Set of six: Gus' visits Packer

Phil Gould. Photo / Getty Images

Penrith supremo Phil "Gus" Gould has reportedly been visiting former Warriors and Kiwis test prop Russell Packer in Sydney's Silverwater jail, adding weight to rumours he could be signed to the Panthers next season.

Kylie meets Slash

The NRL have approached a number of big name musical acts to perform at this year's grand final but have apparently been turned down by Robbie Williams and will.i.am. Aussie icon Kylie Minogue is a leading contender to get the gig and Slash is also an outside chance. The former Guns N' Roses lead guitarist would be an ideal choice.

JWH for Kiwis

Roosters prop and Kiwis contender Jared Waerea-Hargreaves remains hopeful of earning a recall to coach Stephen Kearney's Four Nations squad. "Yeah definitely, bro. Fingers crossed, I guess I'm on track or heading in the direction I want to be going and we'll see what happens at the end of the year," he said, following a strong display opposite Warriors test rival Ben Matulino last weekend. The big man downplayed the importance of any personal contests, however, saying: "I wasn't really thinking towards the match-ups for the test team. I sort of just get out there and do my own job and lay the platform."

ARL grand final day

If you're in Auckland tomorrow, get out to Trusts Stadium in Henderson for the Auckland Rugby League grand final day. The action starts at 11.30am with Otara fighting it out with East Coast Bays for the Sharman Cup, before the Phelan Shield final between Pakuranga and Mt Wellington at 1.25pm. Mt Albert will then look to turn the tables on Pt Chevalier in a rematch of last year's Fox Memorial final at 3.30pm.

Snell runs away with it

Howick second-rower Dion Snell capped a breakthrough year by being named Fox Memorial Player of the Year at the ARL Awards on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old took the prize ahead of a host of former NRL and test stars playing in the Fox. Otahuhu's Teuila Fotu-Moala won Female Player of the Year, and fellow club mate, 18-year-old Jamal Hunt, claimed Rookie of the Year.

Mother hen returns

House parents Spencer and Carmen Taplin are set to finish their work as caregivers to the Roosters' young up-and-coming stars and return to New Zealand. They have been doing great work over the past 10 months, establishing a house for the club's out-of-town recruits and helping them adjust to life in Sydney. Roosters chief operating officer Brian Canavan said the pair would be greatly missed.The club is interviewing applicants to fill the role.