Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Former Souths star Darrell Trindall in jail, Tim Sheens’ autograph book, Origin blunder
The NRL has been narrowly saved from a major State of Origin embarrassment. Plus, Tim Sheens’ star-studded signing spree. All that and more in Australia’s best sports gossip column.
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The NRL has been narrowly saved from a major State of Origin embarrassment.
It’s lucky that Queensland didn’t win the women’s game in Canberra last week because it would have had to hand back the trophy.
In a major bungle and near embarrassment for the NRL, the Maroons illegally used 11 interchanges. NSW won 20-14 but the result could easily have gone the other way.
The NRL has confirmed the mistake came from a human error when the Maroons sent out Destiny Brill as their 11th interchange with two minutes remaining. There is a limit of 10.
There was apparently a mix-up at halftime over the replacement of a player.
NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley was alerted to the mistake after the game.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t picked up until after Queensland used an additional replacement over the maximum number allowable,” he said.
“Thankfully, it did not affect the outcome of the game. We are currently reviewing our people and processes to minimise the chance of this recurring.”
FORMER SOUTHS STAR IN JAIL
You hate seeing former NRL stars in situations where they finish up behind bars.
Darrell ‘Tricky’ Trindall played 171 games at the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bulldogs between 1990 and 2002.
He was a very good halfback, who was close to broadcaster Alan Jones and at one time worked as his chauffer driver.
Trindall is now in jail on remand, facing four charges relating to allegations of assault and domestic violence and driving a motor vehicle while his license is suspended.
He has entered not guilty pleas and is applying for bail.
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SAINT
Five years ago, rugby league lost Matt Callander to brain cancer at just 46 years of age. He was the Channel 9 NRL guru who — while he was ill — had gone to league boss Todd Greenberg to sell the idea of Beanie for Brain Cancer Round with the Mark Hughes Foundation. Matt’s legacy will live on forever in what has become such an important weekend on the league calendar. You can buy a beanie to support this great cause at the games, at Lowes or at IGA.
SINNER
Nick Kyrgios. No explanation needed. It’s just a horrible advertisement for Australian sport on the international stage at Wimbledon. Surely it’s time his major sponsors — including Nike — pulled the pin.
SHOOSH
Which old Wallaby legends didn’t hold back and gave ex-Grand Slam-winning coach Alan Jones an almighty spray at a rah rah lunch last week.
SHOOSH
Which high-profile league TV personality treated himself to seat 1A in business class for the flight home from last Sunday’s Origin in Perth.
SPOTTED
Retired referee Matt Cecchin is on a caravan holiday around Australia. He was in Perth for State of Origin and has agreed to referee a game in the local league on Sunday between the Rockingham Sharks and North Beach Sea Eagles in the six-team A-grade competition.
SPOTTED
2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley eagled the par 5, fifth hole at Castle Hill last week with a lob wedge from 69m that went straight into the hole. He couldn’t wait to tell us either — we got a text message from the great man before he’d reached the sixth tee.
SPOTTED
Legendary boxing trainer Johnny Lewis having breakfast at Bianchini’s at Elouera Beach with the former mayor of Gunnamatta Marty Downs.
SPOTTED
The Socceroos World Cup coach Graham Arnold at the Kimbriki rubbish tip at Terrey Hills dumping an old sofa from the roof racks of his car.
SPOTTED
Old footy stars Willie Mason and Anthony Mundine had to spend an extra night in Perth after Origin. There was an announcement after they had boarded the plane on Monday night that the flight has been grounded over a safety issue.
SPOTTED
Former Penrith Panthers, Balmain Tigers and Illawarra Steelers halfback Doug Delaney recovering in hospital from quadruple bypass surgery.
SHEENS’ SIGN OF RESPECT
When Tim Sheens walked into Benji Marshall’s recent testimonial dinner he headed straight to Wayne Bennett’s table to ask the super coach for his autograph.
The 71-year-old Sheens carries a small leatherbound book to every rugby league engagement to collect the signatures of all the footy icons he bumps into.
This hobby started when the four-time premier coach and Wests Tigers general manager took it to the NRL’s gala Centenary dinner in 2008.
