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Stuart is a sport and media fanatic who has been on both ends of the phone, spending many years as a sports media manager before going freelance and writing for sporting sites, newspapers and magazines. Growing up catching trains and buses to Leichhardt, North Sydney and Redfern Ovals he developed a lifelong love of rugby league that included playing, watching, coaching and writing about the sport. Stuart currently lives in Athens Greece where he coaches a local rugby league club while keeping a sharp eye on all things NRL. On Twitter @discomclennan
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The sold out sign was posted on the Wests Tigers' social media accounts at 7pm on Sunday night. The Grand Old Lady, the Eighth…
Last season it was Ivan Cleary’s ‘Wests Tigers or Penrith’ coaching drama that was played out in the media in the last few rounds…
We Wests Tigers fans can be a bitter and vindictive lot. Our emotions have been fueled by perceived mismanagement by officials, exiting juniors and,…
The crowd of over 19,000 at Central Coast Stadium on the weekend is further evidence the locals deserve their own NRL team rather than…
This could be construed as jumping the gun nine weeks out, but we can put a line through the claims of 13 NRL clubs…
If I was in a position to pick 17 Robbie Farahs in the Wests Tigers team on game day I would consider it. Not…
“So here we go again Manly and Parra...” remember the jingle back in 1984? If, like me, you were around for the airing of…
There was a time when I was cold on Benji Marshall. I thought he had become a selfish, underperforming, overrated rugby league player. It…
After the NSW Blues hit back in a big way in Perth to lock the series up, the decider in Sydney could only be…
The modern NRL coach speaks a lot about effort in post match interviews. When the NSW and Queensland coaches were asked for a reason…
The rugby league world is a bit like the sport of water polo. Spectacular and dynamic above the surface. Below the waterline a different…
Somewhat puzzling news broke in the lead-up to the announcement of the NSW Blues team. The man who is arguably the best centre in…
Chris Lawrence’s 2019 season started earlier than expected. The man they call ‘Rowdy’ came back on Friday night against Canberra, after a horrific preseason…
State of Origin eve was like the night before Christmas back in the day. To be honest, it was bigger than the grand final…
The ideal environment for Nathan Cleary to regain his former glory is a temporary change of coach and teammates. He will have that luxury…
A van offering souvlaki and gyros fed the fans last weekend at New River Stadium, London. The Greek rugby league team was in town…
We all know the drill with politicians around election time. Suddenly the local school and hospital are promised that much needed funding after a…
Generally I don’t hold much truck with the nostalgic rants of former players lamenting that the game was tougher and more skilful back in…
Less than one week after participating in the launch of a slick, new 30,000-seat stadium in the geographic centre of Sydney, the Wests Tigers…
Coaching the Roosters is not an easy gig. They are a club that measures success in terms of premierships and grand finals. Not making…
Yeah it’s not always the case but I think the off field position influences the on field performance and vice versa. There is a much used saying from Jack Gibson about getting the front office right.
I can see Cleary now but I'm not sure the rain has gone
Kerry Hensley, Brian Lockwood , Neil Pringle are some Balmain faves. Herman Hamilton at Norths?
The most entertaining league team of all time
Disagree Tim. In this case it is general comment. As Matt said is fair cop in this instance. No one is revealing secrets. We all get told things.
Angst, teeth-gnashing, and Machiavellian malarkey: The Wests Tigers story
Good analysis of Taylor at the Tigers and the quotes are spot on but “one senior NRL man” ? Seriously? Put your name to it it.
Angst, teeth-gnashing, and Machiavellian malarkey: The Wests Tigers story
Well played Aj Mithen!
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers highlights: NRL live scores, blog
No you are right AJ. Suli is now officially a sensation
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers highlights: NRL live scores, blog
Not sure he is a sensation yet? Sensational salary and just lost the bal!
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers highlights: NRL live scores, blog
How many out of 10 To AJ for the Canberra mention Tim?
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers highlights: NRL live scores, blog
Says more about the complicated rules that World Rugby has developed than Italy. Good on them for finding a way to be competitive. Jones has joined the arrogant England chorus.
"That's not rugby": Jones fumes at Italy's tactics after Six Nations win
I don’t believe Taylor will go. It wont’t be so much about the performance but the strong relationship he has with those that matter at the Tigers and the need for stability at the club.
Under siege: Which NRL coach will walk the plank in 2017?
Robert – I actually live in Greece, a country not traditionally a rugby league focused. There was some disappointment in the World Cup qualifiers to see a team from Italy made up of all heritage players and a rugby star knock out the Serbian team comprising local competition players.
Living in Australia I also believed internationals in Sydney between heritage players were a great thing fo international development but after experiencing first hand and speaking to local administrators I am not so sure.
Rugby league quotas are nothing more than claptrap and codswallop
The reality is that RL international teams are often controlled by people in Australia not in country hence the desire for so many heritage players. It is not always the desire of local in country administrators from my experience. Serbia is a good example of a country on the rise based on local players.
Rugby league quotas are nothing more than claptrap and codswallop
The only good international development comes from sustainable growth, working from the bottom up to build domestic competitions and give local players aspirational goals including playing for their countries. Quick fix heritage player international teams don’t lead to long term benfits for the game in my opinion.
Rugby league quotas are nothing more than claptrap and codswallop
There has been a lot of coverage but I think that comes with being a new team and a slightly crazy venture. To be honest this one is as much or more about London and the Skolars and London’s indifference to the game so far.
London calling for the Wolfpack to boost rugby league
Actually more about the excellent media and PR job the AFL do and the grip it has over the Melbourne News Ltd paper. Australia’s women’s rugby sevens team couldn’t garner any interest despite the ARU’s best efforts then suddenly they win a medal at Rio antd the media is all over them.
AFLW delivers on the big stage
Good article and well said. I admire the marketing and PR that the AFL have injected in to women’s sport and the revival of the suburban ground is to be commemded but some of the claims have to totally disregarded the work done in the past by a number of sports to develop and showcase women’s sport.
What's so historic about the AFLW?
Not much mention in the comments about Jamal Idris for obvious reasons but I have a feeling that he will return to his damaging best.
Who do you think will be the NRL's best buy of 2017?
Nice article Riley and some merit in what you say. Sustainable RL development is needed. Not an overnight fix but there are good things happening domestically in a number of countries.
The time is right for Rugby League World Cup expansion
Pretty sure the airline sponsorship deal is covering all air fares.
Toronto Wolfpack bring a new era to rugby league
All Wolfpack games will be shown on TV in 2017. Photo you mentioned earlier was from a social media competition. It is one of a number of marketing/pr activities they are conducting that also includes a reality tv show as mentioned in the story.
Toronto Wolfpack bring a new era to rugby league
Wasn’t necessarily a good news story. It was Eric Perez making a number of claims and statements some of which could be construed as outlandish. Thanks for the lesson though!
Toronto Wolfpack bring a new era to rugby league
Nor sure it is fake news when the CEO says it and believes it.
Toronto Wolfpack bring a new era to rugby league
Glad you don’t have a problem with it Clipper! Like it or not the game is growing in these countries and we are not talking about a few expats having fun in the park.
Talking Turkey rugby league
I have a feeling that Moses may go elsewhere now that Brooks has signed. They have never looked the perfect halves,partners. It does leave us with a 5/8 to find. Te Marie Martin? Blake Austin?
I can see Cleary now but I'm not sure the rain has gone