Saint, sinner, shoosh: Homesick Brad Arthur awaits NRL call
Why Brad Arthur won’t re-sign with Leeds, the mind-blowing cost of a Wallabies ticket, better half Ashleigh Camenzuli dishes out on Panthers star Isaah Yeo and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A midweek phone call to former Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur in the north of England finds a man who is homesick.
He desperately misses watching his sons Jake, at the Manly Sea Eagles, and Matt, at the Newcastle Knights, on their footy journeys, like any dad would.
“It’s hard to not be there with the boys,” he says.
“They’re both only young and working hard for their opportunities. I watch their games on TV but it would be nice to be there with them.”
Arthur is coaching middle-of-the-table Leeds in the UK Super League and has been offered an extension on his current deal, which is up at the end of this season.
He is in no rush to make a decision.
“They want me to stay but I’m holding them off a bit,” Arthur said.
“I’m enjoying it, I really am.
“But I want to coach in the NRL again and I’d like to come home.
“I’m not praying for any coach getting moved on, but at some stage halfway through the year a couple of the teams will be under pressure.
“Who knows what’s going to happen. Hopefully I’ll get another chance and see what happens.”
While he was bitterly disappointed last year at the time of his sacking at Parramatta, he can now see the benefits.
“Coming over here has been good for my coaching,” he says.
“I feel like I’ve worked on a couple of things I probably got wrong at Parra.
“I’ve done things a bit differently. I’ve learnt to focus on what the priorities are. Working with different personalities. Keeping things simple. It’s been good for me.”
We also spoke about the Parramatta Eels’ terrible start to the season and the contract clause that allowed Dylan Brown to quit for the monster 10-year deal in Newcastle.
Not that I can go into it.
We finish up and then I get this text message:
“Hi Phil out of respect I called you back but please no commentary from me about Parramatta, I’m grateful for my time there and have moved on. I hope you respect me for that please.”
It would have been so easy for him to unload ‘on-the-record’ on the winless Eels.
Not at his successor, Jason Ryles, but their bungling management and baffling recruitment.
It shows the class of the man.
* * * * *
SAINT
Emerging rugby league referees under 18 years of age in the Sutherland Shire will wear yellow socks this season in a campaign called ‘Yellow and bright, treat them right’. It will raise awareness around the behaviour of sideline parents, and the respect that needs to be shown by young players towards the future NRL whistleblowers.
SINNER
Phil Gould should stick to his day job at Canterbury, where there is no denying he’s done a nice job to rebuild the club. We can’t say the same about his work at Channel 9. Gus’s views on league are outdated. His defence of Reed Mahoney’s shocking cheap shot on Daniel Atkinson last week, with comments like “there wasn’t much in it at all” and “he’s one of the most courageous players I’ve ever seen”, is, in my view, complete rubbish. There is nothing courageous about attacking the head of a defenceless player on the ground.
SHOOSH
Newcastle would need to offload unwanted $800,000 halfback Jackson Hastings to bring in Dylan Brown a year early at the Knights. It’s been discussed but Hastings, understandably, won’t be leaving anytime soon. His partner is due to give birth to their first child any day. He bought a house in Newcastle last year. They can’t be expected to just pack up and leave.
SHOOSH
You’ve got to admire the entrepreneurial skills of Souths boss Blake Solly. He waits for a Rabbitohs home game at Accor against arch rivals the Roosters to pick another public fight with their long-time adversaries over the use of Allianz Stadium. A soft build-up quickly became a firestorm. Just what he wanted to increase ticket sales.
SHOOSH
Australian soccer is seriously missing the powerful leadership of its old chairman Frank Lowy. The multi-billionaire business tycoon was prepared to make tough decisions, like kicking Clive Palmer out of the A-League. I can guarantee you Mr Lowy would have stripped Sam Kerr of the Matildas captaincy over her police incident in the UK, had it happened under his watch.
SPOTTED
The AFL is cunningly using the popularity of Fox League’s NRL 360 in an ambush advertising campaign to drive registrations in juniors through Auskick commercials.
SPOTTED
No Limit boxing promoter Matt Rose power-walking along Ramsgate Beach on Wednesday morning, before his trip to Newcastle for today’s Tim Tszyu v Joey Spencer fight.
BIG BREKKY
Catch you this morning at 9.40am on the Weekend Big Sports Breakfast with Ray Thomas and Dean ‘Bulldog’ Ritchie to talk all things rugby league.
* * * * *
WALLABIES’ TICKET WHACK
Good luck taking your family to the British & Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies in Sydney this year - the cheapest seats left for the August 2 match at Accor Stadium are a staggering $279 each — or $1116 for a family of four.
