Rugby league

Christmas comes early as agreement nears on CBA

Glenn Jackson JUST before 7pm on Thursday, four NRL players stepped out of the headquarters of the NRL to state that they believed they had a deal. A salary cap of about $5.

Rugby league

Mattiske not ruling out increase in salary cap

Glenn Jackson OFFICIALS are set to put an offer to a heavy-hitting group of players including Jarryd Hayne, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston at a critical and potentially explosive collective bargaining...

Bulldogs end Rabbitohs' fairytale run with big win

Glenn Jackson THE HOLLYWOOD story of the season found itself a predictable finish. The Canterbury Bulldogs, the minor premier and heavy favourite, extinguished the South Sydney fairytale with a ruthless...

Relentless Dogs kill fairytale

Glenn Jackson The Hollywood story of the season found itself a rather predictable finish. Canterbury, the minor premiers and heavy favourites, extinguished the South Sydney fairytale with a ruthless performance -...

Rugby league

The regenerator: Bellamy works hard to pull pieces back together

Glenn Jackson On a July morning in a Port Melbourne cafe, three wise men set about rebuilding a football club. Not quite from the ground up, but from far below where anyone would care to tread.

League

Taylor can handle Papalii: Burgess

Glenn Jackson, Chris Barrett He stuck it to New South Wales captain Paul Gallen, and now Raiders enforcer Josh Papalii has South Sydney's Dave Taylor in his sights.

Battle with Papalii is Taylor-made for big man

Glenn Jackson, Chris Barrett DESPITE the clear size advantage, the impending battle between Josh Papalii and Dave Taylor appears a mismatch; a player who got under the skin of Paul Gallen against the player who appeared to lose...

Bulldogs' young pups no match for Rabbitohs' nous

Glenn Jackson THEY might have won only their first finals match in 25 years on Saturday night, but when it comes to experience in the big games, Souths still hold an advantage over the Bulldogs.

Dominant GI on a par with Fittler, says Crocker

Glenn Jackson WHEN Michael Crocker thinks about Greg Inglis's domination, Brad Fittler springs to his mind. Which is no small rap for Inglis, who tore Parramatta to shreds on Sunday.

Madge of honour shines brightly

Glenn Jackson IT WAS South Sydney's sliding doors moment. Last year, after missing out on the signature of Wayne Bennett, the Rabbitohs signed Michael Maguire to turn the club around.

Reynolds to remain with Rabbitohs

Glenn Jackson THE negotiations to secure South Sydney's rookie-of-the-year certainty, Adam Reynolds, until the end of 2015 officially began just a few weeks ago, but the Rabbitohs had made it clear he was very...

Bouncing Bunnies can handle heat, says Maguire

Glenn Jackson ASKED yesterday in a space off the dressing rooms at ANZ Stadium whether the Rabbitohs were thriving on the expectations on the club, coach Michael Maguire pointed to what had occurred on the field.

Train in vain: Taylor sends a message to Mal and Maroons

Glenn Jackson IN HIS regular conversations with Dave Taylor over the past few days, since he was cut by Queensland, South Sydney coach Michael Maguire knew his star player understood how best to respond.

Agonising loss feeds Souths' hunger

Glenn Jackson AFTER South Sydney's round-one loss to Sydney Roosters, the Rabbitohs players were shattered, and supporters must have considered returning their memberships to sender.

King backs coach to reign with rejuvenated Rabbits

Glenn Jackson SOUTH SYDNEY winger Matt King can see a number of traits he recalls of Craig Bellamy in new Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire - just as he can others of Wayne Bennett and Ricky Stuart.

I would have agreed with send-off, says Harrigan

Glenn Jackson REFEREES boss Bill Harrigan would have supported Manly player Tony Williams being sent off for the lifting tackle that has resulted in the forward being suspended until round 11.

Black and blue: Gallen has one knee in hot water, other on ice

Glenn Jackson Scans at 6.45am today could determine NSW's prospects in the State of Origin series. Cronulla and NSW captain Paul Gallen said last night he was confident he would be fit for Sunday's clash with...