Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Cleary, Fowler romance hint, Dragons score billionaire backer

Nathan Cleary’s Penrith teammates are having a bit of fun on social media over the budding romance between the Panthers star and Mary Fowler.

It’s not only the Australian sporting public who are captivated by the budding romance between Penrith star Nathan Cleary and Matildas star Mary Fowler.

Even his teammates are having a bit of fun at his expense as Cleary takes centre stage as part of the country’s latest sporting power couple.

After Cleary posted images of a recent trip to New York, Panthers winger Brian To’o responded with “My guy” and a pair of emojis – a soccer ball and an engagement ring.

Whispers about a relationship between Cleary and Fowler first emerged earlier this year when the pair were spotted out and about in July.

Australia fell head over heels for the Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler romance, but one Matildas star wasn’t happy about it. Details: https://t.co/LZH3zz4Uyvpic.twitter.com/pgf31rg6SF

— The Daily Telegraph (@dailytelegraph) November 24, 2023

The rumours were confirmed earlier this month when they were photographed catching up in a park in Perth prior to a Matildas game earlier this month.

Cleary then attended the match before jetting overseas with some mates to enjoy the sights of New York and a UFC event at Madison Square Garden.

He is now back in Australia as he gets ready to return to pre-season training with the Panthers early next month as Penrith chase a fourth consecutive premiership.

Fowler, meanwhile, is on the opposite sides of the globe as she returns to England to continue her pursuit of the women’s Premier League titles with Manchester City.

Despite the distance between them, it appears their relationship is going as strong as ever if To’o’s post is anything to go by.

SAINT

Johnathan Thurston and his long-time agent Sam Ayoub have recently spent time in Papua New Guinea, were they visited an orphanage and spent time at a shelter for women who have been the victims of domestic violence. Thurston also visited a hospital and handed out presents in his role as an ambassador for electronics company Fone Haus.

Johnathan Thurston in Papua New Guinea

SINNERS

The cowards who launched into the partners of Australian cricketers, journalists and New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham after Australia scored a historic win over India in the final of the World Cup. The abuse was vile and over the top. It was an unsavoury end to one of the great Australian victories.

SHOOSH

Which retired player was let go by his club after starting a new business?

NRL 2023 RD26 Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers – Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Try Celebration NRL PHOTOS

SHOOSH I

Which high-ranking rugby union official made a tongue-in-cheek comment about the code’s deal with Joseph Suaalii while in a room full of rugby league agents this week.

SHOOSH II

Which representative star and premiership winner is quietly being shopped to rival clubs as his current club faces a salary cap squeeze in his position.

SHOOSH III

Which high-profile NRL recruit recently required an ambulance after collapsing with dehydration after a taxing running session?

SHOOSH IV

Which star player from an interstate club is believed to have itchy feet over plans to move him to the centres this season.

SPOTTED

PNG star Lachie Lam enjoying the delights of the Cheesecake Factory in Hawaii

L to R, Corey Oates with Adam Reynolds and Paul 'Fatty' Vautin, Broncos players, at Australian PGA Celebrities in pro-am, Eagle Farm, on Wednesday 22nd November 2023 – Photo Steve Pohlner

SPOTTED I

Paul Vautin, Adam Reynolds and Corey Oates sharing a round with Bob McIntyre in the pro-am at Australian PGA this week. Broncos teammate Kurt Capewell, tennis star John Millman, cricketers Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw, and hockey gold medallists Jamie Dwyer were also in the field.

SPOTTED II

Melbourne star Ryan Papenhuyzen at Sydney Airport posing for a picture with a young fan on his way to America to see Bill Knowles.

CLAWS OUT AFTER TIGERS REVIEW

The Wests Tigers’ decision to rubberstamp a bid for Penrith star Jarome Luai may be the final act of the club’s embattled board.

The review into the governance at the Tigers has been completed and it is understood the Holman Barnes Group – including their representatives on the football club board – have been given a snapshot of the findings.

