Around the clubs: What Finucane thought of Walsh head clash; Bulldogs, Warriors get NRLW nod

Dale Finucane says he’s glad Penrith’s Taylan May was not charged for an accidental head clash with Reece Walsh, even though he was suspended for two matches for a similar incident.

May was placed on report for an incident that left Brisbane fullback Walsh with a facial fracture, but the match review committee did not charge the Panthers centre, who also finished with eight stitches to a facial cut.

Commentators were split on whether May should have been charged. The NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley said the match review committee should have levelled a charge.

Finucane was suspended for two games for a similar shot on former Panther Stephen Crichton in 2022. He said at the time he feared his case would set a dangerous precedent for players involved in future accidental head knocks. But the Sharks skipper said on Thursday the match review committee had got it right with May.

“My stance hasn’t changed, I understand there needs to be a duty of care, and Reece suffered a facial fracture, but it was an accidental head clash,” Finucane told this masthead.

“There didn’t look like there was any malice or intent in the tackle. Every week you will see wingers and centres jam in and cut a play down.

Reece Walsh after his early head clash against Penrith Panthers.

“On the flipside, if you give Reece Walsh time, he might get the ball away to his winger, then you’re asking why Taylan didn’t jam him.

“Some incidents are just unavoidable. Even the rules around crushers and hip-drop tackles, nobody goes out to intentionally do those tackles.

“[In terms of the May tackle], that’s one where it’s an accident and shouldn’t be [sanctioned].”

Meanwhile, Cronulla on Thursday unveiled a mural featuring the iconic image of club legends Paul Gallen and Andrew Ettingshausen celebrating the 2016 premiership.

Sharks co-captain Dale Finucane.

The pair said they still remembered the moment like it was yesterday, and were keen to see coach Craig Fitzgibbon emulate that feat with the current Sharks side.

“I’m a Shark through and through,” Gallen said. “That was the best moment of my career. But it was eight years ago. I want to see this group of players win one, and see ‘Fitzy’ do it here, his dad Allan was here many years ago, so he’s got that history with the club.

“As Sharks fans, we almost have to get over 2016 and move on, it’s starting, and hopefully this group of players can get it done.”

The Sharks have been hit hard with injuries in the forwards, with Tuku Hau Tapuha and cult hero Tom Hazelton two of the few big boppers left standing.

Bulldogs, Warriors to join NRLW

The Bulldogs and Warriors have been chosen as the new clubs to join an expanded 12-team NRLW competition from next year.

The Warriors had been part of the competition until 2020, however were forced to withdraw during the COVID-19 pandemic. The addition of the Bulldogs will further expand the footprint of the women’s game while allowing more elite pathways for female players in the thriving Western Sydney market.

Such is the belief in the women’s product at Rugby League Central that consideration is being given to taking an NRLW game to Las Vegas next year.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said it was important to provide certainty for the growth of the women’s game, and for growth at all levels from grassroots through to the elite.

“The women’s game has gone to another level with the skill level and quality of the games being extraordinary. This is evidenced by the popularity of the NRLW competition,” V’landys said.

“Last year over a million viewers tuned in to watch the NRLW grand final, and we are looking forward to an even bigger and better competition in 2025.

The Knights have two more contenders for the title next year.

“Investments into participation and pathways will ensure that new teams are competitive as soon as they enter the competition.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the expansion of the NRLW premiership was another important milestone in the code’s strategic growth plan. He said the awarding of these licenses was strongly focussed on geography and timing, including participation, pathways and infrastructure.

“This is an exciting moment as we continue to build on the momentum built from previous seasons,” he said. “The return of the Warriors is an important strategic boost for the women’s game in New Zealand, while the Bulldogs are adding the final step to their program after years of strong investment in the women’s game.”

Experts’ Round 4 tips

Billy Smith will spend about two months on the sideline after having foot surgery.

Tricolours struck by injury as Smith undergoes foot surgery

Roosters centre Billy Smith has undergone foot surgery to have a piece of bone removed after he suffered a cartilage injury in the club’s weekend NSW Cup loss to South Sydney.

Coach Trent Robinson said Smith, who had already been sidelined with a hamstring niggle at the start of the season, would need a couple of months to recover.

“[He] just went up for a high ball, came down and rolled the ankle, and was in for surgery Monday night to just take out that piece of bone that got chipped off,” Robinson said.

“It’s disappointing, and it means a couple of months [off], we’ve been in a good spot there injury wise, but just a couple of annoying ones there.”

Smith joins Lindsay Collins and Sandon Smith on the bench after the duo were injured in the Tricolours’ first-grade win over South Sydney last week.

Collins sustained a low-grade hamstring strain and is expected to spend one or two weeks on the sideline, while Sandown will miss between four and six weeks after suffering ligament damage from a hyperextended elbow.

“It’s a credit to Sandon, he did it in the first half, you could see him pull out of the tackle and sort of grabbing his elbow there,” Robinson said. “We got it strapped at half-time and then played on, and we needed him to play on and do what he did, he’s going to be out for four to six weeks with that injury … But it’s a credit to him to brush that aside and get the job done.”

In some good news for the club, halves partners Luke Keary and Sam Walker have been given the all-clear to play in Thursday’s match against Penrith.

