Cheap shots won’t stop Hunt

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BRONCOS halfback Ben Hunt says the threat of cheap shots from late tacklers will not stop him running at the line.

He will play on Friday night against a North Queensland team still fuming at the treatment meted out to Johnathan Thurston by the Knights on Saturday night.

Hunt says players launching late tackles at playmakers will be encouraged to "keep doing it'' by the inactivity of the NRL match review committee.

Johnathan Thurston lays on the ground after being injured against the Knights. Source: Getty Images

Storm fullback Billy Slater on Sunday rated premeditated late tackles of playmakers after they had passed as the No. 1 problem in rugby league.

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A day later, the match review committee found Newcastle's Beau Scott had no cause to answer for a tackle that knocked Thurston to the ground in Townsville after he had passed the ball in Round 2.

"Getting hit late is something that is illegal in the game and it's not being policed as it should,'' Hunt told The Courier-Mail.

"It is definitely a concern for the game. They can be dangerous if players aren't looking and have passed the ball.

"If some players get away with it they are going to keep doing it.

Ben Hunt is tackled during a training session. Pic Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

''The referees could really crack down on it.

"But we are taught to take the ball to the line and try to hold up your man as best you can.

"If you do that, you aren't going to be hit late sometimes and be cleaned up. If you want to be a good half and take on the line, it's something you are going to have to accept.''

Brad Fittler said on Channel 9 that Storm and Australian halfback Cooper Cronk was one of several playmakers he thought were passing before the line of advantage to limit the chances of being cleaned up in a late tackle.

Hunt said there were some ways to minimise the opportunities for late tackles.

"You can take some support players either side, guys running good angles and players in motion, and that can put the defence in two minds,'' he said.

Hunt and five-eighth Anthony Milford will try to make more waves in attack against North Queensland after the first rounds in which Brisbane have scored a total of three tries, including one from a kick chase.

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"It's coming along really well, but we're not where we want to be,'' Hunt said.

"Against Cronulla, we created some chances and some overlaps but we didn't finish off a few times. We need a lot of improvement and we'll keep working.''

Brisbane named the same 17-man squad who edged out Cronulla 10-2 away on Friday night.

Hunt can show Cowboys opposite Thurston what he learnt from his State of Origin camp visit last year.

The Broncos No. 7 was called into the Queensland team to train with the side and learn the plays before the second Origin game when Daly Cherry-Evans was in doubt for the game because of injury.

Hunt did not play alongside Thurston for Queensland that week, with Cherry-Evans cleared.

"There were a few things I learnt from him but the main thing was to stick to my plan," Hunt said.

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Red faces at Origin blue in Melbourne

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THE State of Origin love in was going exactly to script in Melbourne until a senior member of the Victorian parliament called Queensland's State of Origin team the Reds ... twice.

Parliamentary secretary for major events Danielle Green referred to the Maroons as the Reds while launching State of Origin's return to the MCG this year.

The gaffe forced captain Cameron Smith to playfully shut down talk of a shock code switch.

The unfortunate aspect of Green's comment is Melburnians are actually snapping up tickets for Origin's return to the MCG fast with close to 90,000 fans expected for the Game Two event.

Green even talked up the prospect of a 100,000-strong crowd. Even 90,000 would be one of the highest attendances in the history of Origin, an annual event that is now the most watched sporting contest in Australia.

Green was a late call up to the announcement at Eureka Tower in Melbourne and people felt for her as she called the code rugby while seemingly anticipating Quade Cooper will be playing on the June 17 match.

Despite the presence of the Storm in Melbourne since 1998 Victorians have form in not knowing much about Origin.

Green's foot in mouth moment comes three years after former Victorian sports minister Hugh Delahunty said the epic series was played between Queensland and New Zealand.

"All rugby league supporters here today, it's fantastic as Minister of Sport to welcome you here to this very special game, the first game of the Queensland versus New Zealand ... New Zealand, that's a good start ... Queensland versus New South Wales in the State of the Origin match," Delahunty said in 2012.

He also referred to the Blues captain as "Paul Callen".

That comment prompted Matt Johns to declare Victoria didn't deserve Origin

.

