MICHAEL CHAMMAS

Small pond where even barber cashes in

Michael Chammas In Mackay, you either know Ben Barba, or you know somebody who does. Somebody who is more than willing to tell you a freakish story about something the boy wonder did when he played on the football...

Panthers are raring to go after rebuild, says Cleary

Michael Chammas PENRITH coach Ivan Cleary says his side is better prepared for this season than last year, despite 18 new faces joining the club over the off-season.

Flanagan cautious on Carney's return date

Michael Chammas CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan has rated Todd Carney a 50-50 chance of being fit for the opening round of the season.

Sandow shows his touch in fiery battle

Michael Chammas Composure isn't a word associated with Chris Sandow but the Parramatta No. 7 showed plenty in his side's 10-10 draw in a fiery clash against Penrith on Saturday afternoon.

NRL

Gould leads Panthers in show of unity against doping report

Michael Chammas IN an extraordinary display of unity in the face of unspecified Australian Crime Commission allegations levelled against his club, Penrith supremo Phil Gould led 350 members of his organisation into...

Eels seek to be part of government stadium deal

Michael Chammas Parramatta have held preliminary discussions about the potential for a new "state of the art" stadium.

Trials prove misleading guide to season's form

Michael Chammas JUST how much can you look into trial form as a gauge of how your team will perform this season?

Asking price too much for long-time Eels sponsor

Michael Chammas THE PARRAMATTA EELS will part ways with major sponsor Pirtek at the end of the season after failing to reach an agreement over the value of the deal.

Eels not alone in bid to lure Norman south

Michael Chammas, Brad Walter PARRAMATTA will have to fight off bids from St George Illawarra and Penrith to lure Corey Norman from Brisbane for next season.

Goodwin's injury curse keeps him out of Charity Shield clash

Michael Chammas, Brad Walter DRAGONS utility Bronx Goodwin will miss this Friday's Charity Shield clash against the Rabbitohs and the opportunity to line up against his brother Bryson for the first time after suffering a...

Time to fly: Hayne ready for take off after learning from past mistakes

Michael Chammas JARRYD HAYNE will play his first game in Parramatta colours in seven months on Saturday night in the corresponding match that ruined his season last year.

Potter puts defence on agenda for Tigers

Michael Chammas NEW Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter doesn't want to harness the attacking prowess of his ball-players but has asked them to be conscious of the match situation throughout this year.

The all-important spine

Michael Chammas You can't win a premiership without a good 1,6,7 and 9. We talk to Luke Patten, Greg Alexander, Steve Mortimer and Dean Young about the combinations at each club.

Positions, decisions - time is almost up for tough calls

Michael Chammas Michael Chammas looks at the 10 most contentious positions still up for grabs in this weekend's trials.

League

Cap guns: Roosters reap recruitment rewards

Michael Chammas SYDNEY ROOSTERS are now reaping the benefits of using only about 90 per cent of their salary cap last year.

Ex-players go upstairs as NRL battles video nasties

Michael Chammas REFEREE boss Daniel Anderson has appointed former players Luke Patten, Matt Rodwell and Justin Morgan as video referees for 2013.

Pearce on way up pecking order

Michael Chammas FRESH after signing a four-year contract extension with the Sydney Roosters, Mitchell Pearce has declared his intention to one day take over from Anthony Minichiello as club captain.

League

Teams will encourage players to dob in dopers

Michael Chammas The NRL clubs under investigation by the Australian Crime Commission will encourage players of all grades, past and present, to dob in a doper and salvage the reputation of their organisations.

League

No positives at Manly but questions still unanswered

Michael Chammas THE MANLY SEA EAGLES were on Tuesday told none of their players had tested positive to illegal substances.

League

Six NRL clubs confirm being mentioned in ACC report

Chris Barrett, Michael Chammas Six clubs - Manly, Cronulla, Newcastle, Canberra, North Queensland and Penrith - have confirmed they were mentioned in the Australian Crime Commission report after being notified by the NRL last...