Monday Buzz: NRL grand final highlights, lowlights
Young gun’s big moment, the real reason James Tedesco joined the Roosters and more — check out talking points from another NRL grand final weekend.
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Player ratings: Who starred, struggled in NRL grand final
Grand larceny: ‘Worst call in history’ as Raiders go down
Check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another big weekend in sport.
HIGHLIGHT
That first try to Sam Verrills. Incredible vision, confidence and initiative for a 20-year-old in his first grand final. This youngster has got the lot.
LOWLIGHT
No more NRL until March next year, outside of the Nines and a couple of Tests. The cricket season isn’t the same without the Poms, South Africa or India. The good news is there are only 146 days until March 1.
More Buzz: Disgraceful grand final call story of NRL season
LOWLIGHT II
Australia’s greatest fighter Jeff Fenech in intensive care in a Thailand hospital with pneumonia. He was struggling when I rang him on Sunday to check on his progress.
SHOOSH
Which former Balmain star refused to turn up to Wests Tigers’ grand final lunch on Friday because he didn’t want to acknowledge retiring hooker Robbie Farah as a club great?
MINI’S MAJOR ROLE
The real reason James Tedesco joined the Roosters was not about Trent Robinson, Nick Politis or money. He has always been a massive fan of Anthony Minichiello, who convinced him to play out of Bondi Junction.
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SPOTTED
Broncos prop Matt Lodge in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon at Flemington races enjoying a punt and a beer.
SPOTTED II
Roosters legend and old rugby league heart-throb Luke Ricketson having a pre-game lunch at Mr Wong’s.
SPOTTED III
Steve and Josh Morris seated together watching Brett Morris.
NO VACANCIES
The Roosters stayed at the Vibe Hotel in Rushcutters Bay on Saturday night. There were no rooms available at Homebush because the Raiders booked them for WAGS and families.
LOZ RATINGS WINNER
It’s been a huge week for footy legend Laurie Daley. His Raiders made the grand final and for the first time the radio show he co-hosts with Terry Kennedy, the Big Sports Breakfast, knocked off Macquarie Sports Radio in the latest ratings.
ACTION JACKSON
It’s such a shame Jackson Hastings was driven out of the NRL by Manly. The rejected halfback steered Salford to a 28-4 upset over Wigan to lift the Red Devils to the Super League grand final for the first time. The 23-year-old would be a great signing for the Broncos.
360 VIEW
There is a final episode of NRL 360 at 7.30pm Monday on Fox Sports with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent to look back over the grand final and the biggest issues.
FEW LOW POINTS IN GREAT YEAR
If I had to rate the performance of the NRL this year out of 10, I would give it a 7.5.
It would be an 8.5 but for the judiciary, match-review process and refereeing inconsistency. This should improve once reviews take place and are acted on in the off-season.
Importantly, the standard of football has been A grade. We saw some cracking contests.
It convinced me there are enough good players around for a 17th team in Brisbane. (The quality of the Newtown v Burleigh game is a good example of that.)
The opening of Bankwest Stadium and the Origin crowd of nearly 60,000 in Perth were highlights.
Plus Magic Round at Suncorp.
I love how Parramatta and Manly came from 16th and 15th to make the finals. I loved Canberra’s resurgence. I loved watching old Benji Marshall. And Maika Sivo.
Seibold v Bennett. Sellouts at suburban grounds on Sunday afternoons. It was an unforgettable year.
FACES OF DESPAIR AMONG THE HAPPINESS
Rugby league is not just about the winners.
For every face of jubilation among the premiers at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night there has been a story of despair along a tough road to finals football over seven brutal months.
A shattered Garth Brennan on the Gold Coast and his sacking in July. A broken Greg Inglis, retiring in April. Kaysa Pritchard, forced into retirement at 25.
Million-dollar halfback Ash Taylor needing personal leave to deal with the pressures of being the chief playmaker at a struggling franchise. Jack Bird and Ryan James. Both good enough to play Origin but struck down with serious injuries. Journeyman Tim Grant, another player forced into retirement.
Nathan Brown’s departure at Newcastle. Mary McGregor’s weekly anguish. Tom “Turbo” Trbojevic, ruled out of the finals.
It’s been the same since 1908 … there can only be one winner. And 15 teams that just weren’t good enough.
Originally published as Monday Buzz: NRL grand final highlights, lowlights