Monday Buzz: Highlights, lowlights, spotted

The Bulldogs have signed Anthony Mundine’s cousin, Matt Mundine, 10 years after the former Dragons and Souths forward made the 2008 Toyota Cup team of the year.

Indian captain Virat Kholi flying from Melbourne to Sydney.

• MORE BUZZ: Titans send squad into workforce

• MEETING: Three-minute chat decided Bennett future

Sports Editor-at-large Phil Rothfield wraps the weekend sport.

HIGHLIGHT

The sensational media access the Supercar drivers provide for their fans to lap up every thrilling moment in their sport. The Fox Sports coverage in Newcastle over the weekend was just stunning because the participants were so keen to share the excitement. If only the footy codes could learn from it.

LOWLIGHT

Wallaby coach Michael Cheika’s attempted cover-up of the sackings of Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashely-Cooper for disciplinary reasons on the tour of Europe. The fact ARU chief executive Raelene Castle knew about it too is even more alarming.

Kurtley Beale was sacked for disciplinary reasons

LOWLIGHT II

Wayne Bennett’s stubborn refusal to leave the Broncos. Why would he sign to coach the South Sydney Rabbitohs if he’s so desperate not to go there straight away. It can only be about his wallet.

MORE BUZZ: Titans send squad into workforce

SPOTTED

Indian superstar Virat Kohli flying from Melbourne to Sydney in Qantas business class on Saturday. The rest of his team travelled in economy.

Indian captain Virat Kholi flying from Melbourne to Sydney in business class.

SPOTTED II

Channel 7 sports guru Jimmy ‘handbags’ Wilson at a Moore Park café with the NRL new head of football Graham Annesley.

SHOOSH

Which NRL club is looking for a new fitness trainer because their previous one has been jailed for his role in a serious crime.

SHOOSH II

Which two former Socceroos and long-time enemies have suddenly kissed and made up after a bitter 20-year feud?

STORM ON A WINNER

There was plenty of cheering in the Melbourne Storm camp on Saturday when a nag called Kiwia won the Ballarat Cup at the juicy odds of $8. The horse is owned by Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Will Chambers, John Ribot, Gerry Ryan and newspaper executive Peter Blunden.

KIDS LEFT OUT

The NRL forgot about junior rugby league participation by scheduling the Magic Weekend in Brisbane next season. Thousands of kids are committed to park footy in Sydney and the bush and can’t get to Suncorp. It would be a wise move to have a bye round in all junior leagues to coincide with the eight games in Brisbane.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg launches Magic Round.

Dogs sign Choc’s cousin after 140kg weight battle

The Canterbury Bulldogs have signed Matt Mundine, 10 years after the former Dragons and Souths forward made the 2008 Toyota Cup team of the year.

Now 27, Mundine is managed by his cousin Anthony Mundine.

Matt’s weight ballooned to 140kg after he retired from rugby league, but he has ripped the weight off and started training at Belmore.

Anthony got him a start through his connection with board member and former coach Chris Anderson and Leagues Club chairman George Coorey.

Matt Mundine (cousin of Anthony Mundine) during his time with the Dragons.

Sharks lose bite with punters

With Valentine Holmes chasing his NFL dream, the TAB has reframed its betting markets on next year’s NRL premiership.

The Sharks have blown out from $15 to $21 to win the title.

That’s a fair price considering they have lost Holmes, Jesse Ramien, Ricky Leutele and Edrick Lee.

There has also been a big shake-up in Dally M betting. Matt Moylan has firmed from $34 to $21, while Josh Dugan was the other big firmer, from $101 to $34, now that Holmes won’t be competing for points.

The Roosters remain the best-backed team to win the competition.

The second-best-backed side is the St George Illawarra Dragons at $13.

Big money behind Mundine

Anthony Mundine prepares for his bout with Jeff Horn. Picture: Annette Dew

TAB punters think Anthony “Choc” Mundine is great value at $4 to cause an upset against Jeff Horn in their bout on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Despite the lopsided betting, with Horn a short-priced $1.25 favourite, money is split 50-50.

Betting indicates Horn’s best chance of victory is by knockout. That option is $2.30.

Mundine’s best chance to claim a victory is on points. That option is $6.

The TAB is anticipating great interest in the bout but it won’t challenge the record set by the Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather fight last year, which attracted more than $6 million in bets.

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