Smith, whose contract with Fox expires at the end of the season, has been with the pay-TV network since 1995 and gained a reputation for his distinctive style and versatility. Other contenders for the top calling job include Ray Hadley, Tim Gilbert, Andrew Voss, Dan Ginnane, Andrew Moore and Matt Thompson. In a market framed by CrownBet, Warren, was installed as the $2 favourite. "How do you replace the great man 'Rabbits' Warren? Given that Vossy appears out of favour, we see Fox's Warren Smith as the man most likely", said CrownBet CEO Matt Tripp. Their full market is: $2 Warren Smith

$5 Dan Ginnane, Andrew Voss $7 Matt Thompson, Matt Russell, Andrew Moore $8 David Morrow, Ray Hadley $51 Peter Sterling, Graham Hughes, Jimmy Smith, Jason Costigan, Joel Caine $1001 Yvonne Sampson, Erin Molan, Kelli Underwood.

NO REPEAT ANZ Stadium has assured fans the ugly scenes at the "Black Friday" clash between Canterbury and South Sydney were an "isolated incident" ahead of Friday's rematch. Police issued infringement notices to a number of unruly fans after projectiles were thrown onto the field at the conclusion of the game. The crowd of 40,523 remains the biggest for an NRL match this season, but it took only a handful of hoons to overshadow a great spectacle. Police issued seven spectators with infringement notices, while a teenager copped a warning under the Young Offenders Act.

The NRL was forced to employ new protocols for the departure of match officials following the dramas, while there were an additional seven riot officers for Canterbury's next match at the venue. ANZ Stadium will liaise with the clubs and police to determine whether additional security measures are again required for the blockbuster. "It was an isolated incident and fans' behaviour since has been exemplary," an ANZ Stadium spokesperson said. "The stage is set for a classic footy match between two great Sydney clubs in a fan-friendly environment." THOMPSON OFF TO WIDNES Corey Thompson will leave Canterbury at the end of the season after taking up a two-year deal with Widnes.

At just 179cm, Thompson is the NRL's smallest winger, but has made a fair fist of it since earning his first-grade debut last year. The 25-year-old has scored 15 tries in 35 games, piquing the interest of several NRL clubs. However, the Vikings deal, which has an option in his favour for the second year, was too good to refuse. Widnes have also boosted their three-quarter stocks with the signing of former Rooster Setaimata Sa. FIFITA REF BACK ON JOB The whistleblower at the centre of the Fifita brothers drama has returned to officiating. Tim Hannon took some time off after Cronulla forwards Andrew and David Fifita acted inappropriately at a junior rugby league match in Sydney's west. The 24-year-old policeman was back at it last weekend and it's understood one of the games he oversaw involved St Patrick's, the team the siblings assist as trainers.

MOVING ON Gold Coast recruitment manager Jason Mathiou will part ways with the club at the end of the season. Mathiou, who spent 10 years as a talent spotter at the Roosters, lasted just one season. The former North Sydney and North Queensland forward has struggled to land the Titans the big names they had hoped for and was under immense pressure after Daly Cherry-Evans decided to stay at Manly. SHARKS DEAL FOR KULA Cronulla have moved to upgrade and extend the contract of Fine Kula. The outstanding teenaged prop was named the Harold Matthews player of the year and while he is contracted until the end of 2016, the Sharks want to keep him long-term. The Sharks have got plenty of good youngsters in their system, as evidenced by their Matts and SG Ball premierships, and Kula is considered the pick of the crop. A new contract would be a just reward for Kula's parents, who left high-powered jobs in their native New Zealand to allow their son to pursue his football dreams.

IN DEMAND Here's another name to jot down and remember – Kalyn Ponga. The North Queensland teen has scored five tries in his first two NYC games to underline predictions he is one of the next big things. Clubs across three codes were falling over themselves for Ponga's services but the Cowboys ultimately prevailed. Good judges believe he will go on to become the long-term replacement for Johnathan Thurston when the Queensland and Australian playmaker retires. CENTRE STUDY NSWRL officials were spotted in Bleak City last week checking out the venues of rival codes. Blues coach Laurie Daley and his crew toured the facilities of several Melbourne sporting clubs as they come up with a blueprint for their own centre of excellence.

RADIO TALKS While all of the attention has been on the TV deal negotiated with Channel Nine, the NRL has also been working behind the scenes on the radio rights for some time. The governing body has been meeting with the various parties in the hope of getting as close to the $2 billion mark as possible when all the various property values are combined. DISCUSSING PLAN If Harry Triguboff does fulfil his ambition to buy Wests Tigers, the billionaire businessman wants to address the team about his plans for them. "I think it would be a good idea to meet the players, talk to them. How I want them to win," Triguboff said. "Then maybe talk to the parents, I don't know. We have to keep those kids there together."