These exorbitant prices might be ok for the Mosman, Bellevue Hill, Queens Park surgeons, barristers, investment bankers and Financial Review readers, but are completely out of the range of battlers amid a cost-of-living crisis gripping the country.
Guess they’ve got to pay for Joseph Suaalii somehow … but still.
In comparison, the NRL has $49 tickets for Origin III at Accor on July 9.
In fairness rugby had cheaper tickets when they first went on sale —$199.90 for adults or $149.90 for children – but even that still over the top.
A Rugby Australia spokesperson has defended any suggestions of price gouging.
“The British & Irish Lions tour Australia once every 12 years making it one of the most unique and in-demand events on the sporting calendar,” he said. “Demand for all categories has been extremely high among Wallabies supporters as well as the anticipated 50,000 Lions fans travelling to Australia.”
Obviously, the cash-strapped sport needs to make every penny it can from the tour.
For the first time in years the code will make a significant profit this year on the back of ticket sales.
Much of it will be used to pay down an $80 million loan facility.
Still, what hope is there for the average fan battling a mortgage, grocery and petrol costs.
TUG OF WAR LOOMS OVER AGELESS BENNETT
It wouldn’t be a rugby league season without speculation around Wayne Bennett’s long-term coaching future.
The old super coach might be locked into South Sydney until the end of 2027, but he is certain to be the target of expansion clubs Papua New Guinea and, most likely, the Perth Bears.
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys makes no secret of the fact that he’d love Bennett to take on the PNG job – even if he’ll be 78 by the time they enter the comp in 2028.
They have spoken about it on a number of occasions.
V’landys believe Bennett can deliver as a start-up coach better than anyone else in the game.
He did a magnificent job to have the Dolphins ready in 2024 as an immediate success in the club’s debut year.
On Friday I asked Souths boss Blake Solly about Bennett’s future at the Rabbitohs.
“Wayne’s here for the next three years and, of course, we’d like him to stay longer,” Solly said. “But it’s still a long way off. We understand there will be other interests but we’re comfortable where it’s at.”
ABUSE CLAIMS TEAR APART JUNIOR TEAM
We told you the shocking story last week of a police investigation into allegations of racial, verbal and physical abuse of teenage players in Souths juniors.
The youngsters have all chosen to play again this year, and wanted to stick together in the same team at another club.
The NSWRL has inexplicably refused to allow this request.
The players have now been split up across nine clubs for the new season because of the game’s antiquated transfer and registration rules.
What a disgrace.
These players reluctantly walked out on their old club because of the lack of action by officials over the abuse claims.
Now the NSWRL has torn the team apart.
CEO David Trodden is aware of the situation but will do nothing to fix it.
This is such a terrible way to treat the players and their parents who so bravely spoke up.
We have been alerted to another case of alleged abuse in Souths juniors that has been passed onto the NSWRL.
GAL GIVES SBW REST
Paul Gallen has made a crucial concession and agreed to fight his arch rival Sonny Bill Williams over eight two-minute rounds to ensure their fight goes ahead.
The old Sharks warhorse was originally insisting on three-minute rounds to wear down SBW and use his endurance to an advantage.
“I’ve decided they can have their shorter rounds and I’ve agreed to my share of the purse. If they don’t accept this they don’t want to fight. I can’t do anything more,” said Gallen.
The fight is supposed to take place mid-year on Nine Entertainment’s Stan pay-per-view platform.
But we’ve been hearing it’s going to happen for 10 years - and negotiations have always fallen over.
SBW’s manager Khoder Nasser said his man was holidaying in Malaysia and would discuss plans when he gets home.
Although Gallen is now 43 and SBW is 39, the former NRL superstars have stayed in remarkably good physical condition.
Gallen was adamant about his boxing retirement in 2022 but the possibility of yet another $1 million-plus payday and the chance to silence his long-time enemy, was too much to knock back.
TIM TSZYU FACES CAREER KO
Tim Tszyu’s fight against Joey Spencer in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon is a potential career ender.
A third straight loss would leave his boxing future in the balance, says former champion fighter Jeff Fenech.
“If Tim loses he’ll be digging his grave,” Fenech said. “How do you come back from three straight losses? There is so much hanging on the result.”
Having said that, Fenech thinks Tszyu will win.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in him,” Fenech said, “He showed us what he’s capable of before his last couple of fights. And I think he’s a boxer who will thrive under the pressure of this fight.”
The fight card starts at 11am on Main Event on Foxtel and Kayo.
THAT’S A HOLE LOT OF WOW FACTOR
A Cumberland Country Gold Club member is set to enter the Guinness World Records for the most holes-in-one on the same hole.
John Kiddle, 67, has scored 10 aces in competitions since 1999. And six of them have been on the same 142 metre Par 3, 16th hole!
Guinness is looking to establish it as a World Record.
