Mark Allen and David Schwarz might return to radio and go head-to-head against SEN

THEIR axing during last year’s shake-up at SEN caused a stir, but now they might be back. And David Schwarz and Mark Allen could go head-to-head with their former station in a familiar timeslot.

COULD it be just three months after their surprise axing at SEN that Mark Allen and David Schwarz end up going head-to-head against their old station?

“Marko” and “Ox” have been targeted for the March 31 launch of a 24-hour sports radio network on the AM band of 1278, that for many years was synonymous with 3AW.

And they have been earmarked for the 3-6pm timeslot of drive, pitting them against Kevin Bartlett and John Rothfield (Dr Turf), the latter being part of new management that oversaw the sacking of Allen and Schwarz.

It has led to legal action with Allen and Schwarz demanding compensation over lost wages and damages to their characters, the amounts being $562,126.93 for Schwarz and $418,710.46 for Allen.

Allen and Schwarz developed a strong following on “The Run Home” before being sacked suddenly after coming off air before holidays in December. It came at a time when they claim to have been offered new contracts.

John Rothfield and Kevin Bartlett.

Former SEN hosts David Schwarz and Mark Allen.

Also believed to be high up in the order of desired recruits for the 1278 band is Daniel Harford, currently kicking goals with racing radio station RSN as co-host of its breakfast timeslot.

Another name mentioned as a contributor is that of Sydney Kings coach Andrew Gaze, the man who for 25 years has held the title of Australia’s greatest basketballer, but who is about to have his thorny crown lifted by a young man named Ben Simmons (if not already).

Expect the station to carry regular broadcasts from the English Premier League.

As for a name, something along the lines of Talking or Talk Sport Australia.

SEN, under the management of CEO Craig Hutchison, will face its first moment of truth this Tuesday when ratings are released.

Steven Hocking didn’t like Leigh Matthews’ treatment of teammate Neville Bruns.

AFL football operations boss Steven Hocking Pic: Getty Images

AROUND THE TRAPS

AFL FOOTY BOSS’S ‘THANKS BUT NO THANKS’

THERE’S more from the midweek meeting between Steven Hocking and Leigh Matthews at Channel Seven, 33 years after Hocking retaliated for a Matthews king-hit on Geelong’s Neville Bruns.

Hocking prefers not to speak publicly about the Princes Park incident out of respect for Matthews, but he did once reveal he’d received plenty of hate mail and calls after the clash.

But included among the mail was a letter from a Colac farmer which included a cheque for $20 and a note of congratulations for breaking Matthews’ nose after the Hawk had broken Neville Bruns’ jaw.

Hocking, while appreciative of the gesture, returned the cheque.

EDDIE IS KING OF THE WEST

TRAVEL to far north Western Australia, or Derby to be specific, and ask the question of a group of indigenous footballers (as I did last week) as to who is their favourite AFL player and there’s only one answer. Maybe Cyril Rioli? Or the one and only “Buddy” Franklin? Possibly even Dusty or Danger? Try none of the above with the answer being a 174cm Adelaide player with baggy shorts named Eddie Betts.

Emulating Buddy is a bit hard given few indigenous Australians reach his height of 199cm, whereas kicking freakish goals and taking a specky like Eddie are slightly more realistic.

HAS WATTO HAD ENOUGH TALKING FOOTY?

EXPECT a change to the Talking Footy panel with Tim Watson opting to concentrate on his SEN breakfast show and Channel Seven commitments. Campbell Brown is one face that may bob up with a small crew of current players also to be used in a rotating role.

From Channel Seven to Fox Footy, where the big ins are Dermott Brereton and Jason Dunstall replacing Brian Lake and Nick Dal Santo on Thursday nights with Robbo and Gerard Whateley on AFL360, and Nick Riewoldt and Bob Murphy becoming Wednesday night regulars.

BIG TEST FOR CRICKET

THOSE of us who love everything that goes with the traditions of Test cricket may just have to get used to the fact the game is unlikely to survive long-term.

It’s not a view people want to put their name to right now, but small crowds at the Test series in South Africa is yet another indicator the game in its longer form is in serious trouble.

“In a decade there will be no Sheffield Shield and most likely the only Test cricket will be Ashes series,” was the view of one respected administrator during the week.

“And apart from the World Cup every four years, one-day cricket could be in trouble as well.”

