Sport

MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: The ARL Commission boss loves a challenge, so will taking on the AFL in their backyard pay off for the NRL?

GEORGIE PARKER: Plenty of fans are asking why two under-performing Victorian clubs get to play the first match, but they should be angry about a more worrying issue.

There’s a fire in Jack Della Maddalena that drives him to not just succeed, but to do so in a spectacular fashion. Winning the title by knockout would validate his hard work and showcase his skill and power.

JUSTIN LANGER: Being ‘dropped’ by the nation would be incredibly hurtful, but politics like sport is not for the faint of heart.

MITCHELL JOHNSON: Kagiso Rabada’s secret drug ban has the hallmarks of something we might see in the AFL and cricket can’t let it happen again.

RICHO’S TOP 10: I have my say on the Rioli saga, Freo’s dramas and my favourite player of the week — but I have to get THIS off my chest.

KIERSTEN DUKE: After suffering a thumping loss in the Origin opener Queensland need to tackle a glaring deficiency in their game if they are any chance of sending the series to a decider.

MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: The Manly skipper owes it to his club after the debacle that played out over his decision to leave. Suiting up for Queensland should be the last thing on his 2025 to-do list.

BEN MCCLELLAN: Jack Doohan is the latest Aussie F1 star to be dumped by his team after Daniel Ricciardo’s exit last year, but this is the reason he can hold his head high.

GEORGIE PARKER: How a club spends its money is up to it, but there are some positions that the league needs to ensure are paid well.

MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Wayne Bennett gave his team a good old-fashioned serve after a woeful effort against the Knights during which one thing became clear.

The Kangaroos thought they were standing up for their players by banning Kane Cornes, but one of their grievances simply does not hold water.

JUSTIN LANGER: During a visit to the Namgyal Monastery and Temple in McLeod Ganj, in Dharamsala, I heard four words I will never forget.

RICHO’S TOP 10: North are under lights tonight in more ways than one and it’s time they did their talking on the footy field.

MITCHELL JOHNSON: Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the hottest thing in the IPL right now, but what he does next will be crucial to how the teenager develops as a potential superstar.