Brisbane can thank South Sydney premiership winner Issac Luke for turning their season around and putting them back on course for the top four.
The side was down and out just a few weeks back when coach Michael Maguire invited Luke – a member of his 2014 premiership squad – into Broncos camp to present Adam Reynolds with his jersey for his 300th game.
But the former Kiwis star did more than that – he had a quiet word to Madge that his players thought they were being pushed too hard, effecting their performance.
Luke knew from experience – it was the same back in 2014 when Souths ended their long premiership drought and then went downhill the next couple of seasons, ultimately costing Maguire his job.
The message clearly sunk in – Maguire has eased up on the players and they have won six of their seven games since, putting them right back in the mix as title contenders.
CRONULLA STAR’S NAPPY REVEAL
Sharks winger Sione Katoa has lifted the lid on just how hard he struggled when he came to Sydney as a no-name trying to survive financially with a wife and three small kids on a minimum $60,000 contract.
Speaking on the Bros and Cons podcast, Katoa revealed he collected empty bottles for recycling to make spare change in order to be able to buy nappies.
“I would wait until Tuesday nights, that was bin night,” Katoa said.
“I would wait until it gets dark … in Cronulla, there is a lot of drinking. There is a lot of partying. So I would wait until 11pm, 12am at night to go out because I was scared people might see me. I was shy to show my face [while] I am doing this.
“I just needed money. I knew every street, where the jackpot was, cases of [empty] beer [bottles]. Some nights I would have my daughter in the car with me sleeping. I would fill these bags up, stack them up on top of my car.
“My wife would tell me that is enough, come home.”
Now an established NRL star on good money, Katoa has thankfully been able to give up his second job and concentrate on football full-time.
GREEN MACHINE GET ONE BACK
Canberra have hit back at the Sea Eagles for snaring halfback Jamal Fogarty – signing a boom young playmaker who could eventually fill Fogarty’s shoes.
Jersey Flegg captain Callum Dowell has agreed to terms with the Raiders and will join the club next season on a three-year deal.
Manly offered Dowell money to stay, but with Fogarty coming in and two talented back-ups in Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large, his path to first grade would have been tough.
A fine organiser with a good kicking game, Dowell should prove a handy addition to the ranks in the nation’s capital.
SOUTHS WINGER’S RARE FEAT
Speedy winger Jacob Fong scored four tries last weekend in Jersey Flegg as Parramatta thrashed Souths 44-18.
This wouldn’t normally be much of a story – except that Fong scored his four tries in the beaten Rabbitohs team!
A speedy youngster dubbed ‘The Flying Fong’ by Souths fans, Fong has proved a try-scoring machine this season.
The battling Bunnies were well beaten on Saturday by the Eels, but still managed four tries – all to the lightning fast left winger.
Has a player ever scored four tries in a team beaten by such a massive margin? That’s one even Nine’s guru David Middleton could struggle to answer.
