Bulldogs’ Ogden charged

The National Sports

SYDNEY: The National Rugby League (NRL) has been hit by another drugs drama on grand final day with Canterbury forward Ofahiki Ogden charged with possession of a prohibited substance.
Ogden’s manager informed both the Bulldogs and the NRL’s integrity unit yesterday that he had found himself in trouble overnight.
It leaves a significant dent in the front-rower’s hopes of landing a new contract elsewhere, after already being told by Canterbury he would not be re-signed.
But it also follows a week of drugs hell for the NRL, with Ogden now the fifth players in trouble in the eight days leading up to the decider.
“We have been made aware that Ofahiki has been charged, and his manager made the NRL integrity unit aware,” Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton said.
“I can’t comment much further.”
The NRL’s horror grand final week began when Warriors youngster Reece Walsh was arrested for failing to move on from a Gold Coast night spot last week.
The club later revealed he would face court on a charge of possession of a prohibited substance.
A video then emerged hours before the Dally Ms on Monday night with Melbourne players Brandon Smith, Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis in a hotel room with a white powder.
The trio are expected to face sanctions from both the Storm and NRL. Australian Rugby League Commission to issue a warning to players to “not fry your brains”. – NRL

Hard work and honesty pay off for Rabbitohs prop Nicholls

Mark Nicholls in action earlier in the season. – sydneymorningheraldpic

BRISBANE: As a footballer and as a person, Mark Nicholls only knows how to be honest, dependable and hard-working.
Early in his career, when he struggled for consistent National Rugby League appearances, he wondered whether to keep persisting.
Now, with the affable Rabbitohs prop having played in a grand final against the Panthers, that tenacity has been rewarded.
“Twice in my career, I went nearly two years between NRL games,” Nicholls said
“There were certainly times there where I didn’t doubt my ability but I maybe doubted whether it was worth it.
“I kept coming back to the fact I was doing what I wanted to do as a kid; I love playing footy and if I wasn’t playing NRL then I was going to go and play Queensland Cup or New South Wales Cup or the highest level I could.
“Simply because I enjoy playing the game and I enjoy being around my mates.
“I never doubted my ability, but there were definitely tough times. That makes it all worthwhile now.”
That left edge again for Souths.
Coming through the under-age ranks with Canberra, the boy from Leeton couldn’t fall back on natural gifts to propel him to the top. – NRL

Maloney stars for Dragons

LONDON: Retiring playmaker James Maloney has taken the Catalans Dragons to within one win of the Super League title after a 28-10 victory over Hull KR in Perpignan.
The former National Rugby League star, who hangs up his boots this season, ensured Catalans became the first overseas team to reach Super League’s grand final with another dominant performance on Thursday.
A sold-out Stade Gilbert Brutus saw Les Dracs beat the Robins for the fourth time this season, a match too far for Tony Smith’s depleted troops.
Catalans captain Ben Garcia opened the scoring when he won the fight for a high ball with visiting full-back Will Dagger in the ninth minute which Maloney converted to make it 6-0.
A period of stalemate then ensued between the sides who had already fought out three tight encounters this season, but when giant substitute Sam Kasiano entered the fray the Dragons went into overdrive to crush the home side. – 7 News

Cleary, Bennett put differences aside

Panrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary (left) and Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett at a press conference on Friday. – yahoopic

BRISBANE: The NRL’s grand final coaching bust up has turned into an all-out love-in with Ivan Cleary and Wayne Bennett declaring they’ve moved on from their war of words.
Three weeks after their verbal jousting over kick blockers, Cleary and Bennett instead exchanged pleasantries in Friday’s pre-game press conference.
In a set-up made for a weigh-in style feud, Bennett claimed he was no longer concerned about the topic going into the grand final while sat side-by-side with his Penrith counterpart.
“That’s in the past, I’m sure we’ve both moved on since then and we’ve got our jobs and our teams,” the South Sydney coach said.
Cleary responded in kind, confirming things were “good” after the pair exchanged a hand shake once getting on stage.
Instead, Cleary paid tribute to the way Bennett had acted as a mentor to him in his early days as a coach at the Warriors.
“Wayne actually helped me when I first started coaching,” Cleary said. “He didn’t need to but he did. He gave me a few tips that I still use today so I’m very grateful for that.”
Bennett and Cleary’s history is further entwined.
Cleary was at one stage linked with Brisbane’s coaching job after Bennett left the Broncos for the first time at the end of 2008.
Bennett would also have been the man to take the Penrith job in 2019 if Phil Gould had his way, before Panthers chairman Dave O’Neill approached Cleary.
Six of Penrith’s squad have also made their State of Origin debuts since, joining Nathan Cleary in as many as six games for New South Wales or Queensland.
“A lot of other games as well since (the grand final help too),” Ivan Cleary said. – Yahoo Sports Australia