What’s the Buzz: Saint, Sinner, Shoosh
Rugby league icon Tommy Raudonikis continues his remarkable fight for life, Brad Parker proves a man in demand and more trouble for Jesse Ramien. It’s all in this week’s edition of Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
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ULTIMATE HONOUR: Teddy firms for Dally M glory
SAINT
From the tears and shame of Sandpapergate to the triumph and jubilation in the first Ashes test at Edgbaston. Steve Smith has shown the most extraordinary strength and resilience in this remarkable redemption story.
SINNER
The NRL’s farcical handling of the Ivan Cleary case. Fox Sports commentator Andy Raymond heard exactly what was said to referee Ashley Klein in the tunnel at Panthers Stadium yet his evidence was inexplicably disregarded. The fact Cleary changed his story was also ignored by the integrity unit. More reasons why confidence in the NRL administration is at an all-time low.
More What’s the Buzz: Bulldogs’ favourite son eyes early exit
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MALONEY: PENRITH AREN’T A PREMIERSHIP THREAT
PROUD EAGLE WANTS PAY CUT TO STAY IN NEST
SINNER II
Nine’s Ashes coverage — anchored by a tennis player — is seriously bad. Poor old Kerry and Richie would be turning in their graves.
SHOOSH
Which NRL club CEO is sorting out a very awkward disagreement between a high-profile player, a lower grader … and his girlfriend?
SHOOSH II
Which high-profile Victorian sports star is facing sexual harassment accusations that could become highly embarrassing if the alleged victim goes public?
SHOOSH III
Which ex-boxing champ had a heated exchange with Fox Sports commentator Ben Damon at a recent fight night?
SPOTTED
Wallaby star Kurtley Beale back with his old girlfriend Maddi Bomberg at Crown in Melbourne for the launch of Swans legend Adam Goodes’ powerful new documentary, The Australian Dream.
SPOTTED II
Todd Greenberg with his executive team at The Ivy on Tuesday night to attend the NRL Women’s leadership forum dinner.
SPOTTED III
Rugby league legend Ian Roberts visiting an old mate in Long Bay jail on Monday morning.
SPOTTED IV
Injured Sydney Roosters hooker and co-captain Jake Friend at Maroochydore airport this week returning from a visit to see his mum and dad up on the Sunshine Coast.
FANS WON’T FLOCK TO STADIUMS
NRL crowds are down slightly despite the most evenly balanced competition for years with 13 sides still alive in the finals race.
Even the boost from the opening of Bankwest Stadium hasn’t been enough to lift average match attendance figures across the game.
The television coverage is so outstanding these days on Fox Sports, Kayo and Channel 9 it makes it so easy to watch from the comfort of your lounge room.
At least clubs like the Sydney Roosters are trying to do something about it. Sunday’s game against the Titans is hardly the most appealing contest.
Still the Roosters and major sponsor Steggles are offering free entry at the SCG on Sunday afternoon.
Two kids will be permitted free entry with the pre-purchase of any general admission adult ticket.
Plus there’s the $5 offerings for footy favourites — sausage rolls, meat pies, hot chips, hot dogs, water and soft drink.
LISTEN! Matty Johns talks to Cameron Smith about his career, almost leaving Melbourne, ‘influencing’ refs, the salary cap drama and plenty more.
HUTCHISON DEFENDS RECOMMENDATIONS ON JACK
The woman at the front and centre of three of the darkest moments in Australian sporting history insists she didn’t lie about the Shayna Jack doping scandal.
In her roles of media and communications, Kate Hutchison was there for the death of cricketer Phillip Hughes, Sandpapergate in South Africa and now the drug controversy that has rocked Australian swimming.
It was on Hutchison’s recommendation that Swimming Australia announced accused drug cheat Jack had returned home from the world championships for ‘personal reasons’.
“I’d have lost my job if I’d broken a confidentiality agreement,” Hutchison said. “It was personal reasons and that’s not telling a lie. I’m very conscious of not lying.
“On this occasion, there was no wriggle room. My hands were tied by the ASADA rules and the legal ramifications. You can’t just break a confidentiality agreement.”
Hutchison left Cricket Australia not long after Sandpapergate in South Africa then started work at Swimming Australia for the build-up to next year’s Olympics.