"I've always fought for Melbourne saying they're entitled to State of Origin but I've swung the other way. Here we are, first State Of Origin game of the year, and compared to how big it is in QLD, we're basically sending it to Siberia. It is wrong," he said.

The Victorian Government are major supporters of the Origin concept, paying a sizeable fee for one game every three years.

They make their money back and then some via the amount of Queensland and New South Wales fans who travel to Melbourne for the event.

The Campbell Newman Queensland Government did not want to pay anything for Origin, ensuring the NRL took the occasional game to Victoria rather than have a guaranteed two games in Brisbane every second year.

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Gallen upset Keary wanted to play for Maroons

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BLUES captain Paul Gallen was gushing about Luke Keary's State of Origin prospects until someone mentioned the Souths prodigy once tried to become a Queenslander.

Suddenly, Keary may be as likely to play for New South Wales as Beau Scott is for Queensland.

"I didn't know that — I am disappointed now," a downtrodden Gallen said about Keary.

"I am surprised. I wish that didn't happen. To be honest, it disappoints me."

Told the NRL officially ruled Keary a New South Welshman after the 23-year-old questioned his eligibility, Gallen fumed.

Luke Keary with Queenslander Chris McQueen at Souths training. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

"So they should," he said.

"In NSW you are taught to hate Queensland. I'm not trying to have a go at Luke but Gorden Tallis was one of my favourite players but when he put that Maroon jumped on I never liked him.

"We need to get over this whole thing. Obviously the Greg Inglis thing was disappointing too.

"You need to love New South Wales."

In the space of six months, Keary's Origin hopes have gone from remote to likely.

Keary and his Rabbitohs halves partner Adam Reynolds, a genuine New South Welshman, are the in-form No. 7 and No. 6 in the NRL.

Blues incumbent Josh Reynolds could miss Game One through injury and Laurie Daley prefers using two halves who work together at club level. Enter Keary, the Ipswich born and raised talent who still counts Wally Lewis as his favourite player.

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Keary was ruled a Blue because he represented the state during his high school years in Sydney.

Keary fought the NRL's ruling that he was a New South Welshman and formally asked officials for an explanation and rethink.

Speaking in Melbourne at the launch of the Origin's Game Two blockbuster at the MCG, Gallen initially said Keary was putting pressure on more senior players for a spot in the Blues.

"He's such a great competitor. If he keeps performing then the guys who were there last year and may be in front of him at the moment need to perform because he does every week," he said.

"He has that Origin attitude. He's a little terrier on the field. He doesn't care how big or small they are he just rips in."

It is an Origin attitude forged with the Queensland spirit.

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Gallop to Tinkler: Pay up or we take the club

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AUSTRALIAN football chief David Gallop has warned embattled Newcastle Jets owner Nathan Tinkler that the governing body is ready to seize ownership of the club if he can't pay his debts.

The A-League club's financial plight is reaching crisis point as the Jets failed to pay the players their monthly wage on Monday.

Newcastle players only received their monthly wage late on Tuesday night.

David Gallop says the FFA will take over the Newcastle Jets if the club's debts aren't paid. Picture: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

Tinkler is due in court next week as he is being pursued for multi-million dollar debts, with Football Federation Australia monitoring the situations closely.

The Jets only recently cleared its debts with FFA but speaking at the Money in Sport Conference in Melbourne, Gallop said FFA was ready to step in.

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"Paying the players in the next day is a critical one and we expect that to happen today,'' Gallop said.

"The position remains pretty simple, if a current owner pays the bills he will be the owner of the club and if he doesn't he won't be.

"There's no question that not paying the players is a clear indication that the owner can't meet his obligations and we would move quickly in that environment.

The Jets sit bottom of the A-League after a 4-0 loss to Melbourne City. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

Nathan Tinkler, owner of the Newcastle Jets. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

"We haven't given the Jets a grant for the last couple of months because of the situation with our own debt, which has now been cleared, and the Garnishee Notice from the Tax Office.

"He knows that that message has been put to him loud and clear and there's a big job ahead of the club to rebuild the connection with the community and grassroots of the game in that area.''

