Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Candice Warner opens up on kids social accounts, Bears could end up in NZ
Why the Warners won’t be closing down their kids’ social media accounts, where the Bears could be if Perth fails, the Sharks’ last-ditch play for Tom Hazelton and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
NRL
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Sporting power couple Dave and Candice Warner are refusing to close their daughters’ Instagram account despite prime minister Anthony Albanese’s social media ban on children under 16.
The Warner sisters – Ivy, 10, Indi, 9, and Isla, 5 – have 181,000 followers in an account managed by their mum and dad that attracts millions of views with each post.
The Albanese government has passed legislation to enforce age restrictions on Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms to protect young Australians.
“We live in a world where social media is a big thing whether we like it or not,” Candice said.
“Everything we do is fun and the girls don’t have access to it. It’s me and David running the account under my name. We control everything and it’s all positive.”
The former Ironwomen champ says she actually supports the Albanese government’s new legislation.
“I think it’s fantastic to keep kids off social media,” she said.
“Even until they are 18.
“It can be so dangerous. Kids need to be protected for their mental health and be at an age where they have the emotional intelligence to deal with trolling and everything that comes with it.”
The Warner girls don’t have phones or social media access.
“Kids with phones lose their social skills,” Candice said.
“You see them with headphones on and they don’t communicate. It’s not good.
“I can’t believe there are parents who give their kids as young as eight or nine a phone to have access to social media.”
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SAINT
Just seven sleeps until Las Vegas and the priceless exposure the greatest game of all will get both here and overseas for a blockbuster season opener. Ticket sales are indicating a crowd of 50,000, including many more Americans than were there last year. I cannot wait to get there.
SINNER
The siege mentality of Broncos coach Michael Maguire (remember Tales of Tigertown) is already there for all to see in Brisbane. In a stunning first, Maguire has broken a 37-year tradition by closing the team’s captain’s run to all media — even in the build up to a meaningless trial game. Even grumpy old supercoach Wayne Bennett was more welcoming to Bomber Badel, the great Dobbo and their media cohorts north of the border. My spies in Toowoomba last weekend revealed Madge also refused to do the traditional media conference after the trial win over the Titans.
SHOOSH
It has just been brought to our attention that a sporting administrator (not NRL) was lucky not to be arrested for allegedly assaulting a fellow patron at an eastern suburbs hotel over the Christmas/New Year break.
SHOOSH
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and RLPA boss Clint Newton are getting along well these days, having repaired their fractured relationship from the ugly collective bargaining agreement negotiations. However, they were recently locked in more tense talks over the RLPA’s demand for small payments to the four NRL club captains in Las Vegas to take part in a media day. The players get one day off while they are in Vegas and it clashes with the media day.
SPOTTED
It’s a huge weekend in Las Vegas for Greg ‘Brandy’ Alexander who is working for Fox Sports and SEN, cheering for his beloved Panthers – and celebrating his 60th birthday with family and friends.
SPOTTED
Billionaire chairman Nick Politis is off to Las Vegas next week despite the fact his Roosters are not playing. He’s travelling the 12,500 kilometres just to watch the LA Roosters’ academy team play in a Nine’s tournament on Friday.
SPOTTED
Fox Sports and SEN breakfast host Andrew Voss arrived with his old footy autograph book to host the Cronulla Sharks Hall of Fame dinner on Tuesday night – and revealed the first signature on the opening page was that of Sharks legendary lock and captain Greg Pierce. An 11-year-old Voss was there to watch the Sharks v Rabbitohs in 1978, when he got the autographs of Pierce and glamour blond Sharks winger Rick Bourke.
SPOTTED
It’s a tough life for some … the great Gus Gould has been working on his tan in Hawaii this week on his way to Las Vegas for the NRL season launch.
FAREWELL BUCKO
A memorial service for the late Channel 10 Amco Cup caller Kerry Buckeridge will be held at Kiama Surf Club next Friday at midday. In honour of Bucko’s passion for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, guests are encouraged to wear red and green.
LOZ’S GUS GUARANTEE
Here’s a good omen for Laurie Daley as he prepares for his second stint with the NSW Blues — the great Gus Gould once said he was “cooked” as an Origin coach.
Back in 2017, Gould was the boss of Penrith when he revealed he didn’t want his Panthers players chosen for NSW under Daley; his reason being that the Blues camp had become a “dog’s breakfast” under Daley’s watch.
History shows us Gus hasn’t got a great track record when it comes to judging coaches.
Two years earlier the great man said Ivan Cleary was “tired” and needed a break from coaching. He sacked him and brought in Anthony Griffin.
The tired coach has since gone on to win four straight titles.
Hopefully Daley can do the same with the Blues.
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SHARKS BOARDROOM BLISS
Wouldn’t the Wests Tigers kill to have the boardroom stability of the Cronulla Sharks.
In the same week suspended Wests Tigers directors launched legal action against the club, the Sharks board celebrated its sixth straight year with not one challenge.
It is a tribute to the leadership of club chairman Steve Mace and CEO Dino Mezzatesta.
And it also shows why the Sharks are so consistent in NRL finals appearances in recent years; while the boardroom brawling is taking place at a club that has collected three straight wooden spoons.
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DR MARTY LANG ON HEADS-UP CRUSADE
Former premiership-winning prop Martin Lang suffered more than 10 concussions in his decade-long NRL career as a fearless forward.
It’s a history of head knocks that could have led to post-career medical issues but this is anything but the case.
Lang is not just in good health but achieving impressive academic goals. The 49-year-old ex-Maroons enforcer is now a doctor.
