Monday Buzz: Paul Gallen’s toughness hides good heart, weekend highlights, lowlights

Cronulla Sharks warhorse Paul Gallen shows he has a softer side, a fight in an under-14s girls’ Oz Tag game and Joey Johns finds a winner. HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS

• Revealed: NRL’s battle to regain trust of supporters
• Buzz: Furious fans deserve consistency in punishments

There is a softer side to Cronulla Sharks warhorse Paul Gallen, who showed genuine care for John Hopoate when he knocked him out at the Hordern Pavilion on Friday night.

Only the quick reflexes of the referee saved Hoppa from hitting his head hard on the canvas as he collapsed in the second round.

Paul Gallen showed care for John Hopoate after their fight in Sydney. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

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There was a suggestion before the fight that Hoppa had bet his $50,000 purse on knocking out Gallen. Fortunately, it didn’t happen.

“He’s got 11 kids,” Gallen said. “How could you live with yourself if you took his purse?

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Hoppa and I’m pleased he got a good earn out of it.”

The day after he was belted, Hoppa jumped on a plane to Queensland for a charity golden oldies game.

We’ve had our run-ins over the years but there is a very good side to him.

Gallen was too strong for his older opponent. Picture: Brett Costello

HIGHLIGHT I

The Paul Gallen-John Hopoate fight night at the Hordern Pavilion. Some fantastic prelim fights, including the incredible skill of Tim Tszyu.

HIGHLIGHT II

A weekend without an NRL scandal. At least nothing we’ve heard about.

LOWLIGHT

A fight in an under-14s girls’ game at the Oz Tag State Cup in Coffs Harbour over the weekend. Three 13-year-olds sent off. A mother ran onto the field to get involved. Bloody terrible.

Mark Bouris, Jeff Fenech and his wife Suzee travelled to the Gallen-Hopoate fight in style.

SPOTTED I

Celebrity banker Mark Bouris, boxing champ Jeff Fenech and his stunning wife Suzie on the way to the Gallen-Hopoate fight in this white Rolls Royce.

SPOTTED II

Joey Johns put $100 on a horse called I’m an Immortal at Caulfield on Saturday which saluted at $2.80. The Channel 9 star showed off his winning ticket on social media.

Colin Love and Ken Arthurson enjoyed a meal together in Darlinghurst over the weekend.

SPOTTED III

Old ARL bosses Ken Arthurson and Colin Love enjoying a meal at Bar Reggio in Darlinghurst.

SHOOSH

Which Fox Sports TV commentator is about to join Ricky Stuart’s coaching staff at the Canberra Raiders as a consultant. It’s a huge coup for Ricky and the Raiders.

GI STICKS TO DIET AT FIGHT NIGHT

Your columnist sat in the seat behind Greg Inglis at the Hordern Pavilion. While all those around him were enjoying hot dogs and a few beers, GI resisted. He looked fit and determined to start the season in good shape.

MANLY TO TRAIN AT NARRABEEN DESPITE BROOKIE UPGRADE

We love Manly’s plan to spend $36 million on a new grandstand and high-performance centre at Brookvale. However, they can’t train on Brookvale and will have to go back to Narrabeen for ballwork sessions.

NRL clubs have tried to stop regular full squad media opportunities. Picture: Brett Costello

SHORTSIGHTED CLUBS ATTEMPT TO SHUT OUT MEDIA

The NRL recently drew up new media guidelines for the 16 clubs.

To keep fans informed and increase exposure for sponsors, every club had to ensure that all players would be available to the media once a fortnight.

It was a great initiative, negotiated by former Warriors and NRL heavyweight Jim Doyle, to ensure the fans can hear from all players — not just a carefully chosen few.

At the last minute a handful of Sydney clubs led by South Sydney, the Dragons and Bulldogs demanded the NRL drop the 17-man sessions.

It’s the sort of shortsighted thinking that has held back the game while other sports are doing anything to get more coverage.

It is also interesting that the revolt has been led by Souths, whose new coach Wayne Bennett is notorious for his frosty relationship with the media.

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Originally published as Monday Buzz: Paul Gallen’s toughness hides good heart, weekend highlights, lowlights