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Don’t sack me: Cherry-Evans responds to legend’s call

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Daly Cherry-Evans of the Maroons is seen after losing the State of Origin game one match between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane

Queensland’s rugby league captain, Daly Cherry-Evans, wants to keep playing as halfback and make history for his team. This comes after a former great player for the other team (NSW), Andrew Johns, said Cherry-Evans should be replaced.

Queensland lost their first game of the series against NSW. After that, Johns said that Tom Dearden should take over Cherry-Evans’ position as the No. 7 halfback.

Johns said, “I think they have to pull the trigger and bring Dearden in.”

Andrew Johns doing broadcast duties during the NRL Round 18 match between the Parramatta Eels and the New Zealand Warriors at Commbank Stadium in Sydney, Friday, July 15, 2022. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Andrew Johns doing broadcast duties during the NRL Round 18 match between the Parramatta Eels and the New Zealand Warriors at Commbank Stadium in Sydney, Friday, July 15, 2022. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Dearden usually plays another position but has played well before.

Cherry-Evans, who is the oldest player to ever play for Queensland in these games, didn’t play his best in the last match. However, Queensland has never taken their captain off the team in the middle of a series.

Another Queensland legend, Shane Webcke, said it’s a tough situation.

“I am a bit worried. There’s some serious questions to be asked. And unfortunately, one of them I think might be Daly Cherry-Evans.

“I just feel like he’s at that point in his career. And when you see him with (No.6) Cameron Munster tonight, the magic wasn’t there. And that worries me.

“And I hate to suggest something about a bloke like Daly Cherry-Evans, but I feel like at the end of the last series, we probably lost the opportunity with a bloke like him.

“He’s 36 years old. But the opportunity was probably there to reinvent a bit. And I think we might pay a price for not having done that,” Webcke concluded

Cherry-Evans knows people talk like this after a loss. But he wants to make history by winning the series.
Queensland has never lost the first home game and then won the series, which has two away games. They now need to win in Perth and Sydney to win the trophy.

Cherry-Evans said, “Those stats are there to be broken. That’s the mentality we’ve got to have, create our own bit of history.”

He also said, “Sometimes you have to do things not the way you planned it at the start.”

He believes his team can overcome this: “It’s a greater sign of a team facing adversity, overcoming obstacles and that’s the opportunity we’ve got in front of us. I believe in the group and I believe in everyone, from the coaching staff to the playing group.”

He added, “Queensland will be cheering from afar, so we have to do them proud.”

Cherry-Evans also responded to people saying he’s not good enough anymore.

“When you lose, it’s just natural in this game that those questions will be asked.

“I just have to go away, look at my own performance and where I can help the team get better. I am certainly not the one to lose self-belief, that’s for sure.

“Because of the role I have for this side, I will definitely take my share of responsibility and look really hard at where I can help the team get better for the next game. It’s always difficult after a loss being in the position I’m in. It’s not lost on me,” added Cherry-Evans.

Cherry-Evans has been in this situation before. In 2020, his team was called the worst ever, but they still won the series. That’s why he still thinks they can win this time.

He said, “There’s a lot of people in this group who have played a lot of footy together.”

He finished by saying, “This is going to be our greatest test and because of the relationships and the talent in the team, that’s why I’ve got so much belief we can do this.”

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Queensland Under Pressure After Origin Loss, Big Changes Could Be Coming

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Daly Cherry-Evans of the Maroons during the State of Origin game one match between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

The talk in Australia is all about what Queensland will do after their 18-6 loss to New South Wales in the first State of Origin game.

One of the biggest talking points is the future of Queensland captain and halfback, Daly Cherry-Evans.

A legend of the game who has played many times for the QLD Maroons, Cherry-Evans wasn’t at his best in this first match.

Now, a former great player for NSW, Andrew Johns, has said it’s time for Queensland to make a big change.

He believes they should drop Cherry-Evans and bring in Tom Dearden at halfback.

Dearden, who played off the bench in the first game, is a young gun who can really spark things up.

