Latest news with #BeanieForBrainCancer
The Advertiser
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
NRL downplays judiciary change after Cleary frustration
The NRL's chief executive has downplayed a controversial change to the judiciary system, saying the league may never need to enact the new rule that has angered Ivan Cleary and the players' union. The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) now has the power to charge players for on-field acts if they are dissatisfied with the sanctions proposed by the previously independent match review committee (MRC). Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton termed the change "unprecedented over-reach" last week, while four-time premiership-winning Penrith coach Cleary said it implied a "disturbing" lack of faith in the MRC from league bosses. The rule change comes as the NRL continues to search for consistency between on-field penalties and post-match sanctions for illegal tackles. Speaking at the launch of the NRL's Beanie For Brain Cancer round, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo insisted the change was only an "insurance policy". "All it really means is that the Commission is able to, on very rare circumstances if ever, apply to the judiciary to review a matter that may have been missed by the match review committee, or may have, in their view, not been graded appropriately," he said. "There could be an upwards movement of the grading, it could be a downwards movement of the grading. "This would be in very rare, exceptional circumstances as an insurance policy. It's not a case of us being in a situation where we're going to see this applied regularly, if at all." Abdo claimed not to have been aware of frustrated comments made by Cleary, who on Tuesday said it would be better for the NRL to rethink the entire system than weigh in sporadically. But Abdo said if teams were dissatisfied with the ARLC's charges, they could still challenge proposed sanctions at the judiciary as normal. "The Commission has no powers to make a final decision, those powers will sit with the judiciary," Abdo said. Cleary pointed to Scott Sorensen's two-game ban as an example that the judiciary system was making mistakes, with the second-rower escaping on-field sanction altogether for his hip-drop style tackle on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. "We'll make no apology for wanting to protect players and we'll also put the onus on the defender to take all measures to avoid those indicators (of a hip-drop)," Abdo said. The NRL's chief executive has downplayed a controversial change to the judiciary system, saying the league may never need to enact the new rule that has angered Ivan Cleary and the players' union. The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) now has the power to charge players for on-field acts if they are dissatisfied with the sanctions proposed by the previously independent match review committee (MRC). Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton termed the change "unprecedented over-reach" last week, while four-time premiership-winning Penrith coach Cleary said it implied a "disturbing" lack of faith in the MRC from league bosses. The rule change comes as the NRL continues to search for consistency between on-field penalties and post-match sanctions for illegal tackles. Speaking at the launch of the NRL's Beanie For Brain Cancer round, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo insisted the change was only an "insurance policy". "All it really means is that the Commission is able to, on very rare circumstances if ever, apply to the judiciary to review a matter that may have been missed by the match review committee, or may have, in their view, not been graded appropriately," he said. "There could be an upwards movement of the grading, it could be a downwards movement of the grading. "This would be in very rare, exceptional circumstances as an insurance policy. It's not a case of us being in a situation where we're going to see this applied regularly, if at all." Abdo claimed not to have been aware of frustrated comments made by Cleary, who on Tuesday said it would be better for the NRL to rethink the entire system than weigh in sporadically. But Abdo said if teams were dissatisfied with the ARLC's charges, they could still challenge proposed sanctions at the judiciary as normal. "The Commission has no powers to make a final decision, those powers will sit with the judiciary," Abdo said. Cleary pointed to Scott Sorensen's two-game ban as an example that the judiciary system was making mistakes, with the second-rower escaping on-field sanction altogether for his hip-drop style tackle on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. "We'll make no apology for wanting to protect players and we'll also put the onus on the defender to take all measures to avoid those indicators (of a hip-drop)," Abdo said. The NRL's chief executive has downplayed a controversial change to the judiciary system, saying the league may never need to enact the new rule that has angered Ivan Cleary and the players' union. The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) now has the power to charge players for on-field acts if they are dissatisfied with the sanctions proposed by the previously independent match review committee (MRC). Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton termed the change "unprecedented over-reach" last week, while four-time premiership-winning Penrith coach Cleary said it implied a "disturbing" lack of faith in the MRC from league bosses. The rule change comes as the NRL continues to search for consistency between on-field penalties and post-match sanctions for illegal tackles. Speaking at the launch of the NRL's Beanie For Brain Cancer round, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo insisted the change was only an "insurance policy". "All it really means is that the Commission is able to, on very rare circumstances if ever, apply to the judiciary to review a matter that may have been missed by the match review committee, or may have, in their view, not been graded appropriately," he said. "There could be an upwards movement of the grading, it could be a downwards movement of the grading. "This would be in very rare, exceptional circumstances as an insurance policy. It's not a case of us being in a situation where we're going to see this applied regularly, if at all." Abdo claimed not to have been aware of frustrated comments made by Cleary, who on Tuesday said it would be better for the NRL to rethink the entire system than weigh in sporadically. But Abdo said if teams were dissatisfied with the ARLC's charges, they could still challenge proposed sanctions at the judiciary as normal. "The Commission has no powers to make a final decision, those powers will sit with the judiciary," Abdo said. Cleary pointed to Scott Sorensen's two-game ban as an example that the judiciary system was making mistakes, with the second-rower escaping on-field sanction altogether for his hip-drop style tackle on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. "We'll make no apology for wanting to protect players and we'll also put the onus on the defender to take all measures to avoid those indicators (of a hip-drop)," Abdo said.
7NEWS
25-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
NRL boss hits back at Ivan Cleary's ‘disturbing' judiciary criticism: ‘We'll make no apology'
The NRL's chief executive has downplayed a controversial change to the judiciary system, saying the league may never need to enact the new rule that has angered Ivan Cleary and the players' union. The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) now has the power to charge players for on-field acts if they are dissatisfied with the sanctions proposed by the previously independent match review committee (MRC). Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton termed the change 'unprecedented over-reach' last week, while four-time premiership-winning Penrith coach Cleary said it implied a 'disturbing' lack of faith in the MRC from league bosses. The rule change comes as the NRL continues to search for consistency between on-field penalties and post-match sanctions for illegal tackles. Speaking at the launch of the NRL's Beanie For Brain Cancer round, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo insisted the change was only an 'insurance policy'. 'All it really means is that the Commission is able to, on very rare circumstances if ever, apply to the judiciary to review a matter that may have been missed by the match review committee, or may have, in their view, not been graded appropriately,' he said. 'There could be an upwards movement of the grading, it could be a downwards movement of the grading. 'This would be in very rare, exceptional circumstances as an insurance policy. It's not a case of us being in a situation where we're going to see this applied regularly, if at all.' Abdo claimed not to have been aware of frustrated comments made by Cleary, who on Tuesday said it would be better for the NRL to rethink the entire system than weigh in sporadically. But Abdo said if teams were dissatisfied with the ARLC's charges, they could still challenge proposed sanctions at the judiciary as normal. 'The Commission has no powers to make a final decision, those powers will sit with the judiciary,' Abdo said. Cleary pointed to Scott Sorensen's two-game ban as an example that the judiciary system was making mistakes, with the second-rower escaping on-field sanction altogether for his hip-drop style tackle on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. 'We'll make no apology for wanting to protect players and we'll also put the onus on the defender to take all measures to avoid those indicators (of a hip-drop),' Abdo said.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mary Fowler is cruelly trolled for supporting brain cancer charity - before they are firmly put back in their place
Matildas star Mary Fowler has been attacked online for supporting a highly popular brain cancer charity. The Manchester City forward shared an image online supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation, wearing one of the charity's distinctive blue beanies and urging her followers to purchase one as well. 'Got myself a new cute beanie in preparation for the NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round coming up at the end of June,' she posted. 'The team at the Mark Hughes Foundation are doing incredibly impactful work to help those in need. 'If you'd like to show your support, you can purchase a beanie following the link in my BIO.' Mark Hughes is a former NRL star who played 161 games for the Newcastle Knights, scoring 66 tries, winning two premierships and representing New South Wales in State of Origin during his career. In 2013, aged 36, he was diagnosed with brain cancer, a life-altering event that inspired him and his wife Kirralee to start the Mark Hughes Foundation in 2014. The Mark Hughes Foundation focuses on raising funds for brain cancer research, supporting patient care, and increasing awareness of the disease. One of its flagship events is the annual "Beanie for Brain Cancer" campaign, with over one million beanies sold and tens of millions of dollars donated to research and support programs. Building on this, the NRL holds the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round in June, during which fans, players, and clubs wear beanies to raise funds - most recently generating $3.1million in 2024. Fowler's efforts to promote the 2025 event was met with cynicism by one follower, though, who accused her of doing it for the money. 'How much are rugby league (Mark Hughes foundation) paying you?' they asked with a laughing emoji to mock the Matildas star further. One of Fowler's more polite followers pointed out that she had a connection to the game through her partner, Panthers star Nathan Cleary. 'Her partner plays league you muppet,' they replied. One troll tried to belittle her efforts, prompting the Mark Hughes Foundation to clarify that she was not being paid to endorse the charity And the Mark Hughes Foundation itself also replied, clarifying that Fowler was not being paid to promote the good cause. 'To be really clear we offered to send Mary a Beanie in the aim of her posting and improving our sales,' the foundation's official Instagram account replied. 'Mary then graciously went online, brought 3 beanies and had them shipped to the UK. 'Posted, not only a story, which we get from most influencers but a post and even collaborated with us and added our link to her bio. Way above and beyond. 'Also we do not pay anyone to promote our beanies and the NRL support us by hosting the Beanie Round they do not, nor need to pay anyone to wear them.' Beanies are available online through the Foundation's official website, where this year's options include the bold Violet Chunky Knit and the timeless Classic Grey, both priced at $29. Fans attending Round 17 matches from June 26 to 29 can also buy beanies at the stadiums. In addition, participating retailers such as Lowes, selected IGA supermarkets, and some Woolworths stores are stocking the beanies nationwide. All proceeds go directly toward brain cancer research and patient support programs run by the Foundation.
