If they do they might notice the odd collision featuring such as Dewsbury Moor's finest, Sam Burgess, and a certain Fui Fui Moi Moi, who is recognisable because he has the sort of hairstyle I fancied before I went out in a strong wind.

Moi Moi had blinding games in the Australian semi-final and Grand Final, he only knows one way to go and that's straight and hard. Apart from running into Sam he might also collide, among others, with Eorl Crabtree, another who has the sort of hair we all aspire to.

The point I make is that following such collisions in rugby league, players invariably get up and carry on.

They will not react like Chelsea's Didier Drogba – yes him again – and West Ham's Herita Ilunga, who twist their faces and roll around clutching something or other, seeking sympathy and they get it. I know we keep saying it, but it's getting worse.

Drogba is a big lad and was recently described on radio, during one of their droolling sessions, as 'a monster' after he had charged through to score but too many of his actions are embarrassing.

He won a penalty against Bolton and rolled around clutching a leg in agony. The bloke who brought him down was in the process of being sent off, so why the drama?

Ilunga had been pushed in the chest but incredibly went down clutching his face and even had an ice pack on it. He needn't have bothered because his assailant was also being marched.

If footballers are going to claim to be tough, with names like 'psycho', 'the beast' and 'iron man' they might learn how to take a knock. I don't know of any rugby league player with a nickname like that and believe me a few deserved them.

At the Dewsbury Ex-players' 'do' tales were told by the likes of Norman Smith and Nigel Stephenson about playing against Frank Foster, who was truly fearsome and didn't need a nickname.

Being at the table with these two and Alan and John Bates, who are now golf stars of sorts, made for a very entertaining evening. Good also to see the current Dewsbury squad at the dinner, led by Warren Jowitt, and they were given a great ovation for last year's endeavours.

The dinner missed last year but Neil Fahey revived it in style.


BACK to rugby league and England were said to have played without fear in the second half against Australia. When you're 26-0 down, there isn't much to be frightened of because it's already happened.

That St Helens lad Kyle Eastmond looks some player but Saints kept him at centre in the Grand Final against Leeds, when he is clearly a half-back. England also used him in the threequarters when too many of Danny McGuire's passes were going to ground.

So far the Kangaroo pack hasn't looked all that strong and if it is a Poms-Aussies final, our heroes can shake them.


THE Four Nations Trophy will be on view with TV man Mike Stephenson at the George Hotel, Huddersfield, from noon until 4pm on Saturday. For a small donation visitors can have their picture taken with the trophy. All donations go to the RL Benevolent Fund, which helps injured amateur and professional players.

Later on Saturday night British boxer David Haye fights Russian Nikolai Valuev, who stands 7ft 2in and weighs a mere 23 stone. If he packs up boxing he can paint ceilings or change lightbulbs for a living and won't need to buy a stepladder.