Melbourne Storm move that could threaten integrity of NRL finals: Good, bad, ugly of Round 25

😃 The good: Josh Schuster could be feel-good story of 2025

😔 The bad: David Fifita and Reece Walsh's media vanishing act

😡 The ugly: Melbourne Storm move could affect integrity of finals

Josh Schuster handed opportunity to get career back on track

South Sydney fans couldn't be blamed for viewing Josh Schuster's signing with a fair dose of scepticism. The utility back hasn’t been sighted in the NRL since parting company with Manly in April after a dramatic dip in form and attitude. At that stage, there was no guarantee he'd play in the NRL again.

Schuster's head was not in the game and there were genuine concerns about whether he could get his off-field life together and rebuild a career that appeared headed for the stratosphere. Those doubts still remain but incoming Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett is confident he can turn the kid around and get him producing the type of football that once had Immortal Bob Fulton comparing him to a young Wally Lewis.

Those close to Schuster say he's in a good space and is looking forward to working with the master coach in a completely different environment. The 23-year-old felt uncomfortable trying to live up to his huge pay packet at Manly but will have no such pressure at Souths after signing a modest contract worth about a third of what he was on.

Schuster possesses all the tricks in the rugby league book but Bennett will cut out the unnecessary flashiness from his game and simplify things. There will more graft and less no-look passes. A successful comeback would be one of the real feel-good stories of 2025.

Should the NRL enforce rules around players speaking to media?

Last time I checked, we weren't living in Moscow or Pyongyang. So why does the NRL allow certain clubs to control the media message by excusing select players from "mandatory" press conference commitments?

Over the weekend it was revealed Gold Coast forward David Fifita hasn’t spoke to the media since May last year. Fans haven’t heard from Brisbane superstar Reece Walsh all year, apart from one media appearance in Vegas and two outings in front of the mics while in Origin camp. Souths drama magnet Latrell Mitchell is routinely kept away from the cameras.

The NRL's own media guidelines demand every player front the media at least once every three weeks. Most clubs adhere to these conditions while some just outright ignore the edict, safe in the knowledge there will be no repercussions.

Fans may say "so what?" but don’t they want to hear from the biggest names in the sport more than once or twice a year – or, in Fifita's case – not at all. Major American sports get it. They demand their stars be made available to the media at every opportunity, knowing full access generates millions in publicity. Surely it shouldn't be too hard for little old rugby league to follow suit?

Melbourne Storm restings renew calls for NRL finals rethink

Is it time for the NRL to follow the AFL's lead and have a weekend off between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs? The race for the last finals berth and spots within the eight will grip us over the next fortnight, although Melbourne's decision to rest players over the closing rounds dilutes things somewhat.

Having wrapped up the minor premiership, Storm coach Craig Bellamy is totally within his rights to leave key players at home this week rather than take them to Townsville to meet the Cowboys. He may also do the same thing for the last round clash against Brisbane to ensure his players are as fresh as possible for week one of the finals.

Asked if winning the minor premiership would change his approach to the last two rounds, the Storm boss said: "Yeah it will, without a doubt. We’ll be doing some resting this week (against the Cowboys) and we might do a little bit in the last game (against Brisbane) too. Sometimes I think it's not a really good look for the competition but we've got to do what we think is right for us and well do that."

Fielding weakened teams against two sides with top four/top eight ambitions does have major ramifications for those still fighting for their finals lives. If we had a weekend off before the playoffs started – just like the AFL do – there would be no great need to rest players and freshen them up.

It would also give the game two weeks of sustained coverage as excitement builds in the lead-up to the finals. It's at least worth thinking about.

NRL state of play with two rounds remaining:

1. Storm - 42 points (+213 for-and-against)

2. Roosters - 36 points (+269)

3. Sharks - 36 points (+204)

4. Panthers - 36 points (+158)

5. Bulldogs - 34 points (+146)

6. Cowboys - 32 points (+43)

7. Sea Eagles - 31 points (+121)

8. Dragons - 28 points (-120)

9. Broncos - 26 points (+2)

10. Dolphins - 26 points (-27)

11. Knights - 26 points (-70)

12. Raiders - 26 points (-131)

Key matches in Round 26:

• Eels v Dragons

• Dolphins v Broncos

• Knights v Titans

• Roosters v Raiders

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