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The Tackle: Paul Crawley gives his likes and dislikes from NRL round 6, Zac Lomax fined

The NRL has punished Zac Lomax for his “shocking show of disrespect” on former teammate Tyson Frizell, which earned the ire of David Klemmer. Paul Crawley’s LIKES and DISLIKES.

Paul CrawleyPaul Crawley
9 min read
April 18, 2022 - 10:46AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Phil Gould’s sin bin rant missed the point.
Phil Gould’s sin bin rant missed the point.

PAUL CRAWLEY reveals his LIKES and DISLIKES from Round 6 of the NRL season, leading on Canterbury supremo Phil Gould terrible referee take.

ROUND 6 DISLIKES

DRAGON’S ‘SHOCKING SHOW OF DISRESPECT’

St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax has been slugged with a grade one contrary conduct charge for his shocking show of disrespect towards former teammate Tyson Frizell.

It will result in a $1000 fine with an early plea or $1,500 if Lomax takes it to the panel and loses.

It follows an incident in Sunday’s clash against Newcastle when the Dragons centre jumped on the unsuspecting Frizell’s back after a try had been scored.

Frizell certainly didn’t take kindly to the incident which has also led to significant fallout and anger directed at Lomax whose reputation has taken a battering.

There was a time when Lomax was considered the NRL’s next big thing.

It’s no wonder his name seems to have dropped off the radar in the talk about a potential replacement for Latrell Mitchell in the NSW team.

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Zac Lomax on Tyson Frizell's back as the Dragons celebrate a try. Picture: Fox League
Zac Lomax on Tyson Frizell's back as the Dragons celebrate a try. Picture: Fox League

Lomax attempted to play the incident down during a post match interview, saying “it was all friendly banter”.

But it certainly didn’t wash with the Knights when David Klemmer fronted the Dragons centre after the game and gave a dressing down.

Lomax hasn’t been in great form this year and that’s why his name is not being mentioned in the Origin debate.

He had his own embarrassing moment recently when he bombed a certain try by throwing a no-look pass to Jack Bird when it just wasn’t required.

He needs to drop all the show boating and just get back to playing footy without the mug lair attitude.

Tyson Frizell slammed Zac Lomax after Dragons star jumped on his back following the try. Picture: Getty Images.
Tyson Frizell slammed Zac Lomax after Dragons star jumped on his back following the try. Picture: Getty Images.

GUS RANT MISSES THE POINT

Channel 9 commentator and Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould was obviously having trouble separating his duties during the Good Friday clash against South Sydney.

But Gould would be better served directing his frustration at his Bulldogs players for their lack of discipline rather than ranting at referee Gerard Sutton for doing his job.

In another example why it’s always dangerous having any club official commentating on their own team, Gould was clearly seeing things through blue and white eyes after the Rabbitohs raced in three tries while Jeremy Marshall-King was sin binned.

Phil Gould was commentating the Canterbury game this week.
Phil Gould was commentating the Canterbury game this week.

That came after the Dogs had already given up two six-again calls for standing offside near the tryline – an obvious tactic to stop Souths attacking their left side – while Kyle Flanagan was also penalised for slowing down a play the ball, the same thing Marshall-King was marched for.

To Josh Jackson’s credit the Bulldogs skipper conceded after the game his players had been warned what was coming if they didn’t change their tactics.

But while Rabbitohs fans would rightfully argue those infringements severely impacted their chances of scoring earlier, Gould could only see it one way from his seat in Nine’s commentary box.

After Damien Cook scored his second try, Gould remarked: “It’s a big penalty down to 12 men in the modern game. Some refs just love giving sin bins but it is a massive imposition, particularly when you are playing a side like South Sydney”.

Then after Alex Johnston crossed for Souths’ third, Gould continued his passive aggressive rant: “Of course Bulldogs were in front 6-0. One sin bin. And while that has taken place South Sydney have now run in three tries. It’s a massive penalty in the game. A massive penalty to reduce a team to 12 men.”

What Gould didn’t say was Souths players and fans would have been equally frustrated had Sutton allowed the Dogs to continually break the rules without punishment, just so they could stop tries being scored.

You don’t let teams blatantly break the rules just so it makes it a closer contest.

BRONCOS SLAPPED

As if it wasn’t bad enough losing Payne Haas to suspension for his love tap on Albert Kelly.

