Australia and New Zealand – Page 18 – Michmutters

Tag: Australia and New Zealand

Categories
Entertainment

Teenage Head’s Gord Lewis ‘murdered by son’

Teenage Head's Gord Lewis 'murdered by son'

Canadian rock guitarist Gord Lewis was found dead in his home on Sunday after he was allegedly murdered by his own son.

The rocker’s 41-year-old son, Jonathan Lewis, was arrested and charged with a second-degree murder as the Hamilton Police Department in Ontario continues to investigate the case, according to local reports.

The co-founding member of punk rock band Teenage Head was discovered by cops over the weekend. Cops described the incident as “isolated,” the Hamilton Spectator reported.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Hamilton Detective Sara Beck said police are not looking for any additional suspects, the New York Post reported.

Beck said the 65-year-old victim sustained “injuries consistent with foul play.”

“We are continuing to seek out witnesses and reviewing video in the area,” she added.

Although “a positive identification has not been made of the deceased due to the level of decomposition,” police said they know the identity of the deceased.

Gord’s death was confirmed by the band on Monday, who shared a touching post on Instagram.

“We are heartbroken and still trying to process the loss of our friend, bandmate and brother Gord Lewis,” the band’s surviving members Steve Marshall, drummer Gene Champagne, and Dave Desroches wrote.

“Our hearts are with his family and all that knew and loved him. Gordon was a force and an inspiration to many. You were taken from us far too soon.”

Lewis co-founded the punk rock band Teenage Head in 1975 alongside founding vocalist and drummer Frankie Venom and singer Dave Desroches, and the band went on to perform all over the country before finding global fame.

Some of Teenage Head’s most known songs include “Let’s Shake” and “Some Kinda Fun.”

The rocker’s death isn’t the first in the group, as Venom died in 2008 after losing his battle to throat cancer.

This article was originally published by the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

.

Categories
Entertainment

Everybody’s Oma is a raw, emotional and ultimately uplifting film

Everybody's Oma is a raw, emotional and ultimately uplifting film

Ever wondered what kind of lockdowns we would’ve had if covid had hit 30, 20 or even 10 years ago?

As bruising and wrought the whole experience was – and in some ways, continues to be – one of the upsides of covid, if we can take a glass-half-full approach for a moment, is that it unleashed a torrent of creativity online.

When we couldn’t bond in person, many tried to connect virtually in imaginative ways.

For the van Genderan family, from NSW’s Central Coast, a lockdown video featuring a makeshift supermarket in their family home to simulate a weekly shopping trip for Oma, their dementia-afflicted matriarch, went viral around the world, clocking up more than 100 million views .

The video and the family’s social media channels became a way for them to share their journey with Oma’s dementia, and Everybody’s Oma is filmmaker Jason van Genderen’s tribute to his mother and the whole family’s love and resilience.

It’s also a tribute to anyone who has a loved one with dementia, dealing with the heartbreak of watching them lose themselves as the symptoms take a firmer and firmer hold.

Shot purely on iPhones, Everybody’s Oma is at times an unflinching look at the day-to-day challenges of not just taking care of one person, but also the enormous emotional, physical and social toll taking care of Oma at home exacts takes on everyone else.

At its most moving moments, it’s not the footage of Oma that really hits, but the piece-to-camera confessions from Jason and his wife Megan. The camera – and the eventual audience – becomes a therapist or a priest, an outlet for them to express what they’re afraid to say out loud.

One specific admission from Jason is the kind of thing you would never allow yourself to think, let alone confront. There’s a lot of bravery in including it in the documentary and the fact Jason did speaks to his attempt to authenticity.

Taken out of context, the words are monstrous, but only someone incapable of empathy would judge him for how he felt. He was a man and a son exhausted and beaten down by the insidiousness of dementia.

There’s a lot of rawness in Everybody’s Oma and the iPhone footage helps to establish that intimate connection between the family and the audience. While the shots are crisp, it’s the nimbleness and largely unplanned nature of the sequences that makes you feel as if you’re part of it.

