Sport Confidential: Jackson Topine keeps key records from Bulldogs in court battle; Knights’ X-mas MVPs

The Melbourne Storm will get a glimpse into the future with assistant coaches Marc Brentnall, Ryan Hinchcliffe and Craig Bellamy’s son Aaron to be handed the reins at the club at stages in 2025.

Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp says that Craig Bellamy will return to State of Origin with his blessing and has revealed that he will sit down with the super coach in January to begin talks over his future at the club.

Bellamy is on a rolling contract with the Storm but will mix his club duties next season with his role with the Blues, where he will act as a mentor and adviser to Laurie Daley.

Tripp says he has no concerns over Bellamy sharing his time and believes it may help the club in the long run by allowing his assistants - Marc Brentnall, Ryan Hinchcliffe and Bellamy’s son Aaron - the chance to experience what the future may look like.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Tripp said.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the young coaches to get their head around what it might be like down the track for life without him. I am happy for him (Bellamy). It’s obviously a great result for the Blues.”

Melbourne are preparing for life after Craig Bellamy. Picture: Instagram

Bellamy turns 66 next season but he shows no signs of slowing down as he enters his 23rd year at the helm of the Storm. Melbourne, however, will likely need to wait to find out whether he will go round in 2026.

Bellamy has traditionally kept the club on tenterhooks through the pre-season as they wait to find out whether the upcoming year will be his last in charge.

Tripp will sit down with Bellamy for initial talks in January but he concedes there is unlikely to be a hasty decision.

“It’s always in January when we have our first chat,” Tripp said. “I’ll let him have a break over Christmas and then hopefully he can come back and have a think about it. I think he is in a good space.”

‘REDACTED’: TWIST IN BULLDOGS’ COURT BATTLE WITH TOPINE

Jackson Topine has succeeded in having key elements of his medical records kept out of the hands of the Bulldogs in the latest round of their legal fight in the Supreme Court.

Topine’s legal team argued the documents were protected under privilege but the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the club would be given access to the information, albeit with significant portions of the documents redacted.

The latest legal bunfight between the ‘Dogs and Topine’s legal team came after an earlier application to access communication between the ex-player and those in his inner circle was rejected by the court.

Topine was one of the Bulldogs’ most promising players until he arrived late for training last year and was allegedly handed a punishment that involved wrestling as many as 35 of his former teammates.

Jackson Topine.

He is believed to be pursuing as much as $4 million in damages after claiming in Supreme Court documents that he was subject to assault and humiliation, suffering physical and mental harm as a result.

The court had earlier rejected an attempt by the Bulldogs to gain access to communications between Topine and his lawyer Abdul Reslan, his father Marcus Topine, as well as his agents Ahmad Merhi and Tyran Smith.

The judge delayed a decision on access to medical records but handed down his judgement this week on communications between Topine and the medical experts who treated him – John Carmody, Jan Earl and doctor Michael Atherton.

Earl is the mother of former rugby league player Sandor Earl and was formerly employed at South Sydney as their head of welfare.

“The determination that I have made has taken into account the information that has already been disclosed in the reports of Dr Atherton and also on the probative value of the material when taking into account the claim that the plaintiff is making, and what is generally relevant background information that would be required to inform expert witnesses and the ultimate decision maker in the proceedings,” Justice David Davies said.

GOUT GOUT TO CASH IN

The man charged with presiding over the career of teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout knows he is going to get plenty of interest in the sport’s newest star.

However, James Templeton says there is no need to haphazardly cash in on the 16-year-old’s sudden notoriety amid predictions he could quickly become the most marketable athlete in Australian sport.

“We know we’re going to get plenty of interest from the big end of town,” Templeton said.

“But we have time on our side. Gout Gout is only 16. He is going to be around for a long time. We aren’t in an indecent hurry.

“But if Qantas are interested, they can always give me a call.”

Templeton has been around the athletics game for decades. During the 90s, he travelled the world with the likes of Bernard Lagat and David Rudisha, two of the greatest middle distance runners the world has seen.

“This feels like the start of the journey that David Rudisha went on,” Templeton said.

“This feels like the start of something pretty special.”

If it continues on its current trajectory, the world is Gout Gout’s oyster. Celebrity agent Max Markson is among those who believe the teenager could become a global phenomenon, opening the door to untold riches.

“He has got an enormous future, an incredible future,” Markson said.

“He will definitely become the most marketable athlete in Australia. There is no doubt about it. The first person to give him $1 million will get enormous publicity and it will just go from there.

“It’s great for him, fantastic. He is blessed.”

4 PINES FLOWS AT BROOKIE

Manly has extended its partnership with 4 Pines Brewing Company for the naming rights of Brookvale Oval.

The deal will now see Brookvale Oval called 4 Pines Park for at least the next three seasons. The company came on board as naming rights sponsor midway through 2021.

KNIGHTS’ ELF ON A SHELF

Dylan Lucas and Will Pryce have emerged as the stars of the Newcastle Knights’ Christmas party after donning Santa costumes and elf outfits.

Sport Con understands that Lucas and Pryce handed out presents to children of squad members.

It capped a year to remember for the pair - Lucas was rewarded for his form with a new contract while Pryce made his NRL debut after his move from England.

SPOTTED

Former world champion Tim Tszyu trying on wedding suits and shadow boxing at Giorgio Armani in Martin Place.

Originally published as Sport Confidential: Jackson Topine keeps key records from Bulldogs in court battle; Knights’ X-mas MVPs