NRL 2018 calendar crisis as clubs caught out by transfer frenzy
THE NRL’s off-season player market is in overdrive. So much so that is causing massive issues for the printers who produce official team calendars for 2018.
Phil Rothfield
Don't miss out on the headlines from Phil Rothfield. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE NRL’s player-trading frenzy is causing massive issues for the printers who produce official team calendars for 2018.
We told you last week how the Cronulla Sharks had to remove James Maloney once it was revealed he was heading to Penrith.
Turns out the problem is not just restricted to the Sharks.
The calendars are produced so early for Christmas shopping that one version of the Manly Sea Eagles calendar even had Nate Myles on the cover.
It was done before he signed with Melbourne and then retired.
The Knights had Kangaroos winger Dane Gagai on the front before he signed at the Rabbitohs.
The Bulldogs had to remove skipper James Graham, the Roosters had to delete Mitchell Pearce and the Panthers had to get rid of Matt Moylan before he signed with the Sharks.
Freddy to axe Peats at Blues
WE’RE hearing new coach Brad Fittler will make big changes to the NSW State of Origin side next year. Fittler wants to put the emphasis on attack, which probably means the likes of hooker Nathan Peats not getting a start.
Peats is outstanding defensively but lacks any dash or creativity with the football. We’ve heard Fittler is a huge fan of Sea Eagles hooker Apisai Koroisau. As long as his form is strong early next season, he’ll play Origin.
Others under pressure include Jarryd Hayne, Blake Ferguson and Mitchell Pearce.
Fittler himself is the youngest ever Blue at 18 and knows Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary, who turns 20 next year, will be ready.
Castle top contender for ARU
THE embattled ARU has whittled down its list of potential CEOs to three — and favourite is former Bulldogs boss Raelene Castle.
It’s ironic that Australian Rugby is set to reach out to a Kiwi to stop its slide to oblivion and a woman who has New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew as one of her mentors. We’re hearing the major plus for Castle is that the chair of the CEO search committee is ARU board member Ann Sherry, whose push to promote women in sport on and off the field is well known. On credentials alone, Castle would be a superior contender to former Wallaby hooker Phil Kearns, who has no experience running a sporting organisation.
Departing dosh for Pearce
MITCHELL Pearce got a nice farewell gift from the Roosters — a cheque for $50,000.
Not a bad earn for spending the previous couple of weeks on holiday in the US.
At least Pearce did the honourable thing, looked coach Trent Robinson in the eye, and asked for a release.
No stuffing around, no delays.
He could have stayed on the payroll while he looked around and negotiated with rival clubs.