Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Craig Bellamy has ended speculation about his future by confirming he will continue as Melbourne coach next year.
Bellamy, one of the game’s greatest mentors, has long considered his position on a year-to-year basis. The veteran coach was diagnosed in April with a form of neurodegenerative disorder, further clouding his future.
However, he revealed he will continue in the role during a pre-game press-conference on Friday at HBF Park in Perth, where his side is preparing to take on Manly on Saturday.
“I’ll be coaching next year, but yeah, I think that that might be the end,” Bellamy told reporters. “But anyway, we’ll see what happens.”
Stephen Crichton was won three premierships, four Dally M centre of the year awards, two Origin series, 2024 captain of the year honours, but 2026 might still bring the best out of the Canterbury captain.
After all, he has weathered a grade 5 AC joint injury in his shoulder that left him playing through pain for three months, and then the recurring, related nerve damage that regularly required the attention of Bulldogs trainers.
“I just saw bravery,” coach Cameron Ciraldo says of Crichton’s leadership when his side was in the doldrums.
“During that period you know he was busted quite clearly and probably shouldn’t have played.
Tonight’s footy starts in Auckland but first a quick trip all the way to Perth.
On the day the Perth Bears revealed their new jersey, the NRL has gifted the expansion club salary cap dispensation to ensure that it will soon be worn by a marquee player.
Head office granted the Bears two concessions on Friday to help them attract top talent to Western Australia. The first is a marquee player allowance that will allow an existing club sponsor to top up one player’s salary by 20 per cent, without the additional amount going onto the salary cap.
The other is a stipulation that the Bears be given first crack should a contracted player want to leave their club. For example, if a player from one club wants to be released from their deal, the only club they can join will be Perth. If the parties agree, the Bears will pick up the entirety of the contract. The club he is leaving will not be allowed to chip in any of the freight.
The second initiative was proposed by the 17 existing clubs and rubber-stamped by the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 18. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark
Bench: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Morgan Gannon 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Adam Pompey
Penrith Panthers
1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Izack Tago 5. Brian To’o 18. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench: 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 19. Blaize Talagi 21. Luron Patea
Hello and welcome to our coverage of a cracking double header of Friday night footy, featuring four genuine finals contenders.
First up the third-placed Warriors host premiership front-runners Penrith in Auckland. The Panthers only narrowly pipped the Kiwi side 20-18 at home back in round 13, and the Warriors can narrow the gap on the league leaders to two competition points if they can win tonight.
Then the in-form Bulldogs visit the very in-form Roosters, who are fresh from a record-breaking 82-12 demolition of North Queensland last week. That result means Canterbury are the underdogs tonight, but the Roosters are missing injured skipper James Tedesco and the Bulldogs are in great touch, winning six of their past seven games.
Don’t be surprised if you see an upset or two tonight, in a couple of games that could go a long way to shaping the minor premiership race.
Kick-off for Warriors-Panthers is 6pm, and the late game starts at 8pm.
