‘Everybody’s got to take a breath’: Walsh kept waiting for NRL start this season

“You’ve got to remember, he’s only played 20 games of rugby league in the last three years. We’ve got to be making sure that we manage him, and he’ll get a chance to run the team around there tomorrow in reserve grade,” Seibold said.

“It’s about him playing rugby league. As I said, everyone’s got to take a breath here. He’s played 20 games of rugby league since he was 15 or 16 years of age and he’s only 19 now.

“That’s not a lot of footy, but he’s got a hell of ability. He’s going to be the long-term half here at Manly, that’s the intention, it’s just about making sure we develop him in the right way.”

Brandon Wakeham is a utility option to replace Walsh off the bench for Manly.

The Sea Eagles are looking to bounce back after a disappointing golden point loss to the Raiders last week, when Canberra rookie Ethan Sanders calmly kicked an impressive field goal to seal it.

Seibold said he didn’t think his side played badly, but they needed to show more resilience.

“For about 35–40 minutes there, we looked [like] a really good football team, it’s probably how we handle the moments when momentum is against us,” Seibold said.

“One of the things we spoke about after the game was doing things for longer periods of time, and then how we handle the periods when we don’t have control.”

Bellamy’s praise for one-time Dragons’ target

A couple of years ago, while he was still at Wests Tigers, Stefano Utoikamanu was given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

St George Illawarra was one of the first clubs out of the blocks and reportedly tabled the front-rower a five-year deal worth $4.5 million.

In hindsight, the Dragons should have offered even more, especially now Utoikamanu has become one of the game’s top props.

And if Utoikamanu can reproduce something similar to what he did last week in the Storm’s first-round hammering of Parramatta, the Dragons could regret missing out on him even more on Saturday evening in Wollongong.

To be fair to the Dragons, they have since signed South Sydney’s Keaon Koloamatangi on a five-year, $5 million deal from next year.

Storm skipper Harry Grant was the star against the Eels, but just as impressive was Utoikamanu’s workrate: he clocked up more than 200 running metres for the first time in his career and was a handful every time he touched the ball.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy described Utoikamanu as one of the form front-rowers in the competition at the back end of last season, and was delighted to see him make an immediate impact this year.

“He was in our top three last week – we’re so happy we’ve got him,” Bellamy said on Friday.

“He’s not your typical front-rower – he has a lot of the great front-rower’s traits, but he can also do things other front-rowers are not always recognised for doing.

“He’s just a pleasure to have around the club. He puts in at training, and you don’t play like he does unless you prepare well.

“The biggest thing for me is how consistent Stefano is – every week he plays well. There’s not much difference between his best game and worst game.”

Utoikamanu, 25, says he has benefited from a second full pre-season in the Victorian capital and has taken a lot of confidence from his stint with the NSW Origin team last year.

As for how much improvement he can make this year, Utoikamanu said: “I want to be the best version of myself.

“Craig has given me the confidence to go out and play my game. And being in Origin last year, being around all the boys, that gave me the confidence to do more, and made me feel like I belong in that arena.”

Bellamy, meanwhile, said he was unlikely to return to NSW camp this year after serving in an advisory role to coach Laurie Daley.

“Probably not, but I’m not sure yet,” he said.

Bellamy was disappointed with this week’s news one-time target Zac Lomax had left rugby league to take up a two-year deal with the Western Force.

The Storm were desperate to sign Lomax for this season, but were unable to strike a suitable deal with Parramatta. As part of Lomax’s release from the club, the Eels wanted to be appropriately compensated if they were to allow Lomax to play for another NRL team. They took the matter to court to make sure that clause was honoured.

“I’m disappointed for Zac more than anyone else,” Bellamy said. “At the end of the day, it’s disappointing for the game as well [he signed with rugby]. We’ve lost a good player, a rep player, and a really good bloke. I always found him a really good person.”

With Nick Meaney joining the Perth Bears and Will Warbrick expressing an interest in returning home to New Zealand, the Storm will be in the market for an outside back. Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly said the club could yet use some of the extra funds to entice Xavier Coates – a PNG Chiefs target – to extend his stay beyond 2027.

‘Not about money’: Broncos win race for Mitch Barnett’s signature

Adrian Proszenko

Brisbane have won the race to sign Warriors forward Mitch Barnett, giving the premiers a ready-made replacement for departing prop Payne Haas.

Barnett has signed a two-year deal with the Broncos, with a mutual option for a further season, from 2027. The NSW forward was the hottest property on the open market after the Warriors agreed to release him at the end of the season on compassionate grounds.

His departure comes on the proviso that the club is “compensated in the form of a player or two,” chief executive Cameron George has said, and the clubs are now expected to enter into negotiations about a potential player swap.

It’s a win for the Broncos over Parramatta, who had weighed in with a more lucrative $2.6 million offer, ahead of their clash at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night. Manly were also in contension for Barnett’s services.

“Ultimately, it came down to family and the connection that Mitch’s wife has with her brother in Brisbane,” Barnett’s agent, Gavin Orr, said.

“That fitted well into what they want to do with the rest of their life in moving back to Australia. At the end of the day, it didn’t come down to money. They were great offers from Parramatta and Manly. Mitch got to speak to all of the coaches before making his decision. He didn’t make it lightly – he did plenty of research on all the clubs.”

The Warriors are looking for a player of similar quality to Barnett to bolster their roster. George told this masthead last month: “Mitch and his agent know very clearly that whilst we’ve been completely considerate and understanding of this situation in agreeing to release him, there is a business component to it.

“And that is we expect to be compensated in the form of a player or two for allowing Mitch to go home, from the club that shows interest. We will work through that process.”

Barnett isn’t the only State of Origin star who could be changing clubs. The Perth Bears have identified Roosters utility Connor Watson as a player of interest for their inaugural roster, according to sources not authorised to speak publicly.

The Bears are yet to approach Watson or his manager, but feel he could potentially be a marquee man worth pursuing.

Watson can play a number of positions, including hooker, halves, back-row and as a bench utility. He also has leadership qualities that could make him an attractive proposition for coach Mal Meninga.

Tigers name 18-year-old sensation to start season opener after To’a injury

Billie Eder

Rising star Heamasi Makasini will start at centre for the Wests Tigers in their NRL season opener against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, with Starford To’a ruled out through injury for the next two weeks.

Makasini trained at left centre on Tuesday, while To’a trained separately from the group. The Tigers have not yet confirmed the exact nature of Toa’s injury, but it has opened the door for the highly rated Makasini to stake his claim.

The 18-year-old impressed in pre-season, scoring a hat trick in the Tigers’ 42-26 victory over the Roosters. Makasini made his NRL debut on the wing in the final game of last season and has made a big impression on senior players at the club.

“He’s an awesome talent,” captain Jarome Luai said. “I don’t have to say that again and again, you guys have seen what he can do, and I think the challenge for him now is be consistent with it.

“It’s a long year of footy. Very physical. You’ve got to tackle big bodies all year, so just giving him pointers and really making the reps count out here throughout the week will hold you in good stead on game day.”

Luai said Makasini would need to fight to retain his spot in the team. The Tigers have arguably more depth in their squad than at any point in the last three seasons.

Benji Marshall’s side will be desperate to kick off their campaign with a victory over the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval, having had the bye in the opening round of the season.

The Tigers have not played finals football since 2011, but Luai was confident they have the capability to return to the play-offs after a 15-year absence.

“I have that belief every year,” Luai said. “I think if you don’t have that coming into a year, you’re here for the wrong reasons.

“But I think across the whole team we’ve got a pretty cool vibe about it, and I think everyone’s real confident. But that confidence just comes from the work and the hard yakka that we’ve been doing all year. Trust in our work and it will pay.”

In other team news, Brisbane have named Ezra Mam at five-eighth with Ben Hunt listed on the bench again for Thursday’s clash with Parramatta.

The Storm are unchanged for Saturday’s clash with St George Illawarra except for Tui Kamikamica coming into the starting side at the expense of Alec MacDonald (concussion)

Canberra prop Josh Papalii is also sidelined with a concussion, prompting Ricky Stuart to move Morgan Smithies into the front-row for Friday’s trip across the ditch to face the Warriors.

In Friday’s other game, Jayden Sullivan will play halfback for South Sydney against the Sydney Roosters, who have named Rob Toia to play at centre.

On Sunday, Kobe Hetherington will start at prop for Manly at home to Newcastle with Siosiua Taukeiaho out with a calf issue.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, have named Ray Stone and Max Plath as they take on the Gold Coast in Sunday’s later kick-off. Titans coach Josh Hannay has kept faith with the same 19 players who were walloped by Cronulla in the season opener.
with AAP

Souths, NRL double down against pitch invasion threat as Johnston try record looms

Dan Walsh

South Sydney and the NRL have urged fans to stay in the stands and not invade the pitch at Allianz Stadium if Alex Johnston breaks rugby league’s try-scoring record on Friday night.

Johnston’s looming place in the game’s history – two tries against the Roosters would break Ken Irvine’s long-standing record of 212 first-grade tries – has the NRL and Allianz officials on alert.

The NRL has reiterated that $5500 fines and “potential stadium bans” are standard issue for pitch invaders at NRL games, while Venues NSW is preparing to deploy increased security measures for what could be one of the code’s landmark moments.

