Brazen Sydney bid to steal Grand Prix

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AN audacious bid to take the Formula One Australian Grand Prix to Sydney and race it across the Harbour Bridge will be launched if the NSW Government wins re-election.

Premier Mike Baird will today announce that, if re-elected on March 28, work would start on taking the Grand Prix off Melbourne and he would establish a bid team featuring Rod McGeoch, the leader of Sydney's successful 2000 Olympics bid, and former News Corp Australia chief executive John Hartigan.

It is understood the Government has plans to set up a street circuit similar to Monaco and Singapore for the race.

If the Harbour Bridge was used, chicanes would have to be installed to ensure the cars went slower because the shape of the bridge would otherwise cause the cars to lift up.

The CBD would be shut down for the race.

It is understood Mr Baird is interested in a minimum three-year bid.

Daniel Higgins will "never wash his head again" after Daniel Ricciardo autographed it. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The key would be to feature the landmark Harbour Bridge and Opera House as part of the race to a worldwide television audience.

Victoria's contract over the race expires in 2020 but a decision on an Australian host city would have to be made by the Formula One governing body by 2018.

The bid would take advantage of the fact that the man who helped negotiate its transfer from Adelaide to Melbourne in 1996, Ron Walker, has just stood down as head of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.

"I want the Formula One to come to Sydney, because no other city in the world could provide a more spectacular backdrop for this event," Mr Baird said yesterday.

"We know that this event is watched by up to 30 million people around the world, and securing the Grand Prix would put our already successful events strategy in pole position. But we need to get all the facts, before we move to bid."

Ricciardo's father Joe with his 1969 De Tomaso F2 Tipo 103. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The 2014 Australian Grand Prix report stated that the race drew more than 450 million viewers in 185 countries and an attendance of 314,9000 over last year's four-day event.

As the gates flew open to this year's event yesterday, anyone who ventures to the Albert Park circuit will be well aware there is a new smiling assassin in town this year — Red Bull star Daniel Ricciardo.

Support for the young West Australian is at an all-time high with Red Bull T-shirts, hats and flags out in force for the opening day of the four-day carnival.

Fans flocked to the circuit in earnest yesterday to catch a glimpse of their national hero and to enjoy all things motorsport on and off the circuit.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation estimated the crowd at 47,600 — the highest opening day attendance since 2005 except the past two years when Thursdays were free.

Ricciardo said he was ready to "go racing'' and motivated to step back on the podium in Melbourne after being stripped of second place last year because of a technical issue.

He is not the only Ricciardo turning heads at this year's race. The Red Bull star's dad Joe is strutting a classy car of his own at Albert Park, albeit a classic chariot born long before his hero son.

Ricciardo senior is displaying a 1969 De Tomaso F2 Tipo 103 in the historic category at this year's Grand Prix.

Cut-price tickets will be offered today with $30 adult entry at the gate for race fans arriving after 3pm.

Adult entry prices start at $55 at the gate today.

andrew.carswell@news.com.au

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Knights set to lock-in Sims

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NEWCASTLE have fended off interest from rival NRL clubs and are poised to re-sign emerging prop Korbin Sims for a further two seasons.

Confirmation of the new deal, worth close to $700,000, could come as early as Friday before the Knights fly to Townsville to take on the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night.

Sims' new deal ties him to the club until the end of 2017 and will ensure he plays alongside older brother Tariq at the Knights until at least the end of next season.

Korbin Sims looks set to extend his stay in Newcastle. Source: News Corp Australia

Knights coach Rick Stone earmarked Sims as the player to replace the discarded Willie Mason as starting front-rower alongside Kade Snowden this season and he didn't disappoint against the big Warriors forward pack in the opening round last weekend.

But he faces another big test in Townsville when he comes up against Queensland and Test prop Matt Scott.

Meanwhile, Stone will make a final call on the fitness of his skipper Kurt Gidley after Friday's training session to determine if he makes the trip to Townsville for the game.

Gidley missed the win over the Warriors with a slight hamstring strain and if he is forced out again, Sione Mata'utia will take his place again at fullback with Jake Mamo added to the squad as 18th man.

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Moeroa eyeing Olympic shot

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PARRAMATTA young gun Tepai Moeroa has taken his first step towards competing at the 2016 Olympics — even though it would mean disappearing overseas eight weeks before the NRL finals begin.

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph this week, Moeroa revealed he has spoken with Dave Bruce — the athletics coach who helped him set a host of junior shot put records — about creating a program to work around his footy commitments for the next 17 months.

Having thrown an Olympic shot put 14 metres in his early teens, the young Eel is convinced he can earn a 20m qualifying hurl in time for Rio de Janeiro.

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Tepai Moeroa is planning to put league on hold to compete in the 2016 Olympics. Source: News Corp Australia

Of more concern for the Eels enforcer, however, is the Olympics start date of August 5 — or roughly Round 22 of an NRL season.

