Latest news with #NSWCup
News.com.au
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘This is that on steroids': Beer Footy and Food Festival returns with a bang
Jai Arrow is relieved to be one of the last fit men standing at the Rabbitohs this season, but there is one downside to his clean bill of health with the veteran forward 'filthy' that he'll miss Saturday's Beer Footy and Food Festival at Henson Park. More than 10,000 people are expected to fill out the suburban venue where they'll be treated to 30 different beer vendors, 20 food trucks, live pro wrestling and streaker bull rush as the Jets take on the Dragons in the NSW Cup. Arrow will be in Gosford preparing to take on the Sharks when the annual event gets under way, and he'll be jealous when he sees all the pictures on social media of people living it up on the famous hill. 'It looks unreal,' he said at the launch of the event as he tucked into a Japanese-Mexican fusion taco. 'I'm filthy that we're playing on Saturday night at 7.30. If it had been Friday night, it would have been ideal. 'That's what I was saying to (Sharks forward) Toby Rudolf. Both of us are playing each other this week, and we would have been here straight after the game if we were playing on Friday night. 'It looks like a really cool event. You've got the wrestlers here which I'm quite intrigued about because I know James Graham wrestled one of those boys last year at one of their big events. 'It'll be a cracking day and I'm spewing that I'm missing out on it.' Roosters lock Victor Radley is sidelined with a shoulder injury but will make the trip to enjoy an afternoon of old-school fun. 'A lot of my friends play for the North Sydney Bears, and you go to North Sydney Oval on a random Saturday or Sunday afternoon and you watch the footy and it's such a great day,' he said. 'This is that on steroids. 'It's one of the best days of the year for any footy fan.' One of the highlights of the day will be streaker bull rush, which is a spin on the old schoolyard game. Hit artist Freddy Crabs was there to explain the game at the launch and copped a few bruising shots for his troubles, including a couple of heavy hits from Roosters NRLW star Jasmin Strange. 'I'm so sore from my game on Sunday so I better post that video because my S and C (strength and conditioning) team won't be happy with me doing full contact after that,' she laughed.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Walters confirmed as Kangaroos coach for Ashes series
Skinner was officially appointed as Jillaroos head coach in February ahead of their historic Las Vegas match – taking over from long-time coach Brad Donald. She will continue to lead the Australian women's team for the Pacific Championships later this year and into the 2026 World Cup. 'Jess Skinner had significant success in her first outing as Jillaroos coach in Las Vegas earlier this year,' V'Landys said. 'Jess has progressed through the coaching pathways and is a fantastic choice to lead Australia's most prolific national women's team until the end of the World Cup.' Eels release Matterson to join Sam Burgess' Wolves; Parramatta have released out-of-favour back-rower Ryan Matterson for the remainder of the year. Matterson, a former NSW Origin representative who has spent most of this season either in NSW Cup or in the club's injury ward, will leave immediately to join English club Warrington on a loan deal for the rest of the Super League season. The 30-year-old still has one more year to run on his deal with the Eels, worth around $700,000 in 2026. Under the terms of the loan, Matterson can return to Parramatta next year if he chooses not to pursue opportunities elsewhere. The Eels had given Matterson permission to negotiate with rival clubs, but his management has been unable to land him a contract in the NRL. Wolves coach Sam Burgess, however, was prepared to take a chance on the player as he looks to improve on his side's current position of eighth on the Super league ladder. The deal is similar to the one Wests Tigers negotiated with the Wolves last year which allowed John Bateman to leave the club mid-season for a stint in Super League. That arrangement helped ease the Tigers' salary cap pressure and ultimately led to Bateman choosing to continue his career at the Cowboys this season instead of returning to play at the Tigers under Benji Marshall. The Eels are privately hopeful Matterson can find a deal elsewhere in 2026, with the player not in the long-term plans of coach Jason Ryles. Matterson has played just four NRL games off the bench for the Eels this season. Tigers extend Koroisau until end of 2028 Billie Eder Api Koroisau has signed a two-year extension with the Wests Tigers, which will keep him at the joint venture club until the end of 2028. The 32-year-old was already contracted through to the end of next year, but the Tigers were eager to retain their skipper as they continue to rebuild under coach Benji Marshall. Koroisau's extension has been anticipated for a number of weeks and was the reason the Tigers let emerging talent Tallyn Da Silva go to Parramatta. 