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West Coast dual-Coleman Medalist announces retirement

West Coast dual-Coleman Medalist announces retirement

Josh Kennedy has announced his retirement and will play one more game in his AFL career.

The 34-year-old veteran was widely tipped to retire following the conclusion of the 2022 season but West Coast confirmed on Tuesday morning he would step back after Round 21.

He’ll retire after 17 seasons in the AFL, including 15 with West Cost after beginning his career at Carlton.

“It’s been a privilege to play so many years at this great football club and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to represent the West Coast Eagles and Carlton,” Kennedy said in a club statement.

“There are so many people to thank for helping me on the journey over 17 years. Obviously my wife Lauren and daughters Sage and Lottie, my family who always supported me, coaches John Worsfold and Adam Simpson, club staff and of course my teammates.

“Footy and the West Coast Eagles have given me so much and I’ve loved the journey. I’ve made lifelong friendships and learned so much from champions like Dean Cox, Darren Glass, Luke Shuey, Shannon Hurn and Mark LeCras.

“One of the biggest things I’ve wanted to do over my career is to have respect from my teammates – that’s always driven how I acted, trained or tried to play.

“My knee is a big reason for retiring. I think my drive to play is still there, but I’m realistic my body is not going to be able to take me to another season.

“To be able to farewell West Coast supporters one last time at Optus Stadium and say thank you for the incredible support over the years will be the perfect way to finish my career.”

He’s kicked 29 goals in 2022 and retires with 715 majors to his name as a dual Coleman Medalist.

His 80 goals in the 2016 home and away season (82 total) remains the most in a season since 2009.

Current teammate Andrew Gaff paid tribute to Kennedy’s career on SEN WA Breakfast.

“A few of us were talking the other day where he stands in terms of the club, and he’s got to be right up there,” he said just prior to the announcement.

“I think what I admire about him the most is his ability to get himself up every week… I’ve never seen someone limp around and struggle so much every week but then find a way to not only get up, but kick lots of goals against good tall backs.

“He takes such pride in his performance and he’s been a massive reason we’ve been such a successful team for the last ten years.

“People reflect on how high he compares to come of the greats… he’s right up there.

“He’s been such an important leader for me and a good role model for the younger boys coming through.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the effort and the toll it’s taken on his body, which is pretty evident now.”

Kennedy rejected an assistant role with Fremantle to sign a one-year contract extension at the end of 2021 and has played 292 games across his career.

West Coast plays Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday in his final game.

West Coast Eagles Sports-News





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Tigers mid-season signings, Chairman Lee Hagipantelis, August 1 signing deadline scrapped, contracts, David Nofoaluma, Oliver Gildart, Storm Roosters, Peter V’landys

Tigers mid-season signings, Chairman Lee Hagipantelis, August 1 signing deadline scrapped, contracts, David Nofoaluma, Oliver Gildart, Storm Roosters, Peter V'landys

Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has slammed rivals for “exploiting” the August 1 signing deadline after finals contenders raided the merger club’s outside back stocks.

Bellamy’s Storm signed flyer David Nofoaluma, while the Roosters acquired English import Oliver Gildart’s services for the remainder of 2022.

While Hagipantelis agrees there are some benefits of letting players go on short-term loans — he believes clubs should have to look within for recruits to replace injured or suspended squad members.

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“My personal view is I am not a fan of the transfer system this late in the season, I agree with Peter V’landys that it is there to be exploited,” Hagipantelis said on Fox Sports News.

“The intentions when it was introduced were all very altruistic to assist during the Covid pandemic, but it has gone further than that now.

“And if there is one thing that NRL clubs are good at doing, that is exploiting the rules.

“I think that this late in the season, clubs that are struggling for reasons of injury or suspension should look to themselves, it is a test of their own resilience and their depth.

“I am not in favor of the top four or top eight teams cherry-picking from the bottom eight to enhance their prospects of a premiership, they should be relying on their own assets.

“But as I say, the rules are there to be exploited.”

‘Can’t be repaired’ – Are Manly split? | 03:58

Hagipantelis was also asked how he thinks the fans have reacted to the club allowing players to leave for the remainder of 2022 — revealing the overwhelming response was positive.

“I think it has been understanding, I think people understand that there is a forensic and financial advantage to an NRL club in this loan system,”

“There can be advantages to the player as well to experience an alternate reality and then come back, David Nofoaluma is a perfect example.

