‘Seriously bad’: Aussie coach torched over ‘scandalous’ Dally M snub

The Jillaroos coach is under fire after his explanation for dropping the NRLW’s best player from the Aussie squad was questioned.

NRL commentators believe the Jillaroos coach may have made a “scandalous” error in his reasoning for dropping Dally M medallist Olivia Kernick from his squad.

Kernick, 23, had a season to remember that saw her win the Dally M last week as the NRLW player of the season.

Kernick has played five games for the Jillaroos and appeared a certain starter for the Australian sides upcoming matches against PNG and New Zealand.

Watch selected NRL, AFL, SSN games plus every F1 qualifying session and race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today.

Then on Sunday, she scored two tries and was one of the best players for the Roosters in the grand final as they held off a fast finishing Cronulla to claim a second NRLW premiership.

The second rower was virtually unstoppable as she made countless barnstorming runs.

So it was a surprise when Kernick was left out of coach Brad Donald’s Jillaroos squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships, which includes four debutants.

The popular Ladies Who League account wrote on X: “I am incredibly surprised that Olivia Kernick has not been named for the @AusJillaroos team.

“My only thought was that something wild had happened and she opted to play for NZ. But after the naming of that squad this morning I am out of ideas. Injury?”

Olivia Kernick won the 2024 Dally M Award. Picture: Jonathan Ng

She was awesome in the NRLW Grand Final. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Donald has opted for Kezie Apps, Yasmin Clydsdale and Mahalia Murphy as his second row options.

“Liv is probably not too far off, she was on the bench for NSW this year as well and she will be the next one in if something went down,” Donald said on Monday.

“When you’ve got the captain in your position in Kezie Apps, it’s quite difficult. Then the versatility (of) Mahalia as well.

“But there is some change, we lost our first game in nine years last year against the Ferns and the Kiwis are really strong.”

Donald’s justification that Kernick came off the bench for NSW in State of Origin raised eyebrows, given she started all three games but wore jersey No. 15 for a couple of games.

It pricked the ears of NRL great Greg Alexander and Fox League commentator Andrew Voss, who wondered whether Donald had actually watched the women’s Origin series, which is held before the NRLW season begins.

“One of his excuses was she started on the bench through Origin, which was a bit strange maybe because Mal (Meninga, Kangaroos coach) used Origin to explain (dropping) James Tedesco and (picking) Dylan Edwards — he thought he’d throw that line,” Alexander said on SEN on Tuesday.

Kernick is the form player in the game. (Photo by Izhar KHAN / AFP)

Did Jillaroos coach Brad Donald make a mistake? Picture: NRL Imagery

Voss said: “That’s a really bad blue (by Donald). Game 1, Game 2, she is in jumper 15.

“She was selected on the bench, she started both of them and then started the third game as well. She started all three games of the series.”

Alexander said: “Don’t tell me Brad Donald didn’t watch the Origin games, and he’s the Australian coach! Tell me that didn’t happen!”

Voss replied: “Voss said: “Bloody hell, that’s a scandal. That’s seriously bad. You can’t quote that at a press conference.”

“It’s almost scandalous. It’s really worth some investigation here.”

Alexander said: “He’s seen 15 … how can he have watched? If he’s actually said she started on the bench in Origin. How can he say that if she didn’t?” he said.

The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio suggested “there has to be other reasons” for Kernick’s omission from the Jillaroos squad.

“There’s no way in the world — on form, which, you’d like to think, representative teams are on form, she makes the team every single day of the week,” he said.

Voss went on to ponder if Donald “has a problem with Kernick’s attitude”.

“(Roosters coach) John Strange doesn’t seem to have much of a problem with Kernick’s attitude, she got player of the year and he won the comp with her! I’m blown away,” he said.

The coach might have made a mistake about State of Origin. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Kernick is one of five incumbents to lose their jersey. Jaime Chapman, Kennedy Cherrington, Emma Manzelmann and Caitlan Johnston-Green also miss out, while it’s understood Emma Tonegato is unavailable due to her upcoming wedding.

“I’ve spoken to all of the incumbents — there’s five of them — they’re all very disappointed and know what they need to work on to put their hand up for World Cup selection in two year’s time and the matches between now and then,” Donald said.

Chapman had been dealing with a hamstring injury throughout the season for the Gold Coast Titans but interestingly was picked up Prime Minster’s XIII against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Sunday.

“Her form has been a little bit off because of those injuries, but another one that could step up if needed,” Donald said.

Kernick (left) was overlooked for the Jillaroos squad. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

For Murphy, it’ll be her first game for Jillaroos since her debut in 2015.

Donald spoke about the “fantastic” Murphy’s rise this year to earn her a long-awaited recall.

“She probably gives us a little more versatility, she’s a back-rower but has played a lot of centre too,” he said.

“She’s had a terrific season and I think she led the Eels really well this year so it’s great to see her back in the side.”

Meanwhile, Karyn Murphy medallist Tarryn Aiken was included after steering the Roosters to their second premiership on Sunday along with teammates Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly and Millie Elliott.

Jillaroos squad

Kezie Apps (capt), Ali Brigginshaw (capt), Tarryn Aiken, Lauren Brown, Abbi Church, Yasmin Clydsdale, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Jessika Elliston, Olivia Higgins, Keilee Joseph, Isabelle Kelly, Shannon Mato, Mahalia Murphy, Tiana Penitani, Julia Robinson, Simaima Taufa, Jess Sergis, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, Jakiya Whitfeld.

— With foxsports.com.au

Originally published as ‘Seriously bad’: Aussie coach torched over ‘scandalous’ Dally M snub