Incorrect decision: NRL gets rid of Graham Annesley’s weekly briefings but assures fans that major decisions will still be explained

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has confirmed Graham Annesley’s weekly briefings have been axed in 2025, although the head of football is expected to still be available to discuss any major controversies that arise from the weekend’s action. Journalists have had the opportunity for the past seven seasons to attend weekly meetings at NRL headquarters in Moore Park or via Zoom during Covid to hear key stats and to have important rulings explained by Annesley. But Monday afternoons will feel empty this year with confirmation the briefings won’t return, although major decisions could still be explained over the weekend and could be dealt with like the controversial Jack Howarth no try in the grand final where journalists at Accor Stadium were shown a crucial camera angle that showed the ball wasn’t grounded. While the weekly meetings provided clarity on certain rulings, there was a fear that there was too much focus on the referees and that some decisions were simply a matter of opinion which didn’t sit well with fans. It will be interesting to see how the media and fans deal with calls they don’t like this season if there’s no official word from the NRL. “As part of the post season review in 2024, we decided that we do not require the regular Monday football briefings,” Abdo said in a statement seen by the NewsWire. “We will continue to update media, fans and clubs on significant football matters as required in the season.”