While Parramatta are yet to officially shoot down the plan, it's understood coach Brad Arthur is long odds to allow his young star — a player Peter Sterling describes as the best young forward of the past decade — to potentially miss up to eight games of footy.

Apart from training for two sports daily, and then attending Olympic qualifying meets, Moeroa would also have to significantly alter his weights program given throwers bench press above 200kg.

"But I'm speaking with Mr Bruce to see what's possible,'' the Eels young gun said. "Obviously it will all come down to what Parramatta says I can and can't do.

"But given we train mostly mornings with the Eels there is time to work on my throws each afternoon. This is something I've always wanted to do and hopefully I can give it a try."

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Despite having hardly trained in the past year, Moeroa is currently ranked third in shot put for Australian U20s.

And despite being long odds for Brazil, Bruce confirmed he would draw up a blueprint for his 19-year-old charge because "if the football club is behind what he wants to do ... yes, I believe he can get there".

"But it all depends on Parramatta,'' the coach said. "The two programs, they'd have to work together or the whole thing is useless.

"Certainly Tepai will be rusty but who knows? If he wasn't playing footy in the NRL, we'd probably be preparing him for the Olympics right now.

"He's always had the right attributes for a great thrower, (laughs) there just isn't a lot of money in it. So it all depends on the people paying the bills ... the Eels have to come first."

A 15-year-old Tepai Moeroa shows off his ability at shot put.

Rugby league has something of a history in throwing, with Warren Ryan placing seventh at the 1962 Commonwealth Games with a toss of 15.75m.

Penrith centre Jamal Idris also holds a range of junior shot put, discus and javelin records.

But can Moeroa go further? Apart from an outstanding athletics career, the western Sydney teen also represented the Australian Schoolboys rugby team two years ago.

Quizzed on her son's incredible genetics, mum Paris said he could thank both sides of the family.

Moeroa has been tipped for greatness by some league legends. Source: News Corp Australia

"When we were living in the Cook Islands, Tepai's father was a great rugby league and union player,'' she said. "And his size, that comes from his grandfather, my dad.

"He was about seven feet tall and, everyone who saw him play, they say he was a monster. No one wanted to tackle him.

"Initially we took Tepai to his first Little Athletics meet after his first league season. He was seven and we didn't want him to get lazy.

"Then at about 12, he started talking about the Olympics. It has been a dream ever since."

Manager Craig Baker agreed, adding: "I still remember the day we first met, Tepai said 'I want to play NRL and throw shot put at the Olympics'.

"Nothing has changed since."

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Eels star whose mum drives him to training

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TEPAI Moeroa still gets a lift to training with Mum. He denies it, of course. Teenagers always do.

"But yes, I drive,'' Paris Moeroa laughs. "Quite a bit actually. Because Tepai doesn't have a licence yet, I'm there for him. I guess for an NRL player he's a bit unique."

Isn't he what?

All shaggy hair, shattering tackles and chauffeured rides with Mum, Moeroa suddenly looms as the hottest rugby league item since some lark first put Deep Heat in Speedos.

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At 19, not so much arriving in the NRL as kicking down the front door and taking hostages. Already, Eels officials are whispering greatness.

Peter Sterling: "The best young forward in a decade".

Cover of today's league Central Source: Supplied

And as for those comparisons to Nathan Hindmarsh, Sonny Bill Williams, even 80s enforcer Geoff Robinson?

"Ah, sorry," Moeroa shrugs apologetically when the last name is put. "I've never heard of him."

Oh, c'mon.

Robbo. Geoff Robinson.

That cult Canterbury tough whose heart and hair were matched only by his ability to cause haemorrhaging in rivals.

"Oh, really?" Moeroa continues. "Don't know him.

"I've heard the Hindy stuff, which is cool. I think he was playing first grade when I was in Kindergarten."

Actually, would you believe age three?

Still living at home with his parents in Mt Druitt, Moeroa is a regular churchgoer who never swears, has no tattoos and insists fellow Eel Pauli Pauli is the one who drives him to training.

"But Mum does too,'' laughs his manger Craig Baker. "Or Tep catches the train.

"Everyone might be talking about this aggressive new forward for Parramatta, but really he's just a great young kid."

Tepai Moeroa is eyeing a spot at the Rio Olympics.

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F1 rivals praise Dan the man

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EVERYONE in Formula One has been won over by Daniel Ricciardo, even his deadliest race rivals.

The youngster with the giant smile exploded into the top ranks last year and both Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button said yesterday he is a breath of fresh air.

"He made me a nice present for Christmas last year which was a nice surprise,'' Vettel said.

"I really like the guy. Daniel is a great character," said Button.

Vettel has five world titles and Button has one, and they both believe Ricciardo can join them in their exclusive club.

"He's very talented. He was given the tools to perform last year and he did. He was the only guy to take a race off Mercedes," said Button.

"We don't live far from each other so we see each other now and again. Fair play to him, he's done a great job."

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Vettel admitted Ricciardo's results in his first season with Red Bull Racing had been a "surprise" but said none of it had been a fluke for the Perth-born driver.

