Sport Confidential: Manly and Roosters chasing Beau Alexander, Johns brothers feud ignites
The tug of war for the son of Greg Alexander is heating up, as rival clubs battle to add youth to their playmaking ranks — read all the details in SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.
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Manly and the Roosters are locked in a tug of war to land former Penrith superstar Greg Alexander’s son Beau.
The head-gear wearing halfback dominated as part of Manly’s under-16 development side this year. He plays for Narraweena in the local Manly competition.
His form has attracted attention from Manly and the Roosters with the clubs moving to lock down Alexander to a multi-year deal.
Beau and his agent Braith Anasta were spotted at Roosters headquarters recently.
The Roosters already have an Alexander in their ranks after signing Beau’s older brother Braith to a 12-month contract this year. Braith has played halfback and hooker in the Roosters’ Jersey Flegg side.
He previously played in Penrith’s Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams and played alongside Penrith first graders Sunia Turuva and Izack Tago last year.
The Roosters also have Brad Fittler’s son Zach contracted.
Brad Fittler and Greg Alexander combined for Penrith’s 1991 grand final victory and head up the Blues’ brains trust.
NRL RIVALS LOCKED IN BATTLE FOR BOOM EELS ROOKIE
Penrith and Canberra are locked in a battle to prise boom half Ethan Sanders out of Parramatta.
Sanders is regarded as one of the best young playmakers in the game and Sport Confidential understands that he has already spoken to the Panthers and Raiders as they look to add youth and quality to their playmaking ranks.
The Eels are confident they can keep Sanders, although his path to first grade is blocked by a pair of big names on lucrative long-term deals.
Dylan Brown, currently sidelined under the game’s no-fault stand down policy, recently signed a contract that could result in him staying at Parramatta until the end of 2031.
Moses also signed a multimillion-dollar extension earlier this year which could see him remain at the club until the end of 2027.
Sanders, named player of the match in the SG Ball final earlier this year, has already been likened to Cooper Cronk and rival clubs are circling with intent.
Penrith’s interest is noteworthy. The club’s current half Nathan Cleary is locked up for the long-term but his halves partner Jarome Luai has one year remaining on his contract and is likely to attract significant interest from elsewhere.
The Panthers’ cap is tight and they may not be able to match any offers. It makes sense to have a contingency plan in place and Sanders may be that man.
As for the Raiders, they are on the lookout for a half capable of filling the Jack Wighton void and forming a combination with Jamal Fogarty.
Sport Confidential understands they have also held talks about former Sydney Roosters half Lachlan Lam, but Sanders shapes as an investment in the future.
Parramatta are well aware of the interest and are doing their best to show Sanders he has a future at the club.
EX-NRL STAR’S CAREER IN LIMBO
Josh McGuire’s professional career hangs in the balance after the former Maroons and Kangaroos star was suspended for 12 Super League games for using inappropriate language.
McGuire joined Warrington from St George Illawarra this year with the move now an unmitigated failure. The 33-year-old was suspended for seven matches earlier this season for a similar offence.
JOHNS BROTHERS FEUD COMES TO A HEAD
The Johns brothers’ ongoing feud will come to a head on Friday morning with Andrew scheduled to sit alongside Matty as part of their regular radio slot together.
Andrew was a no-show last Friday fuelling speculation of a rift between the pair. Matty confirmed Andrew was expected to fulfil his commitments on Friday but said he had no clarity on his brother’s decision.
“I’m just going to leave the studio door open,” Matty said.
“If he walks through the doors at one minute to nine then he does, if he doesn’t we will just have to make do.”
Andrew is a rotating guest on Matty’s Morning Glory show which airs every Friday on SEN. Matty has had little contact with Andrew in recent weeks after the pair fell out on the show recently.
He said he reached out to him to wish him a happy birthday last month.
“I sent him a very happy birthday message,” Matty said.
“It was a very lovely text he sent back which was simply – thanks.”
Ex-Brisbane winger Denan Kemp was rushed in last week to cover for Andrew’s failure to appear. There are no contingency plans this week.
Matty said at some stage the pair would reunite.
