Paul Crawley – Michmutters

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Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm, rivalry, round 22, hubris, Ivan Cleary, Matt Tripp, Greg Alexander, Cameron Smith

Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm, rivalry, round 22, hubris, Ivan Cleary, Matt Tripp, Greg Alexander, Cameron Smith

The most explosive clash of the NRL season is set to unfold when Penrith host Melbourne on Thursday night in the wake of a bitter war of words between the clubs.

They’re the two most successful teams, alongside the Roosters, of the past five years and will meet in a highly-anticipated top-four showdown.

The Storm and Panthers have ended each other’s campaigns in arguably the two best games of the past two seasons.

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Melbourne won the premiership after Penrith finished on top of the ladder in 2020 and then those roles were reversed last year.

The rivalry between the past two premiers is the fiercest in the game right now.

Panthers players were outraged by Instagram videos after the 2020 grand finale and they got their revenge by knocking the Storm out in an epic preliminary final last year.

“They don’t like each other,” The Australian’s Brent Read said on NRL360 on Wednesday about the rivalry

“It’s been evident for a while that these teams dislike each other but it’s gone up a notch this week.”

Both teams will be missing key cavalry for the blockbuster at BlueBet Stadium but tensions will still be sky high with plenty on the line for both teams in the run to the finals.

The Panthers were superb last week against the Canberra Raiders without the State of Origin halves pairing of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, but things get even tougher with James Fisher-Harris now suspended.

The latest chapter in the clubs’ fierce rivalry is now set to be written after Panthers great Greg Alexander and Storm legend Cameron Smith traded barbs throughout the week.

The Panthers and Storm have built quite the rivalry. Greg Alexander (left) and Cameron Smith (right). GettySource: FOX SPORTS

That stoush over who is responsible for an influx of dangerous tackles in the game quickly escalated.

“I thought it was just a general consensus that over the last 20 years that all the tackles, the wrestling techniques had come out of Melbourne,” Alexanders said after Smith blew up at his initial accusation.

The exchange between Alexander and Smith prompted a stunning outburst from Melbourne’s chairman and owner Matt Tripp.

Tripp blasted Penrith deputy chairman Alexander’s comments as “stupid” and accused the reigning premiers of arrogance.

“Absolutely unfair,” Clearly said of Tripp’s comments.

“I’m not here to judge anyone else. But I know that Brandy (Alexander) is an outstanding commentator and a decorated figure in the game. If anyone’s able to have an opinion it’s Brandy.

“Most of his opinions are spot on. But that was his opinion of him in a completely different role. So, I don’t think it’s fair for everyone else at our club to be labeled what we were, but these things happen sometimes.”

Tamou has his say on Papali’i backflip | 01:50

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Following Tripp’s blow-up, the Storm were then accused of having a “chip on their shoulder” by the NRL 360 panel who also believe the Panthers will use Tripp’s comments as motivation.

“There’s going to be plenty of spice, it’s going to be a great game,” Paul Crawley said.

“The Storm are in a bit of strife on the field and they really have to show some signs of fighting back and I just can’t see how they’re going to do that against the Panthers.”

“What I’m fascinated with is the chairman versus the deputy chairman, Tripp versus Alexander,” Paul Kent said.

PK: ‘The fact is players get injured!’ | 02:24

“Some of the things that Tripp said about Penrith, he said the club was arrogant, he turned from criticism of Greg Alexander into criticism of the club.

“And I’ll tell you one thing about Penrith, when you criticize them, they respond to it and they’re very good at coming out and saying ‘is this what you think about us, well we’ll show you what we think about you’ and they deliver.”

Brent Read believes Alexander may have tactically brought up the tackling argument ahead of the clash.

“At this time of year, this invariably raises its head, you point the finger at Melbourne and say they invented the wrestle and it’s just an easy argument,” Read said.

“I’m it doesn’t hurt Penrith (this week).”

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Read also defended any perceived arrogance from Penrith players during matches.

