Retirement backflip, WAGs drama and great’s doubts: Gold Coast sports gossip

The Sniper is back with all your Gold Coast sporting gossip.

The Sniper is back with all your Gold Coast sporting gossip.

CRICKET

DON’T expect to see Gold Coast Dolphins coach Chris Swan coming out of retirement any time soon.

Having damaged his shoulder last year playing masters Aussie rules, the 41-year-old elected not to have surgery so he can continue working for his pest control business.

Chris Swan. Picture: Richard Gosling

“Every ball I bowl now I want to be getting paid for,” he joked.

Swan played for Kookaburra Cup outfit Surfers Paradise up until this season before stepping away to focus on his role with the Dolphins.

RUGBY LEAGUE

WHICH prominent Rugby League Gold Coast figure says questions remain over the depth of talent at A grade newcomers Mudgeeraba, despite their recent signing spree?

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FOOTBALL

SHANE Smeltz made his long-awaited NPL debut for Gold Coast United on Saturday and it’s fair to say there were still a few question marks over his return.

While the A-League great’s class was never in question, Smeltz turns 39 this year and hasn’t played since 2017.

Gold Coast United great Shane Smeltz. Picture: Adam Head

“He’s definitely fit but no-one knows how it’s going to go,” one prominent Coast football figure said of the comeback.

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BOXING

JOHN Wayne Parr may be retired but the Muay Thai champion is still on the defence.

“When you walk in the gym and notice your daughter Jazzy & her boyfriend Rocky doing a photo shoot in gym,” he tweeted.

Gold Coast boxer John Wayne Parr with Rocky and JWP's daughter Jazzy. Picture: CHRIS HYDE

“But on closer inspection you also notice they are not leaving the regulation space for Jesus between them! Big thanks to @ChrisHydePhoto for the photos. Too funny mate.”

CRICKET

MUDGEERABA Nerang inflicted Broadbeach Robina’s only loss of the Kookaburra Cup season in November but the win clearly wasn’t that memorable for captain Dylan McLaughlin.

Asked if there were notes to take from the game ahead of the sides’ latest battle that started on Saturday, McLaughlin said:

“I really can’t remember.”

LOCAL SPORT

WHICH local sports club is trying to come to grips with a mass exodus of players in the off-season? With head coach and assistant coach also on the way out, it’s rumoured there were a few egos which tarnished the team environment.

RUGBY LEAGUE

MITCH Rein was somewhat of a surprise choice for the Titans’ NRL Nines captaincy earlier this month but the softly-spoken hooker has a clear fan in rising half Tanah Boyd.

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“He’s been so good this pre-season, Mitch. He’s a great leader,” Boyd said of the 29-year-old.

“He’s really brought the young fellas up to his level and he sticks to a really high standard. He’s so experienced, he’s played so many games now.

Mitch Rein of the Titans. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

“He’s such a good leader to have around and we definitely need that at the club.”

CRICKET

WHICH Gold Coast Dolphins star and his girlfriend have an “interesting dynamic” that includes dressing rooms visits during games, according to a source at the club?

AUSSIE RULES

THE Suns AFLW side have captured many hearts after thee weeks of strong performances so it’s no surprise to see locals getting behind their plight. While speaking to former Olympian Brooke Hanson this week, the Gold Coast resident was watching the North Melbourne vs Richmond AFLW game which her sister in law, Kate Gillespie-Jones, was playing in. Hanson joked that she’d make an attempt to recruit her sister in law to the Suns and we totally support the idea!

Kate Gillespie-Jones of the Kangaroos sets up for a shot at goal during the Round 2 AFLW match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the GWS Giants at the University of Tasmania Stadium on February 15, 2020 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

BASKETBALL

Like most, basketball is a team sport but it would be remiss of us not to single out a magnificent solo effort this week. North Gold Coast Seahawks U16 young gun Isabella Lightfoot dropped 66 points on the weekend against the Northside Wizards in an incredible display of short range shooting.