Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Mundine ends 25-year protest at Blues ball, Souths filthy over AI merchandise
Anthony Mundine ends his 25-year protest with rugby league, how to apply to be an NRL bunker official, Souths’ furore over AI-generated merch and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
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A one-time “dirty and resentful” Anthony Mundine has made an emotional return to rugby league after a 25-year absence.
The former NRL and boxing star attended the NSWRL’s True Blues Ball last week in Sydney, ending a long-held hostility for rugby league.
It was Mundine’s first official rugby league function since he quit NRL to box way back in 2000.
Wearing a black suit with white bow tie, Mundine’s return included mingling with current NSW players and some “old faces and peers.”
Mundine, who played three Origins for NSW in 1999, reflected on why he walked away from league, a game he’d played since aged four.
“I was dirty on the game for a long time after I left. I thought I was ‘done wrong’ and (denied) from reaching my ultimate dream, which was to play for the Kangaroos. I held a lot of resentment over the years,” Mundine said.
“I achieved all my dreams in rugby league and the only goal left was to play for the Kangaroos. I felt I had runs on the board and was tearing it up.
“I was one of the best, premier players in the world.
“I felt I wasn’t being treated right by the system. I know I rubbed the system up the wrong with my stances – how passionate and militant I was for my people and the injustices I saw.
“I just called it out.
“Because I was a brash, cocky, confident, loudmouth, Aboriginal boy, telling it how it was, I don’t think they liked that too much.”
But the anger has evaporated and Mundine wanted a return to rugby league and a close friendship with NSWRL CEO David Trodden sealed the deal.
“As you get older, you mellow, so I thought I would go and see some old faces and peers, and show my face. Whether you’ve played one game for NSW, or 20, you’re still a Blue. I played a series so I am a big part of the history,” Mundine said.
“I’ve got a really good relationship with Dave Trodden and I met up with ‘Madge’ (ex-NSW coach Michael Maguire) last year so I felt a bit of love, you know what I mean?
“I’ve been to a couple of Dragons’ old boys catch-ups but nothing official.
“It was a 25-year hiatus.
“What was gratifying (at the True Blues Ball) was having a yarn to a few of the boys and brothers – Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton.
“They really admired my sporting ability and what I stood for.
“I was good to get around the boys and mix it up.”
Mundine, who played for St George and Brisbane, quit rugby league midway through the 2000 season to become a three-time world boxing champion.
SAINT
The mighty NSW Blues. What a great bunch of polite, accommodating and well-mannered young men. They offered humour and insight when interviewed with front man Laurie Daley leading the way, along with a champion band of support staff. They certainly made life easier in Sydney, Leura and Brisbane for this crotchety old journo.
SINNER
To the person who filmed NSW’s private training session before leaking the vision to Sydney’s media. It was a grubby act which caused unnecessary drama and may result in all people being banned from future NSW training sessions.
SHOOSH
Despite being called into NSW camp, we knew Adam Doueihi wasn’t going to be a late call-up if Stephen Crichton withdrew from Origin I. How did we know? Doueihi was spotted on game day sitting in the sun at his family’s dry cleaning business in Summer Hill.
SHOOSH
Which son of an ex-NRL premiership winner may be PNG’s first major signing for the 2028 season? His father has a famous surname.
SPOTTED
Reckon the bunker is useless like I do? Here’s your chance to make a difference. LinkedIn carried an advertisement this week seeking an NRL Bunker Review Operator. Applicants must have “management and manufacturing skills in technology, information and internet.” Says nothing about the obvious void in the bunker — plain common sense!
SPOTTED
NSW halves from the triumphant 2014 series — Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson — were reunited at a Big Sports Breakfast State of Origin lunch in Brisbane. Reynolds cheekily wore his victorious ‘14 NSW jumper, which remains unwashed.
SPOTTED
You might wonder why you’re reading Bulldog’s Bite instead of What’s the Buzz. Old mate has taken the week off and was spotted on the Gold Coast and celebrating his long-time adversary Gus Gould copping a pasting over his Lachlan Galvin denials.
