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DW: Were you concerned the charge would stick?
TU: Not at all, mate. [Lawyers] Bryan Wrench and Chris Murphy made me feel comfortable. They were very confident [and] so I was always confident.
Paul Kent and Tamer Uzun during their Rozelle street brawl.
DW: On the night, it was said that you were calling him things, saying things to him. Did you?
TU: Well, that’s what he said. That’s his side of events, but if you watch the camera footage – and I’m happy to give anyone the camera footage – I think you can see that there was no words being said. It was very strange. Maybe 21 beers impacts your judgment and hearing. How is that for a thought and a life lesson?
DW: So how many beers or drinks did you have that night?
TU: I’m not a drinker, mate. I got a blood test the next day to prove that I had no drinks at all.
DW: Did you have a reason to provoke Paul Kent?
TU: Absolutely not.
DW: Did you know him?
TU: I knew of him, but that’s just from the show that he was on [NRL360].
DW: Something other than 21 beers must have triggered him. He’s not going to act like that for no reason.
Tamer Uzun (centre) has had a charge of affray dismissed.Credit: Nikki Short
TU: Well, it seems like they’ve heard someone say something. There was a group of young lads on the corner of the street carrying on like gooses as well, and he’s definitely heard something. He doesn’t know what he’s heard, and he’s come back and accused us, which I say is completely wrong.
DW: So then, one thing led to another? Have you ever had something like that happen before?
TU: Never.
DW: And why did he call you “dog head”?
TU: Yeah, he called us many names, dog head, you weak dogs … Half his words that he was saying we couldn’t understand, he was that drunk. It was scary how drunk and out of control he was.
DW: How did you feel when the fight was on?
TU: Intimidated. I was more in shock that he actually accused us of saying something when we didn’t, and we’re just laughing about it like it was a joke, and then it got worse and worse. He ended up in the tree because he was so out of control and so angry.
DW: Do people still call you dog head?
TU: Here and there, so it’s stuck. But that’s fine.
Paul Kent leaves court in July last year after he was involved in a drunken brawl in Rozelle.Credit: Kate Geraghty
DW: So what’s your message now to Paul Kent?
TU: Don’t try to use mental health as any sort of an excuse for your actions; man up and own your actions like I did.
DW: Did he try to use mental health is an excuse?
TU: It came up in the court case. He says he acted on the advice of his lawyer. Sometimes you need to own your stupid and dangerous behaviour. I think he is everything he criticises others for. He wants to be known as a tough guy. His behaviour through all of this has exposed him for who he is. He has branded people who have mental health as weak or snowflakes. He told them they are snowflakes. He’s kicked people whilst they are down. I’ve had lots of people reach out to me, including NRL players. I’m grateful for their support.
Paul Kent is flung into a tree.Credit: X
DW: He paid a significant price; he lost his job.
TU: It’s all on him. What should be made known to him now is you can’t [behave like he did], getting drunk and expect to keep your job, especially being a public figure. He’s taunted people over the same thing, and now he’s copped it. I’ve got no sympathy for the bloke.
DW: How would you feel if you saw him in the street today?
TU: I’ll just walk past him like he’s nothing. As much as he thinks he is a big man around town, I think he’s a nothing. He’s the bloke who tackled a tree. That’s his legacy.
DW: So have you been back to the tree since then?
TU: I was banned from Rozelle while the case was on.
DW: In what way?
TU: They put me on a 10pm curfew, and I had to report to Mascot police every Monday and every Friday. Also, financially, of course I had to pay for the lawyers and stuff like that, and I’ve lost a lot of time – I’ve lost almost eight months of my life. A lot of people notice who I am now because of all my Google [references]. It’s been a really unfortunate time for me. I’m glad my time is done under the microscope, and I’m glad justice was done.
Fox Sports’ former chief league reporter James Hooper.Credit: Fox Sports
James Hooper’s demise not long after the dismissal of Paul Kent is a horrible reflection of the culture at Fox Sports. If questions are not being asked of the bosses at the company then the problem is bigger than I thought.