'This club has become family to me. I've felt nothing but support from the players, staff, and especially Benji - he's someone I really admire and enjoy playing under,' Koroisau said. 'I'm stoked to re-sign and can't wait to help lead this team for a few more years.' Marshall said Koroisau was a crucial part of the team's future success. 'Api is a great player, but more so he is the heart and soul of this team,' Marshall said. 'His leadership, experience and energy are invaluable. Having him commit to our future is massive for the direction we are heading in. We are thrilled to have him and his wonderful family here long term.' Eels young gun set to miss next month with broken hand Michael Chammas Parramatta have been dealt a blow with rookie-of-the-year contender Isaiah Iongi expected to miss the next month with a broken hand suffered in the loss to Canberra at the weekend. The Eels were set to be boosted by the return of halfback Mitchell Moses, but the positive news has been offset by the disappointment of their fullback being sidelined. Joash Papalii has been playing in the halves but is the club's back-up fullback. It could open the door for Dylan Brown to return to the team in the halves however coach Jason Ryles has previously stated his desire to plan for the future. NRL backs 'outrageous' calls that left Dragons coach seething Christian Nicolussi The NRL have defended the two contentious calls Dragons coach Shane Flanagan claimed cost his side victory against Canterbury and a potential NRL finals berth. An NRL spokesperson confirmed Dragons forward Luciano Leilua was correctly penalised for interfering with a Jacob Kiraz play-the-ball, and there was no video evidence to suggest Viliame Kikau knocked on when being tackled by Tyrell Sloan. After reviewing footage on Monday, the spokesperson backed the Bunker's decision to punish Leilua for knocking the ball out of Kiraz' hands, and how he still had hold of Kiraz as he tried to get to his feet. The footage showed Leilua with his left hand on the elbow of Kiraz, then his foot comes forward and dislodges the ball. Kiraz did not play the ball correctly, but was not given the chance to do so because of Leilua's actions. Kikau also appeared to knock the ball into Sloan when he raced in off his wing in the 78th minute. Rather than stop play and give the ball to the Dragons, referee Adam Gee awarded the Dogs a fresh set, and they scored the match-winner a minute later. The spokesperson was satisfied Kikau was trying to quickly pass the ball, and that there was nothing to suggest the ball travelled forward into Sloan. Flanagan was seething after the game, describing the Leilua call as 'outrageous'. 'They're a good side the Bulldogs, they compete hard, but there were some decisions tonight that cost us two competition points, and could cost us an opportunity to play semi-finals,' he said. Flanagan preferred not to comment on Monday, and was focused on making sure his side were ready for the road trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys on Friday. Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) and Mat Feagai (ankle) are in contention to replace Sione Finau on the left wing after the youngster dislocated his shoulder scoring against the Dogs in the second half on Saturday night. Tabuai-Fidow considers Samoa switch Michael Chammas Queensland superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is considering walking away from the Kangaroos to represent Samoa at the end-of-season Pacific Championship. With NSW prop Payne Haas and Maroons counterpart Tino Fa'asuamaleaui also weighing up the move, the news of Tabuai-Fidow's potential defection looms as a hammer blow to incoming coach Kevin Walters' hopes of winning the first Ashes series in more than two decades. The Dolphins fullback, who has represented Australia for the past two years and would be an almost guaranteed selection in the Kangaroos team for the Ashes, is strongly considering changing his international allegiance. The Australian Rugby League Commission is putting the finishing touches to the deal for Walters to take charge of the Kangaroos in the three-Test series against England starting at the end of October. One of Walters' first assignments will be to convince a host of Australian-eligible players to represent the Kangaroos instead of the countries of their family heritage. Other potential Kangaroos who have previously represented Samoa include Stefano Utoikamanu and Jeremiah Nanai. Potential Samoa team Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Brian To'o Izack Tago Stephen Crichton Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Blaize Talagi Jarome Luai Terrell May Danny Levi Payne Haas Jeremiah Nanai Jaydn