“I know David personally, I think it will be very good for him to get away from Sydney to play in Melbourne and in all likelihood play in the finals.

“He is very keen on coming back to the Wests Tigers with that experience under his belt, we see how David plays when he plays for Samoa when he has something to play for.”

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‘PREFER FOR LESS MONEY’: Sheens backs Brooks to stay at Tigers on reduced deal

The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield revealed on NRL360 ARLC chairman Peter V’landys was set to move to August 1 deadline back to its original June 30 date.

In 2020, the cut-off was moved to assist teams stuck in Queensland fill their squads without reserve grade competitions taking the field.

NRL360 co-host Paul Kent was “disappointed” the NRL didn’t have the foresight to shift the date back, labeling it an “oversight” from powerbrokers.

“The whole thing is a win for common sense, it needed to happen, I am disappointed it was allowed to happen this year, I think it was an oversight that they have allowed it to happen,” Kent said.

How long will Carrigan get for hip drop? | 03:22

“The fact is, this is wrong for so many reasons this August 1 deadline, it is allowing teams to troubleshoot their rosters.

“The part of the game’s appeal is your 30-man roster gets you through the season, and it is the attrition and the endurance to last the season and to get to the finals in a good state of fitness.

“If you can’t do that for whatever reason… so be it, but that is a part of the magic of this competition.”

Fox League’s James Hooper agreed, explaining clubs making late-season signings “cheapens” the values ​​that NRL clubs have stood for.

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‘ONLY MINOR CONTACT’: MRC reveals why Storm enforcer escaped punishment

It has long been the attitude of the rugby league fraternity that your roster is what you have to work with for that season, and if replacements are needed they came from reserve grade.

Now clubs are able to cast an eye across the competition and cherry pick the best players from teams who will not be playing football finals.

“For a game that has been founded on tribalism, it just cheapens that whole concept because for the weaker clubs, what does it say for their fans,” Hooper said.

V’landys moves transfer deadline | 03:02

“They don’t get anything out of the fact that the strong clubs sit back and know the deadline is looming, know they have got time.

“Look at the Storm, how many players did they go after from Reece Walsh to Adam Doueihi… the list went on.

“That can’t be sitting well with the clubs down the bottom of the ladder.”

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“For those middle teams… they get no benefit out of it, and I actually believe they are harmed by it because they can’t troubleshoot,” Kent said.

“The middle teams are not attracting players and they aren’t loaning players because it is just too tight, they need all hands on deck.

“They were being impacted, it was basically strengthening the top four teams who have the ability to go and pick the eyes out, as has happened, of the bottom four teams and just target their better players.”

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Commonwealth Games 2022: Adam Peaty swimming news, star savages over arrogant BBC interview

Commonwealth Games 2022: Adam Peaty swimming news, star savages over arrogant BBC interview

English swimming goliath Adam Peaty has apologized over an “arrogant” interview that followed his incredible collapse at the Commonwealth Games on Monday.

Peaty’s defeat in the event he has owned for 10 years left Aussie legend Ian Thorpe staggered. It was a result almost nobody saw coming.

The world record holder had been undefeated in the 100m breaststroke at major meets since 2014. He had qualified fastest for the final and led the event with 25m to go. However, English teammate James Wilby pushed ahead of him to take the gold.

The magnitude of the boilover was written all over Wilby’s stunned face as he looked up to the big screen to see that he had won. With Aussies Zac Stubblety-Cook and Sam Williamson exploding at the death, Peaty suddenly went from the gold medal position to missing out on the podium completely.

It has been an explosive fall-out to the result with the 27-year-old declaring he won’t be coming back to the Commonwealth Games in four years’ time. It followed a social media backlash over comments that have been branded “arrogant” by fans.

Peaty spoke to the BBC on the pooldeck after finishing outside the medals and said losing in the Commonwealth Games meant little to him after already scooping up three Olympic gold medals.

“It doesn’t feel amazing, but it doesn’t feel bad either,” Peaty said.

“It’ll probably be my last attempt tomorrow, but I’m not bothered about it. The Commonwealths to me, in the grand scheme of things… it’s about two years time (the Olympics).

“That’s no disrespect. I’m still four weeks into my program, I can’t put that expectation on myself.”

Retired English swimmer Mark Foster responded to Peaty’s comments, saying: “I think he’s trying to say it doesn’t matter, but it does matter.

