Sport Confidential: Scott lands monster shark; Carney’s Dally M masterclass
Curtis Scott needs a bigger boat. The Raiders star dropped a line before the government implemented strict fishing restrictions, landing a monster in Botany Bay. SEE THE INCREDIBLE PICTURE
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If it is the last time Curtis Scott goes fishing it will be certainly something the Canberra centre remembers. Scott was out on the water before the government launched tighter restrictions around fishing. And he landed a killer catch in Botany Bay just off Kurnell. Scott hooked this shark before tagging it and releasing it back into the ocean.
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CRISIS LEAVES UNION VULNERABLE
The newly formed coaches union is under pressure already to survive the NRL’s cost-cutting measures. The union was formed just last months having been in the pipeline for a year. It was heavily funded by the NRL and had huge support from the likes of Mal Meninga and Trent Robinson. But with the governing body now looking at ways to cut back, the coaches association is under huge pressure to keep going. It’s fair to say the coaches were less than impressed that they didn’t get a seat at the table for Monday’s phone hook-up about the pay deal designed to save the game.
CHOOKS’ CAMP PLAN THWARTED
The Roosters had secretly planned to go into self-isolation as a club before the season was dramatically halted. The two-time defending premiers had already decided that following their round three clash against South Sydney last Friday night they were to head into camp on the Central Coast during the weekend. The plan was to keep everyone together and self-quarantine with players, staff and their families all welcome. The players thought it was a small sacrifice to make to keep the competition going in a similar way to what the Warriors had done.
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MELBOURNE’S MR NICE GUY
Melbourne prop Christian Welch is doing good things during his time away. The Maroons representative posted on twitter telling people to reach out to him if they are struggling and he will try and put them in contact with their favourite NRL player – from any club.
In these isolating times young people can still feel connected through social media but seniors are often without. I’m calling on all fans @storm or any other @NRL club, if you know a senior who would be cheered up receiving a call from a player get in touch 👠#SupportASenior
— Christian Welch (@clwelch94) April 1, 2020
I’ll do my best to try facilitate a call just get in touchðŸ‘can talk about whatever they want & I’ll try get more players onboard
— Christian Welch (@clwelch94) April 1, 2020
ALL EYES ON...
Is wrestling a sport or is it entertainment? Despite the bulk of sports shutting down because of the coronavirus, the WWE has ploughed through with live shows without crowds. And in a bid to suppress the boredom of house-bound people across the world the event will run across two days starting on Sunday. Australian Rhea Ripley will be making her WrestleMania debut in an NXT women’s championship defence against Charlotte Flair.
ON THIS DAY
Todd Carney was well on his way to being crowned the Dally M player of the year with a scintillating performance against the Broncos 10 years ago. Carney landed a personal haul of 17 points as the Roosters beat Brisbane 25-6. Carney had a dream 2010, in his first season at the Roosters. He won the player of the year award, played in a grand final and featured in his only Test for Australia. The Broncos were in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
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BLAST FROM THE PAST
Peter Cusack: 168 games (95 Sydney Roosters, 73 South Sydney) from 1998-2007.
After scoring a try on debut Peter Cusack had to wait four years to double his try-scoring tally. While scoring tries wasn’t part of the no nonsense front-rower’s game, he managed to cross for just seven in his 168 game career.
“I remember my first one,” Cusack said. “I ran about three metres with an inside ball from Simon Bonetti. The match was Paul Sironen’s last game.”
Immortal Arthur Beetson spotted Cusack, Bonetti and Trent Robinson as part of a star-studded St Gregory’s school team which also featured future Test player Trent Barrett. Their shock round one loss in the schoolboys competition still eats away at Cusack.
But he more than made up for it in a decorated decade long career which saw him feature in three grand finals for the Roosters including the 2002 premiership win against the Warriors.
“The thing I remember most about that game was when Richard Villasanti put that shot on Brad Fittler,” Cusack, now a plumber in Sydney, said. “And then big Adrian Morley took Villasanti out.
“Big Moz (Morley) was a gentleman on the field but once you crossed him on it you were gone.”
A rich offer from cross-town rivals South Sydney paved the way for Cusack to switch teams. He captained the Rabbitohs where he won just 12 of his first 48 games with his new club.
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“Souths offered me decent money and the Roosters couldn’t match it,” Cusack said. “One of the biggest differences I noticed was with the Roosters when you won you’re expected to win, when I went to Souths every victory you celebrated. Sometimes at the Roosters it was a relief that you won.”
His final match in the NRL before a three year stint with Hull FC was a finals appearance for the Rabbitohs in 2 in the first sign of the Rabbitohs revival.
“I always wanted Souths to win a competition,” Cusack said. “I know all the work that went behind the scenes. I met Russell Crowe a few times. He loves Souths. The amount of time and money he put into that club, it was good to see them win a competition.”
Originally published as Sport Confidential: Scott lands monster shark; Carney’s Dally M masterclass
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