Su'A Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Sua Fa'alogo Spencer Leniu Josh Papalii Shawn Blore Tabuai-Fidow represented Samoa at the 2022 World Cup, where injury limited his involvement to just one game. He was one of Queensland's best players in game three of this year's State of Origin series after being moved to fullback to cover for the injured Kalyn Ponga. Tabuai-Fidow's form has him strongly in the conversation for the Kangaroos No.1 jersey currently held by Penrith's Dylan Edwards. Other fullback options include Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga – if he is fit to play and chooses to represent Australia. Storm enforcer banned for elbowing rival's head Dan Walsh One enforcer in, one enforcer out. Melbourne's Nelson Asofa-Solomona is set to miss Thursday's showdown with the Roosters as he faces a three-game ban for elbowing, while the Tricolours' own hitman Victor Radley will manage a shoulder injury after scans cleared him of serious injury. The Roosters do face being without halfback Hugo Savala once more for a critical clash with the Storm though after he was spotted in what the club described as a precautionary moon boot while already recovering from a wrist injury. Savala had a cortisone injection to ease a foot injury last week and given the young playmaker was already out with ligament damage in his wrist, he is considered unlikely to be available. While Roosters coach Trent Robinson recalled Chad Townsend for his first NRL appearance since April in an error-riddled 31-18 loss to Cronulla last week, playmaker Sandon Smith was also withdrawn from NSW Cup on Saturday. Immortal Andrew Johns on The Sunday Footy Show described Townsend's elevation over Smith against the Sharks as a 'head scratcher' that he couldn't comprehend given Smith's Anzac Day heroics against the Dragons and running threat this season.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Didn't work out': Fifth halves pairing's a charm as Roosters reveal Radley blow
Trent Robinson concedes his surprise Chad Townsend experiment 'didn't work out how we wanted' as he backed Sandon Smith and his fifth halves pairing of 2025 to keep the Roosters finals hopes alive. Smith will partner Sam Walker against Melbourne after an error-strewn loss to Cronulla dropped the Roosters to 10th on the NRL ladder and cost Townsend the No.6 jersey following his first game since April. Robinson also revealed enforcer Victor Radley is expected to miss up to a month with an ongoing shoulder issue despite the back-rower telling reporters on Tuesday that he was not anticipating missing more than a week. Storm coach Craig Bellamy remains unsure of Ryan Papenhuyzen's return from a month-long calf injury, while Melbourne will be without Cameron Munster as he attends his father's funeral and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension). At the Roosters scrum base, Hugo Savala will be sidelined for another week with wrist ligament damage, prompting Smith's recall after he was initially dropped when Walker made his injury comeback. Robinson said before the Sharks clash that Smith was dropped to reserve grade because 'he can play better ', while Townsend had impressed in NSW Cup. Smith was then withdrawn from reserve grade after Townsend's four mistakes against Cronulla and recalled to first grade based on his training in recent weeks. 'It didn't work out how we wanted last week, but I've also been really clear about what I'd like from [Smith] and his improvement,' Robinson said.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘Didn't work out': Fifth halves pairing's a charm as Roosters reveal Radley blow
Trent Robinson concedes his surprise Chad Townsend experiment 'didn't work out how we wanted' as he backed Sandon Smith and his fifth halves pairing of 2025 to keep the Roosters finals hopes alive. Smith will partner Sam Walker against Melbourne after an error-strewn loss to Cronulla dropped the Roosters to 10th on the NRL ladder and cost Townsend the No.6 jersey following his first game since April. Robinson also revealed enforcer Victor Radley is expected to miss up to a month with an ongoing shoulder issue despite the back-rower telling reporters on Tuesday that he was not anticipating missing more than a week. Storm coach Craig Bellamy remains unsure of Ryan Papenhuyzen's return from a month-long calf injury, while Melbourne will be without Cameron Munster as he attends his father's funeral and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension). At the Roosters scrum base, Hugo Savala will be sidelined for another week with wrist ligament damage, prompting Smith's recall after he was initially dropped when Walker made his injury comeback. Robinson said before the Sharks clash that Smith was dropped to reserve grade because 'he can play better ', while Townsend had impressed in NSW Cup. Smith was then withdrawn from reserve grade after Townsend's four mistakes against Cronulla and recalled to first grade based on his training in recent weeks. 'It didn't work out how we wanted last week, but I've also been really clear about what I'd like from [Smith] and his improvement,' Robinson said.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