“On the field they play with swagger. They play with a bit of arrogance. You have got to have that to be successful.”

Braith Anasta agreed that arrogance can be a powerful tool for a sporting team when used correctly.

“In any sport you have got to have confidence,” Anasta said.

Some people think they cross the line a little bit but you need confidence. You need a little bit of arrogance. You need to go out there thinking, I’ve got you covered.”

Storm star Jahrome Hughes apologized earlier this season after being named as the main culprit in 2020 grand final celebration footage mocking Panthers players’ Mt Druit roots.

Panthers center Stephen Crichton revealed the footage was used as motivation, sparking their stunning 2021 preliminary final win over Melbourne.

To motivate his players prior to the 2021 preliminary final, assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo saved the clip.

Ciraldo told his players in the lead-up to the Panthers’ huge 10-6 win they needed to “protect where you come from”.

– with Martin Gabor

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NRL 2022: Paul Kent slams ‘idiots’ calling for season ban as NRL accused of scapegoating Ricky Stuart

NRL 2022: Paul Kent slams 'idiots' calling for season ban as NRL accused of scapegoating Ricky Stuart

Paul Kent has blasted the decision from the NRL to hand down a one week suspension to Ricky Stuart for his infamous spray of Panthers playmaker Jaeman Salmon.

Stuart is banned from all duties with the Raiders team for a period of one week and was hit with a $25,0000 fine for calling Salmon a “weak-gutted dog”.

“Is this sufficient or over the top?” Braith Anasta asked on NRL 360.

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“It says that the NRL are just trying to set an example here because he is actually the first coach to be suspended.”

Kent believes the NRL have been looking to set an example for coaches criticizing officials and chose to make Stuart the test case after his unique outburst at a player over personal history.

“I don’t agree with it,” Kent said.

“I think the NRL have been looking to suspend a coach and they engineered backwards on this one.

“I think they went backwards from OK this is an opportunity to do it, so let’s apply it.

“I had a vigorous conversation today with Andrew Abdo. I understand where he is coming from. I don’t agree with it and he doesn’t agree where I’m coming from.

“His reason was because the comment was made in a public forum, which was an unacceptable comment.”

Kent took aim at the over the top reactions from nameless people on radio who were calling for Stuart to be banned for the rest of the season.

“Those idiots on radio who don’t even use their own names and sit there and say he should get the rest of the season, piss off,” Kent said.

“Who cares what they think. There is too many people who I don’t think are invested enough in the game. They just have these off the cuff comments.

“Ricky Stuart said the wrong thing. I have acknowledged that almost immediately.

“I have not defended once the fact that he said it where he said it. I understand the reasons he did and I still believe if the reasons ever came out then people and public opinion would swiftly turn in his favor.

“I spoke to Abdo about that today and he said, we could not find corroborating evidence about that.

“I said, well you have given yourself what? You started the investigation yesterday and you have closed it today, so you haven’t really had a real crack at finding corroborating evidence. But I’ll accept that.

“I just don’t believe this was worthy of a one-game suspension when we know for a fact that they have been angling to do this for some time to find the coach to do it to.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio revealed the NRL had another coach in their sights to ban, before Stuart was the first to be made an example of.

“The NRL have been considering going down this path for some time with coaches who have a history of being fined for post match comments,” Riccio said.

“They know that the fine system isn’t having an impact.

“I know of a situation where the NRL were considering hitting another coach with a game ban. A separate coach to Ricky.”

Kent believes there is no consistency and link between the Stuart ban and coaches criticizing referees after matches.

“The NRL have had this suspension system, that they have now implemented, in place to apply to coaches because they don’t believe coaches are getting the lesson about generally criticizing referees after the game,” Kent said.

“Then on the other hand we have got this incident, which is such a one-off and so out of context with anything that has ever happened in the game.

“It is the first time it has happened and I think if you treated it as a once in a lifetime thing where you say, you have really stuffed up here and shouldn’t have done it therefore you are going to be fined for it and that’s it. I think it would rest there.

