Melbourne Storm sensation Suliasi Vunivalu torn between Kangaroos and Kiwis

Vunivalu is the game's most exciting finisher after topping the try-scorer's list in his debut NRL season. The Storm sensation was born in Fiji, moved to New Zealand and now resides in Melbourne, having played his first games of rugby league in Australia.

If he fulfils the requisite residency requirements, he could qualify for the Kangaroos, Kiwis and the Bati at representative level under the current eligibility rules, although the 20-year-old hasn't decided where to pledge his allegiance.

"I can't really say right now," Vunivalu said. "Whatever country comes first, my hands are up.

"It might be an option, the Kangaroos or the Kiwis. I've got to work hard for that."

The news should pique the interest of Australia and New Zealand officials, who could both benefit from having such a prolific try-scorer on the end of their back line. Recent changes to eligibility rules will allow Vunivalu to represent his native Fiji when not playing for the Roos or Kiwis, but there is no movement allowed between the three top-tier nations. Because he has not resided in NSW or Queensland prior to his 13th birthday, he can't be chosen for State of Origin.

Vunivalu is contracted to the Storm until the end of next year, but the club will face competition to keep him beyond then. Vunivalu's mentor, fellow Storm winger Marika Koroibete, is defecting to the 15-man code and rugby clubs will undoubtedly attempt to lure Vunivalu back to their game.

"I've got another year here at the Melbourne Storm and I will stay committed to that," Vunivalu said. "Other than that, there will be other options. I'll take it year by year and not get ahead of myself."

Fifth-time lucky?

It was spoken of in hushed tones in the corridors of the Western Sydney Wanderers. The "it" was the so-called "Gorman Curse". Lyall Gorman was at the helm when the Central Coast Mariners lost the 2006 and 2008 A-League grand finals and at the Western Sydney Wanderers when they lost the 2013 and 2014 grand finals. The fear in the Shire is whether the curse has been able to cross the Captain Cook Bridge and strike again.

Gorman didn't need to be reminded about his near misses and hopes he will be fifth-time lucky against Melbourne.

"It's been an interesting journey," Gorman said. "Getting there is a great reward and it would be nice for our club to win one. We've been building this for 50 years to get the reward on Sunday."

Near misses: Lyall Gorman has a poor track record in grand finals. Photo: John Veage

Loyal coach

Nobody has been more loyal to Cronulla than Shane Flanagan, particularly when you consider the very tempting offer he received to leave the Shire.

The Warriors made a secret approach to Flanagan in late 2012, just months before the supplements saga reared its head, to replace Brian McClennan. The money on offer across the Tasman was far greater than the contract he was on at the Sharks, but Flanagan had only just signed a contract extension and his commitment to Cronulla never wavered.

That faith was reciprocated when the Sharks stuck by Flanagan during the ASADA scandal and their reward is a shot at a historic first premiership.

Sponsor proposal

It wasn't so long ago that Cronulla, without a sponsor following the ASADA scandal, were made an "indecent proposal" by Ashley Madison.

The online dating service, which encourages extra-marital affairs, tried to tempt the Sharks with a sponsorship deal worth more than $10 million over a decade. It was a staggering amount, particularly given no other company was prepared to back the Sharks. In hindsight, the decision not to get into bed with Ashley Madison was a prudent one, particularly given the dating firm's website was hacked in one of the most notorious data leaks in history.

Strange bedfellows: Ashley Madison once tried to tempt the Sharks. Photo: Reuters

Winning fans over

The Sharks' march to the grand final has had a number of spin-offs commercially, but the numbers crunched by sports analytics specialists Nielsen Sports show just how many fans have been won over in 2016. A 16-game unbeaten run, which has Cronulla on the brink of breaking their premiership duck, has translated to a 9 per cent increase in their avid fan base, according to research by the industry leader.

"Those are the ones that are passionate about the team and rate themselves a four or five on a scale of one to five," said Nielsen Sports' Australia and New Zealand managing director Shane Mattiske, who was the former head of strategy at the NRL. "They've grown significantly. Not only are they growing strongly, but they're actually converting more people within their existing fan base to feel passionate about the team."

Latin connection

Two former Sharks are backing another underdog this week, helping Latin American rugby league players chase a long-term dream.

Aaron and Stuart Raper trained the Latin Heat ahead of Friday night's clash with the combined North American team as part of preparations for next year's Rugby League World Cup.

"It has certainly been different," said head coach Aaron. "I didn't even know they played the sport until I joined the Heat.

"I guess another learning curve has been names. Remembering which Javier or Carlos or Diego people were talking about was hard enough, let alone pronouncing surnames."

Bad timing

There's never an opportune moment to be going through an off-field scandal, but for Wests Tigers the timing couldn't be any worse.

Their football manager, Mark O'Neill, has resigned following allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The drama comes at a time when the joint-venture outfit should be ramping up its bid to keep superstars James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses, Aaron Woods and Luke Brooks, who are all off contract at the end of next year.

Exit: Wests Tigers general manager of football Mark O'Neill has resigned. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

The club must now find a replacement to handle negotiations, but the good news is the star quartet would prefer to remain together.

"I'd love to stay and play at the Tigers, especially with those players," Moses said.

"We've got a few combinations going on that are starting to gel and they're working at the moment.

"Hopefully we can stay together. We'll see what happens, but I'd love to stay with the boys and keep playing with them."

Coach Jason Taylor is also off contract next year, leaving the Tigers with some huge calls to make.

Cheaper threads

South Sydney will always enjoy a dash of Hollywood for as long as Russell Crowe is at the helm, although the players no longer wear the expensive threads of those on the Oscars red carpet. Crowe famously rang up friend and fashion icon Giorgio Armani to outfit his team in designer clobber. However, perhaps due to the prohibitive cost, the Rabbitohs have turned to the more affordable Rembrandt outfitters in recent years as their official tailor.

Matulino move?

Don't be surprised to see Ben Matulino end up at the Roosters if he is squeezed out of the Warriors. Matulino was considered one of the best props in the NRL a few seasons ago but hasn't been able to rediscover that form recently. It's understood the Warriors would like to offload Matulino to free up salary cap space, particularly after signing Kieran Foran.

Hayne hits fairway

Jarryd Hayne has swapped sports yet again. This time, it's golf.

The Hayne Plane is promoting the Fiji International, where he will tee up in the official pro-am alongside Steven Bowditch.

"Playing with a two-time PGA Tour winner is an incredible opportunity that doesn't come around very often," Hayne said.

Season finale

Well that's it, loyal reader(s), Sin Bin is done for another year. Thanks for joining us through another season of the greatest game of all and hopefully we'll be back, bigger and better, in 2017. Do svidaniya.