Sport Confidential: Magic Round overtakes State of Origin as NRL’s marquee event
The ongoing legal spat between Manly and former coach Des Hasler is set to come to a head on Friday – is a resolution in sight? SPORT CONFIDENTIAL
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Manly’s ongoing legal spat with former coach Des Hasler is set to come to a head on Friday as the warring parties prepare to hold mediation talks.
Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov will be involved in the talks and it is understood Hasler could also take part as the pair attempt to thrash out a resolution to the long-running saga involving the two-time premiership winning coach and his former club.
Mestrov and Hasler were former teammates at Manly but there is no love lost between the pair given the way things ended at the Sea Eagles after the 2022 season.
Hasler had another year remaining on his contract but a clause in the deal allowed Manly to part ways with the coach with a six-month payout figure attached.
Hasler refused to take a cent from Manly as he kept his legal options open. He finally pulled the trigger on court action in October but the Sea Eagles are confident that they are on solid footing.
A court date has been set for December 15 pending the result of mediation. According to documents filed with the NSW Supreme Court, Hasler was due to be paid $720,000 in 2023 and the same amount in 2024, as well as an ambassador role worth about $200,000 which was due to be paid into a business he shared with his wife.
Manly have threatened to subpoena phone records, emails and text messages if the matter proceeds to court.
MAGIC ROUND OVERTAKES ORIGIN AS NRL’S MARQUEE EVENT
It’s official – Magic Round is overtaking State of Origin as a marquee NRL event.
Sport Confidential can reveal corporate deals for the 2024 Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium are almost sold out in December, incredibly outpacing sales for commercial packages for State of Origin at the same venue next year.
It is a remarkable outcome and reinforces why the Queensland government is eyeing a mega 10-year deal to keep Magic Round in the Sunshine State until 2034.
Brisbane’s Magic Round hosting rights expire next year, with Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne having expressed interest in snatching the three-day, eight-game NRL extravaganza from 2025.
But based on general-admission and corporate sales, Magic Round has become a monster event in Brisbane – to the point where it’s as valuable for the NRL as the $100 million showpiece that is State of Origin.
Fans are already flocking to snap up corporate packages ranging from $1300 to $2100 – six months out from the fifth edition of Magic Round next year at Suncorp.
“It’s fast becoming another Origin in Queensland,” said Nick Livermore of Dynamic Events, a corporate hospitality partner of the NRL.
“Based on our sales for Magic Round next year, you could argue it’s overtaken Origin in terms of corporate interest.
“The level of interest has been remarkable.
“We’ve got packages from $1300 to $2100 and we’ve just about sold out at the start of December.
“You would be hard pressed to find a corporate seat for Magic Round and it’s still six months away.
“Magic Round is selling quicker than State of Origin in terms of corporate packages.
“But even in terms of general-admission sales, tickets are going quickly … Magic Round has become a must-go-to event in Brisbane.”
The NRL celebrated record figures for Magic Round at Suncorp last season.
The 2023 instalment attracted a total of 147,105 fans at a daily average of 49,035 – the type of crowd figures associated with State of Origin at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium.
Livermore said the magic of Magic Round lies in the duration of the event and flexibility for fans.
“While Origin is a wonderful product and such a hyped event, Magic Round offers fans a three-day experience,” he said.
“Origin lasts four or five hours, whereas Magic Round goes across three full days, so we’re finding fans like the more relaxed environment.
“They can arrive at 2pm on a Saturday or 5pm midway through the event.
“Different people can go on different days, so it’s been very appealing for fans.
“It’s opened up a range of markets and it’s a credit to the NRL for driving this event.
“Where else in Australian sport can you watch 16 top-level sporting teams in one location? And it’s one of the few occasions where the AFL is trying to replicate the Magic Round formula.”
Livermore scoffed at suggestions Magic Round should be taken away from Queensland and tested in fresh markets.
LUAI BACK TRAINING AS PANTHERS RAMP UP TALKS
Jarome Luai is back at training but still keeping everyone guessing.
Luai, who returned to Penrith to begin his preseason alongside halves partner Nathan Cleary on Thursday, is yet to make a call on his future amid interest from the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs.
