Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Why Molan/Johns feud couldn’t be hushed up, PNG’s Air Wayne proposition
A decision has been made on whether the controversial navy blue NSW Origin strip will make an appearance in this year’s series. Plus, a former Shark’s frugal lifestyle pays off.
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NSW has dumped the controversial navy blue jersey for this year’s State of Origin series.
The players will instead wear the traditional sky-blue jumper in all three games this season, after a backlash last year from Blues fans accusing the NSWRL of putting commercialism ahead of tradition.
It was seen as a cash grab to entice fans to buy two jerseys – although sports stores reported sluggish sales of the navy blue strip.
Sponsors Westpac and the NSWRL were left to deal with a social media storm before the Origin match in Adelaide, where the players wore the new jersey.
Former NRL star’s frugal lifestyle
Former footy star Jason Stevens is the best advertisement for a lifestyle without flash cars, drinking, drugs and gambling.
It allowed the former Sharks and Dragons enforcer to put all his rugby league earnings into a beautiful beachfront home in Cronulla in 1999, paying $1.23 million.
That house is now for sale, with expectations of around the $8 million mark.
“We’ve always had people knocking on the door wanting to buy the house, and it’s increased lately,” Stevens said.
“So we’ve decided to test the market to see what’s out there.
“Don’t give it too much publicity … a lot of mates are already ringing and saying they’ll never shout me a coffee again once it’s sold.”
Not that Stevens has always been flush with money and assets.
“I grew up in a very modest home,” he said. “My dad left when we were very young.
“Mum fought tooth and nail and went without a lot for us. She taught me the value of looking after your money, budgeting and planning for the future.”
Stevens has always been careful with his cash.
Sadly, many players from his era did their money on alcohol, drugs and gambling – and now have nothing to show from their careers.
“Fortunately, I avoided all that,” he said.
“I’ve never been into stuff like expensive cars.
“When my grandfather passed away, I drove his old Mitsubishi Magna for years.
“It got me around for my whole career. I loved the sentimental aspect of it.
“Even now, I’ve got a terrible old car. I’d rather put my money into property.”
Stevens is now involved in the entertainment industry as a TV host, screenwriter and actor.
He wrote and produced Chasing Comets and made his directing debut with the film Finally Me, which was picked up by CBS and Amazon Prime.
He and wife Bec have a son, Presley, 5.
The sale is being handled by Mat Blak property in the Sutherland Shire.
MOLAN/JOHNS FEUD COULDN’T BE HUSHED UP
We first revealed the story of Erin Molan’s falling out with Andrew Johns at Channel 9 in this column several years ago.
Erin’s decision to speak publicly about Johns’ behaviour on her 2Day FM breakfast show during the week brings back nasty memories of the story.
Not everyone wanted Johns to be exposed.
I was slammed by certain Channel 9 and 2GB males for writing it. To this day I have not spoken to one in particular.
And life is much better without him.
But here was an Immortal of the game, getting well paid by Channel 9, but refusing to work alongside a very capable female host on The Footy Show and various panels.
Erin was not quoted in the story and didn’t want a fuss made of it.
But she was deeply hurt, and I cannot cover up stories like this one.
That Channel 9 executives allowed it to happen was a disgrace.
Questioned by 2Day FM co-host Dave Hughes about Johns during the week, Molan said: “I feel sick now. It upsets me a lot because I never understood why.
“I reached out a few times over the years to try and talk or ask why, and if there was a reason I could think of I would understand.
“But I guess not everyone is going to like you.”
Molan has been kicking goals ever since leaving Nine.
She hosts a show on Sky News, writes a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph and hosts breakfast radio.
Johns has never spoken about the feud.
I’ve asked him several times over the years but keep getting “no comment”.
It’s a shame because he has an excellent working relationship with other Channel 9 females including Danika Mason, Emma Lawrence and Allana Ferguson.
* * * * *
SAINT
Axed Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou’s classy first interview with Dave Riccio in the Daily Tele: “I love the game, I love giving back to the game, and I don’t hold a bitterness towards South Sydney.” This man is all class.
SINNER
David Fifita’s mid-season contract circus. This guy joined the Titans in 2021 but has not delivered enough to justify his million-dollar salary. He owes the Titans big time for the remainder of the season.
SHOOSH
There’s no more Phil Gould five-year plans at Canterbury. It’s actually a 10-year cycle. In 1984, the Bulldogs won the comp. In 1994, they made the grand final. In 2004, they were premiers. In 2014, they were grand finalists, and in 2024 … who knows?
SPOTTED
Boxer Sam Goodman was a huge hit in Japan last week at the Naoya Inoue world title fight, in front of 50,000 fans. Goodman, who is a mandatory contender to fight Inoue, was mobbed wherever he went by Japanese fans wanting selfies. The south coast slugger is expected to fight for the world title in December.
SPOTTED II
Nine Entertainment heavyweights Mike Sneesby, Tom Malone and Ben Fordham at the Occidental Hotel, being entertained by former mayor of Gunnamatta Marty Downs with his Alan Jones impersonations.
