Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Jack Johns honours Knights handshake deal after Rabbitohs cut him

Money isn’t everything, and Matty Johns’ son Jack has shown just that after honouring a handshake deal that could be set to see him lose out financially.

Could the Bulldogs endure another tough NRL season? Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Bookmakers have little faith in recently appointed coaches Trent Barrett, Kevin Walters and Anthony Griffin lifting their clubs above the premiership cellar next season.

The TAB has issued its first betting market on the wooden spoon (most losses) for 2021, with Canterbury Bulldogs favourites at $4 from the Broncos and St George Illawarra both at $5.

Despite hiring Barrett and new chief playmaker Kyle Flanagan from Sydney Roosters, the Bulldogs are expected to show little improvement, according to the TAB.

The Belmore club finished last season with just three wins.

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Trent Barrett’s arrival won’t be enough to turn the Bulldogs around straight away, according to the bookies.

The Broncos finished with the wooden spoon last season after opening as an $81 chance to get the game’s most dreaded prize. They are now their shortest quote ever before the start of the season to finish on the bottom.

If anything, the Broncos roster is in worse shape than last season without both David Fifita and Jack Bird.

They are relying on Walters to reinvigorate the roster with his renowned passion.

At the Bulldogs, Barrett says he is not concerned by the TAB’s assessment of his footy team.

“They’re entitled to their opinion,” Barrett said.

The Broncos could be in for another tough year. Picture: Getty Images

“We’re confident that we can improve from last year. After being there a week, whilst knowing we have a lot of work in 14 weeks to get ready, one thing I know is we won’t get beaten on effort.”

This time last year, Gold Coast Titans were $3.50 favourites for the spoon, but are now a $26 chance on the back of five straight wins to finish last season and the recruitment of gun forwards David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Check out all the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.

SAINT

Putting aside the crushing disappointment of losing an Origin series, Blues coach Freddy Fittler and his mate Greg Alexander flew to Lismore on Friday to address students about road safety.

Lismore Marist Brothers Rams under-18s teammates Eddie Allan and Jaylan Stewart were tragically killed in car accidents recently which had a devastating impact on their families, friends and the community.

Freddy and Brandy being there at least lifted their spirits. It puts sport into perspective. At the end of the day, it’s a game.

Greg Alexander addressed Lismore students about road safety after NSW’s Origin defeat.

SINNER

Wests Tigers have only themselves to blame for the Josh Aloiai contract drama at Concord.

If they hadn’t have folded so meekly over Ryan Matterson’s release to Parramatta last year, they might not have found themselves in this situation again.

SHOOSH

Which NRL star is experiencing wide-ranging off-field problems to such an extent that his manager has approached his club about the player doing a stint in rehab to help get his life back in order.

SHOOSH II

We’re hearing Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will overlook his son Nathan for the club captaincy next year. With James Tamou leaving for Wests Tigers, lock Isaah Yeo is hot favourite to skipper the team. Nathan will be his vice-captain.

SHOOSH III

Premier Gladys Berejiklian had to overrule three of her own senior ministers — Dominic Perrottet, Stuart Ayres and Geoff Lee — to put former NRL boss Todd Greenberg on Sydney’s powerful new stadiums board under chairman Tony Shepherd.

We revealed this year how close Gladys was to Greenberg with the premier even attending the private 50th birthday party of his wife, Lisa.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is close to former NRL boss Todd Greenberg.

SPOTTED

A text message from Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler to Telegraph colleague Dean ‘Bulldog’ Ritchie after State of Origin III on Thursday morning: “Can you please write Manly has the worst side in 40 years.

SPOTTED II

Banned player James Segeyaro at Caringbah Woolworths. The NRL star is still awaiting the outcome of his doping case from the notoriously slow ASADA.

SPOTTED III

If he hadn’t made it in AFL, former Sydney Swans premiership-winning forward Michael O’Loughlin would have made it in basketball. Now 43, he looked as silky smooth as ever on the court at Sydney University last week.

SPOTTED IV

Fox Sports star Matty Johns with his sons Cooper and Jack enjoying a short holiday break in Port Stephens.

SAY THAT AGAIN, BEN

Rugby league rent-a-quote Benny Elias is up to his old tricks again.

Commenting on the Josh Aloiai contract dispute at Wests Tigers, Benny bleated: “He’s got a contract, he made a commitment. I’m always a believer that when you sign a contract, you honour the deal.”

