Rugby League News | Raidercast

Wed, 5th August, 2026, 11:08 AEST
'Tough situation' as five clubs fight for premiership star
Canberra, Gold Coast, Parramatta, and Roosters are pursuing Moses Leota, pending Penrith's negotiations with franchise players.
Wide World of Sports
Canberra, Gold Coast, Parramatta and the Roosters are playing a waiting game with Penrith's front-row colossus Moses Leota.
The four-time premiership-winner was given permission by the Panthers to test the market last month - but not to sign anywhere.
Leota's management met with the Panthers this week and reported back that the four clubs are all keen to sign the tough prop for 2028.
Penrith have put any talks with Leota, who has missed just seven games in the last six years, on hold until they sort out the futures of marquee men Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, who are also unsigned beyond the end of next season.
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Wed, 5th August, 2026, 10:26 AEST
Bulldogs v Cowboys: No changes for Wiliame; Forwards shuffled
Bulldogs face Cowboys at Belmore; Bulldogs seek consistency after a loss, Cowboys aim to build on recent win.
NRL.com
The round opens at Belmore Sports Ground with two sides keen to build momentum.
The Bulldogs enter the weekend after a big loss to the unbeaten Broncos, while the Cowboys arrive with renewed confidence after a hard-fought 18-16 win over the Raiders in Magic Round.
Canterbury have shown they are capable of competing physically, but consistency has been difficult to find. Their upset victory over the Sharks in Round 3 proved what they can achieve when they complete well and control possession.
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Wed, 5th August, 2026, 7:20 AEST
Top footy codes drowning in grog and gambling adverts
Children are exposed to harmful alcohol advertising in AFL and NRL, linking sports with alcohol and gambling, warns former player Luke Bateman.
The Canberra Times
Children watching Australia's two biggest football codes are being exposed to harmful alcohol advertising at every match.
Research published on Wednesday found alcohol and gambling sponsorships have become embedded across every level of the AFL and NRL.
It exposed millions of people, including children, to near-constant alcohol and gambling content saturating both sports, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education found.
"We shouldn't have kids growing up in a world where they think that alcohol, gambling, and sport are one and the same thing," former NRL player Luke Bateman told AAP.
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Wed, 5th August, 2026, 6:25 AEST
'I really thought that was it': From garbo to Blues coach - and the lifeline that saved his career
Matt King was appointed NSW head coach, aiming to defend the title after over a decade building his coaching experience.
Fox League
He may not have the same profile as some of NSW's most recent coaches, from Laurie Daley, Michael Maguire and Brad Fittler to Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart.
But Matt King has quietly been working in the background, building up quite the resumé and now he has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight.
The Blues assistant was officially unveiled as NSW's head coach on Tuesday morning, with King signing a two-year deal as he looks to defend the shield.
It is a promotion that is over a decade in the making for King, who first joined South Sydney in a coaching capacity its 2014 premiership-winning season and then also won two titles with the Roosters.
Success also followed King during his playing career, with the wild-haired winger playing in two grand finals for the Storm and then winning back-to-back Challenge Cup titles with Warrington while he also had an accomplished representative career with 10 appearances for Australia and nine games for the Blues.
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Wed, 5th August, 2026, 0:35 AEST
Broncos May Part Ways with Rising Star
Blake Mozer's future with the Broncos is uncertain due to contract negotiations and injuries affecting his performance.
LeagueNews.co
The future of young Broncos dummy-half Blake Mozer hangs in the balance as contract negotiations unfold.
Once highly regarded, Mozer may face an uncertain path due to the impending re-signing of a veteran in his position.
Since his NRL debut in 2023, Mozer has accumulated 12 appearances on the field.
However, a series of unfortunate injuries has hindered his progress, leaving him behind seasoned players such as Cory Paix, Billy Walters, and Ben Hunt.
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