AUSTRALIAN soccer hasn’t seen the last of superstar Timmy Cahill. Not by a long shot.

His move to Shanghai on a $6 million plus contract is short term and leaves the door open for an eventual homecoming, maybe as soon as the 2016 A-League season.

Australia’s most powerful soccer administrators, including billionaire Frank Lowy, are even prepared to offer the champion striker a significant share and investment in a new A-League club in Sydney’s south to convince him to finish his career in Australia.

media_camera WIN Jubilee Oval Kogarah.

Don’t be surprised if Kogarah Oval emerges as the venue of choice for the new A-League

team. The St George district has strong ties to the late and great Johnny Warren.

On top of that, it’s understood the local council likes the idea of a full-time A-League club instead of the increasingly part-time Dragons, who now play only four NRL matches at the famous old venue each year.

A Cahill led A-League club would be worth millions to FFA at the TV rights negotiating table.

He is now rightly regarded as Australia’s greatest-ever soccer player and, even at 36, he would add enormous interest to the competition.

The FFA, under Lowy and David Gallop, has already shown with the birth of the Wanderers three years ago they can move quickly to set up a new franchise.

They have already presented a proposal to Cahill and are continuing negotiations with his management team.

He would be the face of the club as a player and captain for possibly two years, then be a part-owner.

It’s known that FFA has been weighing up southern Sydney and the merits of the Sutherland Shire, where the NRL Sharks, headed by former Wanderers boss Lyall Gorman, would be willing partners in a joint venture.

But it is understood Kogarah is now the frontrunner.

The key is Cahill’s commitment to his junior academy with Foxtel, a fantastic program that sends lucky Aussie kids to Disneyland and gives hundreds a fun experience with the game. Attaching the growing program to a new A-League club makes sense.

QUICK PITT STOP FOR PROUD MUM AND HER BUB

THIS is the first photo of Fox Sports footy expert Lara Pitt and her beautiful new baby boy.

Little LachlanXavier Pitt was born just two weeks ago and had his first trip to Fox Sports studios last week for a photo shoot for the Matty Johns Show. The bub stayed in the green room while the cameras were clicking.

Lara has vowed that motherhood won’t be sidelining her from her commentary and news duties over the footy season.

media_camera Lara Pitt with her son Lachlan.

SYDNEY’S UNHOLY ALLIANZ

SIX NRL clubs could be forced to play home games at Allianz Stadium if chief executive Dave Smith is successful in lobbying for a new 65,000-seat stadium at Moore Park.

To convince the government to fund the project, Smith has given a guarantee that it would become the new home of rugby league and be used in similar fashion to the AFL at the MCG and Etihad. Clubs forced to abandon their traditional old home grounds could include Manly, Cronulla, Wests Tigers, Souths and St George Illawarra who would join the Roosters as joint tenants. I texted Smith on Saturday for his comments on the situation but he did not reply.

DOCTOR CALLED FOR AILING COMMISSION

THE push is on for Bulldogs legend George Peponis to join the independent commission as chairman to replace John Grant, who is offside with the clubs. Dr Peponis would be forced to stand down from his role as chairman of the Canterbury League Club and the NSW Rugby League.

media_camera George Peponis and Malcolm Noad.

SONS RISING ON EAGLE ERA

IT was like a who’s who of rugby league when the Manly Sea Eagles held their junior rugby league trials during the week.

League Immortals Andrew Johns and Bob Fulton, Matty Johns and Greg Alexander were all there to watch their sons and grandsons try out for the club’s junior rep teams.

There’s some football pedigree there.

CHAMPS’ MOMENT OF TRUCE

ONE of rugby league oldest feuds is officially dead and buried. For years, Anthony Mundine and Laurie Daley didn’t talk because of the boxer’s verbal sniping.

Daley has invited Mundine to be part of his Indigenous All Stars camp on the Gold Coast this week. “The other business is ancient history,” Daley said. “Choc’s still a great athlete and is obviously very passionate about the indigenous rights. The boys will love having him around.”

media_camera Laurie Daley and Anthony Mundine watch as ball goes loose during the Canberra v St George elimination final in 1996.

CONTINUOUS ROLL CALL

RAY Hadley has announced the signings of ABC veteran David Morrow and Brett Finch to the 2GB Continuous Call team for 2015. Finch is there to replace Steve Blocker Roach after doing an outstanding job in his debut commentary season on Channel Nine last year. Australia’s oldest commentator (now Wok Ryan has retired), Robbie Fulton, is back with the Big Marn Darryl Brohman.

WIN FOR THE COUNTRY

WHEN Geoff ‘Pinky’ Prenter was editing Rugby League Week way back in the 1970s, he and Jimmy Huxley always made sure bush football got great exposure. Little would he have expected to be appointed last week as the inaugural media liaison officer for the Country Rugby League. This is a wonderful appointment to bring attention and exposure for hundreds of clubs that are battling for survival.

media_camera Geoff Prenter is the CRL’s inaugural media liaison officer.

SAINT

THE Manly Sea Eagles are going bush this week to spread the gospel at Jamie Lyon’s old town Wee Waa and at the mighty Moree Boomerangs. It’s a pity more clubs aren’t doing it.

SAINT II

THE 4am hot dogs on QF 12 from Los Angeles to Sydney, superbly prepared by flight attendant Matt, an absolutely fanatical Manly Sea Eagles supporter.

SINNER

THE NRL’s ridiculously dumb trial of 10 referees at one game. It’s a waste of time and money. The Four Nations and the Nines showed clearly we only need one referee.

SHOOSH

THERE is a rumour about the Titans being relocated to Ipswich if they continue to struggle to make ends meet on the Gold Coast.

SHOOSH II

WHICH former rugby league superstar is currently embroiled in seriously bitter divorce proceedings.

ROAR VALUE

THE wonderful Katy Perry was in Sydney in September last year but no one from the NRL had the foresight to approach her management about performing at the grand final. No, that’s not me in the shark suit.

media_camera Katy Perry performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl.

TICKETS PLEASE

WE told you last week about Super Bowl tickets selling for as much as $18,000 on the day of the game. At least you could get a part refund. On the way out of the stadium, fans were offering $40 for used tickets as souvenirs.

MOORE THE MERRIER

ANDREW Moore’s appointment as chief rugby league commentator at the ABC continues a long tradition of Aunty’s great broadcasters who have had names starting with an M. McGilvray, May, Marks, Maxwell, Morrow, Morphett and now Moore.