Your weekly guide to the NRL season, including the entire Final Series, the souvenir Grand Final program and our bumper Season Review. Every week Big League will feature stories on the big names, preview the big games and continue our popular Little League section for the young rugby league fans. With official team-lists, extensive statistics and up-to-date news, Big League provides everything you need to follow the NRL.
Gold Coast playing for more than pride
KICKING OFF
Knightmare at Lottoland
NUMBERS GAME Harvey Norman TALE OF THE TAPE
Angus working to beef up defence
Madge’s magic words take effect
Ma’u or never
Round 20 ROUND-UP
Team of the Week Rd20
Graeme Hughes • FOX SPORTS, 2SM AND BULLDOGS LEGEND
Big League Weekly Edition
HOT SHOT
Top 8 70s icons • Retro Round provides an opportunity to appreciate rugby league’s stars of yesteryear – including these iconic players who encapsulated the blood-and-thunder 1970s.
You can’t put a price on memories
Back to back • The pain of losing a grand final is easy to explain, but add to that the exhaustion of playing another days before, and you’ll find yourself in an era of finals drama that’s unthinkable today.
LOCKER ROOM
TWEET OF THE WEEK
BIGLEAGUE Round 21 TOP TIPS
Harvey Norman TALE OF THE TAPE
UPCOMING ROUNDS
Snakes & ladders • There’s little separating the top teams ahead of the run home, and one slip or upset could change the shape of the top eight at a crucial time.
High stakes on Super Sunday
Prodigal Panther • Never mind his dad as head coach, the hopes of a state and footy-mad region on his shoulders and the online trolls – Nathan Cleary is putting plenty of pressure on himself to deliver.
Going with the flow • After a tough pre-season, serious injury almost cruelled Scott Drinkwater’s NRL hopes. Now he’s found a new lease on life in North Queensland.
Bang for your buck • The player market has been churning non-stop in 2019, but as we hit the home stretch it’s time to analyse just who got the best deals this year. By MARTIN GABOR
CLUB NEWS
LITTLE LEAGUE
JAMES GRAHAM
14 TOTAL POINTS SCORED BY QUEENSLAND TEAMS IN ROUND 20
All hail Super Ted • As we near the end, selecting the right captain could make all the difference for Fantasy coaches with their eyes on the prize.
Rival seasons on the line • 1300SMILES Stadium Thursday 7.50pm
Sea Eagles aiming for high perch • Mt Smart Stadium Friday 6pm
Sharks timing their run • Panthers Stadium Friday 7.55pm
Dragons’ chance to fire up for rare victory • Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Saturday 3pm
Eels close to clinching finals berth • Bankwest Stadium Saturday 5.30pm
Tigers’ finals ambitions gaining strength • ANZ Stadium Saturday 7.35pm
Epic confrontation in the capital • GIO Stadium Sunday 2pm
Rabbitohs confront modern nemesis • Central Coast Stadium Sunday 4.05pm
CANTERBURY CUP NSW
Review: Red-hot Warriors keep on climbing
JERSEY FLEGG
Review: Advantage Sharks after Roosters stumble
INTRUST SUPER CUP
Review: Wynnum go second over beaten Bears
HASTINGS DEERING COLTS
Preview: Top three battle continues to heat up
RON MASSEY CUP
SCORES
ATTACK
Harvey Norman TALE OF THE TAPE
NRL DRAW