Tom Dearden (left) of the Maroons is tackled by Nathan Cleary of the Blues during the State of Origin game one match between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Tom Dearden (left) of the Maroons is tackled by Nathan Cleary of the Blues during the State of Origin game one match between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Johns didn’t hold back, saying Queensland looked like they couldn’t fix their problems. He also thought NSW could have won by a lot more if they played even better.

“Look, no one beats Father Time and DCE is what, (36)? I think they have to pull the trigger and bring Dearden in,” Johns said on Channel Nine TV.

” I don’t know where the improvement comes with this group.

“NSW, if they were on tonight, they win by 40 or 50. They left so many tries out there and they’ll be better for that. 

He also suggested other changes for Queensland, mentioning players like Corey Horsburgh and Jai Arrow. But the big question is whether they will replace their captain, Cherry-Evans, with Dearden.

“I don’t know if they can go up another level, Queensland. I think there has to be changes with Corey Horsburgh, he’s one I think can add something. 

“Jai Arrow is an Origin player, but the big one is Dearden and whether they pull the trigger on Dearden with DCE.”

Dearden has shown his class before, playing well for Queensland last year and being outstanding for Australia in the Pacific Cup.

When asked if he wanted another chance to prove himself in the next game, Cherry-Evans said, “Yeah, definitely. When you lose, these questions come up. I’d love the opportunity to come back and make things right.”

Another former Queensland captain, Cameron Smith, also spoke about the situation. When asked if it was time for Queensland to move on from Cherry-Evans, he said the coach, Billy Slater, would have the final say.

“There’s no doubt that the key position players of Queensland lacked a bit of cohesion tonight. In the crucial moments of the game they just couldn’t get the job done.”

Queensland had a rough night. They gave away too many penalties, their attack wasn’t smooth, and they didn’t control the middle of the field. They also made poor choices on the last tackle and missed a lot of tackles – 48 in total!

Coach Billy Slater said they need to review what went wrong.

“That’s probably something for the review, and looking through the the tape and, obviously sitting down with the group. At the end of the day it’s got to come from the players,” he said.

Slater doesn’t think it’s just about the players they picked.

“I definitely don’t think it’s a personnel thing. I know what this team’s capable of and and that’s why you can probably see I’m disappointed because they haven’t played their best footy. 

“I feel responsible to try and help them get there. So it’s definitely not a personnel thing. They’ve had a great attitude as well. But to the discipline side of the game, the attitude wasn’t  good enough.”

So, the big question for all you rugby league fans here in PNG is: will Queensland stick with their experienced captain, Cherry-Evans, or will they bring in the young talent of Tom Dearden to try and turn things around in the next game? It’s going to be interesting to see what happens!

Source: Australian Associated Press

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Galvin to become hot property as Tigers exit confirmed

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NRL CHALLENGE BULLDOGS TIGERS

Superstar five-eighth Lachie Galvin has set the stage for an almighty NRL tug-of-war by knocking back Wests Tigers’ contract offer and setting his sights on finding a new club for 2027.

The Tigers announced on Monday the 19-year-old, among the top talents of his generation, would not be at the joint venture after his contract expired at the end of the 2026 season.

Campbelltown product Galvin rejected what the club called “the largest offer for a junior in the history of the club” – reportedly worth around $5 million across five seasons – and will be free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.

The Tigers will not entertain an early release for Galvin, whose future had already been subject to speculation before a ball was kicked in 2025.

Galvin’s camp unsuccessfully agitated for an early exit from the club during a stellar 2024 rookie season but have not made the same request this time.

It means Galvin will not be up for grabs as the NRL undergoes a halves merry-go-round for 2026.

Parramatta and Manly are both hunting an elite playmaker for next season given the impending departures of Dylan Brown and Daly Cherry-Evans but would need to wait another year to have Galvin on their books.

“We would like to announce that Lachlan Galvin will not be with the club beyond the 2026 season,” the Tigers said in a statement.

“Despite the club having the largest contract offer for a junior in the history of the club on the table, Lachlan and his management have decided his future lies elsewhere and were not willing to review the offer.

