Latest news with #EddieMcGuire
News.com.au
a day ago
- Health
- News.com.au
AFL icon casts doubts over video amid suggestions Bulldogs players aren't happy
AFL legend James Hird and commentator Eddie McGuire have cast doubts over footage shared by Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. The Bulldogs star is still training privately away from the football club after he was granted an indefinite leave of absence to deal with personal issues. It was reported last month the former No. 1 draft pick had checked himself into a health retreat in a key step towards reviving his AFL career. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Now the 23-year-old appears to have further signalled his intent to return to top-level football after taking to social media to share videos of himself running and boxing. The clips — published on Instagram and TikTok in black and white with professional editing and soundtrack — appear to have been taken from Byron Bay where Ugle-Hagan has reportedly been spending time. The promoted footage dropped just hours before it was first reported by leading football reporter Tom Morris that Ugle-Hagan has ambitions to play for the Sydney Swans next year. 'The Western Bulldogs are weighing up what they do next with him,' Morris told Channel 9's Footy Classified. 'My understanding is Jamarra has told those close to him he would like to play for the Sydney Swans next year, in a perfect world. 'Whether that takes place, whether the Swans are keen or not, I'm not sure. The Dogs would have to trade him, because of course, he's contracted.' Essendon icon Hird and McGuire suggested on Tuesday night AFL clubs would want to see more than a glamourised fitness video from Ugle-Hagan before they would consider recruiting him. 'I'd like to see him training with his football club,' Hird said bluntly. 'And commit to a big block of training. I can't imagine any club would look at that and say that's enough for us to think he's draftable. It's the first step, but it's a long way from being anywhere near what a football team needs.' McGuire said on Nine's Footy Classified he saw nothing in the footage — that was produced by Byron Bay-based personal trainer business, Byron Boxing — that suggested Ugle-Hagan was ready to come back. 'Let's be honest. It's an edit that's been put together,' McGuire said. 'It's been chopped by somebody. Some nice tight cuts of a couple of things. I mean, I could get up and do that at the moment and look like I'm running a marathon.' Hird quipped: 'I've seen you box too. You'd be better than that'. Morris questioned if McGuire was 'suspect' on the footage. The former Collingwood president responded: 'No. You know what it is. It says I'm getting my mind right. I don't think it went over well with a few of his Western Bulldogs teammates today who are preparing for a game tomorrow. They're tight edits. There's nothing in that that says he's ready.' Ugle-Hagan, who is contracted until the end of 2026 at Whitten Oval, has not played any senior footy this year due to his personal off-field issues. He had trained sparingly with AFL — and at times VFL — teammates before his official leave of absence began in late April. The Bulldogs have told Code sports there has been no change to the conditions of Ugle-Hagan's indefinite leave. If the Bulldogs grant Ugle-Hagan permission to leave, the football club will still be in a position to negotiate a potential trade for any suitors that come calling with contract offers for Ugle-Hagan. The Bulldogs next face Hawthorn in a Thursday night blockbuster at the MCG.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Karl Stefanovic eyes off hosting game show The Floor
Karl Stefanovic, a future game show host? That's the hot mail from inside the Nine bunker where sources claim Stefanovic has let slide his ambitions to emulate his one-time role model and former Nine star Eddie McGuire and become a game show host. With his contract negotiations on the table it seems a desperate Stefanovic is looking for ways to secure the million-dollar salary bump given him by former CEO, and chum, Mike Sneesby. With his dreams of becoming a talk-show host fast turning to seed, he is said to have set his sights on the role of hosting Nine's popular new game show, The Floor. We hear Stefanovic rates himself as being better suited to the program than Doctor Doctor actor