"Obviously I was on the inside of the team and I saw what he did and it wasn't luck, so he really deserved what he achieved last year. But last year I think it was a surprise for everyone," Vettel said.

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BUTTON CERTAIN HE WON'T WIN

But that's where Vettel's praise ended, with the new Ferrari driver not wanting to predict any success for his former teammate in Melbourne.

"I hope his chances are not too big now that we are really racing against him and he's not on the same team any more. But he did a very good job last year so I'm sure that they've prepared well."

Button also had a warning for Ricciardo, who is now the team leader at Red Bull with youngster Dani Kyvat as his team mate.

"The second year in a team is sometimes more difficult. I think now he's got to use his experience to get the maximum out of the car. Being the team leader can make you stronger or can affect you, particularly if you have an inexperienced team mate," Button said.

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Complete guide to 2015 Formula 1 grid

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THE line-up of drivers who will take to the grid for the 2015 Formula 1 season has finally been settled as the cars take to the track for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

Here is the rundown of who is where, and how each team is shaping up for Albert Park.

Watch all the Formula 1 practice, qualifying and race action from the Australian Grand Prix LIVE in HD on FOX SPORTS Australia this weekend (Channel 506).

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MERCEDES

No. 44 — Lewis Hamilton
No. 6 — Nico Rosberg

All things being equal, one of these men will likely be world champion come November. Mercedes is believed to again have the edge on their rivals in 2015, setting up another season of Hamilton vs. Rosberg match-ups.

Hopefully, Mercedes will again allow their drivers to choose different race strategies, giving us hope that the two silver arrows will again be engaged in heated dogfights come Sunday afternoon.

Rosberg will be desperate to win a title after his disastrous end to 2014, while it remains to be seen which Hamilton will arrive to start the season; the 2011-spec 'mopey' Lewis from his first breakup with Nicole Scherzinger, or the supremely confident man who is arguably the best driver in F1.

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RED BULL

No. 3 — Daniel Ricciardo
No. 26 — Daniil Kvyat

The fortunes of Australia's great hope will hinge on the performance of the metallic lump behind his race seat. Renault's engineers have made gains over the off-season, but will they be enough to vault them into the same stratosphere with Mercedes? On testing form, they perhaps should be more concerned at keeping Ferrari at bay.

Ricciardo's dream 2014 season will be a hard act to follow, but he has proven that, when the Red Bull is in the hunt, he cannot be discounted. The big question mark is over his teammate.

Kvyat was quietly impressive in his rookie season. He drove fast and he learnt faster. How he handles the move from mid-pack scrapper to battling with the big boys will be fascinating to watch.

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FERRARI

No. 5 — Sebastian Vettel
No. 7 — Kimi Raikkonen

The desire for redemption pervades the storied halls of Maranello entering 2015. On the heels of the Scuderia's worst season in two decades, everyone from the management down is hoping for a much better showing.

Testing form suggests the car could be a regular challenger in the 'best of the rest' group behind Mercedes. As 2014 showed, this can be enough to see them punch a win sometime this year.

Anything remotely resembling a victory will be manna from heaven for Vettel and Raikkonen. Both men need a car they get along with to resurrect their flagging reputations; for the latter, the SF15-T could save his career. Both are proven race winners and will be keen to show they can still be regarded as threats.

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WILLIAMS

No. 19 — Felipe Massa
No. 77 — Valtteri Bottas

It is time for the once great team to show their 2014 return to form was no flash in the pan. Pat Symonds has remoulded the team into one that is capable of challenging for victory, and they were desperately unlucky not to score one last year.

Their new car appears to have held its place among the best on the grid, which is good news for two drivers who are focused on scoring a victory this year for different reasons.

For Bottas, it would signal his arrival as a genuine future world title contender, the fulfilling of his clear promise. For Massa, it will cap off one of the best comeback stories in sport. They were aatch for each other last year, but will the Finn start to gain the edge over his veteran teammate?

MCLAREN

No. 14 — Fernando Alonso
No. 22 — Jenson Button
No. 20 — Kevin Magnussen (Australia only)

As with Red Bull, this team's fortunes depend on how fast their engine can get up to speed. The team have faith that the car is good and that the engine will be good, but will we have to wait until the end of the year for it to realise its potential?

Alonso's testing crash is another blow that neither party needed. When he is fit to return, he will do his usual professional job of dragging an unbelievable performance out of a less-than-suitable car, but he will need to see progress if he is to keep his chin up.

Once again, Button will be looking to prove the doubters wrong. Few thought he would get close to Hamilton at McLaren, yet on his day, Jenson was light years ahead. Give him the right car and he will give you wins, but will the car be right?

Magnussen gets a rare chance to show a team it made a mistake in letting him languish as a mere test driver. Australia was his best drive last year, and the Dane will be keen to show he is still worthy of a full-time place on the grid.

