AAA<\/p>\n
The NRL Integrity Unit is investigating comments made by Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga, who has publicly courted top players including Bulldogs pair Jacob Preston and Matt Burton in pursuit of a marquee star for the expansion franchise.<\/p>\n
The NRL-owned Bears last week flew a News Corp journalist to Perth to try and get positive publicity for the club. However, the move has backfired after the Bulldogs complained to the NRL about Meninga openly courting their players, who are under contract until the end of 2027.<\/p>\n
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Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga is pursuing Nathan Cleary, Matt Burton and Jacob Preston.Stephen Kiprillis<\/p>\n
Meninga told News Corp the NRL-owned Bears would \u201cbe in the picture\u201d to pursue the likes of Preston, Burton and Nathan Cleary if they hit the open market on November 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has also been a heap of noise around Matt Burton,\u201d Meninga said. \u201cJacob Preston, he\u2019s someone coming off contract after 2027, we\u2019ll be in the picture. We will have enough money in our cap to maybe chase a Nathan or a Jake if they come onto the open market.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meninga\u2019s comments have left him in an awkward position with his employer, the NRL.<\/p>\n
The Integrity Unit is investigating the matter. The Panthers told this column they were happy to leave it with the NRL to sort out.<\/p>\n
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Lachlan Galvin\u2019s move from Wests Tigers to Canterbury prompted the NRL to beef up anti-tampering rules.Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Bears haven\u2019t managed to land a marquee player for their debut season next year. However, the NRL last year introduced a strict policy about public comments from clubs around signing players, essentially an anti-tampering crackdown that prevents club officials or player agents from publicly courting players who are under contract.<\/p>\n
Ironically, the rule was introduced because clubs had a whine about Canterbury boss Phil Gould after he declared Lachlan Galvin was \u201cthe best teenage footballer I\u2019ve ever seen<\/a>\u201d while he was at Wests Tigers. Galvin subsequently joined the Bulldogs after a public fall-out with the Tigers<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Bears\u2019 public stumbles are becoming all too frequent. You won\u2019t see officials from the NRL\u2019s other newcomers, the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, being quoted about targeting specific players as they are more savvy in the marketplace.<\/p>\n If Gould had said what Meninga did, it would have been back-page news for days and the Bulldogs general manager lashed on TV panel shows. Instead, because Meninga is a Fox Sports darling and a recent employee of the network, nothing has been said.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs \u2013 not Gould \u2013 have expressed their dismay. Texts and emails have been sent to the NRL about what they see as breaches of the policy.<\/p>\n The Dogs know keeping Burton will be a challenge and have started conversations to let him know their position<\/a> and what they expect from him over the next year. Preston also remains a priority.<\/p>\n No gag on Gus, insist Nine, V\u2019landys<\/p>\n TV networks keen to land the rugby league broadcasting rights know the value of staying sweet with the NRL \u2013 but the game\u2019s big boss, <\/a>Peter V\u2019landys, denies he is using that to silence commentators.<\/p>\n Rights talks have been hotting up in the background, but they were put front and centre by Phil Gould refusing to answer a question on Nine\u2019s post-Origin analysis show <\/a>about Kalyn Ponga\u2019s sending-off.<\/p>\n Cryptically, Gould told host James Bracey that he didn\u2019t want to cost him his job. It was a reference to the delicate situation around negotiations for the NRL broadcast rights, which could be worth $4 billion.<\/p>\n Gould, the game\u2019s strongest voice, said little, but his silence spoke volumes. He previously walked off the 100% Footy set when asked a question by Bracey relating to the way the game was dealing with matters around officiating.<\/p>\n We asked the heavies at Nine, the publisher of this masthead, if Gould had been silenced. They said he hadn\u2019t and assured us he has been given no directive about commenting on anything, but there is no question his strong views have everybody nervous.<\/p>\n Related Article This column asked V\u2019landys about Gould\u2019s silence. \u201cWe have never tried to gag anyone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n However, the feeling remains that networks are being monitored. We have previously written<\/a> about the input the NRL is trying to have on the game\u2019s magazine shows \u2013 including requesting to see program rundowns before they go to air. And V\u2019landys has made it known to Nine that rugby league should take priority over the AFL in what they present.<\/p>\n He doesn\u2019t back away from that.