That night he sat on the same table as the Johns brothers Andrew and Matty, Darren Lockyer and Roosters legend Ferris Ashton.
He grabbed their signatures and then gradually worked his way around the room.
He’s now got the signatures of Norm Provan and Arthur Summons, immortals Graeme Langlands, Reg Gasnier, Arthur Beetson, Bob Fulton and Wally Lewis.
He even visited Gasnier in his nursing home to get his autograph not long before the legendary centre passed away.
There’s also English legends Malcolm Reilly, Billy Boston, Ellery Hanley, Mike Stephenson and Bill Ashurst.
It’s a priceless collection that shows Sheens’ love and respect for the history of the game. He says he will eventually leave it to his family or the NRL museum.
It was two weeks ago at Doltone House in Pyrmont where Sheens finally tracked down old rival Bennett, the seven-time premier coach.
“As soon as I saw Wayne I was like a fan,” Sheens said. “I just asked him ‘can you sign my book please Wayne.’ He grinned and signed it for me.
“It might look a bit odd from a bloke my age but it’s very special to me. If I go anywhere where I’m likely to bump into someone I’ll take it with me.
“There’s still a few I’m after.”
Sheens has the players’ signatures from his grand final victories at the Tigers and Canberra Raiders and the Kangaroos he coached in 31 Tests between 2009 and 2015.
Footnote: There’s one signature Sheens has been unable to get. He recently missed out on signing Penrith Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo.
*****
It doesn’t always pay to be successful. The Penrith Panthers not only have rival clubs trying to pinch their best players but the NRL has now taken one of their top officials.
Kylie Fitzpatrick is the highly regarded chief executive of Panthers juniors. It’s such an important role in rugby league heartland looking after the biggest nursery in the game.
The NRL has appointed Kylie in a senior role in pathways and participation.
This follows moves by the NRL to hire Panthers football CEO Matt Cameron earlier this year.
He knocked them back but the relationship between the Panthers and head office is not good.
The Panthers rightly feel they are at least entitled to some compensation from rival clubs who continue to poach the players they have developed in juniors.
*****
It’s hard enough to pronounce the name of Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, let alone spell it. Even the QLD Maroons stuffed it up on the back of his jersey in Origin. They put uai on the end of his name instead of aui.
*****
Craig Bellamy must have been rattled at halftime when his team trailed Manly 18-6 at halftime at Brookvale Oval on Thursday night.
The Storm super coach walked into the Sea Eagles dressing room by mistake before doing a quick U-turn and heading back to the Storm sheds.
*****
It’s a year ago this weekend when NRL players banded together and helped make a huge difference to Mose Masoe’s life – raising much-needed funds for him via Sportsbet’s Try July campaign.
This year big Mose is giving back by promoting the cause, with proceeds from try celebrations to be split between the Tongan Recovery Appeal and victims of the NSW/Queensland floods.
Sportsbet will again donate $5000 for each try celebration from rounds 17-20.
“I will be forever grateful for what the players did for me,” said Mose, who received $265,000 from the celebrations. “They probably don’t realise it but they made a huge difference to my life. Just knowing they cared meant so much. And now there’s another chance for them to give back to two really worthwhile causes.”
Last year there were 53 try celebrations with the Rabbitohs (12) leading the way, followed by the Sharks (6), Roosters (5), Sea Eagles (5) and Storm (5).
*****
The NRL hasn’t had a captain-coach since Wally Lewis on the Gold Coast 30 years ago.
Now Parramatta is doing the same thing in NSW Cup.
For the rest of the season, Jordan Rankin will be captain-coach.
It follows Brad Arthur’s decision to elevate Ryan Carr to be one of his NRL assistants, replacing David Kidwell.
Rankin, 30, famously debuted for Gold Coast back in 2008 as a 16-year-old schoolboy and he’s obviously learnt plenty along the way.
His side includes the like of Tom Opacic, Sean Russell, Jake Arthur, Mitch Rein, Nathan Brown and Bryce Cartwright.
“Jordan is keen to transition into coaching at some stage,” Arthur said. “For the last couple of years, he’s done some work with our junior reps.
“It’s a good opportunity to give him a go and the reggie boys were all keen on it.”
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