While Rabbs has still been popping up on our screens the past week to help out the NBN crew, it was still a chance for many to pay their respects for his efforts in promoting Newcastle sport over the decades.

The Newcastle Jockey Club hosted the function, which was held between races, and among the 160 people who bought tickets were representatives from the city's rugby league, rugby union, basketball, cricket and racing organisations.

Former NBN sports reporter Jim Callinan, who now presents for Sky News, came up from Sydney to emcee the event, which raised money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

NJC chairman Geoff Barnett presented the man of honour with a plaque as a keepsake, and the mustachioed anchorman also had two races named after him for the day - the Mike Rabbitt Plate and the Rabbs Cup.

Young apprentice Koby Jennings saluted in both. He won the plate on board Wild Eyes for Jim and Greg Lee, then finished the afternoon off with a cup victory on Lofty's Menu for Peter and Paul Snowden.

THE Lambton Jaffas will host a luncheon at Broadmeadow's Sunnyside Tavern as a prelude to the Asian Cup third versus fourth playoff at Hunter Stadium on Friday.

Former Newcastle favourite and Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper will speak at the event which will be hosted by Jets coaching member Michael Bridges.

The lunch starts at 12.30pm and runs until 4pm. Tickets are $100 and include a two-course meal and unlimited beer and wine. There will also be an optional shuttle bus running to the big match, which kicks off at 8pm, for those who have tickets.

To buy tickets to the lunch, contact Kerri Atkin at Kerri.atkin@maximaccounting.com.au or call 4925 1000.

EMILE Heskey defied the expectations of many Jets fans when he resurrected his career with Bolton Wanderers after leaving Newcastle last year.

The 37-year-old appeared on the way to the retirement home, but there he was on TV on Sunday morning playing up front for second-tier Bolton against old club Liverpool at Anfield.

The Reds faithful gave him a standing ovation when he was substituted 10 minutes into the second half of their FA Cup tie, which finished 0-0.

One player at the opposite end of his career is Radovan Pavicevic, who had the misfortune of making his A-League debut in Adelaide on Saturday evening.

The Jets youth team striker came on with the score at 5-0 but acquitted himself well and came close to scoring with a well-timed run and left-foot shot.

Perhaps he alone escaped the ground with reputation undamaged.

ANOTHER former Jet, manager Richard Money, was in the news on Saturday when he guided fourth-tier Cambridge United to a 0-0 draw with Manchester United at the Abbey Stadium.

The 59-year-old "Dicky Dosh", who was in charge of the Jets in the first season of the A-League, is off to Old Trafford for a replay to match wits again with Louis van Gaal.

And, finally, Fiorentina have sent former Jets midfielder/right back Josh Brillante out on loan to fellow Serie A club Empoli, who are 16th on the table and in a relegation dogfight.

Brillante had played twice for Fiorentina this season.

HUNTER horseracing syndicator Australian Bloodstock took a slight detour from its normal modus operandi and bought four yearlings at the Magic Millions sales this month.

Australian Bloodstock has had more than a little success (Protectionist, Lucas Cranach) importing established thoroughbreds from Europe and running them in some of Australia's biggest races. But the move into yearlings - with a view to running them as two-year-olds to test their potential - will continue in New Zealand as AB principal Luke Murrell is heading to the Karaka sales, which start on Monday.

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, who bought eight other yearlings on the Gold Coast and will train the AB youngsters, also is flying to Karaka.

REPORTS that jockey Hugh Bowman will ride Melbourne Cup champion Protectionist this year may be a little premature.

It is understood no decision has been made and the owners may be leaning towards retaining British hoop Ryan Moore.

Protectionist is expected to trial at Broadmeadow on Monday next week with Lucia Valentina after Newcastle Jockey Club shifted its trials from Cessnock.

AN American namesake of Asian Cup referee Ben Williams has been bombarded with Facebook messages from Iran after a controversial red card in their quarter-final loss to Iraq.

Ben Williams of Baltimore, Maryland, received nearly 1000 friend requests from Iranians after Team Melli were sent tumbling out in a penalty shootout on Friday.

The Australian referee with the same name incurred the wrath of Iranian fans when he booked Mehrdad Pooladi for an innocuous challenge and then again for simulation.

Iran were leading 1-0 at the time but the score ended 3-3 after extra time and the three-time champions lost 7-6 on penalties.

"Ok, so I woke up to 992 (and growing!) friend requests from people living in Iran," posted the American Williams, who was apparently unaware of the match in Australia. "Is this a problem other people are having or is my popularity finally taking off?"

The referee's Facebook page was also defaced with profane messages following the tempestuous quarter-final in Canberra. When Williams booked Pooladi for simulation, he appeared to have forgotten the earlier yellow card and he ran off before he was reminded, and then returned and brandished red.

It follows an earlier game when Iran coach Carlos Queiroz was fined $3000 for criticising Williams.

The Portuguese was again furious with the referee on Friday.

"Can he sleep tonight?" asked the former Real Madrid and Portugal boss, who was restrained as he tried to approach Williams at half-time. "It's just a question. If it's necessary I put my knees to the ground to show my respect and humble attitude to ask him how we understand this decision, you tell me."

THE Pittsburgh Steelers are taking another punt on Australia's Brad Wing.

There were calls from the NFL team's fans to give Wing the boot and sign a more consistent punter after a season of highs and lows.

The Steelers announced on Saturday they had re-signed Wing to a one-year contract extension.

Wing appeared in 16 regular season games for the Steelers in 2014-15, had 61 punts for 2668 yards and his 43.7 yard average ranked fifth among rookie punters in Steelers' history.