Teen sensation Curtis Scott signs with Melbourne Storm after being chased by host of NRL clubs

MELBOURNE have beaten 11 rival NRL clubs to land the ­signature of one of rugby league’s hottest prospects in 17-year-old Australian Schoolboy.

MELBOURNE have beaten 11 rival NRL clubs to land the ­signature of one of rugby league’s hottest prospects in 17-year-old Australian Schoolboy Curtis Scott.

The captain of Cronulla’s under-18s SG Ball premiership side this season, Scott is currently putting the finishing touches on his HSC at Endeavour Sports High School.

Since being named player of the tournament at the Australian Schoolboys carnival in Wollongong in July, the Sharks centre has attracted the interest of some of the most ­respected coaches in the NRL.

But premiership-winning Storm coach Craig Bellamy has won the race to sign Scott after rolling out the red carpet on a visit to AAMI Park. The Storm have landed the future NRL star on a three-year deal.

Test fullback Billy Slater was a key element of the Storm’s sales pitch, taking time out to sit with Scott during Melbourne’s victory over the Gold Coast in round 22.

Scott will begin next season in the Storm’s under-20s ­system but is strongly tipped to challenge for a position in the NRL sooner rather than later.

The teenager will celebrate his 18th birthday next month, with at least one family member also to move to Melbourne.

Young Cronulla centre Curtis Scott has signed with Melbourne Storm.

Randwick’s jewel in the crown shines again

IT’S a massive month of sport lined up on the Sydney spring calendar, with the Epsom Day at Royal Randwick to feature 24 hours ­before the NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium.

The Australian Turf Club ­has officially launched its upcoming Group 1 program, headlined by a raft of sporting royalty from a variety of codes.

Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse, son-in-law Luke Ricketson, South Sydney’s Burgess twins, George and Tom, Jodi Anasta and Ryan Fitzgerald were all on hand on Thursday as the ATC trumpeted the jewel in its crown.

On Saturday, October 3, Royal Randwick will feature two of the time-honoured staples of the ­Sydney spring, the Group 1 Epsom Handicap and the Group 2 The Metropolitan.

“One of the best things about Sydney is a day at the track.

“We love getting out to Royal ­Randwick,” South Sydney’s ­English international star Tom Burgess said.

“We’ve been coming here ever since we moved to Sydney.”

Pip Edwards, Carissa Walford, Luke Ricketson, Kate Waterhouse, Anna Bamford, Thomas Burgess, Gai Waterhouse, George Burgess, Jodi Anasta, Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli at Randwick.

WINNING+

IT’S a big couple of days for farewelling legends.

Prepare for the Funeral That Stops A Nation on Monday when we say goodbye to Bart Cummings at St Mary’s Cathedral from 10am.

Expect thousands to turn out in Sydney and countless more to watch all over the country.

On Tuesday, the SCG is throwing open the Arthur Morris Gates for a memorial service for the left-handed opener.

Both were ornaments to sport in Australia. Rest in peace.

DUNCE CAP

THE Socceroos’ ugly pay dispute finishes in front of Nick Kyrgios, but probably because we’ve lined up to put the slipper into the tennis brat on so many occasions recently.

The way the FFA went all North Korea on Ange Postecoglou wading into the debate was a bad look, as was the decision by the players’ association to use a Socceroos camp as the launching pad to spark the standoff. Here’s hoping for a swift resolution.

SHOOSH

IN an NRL and AFL awards night first, the Dally M and Brownlow Medals will go head-to-head on the same night in Sydney and Melbourne.

The gala red carpet evenings will be staged on Monday, September 29, leading into the respective grand finals in both codes.

The NRL are hoping Russell Crowe will headline its event at The Star in Sydney. The Brownlow will be staged at Crown in Melbourne.

Originally published as Teen sensation Curtis Scott signs with Melbourne Storm after being chased by host of NRL clubs