NRL

NRL's head injury protocol sanctions

CEO Todd Greenberg said fines totalling $350,000 had been imposed on the Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons and Newcastle Knights.

He said that, following consideration of submissions from each club, the penalties would be: 

   o Gold Coast Titans $50,000 (with a further $100,000 suspended) for incidents involving Kane Elgey and Ryan Simpkins

   o St George Illawarra Dragons $50,000 (with a further $50,000 suspended) for an incident involving Josh Dugan

Cooper Cronk to leave Melbourne Storm

The 33-year-old has opted against taking up the final year of his contract, meaning 2017 will be his last season playing for Melbourne.

Cronk has played 306 games for the Storm across 15 seasons, winning the Clive Churchill Medal in 2012 and the Dally M Medal in 2013 and 2016, while he has also played 32 Tests for Australia and 19 State of Origin games for Queensland.

"Melbourne Storm has been everything to me since moving down here from Brisbane as a kid back in 2003," Cronk said.

Monday Morning Halfback: Record breakers

One minute later, the Wests Tigers were huddled behind their own sticks watching the Dragons celebrate their second try of the afternoon. 

Lima Sopoaga’s brother to make his debut for the Highlanders

Sopoaga, the brother of All Blacks and Highlanders first-five eighth Lima, has been named on the bench for the team's round six match against the winless Melbourne Rebels.

After struggling for game time, the 24-year-old former Cronulla Shark and Penrith Panther gave up league and returned to rugby union late last year in Australia's domestic competition.

The loose forward signed to play for the Southland Stags a few weeks ago, and was promptly snapped up by the Highlanders, whose loose forward stocks have been depleted by injury. 

Stats that matter: Round 4

Mixed results for milestone men

Manu's back

Meanwhile former captain Simon Mannering will make his 261st career appearance to draw level with the great Stacey Jones - and current assistant coach - for the most games for the club.

And Vatuvei, the club's try-scoring record holder, will make his first NRL appearance of the season - and the 226th of his career - after turning out in the second team in the first two rounds this year.

Cornish earns NRL debut with injury-hit Titans

Decimated by injuries the Titans have recalled both Dan Sarginson (knee) and William Zillman (calf) into the starting side but both trained predominantly with the rehab group on Tuesday.

Ponga to play fullback for Cowboys

Matt Scott, Antonio Winterstein and Lachlan Coote were all injured, with scans revealing captain Matt Scott's season is over due to a damaged ACL. 

Hayne to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks

As he ran his eye over the walking wounded at the Titans' recovery session at Parkwood on Monday, Henry ran through the list of injuries stemming from Saturday's 34-26 loss to the Knights as well as providing an update on players who could return in time to face the Eels at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night.

Eleven players with NRL experience are on the injured list at present with William Zillman (calf), Dan Sarginson (knee) and Ryan Simpkins (rib cartilage) the three most likely to come into consideration for selection on Tuesday.

Broncos welcome Slater's return

‌Slater has been tipped to return against the Broncos on Thursday night after over a year out of the game because of a shoulder injury.