The Brisbane Broncos’ concerns around the potential pulling power of the PNG Chiefs has led them to question why Pat Carrigan’s partner was part of the media pack that descended on Port Moresby last week.
A number of media figures were flown to PNG to cover the Chiefs logo and jersey launch.
The Nine representative was Bronte Gildea. Not only is she an accomplished reporter, Gildea is a rising star as a presenter on 9 News in Brisbane. She is highly regarded in the Wide World of Sports ranks and heading towards the status of the likes of Danika Mason and Allana Ferguson and other prominent women at the network.
In her role as a reporter, she organised with the Chiefs to cover the arrivals of coach Willie Peters, Jarome Luai and Brian To’o, the jersey launch, and everything else to do with the expansion franchise.
And like most reporters on the trip, she acknowledged it had been paid for by PNG.
The sole reason she got the gig is because she is a standout media performer.
But in the background, the Broncos – who, like many clubs, have already been spooked by the Chiefs’ ability to offer tax-free wages courtesy of the federal government – made inquiries to Port Moresby about why Gildea was the Nine Network representative.
The Broncos are concerned she got the gig because she is Carrigan’s partner. When you consider the fact Carrigan had previously expressed an interest in the Chiefs, you can see why their senses are tingling.
The club is obviously worried Gildea would spread the word about the Chiefs’ set-up to the partners of the Broncos players.
Carrigan, who is contracted to Brisbane until the end of the 2028 season, seems to be a loyal individual and he wants to captain the club he loves.
Maybe the Broncos realise he has been underpaid at the club for most of his career. If he was to chase a pay day when the time is right, you couldn’t blame him. By the time Carrigan is off contract, Gildea will be a bigger part of the Nine coverage and will be an even more widely regarded journalist. Those jobs are hard to come by and tougher to leave.
The Broncos are already on high alert over the influence of Chiefs general Michael Chammas, but he was struck down by illness in PNG and played almost no part in the media visit.
Bears keen to kick off against Manly
The Perth Bears are quietly angling for their NRL return to kick off against traditional enemy Manly.
The history and rivalry is huge. The NRL should seriously consider it, even though it’s been widely reported the Bears will play South Sydney in their return next year. It’s even been reported that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – a Rabbitohs diehard – wants to see that fixture. We know the draw is a difficult thing to navigate, but playing a team you have history with is a no-brainer.
The club is expected to take a significant step towards a steady front office by appointing former North Sydney Bears captain Tony Rea as chief executive following the exit of Anthony de Ceglie earlier this month.
That will be a big move in the right direction.
Titans rookie to test market
The Gold Coast Titans expect rookie No.7 Zane Harrison to go on the open market on November 1. He will attract big dollars.
The figure of $900,000 a year from next year onwards has been denied, but rivals say that’s what it will take to get him out of the Titans. The exit of AJ Brimson will help their cap situation when it happens.
Devil in the detail
A key sticking point in the NRL’s negotiations with the English Super League is a demand for unlimited funding for the head body in the UK.
It was a poison pill the Australian Rugby League Commission discovered in the deal proposed by the Rugby Football League and one they couldn’t allow. No well-run organisation would.
It’s not clear if the Super League club owners are aware of that part of the negotiation.
Despite the hitch, a 2028 deal is looking promising.
Munster could land in Sydney
Cameron Munster’s agent will check in with the Storm before seeing what is out there for the Kangaroos and Queensland star from November 1.
What is clear is that Sydney remains a potential landing spot. Munster joked about not wanting to be in Sydney because of its media. But he is a married father of three and not the wild man he once was.
Maroon lifts lid on heart scare
Popular Triple M host Anthony Maroon says he is struggling to deal with the fallout from his heart attack, but he could be back on air as soon as Monday – less than two weeks after having a stent placed in his heart.
Maroon is a highly popular figure in the sports world and he has given us an insight into his life-threatening and life-changing experience.
“In the days leading up to it I was OK,” he said. “I’m on annual leave, which I don’t really like because I find it hard to fill the time so I was training a couple of times a day. There were no obvious issues with the heart attack at the time.”
He recalled the moment that he knew he was in trouble.
“I first felt a pain where my pec muscles meet,” he said. “I was in my kitchen. I wasn’t sure if it was a heart attack, but I had never felt this pain before and it was really hardcore. ”
He acted quickly.
“I rang my GP and went straight up. I drove myself,” he said. “His rooms are in Matraville and I live in Little Bay. It was a worrying drive.”
Things escalated quickly from there. “When I got to doctor, it was pretty much confirmed what was happening. An ambulance came, and I think within an hour of calling the GP I was on the table getting a stent put in. It was full-on. And I can’t begin to say how grateful I am to everyone who played a part in helping me.”
Speaking to Maroon, he seems in good spirits – but that’s not quite the case.
“More than anything it’s playing games with my head,” he said. “It’s hard to believe it happened and happened to me. It doesn’t really help when people tell me how lucky I am. I know what they are saying, but it doesn’t help. I have to say the support has been overwhelming. More than anything, I’m worried for my wife worrying about me.
“I probably need to change my training a little, but I wasn’t doing too much wrong. I can’t wait to get back to work tomorrow.”
Chiefs merch going cheap
The PNG Chiefs sold 10,000 jerseys in the first 24 hours of their release on Wednesday. The club is charging $30 for a T-shirt style jersey, and the NRL has ensured their main replica jumper can sell for $100 – which is a significant cut on the cost of most jerseys.
Foxx on the rocks
Josh Addo Carr’s management is aware the Eels are leaning towards sacking him after he allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine when stopped for random testing last month in Sydney’s inner west.
They knew it even before there was a meeting this week with Eels general manager Mark O’Neill.
It’s not a move the Eels are happy about or one they want to talk about. It was the second time Addo-Carr has been embroiled in a drugs drama after the representative winger provided a positive roadside test while at Canterbury, which led to his axing by the club.
The Eels won’t abandon Addo-Carr or his family despite their stance. He had been supported before he spent time in a rehabilitation centre, and they have supported him since he left the clinic. The rehab was tough, but a month in there has allowed Addo-Carr time to reflect and start the road towards healing.
Addo-Carr is facing a ban of 12 matches for his second offence, in line with the NRL’s illicit drugs policy, which would rule him out for virtually half of next season.
Freddy steps up
Rugby league great Brad Fittler had the best sidestep this columnist has seen – so in light of the ankle-breaking step Kayln Ponga put on in the World Cup opener against New Zealand when he shot past Reece Walsh, we asked Freddy for his best five steppers.
Fittler nominated Melbourne Storm star Sua Faalogo as his No.1, pointing to the devastating speed which makes him so elusive. Fittler didn’t rank the rest of his list, but Ponga gets a run, as does my No.2 Benji Marshall. His style was mimicked by kids who were watching football as long as he played.
Walsh and his light feet also gets a start, while the only forward to grab a place is cross-code legend Sonny Bill Williams.
Good luck pinning any of them down.
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