What’s the Buzz: Bulldogs set for Coffs Harbour return
The Bulldogs could return to Coffs Harbour next year for a historic match that would come 16 years after the incident that changed rugby league forever.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Bulldogs could return to Coffs Harbour next year for a historic match that would come 16 years after the incident that changed rugby league forever.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the Bulldogs are considering taking an NRL trial match to Coffs Harbour — the scene of the 2004 rape scandal allegation — next year after signing a deal to “Bulldogify’’ the North Coast of NSW.
In a move that has gone a long way to healing one of the NRL’s ugliest scars, the Bulldogs last month began an NRL pathways agreement with the North Coast rugby league in a region that includes Coffs Harbour.
Under the terms of the deal, the Bulldogs will provide coaching and development to Group 2 and Group 3 teams competing in the Country Rugby League as well as a representative pathway to the NRL.
The North Coast region will also compete as the North Coast Bulldogs in the CRL’s Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup Junior Representative and Men’s Under-23’s and Women’s Country Championship competitions.
The Bulldogs have not had a presence in Coffs Harbour since 2004, when a woman alleged she was gang-raped by several Canterbury players following a trial match against the Canberra Raiders.
The allegation sparked a media frenzy that would cost the Bulldogs $650,000 in sponsorship and forced the NRL to introduce policies, procedures and training programs concerning the treatment of women by rugby league players.
No charges were laid and the Bulldogs were cleared of criminal wrongdoing — but the scars have remained.
That looks set to change, with Kempsey product Aiden Tolman to become the face of the North Coast deal that could see the Bulldogs return to Coffs Harbour for a trial match as soon as next year.
With the Bulldogs set to play their only 2019 trial match in Bega against the Raiders on February 23, a Bulldogs official said it made sense for the club to return to Coffs Harbour for a match now that the North Coast deal has been signed.
The Bulldogs will begin to have a presence in Coffs Harbour this year with coaching staff and officials to provide support to the region.
FERGUSON’S FOOT SCARE
Parramatta winger Blake Ferguson has been released from hospital after undergoing surgery for an infection caused by a cut to a foot.
Sending a scare through the Eels camp just two months before the NRL kick-off, the $1.5 million signing admitted himself to St George Hospital on New Year’s Eve after a cut sustained early in the month became infected.
Ferguson was kept in hospital for five days and treated with antibiotics after surgeons removed bacteria from the foot.
BUNNIES GREAT IS BACK
Rabbitohs legend John Sattler was spotted shaking hands with well-wishers as he attended mass at the Clear Island Waters Sacred Heart on the Gold Coast.
We are not surprised to hear that one of rugby league’s greatest warriors was looking fighting fit just a couple of months after having a stroke.
GREEN’S PLEA TO MUNDINE
Danny Green has warned Anthony Mundine against a rematch with Jeff Horne — urging the ageing boxer to “think about his health’’.
Mundine was at his eyebrow-raising best last week when he said he wanted to fight the boxer that sent him into retirement with a 96-second knock out in November.
Former world champion Green, who quit his all-conquering career after beating Mundine in 2017, suggested the man he fought two times should join him and stay retired.
“Green v Mundine No. 1, Green v Roy Jones Jr and Green v Mundine No. 2 were the three biggest pay per view fights in Australian history,’’ Green said.
“They are likely to never be exceeded. With this in mind I would urge Choc to think about his health. Chasing a fight that is not going to break any records is not the best move.’’
Mundine insists his bid for a Horne re-match is not about cash with the controversial former NRL player offering to donate his purse to charity.
PENSKE-DESTROYER UNVEILED
Here is the first look at the Holden that will be out to shoot down Scott McLaughlin and his all-conquering Ford.
Set to be officially unveiled on Sunday, Red Bull Holden Racing gave us a sneak look at the Commodore Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup will use in their attempt to dethrone DJR/Team Penske champion McLaughlin this year.
It looms as one hell of a fight.
Every Test, ODI, T20I, and BBL match live. SIGN UP NOW!
Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Bulldogs set for Coffs Harbour return
Sharks star rejects rivals to sign monster contract extension
Cronulla have pulled off a major coup with cult hero winger Ronaldo Mulitalo signing a long-term deal to remain at the club as they chase their first premiership since 2016.
NRL trial teams: Luai benched, Hasler unleashes schoolboy sensation
Wests Tigers fans will be forced to wait another week to see Jarome Luai in action, while Des Hasler will play a highly-rated teen halfback for the Titans as the Pre-season Challenge continues. FULL TEAMS