Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Peter V’landys and Gil McLachlan meet at Randwick races
The tragic passing of Tommy Raudonikis has brought back memories of the greatest larrikins in rugby league history.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Check out all the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.
SAINT
Jake Friend’s comeback to win three premierships and captain the Roosters after being deregistered and having his contract torn up in 2009 is one of the game’s most inspiring stories. This guy should be employed in the NRL welfare department. He should tell his tale to every youngster in the game that you can stuff up in life but still make the most of a second chance.
Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
SINNER
Sharks/Newtown prop Andrew Fifita floored Canberra five-eighth Matt Frawley with a vicious high shot in Canterbury Cup last week. Somehow the NSWRL judiciary decided it was only a grade-one dangerous contact. He misses ZERO games. In the NRL he would have copped a minimum four weeks.
All Andrew Fifita got for this hit was 90 carryover points 😳
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 8, 2021
But he should have been handed at least four weeks, writes James Hooper
👉 https://t.co/EmUrSWxg4Dpic.twitter.com/fdMzhQCiqo
SHOOSH
The NRL remains fully committed to introducing a 17th team in Brisbane for 2023 despite constant talk there aren’t enough quality players for an extra team. There is more concern at NRL headquarters about the AFL’s growth in Brisbane in TV ratings and participation since the city hosted the 2020 AFL finals during the COVID-19 crisis.
SPOTTED
Warring footy bosses Peter V’landys and Gil McLachlan finally came face-to-face at Randwick on Saturday at The Championships ... and it wasn’t in the carpark. McLachlan was there as a guest of NSW stadiums boss and GWS chairman Tony Shepherd. The pair eventually saw eye-to-eye but only when V’landys jumped on a chair.
SPOTTED
Don’t worry about James Tedesco v Ryan Papenhuyzen when Melbourne Storm play the Sydney Roosters next weekend. The best storyline is Coach Cronk v Consultant Cronk. What will he tell Sam Walker about Jahrome Hughes? And what will he tell Hughes about Walker?
SPOTTED
Penrith and Queensland Origin star Kurt Capewell among a huge cheer squad from Ipswich to watch 18-year-old Sam Walker’s debut at the SCG last week.
SPOTTED
What a difference 12 months can make on a healthy diet and good exercise plan. Radio 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley looks 100 in the photo on the left before the benefits of a better lifestyle kicked in. Hadley has lost 20kg and his belt size has shrunk from 42 to 34.
NINE STILL KEEN ON NRL RIGHTS
Channel 9 management has given its first indication that the network wants to keep rugby league.
Nine’s current deal expires at the end of next season and there has been strong interest from rivals Channel 7 and Channel 10.
Nine pulled out of cricket two years ago and there had been fears they would do the same with the NRL as part of cost cutting.
However, the network’s new chief executive, Mike Sneesby, is a keen footy fan and has spoken for the first time about a new rights deal.
“NRL have been valued partners of Nine for over 30 years,” Sneesby said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with them on our next rights deal.”
Fox Sports is already locked in for the next seven years.
PODCAST: Buzz, Mick and Mobbsy pay tribute to the late, great Tommy Raudonikis, celebrate Jake Friend’s career, try to fix the Bulldogs and Buzz vows to critique Mick’s radio credentials ... and of course, towards the end of this episode, everyone’s favourite segment - Thursday night food orders.
EELS ARMY 30,000 STRONG
The Parramatta Eels have surged past 30,000 members for the first time in the club’s history. This is a remarkable achievement and now the highest figure in the NRL.
The membership will bring in more than $4 million revenue and secures the Eels’ financial position as one of the strongest in the game. Their three-top membership categories have all completely sold out and there is now a waiting list.
This is why independent commission chairman Peter V’landys is lobbying hard for the state government to build more facilities like Bankwest Stadium across Sydney.
New boutique venues at Brookvale, Liverpool and in southern Sydney would ensure Manly, the Bulldogs, Wests Tigers, Sharks and Dragons can attract similar membership growth and financial security.
TOMMY’S MAD MOB: LEAGUE’S GREATEST TEAM OF CHARACTERS
The passing of the great Tommy Raudonikis brought memories rushing back of the greatest larrikins in rugby league history.
The maddest of the madmen.
If you were picking a team Tommy would be captain-coach of the craziest characters.
Sadly, no modern-day player goes anywhere near making the team in this era of social media, mobile phone cameras and political correctness.
An era when Cronulla Sharks forward Toby Rudolf recently got an official warning for a lighthearted comment on the Matty Johns Show.
