Latest news with #PeterVlandys
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Troubled footy player set to be handed career lifeline after domestic violence charges against him were withdrawn
Taylan May is reportedly on the cusp of being offered a deal to join up with a new NRL club and could return to play over the next month. The 23-year-old former Penrith Panthers player is, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, could resurrect his NRL career with the Wests Tigers. The move would see him join up with his older brother Terrell May. May was indefinitely stood down by Penrith under the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy in May of last year, with the club later announcing that he'd be leaving the side by mutual agreement. His exit came after he had faced serious accusations relating to an incident in April 2024 at a home in Werrington, with May being charged with domestic violence offences. He later pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of stalking or intimidation intending to cause fear of harm and two counts of contravening an AVO. The charges were later withdrawn. Peter V'landys later confirmed that May could return to play following the dismissal of the charges but the former Penrith player, who made his debut in 2021, delayed any such comeback. The winger had checked into a mental health clinic earlier this year to focus on his well-being. In May, he broke his silence on admitting himself to the facility to Channel 9, stating that he felt like he was 'a whole different person now.' He also added that he could play as early as 'next week', dismissing claims that he would not be a risk to other clubs in the NRL. Now, The Sydney Morning Herald writes that the winger 'underwent a medical exam' at the Tigers on monday. The rugby league player is also understood to have snubbed a train-and-trial offer from the Rabbitohs having visited the club two weeks ago. However, the outlet adds that sources close to the deal say the footy player was drawn to the prospect of playing alongside his older brother Terrell at the Tigers. It comes as Sam Burgess had also reportedly attempted to coax May to join Super League club Warrington. But the former Penrith player has made it clear that he is set on staying in Australia so that he can play alongside his brother. 'I'll just put it out there, I honestly wanna play with my brother,' he recently told Channel 9. 'He has spoken about that in the media and it will be a dream come true, not just for us but for my family. Playing with him would light a bigger fire inside me.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Media bigwigs 'get into stunning fight with the NRL' over one question about drugs in the game
The once-close relationship between News Corp and the NRL has been fractured with top execs from the media company boycotting the governing body's offer of prime State of Origin tickets in a stoush over drugs in the game, it has been reported. The drama is the result of Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys lashing out at some of the company's publications over a question about drugs that was included in a recent story based on a survey of player agents. NRL stars' representatives were asked, 'Is drug use a problem with players?' with 31 of the 50 respondents answering yes. The story, titled 'The Deal Makers', was published by the Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, and Code Sports website. V'landys and other members of the NRL's top brass reacted by making angry phone calls to News Corp execs including Telegraph editor Ben English, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The ARLC boss believed the question gave the false impression that the league has a problem with illicit substances, according to the publication. Broncos star Ezra Mam was also caught with the drug in his system when he seriously injured a young girl in a car accident 'There's no doubt they [the NRL] weren't happy with it, but we 100 per cent stand by it,' English said of the story, adding that the company and the governing body's relationship 'remains strong'. NRL stars have been caught using drugs in a series of high-profile scandals recently. Most notoriously, Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam was found to have cocaine in his system when he crashed his car into an Uber carrying a mother and her young daughter on October 18 last year. The woman's daughter suffered a broken hip in the incident, which saw Mam fined $850 and disqualified from driving for at least six months. Parramatta Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr was sacked by the Bulldogs on October 31 last year after he tested positive to cocaine during a roadside stop by police in Homebush, western Sydney. He was also given a four-match suspension by the NRL over the scandal, which erupted the week before the Dogs were due to play in the finals series. Addo-Carr denied knowingly taking cocaine. Cronulla Sharks star Braydon Trindall failed a roadside test for drugs and alcohol while driving to training in April last year. The 25-year-old recorded a mid-range alcohol reading of 0/125 during his roadside drug test which also returned a positive reading for recreational drugs.