“The NRL is fully supportive of celebrating the milestone in a manner which is safe for players and supporters,” an NRL spokesperson said.

“Should Alex Johnston break the record, he will be acknowledged with a special presentation post game. Fans are reminded they are not allowed on the field for safety reasons.

“Entering the field of play carries significant penalties and potential stadium bans at all of our venues.”

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly reiterated a plea by coach Wayne Bennett for fans to stay off the field on Monday.

Speaking on Fox Sports on Sunday night after Souths’ 40-30 win over the Dolphins, Johnston said: “They can’t fine everyone. You didn’t hear it from me, really, but it’ll be pretty cool if everyone jumped on.”

A pitch invasion after Lance Franklin’s 1000th AFL goal at the SCG – also administered by Venues NSW – made for iconic scenes in 2023, but the NRL is adamant the safety risk is too high for the moment to be replicated.

Should supporters jump the fence, stadium operations are mindful of how pitch invaders would actually be dispersed from the ground, and will work with security to ensure that happens in a safe and orderly fashion.

“We would much prefer fans do not enter the field when Alex breaks the record,” Solly said. “It’s a huge achievement and there will be a number of opportunities for our fans and members to celebrate it appropriately with Alex.

“Ideally, the game can conclude, and the celebrations can continue after the 80 minutes are over”.

Bennett’s weekend suggestion that fans be allowed to enter the field of play after fulltime, should Johnston make history, does not hold particular concern for Venues NSW and the troubling Allianz surface.

A large section of the field’s surface had to be re-laid recently, just weeks after the $828 million stadium’s 10-week shutdown to fix substantial drainage failures.

Small sections of the newly laid turf had been damaged due to being harvested during a heatwave over the summer, prompting Venues NSW to re-lay a significant area of grass in the middle of the pitch.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is likely to be on hand for a potential post-match presentation at Friday’s game. Head of elite football Graham Annesley was on standby in similar fashion at Suncorp Stadium in round one in case Johnston had bagged a hat-trick against the Dolphins.

Golden point glory helps vindicate Raiders’ three-year wait and $2m contract call

Dan Walsh

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart enjoyed the best of both worlds after getting soaked to his socks standing on the sidelines at Brookvale on Saturday night.

Canberra’s greatest No.7 was able to catch up with one of his favourite students, newly minted Manly halfback Jamal Fogarty, as well as revel in the match-winning performance of Fogarty’s replacement, young Raiders playmaker Ethan Sanders, who the Raiders backed in a long-term succession plan many observers feared could cruel them in 2026.

Sanders booted a 35-metre, extra-time field goal to finish a wet and wild contest where both sides recovered from 14-point deficits, with the 22-year-old cutting a serene figure as he took the shot in just his fifth NRL game.

Canberra held an option on Fogarty’s contract last year and could have matched the lucrative $2 million Sea Eagles offer that lured Fogarty to Sydney.

Instead, Stuart and the Raiders backed Sanders to step in with the least experience of any first-choice No.7 this season, having clearly identified him as their long-term playmaker two years ago when signing him as a teenager out of Parramatta.

With a scything try from close range and an admirable defensive effort on Manly’s monstrous back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu, it is so far so good for Sanders after biding his time behind Fogarty, and Eels pair Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown before that.

“Your dream as a halfback is to be in that position, to kick those goals,” Sanders said after his 81st minute match-winner.

“Obviously there’s a lot of great halfbacks that have been in those opportunities and have nailed a bunch of them, and they’re known for that. So it’s a goal to be one of those halfbacks that’s doing that.

“We weren’t planning on doing it, but we ended up getting a quick play-the-ball and I just took it – I didn’t really think about it.”

Stuart paid tribute to Sanders’ long-term approach to his career before kick-off, saying: “A lot of young players today are too much in a rush to play first grade … I think he’s quite courageous in regards to taking that apprenticeship on last year, to build longevity in his career.”

After Canberra’s thrilling 29-28 win, he was just as complimentary about both halfbacks, noting Fogarty’s bright moments in his first game for Manly opposite Sanders.

“And Ethan Sanders, I thought his game tonight was very, very mature, well beyond the amount of games he’s played,” Stuart said. “I think that was probably the fifth or sixth game in first grade. He had more pressure on him tonight than any player on the field.”

Given he has been tipped for the top level since impressing as a teenager, Sanders’ slow-and-steady rise in the past three years has been a talking point, seemingly for everyone but him.

“I wouldn’t say I was desperate [to play NRL], I was just learning,” Sanders said of his first year in Canberra.

“There’s a bunch of great leaders in this side; it was just good to sort of pick their brains and be around them 24/7 … To be able to get the halfback role in round one is yet another tick on the goal list.”