Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: The bizarre Bulldogs’ bluff that fooled nobody
Canterbury have been exposed over an embarrassing leak – and an even more bizarre bluff that blew up in their faces. Find out more in the No.1 sport gossip column.
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The Canterbury Bulldogs are going to desperate lengths to pump up their underperforming players – even if it means fabricating quotes from rival teams.
Two weeks ago we were leaked a picture of a sign stuck on the wall from inside the Belmore dressing sheds before they played the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.
There were ‘quotes’ from Adam O’Brien, Jackson Hastings and Phoenix Crossland, talking down the Bulldogs in the hope it would motivate the Canterbury players.
Jackson Hastings on the 66-0 win over the Bulldogs earlier in the season: “It was like a training run.”
Adam O’Brien on Bradman Best being injured: “He probably could play Sunday but we didn’t think it was worth the risk.”
Phoenix Crossland: “A home final would be insane. I’m sure it’s in the back of everyone’s minds.”
Turns out these ‘quotes’ were a complete fabrication. Someone at the Bulldogs actually made them up.
Not that it helped either. They were flogged 42-6.
It’s interesting in that the Bulldogs are now conducting an inquiry into how the sign was leaked to this masthead.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo is also trying to find the person from inside the Bulldogs who leaked to us that Tevita Pangai Jnr was walking out on the club 10 days ago.
It was embarrassing for the Bulldogs because when your columnist broke the story not even chief executive Aaron Warburton or chairman John Khoury were aware of what had happened.
The irony is that the Bulldogs are such experts themselves at selective media leaking.
Especially Gus Gould and his stablemate at Channel 9 who is regularly getting drops on the few positive stories out of Belmore in another forgettable season.
This one about the sign and the quotes is one they didn’t want out.
SAINTS
Wayne Bennett, Cameron Smith, Gorden Tallis, Matty Johns, Des Hasler, Vince Sorrenti, Ray Hadley, Peter Psaltis and all the stars who turned up for a fundraiser in Brisbane at Gambaro Hotel on Friday for teenager Joseph Pouniu, the Titans rookie who is now a quadriplegic after a shocking footy accident earlier this year.
SINNER
The success of the Matildas at the World Cup has highlighted Rugby Australia’s lack of respect and investment for their elite female players. We’re hearing a number of disgruntled Wallaroos are thinking of jumping ship to the NRLW next year.
SHOOSH
Which football GM had a blazing face-to-face row with a player agent last week around the future of an underperforming NRL player.
SHOOSH
There has been a rumour in recent days that Canberra Raiders star Jack Wighton was ready to backflip on his contract at the South Sydney Rabbitohs. It could not be further from the truth. Wighton actually text messaged Souths chief executive Blake Solly to say it was complete rubbish.
SHOOSH
The annual Charity Shield match is unlikely to go ahead in Mudgee next year. The Rabbitohs are reluctant to have an out-of-town game in the week before they leave for Las Vegas. The game is more likely to be played in Sydney.
SHOOSH
Curtis Scott v Dylan Walker – we’re hearing it’s going to be the next big footballers’ fight under the banner of No Limit boxing in November.
SPOTTED
Broncos legend and Fox Sports commentator Corey Parker leaving NRL headquarters after an advertising shoot in a VIP limousine headed for Sydney airport.
SPOTTED
Alex McKinnon lapping up the atmosphere and sitting on the hill in his wheelchair at McDonald Jones Stadium for the Knights’ magnificent win over the Rabbitohs.
SPOTTED
Dumped former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper walking the dog along Manly’s Corso when he should have been preparing to play France.
DANGER WITH STICKING BY INCUMBENTS
You’ve got to admire Mal Meninga’s loyalty to the Kangaroos who won last year’s Rugby League World Cup final in the UK.
However we appear to have a situation in which players in far better form than the incumbents from that tournament will be missing out when the Australian side is chosen to play New Zealand and Samoa.
Mal is already on record as saying James Tedesco will be fullback and captain ahead of Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Edwards.
Surprisingly he’s also all but guaranteed Latrell Mitchell a jersey in the centres despite his poor form and fitness since returning from injury.
Does he really deserve it ahead of the likes of Bradman Best?
Will Ben Hunt keep the No. 14 jersey too when Ponga deserves it on form?
Will Reagan Campbell Gillard and Josh Addo-Carr hold their positions too?
Surely green and gold jerseys in most cases should be handed out to the best players in the country.
As captain Tedesco deserves to retain his spot.
But, as for the others, they should not be guaranteed a jersey.
DOG SHOT FOR GUNDAGAI IN BUSH FARCE
Fans often complain about the lack of integrity in the NRL draw.
That some teams can get an easier run and softer schedule than others.
It’s nothing compared with how bad it is in bush football – especially in Riverina’s Group 9 comp where the draw is a farce.
This year Gundagai has missed out on the finals despite winning two more games than the fifth-placed side Albury Thunder.
The group has a ridiculous situation in which some teams got four byes, while the Gundagai boys only got two.
Albury got through by having four wins and four byes.
Gundagai secretary Marty Hay has been in charge at the club for more than 10 years.
“Seriously, a lot of people are unhappy about it,” he said.
“The game’s dying. We’ve lost the Cootamundra Bulldogs, the Tumbarumba Greens, Adelong-Batlow Bears, Wagga Brothers and Junee are on their knees.
“Where does it stop?”
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