Valentine Holmes turns to father-in-law for judiciary, Payne for Bulldogs
North Queensland’s judiciary gamble hurts Val Holmes on the home front, Hasler taps a Titans, how the Bulldogs lost Payne Haas and more in the updated Sport Confidential.
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The Cowboys have defended their decision to fight Valentine Holmes’ high tackle charge after enlisting the Queensland Origin star’s father-in-law to defend him at the NRL judiciary.
Holmes may not play again this season after copping a four-match ban at the judiciary on Tuesday night.
The North Queensland centre contested the grading of a grade two high tackle charge from a shot on Titans fullback Jayden Campbell in a bid to have a three-match ban reduced to a fine.
However he failed during a 60-minute hearing which was labelled at times “bizarre” and “strange” by judiciary reporter Martin Gabor.
Holmes was represented by Bill O’Toole, a prominent Townsville lawyer whose daughters Natalia and Brianna are married to Holmes and former Cowboys star Michael Morgan respectively.
O’Toole successively represented Holmes at the judiciary in 2021, however this week’s case was a different story.
According to Gabor, NRL judiciary chairman Justice Geoffrey Bellew “scolded defence counsel Bill O’Toole several times”.
Instead of copping a three-match ban and returning for North Queensland’s final round clash with Penrith, Holmes will not be available until the finals – if the Cowboys qualify.
Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck said the club felt it had a strong case.
Fletch thinks Valentine Holmes going to the judiciary is risky business and could cost the Cowboys if he's not successful #NRLpic.twitter.com/cy2DTPPXmu
— The Run Home with Joel & Fletch (@JoelFletchSEN) August 1, 2023
“We were disappointed with the verdict but respect the judiciary process and believe we got a fair hearing,” he said.
“We thought there was a case to be made and the reward for getting it downgraded was pretty significant – going from a three-week ban to no ban.
“As it turned out, the judiciary disagreed and Val has to serve that extra week so it wasn’t a great outcome.”
It is not uncommon for players to be represented by lawyers at the judiciary, however a relative acting as the defence is a rarity.
During a forgettable night, O’Toole also reportedly “unsuccessfully tried to have a piece of evidence withdrawn”.
HOW THE BULLDOGS BOTCHED HAAS DEAL
It was Des Hasler’s audacious recruitment raid involving Broncos superstar Payne Haas that has proved a $1 million Bulldogs bungle.
Sport Confidential can today lift the lid on a six-year secret – the day incoming Titans coach Hasler, then in charge at the Bulldogs, agreed terms to bring Haas to Belmore.
Incredibly, Haas was ready to defect to the Bulldogs for just $100,000-a-season, with Hasler flying to Brisbane in the latter stages of the 2017 season to complete a stunning poaching raid on the Broncos.
Even more remarkably, the deal sensationally collapsed within days after an internal spat between Hasler and Canterbury’s recruitment-and-retention committee.
A huge fan of the Broncos rookie, who was 17 at the time and yet to play first grade, Hasler held talks with the Haas family and, believing he had his man, returned to Belmore to advise Bulldogs hierarchy of his coup.
But Canterbury’s recruitment-and-retention committee refused to rubberstamp the deal, blocking the Haas contract as Hasler’s power at Belmore began to decline.
It is understood Hasler contacted Haas to inform him the deal was off. Within weeks, Hasler was sacked by Canterbury hierarchy, officially ending any hope of the Bulldogs securing the most talented young prop in the code.
The Broncos then moved to stave off another poaching attempt, with then Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett helping broker a mega six-year extension for the 18-year-old worth $3.4 million.
The Sliding Doors moment has proved costly for the Bulldogs.
With Haas to test his value on the open market from November 1, Canterbury have been linked with the NSW Origin enforcer and now face paying at least $1.1 million a season to prise him from the Broncos.
Sport Confidential contacted former Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib about the Hasler-Haas saga. Dib, who was sacked in 2018 after an eight-year tenure, could not recall if Canterbury bosses blocked Hasler’s Haas heist.
“It may have been when ‘Crusher’ (Noel) Cleal was there (in recruitment), the name (Payne Haas) doesn’t ring a bell,” Dib said.
“It could have been right.
“I’m not saying 100 per cent we weren’t interested, but I can’t remember for certain.
“I wish we did get him. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.”
