Despite Queensland’s best efforts to bring the NRL grand final back to the state for the 2nd year in a row, October’s decider will be staged in Sydney after tense negotiations between the NSW Government and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC). The grand final has always been held in Sydney – except in 2021 when COVID lockdowns saw the comp set up a bubble across the border and finish the season in Brissie. ARLC chairman Peter V’landys says beyond this year, the match will either be sold off to a city each year, or NSW and Queensland will alternate hosting duties. Sydney had been promised the grand final until 2042, but V’landys and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet have busted up over suburban stadium upgrades.

And while we’re talking NRL… Paul Green’s brain has been donated to the Australian Sports Brain Bank to help with research into the long-term effects of concussion. The foundation’s director Michael Buckland thanked the much-loved player’s family for the “incredibly generous donation”.