Fox sacked Hooper, 47, on Friday after he allegedly recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.253, more than five times the legal limit, after the vehicle he was driving crashed into three parked cars in Leichhardt on Thursday night. He was charged with high-range drink-driving offences and three counts of damaging property.
Fox Sports’ loudest voices were obviously struggling behind the scenes and people in the business would have known it. Hooper had a clear issue with alcohol. He was found naked jumping on a car bonnet in 2018 but survived to continue his career. On one trip to Las Vegas he allegedly missed at least one media commitment because of his drinking, and missed a flight because of his partying.
On a second trip to Las Vegas he allegedly wrote himself off on an NRL charter flight and missed every commitment he had for Fox, then attempted to do a radio shift drunk.
It’s all very sad – until he allegedly jumped behind the wheel of a car allegedly five times over the legal alcohol limit and smashed into three other cars.
He was allowed to get away with every misdemeanour by his employer, until now. Hooper has clearly got an alcohol issue and only those close to him will know if he has taken it seriously.
The NRL is distancing itself from the decision to allow Mike Tindall – the face and brains behind the proposed Rugby360 breakaway competition – into the inner sanctum of the Queensland State of Origin team. We wrote recently that it appeared to be a significant oversight to allow Tindall access to Queensland players when there are fears R360 could target some of the NRL’s best.
Zara and Mike Tindall take in the action at Accor Stadium.
There is some head-scratching going on in club land as to how the NRL allowed this to happen.
Tindall had an access-all-areas pass during Origin, and was on the field following the Sydney decider, and even in the winning dressing room.
The NRL instead says it was Tindall’s relationship with Queensland coach Billy Slater that resulted in him being part of the Maroons set-up on the night. Slater and his wife, Nicole, are friendly with the Tindalls through horse racing and polo connections. That resulted in Mike and Zara Tindall sitting with Nicole Slater during the Origin decider in Sydney.
It might be OK in the NRL’s mind to dismiss it as Slater’s doing, but he does not issue top-level passes to whoever he wants. Generally, there is an accreditation process, especially to be allowed onto the field and into the dressing room – access the Tindalls had.
Whoever allowed Tindall to mix so freely with the best of the best in the NRL needs to own it and accept it was the wrong thing to do.
The Cameron Munster to the Perth Bears narrative has a predictive text feel to it. It’s one of those stories that are floated, perhaps deliberately, then the more people discuss it, the more of a genuine possibility it seems to become.
There is one flaw: Melbourne have no intention of allowing Munster to make an early exit from his Storm contract, which runs until the end of 2027, to join Perth. But they know the wheels have been set in motion, and all they can do is go along for the ride.
Is Storm star Cameron Munster off to Perth? Not according to Melbourne.Credit: NRL Photos
Whispers about Munster becoming Perth’s marquee man started about two months ago. The only problem is that no one has really bothered to get the Storm’s opinion.
“We have no plans to let Cameron Munster leave our club or, more specifically, leave early, as is being said,” Storm chairman Matt Tripp said.
He has been amused by reports that Munster has permission to negotiate only with a Perth franchise and will be allowed to walk out the door.
“I want to see Cameron finish his career in a Storm jumper,” Tripp said. “And I don’t think Cameron wants to go anywhere. At no point has he said he would like to leave the club and go and play for Perth.
“I’ve taken great personal interest in Cameron’s career, but more than that, in his growth as a person. Beyond being the footballer that we know he is, he’s also become a leader, and off the field he’s transformed into becoming a great man and a great husband and a great father.
“He’s the sort of bloke we want to see remain at our club and there is no intention or desire to play for another team.”
The Storm have been in touch with Munster’s management group via email to clarify some of the media reports. Some of those pushing for Munster to go to Perth are journalists who work directly with Munster’s manager, Braith Anasta, at Fox Sports. It’s smart to get his price talked up, and that is what is going on at the moment.
Anasta has done nothing to shut down the narrative and, in fact, promoted the thought of Perth being an attractive option two months ago on Triple M radio. It’s all fair play and a good talking point, but the Storm know where the push is coming from and how it is being driven.
