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LAST WORD

AUSTRALIAN soccer's biggest star Harry Kewell is poised to sign the most lucrative deal in Australian sports publishing history. Kewell is understood to be on the verge of agreeing to a deal to tell his life story. We understand that Cathy Freeman was advanced about $500,000 and Dawn Fraser was paid $430,000 for her book, but Kewell will top that. The book obviously will have international appeal, making a large fee understandable.

Campo's clanger

WALLABY skipper George Gregan is fuming about a carve-up from the head of his management group David Campese. Gregan is part of Campo's team, which is run by Daryl McGraw . The group has looked after Gregan for most of his career. But there is now a distinct split between the star client and Campese, who said Gregan should be dumped from the Wallabies side and as skipper. It is understood some fellow workers at the company warned Campo off and told him to leave Gregan alone, but he didn't listen and Gregan is extremely dirty on the person who is supposed to be representing him. There could be long-term repercussions for Campese, who is often noted for his outspoken ways. Although we don't agree with Campese's view about Gregan, it showed either amazing boldness or stupidity to hammer his own client.

Scots in holiday mode

WORD out of the Scottish team is that players have already booked holidays on the Gold Coast. There was not much confidence in the squad going in to the clash with the Wallabies last night.

Grand ma'am slam

THE single members of the Wallabies squad are said to be running an interesting contest. It is called the ``grand slam" and relates to meeting women in each state they play in.

Anasta misses cut

THE Bulldogs have banned Braith Anasta from playing in the NSW Golf Open. Anasta received an invitation from the organisers to take part, but his club quickly stepped in and told him he couldn't play because of training commitments. Anasta's teammates say he was upset about the decision and with some reason considering the football season doesn't start for five months.

Sterlo's tall story

WE told you last week that Peter Sterling went in for a hip operation. The first thing he asked for from his wife upon waking was a form guide and a radio. Sterling has been telling friends the operation has made him six inches (15 centimetres) taller.

Meldrum roast not overdone, says Newman

AFL identity Sam Newman has broken his silence about his performance at the Molly Meldrum roast. Newman has been panned for making references to Meldrum's sexuality, forcing the producers to heavily edit the show. ``I've been accused of poofter bashing but it was a roast and I've done exactly what they wanted me to do," Newman said. ``He came in with a dog called Ziggy on his lap, being carried in a very regal way, and he's supposed to be a professional gay icon and then I get criticised by some of his stupid, insignificant wanker friends for having some fun at a roast. What would Shane Warne cop at his roast? What would I get at my roast? You've got to put in perspective what I said and not listen to some of his stupid friends."

Chain of events

LLEYTON Hewitt was at the Melbourne Cup and didn't want to have his picture taken. Hewitt should be pulling in top money from sponsorships but his attitude and some poor decisions may be harming him. Hewitt earned about $300,000 for doing a toilet paper commercial but some companies are baulking at being associated with him because of that campaign.

Recipe for success

GRANT Hackett is a freak in the pool. But he is not that good in the kitchen. Hackett has just moved away from his family for the first time and has employed a cook. The champion swimmer struggles to put milk into a bowl of cereal and, with diet a huge part of his preparation, he needs a professional.

Warney on tape

LAST week we revealed that Shane Warne had been left out of Cricket Australia's instructional tape to be released this month. But he is working on his own project and will put out a DVD with Sony Music similar to the Andrew Johns product that contained both his life story and instructions.

Seven's Sinclair prepares for final hurrah

THE Seven Network's acting head of sport Tony Sinclair is to resign from the job after the World Cup. We understand Sinclair has had enough of the long hours and is not that impressed with the level of interference he receives in his job. Sinclair has quit before and remained in his job but maybe this time he will stick to his decision.

Gordon Bray does a lot more than just call the rugby for Channel Seven. Our insiders say he is constantly in touch with the right people at the network, shoring up his position as No. 1 caller. He is also a very good beverage maker and is quick to make his colleagues and decision-makers cups of tea and coffee.

Richie's riches

FORMER Rooster Richie Barnett has told leading league players about the money that can be earned in the US. It appears players can make as much as $US80,000 ($113,000) and some managers are starting to investigate the opportunities. Former Shark Sean Ryan is one player who is looking into it, and others have asked Last Word what we know about a competition over there.

Wallabies to be cut off

RELATIONS between the ARU and major sponsor Vodafone are at an all-time low. Our mail is that Vodafone, which kicks in about $8 million a year, was asked for a 20 per cent increase in its funding, despite having no exposure during the World Cup. The company is likely to disconnect from the sport.

ARU CEO John O'Neill is hosting private drinks at his north shore home on Tuesday. Former greats including Simon Poidevin and John Eales have been invited. Those who missed out can consider themselves to be on the outer.

Eddie Jones has been the subject of rumours during the week linking him with a Japanese club side next season.

Man raising for Kane

ANTHONY Mundine has been flat out in the past few days. He was named Sportsman of the Year at the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander sports awards on Friday, and yesterday was a guest at two charity events. He attended a fund-raiser in honour of Kane Mason , the Manly lower-grade player who was shot dead in Macksville in July. He also helped auction a house for his major sponsor 3RD, earning $320,000 for the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick.

Pie in the sky offer

SEAN Garlick quit as Souths football manager recently, but that didn't stop the club ringing him to inquire whether Garlo's Pies would continue to be a sponsor of the club. ``If David Tapp goes, then I'm back on board," said Garlick, who owns four shops.

Sea Eagles hawk club

STRONG word coming out of the Sea Eagles camp is that there are plans to again sell 49 per cent of the club. We've heard the asking price is $2 million.

Crawley climbing

NINE'S rugby league boss Steve Crawley is being groomed as the long-term head of sport. Crawley's role has just been expanded to include the network's US Masters coverage, cricket and swimming.

THE former voice of State of Origin football, Darrell Eastlake , has quit Channel Nine.

Frost heads north

IAN Thorpe's former coach, Doug Frost, is leaving the Sutherland Leisure Centre, where he helped Thorpe to greatness, for Southport.

Stuart's cock-a-hoop

ROOSTERS coach Ricky Stuart is in the money after landing a Melbourne Cup trifecta. Mad Roosters fan Peter O'Malley will play in Stuart's annual charity golf day in Canberra this week.