It's worth remembering that Pearce signed a new deal with the Roosters at the start of the year. It was done without Pearce even considering an offer from a rival club. I'm hearing the Roosters have been talking about Cronk as a two-season player. Everything coming out of Cronk's camp has been about a one-year deal. The Roosters are wondering about the worth of the upheaval for one season. But one thing is dominating the thinking at Bondi: the Sonny Bill effect. Williams was brought in by the Roosters and he won them a comp. More than that, he taught the Roosters how to be professional. Players still replicate what Williams did in his time at the club. The Sonny Bill effect: The Roosters are aware of the impact a single-season player can have. Credit:Anthony Johnson The club has no ill will towards Pearce and believes that time with Cronk can only improve him as a player. Cronk's composure is what they want.

This year Pearce guided the Roosters home to win several close games. But he didn't finish the season in the same rich form that he started it. Origin knocked him about. The failure to reach the grand final was pinned on him, but he wasn't alone in underperforming against the giant-killing Cowboys. Man behind Footy Show compares Fatty to Hoges The man who launched Paul Vautin onto our screens says the former Footy Show host should be remembered as "a red-headed Paul Hogan". Gary Burns was the brains behind the Footy Show, which launched Vautin's TV career.

"'He'd done some stuff for the ABC and for Sportsworld, but there was just something about him," Burns said. Burns was boss of the Midday show and he recruited Vautin. "I rang him and he kept on saying, 'Is that you Gibbsy [Vautin's best mate and manager John Gibbs]? Is this a gee-up?' I had to convince him it wasn't." They then started the Sunday Footy Show, which moved to Thursday night and ran for 24 years. Good bloke: Paul Vautin mastered the art of the stuff-up.

"There are not that many shows around the world that have that kind of run with a host who was there all the way through," Burns said. "It's actually quite amazing and something Fatty should be very proud of. I think when we remember him as a TV host he should be thought of as a red-headed Paul Hogan. "I know Hogan was a monster star, but Fatty was similar on TV. He was a huge talent in his own way. He mastered the art of the stuff-up and made it funny to watch. He knocked himself and that made him hard to knock. He got in first. He is a just a good bloke and a good-natured bloke. We had a lot of laughs. More than anything, I'd like to think of him as my mate." Burns is one of the sharpest minds in TV and he is returning to the Nine Network as a creative consultant. Clubs want to start again on pay offer The fact that a new pay deal for players has still not been negotiated is causing unrest at some clubs.

The collective bargaining agreement expires on October 31. The clubs somewhat reluctantly agreed to a 52 per cent increase in the salary cap after a $1billion offer was made to players in August. Club bosses thought the RLPA would grab the deal with both hands. After all, it meant players would earn an average $300,000. But the union has still not accepted the offer and some club officials are so frustrated with the delay that they would like to see the pay offer pulled, and a new deal negotiated from scratch. The clubs have time on their side because there is no NRL competition until March next year, giving the players little leverage. It's a high-risk ploy. Dog fight rolls on

Hopes of an amicable settlement between Des Hasler and the Bulldogs are fading fast. As far as this column is aware, the Bulldogs' legal team has not even acknowledged Hasler's claim. The Dogs are saying they don't owe a cent to their sacked coach. Hasler is after a $1million payout. The Dogs are arguing that the heads of agreement isn't a binding deal. The lack of respect being shown to Hasler is hard to comprehend. Not only did he strike a deal, but he was denied the chance to sign elsewhere. Brotherly love Ivan Cleary's act of brotherly love shows exactly why Wests Tigers are in such great hands. With his brother Ash battling for some time, Ivan gave his brother a kidney. The operation happened late last week and Cleary certainly didn't want a fuss made about his bravery. Cleary may speak about the operation once his brother's condition is known. He had the support of the Wests Tigers to go through with it.

Pay draws blood Dean Pay has made a flying start to his coaching career, taking a giant whack at the Bulldogs' draw for next year. He has picked it apart and found plenty of flaws. But Pay's view is in stark contrast to the rest of the club – or at least those who put out a media release gushing about the draw. The release said: "The Bulldogs' draw is a bonus for fans of the club with only two home Thursday night matches. The club will play three home Friday night matches, three Saturday matches (excluding Perth) and two Sunday afternoon matches. In addition, the Bulldogs will take on St George at ANZ Stadium in the traditional Queen's Birthday match on Monday 11 June." But Pay has a different view, and insiders are questioning whether his thoughts will be appreciated by those trying to flog memberships after an average 2017 season. Top-flight talks

It was an insight you could only get by being a couple of rows back from Mal Meninga on Air Kangaroo, the charter the Australian team commissioned to take the team to Fiji. Sitting up the front on his own in 1A was Meninga. After a chicken and rice meal, Meninga started summoning key figures to his "office". The first person called in for a chat was Billy Slater. The chat would have revolved around the make-up of the back line. Slater is the most important figure in the backs, particularly in defence. Watching him up close at training barking instructions to the players was quite the sight. Next in the hot seat was Cameron Smith. It would be a surprise if he wasn't being consulted about a few contentious positions, in particular, the No.6 and the bench. Mow and tell David Klemmer is a league tragic, but he did have some down time before going into camp with the team. "I spent it all at Bunnings," he said. "I had a heap to do for the house. But the lawn is my specialty. That's where I'm at home."

And when he is not outside he is watching footy, footy and more footy. "Yeah, I watch the English Super League, reserve grade ... the under-20s, everything. I can't get enough, watching it and playing it. Igrab my kids and we sit there and watch it and I love it." Forwards a big hit The main talk out of the Kangaroos camp in Fiji was the strong displays by middle forwards David Klemmer, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jordan McLean. Klemmer was the most damaging forward against Fiji and Papua New Guinea. McLean's size was a big topic of discussion for the coaching staff. Matt's all business Matt Moylan has taken significant steps to get back into the good books at the Panthers by canning a boys trip to concentrate on his fitness. He won't be at the team's Cox Plate day festivities at Randwick either, but not because he'll be training, it's because he's attending the race at Moonee Valley with some team sponsors.

Tale of two halves Cameron Munster and James Maloney might be competing for a place in the Australian side, but they hit it off away from the field. Both don't mind a bet on the races and a game of cards. Maloney was seen handing over a few $50 notes to Munster in the team foyer. Loading He won the cash on Maloney's account. Munster was heard to quip to Maloney that he was happy to have give him his bonus bets.

Danny Weidler is a Channel Nine news reporter