St George Illawarra captain Clint Gutherson has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash with Wests Tigers, with Daniel Atkinson emerging as a surprise replacement consideration.
Gutherson has struggled with a knee injury all week and is a late scratching for the CommBank Stadium clash. The options to replace him are Tyrell Sloan, Matt Feagai and Atkinson.
“It’s a weird one. I can’t tell you much, to be honest, because he got through the game fine,” Dragons coach Dean Young said of Gutherson’s injury.
“We played Sunday, had two days off, and then Wednesday he was just sore in the normal spot. So, we’re going to have to send him for an MRI scan and see what’s going on.
“Just in the [knee] joint there. The physio has been working around the clock, and we thought he’d be a big chance because against Cronulla, the first time we played them, he had a torn calf from the Broncos game, didn’t train all week, went out, and played 80 minutes.
“So, you never back Gutho out. But he was a bit quieter the last couple of days than he normally is. He tried to warm up, and if he warmed up, that was going to be enough for me to play him because I’ve seen him do it before. But he’s no good.”
Young said Matt Feagai, Tyrell Sloan and Atkinson were the three contenders for the custodial role. The most intruguing option is Atkinson, who can play a number of positions but has rarely used in the No.1 role.
“I think he’s played there for the Sharks or maybe Melbourne,” Young said. “Probably many moons ago. Atko is pretty versatile, he could play anywhere.”
Sloan is the obvious choice, but Young has been impressed with his work on the wing, particularly after a man-of-the-match performance in last week’s win against Cronulla. Young said he would consult the senior players and coaching staff before making a decision.
“I just need to sleep on it and see what’s going to be best for the team,” he said.
There have been reports that Gutherson, Kyle Flanagan and Lyhkan King-Tongia have joined Moses Suli - all contracted for 2027 - in being informed they are surplus to requirements and free to explore their options. Young said that was incorrect.
“With Moses Suli, he got told a while back that at this stage he won’t be offered a contract past his current one,” Young explained. “Moses has got a young family, and if he could secure his future, the club’s not going to stand in his way because we obviously care about him. If he decides to stay at the Dragons, we’re happy to have him.
“The other players mentioned, there’s been no discussion around that they’ve got to go. They’ve all got contracts, and me as head coach, I’m expecting them all to be there next year unless I hear otherwise.”
Young said he was upfront and honest in conversations about his players’ futures.
“I feel like I’ve created an environment at the Dragons where my door is always open,” he said. “If they’ve got any questions or queries, they’d come and feel comfortable talking about anything. But at the moment, our squad’s in place for next year, and we’ll look towards that once we get through the last four games.”
Eels chase Panthers boss to replace outgoing chief executive
Penrith chief executive Matt Cameron has been identified as the preferred candidate to replace outgoing Parramatta boss Jim Sarantinos.
The Eels announced on Thursday that Sarantinos will step down from his role at the end of the season after a decade in the job. Parramatta have wasted no time in identifying their preferred candidate, with sources not authorised to speak publicly telling this masthead that talks with Cameron have already commenced.
Cameron is widely acknowledged as one of rugby league’s top administrators, overseeing an unprecedented period of success at the Panthers. The club contested five consecutive grand finals from 2020, winning four straight from 2021-2024. There’s every chance Penrith could add to the tally this year after leading the competition for most of the season.
Cameron has a strong connection with the Eels, having worked for the club previously. He switched to arch-rivals Penrith in 2012 and helped oversee a rebuild that has made the club the envy of the rugby league world. His expertise in pathways development, salary cap management and recruitment and retention decisions have made him one of the most influential figures in the game.
“The appointment of the club’s CEO is a very important decision for the club, its players, coaches, staff, members and fans. We are undertaking a thorough recruitment process,” said Eels chairman Matthew Beach.
“That will no doubt involve people approaching us, and us approaching people we feel are the right fit for our club. Out of respect for the process and the potential candidates, we won’t be commenting on who we are or who we are not proposing to interview.”
The Eels are giving Cameron time and space to make a call given the Panthers are in the premiership hunt, and trying to re-sign some of the club’s biggest names. Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Moses Leota, Liam Martin and Isaiah Papali’i are among the stars Cameron is attempting to retain.
If he were to leave the foot of the mountains, it would be a huge blow to a powerhouse club that will lose coach Ivan Cleary at the end of next season.
Cameron was contacted for comment.
Sarantinos, meanwhile joined Parramatta at the club’s lowest ebb in 2016 as the Eels were attempting to recover from a salary cap scandal. It has been a rollercoaster tenure: the blue and golds recovered to reach the 2022 grand final before enduring another difficult period on the field, missing the finals in the past three seasons.
Under Sarantinos’ leadership, the club achieved record membership growth, tripled revenue and delivered a world-class centre of excellence.
“This club has meant so much to me for so long, but I feel that the time is right,” he said.
“When I arrived in 2016, the club was facing a difficult period in its proud history. There were many challenges ahead, but I held a deep belief that this club could once again become the organisation its members, fans and community deserved.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been seeing the culture that has taken shape across the club. We have worked hard to create a place where people enjoy coming to work, look out for one another and build strong relationships. The sense of connection that exists today is something I hope continues to grow.”
Beach paid thanked Sarantinos for his contribution to the club.
“Jim has helped guide the club through one of the most significant periods of transformation in our history,” Beach said. “Jim has always led with integrity, passion and an unwavering commitment to the best interests of the Parramatta Eels.”
Sarantinos will remain until the end of the 2026 season.
Rabbitohs halfback given permission to speak to rival clubs
South Sydney halfback Jonah Glover has been granted permission to explore his options at other clubs after failing to make his NRL debut this season.
