Inside the bust up between Balmain Tigers legends Wayne Pearce and Garry Jack
An old wound has been torn open as a feud between former Balmain legends Garry Jack and Wayne Pearce spilt over this week, Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield writes.
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A feud has erupted between old Balmain Tigers legends Wayne Pearce and Garry Jack over an item in this column last weekend.
We revealed Pearce and Trent Robinson had ended a two-year feud over his son Mitchell Pearce’s messy departure from the Roosters in 2017 to make way for Cooper Cronk.
At the time a furious Wayne Pearce rang Roosters boss Nick Politis to express his anger.
Jack read the story then jumped straight onto social media.
“Had a giggle reading Junior’s reaction to Mitchell not being wanted at Roosters. You have to respect the decision of 1st grade coach like I had to in 1995 when he ‘rang’ me & told me I wasn’t wanted after Golden boot, 4DallyM, 22 Tests, 17 Origins. Little thought for my welfare.”
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So we rang Jack for more details.
“I don’t want to make a big thing of it,” he said, “Junior finished my career and I was thinking these days you wouldn’t do it over the phone.
“Trent Robinson made the same call Junior did with me but face-to-face. It’s a tough business.
“I only mentioned it to show how the world’s changed.
“I was 34 and he said ‘Jimmy I’d rather do it a season too early rather than too late.’
“Those were his exact words then a week later they signed Ellery Hanley who was two weeks younger than me.”
We contacted Pearce but he declined to comment.
INSPIRATIONAL MASOE KEEPS MOVING FORWARD
In times when we’re all looking for some inspiration, this photo of stricken footballer Mose Masoe tells a story of remarkable resilience.
Mose suffered severe spinal injuries in the UK Super League when executing a tackle earlier this year.
We visited him in his Wakefield Hospital in February and have monitored his progress since.
Mose is now standing with the aid of a walking frame and his physiotherapists in hospital – an incredible achievement after initial fears he’d never walk again.
It’s still early days but medical staff are amazed at his progress.
Mose and his family still need our support. You can donate here.
BOLT VS BOLTS, WHO TAKES THE CROWN?
We’ve asked Australia’s most respected boxing authority for a verdict on warring media heavyweights Andrew Bolt and Ray Hadley if they were to step into the ring.
Boxing Hall of Fame journalist Grantlee Kieza has covered the fight game for 40-years.
He says Bolt would be the hot favourite if the long-running feud between the media sluggers over the George Pell case comes to blows, as has been threatened.
“Andrew Bolt is light on his feet and he can punch,’’ Kieza says. “I saw him throw a magnificent right hand and a great kick to the groin when he was attacked by hecklers in a Melbourne street a couple of years ago.
“We haven’t seen much of Ray in action but Bolt sent two attackers running with punches Mike Tyson would have been proud of.
“Plus Bolt has the advantage of Alan Jones, a very experienced sporting coach, in his corner.
“Hadley better not lead with his chin.’’
On a more serious note, Fox Sports is launching a new pop-up boxing and UFC channel from Monday to replay some of the great recent contests, including the likes of Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather and Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury plus local heroes Jeff Horn, Tim Tszyu, Michael Zerafa, Paul Gallen and Barry Hall.
PARRA SALARY CAP SCANDAL FINALLY OVER
The suspension of player agent Gavin Orr for two years brings to a close the final chapter of the old Parramatta Eels salary cap scandal.
It was found that in 2013 Orr helped facilitate a $26,000 cash payment for his centre Cheyse Blair to quit Parramatta a year out from the end of his contract as part of a termination agreement.
The money was not declared in the salary cap as Blair went off to play for the Manly Sea Eagles.
We understand Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr has already left Orr’s stable but the ban is an interesting one for the NRL. His brother Chris is his also his business partner at Pacific Sports Management and will take over the management of his players.
SOUTHS BOSS SAYS NO TO NRL GIG
Souths boss Blake Solly has ruled himself out of contention to become the next NRL chief executive.
Solly’s name has been frequently mentioned as a man capable of taking on the role with Todd Greenberg so obviously on the outer. So we rang him to check it out.
“I’m really happy at Souths,” he said, “With Richo (Shane Richardson) going, there’s going to be a lot more responsibility.
“We also have the transition period at the end of next season with Wayne (Bennett) leaving and Jason Demetriou moving into the head coaching role.
“On and off the field we have great young people in the organisation and I’m really passionate and very excited about the next few years at the Rabbitohs.”
FEMALE STARS STEP IT UP
So many of Australia’s finest athletes have had their dreams crushed with competitions on hold and the Olympics put back to July 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s why 70 of our top female athletes got together online for a groundbreaking virtual workshop where experts in mental health, business and media helped them deal with the setbacks.
Rugby league’s Kezie Apps, Matildas star Ellie Carpenter, Australian women’s 7s gold medallist Alicia Quirk, netballers Maddy Proud and Sam Poolman were among the stars who gave insights into what athletes are dealing with.
The online workshop was run by the Minerva Network, headed by two of Australia’s most successful business women, Venues NSW chairman Christine McLoughlin and ex AFL Commissioner Sam Mostyn.
THE OTHER HALF
Jack Wighton’s wife, Monisha Lew-Fatt.
What is it like having Jack around the house all day?
It’s actually been amazing. He is a great dad to our two girls and they both see him as the “fun” parent. I’ve also been working from home, so Jack has been watching the girls and playing lots of games with them. So we are really making the most of it before footy starts up again.
What chores is he doing?
All the usual men’s chores … taking the bins out and mowing the lawn. He also baths the girls and gets them ready for bed every night.
Can he cook?
I wouldn’t say Jack is the best cook, although he is great on the barbecue. I would say that his best recipe is a good old steak or marinated chicken on the barbie.
Is he tidy?
Yes, actually you’d be surprised! I think he’s gotten tidier over the years. He loves everything to be in order in the house and shed.
Surely there is a bad habit?
Ha ha. He tends to break wind a little bit … but let’s not go there. He also leaves the old empty toilet roll on the dispenser and then opens a new one and leaves it on the vanity. That gets me every time.
PROUD DADS RIP IN
It’s been a big few days for footy players, their families and new babies.
Rabbitoh Latrell Mitchell’s partner, Brielle, gave birth to their second daughter in Taree Hospital.
Mum and bub are doing well.
In Brisbane, Broncos front-rower Matt Lodge’s partner, Jess, has had a boy, Tommy, their second child.
With no football duties, both dads are ripping in with household chores to help out.
WE NEED AN INVESTIGATION TOOVES
Your columnist wishes Controversy Corner was still on air to grill Geoff Toovey about his all-time great Manly Sea Eagles side that was revealed last week on Fox Sports.
“It’s ridiculous — there’s got to be an investigation into this” is actually a good way to describe many of his choices.
No Brett or Glenn Stewart, no Tom or Jake Trbojevic. No Ben Kennedy, Jamie Lyon or “Fatty” Vautin. Dave Hosking ahead of John O’Neill and Kevin Ward in the front-row. And Stuart Davis on the wing ahead of Ken Irvine?
As the late, great “Chippy” Frilingos would have said: “That’ll do me.”