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Updated daily with short video clips, click RLCMtv now and sift through a sample of the rugby league coaching information RLCM offers to its monthly subscribers. Join the RLCM Monthly Club and receive 4 DVD's/CD's monthly,two current and two back resources. AUS$29.95 per month [Credit Card only] Receive the five resources below by return mail today to start your subscription.
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Ron McGregor- Farewell to a statesman - Graham Lowe The league world lost a genuine legend when former NZRL president Ron McGregor passed away this week.
It's normally the superstars on the field such as Sonny Bill Williams, Benji Marshall, Steve Price, and Ruben Wiki who are considered the indispensable men of league.
A statesman of Ron McGregor's stature has rarely been seen and his passing was a sad moment.
He was a giant when it came to New Zealand's position in the international game.
Ron was certainly a fine player; but his greatest contribution to the sport came at the board table in New Zealand and all around the league world.
Ron McGregor was simply indispensable. And I will go as far as to say the qualities, style, class and delivery of Ron McGregor will never be seen again in the New Zealand game.
To me he was like a great player who will always stick in your mind.
I last spoke with Ron and his wife Hazel just a few weeks ago at Mt Smart Stadium before a Warriors game.
Ron asked me: "How is everything going? It's not an easy time for you at present but you have to stick at it." He added: "Trust your instincts."
We both smiled because I knew what he meant - he was never one to shrink from turmoil if he knew it was best for the game.
I first met Ron when I was coaching Otahuhu in the 1970s.
I immediately found him to be a man I could learn from.
And he gave me his final lesson that afternoon at Mt Smart. This was from a man of 83 and obviously not well, but still proudly displaying a league heart.
A few of my league friends have passed away in recent times and they all helped to shape my philosophy on the game. But none did so more than Ron McGregor.
I remember he called me aside after the first test against Australia in 1983 at Carlaw Park.
It was my first game as coach of the Kiwis and I was upset at losing (16-4) and struggling for answers. Under the Carlaw Park grandstand, in the kitchen of the Auckland Rugby League boardroom, Ron poured us a cup of tea and delivered a speech to me that I believe won us the second match (19-12) which we played a week later in Brisbane.
He said: "Now you know what test football is all about, Graham, and you've got to learn from it. That scoreline flattered Australia and the Kiwis allowed it to happen because they didn't play football.
"League is about playing football. Never mind any of the fancy tricks you might have learned over in Brisbane. You need to play the game at their end of the field and if you manage that, the Kiwis have got the players to win the game.
"Test football isn't easy. Never forget it."
They may not be the exact words, but they're pretty close. And they are still in my soul today.
In this day and age, when many people think the game owes them something, Ron McGregor was an example to us all. His view was that we all owed the game; the game didn't owe us. Ron McGregor dedicated his life to league and we should all cherish that memory. NZ Herald
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Josh Hannay signs with Celtic Crusaders National League Two promotion-chasers Celtic Crusaders have completed the capture of Australian centre Josh Hannay, who has signed a contract to the end of the 2008 season.
The 27-year-old Hannay has been playing for Sydney-based Cronulla League side Gymea Gorillas since being released by Cronulla Sharks earlier this year.
Crusaders' coach John Dixon said: "We're really pleased to have secured Josh's services. He is a quality player and I'm sure that our supporters will enjoy watching him in action."
Chief executive David Thompson said: "Signing Josh is very much a coup for the Crusaders. Bringing in players of his calibre underlines just how far we have come as a club in our short history. It did take a little time to complete the signing but we are very pleased that Josh is now with us and training with the squad."
Hannay is in line to make his Crusaders debut against Keighley at the Brewery Field on Saturday. Read more Sporting Life
Terry Matterson signs for another two years at Castleford Castleford coach Terry Matterson has signed a two-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the Jungle until at least the end of the 2009 season.
The former London Broncos captain is in his second season with the Tigers, after joining them from Canberra Raiders, and is aiming to take them back into Super League following their relegation last September.
"We are really happy that we have been able to keep Terry at the club for at least another two seasons," said Castleford chief executive Richard Wright.
"In his time at the Tigers he has shown himself to be a very accomplished coach, and we firmly believe that he is the man to take us forward." Read more Sporting Life
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Don't do it - a player could end up like me Wrestling holds are being used to slow play-the-balls and one man who knows better than anyone warns of the dangers, writes Greg Prichard.
News Ltd to sell Cowboys for $2m News Ltd is set to announce that it has sold its majority stake in the North Queensland Cowboys.
