Star halfback Jahrome Hughes wants to lock in his playing future with Melbourne, resisting a big money deal to sign with Perth, who will join the NRL in 2027.
Melissa Woods
The overuse of the sin bin plagued round 8 of the NRL, but Andrew Abdo isn’t worried about a repeat in Brisbane this weekend.
Martin Gabor
Billy Slater may not have to worry about who to pick at fullback for the Origin opener with one of his leading candidates in extreme doubt.
Jahream Bula has vowed he won't follow Lachlan Galvin out of the door, underlining his commitment to Wests Tigers.
George Clarke
Sam Burgess has emerged as a candidate to coach an expansion club, with Wayne Bennett predicting it's a case of when - not if - his mentee will be an NRL coach.
Joel Gould
Reece Walsh concedes will miss the opening State of Origin clash with injury as he looks forward to the competition for his Brisbane jersey with Selwyn Cobbo.
The NRL insist there is no need to remind players not to take dives, despite fears a record number of sin-bins could encourage ball-carriers to milk penalties.
Scott Bailey and Joel Gould
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has revealed a new club in Perth will become a members-owned franchise, after the inaugural board is appointed by head office.
Stats show that since 2023, Mitch Moses has had a greater positive impact on his team than Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic have had on theirs.
Jasper Bruce
The Dolphins and Roosters will honour Arthur Beetson, a legend of both clubs, at Magic Round when the man of the match will receive a medal named for him.
He whacked them like David Warner, but Ryley Smith ultimately chose Rugby League over cricket, much to the delight of the Parramatta Eels.
Cronulla have been forced to amend a job posting initially advertised as a volunteer physio for their NRLW team, sparking widespread concerns from a union.
Scott Bailey
Bunker involvement for high shots has been the burning issue, and players are happy to hear that the video referee won’t interfere for minor offences at Magic Round.
Canterbury's most capped player Kurt Mann says telling players to lower their target area won't cut down the NRL's alarming rise in high tackles.
Dolphins winger Jack Bostock wants to transition into the centres eventually and follow in the footsteps of teammate Herbie Farnworth, one of the world's best.
NSW's John Strange era kicks off at Suncorp Stadium with a surprise halves combination set to guide the way in Origin game one.
Queensland five-eighth and Golden Boot winner Tarryn Aiken is the best female player in the world and credits her Origin halves liaison with Ali Brigginshaw.
NRL fans heading to Brisbane for Magic Round have been urged to do one thing “so they can focus on enjoying the footy”.
Georgie Kibel
Sharks fans thought there may have been a spelling mistake when they saw the team list on Tuesday, but a young star has revealed why he felt the time was right to change his name.
Gold Coast continue to fail on the footy field, but co-owner Darryl Kelly remains on board long-term and retains faith the bad times will turn for the better.
Roger Cook could be forced to come clean with West Australians on the true cost and value of a local NRL side as early as next week, with a deal due to be announced after sign off by club bosses this weekend.
Dylan Caporn and Glen Quartermain
Scott Sorensen has failed to have a grade-two shoulder charge downgraded at the NRL judiciary and will miss Penrith's next three games.
Gold Coast coach Des Hasler has pushed back against the NRL suggestion there is no crackdown on foul play, while wanting consistency heading into Magic Round.
Ivan Cleary says NRL ladder positions don't matter until July, but history suggests Penrith will have a tough time recovering to make finals.