“This is nothing new,” Matty said. “Mum and dad don’t worry about it because they’ve seen it a million times. “There will be an event where we both have to be there … And at this stage that will be Christmas lunch.”
Matty opened the show last week describing how his brother was “off him”. The fallout stems from Matty praising Queensland and questioning the Blues’ understanding of how they were going to play in the Origin opener.
SHEENS ALLY LEAVES AS TIGERS SPLIT OVER LUKE BROOKS CONTRACT
Wests Tigers have parted ways with one of Tim Sheens most loyal lieutenants, recruitment manager Warren McDonnell.
McDonnell, who has spent more than three decades at Wests and the Tigers across two stints, confirmed his departure from the club on Wednesday morning.
Sheens was the driver behind his return to the club last year but his position has been under a cloud since the Tigers secured Scott Fulton from Manly to head up their recruitment.
“Scott and I are entirely different people,” McDonnell said.
“We work in different ways and deal with people differently. It was never going to work but I take great pride in what we have achieved at the Tigers.
“The club has never been in better shape. We have recruited some quality players and we have some great kids coming through.
“The club is set up for long term success and I take great pride in the role I played in that.”
McDonnell was responsible for some of the biggest signings in the club’s history, including the likes of Benji Marshall and Scott Prince. More recently, the club recruited English international John Bateman and outstanding young fullback Jahream Bula on his watch.
He also played a role in the development of Luke Brooks and his departure comes amid rumours that the Tigers were split over the decision to offer the No. 7 a new contract.
News Corp revealed this week that Brooks had been offered a two-year-deal worth more than $1 million to re-sign with the club, prompting suggestions that decision was further evidence of a divide at the Tigers.
Club officials privately dismissed those claims on Wednesday after it was put to them that Sheens and Marshall were responsible for the decision to offer Brooks a new deal when others were less than convinced.
While the Brooks’ rumours were privately given short shrift, McDonnell’s departure hints at a powerplay at the Tigers.
Sheens had personally pushed for McDonnell to return but his powers were marginalised when Fulton was pursued by club powerbrokers without the knowledge of Sheens or assistant Benji Marshall, who is due to take over as head coach at the end of next season.
FLASHBACK
A seething Brett Kimmorley made headlines on this day 15 years ago. Kimmorley was told he would no longer be required at the Sharks for the 2009 season after the club secured Trent Barrett from Wigan. “I think they’ve made the wrong decision,” Kimmorley said. “Being told you’re not wanted is a kick in the guts.”
EELS EYE WOUNDED TIGER
Charlie Staines could be on the move with the Eels considering making an immediate play for the Wests Tigers flyer.
Staines is on the comeback trail after suffering a perforated bowel in a match against the Sea Eagles in April. The serious injury has halted his first season at the Tigers.
It is unclear when Staines, who lost 5kg because of the injury, will return to the field. The Eels are in the market for a speedy outside back before the August 1 trade deadline and Staines fits the bill given his ability to cover fullback and wing.
Staines only joined the Tigers from the premiership-winning Panthers on a 12-month contract. Since he has been sidelined rookies Jahream Bula and Junior Tupou have cemented their spots and fullback and on the wing respectively.
GLOWING ENDORSEMENT FOR DRAGONS COACHING CONTENDER
Anthony Seibold has given Shane Flanagan a glowing endorsement as he awaits news on the Dragons’ coaching situation.
Flanagan had an interview with the Dragons on Wednesday and joins Dean Young and Ben Hornby in contention to be appointed coach.
A decision is imminent, following Jason Ryles opting against taking on the job.
Flanagan returned to coaching this year, working as Seibold’s assistant at Manly. Seibold has thrown his support behind Flanagan securing the Dragons position.
“I’ve spoken with Flanno over the last week and a half since that process was about to start,” Seibold said.
“It is really important that our relationship is transparent. Flanno has kept me up to date with where things are at.
“He feels like there will be a resolution sooner rather than later. I hope he gets the job. He is qualified to get the job. He has been a premiership-winning coach.
“He has been fantastic for me. He’d be a loss to us as a club. Ultimately, with assistant coaches you want them to be aspirational.