MELBOURNE are expected to start back-rower Michael Crocker in tonight's game against Parramatta at Olympic Park - his return match from a shoulder injury.
Playing for their futures Tonight's heroes in the match between the Broncos and Bulldogs may soon be forgotten.
Martial art gets a stranglehold IT HAS taken 100 years, but rugby league is finally mining the deep past of jujitsu and Greco-Roman wrestling in the latest search for an edge.
In the grip of Wrestlemania IF YOU'RE going to live in a glass house, you shouldn't throw stones," warned Storm coach Craig Bellamy at the height of the latest grapple tackle controversy to engulf the NRL this week - before proceeding to lob a few rocks in the direction of the Broncos and the Eels.
Storm must attack, says Eels great If Storm fails to secure a convincing win over Parramatta, it's in trouble, Brett Kenny says.
Harrison likely to play Sydney Roosters lock Ashley Harrison is expected to be fit for clash with the Gold Coast. Read more League HQ
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QRL Wizard Cup
EASTS v TWEED HEADS *Live on ABC TV
Langlands Park, Saturday August 18, 2pm.
Referee: Michael WISE
EASTS skipper Trent Young has been cleared to play after being found not guilty of a Grade Two Dangerous Throw. The finding is a huge shot in the arm for the Tigers, who could have lost their little general for up to three weeks.
Teammates John Tamanika and Wallace Solomona will celebrate their 50th games in the Wizard Cup in a match that also has great bearing on Tamanika's claims to being top tryscorer for 2007. A cousin of Jonah Lomu, Tamanika is equal on 16 tries this year with Redcliffe's Rory Bromley.
The Tweed Heads trio of Shannon Walker (15), James Wood (14) and Nathanael Barnes (14) are also huge threats. Needing a win to keep third spot and two chances in the finals, the Seagulls welcome NRL veteran David Myles and Australian Schoolboys representative Will Matthews. This will be the last game at Langlands Park for Damian Durnford, set to retire after 10 seasons in the Cup.
NORTH QLD v REDCLIFFE
Dairy Farmers Satdium, Saturday August 18, 5.30pm.
Referee: Gavin MORRIS
THE biggest game of the Wizard Cup thus far in 2007, with the winner to secure the minor premiership. Although the two heavyweights are equal on 14 wins apiece, Redcliffe has suffered a glut of injuries going into the contest.
Ryan Cullen and Palmer Wapau were late withdrawals on Thursday, while Deon Bird (cheekbone) and Marty Turner (jaw) are gone for the season. Mick Roberts, Shane Perry and Nick Emmett will also be absent on NRL duty, with Perry now ineligible for the Wizard Cup finals. North Queensland is less hampered, but is still without regular captain Shane Muspratt and forward Sam Faust, who will play for the Cowboys.
The absences make for opportunities for both club's younger brigade, with 17-year-old Ray Thompson at half for North Queensland and 20-year-old Townsville boy Matt Seamark returning home in the number seven jersey for the Dolphins. Mackay teenager Josh Hoffman will play fullback for Redcliffe in place of Cullen, while Pat Gardner fills Wapau's spot after recovering from an ear infection.
BURLEIGH v WYNNUM MANLY
Pizzey Park, Saturday August 18, 6pm
Referee: Justin EASTWOOD
WYNNUM Manly is claiming a club record 62 tackles from Simon Phillips in last weekend's loss to Souths Logan. A winger for most of his career, Phillips has played more and more time at lock as the season has progressed.
Coach McNally recently said of the switch: "Simon is a guy who loves to get involved, loves the physicality and loves to compete". Originally with the Young Guns, Phillips will bring up his 100th Wizard Cup game this weekend. Burleigh's Nick Parfitt will also reach the century milestone and is a dead-set certainty to finish the year as the competition's leading points-scorer. Both Parfitt and teammate Trent Purdon have 13 tries for the season and could catch the likes of Tamanika and Bromley with a big game.
The Bears' skipper Ryan Gundry has been outed for a week for a Careless High Tackle, plus carry-over points. Wynnum has raised eyebrows by dumping its own leading try-scorer Paoa Faamita to FOGS Cup, while shifting Steve Irwin to five-eighth. Both of these clubs will play FOGS Cup finals.
CENTRAL v ASPLEY
Browne Park, Saturday August 18, 7.30pm
Referee: Nick KALPAKIDIS
CENTRAL captain Wayne Barnett has escaped from a possible six weeks on the sideline with a one-match ban. Barnett was charged with a Grade Three Contrary Conduct and a Grade One Reckless High Tackle, but escaped the latter charge and had the former downgraded to a Grade One.
