NRL 2021

May was stood down from all Panthers commitments until “further notice” following a controversial post on Instagram after the grand final.

The post, which was deleted three days later, was investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit.

The Panthers board met last week to discuss the matter before issuing the 25-year-old with a show cause notice.

He fronted the board on Wednesday, where he was sacked.

By the time it all shakes out it’s expected the Panthers will tear up May’s $250,000 playing contract next week.

The premiers issued May a show cause notice in relation to the errant grand final social media post on Wednesday and the bench player now has seven days to respond.

In the fair dinkum department, what was May thinking when he decided to go off the reservation and try and play the victim card after Penrith’s brilliant grand final triumph?

Talk about ambition exceeding ability.

Fox Sports has learned Pearce has officially received a three-year contract offer from UK Super League grand finalists Catalans overnight and will soon travel from Sydney to Newcastle to meet club powerbrokers.

With the countdown to November 1 only one week away, rival clubs are sharpening their pencils to make a play to land the signature of one of the NRL’s most versatile forwards.

Smith’s agent Stan Martin intends to email all 16 NRL clubs on Monday directing them to submit their best offer for the Melbourne Storm forward.

And Smith’s post-season one match suspension and $15,000 fine for the white powder video has done nothing to dissuade rival clubs from lining up to sign the Storm star.

Firstly Panthers utility Tyrone May was criticised for a social media post that alluded to his sex tape court case.

In another incident Penrith back-rower Viliame Kikau was captured on social media singing the Rabbitohs anthem, Glory, Glory to South Sydney.

The Daily Telegraph reported Tigers players were blowing up after a three-man panel awarded Brooks the best player of the season ahead of clear favourite Doueihi.

“It is a really interesting one and Michael Maguire, Adam Hartigan and board member Danny Stapleton vote for the player of the year,” Rothfield said on The Big Sports Breakfast.

Benji Marshall has called time on a storied career that includes some astonishing numbers but perhaps more importantly a legacy that far outweighs anything that can be measured by statistics.

Marshall brought joy and excitement to a generation of young rugby league fans. The "Benji sidestep" and the "Benji flick pass" have been replicated countless times in backyards, schoolyards and junior rugby league fields over the past two decades.

After 346 NRL games, 19 seasons, 31 Tests for New Zealand, four clubs, five shoulder reconstructions, a couple of last hurrahs, one title and a famous flick pass that spoke to hundreds of equally audacious plays, Marshall is officially done - morphing him from a teen pin-up to elder statesman.

The 36-year-old confirmed his retirement on Wednesday afternoon on the Gold Coast, 10 minutes from the Keebra Park High School stomping ground where those twinkling toes first came to rugby league's attention.

The Dolphins who will adopt a new name to replace Redcliffe are set to be unveiled as the NRL’s 17th team to join the competition in 2023.

“It is understood Bennett is close with signing with Redcliffe, who this month will be announced as Brisbane’s second team,” Channel 7 reported.

Bennett was always going home to Queensland after this season with Jason Demetriou taking over as head coach of South Sydney.
Departing Souths coach Wayne Bennett is set to join the Redcliffe Dolphins when they are officially announced as the NRL’s Brisbane expansion team this month.

Walsh is facing a $5000 fine and two-match suspension while Smith, Munster and Lewis have had one-game bans and fines varying in accordance with their salary proposed.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the players in question had let everyone down with their alleged actions.

"I understand that players have endured a long season under strict protocols. However, there is no excuse for the behaviour we have seen over the past week. The players have let themselves, their clubs and the rugby league community down," he said in a statement.