The search for Ewan McGrady’s Rothmans Medal continues, Dylan Napa pays the penalty and Socceroos tickets slashed
WHAT’S THE BUZZ II: The search for Ewan McGrady’s Rothmans Medal continues, Dylan Napa pays the penalty and Socceroos tickets slashed.
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WHAT’S THE BUZZ II: The search for Ewan McGrady’s Rothmans Medal continues, Dylan Napa pays the penalty and Socceroos tickets slashed.
SAINT
I’VE been listening to footy players giving speeches for 40 years. Cooper Cronk delivered the most brilliant I’ve heard at Storm’s presentation night. It was all about humility, respect, friendship and love. You’ll find it on Storm’s website. Every young player should watch, listen and learn.
SINNER
THE first weekend after NRL and AFL grand finals as withdrawal symptoms kick-in from no footy on TV on Friday nights and weekends. At least we’ve got the World Cup kick-off on October 27 and it’s going to be a whole lot better now that Tonga has a decent side.
BUZZ: Canterbury heroes to revive ‘Dogs of War’
SPOTTED
IT had to be the best omen bet of the year. A greyhound called Tiger Dusty — named after the Richmond legend — won in Melbourne on Tuesday and paid $6.20.
SPOTTED II
Swimming legend Ian Thorpe in Rose Bay enjoying a coffee with a mate at Dover cafe on Tuesday morning, happily chatting to anyone who stopped to say hi.
SPOTTED III
This photo of Gus Gould all over social media after he suggested Melbourne Storm were ‘overrated’ and ‘beatable’ before they thumped the Cowboys in the NRL grand final.
SPOTTED IV
Knights coach Nathan Brown and his ex-Dragons team mate Gorden Tallis enjoying holidays in Byron Bay with their families.
SPOTTED V
Sharks forwards Wade Graham and James Segeyaro enjoying dinner at the Caringbah Inn bistro on Wednesday night.
SPOTTED VI
Channel Nine star Erin Molan with hubby-to-be Sean Ogilvy at China Diner in Bondi.
SHOOSH
Which Eels star needs to return to training with a much better attitude next month or face being axed by coach Brad Arthur?
SHOOSH II
Which NRL coach has secretly met with the Titans about replacing Neil Henry despite being under contract for next season?
SHOOSH III
Which former NRL players had to be thrown out of a team reunion at western suburbs hotel recently after a disagreement with security?
SHOOSH IV
Which NRL coach has lost three assistants in the last 18 months due to his bad temper and an unpleasant working environment?
TICKET PRICES GET SOCCER FANS ONSIDE
NO wonder the Socceroos get so much support in Sydney at ANZ Stadium. For Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier against Syria, FFA is charging only $25 for adults and just $60 for a family. A crowd of about 50,000 is on the way.
PROPHET PREACHER
BROADCASTER Alan Jones hosted a private dinner at the Surry Hills Lebanese restaurant Prophet last week. Blake Ferguson, Nathan Peats, “Joey” Johns and player agent Sam Ayoub scored invites. So did South Sydney legend George Piggins and his wife, Noelene. Old PR spin doctor Normy Lipson was there, too. They say Johns spoke brilliantly about Piggins, relaying all the old stories Great Britain enforcer Malcolm Reilly told when he was coaching at the Newcastle Knights.
MEDAL DETECTOR
WE are still trying to locate Ewan McGrady’s Rothmans Medal that he sold in 1991 to pay gambling debts. The person who has it is proving harder to track down than we first thought. If anyone has a tip on its whereabouts please email us at rothfieldp@dailytelegraph.com.au.We want to buy it back for the NRL museum or for Canterbury Leagues Club to display in its foyer.
LATE STAYER
THE NRL is refusing to change the unpopular grand final kick-off time next year despite most fans wanting an afternoon, or at least, a twilight start. CEO Todd Greenberg won’t budge. And he can’t. There is a clause in the new broadcasting deal that grand finals kick-off at 7.15pm on the first Sunday of October each year.
KING OF CLUBS ACED
FOX Sports has decided to run with NRL 360 until December on Monday nights in a blow to host Ben Ikin’s golf handicap. The show’s host spends much of his long off-season on the golf course in Brisbane but will now have Mondays in Sydney.
NAPA PAYS SELECTION PENALTY
NO ONE was more upset than Queensland Origin enforcer Dylan Napa when his name wasn’t read out in the Kangaroos squad for the World Cup. Not even Sam Thaiday. Napa thought his performances for the Maroons were enough to make the side, especially when Andrew Fifita pulled the pin. Mal Meninga obviously weighed up his game against the Cowboys in the grand final qualifier. And to put it bluntly … he went missing.
GRIP ON GOLD
THE Gold Coast coaching job could eventually be decided by NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg. The Titans have interviewed a whole range of coaches, with their asking prices ranging from $400,000 to $800,000 a season. As the NRL still owns the club, Greenberg is in charge of funding. No contract can be signed without the NRL’s approval.
SORRY SAM
NOBODY respects the Australian jersey or the players who wear it more than Mal Meninga. That’s why an oversight in forgetting to tell old champion Sam Thaiday he’d missed out on the World Cup was so out of character. He should, however, be applauded for apologising so quickly and so sincerely.