<\/p>\n \u201cOur input is that we respect every opinion if it\u2019s based on correct facts,\u201d V\u2019landys said. \u201cWe also make no apology that we want our broadcast partners to promote rugby league above other sports and accordingly we look for positivity about the game.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing Gus, I think it was more tongue-in-cheek as he has never been afraid to give his opinion. I know that first hand.\u201d<\/p>\n Not about the money for Burton<\/p>\n There was no player on the NSW bench more invested in Wednesday night\u2019s game than Matt Burton. And not because he has had spent plenty of time there in recent years.<\/p>\n Burton has earned $210,000 in his Origin career, but has only played 153 minutes. He has three Blues appearances to his name and has been 18th man five times, according to stats provided by David Middleton. NSW players get paid $30,000 per match, regardless of whether they take the field as squad members or not. Burton made his Origin debut in the 2022 series, playing two matches, when players received $15,000 per Origin.<\/p>\n The truth is that he would do it all for nothing. After their Blues\u2019 great escape against the Maroons on Wednesday night, he was as happy as any player in the NSW sheds.<\/p>\n \u201cI was called in late, and you get to be part of that \u2026 it\u2019s unbelievable,\u201d Burton said. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the craziest 24 hours of my life. From being at training about to running out in the field with the Doggies and then obviously getting the late call-up to come into camp \u2026 it\u2019s the best thing ever.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be a part of that win, it\u2019ll go down as one of the greatest wins for NSW, and I\u2019m just grateful to be a part of that. I\u2019m truly grateful to wear this jersey every time you get the chance. It was a thrill to go on there at the end. I was buzzing, and I got put in the middle, so I just wanted to run hard and run straight and try and make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Ponga mixes with fans<\/p>\n We saw Kalyn Ponga in full kit in Billy Slater\u2019s coaching box during the game. What we didn\u2019t see was that he took a wrong turn and ended up in the crowd at one point.<\/p>\n Imagine what punters must have thought when the Queensland No.1 bounced past them in his playing gear after he was sent off in the 57th minute.<\/p>\n Laurie delivers<\/p>\n Blues coach Laurie Daley had his selections for game one pulled apart, but his bench choices almost all paid off.<\/p>\n Billy Slater\u2019s non-selection of Reece Walsh is still a head-scratcher \u2013 and it made worse by the loss of Ponga when he was marched in the 57th minute for his hit on Tolu Koula. Walsh coming off the bench to help the team in Ponga\u2019s absence would have been ideal.<\/p>\n Instead, back-rower Kurt Capewell had to play out of position in the centres, and the Blues exposed him. Daley\u2019s faith in five-eighth Ethan Strange, who was called up as a late replacement for the injured Mitchell Moses, was fully justified, while bench players Casey McLean, Cameron Murray, Blayke Brailey and Victor Radley all stood tall.<\/p>\n Foran set to fight for his rights<\/p>\n \u201cFozball\u201d: It\u2019s one of the terms of 2026, and the man for whom it was coined, Manly interim coach Kieran Foran, is now trying to make it his own. The problem is that a punter has registered it and is already selling merchandise. Expect Foran\u2019s management group, SFX, to try and get the rights back.<\/p>\n Top Dog bares teeth over text<\/p>\n Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s steely media conference after the Bulldogs\u2019 win over the Storm last Friday \u2013 where he described rumours that have been circulating about the club as \u201cbullshit\u201d \u2013 left many in the media with their backs up.<\/p>\n The thought was that the Canterbury coach was referring to some of the rot discussed on hyped-up panel shows or on podcasts. But that wasn\u2019t his main concern. Ciraldo doesn\u2019t watch those programs.<\/p>\n Instead, Ciraldo was angered by a text message sent to him by a former Dragons player. The message had one made-up story after another about players like Jacob Kiraz, Burton, Galvin and others wanting out of Belmore for various reasons.<\/p>\n It was all wrong and based on misinformation.<\/p>\n The message heavily targeted Ciraldo and captain Stephen Crichton. The Dogs managed to source it back to a person who is a Dragons sponsor, and they have distanced themselves from it. It\u2019s that kind of scuttlebutt that sends fans into a frenzy and occupies hours of a coach\u2019s time.<\/p>\n Ikin, Solly out of race to be next NRL CEO<\/p>\n There are no names jumping out to the heavies at the Australian Rugby League Commission to replace Tennis Australia-bound chief executive Andrew Abdo, as the move towards Peter V\u2019landys assuming an executive chairman role<\/a> starts to rumble along.