SIN BIN
Roosters veteran Craig Fitzgibbon has not ruled out playing another two seasons after finally agreeing to terms with the club for 2009 yesterday. Widely tipped to retire at the end of this year, Fitzgibbon has been reborn, along with the Roosters, under coach Brad Fittler and he played in all three State of Origin matches after many – including himself – considered his rep career as dead as a dodo. “I probably let too many people get into my head about retiring this year,” Fitzgibbon said. “I was upset about it, and [Roosters chairman] Nick Politis was upset about me being upset about it. In the end, I spoke to a lot of recently retired footballers. Blokes like Joey [Andrew Johns] and Freddy [Fittler] and they said you just have a feeling about whether it’s time to finish. I didn’t have that feeling … I also had a long chat to Phil Gould at the start of the year and it helped me readjust the way I was thinking. It was some shit I needed to hear.” Asked if he was feeling so good in his 30-year-old bones that he might play beyond next year, he remarked: “After this year, I wouldn’t discount it.” The interesting aside is whether Fitzgibbon captains the side next year. Fittler showed his hand when he anointed five-eighth BraithAnasta skipper in Fitzgibbon’s absence during Origin. “If I was given the job, I’d do it with pride,” Fitzgibbon said. “But if not, I’d be happy to relinquish it. Just as long as I’m playing.” Intrigue at Nine There was major drama in the Willoughby bunker at Channel Nine on Monday when the news department had to send out a search party to find the crowd shots that eventually revealed the man who racially vilified Panthers captain PeteroCivoniceva in the match against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium. It should have been easy given that Wide World of Sports covered the game, but there were plenty of furrowed brows when it emerged that the footage was in the process of being secretly delivered to other news organisations. Nine’s head of news, Ian Cook, swore blind there was nothing to report. And Ninesupremo David Gyngell did not return poor old Sin Bin’s calls. But believe us when we say that one senior executive is lucky to have his job after the incident. Dell’s in da house Wendell Sailor’s appearance for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup this weekend has generated enough interest for at least one betting agency to frame a market on his try-scoring duel with Ipswich winger Scott Ireland. Sportingbet Australia yesterday opened betting with Sailor at $1.70 and Ireland at $2.10. Ireland has been briefed by Sailor’s former Brisbane teammate Kevin Walters to expect a verbal barrage from the 33-year-old but he has vowed not to respond. “I’m not a rap artist or anything, I certainly won’t be trying to mix it with him,” the 21-year-old plumber told AAP. “I’d like to think he’d be worried about me, but I really doubt it. I don’t think much worries Del.” Late career switch Former Dragons and Knights international Craig Smith is set to become the latest NRL star to switch codes after registering to play with defending Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union premiers Merewether-Carlton. The 36-year-old former Kiwis prop was a Queensland rugby union representative as a student and has been assisting the club with some defensive drills. According to the club, Smith is considering playing third or fourth grade but enquiries have been made about his eligibility for the finals. Sonny side up Bulldog Sonny Bill Williams is lending his considerable support to help reduce bullying, depression and youth suicide by headlining a fundraising event for the charity group Essere next month. Promoted as an informal locker-room chat with Sonny Bill and friends, the dinner at Doltone House in Pyrmont on August 19 features a star-studded line-up of guests including Anthony Mundine, Mario Fenech, George Peponis, Bessie Bardot, Samantha Brett, Karl Stefanovic, Ross Greenwood, NSW Premier Morris Iemma and Treasurer Michael Costa. ABC Television’s Jeff McMullen will compere the event and comedian Gary Eck will entertain.