While it may seem as if all the harrowing realism of Everybody’s Oma makes this film a hard watch, it’s actually not.

There is a beating heart to this story, and it’s powered by love. That love is evident in every furrowed brow, every frustrated sight and every exasperated question of what’s next.

Everybody’s Oma is ultimately a stirring and uplifting feature because every difficult moment is testament to what humans are capable of in the name of love.

Rating: 3.5/5

Everybody’s Oma is in cinemas from Thursday, August 11

.

Categories
Sports

Wallabies forced into more changes for Argentina Test, Hunter Paisami injury, Quade Cooper, video

Wallabies forced into more changes for Argentina Test, Hunter Paisami injury, Quade Cooper, video

The Wallabies will be forced to go to the well again, with Hunter Paisami expected to be ruled out of their second Rugby Championship Test against Michael Cheika’s Los Pumas in San Juan.

It’s understood the center, who laid on the Wallabies’ bonus point win with a sublime run and offload in the final play of the game, has suffered a head knock.

His injury will see yet another backline reshuffle, with Lalakai Foketi expected to be named in the No.12 jersey. Irae Simone, who was a late call-up to the squad and will head to Clermont following the two-Test tour of Argentina, is firming for a remarkable return via the bench.

Foketi won’t be the only change either.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The change at inside center could see the Wallabies opt for the experienced head of James O’Connor to fill the No.10 jersey following Quade Cooper’s devastating season ending injury.

Should Dave Rennie indeed turn to O’Connor, the Test shapes as a crunch one for the 32-year-old, who lost some backers following his poor second half against England in Brisbane last month. Never mind that he was under done and playing away from his preferred position and the lack of time in the saddle showed.

Part of the thinking could be that in Bledisloe III, 2020, Rennie was forced to select the uncapped duo of Noah Lolesio and Simone at 10 and 12 and their inexperience showed as the All Blacks smashed the Wallabies at the Olympic Stadium. Rolling out Lolesio, who is still growing as a player at 22, and Foketi, who will play his second Test, could leave them short of experience and leadership in the backline.

Wallabies bag late, late bonus point try | 00:43

Utility Reece Hodge, who stepped into the hot seat at No.10 early in the second half and was assured and kicked his goals, all but confirmed he wouldn’t start when he indicated on Wednesday that either O’Connor or Lolesio would start in the role.

“Rabs (O’Connor) has got his body in really good shape and he’s been training well the last month and really pushing for selection,” Hodge said.

“Whether it’s him or Noah who get the nod heading into this weekend, we’re confident that both of them are in great physical shape and both training really well, so whoever steers us around will have the full confidence of the squad.”

Meanwhile, Allan Alaalatoa’s (personal reasons) return to Australia has opened the door for Pone Fa’amausili to make his debut off the bench.

The Rebels tight-head prop has long been knocking on the door and been a part of the Wallabies’ squad since 2020.

But stuck behind Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou, who will start against Los Pumas, and plagued by injuries, the giant wrecking-ball, who was compared to the ‘Tongan Thor’ before the series by Rennie, he has been forced to bide his time and get himself into physical shape.

The potential of Fa’amausili is immense, but the weekend’s Test will be his moment of truth.

Elsewhere, Rennie could yet be swayed to return to Rory Arnold – one of Rennie’s international picks – and having been eased back into the squad following a minor injury, he could yet start.

The Test shapes as a significant one for the Wallabies.

Hunter Paisami is expected to be ruled out of their second Rugby Championship Test.
Hunter Paisami is expected to be ruled out of their second Rugby Championship Test.Source: Getty Images

If they pull off back to back wins it will leave them in great shape to give The Rugby Championship a real shake.

The rejigged format of the competition, which includes tours for the first time, will see the Wallabies have the luxury of playing three of the next four Tests on home soil, including consecutive matches against the world champion Springboks.

For the first time in years too, the All Blacks are vulnerable and down on confidence having lost three straight Tests. A fourth consecutive loss to the Springboks could force a coaching change, with Ian Foster on the chopping block.

Cheika’s Pumas will be out for revenge, however, noting their second half disaster, where they were penalized out of the game and smashed at the rolling maul, killed them.