The Comets have named Queensland Rangers standout Stephen Lill on the bench in a big weekend for CQ local football. Both the Rockhampton and Gladstone grand finals are to be held Sunday. This stands to be Aspley's last game in the Wizard Cup, with the club to form an alliance with Norths next season. Players such as Jamie Simpson, Gideon Mzembe and Derrick Watkins appear headed elsewhere.
SOUTHS LOGAN v IPSWICH
Davies Park, Sunday August 19, 3pm
Referee: Clayton SHARPE
THOUGH Souths Logan cannot make the finals in any grade, the Magpies are expected to put up a fight, as they have done all year. Ipswich leads the Spotless Club Championship by 11 points at present and stands to win $4000 if it can at least win the Wizard Cup grade, guaranteeing a further 10 points and pushing it clear of Redcliffe and Tweed Heads.
The Jets also need to win to further their finals cause, hopefully finishing above Tweed Heads and getting two lives in the finals. Jason Bulgarelli will notch his 100th game in the Wizard Cup, having started out at Wests and Easts. Rickie Dodd is Ipswich's leading scorer this season, having left Souths Logan as one of their leading career scorers. QRL Online
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Nathan Brown assured to coach Dragons in 2008 Nathan Brown has been given a guarantee he will coach St George Illawarra next season after surviving an independent review by the club.
Brown has survived several calls for his sacking during a tumultuous five-year coaching career, most recently earlier this season when the Dragons lost five of their first six games.
But the former Dragons hooker is happy to get the chance to fulfill his contract, which expires at the end of 2008.
"I would love to coach the Dragons next year and I look forward to doing that," he told the Nine Network.
"It's probably one of the positives that's come out of this year is that we've blooded a lot of young kids who are playing some good footy now and are going to get better.
"It will be great to get to coach those guys next year and hopefully beyond that."
Brown says he has never lost the passion for coaching, despite going through several difficult periods at the club.
"It's a great job, there's not one minute of the day where I think I don't want to go to work," he said.
Dragons co-captain Jason Ryles hopes the club's support of Brown silences the critics who blame him for the Dragons missing the NRL finals in 2007.
"Take the knives out of his back a little bit and let him get on with the job for next year," said Ryles.
"As far as the players are concerned they are very happy with him." Read more League HQ
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Refs won't be on a grapple blitz Referees' boss Robert Finch is adamant whistleblowers will not buckle under the grapple tackle pressure.
Kidwell recovering but more time needed South Sydney forward David Kidwell will have to wait a little longer before knowing if he will make a miraculous comeback and play again in 2007.
Yes, it will be fiery admits Hagan Michael Hagan is expecting this week's slanging match with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy to heat up Friday's NRL blockbuster between Parramatta and the Storm.
Monaghan in rare form for Roosters If Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler had his pick of the entire NRL, he would still take Joel Monaghan in his backline. Read more Yahoo Sport
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Join the RLCM Monthly Club and receive 4 DVD's/CD's monthly,two current and two back resources. AUS$29.95 per month [Credit Card only] Receive the five resources below by return mail today to start your subscription.
* CD-ROM - RLCM Drill Books 1, 2 & 3 - 250 pages
* CD-ROM - RLCM Ultimate - Over 4000 pages of 36 RLCM Books
* DVD - Canberra Raiders 2007 Coach Neil Henry
* DVD - Wayne Bennett Brisbane Broncos Coach
* DVD - Tim Sheens Wests Tigers Coach
Then receive two current and two back resources each month. Click for Order Form
Castleford drop threat of action over the salary cap Castleford have dropped their threat to take legal action over the salary cap breach by Wigan.
The Tigers were incensed that the Rugby Football League failed to take action last season when they were relegated despite finishing just three points below Wigan, who were widely thought to have overspent following the signing of Stuart Fielden.
The Warriors were recently docked four points from this season's total after a tribunal discovered they had gone over the cap by more than £220,000.
Castleford chief executive Richard Wright said: "We have fully explored the issues with the RFL, the decisions taken through the season and since and the reasons behind those decisions.
"We may not agree with everything but we do understand the difficult position that the RFL found themselves in.
"At the end of the day, there is no rule that provides for compensation or remedy for us as a result of a salary cap breach. The rules only provide for penalties to be imposed on the club breaching the cap.
"As a result of our discussions and consultation with our legal advisors, we will trust in the process and are not planning to take any further action."