“It’s the Commonwealth Games, it’s a multi-sport event and I think when he was growing up, the Commonwealth Games would have been a big deal.

“But the fact that he’s won lots of Worlds and Olympic Games, maybe he’s trying to play it down to himself that it doesn’t matter.”

The Birmingham Mail reported fans on social media said Peaty’s comments were “arrogant” and “disrespectful”.

“Adam peaty is disrespectful to every other athlete at the Commonwealth Games Acting like he doesn’t care While all the other athletes are trying they best to win medals,” one Twitter user wrote.

Another posted: “Adam Peaty, I think you need to take a deep breath, have a word with yourself and take a look at the para swimmers. Used to really respect you and what you were trying to achieve but feel let down by tonight’s comments.”

World record-holder Peaty qualified second-fastest for the 50m breaststroke final, scheduled for Wednesday morning, behind Australia’s Sam Williamson.

After moving through to the end, Peaty appeared to apologize for his comments.

He wrote on Twitter: “Thankful for all the supportful messages I’m getting at the moment. It has been an incredibly hard time the past few months, but mostly the last few days.

“Sometimes in the heat of the moment my emotions better me and I can’t speak with a clear mind.

“These championships mean a lot to me being a home games but I have to think bigger picture to keep my spirits high. It really, really isn’t easy. My last Commonwealth Games race will be tomorrow.”

Peaty said he simply hasn’t had the time to return to his best shape as a result of a lengthy rehabilitation from several foot injuries. He said he didn’t have the aerobic fitness to challenge for the 100m breaststroke and even said he needs to lose 4kg before competing at the Olympics in Paris in 2024.

He said he has a long way to go before Paris.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Peaty said.

“I don’t see the point in doing something I wouldn’t do that well at, at the moment. We’ll see.

“I don’t know what went wrong. With 25m to go I had nothing in the tank. Maybe that’s overexposure on the foot. Sometimes you just have a bad race, I can’t pinpoint where I went wrong. There’s a lot of debriefing to do. I need a full reset now.

“It was a slow ending, I can’t remember the last time I went that slow. It just didn’t go right. Of course, I’m disappointed, but that’s what makes you go faster next time.

“I’ve kind of lost that spark, whether it’s with my foot, but I’ll be looking to find that over the next months and into the next two years.”

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NRL 2022, Cronulla Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons round 21 preview, team lists, updates, injuries

NRL 2022, Cronulla Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons round 21 preview, team lists, updates, injuries

The Sharks’ friendly run home gives them every chance to grab a top-four spot and their surge to September starts on Saturday against old rivals the Dragons.

Sitting third on 28 competition points, the Sharks play the sides coming 11th, 15th, 10th, 12th and 14th in the final five games so a home final at PointsBet Stadium beckons.

The Dragons hit a major hurdle on Sunday when they were totally outplayed by the Cowboys and their misfiring attack must be a huge concern to coach Anthony Griffin.

Given that Cronulla boast the third best defensive record in the NRL the Dragons will need to find a whole lot more with ball in hand if they are to topple the Sharks for the first time since round five, 2020.

The Rundown

teamnews

Sharks: A blow for the Sharks with fullback Will Kennedy facing 5-6 weeks on the sideline after undergoing ankle surgery. His place of him is taken by Kade Dykes on debut. Royce Hunt is out with a shoulder injury so Braden Hamlin-Uele will start and Braydon Trindall joins the bench.

Dragons: Coach Anthony Griffin has stuck with the same 17 that went down to the Cowboys on Sunday. Fullback Cody Ramsey is expected back on deck in Round 22 from a knee injury.

key match-up

Siosifa Talakai v Zac Lomax: The wrecking ball Talakai squaring off with the fleet footed Lomax provides an intriguing contrast in styles. With 86 tackle breaks to his name so far this season Talakai has proven almost unstoppable at times, while his tally of 13 line break assists shows he can create opportunities for team-mates as well. Lomax has busted 56 tackles and been at the heart of plenty of Red V raids and he’s a man the Sharks will need to watch closely.

Stat Attack

Nicho Hynes, Siosifa Talakai and William Kennedy have 44 line break assists between them for the season to all sit inside the top 10 in that category. The Dragons’ best is Ben Hunt with 11, closely followed by Talatau Amone and Jack Bird with 10 each.

