Monday Buzz: Why Corey Norman’s pokies win was bad look for his two companions

NRL players have every right to let their hair down after a season in the bubble but Corey Norman’s pokies jackpot wasn’t a great look for two of his companions.

We keep hearing champion winger Josh Addo-Carr wants to play for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2022, not the Canterbury Bulldogs.

The photo of Addo-Carr and his manager Mario Tartak in a rival publication last week arriving at Belmore for talks with Trent Barrett and Andrew Hill was obviously staged.

It is all about showing the Rabbitohs there is interest elsewhere and that they better act quickly.

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What colours will NSW Origins star Josh Addo-Carr wear next season? Picture: Getty Images

We’re told Addo-Carr will accept less money to play at Souths, who will have a year to juggle their roster in order to accommodate the State of Origin winger after he revealed he would see out the final season of his Melbourne Storm deal.

He is extremely close to Dane Gagai, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell.

It is also the club from which he emerged as a local junior before stints at the Cronulla Sharks and Wests Tigers on the way to Melbourne Storm.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Addo-Carr also hammed it up for the camera of a fan recently, declaring “I would be at the Dogs next year” along with his new famous “let’s trot” catch line.

But rather than being a hint to Addo-Carr’s future, it seems more like one of the game’s great personalities having a bit of fun as his manager does his work.

Cartwright and Moylan celebrate Corey Norman’s pokies jackpot.

CARTWRIGHT, MOYLAN CAUGHT OUT IN COREY’S BIG WIN

Corey Norman’s $25,000 win on the pokies went viral on social media over the weekend, filmed by former Gold Coast Titans hooker Nathan Peats.

It wasn’t just the big win that created heaps of chatter.

Some were surprised to see who Norman was out with … new Parramatta Eels signing Bryce Cartwright and Cronulla’s injury riddled utility Matt Moylan.

NRL players have been in a bubble all year and deserve their down time more than most.

No doubt these guys are great mates.

It’s just that we’ve been hearing for weeks how committed both Moylan and Cartwright are to saving their careers in 2021. The video has done them no favours.

NO RUSH FOR BELLAMY

We spoke to Storm super coach Craig Bellamy on Friday about his long term plans. There is a huge offer from the Broncos as a coaching director for 2022 or whatever job he wants at Melbourne.

“There’s no rush,” he said, “I’m going to sit back, enjoy the break and then look at making a decision early next year.”

While most clubs are now back in training, the premiers don’t return until January 4.

Craig Bellamy is enjoying a well-earned break. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

NZ NO TO BIG BRONCO

The Warriors have denied any interest in Broncos prop Matty Lodge.

The club’s recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan, who is also Lodge’s father in law, sent us a text message on Saturday.

“Matt’s not on our radar for our squad. I have no idea where the speculation started and why but it’s completely false. It’s never been discussed. We have 30 spots all taken and we signed Addin (Fonua-Blake) as our big middle and we have every bit of faith in our pack as it stands. Hopefully this puts it to bed.”

HIGHLIGHT

The Super League grand final in England with St Helens miraculously beating Wigan on the bell in a fantastic farewell for front-row warhorse James Graham.

HIGHLIGHT II

A thumping win by Sydney Thunder, completely dominating the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL final at North Sydney Oval on Saturday night.

LOWLIGHT

The painfully slow over rate at the SCG on Friday night. Young fans had long gone to bed by the time the game had finished well after 11pm.

SHOOSH

Which NRL star is under investigation for a serious biosecurity breach during the finals series?

SPOTTED

Sydney Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner having a well earnt break of the NSW north coast, playing golf with his old mate Todd Carney.

SPOTTED II

Brent Naden out of rehab and back in his hometown of Wellington with his family. He gave a young local boy his signed footy boots and a signed training shirt from the Panthers.

SPOTTED III

Paul Gallen walking along the Kingsway in Cronulla on the way to the beach without a shirt, looking super fit as he prepares for the Mark Hunt blockbuster at Bankwest Stadium on December 16.