NRL fans demand suburban footy, Brad Fittler watching Victor Radley and Bevan French won’t talkthegameup
NRL fans demanding investment in suburban footy grounds, Brad Fittler watching Victor Radley, a new Anzac Day blockbuster planned and why won't Bevan French #talkthegameup?
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NRL fans demanding investment in suburban footy grounds, Brad Fittler watching Victor Radley, a new Anzacblockbuster planned and why won't Bevan French won’t talkthegameup?
SAINT
A HAPPY Mother’s Day to all those wonderful mums who drop the kids to footy training, encourage from the sideline, volunteer in the canteen or at the barbecue, wash the jerseys or coach and manage the teams. We wouldn’t have junior sport without you.
SINNER
THE NRL’s refusal to use sharp minds like Bill Harrigan and Phil Gould to help fix refereeing and bunker problems. Instead they think $30,000 fines are the answer. It might raise revenue but won’t fix the problems or improve the refereeing.
CHAMPIONS: Buzz’s Indigenous Dream Team
ON TOUR: Boof set to tell all
SHOOSH
WHICH high-profile NRL star almost got knocked out by a security guard for behaving like a drunken imbecile in a southern Sydney bar last week? Thankfully, a mate dragged the player off the premises and saved him from becoming embroiled in another NRL scandal.
SHOOSH II
NO prizes for guessing which southern Sydney club that needs to replace a couple of veteran forwards in the near future will be competing with the Sydney Roosters for the signature of front-rower Martin Taupau if he is released from Manly to ease their salary cap pressures.
SPOTTED
RABBITOHS star Cody Walker, sipping a latte with manager Matt Rose (George’s brother) at Coogee’s Tropicana cafe.
SPOTTED II
SOCCEROOS coach Bert van Marwijk, his replacement after the World Cup, Graham Arnold, and FFA boss David Gallop enjoying lunch at Bondi Icebergs.
SPOTTED III
SYDNEY Swans legend and former Brownlow medallist Paul Kelly enjoying a beer and a punt at the Wagga Cup race meeting in his home town last weekend.
SPOTTED IV
NRL boss Todd Greenberg in enemy territory at GWS Giants headquarters in Homebush at a meeting with their CEO, Dave Matthews. Greenberg and Matthews did the Vinnies CEO sleep-out last year and agreed to meet up regularly to swap ideas.
SPOTTED V
OLD Parramatta Eels front-rower and ex-chief executive Denis Fitzgerald in HSS Bella Vista Hospital having surgery for a second hip replacement.
SPOTTED VI
ROOSTERS supremo Nick Politis standing in a 30-minute queue to buy his lunch on Thursday at Queenstown’s world famous hamburger restaurant, Fergburger.
FANS DEMAND SUBURBAN SPEND
A STAGGERING 90 per cent of NRL fans would prefer the state government to refurbish Sydney’s old suburban grounds rather than spend all their $1.8 billion sporting venue grants on big stadiums.
In a midweek poll, fans gave overwhelming support to Racing NSW boss and independent commissioner Peter V’landys for his plan to save the traditional old homes of Sydney clubs.
The wonderful atmosphere at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night for the Wests Tigers-Cowboys game was further proof that fans want to watch footy at suburban venues and keep the stadiums for blockbusters such as Anzac Day, Easter at ANZ Stadium, Origin and the finals.
Opposition leader Luke Foley is soon to release his own stadium funding model in the lead-up to next year’s election.
Foley has been following the suburban grounds versus stadium debate very closely.
FRENCH RELUCTANCE
EELS star Bevan French is slow to pick up the ball and run with Todd Greenberg’s #NRLtalkthegameup hashtag.
The Parramatta winger was scheduled to appear on Fox League’s popular League Life show to celebrate the indigenous round.
He pulled out at the last minute.
Luckily, Wade Graham stepped in and did a great interview with the girls.
French was also booked to be interviewed for a newspaper feature but couldn’t even be bothered to phone the journalist as had been prearranged by his club’s media department.
FAITH IN YOUNG ROOSTER
BLUES coach Freddie Fittler is a huge fan of the Sydney Roosters’ hard-hitting forward Victor Radley.
The fact he is so tough and can play hooker or as a middle forward is working in his favour as a bolter for a position on the NSW bench.
Radley, 20, started his career as a halfback.
“Origin is all about picking people that players want to play with and he’s one of those,” Fittler said. “He’s been stopping blokes and performing every week. There’s no fear in him.
“In fact, there’s plenty of Luke Ricketson in him. You never know.”
NEW ANZ BLOCKBUSTER
WE’RE hearing there is a huge plan involving the Parramatta Eels and the new Western Sydney Stadium to be part of Anzac Day commemorations from next year.
Like the AFL do, the Eels would play on Anzac Day eve against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
It’s a fantastic idea being driven by the Eels who want it to become an annual event as big as the St George Illawarra — Roosters Anzac Day blockbuster at Allianz Stadium.
On a non-school night before a public holiday, there is no reason why the Eels and Bulldogs couldn’t attract a 32,000-strong crowd.
RATINGS SURGE
THE St George Illawarra-Melbourne blockbuster at UOW Jubilee Oval last Sunday attracted record ratings on Fox Sports. The network’s audience was up an incredible 53 per cent on the average ratings for a 2pm Sunday game.
Wests Tigers are also having a huge year in the ratings. Ivan Cleary’s side have featured in three of the top five ratings games. Newcastle are the biggest improvers on Fox League, with a 17 per cent spike.
TIP OF THE WEEK
WE’VE all run into obstacles and water hazards on golf courses but here’s one at Coonamble Golf Club we’ve never seen before.
We had a laugh when this sewerage warning sign picture was emailed to us during the week ...
VAL STAYS HOME
CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan has slammed suggestions that Valentine Holmes would be released to another club.
“He’s under contract until 2020 and he’s going nowhere,” Flanagan said. “He’s happy, we’re happy.”
Holmes had been linked to Parramatta, Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys.
ET’S ITALIAN JOY
FORMER Cronulla star Andrew Ettingshausen is in Italy for the wedding of his daughter, Tiarne, to high school sweetheart Daniel Bova. Ninety family and friends have travelled to Capri for the big occasion, including The Sunday Telegraph colleague Dave Riccio, who is a cousin of the groom.