All Media: Sport News WINNER

Danny Weidler, National Nine News, Nine Network, “Russell’s Rabbits”

When Nine sports reporter Danny Weidler heard from an informant that the most famous league team in the country was to be sold to Australia’s best known actor, he admitted he found it hard to believe. Breaking the story a few days later with confirmation from Souths’ chairman Nick Pappas, Weidler’s scoop made national news. While Russell Crowe denied the story, the actor’s business partner Peter Holmes à Court went on to confirm an interest in the team.

Leading the story for the next six months, Weidler followed Crowe and continued to break news as Souths greats, politicians, actors and media identities all weighed into the debate. By the time the story had concluded, the sporting landscape in Sydney had changed forever.

Weidler started working for sports magazines at the age of 17 before being employed by The Sun-Herald in 1996, where he wrote a weekly sports column, “The Last Word”. Two years ago, he joined the Nine Network. Weidler, 37, is married with a two-year-old daughter Sofia. His wife Tara is expecting their second child in January.

Judges’ comments
This was a story that had all the right elements: a fiercely traditional and tribal club, big business, a Hollywood superstar and enormous intrigue. It was a genuine exclusive in one of the most fiercely contested sports fields in the country and was an absolute standout piece of work. Weidler genuinely astounded other journalists that he not only managed to get the story up in the first place, but followed it through right to the point that Souths did indeed change ownership.