Hoppa sets date for Parra return

Will Hopoate trains with the Eels. Source: DailyTelegraph

PEN this date into your diaries Parramatta fans: November 7.

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Will Hopoate has confirmed he will join the rest of the Eels playing squad in exactly 40 days, ending speculation the high-profile recruit will back out on his deal at the club.

Currently in the final stages of his two-year Mormon mission, Hopoate's future had become a point of conjecture following the departure of coach Ricky Stuart three weeks ago.

Hopoate signed a deal with the Eels in 2011 that contained a get-out clause if previous coach Steve Kearney was no longer at Parramatta.

There were also reports that Hopoate was set to field interest from Canterbury, but The Sunday Telegraph has learned that was merely a screen from the Dogs camp, who were more focused on trying to lure Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne.

But Hopoate has told Eels officials he will commence his NRL comeback when the Eels entire playing roster returns for preseason testing in the first week of November.

"We've been in contact with him only last week and there's no doubt he'll be here,'' Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp said.

"I've been assured that he's keen to come. Fortunately for everybody he hasn't been reading the papers, which is part of his Mormon mission, so he doesn't have to listen to the stuff that's being said about us.''

The Parramatta playing group broke last Friday ahead of a four-week break. Sharp said he was in no doubt that the players would return with a new head coach to guide them on day one of preseason training.

"Everything else is all settled, we just need to appoint a coach and that's what we'll do,'' Sharp said.

"They'll have a coach when they return.''

Sharp said the club remained focused on also appointing a head of football operations. NRL referees coach Daniel Anderson and Cronulla assistant coach Peter Sharp have both been linked to the role.

Cronulla's Sharp has told the Eels he's staying at the Sharks while Anderson said he had not been contacted by the Eels.

Despite being without a coach, the Eels are also close to signing former Melbourne and Manly half Liam Foran. The brother of Sea Eagles five-eighth Kieran Foran, Liam is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Eels after two seasons in the English Super league with Salford.

Brisbane Broncos recruit Corey Norman's move to Parramatta will also commence this week when he arrives in Sydney to look at property for where he'll live over the next three years.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Manly's weakness now a strength

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MANLY have turned what many feared would be their weakness into a tremendous advantage going into Sunday's grand final.

When the season started many rated Manly a strong chance, given their form over recent years, but also warned of their ageing roster and the difficulty of trying to nurse that many players through what is always a tough and long season.

Through nothing but toughness and courage, they have emerged, pushing through to Sunday's decider. You can't underestimate the value of grand final experience.

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It's what got the Sea Eagles home on Friday night.

Few realised that of the 13 players who ran on to the field on Friday night, 10 had grand final experience. So did three of the four on the bench.

And many of them have played two grand finals, and some more.

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Jamie Lyon was asked after the game how many grand finals this was and, never the kind of bloke who plays for stats, he did a quick calculation and said he thought it was four. Or five.

There's something about grand finals, and the white-hot intensity it brings knowing you are playing for it all, the entire season, that forges something in you.

It's a strength you can't find anywhere else except Origin, but even then it is different. Grand final teams have been together, almost every day, for nearly 11 months.

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There's a trust and confidence there that can't be manufactured unless you have all, at some point together, had the question put to you.

So when the Sea Eagles were down 14-0 and the Rabbitohs were on a run, that would have been the end of most teams. The Sea Eagles failed to panic. Their calmness was inspiring. And fortifying.

Anthony Watmough put it best. "There wasn't much said," he explained. "Killer (Lyon) said a few words."

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No big speeches, just a few words from their leader and the Sea Eagles found the confidence to turn it around.

That composure under pressure got the Sea Eagles home. And it's what their opponents should be very worried about come Sunday. You cannot simply manufacture that.

The Rabbitohs started so well that only the Manly players and Geoff Toovey in the coach's box thought they could come back.

Nobody gives Souths a start like that and runs them down.

Yet the Sea Eagles were so courageous.

Glenn Stewart had a poor start, coming up with several mistakes. A lesser player would have retreated, afraid to keep making mistakes.

But he's too tough for that and came back to be one of Manly's best.</p><p>Watmough was in the meat of it all, taking on the bigger Burgess brothers, and monster Souths pack, and by the end of the game stood taller than all of them.

They put in everywhere.

Toovey has done a terrific job at Manly. The Sea Eagles were busted after their opening finals loss to the Roosters. They looked like they limped in against Cronulla and squeaked through, but then they had to face a rested up South Sydney.

Yet Toovey realised you can't make a player any better, any stronger, or any faster at this time of year. You can make him fresher, though, mentally and physically.  

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Cowboys add fuel to Bennett rumours

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THE mystery surrounding Wayne Bennett's future took another dramatic turn Saturday when North Queensland officials declared they would wait until after the grand final before announcing their new head coach for next season.

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Why?

"Because the person or persons in the short-list could well be involved in the grand final,'' Cowboys chief executive Peter Jourdain said.

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"It probably wouldn't be fair to either team to have it announced before that.

"We're going to have to go through contract negotiations, so if they're involved in the grand final it's not going to happen that same week.''

Jourdain's frank admission to The Sunday Telegraph did little to silence the consistent rumbling over the past fortnight among rivals NRL clubs that Newcastle's Bennett could be on his way to Townsville.

Jourdain denied Saturday that any deal with Bennett had been done. But clearly, no other coach has been appointed yet either.

"I've always said if Wayne is available of course we'd be interested,'' Jourdain said of speculation that Bennett was their target.

"My understanding is he's got a two-year contract. I don't know any different to that, but if that changed of course we'd be interested.

"But as I said my understanding is he's got a two-year contract, so I would think he's not available.''

At some point Bennett will have to declare his future. Saturday night at Allianz Stadium wasn't the occasion, but last Wednesday was.

Despite being contracted to Newcastle until 2015, Bennett refused to guarantee his future at the Knights beyond the finals series.

"I can't give you an iron-clad guarantee about anything in this game,'' Bennett said.

"Right now, I'm coach here so when that changes, I'll let you know.''

Most saw it as a ploy to deflect the spotlight and focus from his players in the build-up to Saturday night's preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters. And it may have been.

But nine weeks after telling Neil Henry he wasn't wanted for 2014, the Cowboys remain without a coach despite a strong list of applications flooding their inbox over the past two months.

Contenders Paul Green, Kevin Walters and Kristian Woolf have all been interviewed.

It's worth noting that none of them are involved with the grand final.

Bennett's connection to the Cowboys has been widely reported before. His son in-law, Fox Sports commentator Ben Ikin, sits on the Cowboys board and Bennett had agreed to coach the club in 2009, only to backflip on the agreement after the board weren't unanimous in the decision.

