Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy thought talk of him shaving his head was a bit of fun
How the Melbourne Storm coach finds himself poised for a very short trim, why Ita Buttrose can expect a visit from the AOC boss, a pro golfer runs out of balls and AFL players’ favourite shopping strip.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s a great cause but the story about how Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy came to be shaving his head for charity is an interesting one.
The idea to take part in the World's Greatest Shave to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation was Storm winger Sandor Earl's.
Earl is very fond of his long locks so he thought it was a pretty big sacrifice to get them chopped which is the sell he used on Bellamy over a few beers.
Exactly how many beverages were had throughout the discussion is unknown but when Melbourne Storm staff checked with the coach about doing it, he initially thought it had all been a bit of fun.
But Earl had already set up a donation page with the challenge to raise $30,000 to help find a cure for blood cancer.
Bellamy then confirmed his commitment with the carrot being that anyone who donates more than $2500 gets to shave a part of his or Earl's head.
LISTEN HERE, ITA
When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Ita Buttrose's appointment as the new chair of the ABC back in February he said: “Australians trust Ita. I trust Ita.”
At the time that sentiment was widely acknowledged but we're not so sure now after Ita and her ABC hierarchy sensationally dumped radio coverage of the Tokyo Olympics.
The former magazine editor and TV personality can expect a personal visit from Australian Olympic Committee boss Matt Carroll as the fallout from the controversial decision hit hard.
The public broadcaster has carried live radio coverage of every Olympics since Helsinki in 1952.
“The ABC should reconsider this decision. The AOC is prepared to put this case to the chair of the ABC directly, on behalf of the eight million Australians who participate in Olympic sports,” Carroll said.
The ABC cited budget trouble and the changing broadcast environment for the decision not to bid for the non-commercial radio rights.
They will send a number of news staff to Tokyo to provide updates but the dulcent tones of popular callers such as Alister Nicholson and Quentin Hill will be missing.
“It's an absolutely flat feeling walking in to work this morning ... it makes me feel empty in the stomach,” Nicholson, who was part of the 2016 Olympics commentary team, said.
Hull said: "The ABC will lose part of its DNA by not being at the Tokyo Olympics.
“The coverage has always shed a light on amazing stories of not only Australians, but human achievement the world over. It's a national shame.”
GOLFER’S REAL-LIFE TIN CUP MOMENT
It’s happened to many a hack golfer but it's very rare for a professional to run out of golf balls during a round.
That's what happened to Englishman Eddie Pepperell during the third round of the Turkish Airlines Open which is part of the European Tour's prestigious Rolex Series.
It all unravelled on the fourth hole where the second shot requires a bold stroke over the water to the green.
In the opening round Padraig Harrington ran up a 10 on the hole and it wasn't long before Pepperell was in that territory as his playing partner Martin Kaymer explains.
“Eddie put his second shot into the water,” Kaymer said. “Penalty. Then his fourth shot into the water. Penalty. Then his sixth shot into the water. Penalty. Then his eighth. After he put his 10th into the water he walked up and said he had run out of golf balls.
“The only time I’ve ever seen anything like it was the movie Tin Cup — and now I’ve seen it live!”
Officially, Pepperell was disqualified for ‘failure to complete a hole’ but he sheepishly admitted afterwards he'd simply run out of pills.
THE WHISPER
Which revealing Coburg establishment became a regular post-races hangout for some local AFL types?
Originally published as Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy thought talk of him shaving his head was a bit of fun