Blues barbs taking a toll on Fittler’s family

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When NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler sits down to think about his future in the coming weeks, the impact the job has had on his family will be a key factor in whether he wants to continue in the role.

The criticism he has had to endure from some sections of the media has taken a toll on those he loves. His partner, Marie, was visibly upset after game one in Adelaide and, having seen it, I have to say it was hard to watch.

That was early on in the campaign, and it only got worse. She keeps a low profile and fully supports her partner’s commitment to the Blues, but she hears what people say about the man she loves, and it has an effect. It will influence whatever Fittler decides to do in the future.

It was great to see Marie after NSW’s 24-10 win in game three giving Fittler a hug in the Blues dressing room. “I’ve got my methods and strategies [to deal with stress] in place for this job,” Fittler said. “I’ve worked it out but, for the first time, all this talk has affected my partner and my kids.”

Asked about Marie’s response, Fittler said: “She takes it to heart: it can be anger; it can be emotional.”

He added with a smile: “She’s Greek – it keeps things interesting. One thing is there is a lot of support from the public, people you meet, and that is overwhelming. It outweighs all of the stuff they want to say and write. Whatever they were trying to do when it comes to me, it didn’t work.”

Brad Fittler and his partner Marie in the Blues’ dressing room.Credit: Channel Nine

Fittler’s comments about his family back up what his close friend and chief Blues adviser Greg Alexander said in this column last week, when he expressed concerns about the “cheap” and “personal” nature of the attacks on the NSW coach. They were brave words from Alexander, because he was being critical of opinions held by some at News Corp, which is pushing hard to get Fittler out.

Alexander was then challenged on live TV about his views. He held firm. It should also be said that Alexander is employed as a commentator by another arm of News Corp, Fox Sports, so it’s a stance that reflects his respect for Fittler.

Fittler also had strong views about the lack of support from former Blues players.

“It’s a jumper-first mentality and some ex-players forget that,” he said. “Having ex-players out there criticising all the time … support from ex-players should be unequivocal. It shouldn’t be tested. But it is. Constantly.”

Fittler showed he was capable of adjusting on the run by bringing in Ivan Cleary to help for game three, and the Panthers coach may be part of his game-day structure next year, if he wants the job.

Some good judges have suggested a rotation of coaches to assume that role, if Cleary is unavailable for three games.

Names such as former Blues star Craig Fitzgibbon, Storm super-coach Craig Bellamy and Raiders mentor Ricky Stuart have been mentioned.

Laundy hung out to dry

The controversy about an apparent offer from the Bulldogs to Titans star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been laughable. To call it a salary-cap rort is a real stretch.

Arthur Laundy.Credit: AFR

A conversation involving Canterbury’s major sponsor, Arthur Laundy, was blown up into something it wasn’t. Laundy, 82, was naive enough to say he would guarantee a return if a player – the Bulldogs dispute he was referring to Fa’asuamaleaui – invested in his hotel chain.

Laundy, who owns nearly 100 pubs and is worth more than $1 billion, clearly does not have a full understanding of what is allowed under the NRL’s salary-cap rules. And he doesn’t need to. But there is no deal in place, and no offer I am aware of. Certainly not one from Canterbury general manager Phil Gould.

Laundy was speaking about an idea his family wants to explore and has flagged with the NRL at least twice. It was an informal approach, not a clandestine plan to gain an “illegal” advantage.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said he checked with his salary-cap team and there was no deal to investigate. To say Gould has been “exposed” on a cap rort, as has been reported, is wrong and potentially defamatory. It is Gould’s job to hire and fire players, and he certainly has not made an offer to Fa’asuamaleaui. Fa’asuamaleaui’s agent, Simon Mammino, said: “No offer has been discussed or offered by the Dogs.”

I also messaged Laundy, saying: “I’ve been told there was never an offer made to Tino or his agent. Can you confirm?”

Laundy said: “That is my understanding.”

While there is no question Laundy spoke about a plan to secure star players, that is all it is: talk.

Worst Best idea

The biggest criticism of the Rugby League Players’ Association and its befuddling media ban has been the lack of direction in the messaging. With good media management and strong relationships with key figures in the game, the players’ union would have a far better chance of getting its point across.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and RLPA chief Clint Newton.Credit: Janie Barrett, Getty

Here is a case in point. Reporters had to rely on the parents of Origin III hero Bradman Best to tell his story. Roger and Tobi did a great job, too. Then Best fronted the media the morning after the Blues’ win to tell them what they weren’t allowed to hear the night before. Best spoke very well about his experience. But the edict was that players were not supposed to speak to the media.

We rang the RLPA to find out why Best was allowed to talk and whether he had permission to do so. We also heard a story that union boss Clint Newton wasn’t happy and called Best. The only thing we got an answer on was a denial that Newton had contacted Best. The union was prepared to defend its boss, but not the player.

The RLPA would not even tell us if Best had sought permission to speak, or was cleared to do so. Since we can’t call the player, due to the union’s ban, you would think their public relations people would want to provide some explanation.

The justification is believed to be that Best was allowed to talk to the media because there was no game played on Thursday. Players were banned from talking to reporters on game days. But there was an under-19 Origin game on Thursday, which featured NRL-contracted players.

‘Closet Aussie’ Whitehead gives Morgan a Piers of his mind

Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead has a message for English pundit Piers Morgan: he is a “proud Englishman” and Morgan had better watch out or he may become the next target for a Raiders try celebration.

Morgan did not see the humour in the Raiders’ post-try celebration in Wollongong last Friday night that mocked the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow by Australia’s wicketkeeper Alex Carey during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

The incident caused uproar at the normally staid London ground, and throughout the cricket world, because some deemed it contrary to the spirit of the game.

Morgan ripped into Whitehead for taking part in the try celebration.

The Canberra Raiders recreate the ‘Jonny Bairstow stumping’ for a Jordan Rapana try celebration.Credit: NRL.com

“Just found out the batsman in this shameful spirit-of-the-game mocking stunt is not only ENGLISH, but a YORKSHIREMAN,” Morgan tweeted. “What on earth are you doing Elliott Whitehead? Are you a closet Australian?”

Whitehead was shocked.

“I remember getting back into the sheds and our media guy, Benny, said Piers Morgan has got involved and what he said,” Whitehead said.

“We were just having a laugh. [Raiders hooker] Zac Woolford came up with the idea, and I got the role of Jonny because I was the only Pom in the team and, as it turns out, I’m from the same part of the world as him.

“I’m obviously a proud Englishman and I want Piers to know that. I’ve actually met Jonny, and he presented me with my English jumper at the World Cup.

“With the whole celebration, we were having a laugh and raising money for charity. We’ve been looking for some stuff on Piers … so far we have not got anything, but we might work something out.”

Whitehead was thrilled England won the third Test at Headingley to keep the series alive.

“Zac and I have a bet — one case of beer for each win and a clean sweep was double,” Whitehead said. “I was looking at 10 cases of beer before the win in the last Test so, yes, I’m very happy.”

For the record, Whitehead wants to settle in Canberra once his football career is over. “I love it here, and after eight years, it’s definitely my home and it’s where I’ll be staying,” he said.

Dogged pursuit

The Bulldogs are clearly serious about signing South Sydney fullback Blake Taaffe. First, general manager Phil Gould was seen with him in a cafe.

Blake Taaffe and Cameron Ciraldo.

Now, we have been sent a photo (see picture) of Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo meeting him at a hotel on Friday.

Taaffe, who is stuck behind superstar Latrell Mitchell at the Rabbitohs, could be a fullback or No.14 and his attacking prowess is something the Bulldogs could certainly use.

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