South Sydney suspect the Roosters could be behind Sam Burgess drama; plus ratings a winner for women’s game
AS they head into Saturday’s preliminary final with a cloud over some of their biggest stars, the Rabbitohs are certain the mischief makers behind the NRL investigation are none other than the Sydney Roosters.
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THE most explosive chapter yet is about to be written in South Sydney’s famous Book of Feuds.
As they head into Saturday’s preliminary final with a cloud over the names of some of their biggest stars the Rabbitohs are certain the mischief makers behind the entire NRL investigation are none other than the Sydney Roosters.
Evidence is provided by the fact that despite the incident happening in May and her making a complaint to the Rabbitohs at that time, she approached The Daily Telegraph on the Monday after their qualifying final loss to Melbourne — which put them on the Roosters side of the draw. They also argue the woman making the allegations has links to the Roosters through her brother. Her family are solid Roosters supporters.
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The possibility that Sam Burgess was set up by the Roosters is thick in the conversation among Rabbitohs insiders. The offending images were on Burgess’s social media account. The Roosters have heard it and laugh it off as typical South Sydney paranoia.
The Rabbitohs argue but they would, wouldn’t they.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson dismissed the conspiracy theory, telling one club official, “I don’t care if they play all four Burgess brothers.”
Fourth brother Luke is playing for Salford in England, so unlikely.
Interestingly, the gold watch being worn in the image is no longer owned by the player who, apparently, gave it to a teammate as a gift.
BAD MONDAY FOR FASHION
WE are pleased to report that the Dragons players enjoyed themselves — and offended no one — when they happily mingled with punters as they let their hair down on Mad Monday. Best dressed went to speedy fullback Matt “Duffman” Dufty.
Just two days later backrower Tariq Sims had surgery to repair his knee injury and he could need up to six months to recover. In other news, retiring winger Jason Nightingale won’t be lost to the Red V but will stay on with St George Illawarra as an ambassador of the club.
RATINGS GAME COULD BE A WINNER FOR WOMEN
THE NRL will be watching with interest the ratings on grand final day — not just when it comes to the main game but also the other matches.
The inaugural Holden Women’s Premiership grand final will be the first match on the day, kicking off at 1.35pm, with the Intrust Super State Championship — between the winners of the NSW and Queensland Cup competitions — slated as the second match at 3.40pm, following the formula of previous years when the state-based grand final has been before the men’s decider.
But following the success of the women’s premiership, officials at head office may find themselves under pressure to give the women’s grand final a more prominent billing.
The women’s premiership has averaged 215,000 across free to air and subscription TV, while an average of 12,000 have watched the games from the venue during the finals series.
It’s difficult to achieve a like-for-like comparison with the annual state championship due to the women’s competition being in a shortened format, but if the women’s decider achieves strong ratings on grand final day, there will no doubt be a push for it to sit just before the NRL grand final.
LISTEN! Nick Campton and Tim Wiliams preview the preliminary finals and celebrate the return of a legend.
You can download the League Central podcast on iTunes.
HAPPY PRIOR SPRINGS TO HIS OWN DEFENCE
HE may have run for the least metres of any starting prop to have played more than 30 minutes this year but Matt Prior isn’t fussed.
The Cronulla front-rower finished the opening finals match against the Roosters with just 20 metres from two runs, which was severely down on his average this year of 104m per game.
But Prior said it was all part of his plan.
“I went into the game with more of a defensive mindset and to throw everything into it defensively,” Prior said.
“I thought I did that and on top of that my attack suffered. I thought my defence was one of the best it’s been all year.
“I’m lucky to have Andrew Fifita and Paul Gallen next to me who can have 15 to 20 carries. If they can pick up the workload there, I can do a bit extra in defence.”
Prior made 108m in 11 carries against Penrith last week after coach Shane Flanagan said he needed to do more with the ball.
“He did say that I needed more in attack,” Prior said. “If you’re doing a lot in defence, something is going to suffer.
“Last weekend I made more hit-ups than tackles. Hopefully this week I can get a good even spread.
“I’m not big into stats but I like to get over 100m. That’s pretty good.”
GROUNDS FOR NOSTALGIA AT SFS
THEY were once the fiercest of rivals but South Sydney legends Mario Fenech and Michael Andrews were joined by ex-Rabbitoh and Rooster Craig Wing and former Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello for one of the final times at Allianz Stadium on Thursday.
While the quartet will be on hand to witness the knockout clash between the Roosters and Souths tonight, they had a chance to reflect on past deeds at the venue ahead of what will be the final rugby league match played at the Sydney Football Stadium before it is knocked down.
TWO COACHES UNLIKELY CONFIDANTS
THEIR teams share the fiercest rivalry of any modern-day NRL clubs.
But Sharks coach Shane Flanagan and his Storm counterpart Craig Bellamy share a unique bond.
The pair speak often after Flanagan assisted Bellamy during his three-year stint as NSW Blues State of Origin coach.
The duo put aside any on-field differences for a frank one-hour chat midway through this season.
“I respect him,” Flanagan said. “He is one of the best coaches I’ve had some involvement with.
“I spoke to him about how he handled Billy (Slater) and Ryan Hoffman retiring and what conversations he had about that.
“It was completely different to what I had with Gal (Paul Gallen). Gal wanted me to make the decision for him but I wasn’t comfortable with that. Gal needed to make it.
“Having that conversation with Craig reinforced my decision in the end and it needed to be Gal to make the decision if he wanted to play on. I talk to Trent Barrett regularly and Craig every now and then.”
Flanagan said the bitterness between the two clubs stemmed from their similar traits.
“They have had great success for a long period of time,” Flanagan said.
“I want to be a top-four team consistently and win competitions. We’ve won our first and we want to keep winning more.
“Melbourne were the team on top of the mantle and we needed to knock them off and we did. That was a long time ago now.”
GET ON BOARD TO LIFT DROUGHT SPIRITS
THE Men of League Foundation is calling on current and former first grade players to offer their time and support to check in with people in drought-stricken regional areas of NSW.
Five buses will depart Sydney on Friday, October 5, and head to a rural town for three days.
The tour will provide much-needed support and good cheer to those in regional areas of the state who have struggled during one of the worst droughts in Australia’s history.
The tours will venture to Glen Innes, Inverell and Armidale; to Coolah, Cassilis/Merriwa and Scone; to Narromine, Gilgandra and Mudgee; to Parkes, Cowra and Forbes; and the final bus will depart for Griffith and surrounding townships.
Each bus will contain at least 10 first grade rugby league players to assist with running events for young local rugby league fans, signing sessions and barbecues. Contact: wellbeing@menofleague.com
STILL A FAN FAVOURITE
SUTHERLAND hosted about 4000 people when they faced a touring New Zealand cricket team in 2008 at Glenn McGrath Oval, and club officials are tipping Steve Smith’s return to topple that.
It will be 1456 days since Smith last played for his junior club, when he made a handy 42.
He will be reunited at Sutherland with former Test teammate Shane Watson for at least the first month of the Sydney grade cricket season, before Watson leaves to play in a T10 tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
MAN TANGLES WITH HORNET
ANTHONY Mundine’s bout with Jeff Horn will be confirmed next week. The pair will fight at Suncorp Stadium on November 30 in what will be Horne’s first appearance at the venue since beating Manny Pacquiao last year.
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FORMER Eels captain Nathan Cayless could be on the move to New Zealand as part of the Warriors’ coaching staff.
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LUKE Lewis’s career has gone full circle in recent weeks. He beat former club Penrith last week and now he faces the Storm — the club he made his debut against in 2001 — in what could be his final match.
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