October 11, 2022: Gallery from Wigan launch
I owe the Warriors a debt of gratitude for their amazing hospitality last week.
AN humungous thanks to the Warriors for hosting my Wigan launch last week at the Loch Lomond Legends night with Tommy Leuluai and Michael Maguire.
Not only did they let me sell copies of the book on their premises but I was invited on stage to talk about 1997 (and also Touchstones) with CEO Kris Radlinski.
I won’t horrify you with every single picture they took of me but here’s a few.
PARRA IN TOP FLIGHT CLEAN-OUT
Sydney Morning Herald, Friday, October 10 1997
By STEVE MASCORD
PARRAMATTA has conducted one of the most extensive purges in the club's history, throwing a large group of first-graders onto the open market.
And in other developments last night, the majority of "refugees" from the Perth Reds are to be offered to new Super League franchise Melbourne.
Following Tuesday's decision to release World Cup hooker Aaron Raper, the Eels last night said more players had been given permission to negotiate with other clubs.
The ARL's salary cap and player quota systems were blamed for the clean-out.
Sources close to the club said the list included forward Troy Campbell, winger Ian Herron, five-eighths David Woods and Denis Moran, prop Peter Johnston, fullback David Riolo and winger Steve Collins.
Meanwhile, Super League club chief executives yesterday gave Melbourne the first four draft picks of Reds players.
North Queensland and Adelaide get the next two, then Melbourne have unlimited choices before other clubs can negotiate.
From players left out of other clubs' top squads, Melbourne gets first choice, with other clubs getting access in reverse order to where they finished on the 1997 table.
The Melbourne Storm also has first option on Perth's junior representative players.
However, if there is one competition, any attempt by Super League to distribute players exclusively among its own franchises is expected to face stern opposition by ARL clubs and player managers.
Elsewhere, some Auckland players are thought to have backed themselves to win the World Club Challenge at odds of up to 200-1 at the beginning of the series.
The Warriors meet Brisbane at ANZ Stadium in a semi-final tonight for a berth in next Friday's final at Ericsson Stadium.
Brisbane fullback Darren Lockyer (cork) was yesterday cleared, while Darren Smith replaces centre Anthony Mundine.
Former Kiwi Test lock Taw-era Nikau has been unable to force his way back into the Cronulla squad for tomorrow nights WCC semi against Hunter after missing the quarter-final against London for personal reasons.
GAMES
World Club Challenge semi-final:
