Clarke has his eyes on this Ashes series and the next one in Australia – but be certain given his prickly relationship with the governing body he is a genuine target.

He is super keen to at least play in the coming Ashes series, but after that he may be tempted to sign a 10-year, $50 million contract.

He is 34, so who could blame him for signing up? He has already cleared the way for Twenty20 to become part of his life, having retired from the 50-over game.

In a long interview with Clarke last week I asked him if he was at war with CA and his reply was "definitely not". Had he been treated with the respect an Australian captain deserves?

"I was hoping that they'd back the 12 years of international cricket that I've played and know that I never had or never would take the field unless I could do my job."

Clarke is a keen league fan – and he was quick to make an observation when Billy Slater made his exit from the Kangaroos side after failing a fitness test. Insiders say that Slater could have easily played but took the unselfish option.

This is what Clarke posted:

"Love the faith Tim Sheens and the Aussie selectors put in Billy Slater. Respect to him for not being 100% and pulling out. Good luck boys."

It was a none too subtle slap at the management of CA, a clear indication he is still burning.

The way Slater handled  himself after he knew it was all too much last week was superb.

He was visibly upset – the chirp that is ever-present was gone. But after telling his teammates what had happened, he then stayed and signed autographs and smiled for photos for any fan who approached him.

He then did three separate media interviews where he expressed his sadness and disappointment.

At no point did he try to hide behind the team's media officer, and to the Australian team's credit they allowed him to speak.

It was professionally handled from every angle.

And then there were the Kiwis. They did the bare minimum to promote the Test. Requests to interview players were met with a flat no. The Australian team were of the view the Kiwis were dirty that the NRL dropped the Issac Luke penalty (for his homophobic comments) on the New Zealand hooker in the lead-up to the Test.

If that was the case it's a pretty poor excuse.

This column was told the lack of co-operation came about because they were too open at a media session last year at their team hotel.

This columnist attended that session and it was well executed and half a dozen players floated around the gathered media for a casual chat.

Merrin all wrapped up and going nowhere else

Panthers recruit Trent Merrin is being  tossed up as a potential backflipper by some – but the man himself says  no chance.

"Havent even thought about that," he said. "My contract stuff is behind me and I'm just concentrating on the rest of the season."  Those who know the background to the negotiations say a change of heart is  out of the question. Merrin's rise and rise as footballer relates to his increasing confidence as a person.

"The last few years I didn't think I was up to it, but I've now got the confidence that I needed. Getting dropped from Origin twice hurt, but it taught me a lesson and taught me that I had to work on things and I worked on my defence. Doing the hard work has put in me in the position to be confident."

But more than anything it's the people around him – in particular his girlfriend, champion surfer Sally Fitzgibbons, who has made a huge difference to his life.

"She's a  gorgeous girl and person and her confidence has rubbed off on me," he said.

"The way that she conducts herself is a credit to her and obviously I learn from that and benefit from that."

Brittney's call

Brittney McGlone has been painted as Australia's most understanding woman for allowing her partner James Tamou to play in Friday's Test match – instead of being by her side in the lead-up to the birth of her second child.

"It's your country ...  you can't let your country down," said Tamou.

Brittney wants it to be known that it was her call. Tamou revealed last week he was choosing the green and gold jumper over his family, but what he didn't say was that it was with the blessing of Brittney.

"I've seen that Jim has copped it on social media for choosing footy over family, but it was me who told him to do it," she said.

"People have been mean to him for no good reason. He has been calling me 24/7. He was very worried about me all the way through the week. He couldn't have been more concerned or in touch."

Tamou had a heart-to-heart with coach Tim Sheens when he told him he had been picked in the side and wanted to be clear on what he was facing.

"Tim was very understanding, but he told Jim that it would be too late to pull out of the side on Thursday so he had to make an early call on things. We talked about it and I just said to him he had to play," Brittney said. "It was such a fantastic effort to make it back from the neck injury, and the way that sport is if you give someone a chance there is every chance that that you won't get that spot back again.

"We talked about that and what an honour it is to play for your country. And the way I think about it is that we will have our kids every day  ... his chance to play for Australia is limited. "My mum Kerry has been with me all week and my aunty Julie is a midwife so it's not like he has left me up in Townsville to fend for myself. He has done anything but. This was a clear decision in my eyes and I've got his back on this."

Delta's support

The most interesting sight of the week in the build-up to the Test was Delta Goodrem hanging out with Nate Myles and Craig Fitzgibbon in the foyer of the Australian team hotel. Goodrem was a guest at the Sofitel and performed at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. She could barely take a step in the hotel without fans stopping her for a chat, which she happily did. The gathering made more sense when Myles' wife, actress Tessa James, emerged.

James and Goodrem clearly know each other through showbiz circles. And they have more than that in common. Goodrem battled cancer a few years back and James is going through the same now. The women left the footy players alone and went for a chat in another area of the hotel. Myles' effort to make it back into the Australian team is commendable, but his role as a husband is clearly his focus and that has made his re-selection in he Australian side more impressive. Myles is going through his contract negotiations at the moment – the Titans want to keep him, but for about $350,000. They won't take up his option at close to $600,000 a year.

Farah mission

Robbie Farah isn't interested in speculation about Paul Gallen missing Origin but he is keen to let the world know about his charity event on June 20 at Ivy Ballroom. "It will help youth with Duchenne muscular dystrophy," he said. Farah and Phil Gould will host the night. For more info go to matesonamission.com.au.

Alex's story

Alex McKinnon's story is of intense interest and it appears 60 Minutes will beat its rivals to the yarn. Nothing has been signed off on yet, but talks have been very positive. McKinnon has his ups and downs, but his determination and positive attitude is getting him through the tough days. McKinnon is also writing a book about his life – and he is doing it his way. Through management group SFX, McKinnon is self-publishing the book: that way he will have full ownership and control of it.

Margie's OK

Sonny Bill Williams' agent Khoder Nasser is usually unflappable, but something really blew his mind. Flying back from visiting SBW in New Zealand, Nasser was stunned to see the Prime Minister's wife, Margie Abbott , sitting in economy with one of her daughters. "I went and told her that I didn't think much of her husband, but she had just gone up big-time in my estimation," he said.

Danny Weidler is a Channel Nine reporter