Loading ‘‘This story and several others like it over past few years have cast a dim light on my family. There are always two sides to a story so before you and your media colleagues make out David has had some sort of unfortunate childhood/family life get your facts right. Most of, if not all, his angst has been brought on by his own actions. "So to avoid any future problems that may arise regarding defamation, lawsuits please refrain from mentioning my family and problems that David may have with them in your newspaper. I am happy to speak to you and clear up this matter.” I gave Helmut Klemmer a call and we spoke at length. “We are being made out to be the bad guys in all of this and we are not the bad guys,” Helmut said.

“It’s not our fault that David is living the life he is wanting to live and if he wants to leave the Bulldogs it’s not because of us. I want the innuendo to stop. We have not been asking David for money or anything like that. ‘‘The truth is that we have not spoken to him for years. Every time that we try and make peace with him there is a disconnection. We did the right thing by him and were there for him as he was growing up but in recent years he has made a decision not to talk with us and he has his own life with his family and we have been kicked to the kerb.” Every time that we try and make peace with him there is a disconnection. Helmut Klemmer It’s clear that the family situation is stressful for all involved and it is easy to think it could be a reason for Klemmer wanting to escape Sydney. Klemmer also has other reasons for wanting to leave the Bulldogs – close mates Josh Reynolds and James Graham have left the club. I have known David for a number of years and he has only been polite, respectful and decent to me. I have not seen a more dedicated dad than him and whatever issues he has with his family don’t interfere with his ability to be a popular figure in the teams that he plays in. It can only be hoped that he is settled when he lands in Newcastle. The Knights are certainly picking up one hell of a footballer – list the names of the best props in the game and it’s hard to go past Klemmer as near the very top.

Klemmer was contacted for comment yesterday and said he would speak to his manager before making a statement. However, he did not respond before deadline. Opening ball blunder a Head-ache for Foxtel There has been so much hype around the Fox cricket coverage – much of it written by people on the payroll – but none of them seemed to notice that their main ball-by-ball commentator Mark ‘‘Howie’’ Howard made a blunder on the first ball of last Sunday’s one day international in Perth. In Australia’s first match televised under the new broadcast deal, Howard called the man facing South African paceman Dale Steyn as Aaron Finch. It was Travis Head. Eye opener: Fox Sports commentator Mark Howard mixed up Australian openers Travis Head and Aaron Finch on the opening ball of last Sunday’s clash. Credit:AAP

An easy mistake to make? Head is a left-hander, Finch is a right-hander. We all make mistakes but that was hard to ignore. It went down very badly with Fox bosses as it was seen as a historic moment for the broadcaster’s coverage. Howard was saved by Mark Waugh, who tidied up the error. The broadcaster’s coverage is sure to improve and Shane Warne is going to be a reason to watch Fox through the summer. Whatever Foxtel is paying him he is worth it. Fond farewell Some of the NRL’s big hitters gathered at the Manly Skiff club on Friday for Peter Peters’ retirement drinks. The likes of Bob Fulton, Des Hasler, Max Krilich, Lou Zivanovic and Jack Elsegood were there with some of Sydney’s leading reporters and noted businessman Sam Rahme. An absentee was former league boss Ken Arthurson. However, he sent a heartfelt note: ‘‘I am sorry that I am unable to attend your retirement function but know you can appreciate why. It is with some sadness for me that you are calling it a day after all those years as a great player and outstanding administrator for our club. Your contribution to rugby league and the Manly club in particular will always be deeply appreciated by me. Manly alumni, circa 1971: Back (from left) Bob Fulton, Peter Peters, Bob Batty, Ken Irvine. Centre: Mal Reilly, John McDonald, Ian Martin, Bill Hamilton, Allan Thomson. Front: Derek Moritz, Norm Pounder, Fred Jones, Eddie Whiley. Credit:Fairfax Media

"On a personal note I have always regarded both you and Boz as being part of my family and the time we have spent together and the loyalty to each other will never be forgotten. Have a great day, old mate, and enjoy your retirement – nobody deserves it more than you.’’ Coach killer Loading It’s hard to argue with the appointment of Anthony Seibold as the Broncos head coach – but the treatment of Kevin Walters could develop into a significant story in Brisbane. Walters has told those he trusts that he didn’t go for the Gold Coast Titans job because the Broncos CEO Paul White had told him he was next in line at the Broncos. There is also outrage at the way the interview process was conducted and who turned up and who didn’t when it comes to the actual panels who were involved.

What goes around Kieran Foran’s ex-partner and the mother of his two kids has taken a swipe at radio presenter JackieO. Rebecca Pope was devastated when Jackie O suggested to her radio audience that Foran’s second child was not his several years ago. It was untrue and the radio host was forced to apologise. That didn’t stop trolls on social media making disgraceful comments towards Pope. Jackie O is currently dealing with rumours that she had an affair that led to the breakdown of her marriage, allegations she calls ‘‘disgusting’’. Pope understandably reacted to the broadcaster’s predicament, posting on Instagram: ‘‘Now you know how I feel,’’ she wrote. Under fire: Jackie O with Kyle Sandilands. Credit:Sahlan Hayes

‘‘A defamatory comment you made on air is still affecting my son and I 2.5 years on. You broadcast a disgusting and completely untrue rumour and then it spread like wildfire. I was verbally and emotionally abused by it and I still am. Shoe’s on the other foot. Maybe next time think before you speak. I hope in future you are more cautious about what statements you make about people’s families – especially through a separation. I believe this is called karma. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy. So when I read this my heart broke for your daughter and what she will deal with when she is older (just like my kids).’’ Holmes comfort The Sharks are making quiet plans for life after Valentine Holmes. He is due to meet Shane Flanagan next week and that’s when he is expected to make his exit. Players were already told by Holmes before he took off on his American holiday that he was planning his departure. The Sharks have no faith in him staying so they are now weighing up the best way to cope with the fullback situation. The obvious solution is to sign Ben Barba. Failing that, there is thought that Matt Moylan could go back to that role and Kyle Flanagan could slot into the halves without too much of a problem.

Storm brewing? The Melbourne Storm have suffered from an image problem ever since they were stripped of their titles for cap rorting and while they may have a vocal bunch of fans they are not loved outside of the Victorian capital. They are in the process of an image overhaul and they are implementing a new five-year business plan. The Storm’s head of media, Sarah Kalaja, is gone from the organisation. An internal email is understood to have said she was looking to spread her wings. I have been told that she emailed key people at the organisation about her departure, including the likes of Craig Bellamy and Cameron Smith, but left Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy off the list. I asked Donaghy if he had seen the email, but he suggested we ask his former media head about that. I contacted her and have not heard back.