It didn’t seem to worry him as he slogged it out on his return to Penrith’s Centre of Excellence.
Luai laughed and hammed it up for the cameras as he began putting in place the building blocks for another premiership tilt, albeit while nursing a reconstructed shoulder.
Panthers officials plan to step up talks with Luai and his camp now that he is back around the club, having indicated they are willing to extend their offer beyond two years.
“He was back in the building along with Nathan,” Panthers chief executive Matt Cameron said.
“It’s exciting to have him back. It is good to see him out running today. He is tracking in line with where he thought he would be at this point in time.”
Luai is aiming to be fit for round one and is expected to have his future resolved well before then – he is off contract at the end of next season.
“Now that he is back we’re happy to engage with him and his management to pick up the conversations,” Cameron said.
TIGERS LOSE BLORE AS LUAI FIGHT INTENSIFIES
The Wests Tigers have lost the fight to keep Shawn Blore after it emerged that the back-rower was ready to join the Melbourne Storm in 2025.
Blore was at the centre of a potential swap deal involving Storm centre Justin Olam that eventually collapsed when the Tigers put their energy into signing Penrith playmaker Jarome Luai.
However, the Storm pushed on with their bid to sign Blore regardless and it appears they have won the day – Sport Confidential understands the aggressive back-rower has agreed to join the Storm at the end of next season.
It is understood Melbourne have signed Blore to play on an edge as they look to shift young forward Trent Loiero into the middle of the field.
Blore has had his injury problems in recent seasons but he played 15 games for the Tigers in 2023 – the vast majority from the interchange bench.
He almost joined the Storm midway through this year, meeting Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy only to be told by the Tigers that they wanted to keep him.
Blore, however, had his head turned by the Storm and he looks to have made his call. Pressure will now grow on the Tigers to release Blore a year early, a move which would potentially help them in their pursuit of Luai and Warriors forward Addin Fonua-Blake.
Olam, meanwhile, could explore other options on the open market after his move to the Tigers suffered a seemingly terminal setback.
Olam is no certainty to start next season in the NRL given the Storm are preparing to move Nick Meaney to the centres, where he is expected to start the season paired with either Marion Seve or Reimis Smith.
Jack Howarth has also impressed in training as he looks to force his way into calculations.
CAPES’ CALENDAR GAFFE
There’s going to be some awkward presents under Christmas trees in a few weeks following Kurt Capewell’s decision to leave the Broncos.
Capewell was formally released from the remainder of his Brisbane contract on Thursday to join the Warriors immediately for the next three seasons.
Capewell, 30, only played two seasons with the Broncos and was considered a certainty to line up for the club next year.
So much so the Broncos used him to model the 2024 away jersey they will wear in Las Vegas, which won’t be the case.
Capewell was also one of four players splashed on the front of Brisbane’s 2024 calendar and takes up the March page.
The Broncos may need to run a reprint of the calendar following his departure.
HASLER’S BAMOBOOZLING FIELD
The Mad Scientist has struck again.
Check out the mind-boggling field markings that have been painted on Des Hasler’s training paddock at the Gold Coast Titans.
The Titans’ training field at Parkwood looks more like a gridiron field with an array of lines, x’s and spots.
Hasler has been renowned for his left-field coaching strategies and this looked like another one of his masterpieces.
However he told Sport Confidential it was used by the Titans’ high performance unit for fitness drills.
VAL WINNING BATTLE OF THE BULGE
Super coach Wayne Bennett has ordered Valynce Te Whare complete another fortnight of a personal boot camp after an impressive transformation.
The Dolphins rookie is on the verge of avoiding the sack – and saving his NRL career – after losing 5kg in the past fortnight following one-on-one fitness sessions with Brisbane-based trainer Mark ‘Chopper’ Burgess.
Bennett turned to world masters amateur heavyweight boxing champion Burgess – his former conditioner at the Broncos – after Te Whare reported for Dolphins pre-season last month weighing 121.9kg.
But after two weeks with Burgess, Te Whare has dropped to 116kg. Bennett is so impressed he has asked Te Whare to take part in another two weeks of conditioning work with Burgess before the Christmas break.
Bennett is happy to have Te Whare at 115kg but the 23-year-old Kiwi centre is keen to play at around 112kg, admitting he lacked the fitness to survive in the NRL unless he lost around 10kg.
