Gould said the playing group gathered to discuss the matter. "We had a conversation and the players dismissed it and said they wanted to support Te Maire," he said. "It all started with a couple of media types who are desperate for a story when he missed a couple of games through injury. It somehow became him being stood down because of an affair. I can't emphasise enough how wrong this is and I am speaking out today because of the hurt it has caused him and his family. "The rumour is hurtful to Te Maire, his family and to the women who are wives and partners of our players." This alleged infidelity just didn't happen. No wonder the Panthers have had gutful of the rumours and those spreading them. It got to the point that the Cowboys had a nervous moment after they had agreed to sign Martin. The Panthers took a call from the Cowboys the day after they did the deal concerned they had just purchased damaged goods. They were assured the story was totally incorrect.

Cowboys football manager Peter Parr even went so far as to watch how the Panthers players reacted to Martin in the tunnel after the Panthers played the Cowboys. Every player shook his hand. "Te Maire Martin is an outstanding young man," Gould said. "He was a popular member of the team and a naturally gifted footballer. These rumours have had a detrimental effect on him ... he knows people have been talking about him, the comments on social media ... it's totally unfair." Testing times: NSW and Roosters winger Blake Ferguson. Credit:Getty Images FERGUSON'S HEARTACHE



Blake Ferguson is set to move in with Anthony Mundine following the Origin series after the breakdown of Ferguson's relationship with the mother of his two kids, Bianca Menniti. Ferguson has been struggling in recent months and his life has threatened to unravel as he tries to be a partner, father and footballer. He has also been struggling to get a new deal at the Roosters, who are concerned about his behaviour. His problems at home may explain that. What has not been affected is Ferguson's form. He was voted the best player on the Kangaroo tour and in Origin II he picked up the players' player award. While Ferguson was in a dark place during the first Blues camp, he was more focused and calm in the second, but there was still concern from team management about some of the company he was keeping. Living with Mundine is a wise choice. Despite what his critics may say, there is no more solid sporting role model than Mundine. His clean-living lifestyle is the perfect example for Ferguson and will be crucial as he tries to navigate through a difficult time.

I'm being told Ferguson has an amicable relationship with Menniti and is a doting dad. FIFITA DEMANDS APOLOGY FOR SLUR Andrew Fifita wants it made very clear: his anger at the Brisbane pub that posted the racial slur about his daughter has nothing to do with football. "This is a personal matter ... it's my family," he said. "It's not about State of Origin. As soon as this all started to happen I asked Val [Valentine Holmes] to get on his Queensland team group chat on WhatsApp and tell them that. Greg Inglis rang me, which was really great of him, and I told him the same thing. "This is a family matter and it's not some kind of motivation for Origin to hate Queensland. If the pub was in NSW I would have been just as angry. It's not about states or footy, it's about racists and people attacking my daughter. I don't care if they go me. I'm the guy on the football field and I can win or lose games and I can wear the hate on the field but, seriously, my family, or for that matter, any of the players' families ... they need to keep way out of that," he said.

Fifita says every part of him is trying to leave it to his management to work through the matter. "But I would love to get face-to-face with the people in charge of this ... to let them know how it makes my family feel – to walk in my skin," he said. "I've had plenty of people say to me that I should throw legal papers at them, sue them. A formal apology to my wife and my family is what I really want and if they felt that they would like to donate to an Aboriginal cause of their choice." Fifita sat on the photo for a week, but couldn't contain his rage. "You know if it was an individual, Imay have worn it, but it was a pub and they were having a contest – in my eyes that is just not acceptable or fair," he said. Fifita has another dilemma: his wife Nikki is due to give birth when he is in Origin camp. "They [my family] have told me to go up there [the Kingscliff camp] and chase my dream and that is great," Fifita said. "I know I have to stay up there, but it would be great to see our new baby before the game."

From tough stock: World title hopeful Jeff Horn. IT'S ALL RELATIVE As little as a month ago very few people had heard of Jeff Horn. This afternoon, in a packed Suncorp Stadium with millions watching around the world, Horn fights the legendary warrior Manny Pacquiao for the world title. It's a remarkable achievement for a school teacher who's had only 17 professional fights. In Queensland the build-up has rivalled Origin, yet for all the recent interviews it's hard to feel like we really know The Hornet. Few are aware Channel Nine sports editor Cameron Williams is Horn's cousin, so I asked him for some insight.

"Jeff is almost goofy nice," Williams said. "But he is indomitable. He has a stillness about him that leaves a big impression. When I talk to Jeff and look into his eyes, I see his grandma, who I called aunty Betty. "She was a calm lady, very gentle, but very determined. She brooked absolutely no bullshit at all. Betty and her husband, Ray, raised eight kids on a Brisbane bus driver's wage, four boys and four girls. The second oldest son, Jeffrey, became Jeff Horn's father. "Ray grew up in Winton, in outback Queensland. When he was 10 or 11, Ray and his identical twin brother, Gordon, would dress the same and go hell for leather in the boxing ring. All the shearers and other types would shower them with coins for putting on a good show. "It's nice to think Ray is still around to see Jeff jnr showered with at least a million dollars. "I'll be sitting with the family watching him win a world title. That'll be nice, too."

IMMORTAL WORDS There is always talk about who should be a rugby league Immortal, and this column knows there are rules in place about eligibility. The best player I've seen is Johnathan Thurston. His consistent excellence takes him just past Andrew Johns. We know he is one day going to get the reward, so why not fast-track it? How about making it happen now, while he is still an active player? I know the rules. I know he may be jumping the queue, but he will be there. So what about paying tribute to Thurston and allowing him to be the first playing Immortal? It would add a twist to the concept, and it would be a marketing tool. Fans could see an Immortal in action and pay tribute to him. It would be a fitting tribute to a player who is as good as it gets on and off the field.

SAILOR'S JOURNEY One of the main reasons Wendell Sailor was happy to move on from his role as Dragons ambassador is to be a more present father to his son Tristan as he makes his way as an NRL player. Tristan is on his way up in the game, staring at junior level for the Dragons and for NSW. "I like to share my experience, but more than that, I want to be there as a dad," Sailor said. "It's partly to do with what I went through as a young bloke and the unresolved issues I have." Sailor was given away when he was two days old, his neighbours adopting him. "I do work with kids who are going through some kind of separation and I relay my own experiences," he said. "I let the anger and resentment build up and that came across in the away I treated people and behaved in some situations ... and now I hope I'm improving and helping people. But my focus is my kids and helping Tristan navigate what he is facing." Tristan is facing a difficult decision: to stay with the Dragons or possibly play at another one of his father's clubs, the Broncos. There is talk Wests Tigers want to sign him as well. "Wayne Bennett asked me if Tristan would be interested in moving up to Brisbane, which is very flattering. It will be his decision ultimately, but he has had a lot of help from Craig Young at the Dragons – he has been very good for him."