Dr Lang, 49, has completed two medical degrees over the last 10 years and now wants to specialise in sport head injuries and brain trauma research.
He has spoken to the Institute of Biomedicine and Glycomics at Griffith University and the University of Sydney about future research projects.
Lang takes a close interest in the NRL’s concussion protocol.
“They’re doing their best,” he said.
“There is so much we still do not know in this area but what I do know is the NRL’s Chief Medical Officer, Sharron Flahive, is extremely well respected and she’s doing an excellent job in an ever-changing, evolving area.
“The NRL is certainly in a much better position as opposed to when I played, regarding the policing of foul play. I do believe more rule changes will follow, similar to what we’ve seen in the NFL.”
His dad, ex-Kangaroo and premiership-winning coach Johnny Lang, could not be prouder.
His three children have all done so well with their careers: Martin, now a doctor; Justin, one of Australia’s most respected exercise physiologists and sister Meagan, a clinical child psychologist.
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THE KIWI BEARS?
The Bears will return to the NRL as part of the code’s expansion plans — with or without a team from Western Australia.
Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys insists he wants the famous old club and its fanatical army of supporters back in the fold no matter what.
It will ease the fears of long-time Bears supporters who have been watching the bumpy negotiations in recent months between the WA government and the NRL over the inclusion of a Perth side — preparing themselves for the possibility of more heartbreak.
V’landys is already on the record around his plans for the Bears.
“Everywhere I go, that is always the question … when are you bringing back the Bears?” he said.
“I didn’t realise they had so many old fans. They’re so passionate, that’s what you want.
“Rugby league lost a lot of fans when the Bears left the competition. We want them back.”
The NRL will resume talks with the West Australian government after the March 8 election.
WA premier Roger Cook has baulked at committing financial support for an NRL side while in election mode in an AFL state.
Still, the NRL remains hopeful of securing funding from the west for an 18th team and the redevelopment of Perth’s HBF Stadium to seat more than 25,000 fans.
If not, the NRL will look at other options to include the Bears.
Even a second team out of New Zealand would work with the Bears logo.
North Sydney has had a number of Kiwi greats over the years including champion forward Mark Graham, Test half Clayton Friend, super-boot Darryl Halligan and five-eighth Olsen Filipaina.
Whatever happens, the NRL will need to make a decision by mid-year before opening negotiations and taking a scheduling plan to TV networks for the next broadcast deal.
CHIMING IN WITH NRL CHITCHAT
Veteran player agent Steve Gillis is launching his own new podcast.
The former journo turned manager will present “Chiming In’ from next week.
He will have a guest each week, no doubt from his high-profile stable of current and former stars.
Gillis has managed some of the biggest names in rugby league for more than 30 years including Laurie Daley, John Sutton, Bryan Fletcher, Adam Reynolds, Cameron Murray and Jarrod Mullen.
“There are a lot of podcasts out there but this one will be different,” Gillis said.
“We’ll be giving a unique insight into players’ lives and journeys in a comfortable environment where I anticipate they will share real-life experiences.”
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SHARK’S SEAFOOD FIX
A seafood platter at one of Sydney’s best oceanfront restaurants has all but convinced in-demand front-rower Tom Hazelton to remain with the Cronulla Sharks.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon, chairman Steve Mace and CEO Dino Mezzatesta took the cult-hero prop to Sea Level for lunch last week where they devoured lobsters, prawns, crabs and oysters in one final contract pitch.
Hazelton has been chased by St George Illawarra, Newcastle Knights, the Dolphins and New Zealand Warriors in recent weeks — all four offering more money than what Cronulla can because of cap pressure.
The Sharks however remain hopeful. They spoke over lunch about the strength and depth of the Sharks roster and the genuine window to win a competition in the next couple of years.
The 26-year-old is poised to make his decision before next weekend’s clash with four-time premiers the Penrith Panthers in Las Vegas.
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The Roosters hosted a magnificent season launch on the playing surface at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night. Coach Trent Robinson and every player was there except for one … Brandon Smith.
It was a special occasion in which the Roosters revealed the contents inside a time capsule that was buried beneath the field in 2023 that included the ashes of club legend Arthur Beetson, Boyd Cordner’s first jersey, a Jake Friend grand final jumper and handwritten letters from chairman Nick Politis and Robinson.
No-one was commenting on Smith’s absence. The unwanted hooker had earlier phoned in sick. Smith is recovering from ACL surgery while his manager looks around for a new club for next year and onwards.
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VELLA WILL MANAGE WELL
Another ex-NRL star has become an accredited player agent with former Parramatta and NSW Blues prop Michael Vella joining the Titan Sports Management stable.
Vella played 159 games for the Eels before retiring in 2006. He has far better credentials than some of the questionable characters who masquerade around the game as agents.
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CODE HOPPING REF
Former NRL referee Alan Shortall has switched codes to become general manager of refereeing for soccer’s A-League. Good luck.
Last week Macarthur FC captain, Frenchman Valere Germain, suddenly quit over the state of refereeing and took up an offer overseas.
He was due to face a tribunal hearing last week for allegedly making a lewd gesture towards a match official, but chose to walk out instead.
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KLEIN, ATKINS TO US
The NRL will announce the appointments of Ashley Klein and Grant Atkins for the Las Vegas season opener next weekend.
Klein will do the Sharks v Panthers and Atkins the Raiders v Warriors. Belinda Sharpe is also going to Vegas to handle the Jillaroos v England Test match.
The bunker will operate out of Sydney, as per a normal NRL game.
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