It’s a big week coming up for Dragons enforcer Jack de Belin and his friend Callan Sinclair. De Belin will be at a Wollongong court on Tuesday to witness the outcome of the perjury case against former detective senior constable Shawn Adams, who played a significant part in the sexual assault case against de Belin and Sinclair, and is alleged to have lied under oath.
Jack de Belin will be a very interested observer in court on Tuesday.Credit: Getty Images
In 2021, de Belin and Sinclair were found not guilty of one of six charges related to the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Wollongong. The remaining charges were then dropped after juries in two separate trials were unable to reach a verdict.
It was a case that changed the lives of both young men. The families of de Belin and Sinclair are also expected to attend Tuesday’s court proceedings.
After the charges were dropped, the focus turned to the way the case was handled by Adams, who will find out his fate this week.
On the field, it has been an emotional time for de Belin as he comes to terms with being unwanted by the Dragons, where he hoped he would finish his career.
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The Cure The Future Foundation hosted a powerful luncheon at Doltone House on Thursday and drew prominent figures from the rugby league world, including foundation board member Ben Ikin, Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould and Perth Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie. One of the most moving moments of the day came from Diane Langmack, general manager of stakeholder engagement at the Bulldogs, who shared her powerful story of surviving cancer three times. A testament to the hope that medical research can provide.
I received an email during the week from a gentleman called Damien. It should be no surprise, but it is worth acknowledging the brothers Trbojevic.
“I just wanted to call out the fantastic community work that the Trbojevic brothers do,” Damien wrote. “All three brothers spent some time on Tuesday visiting Mona Vale Public School, where they did their schooling, and spent time hanging with the kids. My son, who attends Mona Vale school, has autism and absolutely loved it. Jake in particular was awesome with him. The boys were awesome engaging with the kids, and this created a memory that my son will never forget. These boys are the epitome of what good people look like. I feel this sort of community engagement needs to be called out and celebrated.”
It’s great to hear these kinds of stories.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
DW: Were you concerned the charge would stick?
TU: Not at all, mate. [Lawyers] Bryan Wrench and Chris Murphy made me feel comfortable. They were very confident [and] so I was always confident.
Paul Kent and Tamer Uzun during their Rozelle street brawl.
DW: On the night, it was said that you were calling him things, saying things to him. Did you?
TU: Well, that’s what he said. That’s his side of events, but if you watch the camera footage – and I’m happy to give anyone the camera footage – I think you can see that there was no words being said. It was very strange. Maybe 21 beers impacts your judgment and hearing. How is that for a thought and a life lesson?
DW: So how many beers or drinks did you have that night?
TU: I’m not a drinker, mate. I got a blood test the next day to prove that I had no drinks at all.
DW: Did you have a reason to provoke Paul Kent?
TU: Absolutely not.
DW: Did you know him?
TU: I knew of him, but that’s just from the show that he was on [NRL360].
DW: Something other than 21 beers must have triggered him. He’s not going to act like that for no reason.
Tamer Uzun (centre) has had a charge of affray dismissed.Credit: Nikki Short
TU: Well, it seems like they’ve heard someone say something. There was a group of young lads on the corner of the street carrying on like gooses as well, and he’s definitely heard something. He doesn’t know what he’s heard, and he’s come back and accused us, which I say is completely wrong.
DW: So then, one thing led to another? Have you ever had something like that happen before?
TU: Never.
DW: And why did he call you “dog head”?
TU: Yeah, he called us many names, dog head, you weak dogs … Half his words that he was saying we couldn’t understand, he was that drunk. It was scary how drunk and out of control he was.
DW: How did you feel when the fight was on?
TU: Intimidated. I was more in shock that he actually accused us of saying something when we didn’t, and we’re just laughing about it like it was a joke, and then it got worse and worse. He ended up in the tree because he was so out of control and so angry.
DW: Do people still call you dog head?
TU: Here and there, so it’s stuck. But that’s fine.
