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The 7th Tackle - with Josh Massoud and Jim Wilson

7News Sports Presenter Jim Wilson and Chief Rugby League Reporter Josh Massoud run through all the burning topics from the rugby league world that you may not know about.

From what the departure of Glenn Stewart means for Souths to the Wests Tigers fans rallying to keep Robbie Farah, jump into this week's edition of The 7th Tackle.

Tackle One – Departing Gifty from Souths

As always, there’s more to the story of a strong-minded footballer calling it quits before his time. Such is the case with Glenn Stewart, who announced his shock departure from the Rabbitohs on Wednesday night.

Seven News broke the story 24 hours earlier, after being told Stewart’s situation at Redfern had effectively become unworkable. Less than 12 months into a three-year deal, Stewart was struggling with the physical demands of taskmaster coach Michael Maguire. Under Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey at Manly, the 31-year-old had been accustomed to a tapered approach to finals football. Friends say he was shocked by Maguire’s intensity so late in the season. It’s also believed the two characters – neither of which is known to take a backwards step – didn’t see eye to eye on a number of issues. That much is evident from the fact Souths were prepared to financially contribute toward Stewart’s three-year deal with Les Catalans.

Late Thursday there was more talk about other contracted Rabbitohs forwards being shopped around England, including ex-Panther Tim Grant. The looming exodus has sparked inevitable speculation the Rabbitohs are clearing their cap to accommodate the return of Sam Burgess, or the addition of Robbie Farah.

Could Sam Burgess be on his way back to South Sydney? Image: Twitter
Could Sam Burgess be on his way back to South Sydney? Image: Twitter

As far as Burgess is concerned it appears to be a case of when, not if. The real question is whether the NRL will help Souths lure him back to rugby league, by using its discretionary spend allowance for players in rival codes. The other 15 clubs might protest, given Souths is the only team Burgess would consider in the NRL.

Tackle Two – Fans rally for Farah

Fuming Tigers fans have taken it upon themselves to protest Robbie Farah’s axing. We can reveal a public rally has been organised for 10am next Tuesday outside the joint venture’s head office in Concord. The movement has gathered enormous momentum on social media, with organiser Nellie Hage expecting hundreds to turn-out in support of the out-of-favour skipper.

“People have arranged to take the day off work to attend,” she told us. “And there’s also a lot of fans who won’t renew their memberships until we know what’s really going on – myself included.”

Robbie Farah with fan Nellie Hage.
Robbie Farah with fan Nellie Hage.

Hage is more than entitled to have her say. In 2013 she won the Wests Tigers ‘Woman of the Year’ award, in recognition of tireless contribution to the junior league. She’s also planning a second rally outside League Central later this month. Fans have been encouraged to wear their jerseys and also bring along banners and posters.

Meanwhile Farah’s future at the Tigers remains clouded – although we can’t see how it’s possible for him to stay after being threatened with demotion to NSW Cup in 2016. It’s understood his barrister, Julianne Levick, wants to meet with club officials and coach Jason Taylor as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, interest is building form elsewhere. Newly appointed Knights coach Nathan Brown is a fan, and Souths remain a strong option – despite the denials. Rumours were rife that St George Illawarra are poised to make a play for Farah, possibly in a swap for their hooker Mitch Rein. Management for both players denied it would happen.

Tackle Three – Junee gets a Daley dose

We love a good country rugby league story and there’s an absolute beauty involving the Group Nine Grand Final at Wagga Wagga on Sunday afternoon. Blues coach and Seven’s League Insider Laurie Daley is making the six hour trek to McDonalds Park to watch his junior club and beloved Junee Diesels take on Gundagai Tigers in the decider.

Laurie Daley is hoping he is Junee's lucky charm. Image: Getty
Laurie Daley is hoping he is Junee's lucky charm. Image: Getty

Daley’s visit could well mean a change of luck for Junee – the last time they won the title was in 1986 when Blues legend played five-eighth. But the sentiment doesn’t end there: Gundagai’s last premiership was in 1983 when a young emerging talent called Cliff Lyons wore the no. 6 jersey. Daley isn’t sure if Cliffy will be in attendance on Sunday afternoon with the grand final to kick-off at 3pm.

"This is huge for my home town and the connection with Cliffy and the history behind it made me keener to be there,” Daley said. “I can't wait for the weekend.” Our best wishes to both teams and everyone involved on Sunday in one of Australia’s most famous sporting town. Daley’s insight and tips heading into week one of the NRL finals can be seen exclusively on Friday night on Seven News Sydney.

Tackle Four – Docker firms for Dragons

There’s a new resident in Dragons country: Adam Docker. The hard-hitting Panther moved back to his home town of Shellharbour last month, increasing the chances of a return to the Big Red V. Docker started out with St George Illawarra, but joined Penrith after being told he was no chance of progressing beyond the Under 20s.

Adam Docker could join the Dragons for next season. Image: Getty
Adam Docker could join the Dragons for next season. Image: Getty

He enjoyed a break-out season in 2014 and was a member of the Kangaroos train-on squad for last year’s Four Nations tournament. But injury and off-field challenges have seen Docker disappear from calculations this season.

Penrith told him some time ago there were no plans for a new contract in 2016. Since then Docker has barely had a chance to remind rival clubs of his bruising style. And he won’t again, following a season-ending suspension for a shoulder charge in the final round of the NSW Cup. Dragons coach Paul McGregor is aware of Docker’s return to the South Coast and agrees his roster needs depth in the middle of the park.

Tackle Five – Tim gets his reward after ups and Brownes

Tim Browne’s goal kicking has surprised the rugby league world this week – with the exception of those closest to him. Raised in Port Stephens, Browne was a devoted Newcastle Knights fan as a child. Using a set of handmade goal posts from tree branches and rope, he’d mimic Andrew Johns’ kicking style on the family’s property.

Remarkably, Browne didn’t take up rugby league until he was 14 years old. Prior to that he played soccer – another clue toward the prop’s hidden talents with the boot. Browne couldn’t crack a junior representative side with the Knights and was forced to drive to Sydney in 2007 to trial for his break at Souths. He duly made the Rabbitohs Jersey Flegg (U20s) squad that season – and kicked a few times. Browne had even more shots at his next club, Manly, between 2008 and 2010. Des Hasler was Sea Eagles coach at the time and witnessed the front rower boot five conversions in a NSW Cup game.

That memory resurfaced midway through the season, when regular goal kicker Trent Hodkinson was unavailable because of Origin duty. Hasler ordered Browne to dust-off his kicking boots and join one-on-one sessions with Daryl Halligan. Browne has been practising for months, the hard work readying him for last Sunday night’s call-up to the kicking tee. Amid much mirth and confusion he duly converted three from three, including a towering kick from the western touchline. With the team’s other options, Tim Lafai and Moses Mbye, out of sorts in the kicking department, there’s every chance Browne will get another shot should the Bulldogs score when he comes off the bench in Saturday night’s elimination final against the Dragons.

Tackle Six – Hayne plane set for official take-off

The most compelling indication that Jarryd Hayne is set to take part in the 49ers NFL season-opener on Monday will come this weekend, when his Australian-based agent arrives in San Francisco.



We’ve learned veteran player manager Wayne Beavis was booked to fly out of Sydney on Friday. Beavis has delegated Hayne’s US-based business to another agent, but remains extremely close to the former Eel and would not dare miss his full-blown Gridiron debut.

Tackle Seven – Sydney a finals ghost town

If this weekend’s results unfold according to the bookmaker’s predictions, there will be no finals matches in Sydney next weekend – and only two for the remainder of the year. Either Brisbane and Townsville are guaranteed to host games over the next fortnight – the order will depend on the result of tomorrow’s Broncos-Cowboys clash. Melbourne will also get a home final.

Should they lose to the Roosters, that will take place next weekend, making Sydney a finals-free zone for the first time since 2008. And that, folks, was also the only time in history that the ‘Home of Rugby League’ has been devoid of finals footy in September since the birth of the game a century earlier.