Mike Colman says Parramatta could do worse than look towards Brett Kenny as coach

THE battling Eels are casting the coaching net too wide, says MIKE COLMAN. They should be looking in their own backyard.

NRL-crowd

THE battling Eels are casting the coaching net too wide, says MIKE COLMAN. They should be looking in their own backyard.

1. NEIL Henry is rightly being linked to the Parramatta job, but there are whispers the gig could go to Jason Taylor, Tim Sheens or another "name" coach.

They've been down that road before without success, so here's a thought. How about a battler?

An Eels legend who has the best interests of the club at heart and has had success with every team he has coached.

He's coached a winning U-21 premiership side, taken the Australian Universities team to the world title, and been part of a successful NSW Origin set-up.

He could play a bit too. Name's Brett Kenny.

They could do worse. Matter of fact they've made a habit of it.

NRL-crowd

2. THE first finals weekend under the new-look NRL Commission was hardly a resounding success.

Putting aside Cowboygate for just one moment, what about that crowd at Souths-Melbourne on Friday night?

If the Pride of the League, chasing a first title since 1971, can attract no more than a measly 21,609 to ANZ Stadium for a showdown against the reigning premiers something has got to be wrong.

Especially when the Swans were disappointed with the crowd of 38,000 that showed up to their final against Carlton at the same ground the next day.

They used to say if South Sydney was strong, rugby league was strong. These days, not so much.

The total attendance of all four matches played on the first weekend of NRL finals was still almost 20,000 fewer than watched the Carlton-Richmond AFL final at the MCG.

The answer? Better marketing, lower prices, competent refereeing?

Reader Leigh Harper has a simpler suggestion. Why not reward the club that attracts the most support?

Leigh reckons Broncos fans have shown faith in the NRL and the NRL should reciprocate.

If he's right, even a Souths-Storm match would attract an extra 30,000 to Suncorp and put another $1 million in the NRL's coffers.

Mick-Ennis

3. THE issue of long-term effects of concussion is a time-bomb in more ways than one.

The multi-million dollar settlement to NFL players this month sounded a warning to sports administrators, athletes and their families.

But who should take responsibility for judging the severity - or even veracity - of a head injury?

On Sunday, we had two cases that needed adjudication.

Early in the match, Newcastle winger James McManus looked to have suffered a serious head knock and played on.

Later, the Bulldogs' Michael Ennis was hit high and appealed for a penalty. When it was not forthcoming, his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he slumped to the ground.

He needed either an ambulance or an Oscar.

Matt-Bowen

4. THE Broncos have had reasonable success signing experienced players on short-term "farewell" contracts, Kevin Walters, Petro Civoniceva and Scott Prince most notably.

Wayne Bennett has made an art form of it at the Knights.

Wonder if Anthony Griffin (or Wayne Bennett for that matter) read Matt Bowen's comment that he plans to play on next season.

Sure the Broncos have already got more fullbacks than they know what to do with, but "Mango" has played wing in Origin and halfback for the Cowboys.

5. NOT everyone in this country was shocked by reports of a lower division football team in Victoria being targeted by an international gambling syndicate.

In February, commenting on match-fixing fears raised at the "Blackest Day in Australian Sport" media conference, Brisbane bookmaker Gerard Daffy pointed out that it wasn't just the top tier, high profile teams that were on the crooks' hit-list.

He revealed Asian betting shops field on lower grade AFL matches in country Victoria between teams made up of local apprentice mechanics and itinerant barmen earning fifty bucks a win.

Often the only spectator is the bloke phoning the running scores through to a number in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.

And it's not just about who wins.

According to Daffy, illegal bookies in Mumbai, India, take bets on cricket matches around the world, offering odds on such things as how many players wear sunglasses and how many use zinc cream.