“But they have managed to take the bit out of this that they want to apply and the bit out of that they want to apply and they have put it all in there and ignored the overall picture.

“There is no consistency between saying, Ricky you said the wrong thing here and it is extremely out of left field what you have done, but by the same token you blokes aren’t copping the tip so we are going to sit down and apply what we apply to every other coach. There is no consistency there.”

Riccio believes the ban on Stuart from not even being involved with the club in any way for a whole week is harsh, given what players cop for indiscretions.

“I think it is tough, Riccio said.

“If we look at it from the aspect of a player when they get suspended they miss the game.

“The best part of the week for a coach is game day and coaching the game. When a player gets suspended they don’t miss training. They are still allowed to be part of the group.

“It is hugely significant. It shouldn’t be underestimated how big this is because he can’t do anything whatsoever.

“He has basically been deregistered for one week. I would be happy for him to miss the game not the entire preparation. I think it is harsh because take away what hurts him most and that is game day. That is coaching.”

However, Paul Crawley believes the NRL had no choice but to give Stuart a suspension given the nature of his comments directed at a player and thinks it is a fair result, but defended the circumstances surrounding the mistake from the Raiders coach.

“I think the NRL had no choice but to hand down a match suspension,” Crawley said.

“There were calls for Ricky to be stood down for the remainder of the season and that was just outrageous and ridiculous.

“I think one game is about as fair as it could have been. There is no doubt in the world Ricky has shown remorse for his comments on him and the club have backed the NRL to make whatever decision they have made and Ricky will learn from it.

“But at the end of the day Ricky is Ricky and coaches make mistakes.

“They are forced to go to these press conferences and forced to front up when they are at their emotional best.

“He got through that entire press conference and he got to the last question and the name was brought up and that’s what he reacted to and if people understand that they may understand the reason he did it.”

Originally published as ‘P**s off’: Host slams ‘idiots’ calling for season ban as NRL accused of scapegoating Ricky Stuart

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Isaiah Papali’i, Warriors, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels, contract, future, Round 22

Isaiah Papali'i, Warriors, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels, contract, future, Round 22

Eels star Isaiah Papali’i’s push for a backflip from his $1.9 million Tigers deal has taken a fresh twist with reports he is also angling for a return to the Warriors.

Papali’i raised concerns about his Tigers deal after they sacked Michael Maguire, while the Eels have upped their offer in a bid to retain his services, but a potential return to the Warriors is the latest development in his contract saga.

“Isaiah Papali’i signed a contract with Michael Maguire at the helm at the Tigers and now with Madge not there he is certainly not committing to it,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.

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“There is speculation about whether he will go or stay. I have not been convincing.”

Paul Kent believes the link to a return to the Warriors is a sign Papali’i is trying to make sure he does not end up at the Tigers at all costs.

“He hasn’t been convincing,” Kent said.

“Not only has he floated earlier in the year that he wants to stay at Parramatta, but it has also come out now that he is looking at a return to the Warriors, which is interesting.”

However, The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio believes the links to the Warriors deny the reason he wanted to backflip on the Tigers in the first place.

“That won’t eventuate because the Warriors are the only club that provides wriggle room for Papali’i to get out of the contract because it is the only feasible reason he could use, which is for personal reasons because his girlfriend still lives in New Zealand,” Riccio said.

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Isaiah Papali’I wants to get out of his deal with the Tigers.Source: Getty Images

“That’s not the reason he wants to leave the Tigers. The reason he wants to leave the Tigers is because he wants to stay at Parramatta.

“His angst isn’t with . . . it is not about going home to the Warriors and New Zealand. It is about staying at Parramatta.”

However, Kent believes if the Warriors were able to meet his financial demands, then he could also return to the Warriors for family reasons and leave both the Eels and the Tigers in the lurch.

“That is true but if the Warriors now do come in with a late offer?” Kent questioned.

“Or is it about not going to the Tigers?”

