Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Seibold’s admiration for troll hunter Erin Molan

Former Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is a fan of the legacy left behind by Erin Molan, and why the Storm parted ways with Sutton.

Former referees boss Bernard Sutton. Picture: Brett Costello

Former Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold has praised media identity Erin Molan after she campaigned to get anti-trolling laws.

Seibold was the victim of a well-documented smear campaign on social media in his final days at the Broncos, prompting him to hire European cybersecurity experts to track down the culprits.

Police were ultimately powerless to lay charges against those responsible.

Seibold says Molan should be lauded for her work, which led to Prime Minister Scott Morrison proposing new anti-trolling laws last week that would give Australian courts the power to reveal who is behind defamatory comments and potentially make social-media platforms subject to defamatory costs.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Erin Molan at the announcement of proposed new anti-trolling laws. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

“Erin has put herself out there and really driven that change of legislation hard,” he said.

“Obviously, I have spoken publicly a number of times that I think it is a positive thing for our society and all Australians to have a bit more protection on social-media platforms.

“I have to say that what Erin has done in that space has been next-level and I reckon it is a real legacy for her. It is amazing.”

Seibold, just back from a successful stint as defensive coach of the English rugby union team, said he hoped to speak to Molan.

“I have always kept in touch with Erin,” he said. “I sent a (text) message ... but I haven’t spoken to her on the phone. I will do.”

SAINT

Matildas star Sam Kerr’s epic shoulder charge on a pitch invader while playing for Chelsea FC in London, reviving memories of former all-rounder Andrew Symonds and his big hit on a streaker at the Gabba in 2008.

SINNER

South Sydney Rabbitohs refuse to build a statue of the club’s saviour George Piggins at Heffron Park in Maroubra. The people who have made this decision have short memories. Many good people contributed to save this great club over the past two decades but none more so than Piggins. There would not be a club without him.

SINNER

The new $300 million stadium at Penrith. There is no A-League team in the area, no rugby union team in the area. The big spends at Allianz and CommBank stadiums were justified in that they cater for all three footy codes. This is a political manoeuvre by the state government to protect the future of deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres in a dangerously close seat.

SHOOSH

It’s been well-documented that Broncos star Payne Haas is in the process of dumping long-time managers Chris and Gavin Orr before he signs his next big contract. There is another huge name in the NRL about to cut ties with his agent as well. This could get nasty.

SHOOSH

The Dolphins were disappointed to miss out on Bulldogs-bound Reed Mahoney and have been mentioned as a possible home for Harry Grant in 2024. However, their No.1 target to play hooker in 2023 is Roosters star Sam Verrills.

The Dolphins are circling Roosters hooker Sam Verrills. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

SPOTTED

Controversial North Melbourne AFL legend Wayne Carey enjoying a beer at the Dolphin Hotel in Surry Hills on Wednesday.

SPOTTED

Sharks stars Ronaldo Mulitalo and Braydon Trindall on the dance floor at Carmens in Miranda, behaving and having a great time.

SPOTTED

Fox Sports star Matty Johns demolishing a Japanese meal for lunch from Master Rolls in Warringah Mall.

SPOTTED

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold having Chinese and a beer in Haymarket with mates, including legendary racing media man Kenny Callander.

SPOTTED

South Sydney Rabbitohs star Cody Walker getting a flat tyre on his car fixed at Advance Automotive in St Peters on Friday.

SUTTON PARTS WAYS WITH MELBOURNE STORM

Melbourne Storm has parted company with former referees’ boss Bernard Sutton after his controversial 12-month stint as a consultant.

It was an arrangement NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo was never comfortable with because Sutton’s brother Gerard is the game’s No.1 referee and handled seven Storm games last year. Storm won five of them.

While Gerard Sutton is of the highest integrity, there was always concern of the possible perception around two brothers who are particularly close and regularly discuss the footy.

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Last year, Bernard stood down from an identical role with the Queensland State of Origin team. This was after Abdo even phoned Sutton and told him if he stayed in the Maroons role it would be taken into consideration by the referee appointments committee, meaning his brother’s job might be in jeopardy.

A furious QRL boss Bruce Hatcher blew up at the time.