<\/p>\n Of the names floated publicly as potential contenders, Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin and South Sydney CEO Blake Solly have distanced themselves from the role. From what we can gather, there is not a lot of love for former Seven Network boss and recently departed Supercars chief executive, James Warburton. It means the obvious play is for V\u2019landys to become executive chairman.<\/p>\n The stumbling block is that almost universal support is needed to change the ARLC constitution. V\u2019landys has widespread support<\/a> from the clubs, who are better funded now than at any other time. But there will be one or two club bosses who could be difficult to convince.<\/p>\n The states are another obstacle, but it appears some of those relationships have improved.<\/p>\n The notion that V\u2019landys and Abdo were fighting or had a bad relationship is not right. Yes, V\u2019landys is demanding \u2013 at times too demanding \u2013 and can ask a lot of those around him in terms of hours and tasks, but there appears to be a genuine friendship between the chairman and his CEO.<\/p>\n I saw that first hand on the recent Kangaroos tour of England, where the pair would get up at the crack of dawn and train together in a dingy hotel gym in London. They would arrive at the same time to do weights before Abdo would hop onto the treadmill and V\u2019landys would get on a different machine to get an aerobic workout. The 6am gym sessions were not part of Abdo\u2019s job description.<\/p>\n Related Article From what we can gather, V\u2019landys was the man who talked Abdo through his move to the Tennis Australia job. When the post first became available a few weeks ago, he told Abdo, \u201cThey will come after you for this position\u201d. Abdo took it the wrong way and asked, \u201cAre you trying to get rid of me?\u201d<\/p>\n The truth is V\u2019landys knew Abdo\u2019s worth and also knew he\u2019d be good for Tennis Australia. He is hard-working, diligent and well presented.<\/p>\n The NRL is proving to be quite the breeding ground for national sports CEOs, with former NRL chief Todd Greenberg now running Cricket Australia \u2013 not that V\u2019landys would sing his praises like he does Abdo\u2019s.<\/p>\n Abdo kept his chairman informed throughout the discussions with TA and delivered the news he was leaving in a phone call to V\u2019landys in his Racing NSW office last Friday.<\/p>\n V\u2019landys is not everybody\u2019s cup of tea but everything he has touched in a commercial sense has been a success. Consider this: how would you like it if he was leading a sport in competition with rugby league?<\/p>\n He would never do it. The NRL chief executive job pays about $1.7 million a year, which is great coin but not too different from what he earns as Racing NSW CEO and ARLC chairman.<\/p>\n Why the delay over Foran\u2019s Manly deal?<\/p>\n Negotiations over Kieran Foran\u2019s head coaching contract at Manly have dragged on longer than anticipated \u2013 and for a club that embarrassed itself by botching contract negotiations with Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic, it\u2019s always a watch for the media.<\/p>\n Fortunately, they have a strong and competent chief executive in Jason King, so expect the deal to happen. Manly can\u2019t afford to botch this. King looks smart for moving ex-coach Anthony Seibold on after three losses. Foran is looking at a three-year extension as head coach from next season worth about $550,000. That seems a little light and may be a reason for the longer-than-expected negotiation.<\/p>\n Foran should be on $600,000 for next year with gradual increases to get him about $750,000. Chuck in some bonuses and that would be a fair deal. But we are not writing the cheques and Manly owners the Penn family have had a long-held reputation for not-over spending on their football team.<\/p>\n Nor will there be a revolution when it comes to Foran\u2019s staff, and he will be reluctant to change what is working.<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Bulldogs](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780006340_738_0ea071d170527207aa5aa4b6ab12f68b34d59e19.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Proud](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c55750e693a2446152ed0f39c7619850629005de.jpeg\")
Proud Blue, Matt Burton (right), alongside Jacob Saifiti.NRL Imagery<\/p>\n![\"Lachie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7ca955bbd58811fd5aff2fffec497abb533822f3.jpeg\")
Lachie Galvin and Cameron Ciraldo.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Tennis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/25b062a1457af01084d599f9f3499328323cecd5.jpeg\")
Tennis Australia unveils its incoming CEO Andrew Abdo.The Age<\/p>\n![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/af4f6ee71b3e327acfe738559ab74537d2ce56c9.jpeg\")
Andrew Abdo and Peter V\u2019landys on 2025 grand final day.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"NRL](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780170976_985_7824321cbf173ecf116d78c2af6bdaae7292f689.jpeg\")
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Negotiations over Kieran Foran\u2019s contract extension have dragged on.NRL Photos<\/p>\n