Sea Eagles’ behaviour praised, more Bulldogs fallout and Eels aim to offload a big name for salary cap relief
SADLY, this is the reaction from the most powerful official at Canterbury Bulldogs over their wild Mad Monday party. Buzz Rothfield reveals the text message he recieved from George Coorey, chairman of the Canterbury Leagues Club.
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SEA Eagles players in good behaviour shocker, more fallout from the Bulldogs’ day out, Paul Gallen’s class act and the big name Parramatta are looking to offload. It’s all in WHAT’S THE BUZZ.
SAINT
THERE are a few sportsmen who have stood out above the rest on the world stage. The ultimate good-guy role models. We’re talking about the likes of Roger Federer, John Eales, Pat Rafter and Adam Gilchrist.
You can add England’s retiring opener Alastair Cook. A fabulous player and highly respected by fans plus all those he played with and against.
SAINTS
THE NRL stars who have agreed to take a 75 per cent pay cut on their usual $20,000 Test match payment to allow the international against Tonga to go ahead next month.
SINNERS
THE appalling Mad Monday behaviour of Bulldogs players and the reaction from some fans who don’t understand the brand damage it creates for major sponsors — not just at Belmore but with corporates across the entire game.
SHOOSH
WHICH young Canberra Raiders forward was spotted in the company of Eels coach Brad Arthur last week with a view to joining Parramatta next season?
SHOOSH II
WHICH employee of an NRL club has been cut from staff group emails because he is suspected of recently leaking sensitive information to the media.
SHOOSH III
WE’RE hearing Ray Hadley will be calling more games on Channel 9 next year now 2GB is owned by the TV network and because the great Ray Warren is cutting back. Previously, 2GB bosses would not allow Hadley to call TV matches in competition to games the radio station was also broadcasting.
SHOOSH IV
WHICH two Manly Sea Eagles stars had to return their complimentary sponsorship cars to a Brookvale dealership that has pulled the pin on the club as a corporate partner?
SHOOSH V
WHICH NRL players still involved in the finals were refused service and asked to leave a Double Bay hotel last weekend for being loud and obnoxious? And they weren't from the Roosters.
SPOTTED
PARRAMATTA stars Jarryd Hayne, Mitchell Moses, Nathan Brown, Tim Mannah and Michael Jennings at Sydney Airport on Wednesday night boarding a flight for Lebanon.
SPOTTED II
SOCCER supremo David Gallop and FFA marketing boss Luke Bould at the Central Coast Mariners training headquarters in Gosford on Wednesday to meet star triallist Usain Bolt.
FINCH TOPS THE DUD TIPSTERS
IT’s that time of the year when readers love reminding us sports writers of the pre-season top-eight predictions for the NRL finals. We received an email from Margaret Marchant who kept a record of our “expert” forecasts from March.
We’ll start by naming and shaming the nine of us who tipped the Warriors to win the wooden spoon — Paul Kent, Greg Alexander, Christian Nicolussi, Lara Pitt, Dean Ritchie, Yvonne Sampson, Gorden Tallis, Nick Walshaw and your columnist.
It gets even worse. Two colleagues also tipped the Rabbitohs to run last — Nick Campton and Fatima Kdouh. Ratings guru Campion had an absolute shocker because he also tipped the Cowboys to win the premiership.
However, our wooden spoon goes to Fox Sports star Brett Finch for overall bad judgment;
he had the Cowboys winning the comp plus the Knights, Eels and Titans making the top eight.
And want proof how unpredictable the Dally M race is this year? Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk were the most popular tips early this year. The current favourites, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($2.50), Damien Cook ($4.50), Kalyn Ponga ($5) and Valentine Holmes ($5) didn’t rate a mention.
EAGLES’ BEHAVIOUR GETS RAP FROM RSL
AFTER being critical of the Manly Sea Eagles for much of the year, it’s a pleasure to share this email from the CEO of Forestville RSL to NRL boss Todd Greenberg.
“Hello Todd, I am very much aware of everything you are currently dealing with due to the end-of-year football celebrations. I thought you may be interested in our experience at Forestville RSL Club.