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Roz Kelly quits two months after losing plum role to Danika Mason
Nine's weekend sports presenter Roz Kelly has resigned from the network. Kelly's resignation comes two months after she was overlooked for the role as sports presenter on the Today show. That job, which became vacant after Nine sacked Alex Cullen in January for accepting $50,000 from Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli, went instead to Nine rugby league sideline reporter Danika Mason. Kelly, this column hears, is without a job to go to. Mason is understood to have won the job after receiving a glowing endorsement from Mr Rugby League, Peter V'landys, who played host to a large media contingent in Las Vegas in February/March. Mason, who is in a relationship with ex -Bulldogs player Liam Knight, worked on NRL broadcast partner Nine's coverage out of Vegas presenting the reporter with an opportunity to network with NRL and media bigwigs abroad. It's not the first time the versatile Kelly, who also hosted Sports Sunday on the Nine, has reported on two Olympic Games and presented Wide World of Sports, has been overlooked by Nine management for a more prominent role. She and ex Nine presenters Erin Molan were once considered rivals for a plum sportscasting gig and panel spot on The NRL Footy Show. Molan would be handed the role in 2012 and Kelly would jump ship to Ten two years later. She returned to Nine in 2021, the year Molan left following the cancellation of The NRL Footy and a much publicised and long-running feud with the broadcaster's rugby league analyst Andrew Johns. Sources close to Kelly say she is considering relocating to South Africa with husband Morne Morkel, a cricket player from that country, and their two children. Plug pulled at seven Departed Seven news boss Anthony De Ceglie was barely out the door of the media company's Eveleigh newsroom when the decision was made to pull a national news branding campaign that had been his brainchild during his brief tenure at Seven. When the campaign launched in August, Seven pronounced that the 'Unstoppable' campaign would underscore the network's dedication to keeping pace with the relentless news cycle. A 90-second Seven promo touted 'The news cycle never stops and nor do our hardworking newsrooms.' The problem for Seven execs and audiences alike though was that the 'Unstoppable' tagline rarely made sense when overlayed on vision about random daily news events. If the Seven news promo depicted firefighters battling a fire-front, did the 'unstoppable' tagline suggest the fire was unstoppable? Similarly if a news promo showcased the decades long search for missing British citizen Madeleine McCann – did the promo convey the view that the search was 'unstoppable'? Sources have told this column De Ceglie's successor Ray Kuka couldn't get the campaign, deemed 'tone-deaf' and 'too generic' within Seven, off air fast enough after touching down in Sydney to settle the troops this week. Also relegated to a storage facility has been De Ceglie's infamous whiteboard on which he scribbled motivational phrases and instructions for his staff such as 'don't sit still' and 'risk is for the taking'. Sharpshooting is informed De Ceglie's whiteboard also doubled as a privacy screen during his tenure to shield the outgoing news boss from prying eyes while he was ensconced in his glass-walled office. This meant that while the former newspaper editor was dreaming up news segments, he could at least be partially concealed by his cherished whiteboard, the flip side of which, viewed from outside his office, invoked his staff to 'turn it up to 1000'. For all his urgent talk of innovation and transformation during his year running Seven's TV division, by early this week De Ceglie's office had been stripped of all evidence the new Perth Bears' CEO had ever been there at all. Power play Newly appointed Seven news chief Ray Kuka will have a battle on his hands to persuade producer Sean Power to stay on in the role in Sydney. The former executive producer of Sunrise,  who was promoted to his current role as Seven's Sydney news director on De Ceglie's watch, wants to return to Melbourne, his hometown. The return is for personal reasons this column hears. Kuka will want to keep the talented Power so must find him a commensurate position in Seven's Victorian newsroom while not falling foul of Seven's accountants. Ex foreign correspondent Hugh Whitfeld, who was appointed national newsdesk director last year, is favoured to replace Power. ABC producers jumps ship ABC-Sydney mornings' presenter Hamish Macdonald has lost his senior producer with Alice Workman pulling the plug to join News Corp. Workman is a former senior producer of the ABC's Q&A who, at one time, worked as a political reporter and columnist for The Australian as well as, in a former life, having a run-in with former federal Labor MP Emma Husar while working at BuzzFeed resulting in an aborted defamation case and out-of-court settlement to Husar. Since February 2024 Workman has held the position of executive producer of morning radio at ABC-Sydney (formerly 702) overseeing Craig Reucassel's breakfast show and Sarah Macdonald's morning program. While our sources tell us Workman has quit the national broadcaster after becoming disillusioned by the ABC's axing of Sarah Macdonald last year, on paper Workman and Macdonald's replacement, Hamish Macdonald, look a good professional partnership. They both evidently have a passion for politics. So much so, in fact, that the community radio station has been sounding increasingly like the station's more serious counterpart, Radio National, for the past month. Of course it has been a historic and riveting few weeks in national politics and radio commentators can be forgiven for wanting to dedicate hours and hours to the subject, but it has only served to emphasise the loss of the warm, engaging and personable female voice of Sarah Macdonald, who was more focused on more local community news and issues and brought a welcome lighter touch to morning radio. Hamish Macdonald's ratings slipped in the latest radio ratings, which might explain why rumours raised their head this week that he could be looking to reduce his four-day radio commitment to three days, something he has denied.
