Buzz: Shane Flanagan planning his comeback, NRL nails Alfie Langer
It has been 10 months since Shane Flanagan was deregistered by the NRL and the former Cronulla coach wants back into the game. PLUS, loitering Alfie Langer cops a penalty at last.
All the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.
SAINT
Cooper Cronk doesn’t want any fanfare regarding his retirement from rugby league at the end of the season. No distractions. No focus on the individual. No diamond rings. He is a great Sydney Roosters clubman and team player who could become the first player since the Parramatta stars of 1983 to win three straight premierships.
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SINNER
So Channel 9 wants to get rid of a couple of traditional old NRL clubs to make way for a new Brisbane team in the next TV broadcast deal. No thanks. We support a second Brisbane side but there’s nothing wrong with a 17-team comp.
SHOOSH
Which very capable TV sports reporter has been offered big bucks to quit his network and join the NRL’s media department?
SHOOSH II
Which NRL superstar has been offered three properties in a deal to become the face of a finance investment company?
LISTEN! On the Matty Johns podcast, Matty lets fly on the crisis engulfing his former club the Newcastle Knights, and the team look at the best NRL rivalries and recall some of their favourite interview moments.
SHOOSH III
Which American sporting superstar is coming Down Under to be part of the NRL’s grand-final week celebrations in the build-up to the big game?
SHOOSH IV
Which sport executive forgot to pay for lunch at a flash eatery last week and was chased down the street by a waiter to return and settle the bill?
SPOTTED
We love old legends putting back into rugby league. Ex-Sharks, NSW and Kangaroos halfback Brett “Noddy” Kimmorley helped 10-year-old De La Salle half Will Watson prepare for his junior league grand final last week. Will’s under-11s beat Engadine Dragons in the big one on Saturday.
SPOTTED II
The latest league radio ratings show the ABC’s Andrew Moore was beaten by Aunty’s classic music station on Saturdays and by youth network Triple J on Sundays.
SPOTTED IV
Former Eels supremo Denis Fitzgerald at Wests Leagues in Newcastle selling the facial recognition technology clubs now use for members. They sure could have done with his old expertise in handling the messy Nathan Brown departure.
SPOTTED V
Balmain Tigers fullback legend Garry Jack at World Square on Friday celebrating Jersey Day in his old jumper. The day was a huge success raising awareness for organ donation.
NRL FINE-ALLY NAILS ALFIE
The NRL is making a fortune by fining slow goal-kickers, sin bin stragglers and old Alfie Langer for spending too long on the field.
Head of Football Graham Annesley issued fines ranging from $2000 to $6000 to six clubs last week with teams pushing the limits leading into the finals.
Cronulla star Shaun Johnson, South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds and Canberra’s Jarrod Croker were all fined for taking longer than the 90-second limit to kick for goal.
Parramatta forward Nathan Brown was fined $2000 for taking too long to leave the field after being sin-binned last weekend against Canterbury.
And the blue-shirt trainers from Brisbane and the Rabbitohs, Langer and Willie Peters, have been whacked for being on the field of play too long.
Annesley says the NRL will continue to punish clubs to ensure no team gets an unfair advantage.
“The competition is as close as it has ever been with positions in the top eight on a knife edge,” he said. “It’s desperation time and everyone is under pressure looking for the extra one per cent to win.
“While we at times show some discretion based on specific circumstances, we have a responsibility to ensure teams aren’t allowed to openly flout standard operational regulations in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage.”
FLANNO TESTS RETURN WATERS
BANNED coach Shane Flanagan has secretly met NRL boss Todd Greenberg to discuss a comeback date from his suspension.
The pair caught up at NRL headquarters on Tuesday amid speculation there could be interest from struggling St George Illawarra for the 2016 premiership-winning coach.
This could explain why the Dragons are publicly sticking by Paul McGregor, not knowing yet if Flanagan could be available.
We’re told Greenberg left the meeting impressed with Flanagan’s attitude. The Sharks coach has taken ownership of his mistakes and shown genuine remorse yet Greenberg still hasn’t given him a clear indication of a return date.
The Dragons will be under enormous pressure in their end-of-season review to make a call on McGregor’s future after such a disastrous season.
If McGregor does survive, Flanagan will probably look for an assistant coaching role at other clubs.
PREMIERS FILTHY AFTER SONG FINE
WHEN the Moree Boomerangs kicked a sideline goal after the full-time siren to win the Group 19 grand final last week, it sparked the most euphoric celebrations in bush football for years.
