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About Andrew Webster
About Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster started his journalism career in the Hunter Valley in the mid-1990s covering the Newcastle Knights and hasn't taken his eye off rugby league since. He has reported on the game for a number of publications - including The Sun-Herald and Inside Sport magazine - before joining the Herald this season, which fulfills a lifelong ambition to play Winfield Cup. While he relishes the opportunity to write about any sport, rugby league is his passion and speciality. He is equally intrigued by the politics and issues that gravitate to the game as what happens on the field.
The sky isn't falling, says Gallop
David Gallop attended a schoolboys carnival at Granville Park last
week and was mobbed by Polynesian Year 7 students. "Eh, Gallop.
Sign my ball will you, bro?" they implored, sounding like Sonny
Bill Williams.
Just win, baby
When the Sharks players break for a drink during a training session, often the coach is still on the field, still with the Steeden on a string after all these years.
Suspension, not beard, should have been cut, says Myles
QUEENSLAND forward Nate Myles hasn't shaved since being handed a six-week suspension for his spear tackle on NSW's Ben Cross in State of Origin III. "Just a little punishment on myself," the hirsute Roosters enforcer said yesterday.
Noyce denies move deal
ANZ Stadium last night sought assurances from Wests Tigers that the club had not signed a deal to move home matches to the SCG and the SFS.
Wigan poised to pounce as Manly lose interest in Carney
TROUBLED halfback Todd Carney appears destined to salvage his broken career with Super League powerhouse Wigan - but he has already been linked to a return to the NRL as a possible replacement for Manly captain Matt Orford.
Sonny Bill free for $750k
FORMER ALP powerbroker Graham Richardson ended the Sonny Bill Williams saga, brokering a deal between the renegade footballer and the Bulldogs.
Freddy summons his serious side
This time last year, Brad Fittler walked into the press conference following his side's golden-point victory over Wests Tigers and beamed: "It just feels like you're not going to lose. That's the way it feels." Fittler had every right to talk it up. Unbeaten since taking over from Chris Anderson as caretaker coach and on the precipice of a finals appearance nobody had anticipated, he had every right to think it: How easy is this?
Smith set for last laugh with Knights in striking range
HIS side has won three consecutive matches and finds itself in the eight. Suddenly, surprisingly, the Knights are realistic prospects of qualifying for the finals. Yet Brian Smith steadfastly refuses to bask in the glory of vindication.
Vagana eyes French connection
FORMER Kiwi international Nigel Vagana is poised to become the latest big-name player to join French rugby union with confirmation last night this would be his last season in the NRL.
Little victories motivate Smith
It follows him like a shadow that lengthens with every match and each season.
Gallop served Super apprenticeship for dealing with contract breakers: Quayle
FORMER ARL powerbroker John Quayle has placed the onus of preventing an exodus of the game's leading players to French rugby squarely on the shoulders of former Super League adversary David Gallop.
Gallop delivers final warning: you will never play in Australia again
Sonny Bill Williams will be prevented from playing rugby league in Australia again should he place just one toe on a rugby field in France, NRL chief executive David Gallop has warned.
Gallen faces music as high jinx continues
RICKY STUART gave Paul Gallen the option to not front the media
conference following last night's 18-12 loss to the Broncos.
Carney gets reprieve but not from Meninga
CANBERRA legend Mal Meninga convinced troubled halfback Todd Carney to stay at the club earlier this year. Now he has advised him to "grow up".
Which great club lurches from crisis to crisis?
NO ONE begrudges Mark Gasnier's right to earn a dollar. "Would you work if you only got paid two-thirds of your wage?" he asked reporters.
Gaz leaves drama in his wake
WHEN Mark Gasnier announces this week that he's abandoning the Dragons to take up a two-year deal with French rugby union side Stade Francais, expect the finger of blame to be pointed directly at chief executive Peter Doust.
Campbell shows no fear in thriller
FOR all the good deeds Preston Campbell did with the ball against the Roosters last night, it was his tackle on Willie Mason in the dying minutes - which forced him from the field with concussion - that clinched the four-point victory.
Sandow steps up to the plate for Souths
The Bunnies' new No.7 has rewarded the club's faith in him, writes
Andrew Webster.
Clubs fear Gallop has sold the game short
NRL chief executive David Gallop and Hollywood actor Russell Crowe kicked back and took a long drag on the peace pipe yesterday but serious concerns remain about comments from the game's leading official that the AFL deserves its superior broadcast deal.
Banned spectator insists Civoniceva monkey slur wasn't meant to be racial
PARRAMATTA chief executive Denis Fitzgerald last night slammed as "ridiculous" the written apology from the spectator who racially vilified Petero Civoniceva despite him being banned from attending NRL matches for the next five years.
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