I know the Origin has been run and won thanks to Mal “Queensland Coach for Life” Meninga, but I am struggling to let something go.

Commentators can make or break careers; take Phil Gould, for instance.

It is a well-known fact in the southern press that Gus and Ricky Stuart don’t get on. Maybe it is my imagination, but anything to do with Cronulla (eg Greg Bird and Paul Gallen in Origin) or when the Australian side plays, Gus always has something negative to say.

On the other hand, Mitchell Pearce, the Roosters halfback destined to be a champion, can do no wrong it seems.

For instance, last Origin when Thurston and Slater combined brilliantly for the winning try, Thurston threw Pearce the biggest dummy imaginable and he gleefully swallowed it whole.

But Gus pointed out that Pearce took the outside player only because he thought Thurston was covered by a Blues player, when in fact it was a slow forward out of position.

Beautiful work Gus, what happened to taking the player with the ball?

Sunshine Coast Eagles soar

Self-belief is a wonderful thing – take for instance the Sunshine Coast Eagles’ three wins on the trot, after not being able to win a single game beforehand.

Last week I watched their come-from-behind win, which a month ago wouldn’t have happened.

They never panicked with the clock counting down in appalling conditions.

I was glad I was there as I think I witnessed the best kick to win a local footy game I have ever seen, by Kris Boyce from the sideline. It was up there with Mick O’Connor’s goal in Origin – priceless.

‘Kiwi’ forced to take desperate measures

I reported recently that my mate Cal “Chalkey” Sipthorp is stranded in London after British authorities lost his passport, with his only way of getting out being to find a woman to marry.

He has had little success up to now and I don’t know what’s changed.

All sounds a bit desperate?

Well the plot thickened dramatically last week with the imminent arrival of his good mate Zane Holmes for the World Titles in Europe.

Cal was that desperate to get out so he could be with his mate, he did the unthinkable. He admitted he is actually a Kiwi and applied for a passport, which is due to arrive just before Zane.

Talk about desperate measures, although Chalky can now have a bit each-way in the Bledisloe Cup.

Having a ball for AFL

AFL fans, next Saturday night Maroochy-Northshore Roos have their Blue and White Ball at the Fishermans Road complex.

This is a fundraiser for the club, with tickets $60 per person or $500 for a table of 10. Ring Michael Hay on 0438 135 406 for tickets.

Carey the centre of female attention

Speaking of Roos, there was plenty of talk about town last week when former North Melbourne star Wayne Carey was out and about on the Coast.

It wasn’t that long ago a local radio station conducted a Carey poll when it was rumoured the walking, talking, drama machine was thinking of moving to the Coast.

I heard a number of negative on-air comments that day, but in contrast to that, at a local surf club there was a constant stream of attractive ladies making a fuss of the same bloke.

Catch the kick boxing

Don’t forget the night of kick boxing on July 19 at the Sunshine Coast Events Centre, with local stars Kurt Finlayson, Brodie Stadler, Heather O’Donnell and a host of other local fighters.

For tickets, call 5491 4240.