Former Broncos football boss Ben Ikin, who left Brisbane in May, hopes Haas stays loyal to the club in the face of fresh interest from the Melbourne Storm.
“Payne sets himself some pretty big goals,” Ikin said.
“He is very driven, he is very ambitious, he is very deliberate and if he has some other goal on his mind, then he will go after it.
“I would say as someone who would love to see him stay at the Broncos, I hope that goal in the back of his mind is that he is going to go after premierships with Brisbane.
“I don’t know what other clubs can afford.
“You have to speak to Payne about what his key drivers are at the moment.
“I can’t answer on his behalf, but if it’s money, there might be some massive offers out there that are bigger than he will get from the Broncos.”
NEXT WALTERS MAKING WAVES
Another Walters is coming through the Brisbane rugby league ranks.
Harry Walters, son of Broncos coach Kevin Walters and brother to Brisbane hooker Billy Walters, was crowned this week’s Heavy Lifter in the Hastings Deering Colts competition.
A hard-running backrower, Walters has been working his way up the grades at Norths Devils and is closing in on a Hostplus Cup debut.
He scored two tries and terrorised the Ipswich Jets with and without the ball in the Devils’ 66-4 win last weekend.
A late-bloomer of sorts, Harry is fiercely committed to his rugby league and has found some strong form in the under-21s Colts premiership.
Harry’s younger sister Ava is also playing for Norths in the women’s competition.
BYE, BYE BRENKO
Former Queensland Origin and Broncos centre Brenko Lee’s NRL career could soon be over.
One of the Dolphins’ foundation signings this season, Lee is exploring options in the English Super League in a sign his days at the NRL’s 17th team under Wayne Bennett could be over.
The ex-Storm premiership utility back is contracted to the Dolphins until the end of next season. Bennett is happy to honour Lee’s contract, but it’s understood the Dolphins won’t stand in his way if the 27-year-old can strike a deal in England.
The hulking Lee, who had a dream 2020 campaign when he won a premiership ring at Melbourne and was handed his Origin debut by Bennett, has played 13 games for the Dolphins this season.
But with star centre Herbie Farnworth arriving from the Broncos next season and rookie Valynce Te Whare showing signs of promise, Lee could find himself on the outer at the Dolphins.
TITAN HANGS UP BOOTHS
Gold Coast Titans hooker Aaron Booth has announced his retirement following a shocking knee injury last year.
Booth, who is best mates with Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes, will walk away from the NRL following 10 games and take up an off-field role with the Titans.
Booth, 27, made his NRL debut for the Storm in 2020 and joined the Titans last year.
But he suffered an horrific injury against his former club and has decided to hang up the boots following a long rehabilitation process.
“Obviously I wanted to keep playing as I’m only 27, so it was a hard call to make,” he said.
“After many conversations with medical opinions I trust, it is best for my long-term health that I make the decision to retire.
“I’ve probably been feeling it for a little while that it (knee) isn’t getting back to the level I’d like it to be at.
“It was a gruesome injury and it’s been a long recovery and unfortunately it’s not going to get back to a level to handle the NRL schedule.
“I have come across so many people, clubs, coaches, communities and fans along my journey that it’s hard to single anyone out.
“I simply want to say thank you to everyone that has contributed, I genuinely appreciate it all.
“My parents, partner, siblings and friends who have been on the inside of this journey - thank you most of all.
“I am so excited for this next chapter of my life and look forward to my new roles at the club.”
PATIENCE FOR PAPS
Storm coach Craig Bellamy says he won’t be rushing Ryan Papenhuyzen back for the finals as the star fullback prepares for his triumphant return to rugby league.
Papenhuyzen will play his first game in a year when he returns from a career-threatening knee injury for Melbourne’s feeder club Sunshine Coast in a Queensland Cup clash on Saturday afternoon.
Bellamy says Papenhuyzen will not play the full 80 minutes for Sunshine Coast and is not putting pressure on the 25-year-old to feature in the playoffs for the Storm.
“We’re planning for him to play about 50 or 55 minutes,” he said.
“He might feel OK and they might extend that out a bit, but he won’t be playing the full 80 this week.
“I’m not sure if they will start him or if he comes off the bench, but the medical staff are saying around 50 to 55 (minutes) and we’ll plan for next week if he’s up to playing again.