Bernard Sutton was a consultant at the Storm last season. Picture: Brett Costello

“I cannot believe a bloke goes into camp as a referee’s instructor and that someone says his brother can’t referee because he’s with Queensland,” he said.

“Please. I have got quite a strong view and I find it absolutely astounding. It’s heavy handed and narrow minded.”

It was Storm’s reluctant decision to cut ties with Sutton.

After he quit as referees’ boss at the end of the 2020 season, supercoach Craig Bellamy wanted him on board, not just for his rules knowledge, but to teach players of the intricacies of NRL refereeing and what the whistleblowers look for. He even identified a handful of Storm players referees often talked about as repeat offenders behind closed doors.

Most other NRL clubs are using former referees as consultants.

Independent commission chairman and Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys is a Bernard Sutton fan. He has employed Sutton as an equine welfare property manager on the mid-north coast.

SEA EAGLES DO SET RULES

The Manly Sea Eagles, owned by health and well-being tycoons Scott and Rick Penn, are ducking for cover on the issue of Covid vaccination requirements for fans at Brookvale Oval next year.

Chief executive Stephen Humphreys told us it was an issue for the northern beaches council, who own and control the venue. This however is not the case.

We spoke to local Mayor Michael Regan on Friday. He insists it’s a decision for the Sea Eagles to make as exclusive venue rights holder for nine months of the year.

Manly’s position on Covid vaccinations has caused a storm following our revelations that head of high performance Don Singe was working with the players while unvaccinated.

It has obviously unsettled the Penn family because we received an angry text message from chairman Scott Penn last weekend over comments in this column about their reluctance to take a tougher stance against Singe.

GREAT MATES REUNITE

They might play at different clubs but South Sydney’s Damien Cook and Cronulla’s new signing Dale Finucane are great mates. They used to share a house together when they were young footy players on the way up at the Canterbury Bulldogs. On Wednesday, we spotted them both having a coffee with Nicho Hynes and Josh Morris at Next Door café at North Cronulla beach.

Great mates Damien Cook and Dale Finucane with singer Guy Sebastian. Picture: Tim Hunter

STORM DAMAGE SLIGHT

Melbourne Storm might have experienced the off-season from hell with Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Tui Kamikamica all in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

This however has not affected their sponsorship income.

One minor sponsor was upset about their behaviour and pulled the pin.

Still chief executive Justin Rodski has revealed sponsorship dollars have increased by an incredible 23 per cent for the 2022 season.

It’s a huge result considering the recent Brandon Smith podcast swearathon, the white powder video scandal with Munster and Smith, plus Kamikamica facing charges of assaulting a woman in Brisbane.

RABBITOHS MAKE RIGHT CALL

The Rabbitohs can’t win with issues over player behaviour. They were slammed in the media earlier this year for ignoring the fact Sam Burgess had gone off the rails while at the club.

Now they are being smashed again – this time for taking a tougher stand and refusing to pay Anthony Milford while he is facing serious assault charges involving women.

Souths have done the right thing on this occasion. Police will allege Milford pushed a woman who fell to the ground.

The former Broncos star deserves his day in court but the Rabbitohs could not afford another major backlash over a star player and his alleged violence against a female.

TENSIONS RISING

Next season is going to be a fractious one for the players’ union and its relationship with the NRL. At the beginning of Covid, players agreed to take a six per cent pay cut because of concerns around finances. These fears were in fact unwarranted. The NRL recently announced a $50 million profit. The clubs have been given squillions in extra funding while the players are still getting paid unders. Watch this space.

LEGEND’S SON MAY GET HIS WISH

The son of an NRL legend could make his debut in round one next year for Melbourne Storm against the Wests Tigers. Tyran Wishart is the son of former Kangaroos and NSW winger Rod Wishart from the Illawarra Steelers. The 20-year-old can play hooker or halfback and is a huge chance of replacing suspended duo Brandon Smith and Harry Grant, if he does well in the trials.

BIG DEAL

It’s been a huge off-season for Peter V’landys, Andrew Abdo and the commercial department at the NRL. They are not only negotiating a new free-to-air television deal with Channel Nine but also radio broadcast rights with Nine’s stablemate 2GB plus Triple M, SEN and ABC. We’re told all four networks are keen to go around again.