With an inexperienced, lighter front-row to come off the bench for the Wallabies though, the Pumas have the chance to go after their opposition.

.

Categories
Sports

Roosters salary cap crisis, seven players earn half of cap, James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu, Angus Crichton

Roosters salary cap crisis, seven players earn half of cap, James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu, Angus Crichton

The Sydney Roosters are facing a salary cap crisis with reports $5.2 million of their salary cap is tied up in seven players with others set for contract upgrades in 2023.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealed the Roosters have seven players in the NRL’s 100 highest players, which could provide a problem when some rising stars gain contract upgrades in the off-season.

“We have come up with the 100 highest paid players in the competition and what it does show is the Roosters with their list are going to have some cap pressure,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“In 2022 they have got Tedesco on $1.1m, Luke Keary on $850,000, Joseph Manu ($720k), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($700k), Angus Crichton ($700k), Sio Siua Taukeiaho ($625k) and Victor Radley ( $510k) for a total of $5,205,000.

“The cap in 2021 is only $9.4 million so there is a lot of under paid players there.

“The problem for the Roosters is next year they have got to chuck Brandon Smith into that and you have also got to throw Joseph Suaalii into that who is on $700,000 next year.

“The other issue is Sam Walker is off-contract next year and as you know there aren’t many great young halves around, so he is going to have to get some serious money.”

Paul Kent questioned how the Roosters can pay the other 23 players in their squad less than half of what their seven highest paid stars earn.

MORE NRL NEWS

WHISPERS: Bronco out in cold as rivals deny approach, Eels gun open to code switch

ROSTER OVERHAUL: Tigers target ex-Raiders star Bateman as Sheens gets creative

NRL RUN HOME: Eels star sparks title arises as grim Broncos reality sets in

‘NOT A GOOD LOOK’: Tigers star reveals he wanted Storm loan switch

James Tedesco is one of seven Roosters stars in the top 100 highest paid NRL players.Source: Getty Images

“How do you get 23 more players in on $4.2 million?” Kent asked.

“That is a lot of money in seven players.”

Braith Anasta asked Rothfield if he believes the Roosters will have to let some of their big earners go to build a successful team for 2023.

“Are you saying that the Roosters are in some salary cap pressure and they are going to find it hard to keep everyone next year?” Anasta asked.

Rothfield spoke to Roosters boss Nick Politis about the state of the Roosters salary cap heading into 2023.

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!

PK: ‘The fact is players get injured!’ | 02:24

“Angus Crichton is not on that list and his contract hasn’t been registered yet for 2023, so if you put Angus Crichton in you are going up to nearly $6 million,” Rothfield said.

“I spoke to Nick Politis today and his position on the salary cap is this. Boyd Cordner was medically retired which took $720,000 out of their salary cap.

“There were some minor players they let go in Sam Verills, Ronald Volkman, Lachlan Lam, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Daniel Suluka-Fifita went to Souths.

“So they have probably lost $1.5 million with those players including Taukeiaho.

“I still think it is going to be a squeeze, without setting alarm bells for their players or fans I think there are a few that are going to have to be tapped.”

Do Panthers deserve ‘arrogant’ tag? | 03:03

However, Brent Read revealed the salary cap is set to rise by $1.5 million at least for 2023 and beyond.

“We should say the cap hasn’t been set for next year and it will go up,” Read said.

“There is a big meeting on Thursday between the NRL and the club CEO’s about the salary cap.

“I think it will go up to at least $12 million next year.”

However, Anasta believes as it stands it looks like some players will have to take pay cuts to keep the team together.

“In looking at that they can’t really be in the market for anyone,” Anasta said.

“They are unlikely to be looking for new players and a few players may have to take pay cuts if they want to stay there it would seem by the numbers.”

.

Categories
Business

Amazon: Tech giant’s next big move in Australia

Amazon: Tech giant's next big move in Australia

Multinational tech company Amazon has announced a major change to its delivery services in an effort to ramp up subscription numbers.

The brand has launched free next-day delivery on hundreds of thousands of products for Sydney and Melbourne Prime members, with no minimum delivery spend needed.

The move, which was announced on Wednesday, means consumers placing their orders at midnight will receive them on their doorsteps the next day.

The shift follows the opening of Amazon’s 200,000sq m robotic fulfillment center at Kemps Creek in western Sydney that cost the company mor than $500m.

The tech giant claims the center can house more than 20 million products, including household items and gifts.

Amazon Australia country manager Janet Menzies said the faster delivery speeds were a direct result of building fulfillment centers and delivery stations close to where customers lived and worked.

“Our ability to offer customers faster delivery speeds is a direct result of our continued investment and expansion of our operations in Australia. Building fulfillment centers and delivery stations close to where our customers live and work means packages travel shorter distances, accelerating shipping speeds,” she said.

“We know that Australian customers are always looking for value through great prices and fast delivery, so we’re thrilled to be able to make Prime even more convenient with free one-day delivery.”

Australian consumers are increasingly turning to Amazon for popular tech items, with the company more than doubling its operations in 2022 since the launch of their robotic center in 2017.

Over the coming months, the company aims to expand product selection and delivery areas eligible for its free one-day delivery.

Read related topics:amazon

.

Categories
Business

Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car first drive

Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car first drive

Like a stone worn smooth by the sand and sea, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is shaped by its environment.

Promising to exceed the claimed range of any sub-$100,000 electric car, the Ioniq’s distinctive silhouette helps it slide through the air with minimal resistance – and onto shortlists for electric car customers.

The arching silhouette of its roofline helps the Ioniq claim aerodynamic efficiency that is not only the best in its class, but among the best of any car on sale. Only the lowest-drag version of Mercedes’ EQS electric car can claim to be slipperier.

Drag coefficient data is rarely the subject of bar-room bragging.

But people will boast about an electric car with more than 600 kilometers of range, particularly one that does not rely on an enormous battery to do so.

The Ioniq 6 offers the same 77.4kWh battery and choice of rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive electric propulsion as the hatchback-shaped Ioniq 5.

While the boxy Ioniq 5 offers 481 kilometers of range, Hyundai expects the aerodynamic Ioniq 6 to claim 610 kilometers of range using the same test format.

It also expects the new car to be a sell-out success in Australia when it arrives next year.

While we don’t know exactly how much the car will cost, it’s likely to be a similar proposition to the Ioniq 5. That car is offered locally in relatively limited numbers priced from $69,900 plus on-road costs, suggesting the Ioniq 6 should start from less than $80,000 on the road. Range-topping versions will be closer to $90,000 drive-away.

We sampled the Ioniq 6 in camouflaged pre-production form at Hyundai’s Namyang proving ground in Seoul.

The banana-shaped roof is no less arresting in the metal, particularly when surrounded by conventional-shaped hatchbacks and SUVs at the Korean giant’s proving ground.

It’s much more familiar on the inside, where Hyundai’s design team has stayed in safer territory.

Though crude prototype plastics make it impossible to assess the quality of its interior, time in the back seat reveals that its slightly shorter wheelbase and dramatically swept roof result in less rear passenger room than the Ioniq 5.

Twin 12-inch screens curve across the dashboard in front of you, a familiar and effective if less-than-revolutionary combination for Hyundai fans. The brand took a note from Tesla’s book by keeping physical buttons to a minimum but dedicated climate controls are a victory for common sense.

Powered by twin electric motors with 239kW and 605Nm of combined power, the all-wheel-drive Ioniq 6 feels like it can match a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds.

Effortlessly brisk and near-silent when accelerating, the Ioniq 6 has no problem getting its power to the ground.

Special Pirelli tires developed for the new model trade ultimate cornering grip for reduced rolling resistance necessary to maximize its long-range potential.

We didn’t have the opportunity to assess the car’s cornering characteristics but a short drive on public roads showed that the Ioniq 5 is a refined machine, with a quiet motor, smoothly managed energy harvesting and well-controlled road noise.