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Isaiah Papali’I wants to stay at the Eels.Source: News Corp Australia

Paul Crawley believes Papali’i can only blame himself for signing with the Tigers, who have a history of sacking coaches.

“If he has any angst it should be with himself and his management,” Crawley said.

“I have signed with the Tigers. I have signed with a club that changes coaches almost annually.

“He took the big money on offer. Yes Michael Maguire was the coach, but the Tigers have gone through four coaches in the last 10 years. It shouldn’t come as any great surprise.

“The Tigers have got to hold their ground on this.”

However, Paul Kent and Braith Anasta pointed out that sometimes the coach is the main reason for players signing with clubs.

“Players sign with coaches,” Kent said.

“My take on this is different because when I first heard this I thought, I have not got to honor his contract,” Anasta said.

Stuart given 1 week ban, 25K fine! | 07:40

“Then I had to think about it myself and I was in a very similar situation.

“It was the Tigers, but it could have been any club, where I signed at that club and Tim Sheens was the coach.

“He signed me for a specific reason. He wanted a certain something out of me in terms of leadership and direction with a few players there and he made the sell to me.

“He was the coach and the Australian coach and I wanted to play under Tim Sheens. That was the only reason I signed. The sole reason I signed.

“Then he got sacked a few weeks later. I honored the contract, but now I look back at it and I think it was a poor decision from me.

“If I had my time over it would have been in the best interests of me and the club not to go there because it wasn’t the right fit.

“I was taking hit ups off taps, which is one thing, but what I’m trying to say is if he doesn’t want to go there and he only went there because a coach wanted him for a specific role to play his part in that team.

“Sometimes motivation is solely because of the coach.

TEASER: Payten sits down with Matty | 00:46

“But if he has got the Warriors involved that is taking the piss because that to me is him just saying, I don’t want to go to the Tigers.”

Kent believes the Tigers are being hypocritical of Papali’i breaking his contract when they broke Michael Maguire’s in sacking him.

“The flip side for the Tigers is when they signed him (Papali’i), they had Michael Maguire as their contracted coach,” Kent said.

“They are happy to sack Maguire and break that contract, which then breaks the terms or understanding that was there with Papali’i.”

Regardless, Kent believes Papali’i’s inability to commit fully to the Tigers means the club needs to act fast to ensure their own best interests.

“Even yesterday when he spoke and he was very noncommittal and at one point he said, look I’ll just wait until November and sort it out then,” Kent said.

Wests Tigers opt not to take legal action | 00:47

“Now the Tigers have got every right to say hang on, you have got to figure out what is going on.

“They have got a salary cap to manage. They can’t sit there and wait for this guy until November.”

Riccio believes the Tigers are better off cutting their losses with Papali’i because he clearly isn’t committed to the club’s new vision for the future under Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall.

“That’s why the Tigers should move on now and use Papali’i’s money before it gets too late,” Riccio said.

“If they wait until November they won’t be able to use their money.

“The Tigers are at a critical point in their history. This is a turning point for the Wests Tigers club under Tim Sheens and the future under Benji Marshall.

“What do we stand for? What is our culture? Who do we want here? That’s all I’ve heard about what it is going to be like under Sheens and Marshall. We want players who want to represent the Wests Tigers and who want to be there.

“Have we heard Isaiah Papali’i say once, I cannot wait to get to the Wests Tigers?”

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NRL 2022: Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos, teams, Matt Lodge exit from Broncos, payout, Kevin Walters

NRL 2022: Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos, teams, Matt Lodge exit from Broncos, payout, Kevin Walters

Further details of Matt Lodge’s exit from the Broncos have emerged as the front rower braces to face his former side when Brisbane battle the Roosters on Thursday night.

The Broncos agreed to pay up to $1 million of Lodge’s salary to facilitate his departure from Red Hill, a move that came under intense scrutiny at the time.

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“You try not to be critical of Brisbane as a former player but I don’t think we can believe anything that’s coming out of that place at the moment,” former Queensland representative Brent Tate told NRL tonight in the wake of Lodge’s exit to the Warriors.

