Tuesday wrap: contract news, stadium delays

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A whip around of all the news happening on Tuesday 26 February 2019.

Teamlist Tuesday

This afternoon we're expecting several teams to list their squads for the upcoming weekend of NRL trials. Brisbane are first out of the blocks, naming a strong side to face Gold Coast at Robina on Saturday.

Keep an eye on our team lists page for updates.

Kearney locked in

After surging into the top eight for the first time in seven seasons last year, the Warriors have moved to lock coach Stephen Kearney into the head role until 2022. Should he see out his contract, Kearney will equal Ivan Cleary as longest serving coach of the club, alongside current Penrith coach Ivan Cleary who looked after the New Zealand-based outfit from 2006 to 2011.

Player contracts renewed, extended

Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney has been upgraded from his development contract and extended his stay in the blue and gold til the end of the 2020 season, while Cronulla hooker James Segeyaro has re-joined the club that released him in November for one more season.

Souths'll get Lowe

North Queensland have granted out-of-favour back-rower Ethan Lowe a release from the final year of his contract, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs confirming his signature for this season.

SFS demolition delay

The ABC is reporting this morning that the NSW Land and Environment Court has ruled that the "hard demolition" of the Sydney Football Stadium won't proceed until at least March 8. Community group 'Local Democracy Matters' together with Waverley Council have gone to the courts in order to challenge the knock-down rebuild of the Moore Park venue, arguing that the planning process was flawed.

Soft demolition began in December, with much of the venues' 40,000-plus seats removed and donated to clubs and venues around the state. 

Stadium sagas roll on

Meanwhile, the dramas at Kogarah and Brookvale don't seem to be over just yet. After both venues were forced into late venue switches ahead of last week's pre-season clashes (the Dragons' Kogarah trial moved to Wollongong while Manly's Brookvale trial was moved to Shark Park), more moves could be on the horizon.

A-League soccer club Sydney FC have already ditched a one-off appearance at Brookvale scheduled for this weekend, opting instead to play at Leichhardt citing concerns over the surface. Whether the Sea Eagles' home ground will be fit for play by the time their Round 2 clash with the Roosters remains to be seen.

The Dragons' immediate future at Kogarah's Netstrata Jubilee Stadium remains less clear. Georges River Council took over management of the venue in recent years and with increased usage in the last 12 months (Sydney FC are now a co-tenant at the venue), the playing surface was deemed unsuitable for the Dragons-Knights clashes on Saturday, and there remains doubt over whether their Round 2 clash against South Sydney on March 21 will remain there, or be switched to WIN Stadium in Wollongong as well.

...but there is good news!

Parramatta's new crowning glory, Bankwest Stadium, is nearing completion with under two months before NRL action opens the venue. Turf is being laid this week, while the NSW Government has shared drone footage of recent progress at the venue. Just this week, A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers finalised their deal to play home games at the venue, after Wests Tigers, Parramatta and Canterbury's NRL clubs had already done so.

Sharks switch kickers

Heads up fantasy footy players - Cronulla's nominated goalkicker will not be Chad Townsend in 2019. Townsend told NRL.com that new import Shaun Johnson will start the season with the kicking tee. The Sharks are blessed with a good depth of goalkicking talent despite the departure of Valentine Holmes, with Kyle Flanagan also a well-practised sharpshooter.

Round 1 bumper crowds

Both Newcastle and Wests Tigers are reporting positive ticket sales ahead of their season opening games. The Knights are forecasting a 25,000+ crowd while the Wests Tigers are expecting to all-but sell out Leichhardt Oval when they host Manly.