# Daley turns heat back on Fox Sports panellists who questioned his appointment **By:** Danny Weidler **Published:** 2026-07-11T19:00:00Z **Source:** [The Sydney Morning Herald](https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/daley-turns-heat-back-on-fox-sports-panellists-who-questioned-his-appointment-20260710-p60eeb.html) --- Laurie Daley has turned the heat back on Fox Sports and their hiring policy after they lampooned his appointment as Blues coach and attacked Nathan Cleary ’s right to be a long-term player for NSW. Through their magazine show NRL 360, Fox have targeted Cleary at times and attacked Daley regularly. The line that drove Daley over the edge was the one that said he only got the job because of his friendship with NSW Rugby League chief executive David Trodden. Laurie Daley gives Nathan Cleary one last hug before parting company at Sydney airport.Steven Siewert After the Blues’ disappointing Origin II loss, NRL 360 host Braith Anasta said: “Eight years out of the game, a lot changes … it’s a totally different sport almost. He comes in to Dave Trodden and he’s won one from five series. He hasn’t coached for eight years and puts the application in and Trodden says, ‘You’re the coach’. I know it’s a bit harsh, but can you explain that for me?” Anasta then asked the panel: “Dave Trodden and Loz are very good mates. Do you think if they are not mates, does Loz get the job? Is that a fair question or not?” That was seen by the entire NSWRL as insulting to the man who, on Wednesday night, oversaw one of the most unlikely series wins since Paul Vautin inspired his team of Maroons “Nevilles” to victory in 1995. On Origin eve, NRL 360 panellist Paul Crawley questioned Cleary’s position in the Blues team, saying that if the Panthers champion could not lead NSW to victory then he should make way for Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa next year. Future Blue? Isaiya Katoa at NSW training with Nathan Cleary last year.NRL Images “He’s had enough time now,” Crawley said. “He was brought through as a 20-year-old … the Blues put faith in him … they have given him ample time to get it right. Nathan has proven himself to be an absolute champion at club level, but hasn’t done it at Origin level.” Daley took a stand on Wednesday night after Cleary scored two tries in a stirring 30-12 victory and was named man of the match, and series. “I was the best person for the job,” said a defiant Daley. “To say I got it any other way … through a friendship with Dave Trodden, is an insult to Dave, an insult to the state and an insult to the job. I have a relationship with him, for sure. But we don’t socialise... we are not at dinner at each other’s homes. I’ve never been to his house. Laurie Daley celebrates the series victory.NRL Photos “I mean, if you go down that path with me and Nathan, we could look more deeply at who the bosses are and who gets a job there and how they got that job.” Daley didn’t name names when I spoke to him. “I don’t know why those people do that. For anyone to suggest that’s why I got the job or to attack Nathan … well, we can look at all positions including those in the media,” he said. “That really disappoints me. It impacts people around me... that’s what I don’t like.” Daley was also left scratching his head over the attacks on Cleary. Nathan Cleary after claiming the Wally Lewis Medal, awarded to player of the series.Getty “It really pisses me off,” he said. “Even before his game in game three he was on the road to being one of the greatest in history, and it’s not even a conversation we should be having. Again, the attacks on him are just nasty and done for clicks. I don’t know why anyone doubted him.” Tigers sounds out PVL over Manase Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has approached Peter V’landys to test the NRL’s temperature on a return to football for Manase Fainu when he is released from jail. With the Tigers moving on from Jarome Luai, there are plans to use his money to help shore up the retention of Latu and Samuela Fainu and potentially bring their brother Manase to the club. Manase Fainu in action for the Manly Sea Eagles in 2019.Jason McCawley Fainu is eligible for parole in October after being jailed for the stabbing of a Mormon youth leader at a church dance in Sydney’s south-west in 2019. The former Manly hooker has been incarcerated since December 2022 and has not played in the NRL since he made a semi-final appearance for the Sea Eagles in 2019. He is already out of jail on weekends and will be released on October 30. The Tigers’ backflip on Luai has been rapid and hard to comprehend. Just 10 weeks ago, they insisted Luai agree to take up his option for 2027 in return for waiving the 10-day cooling-off period to allow his PNG Chiefs deal to go through. The change of heart suggests his departure at the end of this season isn’t just about the salary cap. They will be paying a significant slab of cash – $500,000 of his $1.2million salary – for him to play elsewhere next year. It’s a move that shows the power base at the club is no longer with Luai, despite him still being completely committed to the team. It’s a big call and one that could impact team morale. Arrow off to the Big Apple Jai Arrow ’s big birthday celebration will continue after today – he’s off to the soccer World Cup final in New York on July 20. The South Sydney and Queensland star was forced to retire after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in May. “Essentially, I don’t have time on my side,” Arrow said. “So for me it’s about creating those memories and enjoying my life for as long as I can, and