Orford Takes The Blood And Milkshake Oath

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday October 3, 2008

Brad Walter, Glenn Jackson, Greg Prichard and Jamie Pandaram

INJURED Manly captain Matt Orford was quizzed at yesterday's grand final breakfast about the Herald's revelation earlier this season that Sea Eagles players used a calves' blood extract to speed up recovery. "Started Saturday night, so been there all week," Orford joked. MC Warren Smith persisted: "No strawberry milkshakes, no calves' blood this week?" Orford replied: "No." The Sea Eagles remain secretive about the way they go about getting an edge over rival teams but Channel Seven last night showed footage of a female Manly official with vials of blood taken from the players for DNA testing.

Smith slips higher charge

If Storm officials think Cam Smith was hard done by, how would they have reacted if he had been suspended for longer? Smith was guilty of grade-one contrary conduct and suspended for two matches for his grapple tackle on Brisbane's Sam Thaiday, but Sin Bin understands that the judiciary was likely to have upheld a higher charge if the match review committee had sought one.

Bleak view of Melbourne

The Storm may be even more convinced there is a media conspiracy against them when they open the official program on grand final day. On the teams spread, Melbourne is spelt "Melboure". We know Sydneysiders consider the town boring, but there's no need to rub it in.

Archer takes the brunt

Manly prop Brent Kite was cracking gags at yesterday's grand final breakfast. As Tony Archer made his way past the Manly players on the stage to collect his medal for officiating the grand final, Kite said something to him that entertained his teammates. Archer didn't bat an eyelid and kept walking. But when he was on his way back, Kite, smiling and presumably being egged on, stuck his hand out and Archer shook it, also without breaking his stride. Maybe Archer will have a clever one-liner ready for Kite if the big fellow drops the ball at some point on Sunday.

Humble Hoffman

Melbourne forward Ryan Hoffman, ruled out of the grand final through an ankle injury, says he will knock back a premiership ring should the Storm win on Sunday. "If I get offered it, I'd be very flattered, but I'd have to politely decline because they're the guys that are playing the game and they deserve it," Hoffman said. "I'd feel bad about taking it. I missed out on it, unfortunately. That's rugby league."

In awe of Beaver

Sea Eagles enforcer Steve Matai was like a star-struck child on his first day at training with the team in the 2005 pre-season, racing to get his training shirt signed by club great Steve Menzies. "I couldn't believe that I was there, training alongside him. I had to get my training shirt signed," Matai told Sin Bin. "He did it, he was probably thinking 'This is just some lower-grader'."

Smart move, MG

The image of Mark Geyer saluting his brother Matt after the 1999 grand final was replayed during the grand final breakfast yesterday, but it won't be repeated on Sunday if Melbourne win. Mark, the former Penrith forward, will not be at ANZ Stadium for the game. "It's my wife's 40th," he said. "We've been planning it for a month and we've got a big bash at my place. The wife comes first."

Elias death-rides Storm

Bouncing Benny Elias has had another lash at tipping against Melbourne this week. Last week, he told the Herald the loss of suspended hooker Cam Smith meant the Storm would lose to Cronulla in the preliminary final, but he has since added a post-match asterisk to that declaration. "Deep down, I thought the Storm would win, but 'Sticky' [Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart] is a good mate of mine," Elias said. "I was just trying to pump the Sharks up. [Manly co-owner] Max Delmege is my business partner and best mate, so I wouldn't tip against Manly, but I can tell you that I genuinely believe the Sea Eagles will win. They are more experienced now, after playing in a grand final last year, and they will get the cash. I'm serious this time."

Shades of Churchill

Clive Churchill's widow, Joyce, says Melbourne fullback Billy Slater is the closest player, in style, to her husband in Sunday's grand final. But when it comes to the wider NRL, it's a different story. "When I see Darren Lockyer play, I feel like I'm watching Clive," she said. "The way he reads the play and enters the game, the way he passes the ball ... I really enjoy watching him play. Darren used to be a fullback, and Clive, even though he was a fullback, often played like a second five-eighth." Mrs Churchill said Brisbane five-eighth Lockyer was taken aback when she told him what she thought. "I've met him a few times," she said. "He got a shock when I mentioned it to him. He said he appreciated it very much."

Monaghans want to unite

Joel Monaghan and his brother Michael want to play together again and both have release clauses in their contracts after next season, but it appears unlikely their wish will be fulfilled at Canberra. Meanwhile, former Storm prop Garrett Crossman is expected to join Bulldogs reject Kane Cleal at Souths next season, while Leeds have confirmed that back Jordan Tansey has been released to join the Roosters on a two-year loan deal after this weekend's Super League grand final against St Helens.

Join walk against cancer

Fans attending Sunday's premiership decider are being urged to follow the lead of Raiders halfback Marc Herbert and join the Grand Final Walk Against Cancer for the final stage of the trek into the stadium. Herbert walked the first leg in Canberra last Friday and a number of other sporting identities are expected to get involved as the fundraising march gets closer to the grand final venue. Organisers have invited anyone wanting to support the campaign to meet on the corner of Parramatta Road and Hill Street at 2.30pm. Donations, which go to The Cancer Council, can be made at any branch of the NAB.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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