“Obviously, there will be a lot of speculation around this release, but we will make no further comment.

“The club is focused on winning as many games as possible during Lachlan’s tenure and beyond. The club is disappointed, but we move on.”

The news looms as a crushing blow for a Tigers side finally appearing to find its feet after three consecutive seasons finishing on the bottom of the ladder.

After years struggling for direction from their halves, the Tigers have forged an impressive 3-3 start to the year thanks in no small part to Galvin’s chemistry with new halfback Jarome Luai.

There is set to be significant rival interest in Galvin, who would likely have won the Dally M Rookie of the Year award in 2024 but for a two-game suspension.

Parramatta are expected to be keen on the teen sensation.

Galvin played junior football for the Eels before being cut and landing at the Tigers to help feeder club Wests win the Harold Matthews Cup in 2022.

He is also managed by Isaac Moses, who also handles Eels half Mitch Moses.

But for Parramatta, making a play for Galvin would mean finding a stop-gap to play next to halfback Moses in 2026.

Galvin’s manager also has strong ties to the Sea Eagles, counting coach Anthony Seibold, five-eighth Luke Brooks and winger Tommy Talau among his clients there.

Manly are currently in the hunt for a playmaker to replace Cherry-Evans and have been linked with Canberra veteran Jamal Fogarty.

Canterbury general manager of football and broadcast pundit Phil Gould has previously spoken highly of Galvin, whom he last year rated as the best teenage talent he had ever seen.

The Bulldogs recently ruled out making a play for Cherry-Evans for 2026 on the grounds they backed their current first-choice playmakers Matt Burton and Toby Sexton.

But a 19-year-old with a bright future ahead could be a different proposition.

Bulldogs prop Max King laughed off speculation Galvin could join the Bulldogs from 2027 when quizzed on Monday.

“It’s out of my jurisdiction to be making those calls, otherwise I’d just be signing myself up for a million bucks,” he joked.

“Our depth has been a massive part of us and I just love where we’re going as a club.”

Written by: Jasper Bruce © AAP 2025

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Bellamy expecting Penrith to return to peak form

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Coach Craig Bellamy is expecting Penrith to be back to their bench-mark best in Thursday’s grand-final rematch, saying they will bring a winning attitude to Melbourne.

Melbourne have been triumphant in eight of the last nine against the Panthers at AAMI Park but would happily trade that record for a victory in last year’s title decider, which they lost 14-6.

While Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said the Storm would be motivated by the grand-final result, Bellamy said on Wednesday it was “just another game”.

Melbourne have had a protracted preparation for the highly anticipated clash due to their second-round bye as the Panthers had a shock loss to the undermanned Sydney Roosters.

Bellamy isn’t expecting Penrith to again be below par.

“Obviously it wasn’t ideal for Penrith but you know they’ve been in the last five grand finals and they know how to win,” he said.

“We know they’ll turn up here tomorrow night with that sort of attitude.

“Whether they play bad – you’ve got to give the Roosters a bit of credit … but Panthers know how to win, and they’re probably stiffen up after last week.

“They know what they’re good at and they stick to that, so we know they’ll come with that sort of mentality tomorrow night, especially after last week.”

Winger Will Warbrick will miss the match due to lingering concussion symptoms with his place taken by Grant Anderson, while Bellamy was coy about the role Nelson Asofa-Solomona would play.

“He’s available, he hasn’t played much footy this year because of the suspension, but, yeah, we’ll just see what happens today and then and then go from there,” the coach said.

He later included him on the bench, where he’s certain to be greeted by a large roar from the home crowd when he gets his chance.

The giant prop’s presence was badly missed in the grand final due to a five-game suspension and he almost sat out this clash before escaping with a warning after a Queensland Cup charge.

Apart from Warbrick the Storm are set to be at full strength while the Panthers have lost five players from their starting grand final line-up including star playmaker Jarome Luai, who is now in Wests Tigers colours.

With 13 games under his belt, 21-year-old Jack Cole is now partnering Nathan Cleary in the halves.

