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JOHNS VS SMITH
During his 11 seasons at Parramatta, it was rumoured that Brian
Smith (RIGHT) would send his players text messages inquiring about
their whereabouts … on their days off. But since arriving
in Newcastle, he’s told some people that he no longer wants
to play the obsessive commandant. That’s right: he’s
mellowed. The jury on that one will remain out until he’s
endured a six-match losing streak with Andrew Johns sidelined
with a knee injury.
How an authoritarian like Smith works with a maverick like Johns
will be the intriguing subplot of ’07. Former Knights coach
Michael Hagan would tell his captain to rack off up the coast
for a few days if too many people were wading into Joey’s
fishbowl. Will Smith afford him as much leash?
As for Johns’ future, it’s as uncertain as the rest
of the competition. He’s signed until ’08, but a clause
in his contract allows him to finish this season if he chooses.
His future – like the Knights’ hopes – is likely
to have more to do with bone, ligament and cartilage than his
unwavering enthusiasm for the game. And plenty to do with his
relationship with Brian Smith.
CLASH OF THE TITANS
The Giants couldn’t do it. Neither could the Seagulls.
The Chargers? Nope. So why will the latest permutation of a side
on the Gold Coast – this time under the moniker of the Titans
– work?
Demographics, man. Since 1988, the Gold Coast’s white-shoe
brigade has been replaced with hip young types from Sydney and
Melbourne looking for cheaper mortgages. Apparently, that makes
them rugby league lovers as well.
It’s been a rocky start with three players – Steve
Turner, Brian Carney and Frank Puletua – bailing from their
contracts before playing a game. And who knows how league-unionleague
convert Mat Rogers [RIGHT] will fare in his return to the 13-man
code?
Titans fans will also have their loyalty immediately tested.
Gold Coast start with seven tough games, including relocated home
matches against the Dragons and Broncos at Brisbane’s Suncorp
Stadium. Titans management wanted sell-out crowds. But a watershed
win might be needed sooner rather than later to ensure the young
homeowners don’t stay at home.
STATE OF THE UNION
We don’t want to sound alarmist, but the future of the
Rugby League Professionals Association (RLPA) is about to go on
the line. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed off
in May last year – which lifted the salary cap only marginally
from $3.3 million to $4 million – isn’t a done deal,
as widely believed. It’s still to be ratified by the players
and the delay has given them time to ponder how much they really
benefited from the $500 million TV deal struck by the NRL in ’05.
Should they reject the proposed CBA, the matter could head to
the courts. And should the matter find its way there, the cash-strapped
RLPA will have no choice but to ask its members to fund it. Yep,
this is gonna get messy.
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