LOGIE winner Rachel Friend has emerged as the surprise person working behind the scenes to help Eels cult hero Semi Radradra adjust to life in front of the camera.
Radradra broke Parramatta’s try-scoring record last year, and his blazing start to this season has ensured he’s been in hot demand with all media outlets.
He did three separate interviews with Channel 9 alone after he terrorised the Bulldogs last Friday night.
While no rival player can spook Radradra, anyone holding a camera or microphone clearly can.
He isn’t alone. And that’s how Friend and her PR company, Mediafriendly, were first introduced to Radradra.
Friend, who took out the Most Popular Actress gong at the 1990 Logies, and also worked as a journalist, said Radradra had improved from the time she first met him a couple of years ago.
They worked together a few times over the summer.
“He was very shy and unsure of himself, and English wasn’t his first language, so he was a bit self conscious,’’ Friend told Sports Confidential.
“My role was to give him encouragement and a sense of what to expect when he speaks to journalists. Despite the language barrier, he’s always had some amazing stories to tell. Last year he did an interview with the Sunday Footy Show and Yvonne Sampson - I cried. It was very moving.’’
Logie winner Rachel Friend. 
Semi Radradra’s star is on the rise.Friend has worked with other NRL clubs in the past, including South Sydney, but stopped short of saying Radradra had converted her to cheer for the Eels.
Radradra still has plenty of work to do. He has made an effort to elaborate on his answers during a couple of recent print interviews. He’s more than happy to keep putting in the hard yards, especially given the outside interest won’t die down any time soon.
PARRA KICK OFF OLD BOYS CLUB
IT’S not all doom and gloom at Parramatta. We’ve been told about the Blue And Gold Alliance, a recently-formed social group which is open to former Eels player across all grades, officials and staff, with the first get-together pencilled in for April 9 at the leagues club.
The club has a rich and proud history, with organisers hopeful to build the numbers gradually each year.
AGENT EYES INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
WHICH high-flying player agent is about to branch out into football and expand his client base? The Mr 6.5 per cent was even recently wined and dined by an English Premier League powerhouse.
CEDARS COULD BE TEAM TO BEAT
THE Lebanese World Cup side will turn some heads after we were told about some of the players eligible.
Robbie Farah, Tim Mannah, Josh Mansour, Michael Lichaa, and Mitchell Moses. Yes, Mitchell Moses, whose uncle is Balmain great Benny Elias.
The World Cup at the end of next year could feature all these guns, assuming they miss out on Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos side.
The international eligibility rules allow for the players to switch their allegiance in a World Cup year, without costing them the chance to play Origin or having a red-hot crack at the Australian side.
Farah told us he and Hazem El Masri decided a few years ago to fly out to help Lebanon, or The Cedars, in a Cup qualifier against Samoa, only to be told by then NSWRL CEO Geoff Carr they would have to give up their Origin dreams if the followed through with it.
Lebanon is already qualified for the Cup. Farah said it would promote the international game if NRL players could go back to their country of heritage and play in a World Cup.
“Obviously you want to play for Australia, but to play for your country of heritage in a World Cup would be a great occasion, and something a few of us have already spoken about,’’ Farah said.
TURF GETS TICK
DESPITE plenty of players slipping over on a boggy SCG last Sunday during the St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney clash, the AFL assured us they had already given the surface the tick of approval ahead of Saturday’s AFL Sydney-Collingwood blockbuster.
ALL IS NOT WELL AT NRL HQ
One of Australia’s largest employment survey agencies did a comprehensive survey of NRL employees late last year.
While we can’t name them here, we can tell you the results.
The dissatisfaction among the hundred or so employees at NRL headquarters was the highest ever recorded in Australian corporate history.
On every count — workplace satisfaction, communication between staff and bosses, treatment of employees, the workplace environment — the NRL came in with a score of zero or one out of 10.
The only department to pass was the football operations division run by Todd Greenberg.
The target of most of the employees’ disgruntlement was senior executive Suzanne Young, who did not get a pass from a single direct report or any other employee.
Dave Smith had already left the building but some of his conduct raised eyebrows. Employees record seeing Smith throwing his phone up against a wall after a temper tantrum.
