Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Herbie Farnworth pays it forward at the Broncos
Herbie Farnworth may have left the Broncos to join their cross-town rivals the Dolphins but you’d be hard pressed to find anyone with a bad word to say about him.
NRL
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Dolphins signing Herbie Farnworth has wasted no time making a positive impression at his new club thanks to one of his final acts as a member of the Brisbane Broncos.
Sunday Sesh understands Farnworth was waiting in line at the Broncos cafe before his departure and offered to pay for a young woman’s coffee when her credit card didn’t work.
The girl’s mother was recently at Dolphins Leagues Club and shared the story with club officials. Needless to say it only reinforced their belief that Farnworth will be one of the signings of the season.
LUKE BATEMAN NOMINATES JAI ARROW FOR BACHELOR
Luke Bateman played 70-odd games for Canberra but they were a walk in the park compared to the first time he wandered into a room full of women as a contestant on The Bachelor.
Bateman, a more than handy footballer before knee problems forced him into an early retirement, is set to take centre stage on December 3 as one of three men on The Bachelor on Network 10.
He received a barrage of text messages from former teammates when the news found its way into the public domain – some of it good-natured sledging, but mostly words of encouragement and support.
“The very first time we met the girls, my heart was beating at like 240 beats a minute I reckon,” Bateman said.
“With footy, you have done it a thousand times. You knew what to expect. With this, you didn’t know what as going to happen.”
We asked Bateman which of his former teammates would make a good contestant for The Bachelor. He couldn’t go past Souths forward Jai Arrow — they first played together in under-12s.
“Obviously Jai is a bloke who really pops to mind,” Bateman said.
And Arrow is up for it as well.
“If they made it, I reckon it would be good television,” Arrow said. “If they paid me enough and it was in the off season, I reckon I would do it
“I know one thing – the boys want me to go on a reality TV show.
“They would love to see me on one. They reckon I am an idiot.”
SAINT
60-year-old Paul Compton who claimed his 1000th wicket playing for De La Salle Kingsgrove. It is his 40th season for the club. Compton should be acknowledged for his longevity and perseverance. He took 3/19 on his way to claiming the remarkable achievement.
SINNER
The people in charge of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which has turned into a shambles after drama with man hole covers on the course. Eels media boss Josh Drayton is among those who have been left high and dry.
SHOOSH
Many NRL clubs use this time of year to travel abroad. One club has a host of officials in France looking at some rugby and soccer outfits. Another is in the US taking in some NFL and NBA teams.
SHOOSH I
Which high profile off-contract player has just bought a home near his current club’s home ground? Leading to hopes that he will recommit to the club.
SHOOSH II
Which Super League coach was approached about joining the coaching staff of one NRL club ahead of next season?
SHOOSH III
Which media identity had a nice little win with their horse recently?
SHOOSH IV
Which Origin player is considering making a comeback with his junior club where he may play A-grade for them in 2024?
SPOTTED
Queenstown was a hit for a couple of Australian forwards enjoying a bit of down time before they embark on pre-season. Titans enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was seen in New Zealand with his family, as was (left) Manly’s Jake Trbojevic with his partner Alix Waddell.
SPOTTED I
Fox League and Manly assistant coach Michael Ennis getting a pushbike tyre puncture repaired at Chain Reaction in Cronulla.
SPOTTED II
Kiwi international Fa’amanu Brown pounding the pavement at Cronulla Esplanade.
BRAILEY FITS IN BILL
Newcastle skipper Jayden Brailey will be the next rugby league star to head to the US to continue their rehabilitation.
The Knights will send Brailey to Philadelphia next month to work alongside reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles. Brailey becomes the latest player alongside Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Luke Metcalf to work alongside Knowles as they made their comebacks from various injuries.
“Jayden was worked extremely hard on his rehabilitation,” Knights coach Adam O’Brien said. “We are really happy with the way he is running and he has already integrated himself in a lot of the skill drills.
“Given his last couple of years we feel this is another tool we can use and it’s an important part of his return to play.
“It’s a reflection of how we feel about him and how important he is to our team.”
Brailey is on the comeback trail after rupturing his ACL on his 27th birthday in April. It was his second ACL on his right knee having ruptured his Achilles on his left leg in 2022.
Storm star Papenhuyzen flew out on Thursday to spend time with Knowles.
FISHING FOR GOLD
New Zealand is set to dominate the Golden Boot awards for the second year in a row after five Kiwis and four Ferns were short-listed in the respective male and female categories.
The men’s Golden Boot is set to find a new home after Joey Manu wasn’t among the five contenders for the men’s award.
Instead, Kiwis Charnze Nikoll-Klokstad, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris, Joey Tapine and Ronaldo Mulitalo are listed alongside Kangaroos stars Cam Murray, Harry Grant, Payne Haas and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
In the women’s category, Ferns playmaker Raecene McGregor is in contention to make it consecutive Golden Boots.
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