It appears the current Bears coach has just been de-registered for betting on NRLW and NRL games.
We scrum for posession, run for the try zone, bleed for the team and live for the game
Demetriou's appointment a crucial step in PNG's NRL bid
Story by Jasper Bruce
Papua New Guinea rugby league bosses believe hiring Jason Demetriou as coach of the national team is a "really positive" step on the path to inclusion in the NRL.
Demetriou will take charge of the Kumuls for the Pacific Championships in October, his first coaching job since being axed as South Sydney's head coach in April.
The appointment comes as an Australian government-backed bid from Papua New Guinea firms as the likeliest candidate for the NRL's 19th licence, set to be granted in 2028.
"Everything we are doing is in preparation for becoming an NRL team and we believe Jason's appointment is another really positive step towards that goal," said PNG NRL bid chief executive, Andrew Hill.
"Having someone of Jason's standing in the game take on the Kumuls head coaching role is another great step towards becoming part of the NRL."
Demetriou could remain in charge for the 2026 World Cup, by which time the prospective franchise's preparations for entry into the NRL would be in full swing.
"We are interested in building a long-term relationship with Jason leading up to the 2026 RLWC and have been in talks with Jason and are looking forward to finalising this soon," said PNGRFL chief executive Stanley Hondina.
Souths fired Demetriou following a 1-6 start to the 2024 season and the side's capitulation from finals contention the previous year, when they had led the premiership through 11 rounds.
The 48-year-old's coaching tenure became dogged by suggestions he struggled to manage the bigger personalities on the roster, tensions which contributed to club legend Sam Burgess' abrupt exit from the coaching staff in 2023.
Demetriou had previously been Wayne Bennett's protege at Brisbane and then Souths, taking over from the master coach in 2022 and leading the Rabbitohs to a preliminary final that year.
He has also held assistant coaching roles at St George Illawarra and North Queensland, including during the Cowboys' drought-breaking 2015 premiership season.
As a player, he spent his entire career in the United Kingdom. He is currently working as a commentator for radio station Triple M.
Demetriou noted he was "excited about what lies ahead" with Papua New Guinea, who count Justin Olam, Alex Johnston and Jack de Belin among their NRL talents.
"The game in PNG is going from strength to strength and it is a fantastic opportunity to work with such a talented squad," said Demetriou.
"I have watched the team with interest in recent years and they have a passion for the game that shows itself every time they pull on the Kumuls jersey and represent their country.
"I know that a tremendous amount of work is being done at school and academy level to help prepare the next generation of players and I'm incredibly excited to be able to work off the back of that with the senior team.
"It is a great time to be involved in the game in this country."
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
The appointment comes as an Australian government-backed bid from Papua New Guinea firms as the likeliest candidate for the NRL's 19th licence, set to be granted in 2028.
SpottedOriginally Posted by tjs10
They'd want to get bipartisan sign-off, the play money may not still be on the table by then otherwise.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
The way the polls are going this Australian government might not be "the Australian Government" in 2028Spotted
They'd want to get bipartisan sign-off, the play money may not still be on the table by then otherwise.
I wonder if that will change the funding model?
C'mon the
Hence "bipartisan"
I know we try and stay away from politics on here, but Albo is a couple of decisions away from collapse.
When you manage to get the farmers AND Unions pissed off with you at the same time you're a bit of a special...
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Pissing off the farmers is Labor 101 isn't it? Small business etc
I don't get the union bit, but I'm no political scientist.
C'mon the
There's only one person who can save Albo..........and no; it's not Voldemort.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
That's an old one, he has hair...There's only one person who can save Albo..........and no; it's not Voldemort.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Core business, but if you have one battle front open (farmers) you don't generally through grenades in the armoury!
Unions are in full strike mode atm and Labor turning back the slush fund.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
https://omny.fm/shows/perth-live/wa-...odcast#sharing
6PR clip from yesterday saying that the Western Bears is likely to be announced at the NRL double header at Optus Stadium in a fortnight.
This "bid" is sounding wackier by the day. Starting to sound like whatever PVL is demanding is too much heat for Cook & Safiotti, so they're asking Albo for a leg-up. It's doomed I tell yas. Doomed.
https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/...31-p5lo0g.html
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
well they DID promise everybody in the world everything in the world without looking in the bank, so they're probably terrified that they will end up not able to deliver on a commitment with someone who will actually damage their reputation when they don't deliver.
It's not like spending 5 times the budgeted amount on unfinished train lines is it?
C'mon the
Sometimes i actually use the train giggs,even on the unfinished lines,lol
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
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