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Sydney grand final under threat as stadium war threatens to spill into courtroom

Sydney grand final under threat as stadium war threatens to spill into courtroom

“When you consider the billions of dollars they spent in the recent budget, the amount they need to honor our agreement is insignificant,” V’Landy’s said. “We will press that they honor the original agreement, which will cost the NSW taxpayer more due to the way they have handled this.”

The NRL spent Tuesday exploring its legal options and has one of the country’s most respected barristers, Alan Sullivan QC, at its disposal on the ARL Commission.

In a statement, Perrottet said the government remained committed to upgrading suburban stadiums but natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic meant investment should be staged.

An artist impression of what Stadium Australia was meant to look like with an $800 million refurbishment.

An artist impression of what Stadium Australia was meant to look like with an $800 million refurbishment.

“The government has just received the Floods Inquiry Report, which will likely require a significant cost to the taxpayer, and I note right now there are still 1,366 people without a home in NSW due to flooding,” he said.

“It should come as no surprise that my top priority is therefore supporting those devastated by the major floods across NSW.”

The NRL’s showpiece event, the grand finale, is now in danger of being moved from Sydney to Brisbane as the Queensland government prepares to swoop in and steal the decider.

Asked about the future of the event, V’Landys relied: “Everything is now back on the table. It will be a board decision, not mine.”

Sports Minister Stuart Ayres, who is fighting to remain in cabinet over his involvement in the John Barilaro New York trade job scandal, said it would be “an extraordinary move” for the NRL to take the grand finale to Queensland.

“We’ve got to make sure that we make investments that are in the best interests of the people of NSW,” he said. “It just might mean that we have to wait a little bit longer before we can spend additional money on those venues.”

While plans to rebuild suburban stadiums such as Leichhardt and Newcastle have now been put on ice, a $300 million redevelopment of a stadium in Ayres’ seat of Penrith will go ahead.

Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis blasted the apparent change of policy.

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“The government’s management of its stadia policy from the outset has been amateurish and embarrassing,” Hagipantelis told the herald.

“I assume if the state government is to backflip on its commitment to fund suburban stadiums, then the $300 million committed to the Penrith stadium can now be better utilized for schools and hospitals?

“It would be outrageous for Penrith to retain its stadium for the obvious political benefit of its local member.”

The June state budget pledged $113 million over the next four years to deliver three new training facilities for male and female rugby league players for the Bulldogs (Belmore), Dragons (University of Wollongong) and Eels (Kellyville Park).

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Rugby sevens, injury news, Samu Kerevi, update, Wallabies vs Argentina, rugby championship

Rugby sevens, injury news, Samu Kerevi, update, Wallabies vs Argentina, rugby championship

The Wallabies’ worst fears have been realized, with Samu Kerevi expected to miss the rest of the year due to a knee injury.

It’s understood Kerevi, 28, suffered an ACL injury during Australia’s narrow 7-5 victory over Kenya in their Commonwealth Games pool match over the weekend.

Kerevi took no further part in Australia’s campaign, where John Manenti’s side lost in the semi-finals to South Africa.

Rugby Australia had been cagey about details regarding Kerevi, eager not to let the cat out of the bag.

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Kerevi told reporters he felt “alright” and added “I’m always confident [to be fit to play] but I’ll get a doc on it and see. It was just a big bang but then once it settled down it was fine.”

But the Suntory center is expected to miss the remainder of the year, with sources confirming the 41-Test center is expected to spend at least six months on the sidelines.

Kerevi is said to be devastated, believing he has let his teammates down.

The Wallabies were happy for Kerevi to take part of Australia’s sevens campaign after the former Queensland Reds captain made a promise to his teammates from the Tokyo Olympics that he would try and help them win gold in Birmingham.

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Samu Kerevi was injured at the Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Samu Kerevi was injured at the Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“It was a tough decision in the end but I gave my word to these boys, if I was available to be back I’d be back here,” Kerevi told news corp in the lead-up to the Games.

“I’m blessed enough to be in this position and get selected for these Games. I’m pretty ecstatic about that.

“It’s pretty special to be part of this group and to represent Australia. It’s something I’ll always, always remember.

“But more than just participating, we want to be here and do well and win a medal – win a gold medal. That’s our goal and the boys are working hard towards that.”

