Senior sports writer
Sydney
One of the rising stars of sports journalism in Australia, Brent Read covers rugby league and golf, writing with authority, wit and enthusiasm. He began his career in sport as a soccer player, playing with the Brisbane Strikers in the NSL.

Broncos brace for nemesis Storm

NRL Semi Final - Broncos v Panthers

The Broncos secured a place in the preliminary final with a resolute defensive performance against Penrith.

To Eel and back

Eels Presser

Parramatta chairman Max Donnelly took over the club in the darkest of times. Now the Eels have him finally seeing the light.

Titans must target Madge

South Sydney Rabbitohs Training Session

There is widespread acknowledgment that Michael Maguire is the best fit for the Gold Coast coaching job.

Green’s torment at demands

Cowboys

Cowboys coach Paul Green has spoken of the personal torment he has endured at asking so much of his players.

Manly battle at home and pub

Manly Sea Eagles Chariman Scott Penn speaks to media prior to a team training session at Narrabeen in Sydney, Wednesday, August 30, 2017. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING

Scott Penn must deal with allegations of a brawl between two members of the Sea Eagles’ football department.

Rival states circle grand finals

NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, speaks at a welcoming reception for Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, in Sydney, Sunday, September 3, 2017. Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II has arrived in Australia ahead of a 10-day tour to schools and churches in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. (AAP Image/Paul Miller) NO ARCHIVING

The NSW government’s indecisiveness on the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium could spike a deal over NRL grand finals.

Bennett wants bunker busted

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett speaks to the media during a Brisbane Broncos training session at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Thursday, September 14, 2017. (AAP Image/Albert Perez) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Wayne Bennett has weighed into the debate about the future of the video bunker.

Griffin fighting to escape shadow

Panthers coach Anthony Griffin at the post game media conference after the Round 16 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Penrith Panthers at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville, Saturday, June 24, 2017. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Penrith’s coach faces his first finals game against his old club.

Little big man in for Moylan

Panthers Media Session

The bloke with the biggest job at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow was once considered too small to play. By his own mother, no less.

Cleary could be next Cronk

Finals footy

Mal Meninga has dangled a carrot in front of Nathan Cleary, suggesting he could be ready to wear the Test No 7 jersey.

Cowboys kings of the impossible

Cowboys training

North Queensland have transformed themselves into the kings of finding a way out of impossible situations.

Calls to �shrink’ stadium

NRL Finals Cronulla v Cowboys

A push to have the capacity of Allianz Stadium reduced below 40,000 as part of major rebuild appears doomed.

Sharks won’t back down

Shane Flanagan, Coach of the Sharks at the post game media conference, after the Round 24 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville, Saturday, August 19, 2017. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Cronulla are braced for a heavy penalty over coach Shane Flanagan’s criticism of referees.

Coaches have score to settle

Paul Green, Coach of the Cowboys at the post game media conference, after the Round 24 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville, Saturday, August 19, 2017. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Paul Green has already won a cliffhanger over Brad Arthur.

Penrith game-breaker finds form

Bryce Cartwright of the Panthers in action during the Round 25 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Pepper Stadium in Sydney, Sunday, August 27, 2017. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

One game-breaker appears unlikely to play but another has found form at the perfect time for Penrith.

Griffin plots Broncos’ end

Panthers coach Anthony Griffin at the post game media conference after the Round 16 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Penrith Panthers at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville, Saturday, June 24, 2017. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Anthony Griffin’s return to Suncorp Stadium is one of two intriguing subplots to the Panthers’ trip to Brisbane.

Flanno’s final fury

Shane Flanagan, Coach of the Sharks at the post game media conference, after the Round 24 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville, Saturday, August 19, 2017. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Shane Flanagan launched a blistering attack on the officialdom he blamed for ending the Sharks’ season.

Manly to quiz NRL on grounds

Manly Sea Eagles Chariman Scott Penn speaks to media prior to a team training session at Narrabeen in Sydney, Wednesday, August 30, 2017. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING

Manly Sea Eagles owner Scott Penn will raise the issue of home-ground advantage for NRL finals matches.

Mitchell magic downs Broncos

Latrell Mitchell of the Roosters scores the match winning try during the NRL qualifying final between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Friday, September 8, 2017. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Latrell Mitchell produced a moment of magic to get the Roosters past the Broncos at Allianz Stadium.

Barrett avoids a hornet’s nest

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett during a training session in Sydney, Wednesday, September 6, 2017. The Sea Eagles take on the Penrith Panthers in week 1 of the NRL Finals Series at Lottoland on Saturday. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

Second-year head coach Trent Barrett is a fast learner.

�Use my rise to keep Reynolds’

Bulldogs Presentation Night

James Graham’s effort to keep Josh Reynolds at Canterbury has been hailed as one of the most selfless acts in sport.

Sharks into uncharted waters

SHARKS

The Sharks are preparing to enter uncharted territory. Never has the club come into a finals series as the defending premier.

Titans directors shore up bid

Gold Coast Titans chair Rebecca Frizelle (left) and CEO Graham Annersley during a press conference at Titans Headquarters at Parkwood on the Gold Coast, Monday, August 14, 2017.  Annersley and  Frizelle earlier met with  player Jarryd Hayne and coach Neil Henry surrounding the uncertain relationship between the pair.  (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly have stepped back from their board duties to remove any perceived conflict of interest.

Roosters warning to Kodi

Kodi Nikorima during the Brisbane Broncos training session in Brisbane, Thursday, September 7, 2017. The Broncos will play the Sydney Roosters in their NRL Qualifying Final on Friday. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING

The NRL finals series threatens to open with an aerial attack tonight.

How the Eels rallied

NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres (left) chats with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg (right) during the NRL Finals Series Launch at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Monday, September 4, 2017.  (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has lauded the work of Parramatta coach Brad Arthur and his players.

Seibold is no overnight success

Newly-appointed South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold poses for photographs at Redfern Oval in Sydney, Thursday, September 7, 2017. Seibold replaces sacked premiership winning coach, Michael Maguire. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

Anthony Seibold had already planned to spend part of his off-season at Harvard University.

Cordner answers the wake-up call

NRL Rd 25 - Sharks v Roosters

The Roosters are arguably the hardest side to read of the eight finalists.

Rabbitohs hand keys to assistant

anthony seibold. Supplied

Anthony Seibold will be handed the keys to South Sydney when he is unveiled as the club’s new head coach.

Sharks call on X-factor Bird

NRL Rd 22 - Sharks v Raiders

Jack Bird’s return could be the x-factor in Cronulla’s title defence, according to coach Shane Flanagan.

Six in the mix for Titans

Gold Coast Titans CEO Graham Annersley (right) and board member Darryl Kelly (left) look on during a press conference at Titans Headquarters at Parkwood on the Gold Coast, Monday, August 21, 2017. Annersley announced that  Neil Henry has been sacked as head coach effective immediately. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

The competition to gain control of the Gold Coast Titans is a hotter contest than many thought.