We can’t say whether that slippery body reduces wind roar – low-speed running in a canvas-clad prototype isn’t the right test environment – ​​but can confirm the digital mirrors work well, even if your eyes need an extra moment to re -focus.

Accurate steering and well-modulated brakes work in its favour, and we suspect slightly tauter suspension than the comfort-focused Ioniq 5 delivers improved cornering control.

A full verdict will have to wait until we’ve had a chance to assess the car on local roads but early indications are that the Ioniq 6 backs up its intriguing looks with clever technology, giving electric car customers an impressive new option.

HYUNDAI IONIQ 6

PRICE About $90,000 drive away

ENGINE Twin electric, 239kW and 605Nm

RANGE About 600 kilometers

0-100km/h 5.1 seconds

FAST CHARGERS

Hyundai has built a high-performance Ioniq 6 pitched at enthusiasts. Powered by the same 430kW/740Nm motors found in Kia’s EV6 GT, the machine promises three-second 0-100km/h sprints, along with sideways fun made possible by clever torque vectoring. The Ioniq 5 is first in line to receive Hyundai’s go-fast “N” treatment, but we wouldn’t’ be surprised to see the sedan get special attention, too.

.

Categories
Sports

Transfer Whispers, Jake Turpin, Broncos, Knights, Will Penisini, rugby union, Eels, Kobe Hetherington, Brisbane, transfers, contracts

Transfer Whispers, Jake Turpin, Broncos, Knights, Will Penisini, rugby union, Eels, Kobe Hetherington, Brisbane, transfers, contracts

Jake Turpin is out in the cold after the Broncos confirmed he will not be at the club next season, while a potential suitor has denied they are interested in his services.

Meanwhile, the Broncos are set to give Kobe Hetherington a pay rise in a bid to ward off NRL rivals and Eels star Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union.

Read on for all the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

BRONCOS HOOKER IN NRL WILDERNESS

Jake Turpin is out in the cold after the Broncos confirmed he will not be at the club next season, while the Knights have denied they are interested in his services.

Newscorp reported Turpin will not be at the Broncos next season, while the Knights have denied they will make a play to lure him to the Hunter.

The Broncos are set to invest in incumbents Billy Walters and Cory Paix as well as rising rookie Blake Mozer as their dummyhalf options moving forward.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters confirmed Turpin is not in the club’s long-term plans and will not be offered a new deal in 2022.

“At the moment, there is nothing for Jake with us for next year unfortunately,” Walters told Newscorp.

“The reality is it was going to be hard to keep Jake.

“We have Billy (Walters) and Cory Paix in our squad at the moment, so as much as you would love to keep all your players, with the salary-cap it’s difficult.

Payten opens up on time with Cowboys | 06:27

“’Turps’ has played some great games for the Broncos, and he is good at those little effort areas, particularly in defense, but with our roster, we don’t have any spots left for the hooker position.”

Knights Director of Football Peter Parr poured cold water on reports Newcastle will target Turpin as a back-up to Jayden Brailey.

“He is a wholehearted player but his name hasn’t been mentioned to me at all (by recruitment manager Clint Zammit), so we have no plans to sign him” Parr said.

The 25-year-old has scored four tries in 56 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2018 and won the club’s most consistent player award just last season.

MORE NRL NEWS

ROSTER OVERHAUL: Tigers target ex-Raiders star Bateman as Sheens gets creative

NRL RUN HOME: Eels star sparks title arises as grim Broncos reality sets in

‘NOT A GOOD LOOK’: Tigers star reveals he wanted Storm loan switch

‘MEDICAL DECISION’: Turbo opens up on Manly season…

Jake Turpin is on the lookout for a new club.Source: Getty Images

EELS STAR OPEN TO CODE SWITCH

Eels young gun Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union in the future as the club looks to lock him to a long-term extension.

Newscorp reported Penisini, who played the rival code at school with Roosters star Joseph Suaalii at Kings College, hasn’t shut the door on a potential move to the 15-man game in the future.

“I’m not closing the door on rugby union,” Penisini told News Corp.