Club President Denis Clifford said: “Most golfers can only dream of scoring a hole-in-one but what John has done is truly amazing.
“He’s still playing in competitions two days a week at Cumberland so I wouldn’t be surprised if he bagged a few more.”
Meanwhile, cricket great Simon O’Donnell also pulled off an incredible golfing feat this week, scoring two holes-in-one in the same round at the Flinders Golf Club in Victoria.
The odds of two aces in the same round are 67 million-to-one, according to the National Hole-in-One registry in the US.
THE BETTER HALF
with Ashleigh Camenzuli, partner of Isaah Yeo
Big game 250 for Isaah at Penrith. Have you been there the entire time? What’s the ride been like?
No, we met in 2019. Before we met, I wasn’t a footy girl, I knew nothing. But from what I have been told, 2019 was a bit of a rough year. So I was able, and very fortunate, to join the crew once they started to play very well. It’s been a hell of a ride really. They have had so many wins, so many accomplishments, but they have also fought very hard and they have had many obstacles on the way. It’s been amazing to watch the struggles, the fight to see where they are today.
Meeting Isaah in a period which was quite rough for the club, what have you noticed was the biggest change?
The growth I have seen in him has been immense, both personally and through his career. He noticed something had to give, something had to change in order for the dynamics of the team to flip. I found his mindset was a lot different, the way he attacked the game was a lot different. He really had to find a new way to play. So many people mention from 2020 he’s become more of a ballplayer, and he did and really he has changed the game for the lock position.
After seeing that change, to now be able to sit back and watch him take the field for such a big milestone, what’s that like?
To have a front-row seat is unbelievable and something the kids and I cherish. It’s incredible, even doing his jersey presentation on Thursday morning, and the week leading up to the game, I got quite emotional because everyone sees what he produces on the field but so many people don’t get to see his prep, training and mindset. He has had so many setbacks which he has overcome to be able to produce what he does on the field. I just think all these accolades that he is getting are all acknowledgments which he deserves. Off the field he is an amazing dad, an incredible partner. He is so present at home, I feel very proud for him, but I hope he feels very proud of himself, and he can look back with years to come and look back and be proud of himself.
He plays in a tough position in the middle of the field, is it a bit scary to watch?
It is. I remember in the early days sitting on the sideline and hearing the intent and impact, and saying to myself, ‘what is this sport’. Over time it becomes second nature watching it, but I must say there are specific people in certain teams that you go ‘oh my god, please don’t tackle him or hit him’.
Take us back to where it all started, how did the two of you meet?
It was my first shift at a cafe, I walked in and there was a table of footy players and it was very intimidating. It was love at first sight, I saw him and thought he was a bit cute. I was summoned over and I had to pick a card out of a hat, and whoever’s card it was had to pay for the table. I pulled his card out, but as many people do, I didn’t know how to say his name. I just put it on the table and walked away. Later in that week, he stalked me on Instagram and started a conversation.
You weren’t a footy fan before you met Isaah. Can you imagine a world without rugby league now?
Absolutely not. I would probably be really bored. My kids are so immersed in it as well. It’s literally our Thursday to Sunday, and it’s now become tradition. We love Friday games because it’s our little date night. We talk about the footy, it’s become a huge part for us. The kids go to captain’s run every week, they see daddy on the TV, on the posters at the Leagues Club. And all the other players have become family.
The last couple of weeks have been a bit different for Isaah, a few more losses than he is used to. How has he handled it?
Every time he has come home the last couple of games he has been really disappointed. You tick all the boxes and you get to the field and something goes wrong that you can’t prepare for. He comes home, thinks about it, then comes up with new ways to tackle the new week. He doesn’t sit in sadness for long, he has an unreal mindset.
Is he the same bloke at home as he is on the field?
There is definitely a switch that flicks when he runs onto the field. When he comes home he is relaxed and in dad mode. Once he’s home he loves his kids to death and can’t get enough of them.
Any weird superstitions?
He has a whole routine, and it’s about two days worth. He has chicken wraps the day before the game, then that night will have Product of Italy in Penrith and watch footy. Strictly no coffee on game day, only tea. Steak and broccoli for lunch. He has a two-hour nap then straight into footy mode.
More Coverage
Originally published as Saint, sinner, shoosh: Homesick Brad Arthur awaits NRL call
‘Spoils the game’: Coach blows up in epic rant
Des Hasler has teed off on the NRL’s latest crackdown aft stating he fears for fans paying good money to see star players sit in the sin bin.
Brawls, threats and pain: Why Knights young gun had to leave Sydney
A ransacked home on Christmas Day was enough for Knights youngster Jermaine McEwen to know he had to get out of Sydney if he was going to build on his promising rugby league career.