“Kevvie came out and said they’d stay and if Matt Lodge goes, honestly, I think clubs are built on trust and at the moment there doesn’t seem to be that at that club.

“There’s different messages coming from all different people within the ranks and I hope for Matt Lodge’s sake he gets to go to a club because he’s been so up in the air and I know how difficult that would be for a player who plays on passion and emotion.”

Now though, a report from news corp has revealed more details on Lodge’s exit while chairman Karl Morris also explained why Brisbane was willing to chip in to speed the process up.

“Matt Lodge was a redemption story and it was great to have him back,” Morris told news corp.

“He did all the tough work he had to do while playing for Redcliffe to get back into the NRL. He completely gave up the drink and was a model citizen while he was with us.

“For whatever reason, culturally, it didn’t work with him and the new coaching staff and we decided to part ways.

“Kevvie wants a certain type of player and person at the Broncos and he just didn’t suit the type of team Kevvie was trying to build.”

the news corp report claims that Lodge’s character was not the best match for what Walters was trying to build at Red Hill, with suggestions he cut corners at training.

Lodge is also said to have been sprayed by one Broncos official for his attire around the club.

But speaking to news corp ahead of Thursday’s game, lock forward Pat Carrigan was full of praise for his former teammate.

“Lodgey always plays well and I’m sure he will step up against us, I’m excited for him,” he said.

“He’s a halfback in a front-rower’s body, he’s actually a very smart footballer and he taught me a lot about the game.

“I am grateful for a lot of the stuff Lodgey did for us younger blokes here. He gave us that introduction to first grade. We had some good battles on the training ground so he will be up for this one and we will be too.”

Originally published as ‘He just didn’t suit’: Key issue behind Matt Lodge’s $1 million Broncos exit revealed

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Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos, teams, Matt Lodge exit from Broncos, payout, Kevin Walters

Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos, teams, Matt Lodge exit from Broncos, payout, Kevin Walters

Further details of Matt Lodge’s exit from the Broncos have emerged as the front rower braces to face his former side when Brisbane battle the Roosters on Thursday night.

The Broncos agreed to pay up to $1 million of Lodge’s salary to facilitate his departure from Red Hill, a move that came under intense scrutiny at the time.

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“You try not to be critical of Brisbane as a former player but I don’t think we can believe anything that’s coming out of that place at the moment,” Brent Tate said on ‘NRL Tonight’ in the wake of Lodge’s exit to the Warriors.

“Kevvie came out and said they’d stay and if Matt Lodge goes, honestly, I think clubs are built on trust and at the moment there doesn’t seem to be that at that club.

“There’s different messages coming from all different people within the ranks and I hope for Matt Lodge’s sake he gets to go to a club because he’s been so up in the air and I know how difficult that would be for a player who plays on passion and emotion.”

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Matt Lodge left Brisbane in 2021. (AAP Image/Darren England)Source: AAP

Now though, a report from news corp has revealed more details on Lodge’s exit while chairman Karl Morris also explained why Brisbane was willing to chip in to speed the process up.

“Matt Lodge was a redemption story and it was great to have him back,” Morris told news corp.

“He did all the tough work he had to do while playing for Redcliffe to get back into the NRL. He completely gave up the drink and was a model citizen while he was with us.

“For whatever reason, culturally, it didn’t work with him and the new coaching staff and we decided to part ways.

“Kevvie wants a certain type of player and person at the Broncos and he just didn’t suit the type of team Kevvie was trying to build.”

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Major “Reboot” need for Knights – Buzz | 01:08

the news corp report claims that Lodge’s character was not the best match for what Walters was trying to build at Red Hill, with suggestions he cut corners at training.

Lodge is also said to have been sprayed by one Broncos official for his attire around the club.

But speaking to news corp ahead of Thursday’s game, lock forward Pat Carrigan was full of praise for his former teammate.

“Lodgey always plays well and I’m sure he will step up against us, I’m excited for him,” he said.

