‘Brotherhood’ that rallies in support of Hayne is the domain of disgraceful cowards

I’ve got an opinion, over here!

That post was a disgrace, and so are you four. When “nothing will ever break the BROTHERHOOD,” when a mate remains a mate even when he rapes a woman and drives her to the point of suicide – and expresses not an ounce of remorse – I have no clue how any of you can look at yourselves in the mirror. And you actually invoke your God in this? You seriously believe that your God is on the side of the bloke who left the taxi with the meter running while he ducked inside to rape her and left her bleeding on the bed? For Christ’s sake!

All of the above goes to the Hayne mob outside the court after the sentencing, howling at the victim. So brave aren’t you, in your pack, spitting at the young woman, calling her names? She has more courage in her little finger than the lot of you put together and, in the darkest hour of the soul, you must know that.

Disgraceful cowards, the lot of you. You heard me.

And then there’s the Morris boys ...

The juxtaposition to that day of disgrace for rugby league was the scene last Saturday night after Roosters veteran Brett Morris tore his ACL in the match against the Knights. After the match, as the enormity of the fact that his career was very likely over at the age of 34, Morris teared up, only for his twin brother Josh to come over, embrace him, hold him, whisper to him and then – shifting the young prodigy Joseph Suaalii out of the way – sitting beside him.

In their combined three decades or so in the game, I cannot recall either brother causing a negative headline. They have treated women, fans, teammates, coaches and the media with respect, have been an adornment to the game and are beacons of decency and what the game should be all about.

If it is the end for you, Brett Morris, go well. You and your brother are a credit to your sport and the parents who raised you.

Bullfrog’s Papworth palm-off

Phil Gould told an interesting story about Brett Papworth on Channel Nine’s football coverage on Thursday night.

Back when Gould was coaching the Bulldogs, see, he and the legendary club president Peter “Bullfrog” Moore decided to try and lure the Wallaby centre to their club. They drove to Papworth’s place of work, Rothmans, and at the agreed time Pappy slipped outside and into Bullfrog’s Mercedes to talk.

“Do you want to play for the Bulldogs, son?” Bullfrog asked.

“Pappy could sidestep better than anyone, but he only  played a handful of games for the Roosters over a couple of years.”

“I do,” Pappy replied. “But I am going to see the Roosters this afternoon.”

Gould: “And Bullfrog kicked him out. I said, ‘that was quick’. Bullfrog said, ‘They don’t come back from the Roosters’.”

And he was right. Pappy did go to the Roosters, not that it ended well. While Papworth and Einstein were both geniuses, Albert was fortunate that his own brand of genius required nothing more physically vigorous than occasionally tapping his pencil on his forehead.

Pappy could sidestep better than anyone, but he only played a handful of games for the Roosters over a couple of years, separated by long stints of rehabilitation after reconstructive surgery. As to the Gould story?

“Well actually,” Pappy told me on Thursday evening, “that’s pretty true! No managers back in the day, and I was a pretty honest fella. I do recall being picked up in a limo at Rothmans and driven around Chester Hill! Didn’t know it was Bullfrog’s car ... BTW, Bulldogs won the competition that year, 1988, and I broke my arm against, you guessed it, the Dogs ...”

Vale, Mick Wilson

Here’s to the late, great Mick Wilson. The 77-year-old denizen of Dubbo passed away suddenly from a heart attack last Friday night. Mourning him are not only his wife, seven children and 34 grandchildren but so many local netballers, swimmers, soccer and league players he coached over the decades.

Among other things, he was one of the founders of the local junior rugby league club St Johns, where he filled every role from president to coach to chief BBQ operator.

He was recently named a life member at the club his four sons and 21 of his grandchildren represented. Sixteen of them still do, and they played for him last Saturday.

Australian sport, and so much of our sense of community, is truly built on heroes like Mick. Bravo. Vale.

What they said

Storm coach Craig Bellamy, in the wake of Josh Addo-Carr’s six – count ’em, SIX – tries, against Souths: “It’s great for him and the whole team. A lot of work is done before Josh can use his pace to get into the corner. There will be a fair bit of spruiking and he’ll have his shirt off.”