A full briefing for the Holman Barnes Group is imminent. The Tigers’ independent directors as well as the representatives of Wests and Balmain are yet to be afforded the same luxury and they may be forced to wait until next month to get a sense of what has been recommended by those responsible for the review – former NRL chief financial officer Tony Crawford and managing director of Cooperage Capital Pty Ltd, Gary Barnier.

There is a sense in some quarters that the board may be changed en masse as the club looks to modernise and broaden its level of expertise.

Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis

That would involve Holman Barnes directors voting for their own demise, but they would make a mockery of the review if they didn’t act on the recommendations.

Most interest centres on the future of chair Lee Hagipantelis, who is also the principal of the club’s major sponsor Bryden’s Lawyers.

Hagipantelis was interviewed as part of the review but could be removed if there are sweeping changes at board level.

Interestingly, he has no control over his own fate. Under the Tigers constitution, only the shareholders in the club are believed to hold the power over the appointment and removal of directors.

Hagipantelis was notably tight-lipped on the club’s chase of Luai when he appeared on radio station SEN on Friday morning prior to a golf day he had sponsored for The Leukaemia Foundation.

Coach Benji Marshall also played in the golf day at Twin Creeks but gave SEN a wide berth as he made his way in the clubhouse – Penrith director Greg Alexander was on-air at the time.

KNIGHTS NAB NZ RUGBY STAR THOMPSON, EXTEND JACOB SAIFITI

Newcastle have struck a major blow in the player market with NSW star Jacob Saifiti inking a long term deal to remain at the Knights.

Saifiti has agreed to a new three year deal taking his contract out until at least the end of the 2027 season.

The Knights have also agreed a deal to sign All Black hopeful Tyrone Thompson – the twin brother of star prop Leo – in 2025.

Thompson will make the cross-code switch as he tries to replicate Leo’s rise and become a Kiwi international.

Tyrone Thompson will join his brother Leo at the Knights. Picture: Getty Images

With Saifiti locked away, the Knights remain confident fellow NSW star Bradman Best will recommit to the club for a further three years.

Newcastle are also close to extending the deal of coach Adam O’Brien, who is about to enter the final year of his contract.

The Knights hierarchy agreed to give O’Brien a new two year deal in September with the teams of that contract in the midst of being finalised.

Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti has extended his stay at the club. Picture: NRL Imagery

BILLIONAIRE BACKING: TWIGGY FORREST’S ROLE IN DRAGONS SHAKE-UP

St George Illawarra are already backed by one of Australia’s richest men and another could be upping his support for the club as a company owned by billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest holds serious discussions over increasing their commitment to the Dragons.

Squadron Energy, founded by Forrest, will be on the back of the Dragons’ jersey in 2024 and Sunday Sesh understands talks have been held over the prospect of taking up the major sponsorship when St George Bank walks away at the end of the season.

It is understood the deal will be worth more than the $1 million the bank tips in annually. St George Bank, the Dragons’ long-time major sponsor, have already informed the club of plans to depart, leaving the front of the famous Red V up for grabs.

The Dragons have a new jersey sponsor in Squadron Energy.

Forrest, valued in excess of $15 billion, has been targeted as a potential alternative given Squadron Energy is already involved with the club.

The mining magnate has a longstanding interest with rugby union in Western Australia where his company Tattarang backs the Western Force.

Forrest and his wife Nicola also issued a statement earlier this week in defence of Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan prior to his departure.

Nicola and Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, co-chairs of Harvest Road. Picture: Supplied

However, Forrest has shown little desire to become involved in rugby league. That may be about to change thanks to the Dragons, who already have the financial clout of WIN boss Bruce Gordon in their corner.

Gordon’s WIN Group own a 50 per cent stake in the Dragons, with the other half of the club in possession of St George.

The Dragons have had just two major sponsors since 1999. St George Bank may not be entirely lost to the club.