“We hosted the Manly team on Monday evening late into the night. I am pleased to inform you that the players and officials were nothing but courteous and respectful to my staff and I would not hesitate in hosting a similar celebration for the club in the future.
“With the NRL receiving a barrage of unfavourable attention this week, I thought you might be pleased to receive some positive feedback. Kind regards. Denis Sullivan, CEO, Forestville RSL Club.”
BARRETT ENDS IN TEARS
TRENT Barrett’s speech at the Manly presentation dinner at The Star on Thursday night reduced many in the audience of players, partners and sponsors to tears. Barrett himself broke down in his speech.
Those inside the room said it was very much like a farewell speech. Then he got a standing ovation. Not long afterwards, Barrett and his wife left the function.
OUT OF ORDER AND TOUCH
SADLY, this is the reaction from the most powerful official at Canterbury Bulldogs over their wild Mad Monday party. George Coorey is the chairman of the Canterbury Leagues Club that funds the Bulldogs. He texted me the following message:
“So, the NRL object to players drinking, having a good time, taking off their clothes, dancing and singing because it is offensive to the public. Yet this same organisation has a float in the Gay Mardi Gras! What f … ing hypocrites!”
EELS TO OFFLOAD MOSES
WE keep hearing Parramatta are shopping around half Mitchell Moses after a decision was made that either Corey Norman or the former Wests Tigers star has to go.
The Eels know Moses will attract more interest from rival clubs, which means it will be easier to offload him without a huge burden on their salary cap. Norman is on nearly $900,000 next year and would struggle to find a club to pay even half of that.
DOGS LOSE TOP SUIT
THE fallout continues at Belmore as a result of the boardroom bloodshed this year. Highly regarded league club chief executive Dave Brace left last week by ‘mutual agreement’ with the board. Directors on the successful ticket of Lynne Anderson were behind his departure.
Brace is widely respected as one of the top licensed club administrators in the country. In recent years, he has overseen a $100 million refurbishment of Canterbury League Club which is poised to become the number one club for members’ facilities in Sydney.
TRUST MEMBERS’ ALLIANZ BACKLASH
THE SCG Trust faces a legal battle with its members over the fast approaching Allianz Stadium redevelopment. A group of members have sought legal advice and are considering a class action over the loss of facilities while the $700 million project is being delivered over three years.
The Trust is providing access to alternative facilities — a gym, aquatic facilities, tennis and squash courts at various locations during the redevelopment.
Gold and platinum annual fees have been reduced by 10 per cent for the 2018-19 subscription period but no decision has been made on fees in future years.
The Sydney Roosters are moving home games next door to the SCG while NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC have yet to finalise temporary home-ground venues or schedules.
GAL HELPS CRASH VICTIM
WE spotted Sharks skipper Paul Gallen doing the right thing on Friday for an elderly lady involved in a car crash on the Cronulla Kingsway.
Gallen was driving to training when the accident happened.
He jumped straight out of his car to see if he could help before police and an ambulance arrived.
It’s a nice little story in a week of terrible headlines for the game.
Gallen has copped
a lot of flak over the years but does a lot of good work away from the game that goes unnoticed.
PLAYERS’ TEARS TURN TO CHEERS
DRAGONS and Broncos players will be creating history when they feature in Sunday’s first ever round of the NRL women’s premiership and now thanks to a sponsor, even the players who missed selection will be there to share in the experience.
Coach Daniel Lacey said emotions ran high when he had to tell four players they had not made the cut for the trip north for the match against Brisbane.
“There were a few tears. It was pretty upsetting,’’ Lacey said.
Then the coach was told club sponsors St George Bank had offered his side four extra plane tickets so the entire 22-strong squad could be at the game.
“How good is that,’’ he said. “No one asked them. They just offered. There are some pretty happy people in camp as you can imagine.’’
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Originally published as Sea Eagles’ behaviour praised, more Bulldogs fallout and Eels aim to offload a big name for salary cap relief
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