After featuring in the No.12 jersey in all three Tests against England in July, Kerevi was always set to miss the opening two matches of The Rugby Championship against Michael Cheika’s Argentina because of his Commonwealth Games commitments.

The world class center was to link back with the squad ahead of the home Tests against the Springboks later this month, but that won’t be the case now.

There was an inherent risk about returning to the sevens program, particularly with the added miles in the legs required to succeed in the abbreviated game, but Wallabies coach Dave Rennie would have been sweating on his fitness, such is his importance to the team.

Speaking at the Wallabies’ squad announcement last month, Rennie said Kerevi had his blessing to play at the tournament and added that it would have only changed were they stretched to the limit in the centres.

England down Wallabies at Suncorp | 00:40

“Obviously Samu going away to the sevens, to the Commonwealth Games, we thought that was really important,” Rennie said.

“The initial talks we had a few months ago was if we got injuries maybe we wouldn’t let him go, but it’s important for our country to send away a strong side that’s got a chance of winning a medal – and the sevens boys have been going well of late and Samu will only add to that, so we’re committed to that.

“With Izzy Perese out injured, he’s (Irae Simone) coming in just to fill a role in the Argentinian tour and we’ll get Samu back after that.”

Kerevi’s long-term injury will put extra pressure on Hunter Paisami to perform, with the Reds center likely to wear the No.12 jersey against Los Pumas in Mendoza on Sunday (AEST).

Quade Cooper, meanwhile, is firming for a recall to the starting side, having missed the 2-1 series loss to England after suffering a calf injury during warm-up ahead of the opening Test.

Kerevi’s absence will allow Rennie to see how Cooper operates without his battering ram on the outside.

While Cooper won all five matches he featured in last year for the Wallabies, he benefitted from having Kerevi in ​​the midfield who acted as the great foil on his outside.

Now without the muscle of Kerevi to steady the ship if necessary Cheika’s Pumas will undoubtedly target Cooper and try and take away his space.

Argentina are coming off a thrilling 2-1 series victory against Scotland, in what was Cheika’s first Tests as coach after taking over from Mario Ledesma earlier in the year.

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Bulldogs, Cowboys teams announced as NRL fever takes hold in debut Bundaberg clash

Man and woman stand in an nrl apparel store in Bulldogs and Cowboys merchandise

A white picket fence protects the carefully manicured green grass at Salter Oval, but it is set to take a beating when the biggest sporting show in town arrives this Sunday.

Bundaberg is abuzz in the countdown to the NRL’s round 21 match between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and finals contenders the North Queensland Cowboys, the first time the city will host a competition points game.

Temporary grandstands have been erected for the anticipated sellout crowd, and room has been made for the arrival of the huge media throng to broadcast the match to league fans across the nation.

“I think it will be a record crowd,” Bundaberg Rugby League chairman Mike Ireland said.

“The Cowboys are second on the competition ladder and the Bulldogs are starting to put together a few wins as well.”

Long shot of a temporary grandstand at Salter Oval
Temporary grandstands have been constructed to accommodate the anticipated record crowd.(ABC Wide Bay: Scott Lamond)

There is a lot at stake in the march to the finals and both teams have unveiled what they hope will be a winning combination.

Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Max King, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Jackson Topine, 13. Tevita Pangai Junior, 14. Zach Dockar-Clay, 15. Joe Stimson, 16. Harrison Edwards, 17. Chris Patolo.

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 9. Reece Robson, 10 Coen Hess, 11. Tom Gilbert, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo, 14. Jake Granville, 15. Reuben Cotter, 16. Luciano Leilua, 17. Griffin Neame.

The Cowboys’ revival this year has surprised NRL fans after the club finished second last in 2021.

Head coach Todd Payten found himself on the hot seat during last season, but his side’s resurgence has silenced the critics and he now sits firmly as the front-running candidate for coach of the year.

It will be the first time since their grand final appearance in 2017 that the team has played finals football.

Meanwhile the 12th-placed Bulldogs look to continue their stroke of form with a third consecutive win this weekend.

The Dogs are starting to hit their strides under interim coach Mick Potter who will look to unleash his lethal combination in Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr at Salter Oval.

Supporter gear ‘flying off the shelves’

Daniel Unwin runs a sports apparel shop in the Bundaberg CBD where he said supporter merchandise for both teams was “flying out the door”.

“It’s massive. Queenslanders love their football, especially in Bundaberg,” he said.