After one game he was rejected by the Knights. It spurred his next 125 NRL appearances
It's the rejection that helped fuel Canberra hooker Tom Starling's NRL career, and countless others as well, including some of his Raiders teammates. Starling made his way through Newcastle's development system before making his NRL debut for the Knights at age 20 in the last round of the 2018 season. It would be the Kincumber Colts junior's only first-grade game for the club. "It was old boys' day, I didn't play too bad. I didn't light the house on fire, but I thought I was going to get a contract out of that," Starling said. "But I didn't hear anything back from them. "I don't know if my manager was sheltering me from it ... but ... I run into [former Knights football manager] Darren Mooney down the beach, he was leaving the club ... and I'm just sort of in no man's land waiting for a call and he goes: 'Have you found anything yet?' "I'm like, 'What do you mean?' And he goes, 'Oh, haven't they told you? They think you're too small and they're going to bring in another [hooker].' "I rang my manager up and said: 'We've got to go find something else'. "At the time I probably used it as motivation, but looking back on it now, they obviously needed to win right away and thought they'd move in a different direction." Starling, who recalled his Newcastle exit on an episode of the Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns podcast this week, isn't the first Knights product to go on and have a successful career elsewhere after being overlooked, and he certainly won't be the last. It's the nature of the sport. The Knights have a huge catchment area to potentially draw junior players from, ranging from the Central Coast in the south, the Upper Hunter in the west and up along the coast to the north. The club's modus operandi is to try and find and develop the best of them, but you simply can't keep them all. Knights management have previously said, however, that for a period of time they weren't as focused on their own backyard as they should have been. In recent years, the likes of Grant Anderson (Melbourne Storm), Kurt Donoghoe (The Dolphins) and Starling's Canberra teammates Zac Hosking and Simi Sasagi have become established NRL players after spending time in Newcastle's development system. All of them have admitted that their Newcastle rejections spurred them on other clubs. Starling, now 27, has played 126 NRL games - all but one of them for Canberra Hosking, 28, was twice named Newcastle's NSW Cup player of the year, but couldn't get a start in first grade and left for Brisbane ahead of the 2022 season where he made his NRL debut that year. He has now played 47 NRL games. Canberra have made somewhat of a habit of signing former Knights players or Hunter products. In addition to Starling, Hosking and Sasagi, the Raiders' top-30 roster features Joseph Tapine, Danny Levi, Hudson Young, Myles Martin and Pasami Saulo, who is returning to the Knights next year. Their five-eighth, Ethan Strange, hails from the Central Coast but did not come through the Knights' system. Jake Clydsdale (Scone Thoroughbreds), Kain Anderson (Central Newcastle) and Caleb Garvie (Cessnock Goannas) are playing in Canberra's lower-grade sides. The Raiders have also signed Knights hooker Jayden Brailey for next season. "The Canberra Knights," Young joked about the growing number of former Newcastle players at the club late last year. Starling, who re-signed with Canberra in May until the end of the 2027 season, looks set to go head-to-head this week with the man he will be competing with for the club's No.9 jersey next year. Both he and Brailey have been named at hooker for their respective sides ahead of Sunday's clash in Canberra. Brailey, who has started at hooker in four of Newcastle's past five games, will link with the Raiders for the next two seasons. Owen Pattie is the other emerging rake on Canberra's roster. A win clear at the top of the NRL points table, the Raiders are on an eight-game winning streak and coming off a 40-16 win over Parramatta on Saturday. The Knights, after a 20-15 loss to the Warriors on Sunday, have kept largely the same side for the 2pm match at GIO Stadium. Experienced forward Jack Hetherington has won a recall. He was named on the bench, while Tom Cant has dropped out of the side. Brodie Jones, who was a late withdrawal from the Warriors match - one of a dozen or so Knights players to fall ill on the eve of the game falling a virus outbreak - is in the extended match squad, which also includes Cant, James Schiller, Matt Arthur and Kyle McCarthy. The Knights should take plenty of confidence into the game, having pushed