SHARKS BITTEN

SORRENTO Sharks, that all-conquering team that has won five of the past 10 Nepean Football League premierships, will not field an under-19s side this season: “Under AFL South-East we have lost our identity and our history. In the words of INXS, they are tearing us apart because they aren’t listening to us,” Sorrento president Bernie Balmer said. “The creation of divisional football has caused kids to be poached by Division 2 sides, thereby reducing our numbers.”

RETIRED WILL WEIGHS IN

AT 31, retired world super featherweight champion Will Tomlinson would be entitled to smell the roses a little after starving himself for years in trying to make a 59kg limit.

As you can see from this portrait, “Wild Will” has hardly let himself go, although he is remarkable 12kg heavier then when he last fought, making his effort to maintain a sixpack at 71kg all the more impressive.

These days Tomlinson is kicking some serious goals through an ever-growing series of gymnasiums titled “Tribute Boxing” (currently in Abbotsford and Collins Square, with three more set to open in 2018). Tomlinson has also been appointed an ambassador for Swisse’s Pure Warrior protein range.

The Melbourne Rebels are 3-0. Pic: Michael Klein

ANDO’S HOT OR NOT BAROMETER

HOT

MELBOURNE REBELS

As CeCe Peniston sang back in 1992, FINALLY (success).

JASON RICHARDSON

As a presenter he captures just what fun horse racing can be.

CHRISTIAN PETRACCA

Name a player that looks more ready to take the next step?

NOT

DAVID WARNER

Unfit to occupy the office of an Australian vice-captain.

ACL

From netballers to AFL players, this sporting cancer continues to strike.

Trainer Bryce Stanaway with Crafty Cruiser at his Torquay training base. Picture: Colleen Petch.

AFTER 123 RACES, HE’S STILL CRUISING

HE is Australia’s iron horse, a 10-year-old from Torquay named Crafty Cruiser who last Thursday went around for the 123rd time.

The Bryce Stanaway-trained gelding, who has won $903,816 from 12 wins and 32 placings, kicked off his career over 1013m at Sale on September 23, 2010, and is still just as passionate about having a crack against his younger rivals.

Yesterday this remarkable galloper took time out from training to speak all things racing.

Jon Anderson: Why haven’t you retired yet, you silly old bugger?

Crafty, or Bobby as he’s known: Because I love what I do. I’ll tell you this, I’m better equipped to do what I do than half of the mugs at RVL.

JA: Do you have a guilty obsession?

Bobby: People turn up and keep trying to give me apples and carrots. I wish they’d nick off because I can’t stand that stuff. I’m a meat and three vegies type of guy.

JA: How is the arthritis?

Bobby: Fine, and unlike a lot of my opponents, I’ve never had a shot of cortisone.

JA: Who has been you hardest opponent?

Bobby: All hard, depending on what they’re on. I just use unleaded.

JA: How has racing changed?

Bobby: It’s now more about the punt than the animal.

JA: What would you change about racing?

Bobby: Honesty, and at all levels.

JA: Have you got another year left in you?

Bobby: I might have two years, just as long as they don’t keep making the tracks too hard.

David ‘Sheep’ Warner? David ‘Goose’ Warner? The Aussie vice-captain features in Ando’s Quiz. Pic: Getty

ANDO’S SPORTS QUIZ

1: With which sport do you associate Tyler Wright?

2: Who has played the fourth-most AFL games?

3: Which current AFL player has notched more than 150 games with two different clubs?

4: Who was the only player to score a century in the first Test in South Africa?

5: Which farm animal is also David Warner’s nickname?

6: What is the nickname of rugby league team North Queensland?

7: Name the female tennis player to have won the second-most grand slam singles titles?

8: Aaron Sandilands and which other current player stand a record 211cm?

9: What step do you associate with David Campese?

10: Vegas Showgirl is the mother of which famous Australian?

ANSWERS

1: Surfing

2: Dustin Fletcher

3: Shaun Burgoyne

4: Aiden Markram

5: Bull

6: Cowboys

7: Serena Williams

8: Mason Cox

9: Goose

10: Winx

Trainer Ben Hayes had a Super Saturday at Flemington. Pic: AAP

SAY WHAT?

“Back off the speed and finishing on strong, as we’ve seen from him in the past?”

- Racing.com host Shane Anderson’s pre-race poser to Redkirk Warrior trainer Ben Hayes, who replied: “Well, last year he won leading.”