Wayne Bennett’s blueplan for Origin revival, Kikau farce could force change at the top
Wayne Bennett has made no secret of his desire to return to the Origin arena - these are the moves that could make it happen. PLUS, fed-up clubs call for change in NRL administration.
SAINT
CALEB Ewan, 25, Moss Vale’s pocket rocket who achieved a boyhood dream to win a stage (11th) of the Tour de France, winning the sprint by centimetres. He also won stage 16.
SINNERS
OUT-of-touch administrators from world swimming body FINA who, instead of applauding Australia’s Mack Horton for standing up to drug cheats, have threatened to strip athletes of their medals if they follow Horton’s powerful stance.
SHOOSH
WHICH Australian sports star has a $1 million gambling debt?
SHOOSH II
THE controversial suspension of Penrith’s Viliame Kikau last week has been dubbed the last straw by fed-up clubs who are banding together to demand a particular NRL administrator be removed from his role.
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SHOOSH III
OFFICIALS in the English Super League are openly discussing how one UK player on the verge of joining the NRL will prove to be a complete flop.
SHOOSH IV
WHICH NSW Origin player is close to being dropped from the NRL due to his form?
SPOTTED
JARRYD Hayne taking selfies with any kid who asked at Club Umina on Wednesday night.
SPOTTED II
FOOTBALL CEO and keen surfer David Gallop looking “stoked” while sharing “green room” stories with Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden at the One Year to Tokyo 2020 Olympics launch at the Qantas head office on Wednesday.
LISTEN! Matty’s back with Kenty and Finchy and they run the rule over the Raiders premiership chances, try to understand what’s happening at the Sharks and look back at the ‘89 grand final and ask what would have happened in the Tigers won.
SPOTTED III
ROOSTERS superstar Latrell Mitchell deep in conversation with his agent Wade Rushton at New Heights Cafe in Erina on Tuesday.
SPOTTED IV
MANLY prop Lloyd Perrett meeting a rival Sydney club in need of some extra starch on Monday. Perrett has scored more tries and made more linebreaks than any other Canterbury Cup forward.
SPOTTED V
NSW adviser Greg Alexander swinging golf clubs for the first time in 10 months at Monash Country Club on Thursday. “Brandy” had a round with Manly’s Trbojevic brothers, Tom and Jake; Roosters pair Victor Radley and James Tedesco and Fox Sports duo Steve “Beaver” Menzies and Braith Anasta.
BRONCOS DON’T DESERVE NEW RIVAL
How the NRL could be considering adding a second team in Brisbane when the Broncos continually fail to deliver success is difficult to comprehend.
The Broncos are on the verge of missing the finals after heading into the weekend 11th on the ladder. You read this week about the Dragons board conducting a review — well, the NRL should be conducting a review into how the Broncos have won just one premiership in 18 years.
This is a club that should be challenging the Melbourne Storm as the most successful franchise in Australian sport. Their resources are unrivalled in the NRL. They boast a new $27 million high performance centre and complete domination of local talent.
If you turn up to any schoolboy carnival in Queensland, you’ll spot a fleet of recruitment and development officers in Broncos polo shirts. They also have staff in schools across Queensland with a hotline to the Broncos.
The NRL — or at least the Broncos board — should be asking how it is then that the club haven’t produced a great playmaker since Darren Lockyer?
With a $50 million turnover, they are the richest club in the NRL. Adding a second Brisbane team when the current tenant is batting to achieve success? Ridiculous.
SEZER ON THE OUTER
ONCE touted as a future NSW Origin player, Canberra’s Aidan Sezer is just days away from being released with a year to run on his deal to join the UK Super League.
The move of Jack Wighton to five-eighth and reliable form of Sam Williams has stymied Sezer’s chances of playing first grade.
The Raiders have also signed highly rated Wigan Warriors half George Williams for next year, which is why Sezer will be free to accept a deal with former Raiders assistant coach Simon Woolford at Huddersfield.
Sezer’s departure will then free-up salary cap space to re-sign winger Jordan Rapana.
MODEL PRO
After Christian Welch’s appearance on Fox Sports’ NRL Tonight this week, host Matt Shirvington asked the Melbourne Storm forward off camera how he wanted to receive his appearance fee.
“If you could send the cheque to the Cancer Council, that would be great,’’ Welch replied.
Welch is fast emerging as one of the many genuine good guys of rugby league.
“We’ve got a bunch of young men in the game at the moment that don’t get the recognition they deserve — and Christian is one of those many who are a credit to their parents and now the game,’’ Fox Sports head of television Steve Crawley said.
