SHOOSH
What club is trying to get a player to move on graciously — and if he doesn’t cop the hint — they may end up sacking him?
SHOOSH I
Who is the rugby sevens star weighing up a move to the NRL following the
defection of Olympian Nathan Lawson?
SHOOSH II
Which player from a rival club stunned Brisbane officials when he nominated his asking price to replace Ezra Mam in the event that the Broncos five-eighth receives a
lengthy ban.
SHOOSH III
Who was the club powerbroker who refused to sign the new club licensing agreements at the 11th hour. He ultimately fell into line but only after ruffling a few feathers in clubland and at head office.
ROOSTERS CIRCLE ROBSON
North Queensland has tabled an offer to Reece Robson as it looks to fend off rumoured interest from the Sydney Roosters in the NSW hooker.
The Cowboys told Robson’s management during the Pacific Championships that they were keen to keep him at the club and it is understood they have followed through with an extension to his current contract, which runs until the end of next season.
The Roosters, however, are believed to be circling as they prepare for the departure of Brandon Smith. Smith is off contract at the end of next season but his management has already called for expressions of interest in the New Zealand international.
It raises the prospect that the two players could swap clubs – Smith spent two years in the under 20s at North Queensland before being sacked.
The Cowboys have tabled a contract extension for hooker Reece Robson in a bid to fend off the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images
He landed on his feet at Melbourne and became an international but he is now expected to depart the Roosters at the end of next season, if not earlier.
The Cowboys’ clear preference would be to keep Robson but they may be forced to explore their options if the Roosters have their way.
EELS GET HANDS DIRTY
Parramatta players will spend three days next week landscaping and working in factories. They’ll be teacher’s aides and kitchen hands. They’ll be packing hampers and doing maintenance work.
Eels coach Jason Ryles has taken a leaf out of his former club Melbourne’s highly-successful book and plans to give his players a dose of the real world.
They’ll also get a taste of what it means to be a Parramatta player by spending time in the community they represent with the fans who help pay their wages.
Ryles is hoping the players emerge from the experience feeling a mix of gratitude for the unique position, humility for the opportunity they have been given and a greater understanding of what life is like in the working world.
New Eels coach Jason Ryles is set to take a page out of the Melbourne Storm book and make Parramatta players get their hands dirty by helping out in their community. Photo: Parramatta Eels
Ryles had outlined plans to shake up the culture at Parramatta when he was given the job and it has already begun in pre-season training, but it will begin in earnest next week as players mix with the community.
Players on million-dollar deals will spend their days working at the Foodbank, Habitat for Humanity, Giant Steps and Nathan’s Lawns and Gardens.
The only players who will miss the experience are those who are yet to return to training because they were involved in representative football at the end of the year.
It means the likes of Dylan Brown, on a bumper contract believed to be worth in the vicinity of $1 million a year, could be mowing lawns or helping educate young minds.
“It’s more about connection with our community,” Ryles said.
“It also gives us a bit of perspective on how lucky we are to do what we do and call it a job. We’ll do an open training session on the Saturday as well at a local ground in Fairfield to maintain and grow that connection with our community, fans and sponsors.”
KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR
One of the game’s genuine good guys – Jayden Brailey – tied the knot with long-term partner Liliana Brogan recently.
The pair were married at Tides Byron Estate in Byron Bay. The “honeymoon” was soon over for Brailey, who is due back at pre-season training with Newcastle next week.
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