‘I am an enemy of Fox’: Weidler stands firm in face of News Corp attack

Nine News reporter and Sun-Herald columnist Danny Weidler has defended himself against criticism from News Corp and Queensland coach Billy Slater after the veteran journalist claimed Maroons star Selwyn Cobbo wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with the state’s coaching staff.

Speaking on the Footy Talk podcast on Tuesday night, Weidler responded to Slater’s claims of “fake news” and also hit back at criticism of his story from several members of Fox Sports’ NRL 360 magazine show on Tuesday night.

“I’ve had the same target for 25 years,” Weidler said of the origins of his tension with News Corp and its staff.

“I’ve had News Corp write and say horrendous things about me. Make up lies about me. On one occasion, I had to write to News Corp in a letter form where they just totally made something up about my personal life. We wrote a cease-and-desist type letter about that.

“I’ve copped it for years, and I’m not the only one. To pretend it’s a new thing would be totally inaccurate. It suits them when they want to call a truce. They’ve been very selective at times. When they’ve had people in their organisation who have been under fire, they’ll suddenly want a truce.”

Weidler reported on Monday night that Cobbo, who returned to the Maroons side for Origin III after being axed for game two, wasn’t on the same page as the Queensland coaching staff.

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta took aim at Weidler.Credit: NRL Photos

It prompted a response the following day from Slater, who described the report by his Nine colleague as “totally fake news” and suggested that “gone are the days when you’ve got to report the truth”.

Weidler, who has written several articles about former NRL 360 host and Daily Telegraph columnist Paul Kent over the past few months, was then criticised for the story on NRL 360 by hosts Braith Anasta and Gorden Tallis, as well as panel members Paul Crawley, a News Corp sports journalist, and Nate Myles, the Queensland team manager.

“If anyone can relate to fake news from Danny Weidler, it’s a few of us here,” Anasta said.

“Don’t let Danny Weidler’s reporting sneak on your show, boys. I love your show. No more innuendo,” Myles said.

Crawley called for an apology from Weidler.

Paul Kent arrives at Downing Centre Court earlier this month.Credit: Kate Geraghty

Weidler has written several articles about Kent in his regular Sun-Herald column after he was involved in a drunken scuffle outside a Rozelle pub earlier this year.

Kent pleaded guilty to affray earlier this month after failing to convince a court his depression and alcohol problems should spare him from punishment. The hearing was a day after News Corp announced they had terminated his contract.

“You mentioned Fox, and yes, I have been on their case and I did report heavily on Paul Kent,” Weidler said. “I was the only journo to do so in the rugby league media. For that, I am an enemy of Fox. I have highlighted that Braith Anasta has two roles – host and [player] manager. I think that’s fair to highlight. Braith doesn’t take that criticism well. I’ve also written good things about Braith for 100 years, and he’s forgotten that.

“Braith has forgotten a lot of good things that I’ve done for him and written about him and said about him. If he wants to have a selective memory, that’s absolutely fine. I’ve reached out to him on each occasion that I’ve had to write about him, including on that occasion. I only get abuse or smart responses when I speak to Braith. That’s his choice to be like that. I don’t want it to be like that, but that’s his choice.”

Weidler wasn’t critical of Slater’s defence of Cobbo, but stood by his original story.

“If Billy wants to say exactly what he’s saying, he’s Billy Slater, I’m just a reporter,” he said. “He’s got every right to say what he wants to, but my source says it’s otherwise.”

Blues paying for the jersey

Puma’s apparel deal with the NSW Blues expires at the end of the series and there’s growing speculation the Blues are about to ink a lucrative new contract with Adidas.

The German sporting giant spent a lot of money in Melbourne in the lead-up to game two, organising advertising billboards featuring ambassadors Angus Crichton, Jarome Luai and Brian To’o.

The same advertising campaign saw the familiar Blues faces plastered all over enemy territory in Brisbane in the lead-up to game three. Adidas are ready to make a splash, and a deal is set to be announced imminently.

Waugh stories got NSW primed for decider

The Blues had a special presentation at the Sydney Cricket Ground last Monday night to help inspire them ahead of the decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh was joined by former Test fast bowler Mike Whitney in a special night out on the middle of the iconic ground.

The duo spoke about relishing pressure and the ability to recognise the opportunity pressure presents for sportspeople to show how good they are. There were few better at the big moments than Waugh.

At a separate dinner after touching down in Brisbane on Monday, coach Michael Maguire invited former Blues players Des Hasler, Greg Bird and Chris Johns to address the players.

Maguire did something similar in Melbourne in the lead-up to game two, inviting Craig Bellamy, Robbie Kearns, Ryan Hoffman and Herald columnist Roy Masters to a dinner with the squad.

Ditch battle for baby Barnett

Mitch Barnett had to organise a New Zealand passport for his six-week-old son Zane to enable him to attend his dad’s Origin debut.

Warriors forward Mitchell Barnett and newborn son Zane.Credit: Getty/Instagram

Barnett’s wife, Claire, gave birth to the couple’s second child last month across the Tasman, where Barnett plays for the Warriors.

Claire, Zane and the couple’s other child, Nate – as well as his mother Jodie – presented Barnett with his NSW jersey on the eve of game three on an emotional night for the former Newcastle forward.

PNG on agenda as PM and PVL catch up

The VIP list at Suncorp Stadium included prime minister Anthony Albanese, who was joined in the NRL box by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Queensland Premier Stephen Miles.

There’s no doubt ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo would have been reminding Albanese of the game’s requirements before an NRL team in Papua New Guinea can become a reality.

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