Old timers would be shaking their heads in disbelief at the fact a big prop can no longer give a lippy fullback an open handed slap for mouthing off on the field.

But the fact of the matter is the tit-for-tat incident involving Bronco Keenan Palasia and the Panthers’ Dylan Edwards left the match officials with no alternative but to sin bin both players.

And that proved incredibly costly for the Broncos because from that moment they lost their way.

Payne Haas and Albert Kelly exchange pleasantries.
Payne Haas and Albert Kelly exchange pleasantries.

From Penrith leading 12-6 early in the second half, the Broncos trailed 22-6 by the time Palasia and Edwards returned.

The final 40-12 scoreline didn’t do the Broncos’ justice given they were without Haas, Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler, and for the most part they tried their hearts out.

But that doesn’t hide the fact it is now four straight losses after winning their opening two games.

And Kevvie Walters and the players desperately need a win against the Bulldogs this Friday or their top eight hopes might be doomed.

After the Dogs the Broncos have a tough run of games against the Sharks, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles.

FADERS BLOW IT AGAIN

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the fading Raiders, this Sunday they face the premiers at Penrith.

And they will get absolutely destroyed if they turn up with the same attitude that led to them surrendering a 12-point lead to go down 18-12 to the Cowboys.

Ricky Stuart could hardly contain his anger after the game and he was right to be filthy with how his team blew another lead before crashing to a third straight defeat.

Because there is just not a more frustrating side in the comp.

There is no question losing Josh Hodgson and Jamal Fogarty to injury this season has made it a lot more difficult.

But the fact is they are still producing enough chances, it’s just knucklehead moments letting them down, with and without the ball.

David Fifita has been lambasted for the Titans’ poor start to the season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty
David Fifita has been lambasted for the Titans’ poor start to the season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

FIFITA IS TITANS’ SCAPEGOAT

David Fifita has copped it all season for everything that’s gone wrong for the Titans.

And even after a pretty significant contribution on Saturday he was still copping it from some fans.

But let’s put some things in perspective here.

Fifita finished with 12 runs for 105m that included a try and a try assist as well as 23 tackles.

That was only marginally upstaged by Manly’s Haumole Olaka’uatu who had 15 runs for 121m, two tries and 19 tackles.

The trouble is now Fifita is starting to show what he is capable of it’s the rest of the team letting him down with the slow starts.

FINUCANE’S UGLY EXIT

It was awful seeing Dale Finucane forced off after a sickening collision with big Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the early exchanges.

The courageous Cronulla captain was clearly in a bad way as he stumbled to his feet and it was the right call to get him off the field.

Asofa-Solomona was guilty of nothing except being himself. The giant forward was awesome for the Storm, having 14 runs for 133m including four tackle busts.

On a night when Melbourne was missing Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, big Nelson was by far the best forward on the field.

To make matters worse for the Sharks they’ve also now lost Braden Hamlin-Uele to a suspected pectoral injury although scans are still to determine how long he could be out for.

Dale Finucane leaves the field. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty
Dale Finucane leaves the field. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty

ROUND 6 LIKES

DCE WORTHY OF KANGAROOS CAPTAINCY

If they picked an Australian Test team tomorrow who gets the halfback job - and the Kangaroo captaincy?

Right now Daly Cherry-Evans is certainly putting a strong case forward for both jobs.

And that is no knock on Nathan Cleary (who most consider a shoo-in for the No 7 jumper) or James Tedesco (with the Blues’ skipper DCE’s obvious main contender to captain the Kangaroos).

But Cherry-Evans is doing such a phenomenal job leading the way for the Sea Eagles in Tom Trbojevic’s absence it raises the debate.

Mal Meninga is already on record saying Cherry-Evans is the front runner for the half-back’s job at the World Cup, and he’s certainly doing everything in his power to stay there.

DCE was again the difference in the win over the Titans, just like he was the previous game against the Knights, and before that against the Raiders.

This issue is certainly going to create a huge talking point when State of Origin rolls around.

MUNSTER IN LEAGUE OF HIS OWN

The form of plenty of NRL players really plummets when they are going through contract negotiations.

Not Cameron Munster. He’s thriving on it.

It’s just astonishing how well he is playing given what is going on in the background as rival clubs circle the Storm superstar.

And right at this minute Munster is certainly showing why he is worth every cent of $1 million plus, with Saturday night’s performance as close to a 10 out of 10 as you will see on a rugby league field.

