Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: DCE’s camp goes quiet on Roosters, Blues boss declares Laurie Daley safe
Daly Cherry-Evans’ camp has gone quiet on his move to the Roosters, with the exception of one frosty message sent from an agent of his management company to Buzz Rothfield. That and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
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You know Daly Cherry Evans is signed, sealed and all but delivered to the Sydney Roosters by the strange recent behaviour of the agents at his management company, Ignite Sports.
Joe Wehbe, Anthony Field and Peter Nolan have either gone AWOL or don’t want to discuss the Cherry-Evans signing at the Roosters.
Phone calls and text messages to all three for several weeks have gone unanswered, apart from one text from Nolan.
When I complained to Nolan about the lack of communication, he told your columnist to “get over yourself and get a life.”
What a nice bloke.
That Cherry Evans agreed to join the Roosters two months ago is the game’s worst secret.
Neither DCE’s camp or the Roosters want the story out until both Manly and the Roosters are finished for the season.
Despite DCE’s struggles at Manly this season and his sacking from the Maroons Origin team after the opening game of the series, the Roosters are showing no signs of buyer remorse.
Meanwhile, the reason Cherry-Evans didn’t turn up to the State of Origin decider at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night can be explained.
Manly had the bye this weekend so DCE took the family out of town for school holidays. He did send the players a message of support on game day.
DALEY SAFE
NSW coach Laurie Daley’s job is safe despite savage criticism of the Blues’ State of Origin debacle.
NSW has already had three coaches in three years – Brad Fittler, Michael Maguire and Daley – and there won’t be a fourth, says NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden.
Speaking for the first time since the Blues’ series loss, Trodden says there will be a full review of the series but insists Daley’s job is not under threat.
“We always do an extensive review, win, lose or draw,” Trodden said.
“You’re constantly striving to improve.
“The proper time for reflection is not the day after the game. You let the dust and emotion settle, you calmly collect your thoughts and find out what we can do better next year.”
Daley signed a two-year contract with NSW for his second Origin coaching stint. He now has a record of 11 losses from 18 games – and only one series victory.
However Trodden says: “Laurie is contracted for next year and we don’t break contracts.
“He was devastated after the game and we’re all disappointed.
“But you don’t achieve sustained success by constantly chopping and changing your coach. You settle on a plan, put processes in place and stick to it. That’s what we’ll be doing.”
Bookmakers are already betting on next year’s series with NSW and Queensland sharing favouritism, both at $1.90.
There’s no question Daley was out-coached by Slater in this series.
Slater made the tough calls in the selection room, including the sacking of Maroons legend Daly Cherry-Evans, while Daley stuck loyal with the NSW side despite the loss in Perth.
In fairness though, it was a massive blow for the Blues to lose both Mitchell Moses and Mitch Barnett for the series after dominant performances in the opening game of the series at Suncorp Stadium.
On Friday we spoke to Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who confirmed he would be back next year to support Daley along with Melbourne’s general manager of football Frank Ponissi.
SAINT
On his way back from visiting regional communities during Parramatta’s bye week, Josh Addo-Carr received a call about a youngster Lachie Betts; an 11-year-old who is bravely battling a brain tumour in John Hunter hospital in Newcastle.
The Fox, without hesitation, called into the hospital on his way home for a surprise visit, lifting the spirits of Lachie and his family.
Addo-Carr often makes these visits without seeking recognition. He’s a good man.
SINNER
The NSW Blues lost an almost unlosable Origin series. At least it’s over and we can return to a fair playing schedule. No more split rounds from next weekend. The best players back at their clubs. Can we please come up with a draw where Origin doesn’t ruin the comp for almost a third of the season.
SHOOSH
The Holman-Barnes Group — majority shareholder of Wests Tigers, is flushed with funds. Wests Ashfield Leagues recently announced a $9.1 million profit. It made it all the more surprising that long-time CEO Simon Cook decided to quit last week.
SHOOSH
The AFL might have the most lucrative TV broadcast deal of any Australian sport, but it faces huge financial problems around the nine-year-old AFLW competition which is losing $50 million a year.