Glover arrived at Heffron Park with high expectations after a frustrating stint with St George Illawarra, where his path to first grade was blocked by Kyle Flanagan and Lyhkan King-Togia. The 24-year-old was poised to debut in the opening round of the 2026 season, only to break his jaw in the Charity Shield trial against his former club.
He made a successful NSW Cup comeback in round seven and has been one of the Rabbitohs’ best performers in reserve grade, but hasn’t been able to win a spot in Wayne Bennett’s side.
Glover’s management was told last month that their client was behind Bud Sullivan, Ashton Ward and Cody Walker in the pecking order of Souths playmakers. It prompted a request to speak to rival clubs, which was granted on Thursday.
It’s an intriguing development for the Rabbitohs given they haven’t settled on a No.7 and Walker is off contract at the end of the season.
Given the dearth of halves on the market, Glover is expected to find another home. After earning Hastings Deering Colts player-of-the-year honours at Easts Tigers in 2022, and then being part of the Canterbury Bulldogs’ premiership-winning Jersey Flegg side a year later, he helped steer the Dragons to a reserve grade grand final.
The halfback has 61 NSW Cup games of experience heading into Friday’s clash against Canterbury.
Glover joins Peter Mamouzelos and Isaiah Tass as other contracted players permitted to explore their options.
In the NRL, Souths take on Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Friday, with the loser likely to fall out of finals contention. Asked if Latrell Mitchell was a chance of returning this season, Bennett said: “He turns up for one training session, and he’s a headline for three days.
“No, no update. He’s running, which is good. Maybe we will get him before the season is out, maybe we won’t.”
Bennett said having some contracted players leave could assist the club’s ambition to retain several big names, with Mitchell, Walker, Campbell Graham, Jack Wighton and Tallis Duncan set to become free agents on November 1.
“It’s a process, and you’ve just got to stay with the process,” Bennett said.
“If you value the player, and they value the club, nine times out of 10 you get a deal done. You don’t have to rush into it.”
Lodge’s controversial NRL career may be over after immediate Cowboys exit
Matt Lodge’s controversial NRL career appears to be over.
The front rower has played his last match for North Queensland, who have granted him an immediate release. The 31-year-old will leave for the English Super League, where he will link up with ex-Eels coach Brad Arthur at Leeds.
The Rhinos contract is only until the end of the season, giving Lodge five regular-season matches, plus finals, to prove he deserves a longer deal. He is expected to fly to England this weekend.
The journeyman prop had fallen out of favour with the Cowboys, who cut him for the must-win clash against Parramatta on Saturday.
If Lodge doesn’t play in the NRL again, it brings to an end a controversial 148-game NRL career after stints at the Tigers, Broncos, Warriors, Roosters, Sea Eagles and Cowboys.
Lodge was involved in a violent, alcohol-fuelled incident in New York in 2015 which threatened to end his career and made headlines around the world. Then a 20-year-old Tigers forward, Lodge was arrested at gunpoint and held in custody for several days after a drunken home invasion that terrorised a Manhattan family.
Originally charged with felony burglary causing injury, which carried a minimum of five years’ jail and a maximum of 25 years, Lodge’s lawyers negotiated a plea deal, accepting a misdemeanour count of reckless assault.
To avoid a one-year jail sentence, Lodge completed 200 hours of community service in Australia and agreed to abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs. He later paid more than $1 million in compensation to the victims of his crime.
After spending time at the infamous Rikers Island prison, Lodge has been keen to make his rugby league career a story of redemption. That career now takes him to the north of England.
Bears switch attention from Paulo to dumped Raider
The Perth Bears have emerged as the likely destination for out-of-favour Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh after he was axed on Tuesday following his “brain explosion” in the Raiders season-ending loss to Newcastle.
The Bears had been in negotiations with Parramatta prop Junior Paulo about a two-year deal, but weren’t prepared to meet an asking price above $900,000 a season.
They have now turned their attention to Horsburgh, with Bears coach Mal Meninga meeting the 28-year-old on Tuesday.
The Raiders, meanwhile, are keen on Broncos forward Jaiyden Hunt. The Broncos want to keep Hunt, but Canberra’s interest is an indication they don’t expect to have Horsburgh on their books next year, sources not authorised to comment, said.
Brisbane were also in negotiations with Horsburgh, but are unlikely to have the salary cap space required to make a serious play.
Horsburgh is contracted to the Raiders for next year, but he was given permission several weeks ago to explore his options early.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart on Tuesday dropped Horsburgh for Saturday’s clash against Cronulla. Stuart was furious on Sunday after Horsburgh was sent to the sin-bin for slapping Knights centre Dane Gagai in Sunday’s 30-24 loss to Newcastle.
“We should have gone 26-all and there was a brain explosion. It was a f---ing brain explosion, and we lost the opportunity,” Stuart said. “There was one last week or the week before with Alex Twal. Everyone knows you’re not allowed to do that.”
The Eels have tabled Paulo a one-year offer, but want him to remain at the club after his playing career ends. It’s likely the former NSW prop will stay put.
In other team news, Penrith have named Dylan Edwards on an extended bench, raising hopes he could make his return from a shoulder injury against the Roosters. It would result in a clash of superstar fullbacks after James Tedesco was named after sitting out the clash against Canterbury with an ankle injury.
Parramatta utility Dylan Walker returns after being rested, while Apa Twidle will wear the No.1 jersey in the absence of Isaiah Iongi.
And it’s a double boost for Newcastle after centre Bradman Best and hooker Phoenix Crossland named to return from calf injuries against the Titans on Sunday.
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