Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield and Michael Clarke in fiery radio stoush over Allan Border Medal claims
Phil Rothfield and Michael Clarke got into a heated argument on Sydney radio after the former Test cricket captain made a stunning claim around attending the annual Allan Border Medal night. LISTEN TO THE EXPLOSIVE AUDIO
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Former Australian Test cricket captain Michael Clarke and The Daily Telegraph’s Sports Editor-at-large, Phil Rothfield, got into a heated stoush as he revealed he wouldn’t have attended the Allan Border Medal night if he was given the option.
Speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio on Monday morning, the pair were discussing St George Illawarra’s embarrassing end-of-season presentation night showing, where only three of the top-30 players showed up.
Clarke, who won the Allan Border Medal on four occasions — 2005, 2009, 2012 and 2013 — made the stunning admission that he wouldn’t have attended cricket’s night of nights.
“They are not enjoyable nights,” Clarke said.
“Allan Border Medal was compulsory. That’s why I went. If I was given the option, even winning Allan Border Medal, I wouldn’t have went.
“Because it’s never the end of season for us, for cricket. It’s a TV program, so everything on there is done for television.
READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW OR LISTEN IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
“And then, you’ve got media around the whole time so you can’t unwind and drink, because there will be a photo or a video of someone being pissed or under the weather. Then you’ve got to read about that the next day.
“And then we generally had to go on tour or play a Test match, so we couldn’t really drink anyway.”
Given Clarke holds the record, jointly with Ricky Ponting, for most Allan Border Medal wins, Rothfield was stunned.
“I’m really surprised you’re saying this, in that Allan Border is an Australian …” Rothfield began, before Clarke cut him off.
“It’s got nothing to do with Allan Border. Don’t go there, Buzz,” Clarke said.
Buzz: “Hold on, Clarkey. You and me will be in the biggest feuds when we get to them.”
Clarke: (Laughs). Allan Border’s a legend, mate. He’s the godfather. I love AB. Don’t make it personal.”
Buzz: “That’s why I thought you’d want to be there.”
Clarke: “Don’t make it personal.”
Buzz: “I’m not making it personal. You’re saying you don’t want to go to the awards night.”
Clarke: “I could go to Allan’s house and see him. I didn’t need to go to Crown Casino to see him. Don’t make it personal. It’s nothing to do with the medal being called after AB. AB is a legend, the godfather of Australian cricket, and I love him to bits. Nothing to do with him.”
Rothfield has butted heads with Big Sports Breakfast co-host Clarke repeatedly this year, famously calling him out after he blamed referee Ashley Klein for losing control of the NRL elimination final between South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters.
THE FULL EXPLOSIVE TRANSCRIPT BELOW
Gerard Middleton: “What about the biggest snub?”
Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield: “This is a story that still hasn’t been addressed and I’m talking about three out of 30 St George Illawarra players turning up to the presentation night at the end of the season.
“Now, players were away for the World Cup and that’s an excuse for about four or five players, others are on holidays, but there were many many players who were still in Sydney who chose to boycott that awards night.
“I think it was an appalling decision the players made, and I still don’t think the club has properly addressed it. I think their fans deserve to know why and I just didn’t like it whatsoever.”
Michael Clarke: “It’s not a good place to be for any team when you’ve got an awards night and three players show up.
“I think the captain, Ben Hunt, made it very clear how disappointed he was as well.
“But, in the same breath, after hearing more about it, I think they probably needed to think about when they were going to put the night on a little better as well.
“And it seemed to me, it’s obviously not compulsory, they’ve obviously said to the players that because there’s players away on rep duty, because there’s players away on holidays, they’ve probably said to everyone, ‘look, it obviously can’t be compulsory, we’ve got enough players away, if you want to come, come. And if you don’t, don’t’.
“The best teams, or the best clubs, more players would turn up, that’s for sure.”
Buzz: “But Clarkey, why didn’t they want to go? That’s the story.”
Clarke: “No, no. I’ll say this, Buzz. They are not enjoyable nights. I think of Allan Border Medal, right?”
Buzz: “It doesn’t matter.”
Clarke: “Allan Border Medal was compulsory. That’s why I went. If I was given the option, even winning Allan Border Medal, I wouldn’t have went.”
Buzz: “Really? Because it’s never the end of season for us, for cricket. It’s a TV program, so everything on there is done for television.”
“And then, you’ve got media around the whole time so you can’t unwind and drink, because there will be a photo or a video and someone being pissed or under the weather. Then you’ve got to read about that the next day.
“And then we generally had to go on tour or play a Test match, so we couldn’t really drink anyway.”
Buzz: “You know what? You’re backing up my argument. You didn’t want to go, but you went because it was the Australian cricket team.”