Greenberg, the new chief executive, confirmed the survey was a diabolical result for the NRL in general and for Young who departed early this year.
“I’m proud to say the footy department did okay but the rest was very bad,” he said. “Scores were through the floor for everything. I have a lot of work to do to restore staff well being and confidence.”
INTEGRITY UNIT KEEPING AN EYE ON PENRITH
The NRL Integrity Unit is watching with interest a serious investigation underway at Penrith into the sudden departure of club supremo Warren Wilson and two of his employees.
The Office of Liquor and Gaming has launched an investigation into Penrith’s finances after Wilson suddenly resigned last month.
A day later, two of his most senior employees also departed the office. One was the chief financial officer and had performed the same role for Wilson at the TAB.
The silence surrounding Wilson’s exit has been mystifying but is explained by the depth of the investigation and concern from within the Panthers about how far reaching it will be.
The Penrith Panthers CEO was credited with turning Penrith’s finances around but Sport Confidential understands that the Panthers’ ambitious new expansion venture is the focal point of the OLGA inquiry and that all current senior Panthers employees are also under the microscope.
When Wilson suddenly departed Penrith, he cited personal reasons for his departure. Speculation mounted that he had secured the NRL’s chief executive role, but he is currently unemployed and looking for work.
SMITH SPOTTED AT RAH RAH
Speaking of Smith, he was spotted at Easts rugby ground in Woollahra on the weekend sporting a long, surfie haircut. He was there for the match against the Green Rats. Interesting he has not attended a single league game since he left the building.
CLARKE ROLLS DEEP
Michael Clarke keeps telling us he wants to maintain a low profile and just enjoy playing cricket for Wests but we couldn’t help but notice Clarke was accompanied by an entourage of no fewer than six while he was talking about back pain this week.
After appearing on Sunrise, Clarke and the entire six squeezed themselves into Sky News’ minuscule city studio (which comfortably fits one person) for a cross to the Sky studio in North Ryde.
One of the entourage was Clarke’s own personal make up artist and public relations assistant. Can someone tell us if Steve Waugh, Tubby Taylor or Ricky Ponting travels with their own make up person?
GRAHAM’S TOUCHING GESTURE
BULLDOGS skipper James Graham earned plenty of admirers by turning up at Cronulla training last week to give a passionate speech about former Bulldogs teammate Michael Ennis, who was about to play his 250th game. It was a nice touch.
OTHER CLUBS CAN’T BELIEVE PARRA
ONE NRL club couldn’t believe the big bucks Parramatta directors were allegedly being paid. Directors at the rival club have been rejecting the small $5000 on offer for board members to ensure the club remains financially sound.
CANBERRA ORIGINAL READY TO GO AGAIN
HE is an original still playing. Frank Roddy, Canberra centre in the club’s first-ever season way back in 1982, is ready to play-on again this season - aged 60.
Roddy, who partnered Peter McGrath in Canberra’s first game against Souths 34 years ago, is poised to have a few games this season with Tumut Bulls third grade rugby union side. Age doesn’t weary this Raiders cult figure.
“I have a few other things to do but I could play one more year,” Roddy said. “You never say never, I could have one or two games this season. I have been to training.”
Roddy played 21 first games for Canberra in 1982 and 1983. He played in Canberra’s first-ever competition win, a 12-11 victory over Newtown at Seiffert Oval in round eight of the 1982 season.
SPOTTED
Jarryd Hayne enjoying farewell drinks at Coogee Pavilion with friends. Hayne returned to San Francisco yesterday to start pre-season training with the 49ers under new head coach Chip Kelly. He will be back in Australia for another short holiday in June.
Replies
no one can help you with your problems, no matter what training or experiences they have
:)
Believe me with the problem I have she could well and truly help ;)
Lebanon are specials.....
Hmmmmm Penrith huh???
ONE NRL club couldn’t believe the big bucks Parramatta directors were allegedly being paid. Directors at the rival club have been rejecting the small $5000 on offer for board members to ensure the club remains financially sound.
Well our club is going gang busters so horses for courses I guess.