Kick-off for round 14 is here to distract us from what's been a rollercoaster series of events off-field this week in the NRL.
COVID-19 breaches, coach sackings, player transfers, anything Broncos related - it's all happening with just under two months remaining until finals.
While we at Sporting News have a big appetite for the big stories, we're also partial to showing some of the moments and comments from around the clubs that get less love in the headlines.
Read on below for the untold stories from today's NRL news.
MORE: The untold stories from Wednesday's press conferences
HOLBROOK HOSING DOWN TALK OF MORE TITANS SIGNINGS
The Gold Coast Titans have made plenty of moves in the player market this season.
They’ve locked up deals for David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamleaui and Herman Ese’ese just to name a few.
But coach Justin Holbrook poured cold water on talk of other big name signings making their way to the Gold Coast.
Tevita Pangai Junior is a name that has understandably been thrown around a lot this week with the Broncos looking likely to let the barnstorming-forward go. Holbrook believes it’s ‘too soon’ to start considering a deal for the Tongan International.
“I haven’t got an opinion on it, it’s too soon,” Holbrook said on Pangai Junior.
“We’ve got a recruitment committee that look at everyone, but it’s too early for me to make any comment around that, but unlikely.
“I just don’t know how much funds we’ve got, obviously with David coming, Tino coming and Herman coming, so I can’t have all forwards. It’s a matter of balance in the roster."
Another name linked with the Titans in recent weeks has been Wests Tigers captain Moses Mbye.
Similarly to Pangai Junior, Holbrook also believed that any deal for Mbye would be ‘unlikely’.
“It’s another ongoing recruitment meeting and things like that, but Moses [Mbye] has got two more years at the Tigers,” Holbrook said.
“I think he’s a good guy, a good player that’s for sure.“A lot of things have to happen for him to end up here, and I think that’s unlikely to be honest with you. I don’t think it will happen.”
- Lachlan McKirdy
MCGREGOR RELISHING OPPORTUNITY TO CARE FOR ILL FATHER AFTER ANNOUNCING DRAGONS EXIT
Paul McGregor and the Dragons parted ways on mutual grounds on Thursday, pulling curtains on his seven-year tenure and ending months of speculation surrounding his coaching future.
Addressing his exit, McGregor revealed concerns over the club's team selection policy introduced mid-season brought discussions over his exit to a head.
But the outgoing Dragons coach said another key factor in his call to step down was to care for his ill father.
"Certainly it's been tough," McGregor said of not being able to see his father while in the NRL's COVID-19 bubble.
"My father is seriously ill. He's been in hospital for quite some time, so I need to go and see him. It's been in the back of my mind.
“Family is everything, so that’s part of [the decision] but not everything. I had a good conversation with Ryan [Webb, Dragons CEO], my staff and players: I’m doing what’s right for the team, not what’s right for me. That’s the only thing to do in this situation."
McGregor will coach the Dragons for one final time against Parramatta on Friday night, before handing the reigns to assistant Dean Young to see out the season.
- Ed Chisholm
ARTHUR EXPECTING RECALLED NORMAN BACK AT HIS BEST AGAINST FORMER SIDE
Brad Arthur is aware a rare axing for Corey Norman could further inspire the Dragons five-eighth against his former side.
Norman was sensationally axed for the Dragons clash against the Roosters last Friday and punished for his indifferent form this season in the Red V.
Having coached him as a Parramatta player, Arthur has no doubts over Norman's class, and expects his recall to face the Eels tomorrow night to offer further incentive for a big performance.
“He only not long ago played his 200th NRL game, so he is a quality player,” Arthur said.
“I’m not sure if he would have been dropped in the past, so it will be interesting to see his attitude on the back of that.
“Knowing Normy pretty well, he is going to come out firing against his old mates, and he will be full of cheek, but he will definitely have a crack at us.
“He is someone that will rise to the challenge, for sure, and he will take the responsibility of trying to lift his team.
- Ed Chisholm
MATTERSON READY TO BE UNLEASHED ON DRAGONS AFTER 'FRUSTRATING' LAY-OFF
Parramatta will unleash Ryan Matterson on the Dragons on Friday after the second-rower missed his side's last three games with a nasty concussion sustained against the Tigers.
The big-bodied edge forward was one of Brad Arthurs' better performers earlier this year and has been pressing his case for State of Origin selection in the blue and gold.
Arthur said there was plenty of excitement among the player for Matterson's return.
"He's got a big smile on his face and he's excited to be back around the boys," Arthur said of his returning star forward.
"It's frustrating but he also had the bigger picture in his head about long-term and making sure he'll be stronger at the back end of the year for us. It's been frustrating but he's well-rested and ready to go."
The Eels coach said the club approached Matterson head concern with caution, following a similar approach to that of the Roosters with Boyd Cordner.
"We just took the safety approach with it. It doesn't mean the way we handled Ryans will be the same with all the boys," Arthur said.
"This is what worked for Ryan, he's comfortable, he's ready to go and that's the main thing, is that he's confident to get back out there."
- Ed Chisholm