“I think young Cole’s probably still fitting in there but he’s obviously a very talented player too and he’s just going to get better each and every week,” said Bellamy.

“It takes a while for a half to to fit into a new team, but he’s obviously got a whole heap of ability or they wouldn’t put him in there.”

Penrith’s Test fullback Dylan Edwards will also miss with a groin strain with the visitors suffering a late blow with his replacement Daine Laurie also ruled out with an undisclosed injury on Wednesday.

Thomas Jenkins has now been named to play at the back.


By: Melissa Woods © AAP 2025

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Broncos must regain winning template lost to Panthers

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Adam Reynolds of the Broncos and Dylan Edwards of the Panthers during the NRL Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

Brisbane Broncos embark on three trials in search of diamonds in the rough who will provide the sparkle and shine in the dire times when premiership titles are won or lost. 

The Broncos must rediscover the template of success they once owned, which is now the domain of mighty Penrith.

The time for empty optimism associated with NRL pre-seasons, particularly at the Broncos after coaches are sacked and new mentors installed, is over.

New coach Michael Maguire will be under the microscope as never before. 

The Broncos play “feeder team” Burleigh on the Gold Coast on Saturday night and will field a suite of players in the top 30 squad who must be ready to be key contributors to wins during the NRL season when the chips are down.

Three back-up halves – including Jock Madden, Josh Rogers and 18-year-old Coby Black – will play. 

In the upcoming season there may be an unexpected time when one, or more, of  playmakers Ben Hunt, captain Adam Reynolds or the suspended Ezra Mam are unavailable. 

The halves in waiting must step up, as former Penrith playmaker Jack Cogger did with style in the 2023 grand final when Jarome Luai was replaced in the second half against the Broncos due to injury.

The tallest rugby league player in the NRL, 20-year-old 205cm giant Ben Te Kura, has been named to start at prop against Burleigh. 

This is an early chance to show he can be part of the next generation of leading Broncos front-rowers as four-time title winner  Shane Webcke was when he arrived at Red Hill in the 1990s as a raw talent but no pedigree.

The famous “Baby Broncos”, inaugurated when Shane Walker led a bunch of novices to a 28-14 away  win over Wests Tigers in 2002 without  a plethora of Queensland stars, set a benchmark that Brisbane would win games no matter who took the field. 

That standard was maintained under ex-coach Wayne Bennett’s stewardship in the run to the 2006 title win, the last of six Broncos premierships.

The Broncos also received elite displays at various stages in their golden run in five title wins from 1992 to 2000 from so-called unfashionable players like John Plath and Michael De Vere who were integral to their success. 

What was once the Broncos forte is now owned by Penrith. In each of their consecutive four premiership wins they’ve unearthed unfashionable winners who’ve risen for the big occasion. Hooker Mitch Kenny and tough as teak forward Lindsay Smith are two of the most recent.

The bottom line is that muscle memory forged while experiencing repetitive success, combined with elite coaching and pure desire, have moulded the Panthers into the greatest modern day team under the genius of Ivan Cleary. Brisbane have done it before and must do it again under Maguire.

Broncos centre Delouise Hoeter, who will play against Burleigh, was asked about the importance of having a winning squad mentality like Penrith.

“We speak about that all the time, that it is going to take 30-plus players to get us where we want to be,” he said.

“We all have the ability to do our job whether we have played nearly 300 games like Adam Reynolds or zero like Coby Black. 

“Whoever fills in …  the attention to detail at training is going to come forward in the big moments in games. 

“We have built that capacity with our training and intensity and we know that whoever steps in is more than capable of doing their job.” 

The Broncos will also play trials in February against Gold Coast and Canterbury.

Written By: Joel Gould © AAP 2025

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Benji rebuke helps Tiger Fainu go from fat to fit

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Latu Fainu of the Tigers before the NRL Round 9 match between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers at Accor Stadium in Sydney

A no-holds-barred spray from the usually laidback Benji Marshall has been the wake-up call Latu Fainu needed to perhaps fulfil the potential that once led to him being labelled the NRL’s hottest property. 

