SPORT llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ntnews.com.au Sharks fighting fit

RUGBY LEAGUE ahead and have welcomed didn’t hesitate when I was ap- old supporters and past By GREGOR MACTAGGART back 2007 premiership- proached to take the job,’’ players get involved, and any winning mentor Eddie Motlop said. sponsors who want to get UNIVERSITY Sharks have an Motlop as A-grade coach. ‘‘We had our sign-on day on board would be greatly extra special reason to make Motlop, one of Top End last Saturday and we’ve been appreciated.’’ 2013 a year to remember. ’s most respected able to welcome back a few The Sharks are training The proud NTRL club figures, is happy to be back at former players who haven’t every Monday, Wednesday is celebrating its 40th a club he guided to three been playing. and Friday at University Oval anniversary and is putting a grand finals — including a ‘‘But we’re always on the (corner of Lakeside Drive and structure in place it hopes memorable 2007 triumph — lookout for new players to Dripstone Road) from 5.30pm. will reap major rewards when in a successful six-year stint come down the club, anybody If you want to pull the the new season kicks off on from 2004 and 2009. is welcome. boots on for University or March 23. ‘‘This is a big year for the ‘‘With this being an for more information on the University are back club with the 40-year anniversary year it would club, contact Motlop on training for the campaign anniversary and that is why I also be great to see a few 0488 328 777. Uni Sharks are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year Norman Green light for Sonny Bill

out but Roosters and the NRL have avoided a public relations disaster after told not was PUB: finally given the OK to play in Thursday’s season- to worry opening blockbuster. TNEWS NT While Williams still has to COACH Anthony Griffin had overcome knee and pectoral a reassuring message for a muscle injuries to play disappointed against South Sydney at Al- after preferring new arrival lianz Stadium, the Roosters at five-eighth for registered the dual internat- ’s season-opener ional’s contract yesterday.

DATE: against Manly. With ticket sales for the Norman was hoping to hold potential sell-out based on on to the No. 6 jumper after Williams’ first game of inheriting it last season fol- league since 2008, his ab-

2-MAR-2013 lowing champion Darren sence due to a contract Lockyer’s retirement. dispute would not have gone But former Test halfback down too well with fans. Prince’s trial form, work eth- Salary cap auditor Ian ic and attitude edged him Schubert requested more ahead of Norman for a halves paperwork from the Roos- spot alongside Peter Wallace ters before signing off on the for next week’s clash at complicated one-year deal, Suncorp Stadium. which the Roosters de- PAGE: Griffin still wanted Nor- livered before the deadline. man in his starting 13 and a ‘‘The Roosters have wor- serious knee injury to Dale ked closely with the NRL Copley allowed him to move and we were comfortable 42 to the wing to with the proceedings,’’ Roo- accommodate the talented sters boss Brian Canavan

COLOR: youngster at . The said. ‘‘We now look forward coach pointed out that Lock- to continuing our prep- yer had spent seven seasons arations for the season at fullback before taking over opener against Souths.’’ at five-eighth. ‘‘He (Norman) is a bit dis-

C appointed at the moment because five-eighth is his M Tigers grieve preferred position but he

Y understands it is about what player death is best for the team,’’ K Griffin said. players are Griffin had some other being offered counselling as selection surprises. He na- the club comes to grips with med representative prop Ben the death of front-rower Mo- Hannant on the bench, again sese Fotuaika. pushing skipper Sam NSW police confirmed a Thaiday into the front-row to 20-year-old man had been accommodate edge runner found dead after they were Matt Gillett in a powerhouse called to a townhouse in back-row along with Alex Merrylands on Thursday. Glenn and lock Corey Parker. The death was not being Prince said he arrived at treated as suspicious. the Broncos with no promises Fotuaika had been pro- and his starting role was a moted to the senior side for welcome reward. recent trial matches and ‘‘I’ve had to work really was poised to make his NRL hard throughout the pre- debut this season. season and I’ve played some The Tigers released a really good games through- statement expressing the out the trials,’’ he said. Scott Prince has been given the five-eighth role over Corey Norman for Brisbane’s season-opening match against Manly club’s sadness at the loss of their young teammate. ‘‘He was a player of great potential and a very popular and respected member of Cowboys confident they will keep skipper Thurston our club,’’ Tigers chief executive Stephen Hum- By TODD BALYM fore the Cowboys’ season tain their skipper and com- one), but we haven’t put a because of his connection to phreys said. opener against Canterbury plete a trio of key signings to deadline on it. the club and he is synony- Tigers captain Robbie NORTH coach next Saturday. reject giant Sydney-based of- ‘‘It would be nice if we got it mous with the North Queens- Farah said the playing Neil Henry is ‘‘pretty confid- Thurston is weighing up a fers after props Matt Scott done before kick-off because land Cowboys, I think we will group was shattered. ‘‘Mo- ent’’ the Cowboys will win $5.2 million deal to join Pen- and James Tamou also com- it can be a distraction and it’s be able to keep him.’’ sese had a great future the battle for Johnathan rith next season, while sev- mitted to the club. something that’s going to be Henry, meanwhile, has no ahead of him and we will Thurston’s signature and eral other NRL clubs have ‘‘We’re getting closer and in the media until it happens concerns Thurston will enter miss him dearly,’’ he said. keep the skipper in Towns- also inquired about the reign- I’m pretty confident we will one way or the other. the 2013 NRL season without ‘‘We are a very close-knit ville for the rest of his career. ing Test and Queensland get him across the line,’’ ‘‘He is weighing up his op- a club trial under his belt, club, and will stick together Henry said he was hopeful superstar’s future. But Henry Henry said. ‘‘We’re hopeful it tions I suppose, which he has having needed a few weeks and support each other dur- a deal could be finalised be- believes the Cowboys will re- will be (done before round every right to do, and I think off to rest a hand injury. ing this tough time.’’

42 NT NEWS. Saturday, March 2, 2013. www.ntnews.com.au