Take it as a given that the Warriors were interested in signing Manly centre Steve Matai, despite club denials. Matai's agent has confirmed an approach was made but said talks ceased once the Sea Eagles made it clear they were not letting the Kiwi enforcer out of his contract, which runs to the end of 2015.
NRL stars' homes ransacked
Two NRL stars have recently had their homes broken into while they were away playing games. Following his side's loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval last Friday night, Bulldogs front-rower Sam Kasiano returned home to find thieves had climbed the back fence and taken down a sliding door, before getting away with a large haul of electronic devices and valuables. A week earlier, Raiders star Jack Wighton suffered similar misfortune, with looters ransacking his house while he was in Sydney playing the Roosters.
Veteran caller resigns
Veteran ABC commentator Warren Ryan resigned from his post last week after being stood down for allegedly making a racist remark on Sydney radio. The former Canterbury, Balmain, Wests, and Newcastle coach was suspended last month after he used the term "old darky" during a match call, supposedly referencing a line from the classic film Gone With the Wind. Ryan's exit comes after more than two decades with the station and highlights how one slip can bring down a media career.
