Tweet
1. He sticks it to our players without naming names.
2. He sticks it to our coach and our players.
3. Finally he has one last crack at destabilising our players.
http://bit.ly/GLHwwx
THE biggest and most destructive ball-runner in the NRL has a worrying problem.
He gets so nervous on the night before big matches that he goes out on the tiles.
At least that's what Kangaroo forward Tony Williams told Manly officials in explaining why he was spotted at the Steyne Hotel at around midnight last Sunday night.
Less than 24 hours later he took the field against the Cronulla Sharks and poleaxed Sharks hooker Isaac De Gois in the ugliest tackle I have seen in years.
I was later told Williams had been out the night before with two players from the Sydney Roosters. It turns out Manly has had this problem with the big fella before.
Sea Eagles football manager Steve Gigg told me Williams had been hauled in by Des Hasler last year over similar incidents before games.
"T-Rex told us last year he gets nervous and often can't sleep on the night before he plays," Gigg said.
"So to keep calm, he goes out and listens to a bit of live music to take his mind off the game."
I'm told Williams was drinking with the two Roosters players at the Steyne and later at another venue. Gigg said Williams denied drinking any alcohol.
"He went to the Steyne because his cousin was playing in the band and didn't have a drink," Gigg said. "He's told us he was home by 11.30pm."
I'm also told Williams had a couple of big nights out on last year's Four Nations tour.
Whatever the case, T-Rex needs to be more careful about his pre-match routine in future.
No one is questioning his behaviour, but if Manly start losing games and the big guy slides into a form slump, we know what the fans will be saying - that Williams should be home in bed.
He gets so nervous on the night before big matches that he goes out on the tiles.
At least that's what Kangaroo forward Tony Williams told Manly officials in explaining why he was spotted at the Steyne Hotel at around midnight last Sunday night.
Less than 24 hours later he took the field against the Cronulla Sharks and poleaxed Sharks hooker Isaac De Gois in the ugliest tackle I have seen in years.
I was later told Williams had been out the night before with two players from the Sydney Roosters. It turns out Manly has had this problem with the big fella before.
Sea Eagles football manager Steve Gigg told me Williams had been hauled in by Des Hasler last year over similar incidents before games.
"T-Rex told us last year he gets nervous and often can't sleep on the night before he plays," Gigg said.
"So to keep calm, he goes out and listens to a bit of live music to take his mind off the game."
I'm told Williams was drinking with the two Roosters players at the Steyne and later at another venue. Gigg said Williams denied drinking any alcohol.
"He went to the Steyne because his cousin was playing in the band and didn't have a drink," Gigg said. "He's told us he was home by 11.30pm."
I'm also told Williams had a couple of big nights out on last year's Four Nations tour.
Whatever the case, T-Rex needs to be more careful about his pre-match routine in future.
No one is questioning his behaviour, but if Manly start losing games and the big guy slides into a form slump, we know what the fans will be saying - that Williams should be home in bed.
Bellamy's $1m Bondi bid
STORM coach Craig Bellamy is denying the hottest rumour in the game - that he has been offered $1 million-a-year to replace Brian Smith at the Roosters next season.
"One thing I've always done is honour my contracts," Bellamy told me on Friday. "I'm here at Storm until the end of 2013 and nothing will change unless they decide they don't want me."
The Bellamy rumour was the talk of footy circles in Sydney last week. It would put him on the same money as Wayne Bennett in Newcastle. Don't be surprised if it happens in 2014.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis insists he is unaware a number of his senior players have no relationship with veteran coach Smith.
Doubt about the futures of Anthony Minichiello and Braith Anasta is not helping team moral.
STORM coach Craig Bellamy is denying the hottest rumour in the game - that he has been offered $1 million-a-year to replace Brian Smith at the Roosters next season.
"One thing I've always done is honour my contracts," Bellamy told me on Friday. "I'm here at Storm until the end of 2013 and nothing will change unless they decide they don't want me."
The Bellamy rumour was the talk of footy circles in Sydney last week. It would put him on the same money as Wayne Bennett in Newcastle. Don't be surprised if it happens in 2014.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis insists he is unaware a number of his senior players have no relationship with veteran coach Smith.
Doubt about the futures of Anthony Minichiello and Braith Anasta is not helping team moral.
CHICKEN STEW
REMEMBER where you read it first. Brett Stewart WILL be a Sydney Rooster next season, replacing club stalwart Anthony Minichiello in the No.1 jersey.
REMEMBER where you read it first. Brett Stewart WILL be a Sydney Rooster next season, replacing club stalwart Anthony Minichiello in the No.1 jersey.
Comment