SPOTTED III
There’s no stopping Bryan Fletcher. The multi-media personality was seen lounging at my desk — with his feet up — at News Corp in Surry Hills last week. Fletch is looking to expand from his prolific TV and radio gigs, and was apparently inquiring about becoming a newspaper columnist.
POLITIS PUTS $5M INTO CANCER CARE
Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis has privately donated $5m to St Vincent’s Hospital to establish a family cancer care and research initiative.
The gift will allow the hospital to employ a medical scientist focused on stem-cell transplantation to treat various cancers, and other specialists in medical research.
“It has always been important to my family to help make a difference in patient care and innovative medical services,” Politis told the hospital’s quarterly magazine.
The Roosters’ boss has privately been a long-time donor to other areas of St Vincent’s over the past decade.
FAMILY FIRST FOR GAGAI
Trent Robinson needed no introduction when he had contract talks with Knights centre Dane Gagai last week.
The pair had previously met at Randwick’s Prince of Wales children’s hospital back when Gagai was playing for South Sydney Rabbitohs.
It turns out that both men had sick children at the hospital at the same time.
One day, they spent hours chatting about life and footy.
Gagai looked likely to join the Roosters, but the challenge of uprooting his young family from Newcastle to Sydney was the deciding factor in sticking with the Knights.
CRUISING CAT LATEST TOY
We used to often write about former independent commission chairman John Grant and how he loved his expensive toys when he was driving a Maserati.
Grant told colleague Peter ‘Bomber’ Badel last week that he is now spending his leisure time on a 41ft catamaran, worth several hundred thousand dollars.
“I have bought a boat, it’s a 41-foot cruising cat,” Grant said. “It sleeps six people, it’s like a moving apartment, it’s great.
“I’m living a pretty good life, actually.”
GILBERT’S SURGERY DATE
Maroons forward Tom Gilbert has finally been cleared to undergo knee surgery, months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
Surgeons could not operate when he suffered the injury two months ago because of a blood-clotting issue.
He will have surgery on Monday and be available to play at the beginning of next season.
Gilbert has been working in the Dolphins’ commercial department, helping the club reach a record number of more than 30,000 memberships in just two seasons.
CLEARY’S SUPER BUT HERE’S THE FLAW
With three straight premierships, Ivan Cleary is now spoken about as an NRL super coach.
Yet his record in recruitment outside of the Panthers pathways isn’t great.
When at the Tigers, Josh Addo-Carr, Mitchell Moses, James Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Jeremy Marshall-King all left. Then, this week, he failed to deliver David Fifita to the Panthers.
Still, there’s no question Cleary and Craig Bellamy are the best in the business at developing their own talent.
HUMBLE HOLBROOK AND THE FIFITA COUP
Former Titans coach Justin Holbrook is refusing to take any credit for the signing of David Fifita at the Sydney Roosters.
It’s so typical of the humble Roosters assistant, who in 2021 convinced Fifita to quit Brisbane and join Gold Coast.
Fifita rated Holbrook so highly, he had a clause put in his Titans contract that he would become a free agent if the coach was ever moved on.
“I don’t want this to be about me,” Holbrook said when we talked on Friday. “I obviously like David and get on well with him, but I didn’t even know he had that clause at the Titans.
“I spoke to him a few times and said, ‘Mate, you can’t make the wrong decision with two great clubs like the Panthers and Roosters wanting you’.
“Obviously, I wanted him here at the Roosters, though. You’ve got to give him credit because he’s taken a decent pay cut.”
Holbrook’s been gold for the Roosters as attack coach, in a team that’s scored 100 points in its last two games.
Obviously head coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis played the biggest roles in the recruitment coup.
Politis said of Holbrook: “He’s a great guy, respected by all the players. There was that and the fact David played Australian schoolboys with Spencer Leniu (2017). They’ve been talking.
“Even Sam Verrills, his teammate on the Gold Coast, helped. Sam obviously wanted him to stay ... but said if you’re going to leave, the Roosters are a great club.”
BUNNIES TO MEET MASTER OF MAGIC
Souths boss Blake Solly will have a face-to-face meeting with Wayne Bennett in Brisbane next week before Magic Round, as pressure mounts on the Rabbitohs to get a deal done for the old super coach to join them next year.
There has been speculation that Bennett is also considering an NRL approach to take over the competition’s 18th franchise — expected to be announced as Papua New Guinea — in the next couple of months. They would enter the comp in 2027.
We’ve even heard a rumour that Bennett will be offered a private jet to travel between Brisbane and Port Moresby if he agrees to take on the PNG job.
Souths, however, are hoping they can convince Bennett to sign for three years.
The 74-year-old is coaching better than ever. His efforts this year with the Dolphins to be camped in the top four, despite an injury crisis, matches any of his great achievements in rugby league.
Some will laugh at that, considering his six premierships. But when he was winning titles at the Broncos, he had half the Queensland Maroons and Kangaroos rep sides.
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