What’s the Buzz: NSW Origin boost as Tom Trbojevic returns | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh
No NRL on free-to-air TV on Saturday nights? Welcome to the new world order as Channel 9 abandons the timeslot. Plus, after 12 weeks out, superstar Tom Trbojevic makes a timely return to prove his fitness to Brad Fittler. Latest NRL chatter and more.
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Superstar Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic will make his long awaited comeback in round 19 against the Gold Coast Titans.
It gives him two matches to convince NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler that he will be fit to play State of Origin in October.
Trbojevic hasn’t played since tearing his hamstring against the Raiders in round six. Fittler is considering Zac Lomax and Kotoni Staggs as back-up centres.
Check out all the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.
SAINT
The appointment of Andrew Abdo as NRL chief executive. A creative thinker and diligent administrator who will work closely alongside Peter V’landys to make the great game even greater.
SAINT
The video vision on our website of Mose Masoe and his extraordinary courage is seriously the most inspiring Father’s Day story. Please check it out.
SINNER
The debacle of an administration at Cricket Australia which is even making Australian Rugby’s management look good. Fancy destroying a great competition like the Big Bash, which we love watching on TV on summer nights.
SHOOSH
Channel 9 gets first choice of TV games on the NRL schedule. That’s why Nine bosses are asking why Fox Sports got Saturday night’s Roosters v Raiders blockbuster exclusively.
In fairness, at the time of the draw, Nine had no idea it would be Sonny Bill Williams’ comeback game. Still it’s a grand final replay and far more appealing than Broncos v Panthers on Thursday night.
SHOOSH II
Craig Fitzgibbon is the game’s most loyal man. He recently made it clear he would honour his assistant coaching role at the Sydney Roosters for another year. This didn’t stop St George-Illawarra reaching out to Fitzy to offer him Paul McGregor’s old job.
SHOOSH III
Which little-known radio sports broadcaster is outrageously comparing his own mild trolling issues to the social media tirade and scandalous rumours about Anthony Seibold?
SHOOSH IV
Which highly rated assistant coach at Cronulla is being chased by Trent Barrett to switch to Canterbury next season?
SHOOSH V
It wouldn’t be an NRL season without drama and discontent in the refereeing ranks. We’re told at least four refs have complained to NRL head of football Graham Annesley about their boss, Bernard Sutton, over a variety of issues including appointments and training conditions. Annesley’s trying to work his way through the issues.
SPOTTED
Latrell Mitchell has gone home to Taree to rest after having surgery to repair his hamstring injury. But you won’t see him out on a jet ski. He’s been told to have no physical activity for four weeks.
SPOTTED II
The great Anthony ‘Choc’ Watmough strutting shirtless along Manly promenade, proudly showing off his old footy physique.
SPOTTED III
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo watching his son playing junior rugby league for the Willoughby Roos on Saturday morning.
HOW CLEARY SAVED HIMSELF $10k
An apology and a declaration of remorse has saved Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary $10,000.
Cleary was originally fined $20,000 by the NRL after the Round 13 game against the Raiders when he said at his press conference, “it felt like they were being managed back into the game”.
The NRL read it as an attack on the referees’ integrity.
In a response to the charge, Cleary apologised profusely and, in a letter to the integrity unit, admitted he was out of order. The decision was then made by chief executive Andrew Abdo to halve the original fine.
NINE TURNS OFF SATURDAY FOOTY
Channel 9 has abandoned its tradition of Saturday night football in the final four weeks of the competition, in the run to the finals.
It’s a story you won’t read about in the “independent sometimes” Nine newspapers because it is upsetting for some fans who can’t afford Foxtel or Kayo in these difficult economic times.
There’s no question Nine’s commitment to NRL is no longer as strong as it once was. Not that anyone at Foxtel and Kayo is complaining, because their ratings and subscriptions continue to climb, while Nine’s are well down on last year.
MALONEY RULES OUT NRL RETURN
James Maloney has ruled out an NRL comeback next year.
He had been linked to both Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Illawarra but insists it’s no chance of happening.
“We’re loving it over here,” Maloney said when we tracked him down in France. “Seriously, we couldn’t be happier.
“There’s always talk in the media I’m coming home but there’s honestly no chance. I’m 34 now and I’ve done my time and have nothing else to accomplish in the NRL.”
Maloney’s Catalans team has been on a two-week break after three of its players tested positive to coronavirus. It will be back playing in the Super League next week.
BRUCE HEALER QUITE A WAG AT FARM
It seems Bruce Healer, the mascot of the NSW Blues, has made quite an impression since landing at youth support centre RuffTrack Farm.
So far he’s trashed a pillow and a mattress and has made best friends with a goat called Richard, who shares his kennel.
“He’s a four-legged version of Freddy Fittler!” RuffTrack director and co-founder Farmer Dave Graham said. “He’s the biggest ratbag I’ve ever come across. He’s the cheekiest thing with a big personality. You know, dogs are usually just dogs but this little bloke is different. The next thing I’ll see him with a cup of peppermint tea and then I’ll know he’s Freddy for sure.”
RuffTrack, which helps disengaged youth to reintegrate into society, by partnering them with animals, has led to a reduction in youth crime, re-engagement in education and skills-based training and a decrease in family violence.
Graham has been nominated for a Westfield Local Hero for an award that will help more young people. You can vote for him at westfield.com.au/penrith and you can follow Bruce on Instagram @brucehealer
KICK UP THE PACE, FLANNO
Roosters half Kyle Flanagan was caught FIVE times by the NRL for exceeding the 1m40s time limit for kicks at goal against Brisbane. Slow kickers normally get off with a warning letter but the club faces a fine as it is not the first time it has happened with Flanagan this year.
TODD’S TEE TIME
Former rugby league boss Todd Greenberg is still enjoying his break from the full-time workforce.
He was spotted playing golf with Brett ”Noddy” Kimmorley and Sharks media manager and former pro golfer Rob Willis at the Stonecutters Ridge golf club during the week. He’s never looked more relaxed
VALE, JACK
The refereeing ranks are mourning the passing of Jack Danzey, a great old ref and an even better bloke. Danzey whistled 170 first grade games, two NSW v Queensland matches and the 1978 Amco Cup final. He played 82 first grade games for Newtown, Balmain and Cronulla. He was 81.
NRL referees are wearing black armbands this weekend to honour Danzey’s contribution to the game.
Originally published as What’s the Buzz: NSW Origin boost as Tom Trbojevic returns | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh