NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Papenhuyzen and Munster return as Eels host Storm
Pinned post from 7.23pm
Vote now - who will win
7.34pm
Eels on the rise
Remember back to half-time of round one at AAMI Park in the match between the Storm and Eels? Parra fans, look away now. The score was 46-6 in favour of the hosts, and the alarm bells were ringing. Everyone knew a new-look Eels side was going to find the going tough early, but nobody saw that coming. What has followed for Jason Ryles and the Eels is a lot of improvement. Yes, they are still nowhere near the finals, but they have made big steps forward since their early season woes. Enough, in fact, to see a path of them mirroring what the Bulldogs have done over the past few years. Here's a yarn on that exact topic from Adrian Proszenko early last month.
7.31pm
Can the Ashes start tomorrow?
All signs are pointing towards this summer's Ashes series in Australia being something special. England's newfound aggressiveness has already attracted the attention of an Australian team that's sure to respond on and off the field. It's already made as far as Todd Greenberg, the CEO of Cricket Australia. Greenberg was quick to issue a 'bring it on' challenge on Thursday.
7.24pm
Lewis Dodd news
Lewis Dodd has played five NRL matches. But what a whirlwind of interest he has generated. It started for the Englishman from the moment he was signed last year. Doubts over his future started once Jason Demetriou was dumped as coach and Wayne Bennett was signed. They haven't stopped since. The latest news is included in this Christian Nicolussi report from earlier today.
7.23pm
Vote now - who will win
7.23pm
Hello, sports fans
Here we are at round 22 of the NRL season. There are only five rounds remaining after this week. Then we have four weeks of finals and then it's done. So, with that in mind, let's get ready for tonight's Eels-Storm showdown from Commbank Stadium. Don't the let fact is 14th v 3rd on the ladder fool you. This should be a good match. With kick-off scheduled for 7.50pm we will bring you some preview material for tonight, all of today's league news and a few other things of interest before then.
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West Coast ruckman Matt Flynn responds to being axed for match-up against Melbourne star Max Gawn
West Coast ruckman Matt Flynn conceded his emotions were 'running high' after finding out he was dropped as the Eagles prepared to tackle ruck great Max Gawn. Flynn found himself axed after the disappointing western derby loss late last month, leaving Bailey Williams and forward-ruck Archer Reid to try to curtail the influence of seven-time All-Australian Gawn at Marvel Stadium in an 83-point thumping. The 27-year-old Eagle instead found himself slugging it out in muddy conditions at Sullivan Logistics Stadium against ex-Docker and East Perth bigman Scott Jones as he pushes for an immediate recall. Flynn put his hand up to take on ladder-leaders Adelaide at Optus Stadium this Sunday with 24 disposals, 30 hit-outs and five clearances. 'It was obviously disappointing. Initially emotions run high in that situation, but I got some good feedback from the coaches and some clear instructions. I put that to use,' he told The West Australian. 'I know my role at the club in this group is to be a leader and I came back to that today in the WAFL against East Perth and tried to put that into practice. 'The coaching staff is positive and there's some work to my game. But as a whole, it is positive stuff to action. 'There wasn't too many negatives or work-ons to worry about in that sense. A little bit of match-up stuff and it was more that good team balance.' Flynn has played a career-high 15 games this season, but he isn't satisfied with just getting a regular game at the struggling Eagles. 'I wouldn't say I am happy with my season in that sense. I've got a lot of improvement to do but I am viewing it in a positive light that I've been able to play 15 games,' he said. 'To be able grow my game week-on-week is something I've been happy with. 'I'm trying to develop and be a bit of a leader and a voice for the playing group. I am happy to be making that my focus. 'I wouldn't say I am happy with my season but there's been some positive spins.' West Coast as a club are struggling on field. They lost by a combined 152 points on Saturday across the AFL and WAFL. They are likely to finish last in both leagues and they are on track for a club low one-win AFL season. Despite the dismal results, Flynn said they could turn things around quickly, pointing to his time at Greater Western Sydney as proof of how results can change. 'I was at the Giants, we were 15th on the ladder and (coach) Adam Kinglsey came in and everyone bought in, and it changed pretty quick,' he said. 'It's going to take a lot of effort and a lot of desire to get better which I am seeing from a lot of the young boys.'