“He’s a halfback in a front-rower’s body, he’s actually a very smart footballer and he taught me a lot about the game.

“I am grateful for a lot of the stuff Lodgey did for us younger blokes here. He gave us that introduction to first grade. We had some good battles on the training ground so he will be up for this one and we will be too.”

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Transfer Whispers; Ben Hunt future; Gold Coast Titans bid; Martin Taupau, Manly, Sea Eagles, news, updates

Transfer Whispers; Ben Hunt future; Gold Coast Titans bid; Martin Taupau, Manly, Sea Eagles, news, updates

Maroons star Ben Hunt is not short of suitors amid reports the Gold Coast Titans are ready to launch an audacious bid for his services.

news corp revealed that the Titans are considering a play to lure the Dragons captain north to from the 2023 season.

The Titans are believed to be one of six clubs trying to acquire Hunt’s services from at least the 2024 campaign.

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But considering he doesn’t come off contract with the Dragons until the end of next season, the Titans will have to wait until November 1st to submit an official offer.

It was reported last week that Hunt was set to sign a two-year contract extension with St George until the end of 2025.

“We have started the process to extend Ben, and we’re very hopeful we can keep him at the club long-term,” St George Illawarra chief executive Ryan Webb said.

Madge’s take on Tigers coaching plan | 02:04

“He is an important person on the field and has a tremendous impact off it.”

Hunt, who was leading the Dally M race before the count behind closed doors, signed a

mammoth five-year deal worth more than $5 million with the Dragons in 2017.

The 32-year-old has proven himself to be one of the premier players in the competition since, after starring in State of Origin again this year.

The party was well and truly on in Queensland as Hunt ran away for a long-range, game-winning try in the Origin decider in Brisbane last month.

But considering his age, it’s believed that he could commit to a smaller deal.

If Hunt does sign with the Titans, he would potentially line-up in the halves alongside another key signing in Kieran Foran.

The New Zealand international has signed a two-year deal which is reportedly worth $400,000 per season.

Dragons captain Ben Hunt is reportedly eyeing a move to the Gold Coast Titans. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Before entering contract negotiations, Hunt revealed that he was happy playing under the “right coach” in Anthony Griffin at the Dragons.

“It’s no secret I enjoy being coached by Hook (Anthony Griffin),” Hunt said.

“I know we’ve had some setbacks for the past two games, but we’ve got the right foundation in place – and we have the right coach.

“I’m loving my time at the club and enjoying myself. I know I’m also getting to the back end of my career and want to win (a premiership).

“My manager will meet with the club next week so we’ll see what happens. I still think I’ve got at least three years of footy in me. I’m contracted for next year, and I’d like another two after that.

“I’ve been lucky with injuries. I don’t see why I can’t go until at least the end of 2025.”

Carrigan cops 4-game ban for tackle | 02:14

RABBITOHS SET TO LAUNCH BID FOR MANLY ENFORCER

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have reportedly entered the race to secure Sea Eagles’ prop Martin Taupau’s signature for the dawn of the 2023 season.

According to Zero Tackle, the club believe that Taupau would be a suitable replacement for departing prop Mark Nicholls, who will join the Dolphins for their inaugural season.

The Bunnies are reportedly set to table the 32-year-old a two-year contract which will see him at South Sydney until the end of the 2024 season.

The Eels were close to locking in Taupau for the rest of the season, however the Sea Eagles chose to wart the move in a last ditch attempt at securing a spot in the top eight come finals time.

If Taupau is to link up with the Rabbitohs for the 2023 season he would he would add to the club’s depth in the forwards joining the likes of Thomas Burgess, Liam Knight, Tevita Tatola, Davvy Moale and Daniel Suluka-Fifita.

With the Manly prop now in the latter stages of his career, a two-year deal with South Sydney could very well be his last in the NRL.

While the Dolphins have expressed an interest in Taupau, the experienced prop ideally wants to play for a club based in Sydney.