The signing of St George-Illawarra hooker Cameron King last week on a three-year deal to the Cowboys also led rivals officials, including some at the Dragons, to believe he was leaving with one year left on his contract at Saints to possibly link up again with Bennett in Townsville.

King, a former junior Kangaroos hooker, was coached by Bennett in 2010-2011 and was then targeted by him to join the Knights not long after the premiership-winning coach had departed St George Illawarra.

Test halfback Johnathan Thurston also added to the speculation surrounding Bennett last week by claiming: "I haven't worked alongside (Bennett) so it would be great to work alongside him.''

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Special One, AVB in stalemate

Grudge match ends in stalemate. Source: Sang Tan / AP

THE first managerial meeting between former colleagues Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas ended in stalemate on Saturday as Chelsea drew 1-1 at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Spurs manager Villas-Boas saw his side take a first-half lead through Gylfi Sigurdsson, but in a frenetic and keenly contested second half, Chelsea equalised through John Terry before having Fernando Torres sent off.

The point nudged Spurs above Arsenal at the top of the table, while Chelsea climbed one place to third ahead of the rest of the weekend programme.

Icelandic midfielder Sigurdsson gave Spurs a 19th-minute lead at White Hart Lane when he rode a challenge from the sprawling Terry to gather Roberto Soldado's lay-off before steering the ball past Petr Cech.

Mourinho's half-time introduction of Juan Mata gave the visitors fresh impetus, however, and the Spain midfielder teed up the equaliser in the 65th minute with an inswinging free-kick that was headed home by Terry.

Torres played a key role in Chelsea's second-half revival, but having earlier appeared to scratch Jan Vertonghen in an off-the-ball incident, he was sent off in the 81st minute after being shown a second yellow card for leading with his arm in a challenge on the same player.

Sigurdsson and Jermain Defoe both went close to claiming a late winner for Spurs, but Villas-Boas was denied a victory over his former mentor at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.

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Opponents beware of Bennett's guile

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SPEAKING to Wayne Bennett a few days before Newcastle took on reigning premiers Melbourne Storm last weekend reminded me of a story I once heard about Walter Hagen, the great American golfer of the 1920s.

Chasing his fourth consecutive US PGA title Hagen made the final of the then one-on-one match play tournament.

In the early hours of the morning of the match the notorious playboy was spotted by the doorman at the players' hotel, weaving up the driveway dressed in his dinner suit and obviously a trifle worse for wear.

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"Mr Hagen," said the doorman.

"What are you doing? Your opponent has been in bed asleep for hours."

"He may be in bed," slurred Hagen, "but he hasn't been asleep."

Bennett's opponent on Saturday is Roosters coach Trent Robinson. I'm guessing on Friday night the 36-year-old will be getting to bed early. But he won't be sleeping.

Bennett, on the other hand, is so relaxed it was a wonder he stayed awake during my interview.

How can a man so close to another premiership be so calm, you ask? The answer is in the reply he gave when I asked about what motivated him after so many years and so much success in the game.

"Just to see us all come together as individuals," he said.

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"When I arrived 18 months ago we were way off the pace of being a really good football team. Bringing all that together, getting the mix right, seeing young men fulfil their dreams and being given the opportunity to do that. That pleases me."

And that's why Bennett and his team are the most dangerous combination still chasing the premiership - quite simply, he doesn't need it.

Winning the grand final is meaningless to Bennett personally. He's already been there and done that eight times. Once each in the BRL and Super League and six times in the NRL.

Another premiership won't change Wayne Bennett's life one iota. His reputation as the best coach in the game is guaranteed. Clubs willing to pay whatever it takes for him to sprinkle a little of his magic their way will be knocking on his door until the day he decides he's had enough.

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Which is not to say Bennett doesn't want to win. Of course he does, but not for himself. For his players.

The same can't be said for Robinson, or fellow semi-finalists Michael Maguire and Geoff Toovey.

They want to get their hands on the trophy and the lifetime title of "Premiership-winning coach" that comes with it so badly it hurts.

And that's what makes them vulnerable.

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Robinson will have spent every waking moment this week trying to second guess Bennett. Trying to figure out how to counter the master coach's master plan that may or may not even exist.

Bennett says he won't be making any changes to what the Knights have done the past few weeks, but Bennett always says that and then pulls a double-cross like the infamous Brian Smith doctored scouting sheet of 1993, getting Greg Dowling to bag the Queensland forwards in 1998, or flying Alfie back from England in 2001.

Then there's the way he always manages to take the heat off his team by turning it on to himself when needed.

Like his evasive answer to that media conference question about whether he'd be at Newcastle next year.

A few days out from the Knights' biggest game of the year and that was all anyone was talking about.

The real mystery was who actually asked the question. Maybe Greg Dowling had snuck in the back wearing a hat with a press card stuck in the band.

But the real pressure on Robinson, Maguire and Toovey is that all season they have been expected to win.

Bennett and the Knights were supposed to be making up the numbers.

Bennett doesn't have a Sonny Bill Williams, Greg Inglis or Jamie Lyon, just a collection of old-timers, discards and rejects.

So many of his players have long rap sheets that when they fly to games their plane should be called Con Air, not that it concerns Bennett.

"Some of them have a chequered past," he said.

"But the past is not something we dwell on. We worry about what they are doing now, and what their future is."

To which Trent Robinson could say without humour, "yeah, me too."  

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Tinkler jets in to rev-up Knights

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IT'S just the type of heavyweight support that could tilt the scales in Newcastle's favour at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

Despite rumours swirling around about the health or otherwise of his business empire, a relaxed-looking Nathan Tinkler made a rare flying visit to Newcastle on Thursday in a reassuring sign of stability to wish his team all the best ahead of their preliminary final showdown with the Sydney Roosters.

Now based in Singapore, the reclusive millionaire Knights owner had lunch with Hunter Sports Group boss Troy Palmer, coach Wayne Bennett, Knights chairman Paul Harragon and CEO Matt Gidley at Wests Mayfield before chatting with players including Danny Buderus, Willie Mason and Jarrod Mullen prior to the team's departure for Sydney.

It's understood he is planning on attending the game to cheer his side on.

Knights backrower Beau Scott said Tinkler's surprise appearance was a gesture welcomed by the players. 

Nathan Tinkler chats to his players today. Picture: Peter Lorimer Source: DailyTelegraph

"It was good to see," Scott said.

"It was just a friendly chat to show his support."

Gidley said the players would have received a boost out of seeing Tinkler on the eve of the game.

"They always do get a bit of a kick out of seeing him whenever he is in town," Gidley said. 

