Sport Confidential: Radio heavyweight makes pitch for Paul Gallen, Eels circle Jack Bird
The NRL has had an early win over rival codes, with pre-season trial matches proving a smash ratings hit, leaving rugby union and football in the shade.
Rugby league has scored an early victory over their rival codes in the pre-season, with ratings for the trials leaving rugby union and football in the shade.
It is understood the opening weekend of trials averaged 160,000 viewers across Foxtel and Kayo. The gaping chasm between the respective codes was highlighted on Saturday night when the Brisbane Broncos-Gold Coast Titans drew an average audience of 190,000 viewers across the Foxtel platforms.
Meanwhile, on free-to-air, the rugby union game between the Reds and Rebels averaged 76,000 — down 40 per cent on the 2021 season opener.
The A-League game between the Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners fared worse, only pulling in an average of 66,000 viewers on Channel Ten.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
RADIO HEAVYWEIGHT MAKES PITCH FOR GALLEN
Paul Gallen has quickly become one of the most respected and popular voices in the media so it should come as no surprise that Sydney radio station Triple M have launched a fresh bid for his services.
Gallen was a staple on Triple M a few years back before focusing on his television commitments with the Nine Network.
He has also been a regular on Nine’s sister station 2GB in recent years.
However, Triple M are believed to have come back into the picture as they look to fill the gaping hole left by Gallen’s former Nine colleague Peter Sterling, who drew the curtain on his media career at the end of last season. Gallen is a man in demand.
DRAGONS PULL BIRD OFFER AS EELS CIRCLE
St George Illawarra has pulled its offer to Jack Bird — a move that could prompt Parramatta to make a play for the former NSW State of Origin forward.
The Eels have money to spend next season and a void in the back row. Bird would seem the ideal fit and it is understood the Eels have asked to be kept informed of developments with the Dragons star.
Talks between Bird, his manager David Riolo and the Dragons stalled in recent weeks, prompting St George Illawarra to withdraw their offer.
They indicated they would be willing to return to the table with the caveat that the landscape may change. The money that is there for Bird now may not be there in the coming weeks and months.
The Dragons made it clear they won’t be hanging around. They need to reinforce their squad for next season and Bird’s money could be put to good use.
It is understood the Dolphins have made a phone call to gain some clarity around Bird’s demands but are yet to decide whether they will make a play.
Wests Tigers have also been asked whether they would be interested but are yet to take a final call. Other clubs are watching closely as well.
MAROONS OUTCAST IN SECRET ORIGIN PEACE TALKS
Jai Arrow sat down for dinner with Queensland coach Billy Slater recently in the surest sign yet that he has been welcomed back into the State of Origin fold.
Arrow’s place in Origin was in serious doubt after he breached protocols last year. There was talk that he would be frozen out of the side.
It took a meeting with Queensland Rugby League heavyweights Bruce Hatcher and Rohan Sawyer over the off-season to broker a way forward, Arrow acknowledging he had done the wrong thing and convincing Maroons powerbrokers that he was committed to the cause.
He still had to get Slater on side but his invitation to dinner with the rookie Maroons coach is a pointer towards his participation in this year’s series.
“I went to dinner with him the other week – I went with a few other players,” Arrow said.
“That was good that he invited me and we got to sit down and speak about what it means to be a Queenslander.
“Obviously I am very grateful. It was a time in my life that was pretty rough but something I had to put up with and not dwell on.
“I had to move on with life. All I could do was suffer the consequences, move on and then get back to my job.
“I can’t thank Billy enough for inviting me to that dinner. I suppose it takes a weight off my shoulders.”
Arrow and Slater were teammates for a short time in Origin four years ago. Arrow’s first series for Queensland was Slater’s last, but the Maroons and Melbourne legend left an indelible impression on a young Arrow.
“He is unbelievable,” Arrow said. “In my debut year in Origin, going in and seeing the likes of Billy and the way he conducted himself on and off the field, he was a pretty special player.
“He knows his footy, loves his footy and he is obviously passionate about Queensland. That is what you want in a coach. He pretty much coached the side anyway.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say I was thinking about it. Having a taste of Origin and being part of it – I have played nine games now – I want more. I met with the QRL.
“Because of Covid it was pretty hard but we got that done and settled. It was all good. I am just really, really looking forward to the season with the Rabbitohs.
“Hopefully I can play consistent footy and I get the rewards.”
FORMER MEDIA BOSSES ON COLLISION COURSE
Former Nine Network chief executive Hugh Marks may yet cross swords with another former Nine boss — David Gyngell — as he takes a lead role in talks between the NRL and players over the new collective bargaining agreement.
Marks has taken on a role as a consultant with the NRL as they attempt to reach agreements with not only the players, but the clubs.
Gyngell is a former advisor to the Rugby League Players Association and remains a confidante for players union boss Clint Newton. The two remain in contact and Newton indicated he would continue to bounce ideas off Gyngell.