Castleford, who are vying with Widnes for promotion from National League One, are now turning their energies towards securing a place in Super League for 2009 when a franchise system is expected to be in place.
"We were realistic in our expectations," added Wright. "We never expected to be re-instated in Super League but we did believe we had a good case for being given a Super League licence for 2009, possibly, subject to our new stadium project going forward.
"The RFL have not agreed to our request but they have explained the process that the licence system will follow and we are reassured that our relegation from Super League last year will not be a disadvantage to us.
"Our case for a licence is very strong across all the criteria and it will be difficult to find 12 clubs with stronger credentials than ours next March." Read more Sporting Life
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Mark Minichiello dreams of a finals berth Having never played NRL finals football, tireless backrower is desperately hoping Gold Coast can win their next three matches to secure a top eight spot.
The Titans must defeat the resurgent Sydney Roosters at Carrara on Sunday and then beat Cronulla and Melbourne on the road or else start preparing for Mad Monday.
It's a daunting task considering Gold Coast have won only twice in away games this year while claiming a solid 7-4 home record.
Minichiello made his debut for the Roosters in 2002 but didn't feature in the finals squad that won the premiership with a 30-8 victory over New Zealand Warriors in the grand final.
He then joined South Sydney in a barren period for the Rabbitohs from 2003-06 before co-owners Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe helped turned the club into a finals contender.
Titans co-captain Luke Bailey and City Origin representative Minichiello said on Thursday they'd be gutted if the club missed the finals in the its inaugural season.
"We train hard all year and to come so close, it'd be an empty feeling," Minichiello told AAP.
"I can't wait to taste NRL semi-finals. I really want to play in that arena."
Bailey added: "I'm sick of hearing if we finish 10th, 11th or 12th then we've had a good year.
"Bugger that, I want to make the top eight. I didn't come here to not play finals footy and a lot of blokes are in the same boat.
"Blokes like Minichiello have busted their arse all year and never made a semi-final, I think he'd be disappointed as well."
Titans centre Mat Rogers (knee) has declared himself a certain starter against the Roosters but coach John Cartwright says he won't make a final decision on fullback Chris Walker (hamstring) or winger Matt Petersen (knee) until Saturday.
Cartwright warned his players to be wary of tackling opponents around the neck region as the referees were certain to clamp down even harder on grapple tackles in round 23 following a week of negative publicity.
"We're a little bit smaller than the average side in the NRL so we have to work harder on the ground at slowing up the play-the-ball," Cartwright said.
"I think there could be a lot of penalties this week for any intention around the neck.
"We have to make sure we're aware that we have to stay away from that region."
Under caretaker coach Brad Fittler, the Roosters are undefeated in their past five games and sit on 21 competition points - one better than the 11th-placed Titans.
Minichiello said the key to beating the Roosters was to smash them up the middle of the park to tire their big men.
"If we can win that ruck area we can come home strong, roll over them and play good footy off the back of that," he added.
"Everyone knows this is our last chance and we have to get it right." SMH
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Final Fitzroy Sharks Incentive Awards For 2007
By Fitzroy Sharks JRLFC http://www.sharkies.cjb.net
Fitzroy Sharks under 11s and under 12s rounded out their 2007 season with their incentive awards on Sunday, August 12 after their round 14 mini mod game at Saleyards Park.
The young Sharks played against competition heavy weights All Blacks and despite being out numbered put in a strong effort to finish the season.
The Fitzroy Sharks under 12 team in particular have had a tough year losing a coach in the first month of the competition.
Rookie junior coach Brett Harkin was then asked to take over the reigns and despite being told it would be a tough job with a lack of players registered, Harkin took on the task.
The under 12 Sharks were unable to score a win this season, in fact the closest they got was a 20-point loss but when you see the players after the game you can see just how little winning means to these players and coach.
Harkin worked hard this season to make sure no matter how high the
oppositions points tally was the kids still had fun while learning how to play rugby league with the help of Bruce Brymer(under 11s coach) and professional clubs, North Queensland Cowboys, Brisbane Broncos, Burleigh Bears, Central Comets and Melbourne Storm to name the main contributors.
Due to the assistance of these clubs the Sharks were able to give out a number of incentive awards during the season. Three Most Valuable Player awards were given out to Ethan Gill(June), Ben Nolan(July) and Andrew Dittman(August), who all received a Broncos bag and poster. Dittman who played every single game this season also received an Encouragement Award for the month of July.
