Oct 16th, 2017

Oct 16th, 2017

Ferguson warned on company he keeps

There is more to the bizarre Blake Ferguson-Paul Carter incident than fans and the media have been told.

I have been given the full story and while it can never be told, Roosters officials are aware of what went down that night last week that culminated in Carter calling police and falsely alleging that Ferguson was giving his young kids drugs.

(AAP)

Blake Ferguson in action against Newcastle during the 2017 NRL season. (AAP)

The Roosters have told Ferguson to have nothing to do with Carter in the future - and the representative centre is now only too happy to oblige after having his name dragged through the mud by his former team-mate.

Kearney facing sack before season starts

The off season is only weeks old but already another coach is in grave danger of getting the sack before 2018 kicks off.

There are three syndicates trying to buy the New Zealand Warriors - and one of them is telling people in the know that they intend to sack coach Stephen Kearney as their first act.

Current owner Eric Watson has had enough of the under-performing Warriors and hopes to sell the club within the next month.

There are three possible buyers - the Auckland Rugby League, businessman Paul Davys, who is back in the hunt after originally pulling out, and a group of independent investors.

One of the latter two has been letting it be known that Kearney will be the first casualty of the takeover after just one year at the helm.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney could face a bleak future depending on the club's new owners. (AAP)

The Warriors were a bitter disappointment yet again in 2017, missing the finals and losing their last nine games.

Kearney is on a razor’s edge as is for next season, and will want to keep a close eye on boardroom manoeuvers.

Eels poach Sharks' young gun

The Eels have snuck under Cronulla’s guard to sign one of the Sharks’ most promising juniors for next year.

SG Ball utility Jaeman Salmon is only 18 but the Eels think so highly of him that they have given him a three-year deal.

A centre, five-eighth or second-rower, Salmon is a local junior from Sharks' nursery De La Salle Caringbah and officials are not happy he escaped the net.

Salmon shone in the Sharks’ premiership winning Matthews Cup team in 2015 and has played for NW at both under 16 and under 18 level.

Archer facing referees' revolt over sacking

The season may be over - but the drama and ill feeling in the referees’ ranks remains.

Less than 24 hours after the refs’ presentation night last week, referees boss Tony Archer sacked leading whistle blower Chris James.

The decision by NRL referees' boss Tony Archer to sack Chris James has caused division. (Getty)

A veteran of over 150 top grade games, James never saw it coming - and when he asked Archer for a reason, he was not given one.

To say the move hasn’t gone down well with the group is an under-statement.