7th Tackle: Norman's big effort to reel in Segeyaro

Last year they appeared together at Chinese meals with gangsters and in self-made movies with . . . er . . . a female co-star.

Since they moved under the same roof several years ago, Corey Norman and James Segeyaro have become a colourful double act away from the footy field.

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But few understand how close they came to continuing their combination on the paddock.

Norman made a concerted effort to bring his good mate across to Parramatta as Segeyaro dwelled in exile over the summer.

The Eels gave the move plenty of consideration; going as far as meeting Segeyaro in person late last year.

But after so many off-field controversies in 2016, Brad Arthur elected to play it safe and back incumbent hookers Kaysa Pritchard and Isaac de Gois.

It took months for Segeyaro to finally gain NRL clearance to join Cronulla this week; and that only came after the club paid Leeds a confidential settlement.

That’s put Segeyaro behind the eight ball financially – and that’s after he’s been doing it tough for months sleeping in a mate’s spare room.

But if he can make it onto the field on Saturday night it will be somewhat worthwhile, with his possible return to come against who else but Norman’s Eels.