Rugby League News | Raidercast

Wed, 21st October, 2026, 18:19 AEDT
New 30k-seat Canberra stadium proposed but top politician's push to add AFL, cricket under fire
Canberra plans a new lakeside stadium for AFL and cricket, inspired by Christchurch's recent stadium, replacing the aging GIO Stadium.
Fox League
Plans for a new lakeside stadium in the centre of Canberra have emerged this month, with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr calling for the proposed rectangular venue to also be configured for AFL and cricket matches.
Canberra Airport has proposed a city centre venue, taking inspiration from Christchurch's new One New Zealand Stadium which opened in March this year.
The roofed Kiwi venue holds up to 30,000 fans for sporting events including rugby league, union and football, along with holding up to 37,000 fans for other events like concerts.
It cost around $531 million to build, including earthquake-proofing which was required given it replaced Lancaster Park which was damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Replacing Canberra's existing 48-year-old GIO Stadium, which houses the NRL's Raiders and Super Rugby's Brumbies, has been discussed for years due to its ageing condition and location 15 minutes out of the city centre in suburban Bruce.
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Mon, 19th October, 2026, 17:36 AEDT
'There can be exceptional circumstances': The change that could rock the player market
NRL allows players and clubs to contest market values, influenced by Hudson Young's $900,000 offer from PNG Chiefs.
Fox League
The NRL has made a big decision that could change contract negotiations dramatically.
The governing body will allow players and clubs to contest the market value given to the game's biggest stars following the Hudson Young affair.
The NSW forward was pursued by the PNG Chiefs in their bid to bulk up their pack ahead of their inaugural season in 2028.
He toured the club facilities in Port Moresby and the club, who give tax-free contracts, wanted to offer him a $900,000 a year deal.
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Sat, 17th October, 2026, 5:15 AEDT
Deep Dive: From boardroom biffs to coaching chaos, can Perth bear the NRL weight?
Morgan Smithies supports the Perth Bears, while the club faces challenges and seeks a new CEO amid player arrivals.
The Australian
Morgan Smithies was in Perth this week for England's opening game at the World Cup, but he jumped at the chance to beat the drum for the Perth Bears.
Smithies' long-time Canberra teammate Corey Horsburgh is currently on holiday in Bali, but he has a road trip planned as he readies to trek across the country to begin preparing for Perth's inaugural season in the premiership.
In coming weeks, the slow trickle of Perth-bound NRL players will become a flood. It's been a long time coming for Bears fans, but their historic comeback is inching ever closer.
Meanwhile, as the players pack their bags for their new home, the club itself lurches from one damaging headline to the next.
The latest surrounded the departure of chief executive Anthony De Ceglie, prompting a fresh search for a person capable of elevating the club to the next level.
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New 30k-seat Canberra stadium proposed but top politician's push to add AFL, cricket under fire

'There can be exceptional circumstances': The change that could rock the player market

Deep Dive: From boardroom biffs to coaching chaos, can Perth bear the NRL weight?

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New 30k-seat Canberra stadium proposed but top politician's push to add AFL, cricket under fire