Media Buzz: Ian Chappell sledges Steve Waugh, Fletch and Hindy’s Magic Round hell

Fox Footy’s Fletch and Hindy are set for a very uncomfortable Magic Round, The Mole reveals his secrets and Ian Chappell sledges a former Test skipper.

(L-R) Steve Waugh and Ian Chappell.

It seems like a dream job for a rugby league commentator: covering Magic Round from the beer garden of Brisbane’s iconic Caxton Hotel.

That was until Fox League’s Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh discovered they would be trapped in a three-metre diameter Perspex cylinder surrounded by thousands of screaming Queenslanders next weekend.

The custom-built Caxton Cage will be home for rugby league’s two biggest lunatics during live games across Magic Round. Unlike their famous Suncorp Stadium bubble of 2018, the cage has no roof and no fences to keep unruly fans away.

Fletch and Hindy will be in this perspex cylinder in the beer garden at the Caxton Hotel in Brisbane for Magic Round next weekend. Picture: Supplied

Fox League producers ensured the cage had air holes drilled into the sides and even a retractable food and beverage window should punters feel like offering a refreshing drink to the boys.

“Fletch is filthy,” a Fox League source said. “We only told him last week. He thought he was going to be in a corporate box.”

Nathan Hindmarsh and Brian Fletcher won’t have a quite so relaxing Magic Round this year.

CHAPELLI SPRAYS STEVE WAUGH

It’s common knowledge in cricket circles that Ian Chappell doesn’t think that highly of Steve Waugh.

This was confirmed to punters in a bar at the Pymble Hotel last week where the retired Channel 9 commentator was enjoying a beer with mates.

Chappelli could be overheard describing Waugh as “arrogant” among other unpleasant remarks about the former Australian captain.

(L-R) Steve Waugh and Ian Chappell.

CHANNEL 9’s ASHES PLANS REVEALED

Channel 9’s planning for the Ashes cricket series in England will include Roz Kelly as host from the network’s Sydney studios.

Roz sure knows her cricket, being married to former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel. They will also have former Australian captain Mark Taylor and presenter Louise Ransom on the ground at the venues. The first Test is on June 16 at Edgbaston.

A BIG THANKS TO CARON

For the past 22 cricket, NRL, Super Rugby and AFL seasons, Caron Lefever has been the warm, welcoming face to the media at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the old SFS and now the new Allianz.

However on May 4, Caron’s two decades of helping the likes of Richie Benaud, Ray Warren, Jim Maxwell, Ray Hadley, baseball’s Vin Scully and even this columnist will come to a close.

I think all of us, and the SCG particularly, will miss her more than anyone can imagine. Great innings, Caron.

The Mole, aka Sydney rugby league journalist Tony Adams.

THE MOLE, TONY ADAMS AGE 64

First job?

A junior journo at Rugby League Week as a teenager. Got yelled at by Kerry Packer once … scary!

Sporting heroes?

I was a mad Rooster as a kid – Arthur Beetson and Bill Mullins. Was lucky enough to get to know them years later – how lucky to actually get to know your boyhood heroes!

What league team do you follow?

Tim Sheens is a great mate. Wherever he goes, I go. So I’m a Tiger. It sucks at the moment.

What sports did you play?

I played rugby union at school and we got smacked regularly. Basketball was my best sport as a kid – it wasn’t trendy in the 1970s and little white guys could get a go.

How do you spend a day off?

Playing touch football – but it’s becoming a struggle – and losing money on the punt.

Career highlights

Sitting on the Tigers bench in the 2005 grand final (a favour from Tim for helping him get the job). I don’t think any other journo has done that in the history of the game.