Australian swimmers were the loudest protesters against Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, not knowing one of their own teammates had tested positive before the championships because of the cover-up.
The job of trying to manage sporting scandals of such magnitude in recent times has left the long-time sporting spin doctor feeling the stress and strain. She left on Friday for a month-long overseas holiday.
TOMMY’S REMARKABLE FIGHT CONTINUES
Tommy Raudonikis continues to defy the odds in his brave fight against throat cancer.
“His latest report is really good,” says his great mate John Singleton. “Really bloody good mate. A lot of people out there are going to be inspired by this. He just won’t give up.”
In May, Tommy needed a miracle as his nearest and dearest prepared for the worst.
The 69-year-old legend was accepted for an immunotherapy trial but given little hope. Yet scans last week revealed some good news.
“He had two growths,” Singo said. “But one has now disappeared. He couldn’t have got a better result. It’s his heart, mate. It’s f...en fantastic.”
Singo says Tommy’s devoted partner Trish Brown has done as much as the doctors in his recovery.
“There’s been times he hasn’t felt like getting up in the morning but Trish has got him up,” Singo said. “If he hasn’t felt like doing his walk, she’d make him do it. If he’s not hungry, she’s made him eat. He’s very lucky to have her.”
TONY STANDS BY CHOC DECISION
Boxing legend Tony Mundine is a man of his word. He declared last year that his son Anthony’s fight against Jeff Horn would be his last as his trainer.
He doesn’t want Anthony to fight. Mundine has turned to trainer Billy Hussein to be in his corner for the fight against kick-boxer John Wayne Parr on the Gold Coast on November 29. Mundine sparred welterweight Jack Brubaker in Miranda on Friday morning.
RAMIEN TIPPED TO SPLIT FROM MANAGER
Jesse Ramien has not just fallen out with the Knights and coach Nathan Brown. There’s also talk he’s about to split from his manager Gavin Orr before doing a deal with another club, most likely the Cronulla Sharks.
YOUGNSTER’S TO JOIN LEGENDS IN SCG SLEEP OUT
A 16-year-old rugby league player and student at Homebush Boys High School will join some of the biggest names in Australian sport for a sleep out at the SCG on Monday night.
The fundraiser is normally an event for established stars but organisers were taken back by the enthusiasm of Laithe Sabha, a Muslim boy and rising footy star.
Laithe will join the likes of Brad Fittler, Kerry O’Keeffe the Chappell brothers, Greg and Trevor and a host of other sporting stars on the hallowed turf of the SCG to raise money for the homeless.
You can support this fantastic young fella on the website: www.sportsstarssleepout.com.
PROOF TSZYU’S POPULARITY IS SOARING
It’s a great sign for Australian boxing and an indication of popularity of Tim Tszyu that the Hordern Pavilion is no longer big enough to stage his fights.
Promotor Matt Rose has been forced to switch his August 14 bout with Dwight Ritchie and a world-class card to the Darling Harbour ICC. The venue holds up to 8000 fans. Media personality Renee Gartner fights AFLW star Tayla Harris on the same card.
FINCHY PROVES A HIT WITH THE PUNTERS
The popularity of Fox Sports commentator Brett Finch continues to grow. The international bookmaking firm PointsBet flew Finch to the United States last week to film a TV advertising campaign. They say punters can relate to his larrikin, easy-going image..
HAMILTON SACKING ENTERS PARLIAMENT
The outrage over the sacking of footy caller Craig Hamilton from the ABC’s NRL coverage has made its way to federal parliament in Canberra.
In a speech to the house, Shortland MP Pat Conroy declared: “A great injustice has been forced upon rugby league fans, Newcastle Knights supporters and ABC listeners. The Knights are a religion in Newcastle and Hamo is part of that religion. His call must go on.”
Your columnist has spoken about this issue for sure. The move to sack him has been driven by insecure staff members who saw him as a threat. No wonder no-one listens to them.
PARKER PROVES A MAN IN DEMAND
Brad Parker was hardly the most sought after footballer before Des Hasler arrived at Brookie to help him become an established NRL first grader. The Wests Tigers and one other NRL club are now chasing his services for next year.
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.