“I’m not worrying about whether he plays finals for us.
Ryan Papenhuyzen is back - named in QLD Cup this weekend. What’s his return going to look like & when will he be back in the NRL?
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 1, 2023
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“When I first saw the scans of the actual injury, his kneecap was busted in six places and they had to stitch it back together and I thought how the hell can he play again?
“It’s been a long journey. He has had periods of doubt. It was never cut and dried, I’m just really pleased for Paps, he has done a hell of a job to get back.”
Papenhuyzen last played Queensland Cup in round 8 of 2019 against Mackay Cutters. He and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were on the bench for a Sunshine Coast team that also contained Nicho Hynes and Harry Grant.
All four have gone on to become NRL stars, with Hynes winning the Dally M Medal last year.
It has been a long season in the Hostplus Cup for the Ipswich Jets and it’s about to get even tougher when they confront Papenhuyzen.
Once a powerhouse of the competition and the 2015 premiers, the Jets are last on the ladder without a win in 18 games this season.
The last thing they needed was to face a player of Papenhuyzen’s calibre.
PLAY IT AGAIN SAM?
Roosters young gun Sam Walker is racing the clock to play again this season after being given the green light to return by medicos.
Walker saw a knee specialist in Sydney on Monday and the expert advice suggests he can overcome a grade-one ACL tear to return in the coming weeks in a desperate bid to keep the Roosters’ finals hopes alive.
But whether Walker is taking a huge risk is the vexing question.
It is understood the 21-year-old is targeting the Roosters’ penultimate regular-season clash against Wests Tigers in round 26, but by then, the Chooks’ top-eight hopes may have evaporated.
Even if the Roosters’ playoff campaign is still intact, there is a concern Walker’s ACL sprain could turn into a grade-three tear which would require a full reconstruction and a devastating nine-month recovery.
There is a push for Walker to rest up for the 2024 pre-season and coach Trent Robinson concedes he won’t be rolling the dice regardless of the Roosters’ finals chances.
“I don’t want to talk about that (Walker returning) from a finals point of view,” he said.
“The best thing to do is treat the injury.
“If the injury is right and everything is right, then he’s a young footy player and we will get him back playing.
“We will do the right thing by Sam and keep doing what we’ve done.
“But if the injury isn’t right, then we will wait until it’s 100 per cent, not 95 per cent.”
TITANIC UPHEAVAL
Des Hasler’s bloodletting at the Titans has begun with prop Thomas Mikaele the first player to depart the Gold Coast following a series of strange signings.
Mikaele has returned to the Super League following a one-game stint with the Titans.
Mikaele joined the Titans from Warrington in April as a mid-season recruit but played just 11 minutes of NRL across four months with the club.
He wasn’t going to be re-signed and was released this week, making his way back to England to re-join Warrington.
It was a long trip for one NRL game, but that is 11 minutes more first grade action than another of the Gold Coast’s mid-year signings – fellow Kiwi product Ken Maumalo – has seen.
Maumalo was released by the Tigers in March to join the Titans, but is yet to make an NRL appearance and has spent the entire season with Burleigh in the Hostplus Cup.
Maumalo is contracted until the end of 2025, but with wingers Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Phil Sami in hot form it remains to be seen if Hasler wants him at the club.
Another Titans mid-season recruit – English hooker Kruise Leeming – is also set for the exits following six NRL games from the bench.
TONGUE-TIED TITAN
Warriors flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is one of Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira’s favourite players – even if he doesn’t know his name.
‘DWZ’ and ‘AKP’ will face off in one of the great wing showdowns at a packed Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night.
Khan-Pereira set a new Titans record for tries scored in a season with his 18th four-pointer of the year last week, eclipsing David Fifita’s 2021 record (17).
Watene-Zelezniak has been one of the form wingers of the NRL this year, bagging 16 tries in 13 games for the resurgent Warriors.
“I’m expecting a tough game,” Khan-Pereira said.
“Especially having Denzel … sorry, I don’t know, as opposition. He’s one of the greatest wingers too.
“He’s a freak. He’s doing great at the Warriors.
“I’m very nervous. I know it’s going to be a tough game.”
Khan-Pereira, 21, is a real character at the Titans with his nose ring, blistering speed and confidence to boot.