Rodger Corser, who eventually secured the gig. Stefanovic brought his best fist-bumping Larry Emdur exuberant energy to a recent promo for the show which saw him face off against his Today show co-host, Sarah Abo, in a mini duel. Corser looks nonplussed in the segment, which is, we understand, how Nine management viewed Stefanovic's expressions of interest in Corser's role. UNSETTLED NERVES Anthony De Ceglie made a lot of promises during his brief 13 months at the helm of the Seven West Media newsroom. There'd be 'no dickheads' on his watch, no game playing, more doers, less delegators, more positivity, less focus on ratings, more whiteboard slogans, and, though not a promise, far fewer seasoned reporters. But as he packs up his desk and steps aside for an older and more experienced TV successor, Ray Kuka, who starts Monday, what De Ceglie leaves in his wake at Seven is, rather than a slate of transformative achievements, a refreshed though youthful national news leadership team full of recently promoted and hired staff now reeling in shock at the speed of the heralded 'change agent's' need for personal change. Insiders at Seven say the 39-year-old is headed back to WA to tick a personal goal off his bucket list, that goal having been to become a CEO by age 40. He will be the inaugural CEO of the NRL's newest rugby league team the Perth Bears, and very much at the beck and call of titular NRL boss Peter V'landys, one imagines. Also, it's said, he has quit Seven because his wife Sarah, a lawyer, hates living in Sydney – and possibly because he's rather sensitive to this writer's well-documented criticisms. The first task for incoming news and current affairs director Kuka will be to settle his troops, including those who were promoted under De Ceglie's watch. Among them are recently appointed executive producers of Spotlight, Sunrise, The Morning Show and Weekend Sunrise, as well as key news director appointments around the nation. These notably include Spotlight executive producer (EP) Gemma Williams, who moved to the helm of the embattled current affairs flagship program last year; Sunrise EP Jake Lyle, whose program's lead (five city metro) over Today has shortened; The Morning Show's EP Chloe Flynn, Weekend Sunrise EP Holly Fallon and Sydney news director Sean Power whose 6pm news bulletin has been weakened by the decline of the 5pm game show lead-in, The Chase, as well as the loss of veteran reporters including Robert Ovadia. Power is rumoured to be headed to Melbourne so perhaps De Ceglie's departure will have less bearing on his future. Others new in their roles are national newsdesk director Hugh Whitfield, director of news operations Gemma Acton, Melbourne news director Chris Salter, Adelaide news director Mark Mooney, and Brisbane news director Erin Edwards. Acton, we hear, may soon be transitioning to a new role. Then there's the struggling digital division, which has seen massive turnover under De Ceglie and, since March, has been headed up by director of digital news Natalie Wolfe. Sydney news anchors Mark Ferguson and Angela Cox may also be wondering if further change is on the horizon with Seven chairman Kerry Stokes said to prefer a solo newsreader over a double act. BLINK AND MISS IT Anthony De Ceglie's departure from Seven has improved the stocks of the broadcaster's director of morning television Sarah Stinson. In a densely worded two-page press release issued by Seven on Thursday to belatedly confirm the departure of news boss De Ceglie and appointment of his replacement Ray Kuka – and choc-a-bloc full of glowing endorsements from CEO Jeff Howard and chairman Kerry Stokes concerning both – there appeared, in the last line, a tiny acknowledgment of Stinson. ' … In addition to Ray's appointment we have taken the opportunity to bolster our executive team to ensure we continue to deliver our strategic objectives and future ambition. To that end, we are also excited to announce that Sarah Stinson … will join the SWM executive team.' Those who remain faithful to the Seven news team's old guard and its former director Craig McPherson are of the view Stinson was hands-down the obvious pick to replace McPherson, her mentor, when he stepped down in 2024. Stinson has consistently delivered for Seven and managed to steer breakfast show Sunrise through a series of major recent upheavals including the departure of