Words and images by Lee Reilly
It’s my first game of the year with Nikon after securing a spot on the Nikon website through their Nikon Sideline Experience. Starting the sports photographer journey back in 2023, this is my second Women’s Origin on the sideline.
Women’s State of Origin: Game 2 NSW v QLD, Thursday May 15, 2025
Andrew Roberts is the tutor for this game. As we line up in front of the old Sydney Football Stadium, right next to NRL headquarters, it’s familiar faces all round. Some are professional photographers who use this to promote their business taking photos for weddings and junior sports.
As we start organising our equipment and adjusting lenses, Roberts gets a call. Our missing photographer has arrived and is out the front. Only one problem, she’s at the wrong stadium. She ventured out to the Olympic Stadium at Homebush, not Moore Park.
We get ready to take our positions on the sideline. As we come out of NRL HQ the weather turns ugly, fast. A scramble to get rain covers for the equipment is on in earnest as the rain starts to pelt. Most of the class is carrying close to $10,000 each in camera gear, keeping them dry is crucial.
The weather has eased ever so slightly as final checks take place. The first half doesn’t see much action down our end. A quick look at what’s been shot doesn’t look good as we close in on the end of the first half. Andrew gives some timely pointers on what may have happened during the break and confidence is restored.
The second half is a completely different story. The Blues dominate down our end and the opportunities to capture great shots are plentiful.
NRLW Magic Round Triple Header: Day 1, Saturday August 2, 2025
This is going to be a wet one. Having made the trip up to Newcastle the night before, the rain hasn’t stopped. Waking early on Saturday morning, it’s clear that a change of clothes in the car is going to be necessary.
This is a triple header. The first game is the Gold Coast Titans taking on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Then the Sydney Roosters v the Wests Tigers and finishing with the Brisbane Broncos taking on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. The rain is steady and constant and the photos are plentiful. The first game between Gold Coast and Canterbury goes swimmingly.
Game two of the triple header sees us taken off for over half an hour when lightning descends on Newcastle. We shelter in a nearby tunnel. Having come off at 3.12pm we don’t take our seats until 3.50pm. We are completely soaked but it’s the price you pay as a photographer, you will be rewarded with great photos and that is certainly the case in this game which the Rooster win comfortably.
By the third game between Brisbane and Cronulla-Sutherland, my Nikon Z8 is in trouble. Ross Hooper takes it into the sheds to do what he can to get it into some semblance of workability,
So I stick with the Nikon D780 I have as my second camera for photos closer to the tryline. About 15 minutes later I am reunited with my beloved Z8 but it’s clear even the expert hands of Hooper will not be able to get this camera into shooting shape tonight. I try to improve the lighting on the Z8 by fixing the ISO on the menu as darkness starts to creep over McDonald Jones Stadium, but even that doesn’t help. Play is halted for lightning at 4.41pm and we don’t get back until 5pm.
I try my best but the cameras have had enough. Some okay shots are salvaged but you can’t fight the weather gods. Despite what was hurled at us, the coverage and images we captured are remarkable considering the conditions.
NRL, NRLW Double Header: Canberra v Wests Tigers, Saturday August 30, 2025
Next stop is Canberra. The weather, unlike the previous four games, is sunshine without a cloud in sight. Although dramatic weather gives a photographer great options, it’s nice for a change to not be sitting worried about contracting double pneumonia. It’s a double header in the NRLW and the NRL with the Raiders taking on the Tigers.
The Viking Clap that welcomes the Raiders teams on to the ground is something that is very special to witness first hand.
During a break in play, our tutor Ross Hooper asks me about my assignment and I tell him what I’m studying. He tells me about the recent SMPTE MET Expo which was held at Randwick Racecourse where he was representing Nikon Australia. He speaks glowingly about how “professional” TAFE Media students were on the day and, upon hearing the options available for study, including part-time at night, says he’s “very interested”.
We also discuss what happened to the student who missed the Women’s Origin after going to the wrong venue.
“She went to the Parramatta and Penrith match at Commbank Stadium and she’s hooked,” said Hooper.
Then there was the question of what happened during the deluge in Newcastle. Ross said that a number of cameras needed a full service. We pack up after the Minor Premiership trophy ceremony.
NRLW and NRL Grand Final: Sunday October 5, 2025
Unlike the usual pre-game ritual of a camera tutorial, we are given our own version of a pre-game inspirational talk by highly acclaimed sports photographer Delly Carr. A Nikon Ambassador since 2009, his 45-minute talk puts us into the right mindset. He tells us that his inspiration for becoming a photographer was seeing the front cover of Rugby League Week in 1977 titled “Tears of Blood”. It showed St George Dragons fullback Ted Goodwin, with blood pouring out of his mouth and a blood-soaked jersey, pushing away the trainer. He brought in the front cover, which he has framed sitting proudly in his office to remember where his journey started.
We head out for the NRLW decider between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos. This game is a real tussle. The memory cards are in overdrive and I’m glad spares are at the ready. The Z8 and D780, which have been my weapons of choice this season, are holding up well. The Broncos end up winning 22-18 in a nailbiter.
The NRL men’s decider between Melbourne and Brisbane is upon us. Like the women’s Grand Final, both teams are stacked with superstars of our game. I keep an eye on the ISO as we enter the night-time. A quick change in the menu settings and we are set. The game is an instant classic.
Tonight it is quite simply the Reece Walsh show. In attack or defence he’s in everything. And when he chases down his opposition fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and spoils his opportunity to score, I’ve ditched the Z8 for the D780 to get a closer and tighter shot and it’s the right choice.
Perhaps the pre-game tutorials from Ross Hooper and Delly Carr guided me to drop the Z8 and anticipate what Walsh was going to do. The Broncos prevail and the day has lived up to the billing.
Pouring over the photos taken in 2025, the progress I’ve made as a sports photographer since debuting in 2023 is noticeable. Getting games under my belt and note taking are crucial for anyone doing this. Now 2026 is just around the corner and hopefully it’s just as rewarding.
Featured image: Aspiring sports photographer Lee Reilly on the tools at GIO Stadium in Canberra. Photo: Ross Hooper
