A teenage Francis Tualau didn't know Des Hasler all those years ago. Didn't know who he was bringing with him, or who was going in lieu of him. How long he would still be away from home, trying to earn a junior contract somewhere. Anywhere. So he said no to the Bulldogs. He wouldn't do the same again.
Mitchell Pearce scored the match winner to all but seal his inclusion in Laurie Daley's NSW Blues side.
Canterbury coach Des Hasler was left confused after a six-again call was overruled late in his side's loss to the Roosters.
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He was once touted as a potential replacement for Paul Gallen himself, but Josh Jackson has endorsed Boyd Cordner – the man he will eyeball all afternoon on Sunday in a final State of Origin audition – to lead the next generation of Blues.
Brett Morris cares, but he doesn't. He cares deeply about the chance to play for his state again, but doesn't care no one seems to mention his name any more, even when a second-season teenager playing reserve grade a few weeks could get the nod ahead of him.
Sam Kasiano met with Craig Bellamy in Melbourne this week as the Canterbury prop edges closer to taking up a four-year deal with the Storm.
Canterbury and Canberra have been slugged with fines by the NRL for salary cap breaches.
The Canberra Raiders have been fined for breaching the NRL's salary cap last year.
Sport pays scant regard to the Christian calendar so it's no surprise Will Hopoate's spiritual stance came to an end sooner rather than later.
Will Hopoate hopes a concession to back down on his refusal to play on a Sunday will help him earn a new deal at the Bulldogs and avoid a salary cap squeeze at Belmore, but won't be afraid to ask for a Sabbath clause in talks with rival NRL clubs.
Canterbury captain James Graham says he has been assured by coach Des Hasler he is part of the NRL club's plans for 2018.
Fullback Will Hopoate has reportedly reversed last year's decision to stand down for religious reasons.
Des Hasler demanded his Dogs rest, but cotton wool Canterbury couldn't get out of their cocoon in time to tame a Johnathan Thurston-less Cowboys.
Des Hasler refused to blame a contentious obstruction call inside the first three minutes for the Bulldogs' limp loss to a Johnathan Thurston-less Cowboys.
An email from Raelene Castle to her fellow club CEOs is threatening to expose the simmering tension at Belmore between the Bulldogs boss and her chairman Ray Dib.
Sam Kasiano could be the first contracted Bulldog to leave Belmore as part of the club's roster overhaul after Melbourne made a play for the hulking prop.
The Bulldogs' longtime courting of Kieran Foran has finally ended with the family club netting the New Zealand international on a three-year deal from next season.
Kieran Foran will finalise a three-year deal with Canterbury after telling Warriors teammates he will leave the club at the end of the NRL season.
Warriors boss Jim Doyle is anxious that departing star Kieran Foran gets plenty of support around him when he returns to Sydney for the next NRL season.