What’s the Buzz: Shock exit at NRL headquarters
NRL boss Todd Greenberg’s right-hand man has exited the building, Roosters eye Cooper Cronk’s replacement and Wayne Bennett needs to change his attitude.
NRL boss Todd Greenberg has suffered another blow with the departure of his right-hand man, Usman Khawaja steps up for Australia and who the Roosters are targeting as Cooper Cronk’s replacement.
SAINT
Usman Khawaja’s stunning form reversal in Australia’s magnificent ODI series win over India after a tough summer with challenging family issues. Only great players can dominate on the subcontinent in the manner in which Uzzie did.
SINNER
No sinner today, no unpleasantness. Just respect, love and prayers for all our Kiwi friends. All cultures, all religions.
SPOTTED I
Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold in deep conversation with Craig Bellamy and Cameron Smith after the loss to Melbourne Storm on Thursday night.
SPOTTED II
Semi-retired boxer Anthony Mundine with his “brother” Blake Ferguson at Alexandria Basketball Stadium watching Choc’s son, Anthony jnr, in rep games.
SPOTTED III
A relaxed Shane Flanagan last Sunday afternoon on his boat with family and friends on Port Hacking. Let’s just say he’s a better footy coach than skipper of a vessel.
SPOTTED IV
Rugby league’s new head of football Graham Annesley nervously watching the Brisbane Broncos-Melbourne Storm opening game of the season from the NRL Bunker.
SPOTTED V
Suspended former Newcastle Knights star Jarrod Mullen boarding a flight to Melbourne from Sydney Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Mullen these days lives a quiet life on the NSW South Coast.
SPOTTED VI
Shire heavyweights, Sutherland mayor Carmelo Pesce, Sharks chairman Dino Mezzatesta and “the fixer” Pete the Greek enjoying dinner at Black restaurant at The Star on Tuesday.
SHOOSH
Which former NRL star was thought to be embroiled in a recent sports betting inquiry into some dodgy big bets? This would have been front-page news but it turns out it was another punter with the same unusual name as the ex-star player.
SHOOSH II
Which talented female rugby league TV personality had to knock back a position on the board of a Sydney-based NRL team over a possible conflict of interest?
GRIMSHAW QUITS A NRL’S MEDIA BOSS
As if 2019 hasn’t been tough enough for Todd Greenberg, he is now about to lose his right-hand man. The NRL’s head of media Peter Grimshaw is calling time on the toughest media job in Sydney after five years in the role.
Grimshaw decided to move on at Christmas but then came the avalanche of alleged sexual assault, domestic violence and sex-tape scandals which have rocked the code over the last three months. Rather than add another problem to Greenberg’s list, Grimshaw kept the news to himself and waited until the sanctions had been delivered and the footy started before telling the CEO.
Grimshaw has been fiercely loyal to Greenberg and will work with him until June when he will seek a role in government or the corporate sector dealing with crisis management. His CV includes working for a NSW premier, deputy premier, Sydney’s Olympic Games bid and the NRL.
Grimshaw only had good words to say about the NRL this week.
“I joined the NRL for five weeks to help write the annual report and ended up staying five years,” he said, “It’s been a great ride.”
GUS IN THE BACKGROUND
They say Gus Gould has been shattered by the sex-tape scandal at Penrith Panthers and the possibility there is more to come. It’s weird that he has even blasted and blamed the media for covering the story and taken himself off Twitter.
However, there is another theory about Gus and his role at the Panthers which might reveal why he is out of sorts. The Channel 9 commentator has been very much a hands-on general manager of football at the foot of the mountains.
Some might say he has interfered too much with the coaching of the team. This has all changed now that Ivan Cleary is in charge.
When Panthers chairman Dave O’Neill signed Cleary from Wests Tigers, he was guaranteed total control of the NRL squad. Gus is more in the background these days. And there might lie the problem.
BRAWLING SHARKS FINED, HANDED WARNINGS
Cronulla Sharks have handed out fines, 50 hours of community service orders and final Warning letters to six players involved in a brawl at Cronulla Sailing Club over the Christmas holidays.
The players, five of them lower-graders, were also ordered to front the board of directors at the sailing club last week to apologise for their behaviour on the night. Cronulla will not name the players but have confirmed the fines range from $10,000 to $25,000.
Two of the younger players must visit jails as part of a rehabilitation program.
The NRL integrity unit has signed off on the punishments.
Chief executive Barry Russell, board member Steve Mace and club legend Dane Sorensen were on the disciplinary committee that handed down the sanctions.
Local businessman Mace is on a ticket for re-election at this weekend’s board elections alongside Mark Deutsch, Sorensen, local businessman Dave Nicholson and Martin Kennedy.
The Sharks have never been in a healthier position with news of a $40 million cash injection from their Woolooware Bay property development to kill off suggestions of a relocation in an expanded NRL competition.
