by Brendan Bradford –

Perry Good –

The annual Manly Marlins lunch, held in the city last week and MC’d by Fox Sports’ Sean Maloney, was a resounding success. There was the usual variety of auctions and raffles and a bit of comedy, but the show was stolen by Australian dual-code international, Ellyse Perry.

Part of a panel including Marlins coach Phil Blake and Australian former-NFL player Colin Scotts, Perry had the room of 400-odd guests in the palm of her hand as she discussed hitting sixes in cricket World Cups and scoring long-range goals for the Matildas.

If that wasn’t enough to impress the rugby crowd, Perry – who has been named Australia’s most marketable athlete and in her own words is ‘going steady’ with Matt Toomua – clinched it with an astute assessment of the dangers the French posed in and around the ruck ahead of the third Test.

You’d think Australia’s pre-eminent sporting power-couple would just want to get away from it when they’re together, but apparently not. One well-placed insider told The Rugby Shorts that dinner conversation rarely strays far from sport. Rumours are they even critique each other’s latest performances.

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Three (Toothless) Lions –

Thought eight years was a long time to wait for a State of Origin win? Well, spare a though for English football fans, who haven’t won a World Cup since 1966. They’ve hardly even come close since then. That’s 12 tournaments and counting.

Every four years, The Rugby Shorts takes particular pleasure in witnessing the English press and public whipping itself into a pre-tournament frenzy before stumbling to an ignominious – and more often than not – swift exit from the biggest sporting event in the world.

And it seems your club rugby correspondent isn’t the only one.

Which Shute Shield coach’s number appeared as a missed call on The Rugby Shorts’ phone early last Friday morning immediately after England lost to Uruguay to book an early ticket home? When queried, the coach in question said it was a ‘pocket-dial’ and he was “just texting all my English mates about the soccer. Commiserating them of course!”

No worries, The Rugby Shorts was doing the same.

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Douglas Loss –

Kane Douglas’ departure for Ireland won’t just leave a hole in the Wallabies and Waratahs forward packs. Southern Districts will also miss the services of the Leinster-bound 25 year old.

Rebels coach Matt Barr handed Douglas the captaincy in what was possibly his last game at Sylvania last weekend and was effusive in his praise.

“He’s been amazing in my time at the club and never misses an opportunity not only to play, but to help out, whether it be Colts, First and Second grade or just his presence when he comes down to watch the boys in his weekends off,” said Barr.

“The first chance he gets he’s down at the club and he’s been a great clubman. Actually, I shouldn’t say he has been, because he still is. He’ll definitely be missed around here.”

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Bucharest Bro –

Promising West Harbour back Dylan Taikato-Simpson is another player who has joined Australia’s rugby exodus after taking up a professional contract in – of all places – Romania.

The skilful playmaker took off for Bucharest a couple of weeks ago where he hopes to be able to crack the French professional ranks.

Noroc prietenul meu. Apparently that means ‘good luck mate.’

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Headstrong –

Head-knocks, head-knocks, head-knocks.

The studies, articles, documentaries, first-hand accounts and, in the US at least, lawsuits all agree: when it comes to concussion and head-knocks, safety comes first.

The general response has been good, but The Rugby Shorts isn’t sure the memo got through to every Shute Shield club.

At the highest level of the game, the tendency is – understandably – to push through the pain, but in club footy, where players aren’t afforded the luxury of fulltime medical assistance, there’s no excuse.

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Up for it –

A few Norths players filled in for the opposition in lower grades recently, with one forward playing fullback and wing in 4s and 3s before switching jerseys, playing up front in second grade and sitting on the bench in first grade.

Fair effort, that.