Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Erin Molan rejects offer to move into politics
Why isn’t the NRL supporting the genuine pay claims of female players? The women need and deserve a strong and long-term financial investment.
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SINNER
The lack of support in rugby league for elite female players is a disgrace. The NRL keeps handing over millions of dollars in extra funding to the 16 clubs but then sits back to watch them butcher the money on coach sackings and administrative blunders. Yet it refuses to support the genuine pay claims of female players. The women need and deserve a strong and long-term financial investment.
SAINT
A wonderful night for Australian boxing on Wednesday with Tim Tszyu moving a step closer to a world title fight and his Japanese opponent Takeshi Inoue showing extraordinary courage to go the distance in front of a full house at Qudos Bank Arena. The promotion and TV coverage was world class.
SHOOSH
A push from powerful Parramatta figures for retired Channel 9 broadcaster and Eels legend Peter Sterling to take on a part-time role in recruitment and retention. He’d provide much better value than having two bean counters — chairman Sean McElduff and CEO Jim Sarantinos — on a committee desperate for footy expertise and an ability to recognise the value of players.
SPOTTED
Former Channel 9 Footy Show star Beau Ryan at a long lunch at Sealevel restaurant in Cronulla with Sharks chairman Steve Mace and board member Dave “Subway” Nicholson.
SPOTTED
Penrith’s 1991 premiership-winning side at a 30-year reunion on Sydney Harbour on Friday on a cruise organised by multi-millionaire ex-Panther Lou Zivanovic.
SPOTTED
Ex-NRL boss Todd Greenberg at Mackay Oval in Centennial Park playing in the Sunday T20 cricket competition with his three brothers Glen, Casey and Chad, plus his son Cooper and nephew Jake. Todd even convinced his dad John to put on the creams to ensure a full team sheet of Greenbergs on the batting order.
SPOTTED
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly on patrol duties for Clovelly SLSC over the weekend.
SPOTTED
Any wonder he almost joined the Sharks … Roosters recruit Paul Momirovski a long way from Bondi and looking relaxed walking his dog on the Cronulla Esplanade on Tuesday.
SPOTTED
Luke Keary and Lindsay Collins back at Roosters training several weeks early from ACL surgery to work out with the club’s younger players and new recruits.
ERIN’S OFFER TO JOIN LIBERALS
Channel Nine star Erin Molan has rejected an offer to move into politics.
News Corp can reveal powerful Liberal Party figures recently approached the TV and FM radio host about taking on the seat of Eden-Monaro at the next federal election.
The 38-year-old knocked back the offer because of her media commitments. She is under contract for another two years at 2DAY FM and is currently in talks with Nine regarding a contract extension.
Molan declined to comment when approached by News Corp.
Erin’s father, Jim Molan, is a Liberal Senator for NSW and former Army major general.
Eden-Monaro, which stretches from Yass to the NSW south coast, is the electorate Molan grew up in and, despite being a famous bellwether seat, is currently held by the Labor Party.
Molan has already made her mark with politicians in Canberra, including PM Scott Morrison. She led a fierce campaign against cyber bullying last year which resulted in new legislation and fines of up to $111,000 for individuals who abuse, threaten or intimidate.
FOX SPORTS STAR YVONNE SAMPSON TO BECOME A MUM
Yvonne Sampson will be missing from the opening rounds of next year’s NRL premiership.
And the NRL 360 host has a pretty decent excuse … she is expecting!
Vonny is due to give birth not long after the NRL kick-off.
This is the first child for the presenter and her husband — Channel 9 political reporter Chris O’Keefe — who is already inquiring about little him or her becoming a St George Illawarra Dragons member.
The poor kid.
Vonny, 40, is naturally over the moon.
“We’ve always hoped for a family and we feel so grateful to have this opportunity,” she said.
“I’ve had so much love and joy from everyone at Fox, especially Lara (Pitt) and Jess (Yates) who are a phenomenal support network. Our boss Steve Crawley will have more babies than retired footy players at Fox next season.
“I’m due early April, so I will be able to enjoy the start of next season at home as a fan.”
O’Keefe is as proud as any soon-to-be-dad.
There just won’t want to be an election or major political story breaking around April when he’ll be learning all about sleepless nights and 3am nappy changes.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to be parents,” he said.
“We’re both very excited and thankful.
“All we can hope for is a healthy and happy baby.
“The only sticking point we’ve had so far is how quickly I am allowed to sign the baby up as a member of the St George Illawarra Dragons.”
