Origin axings a reality check for Scott
Phil Lutton Matt Scott and David Shillington both took phone calls from Queensland selectors before the second State of Origin. Only one of them had cause for celebration when they got off the line.
Depression is NRL's business: Presto
Phil Lutton Preston Campbell has urged the NRL to make the battle against mental illness within the playing ranks its number one priority as the game bids farewell to another fallen young talent.
Rattled Hoffman's head knock warning
Phil Lutton Broncos winger Josh Hoffman has urged young players to take extreme care following head knocks after revealing how a massive hit during a game last year knocked the stuffing out of his 2012 season.
Thurston's laughing at scandal-free Townsville
Phil Lutton It's only round two. Already, teams are falling apart. Cronulla have a win but the "tick, tick, tick" is deafening. The Raiders have sacked Josh Dugan.
No need for Broncos to panic
Phil Lutton Hold fire. This is only round one. And just as it is far too early to predict South Sydney will lead a red and green army into the grand final, so is it premature to predict a year of woe for the...
Rugby league
Officiating is a touchie subject for Thurston
Steve Mascord, Phil Lutton KANGAROOS five-eighth Johnathan Thurston has labelled touch judges glorified fans, resulting in an invitation to referees headquarters so their roles can be explained.
History won't repeat against bigmouthed Manly: Thurston
Phil Lutton Johnathan Thurston has crowned Manly as the game's best verbal provocateurs and expects a torrent of chatter when the Cowboys head to Sydney for their sudden-death final on Friday night.
New league team's name might bomb, but it won't matter
Phil Lutton These days, naming a new sports team is more about marketing than parochialism or geography. But where's the soul in the Brisbane Bombers? Phil Lutton finds it doesn't really matter.
Rugby League
Dash of Bowen magic tames wasteful Broncos
Phil Lutton As far as presents go, vast expanses of defenderless real estate and an open try line in the 79th minute of a game on the edge isn’t too shoddy. Happy birthday, Matt Bowen.
Friday Broncs have Sunday on their minds
Phil Lutton Brisbane chief executive Paul White says there is no conspiracy around his club's extended run of Friday night games and the Broncos actively campaign for variety in the NRL draw, including more...
Broncos excel in post-Locky era
Phil Lutton Darren Lockyer floated around the Broncos training barbecue like he was still limbering up for his marathon procession into retirement.
Rugby League
Roosters outclass Titans 18-12
Phil Lutton The Gold Coast Titans have remembered how to pay off a few debts but forgotten how to win football games.
Petero still has an Origin role
Phil Lutton Queensland Origin selectors have a handful of key decisions to make for their game one squad but dropping Petero Civoniceva isn't one of them, writes Phil Lutton.
Titans' 'Temple of Boom' now only offers gloom
Phil Lutton It wasn’t exactly like trying to beat the old Celtics at Boston Garden, or Manchester United at Old Trafford.
