Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights

WHY has the NRL’s No. 1 referee been snubbed? Plus check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another memorable weekend in sport.

Referee Matt Cecchin.

CHECK out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another memorable weekend in sport.

HIGHLIGHT

Rugby league’s baaaaack. Shark Park. Cronulla beats Manly. The King Wan.

LOWLIGHT

A question for Gladys Berejiklian and Stuart Ayres to ask the SCG Trust on Allianz Stadium.

Why was $20 million spent on two giant TV screens at each end of the ground two years ago when there were urgent safety issues to be addressed like a rusting roof, insufficient emergency exits, no fire sprinklers, non-compliant crowd barriers and no emergency warning intercom system?

MORE MONDAY BUZZ: The Craig Bellamy problem Storm is facing

A general view outside Allianz Stadium.

SPOTTED I

A couple of old Dragons legends, Anthony Mundine and Mark Coyne, watching their sons play St George’s Harold Matthews team on Saturday against the Roosters.

SPOTTED II

John Grant’s old media minder and NRL communications boss, Peter Grimshaw, in Melbourne with Peter Beattie for the World Club challenge.

OLD NEWS

Channel Nine’s first Monday night Footy Show in three weeks will feature an “exclusive” Gus Gould interview with Peter Beattie, the same guy who has already revealed his vision in this newspaper.

SHOOSH

Which Kangaroos star recently pranged a golf cart while holidaying at Palm Beach? At least he went back to the pro shop and offered to pay for the damage.

Cowboys Coach Paul Green. Picture: Stewart McLean

FLYING COWBOY

It’s been a busy off-season for North Queensland coach Paul Green. He’s not only prepared the Cowboys for the premiership kick-off but also got his helicopter pilot’s licence last week.

WANTED COYNE

Mark Coyne has not only knocked back the chance to replace Peter Doust as CEO of his old club, St George Illawarra, but also a recent approach to join the independent commission.

YVONNE 360

Catch you tonight on NRL 360 on Fox Sports at 7.30pm with Yvonne Sampson, who is filling in for Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and Jimmy Hooper. Plus champion halfback Cooper Cronk will be on the show for his first major interview since joining the Roosters.

Referee Matt Cecchin.

WHY WAS NO. 1 CECCHIN SNUBBED?

THE NRL is facing questions of potential nepotism within the refereeing ranks.

Last year Matt “Chicken Legs” Cecchin was clearly the game’s No. 1 referee.

Seriously 10 lengths better than anyone else. The best since Bill Harrigan.

Cecchin was head referee in the grand final and did a great job. The same in State of Origin.

On Friday night Melbourne Storm played Wigan in the World Club challenge. The prestige game of the weekend.

Cecchin was nowhere to be seen. The job went to Gerard Sutton and old Ben Cummins.

My point is this — the new head of referees replacing Tony Archer is Bernard Sutton, Gerard’s older brother.

Sure, Gerard Sutton did the World Cup final and went OK. But on last season’s form, Cecchin had to get the job.

What will happen if Gerard Sutton stuffs up during the season? Will his brother drop in him? It is going to be a big issue as the season progresses.

Cameron Smith’s Storm were far too strong for Leeds.

BLOOPER LEAGUE NO MATCH FOR NRL

THE standard of the English Super League is appalling. Take nothing away from Melbourne Storm but Leeds wouldn’t have beaten a good NSW Cup side on Friday night.

It shows that the game in England is only going backwards.

The only reason Super League clubs have been competitive in previous World Club challenges is that NRL sides have had to travel to the other side of the world to play.

No English club side would get within 30 points of our best NRL sides when the games are played in the Southern Hemisphere.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights