The refs have been so Manly biased its sickening. From missing Manly forward passes, missing ridiculous side way play the balls from Manly, missing Matai tackling a Warrior off the ball and off the resulting penalty that Manly got they scored a try.

Or Glenn Stewart. Thats what I said. Look out David Gallop, he might inspire a gang bashing again.

NRL grand final draws audience of two million

by: Michael Bodey From: The Australian October 03, 2011 11:23AM

The 2011 NRL Grand Final helped the Nine network to its second best performance on a Sunday night this year.

Its network audience of 2.026 million viewers was equivalent to last year’s audience of 2.09 million but down on the 2.41 million in 2009 and the average audience of 2.63 million viewers watching the AFL Grand Final between Geelong and Collingwood the previous day.

The NRL Grand Final between Manly and the Warriors had the advantage of a later twilight timeslot and the NRL and Nine will be pleased with the 363,000 viewers in Melbourne, more than watched the AFL Grand Final in Sydney. An average audience of 1.08 million watched the NRL decider in Sydney and 567,000 in Brisbane. Another 1.09 million viewed the game in regional markets. The audiences for both sporting events were likely much higher though as the official OzTAM ratings don’t assess out of home viewing.

Nine had a three-network share of 35.5 per cent for the night against Seven’s 26.4 per cent and Ten’s 22.6 per cent. Nine’s primary channel had a 28,1 per cent share in metro markets, compared to Ten’s 18.6 per cent and Seven’s 19.7 per cent. GO! and 7TWO were the best multi-channels with shares of 3.7 per cent.

Sunday was a big night for the three commercial networks as Seven News ranked fourth for the evening with an audience of 1.29 million and Sunday Night attracted 1.22 million. And Ten’s heavily-promoted action drama produced by Steven Spielberg and filmed in Queensland, Terra Nova, opened with respectable audience of 1.2 million viewers for its first episode and holding 1.16 million for the second episode.

Junior MasterChef held above one million with 1.055 million viewers.
Nine’s Underbelly Razor won the 8.30 pm timeslot though with an audience of 1.29 million viewers and 60 Minutes was strong with an audience of 1.2 million. But new US drama Person of Interest fell with an average audience in the five capital cities of 658,000.

Seven’s drama Wild Boys dropped below one million with 986,000. On a competitive night, ABC1 performed well with 856,000 viewers for Grand Designs Revisited and 725,000 for the drama The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/nrl-grand-final-draws-audience-of-2-million/story-e6frg996-1226156995013

Ex-Bulldogs star Ryan Tandy found guilty of NRL match-fixing From: AAP October 06, 2011 10:54AM

FORMER Bulldogs forward Ryan Tandy has been found guilty of match-fixing in an NRL betting scam.

Magistrate Janet Wahlquist today said it was clear there was a plan to manipulate the first scoring of the game in August 2010 between the Bulldogs and the North Queensland Cowboys.

The plan had to include at least one player to make the bet come off, and the only rational hypothesis was that Tandy's role was to do all that he could to make sure the Cowboys scored the first penalty goal, Ms Wahlquist said.

"He is the only player the evidence points to," she said.

Tandy, 30, had pleaded not guilty to manipulating the first scoring point of the match to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage for "Sam Ayoub, John Elias and others, to wit, $113,245 from Tabcorp".

The charge relates to an "unusual" betting plunge on the round 24 match, specifically to bets that the first points would be scored from a Cowboys penalty goal.

Tandy was penalised two minutes into the game for impeding a Cowboys player in front of the posts, after Tandy spilled the ball and gave away possession.

The magistrate is hearing sentencing submissions.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/ex-bulldogs-star-ryan-tandy-found-guilty-of-nrl-match-fixing/story-e6frf7jx-1226160025732

[size=6]Jim Dymock to lead in 2012; Des Hasler signs on for 2013[/size]

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have secured the long term direction of the Club’s football program with dual Premiership winning coach Des Hasler signing on as head coach of the Club commencing in 2013.

Current caretaker coach Jim Dymock has been rewarded for his success in the role since July by being appointed head coach for the 2012 season.

Dymock will then take on the role of assistant coach under Hasler from 2013 onwards.

Bulldogs Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg says Hasler’s decision to link with the Club on a four year deal, and Dymock’s commitment to lead in the interim, is a strong endorsement of the Bulldogs’ future direction.

“The signing of Des Hasler as Head Coach of the Bulldogs commencing in 2013 is a significant step in the life of the Club,” Greenberg says.

“This move, together with the decision to give Jim Dymock the next 12 months to make his mark as a head coach, is all about giving our football program a long term focus, vision and structure.

“The sustained success we seek can only come with an approach that is all encompassing. The signing of Des Hasler is a decision that will have a positive and immediate impact on the Club at every level, and in the years that follow.

“We are delighted to present Jim Dymock with the opportunity to coach the side in 2012. He is a quality person and a great coach. We have been in constant discussions with Jim and I’d like to thank him for his honesty, understanding, and ultimately his commitment throughout the process.

“We know that Jim relishes this opportunity and he will do everything he can to lead the Bulldogs back into the Finals next season.

“In that same vein, we are also delighted that one of the best coaches of the modern era sees enough promise and opportunity to commit to coaching the Bulldogs starting in 2013.

50 year-old Hasler, who led the Sea Eagles to their third Grand Final and second Premiership in his eight years as head coach on Sunday against the New Zealand Warriors, says he’s looking forward to the challenge of coaching the Bulldogs.
Dymock, who prepared the Bulldogs to five wins from seven games following the mid-season departure of Kevin Moore, says he is looking forward to the opportunity that lay ahead.

“I am ecstatic to have been given the opportunity to be a head coach,” Dymock says.

“I enjoyed the role since taking control of the team and I’m confident that we will have success in 2012. We’ve been working very hard over the past month to get ready for pre-season, we’ll be in a new state of the art facility at Belmore and will have some fresh faces around the place from November 1.

“I’m also relishing the opportunity to work with Des from 2013, he is one of the best coaches in the game and I know I will become a better coach as a result of working with him.

“This is a tremendous coup for the Club”

Don't know how I feel about this. He's a great coach, but I guess I have a year to learn to live with his constant whining.

If I were a dogs fan, I'd be over the moon with having Des as coach.
His stocks have already grown in my book, simply by coming out and saying that his move was about the money.

He'll turn the Dogs back into a powerhouse side by implementing that seige mentality into them, and will probably bring over DCE with him

Clubs' rebellion threatens future of NRL

by: Andrew Webster From: The Daily Telegraph October 12, 2011

RUGBY league's hopes of an independent commission are in tatters after the 16 NRL clubs last night issued a $34 million ransom note to News Ltd and the ARL.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the clubs have demanded an extra 55 per cent in funding from next season - a move the NRL said it could not afford.

The threat came in the form of an email sent from South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas on behalf of the clubs to News Ltd, ARL and NRL powerbrokers at 1.39pm yesterday. It insisted on a staggering increase in the clubs' annual grant from $3.85 million to $6 million from 2012.

Given that the NRL has only $18 million in cash reserves, it was last night being considered an attempt to sabotage the formation of the independent commission.

If the demands were met, the new commission would effectively inherit a game drowning in debt.

"You can only draw the conclusion that they are trying to blow the whole thing up before a commission is formed," said one source close to negotiations.

'We aren't sure what they are trying to do but it looks like they are holding us to ransom."

The situation is so sensitive that no key figures were prepared to elaborate on the demand from the clubs when contacted last night. While a News Ltd spokesman refused to comment, it is understood the media organisation is furious at the 11th-hour bid to scuttle the peace process.

Asked if the cash grab from the clubs was an attempt to hijack negotiations, ARL chief executive Geoff Carr would only say: "You can draw whatever conclusion you want. This is at a delicate stage, so for me to make any comment would be inappropriate."

The chairman-elect of the new commission John Grant was equally tightlipped.

"Sorry but I can't offer any comment on your article," he said.

Clearly, the NRL clubs want a guaranteed slice of the potential $1.4 billion bonanza the game will received from its next television broadcast rights deal, which is up for renewal from 2012 onwards.

"However, the clubs are not content to defer a revised funding arrangement until that time," Mr Pappas says in the email obtained by The Daily Telegraph.

As one NRL powerbroker said last night: "We just don't have that amount of money yet."

It has long been hoped that two years of complex negotiations between News Ltd and the ARL would finally result in an independent commission formed on November 1 this year.

In recent months, the major sticking point has been a push from the clubs for News Ltd to agree to a non-compete clause, which would prevent it from trying to form a breakaway competition.

Yet there was no mention about that concern in Mr Pappas's email yesterday and the presumption was it is no longer a condition. In fact, there are fears within News Ltd and the ARL that the clubs could be in negotiations with another entity.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/clubs-rebellion-threatens-future-of-nrl/story-e6frexnr-1226164289335

League star 'kicked partner's head'

Adrian Proszenko and Eamonn Duff
October 23, 2011

NRL player Robert Lui repeatedly kicked his partner in the head after Mad Monday celebrations, police will allege when the Wests Tigers halfback fronts court this week.

The Sun-Herald has obtained the apprehended violence order issued against Lui after an incident involving Taleah Rae Backo at the couple's North Strathfield apartment on September 19.

According to the document, police allege Lui kicked Backo ''to the left temple area a number of times causing pain, bruising and swelling''.

Lui allegedly scaled the balcony of the second-floor unit at 7pm and knocked on the glass sliding door. Backo hid around the side of the door.

When she opened the door, Lui pushed her in the chest, causing her to fall backwards. Police allege the Tigers playmaker then pulled her hair, causing a small amount of hair to be removed along with a hair pin causing ''pain to the head area''.

It is alleged Lui then kicked Backo while she was on the ground, accusing her of sleeping with his cousin. Lui then dragged her towards the front door of the unit and told her to get out, the document alleges.

After walking outside to an area below the balcony, Backo called up for her wallet. After Lui refused, she called police.

When police arrived shortly afterwards, Lui was still on the balcony shouting abuse at Backo. When police asked to access the unit, they were told: ''No, f--- off.''

Police allege Lui changed his mind shortly afterwards and was arrested. When the allegation was put to him, Lui said: ''I didn't kick her, I headbutted her.''

Backo agreed to give police a video statement and to have her injuries photographed, which included bruising and swelling around the temple, approximately five by eight centimetres.

Lui stated he had consumed two cases of Vodka Cruisers - each containing 24 x 375ml bottles with an alcohol content of 4.8 per cent each - since Friday, September 16, after the Tigers were eliminated from the premiership race by the Warriors.

Lui was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and granted bail. He agreed to the terms of the AVO, which prevents any contact between the pair without prior agreement through legal representatives.

The matter is set to return to Burwood Local Court on Thursday.

The Sun-Herald contacted Lui's manager, Mark Stewart, yesterday, but he did not return calls. The Tigers have stood down the halfback from all club duties pending the outcome of court proceedings.

Last year, Backo reported a domestic assault and Lui was charged. The matter was dismissed in court after Backo changed her story.

In August, there was a report of a verbal argument between the two, but no offence was handed down.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-star-kicked-partners-head-20111022-1mdiw.html#ixzz1bWJZeRWq

NRL can handle club funding demands: Chalk

Wayne Heming
October 24, 2011 - 5:59PM


Australian Rugby League chairman John Chalk has extended an olive branch to disgruntled NRL clubs conceding their demands for extra funding are "affordable and sustainable".

It wasn't immediately clear however if Chalk's comments referred to an up front payment clubs are seeking in 2012 as well as their demands for a TV rights bonus payment adding up to $36 million.

Some of the 16 NRL clubs have reportedly threatened not to sign club agreements to play in the 2012 competition without assurances of extra funding.

They're seeking an extra $8 million dollars ($500,000 per club) paid in quarterly instalments next year and also want a $1.6 million advance payment on the next broadcast rights TV deal which will be thrashed out next year.

The partnership committee of News Limited and the NRL which controls the financial arm of the game, met last week and rejected plunging the game into debt by taking out an $8 million loan.

Their view was they weren't prepared to put the game into debt to get some clubs out of debt which didn't sit well with some club bosses.

Chalk said on Monday before an ARL board meeting in Sydney to discuss the hot topic that in his personal view the NRL clubs' funding request represented an affordable and sustainable increase for the 2012 season.

"Contrary to reports, the ARL has not taken a position to oppose NRL club requests for additional funding for the 2012 season," Chalk said in a statement.

"I have called for an urgent meeting of the ARL (board) tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss the issue and for a position."

The cash-strapped clubs have adopted a hard line approach saying they either get a $500,000 payment or they won't be signing any agreements for 2012.

There are fears however the stand-off could seriously harm the incoming independent commission's ability to get on with the job and also make administrators look amateurish in their dealings.

A couple of NRL clubs already on the financial brink say they can't hang on until a new TV deal is stitched up and need the funding now to survive.

© 2011 AAP

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-sport/nrl-can-handle-club-funding-demands-chalk-20111024-1mg5l.html

Knights tickets cheaper

BY ROBERT DILLON
14 Jan, 2012 04:00 AM

The Newcastle Knights have taken another strategic step towards maximising bums on seats by releasing match-day ticket prices that are cheaper than last year.

The Knights already boast the most affordable season tickets in the game, and under new owner Nathan Tinkler's discounted rates, have more than doubled their number of season ticket-holding members.

But fans who want to buy tickets at Ausgrid Stadium this season on a game-by-game basis have also been catered for.

Prices in all three seating categories have been reduced.

An adult ticket in the most expensive bays will be $40. Last season the same ticket cost $46 walk-up or $43 by pre-purchasing. A family ticket in the same area is $110, down from $112 or $120.

In category two, adult tickets will cost $30 (formerly $38 or $41.50) and families $75 (formerly $98.50 or $108).

In category three, adults will pay $24 (formerly $34 or $38.50) and families $55 (formerly $88 or $98).

Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said yesterday that Mr Tinkler was committed to making a day at the football affordable for families, but season tickets offered the best value.

"I am sure all fans will understand we have delayed the sale of tickets to the opening game to ensure our members will be able to select the best seats in the house," Mr Gidley said.

"It is a great feeling to see so many families and Knights supporters take up membership, which are sensitively priced and to also launch our new game-day ticket prices, which are up to 20 per cent down on last season.

"We are committed to making rugby league and the Knights affordable and I believe we have certainly delivered on that promise."

It is expected tickets for the season-opening clash against St George Illawarra at Ausgrid Stadium on March 1 will go on sale on February 13.

"I would really encourage anyone wishing to take out a membership to do it quickly as the opening game against the Dragons is on track to sell out," Mr Gidley said.

After having 5430 members at the start of last season, the Knights have boosted those numbers to 12,690 - second only to South Sydney (16,815) among the NRL clubs.

Knights management would like 15,000 members signed up before the club's 25th-anniversary season kicks off.


http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/knights-tickets-cheaper/2419607.aspx

Todd Carney stars for Cronulla Sharks in trial match against Manly
TODD Carney hasn't wasted any time getting the Cronulla faithful on-side, scoring two tries on debut for the Sharks in a 38-6 NRL trial win over defending premiers Manly at Toyota Stadium on Friday night.

Carney's last first-grade game was 180 days ago in August for the Sydney Roosters, coincidentally, against the Sea Eagles.

On that occasion Carney's team were on the end of a thrashing, but things went more to plan this time around.

Carney made the perfect start to his Sharks career - scoring a brace of tries, kicking a conversion out of the ground and generally looking at home at his third club, despite only entering the action at halftime.

The former Raider and Rooster brought the crowd to their feet with his first touch - even though all he did was catch the kick off.

They roared twice as loud when he stepped inside two Manly defenders to stroll over for a try and give the Sharks a 26-6 lead and he received a standing ovation after scoring his second, a 90-metre effort where he evaded three defenders.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan rewarded the 2010 Dally M medal winner an early night straight afterwards, pleased with what Carney had offered in his 33-minute stint, as he created options for his outside backs and looked in great touch with a pinpoint kicking game.

Both teams rested their NRL starters until the second half, but the home team looked far more impressive, piling on four second-half tries - including an 80-metre intercept to winger Stewart Mills that iced the victory.