Paul Kent leaves court in July last year after he was involved in a drunken brawl in Rozelle.Credit: Kate Geraghty
DW: So what’s your message now to Paul Kent?
TU: Don’t try to use mental health as any sort of an excuse for your actions; man up and own your actions like I did.
DW: Did he try to use mental health is an excuse?
TU: It came up in the court case. He says he acted on the advice of his lawyer. Sometimes you need to own your stupid and dangerous behaviour. I think he is everything he criticises others for. He wants to be known as a tough guy. His behaviour through all of this has exposed him for who he is. He has branded people who have mental health as weak or snowflakes. He told them they are snowflakes. He’s kicked people whilst they are down. I’ve had lots of people reach out to me, including NRL players. I’m grateful for their support.
Paul Kent is flung into a tree.Credit: X
DW: He paid a significant price; he lost his job.
TU: It’s all on him. What should be made known to him now is you can’t [behave like he did], getting drunk and expect to keep your job, especially being a public figure. He’s taunted people over the same thing, and now he’s copped it. I’ve got no sympathy for the bloke.
DW: How would you feel if you saw him in the street today?
TU: I’ll just walk past him like he’s nothing. As much as he thinks he is a big man around town, I think he’s a nothing. He’s the bloke who tackled a tree. That’s his legacy.
DW: So have you been back to the tree since then?
TU: I was banned from Rozelle while the case was on.
DW: In what way?
TU: They put me on a 10pm curfew, and I had to report to Mascot police every Monday and every Friday. Also, financially, of course I had to pay for the lawyers and stuff like that, and I’ve lost a lot of time – I’ve lost almost eight months of my life. A lot of people notice who I am now because of all my Google [references]. It’s been a really unfortunate time for me. I’m glad my time is done under the microscope, and I’m glad justice was done.
Fox Sports’ former chief league reporter James Hooper.Credit: Fox Sports
James Hooper’s demise not long after the dismissal of Paul Kent is a horrible reflection of the culture at Fox Sports. If questions are not being asked of the bosses at the company then the problem is bigger than I thought.
Fox sacked Hooper, 47, on Friday after he allegedly recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.253, more than five times the legal limit, after the vehicle he was driving crashed into three parked cars in Leichhardt on Thursday night. He was charged with high-range drink-driving offences and three counts of damaging property.
Fox Sports’ loudest voices were obviously struggling behind the scenes and people in the business would have known it. Hooper had a clear issue with alcohol. He was found naked jumping on a car bonnet in 2018 but survived to continue his career. On one trip to Las Vegas he allegedly missed at least one media commitment because of his drinking, and missed a flight because of his partying.
On a second trip to Las Vegas he allegedly wrote himself off on an NRL charter flight and missed every commitment he had for Fox, then attempted to do a radio shift drunk.
It’s all very sad – until he allegedly jumped behind the wheel of a car allegedly five times over the legal alcohol limit and smashed into three other cars.
He was allowed to get away with every misdemeanour by his employer, until now. Hooper has clearly got an alcohol issue and only those close to him will know if he has taken it seriously.
The NRL is distancing itself from the decision to allow Mike Tindall – the face and brains behind the proposed Rugby360 breakaway competition – into the inner sanctum of the Queensland State of Origin team. We wrote recently that it appeared to be a significant oversight to allow Tindall access to Queensland players when there are fears R360 could target some of the NRL’s best.
Zara and Mike Tindall take in the action at Accor Stadium.
There is some head-scratching going on in club land as to how the NRL allowed this to happen.
Tindall had an access-all-areas pass during Origin, and was on the field following the Sydney decider, and even in the winning dressing room.
The NRL instead says it was Tindall’s relationship with Queensland coach Billy Slater that resulted in him being part of the Maroons set-up on the night. Slater and his wife, Nicole, are friendly with the Tindalls through horse racing and polo connections. That resulted in Mike and Zara Tindall sitting with Nicole Slater during the Origin decider in Sydney.
It might be OK in the NRL’s mind to dismiss it as Slater’s doing, but he does not issue top-level passes to whoever he wants. Generally, there is an accreditation process, especially to be allowed onto the field and into the dressing room – access the Tindalls had.
