North Melbourne’s Jasper Pittard catches attention with new haircut at pre-season training

The Kangas defender turning heads at pre-season, Katy Perry returns to cricket (but this time minus Doug Bollinger), Danny O’Brien en garde and an AFL sharp shooter eyes new goal.

The start of AFL pre-season training is mostly about new tattoos and haircuts.

Let's be honest there's not much more to get excited about given “everyone is flying” in November.

This week's candidate for the best haircut goes to North Melbourne's Jasper Pittard, who is no stranger to this category.

The former Port defender has had many different looks over the journey but his latest is a throwback to one of the great comedy movies of all-time Dumb and Dumber.

As you can see Pittard and Jim Carrey's character of Lloyd from the 1994 cult movie bear a striking resemblance.

Jasper Pittard at training on Wednesday. Pic: AAP

Actor Jim Carrey’s character Lloyd Christmas is a favourite among movie buffs. Picture: Supplied

It might be November but it was beanie weather for Kangaroos coach Rhyce Shaw. Pic: Getty Images

Pittard is well inked. Pic: Getty Images

KATY BACK TO PROVIDE THE ROAR

The last time Katy Perry took centre stage at a cricket spectacular, two things happened:

Doug Bollinger was on stage as her back-up dancer, and the pair were later accused in an Indian court of public ‘indecency’.

Aussie cricketer Doug Bollinger with Katy Perry at the Indian Premier League opening in 2012. Pic: AFP

After the VRC's botched Taylor Swift deal for the Melbourne Cup, cricket organisers have pulled off a massive coup by snaring global pop superstar Perry to perform as the headline act at the Women’s World Cup Final next year.

Perry will perform her hit song ‘Roar’ before the 6pm prime time final on March 8, and will also return to stage after the trophy presentation for a mini-concert at the MCG.

However, it’s safe to say Australian cricket icon ‘Doug the Rug’ won’t be making an encore appearance this time around.

Back in 2012, Perry opened the Indian Premier League season at a gala spectacular in Chennai, and created waves when she pulled Bollinger’s arms around her to demonstrate a cricket shot.

It was a bit of playful fun but a local lawyer didn’t take it in the same humour, prompting a hearing in the Madras High Court to adjudicate on claims that Perry and Bollinger’s performance was “obscene.”

Bollinger, one of the great characters of the Australian dressing room, yesterday played down his brush with fame – and the Indian legal system – upon hearing of Perry’s return to the cricket world.

“Nah it was just a bit of fun. That’s all it was. Just a bit of fun to keep everything lighthearted,” Bollinger told The Daily Telegraph 's Ben Horne.

“It was (a long time ago). I didn’t hear anything or know anything about (the court claim).”

O’BRIEN ABOARD FENCING TRAIN

Life moves on quickly particularly in the sporting world. Just ask Melbouirne Cup-winning trainer Danny O'Brien.

Last week he was the toast of the nation after winning his first Cup with Vow And Declare and then following it up with Miami Bound's victory in The Oaks.

Seven days on where did O'Brien find himself?

He was at a junior fencing tournament in Sydney watching his son, Thomas, compete.

It turns out Thomas, who attends Melbourne Grammar's Junior School Grimwade House, is more than handy with a foil in his hand.

He was one of the stars of the Cup celebrations, stealing the show in the post-race interview on Channel 10 with reporter Michael Felgate.

“Thomas, how good was that moment for you?” Felgate asked.

“Oh my god I’ve been waiting years for this moment!” Thomas responded, much to everyone’s amusement.

Danny O'Brien has gone from winning Melbourne Cups to watching his son fence. Picture: Jason Edwards

THE WHISPER

Is a coaching career on the horizon for one former sharp shooter? We hear he's set to step up to the main gig at a prominent private school next year?

Originally published as North Melbourne’s Jasper Pittard catches attention with new haircut at pre-season training