HADLEY TIPPED TO MAKE COMEBACK
The rumour will not go away that 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley will make a comeback on Channel 9’s commentary team next year.
It is apparently part of a broadcast box revamp in which Nine has promised the NRL they will deliver the footy in a more positive manner.
Hadley hasn’t called on the network since 2019 when he was ‘parked’ by Nine’s head of sport Brett Thompson, despite being under contract.
Veteran Ray Warren is expected to continue calling in very much a part-time arrangement. This would mean Hadley sharing most of the commentary with Matt Thompson and Peter Psaltis.
Hadley insists he has had no contact with Nine but others have revealed his name has been regularly mentioned in negotiations with the NRL over the new TV rights deal.
A REAL PAINE FOR PRINTERS
Publishers of Cricket Australia’s souvenir Ashes guide are facing a costly exercise following the resignation of Tim Paine as captain over the sexting scandal.
Thousands of copies – with Paine’s photo on the front page – have already been printed and delivered to outlets.
Paine even writes the ‘Official Welcome’ at the start of the magazine.
“Ultimately, we want to inspire young boys and girls to play and love the game,” he writes.
“We represent them every time we put on an Australian cap. Have a great summer. We promise to make you proud.”
The magazine is on sale for $10. We’re predicting the publishers Citrus Media and Cricket Australia will be recalling the mags and replacing Paine with Pat Cummins on the cover.
LEGENDS IN POLITICS
A couple of former rugby league superstars are trying to enter politics.
Old Sydney Roosters legend Russell Fairfax and former South Sydney Rabbitohs captain John Sutton are standing as independents for the upcoming Randwick council elections.
Both won grand finals in footy days – Fairfax in 1975 with the Roosters and Sutton skippered the Rabbitohs to victory in 2014.
Both also have colourful backgrounds ... Sutton was once a Maroubra Bra Boy and Fairfax was once barred from Eastern Suburbs Leagues club because his hair was too long.
Fairfax, 69, is a life member of the Coogee Wombats and a Randwick rugby legend.
“I just want to get in there and help out the locals the best I can,” he said.
AWARD AFTER ASSAULT
The North Sydney Bears have handed out their annual awards for community service. Nothing unusual except that the winner of the senior women’s community award was Nita Maynard.
This is the same Nita Maynard who pleaded guilty in May to assaulting two security guards after refusing to leave Northies. Her convictions were quashed on appeal.
MOODY DUCKING FOR COVER AFTER WARNER SACKING
Dave Warner was sensationally sacked from Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL just a few months before his World Cup heroics for Australia in Dubai.
The franchise’s director of cricket, Tom Moody, is now ducking for cover and palming us off to coach Trevor Bayliss for an explanation. We spoke to both on Friday about the embarrassment of their decision.
Buzz: I’m doing a story on Dave Warner. Just wanted to discuss what happened to him in the IPL and why you got rid of him?
Moody: Look it’s all in the past and there’s been enough said. I’ve got nothing to say.
Buzz: Do you admit you made a big mistake?
Moody: I’ve got nothing to say.
Buzz: But why can’t you explain why you punted him?
Moody: There’s more to it than what you’re obviously looking at.
Buzz: That’s unfair to say there’s more to it. It’s casting an aspersion that something might have happened.
Moody: I spoke about it at the time, there’s nothing to add.
Buzz: You’re not embarrassed by what’s happened?
Moody: What sort of comment is that?
Buzz: I’m asking you in light of him being named Player of the Tournament T20 World Cup, are you embarrassed? It’s an important story and a fair question.
Moody: Do I have to comment every week or every day something happens? Is that what you expect? Why don’t you ring Trevor Bayliss, he’s the coach of the side.
Buzz: And what was your position?
Moody: I was the director of cricket. If you don’t even know what my position is …
Buzz: So you’re the hire-and-fire man.
Moody: If you want any further information speak to the coach.
Which we did, but still couldn’t get a proper reason why. Bayliss was at least friendlier.
Buzz: Tom Moody has suggested I ring you about the Dave Warner sacking.
Bayliss: Yeah, he would. It’s probably better if I don’t say anything.
Buzz: Are you embarrassed though?
Bayliss: Not from my point of view, no. I’m not going to say anything other than I’ve got no problems with Davey and I was very happy for him at the World Cup.
Stranded Cowboys ask NRL for charter flight to avoid finals farce
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