Rugby League

NRL 2013: the main men

Daniel Lane and Michael Chammas With the season kicking off on Thursday, we look at each team's key player.

League

Young and hungry: fresh faces with the talent to burn

Michael Chammas Last year it was Adam Reynolds, Konrad Hurrell and Josh Jackson who headlined a long list of rookies to take the NRL by storm.

Gordon leads pack ready for impact

Michael Chammas They aren't among the NRL's top 20, but these 10 players are poised for breakthrough seasons this year, writes Michael Chammas.

Petero calls for Dogs to mess up Storm's style

Michael Chammas The Finals Countdown: Taking a look at the key facts and figures in the lead-up to this weekend's grand final showdown.

Finishing first not the be-all and end-all, says Reynolds

Michael Chammas, Glenn Jackson Having squandered their chance to wrap up the minor premiership, Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds insists his side has placed no importance on finishing the regular season in first spot.

Sides full of stars suffer post-Origin hangovers

Michael Chammas THE Melbourne Storm will tonight be out to overcome their State of Origin hangover and end the worst losing streak in Craig Bellamy's coaching career.

Stars' state of weariness to dull clash of top clubs

Michael Chammas THE toll of the mid-week Origin game has taken some of the gloss off tonight's top-of-the-table showdown between Melbourne and Brisbane at AAMI Park.

Rabbitohs hold fire to allow Origin stars to bounce back into place

Michael Chammas SOUTH SYDNEY will give Greg Inglis and David Taylor until kick-off tonight to overcome any niggles they may have suffered in Wednesday night's State of Origin match.

Dugan no longer No.1 following booze ban

Jon Tuxworth, Michael Chammas INJURED Canberra five-eighth Terry Campese insists Josh Dugan can't be expected to single-handedly save their season after his switch from fullback to the No.

League

Grant caught napping as Stuart makes dream call

By Michael Chammas, Brad Walter So far was Origin from his mind that Tim Grant slept through Ricky Stuart's phone call yesterday afternoon.

Origin nod: Grant snoozes through call but dream is for real

Michael Chammas, Brad Walter SO FAR was Origin from his mind that Tim Grant slept through Ricky Stuart's phone call yesterday afternoon.

Civoniceva tells teammates: I won't let you down

Michael Chammas Even after 299 NRL games, 45 Tests and 32 State or Origin appearances, Petero Civoniceva's worst fear is disappointing his teammates.

Roosters agree to release Perrett

Michael Chammas SAM PERRETT was granted a release from his contract at the Sydney Roosters yesterday and given the all-clear to join the Bulldogs.

Blues are oozing big-match experience

Michael Chammas BETWEEN them, they have played in 89 Tests, 119 Origin games and 19 grand finals and collected 13 premiership rings.

Force with Stuart to strike back against empire

Michael Chammas RICKY STUART believes he has a better team than he did the last time he ventured north of the border in his failed bid to bring down the Queensland empire.

League

Williams X-factor for Blues

Michael Chammas When Brian Smith was at the helm of Parramatta, whispers of a rising star named Tony Williams were as loud as the noise he has created ahead of tonight's series decider.

NSW look for T-Rex to monster Maroons

Michael Chammas When Brian Smith was at the helm of Parramatta, whispers of a so-called rising star named Tony Williams were as loud as the noise he's created leading into tonight's series decider.

League

Seventh heaven

Michael Chammas Queensland farewelled Petero Civoniceva with an incredible seventh straight series victory last night

Brilliant Thurston leaves brave Blues reeling

Michael Chammas JOHNATHAN THURSTON, who finished the corresponding game last year in a wheelchair, officially took over Darren Lockyer's mantle as Queensland's maestro last night.