executive producer Michael Pell in 2022, popular host David Koch in 2023 and, previously, Samantha Armytage in 2021. She is also responsible for the production of around 40 hours of consistently solid television a week. Her appointment to the SWM executive is seen as belated recognition of that fact and her oversight. Meanwhile in news that is likely to irritate De Ceglie, Kuka, or so we hear, has managed to persuade Seven's senior executive he can fill the outgoing news bosses shoes while commuting to and from Perth. His wife, like De Ceglie's, is apparently no fan of Sydney. DINNER DATE Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has a soft spot for Potts Point noshery Fratelli Paradiso – 'great people, great mood, great food …' – and makes a beeline for the restaurant whenever she's in Sydney. On Wednesday the British celebrity turned heads when she and fellow woman trailblazer Celeste Barber dropped in for a meal. Funny woman Barber is newly returned from her smash comedy tour of UK, Europe and Dubai, Backup Dancer, while Lawson has ventured to Sydney for the Vivid Sydney light festival which opens next week. The previous week Lawson was spotted at a private Federal Election party hosted by Sydney husband-and-wife media power couple Lisa Wilkinson and Peter FitzSimons. History doesn't relate how and when Lawson and Barber met but close observers noted the two looked to be getting on famously on Wednesday while bonding over a shared love of beef. The acclaimed food writer, who is known for her love for sumptuous rich meals, and Barber apparently had little problem finishing off a 1kg T-bone steak, a Fratelli Paradiso signature dish, served along with an assortment of side dishes which the women, and a male friend, made short work of. Lawson is curating a series of dinners in a newly opened pedestrian tunnel in Martin Place during Vivid. ON THE MOVE A year after winning a coveted job on Nine's 60 Minutes Adam Hegarty has relocated to Melbourne from Sydney. The move has raised questions about Hegarty's future with the program, which is based in Sydney. According to network sources Hegarty recently broke up with his girlfriend. Hegarty was dating fellow Nine staffer Amber Johnston in 2024 and into the early months of 2025. Hegarty, about 38, was fast-tracked onto the 60 Minutes reporting team in January 2024 along with colleague Dimity Clancey as Nine moved to attract younger viewers to the show with younger reporters.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Eddie McGuire's ultra-rare home swap with ex-Allied Chemicals boss Ian Hicks revealed as Toorak home listed for sale
A Toorak house at the centre of an ultra-rare house swap between former Collingwood Football Club president Eddie McGuire and a wealthy businessman has been listed for sale. Records show the 4 Dunraven Ave home previously owned by the Melbourne businessman and AFL identity Mr McGuire, is now being sold by Ian Hicks — the former head of Applied Chemicals and Applied International. The ritzy address in the heart of Toorak's marketing material even reveals it comes with its own moat for a 'floating restaurant' ambience. Mr Hicks is also a long-time philanthropist, having been recognised as an Officer of the order of Australia in 2021 for his support of the National Gallery of Victoria, time spent as president of MS Australia and financial support for the Australian Ballet. But in a bizarre twist, additional documents have revealed Mr Hicks sold his former home in the suburb to Mr McGuire's wife Carla for $11.75m in 2008. A few months later, Mr Hicks wound up buying the then chief executive of Channel 9's former home for $4.05m. While such exchanges are not unheard of in the city's most illustrious postcode, industry sources have indicated that they can arise due to the difficulty many wealthy homeowners face in finding a new home to relocate to. Forbes Global Properties' Mike Gibson is handling the latest listing of 4 Dunraven Ave, which now has a $7.8m-$8.5m asking price, but would not discuss the home's ownership — past or present. However, Mr Gibson said the property designed by celebrated architect Wayne Gillespie was among a very limited selection of homes available for sale in the well-heeled neighbourhood at present — with the suburb's property market getting close to taking a winter break. The agent added that despite limited new listings expected between now and August, there were significant numbers of buyers actively looking in Toorak — and the Dunraven address could appeal to a number of them. 