We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
Matty Nicholson faced a decision: return through NSW Cup or test his shoulder in the NRL after a four-month rehab.
Matty Nicholson had a choice to make.
He could test his rebuilt shoulder out for the first time in four months by easing his way back through NSW Cup.
Or he could bite the bullet and test it out in the NRL.
Nicholson hadn't played since round one when he re-injured his shoulder playing NSW Cup - having initially hurt it during the Canberra Raiders' trials.
Ethan Sanders prepares for a rematch with Nathan Cleary, aiming for NRL finals after a surprising turnaround with the Raiders.
Ethan Sanders remembers watching the 'Miracle of Mudgee' from his Sydney lounge room in August last year, a NSW Cup prodigy yet to land a permanent spot in first grade.
Fast-forward almost 12 months, Canberra's prospective NRL Rookie of the Year is readying himself for the historic repeat.
The 22-year-old goes head-to-head with Nathan Cleary in a rematch for the ages in Mudgee on Saturday, as the Raiders plot an NRL finals berth that seemed unlikely just a month ago.
In a wide-ranging chat with foxsports.com.au, Sanders talks about the positional changes that have stirred the Raiders' sudden finals hopes, the influence of Ricky Stuart, and his real driver to succeed in the NRL.
The positional switches that ignited the Raiders' finals run
Wests Tigers rallied around Adam Doueihi after his refusal to play amid turmoil; he expressed regret and committed to his contract after a heavy loss.
The Wests Tigers have closed ranks around one of their best players a week after he abandoned them with their NRL season on the line, with skipper Api Koroisau saying the team had moved on.
The co-captain fronted the media on Friday following Adam Doueihi's refusal to play in the team's do-or-die fixture with Canberra last Saturday, which threw the struggling club into chaos and its leadership into frantic peace talks.
The stand-off arose after coach Benji Marshall repositioned Doueihi from halfback to lock to accommodate promising youngster Javon Andrews.
Potential frontrunners for the NSW Blues coach role emerge amid speculation about Laurie Daley's possible resignation after 2026.
Recent developments have identified potential frontrunners for the head coaching position of the NSW Blues, pending Laurie Daley's official decision regarding his future.
There is strong speculation that Daley may resign following a successful series victory in 2026, during which he faced significant scrutiny throughout the three State of Origin clashes.
According to fresh reports from News Corp, assistant coaches Boyd Cordner and Matt King are leading candidates for the head coach position should Daley choose to step back.
Additionally, Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has been mentioned as a possible long-term solution after he announced his intention to step away from coaching in the mountains after the upcoming season.
The Canterbury Bulldogs are improving, winning five of six matches under Cameron Ciraldo, despite facing weaker opponents.
The Canterbury Bulldogs are finally rediscovering their form.
While their performances haven't always been aesthetically pleasing, under Cameron Ciraldo's guidance, the team has managed to secure five victories in the last six matches.
Before their recent game against the New Zealand Warriors, it was fair to argue that the teams they faced weren't exactly powerhouses.
After suffering a tough Round 13 defeat at the hands of the Wests Tigers, the Bulldogs regrouped to narrowly defeat the Parramatta Eels by two points, followed by a one-point win over the Manly Sea Eagles, and an 18-point victory against the Gold Coast Titans.