SPOTTED
PPQ – Personalised Plates Queensland – dropped the ball by using three players wearing Maroons jumpers in its current advertising campaign. Only problem is Ben Hunt and Tom Gilbert didn’t feature in Origin I. Only Pat Carrigan was there at Suncorp.
SPOTTED
Queensland legend Steve ‘Boxhead’ Walters wandering around Brisbane’s Queen Street on game day. NSWRL sponsor and ex-Panthers prop Lou Zivanovic at the Blues’ base — the Sofitel Hotel — along with tennis great Ken Rosewall. Also Hoodoo Gurus front man Dave Faulkner cheering on NSW at Suncorp Stadium.
FENECH-JARVIS IS FIGHTING BACK
Four-time world champion and acclaimed trainer Jeff Fenech has revealed the reason behind his public split with Sydney boxer Brock Jarvis by declaring: “Brock wouldn’t listen to me.”
And in a boxing shock, Fenech then revealed he and Jarvis had reunited for what appears an inevitable showdown with Nikita Tszyu.
Fenech said Jarvis had a broken rib and had sparred just four rounds before fighting US legend Keith Thurman in March.
Some boxers spar between 80 to 100 rounds before a fight but Jarvis was in too much pain to take any pre-bout punishment.
Fenech desperately wanted the fight to be postponed but Jarvis “didn’t want to let anyone down” and fought Thurman, who won via a third round knockout after Fenech walked away, fearing for Jarvis’ safety.
“Brock’s preparation was shit. He had a badly broken rib,” Fenech said.
“He was brave but stupid.
“He hurt the rib again while sparring. I told him he wouldn’t be able to fight with the injury but he wouldn’t listen to me. I could see he was in pain.
“Brock only sparred four rounds, instead of sparring 80 to 100 rounds, because of his rib, and here he was fighting one of the best in the world.
“He believed he could still win but I knew it was impossible. Brock, to his credit, didn’t want to let anyone down.
“I went to that fight because I was worried he was going to get hurt. I wanted to put the fight back but he wouldn’t listen. We had an argument and I let him go on his own way
“I wasn’t going to be the bloke that put him in the ring under these circumstances.”
Now back together they are on a collision course with Tszyu.
“He is training the house down, is 100 per cent fit, we’ve had a great talk, he will be fine,” Fenechs aid.
GESTURE TO CROW ABOUT
Parramatta’s 216-game legend Michael Cronin was the first to congratulate Junior Paulo on his 250th NRL game in the sheds last weekend, with Cronin making the trip from Gerringong to mark the occasion.
Known for his own dedication – commuting two hours each way for training and matches in from 1977 to 1986 – his gesture reflects the respect Paulo holds among club legends.
LOZZA’S DRESS DISTRESS
He won his return game as NSW head coach but Laurie Daley had to contend with not only pre-game nerves, but also a late wardrobe malfunction.
Daley almost turned up to Suncorp Stadium shirtless on Wednesday night after his team dress shirt went AWOL in the wash.
Luckily Daley’s wife, Michelle, was to the rescue with a mercy dash to the local shopping centre to find a replacement just hours before kick-off.
MUCH FANFARE AHEAD
They won’t out-sell the Swifties but around 1.5 million fans are expected to watch two bumper sporting series later this year and early 2026.
Ticket sales for the entire British and Irish Lions rugby tour will top 500,000 while up to one million fans will watch the Ashes.
The Lions Test at Accor Stadium will pull 80,000 fans while the Waratahs match will attract 40,000 at Allianz Stadium. Demand will exceed supply.
The cumulative national attendance last summer for Tests against India was 837,879.
This five-Test series against England will surge past that figure.
Again, demand will exceed supply for the first three days’ play in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
No sporting event will topple Taylor Swift, whose four concerts were attended by 340,000 last year. Demand for Swift tickets hit – wait for it – six million.
BELLY MORE THAN WORTHY
Craig Bellamy is among the most humble men in Australian sport.
The Blues assistant is one of the greatest coaches of all time but still reveres the status and esteem of a NSW Origin jumper.
While he was a strong centre who played 150 first grade games for Canberra, Bellamy was never chosen to represent the Blues during his 11-year career.