SHARKS TURN DOWN GRUB
Cronulla has contacted Josh Reynolds’ management to decline any interest in the Wests Tigers half.
Told he can leave the Tigers at the end of this season, Reynolds had been linked to the Sharks but they’re in no position — due to cap restraints — to entertain the move.
And you can also rule out Penrith despite James Maloney’s departure next year. Jarome Luai is Penrith’s long-term five-eighth.
BEANIES GO BANANAS
The support of the league community for Beanies For Brain Cancer round, makes it the NRL’s most important weekend of the year.
The concept of ex-Nine league boss Matt Callander, the father of four who died from the hideous disease in 2017, aims to raise money for cancer research.
In it’s first year, the Beanies raised a tick over $2 million. Last year, $2.6 million was raised. And by Sunday night, it is hoped a new record of $3 million.
Matt’s entire family has spent the past 72 hours at each NRL ground, helping to sell the $25 lid-warmers.
You can buy a beanie at ANZ Stadium or Panthers Stadium on Sunday afternoon or on the Mark Hughes Foundation website: https://shop.markhughesfoundation.com.au
SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT
ASSISTANT school principal Anne Henderson was 17 when she picked up her first set of pompoms as a Penrith cheerleader in 1975.
“For my generation, it was one way I could be involved with rugby league and be right there on the field,’’ Henderson said.
“I was approached by Ron Workman, the Penrith club secretary in 1975 who had just returned from America where he’d spent time with the (NFL’s) Oakland Raiders.
“He said, ‘they don’t just have girls shaking their pompoms, they have girls that dance and entertain the fans’.
“Back then, Penrith were known as the Chocolate Soldiers and they needed an image boost. So, that’s where I started.’’
Henderson’s story is just one of the many ladies are set to share during a 55-year anniversary celebration of cheerleading in rugby league.
Monique Carroll, cheerleader director of Parramatta Eels and Manly Sea Birds, is the organiser of the event that will launch the Women in League round on Sunday, August 11, at Leichhardt Oval at 12.30pm.
“I want to see as many ladies as possible that have been on the sidelines of rugby league for the last 55 years at the event,’’ Carroll, the wife of former Manly hardman Mark, said.
“Fifty five years covers a lot of women from many backgrounds and of all ages.
“I hope we can all come together, share our stories and showcase what has been for the last 55 years, which is a lot of cheering.
“Cheerleaders sometimes get picked on and we shouldn’t. We represent so many different styles of women. I’ve danced and taught lawyers, police officers, doctors and teachers.
“At the end of the day, we’re in the business of entertainment and we love to entertain.
“I’ll say this, we’ve survived 55 years in rugby league and so bring on the next 55.’’
For past and present cheerleaders wanting to be part of the day, contact Monique Carroll on Facebook or the Parramatta cheerleaders or Manly Sea Birds.
BASEBALL DREAMERS
The Little League World Series has been described as the “Disneyland of baseball.”
And a talented bunch of 11-year-old boys from Australia are set to join the ride.
Little League Baseball team the ‘Cronulla Sutherland Sharks’ have won direct entry into the Little League World Series (LLWS) in Williamsport, Pennsylvania USA next month after claiming the Australian title.
The LLWS is the pinnacle of junior baseball with players on show in front of Major League Baseball talent scouts. Do us proud boys.
TOUCHING TIGERS’ ACT
It’s been described as one of the best weekend’s in Canberra Raiders history.
Yet it was three ex-Balmain Tigers that left past and present Raiders blown away.
Joining a guest list of 500 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Raiders‘ 1989 grand final win over the Tigers, were Steve Roach, Paul Sironen and Tim Brasher.
Heartache from the 19-14 loss has never waned for the Tigers trio. But it’s was a sign of their class to attend and an example of the rich culture of the game.
QUEENSLAND COACHING DOMINOES
The firming of odds that Kevin Walters will be named Gold Coast Titans coach within days puts the spotlight on South Sydney and Wayne Bennett.
Bennett has made no secret of his desire to take over as Queensland coach, should Walters stand-down to take the Titans gig.
Bennett, who has a 50 per cent Origin win record, last coached the Toads since the 2003 series.
In the eyes of the Rabbitohs administration, it would be impossible for the 69-year-old to coach Souths, Queensland and England, who he has coached since 2016.
And it’s the latter which Bennett would be expected to give-up in order to return to Origin.
Originally published as Wayne Bennett’s blueplan for Origin revival, Kikau farce could force change at the top
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