FOOTY clubs might spend more time advising players to use social media responsibly rather than gagging senior players from expressing their considered and forthright opinions. The Raiders and the Brumbies have told Australian representatives David Shillington and Dan Palmer respectively to put their columns for The Canberra Times on ice, claiming it is too distracting to their teams and their individual form. This is a shame for fans, who tire of robotic and rehearsed responses. Shillington's column on the sacking of Josh Dugan was refreshingly honest, earning praise on The Footy Show. Palmer's popularity was growing exponentially, with thousands clicking online to read and comment on his latest column on how political correctness had gone mad. His closing line: ''I would kindly ask if you could lower your political correctness flag, and maybe raise the common sense one more often.'' Can we ask Raiders and Brumbies officials to read that again?
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Coleman not quite White
THE BRUMBIES are starting to earn some recognition for their form, with 11 ACT players selected in a 30-man Wallabies squad. But it seems fullback Robbie Coleman still has some work to do to raise his profile. Coleman was doing an interview for Fox Sports following the Brumbies' 28-28 draw with the Southern Kings last weekend and was asked about his successful long-range penalty goals. Obviously he'd been confused with fellow bearded teammate Nic White but Coleman played along about how well he was hitting them. Coleman later told Locker Room he'd never taken a shot for goal in his life.
Suspects go unnamed
TALKING about claims of irresponsible journalism, The Canberra Times received calls from a Giants official on Saturday asking why a journalist had rung a junior member of the club's conditioning staff to ask about its fitness regimes. Apparently the junior staff member was rattled by the questioning, understandable given the doping investigation sweeping the code. Turns out it was a prank by a couple of Giants players. Just to prove we are a responsible media organisation, we won't name the suspected culprits.
Something's askew
DON'T be surprised if the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies join forces to negotiate their next deal with Canberra Stadium, given the financial leg-up the GWS Giants have been given at Manuka Oval. The Giants stand to earn $26 milllion as part of a 10-year contract with the ACT government to play four games a year in Canberra. Now, on top of that, the Giants get the lion's share of the new naming-rights sponsorship at Manuka Oval. In contrast, if a naming-rights sponsor was found for Canberra Stadium, the Raiders and Brumbies would share only 10 per cent. The Raiders and Brumbies are bound to play all their home games at Canberra Stadium, but the Raiders in particular have threatened to take select home games interstate to try and profit. It's hard to blame them when a Sydney-based AFL team appears to be getting better treatment than those based here year-round.
Keeping up with Jones
WHILE all four Aussies were putting themselves in contention at the US Masters at Augusta, world No.95 Brendan Jones was teeing up at his home course, Royal Canberra. Competing against local members, it shouldn't be surprising that Jones was best off the stick on Friday with 2-under in the club competition. Jones was just getting in the swing of things before leaving on Sunday for the Token Homemate Cup in Nagoya, where he is defending champion. Jones won twice on the Japanese tour last year, before finishing runner-up in the Australian Open. ''I feel good, I'm fresh and looking forward to the year ahead,'' he said.
First points to Kiwis
NEW ZEALAND has a dismal record in the Anzac Day rugby league Test, but the Kiwis have one up on the Kangaroos. They got in first to dine at popular Civic restaurant Tosolini's on the eve of Friday night's clash at Canberra Stadium. With the Warriors dining there last Friday night, management was quick to ensure the national team also had its booking locked in. Tosolini's is keen to get the Kangaroos in later on Thursday night, but you wouldn't reckon the opposing countries would risk being in the same place a night before the Test.
General on new front
IT'S BEEN a decade since the demise of NBL club the Canberra Cannons, but could Phil ''The General'' Smyth be headed back to the national capital? Smyth, who led the Cannons to three NBL titles in the '80s and coached the Australian men's Boomers team, has apparently been interviewed for the Australian Opals women's coaching job, vacated by Canberra Capitals mentor Carrie Graf.
Be a good sport
HOCKEY ACT is on a recruitment drive - for your old equipment. In an initiative to help the development of the sport in Samoa, Hockey ACT is asking for donations of any old equipment. You can drop off any gear to the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham by April 30.
In imitation of Boyd
NEWCASTLE fullback Darius Boyd is known for his disdain for the media and recently responded with ''next question'' when asked simple questions about his form. The next day, discussing his expected comeback, Raiders skipper Terry Campese lost his train of thought before aping Boyd: ''Next question!'' he bellowed, a huge grin on his face.