SHOOSH
I’ve been reluctant to pay $70 to watch two old footballers – Paul Gallen, 43 and Sonny Bill Williams, 39 – slug it out on Stan pay-per-view this Wednesday night.
That was until Andrew Webster and I interviewed Gallen for our Off The Record podcast.
The ill-feeling and hatred is genuine. This isn’t a fight … it’s a war between two men who absolutely cannot stand each other.
SHOOSH
After a disastrous series loss, a lot of questions are being asked around the selection process of the NSW Blues, and the involvement of a man who calls himself ‘The Analyst’ in selection meetings.
SHOOSH
Who says referees and touch judges are never held accountable for mistakes? The touchie who inexplicably ruled a forward pass to deny St George-Illawarra winger Tyrell Sloan a certain try against Canberra last weekend has been dropped for the rest of the season. It was a costly blunder that may well have cost the Dragons the game.
SPOTTED
Gordie Tallis has spent his life bagging NSW; most of it good-natured banter around Origin. Deep down he loves the place. That’s why the Maroons legend took up an opportunity from Tourism NSW to shoot a promotional advert last week for Sydney. The cash would have helped too. Gordie spent the week at the Four Seasons Hotel with his family to shoot the ad.
SPOTTED
Phil Gould making a rare podcast appearance outside of Channel 9 with popular player manager Steve Gillis on Chiming In. He apparently opens up on some of the bigger moments in his 50 years of rugby league.
LEAGUE RULES ROOST WITH UNION
The NRL continues to dominate rugby union in all areas of the game.
The Wallabies match against Fiji last week drew an average audience of just 268,000.
That’s way below rugby league’s women’s team, the Jillaroos, who played in the same timeslot earlier this year and pulled an audience of 385,000.
When including pay TV and streaming (Foxtel for the Jillaroos, Stan for the Wallabies), the gap widens further in rugby league’s favour.
League has also done well against the touring British & Irish Lions in union.
The State of Origin in Perth attracted a crowd of 57,000 at Optus Stadium while the opening Lions game against the Western Force got only 46,000.
HIS PAST WAS CLOSE BEHIND
Cooper Johns sat himself into business class last week for a flight from Sydney to Townsville for a speaking engagement before the Storm-Cowboys game.
He gets a text message from his old Storm coach Craig Bellamy that says, “Geez, you’ve changed.”
Johns has no idea what he’s referring to. He’s hoping he hasn’t bagged Bellamy somewhere and it’s got back to him.
Bellamy texts him a second time: “Geez, you’ve changed.”
After takeoff, Johns gets up to go to the toilet.
He looks around and sees Bellyache, laughing, three rows behind with the punters in economy.
MANASE TO BIDE HIS TIME
Ex-footy star Manase Fainu will be released from jail next year – but it’s highly unlikely he will be joining his three brothers at the Wests Tigers.
The 26-year-old was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of stabbing a youth leader during a violent brawl outside a Mormon church dance.
Fainu is set to be released on parole in October next year.
His manager Mario Tartak had spoken to Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson, however it’s understood the NRL will not register a contract until his parole is completed in 2030.
Fainu played 34 NRL games for Manly before he was jailed.
His three brothers are all at the Tigers – Samuela, Latu and Sione – and created history last week against the Roosters, becoming the first set of three brothers to score a try in the same NRL game.
RACE CALLER EYES LEAGUE LEAP
A lot of great rugby league commentators – Ray Warren and Ray Hadley – began their broadcasting careers covering the races.
Now one of Australia’s top race callers, Luke Marlow, wants to do something similar.
Over the last few weeks he has been spotted at Accor Stadium, sitting in a spare broadcast box on his own, practising and recording.
Marlow is originally from Rockhampton and grew up a rugby league tragic.
“I’m just trying to diversify my skill set,” Marlow said.
“My first interest is racing but I love rugby league. One day I’d love to get an opportunity to call some games.”
SUGAR’S SWEET HIT
There are few better judges in rugby league than SEN drive host and Sportsbet odds spruiker Joel ‘Sugar’ Caine.