“It’s a legitimate NRL game, the Cowboys are here so that’s a big drawcard, and we see a lot of excitement.

“This is the real deal. You’ll have two full-strength NRL sides, both in red hot form, so it’s going to be great for our region.”

Salter oval sign
The sellout crowd is anticipated to break attendance records at the ground as TV and streaming reaches fans around the nation.(ABC Wide Bay: Scott Lamond)

The last time the Cowboys played in Bundaberg was against the Brisbane Broncos in a trial game in 2016 in front of more than 8,000 fans.

Sunday’s match officially sold out soon after a final release of tickets last week, while at Salter Oval the goal posts had to be shifted five meters to meet NRL specifications.

“The posts will stay there permanently, and we haven’t played local league here for a couple of weeks so it’s nice and green,” Mr Ireland said.

Big Willie says ‘about time’

This NRL game will be the first of three to be played in Bundaberg under a deal between the Bulldogs, the Bundaberg Regional Council, and the Queensland government.

Future Bulldogs games will be scheduled at Salter Oval in 2023 and 2024.

bulldogs legend Willie Mason at Salter Oval in Bundaberg
Bulldogs legend Willie Mason said he was surprised its taken so long for an official NRL game to be played in Bundaberg.(ABC Wide Bay: Scott Lamond)

Former Bulldog, Origin great, and dual international Willie Mason said he could not believe it had taken this long for the NRL to take a competition match to Bundaberg.

“I’m glad the NRL are doing this. You can just tell from the energy about rugby league, it’s about time,” he said.

The Bulldogs will hold an open training session Saturday from 11am at Salter Oval.

Gates will open at 10:30am Sunday, with a Bundaberg Rugby League A Grade semi-final between ATW and Brothers starting at 11am.

Ticket holders are reminded not to bring their own chairs to the ground.

Kick off for the Bulldogs and Cowboys clash is 2pm.

Fixtures

ladder

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Patrick Carrigan, NRL judiciary, live updates, hip drop tackle on Jackson Hastings, how long is Patrick Carrigan’s suspension, Brisbane Broncos

Patrick Carrigan, NRL judiciary, live updates, hip drop tackle on Jackson Hastings, how long is Patrick Carrigan's suspension, Brisbane Broncos

The NRL have suggested a five-to-six week suspension for Patrick Carrigan for his “classic hip-drop” tackle on Jackson Hastings — however his defense is hoping for a two-game ban.

The Broncos have called on high profile lawyer Nick Ghabar to handle Carrigan’s case with the star forward to learn his fate on Tuesday night.

Carrigan was referred straight to the judiciary for the tackle.

Hastings will undergo ankle surgery and will miss the rest of the season as a result of the tackle, while Carrigan faces a nervous wait after entering a guilty plea to the dangerous contact charge.

The panel comprises of ex-player Dallas Johnson and former player and referee Henry Perenara as well as judicial chairman Justice Geoff Bellew.

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Carrigan’s hip drop injuries Hastings | 01:01

CARRIGAN’S DEFENSE RESPONSES

Ghabar — Carrigan’s defense — proposed a two-game suspension.

I have conceded that Carrigan is guilty of “low to moderate carelessness” but pointed out how the two other Broncos players in the tackle impacted Carrigan’s position.

“(Ghabar) admits that Carrigan was not in the ideal position but says the two other tacklers in that tackle actually contributed significantly and overwhelming to the injury,” Jake Duke told NRL 360.

“He also argued that Carrigan lifted his hips as he goes to the ground to actually protect Jackson Hastings… once he realized that tackle had gone wrong and that weight was coming down, he lifted his hips to try and help Hastings.

“They referred to a tackle by Josh McGuire last year, he got five games, they said that tackle was far more careless and far more reckless than Pat Carrigan.”

NRL COUNSEL FRONTS PANEL

The NRL’s legal counsel, Patrick Knowles fronted the panel and referenced Hastings’ injury.

The Tigers star has undergone surgery on a fractured fibula and surgery for syndesmosis. He is looking at three months minimum on the sidelines.

According to NRL.comKnowles said he is not after an “eye for an eye” and has put forward a five or six-week suspension for Carrigan.

CARRIGAN ARRIVES AS POTENTIAL BAN REVEALED

Patrick Carrigan had the option to appear via Zoom but chose to attend the hearing in person, along with team manager Steve Walters.