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Patrick Carrigan, hip-drop tackle, Jackson Hastings injury, suspension, Brisbane Broncos

Patrick Carrigan, hip-drop tackle, Jackson Hastings injury, suspension, Brisbane Broncos

Paul Kent has urged the NRL to “stand up and show some balls” by banishing all hip-drop tackles from the game.

It comes as Broncos star Patrick Carrigan was handed a four-game suspension for his hip-drop tackle on Jackson Hastings — who will now miss the rest of the season with a fracture in his leg and a syndesmosis injury.

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NRL 360 host Braith Anasta declared the hip-drop tackle “needs to go,” before Kent stressed it was “learned behaviour.”

Kent then called on the NRL to get tough on the tackle given the trauma it’s caused Hastings.

Crawley FUMES at NAS decision | 03:31

Eels outside back Haze Dunster has also been a victim of the hip-drop tackle this year. He ruptured his ACL, PCL and MCL as a result of the tackle from Dragons forward Tyrell Fuimaono, who received a five-game ban.

“Why’s it even in the game?,” he asked.

“This is what gives me the sh**s. These tackles come into the game that clearly cause injuries and rather than the first coach that sees it, identifies it and says ‘you know what guys, we’re not doing this — get it out,’ they all look around the league and see other clubs doing it so say ‘we’re going to have to do it because you get an extra three seconds in the play the ball.’

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“Forget about poor Jackson Hastings, who’s now got five months with his leg in a cast and now has to go through rehab. That’s the price they’re willing to pay these guys.

“The game’s got to stand up and show some balls and actually get it out of the game.

“If Carrigan gets a two-week or three-week penalty, which is what he’s going to ask for, then you just may as well throw it all away and say ‘you know what guys, do your best… take a baseball bat out with you next time.’

“It’s just a joke.”

Carrigan was referred straight to the judiciary for the tackle and fronted the panel on Tuesday night.

His defence, Nick Ghabar, proposed a two-game ban on Tuesday night, however the NRL counsel put forward a five-to-six game suspension.

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David Klemmer, Newcastle Knights, disciplinary action, reason, dropped from team, video, reaction

David Klemmer, Newcastle Knights, disciplinary action, reason, dropped from team, video, reaction

Newcastle’s torrid season has gone from bad to worse, with enforcer David Klemmer issued a show cause notice over an on-field disciplinary issue.

The incident in question, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Kent, came in the 71st minute of the Knights’ 24-10 loss to the Bulldogs.

Klemmer is said to have refused to come off the field and allegedly verbally abused Newcastle trainer Hayden Knowles, who was trying to make the substitution happen.

“It happened over a series of tackles throughout the last minutes of the game, where they continually tried to get him off the field,” Kent said on Fox League’s ‘NRL 360’.

“Now Klemmer just refused to go. He’s been disciplined, he hasn’t been chosen after this weekend’s game.”

The Knights released a statement on Tuesday confirming an on-field disciplinary matter had taken place, although they opted against going into any further details.

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The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley described the show cause notice as “strange” given Newcastle had taken action by dropping Klemmer before giving him a chance to explain himself.

That was not all Crawley had to say though, with the veteran rugby league reporter claiming that Klemmer’s incident was only a smaller part of much bigger problems in the Hunter.

“It’s bigger than this,” Crawley said.

“There’s a problem up at Newcastle that everyone’s ducking and covering from, there’s players up there that aren’t happy. There’s a division within the club and no one can deny it. You’ve just got to look at their performances.

“There’s obviously some players out there that aren’t real happy and David Klemmer on the weekend has probably fired up.

“Something’s happened to him on the field, he didn’t want to come off but I assure you there’s got to be more to it.”

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David Klemmer is out of the Newcastle line-up this week. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Crawley’s theory was supported by Braith Anasta, who said blow-ups like the one Klemmer had on Sunday afternoon to being substituted off “happen every weekend”.

“That happens every weekend at a club where a player doesn’t want to come off the field or will argue with his trainers,” Anasta said.