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Inverell previews: Trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith is glad to be racing after a catastrophic week of rain fall
FIVE-TIME Group 1 winning trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith has welcomed Racing NSW's $650,000 Emergency Support Package to aid flood-hit communities in the State's north announced this week. Mayfield-Smith, who is stationed at Coffs Harbour, will be at Inverell to participate in a ten-race card featuring close to 150 horses, each of them with their own trainers and owners eager to finally get down to business. The meeting was supposed to be a home meeting for Mayfield-Smith but with Coffs Harbour waterlogged, the Inverell Turf Club, was last week announced as the host venue. 'We had to get a meeting, we've just been starved of race meetings and being able to earn your percentage in prizemoney. It is a big difference between racing and not racing,' Mayfield-Smith said. Agirlsbestfriend FLEW home from the back of the field for an impressive win! 🚀 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 29, 2022 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! And then on Thursday, Mayfield-Smith learned of the package of support emanating from Racing's chief body and CEO Peter V'landys in response to the severe flooding that has devastated the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions. 'It's a damn good thing for racing that they have done this because at least the people affected see that the people in charge are supportive and do care for the fact that they haven't been able to put meetings on,' Mayfield-Smith said. This will be just the second time Mayfield-Smith's has ventured to Inverell which he makes with stablemates Ausbred Yahoo and Cardsharp in tow. Helmet mare Ausbred Yahoo has only managed to win once in her 24 starts but has racked up seven minors. The most recent of those was a fast finishing third at Casino on May 3 in a 1400m affair. Her mission this week is the Stewarts Grain Trading Class 1 & Maiden Plate over 1600m. 'She's been a bit difficult to train in that she is not a big horse and she goes a bit strong but she has always shown a lot of ability and she's got a really solid turn of foot,' Mayfield-Smith said. Cardsharp storms home to win Race 5 at Grafton! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 21, 2024 Whereas Ausbred Yahoo will jump from barrier 1, her stablemate, and blue blood, Cardsharp has been dealt 15 in the Campbell's Fuel Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1400m. The son of Caravaggio has seemingly been underwhelming since his last win at Coffs Harbour in late 2024, but with excuses according to the man who sees him every day. 'He goes good but he's just had no luck,' Mayfield-Smith said. 'He's been tardy out of the gates throughout his career and probably three of his runs this time, there's been excuses for him so it has just been an average campaign but the horse is going well.' Mayfield-Smith revealed some sad news with his beloved galloper Famous Seamus passing away last month after a misstep while frolicking in retirement. He was aged 16. Better news in relation to his former companion, In Top Swing, who Mayfield-Smith reports is thriving ahead of turning 25 on August 1. â– â– â– â– â– Local boy Todd Payne was happy to sponsor the first race at Inverell but will be a lot happier to win the last with track specialist Takemine. Payne will be on course for the 11am start the marathon 10-race card to present a sash and a handshake to whoever wins the Payne Racing Lisztomania Benchmark 66 Handicap (1800m). Fast forward to 4.25pm and Payne will saddle-up blue blood mare Takemine in the Shane Edmonds Finishing Card Benchmark 58 Handicap (1050m). While the daughter of Group 3 MVRC Tesio Stakes and Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes winner Lubiton has only converted two of her ten placings into wins, she has a particular affinity with the Inverell circuit. 'She loves being at home. Two goes for two wins here,' Payne said. 'She did everything right the other day at Tamworth, she just found a bit of bad luck up the running. Takemine takes out the second from Inverell and gives trainer Todd Payne back-to-back wins! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 29, 2024 'If she got the runs at the right times, she probably puts them away, but that's just her. She is a get back horse and she'll be finding the line late. 'The Inverell track suits her, every horse gets their opportunity here.' It is only fitting that Payne sends Kalahari Heart around on the same card that recognises her more famous sibling, Lisztomania. A daughter of the four-time Group 1 winner Show A Heart, Kalahari Heart ticks over to start 40 in search of win number seven and a third at Inverell should it happen. 'She's getting on a bit now, she's a seven-year-old mare but her work at home has been great,' Payne said. 'She's just got to take it the races now. 'She's just raced a bit flat at the last couple but we backed off her work and she's jumping out of her skin.' Payne, meanwhile, will have more than passing interest in the fate of Lot 58 at the upcoming Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast. The Tamac Stud Farm (Walcha) born and raised North Pacific colt is the seventh foal of broodmare gem Kalahari Princess. Payne has a perfect record with the mare's three offspring he has trained, namely the Country Championships Final runner-up Lisztomania, Kalahari and Desert Cougar who shed his maiden status at Tamworth on Tuesday.
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Tom Moxon takes over as Racing NSW chief steward after serving 20-year ‘apprenticeship'
Tom Moxon has learned from three of the best and is now ready for one of the toughest jobs in the sport – Racing NSW's chairman of stewards. Moxon will take on his new role on June 1 after a 20-year 'apprenticeship' on the stewards panel including serving as deputy chairman to Steve Railton since November, 2022. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The respected Railton won't be lost to racing as he will continue at Racing NSW in a mentoring role. 'Tom is a highly respected figure within the industry and has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout his tenure with Racing NSW,' Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said. 'His appointment ensures continuity and strong oversight in maintaining the high level of integrity that Racing NSW prides itself on, being the benchmark in world racing.' Moxon is eminently qualified for the top job after serving under outstanding chief stewards Ray Murrihy, Marc Van Gestel and Railton. 'I'm immensely honoured to be appointed as chairman of stewards and look forward to continuing Racing NSW's commitment to integrity, safety, welfare and the protection of all racing participants,'' Moxon said. Railton will remain in the employ of Racing NSW in a senior capacity which will include remotely officiating race meetings via the new Stewards Control Room at Royal Randwick, and also providing mentorship and support to stewards. 'Steve Railton is a Group 1 human being and has provided diligent and conscientious service to the racing industry throughout his distinguished career,' V'landys said. 'Steve has made a significant contribution to Racing NSW during his tenure as Chairman of Stewards, and we are delighted that he will remain involved in a key mentorship role to continue to provide his experience to the broader integrity team.'
