Sport Confidential: Matt Burton twist in Josh Addo-Carr Storm call
Bulldogs boss Phil Gould insisted Josh Addo-Carr was off-limits to the injury-hit Storm, but some officials at the club were willing to consider the loan deal. Find out why
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Canterbury’s desperation to keep Matt Burton prompted them to consider allowing Josh Addo-Carr to return to Melbourne for the remainder of the season.
Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould was defiant on Monday night on the Nine Network when he spoke about Addo-Carr, insisting he was never going anywhere.
Gould said he didn’t want to do the wrong thing by the club’s fans. Or the kids who wear Addo-Carr’s jersey.
While Gould insisted Addo-Carr was off limits, word on the street was that there were some at the Bulldogs who were willing to at least consider loaning Addo-Carr back to Melbourne because it would have cleared more than $100,000 under their salary cap, which they could have used to pay players in advance this year.
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That, in turn, would have given them access to more cap space next year. That money could have been thrown at Burton as they attempt to keep the NSW star at the club.
Burton is on less than $600,000 next season and the Bulldogs face a fight to keep him beyond that. It seems certain Burton will go on the market on November 1 unless the Bulldogs come up with an offer that is too good to refuse.
Sources close to Burton insist the starting price for the five-eighth begins with a nine.
That would make him one of the highest-paid players in the game but there is a belief in his inner circle that clubs would be willing to come to the party.
NRL issues fireworks ban
The NRL has banned smoke-generating fireworks in a bid to prevent an embarrassing mishap after players struggled to see the ball after kick-offs.
There has been a growing trend of smoke covering the field when the ball is kicked off because of fireworks.
The issue was brought to a head this week after Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy allowed the ball to bounce after the kick-off after losing sight of the ball because of the smoke.
Smoke also delayed the start of Origin III this month.
Sport Confidential has obtained a memo sent by NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley where he used the Kennedy example and warned the clubs against using fireworks just before kick-off.
“On a number of occasions over recent weeks fireworks have been used as teams take the field resulting in a plume of smoke hanging over the field of play as the game commences,” Annesley wrote. “This obviously has the potential to affect the vision of players from both competing teams and could negatively impact play.”
Annesley then pointed to the operations manual which writes;
“Under no circumstances are fireworks to be placed on the field of play at any time before the game without the prior approval of (Annesley). Also, for safety reasons no fireworks are to be placed anywhere near the Players tunnel as the Players enter the field”.
Annesley went on to say that “ in the last five minutes before kick-off at all future NRL games, no approval will be granted for any smoke generating fireworks”.
Fox World Cup coup
Fox Sports has won the exclusive rights to broadcast the rugby league World Cup at the end of season.
Foxtel and Kayo Sports will showcase 61 end of season matches – 31 men’s, 15 women’s and 15 wheelchair games from England between October 15 to November 19.
Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley said he was thrilled to secure the live and exclusive broadcast rights.
“Fox League and Kayo Sports are flying this season and to now add the Rugby League World Cup is something to bang the drums about,” Crawley said. “All exclusive rights across the 61 matches of men’s, women’s and wheelchair footy very much celebrates the best of the best – on the true homes of rugby league.”
Radley’s X-rated punishment
He won’t wear the sky blues jersey again but Victor Radley’s short stint as a NSW squad member has earned the ire of the NRL after he was sanctioned for his lewd dressing room antics.
Radley has escaped with a suspended $5000 fine and a warning from NRL boss Andrew Abdo after an X-rated gesture was caught on camera.
He was caught simulating a lewd act on teenage Blues and Sydney Roosters teammate Joseph Suaalii after the Blues’ Origin II victory in Perth. The NRL took into account mitigating circumstances primarily that Radley was caught unaware that he was on live television. However, the NRL still deemed he brought the game into disrepute.
The incident prompted Abdo to meet personally with Radley who has courted trouble on occasions during his young career.
Abdo emerged from those talks and opted to sanction the Roosters lock, albeit with the fine suspended provided he doesn’t find himself in trouble again any time soon.
It is expected to be Radley’s final act as a NSW player after he surprised many by opting to represent England at the end of year world cup.
The decision – which was announced earlier this month - means Radley will be unable to play for NSW again.
The incident involving Radley prompted the players union to hit out at footage from the sanctity of the dressing room being made available to broadcast networks and said they would discuss the use of cameras during the next round of CBA negotiations.
Radley was banned for two matches and fined $20,000 - half of which was suspended - after tackling a party gatecrasher in Byron Bay during the summer. The suspended fine had lapsed before the most recent indiscretion but he will need to keep his nose clean for the next 12 months after earning the ire of the NRL again.
