What Caught Our Attention Over the Weekend

No Fairytale but a Truly Champion Team

It wasn’t the greatest NRL grand final in history but we saw two well oiled machines grind away at each other before Penrith via Cleary, Luai and Clive Churchill medallist Liam Martin proved a little more classy. A four peat in these salary cap times is a truly remarkable achievement. Melbourne are a little unlucky we had two very high caliber teams contesting the 2024 Premiership.

Roosters Rise to the Occasion

The Roosters held on against the Sharks to win their second NRLW premiership after first winning in 2021. The Roosters were up 24-0 at halftime before Cronulla came storming back but the Bondi based ladies held on to win 32-28 with Dally M Player of the Year Olivia Kernick scoring a double. There were plenty of surprised fans when Kernick’s name didn’t appear in the Jillaroos squad for the Pacific Championships with coach Brad Donald citing Kezie Apps’ captain’s role and Mahalia Murphy’s versatility as reasons. Origin star Jamie Chapman also missed out on a spot.

With a premiership ring, Sam Bremner will now return to retirement and insists she has played her last NRLW game as she prepares for a new role as Dragons Female Football Manager. https://t.co/xPFXhK6qUQ

— NRLW (@NRLWomens) October 7, 2024

Hull KR Create History in a Thriller

Hull Kingston Rovers snuck into their first Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford after holding out a fast finishing Warrington side to win the 10-8. The Robins under coach Willie Peters will be looking to win their first major trophy since 1985.

Wigan Aiming for Grand Slam

After easily disposing of Leigh Leopards 38-0 in their Super League semi final, Wigan are now one win away from back-to-back titles and an historic Grand Slam by adding the Super League title to the World Club Challenge, the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield. The decider at Old Trafford is set to be a thriller in front of a big crowd.

York Go Back-to-Back

Lindsay Anfield’s York Valkyrie team have secured two premierships in a row after defeating League Leaders Shield Holders St Helen’s 18-8 at the Totally Wicked Stadium. “With the season we’ve had, to come here and turn over the team that’s been the best team all year is just outstanding from everyone on the field. We did the job and did it to a tee and I’m so proud of them,” Anfield said.

France Strike Back

The French Under 19s team bounced back from a loss to the Sydney Roosters to record a 28-24 victory over the Rouse Hill Rhinos. The boys have spent time touring a number of Sydney clubs before attending the NRL Grand Final. In their final match they will face up to the Australian Schoolboys at the Gold Coast this week. The match will be played at 3pm AEST (Queensland time) at UAA Park, the home of the Burleigh Bears and will be livestreamed on NRL.com and the NRL Pathways YouTube channel.

The PM Has Spoken

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese named his PM’s XIII sides to take on PNG in Port Moresby on Sunday October 13. Young talent I the men’s side includes Lachlan Galvin, Kaeo Weekes and Tallis Duncan while Grace Kemp, Krystal Blackwell and Rory Owen have won a spot in the women’s team.

🚨 JUST IN: The 2024 Australian Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII Squad. pic.twitter.com/iCztnZwx5a

— Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) October 3, 2024

Czech Mate

The Czech Rugby League Association has announced two men’s senior internationals for world ranking points. They will face Ukraine on Friday 18 October and Poland the following day with both games taking place at the City Stadium in Letohrad.

Norwegian Decider

The Norway domestic grand final ended in a close victory to the Lillestrom Lions who defeated the Sandnes Raiders 22-20.

Wests Tigers Snare Young Talent

After losing player of the future Onitoni Large to the Sea Eagles recently, Shane Richardson and the Tigers have had a win signing Wests junior and the Harold Matthews Player of the Year Heamasi Makasini to a three year deal. Makasini was being pursued by a number of NRL clubs and Rugby Australia after starrring in the Wallabies Academy tour of New Zealand recently.