Clarke: “No, we went because it was compulsory. We weren’t given an option. It was in our contract, we had to go, yeah. But that’s what I’m saying, I think the Dragons maybe they were given the option they don’t need to go if they don’t want to. I’m still saying players should have.
Buzz: “I’m really surprised you’re saying this, in that Allan Border is an Australian…
Clarke: “It’s got nothing to do with Allan Border. Don’t go here, Buzz.”
Buzz: “Hold on, Clarkey. You and me will be in the biggest feuds when we get to them.”
Clarke: (Laughs). Allan Border’s a legend, mate. He’s the godfather. I love AB. Don’t make it personal.”
Buzz: “That’s why I thought you’d want to be there.”
Clarke: “Don’t make it personal.”
Buzz: “I’m not making it personal. You’re saying you don’t want to go to the awards night.”
Clarke: “I could go to Allan’s house and see him. I didn’t need to go to Crown Casino to see him. Don’t make it personal. It’s nothing to do with the medal being called after AB. AB is a legend, the godfather of Australian cricket, and I love him to bits. Nothing to do with him.”
Buzz: “How did I know that you and me were going to have one final disagreement for the year?”
Laurie Daley: “Well, here you go, here you go, on that, who has had the biggest feud this year?”
Buzz: “Thanks for your support, Laurie, too by the way!”
Daley: “No, well, I’m different to Clarkey. I used to love going to the presentation nights.”
Clarke: “For footy, it’s end of season, Loz, as well, right. So you can have a drink. We had to go on tour the next day.”
Daley: “That’s exactly right. So I understand your point. But if I’m leading that club, I’d be ringing every one of those players that didn’t turn up and who didn’t front.”
Buzz: “Laurie, I’m going to do the right thing by you, and not tell any stories about your performances at medal nights. I’ll do the right thing.”
PHIL ‘BUZZ’ ROTHFIELD’S WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS, LWOLIGHTS
Jarome Luai should be one of rugby league’s most admired players.
He’s a two-time premiership winner, a beautiful footballer and a fierce competitor.
However this guy has the most inflated ego. His speech as best man at the wedding of teammate Brian To’o last week was appallingly in bad taste, hardly even suitable for a bucks party.
He needs to get rid of the dark sunglasses and he needs to grow up.
He is a footy player, not a rock star.
He needs someone strong at Penrith to pull him into line.
In his favour Luai apologised on social media for the wedding speech, talking of his shame and embarrassment.
“The excitement of the occasion definitely got the better of me and I took it too far,” he said.
“Not much I can do about it now but be a man about this mistake and learn from it.
“Apologies to everyone I’ve disrespected. This is something I will always regret.”
It’s a good start.
HIGHLIGHT
Thankfully the Adelaide cricket Test ended early. It was a terrible game of Test cricket.
LOWLIGHT
The passing of American soccer writer Grant Wahl at the World Cup in Qatar. He was 48 and one of the most respected sports writers in the United States.
SHOOSH
Dave Warner’s manager James Erskine is in talks with major broadcast and streaming companies around a film/documentary on his career when he retires. This will be a ratings blockbuster in Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand and India. Warner has 9.5 million Instagram followers. Obviously Sandpapergate will be covered in great detail. Warner has also done a book deal for when he retires from all forms of cricket.
SPOTTED
Manly coach Anthony Seibold and his Kangaroos middle forward Jake Trbojevic having a coffee on the northern beaches.
SPOTTED
Socceroos captain Maty Ryan enjoying some junior soccer in Penrith on Sunday morning. Back in the country following Australia’s World Cup campaign in Qatar, the western Sydney born-and-bred goalkeeper lobbed at Jamison Park to catch up with family and friends as he watched the junior pre-season trials between Nepean FA and Macarthur FA. The 30-year-old happily took photos with the local kids, taking time out before he heads back to Europe, where he plays for Danish club side F.C Copenhagen.
BIG BREKKY
Catch you on the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio with Laurie Daley, Michael Clarke and Gerard Middleton for one final show before the Xmas break.
RAIDERS’ FIFITA BACKUP REVEALED
The Canberra Raiders have a back-up plan in case they miss out on Gold Coast Titans forward David Fifita, who they are chasing with a $2.7 million three-year deal.
Coach Ricky Stuart met with the giant edge forward last week.
If Fifita decides to stay on the Gold Coast, the Raiders will turn their attention Kangaroos and Cowboys edge forward Jeremiah Nanai who is coming off contract in Townsville.
Many believe he’d actually be a better signing than Fifita, who has had a couple of average seasons for the Titans
Nanai is certainly the far more consistent player.
He won the Dally M Rookie of the Year award this season and scored 17 tries in 23 appearances.
The Titans are not only trying to keep Fifita but are also keen on Nanai.
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