the fourth-placed Warriors all the way and only lost to Canberra 22-18 a month ago. Sasagi, who has mostly been used in the back row this season, will start in the centres against his former team after Raiders back Sebastian Kris (concussion) was ruled out. It's the rejection that helped fuel Canberra hooker Tom Starling's NRL career, and countless others as well, including some of his Raiders teammates. Starling made his way through Newcastle's development system before making his NRL debut for the Knights at age 20 in the last round of the 2018 season. It would be the Kincumber Colts junior's only first-grade game for the club. "It was old boys' day, I didn't play too bad. I didn't light the house on fire, but I thought I was going to get a contract out of that," Starling said. "But I didn't hear anything back from them. "I don't know if my manager was sheltering me from it ... but ... I run into [former Knights football manager] Darren Mooney down the beach, he was leaving the club ... and I'm just sort of in no man's land waiting for a call and he goes: 'Have you found anything yet?' "I'm like, 'What do you mean?' And he goes, 'Oh, haven't they told you? They think you're too small and they're going to bring in another [hooker].' "I rang my manager up and said: 'We've got to go find something else'. "At the time I probably used it as motivation, but looking back on it now, they obviously needed to win right away and thought they'd move in a different direction." Starling, who recalled his Newcastle exit on an episode of the Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns podcast this week, isn't the first Knights product to go on and have a successful career elsewhere after being overlooked, and he certainly won't be the last. It's the nature of the sport. The Knights have a huge catchment area to potentially draw junior players from, ranging from the Central Coast in the south, the Upper Hunter in the west and up along the coast to the north. The club's modus operandi is to try and find and develop the best of them, but you simply can't keep them all. Knights management have previously said, however, that for a period of time they weren't as focused on their own backyard as they should have been. In recent years, the likes of Grant Anderson (Melbourne Storm), Kurt Donoghoe (The Dolphins) and Starling's Canberra teammates Zac Hosking and Simi Sasagi have become established NRL players after spending time in Newcastle's development system. All of them have admitted that their Newcastle rejections spurred them on other clubs. Starling, now 27, has played 126 NRL games - all but one of them for Canberra Hosking, 28, was twice named Newcastle's NSW Cup player of the year, but couldn't get a start in first grade and left for Brisbane ahead of the 2022 season where he made his NRL debut that year. He has now played 47 NRL games. Canberra have made somewhat of a habit of signing former Knights players or Hunter products. In addition to Starling, Hosking and Sasagi, the Raiders' top-30 roster features Joseph Tapine, Danny Levi, Hudson Young, Myles Martin and Pasami Saulo, who is returning to the Knights next year. Their five-eighth, Ethan Strange, hails from the Central Coast but did not come through the Knights' system. Jake Clydsdale (Scone Thoroughbreds), Kain Anderson (Central Newcastle) and Caleb Garvie (Cessnock Goannas) are playing in Canberra's lower-grade sides. The Raiders have also signed Knights hooker Jayden Brailey for next season. "The Canberra Knights," Young joked about the growing number of former Newcastle players at the club late last year. Starling, who re-signed with Canberra in May until the end of the 2027 season, looks set to go head-to-head this week with the man he will be competing with for the club's No.9 jersey next year. Both he and Brailey have been named at hooker for their respective sides ahead of Sunday's clash in Canberra. Brailey, who has started at hooker in four of Newcastle's past five games, will link with the Raiders for the next two seasons. Owen Pattie is the other emerging rake on Canberra's roster. A win clear at the top of the NRL points table, the Raiders are on an eight-game winning streak and coming off a 40-16 win over Parramatta on Saturday. The Knights, after a 20-15 loss to the Warriors on Sunday, have kept largely the same side for the 2pm match at GIO Stadium. Experienced forward Jack Hetherington has won a recall. He was named on the bench, while Tom Cant has dropped out of the side. Brodie Jones, who was a late withdrawal from the Warriors match - one of a dozen or so Knights players to fall ill on the eve of the game falling a virus outbreak - is in the extended match squad, which also includes Cant, James Schiller, Matt Arthur and Kyle McCarthy. The Knights should take plenty of confidence into the game, having pushed the fourth-placed Warriors all the way and only lost to Canberra 22-18 a month