'Generally, the houses that people want are turn key — and in the case of Dunraven, it's lock-up-and-leave,' Mr Gibson said. The striking three-bedroom, three-bathroom house comes with an impressive indoor-outdoor entertainment space where the rear living room extends to a glass-ceiling conservatory with stacking glass doors that open out to a wrap around water feature being described as a freshwater moat. The agent said while conservatory's were uncommon in the suburb, to have one open up to the outside in such a way was exceptionally rare. Extensive marble features in the Miele kitchen, while travertine stone floors stretch from the culinary heart of the home through most of the ground floor, out to the conservatory and to a second outdoor entertainment area that features a pool and spa, flanked by a wall studded with candle alcoves. A gym and bathroom complete the ground level. The bedrooms are upstairs, including a main with its own balcony behind French doors, built-in wardrobes, a marble ensuite and black out curtains. Two more bedrooms include one with an ensuite. 'And it's in a cracking spot, close to the Toorak Village,' Mr Gibson added. Expressions of interest for 4 Dunraven Ave close at 5pm on June 3.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: How Adam Goodes feels about building bridges with the AFL 10 years after racism tsunami turned him into footy's biggest recluse
A decade after Adam Goodes performed his iconic Indigenous war dance, it's been revealed how the Sydney Swans champion feels about reconnecting with the game that made him famous. The code's most decorated Indigenous player has distanced himself from the game since 2015, following the prolonged booing saga that lasted three seasons. The two-time Brownlow Medallist has also knocked back offers to be inducted into the NSW Australian Football Hall of Fame and AFL Hall of Fame. With Sir Doug Nicholls round approaching, the AFL has made efforts to get Goodes back in the game - but without much luck. 'No, he is not interested right now,' Swans board member Michael O'Loughlin revealed to News Corp. 'He's fine. He's living his best life. We miss him, we love him and hopefully at some point we will get to see him again. 'He loved the game and the game let him down and it has let a lot of people down. 'He should have walked out a hero and that he didn't is a real indictment on us.' Goodes became a symbol for Indigenous rights after standing up to relentless crowd abuse in 2013. He had been standing near the sidelines during the last two minutes of the match between Sydney and Collingwood when he heard someone in the crowd yell over the fence: 'Goodes, you're an ape.' The culprit was a 13-year-old girl. She was escorted from the ground by security guards after the Swans star pointed her out. Days later, then-Magpies boss Eddie McGuire suggested promoters of a King Kong musical in Melbourne ask the footy star to promote the show. In 2015, he celebrated a goal against Carlton with an Indigenous-themed war cry that saw spectators target him heavily. That year he refused to participate in a grand final motorcade for retired players, and has declined most invitations to AFL events ever since - even declining an invitation to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2021. AFL chairman Richard Goyder acknowledged that the AFL should have done better by Goodes after he rejected the 2021 invitation. 'The treatment of Adam in his final years at AFL level drove him from football,' Goyder said at the time. 'The AFL and our game did not do enough to stand with him at the time, and call it out. 'The unreserved apology that the game provided him in 2019 was too late, but, on behalf of our commission and the AFL, I apologise unreservedly again for our failures during this period. 'Failure to call out racism and not standing up for Adam let down all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, past and present. 'We hope that there will be a time in the future when Adam will want to be connected to the game again.' Goodes returned to the SCG in May 2022 for the Swans' 10-year premiership reunion, doing a lap of the ground at halftime in the Swans' clash with the Gold Coast.
