Firman was standing right next to Lance Thompson on April 13, 2003, when Nathan Brown had the brain snap that led him to slap Trent Barrett at WIN Stadium.

"It was over 10 years ago, but it's one of those things that pops up every now and then," Firman said before the much-anticipated coaching clash between Manly's Barrett and Newcastle's Brown.

"A few of my mates still bag me out a little bit about it. It's a bit of fun. It comes up every now and again through the media, then it comes to mind again.

"I think Brownie is sick of it from the way he handled his press conference. He doesn't want to talk about it any more so out of respect to those guys I don't want to say too much to be honest.

"Hopefully the teams go well on the weekend and everyone can forget about the other stuff. That's what they want to happen as well."

Brown refused to revisit the drama during the week, warning journalists at his press conference: "Any questions about it and she's all over."

However, Brown was more effusive when he spoke to us, unprompted, about the incident six years ago.

"Stating the obvious, the thing with Trent was not the highlight of my career, was it?" Brown said at the time.

"I felt really bad for Trent, more so than myself.

"I probably embarrassed Trent, more than anything. That is probably the biggest regret of my coaching career, that one."

Then he added, with a chuckle: "Those YouTube things, they don't let you off the hook now, do they?"

PRICE OF STAYING PUT

There has been plenty of speculation about just how much Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks will earn should they exercise an option in their contract to stay at Wests Tigers next year.

Some of the figures bandied about are heavily inflated. For the record - they are entitled to $550,000 each to stay put.

However, the Tigers are hoping they might be prepared to take a slight haircut in the first year, as the joint-venture outfit has little salary cap wriggle room in 2017.

The club is looking to make it up to the halves in later years as part of an extension offer, although officials want to avoid a situation where they both come off contract again at the same time.

Chronicled: Wests Tigers chairwoman Marina Go will release a book detailing her business career. Photo: Rob Homer

BOOK LAUNCH IS GO

Former NRL CEO Dave Smith will be a special guest at the launch of Wests Tigers chairwoman Marina Go's book next month.

Go is launching Break Through - 20 Success Strategies for Female Leaders at the Dymocks Sydney store on May 4. The book details Go's rise through the publishing industry and also chronicles her eventful ride as the Tigers' boss.

For the first time, she addresses the night at Campbelltown Stadium when she was criticised for tweeting about the long line of fans attempting to get into the ground after kickoff due to understaffing issues.

"The insinuation was that I found it funny that fans were having to line up, whereas the truth was that I was genuinely excited to have such a good crowd for the first home game of the season," Go wrote.

"They claimed I should have been at the gate sorting out the problems we were experiencing, although Wests Tigers then CEO Grant Mayer had been at the gate trying to sort it out for much of the first half … I was one of very few people in my circle of friends, family and colleagues who were able to laugh about (the criticism). But laugh about it I certainly did. My armour had become impervious."

SEVEN WOOS TOOVEY

Former Manly mentor Geoff Toovey is the latest league luminary sounded out about joining the Seven Network's coverage of the Rugby League World Cup. With the majority of big-name past and present players contracted to Nine and Foxtel, Seven is on the hunt for the remaining talent.

Toovey, during his coaching press conferences and stints on Fox's NRL 360, has shown he is compelling viewing.

What makes the Seven approach intriguing is the fact the network could also be in the mix for the services of the man he replaced, current Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett.

Would be fascinating if the two of them are on air at the same time.

PETITION ADDS PRESSURE

The pressure is mounting on the Parramatta board to stand down. A petition on change.org calling for directors to fall on their sword following the salary cap rorting allegations already has more than a thousand signatures.

The "Parramatta Board - Stepping Down" petition asks why the fans and the players should have to pay for the sins of administrators, believing the club will be docked more competition points if they don't fall on their swords.

With directors refusing to do so, the onus is now on the NRL as it finalises its probe.

AN EYE FOR DRAMA

Remember James Kelly Nestruck? The Canadian theatre critic who broke the story about Martin Taupau's shift from Wests Tigers to Manly?

Well, we've managed to convince Nestruck to critique the great unscripted drama that is rugby league when a Canadian team enters the Super League.

We revealed during the week that a Toronto-based side will be playing in the UK with a view to being promoted to the top competition, with matches both home and away.

Nestruck, who earned cult league status with his Taupau scoop, has promised to witness firsthand the Greatest Game of All.

"I will definitely check out a game of Toronto RLFC," Nestruck said.

"The last time I watched any rugby in person was when I was a teenager. The high school I went to in Montreal had a very good girls' rugby team that a couple of friends played on … Looked too rough for me to ever want to play - the only scrum I've ever been in has been a media scrum - but it was fun as a spectator."

RIVALRY PUT ASIDE

Two codes are coming together to mark Anzac Day in Wagga, with league's Wagga Kangaroos and the AFL's Wagga Tigers joining forces to create the "Commemorative Games".

The unique Australian event will feature two football games from rival codes being played back to back, with league legends Ben Ross and Jason King to be special guests at Robertson Oval.

The games will have particular significance for the Wagga Wagga Kangaroos, whose history dates back to the First World War where the famous Kangaroo March was staged from Wagga to Sydney recruiting volunteers.

On return from war, and in recognition of this march, some of the young men formed a rugby league club and named it the Kangaroos.

KNIGHTS HOLD TIGHT

St George Illawarra agreed to release Peter Mata'utia to Newcastle during the week, but were initially hoping for someone in return.

The Dragons were keen on a trade that could have netted them Akuila Uate, Jake Mamo or Nathan Ross, but the Knights were adamant they didn't have the depth to let any of them go.

Mata'utia's return to Newcastle raises the prospect of him emulating the Burgess clan by playing alongside his three brothers - Sione, Pat and Chanel - in first grade.

'THE BRICK' REBRANDED

Roy Slaven and HG Nelson dubbed him "The Brick With Eyes", but Glenn Lazarus' moniker has been modified following his decision to cheer for the Maroons.

Lazarus is one of the greatest Blues forwards of them all, representing the state in 19 Origins (plus three Super League state games).

Now an independent senator for Queensland, the 50-year-old is backing the bananabenders in this year's series.

The backflip prompted former NSW teammate Paul Sironen to brand him "The Prick With Eyes", much to the amusement of the 400 guests at the NSW True Blues dinner.