News.com.au
38 minutes ago
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‘Absolutely rattled': Bulldogs truth laid bare as Tigers come out firing in Galvin Bowl
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
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Popyrin pushed to limit to make Canada quarter-finals
Australia's Alexei Popyrin remains on track for back-to-back Canadian Open titles after fighting his way to a three-set win over fifth seed Holger Rune. For the second match in a row in Toronto, 18th-seeded Popyrin had to claw his way back after losing the first set, beating the talented Dane 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday (local time). It was just the second career meeting between the pair and squared the ledger at one apiece, Rune having won their only previous encounter in a tough three-setter on clay at the 2023 Rome Masters. The Australian also recovered from the loss of the first set of his third-round match to score a 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and 2021 US Open and Canadian Open champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Popyrin has his sights set on back-to-back Canadian Open titles after thrashing Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in last year's final. On Saturday he took some time to immerse himself into the match against Rune. He was frustrated not to cash in on any of the 11 break points he had in the first set. However, he turned things around after that, converting both of his break points in the second set, then doing the same with his first opportunity in the final stanza. "I started this week not high on confidence, needing to get a grasp of the mental side,'' the Australian said. "After the first set I was pissed (about not breaking), but when I came back out to return again it felt like I was in control of the match. "I told myself to be aggressive with the next break point that I got, and from them on I felt quite comfortable.'' In the quarter-finals, Popyrin faces top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who advanced after the No.14 seed Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, was forced to retire with an abdominal injury with the German leading 6-4 1-0. Zverev, the 2017 Canadian Open champion who is ranked third in the world, ended up the top seed in Toronto after the world's two top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz skipped the event. Another Australian, ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, plays his round-of-16 clash against American Frances Tiafoe on Sunday (Monday AEST). De Minaur came to Canada in impeccable form, having won last week's Washington Open, his 10th career title. De Minaur has twice reached the quarter-finals at the hard-court event at Flushing Meadows, firstly in 2021, then repeating that effort last year. In other results on Saturday, Alex Michelsen reached the quarter-finals after toppling fellow American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3. Michelsen next faces 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, a 6-4 7-5 winner over eighth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud. - with AP Australia's Alexei Popyrin remains on track for back-to-back Canadian Open titles after fighting his way to a three-set win over fifth seed Holger Rune. For the second match in a row in Toronto, 18th-seeded Popyrin had to claw his way back after losing the first set, beating the talented Dane 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday (local time). It was just the second career meeting between the pair and squared the ledger at one apiece, Rune having won their only previous encounter in a tough three-setter on clay at the 2023 Rome Masters. The Australian also recovered from the loss of the first set of his third-round match to score a 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and 2021 US Open and Canadian Open champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Popyrin has his sights set on back-to-back Canadian Open titles after thrashing Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in last year's final. On Saturday he took some time to immerse himself into the match against Rune. He was frustrated not to cash in on any of the 11 break points he had in the first set. However, he turned things around after that, converting both of his break points in the second set, then doing the same with his first opportunity in the final stanza. "I started this week not high on confidence, needing to get a grasp of the mental side,'' the Australian said. "After the first set I was pissed (about not breaking), but when I came back out to return again it felt like I was in control of the match. "I told myself to be aggressive with the next break point that I got, and from them on I felt quite comfortable.'' In the quarter-finals, Popyrin faces top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who advanced after the No.14 seed Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, was forced to retire with an abdominal injury with the German leading 6-4 1-0. Zverev, the 2017 Canadian Open champion who is ranked third in the world, ended up the top seed in Toronto after the world's two top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz skipped the event. Another Australian, ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, plays his round-of-16 clash against American Frances Tiafoe on Sunday (Monday AEST). De Minaur came to Canada in impeccable form, having won last week's Washington Open, his 10th career title. De Minaur has twice reached the quarter-finals at the hard-court event at Flushing Meadows, firstly in 2021, then repeating that effort last year. In other results on Saturday, Alex Michelsen reached the quarter-finals after toppling fellow American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3. Michelsen