Bunnies land supercoach Bennett on $3m deal

Wayne Bennett has agreed to terms on a $3 million, three-year deal after meeting with South Sydney officials in Brisbane on Monday. The deal has not been signed, but Rabbitohs officials flew to Queensland on Monday to work out the terms of his agreement. powerbrokers have lined up a meeting with Bennett at Magic Round this weekend where it is expected he will put pen to paper on a contract that will see him return to Sydney next season. Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak about it publicly told this masthead the deal includes performance bonuses aligned with South Sydney’s results on the field. Rabbitohs officials are reluctant to celebrate the deal given Bennett’s history of 11th-hour changes, most famously reneging on verbal agreements to previously join the Sydney Roosters, and a second stint at the St George Illawarra. Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly led the negotiations and was one of several South Sydney officials to meet with Bennett earlier this week.

Raiders put faith in 'legendary' Stuart on huge deal

Ricky Stuart will remain as coach of the Canberra Raiders until the end of 2029, the club has announced. The deal comes only three weeks after Stuart coached his 500th NRL game – more than 250 of those have been at the helm of the Raiders. The deal will see him coach the Green Machine beyond his 60th birthday. In a statement released on Wednesday morning, chairman Dennis Richardson said Stuart's re-signing gave the club "certainty and direction". "The Raiders are in the process of moving through a significant transition, with one of the youngest playing squads in the NRL and we see Ricky as a central part of that transition," he said. "His values and character have been an important ingredient in the attraction of the young talent we've been able to bring to the club in recent times." "His re-signing until the end of the decade provides continuity and certainty for a playing group which we believe has the potential to deliver the ultimate prize in the coming years." "As everyone knows, Ricky is very much a part of the Canberra, Queanbeyan and regional community and his commitment and passion for the green machine is legendary." Stuart's only coaching premiership came in his debut season with the Roosters in 2002. He led the Raiders to the infamous 2019 grand final loss against the Chooks. Stuart will coach the Raiders for the 258th time against the Bulldogs this weekend. He has won 132 matches and lost 123 with two draws at the club.

Unsung hero seeking new deal at Dragons

Veteran forward Tom Eisenhuth is one of several big improvers at the Dragons this season - and his form may well earn him a contract extension. Eisenhuth, 31, a former Panthers and Storm battler, is relishing being a forward leader at a club with less strength up front. The former Junior Kangaroos front-rower doesn't get many headlines, but is an honest toiler and has been a regular in Shane Flanagan's team in his first season at the Red V. He only came to the club on a one-year deal but don't be surprised if he is extended for 2025 in coming weeks.

Warriors flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak chased by 'cashed-up' Super League club

The NRL is in danger of losing one of its biggest personality players in 2025 - The Flying Mullet. Speedy Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is the number one target of cashed-up Catalans Dragons in France. The Kiwi cult hero is a favourite with the fans in Auckland because of his fearless charges with the ball, his spectacular diving for tries - and THAT distinctive hairstyle. The 28-year-old - who began his NRL career 10 years ago with the Panthers - still has a year to run on his contract with the Warriors. But the Auckland team may well let him go if he can pick up the lucrative three-year deal Catalans are prepared to offer. "We were looking at Watene-Zelezniak and Daniel Tupou," a Catalans source told Wide World of Sports. "Now Tupou has re-signed with the Roosters, we will be going all out for Watene-Zelezniak."

Keary call a blessing in discuise for Roosters

The Roosters were very likely going to lose promising youngster Sandon Smith next season had veteran Luke Keary not made the decision to retire. Smith is quality - and plenty of clubs are desperate for halfback talent. The 21-year-old's path to a regular top grade spot is being blocked by the established combination of Keary and Sam Walker. Smith's manager has been inundated with inquiries about his client's future - but now that the opportunity is there with Keary retiring, Smith isn't going anywhere. He will, however, be asking for an upgrade now he is set to be a starting playmaker for the club in 2025.

