NRL

DANE ELDRIDGE: After thrilling our pants off at the Roosters, superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase has us teased with new stratospheres in kinky wing play. So why the bloody hell is he leaving for rugby union?

As soon as MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL saw the scenes at Accor Stadium after Newcastle beat Penrith in the preliminary final, he felt the Roosters were deadest specials to take out the premiership.

The NRL took one last shot at the singer during the grand final, but she had more to say.

‘They should have given him the night off.’

The superstar finished his time in the NRL on the ultimate high.

Newcastle's energy-sapping run to the NRL grand final eventually caught up with them as the Knights fell to a 19-18 loss to the Sydney Roosters.

The performance has received mixed reviews despite fans rising as one to honour two heroes.

A string of huge Aussie acts will unite for an emotional NRL grand final performance after weeks of entertainment chaos.

Newcastle’s improbable run has brought grown men to tears and will leave the town out of beer if they win it all. But this is all nothing new.

Star Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has claimed the cherished honour that had long eluded him, the Dally M Medal, in comfortable fashion.

KIERSTEN DUKE: Phoenix Crossland made a mistake. The NRL judiciary has dealt with it. It’s time the online mob did the same and left him alone.

Knights legend Andrew Johns led the charge for the band he famously ‘kidnapped’ to get back together for Sunday’s decider.

Former Kiwi star Shaun Johnson is the latest big name to join Channel Seven’s Rugby League World Cup coverage, with the New Zealand Warriors great set to lend his expertise to the tournament’s broadcast team.

DANE ELDRIDGE: With the Newcastle Knights capturing the nation’s imagination for Sunday’s NRL grand final, Australia is once again unifying in hate against the Sydney Roosters, even more so than usual. 

Nathan Cleary has taken the extraordinary step of defending Phoenix Crossland on social media over the hip-drop tackle that ruined the Penrith star's season.

MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: The Chooks have hit top form and look almost unstoppable ahead of the grand final.

The superstar promises to be back after undergoing his first round of surgery.