FOX Sports has made an audacious bid to snatch Andrew Johns from Channel Nine with a view of making him and brother Matt the new face of the network's rugby league coverage. Now, fans, does that sound like Fox Sports is about to turn its back on the NRL to you?

We've been told a "huge offer" has been tabled for Johns. Should he sign with Fox Sports, he will form a formidable combination with Matt, whose panel shows throughout the week are as entertaining as most matches.

Bagging sports commentators and sideline eyes is a national pastime in this country, and Johns has attracted his fair slice of critics since a neck injury forced him into premature retirement and into full-time calling.

But his commentary has improved infinitely in recent years. When Joey is providing "master-classes" into what's happening on the field, the viewer always learns something new from the game's greatest halfback.

Away from the play, he's a strong voice on all issues. Just ask Trent Hodkinson.

He'd also be hilarious sitting on a couch with Matt, Gorden Tallis, Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh. Footy is supposed to be fun. These blokes remind us of that fact.

So if Fox Sports secure Johns, it will be a significant coup.

The approach could not have come at a more interesting time after Nine boss David Gyngell completely stunned Fox Sports and owner News Corp with a $925 million deal to broadcast footy from 2018.

News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch has given strong indications he'll walk away from the NRL, but let's hope that is all just bluff and bluster, as many predict.

Say what you will about the media empire's nefarious grip on the game for two decades, but Fox Sports' coverage has become polished and professional, although some commentators are painful to listen to.

If Nine was to counter-attack, they could do worse than snap up Braith Anasta, who has been a revelation for Fox Sports this season.

Murdoch is Smith's Everest

The juiciest rumour of the week concerns NRL boss Dave Smith, and just how much longer he will be in the game.

We've been told Smith wants to dust off the rest of the broadcast deal as soon as possible, claiming a big, fat commission before leaving the job and fulfilling a life-long ambition to climb Mount Everest.

Before that can possibly happen, though, he will have to ascend the mountain of Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp is expected to hold out until the 11th hour – the end of 2017 – before allowing a deal to be struck between Fox Sports and the NRL.

Some have argued the ARL Commission should make a play for former AFL supremo Andrew Demetriou. That suggestion amused those who know he is close with Smith. They talk regularly, in an informal capacity.

Farah feeling the Blues

One of the first people to speak to Robbie Farah after he was told he was being pushed out of the Wests Tigers was NSW coach Laurie Daley.

There are no guarantees in footy, let alone State of Origin, but the Wests Tigers captain now knows a sky blue No.9 jumper will be there for him next season, even if he was running around in reserve grade - form permitting, of course.

We doubt it will get to that, but these are dark days nonetheless for the joint venture.

Remember when Wayne Pearce did a final lap of honour of Leichhardt Oval after playing his final match, tears welling in his eyes and every single person in rugby league, maybe even the world?

Doesn't end like that anymore. Just ask Farah, who coach Jason Taylor says can leave the club or play reggies.

Like everything in rugby league, there are eight different versions of who is to blame here. Let's try to navigate through the choppy, piranha-infested waters.

First, talk of Farah being squeezed out has been around for months, so suggestions the captain has been ambushed are dubious.

Then again, we're told Tigers management assured Farah's manager, Sam Ayoub, that the club would show the skipper some respect.

But wait, there's more.

The Tigers are telling anyone who will listen that the coach just wants Farah gone, no matter how much of the $950,000 per season the Tigers must pay for him to play against them next year.

So it's not about the salary cap, then. It's about personality.

Taylor has every right to mould the team as he wants. Farah can be a prickly pear. Just ask Tim Sheens and Mick Potter.

But there's more than one way to skin a cat.

A tomahawk isn't necessarily one of them, particularly when the matter involves a club legend and you've a fan base already seething that its side is about to clinch the wooden spoon.

Roosters rumours

Jarryd Hayne's cracking performance for San Francisco 49ers against Dallas helped calm the rumours that he'd be wearing the Roosters fullback jumper next season.

Two days earlier, however, conspiracy theorists would've drooled over the sight of his two younger brothers, Jonah and Julius, in the Roosters dressing-room after the courageous win against the Broncos at Allianz Stadium.

Standing alongside father Manoa Thompson, the boys were wearing Roosters jumpers, but sporting 49ers hats.

Vale two of our greats

Australian sport lost two true gentlemen this week.