And because of this Bellamy revealed how uncomfortable he was signing promotional NSW jumpers while in camp last week.
One NSW source said: “Craig is a legend but felt bad signing the NSW jumpers because he never represented NSW. Craig should never feel bad about anything he does in rugby league given how much he’s given the game.”
Bellamy coached NSW for three seasons between 2008 and 2010.
BULLEMOR THE MERRIER
Manly is poised to sign backrower Ethan Bullemor – a future Maroon according to the club – to a new four-year deal.
Bullemor, 25, comes off contract at Brookvale after this season with the Sea Eagles set to lock him down until the end of 2029.
And Manly CEO Tony Mestrov reckons Bullemor can crack State of Origin.
“We’re keen to keep him long-term,” Mestrov said. “Ethan has played his best footy here, no doubt, he’s found a home here and I think he can play State of Origin.”
SOUTHS SHIRTY ABOUT FAKE MERCH
South Sydney boss Blake Solly has described fake online rugby league merchandise offers as “outrageous, awful, counterfeit rubbish.”
Bulldog’s Bite was sent an online advert, featuring an AI generated image of club great Greg Inglis promoting a Rabbitohs T-shirt, which included unauthorised photos and signatures of many club greats.
Former 1980s star halfback Craig Coleman said he was “flabbergasted” after seeing a photo of himself, and his signature, on the T-shirt.
“It’s outrageous and awful that people out there with no relationship with the club or game are producing this counterfeit rubbish,” Solly said.
“They are taking advantage of people. Even the photo of Greg Inglis is an AI-generated fake.
“If fans and members see this stuff and they are confused whether it’s authentic, they should get in touch with the club; we’d be happy to set them straight.
“It is also taking money out of the clubs and the game.
“The best place for anyone to buy official merchandise is our club shop. If you’re in any doubt, check with the club or NRL.”
THE BETTER HALF – with Maria Tedesco, partner of James Tedesco
James gets better with age. What changed in his game preparation?
Not too much has changed, but James’ commitment and discipline to his daily routine never ceases to amaze me. He takes his recovery very seriously, which includes daily ice baths and weekly saunas, massages and a great diet — which I might take a little credit for. I cook all our meals with lots of whole foods and a focus on a Mediterranean diet. Another factor would be sleep — especially since daughter Rosie was born. We love an early bedtime.
Surely that takes a toll at home, can he switch off?
He is always so present when we are away as a family. Switching off is pretty easy for him.
Do you get much time for yourself or is it hard with James’ tough schedule?
James is the most attentive husband and always makes sure I get time to myself; whether that’s getting a massage or going to the gym. It gives him time alone with Rosie, which can be hard during the season. But when James is able to play golf, watch golf or go to a golf simulator, he’s pretty chuffed. Spending time or playing golf with his childhood friends always makes him feel calm and fulfilled.
You mentioned James’ time with Rosie. You are expecting your second; what’s he like as a dad?
James is the best dad to Rosie — so calm and patient; as much as you can be with a toddler. Watching him play tea parties and read books with her is so special. We spoke about having children on our first date, so having our own has been the biggest blessing.
Spoke about children on your first date? I know it was a while ago, but where was your first date?
Our first date was breakfast in Vaucluse followed by a swim at Shark beach. We both knew from the first date there was something special.
How romantic. Did you know him long before that?
We met properly at a music festival at the end of 2019 through friends. Before that I used to serve him at my family’s cafe in Woolwich, having no idea who he was.
I assume you play a big part in pre-game meals?
The night before every game I must cook a piece of grass fed 400g steak with sweet potato and broccoli. We are both very superstitious about this.
Do you enjoy watching James play?
Every game makes me so nervous. My favourite part is seeing him run out as captain. No one is more deserving. It makes me so proud and I know Rosie is so proud of him too.
A favourite moment?
When James captained Australia in England in 2022 and led them to victory with a man-of-the-match performance at Old Trafford. I was so honoured to be there to witness it and we got to celebrate by spending a few weeks in Paris and Italy together before our wedding.
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