Australian star basketballer Liz Cambage takes umbrage – and in a post on Instagram threatens to take her hat and coat, too, and walk out – in response to a lack of racial diversity in Australian Olympic team promotional shoots: “If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times, HOW AM I MEANT TO REPRESENT A COUNTRY THAT DOESN’T EVEN REPRESENT ME.

Michael Slater reaches for the long handle on the Australian Government threatening prison time for those Australians caught in the Indian crisis and trying to get home: “If our government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home. It’s a disgrace! Blood on your hands PM. How dare you treat us like this, How about sort our quarantine system. I had government permission to work on the IPL but I now have government neglect.”

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NBA star Kyrie Irving, of the Brooklyn Nets, on being fined for being unavailable to the media after games: “I am here for Peace, Love and Greatness. So stop distracting me and my team, and appreciate the Art. We move different over here. I do not talk to Pawns. My attention is worth more.” Charmed, we are sure, and nice to meet you.

Jarryd Hayne’ brave victim in her impact statement in Newcastle court before Hayne was sentenced: “I have spent countless hours crying, the feeling of violation and feeling dirty doesn’t go away. I have nightmares and flashbacks of his face looking right through me. Sometimes I can’t get out of bed.” Hayne was jailed for five years and nine months on Thursday. [See item.]

New York Freedom RL puts out a statement after former Hayne team-mate Tony Williams posted in support of Hayne: “OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Tony Williams. We cannot control what others do, but we can control how we respond. In light of the comments made by Tony Williams, his contract with New York Freedom has been terminated. Thank you for your continued support #newyorkfreedom #tonywilliams” . Bravo, bravo, New York, New York.

A former elite gymnast to the Australian Human Rights Commission as part of their investigation into sport, which has uncovered truly shocking cases of sexual, physical and mental abuse: “The first time I was called fat at the AIS, I was 11 years old and weighed 22 kilograms.”

Titans coach Justin Holbrook: “It’s like I’m back coaching under-20s footy the past few weeks. It’s horrible . . . we’re a million miles off. We’ve only won three games. We’ve got to acknowledge that and work hard and fix it. It’s so obvious . . . I’ve got nothing much else to say.”

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on a potential takeover by Spotify founder Daniel Ek. “He wants to reinject the Arsenal DNA, the identity that’s gone.”

Embattled Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley: “We’ve built our DNA on defending really well and clearly going forward has been an area of improvement, but maybe in focusing on that we’ve lost the DNA of defending the ground really well.” DNA is the new brand. Discuss

Max Verstappen sharing the frustration of many a driver. Unlike all of us, he’s actually F1 driver!: “F*** sake, why do these guys not move? I am on a fast lap. They are f***ing d***heads!”

The IPL announcing its suspension: “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind.”

Australian Erik Paartalu on playing soccer in India: “We’re just being knocked around mentally. When are we going to play? What are we training for? What does the end look like?”

Team of the week

Brett Morris. His injury last Saturday night likely sees the end of his magnificent career.

Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies. Contesting the Super Rugby AU final.

Barry “Bunny” Reilly. The pint-sized rugby league hard man to beat ’em all – and beat ’em up while he’s there – died during the week of kidney failure. Began his career at Easts when they didn’t win a game in 1966 but became a key man in Jack Gibson’s great team that won back-to-back titles in 1974-75.

Collingwood. In second last place on the AFL ladder. Look out if they lose to the last-placed Kangaroos today.

Sam Kerr. Helped steer Chelsea to the Women’s Champions League final.

Mark Selby. English snooker player won his fourth world snooker championship.

James O’Connor. Has been reinstated as Queensland captain for the Super Rugby AU final against the Brumbies to be played in front of 40,000 people at Suncorp Stadium tonight!

Jack Miller. Aussie MotoGP rider won his first race in five years.

Stuart MacGill.The former Test spin bowler has always been more than a bit odd – he used to read books on Australian cricket tours if you can BELIEVE it – but this latest episode, kidnapped at gunpoint, assaulted, and deposited on a footpath is the oddest of all.

Twitter: @Peter_Fitz