The scoop that was thrown away

When I was a cadet reporter, I worked with an interesting bloke who was fearless when dealing with police officers, criminals, members of the judiciary and politicians.

He was a good reporter, and his greatest quality was that he never backed away from a challenge.

He just wasn't afraid of anyone.

At editorial conference one day, he announced that he was going to expose the wrestling circuit.

He reckoned none of the wrestling bouts on the local circuit were honest contests.

He was going to get to the bottom of the corruption.

"Hmmmm," said the editor, "how do you propose to do that?"

"I have my methods," said the reporter. He flexed his biceps in a meaningful way.

A few days later he looked rather crestfallen at the next meeting of editorial staff.

Each of us had to explain how our respective assignments were progressing, but he was a lot quieter than normal.

Apparently, he had scrapped the idea of an award-winning investigative scoop.

When pressed for information, he said that he had made an appointment to see the manager of the wrestling contingent.

They shook hands and the reporter said brashly (but not wisely) that he was there to explain to the public how every fight was orchestrated, how every wrestler was corrupt and how the promoters were in cahoots with local authorities.

The manager of the contingent fixed him with a gimlet gaze. He smiled, but there was no warmth in the smile. He said to the brash (but not wise) reporter that he knew just where to start.

He said he would take the reporter out the back and show him a few throws. He said it in a meaningful sort of way.

The reporter left in indelicate haste. He knew it wasn't a throwaway line.

The writer is a sports commentator and specialist based in Australia.