LOTUS

No. 8 — Romain Grosjean
No. 13 — Pastor Maldonado

It is easy to forget that both of these drivers have been, at one stage or another, among the quickest drivers on the grid. Grosjean was second only to Vettel in the back half of 2013, while the Venezuelan is a notified GP winner.

What they lacked last year were the two things you can't be without in this hybrid era of F1: a consistent car and a good engine. They've fixed the latter by swapping their Renault for a Mercedes. Both men also believe the new car is light years ahead of last year's pig.

If the E23 is as good as Lotus hopes it is, Grosjean could again be a podium threat this year. And if the Frenchman's transition from crash-prone wally to winner in waiting rubs off on his teammate, Maldonado too.

FORCE INDIA

No. 11 — Sergio Perez
No. 27 — Nico Hulkenberg

It has been a worryingly quiet off-season for the team that is usually next-best behind the big squads. Their new car only ran at the final test, with repeated rumours of the team striking financial troubles.

Regardless of the whys and hows, the lack of track time could put drivers Hulkenberg and Perez on the back foot early in the season, when the team is traditionally its strongest. On the flip side, their engine package has been stable over the off-season so they will only be learning the traits of the new chassis.

Both drivers are at a career crossroads. Each needs to outperform the other to stand any hope of moving up to a better team. With both proving to be evenly matched last year, that could cause more than a few fireworks.

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SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO

No. 33 — Max Verstappen
No. 55 — Carlos Sainz Jr

STR is the Red Bull junior team in every sense of the word this year, with the Italian squad given rookie drivers Sainz and Verstappen to work with this year.

Both drivers have been quietly impressive during testing, making very few errors at a time where every lap completed is vital to both team and pilot. The downside is that the car was rated as the least impressive of all of the 2015 machines during pre-season testing.

A heavily revised car could help the team get closer to the main pack. Allied to many pundits' high expectations of Verstappen, that could be enough for STR to spring a few surprises.

SAUBER

No. 9 — Marcus Ericsson
No. 12 — Felipe Nasr
No. ? - Giedo van der Garde

After what appeared to be its steadiest off-season in several seasons, the week leading into the Australian Grand Prix has seen the Sauber team clouded in controversy.

Giedo van der Garde's successful legal bid to enforce a 2015 race contract he held with Sauber has thrown the team's preparations into disarray. They had been poised to head into the season with fresh-faced youngsters Ericsson and Nasr off the back of a steady and solid pre-season.

Now, with the team scrambling to accommodate the Dutchman into their line-up for the race, what impact it will have on the team's fortunes is anyone's guess. The likely loss of sponsorship dollars from having to bench either Nasr or Ericsson is also not something the cash-strapped team can afford.

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Will Stevens. Source: Getty Images

MANOR

No. 28 — Will Stevens
No. 98 — Roberto Merhi

That this team is even in Melbourne is a remarkable achievement. The British team that was in ruins late last year has been rebuilt with new enthusiasm and new funding.

They will run upgraded versions of their already outpaced 2014 cars in Melbourne, which means the only yardsticks for drivers Stevens and Merhi are each other.

Roberto Merhi. Source: Getty Images

BREAKDOWN

DRIVERS WHO CHANGED TEAMS: 6
Vettel (Red Bull to Ferrari)
Alonso (Ferrari to McLaren)
Kvyat (Toro Rosso to Red Bull)
Ericsson (Caterham to Sauber)
Nasr (Williams reserve driver to Sauber)
Stevens (Caterham to Manor)

DRIVERS OUT: 6
Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso)
Adrian Sutil (Sauber)
Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber)
Jules Bianchi (Marussia)
Max Chilton (Marussia)
Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham)

DRIVERS IN: 4
Verstappen (Toro Rosso)
Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso)
Nasr (Sauber)
Merhi (Manor)

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AGE
Youngest driver: Verstappen (17)
Oldest driver: Raikkonen (35)
Average age: 27

RACES STARTED (by team)
McLaren: 501 (Alonso 235, Button 266), 285 (Button 266, Magnussen 19)
Ferrari: 351 (Vettel 139, Raikkonen 212)
Mercedes: 314 (Hamilton 148, Rosberg 166)
Williams: 248 (Massa 210, Bottas 38)
Force India: 150 (Hulkenberg 76, Perez 74)
Lotus: 140 (Grosjean 64, Maldonado 76)
Red Bull: 88 (Ricciardo 69, Kvyat 19)
Sauber: 35 (Ericsson 16, Nasr 0, Van der Garde 19)
Manor: 1 (Stevens 1, Merhi 0)
Toro Rosso: 0 (Verstappen 0, Sainz 0)
Overall in 2015: 1808
Overall in 2014: 1793

RACE WINNERS: 9 drivers
Vettel, 39
Hamilton, 33
Alonso, 32
Raikkonen, 20
Button, 15
Massa, 11
Rosberg, 8
Ricciardo, 3
Maldonado, 1
Total race wins on grid: 162

WORLD CHAMPIONS: 5 drivers
Vettel, 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Alonso, 2 (2005, 2006)
Hamilton, 2 (2008, 2014)
Raikkonen, 1 (2007)
Button, 1 (2009)
Total championships on grid: 10

