Saying farewell: Johnathan Thurston to rugby! Let's hope not. Credit:Ezra Shaw Sydney Roosters: Politis bails on the Roosters Long-term chairman Nick Politis has stood down in his role at the Roosters and has withdrawn his support of the club. Politis has been at loggerheads with the game's administration which has seen him walk away from the NRL. Melbourne Storm: Big three retire together Close friends Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith have announced their immediate retirements from the game. The trio wanted to step away together, having spent their careers playing alongside each other.

The ‘‘Big Three’’ of Cooper Cronk (left), Cameron Smith and Billy Slater; Credit:Getty Images Canterbury Bulldogs: Hasler quits to become referees' coach Canterbury coach Des Hasler has shocked the Bulldogs by walking away from the club to replace Tony Archer as the NRL referees' boss. Hasler said the introduction of the bunker had paved the way for a new-age of referee management. Cronulla: Carney bankrupts Sharks Dumped five-eighth Todd Carney has been awarded a figure sources say exceeds $2 million for wrongful dismissal placing the Sharks into receivership. A judge found Cronulla had wrongfully sacked Carney after a vulgar picture began circling on social media.

South Sydney Rabbitohs: Burgess says he wants to try rugby again Sam Burgess has flagged the possibility of returning to rugby union. After returning from Bath, Burgess says he now wants to represent Great Britain at the Olympics in the rugby sevens competition. St George Illawarra: Dragons announce sixth home ground Not content with sharing games between Kogarah, Wollongong, ANZ, SFS and the SCG, the Dragons will take two matches to Adelaide. The move will see Kogarah and Wollongong host just one game each this season as the Dragons move away from their heartlands in search of much-needed funds. Manly Sea Eagles: Cherry-Evans backflips on backflip

Just months into the richest deal in rugby league history, Daly Cherry-Evans wants to leave the Sea Eagles, unsettled at new coach Trent Barrett's game plan. Cherry-Evans has been linked with a move to the Eels having forged a close friendship with Parramatta mentor Brad Arthur during his time at Manly. Flipping out: Daly Cherry-Evans. Credit:Getty Images Canberra: Raiders sack Wighton, Austin The curse of Canberra continues with stars Jack Wighton and Blake Austin photographed with Bacardi breezers on a rooftop when they should be at training, the latest in a long list of players axed by the club because of poor off-field behaviour. It has taken little time for opposition teams to pounce with Wighton linking with St George Illawarra while Austin will find a home at the Roosters. Penrith: Panthers break squad record

Penrith have used an unprecedented 50 players in first grade this year as their injury toll continues to grow. Peter Wallace's pre-season retirement left a hole in the squad while Matt Moylan's season lasted just 12 minutes with a season-ending pectoral injury. Parramatta: Eels to have monthly boardroom elections Parramatta will become the first sporting team in the world to hold monthly elections. Club chairman Steve Sharp trumpeted the reform as a win for stability and democracy. New Zealand Warriors: Johnson fails to recover New Zealand Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson will be sidelined for the entire 2016 season having been forced to undergo further operations to repair his broken ankle. Johnson re-damaged the injury in his return to pre-season training having missed the end of 2015 because of the injury.

Oh no: Shaun Johnson of the Warriors reacts after suffering his season-ending injury in Auckland in July. Credit:Getty Images Gold Coast Titans: Bird cops mammoth suspension Greg Bird has continued his run-in with the NRL judiciary, with the representative back-rower suspended for 16 weeks having been sent off for a dangerous throw. Bird's long list of suspensions came back to haunt him, with the former Titans skipper sidelined for an extended period despite seeking a downgrade at the NRL judiciary. Wests Tigers: NRL relocate Tigers to Perth The "Western Tigers" were born with the NRL announcing the shift of the Wests Tigers to Perth. Boardroom disharmony and financial uncertainty has seen the NRL dissolve the Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs merger to enter a West Australian-based team in the NRL for the first time since 1997.

Newcastle Knights: Back to Tinkler town Nathan Tinkler has launched a desperate bid to re-purchase the Newcastle Knights having rediscovered his fortune. Tinkler promised his ownership structure would be different this time around, professing he had learnt from his mistakes.