Interim coach Jim Lenihan affectionately labelled him “cocky” recently but said that swagger helped ‘AKP’ dominate on the field.
“I can’t believe he said that,” Khan-Pereira said.
“Me and Jimmy go back to Burleigh and have that banter.
“I’m sure he’s just joking … he better be joking.”
COWBOY COLD ON STRIKE
Cowboys co-captain Chad Townsend has dismissed talk of a player strike over the RLPA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement war with the NRL.
Rugby League Players Association boss Clint Newton is under siege over a series of protest measures, including the players’ latest decision to cover up the NRL logo during matches.
One of the code’s most senior and deep-thinking players, Townsend is an RLPA delegate at the Cowboys and is adamant NRL stars have no interest in hurting the fans by striking.
“We don’t want to strike,” Townsend said.
“That is something that’s not being tossed up by the players to be honest. It would be an absolute last resort.
“I want to make it clear the players love playing in front of the fans and for the fans, so that’s our most important thing.”
Townsend insists NRL players are not trying to be militant and disrupt the code.
“I definitely hope it (the CBA dispute) gets sorted soon,” he said.
“It’s dragged on a lot and everyone involved in the game, whether it’s player, fan or media, we all want a fair deal for both parties.
“If we get the industrial relations mediator to get in the room with both parties and everyone can put everything out on the table and we can come to a resolution for the good of the game, that would be great.
“The growth of the game has been unbelievable. The fans’ support is great and the game is in a good position, so it would be nice to get this sorted, hopefully by the end of the season.”
WEBSTER’S WARNING TO JOHNSON
The secret to the Warriors’ stunning revival this season can be traced to rookie coach Andrew Webster’s candid chat with star playmaker Shaun Johnson.
A first-season NRL mentor, Webster comes across as a mild-mannered type, but behind the scenes, his no-nonsense approach is behind Johnson’s remarkable renaissance.
Kiwi sources have told Sport Confidential Johnson questioned a number of decisions Webster made upon arriving at the club in pre-season.
Webster wasn’t going to cop any destabilising forces. He told Johnson no individual was bigger than a club and to either buy into his plans to bring success to the Warriors or find another place of employment.
Webster’s take-no-prisoners honesty has worked wonders. Johnson copped the tip, hopped on the Webster bus and has been magnificent, producing some of the best football of his career to put the Warriors in title contention.
TIGERS BATTING FOR BRADMAN
Newcastle’s NSW Origin star Bradman Best is on the radar of the Wests Tigers.
The embattled Tigers have been active in the marketplace in their desperate quest to climb out of the NRL cellar and they are keen to make a play for hulking Knights centre Best.
The 21-year-old is aware of the Tigers’ interest and could find himself at the centre of a bidding war with Newcastle for his services.
Best is contracted to the Knights until the end of 2024 and underlined his potential with a stunning debut for the Blues, scoring two tries in NSW’s 24-10 defeat of Queensland in Game Three last month.
Given their lowly position, the Tigers face an uphill battle to sign Origin and Test stars, but the joint-venture club has the funds under the salary cap to keep the Knights honest.
The 103kg powerhouse is one of the code’s blockbusting centres and could be worth in excess of $700,000 a season on the open market.
PUNTERS KEEN ON QUEENSLAND
Still smarting from the Maroons winning State of Origin at juicy odds, TAB is bracing for more pain from Queensland punters as the Broncos and Cowboys continue their finals charge.
Brisbane is nearing the title odds of their last grand final appearance in 2015, while North Queensland has again defied TAB’s forecasters by resurrecting their premiership hopes for the second year in a row.
“The last time the Broncos were this short was during the 2016 season when they were as low as $3.50 and they were obviously shorter the year before when they played that epic decider,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.
“They’re now $4.25, second favourites to lift the trophy this season, while the Cowboys have done it to us again.
“We had them as long as $101 last year before they surged into the semis. They were out to $67 a couple of months ago and are now $13.
“Both have been well supported for the title recently, but the Broncos have almost 80% of The head-to-head money for this weekend’s derby and are red-hot favourites.”
A Brisbane v Penrith grand Final is now the favourite option in TAB’s Quinella market, ahead of Penrith v Melbourne.
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Originally published as Valentine Holmes turns to father-in-law for judiciary, Payne for Bulldogs
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