Pressure reduces Broncos to tears, John Bateman breaks silence over Canberra Raiders exit; Buzz’s season highlight
While it emphasises that players at the Brisbane Broncos are hurting, it was a hard watching the tears post-game which exposed their mental state and the pressure they are under. HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS
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John Bateman has broken his silence on his departure from the Canberra Raiders, while Phil Rothfield gives his weekend highlights and lowlights.
HIGHLIGHT
There is nothing like the madness and pressure of rugby league coaching. Watching Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart go nuts on TV during games is fantastic. Watching Ivan Cleary blow kisses at angry fans from his old Wests Tigers club will be part of all 2020 highlight reels. I loved it.
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LOWLIGHT
Broncos players in tears on Saturday night after the Warriors loss. In one way it’s a good sign because it shows fans how much they are hurting and that the jersey still means something. However, the pressure is affecting their mental health and that is not what sport or rugby league are about.
NO PACK MENTALITY
The Broncos have completely lost fear and intimidation in the forwards. There is no one in their pack who can terrorise or hurt opponents. Payne Haas is big, quick on his feet and a metre-eater but lacks mongrel. Matt Lodge has not come back from a knee injury.
SPOTTED
Coach Trent Robinson having a deep and meaningful with Ashley Klein at 2am on Friday morning when the Roosters and the ref were disembarking from the plane in Sydney. We can almost guarantee the Brandon Smith “knock-on” got a mention.
SHOOSH
The queue is already forming for unwanted Warriors playmaker Blake Green, who played a blinder against the Broncos. There’s a sneaky tip the Parramatta Eels are seriously keen, probably as a No.14 to cover for Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.
LITTLE MEN RULE
The new rule changes in rugby league were introduced to allow the little men to be more dominant, like the old days. The likes of Luke Keary, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Apisai Koroisau have always been outstanding footballers but are even more dangerous now there is more fatigue in the game.
MORRIS STANDS TALL
John Morris has been coaching as well as any of his rivals in recent weeks. To win three in a row is a huge effort with a side that was really struggling. To get Shaun Johnson firing again is huge. The Sharks’ match against the Panthers on Saturday will be a beauty.
PROBLEM TO TACKLE
Benji Marshall was dropped by Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire over his defence. Josh Reynolds missed SEVEN tackles against the Panthers on Saturday night.
360 VIEW
Catch you Monday on NRL 360 on Fox Sports at 6.30pm with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and James Hooper to discuss another huge weekend of rugby league.
BATEMAN BREAKS SILENCE: FOR LOVE NOT MONEY
John Bateman has broken his silence on his departure from the Canberra Raiders, denying claims of greed and that the decision was all about money.
The Dally M second-rower of the year told News Corp he is putting family before his finances in quitting the NRL to return home to England.
He says an offer to join the Canterbury Bulldogs was more lucrative than the four-year contract he has signed with glamour club Wigan in the UK Super League.
Bateman says one of the reasons knocked back the Bulldogs was his reluctance to play against the Canberra Raiders and his closest friends.
On Thursday night Bateman messaged his Raiders teammates on their WhatsApp group chat to break the news.
“They’re my best mates and it was really hard,” Bateman said, “but it was also a relief to make the decision so I can focus on coming back in about four weeks.
“It also gives Ricky time to find a replacement.”
The edge forward and his manager Isaac Moses have been slammed in the media over the negotiations.
“People have said I’ve been greedy and I understand some fans are annoyed,” he said.
“But is it greedy to be looking after your family?
“I had a clause in my contract that allowed me to renegotiate.
“I’ve never demanded anything and I haven’t broken any deal.
“My family is my family and I’ll always do what’s best for them, as any father would.”
He has also been criticised by a former high-profile Raiders players and ex-Kangaroos forward Mark Geyer.
“They’ve got a job to do,” he said, “I understand that.
“They want to stay relevant. At the end of the day if they’re not saying anything interesting that’s going to make a headline, they’re not good at what they are doing.
“And if they’re not making headlines their job comes under scrutiny.”
Originally published as Pressure reduces Broncos to tears, John Bateman breaks silence over Canberra Raiders exit; Buzz’s season highlight