“David and I have known each other for a long time now and we speak about many different things,” Newton said. “It’s great to have someone like him around.”
Newton revealed he had spoken to Marks and was confident they would be able to strike a deal with minimal angst.
“I have spoken to Hugh and we struck up a good line of communication during the 2020 season. I think that after the massive upheaval over the past two years … all stakeholders deserve a quick outcome on the CBA negotiations but that is certainly not going to come at the cost of securing the best terms and conditions for their greatest asset,” Newton said.
“As Hugh said himself, the investors and commercial partners buy the players and the clubs, and they are going to be essential to the game’s revenues. So you would certainly imagine High is very pragmatic with his approach, very solutions-focused.”
HOW TO IDENTIFY A HIP DROP TACKLE
Sport Confidential has put together a how to guide to help identify one of the most talked about tackles in the game — the hip drop.
The dangerous technique started to infiltrate its way into the game around 2019 and the NRL want it out of the game. They took a hardline stance against St George Illawarra’s Tyrell Fuimaono, who was suspended for five weeks for a tackle on Haze Dunster. Dunster needs multiple surgeries to repair his injured knee.
While the tackle can cause serious injury they are at times difficult to identify. But the key indicators of the hip drop include:
- When a player has a grip of an opponent they use that to lift or maintain body weight to then swing their hip/s around. In many cases, players swivel their nearest hip away from the body, aiming the bottom or hip at the opposition player’s body.
- Player lands body weight on leg and/or foot to stop the opposition player’s moment, trapping the lower limb into a dangerous position with weight and force.
The actions can trap and twist joints in an unnatural way and give the ball carrier a heightened risk of injury.
“The hip drop tackle was first identified in 2019, alongside a significant increase in incidents of defenders dropping their hips and body weight onto the unprotected legs of ball carriers when making a tackle,” said NRL head of football Graham Annesley.
“This type of tackle has shown an increased risk of serious injury to the lower limbs of players in possession, and has in some cases caused serious injuries.”
Any injury sustained by a player is considered in assessing the grading.
TIGERS SNARE RISING MANLY STAR
Wests Tigers have snatched Manly Harold Matthews premiership-winning skipper Josh Feledy on a long-term deal.
The Tigers signed Feledy to a three-year contract beginning next season. He captained the undefeated Sea Eagles to premiership success last year which included a six-try haul against Newcastle. Feledy is in Manly’s SG Ball team this year.
INJURY THREATENS DREAM CHANCE
Roosters siblings are hoping an injury won’t derail their chances of playing alongside each other in the NRLW this season.
Zahara Temara’s sister Chante joined the Roosters from the Broncos in a bid to play alongside each other. But she was forced to undergo surgery after breaking her hand at training. Chante is pushing to return before the season ends.
PEARCE TO PASS COMMISSION MILESTONE
The ARL Commission will meet on Monday to extend the tenures of Wayne Pearce and Gary Weiss for another three years. Alan Sullivan will be formally welcomed onto the commission. For Pearce, he will pass a decade as a member after being appointed to the inaugural Commission in 2012.
CLEARY’S NEW BREW
Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary is turning his hand to brewing. Cleary has partnered with UFC fighters Tai Tuivasa and Tyson Pedro.
“I became a shareholder of DrinkWest,” Cleary said. “It’s a pretty cool opportunity and a journey I’m looking forward to. Hopefully it will be good.
“They have everything in place already so I’ve just jumped on board with those guys and we’ll see how it goes.
THORPE BECOMES A LEGEND
Sport Australia was finally able to celebrate its hall of fame inductees on Wednesday night after the event was delayed because of Covid-19.
Ian Thorpe was elevated to legend status while Lauren Jackson, Jana Pittman and Jill McIntosh were inducted in the hall of fame.
ALL EYES ON
The final round of trials. Teams will field stronger sides than last week which always comes with a risk of injury. There will be nervous fans and coaches.
FLASHBACK
Wayne Bennett showed his unusual public enthusiasm when preparing to coach his first match for Newcastle on this day 10 years ago. Bennett had just completed a successful three year stint at St George Illawarra and arrived at Newcastle full of hope. Interviewed on stage in front of several hundred members and sponsors, Bennett was asked whether he was excited about the season ahead. Long pause. Still long pause. ‘‘Do I look excited?’’ Bennett said. According to several unreliable witnesses, he looked like he was about to pass a stone.
More Coverage
AFLW Agenda: Thank you Maddy, you’re more than enough
From a stirring celebration pointed at keyboard cowards to the rapid rise of a young gun, ELIZA REILLY runs through the hits and misses from Week 6 in the AFLW Agenda.
America’s Cup women gearing up for new fight after shock loss
Shocked Australian sailors hugged and cried when bundled out of the women’s America’s Cup. A quick reset and they were gearing up for a new fight - and another crack at winning the event