THURSDAY JANUARY 10 2019 SPORT 37 Inglis has Hodges’ full backing for No.1

LAINE CLARK assistant may still be months and Newcastle young gun skipper Inglis “You can throw GI at the away but he has already begun was also expect- has played 32 Origins but only back. I think he would be a QUEENSLAND’S new-look talks with Maroons mentor ed to get a crack after his stun- started one match in the Ma- huge threat to NSW there,” spine may boast a familiar face on who will fill ning Origin debut off the roons No.1 jersey – in Game Hodges said. in 2019 with Maroons assist- the big shoes left behind by the bench last year. Three in 2015. Either way, Hodges said the ant tipping retired . But Hodges believes it may Yet Hodges believes Inglis Maroons selectors faced a (pictured) to fea- ’s Cam- be best to replace one Queens- would strike terror in Blues’ “welcome headache” finalising ture at . eron Munster has put his land great with another at full- hearts if he made the switch their spine before June’s series Hodges’ first assignment as hand up for the daunting task back for Origin I. from centre. opener at Suncorp Stadium. All action as ‘dogs Keelan open 10s carnival opts to JACK HISLOP

THE Swampdogs 10s will again kick off the NTRU sea- son on Australia Day, with free-flowing rugby expected at Fred’s Pass. stick by The host club will look to retain its men’s and women’s titles at the one-day tourna- ment. That precedes Round 1 of the NTRU on February 2. Tournament organiser Raiders Luke Dodds said eight men’s and three women’s teams would compete in the event’s JACK HISLOP second edition. “It’s a bit more structured DANIEL Keelan will reapply than sevens for those who for the Palmerston coaching “At this stage, want to have a look,” Dodds job this week and is set to keep told the NT News. the majority of the club’s sen- our core “It’s closer to the 15-a-side ior squad if retained. game, but it’s still fast-paced. The two-time NRL NT squad is going The halves are only 10 min- coach of the year led the Raid- to stay” utes each, so the ball does get ers through an undefeated reg- tossed around a bit.” ular season in 2018, before they DANIEL KEELAN All seven Darwin clubs were bundled out of the finals will be represented, including in straight sets. NTRU’s newest entity, Mac- It was the second consecu- Keelan said he would be Killop. tive year Palmerston had lost looking externally to bolster The Saints are entering both its semi-finals having fin- his squad. junior sides only in the sea- ished as minor premier. “I’m just waiting for confir- son proper. Both premature exits were mation that I will be coach and But they will field an invi- bitterly disappointing, but then I’ll hit the phone shortly tational men’s team at the 10- Keelan has rediscovered the and get some more people on a-side tournament. energy to go again and chase a board, hopefully,” he said. A Barbarians outfit will . “But really, for us we have also feature in the men’s “I’m going to do the right the squad; it’s just about finals event. thing and put in my paperwork footy. Our game plan over the “The Saints had a run in this week for the position, be- last two years was to be fit and the SuperDry sevens in No- cause it’s been advertised,” the ready for finals and we did that, vember and those boys really Frank Johnson medallist said. and have folded both years. It’s enjoyed themselves,” Dodds “At this stage, our core just taking the next step. said. squad is going to stay. We have “Everyone catches up by “When we gave them the lost Rein Moyle who has gone the time finals come around opportunity to play in the over to with his youn- and as it showed last year – we Swampdogs 10s, they were ger brother Matti, and Dan were found wanting in a few keen as mustard.” O’Driscoll, who was our best areas. Discipline is a big thing Being the only lead-in and fairest last year, has moved towards the end of the season.” tournament ahead of the back to Mackay. The former Nightcliff, NTRU season, all clubs are “Steve Smith will be missing South Darwin and Palmerston expected to field extremely as well through injury. But utility admitted there would be strong squads. they are the only outs I know a monkey on the back of his “Absolutely they will be of at the moment. team in 2019. taking it seriously,” Dodds “We get Dave Russell back, “Everyone will call us chok- said. who is keen and ready to go ers,” Keelan said. “But it would “It won’t be a social event. having recovered from a bicep make a premiership taste pret- It might be off the field, but injury, and he will replace Rein ty sweet after what’s happened certainly not on it.” Daniel Keelan is reapplying for the Palmerston coaching position Picture: HELEN ORR at hooker.” the last two years.” Smith to keep playing Cronk extension possible Minders for Cowboys is expected Storm legend’s retirement. officials to consider life after the star NRL club North Queensland future after Bolton pleaded to announce today he has Smith, 35, started training last have left the door open for Queenslander. will employ minders for play- guilty to common assault in signed a new two-year deal at week after returning to Mel- champion playmaker Cooper This could prompt the ers after forward Scott Bolton Waverley Local Court on Melbourne Storm that will see bourne from an extended fam- Cronk to play beyond 2019, Roosters to wait a season for admitted to drunkenly touch- Monday. him play into a 19th season. ily holiday to the US. with only a limited number of an influx of playmakers off- ing a woman’s upper thigh, in a Bolton avoided conviction It is understood the contract With the most talked about established halves off-contract contract in 2020, including big Sydney court this week. and was put on a 12-month will lock the NRL record break- contract in sort- this season. names , Kodi Ni- Cowboys coach Paul Green good behaviour release order er in until the end of 2020, end- ed, Smith is now in line to be- Cronk is heading into his korima and . said they would introduce after a charge of indecent as- ing a five-month stalemate come rugby league’s first 400- second and potentially final Cronk has already indicated extra safety measures for play- sault was withdrawn over the which even fuelled talk of the game player. year, prompting the Roosters he could extend his career. ers when they go out socially in incident at Bondi last May.

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