next faces 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, a 6-4 7-5 winner over eighth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud. - with AP Australia's Alexei Popyrin remains on track for back-to-back Canadian Open titles after fighting his way to a three-set win over fifth seed Holger Rune. For the second match in a row in Toronto, 18th-seeded Popyrin had to claw his way back after losing the first set, beating the talented Dane 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday (local time). It was just the second career meeting between the pair and squared the ledger at one apiece, Rune having won their only previous encounter in a tough three-setter on clay at the 2023 Rome Masters. The Australian also recovered from the loss of the first set of his third-round match to score a 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and 2021 US Open and Canadian Open champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Popyrin has his sights set on back-to-back Canadian Open titles after thrashing Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in last year's final. On Saturday he took some time to immerse himself into the match against Rune. He was frustrated not to cash in on any of the 11 break points he had in the first set. However, he turned things around after that, converting both of his break points in the second set, then doing the same with his first opportunity in the final stanza. "I started this week not high on confidence, needing to get a grasp of the mental side,'' the Australian said. "After the first set I was pissed (about not breaking), but when I came back out to return again it felt like I was in control of the match. "I told myself to be aggressive with the next break point that I got, and from them on I felt quite comfortable.'' In the quarter-finals, Popyrin faces top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who advanced after the No.14 seed Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, was forced to retire with an abdominal injury with the German leading 6-4 1-0. Zverev, the 2017 Canadian Open champion who is ranked third in the world, ended up the top seed in Toronto after the world's two top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz skipped the event. Another Australian, ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, plays his round-of-16 clash against American Frances Tiafoe on Sunday (Monday AEST). De Minaur came to Canada in impeccable form, having won last week's Washington Open, his 10th career title. De Minaur has twice reached the quarter-finals at the hard-court event at Flushing Meadows, firstly in 2021, then repeating that effort last year. In other results on Saturday, Alex Michelsen reached the quarter-finals after toppling fellow American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3. Michelsen next faces 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, a 6-4 7-5 winner over eighth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud. - with AP Australia's Alexei Popyrin remains on track for back-to-back Canadian Open titles after fighting his way to a three-set win over fifth seed Holger Rune. For the second match in a row in Toronto, 18th-seeded Popyrin had to claw his way back after losing the first set, beating the talented Dane 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday (local time). It was just the second career meeting between the pair and squared the ledger at one apiece, Rune having won their only previous encounter in a tough three-setter on clay at the 2023 Rome Masters. The Australian also recovered from the loss of the first set of his third-round match to score a 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over former world No.1 and 2021 US Open and Canadian Open champ Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Popyrin has his sights set on back-to-back Canadian Open titles after thrashing Russia's Andrey Rublev 6-2 6-4 in last year's final. On Saturday he took some time to immerse himself into the match against Rune. He was frustrated not to cash in on any of the 11 break points he had in the first set. However, he turned things around after that, converting both of his break points in the second set, then doing the same with his first opportunity in the final stanza. "I started this week not high on confidence, needing to get a grasp of the mental side,'' the Australian said. "After the first set I was pissed (about not breaking), but when I came back out to return again it felt like I was in control of the match. "I told myself to be aggressive with the next break point that I got, and from them on I felt quite comfortable.'' In the quarter-finals, Popyrin faces top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who advanced after the No.14 seed Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, was forced to retire with an abdominal injury with the German leading 6-4 1-0. Zverev, the 2017 Canadian Open champion who is ranked third in the world, ended up the top seed in Toronto after the world's two top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz skipped the event. Another Australian, ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, plays his round-of-16 clash against American Frances Tiafoe on Sunday (Monday AEST). De Minaur came to Canada in impeccable form, having won last week's Washington Open, his 10th career title. De Minaur has twice reached the quarter-finals at the hard-court event at Flushing Meadows, firstly in 2021, then repeating that effort last year. In other results on Saturday, Alex Michelsen reached the quarter-finals after toppling fellow American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3. Michelsen next faces 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, a 6-4 7-5 winner over eighth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud. - with AP
