Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: NRL consultation committee to end rushed rule changes, referee crackdowns
In a heartwarming twist, former Bulldogs half Jason Alchin has had an emotional reunion with Sandy Campbell, who is battling cancer and living homeless.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former Bulldogs half Jason Alchin has had an emotional reunion with his old Canterbury teammate Sandy Campbell, the now homeless former NRL star.
They met at a coffee shop in Tweed Heads on Saturday afternoon.
These two played together under David Waite in the 1984 Australian Schoolboys side before joining Canterbury the following year. Campbell is now homeless and fighting throat cancer.
Colleague Dean Ritchie revealed the distressing story, accompanied with a picture of Campbell pushing his only belongings in a Coles shopping trolley in the Coolangatta area.
These days Alchin coaches the Western Clydesdales, a Bulldogs’ feeder club in Toowoomba. He drove to the Gold Coast on Saturday.
There was a member of the Family of League charity there as well.
They gave Campbell a $500 food voucher and sorted accommodation for a few weeks. More help is on the way.
“This is so sad,” Alchin said, before their meeting. “I haven’t heard from him for years and years. He went off and did his own thing.
“It’s sad that we’re all saying ‘how did this happen.’ It would have been nice to know earlier that he’s been struggling.”
Another former player, Kurt Landers, has set up a GoFundMe page for Sandy.
NRL PLAN TO FINALLY END REF CRACKDOWNS
Rushed rule changes and referee crackdowns will be a thing of the past under a plan between the clubs, the players’ association and the NRL for a more collective approach to the governance of the game.
A consultation committee including two player representatives will be set up to analyse the biggest issues in the game, such as rule changes, referees, the bunker, injury trends and player welfare.
It will prevent the independent commission from introducing a crackdown like the one that ruined Magic Round in 2021 without proper consultation with the game’s leading stakeholders. Players were sin-binned for minor breaches – and then several weeks later the rules were relaxed again.
Fans just want a consistent enforcement of the rules rather than the knee-jerk reactions in recent years to various trends in the game.
There will be eight on the panel, which will include:
● Two club chief executives;
● Two player representatives (players and/or RLPA);
● Three from NRL senior management (Andrew Abdo, Graham Annesley and Jared Maxwell); and
● One independent commissioner (likely Wayne Pearce).
This will bring a far more measured approach to management of the game.
The committee will meet quarterly.
RLPA boss Clint Newton says giving the players a voice is long overdue.
He has been vocal for two years about rule changes leading to fatigue and more injuries.
“The more fatigued you are, the more chance you are of making a bad decision and potentially getting hurt,” he said.
“It’s like driving a car – the more fatigued you are, the more chance you have of making a bad decision.
“Any rule change from here on needs a proper analysis with all parties involved.
“It is important for the players to have a voice.”
SAINTS
Rugby league is in mourning for the second time in a week. After the sudden death of legendary coach and administrator Paul Broughton last weekend, we also lost former top referee Dennis Spagarino. Spagarino was a first-grade ref in the mid-80s and was known for his trademark handlebar moustache and great rapport with players. His premature loss due to motor neurone disease is a tragedy and the thoughts of the league community go out to his wife, daughters and broader family.
SINNER
The NSW Government and Sydney sports fans have missed out on another major event, with the AFL’s decision to bypass the Harbour City and take ‘Gather Round’ to Adelaide next year.
SHOOSH
Which NRL club is so flush with funds that it’s about to buy a bank. Well, sort of. It is a building leased by Westpac.
SHOOSH
Which Kiwi Test forward is in top-secret talks about quitting his NRL club to join the Warriors.
SPOTTED
Gus Gould is looking in the best shape he’s been in for years and a great advertisement for a company like WeightWatchers. One Bulldogs insider is suggesting he’s lost up to 10kg on the back of a healthy diet and training. Check out the before-and-after photos and you’ll see what I mean. The great man turns 65 in July.
SPOTTED
So what is the jersey worn by Argentina superstar Lionel Messi in his 1000th game, against the Socceroos, worth? It is now in the possession of Socceroos reserve player Cameron Devlin, who swapped with Messi after Argentina’s 2-1 victory. Last week, Sonny Bill Williams’ 2013 Sydney Roosters premiership jersey sold for $100,000 at an auction to raise funds to build a mosque in Hurstville. Surely Messi’s is worth at least $1 million.
SPOTTED
Kangaroos skipper James Tedesco at his buck’s party in Las Vegas with a group of mates, including Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses.
SPOTTED
Enforcer Toby Rudolf playing Santa Claus as the face of the Sharks’ Christmas membership drive.
CRICHTON’S FAMILY XMAS GIFT
Penrith Panthers grand final hero Stephen Crichton has purchased his first home, a five-bedroom house in Penrith, for his parents and family.
