Andrew Webster
The Daily Telegraph
February 25, 2013 12:00AM
Russell Crowe. Source: Getty Images
THERE'S every chance, as you read this, Russell Crowe is slipping into a tuxedo, straightening a black bow tie, and warming his larynx in preparations for the 85th Academy Awards, live from Hollywood.
He will stride to the stage at the Kodak Theatre with typical aplomb, singing with the likes of Jennifer Hudson and Catherine Zeta-Jones in a tribute to movie musicals of the past decade.
As Crowe does this, however, there is every chance his mind will be elsewhere. There is every probability it will be with his football team and a tradition and rivalry that spans more than a century.
Crowe's Hollywood-scripted rise as Souths co-owner over the past seven years has only added to the intense feud with the neighbours, who are headed by Roosters powerbroker and Al Pacino doppelganger Nick Politis - a man he has never met. Yet the season opener at Allianz Stadium on Thursday week is already bubbling along as something more, and it's heavy on subplots worthy of Oscar nomination.
Sonny Bill Williams will probably come off the bench and play less than half an hour in his first match in the NRL in five years. Yet if he happens to run into a 109kg Greg Inglis it could be the biggest clash since Alien went the knuckle with Predator. More?
Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce is re-signed, rebuilt and most importantly reborn, which is timely because the 22-year-old upstart on the opposite side of the field in Adam Reynolds, who grew up within a 40-20 kick of Redfern and loathing Roosters snobs, is more than ready to take his NSW jumper.
Of greatest significance, however, is that both teams unexpectedly meet each other in the first game of the year with legitimate belief they can win the critically acclaimed musical otherwise known as the NRL grand final.
Unexpectedly, because only a matter of months ago the Roosters were considered, by many, as 2013 bottom-feeders.
Just before Christmas, new Roosters coach Trent Robinson couldn't tell you if he was coaching a top-eight side. "Ask me in late January," he said. Before late January, he suddenly had a loaded gun in Michael Jennings in his squad. Last week, a former Kangaroos and NSW backrower Luke O'Donnell was parachuted into Roosters training from freezing Huddersfield.
Souths had been in discussions with Penrith before Christmas about securing the heavily-priced Jennings.
While they eventually passed and opted for a cheaper centre option in Beau Champion, the Roosters would see Jennings' signing as a minor victory in a century-long war of player recruitment.
Talk of a Roosters grand final appearance might be premature, but the punters are sniffing the breeze. "They are by far and away the best-backed team," TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said.
In December, one punter had a $4000 nibble at $21. After Jennings signed, another plonked $30,000 on them at $15. The Roosters have been wound in to $11, with Souths third favourites at $8 behind Melbourne ($5.50) and the Bulldogs ($6).
Right on queue - and with good reason - Souths fans are asking how the glamour club can fit a constellation of stars into a salary cap already bulging because of Sonny Bill. The Roosters will point to the release of Todd Carney and Nate Myles with one and two years respectively remaining on fat contracts.
Not re-signing captain Braith Anasta and the release of others loosened up their cap, helping accommodate the arrival of Williams and James Maloney from the Warriors. Ian Schubert can sort that one out.
Roosters fans will be more concerned about the early impression Robinson has made.
He's probably the lowest paid NRL coach, on about $250,000 a season, but that doubles if the Roosters win the title.
NICK POLITIS
Roosters chairman Nick Politis. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
"He was the next best young coach coming through - after Michael Maguire," says one club chief executive. "But Souths already had him."
In critics' eyes, the Roosters are on a spending spree, buying their way out of the ugly corner they'd found themselves in under sacked coach Brian Smith.
Maguire has shown, through his Marines-like pre-season discipline/torture for two consecutive years, that he's forging a long-lasting culture - one that could deliver their first premiership since 1971 this year.Souths officials rarely know or say if Crowe will attend a match, but it would surprise if he's not at Allianz for this one.
Some at the Roosters still laugh about the time Crowe stole a scene from Gladiator, giving the thumbs down as his team put rivals to the sword.
Channel 9 wanted Politis to do the same thing the next year, but he declined. The Godfather prefers to give his orders in private.
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