“Right now, I am content with where I am at Parramatta and I’m loving rugby league at the moment. I am just at the start of my career and I want to build my game and focus on playing consistent footy for Parramatta and try not to look too far ahead about the decision between rugby league or rugby union.”

The Eels are already trying to extend Penisini beyond his current deal, which expires in 2023.

The 20-year-old center has scored seven tries in 25 games for the Eels since his debut in 2021 and has already played one Test for Tonga, who he is likely to feature for at the World Cup.

Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union.Source: Getty Images

BRONCOS UP OFFER TO YOUNG GUN AS RIVALS CIRCLE

Broncos lock Kobe Hetherington is set for a massive pay rise as Brisbane aim to ward off approaches from rival clubs for his services.

Newscorp reported Hetherington is set to earn a pay rise of $200,000 a year as the club aims to lock him up on a two-year extension.

However, it is believed Hetherington, who is starting for Brisbane in the absence of the suspended Patrick Carrigan, could command upwards of $300,000 on the open market.

Hetherington is a versatile forward who can cover back row, front row and hooker, with no shortage of clubs keen on a player of his ability.

The 23-year-old has scored three tries in 33 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2021 and has been a mainstay of Kevin Walters’ pack rotation this season.

Kobe Hetherington is set for a pay rise.Source: Getty Images

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!

.

Categories
Australia

Teacher Ammy Singleton has child grooming charges dropped at South Australian court

Teacher Ammy Singleton has child grooming charges dropped at South Australian court

A female South Australian relief teacher accused of grooming a boy for sex has had the case against her dropped.

Ammy Singleton, 28, was charged with communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity in Port Augusta last year.

But at Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Wednesday, the court was told the complainant did not wish to proceed with the case, The Advertiser reports.

Ms Singleton did not comment to media as she left the courtroom.

The offending was alleged to have occurred against a 16-year-old male between November 1 and 30, 2021.

Her lawyer Alexander Hosking had previously told the court the alleged victim had come into contact with his client through a chat room.

The court was also told the allegations had nothing to do with Ms Singleton’s job as a teacher.

Ms Singleton, who worked as a relief teacher at multiple schools in the Port Augusta area, was arrested and charged in December.

Two schools sent letters to parents confirming she had briefly worked at the campuses but stressed the charges did not involve any students at the school and there was “no need” for any concern.

Ms Singleton’s teaching registration was canceled in March this year.

Under South Australian law, the offense of communicating with a child with intent to procure for a sexual activity carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail.

Earlier this year, Ms Singleton’s mother claimed her daughter was dragged into a “teen love triangle” after receiving a Snapchat message.

She said Ms Singleton did not even know the youth in question, voicing concern that her daughter would struggle to repay her student loans.

“She will never have a life again, and she’s never done a bad thing to anyone but she’s guilty until proven innocent,” she said at the time.

“She’ll have her day in court, but she will never get her life back and neither will we.”

.

Categories
Sports

John Bateman to Wests Tigers, Wigan, Canberra Raiders, Super League, Jimmy Brings, James Hooper

John Bateman to Wests Tigers, Wigan, Canberra Raiders, Super League, Jimmy Brings, James Hooper

The Wests Tigers have made an inquiry with Wigan about the prospect of bringing 2019 Dally M Backrower of the Year John Bateman back to the NRL in 2023.

In a move unrelated to Isaiah Papali’i having second thoughts about switching from Parramatta to Concord next year, Tigers director of football Tim Sheens has confirmed the club has made the approach.

The catch is going to be Bateman is under contract with Wigan until at least the end of 2024 and for now the Warriors have blocked the Tigers move.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Bateman was one of the standout backrowers in the NRL the year the Canberra Raiders made the grand finale in 2019 before his tenure in the national capital sourced over a contract stalemate with the Green Machine.

Bateman then returned home to the UK at the end of the 2020 NRL season after inking a four-year deal with Wigan through until the end of 2024.

The Raiders were forced to pay a $250,000 transfer fee to Bradford to bring Bateman to the NRL the first time around but the one bonus with transfer fees to English clubs is they aren’t included in the NRL clubs salary cap.