I’m doing that. “Thanks to McDonald’s, I’m actually heading to the World Cup Final next Saturday-Sunday with [daughter] Ayla, [wife] Berina and my mum. It’s been overwhelming, the amount of support, and I truly am enjoying life.” Jai Arrow with new bride Berina after their wedding last week.Madison Rose Photography / Instagram Ballin on board as Broncos back Madge The Broncos have appointed Matt Ballin to be their defence coach on the same day captain Adam Reynolds and chief executive Dave Donaghy launched a passionate defence of their premiership-winning coach, Michael Maguire. Ballin has taken over from Ben Te’o, who walked out on the team in the pre-season, as the club deals with never-ending whispers that Maguire will be sacked in the next few months. The Broncos have lost eight in a row and are set to miss the finals after winning the premiership last season. Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has leapt to the defence of his coach, Michael Maguire.NRL Imagery The innuendo follows Maguire everywhere, which is bizarre when you consider he won a title less than a year ago. “The noise around Madge has been ridiculous,” Reynolds said. “The bloke took us to a premiership in his first year at the club. I’m not even sure how people get stuck in to him while keeping a straight face. “As for our recent performances, I’ll say this: The fight is there, and it will continue to be there. We’re all enjoying the environment at the club and coming to training each day. It’s up to the playing squad to deliver.” Donaghy recruited Maguire and is sticking solid. “Because we believed he was the right person to build and lead a football program that can enjoy sustained success, and we still believe that today,” he said. Michael Maguire and Reece Walsh celebrate the 2025 premiership.Getty Images “It’s easy to forget that less than 12 months ago he became the first Broncos coach in 19 years to win a premiership … 19 years. When Madge arrived, I said this was a three-year journey, and we’re only 18 months into it. “Winning a premiership in year one probably accelerated expectations, but it hasn’t changed our plan and Madge is a big part of that. He’s built successful teams almost everywhere he’s been but more importantly he’s brought professionalism and high-performance standards that you stand no chance without. “The season so far hasn’t gone the way any of us wanted, but the season isn’t done. We’ve had a tough run with injuries, but on the other hand that’s created opportunities for some of our younger players to gain experience and we believe that will hold us in good stead.” Blues’ fighting spirit A brutal combat training session at Unite MMA gym in South Tweed Heads helped the Blues find their steel ahead of Origin III. With their physicality being questioned and Queensland dominating the ruck, the Blues knew they needed to improve that area of their game. “We wanted to hit the ground running in camp three so we identified areas we wanted to emphasise and we knew the physicality of that session would set the tone,” said Blues defensive coach Brett White, whose son, Colt, trains in various disciplines at the gym. Blues pair Mitch Barnett and Reece Robson do some wrestling training ahead of Origin III. “It definitely helped give us the edge and the players bought in and knew what we were about.” The whole mindset in the camp was the fact that no one gave the Blues any chance to beat Queensland. The fighting spirit was cemented in that session. The gym is owned by Brad James and his wife Tess and the session was run by Blues assistants, White and Boyd Cordner. “It was a very intense contact and wrestle session, and when I watched the Origin decider a week later, I honestly felt like a lot of what they worked on showed up in the game,” James said. “It’s not about turning footballers into jiu-jitsu athletes. It’s about body position, controlling contact, winning the wrestle, getting back to your feet and making tackles more efficiently. Those little details can make a real difference over 80 minutes. “ The Penrith boys, along with former Panther Stephen Crichton, looked really comfortable during the session. You could tell they’d spent time grappling before. “Nathan Cleary’s hip awareness and top control really stood out to me, and the way he got back to his elbows and knees was really natural. The whole squad adapted really quickly. They’re elite athletes, and they all brought a great attitude. “After the game I sent Brett a message saying, ‘Mate, everything you and Boyd worked on at UNITE definitely showed up on Wednesday night. The ruck control, defence from marker … the boys executed it all’.” Board games not for Gal Expect Paul Gallen to get more heavily involved in the nuts and bolts of football now that he has quit the Sharks board. Gallen found out board life wasn’t for him. Rugby pair’s Blues connection There were some interesting figures at the Blues’ hotel in Brisbane. On game day, Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss came in to have a coffee with Laurie Daley and wish him well. The pair are firm mates. Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss (left) with NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley in Brisbane. The night before the game, rugby-bound NSW winger Mark Nawaqanitawase caught up with Tom Staniforth – the Australian who played for France last night against the Wallabies in Brisbane. The pair are former NSW Waratahs teammates. NSW winger Mark Nawaqanitawase caught up with former Waratah and French forward Tom Staniforth in Brisbane. News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.