Fox League’s Jake Duke told NRL 360 that the NRL have put forward a five-to-six week ban for Carrigan, taking into consideration the severity of Hastings’ injury.

“We haven’t heard from his defense yet but we do believe that they will talk about the effect the two other Broncos players in the tackle had on Pat Carrigan and they will reference a tackle in relation to Josh McGuire from Round 10 last year against theStorm. Josh McGuire received five weeks for that tackle,” Duke said.

“The council of the NRL has spoken this even and they are pushing for a five-to-six week penalty for this.

“The NRL’s council are arguing that it is a classic hip-drop tackle, they are citing Jackson Hastings’ medical report and they are suggesting that the serious nature of this offense is why Patrick Carrigan should serve a lengthy stint on the sidelines.”

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The judicial hearing begins at 6pm on Tuesday at NRL headquarters.

Follow the updates in our live blog below. If you can’t see it, click here.

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Kyle Chalmers father Brett accuses Swimming Australia of failing to protect its athletes, critics media

In the wake of Kyle Chalmers’ tussle with the media in Birmingham, his father, Brett, has accused Swimming Australia of turning his back on his athletes.

Chalmers took out the 100m freestyle on Tuesday, his third gold medal at these Commonwealth Games, before bringing his index finger to his lips to ‘shush’ the pundits who he believes have persecuted him since the Australian trials in May.

Speaking to the Ali Clarke Breakfast Show on Mix 102.3, Chalmers Snr said it has been extremely hard watching his son weather the intense media speculation on his own.

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“It’s been tough on myself, being 15,000-kilometres away. I can’t imagine what it’s been like for him to not have family and friends around him. But he’s got some good teammates and a really, really good coach so I’m sure that they rallied around him and gave him the love that he needed,” he said.

Becoming overcome with emotion, Chalmers Snr also took aim at Swimming Australia, claiming the governing body “failed hugely” to protect Chalmers and his teammates from the media pile-on.

“Sporting organizations and sporting clubs allow this to happen,” he said.

“They allowed the media to dictate the questions and keep going on about it.

“They’ve failed to look after their athletes.”

Chalmers Snr argued Swimming Australia had a responsibility to look after its athletes like staff members of any other workplace.

“If it was in a workplace and you kept getting asked the same question over and over again, it’s a form of bullying and harassment, and it’s not condoned and it’s not accepted,” he said.

“Whereas these people (journalists) get away with it, they destroy people’s lives and livelihood. It’s pretty hard [to stomach].”

With regards to former pop star Cody Simpson’s arrival on the international stage, Chalmers Snr also called out Swimming Australia and the media for their disinterested approach towards the other competitors, describing the move as jumping on a rock star “bandwagon”.

“They’ve got a high-profile person that’s joined the sporting arena – fantastic, that’s great. But there’s more than one person on the team as we know,” he said.

“They’ve got a rock star that’s joined but there’s a guy that swims in the breaststroke (referring to Zac Stubblety-Cook) who is a world championship gold medallist, Olympic gold medallist, world record holder and now Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and what have they said about him? Why isn’t he the poster boy? They don’t show that.”

Imploring the media to leave Chalmers’ private life alone, the swimmer’s father said the many “rubbish” storylines surrounding the Australian swim team needed to be wrapped up.

“Kyle’s his own person. He’s an athlete that’s trained for three-quarters of his life in swimming to get to where he is. Let’s put it to bed, get over it and let’s celebrate the success of our athletes.”

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David Klemmer dropped by Newcastle Knights for disciplinary reasons

Newcastle has issued a bizarre statement after firebrand former Origin star David Klemmer was mysteriously axed.

The veteran prop was left off the team that was named on Tuesday afternoon.

Two hours later the Knights issued a press release.

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“The Newcastle Knights have issued David Klemmer with a show cause notice relating to on-field disciplinary matters in last Sunday’s match against the Canterbury Bulldogs,” the club said.

“No further correspondence will be entered into until the show cause hearing process has been completed.”

Reports claim Klemmer refused to leave the field during the loss to the Bulldogs, and he also allegedly yelled at a Knights trainer.

The loss was Newcastle’s fourth in a row, and turned the heat further on coach Adam O’Brien and his players.

The Klemmer axing also comes one day after it was reported the Eels tried to snatch him from the Knights before the August 1 deadline.

Newcastle refused to let him go.

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