In June the other award winner was reliable forward Andrew Griffiths who received Most Improved. Mark Edminstone(Encouragement), Corey and Reifa Howard(Appreciation) received awards in July and Brenton
Brymer(Appreciation), Griffiths(Encouragement) and Jason Broome(Encouragement) were the other winners in August.
The Appreciation awards were designed to thank under 11s players for
stepping up consistently to help out the year 12s all year.
Harkin explained that the Howard boys missed only one game for the under 12s all year and couldn't think of a game Brenton Brymer had not participated in.
"The core players who showed up pretty much every week need to be
congratulated as it's hard to keep coming back after losses which was shown by the amount of players who pulled out during the season. Dittman, Gill, Nolan, Griffiths and Broome were the main five under 12s that stuck by me and they deserve a big pat on the back," Harkin explained.
"I've told these players if they would like to play next year in under 13s I would be happy to coach them and do my best to see the side gets some more numbers, these young blokes are real examples of the fact that playing sport is not all about winning and is more about having fun and to tell you the truth they have been an inspiration to myself and many others at the club."
While the under 11s and 12s season is finished the players will have the chance for one last get together this season when the club has their break up and presentation night on Saturday, September 22 at Funzone.
Man of the match awards for 2007 were Ben Nolan(rd 5), Andrew Dittman(rd 6), Andrew Griffiths(rd 7), Jason Broome(rd 8), Mark Edminstone(rd 9), Andrew Dittman(rd 10), Edan Anderson(rd 11), Ethan Gill(rd 12), Corey Howard(rd 13) and Reifa Howard(rd 14). After the round 13 match all players also received Burleigh Bears training shirts as a special award for hanging in there. Fitzroy Sharks Online
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QRL Wizard cup set foe epic ending Saturday's head-to-head clash for the Wizard Cup minor premiership between North Queensland and Redcliffe will be just one of a series of dramatic twists to bring a culmination to the 2007 regular season.
Western Districts and Redcliffe will also battle directly for the last remaining place in the FOGS Cup finals, while the Colts finals, Spotless Club Championship and leading tryscorer honours all remain wide open.
Indeed, it has been a season of great excitement and significant advances for the Wizard Cup, celebrating 25 years since the State League concept was first launched.
Among the highlights for the Queensland Rugby League - and the Wizard Cup in particular - have been:
SATURDAY'S head-to-head clash for the Wizard Cup minor premiership between North Queensland and Redcliffe will be just one of a series of dramatic twists to bring a culmination to the 2007 regular season.
Western Districts and Redcliffe will also battle directly for the last remaining place in the FOGS Cup finals, while the Colts finals, Spotless Club Championship and leading tryscorer honours all remain wide open.
Indeed, it has been a season of great excitement and significant advances for the Wizard Cup, celebrating 25 years since the State League concept was first launched.
Among the highlights for the Queensland Rugby League - and the Wizard Cup in particular - have been:
* A FURTHER tightening of the competition. Current leaders North Queensland (+199) and Redcliffe (+180) have a lower points differential than any team to win the minor premiership since the Wizard Cup became a season-long competition.
* LAST placed side the Central Comets have conceded fewer points per game (33.3) than any other wooden spoon team since the Wizard Cup became a season-long competition. This figure has declined for four successive seasons.
* A TOTAL of 96 players aged 20-years-old or under have gained exposure to the Wizard Cup, learning their trade against a mixture of veterans, Australian and Queensland representatives and the best other young talent around the State. At the same time they have been educated in, and helped perpetuate, the history of many clubs which have links to their local communities since 1909.
* THE elevation of Wizard Cup graduates Neville Costigan and Ryan Hoffman to the State of Origin arena. Since the modern Wizard Cup began, the competition has featured roughly 90 players who have either played Origin or Test rugby league. Furthermore Queensland has been Origin champion for the past two years.
* AGAIN the Wizard Cup provided over 100 graduates this season to the NRL and European Super League. These included some of the hottest young rookies such as Israel Folau, David Taylor, Will Chambers, Scott Bolton, Smith Samau, John Te Reo, Denan Kemp, Sam Tagataese and Maurice Blair.
* THE Cup has also continued to provide an alternate avenue for older players to realise their NRL dream. Michael Roberts, after 10 years and 186 games for Redcliffe, made his debut for the Brisbane Broncos. Palmer Wapau has been signed by the Broncos after his first year of Wizard Cup at age 24.