ago. Sasagi, who has mostly been used in the back row this season, will start in the centres against his former team after Raiders back Sebastian Kris (concussion) was ruled out. It's the rejection that helped fuel Canberra hooker Tom Starling's NRL career, and countless others as well, including some of his Raiders teammates. Starling made his way through Newcastle's development system before making his NRL debut for the Knights at age 20 in the last round of the 2018 season. It would be the Kincumber Colts junior's only first-grade game for the club. "It was old boys' day, I didn't play too bad. I didn't light the house on fire, but I thought I was going to get a contract out of that," Starling said. "But I didn't hear anything back from them. "I don't know if my manager was sheltering me from it ... but ... I run into [former Knights football manager] Darren Mooney down the beach, he was leaving the club ... and I'm just sort of in no man's land waiting for a call and he goes: 'Have you found anything yet?' "I'm like, 'What do you mean?' And he goes, 'Oh, haven't they told you? They think you're too small and they're going to bring in another [hooker].' "I rang my manager up and said: 'We've got to go find something else'. "At the time I probably used it as motivation, but looking back on it now, they obviously needed to win right away and thought they'd move in a different direction." Starling, who recalled his Newcastle exit on an episode of the Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns podcast this week, isn't the first Knights product to go on and have a successful career elsewhere after being overlooked, and he certainly won't be the last. It's the nature of the sport. The Knights have a huge catchment area to potentially draw junior players from, ranging from the Central Coast in the south, the Upper Hunter in the west and up along the coast to the north. The club's modus operandi is to try and find and develop the best of them, but you simply can't keep them all. Knights management have previously said, however, that for a period of time they weren't as focused on their own backyard as they should have been. In recent years, the likes of Grant Anderson (Melbourne Storm), Kurt Donoghoe (The Dolphins) and Starling's Canberra teammates Zac Hosking and Simi Sasagi have become established NRL players after spending time in Newcastle's development system. All of them have admitted that their Newcastle rejections spurred them on other clubs. Starling, now 27, has played 126 NRL games - all but one of them for Canberra Hosking, 28, was twice named Newcastle's NSW Cup player of the year, but couldn't get a start in first grade and left for Brisbane ahead of the 2022 season where he made his NRL debut that year. He has now played 47 NRL games. Canberra have made somewhat of a habit of signing former Knights players or Hunter products. In addition to Starling, Hosking and Sasagi, the Raiders' top-30 roster features Joseph Tapine, Danny Levi, Hudson Young, Myles Martin and Pasami Saulo, who is returning to the Knights next year. Their five-eighth, Ethan Strange, hails from the Central Coast but did not come through the Knights' system. Jake Clydsdale (Scone Thoroughbreds), Kain Anderson (Central Newcastle) and Caleb Garvie (Cessnock Goannas) are playing in Canberra's lower-grade sides. The Raiders have also signed Knights hooker Jayden Brailey for next season. "The Canberra Knights," Young joked about the growing number of former Newcastle players at the club late last year. Starling, who re-signed with Canberra in May until the end of the 2027 season, looks set to go head-to-head this week with the man he will be competing with for the club's No.9 jersey next year. Both he and Brailey have been named at hooker for their respective sides ahead of Sunday's clash in Canberra. Brailey, who has started at hooker in four of Newcastle's past five games, will link with the Raiders for the next two seasons. Owen Pattie is the other emerging rake on Canberra's roster. A win clear at the top of the NRL points table, the Raiders are on an eight-game winning streak and coming off a 40-16 win over Parramatta on Saturday. The Knights, after a 20-15 loss to the Warriors on Sunday, have kept largely the same side for the 2pm match at GIO Stadium. Experienced forward Jack Hetherington has won a recall. He was named on the bench, while Tom Cant has dropped out of the side. Brodie Jones, who was a late withdrawal from the Warriors match - one of a dozen or so Knights players to fall ill on the eve of the game falling a virus outbreak - is in the extended match squad, which also includes Cant, James Schiller, Matt Arthur and Kyle McCarthy. The Knights should take plenty of confidence into the game, having pushed the fourth-placed Warriors all the way and only lost to Canberra 22-18 a month ago. Sasagi, who has mostly been used in the back row this season, will start in the centres