POLE POSITIONS WINNERS: 9 drivers
Vettel, 45
Hamilton, 38
Alonso, 22
Raikkonen, 16
Massa, 16
Rosberg, 15
Button, 8
Hulkenberg, 1
Maldonado, 1

LED A LAP OF A RACE: 13 drivers
Vettel (2,438)
Hamilton (1,837)
Alonso (1,767)
Raikkonen (1,156)
Massa (917)
Button (762)
Rosberg (695)
Ricciardo (72)
Hulkenberg (43)
Grosjean (40)
Maldonado (37)
Perez (23)
Bottas (4)

Statistics sourced from StatsF1.com

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The many faces of Willie Mason

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WILLIE Mason, a few days back, was cruising Sydney Harbour with 200 corporates.

"My first speaking gig,'' the hulking cult figure explains, chatting now over breakfast at a favoured Narrabeen café.

"I was bloody petrified, too. I mean, talking shit like we are here, I can do it all day.

"But holding court with a couple of hundred business people? I kept thinking 'man, what if they find me boring?'."

He needn't have worried.

Manly Sea Eagles Willie Mason poses for a picture in Curl Curl. Picture: Braden Fastier. Source: News Corp Australia

For if we have learned anything over the past 15 years, it's that William Marshall Mason ain't boring.

Colourful? Yep.

Controversial? Undoubtedly.

And now here on the day of when potentially his final season kicks, Big Willie opens up on becoming the greatest cult figure in rugby league history.

So how does a Housing Commission kid from Toronto become the most recognised leaguie on the planet?

"Man, I dunno. I'm just being me. You hear some players speak with the media these days, it sounds like they're accepting an Oscar. Why? All up, I've probably given the NRL $10 million in headlines. And who knows, maybe they'll pay me out when I retire ... (laughs) even if they didn't want all of them."

Mason scores for the Bulldogs. Source: News Corp Australia

The fact you've survived 277 first class games, does that answer your critics?

"I think so. But people have always been saying I'd fail. Even when I returned from rugby, after 18 months sitting in the south of France, they said I was done. So I went and played reserve grade. Once. It was like playing against kids. I knew I didn't belong there. Never have."

But the real knock wasn't your ability, it was that you were a destabilising influence on young players ...

"I'm an influential person. I know that. But I also used to think every young bloke was the same. Arriving at Canterbury, I had no one. My influence had always been dad, and he died when I was 17. But the mistakes I made, was anyone else blamed? No. And neither they should be. When senior guys like Brad Clyde or Darren Britt wanted to go somewhere and I didn't, I didn't go. Simple. I've never followed and thought all young guys were built like that."

Mason playing for the Kangaroos. Source: News Corp Australia

And now?

"I know now they're not."

At 17, did league provide the father figure you were desperate for?

"No. For me, it was sink or swim. And, yes, I swam. But it also saw me rebel against authority. It was: Why should you tell me what to do? Doesn't matter if you're the coach, the CEO, whatever. There was one guy who told me what to do — dad. He was gone, my brother was in jail ... I felt alone."

How did you act out?

"Little things pissed people off. Canterbury, for example, were sponsored by Nike. But for all media I'd wear a Champion hoodie. Champion sponsored me. They were paying me 100 grand and Nike weren't. So, no, I wasn't wearing Nike. Looking back now I think 'ah, you little arsehole'. But I was a Housing Commission kid. I didn't get it.

Willie Mason and Timana Tahu. Source: News Corp Australia

But still, there was more to your rebellious streak, right?

"Oh, I don't conform. Never have. And I wouldn't have made it in the NRL otherwise. There isn't a point in my career where I've doubted myself; where I've wanted to go home. That's the great cliche used by every bush kid who fails: I wanted to go home. Bullshit. You never wanted to go home. You gave up. I've never given up.

Are you okay with being league's biggest cult figure?

"I am. Now. For years that tag was something I wanted but, at the same time, didn't. You have to accept it. Realise your standing, your influence. And I do. (Laughs) Although I still think players should have the right to wear whatever makes them more money."

Like the Willie Wigs?

"Oh, I made $25,000 from those. Could've made shitloads more too if the NRL didn't own my image. Imagine that? Selling 50,000 yourself. If I could do that I'd still have the 'fro."

The tattoo on your left shoulder says 'Only God Can Judge Me'. Reckon the big fella's a fan?

"I think he'd be okay with me now. For a long time though, I struggled to know myself. Know where I fit in. It's only been these last three years, talking with Wayne Bennett really, that I've finally become comfortable in my own skin."

Willie Mason's hair helped make him a cult figure. pic. Gareth Morgan. Source: News Corp Australia

How did Bennett help?

"After the way everything was nailed to my chest at the Roosters, the bad influence stuff, I really questioned who I was. Am I a leader? Am I the right guy to have at a footy club? Wayne, he believed.

