Putting the heat on NRL refs: coaches get in early

• ANALYSIS

There is a little game being played in the lead-up to this weekend's preliminary finals. Two coaches are playing it; two are not.

Why the Giants are the AFL's team, not Sydney's

• COMMENT

If you were given a dollar for everyone who asked Craig Bellamy for a selfie or an autograph at the MCG Friday night, or shouted "Go Storm" as he walked past, you would have enough money to buy something really pricey ... like a ticket to the AFL grand final.

The tactic the NRL must stop

This year's grand final could be won by a team deliberating conceding a penalty, rather than a try, when desperately defending its own 20 metre zone.

Vale Sharon Young - the heart and soul of St George

She was, in my experience, the greatest partner of a footballer ever.

NRL to use match-fixing probe for more access to players' information

'History happens' is the tag line in the NRL's advertising campaign. When I think of history and the NRL, the pungent words of English playwright, Alan Bennett, come to mind.

NRL back to bad old days when grapple tackles were rampant

The dreaded grapple tackle is back and it's widespread across the NRL.

NRL surrendered to AFL over finals at ANZ Stadium

The NRL has surrendered to the AFL, allowing its rival to host an all Sydney semi-final match at ANZ Stadium on Saturday September 10, despite the Bulldogs having priority over the use of the Homebush venue.

Searching for the Great Train Robber in Rio

• COMMENT

As I travelled from Rio airport to my hotel on Thursday, there were frequent reminders this is now a city where some of its inhabitants are now intent on robbing me.

NRL will use state to keep clubs in line

• COMMENT

When Denis Fitzgerald was asked to leave the foyer of Rugby League Central where he was poised to conduct a one-man vindictive press conference, gloating over the sanctions imposed on five Parramatta officials for salary cap cheating, it symbolised the end of the code's ancient regime.