As the Canterbury Bulldogs continue their preparation for their Round 1 match against the Dragons, an Australian Super Bowl winner has backed one of the team’s star players to make it in the NRL.
Weeks after winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, punter Michael Dickson believes Matt Burton has what it takes to excel in the overseas game.
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This comes after the five-eighth was filmed hitting the roof with his towering bombs and breaking the NFL record for the longest field goal whilst in the Las Vegas Raiders training facility.
“I’m sure he could do it,” Sydney-born Dickson told AAP.
“It’s quite different to Aussie Rules and league, the sweet spot (on the ball) is completely different. He would eventually find the sweet spot kicking an NFL ball.”
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Contracted with the Bulldogs for at least the next two seasons, Burton has admitted that he would be open to a potential code-switch down the line.
His manager has also confirmed that NFL scouts have inquired about his services.
“In league, you can hit a bad ball and be like, ‘That’s it, I want to make this tackle, I want to do something here (to make amends)‘,” Dickson added.
“(In the NFL) you might only get three punts a game, or four punts a game. And if one or two of them aren’t perfect, you can still hit a decent ball but it’s not perfect, then 50 per cent of your game wasn’t up to standard.
“It’s very easy to hit one good punt. ”But it’s really quite difficult to have a year where out of 70 punts, 65 of them are really good punts. That’s a very hard thing to do, so I give it the attention and the effort that it deserves.“
Matt Burton and Michael Dickson.Source: FOX SPORTS
FAVOURITE CITY TO FOLLOW VEGAS REVEALED
NRL powerbrokers have revealed London is the favourite city to host season-opening fixtures alongside Las Vegas after the success of the push into America.
The Daily Telegraph reported London is favoured to join Las Vegas as the next City to host season-opening NRL matches as early as 2027.
The NRL are convinced that the UK offers a lucrative opportunity for the game, while and Asuab ir Middle Eastern destination are also in the equation.
Japan, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi are also vying to host NRL games as part of a global push to expand the game and reach new audiences.
However, London looms as the obvious next choice with the possibility of the NRL converging on the English city as early as 2027.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo revealed their plans to continue to grow the sport through global expansion.
“Yeah, absolutely. Out of all of them, to be honest, that’s the easiest,” V’landys said of London.
However, V’landys believes Asia or the Middle East will also be firmly in contention.
“Look, I wouldn’t be ruling out 2027. Abu Dhabi is very keen … Together with London, they may be the two we look at,” V’landys said.
However, London is a potential revenue gold mine due to rugby league’s streaming service Watch NRL, which is only accessible to supporters outside Australia and provides live coverage of every NRL match.
In the UK market, through Sky, only selected games are broadcast and at $US160 per annum for a subscription, the NRL is adamant UK fans will flock to the platform if NRL games become available.
“Increasing sales of Watch NRL is the biggest thing for us because that’s what drives revenue,” V’landys said.
“Since we’ve been to Las Vegas, subscriptions have increased substantially.”
Peter V’landys has revealed London could host games in 2027.Source: News Corp Australia
WARRIORS STAR MAKES CALL ON FUTURE
New Zealand Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki has shunned rivals to extend with the club on a new contract.
Listed as off-contract at the end of this season, the 26-year-old has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Warriors, which will keep him across the Tasman Sea until the end of 2028.
“Taine is often called on in difficult times at NRL level and consistently responds with quality efforts,” coach Andrew Webster said.
“Last season was the perfect example when we had injuries at the start of the season and we asked Taine to play on the wing, where he had never played before. He didn’t baulk and did a fantastic job.
“He’s a terrific source of energy around the squad and we’re thrilled to know he’ll be with us for at least another three seasons.
He has so much to offer.”
Registering two tries in the 2025 State Championship against the Burleigh Bears, the new deal is likely to see him slowly transition into the starting fullback role on a permanent basis.
Since debuting in 2023, he has made 25 first-grade appearances and played a further 36 matches for the club’s reserve-grade side.
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EX-NRL DUO BACK KNIGHTS FOR WOODEN SPOON
Retired NRL forward and former Australian and New South Wales representative Aaron Woods has predicted that the Newcastle Knights will finish in last place this season despite the arrival of $13 million-man Dylan Brown.
Entering this year’s campaign under a new coach in Justin Holbrook, the Knights will have a completely different spine and have made several new signings such as the recruitment of Brown, Sandon Smith and Trey Mooney.
However, Woods believes this won’t matter and they are destined for another disappointing season.
“From what I’ve seen so far there are so reliant on one man in Kalyn Ponga,” Woods said on Triple M with Beau, Cat and Woodsy.
“If he gets a little bit injured or something does happen, I think they’re in trouble, so Newcastle Knights will be back-to-back wooden spooners.”
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Former NRL winger Beau Ryan also backed the Knights to finish in last place, “I’ve got Newcastle (too).”
On the other side of the ladder, Woods has backed the Penrith Panthers to finish in first place.
With the remainder of the top-eight spots (in order) being taken by the Sharks, Roosters, Broncos, Storm, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels.
“They are going to be so hungry and I’m very scared for their opponents because they’re going to be a bloody tough side to beat,” Woods said.
Will the Knights come last again?Source: AAP