Don't you love footy at the start of the year before a ball has been kicked?

Bennett to the Dragons, Henjack care taker in 2009 and Craig Bellamy in 2010 is a popular rumour going around at the moment.

I have even heard that if the axe falls on Nathan Brown he may become Bennett’s assistant in a kind of mentoring process so that when the big guy retires Nathan gets his job back.

Speculation is a wonderful thing and the only thing I DO know is that with Bennett helping steer the Kiwi’s in this years World Cup, the stage is set for a sledge-athon between him and Ricky Stuart across the Tasman, which is a promoter’s dream.

• THE NRL Snipe is in rare form in the tipping department, horses that is, or so he tells me.

A couple off weeks ago he tipped nine winners out of twelve attempts which made his mates happy, all except one of his former Origin mates Fatty Vautin who rang up at 6pm, dirty because he had heard about the Snipes tips, but only after the races.

Incidentally Vautin has moved to the Gold Coast as his son is playing for the Titans.

• Here is a bit of property propaganda.

Heard a rumour the other day a well-known two-wheeled champion bought a knock down house on the canals of Mooloolaba for about three million.

Not only was the vendor ecstatic, I have heard that a local bookmaker who lives nearby is walking with a real spring in his step.

• Now I will be out of action for a few weeks due to a trip away, where I am hoping not to put any weight on as I am currently in training for two things - losing 20 kilos in twenty weeks as well as the ARL Masters on the Gold Coast from March 13-15.

Firstly the charity weight loss is deadly serious with 20-something blokes in heavy competition to lose 20 kilos or pay the penalty; $100 per kilo for everyone we don’t lose.

It’s that serious in fact that the other day I found out I was going to have to have my gall bladder out and the only response I got was, “Make sure they weigh the sucker after it comes out as that doesn’t count as weight loss.”

If you want to earn more about the charity and the participants or sponsor myself or one of the other porkers ring Cheryl Ryan on 0438003759.

Our penalty and your money will go to a good cause.

• Caloundra Aussie rules have a big fundraiser at their ground on Saturday, March 22 with a headline band with a great name “TUG” - which is comprised of Dave Gleeson of Screaming Jets and Rob Riley from Rose Tattoo.

They also have plenty of other action including vintage cars, freestyle motocross teams and stunt jumps. Action gets underway from 9am.

Ring the working man’s friend Rocco for info, 041107640.

• ARL Masters is a carnival that I have previously mentioned with amended rules designed to be fun, although in my case how much fun can it be either getting knocked out or something worse, actually having to run further than ten metres?

But seriously it looks like a lot of fun and the Sunshine Coast have a side that is looking for a few extra players to help the likes of Billy Moore, Dave Cordwell, Graeme Allen,…don’t see any fast guys so far, James Ward…there’s one, for twenty metres anyway, Grant Thorogood..

There’s one if he hasn’t got a modeling job.

Glen “Chalkey” Peatling has organized a light run at Tuesday, February 26 from 6pm at Maroochydore JRLFC, Wises Rd, Maroochydore. Interested potential players can check out details of the carnival and the rules on the below link or ring Chalkey 0416227566 or log onto the website for more information.

• Last week I mentioned an old stager retiring well I missed another one. Pacific Ford, who through original owner Greg Britton and the new consortium is great supporters of local sport, lost Barry Heathcote to retirement last Friday.

Barry whose main sales line was, “Tell me boooy, do you want the car or not?”

Bazza will be missed by many on the Sunshine Coast, but I am told he may still try and get a few sales away while he is stalking the lawn bowls and golf greens of the coast as he enjoys his retirement.