NRL 2021: Cowboys’ Josh McGuire eyes move to Dragons
Josh McGuire is back on the market as he eyes a reunion with coach Anthony Griffin at St George Illawarra — and it could come as part of a player swap.
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James Roberts and Will Smith remain under investigation by the NRL after attending the Tim Tszyu and Dennis Hogan bout on Wednesday night without pre-approval.
The duo broke the rules after the NRL sent out an edict to club’s at 4.20pm on Wednesday – just hours before the fight.
The late notice is understood to have created some confusion and there were doubts if the players had even seen the alert that they were warned off the fight by Project Apollo.
“As the competition has moved to higher level two Apollo protocols there are tighter restrictions on Apollo members with regards to large gatherings and indoor spaces,” the email to clubs read.
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“Unfortunately, this means that Apollo registered players and staff are not permitted to attend this evenings Tszyu vs Hogan fight to be held at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.”
South Sydney duo Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell plus Manly development player Zac Saddler were given clearance by the NRL to attend the fight despite the game-wide policy.
Clubs were shocked and privately fuming when images of the NRL stars were shown during Wednesday’s fight coverage.
A host of Newcastle Knights players and staff had tickets for the event but were forced to give up their seats after being banned by the NRL.
Players were told earlier this week they must wear masks at all indoor venues. Walker and Mitchell kept their masks on but pictures showed Roberts without one.
The NRL were on Thursday night finalising its investigations.
While it is unlikely Roberts or Smith will be banned from Monday’s game — Roberts’ Tigers play Smith’s Eels — they could be fined.
The NRL came down heavy on players who breached the bubble last year with the likes of Paul Vaughan and Nathan Cleary fined and suspended.
Fight promoter Matt Rose gained the exemption for Mitchell and Walker before the NRL sent out the email.
As part of the COVID-safe plan, Mitchell and Walker were allowed to be at the event under the guarantee they remained in the “clean zone”.
The pair were ushered into the arena via a separate entrance to the spectators, remained inside the barrier gates next to the ring - removed from the audience deemed to be in the “dirty zone” of the arena — and had to wear masks throughout the evening.
Roberts sat amongst the general public.
The NRL stepped up its protocols this week following the COVID outbreak in Queensland.
DRAGONS EYE MCGUIRE
The Cowboys’ horrid start to the season has reignited a potential move for Josh McGuire to reunite with former coach Anthony Griffin at St George Illawarra.
The switch was mooted during the pre-season but McGuire ended up sticking with the Cowboys. But things have changed quickly in Townsville with McGuire now on the market. North Queensland are in a state of flux with the winless club now offering McGuire an opportunity to quit the club with a year left on his contract.
St George Illawarra are keen to sign McGuire and have the salary cap space to accommodate him immediately. They would keep him next year too. The parties had intense dialogue before Christmas before McGuire opted to remain at North Queensland.
The Cowboys have shown an interest in St George Illawarra halfback Adam Clune, who returns to the starting side on Sunday to replace the injured Ben Hunt.
Clune could be part of discussions for any potential player swap. Despite Hunt’s injury, the Dragons have some cover in the halves with boom youngsters Jayden Sullivan and Junior Amone earmarked to be the club’s long-term halves options.
McGuire, a former Kangaroos and Maroons forward, has a close relationship with Griffin and came through the junior grades at the Broncos alongside Hunt and Andrew McCullough.
The Dragons are patiently waiting but want to add an experienced middle to their forward pack. They flirted with the idea of signing Andrew Fifita from Cronulla but are keen on McGuire should the Cowboys chip in financially.
Meanwhile, the Panthers have expressed an interest in signing prop Eddie Blacker immediately. Blacker played one game for the Dragons last season but was rubbed out for three matches after being suspended in the trials.
TEDDY’S DREAM COMES TRUE
This is the moment a 12-year-old James Tedesco penned his dreams of one-day becoming a Sydney Roosters player. It was in Tedesco’s last year as a pupil at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Camden where he dreamt big and now it is paying off.
Tedesco along with the rest of the class were asked to envisage where they would be in 15 years. Tedesco’s goal was clear. “I will be playing rugby league for my favourite team the Roosters,” Tedesco wrote.
Tedesco said he “can’t remember” how he came across the booklet.
“I’m not sure if it was one of my mates or my parents looking through old stuff,” Tedesco said. “But I remember showing my mates thinking how cool it was. They knew I was going to do everything I can to play in the NRL and I always supported the Roosters.”
Another familiar name is our Daily Telegraph colleague Nick Campton who hasn’t quite lived up to his dreams of playing reserve grade for North Sydney.
Tedesco reveals the letter as part of a new two-book series which is based on his rise from dreamy kid to NRL superstar.
In a big week for the Roosters superstar, Fox League’s Lara Pitt sat down with Tedesco and his parents where the book is based on his family farm to speak about his rise to the top.
Pitt said: “It was so wonderful to see the pride that his parents have for the heights he has reached in his football career and the role model he has become.”
Catch part one of the interview on Friday during Friday Night Footy on Fox League from 5pm.
CHEIKA SIGNS KING
Michael Cheika has added ex-Kangaroos player Matt King to his Lebanon coaching staff, but it seems he’s alos looking for a rugby coach.
We hear Cheika is being lined up as director of rugby for the struggling Japanese Top League team NEC Green Rockets, and is seeking a head coach to turn the club around.
Cheika may only spend limited time in Japan if he takes up the role, which would be necessary given his commitments to Lebanon, on top of his television commentary gig.