The Samoan World Cup star is trying to fast-track the settlement for his family to move in before Xmas. They had previously been renting.
It is likely to be the first of many real estate investments for the 22-year-old star who is off-contract at the end of next season and one of the game’s most sought after players. He will attract offers around the $800,000-a-season mark.
SHARKS PONDER CAPTAINCY SHAKE-UP
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has a decision to make around the Sharks captaincy in the new year.
Veteran forward Wade Graham is unlikely to feature in the starting line-up as often as in previous seasons in his final year at the club.
Whatever happens, Fitzgibbon will ensure Graham has a leadership role to mentor the next generation of Cronulla youngsters.
There is a possibility Graham will be named co-captain with Dale Finucane, who is assured of a starting position at lock in the forward pack each week.
There is also Nicho Hynes to consider, the Dally M champion who is growing as a leader.
Graham recently signed up for his 13th season at the club. He is 32 and has played 277 first-grade matches. It would be a wonderful outcome if he could squeeze in 300 games.
In the twilight of his career, Graham has to be admired for his team-first attitude.
He delayed his own contract talks to ensure there was enough in the salary cap for Cronulla to lock up and extend the contracts of their best young players.
“I’m really proud and grateful to have the opportunity to play on for another year here at the Sharks,” Graham said.
“I’ll do whatever is best for the team. I do care to play each week, but for me, I care more about how we go as a team, our performances, our results. I want to help drive us to the next level.”
RADLEY SET TO ESCAPE PUNISHMENT
Victor Radley looks certain to start the season for the Sydney Roosters, despite his involvement in a hotel brawl at the World Cup in England.
The NRL Integrity Unit was to investigate the incident but has had no assistance from tournament organisers or witnesses.
Radley was involved in a physical clash with Ireland international James Bentley after his England side was knocked out of the tournament by Samoa. At the time, onlookers suggested Radley had acted in self-defence.
SUPERCARS BASH TAKES UGLY TURN
The Supercars held their gala dinner in the function centre at Adelaide Oval last week — lots of glamour, black ties, fancy frocks and Jon Stevens as the entertainment.
Then it turned ugly late in the night. Around 11pm two leading drivers — Jake Kostecki and Scott Pye — had a full-on physical exchange.
Startled guests watched on as they first traded insults — and then went for it.
“It looked like they’d had a few to drink,” said a witness.
“They started yelling at each other. Then it got physical and they were on the ground wrestling. Other guests stepped in to separate them.”
We spoke to Pye yesterday who denied anything had happened, which was surprising considering three others confirmed the story.
“Nothing happened,” Pye said, “There was no altercation.”
LARA BATS ON IN THE BOX
West Indies legend Brian Lara has made a huge impression with his commentary on Fox Sports during the Test matches. So much so that the network has now decided to keep him in Australia for the BBL tournament. Fox Sports also has South African great Shaun Pollock arriving to join its commentary team for the series against Australia, starting at the Gabba next weekend.
RUGBY LEAGUE LEGEND’S BRAVE HEATH BATTLE OVER
—Dean Ritchie
A player who famously contested the inaugural State of Origin game – and infamously holds the record for rugby league’s longest suspension – has died.
Former Western Suburbs hard man Bob Cooper passed away aged 67 from cancer on Friday night.
Cooper was fighting his battle in a Sydney hospital.
Former teammates have expressed deep sadness of Cooper’s death with ex-Wests halfback Josh White, a member of the Magpies Old Boys group, saying: “Bob was a legend at the Magpies on and off the field.
‘“It is a big loss for the club – he was a great man and will be fondly remembered by all the Western Suburbs players and supporters.”
Cooper – who played 81 games for Wests between 1977 and 1982 – was NSW’s second rower in the first State of Origin game at Lang Park back in 1980.
Perhaps unfairly, Cooper will be remembered for a horror moment during a match against Illawarra back in 1982.
Cooper threw three punches, one breaking the cheekbone and nose of Steelers player Lee Pomfret.
Under the old NSWRL regime, which was determined to clean up the game, Cooper was suspended for a marathon 15 months.
At the time, NSWRL judiciary chairman Jim Comans said: “Acts such as these must be obliterated from the game, and I’ll begin by obliterating you.”
While suspended, Cooper played Australian Rules before returning to rugby league with the North Sydney Bears in 1984.
Coach unleashes blistering NRL attack
Outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has taken aim at the NRL as he launched a scathing attack on the controversial Bunker system.
NRL pull late schedule change because of AFL
The NRL has reportedly pulled a late finals scheduling switch to avoid a clash with the AFL, leaving two clubs hard done by.