MORE NRL NEWS

NRL RUN HOME: Eels star sparks title arises as grim Broncos reality sets in

‘NOT A GOOD LOOK’: Tigers star reveals he wanted Storm loan switch

‘MEDICAL DECISION’: Turbo opens up on Manly season…

‘TAKING THE PISS’: Twist in Eels star’s $1.9m backflip as third NRL team emerges

The Tigers have made a play for former Raiders star John Bateman.Source: Getty Images

The Bateman approach is creative thinking from Sheens trying to look outside the square and devise recruitment ploys aimed at overhauling the Wests Tigers roster.

The Tigers have made some recruitment moves this week by re-signing Brent Naden, Asu Kepoa and Starford To’a but the real recruitment space where they need to get busy is the re-signing of Adam Doueihi.

Doueihi is easily the Tigers best player, a local junior and the type of leader the Wests Tigers need to build the club around.

With Sheens and Benji Marshall now having control of the steering wheel at least it won’t be left to dithering management types to make another misguided mistake.

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!

‘He gets angry at some weird things’ | 01:13

The issue with Doueihi is he’s going to be a free agent as of November 1 and you can guarantee rival clubs are going to be getting the queue to try and convince the five-eighth to switch allegiances.

The Tigers need to sharpen their pencil and try and get a long-term deal done now prior to the stronger clubs being able to table a deal.

The Melbourne Storm have already had one crack at getting Doueihi on loan for the remainder of this year and with uncertainty surrounding the future of Cameron Munster the Tigers five-eighth would make an ideal replacement.

.

Categories
Sports

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin won’t comment on reported pursuit of Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin won't comment on reported pursuit of Collingwood's Brodie Grundy

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has conceded his club is always looking at “contingencies” but wouldn’t confirm or deny interest in Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy as a potential replacement for young gun Luke Jackson.

Goodwin conceded Jackson, who has been heavily linked to a big-money move to Fremantle, had yet to inform the club whether he was staying or going in 2023.

But ahead of a must-win clash with Carlton on Friday night, with the Demons needing a win to maintain their chances of a top-four finish, Goodwin wouldn’t comment on a link to Grundy, who has five more years remaining on his contract at Collingwood.

“It’s a good story and I understand the questioning but I’ve been pretty clear on this over a number of years. I’m not going to speculate and talk about players from opposition clubs,” the premiership coach said on Wednesday.

“Clearly, people in our industry are going around looking at how they can potentially improve their list… that’s not my focus. It’s not for me to comment on.”

Brodie Grundy could be headed to Melbourne. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel PockettSource: AAP

Goodwin said Melbourne would give Jackson, who has formed a key one-two punch with Demons captain Max Gawn, as much time as he needed to make a decision.

But he also said the club was always making contingency plans as part of list management, which would include covering Jackson’s potential departure.

“If you look at list management all the time you have contingency plans for a whole range of different things that sit within your environment,” he said.

“We’ve talked about Luke a lot. We are going to give him the most amount of time to make his decision about him. We don’t know what the decision is at the moment.

Luke Jackson has been linked to Fremantle. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“We’ll continue to build contingencies, to work with Luke and give him the best environment possible to want to stay here and Luke will make that decision when the time is right.

“But as a club and as an organisation, you look at all positions … about how you are best going to move forward in the future.”

Goodwin said premiership defender Jake Bowey was “AFL ready” and could soon return to the Melbourne line-up having been sent back to the VFL after the round 17 loss to Geelong to find his best form.

But more changes to the team that lost by just seven points to Collingwood last week were unlikely for the clash with Carlton, Goodwin adamant his premiership-winning outfit was “tracking in the right direction”.

“We’re really comfortable with where our team is sitting. We clearly have a lot of pressure from guys underneath,” he said,

“But in terms of the type of player or personnel in the team, we are really comfortable. The last couple of weeks we have played some of our best footy for the year.

“We played a really dominant game against Fremantle and last week… we had momentum for big parts.

“There’s a lot to like in the way we are going, we just have to execute a little bit better and the results will be different.”

.