Keary was subject to the NRL’s 11-day stand-down period after suffering a concussion in the Roosters round two clash with Manly, while Walker had his category one concussion from last week downgraded, allowing him to play.

It’s Kung Fu Panthers as Jack Black comes on board

Premiers Penrith may have some serious star power in their corner when they head to Las Vegas next year with Hollywood ace Jack Black their latest fan.

Black wore a Panthers jersey when in Sydney last week to promote Kung Fu Panda 4. The club stitched Ultimate Warrior and the No. 4 on to the back of Black’s jumper as a nod to his latest flick.

Studio executives from Universal had hoped Black could attend BlueBet Stadium for the round-two game against Parramatta, or six days later against Brisbane.

The Panthers were also asked about Black filming a short skit with the players where pandas were confused with panthers. Scheduling issues, however, prevented Black from heading west – but that did not stop back-rower Scott Sorensen from spending time with the American actor at the Park Hyatt last Saturday week.

Sorensen was blown away by Black’s larger-than-life presence, and likened his energy to that of teammates Mavrik Geyer – who will debut on Thursday – and Jarome Luai.

When questions turned to rugby league, Black joked “he knew all the rules”, and loved some of the Panthers’ try celebrations from last year, including Luai’s own ode to Kung Fu Panda, and gave Brian To’o and Liam Martin a “10 out of 10″ for their synchronised swimming effort.

“He’s such a genuine nice guy who was full of energy – the way he is in the movies, being out there and so energetic – that’s exactly how he was when I met him,” Sorensen said. “He’s such a champion. It was the experience of a lifetime.”

The Black interview with Sorensen was uploaded to social media and had 80,000 views in the first six hours.

Top son Mavrik set to make NRL debut

Mavrik Geyer, the son of Penrith Panthers club legend Mark Geyer, is set to make his NRL debut against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night.

Geyer, 23, will replace the injured Scott Sorensen on the Panthers bench. While some at the club described the pair as having a similar intimidating physical presence, teammates said the younger Geyer was not as wild on the field.

“Mav is a pretty big lad,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said. “I didn’t get the joy of playing with ‘MG’ – I played against him, and I tried to avoid him as much as I could.

Mavrik Geyer and his famous father Mark

“They’re a bit different. The game is different these days. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, he didn’t get serious about his footy until about three years ago.

“He’s been playing well in [NSW] Cup and training well – his pre-season has been outstanding – and he’s ready to take the next step.”

Panthers forward Liam Martin said of Geyer: “I don’t know MG too well, but Mav is one of my good mates here, I’m really excited for him and to see all the hard work pays off. He’s a champion fella who will do anything for you. Everyone here loves him.

“He’s a bit of a larrikin, he has no filter. We’re all excited for him. I don’t know if he’s as bad as MG, but he’s good fun.”

Geyer, who last year re-signed with Penrith until the end of 2025, despite interest from the Melbourne Storm, has been one of the club’s most consistent performers in the lower grades for a few seasons and was upgraded to a top 30 contract last year.

He told this masthead before Christmas how he had resorted to eating 50 eggs a week and bulked up seven kilos in his quest to press for a top-grade start.

Prop James Fisher-Harris is a chance of returning from a shoulder injury to take on the Sydney Roosters, who will be without props Lindsay Collins (injury) and Spencer Leniu (suspension).

Cartwright suffers rib injury in win over Manly, Sivo to return for Eels

Parramatta’s week has gone from bad to worse with form back-rower Bryce Cartwright suffering a rib injury in the win over the Sea Eagles on Sunday.

The impressive win over Manly at CommBank Stadium has come at a significant cost to Parramatta, who have also lost star halfback Mitchell Moses for eight to 10 weeks with a broken foot.

That has been compounded by revelations that Cartwright could miss up to six weeks with a rib injury he picked up in the come-from-behind win.

Bryce Cartwright was glad when he found out it was good friend Nathan Brown replacing him on the bench

Parramatta confirmed Cartwright had a rib injury but there is uncertainty over the severity of the injury.

Cartwright could be named to play against the Tigers on Easter Monday if he can push through the pain.

Cartwright has been in career-best form to start the season, but will now join Moses in the club’s rehabilitation group.

Moses had surgery on the broken foot he injured while being tackled late in the second half. He hobbled back to his feet and finished the game but struggled to walk after full-time.

The Eels will welcome back winger Maika Sivo and centre Bailey Simonsson against the Wests Tigers on Easter Monday.

Sivo, who copped a three-week suspension for a high shot on Gold Coast star AJ Brimson during the pre-season trials, said he needed to overhaul his tackle technique. The Fijian winger was also banned for four games last year, after an unsuccessful appeal for a downgrade, after collecting Titans winger Jojo Fifita with a swinging arm.

“It is what it is. I just have to change my tackling technique and go from there,” Sivo said.“I’ve been practising after every session with our defence coach. I’ve been improving and can’t wait to get back.

“I’ve been doing it for the past two weeks to try to get into the habit of that and then implement that on the field.

“I don’t want to be on the outside watching the boys play. I wish I was out there, but in saying that, I have to keep working on my technique.”

The bad news for Moses and Cartwright comes as the Panthers have also suffered a huge blow with Nathan Cleary to be ruled out of the blockbuster against the Roosters with a hamstring injury.

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