Off the drink and with his life back in order, Munster seems to be enjoying the fact the Storm have put him at the end of the queue after locking up Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen.

A lot of players probably would have gone the other way after being told they’d have to take a massive pay cut to stay.

But Munster just ups his price by the round.

If Kalyn Ponga is worth $1.2m to the Knights and Dolphins, what’s Munster worth?

ICE COOL FITZY A THROWBACK

How good is it seeing a young NRL head coach not losing his marbles every time a team makes a mistake?

Take a bow Craig Fitzgibbon.

That game on Saturday night against the Storm had the feel of a finals match. Yet just six games into his head coaching career Fitzgibbon handled it like a veteranin the coaching box.

Keeping his emotions in check and his focus on the field.

It’s kind of like a mix between Wayne Bennett and the great Jack Gibson.

Not only are the Sharks playing an outstanding brand of footy, but Fitzgibbon’s attitude is just so refreshingly humble.

DRINKWATER PERFECT FIT FOR DOLPHINS

If Scott Drinkwater doesn’t keep a permanent spot in the Cowboys team, you could understand if he puts in a request to see if he can test the market.

And he would be the perfect fit for Bennett’s Dolphins if they end up missing out on Ponga.

Drinkwater would come at a fraction of the cost but he’s the type of player Bennett could really bring out the best in.

Still only 24 and with just over 50 NRL games in the bank.

It will be interesting to see what Todd Payten does if Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns from his knee to take on the Titans on Saturday.

It would be a big call leaving Drinkwater out of the starting team given how he’s gone the last two games.

Scott Drinkwater has been in hot form. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty
Scott Drinkwater has been in hot form. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty

NSW CENTRE RACE WIDE OPEN

If Tom Trbojevic is fit for State of Origin he will be considered to play either left or right centre.

That means the race to replace Latrell Mitchell is wide open.

The Blues have played Turbo at right centre in the past but know he is capable of playing either side.

On current form you’d have to say Penrith’s Stephen Crichton would be a slight favourite to come into the team, although there’s so fantastic options including growing support for Kotoni Staggs, while Campbell Graham, Matt Burton, Jesse Ramien and Bradman Best are all in the mix.

Staggs put in another cracking performance against the Panthers which followed his dominant effort against the Roosters.

If Crichton gets the call up the Panthers could potentially have six NSW starters also including Cleary, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and Liam Martin.

TODAY’S STARS TAKE GAME TO NEXT LEVEL

It’s crazy to think young guns Sam Walker and Reece Walsh were just babies when the Roosters and Warriors played the 2002 grand final.

Walker was born in June that year, Walsh July.

Fast forward two decades and the now 19-year-olds put on a dazzling show on Sunday as the greats of the Ricky Stuart’s Roosters premiership winning team watched on.

Walker scored another great solo try while Walsh produced his own moment of absolute brilliance for another.

It’s often debated whether the game today is what it used to be. One thing no one can argue is the skills of these youngsters has taken the game to another level.

Scary to think where it will be in another 20 years.

DALLY M VOTES

RAIDERS VS COWBOYS

3 - Valentine Holmes

2 - Jeremiah Nanai

1 - Josh Papalii

Judge: Wally Lewis

RABBITOHS VS BULLDOGS

3 - Damien Cook

2 - Liam Knight

1 - Cameron Murray

Judge: Ben Creagh

PANTHERS VS BRONCOS

3 - Nathan Cleary

2 - Api Koroisau

1 - Liam Martin

Judge: Andrew Johns

SEA EAGLES VS TITANS

3 - Haumale Olakau’atu

2 - Daly Cherry-Evans

1 - Dylan Walker

Judge: Ryan Girdler

STORM VS SHARKS

3 - Cameron Munster

2 - Nelson Asofa-Solomona

1 - Siosifa Talakai

Judge: Greg Alexander

ROOSTERS VS WARRIORS

3 - Sam Walker

2 - James Tedesco

1 - Addin Fonua-Blake

Judge: Chris Heighington

DRAGONS VS KNIGHTS

3 - Ben Hunt

2 - Moses Suli

1 - Kalyn Ponga

Judge: Luke Lewis

EELS VS WESTS TIGERS

3 - To come

2 - To come

1 - To come

Judge: To come

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Originally published as The Tackle: Paul Crawley gives his likes and dislikes from NRL round 6, Zac Lomax fined

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