Whoever allowed Tindall to mix so freely with the best of the best in the NRL needs to own it and accept it was the wrong thing to do.
The Cameron Munster to the Perth Bears narrative has a predictive text feel to it. It’s one of those stories that are floated, perhaps deliberately, then the more people discuss it, the more of a genuine possibility it seems to become.
There is one flaw: Melbourne have no intention of allowing Munster to make an early exit from his Storm contract, which runs until the end of 2027, to join Perth. But they know the wheels have been set in motion, and all they can do is go along for the ride.
Is Storm star Cameron Munster off to Perth? Not according to Melbourne.Credit: NRL Photos
Whispers about Munster becoming Perth’s marquee man started about two months ago. The only problem is that no one has really bothered to get the Storm’s opinion.
“We have no plans to let Cameron Munster leave our club or, more specifically, leave early, as is being said,” Storm chairman Matt Tripp said.
He has been amused by reports that Munster has permission to negotiate only with a Perth franchise and will be allowed to walk out the door.
“I want to see Cameron finish his career in a Storm jumper,” Tripp said. “And I don’t think Cameron wants to go anywhere. At no point has he said he would like to leave the club and go and play for Perth.
“I’ve taken great personal interest in Cameron’s career, but more than that, in his growth as a person. Beyond being the footballer that we know he is, he’s also become a leader, and off the field he’s transformed into becoming a great man and a great husband and a great father.
“He’s the sort of bloke we want to see remain at our club and there is no intention or desire to play for another team.”
The Storm have been in touch with Munster’s management group via email to clarify some of the media reports. Some of those pushing for Munster to go to Perth are journalists who work directly with Munster’s manager, Braith Anasta, at Fox Sports. It’s smart to get his price talked up, and that is what is going on at the moment.
Anasta has done nothing to shut down the narrative and, in fact, promoted the thought of Perth being an attractive option two months ago on Triple M radio. It’s all fair play and a good talking point, but the Storm know where the push is coming from and how it is being driven.
It’s a big week coming up for Dragons enforcer Jack de Belin and his friend Callan Sinclair. De Belin will be at a Wollongong court on Tuesday to witness the outcome of the perjury case against former detective senior constable Shawn Adams, who played a significant part in the sexual assault case against de Belin and Sinclair, and is alleged to have lied under oath.
Jack de Belin will be a very interested observer in court on Tuesday.Credit: Getty Images
In 2021, de Belin and Sinclair were found not guilty of one of six charges related to the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Wollongong. The remaining charges were then dropped after juries in two separate trials were unable to reach a verdict.
It was a case that changed the lives of both young men. The families of de Belin and Sinclair are also expected to attend Tuesday’s court proceedings.
After the charges were dropped, the focus turned to the way the case was handled by Adams, who will find out his fate this week.
On the field, it has been an emotional time for de Belin as he comes to terms with being unwanted by the Dragons, where he hoped he would finish his career.
Loading
The Cure The Future Foundation hosted a powerful luncheon at Doltone House on Thursday and drew prominent figures from the rugby league world, including foundation board member Ben Ikin, Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould and Perth Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie. One of the most moving moments of the day came from Diane Langmack, general manager of stakeholder engagement at the Bulldogs, who shared her powerful story of surviving cancer three times. A testament to the hope that medical research can provide.
I received an email during the week from a gentleman called Damien. It should be no surprise, but it is worth acknowledging the brothers Trbojevic.
“I just wanted to call out the fantastic community work that the Trbojevic brothers do,” Damien wrote. “All three brothers spent some time on Tuesday visiting Mona Vale Public School, where they did their schooling, and spent time hanging with the kids. My son, who attends Mona Vale school, has autism and absolutely loved it. Jake in particular was awesome with him. The boys were awesome engaging with the kids, and this created a memory that my son will never forget. These boys are the epitome of what good people look like. I feel this sort of community engagement needs to be called out and celebrated.”
It’s great to hear these kinds of stories.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
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