The Jets have slumped to the bottom of the table having conceded 45 goals in 21 games and produced an insipid performance, losing 4-0 away to Melbourne City last Saturday.

Gallop said having competitive teams was fundamental to the A-League's integrity.

"It's critically important for us that we put on five quality games every week. Games where fans can turn up with a legitimate expectation that their team can is a chance of winning that day,'' Gallop said.

"If we don't do that then our competition will suffer commercially and the local team will suffer significantly.''

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Coote finally saddles up for the Cowboys

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LACHLAN Coote is set to make his North Queensland debut at fullback as Cowboys coach Paul Green made his first changes to arrest the winless start to the season.

Coote was signed as a successor to Cowboys great Matt Bowen at the end of the 2013 season but missed last year with a knee injury.

The 24-year-old's experience at fullback, where he played most of his 83 games for Penrith, saw him earn the No. 1 jersey while incumbent Michael Morgan's superior defence means he will partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves.

Cowboys' Lachlan Coote during a trial match. Picture: Zak Simmonds Source: News Corp Australia

Robert Lui will suit up for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Intrust Super Cup.

After staying loyal to the players who won eight of the Cowboys' last 10 games in 2014, Green said losses to the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle meant it was time to make changes.

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Coote has not played an NRL match since the end of 2013 but his fitness was never an issue as he started the year in the Queensland Cup.

As he looks for some consistency in attack, Green hoped Coote would add plenty to the Cowboys' firepower.

"Hopefully he's got good pass selection when he comes into the backline."

Morgan enjoyed a breakout year in his switch to the custodian role, earning a spot in the Queensland Origin camp and Prime Minister's XIII side, and Green hopes the Townsville junior will find as much space at five-eighth as he did at fullback.

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"I think we're probably better defensively with Morgo defending in the front line," Green said. "He's a bigger body, makes good decisions and has played most of his footy there (in the halves)."

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Losing KP was the beginning of the end

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KEVIN Pietersen's joy was so obvious it was a surprise his typing fingers didn't punch a hole in his phone.

"I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS! I JUST CANNOT! But well done Bangladesh! You deserve it."

That now famous tweet was not written by a man whose prime emotions were anger or disappointment.

It was by a man bursting with the everlasting satisfaction of knowing that however modest England were with him they were simply atrocious without him.

A cynic may suggest that it also shows why he was left out in the first place.

That England's failure was his success. To Kev, it's always been about Kev.

But he is not the first discarded star to feel this way and the deeper issue is England's failure to handle and harness him.

Most star teams have a maverick player. Genius often comes in quirky packages.

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Down through the generations there were times when players moaned it was all about Flintoff or Botham or Bradman or Warne and how they seemed to play by different rules, which of course they did.

The trick is learning how to manage them and England never got there.

But back to that later.

England needed a character like 'KP' for his campaign. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Limited

Trying to list the full reasons behind England's World Cup demise is like detailing the cause of the GFC. It's a long and complex story.

The failure of their coach Peter Moores to inspire the side proves once and for all that there is a difference between a successful county coach whose job it is to rouse a group of pliable professionals and an England coach who has to be a big time thinker and tactician and motivator.

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The fact that Moores said he would have to look at the data to explain England's poor performance is like the captain of the Titanic saying he would have to check flow charts to see why his vessel sank — mate, you hit a frickin' iceberg!

The choice of Eoin Morgan as a captain was a disaster. His batting form was terrible and even his permanently anguished demeanour, which resembled a man with a serious wind problem trying not to show it, radiated bad vibes for his team.

England captain Eoin Morgan after his side were knocked out of the World Cup. Source: Getty Images

His refusal to sing the anthem was a hollow one for a team craving zest and sparkle they could never find.

In terms of charisma, Winston Churchill he ain't.

When long time captain Alastair Cook was dropped just before the Cup many felt it was overdue.

Cook may not be a sabre-rattling captain but he is a strong man and a reliable leader of men. They missed him.

Good teams tend to be noisy trainers. They laugh. They joke. The pull pranks. England's training sessions were so quiet and spiritless it was as if they were taking place in the state library.

But Pietersen's exit was the torpedo midships.

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Pietersen may be hard to handle but he did captain his country and play more than 250 games for England. It's not as if they were trying to handle a great train robber.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, a fine leader of men, handled Pietersen best by realising early on there were several essential elements in dealing with him.

Pietersen's forensic thirst for information meant he had to be given as much as possible about any issue that concerned him.

Also, he needs to be listened to and respected.

That was about it really. Other superstars have been managed equally effectively.

You might think Shane Warne would have been tough, but early on Mark Taylor solved everything by being brutally firm with him to the point where an umpire once asked whether there was any on-field sledging replied "just the normal between Tubby and Warnie.''

But they somehow clicked.

When Warne became a superstar and went on a team bonding camp he was initially banned from taking a carton of cigarettes before he told organisers "if they don't go neither do I.''

Sometimes you have to be pliable. Firm sticks can just break in two — just like England this campaign.

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Titans text message: pool game or drug deal?

Titans NRL club stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor have pleaded not guilty to drugs charges on the Gold Coast.

A CASUAL invitation to a game of pool at a suburban pub is at the centre of allegations a Gold Coast Titans player was involved in supplying cocaine.

With the five Titans involved in the cocaine scandal still yet to be returned to the club's active roster, The Courier-Mail can reveal a key plank in the Crime and Corruption Commission case against Kalifa Faifai Loa relates to a casual mention of a Gold Coast tavern.

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Text messages with alleged code words and hidden meanings are central to allegations against several of the eight past and present Titans facing charges of supplying cocaine.

Their lawyers labelled the allegations weak and want the charges thrown out and the players reinstated immediately.

Titans NRL player Kalifa Faifai Loa appears in Southport Court on drugs charges. Pics Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Faifai Loa, a former New Zealand and Samoan Test player, faces one count of supplying cocaine after the CCC allegedly intercepted text messages about Treetops Plaza at West Burleigh.

Titans NRL club stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor have pleaded not guilty to drugs charges on the Gold Coast.

He allegedly sent a message saying "Meet me at the Treetops Plaza in Burleigh".

It will be alleged other messages related to meeting at the shopping centre's tavern to play pool – which the CCC will allege was code for a drug deal.

As well as being a part of pool games, an "eight ball" is also street slang for a quantity of cocaine weighing about 3.5g and worth over $1000.

Faifai Loa's lawyer Campbell Maccallum said the allegations were "wildly speculative".

Allegations against reigning Titans player of the year Beau Falloon include references to a text message saying "Our season starts now", while other players allegedly sent messages to accused cartel kingpin John Touma featuring references to various varieties of wine.

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Touma, whose drug trafficking case returns to Southport Magistrates Court today, once ran a wine distribution business.

Meanwhile, the Titans team announced on Tuesday for this weekend's NRL round featured none of the players facing charges.

The Titans board has already been briefed of the case against the players and hopes to make a decision on their immediate playing future within days.

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Kent: Focus on the bigger picture

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WHEN it comes to short turnarounds, nobody knows the pressure time can bring better than the kids at The Children's Hospital, Westmead.

They live in a world where their daily actions really are, far too often, matters of life and death.

They know all too well that what they have today could be gone tomorrow, and it could be everything. Second chances don't always come around. 'There's always next week' isn't always a choice.

Des Hasler at Bulldogs training in Belmore. Picture Craig Greenhill Source: News Corp Australia

Yet for reasons we never seem to learn many of these kids could teach us a thing or two about what's important.

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They accept their plight with a matter-of-factness that staggers those of us who worry over looming deadlines, or interest rates, whether my God is better than your God.

Or wins on the football field.

Perhaps better than anybody they know life is to be sucked dry. That true joy is often the small things, laughter on cold afternoons, a hug from mum, or something as simple as an afternoon without real pain.

Rugby league has always been a strong supporter of sick kids.

The Charity Shield has been raising money for sick children since 1982.

Just last week Manly players visited children at Stewart House, which helps children who have a little less than most of us.

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And this week Parramatta play Canterbury in what has in recent years become the Bandaged Bear Cup.

It will be the Bulldogs' first home game and a cut from the gate will go to the hospital to help the children.

For very good reasons the Bulldogs wanted to publicise the game as broadly as possible. They thought back to what Parramatta did last year when it was the Eels' home game and Parramatta asked if some Canterbury players could join them at the hospital. So the Bulldogs thought the best way to promote Friday's Cup was to again get players together with the kids.

You have no idea how much the kids look forward to this.

Last year Tim Mannah joined Josh Reynolds and there, in real life, were full-blown NRL stars. This was laughter on a cold afternoon and a hug from mum all wrapped up in one.

So Canterbury called Parramatta and asked if the Eels would join them at the hospital.

Brad Arthur rearranged his side's training schedule so his players could visit The Children's Hospital. pic Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

The call from Canterbury came as a short inconvenience to Parramatta coach Brad Arthur. He was not expecting it, so he had Parramatta's week all planned out.

There's nothing new in that. Every club has a strict schedule depending on whether it is a five, six, seven, eight, nine or 10-day turnaround between games.

Never mind, Arthur changed the schedule.

So the Eels would have a full day training on Monday and have a lighter day on Tuesday, with players training at 12.30pm before going off for individual work or, for some, heading to the hospital.

Then Canterbury called back. The Bulldogs had changed plans.

Coach Des Hasler was worried, the Eels were told, about the short turnaround.

Given Canterbury played Penrith last Sunday and have just five days to get ready for Parramatta on Friday Hasler, the Eels were told, didn't want his players going to the hospital.

Five days, he couldn't spare a couple of hours.

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The Eels were a little annoyed, mostly because they had shuffled their week to help out Canterbury and the Dogs now refused to be inconvenienced.

What they did not waiver on, though, was visiting the children.

On Tuesday Darcy Lussick, Semi Radradra and Tepai Moeroa headed to Westmead to visit the children without a Bulldog in sight.

Little Taleigha-Rose Musico has been quarantined this past week. She is four years old and was born with half a heart and when she got a virus, after surgery just before Christmas, there was nothing good about it.

Until the Eels turned up.

"She's all dressed and excited," mum Emma Musico said.

"Loves them."

The Bulldogs have since said they might send a player later in the week and you can be sure they will after today, and will insist they always intended to.

But that doesn't make it right. The game is important and winning is important, we all know that.

Parramatta Eels visit the The Children's Hospital at Westmead for Bandage Bear Cup game against the Bulldogs. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

Of less consideration is rugby league is a game where parents entrust their children to NRL clubs from an early age, knowing the great influence clubs will have on their boys but letting them go anyway with a kiss and a hope that the club will not only continue developing them as footballers, but as young men.

On Tuesday, one club delivered on that unspoken promise.

They gave the kids at the hospital something they all need, a boost, and without even realising got a little something for themselves, too.

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Cats give Hartman ‘indefinite break’

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YOUNG Cat Brad Hartman will take an indefinite break from football to deal with a range of personal issues.

The 20-year-old will return to live with his family in South Australia where he will weigh up his football future over the coming months, after his parents met the club yesterday morning.

Geelong football manager Steve Hocking confirmed late yesterday that as a result of the meeting, Hartman had been granted time out of the AFL program to work through "some personal challenges".

"He has been working with a psychologist and that will be ongoing moving forward," Hocking said. "This is about more than football. It is about educating Brad to make better choices and to help him figure out what does his future look like.

"At this point of time, it is important for him to spend time with his family to assess his options."

Brad Hartman celebrates a Cats win with fellow first-gamer Darcy Lang. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

Hartman, who comes from an elite basketball background and was taken by the Cats at pick 77 in the 2012 national draft, showed rapid development last season and played five AFL games.

But he returned to Simonds Stadium after the off-season break not meeting certain fitness markers set by the club.

And there was also an incident in December while driving home in South Australia, where he was charged with failing to stop at a stop sign after he allegedly clipped a parked car.

That incident has left Geelong's $250,000 sponsorship deal with the Transport Accident Commission hanging by a thread.

Hocking said the leadership group sat down with him upon his return to the club.

