What’s the Buzz: Dragons’ ‘Jesus’ gunning for Dufty; Kohli the pimple popper
He’s gone viral on YouTube thanks to a wicked step and speed to burn and the 21-year-old they call ‘Jesus’ could end up bolting his way into the NRL with the future of Dragons fullback Dufty far from resolved.
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They call him “Jesus” and he might just prove to be the fullback saviour the Dragons need.
Also dubbed “Bjorn Borg” thanks to his long hair and match-day head tape, Cody Ramsey is the young gun in line to replace Matt Dufty as St George Illawarra’s No.1.
The reigning Paul McGregor medallist for Under 20s player of the year, Ramsey was last year promoted to the full-time training squad for his first NRL pre-season.
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A speedster with a step and an attacking highlights package that has gone viral on YouTube, the 21-year-old is in line to earn a full-time deal after impressing during his pre-season stint.
Ramsey could end up bolting his way into the NRL with the future of Dragons fullback Dufty far from resolved.
Out of favour after a horror run with the high ball, Dufty was offered around to rival clubs last season but could not find a new home.
NRL CLUB ON EVACUATION ALERT
NRL clubs in bushfire affected regions may be forced to abandon pre-season training amid fears for player safety.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal at least one club has already made inquiries about relocating to another state for the next month following an expert warning about air-quality.
With all 16 clubs due to return to training this week to resume the NRL pre-season, “hazardous’’ smoke from bushfires could force clubs to abandon their training base.
One club has already been advised to move.
In what would be a major disruption with NRL kick-off just 68 days away, the players’ association may also intervene to stop clubs training in smoke-affected areas after fielding calls from concerned players and officials
Air quality levels across parts of NSW, the ACT and Victoria have been classified as “hazardous’’ with the heavy smoke from bushfires sending toxins into the air.
Air quality in Canberra was 10 times past the hazardous level on Saturday while Newcastle and Melbourne were also deemed dangerous.
South Sydney will be one of the clubs that seek expert advice before resuming their pre-season at Redfern on Monday with parts of Sydney deemed “unhealthy”.
“We will access those levels when we return on Monday,’’ said South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson.
“We are always measuring everything that affects player health, and this will be no different.’’
The Bulldogs also confirmed they would consult with experts before training at Belmore on Monday.
The NRL said they would leave the decision whether or not to train in the hands of club doctors.
LATRELL ADVISER CATCHES FOXX
The mercedes-owning builder reported to be advising Latrell Mitchell on contract matters has now been linked to Josh Addo-Carr.
In what’s threatening to become another NRL contract circus, a source close to the “Foxx” claimed he is taking advice from the builder who tempted Mitchell to test his worth after loaning him a $180,000 Mercedes Benz AMG.
Clubs interested in signing the NSW flyer aren’t quite sure who to talk to with a “number of parties” said to be acting on his behalf.
One club is threatening to walk away from talks after his official management company — Pacific Sport Management — failed to broker a meeting.
Addo-Carr is seeking a $200,000 upgrade from his current deal after the Storm agreed to release him from the final year of his deal should they receive compensation
The Bulldogs, Tigers, Dragons and Roosters have all been linked to the Test winger, but will have to provide the Storm with a “like-for-like” replacement to snare the Foxx.
NYD BROMANCE BLOSSOMS
Cricket’s hottest bromance was confirmed last week when Steve Smith rocked up at the team hotel to give Marnus Labuschange a lift to the SCG for training. Smith, staying at his Coogee home for the duration of the Sydney Test, detoured to Rose Bay especially to chauffeur Labuschagne — and nobody else, mind you — to the SCG for a New Year’s Day hit in the nets.
Smith and Labuschagne have become inseparable since the latter was brought into the Australian Test team as a “like-for-like” replacement for the former Test captain after an Ashes head knock. We have been told the pair arrive to every training session an hour early to practise together. Labuschagne has lived up to the like-for-like tag by copying Smith’s light sabre-like leave and freakish ability to score runs.
WHINCUP FLIPS INTO 2020
Jamie Whincup brought in the New Year by replicating the backflip he performed when he won the V8 championship in 2017. Thrilling a bevy of onlookers on the Murray River near the Victorian border, Whincup proved himself every inch the daredevil by flinging himself off the roof of a two-storey houseboat.
Whincup famously flipped into Newcastle harbour after claiming his record-extending seventh championship at the Newcastle 500. He also went for a swim in a fountain — and later found out was often used by locals as a toilet.
In a high-octane holiday, Whincup cracked the 300km/h mark when he took a mate’s extreme-powered speed boat for a spin.
SPOTTED
Never one to knock back a free beer, Darryl – “The Big Marn” – Brohman was spotted lapping up the corporate hospitality in an SCG box on the first day of the Sydney Test.
SPOTTED II
Almost $2 million worth of NRL arch rivals are using a discreet football field in the Sutherland Shire to keep fit ahead of Monday’s return to pre-season training. Dragons stars James Graham and Tyson Frizell slogged it out on one side of the field in Gymea while Sharks pair Cameron King and Briton Nikora trained on the other.
SPOTTED III
Raiders recruit Curtis Scott was also spotted doing some post-festive season training. Out to make a big impression on his new coach Ricky Stuart, the former Melbourne centre did a weights session with colourful Sutherland Shire identity Ian Mathie at Body Fit gym in Miranda.
SPOTTED IV
Sharks coach John Morris at the SCG to witness the Sixers down the Thunder in the SCG Super Over thriller. Set to return to work tomorrow when the Cronulla pre-season resumes, Morris was wearing a Sixers hat and cheering for the pink team.
SAINT
An 11-year-old cricket prodigy named Riley Parsons contacted this column last week and offered to donate cricket equipment to bushfire-affected clubs and schools. Riley and his father Matt have spent the last year refurbishing and repairing used cricket equipment and have more than a truckload they are willing to give away. Matt can be contacted at: www.middlestump.com.au
SINNER
Virat Kohli proved he will do anything for a dollar, with arguably the best batsman in the world selling his dignity to star in a pimple cream advertisement. In a hilarious campaign being screened in India, Kohli sings, raps and even mimics popping a pimple. Be warned, the song is Baby Shark-style catchy.
SHOOSH
Which NRL coach called another NRL coach to inquire about the availability of a star player? We have been told the coach who received the call was glad his rival made the direct approach rather than sneaking about the back door like most.
SHOOSH II
A staggering story of deceit involving a WAG and her former NRL-playing partner is doing the rounds. A series of jaw-dropping lies allegedly led to an ugly bust-up. Expect to hear more.