Sport Confidential: Balmain legend Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach will rejoin Tigers as an ambassador
JAMES HOOPER THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AUGUST 06, 2015 6:00PM SHARE
BALMAIN legend Steve “Blocker” Roach has been offered an ambassadorial role with Wests Tigers less than 12 months after being sacked by 2GB and then the Tigers football department.
Roach and great mate Paul Sironen were two of the high-profile Tigers football staff casualties during a major shake-up at Concord last October.
But in a signal of time healing all wounds, “Blocker” has been invited back into the Tigers fold by the club’s new board in conjunction with his roles at the New South Wales Rugby League and Fox Sports.
Shown the door at 2GB after 15 years of service over allegations of bullying last year, Roach told Sport Confidential the support of his wife Catherine Bridget and his family had helped him through tough times.
“I’m a proud bloke, no one loves rugby league more than me,” Roach said.
“I would have thought I might have got a little bit more leeway with 2GB after 15 years with the network.
“I used to do a lot more than just call rugby league. But the great thing now is I’m starting to get back on my feet and get over everything that’s happened.
“The one thing it really rammed home for me is how much I love my family. The support from my wife was just so solid. She put things into perspective for me every day.
“It might sound soppy and all and I know front rowers aren’t supposed to talk like this but I’m not too proud to say that’s how I feel.”
The Tigers have told “Blocker” he is welcome back at the club in an ambassadorial role which would also involve marketing and sponsorship work.
The long-time member of 2GB’s Continuous Call team admitted he had discovered who his friends were since parting ways with the Macquarie radio network.
“I’m disappointed in a few people that I thought were my friends who haven’t really been there,” Roach said.
“But that’s a great lesson. I’m the most loyal bloke there is and I’ve found out who my friends are.
“I’m a lot of things but I’m not a bully. I might be stupid and the way I’m looking at it now is this might have been the wake-up call I needed.
“I’m not whingeing. I’ve been hit hard in life all my life. But I’ve always had that burning desire to get up and go again.
“I want people to know I’m not the raging bull trying to jump on everyone’s head.
“Maybe I was getting a bit ahead of myself and this was the reality check to pull me back into line.
“Ever since I did the interview with Peter Sterling everything has started to turn around. He asked me a lot of curly questions and people have since told me they respected my honesty.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sport-confidential-balmain-legend-steve-blocker-roach-will-rejoin-tigers-as-an-ambassador/story-fnp0lyn3-1227473049239
JAMES HOOPER THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AUGUST 06, 2015 6:00PM SHARE
BALMAIN legend Steve “Blocker” Roach has been offered an ambassadorial role with Wests Tigers less than 12 months after being sacked by 2GB and then the Tigers football department.
Roach and great mate Paul Sironen were two of the high-profile Tigers football staff casualties during a major shake-up at Concord last October.
But in a signal of time healing all wounds, “Blocker” has been invited back into the Tigers fold by the club’s new board in conjunction with his roles at the New South Wales Rugby League and Fox Sports.
Shown the door at 2GB after 15 years of service over allegations of bullying last year, Roach told Sport Confidential the support of his wife Catherine Bridget and his family had helped him through tough times.
“I’m a proud bloke, no one loves rugby league more than me,” Roach said.
“I would have thought I might have got a little bit more leeway with 2GB after 15 years with the network.
“I used to do a lot more than just call rugby league. But the great thing now is I’m starting to get back on my feet and get over everything that’s happened.
“The one thing it really rammed home for me is how much I love my family. The support from my wife was just so solid. She put things into perspective for me every day.
“It might sound soppy and all and I know front rowers aren’t supposed to talk like this but I’m not too proud to say that’s how I feel.”
The Tigers have told “Blocker” he is welcome back at the club in an ambassadorial role which would also involve marketing and sponsorship work.
The long-time member of 2GB’s Continuous Call team admitted he had discovered who his friends were since parting ways with the Macquarie radio network.
“I’m disappointed in a few people that I thought were my friends who haven’t really been there,” Roach said.
“But that’s a great lesson. I’m the most loyal bloke there is and I’ve found out who my friends are.
“I’m a lot of things but I’m not a bully. I might be stupid and the way I’m looking at it now is this might have been the wake-up call I needed.
“I’m not whingeing. I’ve been hit hard in life all my life. But I’ve always had that burning desire to get up and go again.
“I want people to know I’m not the raging bull trying to jump on everyone’s head.
“Maybe I was getting a bit ahead of myself and this was the reality check to pull me back into line.
“Ever since I did the interview with Peter Sterling everything has started to turn around. He asked me a lot of curly questions and people have since told me they respected my honesty.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sport-confidential-balmain-legend-steve-blocker-roach-will-rejoin-tigers-as-an-ambassador/story-fnp0lyn3-1227473049239
