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A WEEK after securing Aiden Tolman, the Bulldogs continue to eye the Melbourne Storm for reinforcements and have now targeted Kiwi back-rower Adam Blair as their next recruit from Bleak City.
The loss of Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Sonny Bill Williams, Roy Asotasi and Greg Eastwood has eroded Canterbury's traditionally aggressive edge up front, and officials see Blair as a perfect vessel to restore that reputation.
Footy Confidential understands Blair is on a modest contract - which expires at the end of 2011 - and could earn much more should under-pressure Storm officials agree to give him an early release to ease their salary cap problems.
***
DURING his controversy-marred career, the last thing former NRL bad boy Julian O'Neill set was a good example for aspiring young players.
But Papua New Guinea officials obviously feel O'Neill has something to offer from his litany of bad behaviour, after recently appointing him a development officer in the league-mad nation.
That's right: the man who famously pooed in Schlossy's shoe a dozen years ago is now guiding the youth in PNG, and from all reports he's doing a hell of a job.
"He is a natural," said Luke Goodwin, who also has a role with the emerging nation's rugby league team.
"He knows his football inside out and he is really great with all the players. He is a different man now."
O'Neill has actually been based in PNG for the past two seasons, coaching a team in the highlands while his wife worked for a major mining magnate.
***
STILL on firebrand forwards, don't be surprised if Parramatta make a play for off-contract Cowboy Luke O'Donnell.
We told you a few weeks back that O'Donnell was in talks with Japanese rugby scout Eddie Jones, but his family's preference is to return to Sydney. The Eels see him as a good fit because the blue and gold pack needs a dose of aggression to complement hard-working types such as Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith and Tim Mannah.
The only stumbling block is that O'Donnell's management want a four-year deal and the Eels are only prepared to offer three at most at this stage.
***
THE impressive NRL debut of Dragons flyer Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa last Sunday didn't come without hair-raising moments.
Fai-Fai Loa started the season in Toyota Cup with possibly the biggest afro in rugby league - but the 'do didn't sit well with head coach Wayne Bennett.
"Wayne told me that until I cut my hair, I wouldn't be a chance of playing first grade," said the Kiwi 20-year-old, who also happens to be a first cousin and flatmate of back-row star Jeremy Smith.
No surprises, then, to see Fai-Fai Loa make his debut with short back and sides.
***
WE TOLD you last week how discarded Panther Joel Romelo rides the rails to Bulldogs training because he lost his driver's licence.
But last Monday night the nuggety hooker found an even more novel way to get to CUA Stadium to face his old teammates - in the passenger seat of good friend Wade Graham's car.
"I can't remember two players from opposing teams driving to the game together - and they both wore No. 17," laughed a Panthers source.
One player regretting that Romelo found his way on to the ground was Penrith pivot Travis Burns, who later credited the 21-year-old with the hardest hit he'd ever suffered on a football field.
"I felt like I was going to be sick on the inside ... and it took me about 10 minutes to recover," Burns told us.
***
IN FURTHER fallout from Monday night's clash, an "embarrassed" Michael Jennings has vowed to hit the sprint track after being run down from behind - by Josh Morris - for the first time in his career.
"I thought I was away," Jennings told us.
"But I guess I've lost a bit of pace. I haven't been doing speed work lately because of my knee [injury].
"He got me fair and square, but I'm filthy about it. To be honest it's pretty embarrassing because it's the first time I've ever been run down."
***
MELBOURNE Rebels remain keen to snare Storm pivot Brett Finch, but the NSW Origin shadow player is in no rush to finalise his future.
Finch has attracted interest from a number of league clubs, both in the NRL and England, and his preference is to stay in the 13-man code.
Elsewhere, Danny Buderus has received an offrer to extend his stay in Leeds amid speculation he could rejoin Newcastle next year. And former Sea Eagles and Eels winger Scott Donald could be eyeing a retun Down Under.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...t-for-adam-blair/story-e6frexnr-1225872281709
The loss of Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Sonny Bill Williams, Roy Asotasi and Greg Eastwood has eroded Canterbury's traditionally aggressive edge up front, and officials see Blair as a perfect vessel to restore that reputation.
Footy Confidential understands Blair is on a modest contract - which expires at the end of 2011 - and could earn much more should under-pressure Storm officials agree to give him an early release to ease their salary cap problems.
***
DURING his controversy-marred career, the last thing former NRL bad boy Julian O'Neill set was a good example for aspiring young players.
But Papua New Guinea officials obviously feel O'Neill has something to offer from his litany of bad behaviour, after recently appointing him a development officer in the league-mad nation.
That's right: the man who famously pooed in Schlossy's shoe a dozen years ago is now guiding the youth in PNG, and from all reports he's doing a hell of a job.
"He is a natural," said Luke Goodwin, who also has a role with the emerging nation's rugby league team.
"He knows his football inside out and he is really great with all the players. He is a different man now."
O'Neill has actually been based in PNG for the past two seasons, coaching a team in the highlands while his wife worked for a major mining magnate.
***
STILL on firebrand forwards, don't be surprised if Parramatta make a play for off-contract Cowboy Luke O'Donnell.
We told you a few weeks back that O'Donnell was in talks with Japanese rugby scout Eddie Jones, but his family's preference is to return to Sydney. The Eels see him as a good fit because the blue and gold pack needs a dose of aggression to complement hard-working types such as Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith and Tim Mannah.
The only stumbling block is that O'Donnell's management want a four-year deal and the Eels are only prepared to offer three at most at this stage.
***
THE impressive NRL debut of Dragons flyer Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa last Sunday didn't come without hair-raising moments.
Fai-Fai Loa started the season in Toyota Cup with possibly the biggest afro in rugby league - but the 'do didn't sit well with head coach Wayne Bennett.
"Wayne told me that until I cut my hair, I wouldn't be a chance of playing first grade," said the Kiwi 20-year-old, who also happens to be a first cousin and flatmate of back-row star Jeremy Smith.
No surprises, then, to see Fai-Fai Loa make his debut with short back and sides.
***
WE TOLD you last week how discarded Panther Joel Romelo rides the rails to Bulldogs training because he lost his driver's licence.
But last Monday night the nuggety hooker found an even more novel way to get to CUA Stadium to face his old teammates - in the passenger seat of good friend Wade Graham's car.
"I can't remember two players from opposing teams driving to the game together - and they both wore No. 17," laughed a Panthers source.
One player regretting that Romelo found his way on to the ground was Penrith pivot Travis Burns, who later credited the 21-year-old with the hardest hit he'd ever suffered on a football field.
"I felt like I was going to be sick on the inside ... and it took me about 10 minutes to recover," Burns told us.
***
IN FURTHER fallout from Monday night's clash, an "embarrassed" Michael Jennings has vowed to hit the sprint track after being run down from behind - by Josh Morris - for the first time in his career.
"I thought I was away," Jennings told us.
"But I guess I've lost a bit of pace. I haven't been doing speed work lately because of my knee [injury].
"He got me fair and square, but I'm filthy about it. To be honest it's pretty embarrassing because it's the first time I've ever been run down."
***
MELBOURNE Rebels remain keen to snare Storm pivot Brett Finch, but the NSW Origin shadow player is in no rush to finalise his future.
Finch has attracted interest from a number of league clubs, both in the NRL and England, and his preference is to stay in the 13-man code.
Elsewhere, Danny Buderus has received an offrer to extend his stay in Leeds amid speculation he could rejoin Newcastle next year. And former Sea Eagles and Eels winger Scott Donald could be eyeing a retun Down Under.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...t-for-adam-blair/story-e6frexnr-1225872281709
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