Former Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona was charged by police on Wednesday in relation to his dealings with charities.

He was painted as money-hungry when he switched allegiances to represent the Kangaroos, but Semi Radradra wants to delay his exit to French rugby for a final rugby league fling.

The players' union will push for integrity matters to be decided by an independent panel in exchange for granting the NRL's request to have access to players' phone records, bank accounts and tax returns in what would be the game's biggest shake-up in the way off-field incidents are determined.

Canberra Raiders spiritual leader Sia Soliola says he's learning off the NRL's most potent right edge.

Des Hasler has virtually had the measure of every NRL coach he will come up against this season, but Wayne Bennett is the last man he will want to see riding into town with speculation about his future intensifying.

New Rugby League Players Association president Cameron Smith has continued the trend of elite stars taking leadership roles in their unions but he has warned financial issues won't be his sole focus.

The Broncos, who have already played last season's top four sides, now meet the embattled Bulldogs as one rival coach reached out to another.

St George Illawarra captain Gareth Widdop has revealed some frank and honest discussions behind closed doors long before a ball was kicked in 2017 have spurred the Dragons to their hot start to the season.

​Canterbury coach Des Hasler remains confident he will ink an extension to stay at the Bulldogs, despite the intense scrutiny placed on him in the lead up to Thursday's NRL clash with Brisbane.

The Wests Tigers are set to offer Ivan Cleary a three and a half year deal after club hierarchy met with the coach on Monday to discuss plans for him to lead the joint venture until the end of 2020.

All the latest news as the Panthers take on the Storm in the match of the round.

Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle has slammed suggestions the club is in contract talks with Ivan Cleary or any other coach other than Des Hasler and guaranteed the embattled premiership-winning mentor will see out the year with the Bulldogs.

Ricky Stuart forced into reshuffle after Elliott Whitehead suspension.

The Storm know their undefeated run will end if they again produce errors against Penrith Panthers on Saturday night.

Manly forward Nate Myles has called on the NRL to ban the open-handed slap, saying players should be sin-binned just as they are for punching.

Before the Bulldogs consider sacking the coach, they need to find a leader on the field who will play angry.

Dozens of the game's leading players emerged on Monday night declaring it was "essential" that the NRL agree to give them a fixed share of the code's revenue in pay talks, saying they hoped their objectives could be achieved civilly.

Titans boss Graham Annesley has urged the NRL to consult medical stuff accused of flouting concussion guidelines before handing out breach notices after three clubs fined a staggering $350,000 for their handling of head knocks all filed responses.

The Wests Tigers will meet with Ivan Cleary this week to sort out a deal that could parachute the coach in to rescue their season as early as round six against the Cowboys.