In a bid to raise standards after a third-straight wooden spoon, Marshall made a pact with his players that they would return to pre-season training in good nick.

But Fainu, who was once touted as Daly Cherry-Evans long-term successor at Manly, was one of several players who rocked up to Concord in November either out of shape or unfit. 

It meant Fainu had to front the Tigers’ board as well as getting a rev-up from Marshall. 

“That was a wake-up call, that I needed to wake up to myself (to prove) I want to play footy,” Fainu told AAP.

“It was a big wake-up call to show that I need to get my body right. 

“Benji gave it to me straight. 

“In our end of the year meetings, Benji had told me where he wanted to be and I didn’t show up to it.

“I didn’t like seeing Benji get mad. He told me I could do better and I 100 per cent know I can. 

“With Benji, it’s like being with your older brother – you can talk to him and he will give it to you straight.” 

Fainu is all too aware that his indulgent off-season – he is quick to point out he is back to his playing weight of 88kg – could limit his involvement to start the season.

The 19-year-old spent most of his debut season in the halves but will now be expected to take a backseat to fellow teenager Lachlan Galvin as he looks set to partner Jarome Luai. 

“I really want to play with ‘Romey’ (Luai) and that takes time for me to work hard and whenever Benji thinks I’m ready, I’ll be ready,” Fainu said. 

“He (Luai) will bring a winning culture to this team and a competitive side to this team where he wants to win in every training session – and that makes us better.

“Me and Lachie have been working really hard and it’ll be fair from Benji if he does pick me or Lachie. 

“I’ll play whatever position he wants me to play.” 

Written By: George Clarke @ AAP 2025

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Gutherson, Cook co-captains for Dragons’ post-Hunt era

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Damien Cook returns to the Illawarra Dragons as they begin pre-season training at WIN Stadium in Wollongong

Damien Cook says captaining St George Illawarra alongside Clint Gutherson is the “highest honour of his career” as the star recruits prepare to lead the Dragons into the post-Ben Hunt era.

The joint venture’s inaugural captains Paul McGregor and Mark Coyne were on hand as Cook and Gutherson were officially appointed to the captaincy in Wollongong on Monday.

The pair had been called into coach Shane Flanagan’s office earlier in the pre-season to learn they would be replacing talismanic half Hunt, who earned a release to join Brisbane for 2025.

Blake Lawrie and Jack de Belin had filled in as skipper during Hunt’s State of Origin duties in recent season but Flanagan said he had always been confident in hooker Cook and fullback Gutherson as the men to spearhead a new era.

“In the back of my mind, I always knew those two were going to be the leaders of the club,” he said. 

“It’s such a big job, being captain of a club. Obviously there’s the gameday pressures that you have to handle and media and so on. I just think moving forward it’s a big role and those two will share the role.”

The appointment made an impression on Cook, who earned his NRL debut for the Dragons in 2013 before becoming a first-grade mainstay in nine seasons at South Sydney.

Cook made the 2021 grand final with the Rabbitohs, beat Cameron Smith to win Dally M hooker of the year in 2018 and was NSW’s starting number nine in three State of Origin series wins.

But the Dragons junior ranked the captaincy as “by far” the pinnacle of his career.

“Just growing up in the area and then debuting here in 2013,” he said.

“I’ve been away for a bit but to come back and lead the side alongside Gutho, it was a real special moment when the coach told me and definitely the highest honour of my career.”

Cook captained the Prime Minister’s XIII in last year’s 42-20 win over their Papua New Guinea counterparts, and deputised as South Sydney co-captain for one game of the 2023 season.

But the Dragons role marks his first stint as a full-time captain.

Then 23, Gutherson was first appointed to Parramatta’s co-captaincy in 2018 and had been either sole skipper or co-captain every season since earning a release ahead of 2025.

He and Cook will be tasked with steering the Dragons to their first finals berth since 2018, with halfback Lachlan Ilias and back Val Holmes brought in to assist with that task.

St George Illawarra came within a sliver of finishing in the top eight last season, only to suffer a shock loss to struggling Parramatta that ultimately cruelled their chances.