Burgess has been rapt with Te Whare’s attitude, but the big test will be the Christmas break, with Bennett hoping the bullocking outside back returns to the Dolphins in the New Year ready to ramp up NRL training.
Te Whare is off-contract next year and while a Dolphins faction wanted him moved on over his attitude to training, Bennett sees promise in the young gun as an NRL cult figure.
“Wayne initially said two weeks, but we’re doing another two weeks which is great,” Burgess said.
“Val is a great young man and he’s given everything in every session we’ve done.
“He has made better lifestyle choices over the past few weeks and it’s important he keeps it up when he returns to the Dolphins.”
FLEGLER GETS HIS PHIN UP
Dolphins recruit Tom Flegler has hit the ground running at Redcliffe by turning up for pre-season training a month early.
Flegler made a surprise appearance on the field at Kayo Stadium this week even though he isn’t required to train until the New Year.
Given he played in the NRL grand final and made his Kangaroos debut in the Pacific Championships, Flegler’s annual leave didn’t start until early November.
But he has made a strong impression on his new club by getting down and dirty early in the pre-season.
“He is obviously keen to get out here with the boys,” Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace said.
“He has been here two or three times but that is the first time he has done a session. He isn’t meant to be back until January 8 but it’s a new team and new boys for him and he wants to build combinations.”
The flame-haired Flegler and Maroons counterpart Tom Gilbert are set to be a fiery duo for the Dolphins in 2024.
“I heard him and Tommy Gilbert giving a bit of cheek,” Wallace said.
“It has started already so I can’t wait to sit back with some popcorn and watch those two go at it all off-season.
“Every NRL team has a couple of crazy fellas in the middle. Our crazy came out wider last season in (Felise) Kaufusi. Hopefully he can play some more games for us.
“The leg speed (Flegler) and Tommy will give us getting to halfbacks, outside backs and kickers is going to be huge for us. I am looking forward to the combination of Tom and Flegs.
“Our pack was already fantastic with great experience. He is going to bring great leg speed and youth in the middle.”
MIN WOOS SYDNEY
Min Woo Lee celebrated a successful homecoming on Monday by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The hottest player in Australian golf was joined by his sister Minjee, as well Hannah Green and Steph Kyriaku as they climbed the Sydney landmark to take in the sweeping views of the city.
Lee is coming off a win at the Australian PGA and a near miss at the Australian Open, entrenching his ranking in the top 50 in the world.
After a short break in Australia, Lee will head back to America and look to continue his golden form on the US PGA Tour.
He will do so as the game of golf prepares to rein in the big hitters by bringing in rule changes designed to limit how far the ball can travel.
Lee has been one of the longest hitters on the DP World Tour in recent seasons – last season he averaged 290 metres off the tee, placing him in the top 10 in driving distance.
His power game meant he was nearly 20 metres better than the tour average off the tee. That could change after the R&A, and USGA, announced changes to the golf ball designed to protect golf courses, which are being overrun by big hitters.
It’s estimated it could mean the likes of Lee and other bombers lose about 12 metres off the tee. The good news is the change will not come into effect until 2028 for tour and elite golf and 2030 for recreational golfers.
AFL LEGEND READY TO RUMBLE
Former Western Bulldogs premiership hero Clay Smith is ready to embark on his sporting comeback – as a professional boxer.
Smith’s journey in the fight game officially begins on Saturday night when ‘Showtime’ makes his pro boxing debut against Matthew Erceg at Melbourne Pavilion.
The card will be headlined by Australian middleweight sluggers Mitch Leek and Lachlan Higgins, but all eyes will be on Smith in his bid to make a successful transition to professional boxing.
Smith was part of the Bulldogs’ premiership triumph in 2016, but retired two years later at age 25 due to a constant battle with injury, including three knee reconstructions, that restricted him to 55 AFL games.
Now 30, the Gippsland Power product has a perfect 3-0 record as an amateur and has been training with Team Ellis Boxing alongside Michael Zerafa, Australia’s No.1 middleweight who is on the cusp of a shot at a world title.
“Clay is ready to rumble, we’re excited to see how he goes,” said Team Ellis Boxing trainer Antoni Topic.
