Whistleblowers pay a high price for honesty

Who’d want to be a Russian whistleblower?

While the world focuses on the dodgy James Bond-like practices of Russian sport, spare a thought for the scientist who spilled the beans. He’s now in hiding in the United States under an assumed identity. There were two things Wada needed to do when they came to their whistleblower: 1) extract information quickly and 2) keep him alive. It reminds me of an interview I did for the show many years ago with Joseph Pistone, AKA Donnie Brasco. He was the FBI agent who went undercover for two decades, exposing some of the biggest Mafia figures in the United States. When we filmed him in Sydney for the Hollywood movie on his life, his face had to be blacked out and he came with an armed bodyguard. Those measures made sense with a $5 million bounty still on his head. While this Russian scientist has exposed one of the greatest frauds in world sport, he will now be constantly looking over his shoulder. That’s the true cost of honesty and integrity.

How do you stop NRL players being ‘dickheads’?

Roosters coach Trent Robinson came out midweek imploring the NRL to do more to protect players from extortion. Really? How would that work? Corey Norman and his so called ‘sex tape’ would never have found its way into the hands of cash grabbers had it not been for the fact Norman decided sending the recording to team-mates was not only a good laugh but also a good idea. Has it got to the point where there’s no saving some players? As the saying goes, ‘boys will be boys’. But take the NBA and their plan to protect players from their own stupidity. When I spoke to Sean Marks a few years back after San Antonio won a title, the Kiwi said the celebration party was a phone-free zone. All devices had to be checked in at the entrance. I ’ve always believed New Zealand will reach that point, especially around a team like the All Blacks. The only solution for the NRL is to plead with Apple to produce a phone with no photo or video option. Problem solved.

How to interview sports stars who are not liked

Without doubt the best aspect of radio is the guests I get to chew the fat with. But this week came a new challenge: Ricky Stuart. He’s done it all in league — played for the Kangaroos and New South Wales, coached sides to grand final victories — but is also perceived by many as being a plonker. So I mentioned to my boss, “Ricky’s on the show this weekend – not sure how it will go, because my first question kept coming back to this: why do so many people think you’re a dick?” Welcome to the 10-second interview ended by an abrupt hang-up! I don’t typically get nervous for interviews but was for this one. I said to him beforehand that it would be about him, the person, the grumpy coach. He responds, “please, no”. As it turned out, Stuart was a joy to talk footy with. Yes, he admitted he loses the plot and the fines over the years for sulking over losses have mounted up. But as he pointed out, as a player, he wanted two things: to win and earn respect. Nothing has changed. In one 10-minute chat, Stuart reminded me perception and reality are two different things when it comes to people. This was one interview that will stick with me for a long time.

Why Cronulla should win the NRL premiership

Without wanting to offend every Warriors supporter, because they are my team, wouldn’t it be brilliant if Cronulla won the NRL this year? The Sharks have long been viewed as the battlers, but think about what they have been through in recent years: the drugs crisis, which brought the organisation to their knees and led to coach Shane Flanagan being suspended for a season, embarrassing crowds, worse financials and they couldn’t find a jersey sponsor. There was talk of moving the whole set-