Flanagan had higher hopes for a finals berth in 2025.

“We’ll be better than last year, that’s all I can guarantee,” he said.

“If we’re better than last year, we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

Monday marked Ilias’ first full-contact training session since he suffered a horror leg injury playing reserve grade for Souths last April.

“We’ve got probably a good month with him now to build some combinations (before pre-season trials),” Flanagan said.

Written By: Jasper Bruce © AAP 2025

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Christchurch team could be as big as Warriors: Isaako

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Jamayne Isaako of the Kiwis scores a try in the tackle of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of Australia during the Men's Pacific Championships match between New Zealand Kiwis and Australian Kangaroos at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, Sunday, October 27, 2024. (AAP Image/John Davidson, via Photosport)

Jamayne Isaako believes an NRL team in Christchurch could grow to the same levels of popularity as the booming Warriors in Auckland.

The NRL last week rejected three separate bids from New Zealand’s South Island among eight that were unsuccessful in the latest round of expansion applications.

But to players from the area, the Pacific Championships clash between New Zealand and Australia on Sunday was the latest reminder of the game’s potential in Christchurch.

While Christchurch has long been synonymous with Super Rugby powerhouse the Crusaders, some 17,005 fans packed into Apollo Projects Stadium for the Kangaroos’ first visit since 1989.

The last three NRL games played at the ground have also pulled crowds above 17,000, while construction on a 30,000-seat stadium in the Christchurch CBD is set to be completed in 2026 as another boon for sport in the area.

Teams from Perth and PNG remain the favourites to enter the NRL as the 18th and 19th teams in coming years.

But in his role heading up Christchurch’s leading bid the South Island Kea, ex-NRL chief executive David Moffett told Nine Newspapers this week he was committed to revisiting the push for inclusion in the NRL.

Players hailing from the area were hopeful Christchurch would be considered in plans to expand to 20 teams in the next decade.

“I definitely think that they’re ready for a team to be blooded here in Christchurch or in the South Island, wherever it is, that they look to bring another team in,” Dolphins winger Isaako said after playing in New Zealand’s 22-10 defeat by Australia.

“It was good to see the passion of the Cantabrians when it comes to rugby league.”

For further evidence of rugby league’s growth potential in New Zealand, Isaako pointed to the Warriors’ spike in popularity since their homecoming after COVID-19 restrictions eased.

The Auckland side became a national phenomenon en route to a preliminary final in 2023 and sold out every home game this season for the first time in any of their 30 years in the league.

“You see the fanbase that turn out for the Warriors. We could certainly have that here in the South Island if there was a team brought here,” said Isaako.

“Rugby league certainly is a game that’s growing here in New Zealand. If we could bring another team to New Zealand, it’d only add to that.”

Local product Jordan Riki knows first-hand of rugby league’s growth in Christchurch. The Brisbane second-rower’s mother Janelle sits on the board of the Canterbury Rugby League.

“I talk to her pretty much nearly every day and she’s been telling me about some cool plans that have been coming through for Canterbury Rugby League and South Island rugby league,” he said.

“It’s awesome to see that it’s growing down here.”

Written by: Jasper Bruce © AAP 2024

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NRL’s Hughes, NRLW’s Kelly voted best in 2024 by peers

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Jahrome Hughes has added the Players’ Champion award to his Dally M Medal, voted the best player in the NRL in 2024 by his peers.

Hours before the NRL grand final against Penrith, Hughes became the first Melbourne player in history to win the players’ union’s major men’s honour.

Sydney Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly claimed the women’s award, also hours before she was due to lead her side in the NRLW grand final against Cronulla.

Best of NRLW 2024, Isabelle Kelly
Isabelle Kelly of the Roosters on her way to scoring a try during the NRLW Round 3 match between the Sydney Roosters and the St. George Illawarra Dragons at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Thursday, August 3, 2023. (AAP Image/Mark Evans)

Both Hughes and Kelly have been standouts this season.

Hughes’ maiden Dally M Medal on Wednesday night came after a season in which he took charge of the Storm’s attack.