King, who is part of the Roosters coaching set-up, will assist Cheika and play a key role in helping the former Wallabies coach adjust to life in rugby league.
“I had my grounding in league at the Roosters,” Cheika said. “(King) is a top fella and they will enjoy having a top level coach.”
KYRGIOS FIRES UP RAIDERS
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios popped into Canberra Raiders training this week and led an impromptu Q&A with the squad. Raiders players asked how he dealt with media scrutiny and the life of a tennis player. He then watched training and toured Canberra’s new facilities. Kyrgios and the Raiders share a mutual sponsor.
DOGS LIGHT THE WAY
The Bulldogs will be led out by Adam Elliott’s brother James onto the field on Friday as Canterbury rally behind World Autism Day.
James, who is autistic, will run the side out to play the Rabbitohs. The Bulldogs are supporting the ‘light it up blue’ campaign in recognition of those with autism and family and friends who support them.
BUNNIES’ TICKET TREAT
The Rabbitohs will be giving a free ticket to SES and Fire and Rescue NSW personnel for their round five clash against the Broncos. The Rabbitohs have an existing relationship with Fire and Rescue NSW which allows injured firefighters to use the club’s rehabilitation facilities and staff to help with their recovery.
TOP HONOUR FOR LINDEN
Daily Telegraph journalist Julian ‘Scoop’ Linden has been named the Harry Gordon Australian Sports Journalist of the Year for a brilliant range of reporting highlighted by coverage of the toxic culture inside the Hockeyroos, Shayna Jack’s doping case and the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics. It continues a hot streak for Linden that has included the Walkley Award for Sport, which he shared with Jessica Halloran from The Australian, the Sport Australia award for best reporting of an issue, as well as third place in the AIPS world sport media awards for their series on the tragic death of ice skater Katia Alexandrovskaya.
LOMAX ON HOT STREAK
Zac Lomax is on a run of 22 consecutive goals but sits five behind Michael Ennis’ St George Illawarra record. Lomax’s streak is a long way behind Hazem El Masri’s record of 35. Penrith’s Nathan Cleary landed 32 straight between round 22 in 2017 to round two in 2018. Gold Coast Titans’ Jamal Fogarty is the only other current player on a decent streak with 11.
WALKER TALKS ON HOLD
Boom Roosters teen Sam Walker is off-contract at season’s end but talks between Walker and the club have been put-off to allow him to play some football.
He did not play a match last season but has impressed in his appearances for the Bears in recent weeks. Manager Clinton Schifcofske said Walker’s talents were obvious.
“He has plenty of ability and it’s easy to see,” Schifcofske said. “He plays on the footy. The way the game is starting to evolve, it suits his style of play. He is one of those halves who is always on the ball.
“His best attribute is he is humble and down to earth. Even coming through the grades he was the best player but he had the confidence that wasn’t arrogance.
“He got the best out of the team of the best in his team. He was the best player in his team but he didn’t carry on like he was. That always impressed me. His parents are great people and he is close with his extended family. They keep him grounded.”
ALL EYES ON
Roosters youngster Sam Walker. While fellow team prodigy Joseph Sualii dominated headlines during the pre-season it is Walker who will get first crack in the top grade. Walker was always going to play NRL this year but now needs to do so without the safety net of Luke Keary.
FLASHBACK
The Wests Tigers were plunged into chaos making front page news for all the wrong reasons on this day 20 years ago. The late Peter Frilingos reported that winger John Hopoate quit and teammates Craig Field and Kevin McGuiness were fined $500,000 and ordered to do community service after testing positive to illicit drugs.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
ADAM PERRY — 133 top grade games for Canterbury between 1999-2007.
The Bulldogs recruited Adam Perry to a position he had never played before. He impressed Bulldogs scouts playing as a second-rower in the Australian schoolboys.
Despite having a scholarship with the Illawarra Steelers, Perry opted to join the Bulldogs in 1997 in the midst of the Super League war.
“I had a few mates of mine like Trent Runciman in the schoolboys side who were going to Canterbury so that made it easier,” Perry said. “My first year at Canterbury was the first time I’d regularly played hooker. We were flying all over the countryside playing games – I’d only been on a plane twice before joining the Bulldogs.”
Perry made his debut in a 42-6 loss to the Roosters in 1999 because of a suspension to veteran Jason Hethrington. He played a part in Canterbury’s finals charge later that year and started the following season at hooker before an injury plagued few seasons. A broken foot and knee/calf issues restricted him to just 24 games in three seasons.
“The foot threw me a fair bit,” Perry said. “I came back and then broke it again after five minutes.”
Perry played out a full season in 2003 and wore the No.9 in Canterbury’s 2004 premiership win against the Roosters.
“After we won we came back to the ground on a double-decker bus,” Perry said. “There was a sea of blue and white jerseys, flares going off, flags waving. I’m very lucky that we had a film crew with us so we can relive that moment.”
Three years later Perry retired from the NRL, aged 28, after the Bulldogs opted against offering him a new deal.
“The club had stuck by me through a few injuries rubbish years with injury,” Perry said. “So when I was off-contract I was always to stay without chasing any extra money.
“The game was changing and they had to make a decision to keep me or Corey and they decided to go with Corey. I couldn’t blame them. I would’ve loved to have stayed.
“I could have got a job overseas but I took a job in rugby league which was more a long-term decision.”
Perry captained/coached Junee for a few seasons while working as an NRL regional manager. When COVID struck last year he made a career change becoming a network train controller for Australian Rail Track Corporation.
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