Brad Hartman in action against Hawthorn last season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

"They (the leadership group) set certain standards but Brad has found it difficult to meet those," he said.

"From day one when he got to the club, Brad has suffered from homesickness. It comes and goes, but when he does go back home (to Murray Bridge), when he first gets back, that yearn to be back home is particularly difficult for him."

Hocking said the club would continue to work with Hartman, with player welfare officer David Johnson set to fly to South Australia periodically to keep in personal contact with Hartman and his family.

"His teammates will also stay in touch with him, he has strong friendships here," Hocking said.

"At this stage, we will reconvene with Brad towards the end of March with myself, David Johnson, his manager and his family, and we'll also have the psychologist involved.

"If Brad is feeling like he wants to play AFL, then we will try to draw a map from there as to what the next few months look like. If not, then that is fine, and we will continue to work with him in transitioning to the next stage of his life.

"In the past month, he has been enrolled in a course involved around teaching and he has been really engaged in that and has enjoyed that. He may go away and say 'I want to pursue a career in teaching' or he may want to try and do both.

"Either way we will be here to support him in those decisions."

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Manly ready to release DCE to Titans

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DALY Cherry-Evans' future at Brookvale is untenable with Manly bosses contacting the Titans to discuss a compensation deal that would deliver him to the Titans this season.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Manly's recruitment-and-retention committee is prepared to explore a player-trade as the Sea Eagles begin planning for life after Cherry-Evans.

In the latest twist to the Cherry-Evans affair, the Titans have fielded a call from a Sea Eagles representative offering the playmaker's services for this season.

Manly have contacted Daly Cherry-Evans over a possible release. Source: Getty Images

The Test half-back is due to launch his Titans career next year, but the Sea Eagles are ready to broker an immediate severance package featuring benefits for both parties.

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Manly chairman Scott Penn says Cherry-Evans remains in the club's plans, but won't stand in the playmaker's way if the Titans are willing to discuss an exchange of players.

"If the Titans came to us and said, 'We want Daly early' and there is a deal to be done, we would certainly look at it," Penn said.

"As of today, Daly is firmly part of our plans for this year ... but having said that, it doesn't mean that's how it plays out."

Asked if Manly will consider compensation in the form of a player-swap, Penn was unequivocal.

"Yes that's certainly an option," he said.

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"There is multiple options, but the news is still fresh and we have a game to play on Saturday night. The most important thing is that if a deal (to release Cherry-Evans) is done, it is done behind closed doors and doesn't affect our play on the field.

"We are open to that scenario. We are in the market right now and if the Titans have some opportunities within the club, we will talk to them."

Ideally, the Titans would take Cherry-Evans tomorrow, but one impediment to an expedited transfer is the club's salary-cap position.

The Gold Coast would have to outlay around $500,000 to accommodate Cherry-Evans this season — funds the Titans can only free-up by offloading a number of big-name stars.

Besieged duo Greg Bird and Dave Taylor, currently fighting cocaine-supply charges, face uncertain futures at the Titans. But it is understood coach Neil Henry is a fan of both and would oppose any moves to jettison the pair to fund Cherry-Evans' immediate purchase.

Titans NRL player Greg Bird appears in Southport Court facing drugs charges. Pics Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

And while the Sea Eagles have been linked with Titans rookie Kane Elgey, Gold Coast hierarchy are hopeful Cherry-Evans can mentor the under-20s half-back ace next season.

However, it is clear Manly powerbrokers are ready to cut a deal, with Penn underscoring frustrations with mid-season departures by calling for a transfer window.

"It's not a good look for the game for players to sign six to 12 months in advance and we need to do something about it," he said.

"There is a risk your heart is not in it and we need 100 per cent from every one of our players every week.

"If there is a risk that is not possible, then you are better off releasing them earlier.

"Daly is a professional at heart. The expectation is that he will play out the way with us, but it doesn't mean that's how it plays out."

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Titans CEO Graham Annesley was tight-lipped on Tuesday on the prospect of Cherry-Evans joining the Titans in the coming weeks.

"Daly is currently contracted to Manly and I'm not prepared to say or do anything that could be interpreted as an attempt to destabilise another club's playing roster," he said.

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