The No.7 then flourished upon Cameron Munster’s return from injury, with the pair’s combination a big part of the reason they finished first on the ladder and are in the decider.

The Kiwi halfback beat out fellow finalists in Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton, Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake and Canterbury centre Stephen Crichton for the latest award.

“This is a massive honour for me to be voted the Players’ Champion,” Hughes said.

“I really hold this in high regard, and I think it is definitely one of the best individual accolades you can get.

I’m so honoured to be able to receive it, and just to get the praise from the players that you go against week in, week out.

“For them to vote for this, it is truly massive for myself. I’m super grateful and really honoured to win the Players’ Champion.”

Voting for the Players’ Champion awards is done at the end of each regular season, on a 3-2-1 system open to all contracted NRL and NRLW players for their respective competition. 

Kelly’s award was also her first, following a year in which she shifted from fullback to the halves and then to centre for the Roosters.

The NSW State of Origin star was expected to feature prominently in the Dally M race last week, but was outgunned by her Roosters teammate Olivia Kernick.

But in the eyes of the players, Kelly has now risen to No.1 in the women’s game after a season in which she broke the line nine times and averaged 198 metres per game.

She won the players’ award ahead of fellow finalists Kernick, Parramatta’s Abbi Church, Brisbane’s Julia Robinson and Newcastle’s Tamika Upton. 

“Looking at the calibre of players who have won this award before is super special for me,” Kelly said. 

“Being voted by the wider playing group is something that I am honoured with and I’m really grateful for all the girls who voted for me.”

“When you look at those (previous winners), they’ve been pioneers within our women’s game. 

“To be alongside them and have my name with theirs is a massive honour and something I don’t take very lightly and something that I am super proud of.”

Written by: Scott Bailey © AAP

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2020 grand final of little use to Storm now: Bellamy

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Storm Coach, Craig Bellamy says there is nothing but “nice memories” to take from Melbourne’s 2020 NRL premiership win as he leads the new-look Storm into the grand-final rematch against Penrith.

Rarely in the ensuing four seasons have triple-reigning premiers Penrith been as comprehensively outplayed as they were by the Storm in the 2020 decider.

Playing his last match, NRL great Cameron Smith skippered the Storm to a 26-0 lead early in the second half, with the side eventually holding on for a 26-20 win and fourth premiership.

Fuelled by their heartbreak, the Panthers twice eliminated the Storm from finals in the years that followed, before the two undisputed best sides of 2024 booked in a grand-final date for Sunday.

But while much has been made of roster changes undergone at Penrith over the past four years, the Storm have been undergoing their own regeneration.

Just four players from the Storm’s 2020 grand final team – Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Christian Welch – will face Penrith at Accor Stadium.

And while Penrith’s squad is now largely comprised of players who came through their famous junior nursery, nine of the Storm’s 17 were recruited after the 2020 triumph.

“I was just looking at the last team we had in a grand final in 2020. Nine of those 18 played against us this year,” Bellamy said.

“Having lost them and obviously Cameron (Smith) being the big loss, our side has changed a lot in four years. It’s changed a heap.”

Newly-minted Dally M Medallist Hughes, wily five-eighth Munster and athletic fullback Papenhuyzen were all in the spine on grand final day in 2020, with the last of that trio winning the Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match.

But with Smith still the chief architect at the time, Bellamy said the team had undergone a shift since 2020, and was quick to point out injuries had meant the current spine was only just clicking into gear. 

“It’s a different era with those guys,” he said.

“These guys are just basically starting together. They’ve still got a bit to go, to be quite honest.”

While Sunday’s fixture marks only the second grand final rematch of the NRL era, Bellamy is looking at the two deciders as separate from one another.

“Four years is a long time in life, four years is a real long time in footy,” he said.

“At the end of the day, that was a great result for us back then but I can hardly remember it to be quite honest. 

“What’s important is now. In the past, they’re nice memories, but halfway through next week we’d like to have a nice memory of what happens (on Sunday) too.”

Written by: Jasper Bruce © AAP

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