ABC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
SA government accused of giving 'free lunch' to high-flyers at LIV Golf tournament
Media moguls, bank bosses and sporting stars were among those invited by the South Australian government to attend a corporate hospitality suite during this year's LIV Golf tournament, Freedom of Information (FOI) documents reveal. The suite — dubbed the "Cellar Door" — is described on LIV Golf's website as an "elite hospitality" experience, featuring a "multi-course menu" and an "all-inclusive bar". A state government spokesperson told ABC News the government was given an allocation of tickets to the Cellar Door as part of a contract to stage the LIV Golf tournament in Adelaide. The government has refused to reveal how much taxpayer money it spent to bring the event to SA, with Premier Peter Malinauskas previously telling reporters that publicising the details could prompt other states to offer more money to lure the tournament away. FOI documents released to the state's opposition show the government invited a range of business leaders, media personalities and sporting stars to attend the Cellar Door across the three-day golfing event in February. It claims the documents show the government gave a "free lunch" to some of Australia's "wealthiest people" during a cost-of-living crisis. Invitees included Seven West Media chair Kerry Stokes, television presenter Eddie McGuire, the executive chair and executive editor of NewsCorp, the chief executives of the major banks, the CEOs of Qantas and Virgin Australia, and top representatives from mining and energy companies BHP and Santos. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas's brother Robert Malinauskas, who is the general manager of policy, public affairs and industry relations at retail and hospitality company Endeavour Group, was also invited, as was comedian and television presenter Tommy Little. Other invitees included the chair and CEO of the Sydney Swans, top AFL executives, cricketers Travis Head and Alex Carey, and commentator and former tennis player Lleyton Hewitt. A spokesperson for the state government said the guest list targeted the CEOs of top 100 ASX companies, as well as other people who conduct business in SA, or who could be attracted to invest in the state. They said the government received advice from agencies including "Invest in SA" when determining who would be invited. "LIV Golf provides the state an opportunity to showcase South Australia to business leaders around the country," the spokesperson said. "Invitations were also provided to members of local golf clubs, media, community groups and others." The spokesperson said the government did not pay for interstate guest's travel and accommodation, and not all invitees attended the event. A 2024 LIV Golf document published online states one-day ticket prices for the Cellar Door started at $1,188. The opposition's spokesperson for government accountability, Ben Hood, said the guest list comprised "some of the wealthiest people in Australia". He said during a cost-of-living crisis, the government should have invited a broader cross-section of the community. "What type of return on investment are South Australians getting for this free lunch and a bit of a boys club?" Of the 102 guests who were invited, 12 were women. The state government spokesperson said the guest list included "high profile women in leadership roles", including Vanessa Hudson and Shemara Wikramanayake. Centre for Public Integrity director Geoffrey Watson SC said it was not uncommon for governments across Australia to host influential business leaders at major sporting events. He said governments should more proactively disclose how much money they spend on corporate suites, who they invite, and what the return on investment is for the taxpayer. "Governments attracting rich and powerful people and mixing with them – it may be good for the state, but I wonder why," he said. "It seems to me that if you're a rich and powerful businessperson, you don't do business because somebody gave you a good seat at a golf tournament, you do it because of the economic questions and the policy questions." Asked what return on investment the LIV Golf corporate hospitality suite provided to taxpayers, the state government spokesperson said: "LIV Golf generated $71.1 million in economic benefit in 2024, and we expect that figure to grow again in 2025". "Beyond that direct benefit, the event provided an opportunity to showcase and promote the state, and to discuss investment opportunities with domestic and international businesses." Other FOI documents released to the opposition show who the government invited to attend its "South Australia Suite" at the Adelaide 500 motorsport carnival in November. Invitees included small business owners, government department and union bosses, politicians, Country Fire Service volunteers and community group representatives. Members of the media also accepted invitations, including some ABC staff. Mr Hood said the Adelaide 500 invite list "rewarded" what he described as "hard-working South Australians". "You compare that with the LIV Golf list [where] we are seeing some of the wealthiest people getting a free lunch," he said. The government spokesperson said the Liberals were "enthusiastic recipients" of the Adelaide 500 corporate hospitality. "[Opposition Leader] Vincent Tarzia was so concerned about the cost of the Adelaide 500 hospitality to taxpayers, that instead of declining his four-day ticket, he provided it to his political staffer Firas Shahin," they said. "The Shadow Treasurer Sam Telfer decided to bring along Liberal Party Treasurer Sam Duluk. "One Liberal requested six additional tickets to Sunday race day." In 2023, the state government faced criticism after it spent an undisclosed sum to lure singer Sam Smith to perform at an exclusive gig at McLaren Vale, attended by competition winners and media personalities.
