What Caught Our Attention Over the Weekend

– Melbourne proving too strong for the Roosters amidst some controversial rulings and Lindsay Collins being ruled out after a HIA in the first seconds.It was far from the Eastern Suburbs side’s best performance and the Storm looked ominous in their 46-18 victory.

– The Sharks taking it to the premiers. However Cleary and Penrith were just too classy in the end. Penrith will need to be better to beat Melbourne in the Grand Final.

– The Sharks had better luck in the NRLW semi final, recapturing their earlier form to shut out Brisbane 14-0.

– A Sam Bremner try double helped the Roosters to a convincing 25-16 victory over Newcastle in the other NRLW semi-final.

– Josh Charnley scored his 248th try in Super League but was also rushed to hospital with his neck in a brace in the second half during Leigh’s 14-6 victory over Salford.

– It took a George Williams field goal for Warrington in Golden Point to douse the flame on St Helen’s finals campaign for 2024.

This is where impossible happens 🏆#NRLGF pic.twitter.com/e1Mxr0sQ1w

— NRL (@NRL) September 29, 2024

The Grand Final We Deserve

Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers have been the two best teams all season so it is fitting that they will both be there in the decider. There will be no fairy tale story this time but it guarantees a quality match that is expected to be close.

Meanwhile the Roosters will start favourites to win the NRLW Grand Final against the Sharks. The Roosters last won the premiership in 2021 while the Sharks came into the competition in 2023 and will play in their first decider.

Super League Finals – And Then There Were Four

The Willie Peters coached Hull KR will play Sam Burgess’s Warrington side in what should be a cracking semi final next weekend while League Leaders Wigan will meet the Leigh Leopards at the Brick Community Stadium.

Newtown Get the Chocolates

The beer was flowing at the Henson Park Hotel and the Petersham RSL last night after the Newtown Jets beat the North Sydney Bears 28-22 in the Knock On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final at CommBank Stadium. The two foundation clubs had another close game after winning one each during the season. The Jets showed a little more creativity to take out their first premiership since 2019. Greek international Billy Magoulias was the only member to play in both deciders with his famous chip kick featuring five years ago.

Team song at the club?

Why not?#WeAre8972 #FlyWithUs pic.twitter.com/OLgSV0X1xI

— Newtown Jets (@newtownrlfc) September 29, 2024

Illawarra Women’s Champions

The Steelers have added to their Tarsha Gale premiership from earlier this year by defeating Newcastle 10-6 in the NSW Women’s Premiership. The Illawarra area can lay claims to be the number one area for producing women rugby league talent with several players from the region representing NRLW clubs.

French Youngsters in Good Hands

The French Under 19s team arrived in Sydney last week and were whisked from the airport via a Sydney Roosters bus before taking a tour of the Zurich Centre at Wests Tigers. Rising Wests Tigers star Lachlan Galvin and French women’s captain Elisa Akpa who played in the Tigers NSW Premiership team were on hand to show the French youth around. The team played Sydney Roosters Under 19s yesterday and will meet Holy Cross College at Ryde on Thursday October 4 before taking on the Australian Schoolboys at the Gold Coast on Tuesday October 8. The players will also be guests at the NRL Grand Final on October 6.

Malta Too Strong

Malta were too good for an Italy team playing under new coach Gioele Celerino for the first time. The visiting side won 42-0 scoring eight tries to nil in Bagnaria Arsa to take out the Medieval Shield.

Netherlands Impress

After losing by two points to Ireland last weekend, Netherlands has bounced back with an impressive 56-6 win over Serbia in the city of Nis. This was the culmination of three international matches on consecutive weekends for the Orange Lions.

Africa Gains

European Rugby League Federation Middle East and Africa Director Remond Safi had a chat with us at the Everything Rugby League podcast about development in his area and in particular the success in Africa. Have a listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WuWzN6n4rMg5iLz6C7v0l?si=xy8ddrhcT_qsnSTCDtZRNg

Episode 15 of the Everything Rugby League Podcast – Interview with Remond Safi, @EuroRugbyLeague Regional Director for Africa & the Middle East @IntRL @chasingroospod @SteveMascord @Discomclennan https://t.co/JCHZn0C5GD

— Everything Rugby League (@ERLEAGUE) September 23, 2024

Newcastle Decider

Maitland Pickers have taken out the Newcastle premiership after defeating the Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 24-4. It was the Butcher Boys first Grand Final appearance in 61 years. Maitland also took out the Women’s premiership earlier in the day.

Croker Teaming up With the Bulls

Canberra stalwart Jason Croker has been added to the Gungahlin Bulls coaching team for the 2025 season. With almost 400 matches across the NRL and Super League under his belt as well as playing for NSW and Australia, the 51 year old will add plenty of knowledge and experience to the team.

Glebe Avenge the ‘Bastardry’

Glebe historian Max Solling called it an ‘act of bastardry’ when Glebe Dirty Reds were controversially kicked out of the NSWRL competition in 1929. They came back in 2017 and won the Ron Massey Cup competition this year. Club President Darren Flynn takes us on the journey via the Everything Rugby League podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3egW8cax09kRzgzTx4wi4m?si=c7B6NuXxQluRxyOP-3LDDg