Did you need him at 17?

"Absolutely. And Wayne's said that. Reckons he would've had me sorted by 24 ... (laughs) rather than now at 34."

What's the worst thing someone has ever called you?

(Long pause) Rapist.

From the Coffs Harbour stuff in '04?

"Yeah. And for that group of blokes who did nothing wrong, who went through so much to then be called that? It's wrong. And it wasn't just one year, either. I'm talking four, six, eight years ... occasionally it's still said now during games. 'Ah, yah rapist'. It hurts.

Recreational drug: Is league awash?

"Society is. Back in 2000, drugs were a taboo subject. Two in 10 players would've tried them. But now ... you'd be shocked. Young players talk openly about it. But you go into any nightclub, no one is hiding it."

Willie Mason gets pumped during Sydney Roosters NRL training session at Moore Park in Sydney. Source: News Limited

Hate the punch being eliminated from rugby league?

"Doesn't everyone? Look at all the resulting niggle. It's awful. Plus no one got hurt. No one in the NRL throws them well enough to knock someone out."

You kayoed Englishman Stuart Fielden in '06.

"(Laughs) That was different. That was a Test."

So many games, how many headlines are left?

"Honestly, this could be my last year. I'm thinking about it. Right now, the body feels great and the drive is still there. But if that goes, if even for a second I can't give 100 per cent for the player alongside me, I'm gone."

But do you go with people finally understanding you?

"Who knows. I've always been an enigma. People saying 'this bloke is good, no he's bad, no good, nup bad'. Personally, I'm the happiest I've ever been. I understand who I am and the influence I have. So yes I've changed ... but not a lot."

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Sport Confidential: Loz’s swing to Arizona

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NSW coach Laurie Daley is poised to embark on a 25,000km round trip to the US as the Blues search for a high performance State of Origin edge ahead of another blockbuster series.

Sport Confidential has learned Daley, NSW assistant coach Matt Parish and general manager of football Barrie-John Mather will travel to Los Angeles and — wait for it — Arizona next month to visit the LA Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals.

Under normal circumstances, any NRL-types returning to the scene of the South Sydney Rabbitohs' Arizona cover-up crime would be guaranteed to draw rampant debate.

Mugshots of Rabbitohs players John Sutton and Luke Burgess from the Coconino County Sherrif's Office. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

But given it's Loz, there's guaranteed to be no repeats of any CCTV footage or mug shot run-ins with local law enforcement.

The NSW Rugby League board approved the trip last week, with the trio to spend a fortnight inside the inner-sanctum of the Major League Baseball and NFL teams.

"For us it's about continuously improving and looking outside the square at how other sports do business around the world," NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden said.

"Laurie spent a week with the All Blacks in 2013, which was a great lesson in how much there is to be gained by widening your horizons and seeing what's out there."

The Blues trio may even venture to the San Francisco 49ers to visit Jarryd Hayne in his new career pursuit.

Jarryd Hayne announces he will be playing with the San Francisco 49ers. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues will begin their defence of the Origin shield in State of Origin I at ANZ Stadium on May 27.

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WE'VE heard the Manly Sea Eagles aren't the only club interested in off-contract Canterbury-Bankstown and NSW half-back Trent Hodkinson.

The Cronulla Sharks are also heavily in the mix, with ex-Bulldogs teammates Michael Ennis and Ben Barba already having joined the Shire outfit over the off-season. Given the big-money offers likely to be tabled for Hodkinson, it appears unlikely the Blues half-back will remain at Belmore beyond this season.

Bulldog's Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds during warm up for their training session. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

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PANTHERS star Jamal Idris has revealed how there was a stage last season where he was struggling to walk due to a sciatica nerve problem.

But after off-season spinal surgery, the 120kg Panthers centre has been fast-tracked into the NRL side just six weeks after surgery for Sunday's match against his old side Canterbury. Penrith are aware they are a more damaging side due to his presence.

MATA'UTIA IN THE DOGBOX AT KNIGHTS

THE Sione Mata'utia non-selection in the Newcastle Knights starting 17 got us thinking about the last time a player went from representing the Kangaroos to missing selection for his club side. We had to go back as far as Manly in the 1980s, when Ray Brown slipped from being an international back to reserve grade, such was the strength of the Sea Eagles' forward pack. Michael Jennings also got picked from NSW Cup side Windsor Wolves into the NSW Origin side a couple of seasons ago under Ricky Stuart.

Newcastle's Sione Mata'utia. Source: News Corp Australia

Adding even more intrigue to the Mata'utai issue is his future at the Knights, which remains hugely up-in-the-air over a management dispute and a four-year contract he signed to switch to Canterbury. The Knights have until round 13 to try and convince the youngest-ever Kangaroo to backflip on the Bulldogs deal. In classic Canterbury-Bankstown fashion, the Dogs signed Mata'utai and his brothers Chanel and Pat in a package deal worth in excess of $3 million over four seasons. When we spoke to Knights coach Rick Stone, he assured us Mata'utai was still a strong possibility of playing against the Warriors Friday night.