Earlier, the Sharks took a 16-6 lead into halftime, largely off the back of an impressive performance from halfback Chad Townsend, who set up two tries.

And while Carney's five-star performance may have shocked even the most optimistic Sharks fans, Flanagan said he saw it coming.

"No, not really, I wasn't real surprised with how well he went," Flanagan told reporters after the match.

"I wouldn't have expected him to grab those tries but I've seen him obviously at training and he's been doing a good job, he's got his head in the right space at the moment and I've just got to keep him there.

"He's a quality player and what I've seen at training over the last couple of months, he just showed a little bit of that.

"He's got real good speed, he controlled the game, turned players under and kept getting to field positions that he wanted to kick from, and then when the opportunity arises he drives the nail in.

"As I've said a lot of times, I'm glad we got him."

Flanagan said it wasn't all about Carney, noting the impressive returns of former Sharks Isaac de Gois and Ben Ross while praising the club debut of former Wests Tiger Bryce Gibbs.

"I couldn't be happier from where we are," he said.

"We didn't have to defend our tryline too often but we defended well and some combinations started to form there."

For the Sea Eagles, it was a grim first match under rookie coach Geoff Toovey in their only hit-out before their world club challenge showdown with Leeds in a fortnight.

CRONULLA 38 (T Carney 2 J Williams J Green R Leutele N Gardner S Mills tries J Williams 2 goals M Wright 2 goals T Carney goals) bt MANLY 6 (M Jowett try S Blanch goal) at Toyota Stadium.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/todd-carney-stars-for-cronulla-sharks-in-trial-match-against-manly/story-e6frexnr-1226262264355

OUR YEAR BABY. Carn the Sharks

No team dies on my watch

by: By Phil Rothfield, Sports Editor-at-Large From: The Daily Telegraph February 04, 2012

DAVID Gallop has vowed to use the game's anticipated $1 billion-plus TV deal to ensure the survival of Sydney's financially stressed clubs before opening the door to any new interstate teams in an expanded NRL.

In a wide-ranging interview to mark his 10-year anniversary today as NRL boss, Gallop insists the game can't abandon its traditional market and old clubs such as the North Sydney Bears - or the proud and passionate fans who were lost to the game when they folded.

"Our saturation of Sydney is a really important part of the game's success,'' Gallop said, ``When the Bears went out of the competition we lost support on the north shore.

"If we lose a team in any area of Sydney, it's difficult to expect them to just migrate to another team.

"We don't want to lose any fans, particularly with our competitors being active in our heartland. I think all Sydney clubs will survive and it's important they do.''

Sydney clubs including Cronulla, Penrith and even premiers Manly are all struggling for funds.

The Sharks are still without a major sponsor and can't even afford to put on a chief executive.

Poker machine taxes, smoking bans and the tough economy have placed massive strain on Sydney clubs who have for decades relied on Leagues Club grants just to survive.

"It's an increasingly competitive market and their traditional funding models through leagues clubs are under pressure,'' Gallop said.

"A good broadcasting deal which will alleviate a lot of pressure on them and others .

"My view has been for a while that we wait until 2015 and allow our existing 16 clubs and players to share in the benefits of the next TV deal for at least a couple of years.''

And in a defiant message to Parramatta, the Roosters, the Bulldogs and his biggest critic Phil Gould who all privately campaigned last year for a new CEO, Gallop insists he is still the best man for the job.

"The NFL is the biggest sport in the world in terms of a domestic footy competition and they've only had a handful of commissioners since World War II,'' he said.

"Like most things nothing beats experience in dealing with challenges.

"I've signed a new contract and like everyone else I'm looking forward to working in our new environment.

"My experience as the CEO with 10 years' experience is an important part of the new structure.

"We have eight new people with great credentials but for the most part they're on a steep learning curve about rugby league.''

Gallop recently signed a four year contract to work under the game's new independent commission.

The deal was negotiated by the new chairman, Brisbane based businessman John Grant.

"I'm very proud to have clocked up such a significant milestone in this kind of job,'' Gallop said.

"The spectacle on the field and the closeness of the competition are the highlight of what we've achieved.''

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/no-team-dies-on-my-watch/story-e6frexnr-1226262448246