ROOSTERS EYE KYLE
With doubts about the future of Cooper Cronk at the Roosters beyond this season, we keep hearing the name of Sharks halfback Kyle Flanagan getting positive mentions. We can reveal coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis think highly of the 20-year-old son of former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan. Kyle, one of the best goal-kickers in the competition, only recently signed a new three-year deal at Cronulla but has Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend ahead of him. His advisor is veteran agent Wayne Beavis, who is close to Politis.
BACK IN THE CORNER
Controversy Corner returns for another footy season on Fox Sports on Sunday night after the Matty Johns Show.
Your columnist will join Graeme Hughes, Blocker Roach and Bill Harrigan for a half-hour of jibber and often robust discussions on the opening round of the competition and the biggest issues in the game.
The Matty Johns Show that starts after the Titans-Raiders game will be must-watch television. Matty’s brother Andrew has been released from Channel 9 for a one-off appearance.
STADIUM SELLOUT
We knew there was huge interest in the soon-to-open Western Sydney Stadium. Already 20,000 tickets have sold for an open day at Bankwest Stadium on April 14 and there’s not even a game on.
Fans get to see inside the stadium for the first time, with club legends, mascots and players from the Eels, Wests Tigers, Western Sydney Wanderers and NSW Waratahs all part of the open day. Organisers are expecting a 30,000-strong full house.
ENNIS’S ENDLESS ENERGY
Michael Ennis is the busiest man in rugby league. He’s working five days a week at Fox Sports and also assisting Ricky Stuart as an assistant attacking coach with the Canberra Raiders. The Sharks’ 2016 premiership-winning hooker has also picked up an important coaching position with the NSW Blues under-18s side to usher though the next generation of stars for Freddy Fittler.
Another former Blues forward Mark O’Meley will coach the under-20s. Ennis wore the Blues jersey on eight occasions between 2009-15.
WAYNE’S WHINGE
Wayne Bennett has labelled those who have spoken and written about the off-field NRL incidents as “drama queens” and added “I can’t believe some of the silly statements they’ve all made”.
This is the same person who allowed the disgraced Matt Lodge to start the competition last year at the Broncos before he had settled his legal issues from a violent home invasion in the US. For a man of his standing, Bennett’s attitude and ignorance is a disgrace.
THE BIG O’S 15 TO 1
The biggest signings we’ve seen in rugby league since 1970
15. IAN ROBERTS: During the mid-’80s he was the best young forward in the game. Manly had a reputation for pilfering Souths’ best and this was no different.
14. GLENN LAZARUS: The Canberra Raiders’ metre-eater during their early premiership success. Went to Brisbane in 1992 and success followed.
13. MALCOLM REILLY: One of England’s greatest. In 1971, at just 23, the skilful lock forward joined Manly, winning two premierships in the following two years.
12. STEVE ROGERS: The prince of centres was a Cronulla Sharks legend for a decade, until he was poached by St George in 1983.
11. COOPER CRONK: It came as a bolt out of the red, white and blue when in 2017 it was announced he was leaving his beloved Storm after 14 seasons to come to Bondi.
10. ELLERY HANLEY: This signing was a real coup for Balmain. The Golden Boot winner had a mercurial stint in 1988, leading the Tigers to the decider.
9. JARRYD HAYNE: In 2016, he was the hottest property on his return to the NRL. The Eels were favoured, so it came as a surprise when he signed with the Titans.
8. TOM RAUDONIKIS: In 1980, the Magpies’ favourite son was lured to Newtown by good friend John Singleton.
7. BRAD FITTLER: It was during the Super League war that the Panthers great was reunited with Phil Gould at Sydney City.
6. WALLY LEWIS: Although in the twilight of his magnificent career, his signing from the Broncos to the Gold Coast was significant.
5. SONNY BILL WILLIAMS: Arguably the most important signing in Roosters history. In my opinion, without him they don’t win the 2013 premiership.
4. GREG INGLIS: Was forced out of Melbourne due to the salary cap scandal. Their loss was a monumental gain for the Bunnies.
3. ARTHUR BEETSON: In 1971, he was the world’s best prop. He left the Tigers and was made captain at Easts. The rest, as they say, is history.
2. BOB FULTON: Without question, Manly’s greatest ever. In 1977 he made the shock switch to Easts on a record three-year deal.
1. RON COOTE: Won four premierships at Souths before neighbours Easts pounced in 1972. His impact was phenomenal. A true legend at two clubs.
Tigers risk losing another rising star
Already reeling from Lachlan Galvin’s unexpected exit, the Wests Tigers risk losing another rising star. See the full story.
Late Mail: Rabbitohs rocked by Walker injury, Manly star ruled out
In a significant blow to South Sydney, veteran Cody Walker has been ruled out for several weeks. Elsewhere, Manly will miss a backline star against Penrith. See all the predicted Round 8 team changes.