Abdo has shown a willingness to meet players since taking over as chief executive - he warned Brisbane star Kotoni Staggs over his behaviour last year and recently took Matt Lodge through the machinations of the salary cap when he was in talks with the Sydney Roosters.
Kaufusi’s Tongan family matter
Felise Kaufusi hasn’t had the chance yet to tell his father Taniela that he will play for Tonga at the World Cup. When he does, he is pretty sure it will bring a smile to his father’s face.
Four years ago, when Kaufusi played for Australia against Tonga, his dad rocked up in Tongan colours.
That memory no doubt played a part in Kaufusi’s decision to declare his allegiance to Tonga for this year’s World Cup, much to the disappointment of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.
The importance of family has been rammed home to Kaufusi in recent weeks after he was forced to rush to America to be by Taniela’s side following a medical emergency.
Taniela is now back in Australia but he is on a ventilator as he works his way back to health.
“Mum and the family are pretty stoked,” Kaufusi said.
“Dad will be pumped. He wore Tonga gear to the game when we played them in 2018. It’s something I have been sitting on for a while.
“I had a conversation with Kristian Woolf. He said it was up to me. He said he didn’t want me to wait to see whether I made the Kangaroos team.
“I am not that type of person and I don’t think I would want to play with someone who wanted to wait around to see whether they got picked in another team.
“It is the opportunity to represent my heritage, my family, and challenge the best sides. I think that would be the pinnacle.”
Woolf inadvertently let slip to Meninga at a World Cup function that he was chasing Kaufusi. Kaufusi, however, only informed Meninga of his decision recently.
“He was at a promo for the World Cup and he was on stage with Kristian,” Kaufusi said.
“Woolf let it slip. I think that took Mal by surprise. He said he was going to give me a call. I said I don’t want to stuff you around, I am playing for Tonga at the World Cup.
“He was really good about. He understood my reasoning. He wished me good luck.”
His decision also ensures he won’t face the Tongan side again. When he played for the Kangaroos four years ago, the Tongan players saved a bit extra for him.
“It was daunting against Tonga when they were doing the haka and then they played the national anthem,” Kaufusi said.
“They saved a bit of extra sauce playing against me.”
Burton twist in Addo-Car Storm call
Eels sign Nathan Brown
Former Warriors coach Nathan Brown has taken his first steps into life after head coaching with the Eels signing Brown on a short-term deal to review its elite pathways program.
The Eels have dedicated themselves to invigorating their junior development structures and view Brown as an important cog to helping them enhance their pathways system.
The role will see Brown review Parramatta’s development system and explore potential improvements to aid the Eels’ brightest young prospects in readying themselves for the top grade according to Parramatta’s head of football Mark O’Neill.
“Nathan has a wealth of experience both as an NRL player and Head Coach at every level within the game,” O’Neill said. “Importantly, Nathan has been exposed to many pathways programs and is highly passionate about this space.
“Through his involvement, Nathan will be able to give us an informed view of where our programs are at and what opportunities there will be to make improvements in line with best practice.”
Several other clubs have reached out to the ex-Dragons and Knights coach who despite not wanting to be a head coach wants to remain involved in the game. He openly said his ambition was to now prevent a coach from being sacked as Brown transitions from an on-field role into a largely off-field position.
Ponga’s nervous head knock wait
Andre Ponga has allayed fears about his son Kalyn’s long-term future as the Newcastle superstar prepares to meet a neurosurgeon on Friday to determine whether he plays again this season.
Ponga suffered his fifth head knock this year – and third in recent weeks – when he was ruled out of last Friday’s game against the Sydney Roosters.
Ponga wants to play for the Knights again this year but the final decision is likely to rest in the hands of the specialists and Newcastle officials.
“Personally, we have spent a lot of time together – I took his money on the golf course (this week),” Andre said.
“He is in a good space. We just have to wait for the meeting and go from there.”
Asked whether he was concerned for his son, Andrew replied: “To be honest, no. He is in a good space. I honestly wouldn’t be worried.
“He would play tomorrow if he could. We just have to wait to see what the professionals say and go from there.
“If you were to say where you think he is at, I would say he is mentally okay. If anything, he is just not doing his calculations on the golf course any good.
“I would be worried if he was having bad symptoms.”
Ponga’s immediate future will be one of the main issues for the Knights incoming head of football, Peter Parr. Parr will begin his new job with Newcastle on Monday and Ponga aside, the most contentious issues are the future of coach Adam O’Brien
“I think it is always dangerous when decisions around football clubs are left in the hands of one person,” Parr said. “Phillip is still the CEO and there is a board. My view on the coach from a personal view is that he will be getting my absolute, 100 per cent support, and I will be trying to work with him to get things back to where everyone in the club and region wants them to get back to. My understanding is that he is a terrific bloke and that was backed up in the brief conversation I had with him. I do know previous to this year he got the club to the finals two years in a row and that would suggest to me that he can coach as well. I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Eddie Jones’s Rabbitohs rebuff
If Eddie Jones wants to coach South Sydney, he may be waiting a while. Jones, the former Wallabies coach who is now in charge of England, has made no secret of his desire to one day coach in the NRL.
