Josh Dugan in Dragons leadership group but not invited to Blues dinner for missing team meeting
BUZZ: JOSH Dugan has been included in the Dragons leadership group despite being barred from a NSW Blues dinner.
Phil Rothfield
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WE'VE heard it all before but serial bad boy Josh Dugan is apparently showing some really encouraging signs at the Dragons.
So much so that coach Steve Price has included the boom fullback in his leadership group, alongside the likes of Ben Creagh and Jason Nightingale.
It's a big turnaround for the player who was not invited to the Blues team dinner last week because he failed to turn up to a pre-Xmas team meeting.
Potter's perfected pecs
Two years ago Scott Porter had the usual toned physique of an NRL half-back before a knee injury cut short his playing days.
The former Sharks half-back is now NSW and Australian body-building champion in the Mens Physique divisions.
When you look at the two pictures it's hard to believe it's the same man. Or how he could do it naturally?
But he assures us he has.
"It get asked that all the time," Porter said, "It's all natural and comes from hard work in the gym."
He also keeps fit by labouring at his dad's fencing company.
The 29-year-old is now off to Ohio to represent Australia at the Arnold Classic, one of the world's most prestigious body-building events.
Seventh heaven
Carlton Draught has apologised to Australian rugby union fans for an embarrassing marketing stuff-up.
The beer company ran a series of sporting questions last year under the caps of their bottles like this one.
Q: What number does an openside flanker usually wear. A: Eight.
Even this rugby league nut knows the answer should have been number seven.
The latest bottle top now carries the following question and answer.
Q: In 2014, which beer famously apologised to Australian Rugby fans. A: Carlton Draught.
World Cup Shennanigans
We've heard about the Billy Slater nightclub incident and big Josh Papalii being held up at gunpoint.
The big story management kept under wraps was the intoxicated player who almost drowned when he fell asleep in the bathtub and left the tap running.
Hornby's round par excellence
Footy retirement is doing wonders Ben Hornby's golf game who play off a handicap of two.
The former Dragons skipper won the midweek stableford at Wollongong Golf Club on Wednesday, shooting one under par.
His regular playing partner Dean Young, is pretty handy himself, and plays off an 11 handicap
Punter to don a coach's cap?
Ricky Ponting is not so sure if he wants a long-term career in television commentary.
The former Test skipper is lengths better than any of the Channel Nine regulars but has only committed to 10's big bash for two seasons.
Big three over the salary cap
A FAREWELL was held at the Dolphin Hotel in Surry Hills last week for departing NRL salary cap boss Ian Schubert.
More than 50 turned up but surprisingly the NRL's three most senior officials - Dave Smith, Todd Greenberg and Jim Doyle - all brushed it.
The Shoo's former bosses David Gallop and Graham Annesley were there.
SAINT
OUR thoughts are with swimming legend Ian Thorpe as he faces a battle tougher than anything he confronted in the swimming pool.
The entire nation is behind him.
SINNER
THIS Friday is the 12-month anniversary of Canberra's infamous "darkest day in Australian sporting history" press conference.
We were told 52 athletes were under investigation for illegal drug use yet only one infraction notice has been handed out to Sandor Earl, who rolled over. All ASADA has done so far is cause indefinable damage to the brands of codes, clubs and players. It's a disgrace.
SHOOSH
WHICH rugby league official had an affair at the World Cup in England and is about to leave his wife and six-year-old daughter for the girl who is coming to live in Australia?
SPOTTED
VETERAN rugby league player agent Steve Gillis calling on his old Coogee surf lifesaving skills to save a woman caught in a rip on Queensland's Sunshine Coast last weekend.
SPOTTED II
CRICKETgreat Geoff Lawson and ironwoman Candice Falzon sitting at adjacent tables at Tropicana Cafe, Coogee.
SPOTTED III
ORIGIN coach Laurie Daley motor racing champ Mark Webber having dinner in Noosa last week.
BAD TIMING
THE last thing Rabbitohs new signing Lote Tuqiri needs is the soon-to-be-released book by former rah-rah Players Union boss Tony Dempsey. It goes into great detail about a hotel incident in Canberra that led ARU boss John O'Neill tearing up his contract. Bad timing as the veteran winger works on repairing his marriage.
GAME, SET, PUNTED
THE Australian Open tennis was a mixed bag for punters. One customer at a TAB in Sydney's south west had $500 on the Li Na and Stanislas Wawrinka double early in the tournament and collected $225,000. Not all punters were as fortunate. One had $300,000 at $1.22 on Nadal to win the final and was last seen heading towards Watson's Bay.
Scott's a super speaker
SUPER Bowl is one day of the year where it's okay to be spotted at an early opener.
Even better if you want to watch the game alongside Australia's NFL great Colin Scotts.
The great man will be special guest speaker Woollahra's Bellevue Hotel tomorrow morning
Buzz: First look at NRL’s bumper TV campaign
The saturation coverage of the NRL Las Vegas season opener has pushed the other 13 clubs into the background – until now, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Buzz: Vegas refs revealed as new goalposts create a stir
In a special Las Vegas edition of highlights and lowlights, BUZZ ROTHFIELD lifts the lid on referees for the season openers and the goalposts set to create a surprise for NRL fans.