“I don’t know to what extent, but a show cause notice is very dramatic at 6pm on a Tuesday night where they haven’t picked him in the side. There’s got to be more to it. There just has to be.”

As Kent went on to point out, there were reports that Parramatta was looking to snare Klemmer before the mid-season transfer deadline, only adding fuel to the fire.

“It’s interesting yesterday Parramatta approached the Knights to get him on a loan deal,” Kent said.

“My understanding is Klemmer was willing to go, but he’s got next year at Newcastle. He wanted next year at Parramatta plus the year after, which they were not willing to go to, which suggested the fact that maybe he was happy to leave Newcastle.”

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Inside Klemmer’s failed move to the Eels | 02:08

Former teammate James Graham said that Klemmer “looks very frustrated” and could understand why he may have pushed against coming from the field.

“He has very high expectations of himself and takes pride in his performances and especially his numbers,” Graham said.

“He can be one of those guys who is reluctant to leave the field of play. This is against his old club from him as well. I can understand why he may have wanted to stay out there.

“There were times the rotation with those middle forwards and Klemmer would protest leaving the field of play if he thought he could have an impact on the result.”

Corey Parker though called it “a load of BS”, taking aim at Newcastle for disciplining Klemmer, who he called a “the alpha male of the club”.

“Seriously, dropping someone because he said no to coming off to the trainer,” Parker said.

“I played 16 years and everytime I was asked to come off I was reluctant to a point where I would say to the trainer a few expletives to let him know I didn’t want to come off. He’s the alpha male of the club playing against his former club.

O’Brien’s time at Knights running out? | 02:43

“Are we playing rugby league? He’s the front rower of a rugby league club, is he just going to bow and come off? I played with and against Klem and he’s a tough, uncompromising, resilient front rower.”

Graham though responded by pointing out that sometimes a player has to put their own personal thoughts to the side and prioritize the team’s best interests.

In this case, even though he thought the decision to take Klemmer off was “strange”, Graham said coach O’Brien may have been trying to set a standard by dropping the enforcer.

“No one wants to come off but if your club is seeing something and you’re part of a rotation and it’s coming from the top,” Graham said.

“It does seem strange [to take him off then]. We’ve all sprayed trainers. I think it’s the fact he didn’t come from the field of play. Personally, I think it’s they’ve had a bad week, O’Brien is trying to set a precedent and build his club from him.

“We’ve heard about O’Brien setting standards for next year.”

‘This is what gives me the s****!’ | 02:04

The drama is hardly what Newcastle needed as it looks to arrest a concerning form slump which has seen the club drop four-straight games and lose 14 of its past 17 to plummet down the ladder.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien came under fire earlier in the week for his comments after the latest loss to the Bulldogs, in which he pointed out his involvement in “four grand finals.”

“It is a hard one for me as well,” O’Brien said at the post-match press conference.

“Previous to getting this job here I was involved in four grand finals.

“I know how those teams prepared. I know the systems they used defensively.

“You don’t unlearn that knowledge. Applying it and getting it ingrained is going to take some time clearly.

“Week to week we can talk about one area of ​​that defense and we can fix it in seven days, but then we will let another area of ​​our defense down.

“It is going to take a bit of time and I know some people don’t want to wait that long, but it is.”

Adam O’Brien’s coaching has come under scrutiny. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

O’Brien spoke to the media again on Tuesday to clarify those comments, admitting he would “like to have” that press conference back.

“I clearly did not articulate the message I was going to get across and I apologize for that,” he said.

“It looks like I’m an egomaniac. I was trying to get my message across to the supporter who sits on the hill that must be wondering do they practice defense and tackle technique? Are they fit, tough?

“I was trying to talk to them that the boys are training at a really high standard. I’ve tried to give hope to people on the hill that we are training at a high level – that’s not translating to the field and that responsibility is squarely on me.

“I’m not taking the accolades of the success at those clubs, that is Craig (Bellamy’s) and Trent (Robinson’s) work. I’m trying to create that here. We are on the path but we aren’t there yet.”

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