“I think Clay can make a statement in boxing. He is the first to admit he isn’t the most skilful guy, but he just has this country toughness and raw power.
“Matthew Erceg is a solid guy but I wouldn’t be surprised if Clay knocks him out – he can really hurt his opponents.”
Smith will face Erceg at around 80kg and says he is taking the sport seriously.
“Boxing is as hard as it looks but it’s rewarding at the same time,” said Smith, who kicked 43 goals in 55 games for the Bulldogs.
“I’m new to the game. A lot of people start boxing at a very young age but, turning pro now, I have a lot to learn and the boys at the Team Ellis gym are sensational.
“My nickname will be Showtime. My last two fights I’ve had have been first-round knockouts. I don’t tend to use up all the rounds I am given.
“In boxing you don’t get paid overtime, so you go in, get the job done and get out.”
SHIRVO JOINS SIXERS
Former Olympian turned Sunrise host Matt Shirvington has been announced as the No.1 ticket holder for the Sydney Sixers.
Shirvington attended Sixers training on Thursday and revealed he was a long-time fan of the team.
“To be the Sixers #1 ticket holder is such a privilege, both as a fan and especially given the success of the team over the years,” Shirvington said.
“I’m looking forward to being more involved with the club, the players, and particularly the fans who give so much to the game.
“I’m honoured to wear the magenta this summer, and hopefully I can bring a little bit of luck. Smash ‘em Sixers!”
BOOTH SAVED BY UNION
Former Melbourne and Gold Coast hooker Aaron Booth has opened up on his injury heartbreak, sudden retirement and benefit of the injury hardship fund as he embraces his first pre-season in a long time without rugby league.
Booth retired in August after a long battle with a knee problem, bringing a premature end to a 10-game NRL career. In an interview with the players union, Booth conceded he was fortunate to be able to successfully apply to access the injury hardship fund to help the transition to retirement.
Under the new agreement struck between the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association, women will also have access to the fund.
“When my injury happened, I was on my best run of games, and it was the first time I had thought about what I would do post-career,” Booth said.
“I was playing steady games, I was doing well, and I was even talking about signing a new contract.
“Having to retire suddenly was hard to deal with when it did happen. The Injury Hardship Fund is so important and one the players have done well to push for over the years.
“I’m living and breathing it right now. As players, we put our bodies through a lot. When a player goes through a traumatic injury like I have, there’s going to be a lot of steps in place to heal and to ensure ongoing health.
“It’s great that players have something to access in times of hardship, transition and unknown.”
RATINGS BOOST FOR AUSTRALIAN OPEN
The NSW government has been given more ammunition in their quest to keep the Australian Open in Sydney after confirmation that ratings and attendance figures for this year’s tournament smashed the corresponding days last year in Melbourne.
The NSW and Victorian governments are locked in a bidding war for next year’s event, which remains up for grabs as Golf Australia decides whether to retain Sydney as the host city or take it back to Melbourne.
Sydney could do no more. Final attendance and ratings figures were released for this year’s event on Thursday, detailing how the tournament captured the imagination of the sporting public.
The final day was the most watched event on Foxtel while ratings for the men’s and women’s tournament, which were won by Joaquin Niemann and Ashleigh Buhai, were up 187% on the Nine Network on last year.
More than 110,000 spectators crammed into The Lakes and The Australian Golf Clubs, with a 78 percent increase in hospitality and reserved seat sales. Total crowds were up 12 percent on last year and 27 percent on the final day.
“We set a high benchmark at Victoria and Kingston Heath last year but the Sydney fans who flooded into The Australian and The Lakes over the past week were nothing short of exceptional,” Golf Australian chief executive James Sutherland said.
“Certainly, in conjunction with the PGA of Australia and the DP World Tour, the quality of the fields have improved, 40 per cent better based on world rankings.
“We’re very grateful to be working with the PGA of Australia via the men’s and women’s Tours, and the DP World Tour, who helped us deliver one of the strongest fields in recent memory.
“It’s a fantastic result to see just shy of 58,000 golf fans in attendance over the two courses over the four days and certainly the atmosphere on Sunday when more than 18,000 were in the house was absolutely superb.”
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