Tommy and his mad mates would be getting weekly warnings if the same rules applied back in his day when colourful characters were such a huge part of rugby league.
Noel Kelly getting sent off 17 times for Western Suburbs. Cliffy Lyons loving a bunger and smoking in the sheds at half-time.
“Mad Dog” Adam MacDougall talking to his thighs before running out, or “Alfie” Langer playing one of his practical jokes, no matter the seriousness of the situation.
Johnny Raper being out to all hours on a Friday night but still turning up next day to be man of the match at the SCG.
Ah, those were the days.
Tommy’s nearest and dearest gathered in the backyard of old mate Col Murphy’s Newtown home on Saturday for a wake.
“That was Tommy’s favourite bar — Col’s backyard,” John Singleton said. “He loved it.”
They watched Singo’s nag Libertini in the T.J. Smith at Randwick. But this was all about the wonderful old Tommy stories. Laughs and a few tears.
“It’s been unbelievable,” Singo said. “There’s been more Tommy in the papers than Harvey Norman ads. He’d have been shocked if he’d known how huge the reaction has been.”
LEAGUE’S CRAZY CHARACTERS
1 ‘Lord’ Ted Goodwin
2 Adam MacDougall
3 Terry Hill
4 Ronnie ‘Rambo’ Gibbs
5 Wendell Sailor
6 Cliffy Lyons
7 Tommy Raudonikis ©
8 ‘Spudd’ Carroll
9 Noel Kelly
10 ‘Dallas’ Donnelly
11 Terry Regan
12 Arthur Beetson
13 Johnny Raper
Bench
14 ‘Alfie’ Langer
15 Darrell Bampton
16 ‘Blocker’ Roach
17 ‘Fatty’ Vautin
Coach: Jack Gibson
Referee: Greg Hartley
Bunker: Barry Gomersall
FRIEND STRUGGLING
Jake Friend wasn’t at the Roosters game against Cronulla on Saturday night and is taking some personal time out.
He is such a proud and passionate clubman and is struggling after an emotional four weeks of weighing up medical advice and his career options.
There were plenty of tears as he broke the retirement news to teammates.
Friend has spent half his life at the Roosters after joining the club as a 15-year-old. The organisation is more like family than a football club to him.
STAR’S CALL FOR HELP
The family of Parramatta Eels teenager David Hollis had their farm on the Mid North Coast almost destroyed in the recent floods. The repair bills on the property far exceed $100,000 and they had no flood insurance.
Hollis has set up a GoFundMe page to help out his mum and dad. He is a proud country boy and has been given time off by coach Brad Arthur to head home whenever possible to help out. Details of the fundraiser are on Hollis’ Instagram page.
DRAGONS FIND SOME FIRE
St George Illawarra began the season as favourite to win the wooden spoon on the TAB at $3.75.
The Dragons under Anthony Griffin have since blown out to $34 on the back of three wins from four starts in a super impressive start to the season. They are even rated a rough hope of upsetting Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday evening.
The spoon market has now become a four-horse race between the Bulldogs ($3.10), Cowboys ($3.75), Sea Eagles ($4.25) and Broncos ($5).
DE BELIN IN COURT
Jack de Belin is back in court at the Downing Centre on Monday for his retrial, which is expected to take three weeks before a jury.
Despite not having played for two years, the St George Illawarra forward is said to be training strongly and will be ready for an immediate comeback if he can beat the sexual assault charges.
CALL FROM GUS HELPS SEIBOLD
Anthony Seibold has revealed it was Phil Gould who helped him through his darkest days after his sacking and social media drama last year at the Brisbane Broncos.
Seibold spoke on journalist Barry Toohey’s excellent podcast last week about Gould’s encouraging phone calls at the time.
“Phil Gould said something that really resonated with me when I was feeling pretty down,” Seibold said. “And that was, ‘don’t hide behind the curtains’.
“I probably wanted to hide, but then I thought I’ve still got something to offer.
‘So when Phil Gardner offered me a job as a consultant at the Knights I jumped at it. I love the game and I love coaching.”
More Coverage
‘Love him to death’: Moses’ impassioned plea to keep Brown at Parra
Speaking for the first time since taking over as Eels captain, Mitchell Moses has launched an impassioned plea to retain Dylan Brown, and revealed how Jason Ryles has transformed Parramatta.
Mass changes at Parramatta continue as Eels boss steps down
The major changes in leadership at Parramatta continue with chairman Sean McElduff stepping down from the role, just six months after appointing Jason Ryles as head coach.