Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights

Wayne Bennett has done more than most to promote rugby league but his embarrassing post-match exchange in Perth while promoting the game in AFL territory did more harm than good. Buzz’s highlights and lowlights.

Former Sharks star Kurt Sorensen.

Wayne Bennett’s pathetic post-match response with short and surly replies to the one journalist at his press conference in Perth after losing to the Knights was embarrassing.

This was a major promotion in an AFL city where non-rugby league fans were entitled to get his proper thoughts, views and explanations on issues from the game rather than him behaving like a nark.

In fairness, no person in rugby league has done more for the game since he started out at the Canberra Raiders in 1987 than the six-time premiership coach.

Plus he has done a sensational job to build a highly competitive Dolphins outfit in their first year.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett was out of line in his post-match press conference. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

However, on this occasion, he was out of line.

This match was part of an NRL double header in Perth to test the market around potential expansion.

The local fans deserved a lot better.

So did local AAP journo Justin Chadwick. Here’s how he handled it.

Journalist: Where do you think were the areas that let you down?

Bennett: You didn’t watch the game?

Journalist: I watched the game.

Bennett: Then you can write about it.

Journalist: But just from your opinion?

Bennett: I don’t want to share it with you.

Journalist: Why’s that?

Bennett: Because it’s just my opinion and I’m not really interested in sharing it.

Imagine this rubbish in front of the American media if the Dolphins ever play in Las Vegas.

HIGHLIGHT

A crowd of 45,814 at Optus Stadium in Perth is surely evidence that there is an appetite for an NRL team in Western Australia.

LOWLIGHT

Cody Walker. One run, four metres. He’s come back from Origin as flat as a tack.

SPOTTED

Kangaroos are still haunting former Kiwi international Kurt Sorensen, 30 years after retiring. Sorensen was riding a pushbike in the bush recently when he came tumbling off after colliding with a kangaroo and suffered a broken leg.

Former Sharks star Kurt Sorensen had a run-in with a kangaroo.

SPOTTED

Justin Holbrook discussing his coaching options with Mal Meninga over a beer at Southport Sharks Leagues Club last Thursday night before making his decision to accept the job at the Roosters.

SPOTTED

It’s tough work being in charge of an NRL club … Wests Tigers bosses, chairman Lee Hagipantelis and CEO Justin Pascoe, enjoyed a round of golf at Cabramatta on Friday afternoon.

Ryan Papenhuyzen proved he’s one of the game’s most popular stars. Picture: NRL photos

SPOTTED

The QRL website crashed on Saturday afternoon from an overload of viewers trying to stream Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen’s successful comeback game for the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

SHOOSH

Parramatta was on the verge of signing Gold Coast centre Aaron Schoupp last week but pulled out at the last minute because the 22-year-old wanted a three-year deal.

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and Brent Read to discuss all the biggest issues from Round 23 of the competition.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights