WHEN Mark Gasnier announces this week that he's abandoning the Dragons to take up a two-year deal with French rugby union side Stade Francais, expect the finger of blame to be pointed directly at chief executive Peter Doust. There's shuffling of feet now that Gasnier has exercised the escape clause in his contract to break his five-year deal. We called Doust yesterday to ask if the board had known about the clause before or after the contract was signed in 2006, but we never heard back. Plenty at the club have always been uneasy about his close relationship with player manager George Mimis - and less so now that the deal he struck with Mimis has allowed the Dragons' captain to stroll out. Gasnier has told friends he's sick of the "fishbowl" life of playing rugby league in Sydney. Um, wasn't the issue those third-party deals worth $1 million falling through? Dragons officials are bemused because they have shielded Gasnier on several occasions from adverse publicity when he's stepped out of line off the field. And NSW suits are relieved they don't have to appoint as Blues captain a player they once had to dump for leaving a lurid message on a woman's phone.
Heartbreaking sight
You would have to have a heart of stone if you didn't become emotional at the sight of tragically killed seven-year-old Kevin Hodges and his five-year-old sister Jaine being buried in coffins bearing the St George Illawarra logo in Cowra on Friday. The club didn't provide the coffins but we can tell you that the children were wearing jumpers signed by the players. This world truly does suck at times.
Goodes all-in for poker
It's a long way from the tables of Las Vegas, where Shane Warne is wowing them in the World Series of Poker, but Adam Goodes has to start somewhere. Our spies tell us they often sight the Swans' dual Brownlow medallist playing at the Coogee-Randwick RSL club. We must stress he isn't investing huge sums or staring into the bottom of a schooner glass - which can be good fun, by the way - but just keeping to himself, enjoying his second-favourite sport.
Is Pope a Tigers fan?
They have come from every corner of the globe to see Pope Benedict during World Youth Day festivities at Randwick Racecourse - here's hoping he has the presence of mind to bless the betting ring - but religious pilgrims did their bit to bump up rugby league crowds over the weekend. No less than 500 Christian soldiers attended the Dragons-Raiders match at WIN Stadium yesterday. And there were a few dozen from Philadelphia at the Roosters-Titans game at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night. No word yet if the Pope will brave the elements to farewell Brett Hodgson when Wests Tigers go around against the Storm at Campbelltown Stadium tonight.
More modern slavery
Spare a thought for Tiger Woods's caddie, Steve Williams. When Woods sidelined himself for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery, it cost Williams about six figures' worth of cashola. Caddies are usually paid about 7-10 per cent of a player's winnings. Other caddies have decided to take up a collection for him. At a tournament last month, they posted a sign asking for donations to the "Steve Williams Benevolent Fund". Wacky guys, those caddies.
Bovine humour sells
They're quick-thinking types in the marketing department at Skins. They hurried this advertisement (pictured above) into the latest addition of Rugby League Week following revelations in the Herald about Manly players using calves' blood extract.
Facebook fiasco
In the past, this column has taken great joy in ripping Facebook photos off well-known sportspeople's profiles and sharing them with you good folk. Panthers back-rower Adam Woolnough thought it was hilarious that we showed the world a picture of his bare bottom. But here's a cautionary tale for our sporting elite … Ashley-Paul Robinson was on the books of Crystal Palace's Championship (first division) team in England and became so excited when offered a trial for a Premier League club that he posted the news on his Facebook profile … and added he was in "secret talks" with Fulham. Palace officials saw it and then cut him. Robinson's status the next day: "Ashley-Paul has been very naughty lol!"
Say what?
"Up shit creek. We've got one paddle left. If we lose that, we're in strife." - Eels second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh when asked about his side's season after their loss to South Sydney. He wouldn't have been pleased to learn that the paddle he was referring to - five-eighth Feleti Mateo - sustained what looked like a nasty knee injury against the Rabbitohs.
WEEKEND WARRIOR: GLENN STEWART
The Manly back-rower scored two tries in his side's 34-6 defeat of the Sharks on Saturday night.
It isn't very often you score more tries than your brother Brett …The last time was probably the under-9s. The boys gave me a fair bit of stick afterwards.
What's it like having a brother who has received so much adulation in the last couple of years?It's no drama at all, because he deserves it. He's been playing pretty good footy in the last couple of years. I'm happy to fly under the radar.
The two of you live together. Who's messier?Me. Mum comes over once a week and if the place is too untidy she kicks us up the arse.
Do you two fight much?Not as much as you'd think. It's easier living with your brother than a mate, because if we have an issue with one another you just come straight out and tell him to pull his head in.
I understand your nickname is "The Gift". Why's that?I try to keep away from that one. Beaver [Steve Menzies] gave it to me. I don't want people getting the wrong idea about me. Like it's got something to do with my weapon or something like that. That would be a myth.
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