Arthur Morris passed away at the age of 93 on Saturday, just days after the unveiling of gates named in his honour at the SCG.

As a young cadet reporter in the Hunter Valley in the mid-90s, your humble correspondent was fortunate enough to interview Morris, who lived in Cessnock.

Speaking to someone who had played alongside Bradman – who was at the other end when Sir Donald was dismissed, no less – was nerve-racking and an honour for a young, green reporter.

Then he provided this remark when asked about one-day cricket and if he wished he'd been able to play it: "One-day cricket is like all-bran. It's good for the system but produces a lot of shit."

On Monday night, former Sydney Morning Herald chief league writer Alan Clarkson passed away at the age of 85.

This Facebook post from colleague Steve Mascord sums up the sentiment: "Clarko was a massive help to me growing up - and his 1988 briefcase with a computer in it was the most amazing thing I had seen in my life! Those of us lucky enough to write league for Fairfax are walking in big footsteps."

Hear, hear.

Join the jersey boys (and girls)

They should allow sports fans to wear their favourite sporting jersey to work everyday.

Alas, we cannot, but on September 4 you can to raise awareness for The Organ and Tissue Authority and the Donate Life network by pulling on your colours.

Jersey Day has been inspired by the story of Nathan Gremmo, who was tragically lost in an accident in May. Nathan's family chose to give the gift of life to others to honour the legacy of his generous personality.

Next Friday, schools and workplaces across Australia are being asked to allow students and employees to wear their favourite sporting jersey.

Please visit www.jerseyday.com.au for more information.

Q and A

We speak to the Wallabies superstar Matt Giteau before they head abroad, the World Cup firmly on their horizon.

I note with interest you've been engaging with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on social media. I didn't know you were such good mates.

Yeah, well, he's been pestering me for a while on social media so I thought I would give him a little of attention.

Are you serious?

No. Are you kidding? He's obviously a big deal. Drew Mitchell and I were watching Ballers on television last night, so I tweeted The Rock to see if I would get some love off him. And then I got some back. Good to see he's still buzzing from the tweet I gave him.

So Drew is your roomie?

Always Drew since we've come back. And also in Toulon. We've ironed out a few things. He does like to whinge, so the biggest thing for me is to not react. That's his character. He makes the teas at night, I set the alarm. We've got little rules that we stick by and that works for us.

Old married couple?

We are, actually. When we are in France my wife cooks for both of us. She says she has two husbands.

There are images on your Instagram account of you and Drew as Ascot this year, holding wads of cash. Legit?

No, it wasn't a gee-up. We won on four of the six races. It's just one of those days when we couldn't really lose, in the Royal Enclosure.

Surreal seeing you back in the Wallabies jumper, and in a World Cup squad. How is it for you?

Exactly the same. Four years ago, I moved to France knowing I would never play for Australia again. The fact I've been given a second chance, you really cherish it. I took it for granted the first time. This time around, I'm cherishing it.

Most importantly, what are you drinking these days: rose or VB?

If my old man is shouting, VB. If it's my choice, I'll have the rose.

The week

THE QUOTE

"I don't see Usain Bolt saving anybody from house fires." – Disgraced sprinter Justin Gatlin before the semi-finals of the men's 100m at the world champs in Beijing. Then Bolt beat him by a hundredth of a second in the final, restoring a tiny piece of credibility for athletics.

THUMBS UP

Polish hammer thrower Pawel Fajdek produced two throws over 80m, claiming the world title, and then drunk heavily into the early hours of Sunday morning before paying for a taxi back to his hotel with the gold medal he'd just won. A true pro.

THUMBS DOWN

Nothing like the fickle mistress of injury to trash the hopes and dreams of footy fans, young and old. Roosters stars Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Mitchell Pearce went down in one match, Cowboys James Tamou and Michael Morgan the next.

It's a big weekend for … the Twitterverse, which could possibly detonate if Jarryd Hayne so much as looks like securing his place in the San Francisco 49ers 53-man squad with a strong display against the Broncos - Denver, not Brisbane - on Sunday morning.

It's an even bigger weekend for … Nick Kyrgios, who is walking a fine line between bad boy and a month on the sidelines as he enters the US Open with a suspended fine and ban hanging over his head. John McEnroe reckons he's out of line. 'Nuff said.