Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Peter V’landys hosts Channel 10 boss
He's only been Canterbury head coach for a few months but already Trent Barrett has ruffled a few feathers over the handling of a sensitive case — check out the latest NRL chatter and more.
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SAINT
There are few more decent men in rugby league than Craig Fitzgibbon. After a decade as a player and a decade in coaching at the Sydney Roosters, Fitzgibbon became the 30th life member of the club last week in a fitting reward for his loyal services.
Friends, family and former teammates were on hand to witness Craig Fitzgibbon being presented with Life Membership to the Club📠#EastsToWinhttps://t.co/bp1SqkUgWC
— Sydney Roosters 📠(@sydneyroosters) February 26, 2021
SAINT
NRL clubs and players promoting the game in Albury, Lismore and Mudgee in weekend trials and doing some fantastic work in the local communities at schools and junior clubs.
SINNER
Surely the NRL will issue a life ban against ex-Broncos and Manly player Jamil Hopoate, who has pleaded guilty to horrific charges of striking his partner and spiting at security guards. According to police facts: “The strike was done with such force that it sent the victim stumbling backwards and caused her to fall to the ground.” He should never, ever play rugby league again.
SHOOSH
Unrest at the Canterbury Bulldogs between a number of players and coach Trent Barrett over the recent sacking of popular welfare manager Yvette Davey. The players believe Barrett could have — and should have — done more to save her job.
SHOOSH
Cameron Smith is making decent coin for an unemployed bloke. Smith hosted 20 corporates at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday talking about his life and times … for up to $5000 a head. Not a bad way to pocket $100,000 for a few hours’ work.
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SPOTTED
Commission chairman Peter V’landys hosting Channel 10’s co-CEO Jarrod Villani in his suite at Royal Randwick on Saturday. We told you recently about interest from the Ten and Seven networks to pinch free-to-air NRL television rights from long-time broadcasters Channel 9 when their contract finishes next year.
SPOTTED
Latrell Mitchell in thongs at the announcement of his new multimillion-dollar contract at South Sydney. No big deal but he could have at least whacked on joggers.
SPOTTED
Ex-Wallaby Bill Young has installed the biggest sports bar TV in Sydney — a huge 8m x 2.7m screen — to show all the big live sport at his latest pub venture, the Illinois hotel in Five Dock. He’ll also be serving up Belly Jack’s Nashville fried chicken and burgers from a food truck in the beer garden to go with all the popular beers on tap.
SPOTTED
Recently retired old Bulldogs and Dragons warhorse James Graham hobbling around the Shire on crutches.
SPOTTED
As he waits for another NRL head coaching opportunity, Shane Flanagan is involving himself in junior rugby league in the Shire. The Cronulla Sharks’ 2016 premiership coach has joined the Como Crocodiles to teach skills and drills for the coaches to use at training in the different age groups.
SPOTTED
Ex-Bulldogs winger and now player agent Cameron Phelps meeting his childhood hero, Canterbury league legend Terry Lamb, in a Revesby doctors’ surgery.
MCGREGOR’S COACHING COMEBACK
Paul “Mary” McGregor is making a coaching comeback, six months after his axing from the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The NSWRL has appointed McGregor to guide the next generation of Blues stars as coach of the Under 19s this season.
It will be McGregor’s first foray back into the coaching ranks since his exit from the Dragons, the club he left in August last year after six seasons.
McGregor will be partnered by former Bulldogs and Roosters prop Mark O’Meley as the NSW Under 19s team looks to avenge the 2019 loss to Queensland (there were no junior reps last year.)
“Mary was a great servant for NSW as a player and our Under 19s team will no doubt benefit from his pedigree as an experienced NRL coach,” NSWRL boss Dave Trodden said.
“One of the great things about our state is that we have no shortage of True Blues lining up to help with the development of players. Their investment will help set NSW up for future success.”
The NSWRL has also secured a host of former Blues players as coaches or officials in rep footy.
Former hardman Beau Scott will be the NSW Country coach, with Terry Campese acting as his assistant, Brett Kimmorley will coach the City Under 18s team, Trent Hodkinson the City Under 16s outfit while Steve Simpson will be the Country Under 16s manager.
All teams are in good hands.
MAORI HAKA GOES GLOBAL
The Haka has gone global with the sensational Maori battle cry at the All Stars game in Townsville last weekend attracting huge attention overseas.
It has been shared on huge American social media accounts, including ESPN’s @Sportscenter, which has 35.7 million followers.