against his former team after Raiders back Sebastian Kris (concussion) was ruled out. It's the rejection that helped fuel Canberra hooker Tom Starling's NRL career, and countless others as well, including some of his Raiders teammates. Starling made his way through Newcastle's development system before making his NRL debut for the Knights at age 20 in the last round of the 2018 season. It would be the Kincumber Colts junior's only first-grade game for the club. "It was old boys' day, I didn't play too bad. I didn't light the house on fire, but I thought I was going to get a contract out of that," Starling said. "But I didn't hear anything back from them. "I don't know if my manager was sheltering me from it ... but ... I run into [former Knights football manager] Darren Mooney down the beach, he was leaving the club ... and I'm just sort of in no man's land waiting for a call and he goes: 'Have you found anything yet?' "I'm like, 'What do you mean?' And he goes, 'Oh, haven't they told you? They think you're too small and they're going to bring in another [hooker].' "I rang my manager up and said: 'We've got to go find something else'. "At the time I probably used it as motivation, but looking back on it now, they obviously needed to win right away and thought they'd move in a different direction." Starling, who recalled his Newcastle exit on an episode of the Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns podcast this week, isn't the first Knights product to go on and have a successful career elsewhere after being overlooked, and he certainly won't be the last. It's the nature of the sport. The Knights have a huge catchment area to potentially draw junior players from, ranging from the Central Coast in the south, the Upper Hunter in the west and up along the coast to the north. The club's modus operandi is to try and find and develop the best of them, but you simply can't keep them all. Knights management have previously said, however, that for a period of time they weren't as focused on their own backyard as they should have been. In recent years, the likes of Grant Anderson (Melbourne Storm), Kurt Donoghoe (The Dolphins) and Starling's Canberra teammates Zac Hosking and Simi Sasagi have become established NRL players after spending time in Newcastle's development system. All of them have admitted that their Newcastle rejections spurred them on other clubs. Starling, now 27, has played 126 NRL games - all but one of them for Canberra Hosking, 28, was twice named Newcastle's NSW Cup player of the year, but couldn't get a start in first grade and left for Brisbane ahead of the 2022 season where he made his NRL debut that year. He has now played 47 NRL games. Canberra have made somewhat of a habit of signing former Knights players or Hunter products. In addition to Starling, Hosking and Sasagi, the Raiders' top-30 roster features Joseph Tapine, Danny Levi, Hudson Young, Myles Martin and Pasami Saulo, who is returning to the Knights next year. Their five-eighth, Ethan Strange, hails from the Central Coast but did not come through the Knights' system. Jake Clydsdale (Scone Thoroughbreds), Kain Anderson (Central Newcastle) and Caleb Garvie (Cessnock Goannas) are playing in Canberra's lower-grade sides. The Raiders have also signed Knights hooker Jayden Brailey for next season. "The Canberra Knights," Young joked about the growing number of former Newcastle players at the club late last year. Starling, who re-signed with Canberra in May until the end of the 2027 season, looks set to go head-to-head this week with the man he will be competing with for the club's No.9 jersey next year. Both he and Brailey have been named at hooker for their respective sides ahead of Sunday's clash in Canberra. Brailey, who has started at hooker in four of Newcastle's past five games, will link with the Raiders for the next two seasons. Owen Pattie is the other emerging rake on Canberra's roster. A win clear at the top of the NRL points table, the Raiders are on an eight-game winning streak and coming off a 40-16 win over Parramatta on Saturday. The Knights, after a 20-15 loss to the Warriors on Sunday, have kept largely the same side for the 2pm match at GIO Stadium. Experienced forward Jack Hetherington has won a recall. He was named on the bench, while Tom Cant has dropped out of the side. Brodie Jones, who was a late withdrawal from the Warriors match - one of a dozen or so Knights players to fall ill on the eve of the game falling a virus outbreak - is in the extended match squad, which also includes Cant, James Schiller, Matt Arthur and Kyle McCarthy. The Knights should take plenty of confidence into the game, having pushed the fourth-placed Warriors all the way and only lost to Canberra 22-18 a month ago. Sasagi, who has mostly been used in the back row this season, will start in the centres against his former team after Raiders back Sebastian Kris (concussion) was ruled out.
