Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds has backed the club's pursuit of Aaron Woods but insists it shouldn't be at the expense of Bulldogs skipper James Graham.

The Canberra Raiders board will meet next month and coach Ricky Stuart's contract could be on the agenda.

Canberra Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin backs Josh Papalii as the best backrower in the game.

Canberra Raiders star centre Joey Leilua reveals his captain is making him better.

The Storm improved their record this season to 6-1 on Saturday but it was a confounding performance as they scored six tries in the first half but struggled in the second.

The boss of rugby league in Western Australia is not holding his breath for Perth's expansion bid to be expedited, but wants the 13-man code to re-establish its junior presence across the continent if embattled Super Rugby franchise Western Force is axed.

It was an unlikely comeback sparked by the unlikeliest of heroes, but St George Illawarra held off a fast finishing Cowboys outfit remain at at the top of the NRL ladder.

• EXCLUSIVE

NRL and players association moving towards an expanded-roster system.

It was a try that stopped a nation, not to mention a flying Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with all the momentum of a run-away locomotive.

Defiant Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has claimed Jack Bird's defection from the premiers to the Broncos was "probably about money" after vowing the contract saga won't derail Cronulla's title defence.

• UPDATED

Manly coach Trent Barrett was left lamenting a deplorable opening 20 minutes on Saturday as Melbourne staved off a spirited Sea Eagles fightback to land a four-point win at Lottoland.

Jack Bird is one of the best young players in the competition, and he deserves a fat contract. He's also a massive loss for the Sharks. He doesn't deserve to be panned for accepting a good offer.

A belief George Burgess was trying to escape a headlock from Bulldogs prop Aiden Tolman has saved the Rabbitohs enforcer from a second elbow-induced suspension in as many months as older brother Sam wasn't so lucky.

Paul Stringer has become the latest staffer to part company with Wests Tigers, but believes the remaining members of the club's "big four" should not follow suit after being afforded "red carpet" treatment to stay.

St George Illawarra great Mark Coyne believes coach Paul McGregor "can't do any more" to justify a new contract after the club's outstanding start to the year.

Canterbury have been shopping halfback Moses Mbye to rival clubs in a bid to free up salary cap space for a hit list that includes James Tedesco, Kieran Foran, Cooper Cronk and Aaron Woods.

Melbourne will attempt to bring Gareth Widdop back to the club if they fail in their bid to sign Kieran Foran.

Has Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton been able to convince his mum this weekend is his 100th NRL game?

It wasn't that they didn't understand the language, but no one at Penrith had much of an idea what a couple of kids from the top of New Zealand's North Island were saying when they arrived at the Panthers.