Gower not worthy of captaincy ? Fraser

Swimming legend Dawn Fraser says Craig Gower is not worthy of being re-appointed Penrith captain due to his alcohol-fuelled behaviour at a charity golf event which she also attended.

Penrith football manager Mick Leary says Gower is well in contention to regain the captaincy of the club, barely a year after he was ditched as skipper after a drunken romp on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Gower was sacked as captain and fined $100,000 - $70,000 suspended - by Penrith after it found him guilty of misconduct following a series of incidents at the Jack Newton Celebrity Golf Classic in December 2005.

Incumbent Panthers skipper Tony Puletua has reportedly offered to stand aside for Gower for the 2007 season and coach Matthew Elliott is tipped to hand the reins to the halfback later this month.