NSW, meanwhile, took away reasons to 'get up', like entering the field through the long tunnel from their centre of excellence to run on to the field. Daley and his staff wanted to 'keep things normal' and run on through the traditional tunnel from the sheds. Isaah Yeo said the tunnel over-hyped the players and possibly led to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii flattening Reece Walsh leading to his send-off in game one last year. All well and good except Origin isn't normal. It's abnormal, and you have to deal with it. You have to run on knowing this is no weekend club game. Things will be thrown at you like Queensland's outside-in jamming defence. Yeo and Nathan Cleary said they knew it was coming. If they knew it was coming, where was plan B? Loading NSWRL boss Dave Trodden has declared Daley will coach the side again in 2026, the second of his two-year deal. Maybe Daley isn't the problem. It may be that head office is. Meanwhile, the game's ferocious news cycle will wash away the 2025 Origin series. But someone has to find a napkin, write '26-6 and 20-0', the halftime scores from games two and three on it, and slide it across a table to someone who will listen.
The Age
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Until Blues find their own Wayne Bennett they won't get Origin
Bennett was speaking of game three in that year's Origin series when the Maroons were embarrassed by that scoreline – 56-16. It sealed a three-nil series whitewash with the Blues celebrating tries in outrageous fashion, including Bryan Fletcher's now infamous 'bomb detonation'. It was a complete humiliation at the hands of Brad Fittler and co. So much so, some Sydney scribes wrote the dominance of NSW was so great the Origin concept itself was under threat because it was hard, in their eyes, to see Queensland ever being able to compete again. At the lunch, Bennett said he could not stand by and watch Queensland being beaten so badly and that he wanted to coach Queensland again. To his credit, he was extremely sensitive about dethroning current coach Mark Murray. In the end, once Bennett declared his hand, with the help of The Courier-Mail, a relieved Murray handed over. Incredibly, but not surprisingly, Queensland did it. A year after NSW threw a party in their faces and the Origin concept was declared 'dead', Bennett led Queensland to a series win thanks to the fairytale return of Allan Langer from the English Super League for the deciding game three. The stuff of legend. At the end of that 2001 series, Queensland had won the shield ten times and NSW nine, with one draw. The tally is now 25 to 17 in Queensland's favour with two draws. After last Wednesday's embarrassment at Accor Stadium, who in the NSW rugby league establishment will do what Bennett did and decide it can never happen again? Who will stand up and say it is unacceptable to lose the 2025 series in the manner they did after winning last year's series, then completely dominating in game one this year? Who will say trailing by 20 points at halftime in two consecutive Origin matches can't be tolerated? The answer is - probably no one. And that's the distinct difference between the two states. While Queensland doesn't cop it, and finds ways, NSW says things like coach Laurie Daley did in the post-match press conference. He was asked if he was the man to lead NSW again next year and he said he was because 'of what we've been building'. He was hurting and shattered and scratching for answers when he said it, but you're not 'building' when you won last year, then won game one easily, only to lose the series. Except maybe mediocrity. Having a crack at Daley is like shooting Bambi - you're bagging a wonderful guy who served his state as well as anyone in the history of Origin, and he desperately wants to replicate his playing success with coaching success. But whichever way you cut it, he was outgunned again and is now one series win in six attempts. Queensland lost game one this year and coach Billy Slater dropped his skipper and chief playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans. NSW lost game two and did nothing, except reference poor goal kicking and the ref while patting themselves on the back for a second-half fightback. Queensland won game two and made even more changes - introducing late career breakout star Gehemat Shibasaki and recalling retired favourite son Josh Papali'i. It's about finding an edge, a source of inspiration, a reason to get up. Like bringing Alfie back. Whatever it takes. NSW, meanwhile, took away reasons to 'get up', like entering the field through the long tunnel from their centre of excellence to run on to the field. Daley and his staff wanted to 'keep things normal' and run on through the traditional tunnel from the sheds. Isaah Yeo said the tunnel over-hyped the players and possibly led to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii flattening Reece Walsh leading to his send-off in game one last year. All well and good except Origin isn't normal. It's abnormal, and you have to deal with it. You have to run on knowing this is no weekend club game. Things will be thrown at you like Queensland's outside-in jamming defence. Yeo and Nathan Cleary said they knew it was coming. If they knew it was coming, where was plan B? Loading NSWRL boss Dave Trodden has declared Daley will coach the side again in 2026, the second of his two-year deal. Maybe Daley isn't the problem. It may be that head office is. Meanwhile, the game's ferocious news cycle will wash away the 2025 Origin series. But someone has to find a napkin, write '26-6 and 20-0', the halftime scores from games two and three on it, and slide it across a table to someone who will listen.