* PLAYERS to have graced the Cup this year include representative players Sam Thaiday, Michael Crocker, Ty Williams, Paul Bowman, Chris Walker, Brad Meyers, Matt Scott, David Faiumu, Joe Galuvao, Jake Webster, Tame Tupou, Matt Rua, Adam Blair and Andrew Lomu.
* THE Queensland Residents team - assembled from the best players in the Wizard Cup - this year beat New South Wales Residents 52-28, the highest ever score by a team in the history of Residents clashes.
* ABC TV ratings for the match of the round have risen from an average 73,000 Queensland viewers per game in 2006 to 91,000 per game in 2007.
* QRL.COM.AU has attracted 33 million hits in the past 12 months, including a record 465,000 hits for this year's announcement of the State of Origin team for Game I. Globally, 24 countries regularly record more than 500 hits per month.
* Heading into the final round of the season, the Queensland Rugby League has experienced another week of piqued interest, as supporters eagerly wait on crucial results and achievements.
* Among the pivotal events to occur this weekend and in the past seven days are:
* THE minor premiership showdown at 5.30pm Saturday at Dairy Farmers Stadium. This will be only the second year that top spot in the Wizard Cup has been decided face-to-face in the final round. Can reigning premier Redcliffe overcome the absence of several key players or will North Queensland go through the season undefeated at home? Only once in Wizard Cup history (1997) has the minor premier not gone on to contest the grand final.
* IN what club officials are calling the biggest game of their short history, the Western District Panthers will battle arch rival Redcliffe at 4pm Saturday at Kev McKell Oval (aka The Jungle) for the last spot in the FOGS Cup finals. Formed from the ashes of the old Wests, the Panthers have ambitions of returning to the State League down the track. After plenty of lean seasons, the club has already qualified for the Colts (Under 19) finals. Former Test star Tony Currie is the match day sponsor for the big clash.
* ASPLEY, Wynnum Manly and Redcliffe are all tied on 25 points in Colts, with only two of the three able to make the finals. Aspley's youngsters play Sunshine Coast at Quad Park at noon on Sunday, Wynnum Manly faces Burleigh at 2.45pm Saturday at Pizzey Park and Redcliffe will battle Western Districts at 2.30pm Saturday in the precursor to the 'Rumble in the Jungle'.
* IPSWICH will look to pocket $4000 and a rather large trophy by winning the club's first-ever Spotless Club Championship. Wooden spooners in the 2006 Wizard Cup, the Jets have displayed great depth and consistency across all grades this year. However the Jets (250pts) can still be caught by Redcliffe (239pts) and Tweed Heads (233pts). A maximum 20 points can be earned by a club per round, with 10pts for a win in Wizard Cup, 6pts for FOGS Cup and 4pts for Colts. Ipswich plays Souths Logan in all three grades at Davies Park on Sunday.
* THE race to become the Wizard Cup's leading tryscorer in 2007 has gone right to the wire. Early leader John Tamanika (16 tries) of Easts is now equal with Redcliffe flyer Rory Bromley, who last week scored four tries. Sitting one behind the pair is Shannon Walker, while Tweed Heads teammate James Wood is another try further back on 14. Others in the hunt are Nat Barnes (Tweed, 13), Paoa Faamita (Wynnum Manly, 13), Nick Parfitt (Burleigh, 13), Trent Purdon (Burleigh, 13), Nat Bowman (Central, 12) and Rickie Dodd (Ipswich, 12). Past players to win the title and subsequently earn NRL opportunities include Brent Webb, Brent McConnell, Aaron Barba, George Wilson and Brooke Martin.
* THE Arrive Alive Cup Queensland Schoolboys final will be decided Friday, August 17 at Suncorp Stadium. Palm Beach Currumbin SHS plays St Brendan's Yeppoon, kicking off at 4.30pm. The winner advances to the national semi finals.
* EARLIER this week the Queensland Primary Schools team took out the National Titles with a 22-12 win against New South Wales Blue in the final. The Queenslanders had been beaten 16-6 by the same team just a few days earlier.
* QUEENSLAND also won the Nellie Doherty Cup (female interstate game) over New South Wales 38-16 on Monday. The Brolgas led just 12-10 at halftime. QRL Online
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Friday's Position Vacant
ABERDEEN RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB EST.1920 is seeking applicants for the positions of Under 18, Reserve Grade and First Grade coach for the 2008 season. Our club plays in the NSWCRL Group 21 competition and will be placed second in the First Grade minor premiership.
The Upper Hunter area is a great place to live and has plenty of job opportunities. Applications and enquiries to Shane Lloyd at or 0409782053. shane.lloyd66@...
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