Eels boss caught in ugly spat with podcast host
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There’s an ugly spat going on at the Eels between the club and leading podcast Talking Parra.
The club had a special meeting with players and officials last week, ordering them to have no contact with the podcast, which has over 23,000 followers.
Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos. Edwina Pickles
The creator of the podcast, Adam Martin, has also had his membership of the club revoked, receiving a letter from the Eels accusing him of abusive behaviour towards officials and people connected with the club - a claim he strongly denies.
“We try to promote the Eels but they now see us as a competitor,” Martin told Nine.com.au.
“I used to help them on game days… They even used to get me to leak stuff that they couldn’t say publicly - like about the Zac Lomax saga - and get me to say it for them.
“The club got angry at me for leaking that Adidas would be their gear manufacturer next year, and also that we put together a Vegas package for fans for only $3500 which is lower than I believe they are going to charge.
“They are trying to stop us doing the podcast. They see us as a competitor.”
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos had a heated exchange with Martin at a fan event last weekend that shocked onlookers.
“I also got a phone call from a private number with a guy telling me I better stop doing the podcast or things will turn out very bad for me,” Martin said.
Jim Sarantinos speaks with Eels podcaster Adam Martin at a fan event. Supplied
Nine.com.au is not suggesting that the phone call came from anyone connected with the Eels.
Martin said he never uses abusive behaviour towards anyone on his podcast or social media.
“I try to keep things civil,” he said.
“Sometimes fans will have a go at players and I will fire back, telling them to be respectful - but that is it.
“This has really blown up - you would think Parramatta has bigger problems than me and my podcast at the moment.”
Parramatta provided the following statement when contacted by Nine.com.au.
“The club welcomes and encourages constructive feedback from all members and supporters and recognises they are entitled to express their views and concerns respectfully,” the statement said.
“We encourage fan pages and appreciate their contribution to the Parramatta Eels community. The club has no issue with creator and fan pages voicing opinions or their personal views as long as they remain respectful.
“However, we will not accept false and misleading allegations that are directed towards staff and players or other members of the club or are designed to damage the reputations of individuals.”
Dragons set to face fresh hurdle
It’s been a fantastic week for the Dragons after breaking their long drought in such great style in Brisbane - but things are about to turn bleak for the club again.
Major sponsor Squadron Energy is considering walking away from the Dragons at the end of their contract in a few months - a move that will cost the club an estimated $1.2 million per season.
A senior insider at Squadron put the move down not so much to the club’s poor on-field performances, but more to the uncertain economic climate.
“Times are tough at the moment and we aren’t the only business cutting back on marketing and promotion,” the insider said.
“It’s a pity but this is the world we are living in.”
Squadron Energy is the club's main jersey sponsor. NRL Images
It is believed Squadron won’t be totally walking away from the club, however, and may take a much cheaper community sponsorship package.
Squadron sponsor the club’s jersey front and there are rumours doing the rounds that the club’s jersey back sponsor, travel company Trip A Deal, is also in danger of ending its association with the club at the end of the year.
St George Illawarra were contacted for comment.
Tigers premiership hero joins Benji’s staff
Another member of Wests Tigers’ never-before-never-again premiership winning team of 2005 has joined Benji Marshall’s staff.
Pat Richards, the man who scored off THAT famous Marshall flick pass in the grand final, has been appointed senior manager of the NRL team and will work closely with Marshall and the players.
Pat Richards celebrates with fans after the 2005 grand final. Getty
The former star winger will be in good company, becoming the sixth player from that wonderful Tim Sheens team to get a job at the Tigers, alongside Marshall, John Skandalis, Brett Hodgson and Chris Heighington.
Richards was doing some part-time work at the joint venture but has now taken on a senior role and is highly respected by the young players in the Tigers’ ranks for his deeds on the field.
Cowboys to lose highly-touted youngster
North Queensland have done well to pick up experienced Sharks outside backs Jesse Ramien and Sione Katoa - but it was always going to come at a cost.
And it looks like the club is poised to lose boom former Australian Schoolboys utility back Mason Barber as a result.
The 20-year-old speedster, who missed much of last season after shoulder surgery, is squarely in the sights of the Perth Bears.
A product of renowned league nursery Keebra Park, Barber has been on the Cowboys’ development list this year but has yet to taste NRL footy.
That should change next year though - he’s certain to be given a chance to show his skills in Mal Meninga’s young Perth squad in their maiden season.