“I’d love to see him get another opportunity and hopefully he gets one at the Dragons.”
Seibold headhunted Flanagan when he was appointed Manly coach. He wanted to surround himself with an experienced mentor and said Flanagan’s help has been invaluable to navigate the highs and lows of an NRL season.
“He has been a good sounding board for me,” Seibold said.
“I feel as though you can lean on him. What do you think about this and then you go away and think about it.
“I feel any coaching staff that has an ex-head coach on staff is a really positive thing. They’ve been through the furnace so to speak.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
It has been nearly eight months since Des Hasler parted ways with Manly and the premiership-winning Sea Eagles coach is yet to take a cent from his former club.
It has fuelled the belief that Hasler is still considering his legal options as he decides on the next move in his stellar career.
Hasler, and the nature of his departure from Manly, were back in the spotlight this week after he was linked with the St George Illawarra job.
Hasler was believed to be under consideration for the position, although it never reached the point of a formal interview.
It prompted fresh speculation Hasler has unfinished business with Manly and there is a suspicion at the Sea Eagles that their former coach is biding his time, waiting to pull the trigger on court proceedings.
He is yet to accept his termination payment from the club, meaning the prospect of legal action remains on the table.
Hasler has been down this path before. When he left the Bulldogs, Hasler sued the club for compensation. He pursued the Bulldogs for more than $2 million, citing an agreement he had struck with chair Ray Dib that was due to pay him more than $1 million a season.
Before the contract was formally signed, he was shown the door. That didn’t stop him taking the Bulldogs to the Supreme Court before the matter was settled for an undisclosed amount.
Manly suspect that similar action is in the wind. They also believe they are on sound footing - their advice suggests Hasler is entitled to his termination payment and no more.
In the meantime, Hasler will continue to be linked with jobs as he seeks a return to coaching.
PANTHERS MOVE TO LOCKDOWN IN-DEMAND STARS
Penrith officials are expected to sit down with Dylan Edwards for further talks next week aimed at tying the premiership-winning fullback to a new deal.
Before then, another premiership winner - back rower Scott Sorensen - is expected to ink a contract extension to remain at Penrith.
Sorensen, off contract at the end of the year, is one of the most underrated players in the NRL, although the Panthers are well aware of his qualities.
It’s why the club has worked overtime to try to tie him to a new deal. Sport Confidential understands the parties are on the cusp of agreeing terms on a contract that will see him remain at the foot of the mountain for at least another two seasons.
Edwards is expected to stay as well. The club has been in talks over a new deal that will likely double his existing pay packet.
All told, it could be worth in excess of $3 million. It’s hard to argue that Edwards doesn’t deserve it.
The Panthers No.1 has been knocking on the door of Origin and his value has increased exponentially.
SEIBOLD DISMISSES BENNETT-FEUD
Manly coach Anthony Seibold insists there is no relationship - and nothing personal - between he and Wayne Bennett as the pair prepare to renew their rivalry on Friday night at 4 Pines Park
Seibold and Bennett’s paths crossed initially when they had roles within the Queensland Rugby League. They then crossed swords as they swapped head coaching positions at South Sydney and the Brisbane Broncos.
They have coached against each other since but Friday night will be the first time they have met since Seibold left the Broncos.
Seibold praised Bennett on match eve for the way he prepared his sides.
“There has never been anything personal from my end,” Seibold said.
“Our focus is on our team. Us trying to be at our very best. It wouldn’t matter who we are playing. They are not going to beat themselves.
“Wayne Bennett coached teams are very good teams.”
Asked whether he would catch up with Bennett after the game, Seibold said: “I don’t know Wayne.”
NRL, RLPA FEUD HITS NEW LOW
Relations between the NRL and players union have plumbed new depths this week after chairs Peter V’landys and Deidre Anderson exchanged angry emails over the progress of pay talks.
Sport Confidential understands talks between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association made a promising start on Monday but quickly deteriorated, prompting the clubs to distance themselves from the negotiations.
The RLPA held a board meeting on Wednesday night and are awaiting a response from the NRL to their demands.
The clubs are watching closely. They want a rapid resolution and have become frustrated by the animosity between the union and head office.
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