This, however, has not always been Benny’s view on such matters.

Especially not when it involved his nephew Mitchell Moses, who was in an identical position to Aloiai in 2017 when trying to get an early release from Wests Tigers to join Parramatta.

“I feel sorry for Mitchell,” Benny said at the time.

“His mind is at Parramatta, but his body is at Wests Tigers. That’s not good for anyone — the club or the individual.

“(Tigers coach) Ivan Cleary must realise that. Ivan has to stop being selfish in keeping Mitchell at the Tigers. He can’t expect to get 100 per cent performances from Mitchell — he’s not going to get it. The sooner he is released, the better for the club and the kid.”

Benny Elias has changed his tune on the value of contracts.

CLUBS’ HIDDEN CASH

Many NRL clubs are delaying the announcement of their financial results from the season just completed. It’s a sneaky tactical manoeuvre because of the negotiations with the RLPA on the salary cap and player payments. They want to appear to be struggling.

This is not actually the case despite the impact of coronavirus. In fact, most clubs have done better than the previous year when there were combined losses of $31 million for the 16 teams. One club has confirmed a $2 million profit but won’t announce it.

The fact clubs quickly slashed costs and had use of JobKeeper allowances ensured the damage wasn’t as heavy as expected. Sponsors and members have also been remarkably loyal.

The player-payments issue is finally heading towards a solution.

In the AFL, players have agreed to a deduction of about 3.5 per cent. NRL players are facing bigger reductions, probably more than five per cent.

SUAALII OFF TO ROOSTERS

The Rabbitohs are expected to release boom teenager Joseph Suaalii to Sydney Roosters next week once Latrell Mitchell has signed his new contract.

Suaalii will only be on a development contract next year at the Roosters but his money will increase substantially in following seasons.

The Rabbitohs will release Joseph Suaalii on a development contract.

PRICE NOT HAPPY WITH NSW

Blues legend Ray Price didn’t enjoy parts of State of Origin, especially when a near-unconscious James Tedesco was picked up and slammed to the ground by Maroons forward Jai Arrow.

“My front-rowers were Craig Young and Blocker (Steve Roach),” Price said. “Do you think they would have tolerated something like that happening to our captain? Do you think any of our players would have? What a joke. I know the rules are different these days, but surely they had to react to it.”

In fairness, play had moved on and the Blues were defending their tryline. It’s a tough one because if they’d stopped to deal with Arrow and Queensland had scored, we’d be bagging them for ill-discipline.

HEALTHY HADLEY

2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley continues to proudly show off his weight-loss progress.

The great man has even sent us a photo of his new $12.95 hole puncher from Bunnings that he is using on his belts as the weight peels off.

Hadley has now lost 15kg in 10 weeks. He’s walking 10km every day and eating smaller meals.

Todd Carney is expected to fight on a State of Origin boxing card.

Ray Hadley adds a new hole in his belt.

JACK HONOURS DEAL

You’ve got to admire Matty Johns’ son Jack and his commitment to a handshake.

Cut by the Rabbitohs, Jack took himself to Newcastle to meet Knights coach Adam O’Brien.

They shook hands on a $60,000 development contract.

A day later the Rabbitohs rang with an offer to stay at Redfern on much more money than the Knights.

He knocked them back in an act of loyalty and honour we don’t often see in rugby league these days.

CARNEY ON UNDERCARD

Fight promoter Dean Lonergan is organising a boxing State of Origin card in Brisbane in the New Year. It is expected to include one old rugby league bad boy in Todd Carney.

Lonergan has already signed up heavyweights Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo for the main event. We’re hearing Carney will be representing the NSW Blues against former Maroon Scott Prince. Rugby union star Quade Cooper will also appear but his opponent is yet to be determined.

BOMBER SAVES HENRY’S SKIN

The Courier-Mail’s Peter Badel and former Raiders, Cowboys and Titans coach Neil Henry have not always seen eye-to-eye.

But “Bomber” Badel came to his rescue on Wednesday night when he saved “King” Henry from being hit by a car in the bowels of Suncorp Stadium.

Henry was chatting to reporters after the Origin decider when a van started reversing in his direction, seemingly not seeing Henry.

Henry was inches away from being hit by the van when Badel pulled him out of harm’s way.

“Badel usually throws me under the bus,” Henry joked after the close call.