IT'S the question which is gripping rugby league. The issue of grand final week. The poser to stop a nation.

And it's this: how can you be struck in the neck by a samurai sword and "sustain no serious injuries"?

This seemingly fatal fate befell Canterbury centre Jamal Idris the other day when he went home to Forster for a "family gathering".

Clearly there are some members of the Idris family descended from the Japanese warrior class. Also, what is it with Forster? Former Melbourne five-eighth Scott Hill was once hit over the head with a fence-paling there.

Seriously, if jail time doesn't result for a knees-up in Forster, there're not really trying.

And if Jamaal's neck can withstand a blow from a samurai sword, I'd suggest it's back to the forwards for him next year.

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WE have two new Steeler Deniers to put on the watch list.

Australia coach Tim Sheens said "St George" at least once at Redfern Oval today without adding the all-important "Illawarra". And Dean Ritchie for saying in today's Daily Telegraph that Ben Hornby can break some sort of record for Dragons captains that goes back to the 1960s.

St George Illawarra has only been around since 1999, Bulldog. Shame, shame, shame.

In answer to yesterday's question...the Anti DeSteelerisation League does not endorse "Saints" - we prefer "Dragons" - but use of the term "Saints" is not enough for someone to be named and shamed.

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IT'S a funny thing, this Ricky Stuart-to-Brisbane rumour.

What is the point of saying the players don't want him there and the members will turn in their season tickets when the club has always denied he's going anyway?

Clearly, the reporters still getting reaction to something which has been denied repeatedly don't believe the denials.

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GET well Ray Warren. The Nine caller is apparently in hospital on antibiotics with an infection.

The big one would not be the same without you and while I despise betting on rugby league, I'd be willing to put my hard-earned on you  being in position at 5.10pm.

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DRAGONS prop Michael Weyman is so used to being asked about his groin injury that when we asked him "how does it feel" after Saturday's win over Wests Tigers, he answered "not too bad"
But we were asking about the sensation of being in a grand final, not the damn injury!