It also cost the club a $200 fine for swearing during the team song.
The famous old bush club beat Glen Innes 34-32 last weekend to win back-to-back titles, bringing drought-effected locals some long overdue joy and happiness.
But celebrations turned sour when country officials acted on an old bylaw that was introduced to stop foul language.
The rule book states: “During competition games any club singing team songs with swearing will receive an automatic monetary fine and face further action by the Group 19 Board.”
“It’s like having a tax on happiness,” said one official.
Jubilant players dropped the F bomb as they celebrated and sang the club song with fans.
Moree president Mitchell Johnson accepted the decision.
“I’m happy to pay it,” he said. “Seriously, if that’s the worst thing they can get us on.
“What the grand final win means to our club and community is worth a lot more than $200.”
The Boomerangs were once banned from the competition for 12 years for poor crowd behaviour.
In the old days a police paddy wagon would often have to escort referees off their home ground.
They were reinstated in 2013 and have behaved well ever since.
An official from the losing Glen Innes side complained about their language after the game.
Group 19 president Terry Carson said he was almost embarrassed to penalise the club.
“The opposition complained so I had to fine them,” Carson said. “I’ve got to admit it’s a bit ridiculous but the rule is there in black and white.
“It wasn’t that bad but what can I do? There are bigger issues than footballers swearing after winning a grand final.”
GAL GETS ONE OVER JT
BLUES warhorse Paul Gallen has had one final victory over Queensland.
The Sharks recently contacted the NRL to check how many commemorative jerseys were sold for Johnathan Thurston’s testimonial. The Sharks ordered the same amount, 300.
They sold out in one day on the club website. Fortunately, the manufacturer, Blades, quickly turned around another 1000 jerseys. There are only a few left for sale.
When told he had sold three times more jerseys than JT, Gallen said: “I’ll take any win over a Queenslander.”
FAREWELL’S HOLLOW RING
THERE’s no diamond ring for Anne Gallen, wife of Paul, at Shark Park this afternoon.
Despite 19 seasons and 346 games, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg won’t even be at the game to acknowledge the Kangaroos, Blues and Sharks legend in his final home game.
PIGGY IN THE DIDDLE
Ray Hadley received an email from an adoring female fan last week that included a sexy photo and a request to catch up for a coffee.
Hadley, who has been in a relationship with his partner Sophie for 18 months, took the wise path and showed her the email then deleted it.
Further investigations revealed the email originated from Macquarie Media offices.
Hadley has enlisted the best gee-up merchant in the business, Robbie Fulton, to ensure the get square on Mark ‘Piggy’ Riddell will be huge.
NRL TO TAKE OVER MARTIN PLACE IN GRAND FINAL WEEK
The NRL is often accused of not doing enough around the grand final but this year there is a difference with Martin Place to be transformed into a footy festival ahead of the big game.
Fans and club members will be encouraged to be part of a range of activations and initiatives for all ages.
“NRL Fan Fest is all about celebrating our fans, their clubs and our players — and bringing them closer to the game than they ever have been before,” said NRL Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Ando.
“Grand final week is more than just about the matches on Sunday. It a celebration of rugby league and the culmination of a wonderful season.”
TROY’S ARROW
Knights recruitment boss Troy Pezet has been a busy man of late. Apart from his not-so-secret dealings to sign new coach Adam O’Brien, he’s also been talking to Titans forward Jai Arrow. The Knights have offered him $3.5 million.
LEAGUE STARS OF THE FUTURE
The NRL recently launched its own version of the AFL’s Auskick, the popular entry-level participation for school kids.
League Stars was introduced only last month but already more than 4000 participants have registered across the country.
Importantly more than 80 per cent of the participants who have signed up for the program are not registered club players and were experiencing rugby league for the first time.
ALL THE BEST GUS
Former colleague and ex Daily Mirror sportswriter John “Gus” Blanch is well on the way to recovery from a near-death experience. Gus spent almost six months in hospital after being operated on for a Golden Staph spinal infection.
He spent a month in intensive care then another five months in the spinal rehab unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. He was transferred a fortnight ago to a rehab facility nearby and has reached the stage of recovery where he has progressed from a wheelchair to a walking frame.
Holmes injury a nasty blow for Dragons
St George Illawarra’s star recruit Valentine Holmes is not going to hit the ground running in 2025 after suffering a leg injury playing for the Cowboys on Friday night.
Free weekend travel for millions of Aussies
Millions of Australians will be able to travel for free this weekend after a proposed transport strike was scrapped.