What Caught Our Attention Over the Weekend

– The Roosters putting in a poor first half performance and the premiers capitalising, giving them an unassailable lead going into the break. The Bondi boys made a game of it in the second half but another grand final looks likely for Penrith
– Melbourne pushing their Grand Final case further with a dominant display against the Sharks.
– Season over for a brave Newcastle side led by Kalyn Ponga eventually falling to the Cowboys in Townsville
– Over 50,000 fans saw Manly topple the Bulldogs in a thriller which could have gone either way. A good season for the Bulldogs despite the finals exit.
– Wests Tigers NRLW team getting their first win since July last year after looking likely a number of times this year. The Sharks giving up their competition lead to Brisbane and the Roosters after losing for the second week in a row.
– Some big scores across Super League matches highlighted by Warrington beating Huddersfield 66-0 and Salford crushing Hull FC 58-4.

NRLW Record

NSW and Jillaroos star centre Isabelle Kelly ran for an NRLW record of 350 metres in the Roosters 24-12 victory over the Cowboys. Amazingly she didn’t score a try but made 28 runs and 7 tackle breaks.

Match Highlights 🎥 – #NRLWRoostersCowboys

The Roosters have assumed top spot on the NRLW ladder with a week to go in the regular season, following a 24-12 victory over the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/2W8I1iF5Aa

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) September 15, 2024

Dutch Courage

The Netherlands have scored an impressive 34-26 victory over Scotland. The Scottish side playing their first international match since the 2022 World Cup, featured all domestic players as the nation looks to rebuild after losing full membership of the International Rugby League (IRL). For New Zealand born coach Dave Hunter and his Netherlands team (ranked 12th in the world) it continues some impressive performances over the last couple of years. The Orange Lions will play Ireland next weekend and Serbia the week after.

Dirty Win

1908 Foundation club the Glebe Dirty Reds won the third tier Ron Massey Cup premiership after being readmitted in 2017. The last time the club won a competition was in 1927 when they won third grade. The club folded in 1929 before being revived seven years ago.

Congratulations to Glebe Dirty Reds fullback Jade Anderson, the Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup Player of the Match 🏅#RonMasseyCup pic.twitter.com/3cLP0kLhLb

— NSW Rugby League (@NSWRL) September 14, 2024

Lebanon Lock Out

France was scheduled to play two World Cup Qualifiers against Lebanon but almost as quickly as it was announced the Cedars pulled out with NRL clubs not releasing players apparently to blame. Kick to the Corners wonders whether there is actually more to the story.

Amazing Stories from the Ukraine

“The government will pay for their trains, to come off the front line and travel to training or a game day… if the air raid sirens go, the footage will cut and they’ll disappear into the shelters” That’s Ukraine rugby league head coach Dan Beardshaw giving an insight into what the players in the war torn country to play our game. Hear more insights from Dan on the Everything Rugby League Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/6G4a4IuLxoUjnrXl5lclMY?si=BZYyR-SbRp2_raANZZP3rw