A month ago, after QLD dumped skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, Caine suggested on his sponsored NRL 360 segment that there was a good-value $61 chance to win the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series.
That player was Maroons halfback Tom Dearden.
TSZYU FEELING HEAT
Tim Tszyu has arrived in Las Vegas to face a brutal heatwave – 10 straight days of 45-degree temperatures and no sign of it easing before his July 20 world title fight against Sebastian Fundora.
It’s forced Tszyu to shift all his training to later in the evenings to manage what’s a real shock to the system after coming from a freezing Sydney winter.
“It’s hotter than an oven over here,” says his manager Glen Jennings.
“We’ve had to monitor hydration around the clock and completely alter the training load.
“Yesterday was 46 in the gym, and you feel every bit of it.”
“We’ve kept things calm and controlled, but I’ve never seen conditions like it for a fight camp.”
BETTER HALF – with Alix Trbojevic, wife of Manly captain Jake
Okay, what’s it like being married to the guy recognised as the nicest man in rugby league?
It’s pretty special, he really is everything people say: kind, grounded, and always putting others first. But to me, it’s not just about being the ‘nicest guy in rugby league.’ I love him for who he is at home. He shows up every day with love, patience, and support when no one’s watching.
Surely he’s got faults. No-one is perfect?
He definitely has a few classic boy traits like putting everything in the dishwasher including an electric fry pan. A couple classics is wrapping an iceberg lettuce with aluminium foil and putting an aluminium bowl in the microwave and blowing it up. He often needs a little help with his style but he’s learning. All of these actually just make us both have a good laugh.
What’s he like with chores around the house? Can he cook?
He’s a great house husband, I work late so he has dinner ready for me when I get home and the washing done. Fun fact, he loves to do some baking and often makes treats for my work or friends and we name it Jakebakes.
What’s he like around home? The NRL has so many highs and lows. Last year Jake was Blues captain. This year he wasn’t picked. It must be hard sometimes?
Depends whether Manly are winning or losing or if it’s the in or off-season. During the season, every week can be a rollercoaster.
It can definitely be challenging at times for both of us. Jake wears his heart on his sleeve and expects so much of himself, so when the team isn’t doing well, he takes it hard.
He was obviously disappointed to not make the Blues but was just as passionate watching. Over the past couple years, he has learnt there’s more to life and to switch off and enjoy time at home having a laugh or going and doing things we enjoy together. He has found a new love for travel.
Do injuries and concussions worry you?
They definitely do, having a bit of a background knowledge of the little niggles or injuries and the extent of the toll it can have on your body is very concerning.
Especially as we look into our future, brain and body health is so important.
I understand you’re a physio. So I reckon you guys would always be eating healthy or does Jake break out at Maccas or KFC every now and then?
We both love our food and enjoy eating fresh healthy meals. I tend to stick to it more and Jake tends to wander depending on his emotions. He rarely eats KFC or Maccas, but loves his chicken parmy and desserts. You’ll often catch him wandering to the cupboards or for ice cream after dinner. He loves Coke Zero, so I am always telling him to swap out for water.
Where did you guys meet?
We met out in Manly one time after a game and exchanged numbers and then we spoke on and off for a couple years, before he finally asked me out and the rest is history.
How did Jake propose?
I had actually organised a surprise 30th birthday weekend for him and we were staying in the city. We had a late dinner planned so he organised a cheese platter and some wine to have before it. I walked in the door and we sat down and he said he had a couple of surprises for me.
First was my favourite bottle of wine, second was a book he had made with photos and a handwritten letter, and as I got to the end of the letter, it said, ‘But wait there’s one more surprise.’
And he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was very sweet and thoughtful. He surprised me when I was meant to be surprising him for his birthday.
Who’s your favourite Manly player? Jake or, your brother, Corey? Or is it a tie?
I’m definitely on the fence for this one, they are both my favourite players and people and I love watching them play together. I now have Jake, Corey and my two brother-in-laws playing in the one team, so seeing all of the boys succeed and do well makes for very happy households.
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