The haka is one of the most iconic and powerful moments in global sport, and has become a highlight of the annual Harvey Norman #AllStars clash. Take a look at how this year's haka came together
— NRL.com (@NRLcom) February 22, 2021
WATCH: https://t.co/bzvaAAUTje#NRLpic.twitter.com/6vMIcrBvmw
It reached more than eight million people in the first 24 hours of its posting.
NFL players Kareem Jackson and Breiden Fehoko, actor Michael Blackson and international model Eriana Blanco all commented on the video.
The NRL posted the pre-game footage on TikTok and got an extraordinary seven million views.
GAL WANTS DRUG TESTS FOR BOXERS
Paul Gallen wants mandatory drug testing before his next bout with heavyweight Lucas Browne – and he’s even spoken to Sports Integrity Australia to try to make it happen.
The old rugby league warhorse is still stained from the Cronulla Sharks’ peptide scandal and Browne has twice tested positive to performance-enhancing substances during his 31-fight decade-long boxing career.
The pair will fight on April 21 at a venue still to be determined.
“I want us both to be drug tested,” Gallen said. “I actually spoke to ASADA (Sports Integrity Australia) about a month ago to inquire about it.
“They said they do Olympics and amateurs but not all professional fights. I don’t know why. We’ve both had issues, so why not?”
In America and the UK, drug-testing is mandatory on all big fight programs – but not in Australia.
You mention drugs to Gallen and he is still furious about what happened at the Sharks in 2011 and that those responsible for implementing the supplements program, in his opinion, avoided appropriate sanctions.
“I know there’s history at Cronulla and the stain is unfortunately still there,” Gallen said.
“I’ve had over 100 drug tests in my career and never tested positive to anything.
“I don’t know how many times Lucas has been tested but he’s gone positive twice.
“We all want a clean sport and a fair contest. That’s all I’m interested in.”
NRL PLAYERS AND CLUBS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
We speak all the time about the 99 per cent of NRL players who are great role models. We’ve had a couple of emails recently to back that up. Here are two examples of their wonderful work:
“My name is Glenn Buffolin and I coach the Illawarra Steelers SG Ball side. On Saturday we played at Canberra and our lock Phoenix Venatabua-Finerty suffered a serious knee injury. After the game, Ryan James approached me to ask if it would be OK to chat to Phoenix.
“Ryan had his 2 young sons with him and it was over 30 degrees and he could have just left, but being a great sportsman and role model, he hung around for 40 minutes to go into the shed and chat to the young fellow who was devastated.
“Ryan’s gesture and story to Phoenix lifted his spirits straight away. Guys like this deserve the recognition for being great blokes and leaders in our game.
Thanks, Glenn Buffolin.”
And here’s another one about the Sydney Roosters reaching out to the community on their northern NSW training camp:
“Good Afternoon Phil, Just a quick note to bring to your attention the Sydney Roosters and their attendance at our Junior League rego day held on the Northern Rivers.
“The Roosters sent players to all clubs in the region, where they played touch, posed for photos, signed autographs etc. Nothing was a problem and all was done with a smile. As a parent and volunteer this kind of involvement in this region is near non-existent, and for this club to reach out and offer their support was a wonderful example of the impact these players can have on young kids and the code.
“In a code where negativity can be quickly reported, I thought I would share some good news of a rugby league club and their players doing some great PR. The players were indeed a credit to their club and the code.
Kind regards, Mark.”
MELLOR CONSIDERS LEGAL ACTION
Former Cronulla and Souths NRL star Paul Mellor is considering legal action against NSW police after having domestic violence charges from last year thrown out of court. He was fully acquitted in what his lawyer described as an “emphatic victory,” before adding: “Mr Mellor is now considering commencing civil action against the NSW Police.”
LIFTING LID ON ARKO’S SECRETS
Manly will honour its club godfather Ken Arthurson in a two-part documentary as part of their 75th anniversary celebrations this season.
Arko, 91, will arrive in Sydney from the Gold Coast on Monday for filming. The Sea Eagles have secured ex-player, old media legend and Arko’s great mate Peter ‘Zorba’ Peters to interview the legendary boss.
Arko did 20 seasons at Manly, overseeing a period in which the Sea Eagles made eight grand finals and won four premierships. Many of the great stories about his old chequebook wars and the tactics he used to sign the biggest names in rugby league will be revealed.
CASHED UP CHOOKS
The Panthers, Bulldogs and Eels were once the perennial financial giants of the Sydney-based NRL clubs.
These days it’s the Sydney Roosters.
The club last week announced a stunning profit of $7.5 million at their AGM. This is a remarkable result considering COVID-19.
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.