Jesinta helped to sway Buddy More than a friend?: Jesinta Campbell. Photo: Scott Ehler Whispers about the Sydney Swans' interest in Buddy Franklin came my way a few months back when one of his friends at the Waratahs was acting as his driver to ferry him to meetings with the club. The prospect of Franklin joining the Swans was dismissed. He was thought to be a lock to join their western rivals. If you think Franklin brushed the Giants just because of the financial deal, think again. The real reason the Swans beat GWS to his signature was Jesinta Campbell. The couple have been way more than friends for more than a year but have kept their relationship a firm secret. From what I can gather, they have been more serious in the past eight months or so. The Swans became a more attractive prospect because Campbell lives on the north side of the city, many miles from the Giants base at Homebush. I've been told Campbell was spotted at the MCG on grand final day but not with Franklin. My Melbourne snouts say he was celebrating with his family and teammates. To their immense credit, the couple have not been parading in public. Campbell is all class. Smart, kind and beautiful, she is mature beyond her years. I've had the pleasure of spending time with her and it's stunning to think she is just 22. Franklin has always been wild, with a big reputation as a ladies' man. Gyng impresses SBW Nine boss David Gyngell has played huge role in wooing Sonny Bill Williams but it's his growing mateship with SBW that has kept the superstar focused and ready to play the game of his life today. Gyngell has gotten to know Williams and the two have enormous respect for each other. Gyngell's generosity towards SBW has floored the Roosters back-rower - he has decided to fly out his mum and sister from New Zealand at his own expense as a mark of his gratitude for the season Williams has delivered. "Gyng is the man," said Williams' agent, Khoder Nasser. Sonny is extremely appreciative of everything that Gyng has done for him. He has been there for Sonny since day one and along with Nick [Politis] they can take the credit. You could not ask for two better people to deal with than Nick and Gyng. Family is the most important thing for Sonny so of course he is happy. A couple of economy tickets doesn't sound like a huge deal for a player who earns what Sonny does - but it's the gesture. And those are the things that matter. The Roosters are desperate to keep Williams and know they can't match rugby's lure of a World Cup and an Olympic appearance. What has left Nasser less than thrilled was the Dally M awards but he didn't want to rip in about it yet. Williams has been the biggest star at club level this season but didn't end up in the top 20 players in the game. The anti-SBW feeling at the organisation that runs the Dally Ms doesn't need pointing out. If he had been a hair short of brilliant this year he would have been ridiculed beyond belief. SBW hasn't forgotten years of criticism he has received for walking out on the Bulldogs, despite repeatedly apologising for his actions. That there have been a host others break contracts since that time does not seem to matter a zac. I'm a huge Boyd Cordner fan but to see him picked ahead of SBW for the second-rower of the year was strange. The reason for the bitterness also relates to the fact SBW has declined weekly requests for interviews with News Ltd. He was never interested in showing his support for the News Ltd-endorsed event and didn't show up. There was no explanation offered for Williams being snubbed other than "the Dally M judges don't come up with howlers." They did this year. The line that the Roosters have stars that take points off one another doesn't wash - not when Cooper Cronkcan poll enough points to win, despite having Cameron Smith and Billy Slater in his team. Ask any coach if SBW would be in the top 20 players they'd sign based on form this year. Or in the top 10 or even the top three. Almost as bad as the SBW decision was the failure of Geoff Toovey to make the top four coaches of the year. Stewart's on a mission Brett Stewart has been to hell and back in his time at Manly but he won't be thinking purely about himself or his family when he takes the field on Sunday. Stewart lost a close mate to cancer a couple of weeks ago who left behind a wife and young family. Stewart visited the family in the week of the Cronulla game. His teammates know what has happened and have his back. Stewart will have an even greater reason to excel on Sunday. Crowe's class act Russell Crowe's role as host of the Dally M awards has been criticised in some quarters but the NRL deserves credit for finally bringing some genuine class to the event. Crowe was sold a pup with poor stage management and scripting on occasions but maintained a light-hearted approach to the situation and smiled and joked his way through it. He should have been left to host it on his own. Crowe would have been really hurting at his Bunnies' meek exit from the season - the fact he showed up and had such a sunny approach to the evening is a sign of what a pro he is. And was Crowe paid for the gig? The answer is no. "It was my pleasure," he said. The man who asked him to do the gig, Fox Sports chief Gary Burns, was thrilled to have him there and wants him to back up next year. "He was incredibly easy to work with and he did a sensational job," Burns said. He wasn't just some kind of rent-a-celebrity. Russell is a rugby league man through and through and I'd love him to do it again next year if his schedule allows him to. JT's a good sport Johnathan Thurston can laugh at his own conspiracy theories. When Cooper Cronk pipped him for the Dally M Medal, Thurston said "conspiracy" with a massive smile on his face. That Souths-Roosters grand final never quite eventuated. SKD gets relief Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall was so concerned about his position at the club a few weeks ago that he fronted the club about it. "I was hearing I was on the outer, not wanted, and I was concerned," he said. I went and saw the coach and Robbo told me not to worry. The support I've had from Robbo and the boys ... I can't explain how they have been. The Kiwi international went through a lean patch but his finals form has been remarkable. What he didn't make public was a rib injury that severely hampered his ability to make his presence felt physically. Morris switcheroo It was wild and woolly post Dally M and it was around midnight at the Sports Bar in the casino that the Morris twins were holding court. Brett and Josh were telling anyone who'd listen that they had swapped teams when the Dragons played against the Bulldogs this year. Mates again David Gallop was the boss who banned Sonny Bill Williams from the NRL. The Roosters forward's manager, Khoder Nasser, has offered Gallop tickets to the grand final and a previous final. Gallop is down the coast so he can't attend but it's fair to say the men are now on good terms. Bridle support The last time Anthony Watmough was in the grand final in 2011, his wife Elle was in the Canadian rockies riding horses. "I called him on a satellite phone and wished him all the best," she said. When she was back in range she turned her phone on and saw a picture he'd sent of his grand final ring. This time around she will be front and centre. But she won't be the Watmough with the best view. Anthony's son Jake is one of the Sea Eagles' ball boys. Fairfax joins Tahs It's good to see former Wallaby Russell Fairfax has landed on his feet after being let go by Fox Sports. The veteran journo will run the Waratahs media next year and he will have something to work with. Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale have appeal across all media. The Tahs will need a smart strategy surrounded by the star-studded Roosters and the Buddy Franklin-led Swans. Danny Weidler is a Channel 9 reporter