Robinson is the forgotten hero of Souths' fight for survival, the knockabout who created the forerunner to the NRL's Indigenous All Stars, who took Widnes to Forster for a trial against the Wests Tigers and created the blueprint for the English rugby league's "Exiles" match.

When South Sydney supporters hailed the likes of Nick Pappas, George Piggins and his wife Noelene, Andrew Denton and an army of diehards before last year's grand final victory for keeping the club alive when they were booted out of the competition, Robinson was forgotten. However, those at Souths during the bleak days remember that Robinson worked a miracle to stage the Souths-USA match at Redfern Oval, which drew a full house and added weight to the club's legal argument that it had the following needed to be a force in the NRL.

"I thought it was important Souths proved they still had fans, and they turned out," he recalled. "Some people at Souths didn't think it could work but we got there thanks to [former Manly and Sydney Roosters captain] David O'Donnell and [Souths manager] Frank Cookson providing financial backing as a sign of their belief in me."

In 1999, Robinson and Arthur Beetson were the sole selectors for the Australian Indigenous team that played Papua New Guinea in two Tests and he was surprised the people who described the concept of an Indigenous team as a political hot potato when he sought their support are now gushing in their praise of the All Stars.

"I worked with Mal Cochrane and Daryl Wright to create an indigenous national team because of the talent in first grade. It was a battle to get it started but working with Artie Beetson is something I'vecherished."

Robinson took English team Widnes to Coffs Harbour in 2004, creating a tent city to accommodate supporters. He's worked for English clubs and is an authority on the Super League. While in England he was the driving force for the Exiles concept, a team of Aussies and Kiwis based in the Super League who played in an Origin-style match against a combined-British team.

He also organised the match between the Coogee Dolphins, who lost members in the Bali bombings, and the Glen Mills (New York) Bulls for the Remembrance Cup before the Australia-USA Test in Philadelphia in 2004. Robbo, who was the USA Tomahawks manager, said the two teams were united by the tragedy of terrorism and the game had a deeper meaning.

With Smith's administration criticised for lacking league men, Robinson, who doesn't have a university degree but did serve in the army infantry and played footy in the NSW bush, Queensland and Papua New Guinea, could be a winner.

Big Daddy Brown's the man among league fighters

Former heavyweight boxer Dean Waters has rated the NRL's boxing brigade and he refused to bag footballers for having a crack in the square ring. He even insisted some had talent. Top of his pops are former Parramatta SG Ball player 'Big Daddy' Lucas Brown, who played alongside Nathan Hindmarsh and is on the verge of a world heavyweight title shot.

1. Lucas Brown: He has 'something', the X-factor.

2. Solomon Haumono: Great power but time is running out.

3. Willis Meehan: An exciting prospect, blessed with his father Kali's genetics.

4. Anthony Mundine: Impressed with his last win and has one or two good fights in him.

5. Sonny Bill Williams: Has done well. Too good looking for boxing – stick to rugby!

6. Joey Williams: Lost 20 kilos after he left footy to make super lightweight. A goer.

7. Paul Gallen: He's heavy-handed and if he lands a clean shot it will open the door to the Twilight Zone.

8. Monty Betham: A fighter I thought had real potential, fought world-ranked Shane Cameron a few years ago and was tremendous.

9. Anthony Watts: Showed heart, wish him well.

10. Blake Ferguson: Too early to tell but good that he had a go.

Meanwhile, Gallen, who looked sharper under Daniel Geale's trainer, Graham Shaw,  said the training for the modern game equipped some footballers to box. "[Today's] players are unlike the players from 10-20 years ago when they were 'just' league players. We're seeing a lot of players who are good athletes. When you're a good athlete you can adapt ... and [the NRL's requirements of] fit, fast, strong, mobility can translate to boxing. If you compare guys who've been boxers since they were kids to myself, they'll go further. I won't be a world champion, but that won't stop me from having a go."

Eels sign young sprinter

Parramatta Eels have signed one of Australia's top runners, 16-year-old Jordan Shelley, who ran 100 metres in 10.44 seconds in December. He's part of the resurgence of the nation's sprint stocks, headed by Tasmanian Jack Hale. Hopefully the Eels will allow Shelley to pursue his track ambitions. Given the millions of taxpayer dollars ploughed into athletics it's amazing the organisation hasn't  formulated a contract system to compete with the footy codes. Two examples of the ones who got away are Penrith's Jamal Idris, who represented Australia in discus at the 2007 world youth championships, and Eels powerhouse Tepai Moeroa, a champion shot-putter.

Sutton's wise words remembered

John Sutton might have been replaced by Greg Inglis as captain of Souths but his words to teammates before grand final week will resonate for years to come, thanks to Brad Ryder, who wrote a book about the club's 2014 fairytale, The Rabbitohs' Road to 21. Ryder noted Sutton's instruction before the club's 21st premiership: "The job is not done yet; we haven't achieved anything. Make sure we're focused on everything for next week's game and no big heads. Let's make the club proud."

Hussey may not be done yet

There's some hope Michael Hussey will return to the Sydney Thunder for BBL05 despite suggestions he had retired. Sources close to him said after putting his heart and soul into the team he felt the job was far from complete. Meanwhile, former Test spin bowler Jason Krejza told Tonk TV he would like to return to the Big Bash after spending this summer building up his Elite Cricket coaching business. He took 6-61 for Mosman last week and swears at 32 he's bowling better than ever. 

Parramatta miss the boat

Glenn Duncan, the owner of Pirtek (fluid transfer solutions) in Australia and who sponsored the Parramatta Eels before the club decided a $1 million a year wasn't enough, continues to make massive inroads in business. He recently acquired 100per cent of Pirtek USA, one of the world's biggest markets. Since leaving Parramatta he has extended his sponsorship deal with the New Zealand rugby league team, donated money to hospitals, supported grassroots charities, taken out a sponsorship with the Brisbane Broncos, secured the naming rights for Parramatta Stadium and bought into Western Sydney Wanderers.

Beau Ryan a shrewd judge

If Beau Ryan has proved anything it is the opportunities players who show good judgment can enjoy after footy. When Ryan was signed to promote Brando shoes with AFL star Adam Goodes last year he revealed the values that guided him as a top-grader. "You surround yourself with good, positive people who keep you grounded ... You need to weigh up everything, whether it's going on TV nude [as Ryan did last year], and I rang my wife to see if it was the right thing to do, or going out to a restaurant. You need to weigh up everything because you not only represent yourself but, in my case, I also represent my family and Channel Nine."