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Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson (L) tries to avoid teammate Michael Clarke (R) during a game of touch rugby at a training session in St John's Antigua, 06 April 2007. Australia plays its next World Cup Cricket Super Eights match on 08 April against England at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua. AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD (Photo by GREG WOOD / AFP) GREG WOOD

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JOHNSON: Pre-season the spark that lights the fire of footy

Regardless of which code of footy you support, there’s nothing quite like the anticipation that builds during pre-season as households prepare to ride the highs and lows of a season, writes Mitchell Johnson.

Mitchell Johnson

Gold Coast's Kieran Foran has vowed to bounce back even if he needs surgery. (Zain Mohammed/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueForan injury blow as hot Titans spine sinks Dolphins

Gold Coast veteran Kieran Foran has vowed to bounce back if scans reveal the worst on a biceps injury after Gold Coast fired in a 26-18 win over the Dolphins.

Joel Gould

Troy Thomson has been appointed the Brisbane Broncos' NRL GM of football operations. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueBroncos install familiar face in key off-field role

Brisbane have made a key appointment to oversee the club's push to be a title contender, with Troy Thomson the new NRL general manager of football operations.

Joel Gould

Payne Haas (second left) sat on the Brisbane bench after suffering an ankle injury. (Zain Mohammed/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueInjuries to star Broncos can't sour win over Bulldogs

Brisbane's forwards and new recruit Ben Hunt shone, while injuries to three of their key men were confirmed as minor in the 30-14 trial win over Canterbury.

Joel Gould

Sione Finau has touched down four times in a scintillating Dragons first half in Mudgee. (David Hossack/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueMore pain for Souths as Dragons clinch Charity Shield

Sione Finau has scored four first-half tries to help St George Illawarra claim a thumping 46-26 Charity Shield win over South Sydney.

George Clarke

Lower leg soreness could keep Ryan Papenhuyzen out of the NRL until the Storm's clash with Penrith. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueInjured Storm star may miss Eels' NRL season opener

Ryan Papenhuyzen has been ruled out of Melbourne's final NRL pre-season clash with the Cowboys, with the injured fullback no guarantee to play round one.

Melissa Woods

Not Supplied

NRLStorm welcome back key pair

Storm coach Craig Bellamy says Cameron Munster and Nick Meaney are ‘firing and fully fit’ for Sunday’s trial against the Cowboys.

Marco Monteverde

Ex-Eel Jai Field scored a hat-trick of tries for Wigan in their crushing defeat of Hull. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueAussie has Field day with hat-trick against Hull

Wigan have responded to last week's historic Super League shut-out by piling on the points in a 46-4 rout of Hull, thanks to ex-Parramatta Eel Jai Field.

Mark Staniforth

Brent Naden is under pressure to stay on the field this year as he chases a new NRL contract. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueUnder-pressure Naden hoping to miss just two months

Brent Naden suffered a sickening knee injury in the Wests Tigers' last NRL trial against Parramatta, but he hopes to be back on the field within two months.

Scott Bailey

Parramatta expect Mitch Moses to be ready for round one despite a persistent foot injury. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueMoses still battling foot injury ahead of round one

Parramatta's star halfback Mitch Moses has required several scans on the foot he injured last March, but the Eels are confident he will start the NRL season.

Scott Bailey

Captain Cameron McInnes doesn't expect the Sharks to be dazzled by the bright lights of Vegas. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueSharks won't be blinded by bright Las Vegas lights

Cronulla are the only NRL side that won't spend their entire US trip in Las Vegas, but the Sharks insist they won't be blinded by the lights on arrival.

Jasper Bruce

Not Supplied

NRLCoach’s message to Brown as rivals circle

Jason Ryles has addressed growing concerns that Dylan Brown could leave the Eels as deadline day approaches.

Martin Gabor

Adam Doueihi helped the Tigers to a trial win over the Eels, with promising signs for both clubs. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueIongi stars for Eels but Tigers give fans more hope

Parramatta's new No.1 Isaiah Iongi has impressed in his first lengthy hit-out for the club, but Wests Tigers were able to beat the Eels 30-18 in the trial game.

Scott Bailey

Trent Toelau starred as a second-string Penrith side easily beat Manly in an NRL pre-season match. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueTop team in Vegas? No worries for Panthers' youngsters

Penrith have beaten Manly 38-22 in the NRL's pre-season challenge, despite their entire top team already being in Las Vegas for the opening round.

Scott Bailey

Dolphin Tom Gilbert is feeling some nerves ahead of his comeback after 18 months out with injury. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeaguePremiumDolphins forward 'nervous' before NRL comeback

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has revealed Queenslander Tom Gilbert is 'nervous' weeks before his first NRL match in 18 months as he returns from injury.

Sebastian Tan

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landys (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Rugby LeaguePremium‘No.1’: NRL records everywhere as revenue hits $770m

Record revenues, crowds and profits have rugby league in great shape but with the potential for two new teams hopes are high for even bigger returns.

News Corp Australia

Lachlan Ilias will come up against his former side this weekend, but the Dragons halfback insists there are no hard feelings.

NRLIlias sledges Souths star ahead of reunion

Lachlan Ilias has been all class following his exit from the Rabbitohs, but he has a few things planned if he does score against his former side in the Charity Shield.

Martin Gabor

The NRL is celebrating some major commercial milestones from the 2024 season. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueNRL puts deadline on Perth side after record season

The NRL is revelling in a record-breaking 2024 season, which it says was the most lucrative in the game's history in Australia.

George Clarke

Gehamat Shibasaki is on a development contract but has made a big impression on Michael Maguire. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueMaguire's left-field choices keep Broncos guns on toes

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire has given all players a clean slate, which partly explains why he has made several surprise selections for the Canterbury trial.

Joel Gould

North Queensland Cowboys recruit John Bateman has impressed coach Todd Payten. (HANDOUT/NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS)

Rugby LeagueTrue grit: Bateman gives Cowboys coach key ingredient

North Queensland coach Todd Payten reveals the vital area the side must improve in 2025 and why recruit John Bateman is part of the answer.

Joel Gould

New Zealand's Portia Woodman-Wickliffe could join Newcastle Knights in the NRLW. (AP PHOTO)

Rugby LeagueKnights battle to sign NZ rugby great Woodman-Wickliffe

Newcastle want to bring New Zealand rugby great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to the NRLW, but are yet to have her potential arrival cleared by head office.

Scott Bailey

Aidan Sezer, here on the ball for Tigers, hopes to inspire Hull now he's back in the Super League. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueAussie Super Lge star Sezer aims at world champs Wigan

Ex-Wests Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer is out to inspire Hull in the Super League as they get ready to host wounded world and European champions Wigan.

Mark Staniforth

Brisbane try-scoring weapon Selwyn Cobbo is back on the wing in 2025 after a centre dalliance. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueCobbo's Broncos switch a wing and prayer for Yow Yeh

Selwyn Cobbo is back at wing for Brisbane in 2025 and the club's former Queensland and Test star Jharal Yow Yeh says it is a move which will reignite him.

Joel Gould

Brisbane centre KotoniStaggs (left) is on the cusp of signing a new contract extension. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby LeagueKotoni Staggs gives telling hint on Broncos future

Star Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is on the verge of signing a long-term extension and is hopeful winger Selwyn Cobbo will follow him.

Joel Gould