Nathan Tinkler chats to his players today. Picture: Peter Lorimer Source: DailyTelegraph

"I'm sure he'd like to get back here more often if he could but he's obviously busy.

"Nathan and the boys - they all like spending time together and it was just a good opportunity for him to get into town today and catch up with the guys before our big game."

Gidley said the success the Knights are enjoying is what Tinkler envisaged and has strived for since becoming Knights owner

"Nathan's in great spirits and is as excited as anyone in Newcastle about how the team is going," Gidley said.

"He's just happy that we are doing well for the city as much as anything because he knows the sort of impact it has on the people here when the club is going strong.

"It's why he got involved in the first place."

Winger James McManus is the only injury concern for Newcastle heading into the game.

Bennett will give him as much time as possible to prove his suspect ankle will stand up to the rigours of a finals match.

But you would think he would have to get through a fair portion of the club's final training session today at St Josephs College at Hunters Hill.

Kevin Naiqama is again on standby.

Scott is convinced all the pressure is on the Sydney Roosters and says the Knights will take the same relaxed approach into this game as they have against the Bulldogs and Melbourne.

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Mystery over Crowe's Playboy promise

Playboy Magazine publisher Hugh Hefner (C) poses with playmates Holly Madison (L) and Bridget Marquardt (R). Source: VALERY HACHE / DailyTelegraph

IT might be the biggest Chinese whisper in South Sydney history, but that's what makes it all the more interesting.

In 2002, long before Russell Crowe bought the Rabbitohs and as South Sydney prepared for their return to the NRL, an incentive was issued to the group of misfits cobbled together for the club's glorious comeback.

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No one is sure whether the offer came directly from Crowe, but the story has ­certainly been repeated over the past 11 years.

If the ­Rabbitohs made the finals, Crowe would organise a party for the players at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

"I heard the same, but I don't think it ever came out of Russell's mouth," former prop Paul Stringer said.

"It may have come out of some coaching staff's mouth that Russell had said it but I don't think it ever came out of Russell's mouth."

History shows the Rabbitohs never reached the finals. Three wooden spoons in their first five years meant Hugh Hefner's kingdom, much like the NRL finals, remained the promised land players could only dream about.

Over time the legend has grown. Some say for the Bunnies to party with the Playboy Bunnies now they must deliver South Sydney a premiership.

Craig Coleman was the coach of the 2002 Bunnies side and laughs when you ask him about the Playboy Bunny carrot.

"It's one of the great stories, people just like to believe it," he said.

Backrower Bryan Fletcher arrived at Redfern a year later and certainly believes there's an element of truth to the tale.

"Apparently he promised (the 2002 team) if they made the eight he would take them to the Playboy Mansion," Fletcher said.

"In my years there I did ask him about it and he didn't really say yes or no."

Russell Crowe surrounded by red and green at a Rabbitohs game this season. Picture: Mark Evans Source: DailyTelegraph

It is indisputable that Crowe's influence on the club and players is beyond measure.

"Russell is very passionate about his football team," former centre Adam MacDougall said.

"He was very hands-on in the early days, and would often be part of training sessions with the boys and encourage them.

"He has been very generous with his pockets and his time and he deserves all the success he is experiencing at the moment with Souths."

Russell Crowe and Mario Fenech in the crowd. Picture: Mark Evans Source: DailyTelegraph

Crowe's involvement did not start in 2006 when he and Peter Holmes a Court officially bought the club. Before their return to the competition in 2002, Crowe invited Coleman's team to Coffs Harbour for a training camp.

The players dined at Crowe's Nana Glen farm alongside Sydney Olympic stars including Kerri Pottharst, Lauren Burns and Jane Saville.

"He took the whole team to his farm and invited all our Olympic gold medallists to have dinner for us," Coleman said.

"He did a lot of things behind the scenes that he didn't want people to know about."

Slowly over time Crowe's influence began to increase, even if it was only in the background without fanfare.

Fletcher remembers his "chalk and cheese" experience of going from a premiership at the Roosters to training at Erskineville Oval on a pitch covered in holes and using outdated gym equipment.

Then, suddenly, new weights arrived.

)Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner and wife Crystal Harris. Picture: GABRIEL BOUYS Source: AFP

"I don't know if Russell actually did, I just presumed he did because all of a sudden we got new weight gear," Fletcher recalled.

"When I was there he was just like a sponsor. After the games he would say let's go for a feed and put a feed on.

"He was just a genuine supporter, just a little bit different in the sense he had won an Oscar."

The respect from the rest of the league world was a long time coming. Fletcher, a Test and NSW star, was on the team bus when the Newcastle gatekeeper turned the team away because he did not believe they were first graders.

"We had to park around the corner and walk in," Fletcher said.

"He said 'I don't recognise anyone, you must be the reserve grade side so you have to park around the back'."

It was not that way to their fans though. Stringer's greatest memory is how the Bunnies faithful embraced their team, even in defeat.

"It was crazy, it was hard not to get caught up in it," Stringer said.

"We would get beaten by 40 and go back to the club and there'd be three or four thousand people in the auditorium cheering at us.

"They treated you like a bit of a rock star."

And if the Playboy offer is still on the table?

"If it is, I will be coming with them," Fletcher said.

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Five biggest flops of the season

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THEY commanded big pay cheques but didn't produce when they needed to. Dean Ritchie names the five who failed to deliver in 2013.

BEN BARBA (Canterbury)
Personal issues cut down the Dally M winner's season. Barba never went close to reaching the dizzy heights he found in 2012. Subsequently, Canterbury went out in week one of the finals. Barba had to face gambling, alcohol and assault allegations. His form was patchy at best. Finally he bolted from Sydney for Brisbane. It was a season to forget and a sad departure from Belmore.

BENJI MARSHALL (Wests Tigers)
Horror final season in rugby league. Let's be honest, his form was terrible. His kicking game was modest, his running game virtually non-existent.  Even Wests Tigers supporters ended up turning on Marshall. Always had an air of arrogance about him, something fans accepted at the peak of his powers five years ago. Not anymore though. Signed with rugby union and left the Tigers under a black cloud.

TONY WILLIAMS (Canterbury)
Most thought big T-Rex would revel under Des Hasler, the pair having worked up an explosive combination at Manly. But Williams never seemed to lift out of first gear at Belmore. Hasler was satisfied with his form throughout 2013 – but fans expected and demanded more.  "He should stand in front of the mirror to see exactly how big he is," roared former Test prop Steve Roach.

CHRIS SANDOW (Parramatta)
Like Barba, personal issues engulfed his season. Sandow was wracked with gambling issues and failed to see-out the season. The Eels found Sandow professional help for his poker machine addiction. Sandow just couldn't seem to find his groove under Ricky Stuart this year. In fact, he hasn't found his groove in two years at Parramatta. He is proving an expensive flop.

ADAM BLAIR (Wests Tigers)
Cops a hard time from fans – and rightly so. Arrived at Concord from Melbourne last year for a reported annual contract of $550,000. No-one could deny Blair is trying but he has been completely ineffective for two years now. Was among the game's best forwards at the Storm but has failed to make any significant impact at Wests Tigers. Talk continues that the club may attempt to offload him.

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Ford's V8 team 'not in turmoil'

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Since buying a majority stake in Ford Performance Racing (FPR), the factory-backed Ford powerhouse, the former driver has gritted his teeth and held his tongue as people claimed a "civil war" raged and "turmoil" threatened to rip apart his team. FPR's on track performances have also been described as disastrous.

Nash (R) with co-owner Rusty French. Source: Supplied

Nash has finally hit back, the usually reticent team owner setting the record straight. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Telegraph as Bathurst nears, Nash opened up about in-fighting at his team, the future of off-contract star Will Davison and his team's performances.

He also revealed the truth behind the negotiations with major sponsor Ford, whose future with the team remains uncertain after this year.

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CIVIL WAR? WHAT CIVIL WAR?

Nash candidly admitted his drivers had blues, but laughed off claims a "civil war" had been sparked by a team pit-stop decision that saw Davison plummet out of contention at the Sandown 500.

"Our drivers have disagreements," he said. "I am not going to lie. I mean we saw vision on TV of Mark Winterbottom and Alex Davison having words earlier this year.

"But you know what? All drivers blue and I would be worried if they didn't. They do it because they are so competitive and want to win. They get fired up in the heat of the moment because they are hungry. But that is where it stays.

"All of our drivers get on well. They leave it all at the track. I can say that hand on heart. There is zero disharmony. There have been total fabrications out there and nonsensical claims that are just plain wrong. Some of the stuff that has been reported has been hysterical.

"I have never, honestly, seen a team with such good morale. From the shop floor up."

WE DON'T FAVOUR FROSTY, DAVO DEAL WILL HAPPEN

Nash slammed suggestions the team favoured established driver Winterbottom over Davison, and revealed the latter was about to sign a new deal.

"The team does not favour Mark," Nash affirmed. "We have a clear policy of equal opportunity. Any other suggestion is 100 percent wrong.

"We are very close to closing the deal with Will. On both sides, no one has any other alternative than to cut a deal and move on. It is not complete but it will be."

FORD SET TO LOCK IN NEW DEAL

Nash also confirmed he was close to securing a new contract with Ford, a major coup that will see the famous brand remain with the sport.

"The negotiations are absolutely positive," Nash said. "FPR and the Geelong Football club are their big properties and we are important to them.

"I can confirm we have had discussions about a one-year deal, and also talks of a longer term deal. We are also looking at a three-year contract. We are not too far away."

The Daily Telegraph understand the deal has been signed off in Australia and is awaiting approval from HQ in the United States.

Nash accused the media of trying to kill off the deal.

"All the negativity has been unhelpful," Nash said. "We have sat back and copped it, but not anymore.

"We can't work out why we have been a punching bag. We are knocked down all the time even though we are in championship contention.

"People have just written stupid things. I mean our two boys moved up into second and third (in the championship) prior to Sandown. It is hardly a 'fall apart' season. It has been a bashing.

"I'm quite sick of some media outlets writing up, not just us, but the sport as negative. These are tough times and it is doing us no good. Ford's name has been canned by false information.

"Ford have to make a huge decision and people have been ripping into them. It is time it stops."

---

Watch SPEED's 2013 Bathurst 1000 preview show, Thu 10 Oct at 7:30pm EDT (Channel 512).

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Dragons need NRL bail-out

The Dragons struggled for form on the field in 2013. Source: Mark Evans / DailyTelegraph

THE once mighty St George Illawarra Dragons have appealed to the NRL for urgent financial assistance to maintain their extensive junior development programs as the joint venture reels from two poor seasons and enormous cuts to its Leagues Club grant.

The Daily Telegraph understands Dragons officials are seeking an advance in the vicinity of $1 million to meet debts and expenses, including $250,000 in outstanding rent for the use of Kogarah's WIN Jubilee Stadium.

St George Illawarra boss Peter Doust on Wednesday declined to specify figures, but did confirm the club had requested advances of its monthly grant.

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The Dragons are also sweating on help from the NRL's discretionary fund, believing they have a right to additional resources because they support four junior representative teams across southern Sydney and the Illawarra.

But the traditional revenue streams are drying up. The St George Leagues Club grant has been slashed by about 75 per cent from two years ago, when $2.5 million was handed over.

This season the Dragons received a letter guaranteeing just $550,000 in Leagues Club funding, which has posted a total loss of more than $2 million over the past two years and is looking to renovate its Princes Hwy premises.

The huge drop, coupled with falling merchandise and ticket sales from back-to-back failures on the field, has created a tough climate for the Dragons to contend as the barren off-season approaches.

The Dragons are desperate to learn whether the NRL will lift its annual grant from $7.1 to $7.6 million in 2014, a rise the clubs claim was promised to compensate salary cap increases.

A committee of club chairmen on Wednesday met ARLC chairman John Grant and NRL CEO Dave Smith to discuss their need for additional funding.

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For Doust, frustration is building as the uncertainty continues.

"The Leagues Club grants have been diminishing over the past couple of years from a multi-million dollar level to this year being under one million," Doust said.

"Notwithstanding the Dragons have been encouraged by the NRL to continue delivering the full range of services within our business, including junior development and community programs across our region.

"The whole sustainable funding structure of NRL clubs was to be reviewed by the NRL at the end of the calendar year.

"Like all NRL clubs we are keenly awaiting the outcome on the NRL grant for 2014 and also the discretionary funding model for 2014 and beyond."

Should the NRL advance St George Illawarra a loan, it first needs to be satisfied the club has the capacity to pay it back.

Wests Tigers are set to be given $1 million to cure their financial headache from the Balmain side of the joint venture, but only in exchange for a complete overhaul of the factionalised board.  

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Five top rookies of the season

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EVERYONE has their own favourites and Telegraph league writer Nick Walshaw has pin-pointed who he views as the five stand-out rookies of the season.

5. MATT MOYLAN

WHEN this kid ran out for his NRL debut, Andrew Johns likened him to a member of One Direction.

Yet 80 minutes later, and with no less than Panthers great Mark Geyer tweeting about 'the best debut since Freddy', the Australian touch footy player had certainly confirmed the Panthers had a keeper.

We have the Panthers fullback pipping David Nofoaluma, the Wests Tigers winger who, after contorting like some tattooed street performer through a tennis racquet, scored what was hailed the Try of the Decade against the Sea Eagles in Round 20.

4. PETA HIKU

SIGNED for just $70,000, Hiku is the NRL equivalent of a Coles Red Spot special.

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With NSW Origin star Brett Stewart sidelined for large chunks of this season, Hiku hasn't just warmed the Sea Eagles No.1 jersey - he's starred. In two finals matches, this New Zealand Warriors reject has run for 517 metres and is averaging, per game, 143m.

Given the Sea Eagles have got within 80 minutes of a decider, Hiku gets the nod ahead of countryman and Melbourne forward Tohu Harris - who was called on to make his New Zealand Test debut back in April following a string of injuries to the Kiwis.

3. DYLAN WALKER

CENTRE, the experts say, is a position that takes years to learn. Then along comes Walker.

Scoring five tries in his first six games with the Bunnies, the youngster has showed a maturity that belies his 18 years.

A local junior who was expected to cover once or twice for injury this year, Walker has instead made 15 NRL appearances . . . before mum organised a three-year contract extension.

2. ANTHONY MILFORD

CANBERRA should place Parliament House into hock if it means keeping this bloke.

In a year when they missed the eight, punted two NSW Origin stars and sacked a coach, 19-year-old Milford's rise and rise has been the undisputed highlight.

Apart from making 17 linebreaks in just 18 matches this year - easily the most for any Raider - the rookie who replaced fullback Josh Dugan also made seven linebreak assists.

If he heads to Brisbane, any hope of making the top eight will disappear with him.

1. GEORGE BURGESS

REMEMBER when everyone thought South Sydney had only signed the Burgess brothers to keep Sam happy?

Starting the year with just three interchange appearances, which still qualifies him in this category, George is surely odds on favourite to score the Dally M Rookie gong after an incredible season in the Bunnies engine room.

According to Fox Sports Statistics, the hulking forward crams an unfathomable amount of work into the 46 minutes he plays each week - averaging a whopping 140 metres and 26 tackles per game. Elsewhere, Georgie has also busted 95 tackles, made eight linebreaks and scored seven tries.  

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Nine wants second Brisbane team

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THE man who negotiated rugby league's record $1 billion television deal, Channel Nine kingpin David Gyngell, has thrown his considerable weight behind the NRL having a second team in Brisbane.

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Despite predictable denials out of NRL headquarters on Wednesday, The Daily Telegraph maintains NRL powerbrokers have held talks about the possibility of moving the Cronulla Sharks to Queensland in 2015.

Amid a backlash of vitriol from the Shire to north of the Tweed River, NRL CEO Dave Smith attempted to reiterate there was no iron-clad blueprint to torpedo the Sharks 1450km north into enemy territory.

But as angry fans vented frustrations at the notion of Cronulla being relocated, Smith remained silent on whether he or any members of the NRL's Independent Commission had discussed the prospect.

One hugely-influential figure in rugby league who welcomed the narrative about a second NRL team north of the border was Channel Nine heavyweight Gyngell, who successfully outbid rival networks to win the NRL's five-year $1 billion broadcast rights deal.

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"I am 100 per cent in favour of a second team in Brisbane," Gyngell said.

"I support any moves the NRL makes on this because we have been pushing for it now for several years. It does nobody any favours only having the Broncos in Brisbane.

"Our return is 100 cents in the dollar with the Broncos and only 40 cents elsewhere. The Broncos would not have missed the eight this season if they'd had another team there.

"They need to compete and not be so complacent. We believe the market in Brisbane is more than ready for another team. My belief it that this is inevitable in the next few years."

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Gyngell's push comes as The Daily Telegraph can reveal Cronulla's previous board sought a guarantee the club would remain in the Shire prior to being overthrown by the new administration when the ASADA bombshell first hit the club.

But NRL headquarters maintains no club has been given fail safe guarantees about survival and all 16 teams will have their corporate governance and financial viability "reviewed" during the course of next season.

Under the NRL's current competition structure, the nine clubs in the Sydney market are all fighting for survival with Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra the latest to fall on financial hardship.

By contrast, there are only three clubs north of the border in Queensland and at least three cashed-up bid teams all pushing to win a licence in destinations like Rockhampton, Ipswich and Logan.

The arrival of the newest member of the Independent Commission, Graeme Samuel, in November is a monumental acquisition for the NRL.

Samuel was head commissioner of the AFL for 19 seasons and polarised opinion in Victoria when he declared 11 teams in Melbourne was too many.

The Sharks maintain the club's survival is assured due to the Woolooware Bay development on the land next to Remondis Stadium, which the club maintains will inject a minimum of $30 million over the next six years.

But the issue for the club is liquid cash.

After negotiating a $10 million advance to pay off its existing debts last year, the next instalment of cash being injected into Cronulla's bottom line from the development could take until 2018.

The Daily Telegraph understands members of Cronulla's new board have spoken about trading off some of their future rights on the 630-apartment development in return for an immediate cash injection.

To do so would effectively failsafe the club's immediate future against the financial strain of a $3.5 million leagues club debt and any potential million-dollar fine handed down at the conclusion of the ASADA investigation.  

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Bennett: Don't ever do this again

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WAYNE Bennett has acted on the most unsavoury incident of the NRL finals, ordering his Knights centre Joey Leilua to stop verbally abusing injured opponents.

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In what was described as a "dog act" and lit up social media on Saturday night, Leilua screamed abuse at Storm forward Jordan McLean as he was lying on the ground in agony with a broken jaw. 

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The injury occurred from an accidental head clash with Knights forward Alex McKinnon.

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Bennett revealed on Monday details of his post-match conversation with the young centre, but appealed : "Don't do a job on him". 

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In fairness, the former Roosters centre who meets his old club this weekend, was unaware of the seriousness of his opponent's injury when he ran across and verballed McLean, sparking a flare-up between a about a dozen players. 

"Yeah, I've had a word in his ear," Bennett said. 

"I asked him why it happened and he was very candid.

"I just told him it's not who we are and it's not what we're about and I don't want to see it again.

"Look he's a young man who gets pretty pumped up out there. It just happens sometimes. We don't like it but we've moved on.

"The conversation's been had. The kid's not a mug."

Bennett said it's not the first time unacceptable sledging has occurred this year.

He mentions the match against the Cowboys six weeks ago when his prop Kade Snowden was sent-off for a shoulder charge.

"It was disgraceful what they carried on with but no-one made that a headline. We can all be very selective.

"I'm just not a fan of that stuff in teams I coach."

Until Saturday night, Leilua had been incident-free all season. 

He joined Bennett at the Knights after a troubled stint at the Roosters which included a four-week NRL suspension for off-field misbehaviour. 

"I've got a good relationship with him and he's been darn good for us," Bennett said.

"He's easy to communicate with, he tries hard, he's played great footy for us.

"He's got a good sense of humour, he's made some mates and likes living in the town. It's a good environment and he's happy." 

This weekend against the Roosters, Bennett will send out two centres who have rebuilt their careers after being dumped by previous clubs for misconduct. 

Like Leilua, former Broncos centre Dane Gagai has been outstanding in the Knights backline.

"Those two boys together have been great for us," Bennett said. 

"They're very good friends, have hit off together and have been a tremendous assets for us. 

"They've got a lot of good role models around them with the older guys who can relate to them because a few of them have had chequered pasts too."

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SBW: "Get up you weak ****!!!"

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"GET up you weak ****!!!"

Those were the first four words that greeted Willie Mason after he was felled to the Hunter Stadium turf on 28 July.

Hardly synonymous with friendly fire, they came from one of Mason's closest mates and also the man responsible for his demise: Sonny Bill Williams. 

Given the fascinating history between two of the game's most talked-about figures, there was surprisingly little hype prior to their first clash in five years that afternoon. 

And given the disparity in form between Newcastle and the Roosters at the time, few could have predicted the infamous collision would blossom into a promoter's dream for the second grand final qualifier. 

The savage sequence of Williams knocking his former Bulldogs team mate into orbit with an illegal high shot, then delivering his stricken friend a gobful of colourful encouragement, was a rare revival of the game's primal past where forward battles were purely personal. 

In the victorious Roosters dressing rooms after full time, Williams knew the high shot would most likely earn him a suspension and yet was still fired-up. 

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Before a huge and hostile Sunday afternoon crowd, Williams wanted to make a statement about his team's authority in this premiership.

To do so he needed to eliminate the opposition's most dominant forward.

That the target so happened to be Mason amplified the theatre, but it's likely the Knights veteran would have been forewarned.

In Round Five Williams tried a similar shot on another member of his old Belmore rat pack, Eels hard man Reni Maitua.

When Williams made his unforgettable entrance into the NRL in 2004, he, Mason and Maitua were a band of brothers whose ties helped Canterbury win the title that season. 

They remained close for the next three years, spending as much time as possible between training at Belmore and socialising in the Eastern Suburbs. At the time, Williams and Maitua shared a house in 

Maroubra, while Mason lived with his partner's parents in Clovelly. 

But when the socialising outstripped the hard work Canterbury failed to achieve further success with a roster that screamed dynasty. 

Under-achievement led to finger pointing and dissatisfaction, and Mason suddenly quit the club at the end of 2007 to join the Roosters. 

Williams was devastated and angry. He was preparing to sign a long-term deal on the basis that friends like Mason would remain at Canterbury for life. 

"Mase leaving was pretty much the beginning of the end for that Canterbury side," a former Bulldogs staffer said.

"He was such a big character. He kind of held all those boys together."

Mason's departure coincided with a change of lifestyle from Williams, who found a new agent Khoder Nasser, and stopped socialising. The second half of the train-hard, play-harder cultural equation that had dictated his football career to that point was suddenly redundant. 

But just months before Williams quit in July 2008, there would be time for one last encounter with Mason when the Roosters played Canterbury before 42,000 fans at ANZ Stadium. 

The pair embraced that night, but Williams was still consumed by resentment. He would need to leave and forge a name in his own right before Mason could be entirely forgiven. 

The olive branch was extended and accepted many years ago, when both players were in Europe. 

Although Mason now lives in Newcastle, they still catch up frequently in Sydney when either player will hire a hotel room for the weekend. 

There most recent meeting was for brunch at Brighton-Le-Sands, halfway between Williams' house in Oatley and Mason's old Clovelly base. 

It came just weeks after the notorious hit, and, sadly for fans salivating at the prospect of more carnage, revenge was strictly off the menu.

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Five best games of the season

Sam Burgess tackled during Rabbitohs v Roosters. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

EVERYONE has their own favourites and Telegraph league writer Paul Cralwey has pin-pointed what he views as the five best games of the season.

Rd7: Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs

Michael Maguire said it was "madness" that no Manly player was sent off and the Rabbitohs coach probably had a point.

Greg Inglis was dropped on his head three times, George Burgess was ironed out by a Steve Matai special and of course there was an all-in brawl just to keep everyone happy.

It was definitely the most brutal match of the year and arguably the best after the Rabbitohs weathered an almighty Manly onslaught to finish 20-12 winners.

The politically correct might not approve but there wouldn't have been one spectator in attendance that night who didn't spent the next day talking about what a great game they'd witnessed.

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Rd8: Knights v Sharks

In a year from hell the Sharks put in some extremely brave performances but it's hard to argue any of them were more courageous than the effort against the Knights in Newcastle back in round 8.

Cronulla lost inspirational skipper Paul Gallen to a knee injury after just three minutes but his teammates rallied and went on to clinch a gutsy 21-20 victory in golden point courtesy of a wobbly Jeff Robson field goal.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Sharks and led a jubilant Shane Flanagan to declare after the game:

"They're a tough bunch and they're getting tougher with all the stuff going on externally.

"We're not the most skilled team in the competition but games like that we'll stick in there and on our day we'll have a fight with anyone."

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Rd24: Dragons v Wests Tigers

It was hardly a year Wests Tigers fans will want to remember but one match they won't forget is round 24 on a glorious Saturday afternoon at the SCG when a star was born.

Teenage sensation Luke Brooks produced a memorable debut to lead the Tigers to a 34-18 win over the Dragons that snapped a six-game losing streak.

After a steady start to the game Brooks turned on a blinder scoring a try, setting up two others and showing a maturity that went way beyond his years.

In that match Benji Marshall also put in his best performance for months but even the outgoing superstar was blown away by the performance of this special young talent that everyone is tipping to be the game's next superstar.

"Outstanding I thought," Marshall said.

"Not only for his age, but for a first game to stand up, lead the team at halfback, kick well, run well, he scored a try and set-up a couple."

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Rd25: Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs

Johnathan Thurston might think this is another Sydney-conspiracy by us picking all these Rabbitohs matches but how do you ignore the night Julie Burgess jumped for joy as her four boys etched their names in rugby league history.

It was the first time since 1910 that four brothers had played a first grade game together but even they'd admit Julie stole the show with her performance in the stands and the late charge onto the field.

What a wonderful night this was for rugby league at home and on the international stage.

The Bunnies copped a terrible call early when big Sam was sent to the sin bin and while he was off the field the Tigers charged to an 18-0 lead.

But when Sam returned so did order as the Burgess boys turned Friday Night Football into their own family show.

Sam and Luke both crossed for tries but Julie finished best on ground in the eyes of most fans as she joined her boys on Allianz Stadium after the match for a moment they will be talking about in another 100 years.

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Rd 26: Rabbitohs v Roosters

It was a case of saving the best for last for the Sydney Roosters when they beat their arch rivals in a final round blockbuster played in front of a regular season record crowd of 59,708 fans to clinch the minor premiership.

Back in round one the Rabbitohs dominated the Roosters in the season-opener at Allianz and Sam Burgess' scored a knockout victory over Sonny Bill Williams when he flattened the returning superstar with a thunderous charge.

But in the return bout it was SBW who took the points victory with probably his best performance of the season and that's taking some pretty fantastic performances into account.

The Rabbitohs led 12-10 at halftime before the Roosters raced in 14 unanswered points to claim first spot and end a worrying two game losing streak heading into the finals.

It also set the scene for a fantastic finals series with the Roosters and Rabbitohs now just 80 minutes away from a third and deciding match in the grand final.

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Coach Stuart meets with Milford's

Raider Anthony Milford. Source: Kym Smith / News Limited

CANBERRA coach Ricky Stuart has upped the ante to keep Anthony Milford, meeting his family at Brisbane's Treasury Casino as part of a high stakes fight for the young Raider.

With Milford leaning towards a move to Brisbane, Stuart's hit-and-run trip north represents Canberra's final roll of the dice to secure their player of the year. 

The Courier-Mail can reveal Stuart met Milford and his parents Halo and Marietta last Friday night. 

The group convened at the casino, with Stuart keen to build a rapport with the Milford clan and understand the bouts of homesickness plaguing the 19-year-old. 

Milford is staying with his parents in the south Brisbane suburb of Inala and there is a possibility he has played his last game in a Raiders jumper. 

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Stuart is aware of the Broncos' interest, but the teenager's manager Sam Ayoub insists the new Raiders coach is not pressuring Milford into staying at Canberra. 

"Ricky met his parents and he chatted generally about a lot of things," Ayoub said.

"Ricky said to Anthony he can understand how he feels and the issues concerning his family.

"The truth is Ricky was fantastic with him and made the point that he isn't there to convince him about doing anything right now. It was more a meeting to get to know Anthony and his family.'' 

Armed with a get-out clause, Milford asked for a release from the Raiders six weeks ago to return to Brisbane next year to care for Halo, who had a heart attack 18 months ago. 

Reports have suggested Milford may backflip on seeking a release, but Ayoub said his client had not indicated he wanted to remain in Canberra. 

"As it stands, Anthony has asked for a release and that has not changed," Ayoub said.

"Whether that changes or not is something we will all find out in the near future.

"The coach matters in nine out of 10 situations, so it was important for Anthony to meet Ricky. He now has a good appreciation for the type of person Ricky is and the care he has for his players. 

"But the clause was inserted there for a purpose. Anthony will make a decision sooner rather than later and it won't suit everybody."

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Buddy the only Hawk yet to sign

Franklin says he'll be fine for the Grand Final. But will he re-sign? Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

BARRING the obvious exception, Hawthorn has secured the services of virtually every one of its best 22 players for the next season at least.

That feat of list management has been achieved despite the difficulty created by Lance Franklin's decision at the start of this year to put on hold all contract discussions until the end of the season.

And while the club has done a remarkable job in not allowing the Franklin situation to become a damaging distraction from the business of winning, it could still have a sting in the tail.

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Of the Hawks' first-choice team, only Franklin and ruckman Max Bailey are not out of contract — and the manager of unrestricted free agent Bailey said last week that he would be going nowhere.

It was reported last week that the Hawks had taken their latest offer to Franklin off the table, at least temporarily.

The year-long Franklin stand-off means the club has either had to deal with its other players with more than a tenth of its salary cap set aside for Franklin, or — with a spate of signings in recent weeks — it has moved on without him.

The former scenario is much more likely, and means the Hawks could aggressively enter the trade and free agency markets if and when Franklin declares he is gone.

Lance Franklin, Adidas deal. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

On the one hand, other stars at the club could be pleased at the possible influx of new talent — a late play for Dale Thomas and even Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford has been mooted.

On the other, several could be a little aggrieved that they have signed for less than their market worth because Franklin had decided to spend the year weighing his multi-million-dollar options.

Even premiership captain and perennial Brownlow fancy Sam Mitchell said this year that Franklin deserves to be the highest paid Hawk.

But how happy would he be if the Franklin money was spent on incoming trades?

It is possible that there are clauses in some Hawk contracts that allow for more money should Franklin walk.

In the period between Hawthorn's qualifying final win over Sydney and Friday night's win against the Cats, they club quietly stitched up its young brigade — Jed Anderson, Bradley Hill, Isaac Smith, Ryan Schoenmakers and Paul Puopolo.

Already this year, it had dealt with Luke Hodge, Jarryd Roughead, Matt Suckling, Sam Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli.

Unless you follow Hawthorn on twitter or are a regular visitor to the club's website, you could be forgiven for missing the more recent signings.

There was little fanfare and the club did not want to talk to the Herald Sun about it.

It hasn't said a lot about Franklin, either and neither has his manager Liam Pickering.

We could expect to hear from both parties as soon as next week.

Whether Franklin stays or goes, the Hawks are in excellent shape.

BUDDY'S DECISION

GWS: Up to $12m over six seasons, including marketing allowances and third party agreements

HAW: $4.5m over four seasons

HAWTHORN SIGNINGS

NEW DEALS IN 2013

Luke Hodge

Jarryd Roughead

Sam Mitchell

Shaun Burgoyne

Cyril Rioli

Matt Suckling

Jed Anderson

Bradley Hill

Isaac Smith

Ryan Schoenmakers

Paul Puopolo

ALREADY LOCKED UP

Jordan Lewis

Josh Gibson

Brad Sewell

Grant Birchall

Brian Lake

Jack Gunston

David Hale

Shane Savage

Luke Breust

Ben Stratton

Liam Shiels

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Max Bailey

Xavier Ellis

Brent Guerra

Michael Osborne

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Dusty welcome back at Tigerland

Future ... Dustin Martin is likely to remain at Richmond. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

RICHMOND would welcome Dustin Martin back into Punt Rd after a positive meeting with coach Damien Hardwick over a beer on Friday.

The move to sound out Greater Western Sydney saw his manager Ralph Carr roundly criticised and another prospective home removed from the table.

Only Brisbane remains as a potential suitor, and even the Lions are an extreme long shot given they do not have a coach and would be unlikely to pay him $600,000 a year.

Martin and Hardwick met in St Kilda on Friday afternoon, where the Tigers coach reinforced to Martin just how valuable a player he is to Richmond.

They will work towards trying to seal a deal for Martin this week.

Forward Aaron Edwards has emerged as an unlikely mentor and quasi-minder for Martin, who at one stage lived with captain Trent Cotchin.

Edwards is no stranger to controversies, but has been helping close friend Martin to get through this difficult period and working on his off-field habits and behaviours.

But while Hardwick and Martin have an extremely strong relationship, the fourth-year Tiger must still decide to re-engage in contract negotiations.

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It has been confirmed that the Tigers have taken the two-year million dollar contract off the table given the breakdown in negotiation after four months.

But there are still varying reports about whether the Tigers will reduce that offer if and when Martin decides to come back to the negotiating table.

Tigers sources said the Reece Conca and Martin contracts were not linked in any way, so Conca's signing on a three-year deal should not affect Martin's price.

But while the Tigers hoped to be active in the trade period that seems unlikely if both sign, with GWS midfielder Taylor Adams also harder to acquire.

Former captain Chris Newman signed a one-year deal mid-season, while key position player Ben Griffiths will also sign a one-year deal.

In injury news, star forward Jack Riewoldt has needed minor knee surgery that won't affect his return in late November.

Small forward Jake King also needed toe surgery but will make a swift recovery after surgeries to his foot, wrist and knee in the previous off-season.

The Tigers are considering a training camp in Queensland later in the pre-season but have not confirmed any dates.

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Dees expected to miss out on pick

Melbourne doesn't look likely to receive a priority pick. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

THE AFL Commission is expected to hear an alarming picture of the financial health of AFL clubs as it decides on Melbourne's priority pick.

The rival 17 clubs are in violent opposition to the prospect of Melbourne receiving a priority pick before or after the draft's first round.

The 2014 debut of dominant 17-year-old Jesse Hogan will likely count against Melbourne, with the expectation an extra pick will not be forthcoming.

The Herald Sun revealed this month that Melbourne had put in an official submission for a priority pick, believing it would help them swiftly turn about their on-field fortunes.

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But while Melbourne's pick is the most controversial topic to be discussed, the financial future of both Melbourne and Brisbane will also be in focus.

The Demons will have their $2.7 million handout officially approved by the AFL Commission today, and the early indication is they will not have to pay that money back.

But Melbourne is also likely to declare a loss of $2 million or more this year — even after receiving the $2.7m AFL cash — and is far from the only club in difficulty.

The commission will consider Brisbane's request for a cash handout given a cash flow crisis that has rival clubs despairing at the Lions' fortunes.

Brisbane will likely have strict conditions placed on their cash hand-out, with the league summoning bickering board members for mediation at AFL House on Tuesday.

In recent days club officials have been informed of a situation approaching a financial crisis with eight or nine clubs to declare losses, many of them significant.

It means the AFL's equalisation discussions are critical to the well-being of the league.

It is expected that the issue of revenue sharing will be discussed by the AFL Commission, although it will be another year before binding rules are implemented.

Some club officials have been told in the past week of the financial black hole facing clubs, and therefore the league.

It means even the most powerful clubs are slowly coming around to the idea that radical measures might be needed to keep the competition in balance.

AFL club presidents and chief executives will meet with the league after this morning's AFL Commission meeting.

The AFL Commission will also consider Melbourne's ability to rebound quickly from this year's struggles.

The Demons have a new coach in Paul Roos and a raft of injured players who will be fit next year, with Hogan gained as a result of the loss of Tom Scully, himself a priority pick.

The Commission will take a recommendation from the AFL executive but can ignore that dossier if it sees fit.

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Sam cut out the niggle: Sutton

Sam Burgess of South Sydney. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

SOUTH Sydney skipper John Sutton has called on Sam Burgess to "cut out all the niggley stuff" and lead the Rabbitohs into their first grand final in 42 years.

The pride of the league take on fierce rivals Manly in Friday night's preliminary final and many predict the battle up front will decide which team wins through to the decider. 

Burgess is the enforcer of the biggest and most aggressive pack in the NRL but in recent weeks he has come under fire for a spate of unsavoury incidents that has some questioning if the pressure is starting to get the better of him. 

Burgess copped a two-game ban for his squirrel grip on Will Chambers in the round 22 loss to Melbourne and he was lucky to escape more punishment in the round 26 loss to the Roosters when he was caught giving James Maloney a face massage and dropping a knee into Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. 

Sutton is convinced the week off has done the Rabbitohs the world of good — and he reckons big Sam showed in the win over Melbourne that he is now back to his best. 

Manly are a pack that pride themselves on making it personal and getting over their opposition pack in the battle of the big boys but how Burgess performs on Friday night will be crucial to which team makes it through to the decider. 

"He is the leader of our forwards," Sutton said.

"His runs are damaging, he hits very hard in defence and he has a big motor and he will go for 80 minutes.

"We just need Sammy to do that this week and cut out all that niggley stuff and lead the way for us.

"All the boys feed off his energy."

Everyone is anticipating Friday night's elimination final to be one of the most explosive and potentially fiery games of the year after Manly greats hinted that the Sea Eagles will be out for revenge. 

Former premiership-winning forward and current board member Peter Peters told The Sunday Telegraph that the Manly players still hadn't forgot Jeff Lima's nasty leg twist on Anthony Watmough the last time they played. 

"I was in the dressing room after the Souths game and it was the talk of the room," Peters said.

"They won't do anything outside the rules, but I can promise you he'll think he's been hit by the 190 bus to Palm Beach."

If the fireworks start you can bet Burgess will be in the thick of the action.

He went rushing to his younger brothers defence at Brookvale Oval earlier this year when Steve Matai ironed out George Burgess with one of the biggest hits of the season that also resulted in a suspension to Matai _ and in that same game Greg Inglis was bounced on his head several times resulting in a long ban for Richie Fa'aoso and post-match Michael Maguire called on the game to give its stars better protection. 

Sutton was playing down talk of fireworks yesterday but still made the point that you don't beat Manly by backing down.

"Look, that is the way they play and you've got to go with Manly," he explained.

"You've got to stick it to them or they will come over the top of you."

In both games they have played this year Souths have finished with the win and Sutton reckons the final scoreline comes back to the battle up front. 

"Especially the second time we played them we really got over the top of them. It was a tough game but I just put it down to our forwards getting over the top of them," he said. 

Asked if Souths will be out to make sure their superstar fullback is protected on Friday night, Sutton said: "I'm pretty sure whatever happens everyone is going to be looking after each other on the field, like any other game."

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