"I'm learning the business from the bottom up," he said.

He's doing it because he sees a future in the business. And he will need a strong income stream to maintain the lifestyle he enjoys with his wife and children. Truth be known, he needs to be busy – he's been bored.

But here's the problem: Parramatta have stopped paying Watmough, despite their obligations under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. He checked his bank account last month and there was nothing from the Eels. Zip.

It turns out the club has decided not to pay him because of a dispute about whether he is entitled to another big sum of money for season 2018. The Eels are taking the line that Watmough didn't have a contract for 2018, but he says he has an option in his favour. It's a tricky negotiation.

But you need to question their decision to stop paying a bloke money he is perfectly entitled to. There is no dispute about his 2017 contract. And you will remember that when Parramatta needed to get under the cap earlier this year, it was Watmough who was retired by the club to let the team play for points.

They are playing hardball with a man they signed to turn around the culture of the club, and it will be interesting to see how the Eels players react when they learn  how the club is treating a bloke they admired and respected. It's not Watmough's fault the club gave him a deal that seemed too good to be true. You can't then not pay him because they were poorly run at the time the contract was agreed. But Watmough is now the one  suffering.

The Eels had a lengthy meeting with Watmough's agent early this week, but not much was resolved. The decision to stop paying him was made by Max Donnelly, the club's administrator. It will be interesting to see how new CEO Bernie Gurr deals with the mess. 

Farewell to a true Icon

There are so many good things about  this job. One of the highlights has been working with Ken Sutcliffe for the past 12 years. The bloke is a legend of the media. I only call him Ken on air. Every other time we converse, I refer to him as Icon. Because he is one. Funny, caring and understanding, he's the same lovely man in person as the one beamed into your loungerooms every night.

He was there in the Kerry Packer era (Ken does a great impersonation) and knows all the big names, but he's quick with a compliment or a helping hand and has the respect of everyone he works with. On occasion, he is greeted with a round of applause as he enters the newsroom. Tongue in cheek, but also acknowledging that we are in the presence of greatness. 

Front-men: Max Walker and Ken Sutcliffe present Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports program in 1989. Photo: Simon Alekna

His boss for many years David Gyngell  also had a routine. After a few quips with other reporters, Gyngell would make his way towards Kenny's office. As he walked past, he'd stop and ask, in a shocked voice just loud enough for half the office to hear, "Are you still here?"

Ken is best known as a presenter with a smile in his eyes, but he is way more than that. A truly beautiful writer, he gave the pictures you would see the colour they deserve. Crisp words delivered with that voice ... It's a killer combination. He was giving of his time and taught this old hack — and every young reporter coming through our newsroom — plenty of new tricks. He is pretty much the only person who ever calls me Daniel. I'll miss that, but won't forget him. It has been a privilege. Thanks, Icon.

Pride in the jersey

If Mal Meninga needed proof that the Kangaroos jumper means something to this group of players, you only need to look at the the way the families of the rookie Roos have embraced their kids' selection. Matt Moylan's parents, Cathy and Don, were on the sideline embracing their boy in the minutes after his man-of-the-match debut against Scotland. "Wouldn't have missed this for the world," Cathy said. Shannon Boyd's father was there, as was James Maloney's wife Jess and their eldest son. "I had tears in my eyes when he ran out," she said. The first player out of the sheds after the match was Jake Trbojevic. He was on the lookout for his mum and dad. Melissa and John made it in time for the game. "It wasn't easy to get off work but once Melissa was going I had to be here, too," John said. 

Honeymoon hell for Mansour

Josh Mansour is gutted by his ACL injury — but in the moments straight after, he was hurt he wasn't thinking about himself or his bad luck. Instead, his thoughts were for his new wife, Daniella. The pair married on the Saturday of the Perth Test. He was busted by  his new wife getting score updates from the match against New Zealand as they drove to the reception. Daniella understands how much playing for his country means to her man and was happy to postpone honeymoon until after the Four Nations. That's all been thrown into disarray. And Mansour is very upset about that. 

Bit of a squeeze 

The Kangaroos took a trip to Donnington Park race track in the lead-up to the Kiwi clash. Both Shannon Boyd and Trent Merrin fell in love with a sporty Jaguar, but Boyd was far from impressed that he was not able to fit into the McLaren that other players were driving. When Greg Inglis got out  he had to do  his trademark "goanna" crawl to make his exit. It was a tight squeeze. 

The goal that was 

Shaun Johnson had  issues with the social media frenzy surrounding his match-winning field goal against England and those questioning whether he actually kicked it between the posts. He said it went through the middle and that the five or so English players around him would have blown up if it wasn't legitimate. "Social media says a lot of things these days," he said. He was also critical of the sledging the Kiwi team copped in the media after the Perth Test. The Australian team have taken note of Johnson's comments that the New Zealand players are of the firm belief they are the No.1 side in the game. 

Taking in the sights

The level of respect players have received from the Roos coaching staff has been a big winner on tour. After the victory against Scotland, Mal Meninga gave the players two days off. Jake Friend went to Huddersfield to see Tom Symonds, while David Klemmer, Aaron Woods, Boyd Cordner, James Maloney, Matt Moylan, Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan went to the NFL at Wembley. Dugan organised the tickets, which were A-grade. Some of those players then did some  sightseeing in London. "We were just like big kids seeing the sights ...  Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye," Moylan said.  Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk and Matt Scott got a start playing golf at The Belfry, a course that has hosted four Ryder Cups. Scott got the money. 

Gumleaf mafia run show

Its interesting watching the dedicated English sports channels as an Australian. In three back-to-back stories, there were interviews with three Australians – all in charge of national sporting teams here. First-up there was new English national hero Eddie Jones, who has been nominated for a prestigious sporting award for his work with English rugby. Then came Trevor Bayliss discussing the loss by his English cricket side to Bangladesh. Then came Wayne Bennett, the English rugby league coach.

Media nightmare  

And speaking of Bennett. The RLIF is said to be less than pleased with some of his antics when it comes to promoting the game. His pre- and post-match media conferences were classic Bennett. Short, unusable answers to perfectly reasonable questions. The BBC wasn't happy with it, either. Bennett has never been any different – he uses the media when he has an agenda to drive and stonewalls at other times. No one should be surprised – but given England's Rugby Football League is paying him handsomely, you'd think he'd adjust his attitude to a degree.

Man of few words: Wayne Bennett isn't changing his ways, despite having a new employer. Photo: Getty Images

Mixing with the people 

Staff at the St George's Park – the home of  English soccer  – have been stunned by the Kangaroos' behaviour. In a good way. The Roos have been playing cards in the foyer, talking to guests and using the public pool and gym at the facility. The England soccer team will be using the facility this week – they have their own private check-in,  lifts and a team room that is only accessible from their private floor. The players will not mix with guests at any time. Yes, we get the difference between the two sporting teams – but the England soccer team has been criticised for being too removed from the real world and this is a perfect example of it.

Cam wows 'em 

The most recognised Australian player and sought-after when it comes to autographs is Johnathan Thurston. But Cam Smith also has his fans. One  local in Hull took it to a new level. Smith thought she was asking for a photo when she passed him her phone – instead, she said her cousin was on the line and put Smith  on for a chat. "G'day, it's Cameron Smith here ... who am I talking to?" is how the chat began and it went on for a couple of minutes.

Shove it up your jumper! 

After a tough month,  Bulldogs fans should be celebrating a new sponsor. Instead fans have taken to social media slamming the look of the jumper. Hate to see what they would have done if they rolled Des Hasler a couple of weeks back.