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MELBOURNE Storm are quietly predicting big things for rookie front rower Felise Kaufusi, the younger brother of ex-Storm and now Bulldogs prop Antonio Kaufusi. The emerging prop, 22, cut his teeth playing Queensland Cup for Easts Tigers last season after a couple of years with the Cowboys and at 112kg, is expected to do some significant damage. The other rookie earning big raps is Roosters bench backrower Siosiua Taukeiaho, who will make his Tricolours debut on Saturday night in Townsville. An ex-New Zealand Warrior, Taukeiaho is a devastating ballrunner.

Felise Kaufusi in action for the Storm. Pic by Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

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THE Dragons and Storm have added a nice touch to Monday's Kogarah Oval showdown, with all Emergency Services employees to be granted free entry. The 1999 grand final teams established the Emergency Services Cup in 2009, with all employees and volunteers to get in for free when they display the appropriate identification.

LEGENDS IN THE SWING OF THINGS

CRICKETING royalty visited Terrey Hills Golf Club yesterday, when former Test captain Allan Border and West Indies icon Brian Lara played nine holes. Glamorous TV presenter Louise Ransome also dropped in to help Fox Sports' WOW prize winner Trent Pollard celebrate a round with the cricket legends. With the World Cup in full swing, Border and Lara took time out in between commentary duties to enjoy perfect conditions on one of Sydney's best courses.

Brian Lara with Foxsports WOW competition winner Trent Bullard, Louise Ransome from Foxsports and Allan Border at Terrey Hills Golf Club. pic mark evans Source: News Limited

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THERE'S some serious merry-go-round trading going on in Big Bash land. Shane Watson is the latest big name to be linked to the Sydney Thunder, while Cameron White is tipped to defect from the Melbourne Stars to join archrivals the Renegades.

RED FACED TURNS ONE-DAY WONDER

WHAT a difference two months and the colour of a cricket ball can make. Australia's man-of-the-moment Mitchell Starc will be ready to rumble again this weekend when Australia host Sri Lanka at the SCG on Sunday. It was a vastly different story in December, when spin king Shane Warne rightly criticised his negative body language after Starc turned in a shocker with the red ball in the Gabba Test match against India. With the white ball, different story.

Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates with teammates after dismissing Afghanistan's Zadran Najibullah. Source: AP

Starc confirmed his status as an absolute weapon with figures of 6/28 against New Zealand at Eden Park last weekend. On Sunday against Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia are urging all Aussie fans to "go gold" by turning the SCG into a sea of colour.

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WE love the Big Show Glenn Maxwell's swagger once he gets his eye in with the bat but his choking banter with the raucous Eden Park crowd in New Zealand last Saturday was bordering on stupidity. Maxwell needed to wait until Australia had sealed the result or risk getting a massive pull-through, which we've been told was delivered via Australian coach Darren Lehmann.

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MINI'S NEW MODE OF STREET MUSCLE

RETIRED Sydney Roosters champion Anthony Minichiello has always loved life in the fast lane, as evidenced by his latest ride.

Mini is currently jetting around town in the new Lexus RCF, a five litre V8 which retails for $144,000 on road.

As this picture shows, Mini was test driving the vehicle around Mount Panorama a couple of weeks ago and has since become the owner of a brand new, black version.

They don't call him the mayor of Bondi for nothing.

Sydney Roosters champion Anthony Minichiello. Source: Supplied

SCREEN SIZE DOES MATTER

THIS is the first look at Allianz Stadium's new high-definition big screens, which will be switched on later this month.

The 277sq m video boards are five times bigger than the ones they replace, however their state-of-the-art design means that only 12 seats have been removed from the southern and northern ends of the ground.

The new Allianz Stadium big screens. Source: Supplied

The massive screens were being tested last week in preparation for the next A-League match at Moore Park, Sydney FC versus Brisbane Roar on March 15.

The Sydney Roosters will then host the Panthers in round three of NRL action on March 23.

WINNING

THE Autumn carnival gets into full swing on Saturday with some of the best horses in the country set to go around at Royal Randwick and Flemington. In the Group 1 Randwick Guineas, Hallowed Crown, Shooting To Win, Scissor Kick and Sweynesse will all line-up while south of the border in Melbourne, Kermadec, Wandjina and Alpine Eagle will do battle over 1600m at Flemington. Remember you've got to speculate to accumulate.

Hugh Bowman rides Hallowed Crown to win race 6, The Blackwoods CRC Hobartville Stakes during Sydney racing at Rosehill Gardens. Source: Getty Images

DUNCE CAP

WE teed off on the smoke and mirrors NRL Integrity Unit a month ago, having a good giggle about how the bastion of the greatest game of all is simply window dressing firing Russian roulette bullets. Now supercoach Wayne Bennett has confirmed it, choosing some different dialogue to express how much of a laughing stock the whole charade has become. The mobile phones episode from earlier in the week was one of their best. Enough said.

