Making the game global: Corey Makelim collects the ball during the USA's match against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. Credit:AAP England and New Zealand are poised to play Test matches in the US from next season, but Grant believes that is just the beginning. "I am an internationalist," Grant said. "The game of rugby league in Australia and England, if it retains its focus exclusively on the territories in which it currently operates, can't grow and capitalise on this game. We've got to start focusing on the international environment and that means clubs in our league, the NRL need to lift their eyes. "When they start lifting their eyes it will give them an opportunity at the next stage of growth. We think that's international. If you're going to build new markets, you need to take a few games to those markets. "You can feel the momentum building around us and it helps we've just had the World Cup so that everyone can see what is possible. That is the springboard for the next stage. Why would clubs start to look up? Because the funding the commission has given them for the next five years allows them to lift their eyes."

The commission will be a very different entity once Grant leaves. After the major stakeholders agreed to constitutional reform, the clubs and states will be represented on the ARLC. Grant denied this would make the independent commission less independent. "Everyone started this journey saying that we needed a voice for all the big stakeholders in the game," he said. "The commission endorses that. We are not going to lose the independence of the commission in that process. There's no question about the commission remaining independent." Gold Coast's new king was nearly lost to game Ash Taylor, following the departure of Jarryd Hayne, is the king of the Gold Coast, however, he almost didn't make it to the holiday strip. Struggling to juggle the demands of football with his carpentry job while playing under-20s at the Broncos, the gun halfback came within a whisker of quitting rugby league. "I was struggling making the transition from finishing school to working and training at the same time," Taylor revealed. "It was a tough time for me, I didn't really want to stick to it. It was very tough, digging holes and working in the sun all day. Then you'd have to do fitness and weights in the afternoon. It was very tough, but I'm fortunate to have a good supporter base and that I stuck to it. Hopefully I don't have to go back on the tools." Almost lost to game: Ash Taylor has overcome adversity. Credit:AAP

There is little chance of that happening. Despite overtures to reunite with Wayne Bennett, Taylor accepted a three-year, $3million deal to remain a Titan. With Hayne returning to Parramatta, the 22-year-old is the main man on the Gold Coast. His next goal is State of Origin and Taylor got a taste when he joined the Maroons in camp this year. "It was Kevvie Walters' idea to go and have a coffee with Cooper Cronk," Taylor said. Bears turn to women's league Having missed out on the NRL licence on the Gold Coast, the North Sydney Bears have turned their attention to securing one of the six spots up for grabs for the inaugural elite women's competition. The new tournament will kick off in August and games will be staged as double-headers in the lead-up to and during the NRL finals. While up to 14 of the 16 NRL clubs are expected to jockey for a place in the competition, the Bears have revealed their desire to also be considered. "Women in rugby league is a major priority for the Bears," club chairman Perry Lopez said. "We see a fantastic opportunity for our fans to have a great game-day experience around the women's competition, the under-20s competition, Jersey Flegg and the Intrust Super Premiership."

The NSWRL is seeking expressions of interest for women's teams. The Bears will look to enter a team in what they view as an important first step towards involvement in the NRL's elite competition. "We'll be working hard to secure a spot," Lopez said. "Women playing elite rugby league is a great story and we want to be a part of it." Bears fans were crushed by the NRL's decision not to award them the Gold Coast licence. The Bears haven't given up their dream after the Titans were handed to a consortium comprising Darryl Kelly, Rebecca Frizelle and their families. Record Dogs field These are the 19 candidates and the order they will appear on the ballot paper at the Canterbury board election in February.

Chris Anderson is in top spot in what is a record field of candidates battling for control of Belmore. "Back to Belmore" patron Luke Brailey, who drew fifth spot during the ballot for places, is favouring the "Reform" ticket seeking to install Lynne Anderson as chair. "Somehow, there has been a breakdown in the relationship between the Bulldogs and Back to Belmore," Brailey said. "Whether Ray Dib, Raelene Castle, the fall of the Roman Empire or the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD that destroyed Pompeii are to blame is completely inconsequential. We're happy to wipe the slate clean, make a fresh start and press the reset button on our relations with Belmore Sports Ground's primary occupant." Guilty secret Former Parramatta footy manager Jason Irvine, one of the central figures in the Eels' salary-cap scandal, has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after trying to make his mother take the fall for one of his driving offences.

Half a plan Canterbury are keen to get Newcastle playmaker Jack Cogger to Belmore if the blue and whites are able to free up salary cap space. The Bulldogs are yet to settle on a halves partner for star recruit Kieran Foran, with no standout candidate after Josh Reynolds joined Wests Tigers and Moses Mbye shifted to fullback. Matt Frawley, Nu Brown and Josh Cleeland are options for new coach Dean Pay, but there's a feeling the club is short a playmaker. Target: Jack Cogger is on the radar of the Bulldogs. Credit:Jonathan Carroll Cogger is a youngster on the rise, showing glimpses of his ability of during his eight NRL appearances for the Knights. However, the 20-year-old's pathway to first grade is blocked in the Hunter after Mitchell Pearce was signed to a side already containing halves Connor Watson, Brock Lamb and Trent Hodkinson. Hodkinson was poised to join Manly, but their salary-cap scandal has put his potential transfer on hold.

The Bulldogs have become cap compliant after offloading contracted stars James Graham, Sam Kasiano and Brad Abbey, but would need to move on one more to make a play for Cogger. Their best chance of that happening is if Greg Eastwood is forced into premature retirement after suffering an irregular heartbeat. The former Kiwi international has been cleared to resume light duties after an operation, but will need to undergo further tests to determine if he can return to the NRL next year. Arch-rival bids Boom back-rower Angus Crichton's choice of club is now a race in two. The Souths back-rower is tossing up whether to stay at Redfern or shift to arch-rivals the Roosters after ruling out Cronulla. Adecision is not expected this year. Island time Tonga star Jason Taumalolo met with NRL boss Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman John Grant to discuss opportunities for the nation to capitalise on its World Cup heroics. In a clear sign he intends to stick with Tonga after defecting from New Zealand, Taumalolo sought assurances the fourth-ranked nation would get chances to participate in quality Test football next year and beyond.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf also attended, with the quartet aligned on the need to ensure the international game is well promoted. The World Cup is expected to make a profit of of about $6 million. Hughes on air? We're hearing that 2SM is a chance of getting a piece of the next radio rights deal, which will result in Graeme Hughes again calling footy on the airwaves. The 2SM Super Network has a reach into regional areas far beyond that of most commercial networks, ensuring country folk get a chance to hear the action. Hughes proved he's still got it, earning rave reviews for his work during Fox Sports' retro round. If 2SM gets a piece of the rights action, it is likely to be in addition to, rather than at the expense of, the current holders. For the kids: Frank Pritchard and Reni Maitua at the Randwick Children's Hospital.

Fighting words Reni Maitua remembers the last time he boxed against Paul Gallen. Loading "He broke my nose in the first round," Maitua said. "That was a few years ago; he was getting ready for his first or second fight. I was going to Bali the next day and he put one straight on my nose. I asked him not beat me up and I spent the whole Bali trip with a broken nose." It hasn't dampened Maitua's desire. The former Bulldogs, Sharks and Eels back-rower is considering making his boxing debut in the new year and wouldn't rule out a crack at former Sharks teammate Gallen. Maitua joined fellow NRL identities, including Frank Pritchard, Greg Eastwood, Mahe Fonua and Ben Murdoch-Masila to distribute toys at the children's hospital in Randwick as part of an initiative from Crown Sports International and Lantrak.