'Late Bloomer' running riot for panthers

Mark down Luke Garner as one of the biggest improvers in the competition. The under-rated back-rower didn't exactly set the world on fire in five seasons at the Tigers but is thriving with three-time premiers Penrith, having proved vital in last year's grand final win. The busy forward bagged two tries against Souths last week and added to that tally with the first try in Friday night's gritty win over a determined Bulldogs team. At 28, Garner is proving a late bloomer and it's amazing what a change of clubs can do for some players.

Unsung heroes of Sharks rise

You need a good bench to win a premiership - and the Sharks' awesome foursome are the equal of any in the NRL in 2024. Sio Talakai, Royce Hunt, Braden Hamlin-Uele and Tuku Hau Tapuha all played significant roles in the Sharks' gritty 25-18 win over the Storm on Saturday night, coming off the pine to lift the team to a massive win. Few gave the Sharks a chance in the Melbourne 'graveyard' when star playmaker Nicho Hynes pulled out on game day through injury but Cronulla carved out a fine win in his absence. And it was in no small part due to the contribution of the numbers 14 to 17. Talakai and Tapuha both scored vital tries, while Hamlin-Uele and Hunt added energy and enthusiasm when given their chance off the bench. The win was as good as Cronulla has produced in many years and made a mockery of claims that the Sharks can't match it with the big guns.

Ponga myth knights have buried

The Knights have buried the critics' theory that they are a one-man team over the past three weeks. Since Kalyn Ponga injured his foot last month, the Knights have won three games on the trot to get themselves right back into finals contention. Ironically, the club only won two of their opening seven games with Ponga in the team and many thought their hopes for 2024 were heading down the toilet when he suffered his injury. Youngster David Armstrong has proved a great fill-in for Ponga, scoring a try in the win over the Tigers and looking very sharp when given room to move. Ponga is world class, and if the Knights continue to go well without him, they will be ever better with him in the side when he returns and a great chance for another finals berth.

In-demand Fifita chooses new club on $3.3m deal

David Fifita will head to Bondi next year. According to a report from 9News reporter Danny Weidler and The Sydney Morning Herald, the superstar back-rower has agreed to terms with the Sydney Roosters. Fifita will earn $3.3 million with the Tricolours across the four-year contract, after opting to say goodbye to the Titans at the end of 2024. One of the game's most destructive forwards, Fifita will join a star-studded cast at the Chooks next year and his deal will see him remain at the club until the end of 2028. Fifita has scored 47 tries in 112 first grade appearances with the Broncos and Titans, as well as representing Queensland on eight occasions at State of Origin level.  At this stage, the Roosters have not confirmed Fifita's signature. His arrival will cast immediate doubt over the future of Angus Crichton, who has returned to form this season but remains unsigned for next season with the Tricolours.

Walters explains Sailor snub as rookie No.7 called up

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has explained his thinking behind the surprise replacement for Adam Reynolds, with Q Cup star Josh Rogers named to wear the No.7 jersey. With Broncos skipper Reynolds sidelined for up to 14 weeks with a torn bicep and alternative half Jock Madden ruled out with a pectoral injury, Walters has backed the rookie to take on the challenge. Rogers' call-up comes at the expense of Broncos five-eighth Tristan Sailor, who was called into the Brisbane line-up to replace an injured Reece Walsh earlier this season. Speaking on 4BC's Wide World of Sports Radio on Tuesday, Walters said the Broncos had a strong pool of options to replace Reynolds, revealing he believes Rogers has "earned his right" to play in the halves. "There were a couple of options for us, with Tristan Sailor as well, but Josh has been playing in the halves and playing the type of football that will be good for us on Friday night against Parramatta," Walters said. "He's been in really good touch for Burleigh in the Queensland Cup and he's earned his right to make his way into the team. "Jock Madden would have been playing, but he is gonna miss another week or two." Rogers made his NRL debut last season during the Broncos' 32-22 loss to the Melbourne Storm. He will join star playmaker Ezra Mam in the halves. "With Ezra, we expect him to step up somewhat with the communication and running of the team - but Josh is doing a great job at Burleigh," said the Brisbane coach.