He went public again this week with his quest to take the reins of the Rabbitohs, the club he has followed since he was a boy.
The only problem for Jones is that Souths have a coach who is doing a handy job. The Rabbitohs are in no rush to replace Jason Demetriou, although they appreciate Jones’ high-profile support
“It’s great to hear that Eddie is a long term supporter of South Sydney but Jason is doing a fine job as head coach of the Rabbitohs and we have great confidence in the coaching team and our football management,” Souths chief executive Blake Solly said.
While there is no place on the Rabbitohs coaching staff for Jones, Sam Burgess is returning to Redfern after knocking back the chance to join the Dolphins.
Jaimee’s channel challenge
Big Sports Breakfast presenter Jaimee Rogers flies out on Saturday to tackle the English Channel after two years of preparation.
Rogers is ready for the 35km swim as she pushes to raise $75,000 for mental health charity Gotcha4Life.
“When I started training it was during Covid and with most people being in lockdown, I thought it was important to check on the mental health of others,” Rogers said.
“Doing a bit of research I found that suicide is the biggest cause of death for people between the ages of 15-44 years.”
The swim is expected to take about 11 hours.
“You cannot touch the boat so when you stop to eat so I’ll have a couple of friends on the boat tossing me food via a dog leash,” Rogers said.
To donate visit jaimee-rogers-uk-swim.raisely.com
Gal’s fight call out
Justin Hodges has called on Paul Gallen to stay true to his pre-Origin promise and travel to Queensland for the pair to fight.
Hodges has made no secret of his desire to take on Gallen and now he has come out swinging telling Gallen he must make good on his bet.
“Gal made the bet that if Queensland win origin that it has to happen up here,” Hodges said. “He’s from the old school, he’s man of his word. I’m just waiting to hear that he’s going to hold up his end of the bet and take me on up here in enemy territory for him. After all, he’s the one that asked for it in the first place.”
“I certainly don’t think he’s scared to fight me, but I reckon his confidence took a hit when the Maroons took out Origin. I know I’m a massive underdog in this one but so was Queensland and look how that turned out.“
NRL’s American misadventure
Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys have postponed a fact-finding trip to America but insist plans to play a game next year on the west coast remain on the table.
Abdo and V’landys were due to jet out next week to hold key meetings and tour potential venues for the game. However, they decided to put the trip on hold given they are yet to cross off all the items on their to-do list in the NRL.
Chief among them is the negotiations with the players and clubs over the Collective Bargaining Agreement and grant for next season.
Confidential understands the NRL and RLPA are close to finalising retrospective payments for the past three seasons.
Tigers star answers SOS call
Melbourne’s desperate bid to secure an outside back looks to have finally ended with the Storm set to sign Wests Tigers flyer David Nofoaluma.
The Storm have been scrambling to add an outside back to their depleted backline after a stack of recent injuries.
Nofoaluma looks likely to answer their SOS call after telling teammates of his plans on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old would play out the year at the Storm before returning to the Tigers next season.
He has had a turbulent 2022 season. Nofoaluma has battled concussion and spent a stint in reserve grade after being dropped for drinking while recovering from injury. He has been out of the top squad in recent weeks.
The Storm have been desperately looking to sign an outside back before the August 1 trade window closes. They have been linked to Nofoaluma’s Tigers teammates including Daine Laurie, Adam Doueihi and Ken Maumalo and Penrith’s Robert Jennings. The Storm also sounded out ex-Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr and departing Warrior Reece Walsh but were knocked back by the respective clubs.
At his best, Nofoaluma is among the top finishers in the game having scored a club record 95 tries from 175 matches.
He is expected to link with the Storm this week and be right to play in their round 21 clash against the Titans next week.
Nofoaluma is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2025 on a deal worth about $500,000 which makes him among the highest paid players.
Letting him go for the back end of the season not only saves the Tigers about $100,000 it will also potentially expose Nofoaluma to finals football for the first time in his decade long career.
He has played 12 matches this season.
The Storm injury toll is mounting. The likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Reimis Smith and George Jennings are sidelined for the rest of the year while Xaiver Coates will miss at least the next two more weeks.
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Originally published as Sport Confidential: Matt Burton twist in Josh Addo-Carr Storm call
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