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SPOTTED

WALLABY and Waratahs legend Phil Waugh and ex-teammate Benn Robinson enjoying dinner at Lucio's Italian restaurant in Paddo last night. With Robinson set to eclipse Waugh's record 136 Super 15 games for the Tahs, Waugh was spied with a bottle of 1999 Grange Hermitage. The significance? It was the year Waugh debuted for NSW. Congratulations to Robinson, who has been working on his fitness with league legend Mark "Spud" Carroll.

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Meninga: Titans face true test of character

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TURBULENCE maketh the man.

It is a line I use quite a bit in discussions I have with players and with business people, and it is something I have been thinking about a lot in the past couple of weeks when conversation has turned to the Gold Coast Titans.

Handling adversity is one of the qualities that defines champion players, champion teams and champion clubs.

No other club in the NRL has had to endure more over the off-season than the Titans.

Titans Player Beau Falloon and his lawyer Chris Nyst at Southport Court. Photo Michael Ross Source: News Corp Australia

We know that. What all rugby league fans, and especially Gold Coast fans, are waiting to find out is how the Titans respond to it.

BIRD DENIES A 'WHITE WEDDING'

SHARKS OR TITANS? MANLY DITCH DCE OFFER

To have a successful team, you need people bonding together, making sure everyone is heading in the right direction and everyone is willing to put in to achieve common goals. Hopefully the Titans have taken the opportunity to turn tough times into a time to get tough.

Look at Cronulla a few years back when Ricky Stuart was the coach.

They went through a fair degree of turmoil at that club, but they still went out and played to their potential every week. They insulated themselves against the dramas and made a pact to keep turning up and keep playing for each other.

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The Titans need to follow the same blueprint. The club's off-field issues will not be to blame for a dropped pass or a bad read in defence.

There are still some dramas that the club needs to navigate over the coming weeks.

But now it at the very least has stability.

The NRL got involved, but, importantly for the club, there was a good show of faith in the Titans' management with key people like Graham Annesley, Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly staying in place.

They have the stability and they have the right people in place. All the players need to do is go out and perform.

The Titans have stability, and they have leadership.

Gold Coast Titans player Greg Bird reports to Southport Police Station to be fingerprinted. Picture Glenn Hampson Source: News Corp Australia

What the club needs now is a group of men willing to get the bit between their teeth and fight to the bitter end.

If they can mould a group of 20 men into a team that plays for each other, will not give in and will not back down, then the ingredients are there for the Titans to be the surprise packets of the season.

I think they will beat Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday. It is their first test of character. I look forward to seeing how they respond.

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City’s golden chance for finals fling

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MELBOURNE City is about to embark upon a week that will make or break its finals charge.

Starting Sunday, John van't Schip's men play the competition's three bottom sides in seven days.

Having defeated Adelaide last week, City would have to string together four consecutive wins if it is to claim maximum points against Central Coast (away on Sunday), Western Sydney (away next Wednesday) and Newcastle (home next Saturday).

It's a feat rarely achieved in the A-League, so rare that it has only been done twice this season — by league-leader Perth in rounds 4-7 and fourth-placed Wellington in rounds 11-14.

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Central Coast has been a bogy side for City (nee Heart).

It has only defeated the Mariners once in 14 attempts and in six games at Gosford has lost five and drawn one, scoring just two goals in the process.

But if Patrick Kisnorbo and co can exorcise those demons on Sunday then the rest of the dominoes might topple.

The Wanderers will be playing their sixth match in 19 days next Wednesday owing to their Asian Champions League commitments, while the Jets have hardly given a yelp all season.

"If you have the ambition to make it to the finals then these are the games you have to win," City defender Kew Jaliens said.

Melbourne City's Aaron Mooy on the charge against Adelaide United. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Corp Australia

"No matter what, these are three good opportunities for us to get three points and that's how we'll approach it as well."

Imagine for a second that City does claim three wins in its next three games — sixth place will be its to lose.

A clash with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium the following week would be largely immaterial as the next week, March 28, sees it play Brisbane at AAMI Park in what would be a mini-final.

Leading up to that game the Roar, currently two points behind City in the race for sixth but with a game in hand, play the Wanderers (9th) twice, Sydney (5th) and Wellington (4th) but also have to play an ACL match against Suwon Bluewings (March 18).

It also played in Japan on Wednesday night, defeating Uruwa Red Diamonds 1-0.

The prize for City against Brisbane that night, should it win, could be a near insurmountable gap over the Roar with just four games to play and the promise of finals for just the second time.

CITY 6th 24pts (played 18)

Sunday v Central Coast (A)

Mar 11 v Western Sydney (A)

Mar 14 v Newcastle (H)

Mar 20 v Sydney (A)

Mar 28 v Brisbane (H)

BRISBANE 7th 22pts (played 17)

Sunday v Western Sydney (H)

Mar 15 v Sydney (A)

Mar 22 v Wellington (H)

Mar 25 v Western Sydney (H)

Mar 28 v City (A)

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