Poor on-field results could blow up Bulldogs’ boardroom | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh

Canterbury’s poor on-field results could blow up the boardroom, with chair John Khoury and his fellow directors facing a nervous few weeks ahead of the club’s elections.

Canterbury chair John Khoury and his fellow directors face a nervous few weeks after nomination forms were sent out for next year’s football club elections.

A letter, signed by Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton, was sent to members of the leagues club on Thursday calling for nominations by the end of next month – the elections will be held early next year.

The Bulldogs have a long history of acrimony in the boardroom but the club has been relatively calm since Khoury took over as chair in late-2020.

However, there has been speculation in recent months of a potential challenge given the way the club has been performing on Khoury’s watch, having made little progress in terms of results on the field.

Even the arrival of Phil Gould as head of football has failed to prevent the club languishing near the foot of the ladder. Gould has churned through players and coaches but has been unable to stem the tide of failure.

It could yet come at the cost of Khoury and his fellow directors as they wait to see who nominates for the elections.

Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton (C) with former coach Trent Barrett (L) and chair John Khoury. Source: Supplied.

NFL GOAT’S AUSSIE MEET AND GREET

NFL legend Tom Brady is bound for Australia and the NRL may be gifted the chance to connect with one of the world’s most high-profile athletes during his speaking tour.

Sunday Sesh has seen an invitation from Sports Tech World Series offering corporate partnerships with Brady, who is scheduled to hold a seminar at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium on January 27 before spending time in Brisbane.

Brady will also host a corporate dinner at a private location and a meet and greet session.

Former NFL star Tom Brady is bound for Australia and the NRL is chasing an audience, just months out from their season launch in Las Vegas. Picture: Getty Images

In the bio which accompanies the invitation to partner his Australian Tour, Brady – a seven time Super Bowl winner – is described as one of the greatest players in NFL history.

“He spent his first 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and was a central contributor to the franchise’s dynasty from 2001 to 2019,” it reads.

“In his final three seasons, he was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time and one of the greatest players in NFL history.”

The invitation to attend Tom Brady’s Australian tour.

This masthead recently revealed that NRL executives were planning to discuss with Fox Sports the prospect of Brady – a household name among Australian sports fans given his remarkable record – having some sort of role as the NRL kicks off next season in Las Vegas.

They may now get the chance to pitch their plan directly to Brady as he jumps on a jet and heads to Australia early next year. The American football legend would give the NRL’s Vegas plans a huge boost.

Brady has also timed his trip to coincide with the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne.

SAINT

Titans flyer Jojo Fifita using his off-season to help coach junior Tongan league and union teams multiple times a week on the Gold Coast.

SINNER

England cricketer Johnny Bairstow sounds more and more like a jilted ex-lover every time he opens his trap. His whingeing over Australia’s Ashes antics won’t be forgotten next time he tours these shores.

SHOOSH

Which ex- league star’s company is on the brink of collapse? An insolvency expert has been brought in to try to save the business.

SHOOSH

Which recruitment officer is in the UK to get a look at one of the Super League’s brightest prospects with the hopes of securing him an NRL deal?

SHOOSH

Which club was asked to fork out $4000 a day to gain access to a training field in the US ahead of their round 1 clash in Las Vegas? Needless to say they quickly moved on from that.

SPOTTED

Former St George Illawarra Dragons flyer Matt Dufty having breakfast in Peakhurst wearing his Warrington Wolves shorts.

Matt Dufty has been enjoying his time at the Warrington Wolves, so much that he was seen wearing club apparel back home in Sydney. Credit: Supplied.

SPOTTED

World boxing champion Tim Tszyu having some downtime in Italy while his camp close in on his next fight – expected to be part of the NRL’s season launch in Las Vegas.

SPOTTED

Manly forward Aaron Woods in Bali at the wedding of Penrith back rower Scott Sorensen. Agent Sam Ayoub was also in attendance along with a handful of NRL players.

SPOTTED

ARL commissioner Peter Beattie taking in the sights of Townsville while attending the recent Test match between the Kangaroos and Samoa. Beattie was presented with a signed Samoan jersey on behalf of the Samoan side.

SPOTTED

English duo Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce boarding a plane for Newcastle as they prepare to launch their NRL careers. Both withdrew from England contention to focus on making a fast start at the Knights.

Spotted: English stars Will Pryce (above) and Kai Pearce-Paul on his way to Newcastle as he begins his NRL career. Picture: Getty Images

TIGERS QUEUE FOR BEST CENTRE

Discussions continue between Melbourne and Wests Tigers regarding the potential player swap between Justin Olam and Shawn Blore. Marshall is keen on securing Olam to stiffen his backline immediately. The Tigers will make a play for Bradman Best come November 1. But that is not the only name being linked to the Tigers when the transfer market opens on Wednesday.

Could Dragons centre Moses Suli make a shock return to the Wests Tigers once his current deal finishes up at the end of next season? (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

St George Illawarra centre Moses Suli (pictured) has indicated he is keen to test the market. His former club the Tigers are interested depending on what happens with Olam or Best.

Suli, 25, made headlines when he signed a record-breaking deal for a teenager at the Tigers in 2017. He played just 16 games for the club before being sacked.

BUNNIES HIT ON ARROW

One player who will not go to November 1 is South Sydney’s Jai Arrow. The two parties reached an agreement weeks ago but are yet to formally announce the re-signing.

Arrow has committed to a new deal to keep him at the club until at least the end of 2027.

The Rabbitohs have locked in a large chunk of their roster long-term.

The players who are off-contract at the end of 2024 include Thomas Burgess, Michael Chee-Kam, Peter Mamouzelos, Taane Milne, Shaquai Mitchell, Isaiah Tass and Izaac Thompson.