Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights and talking points from a bumper weekend in sport
CRONULLA have lost the commitment they had in last year’s championship season and Phil Rothfield lets them have it in his wrap of the weekend’s sporting action.
CRONULLA have lost the commitment they had in last year’s championship season and Phil Rothfield lets them have it in his wrap of the weekend’s sporting action.
HIGHLIGHT
You’ve got to love an underdog and a team that never gives up. The Knights’ performances over the past fortnight in victories over the Warriors and the Dragons have been seriously inspirational.
MORE BUZZ: Teddy Atlas won’t apologize to Horn
VICTORY: Cleary gets a win over the old boy
UPSET: Sea Eagles upset Roosters
HIGHLIGHT II
Gavin Badger’s 300th game as an NRL referee. If only there were more like him. A guy who speaks to the players with respect. A guy who lets footy games flow.
LOWLIGHT
Cronulla won last year’s premiership via their relentless commitment, hunger and desire. All three were missing against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday night. To blame the absence of James Maloney is a cop out.
LOWLIGHT II
The pathetic crowd and total lack of atmosphere at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the Rabbitohs-Dragons game, ridiculously scheduled for 6pm on a Friday night.
SWITCH IT UP
The Canberra Raiders’ late charge for the finals coincides with coach Ricky Stuart moving from the sidelines to the coaching box in the last two weeks for the big wins over the Rabbitohs and the Sharks. The team — and the coach — look far more relaxed.
EXTEND
Ray Hadley is in talks to extend his contract at Channel 9, which finishes at the end of the season. We’re also hearing the network is considering an approach to Andrew Voss from Fox Sports. Rest assured the pay TV network will not stand in his way.
SNAPPER
Coach John Longmire at Swans training last week with a flash new camera. Trouble is he has no idea how to use it and was hoping to get some tips from our multiple Walkley Award winning photographer Phil Hillyard. Phil was off crook and couldn’t make it. The lesson is on again this week.
SPOTTED
Joey Johns at Huxton’s cafe in Bronte on Saturday morning and later that night at Shark Park. The eighth Immortal is looking the best I’ve ever seen him.
SHOOSH
Which senior NSWRL official is the front runner to replace Raelene Castle as chief executive of the Canterbury Bulldogs?
SWITCH ON
Catch you Monday night on NRL 360 with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent to discuss the big issues from round 22 and the race home to the finals.
Originally published as Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights and talking points from a bumper weekend in sport
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