Latest news with #StGeorgeIllawarraDragons
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Shock revelation as NRLW's youngest captain defies odds
In a bold move that defies the odds, the NRLW's youngest captain is proving why she's not just a leader on the field but a visionary off it too. Zali Hopkins is part of a new breed of sportspeople planning for life after sport super early despite a shocking pay disparity and insufficient financial education for young players. She built her first investment property the year after she debuted for the St George Illawarra Dragons Women's side that she now co-captains – choosing to go interstate to Queensland for great value and strong returns in partnership with her mum. Builder's epic $740k council fine for daughter's cubby house 'It's important to me not just as an investment, but as a step toward long-term stability beyond my playing career,' she told The Courier-Mail. She called on clubs to step up educational efforts for players so they could build a future outside sport. 'While we are often supported in developing sport-specific or performance-related skills, there is limited guidance when it comes to financial literacy or investing.' she said. 'This is an area where clubs could step in and provide structured support, helping players build long-term financial security. Cash-strap student turns $40k to 38 homes The NRLW fullback is one of 22 sportspeople partnering with full service buyer's agency Prpty360 to invest their earnings into property, including Broncos coach Michael Maguire and second rower Jordan Riki. Agency director Julian Fadini said it was harder for women in sports, being paid much less than men, so investing early was a wise move. 'Because Zali is early on in her career, she needed a high performing asset that has rental income to help cover costs for holding.' 'With Zali we identified the area because of its entry point in terms of the affordability, and the other part was the prospects for growth.' Ms Hopkins and her mum bought a block of land in Cairns in 2021, paying $228,000 before going on to build a four-bedroom house on it which was completed a year and a half later. 'The entry point was perfect for my mum and I, and the rent was so high that it almost covered the mortgage,' Ms Hopkins said. 'The area we bought in was close to the water, and it has a lot to offer lifestyle-wise'. 'My advice to others — especially NRLW players — is to work hard, stay focused, and if possible, try to save a portion of your salary.' 'Investing in property can be a smart long-term move. Set goals that are realistic and achievable, and start planning early. It's never too soon to think about your future beyond the game.' Her Cairns property now rents $670 a week, but property data shows it could fetch as high as $864 a week given how dire the housing supply situation has become in Far North Queensland. Its value has also jumped to $800,000 in less than two years since it was built. Mr Fadini said her property was performing 'extremely well'. 'The lifestyle appeal of the area is as good as it gets. She's very close to millionaires and multi-millionaires row and very close to the marina and the water.' He said athletes in particular were very young when they first came into huge contracts, and there was a growing focus on players' agents not just securing their contracts and playing career but also making sure players don't retire without any money afterwards. 'Our athletes are hitting their big contracts in their early 20s,' he said. 'Of all the kids that go out and play rugby league on a weekend, a very small percentage of those will make it into what's considered the first step, which would be like an $80,000 contract or $120,000 contract to play, and then a vast majority of them will not go any further than that.' 'The ones that do make it through will go from $80-120k to $250k all the way up to $750,000 or potentially more.' 'It turns out that we're the guys that they turned to invest the young players' money into real estate. And we were carefully watched for about two years and thoroughly checked out before we received our first set of football clients. And then, we've just grown from there.' Ms Hopkins said she would love to be able to buy in Sydney one day too, with property remaining a firm part of her post-sport plan. 'My goal is to purchase another property independently by the end of this year. It's something I've been working towards by staying disciplined with my finances, saving consistently and setting realistic targets.' Mr Fadini said they generally recommended clients buy properties that appeal to owner-occupiers, even if they never intended to live there themselves. 'What we typically work on are houses that have four bedrooms, two bathrooms and double lockup garages. That's what we find is the best to buy as they are suitable to owner-occupiers and families. Investors come and go from the market, but owner occupiers are consistent, and they are the ones that drive price growth. It's fundamental for us.'
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters roll as Sharks, Knights enjoy first NRLW wins
The Sydney Roosters had to subdue a determined St George Illawarra Dragons outfit to keep their NRLW season blemish-free, while Cronulla and Newcastle enjoyed healthy wins to open their 2025 campaigns. The Roosters prevailed 24-10 at Jubilee Stadium in Sydney for back-to-back wins to start their year, while the Sharks overwhelmed the Raiders 56-6 in Canberra. In Townsville, the Cowboys came crashing back to earth as the Knights scored a 26-6 win after leading 14-0 at the break. The lead changed three times in the top-four clash between the Dragons and Roosters until Hannah Southwell was sin-binned in the 55th minute for a late tackle on Sydney half Jocelyn Kelleher to open the floodgates. Olivia Kernick and Keeley Davis ran in quick tries to take the spoils. But coach John Strange wasn't pleased with 15 errors, compared with nine by the Dragons, and a poor completion rate of just 64 per cent. "I was disappointed in how we played, but the good thing is it's only round two and there's so much improvement in this team, and that gets me excited," he said. Much was made before the game of the clash in the centres between rookie Indie Bostock and Jillaroo Isabelle Kelly, with the pair giving as good they got, although Kelly scored the Roosters' opening try. "Obviously Izzy is a really good player, but Bossie did a great job on her, and who knows, with a few more years' experience she (might) be the next Isabelle Kelly," Dragons captain Raecene McGregor said. A four-try haul by Emma Verran was the backbone of the Sharks' 10-try victory at GIO Stadium. Verran went try-less in 2024, with her last four-pointer back in September 2023. But her acceleration through gaps and her support play brought rewards on Saturday and meant she is just the fourth player - and the first from Cronulla - to score four tries in an NRLW game. The milestones didn't stop there. Prop Stephanie Falkner, who came on to the bench for Filomina Hanisi after an ACL injury last round, is a Sharks junior and scored a double on her first-grade debut. Back-rower Rhiannon Byers also claimed a double, while five-eighth Georgia Hannaway landed eight conversions. "We came here wanting to show what Sharks footy looks like and I thought the girls did really well - they were relentless," coach Tony Herman said. The Raiders had not started an NRLW season with two losses until now. Their only points on Saturday were to ever-reliable winger Madison Bartlett - the 28th of her career. After a 20-6 win over the Titans last round, it took the Cowboys 68 minutes to post their first points through utility Alisha Foord. But there was no denying the Knights' resolve to bounce back after a 26-12 loss to new NRLW team, the Bulldogs. It was also a welcome return for the Knights' Jillaroos hooker Olivia Higgins, who missed round one through suspension, but scored her side's fourth and final try on Saturday.
The Age
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
NRL Highlights: Dragons v Roosters
St George Illawarra Dragons take on the Sydney Roosters in Round 19 of the 2025 NRL Premiership at Jubilee Stadium, Sydney. Loading
ABC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
NRL live updates: Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm, St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters, North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Melbourne will be without two Queensland Origin stars as they try to remain second on the NRL ladder, against the Knights side needing a win to keep in reach of the top eight. Later, St George Illawarra Dragons hosts the Sydney Roosters, followed by North Queensland Cowboys playing the Canterbury Bulldogs. Follow the live blog below and tune in to our live radio coverage.
Sydney Morning Herald
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
NRL Highlights: Raiders v Dragons
Canberra Raiders take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 18 of the 2025 NRL Premiership at GIO Stadium, Canberra. Loading
