Blindside: The latest gossip and inside info from the NRL
TITANS coach Garth Brennan has finally dropped Bryce Cartwright from his squad, but not before explaining his underperforming recruit’s latest non-tackle. This and more inside info from PETER BADEL and TRAVIS MEYN.
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TITANS coach Garth Brennan has explained Bryce Cartwright’s horrible non-tackle on James Tedesco which went viral.
Cartwright has been relegated to 19th man for the Gold Coast’s clash against South Sydney at Cbus Super Stadium tonight.
Brennan finally pulled the trigger on his big money recruit following a string of poor performances.
The last of those was Cartwright’s effort against the Roosters a fortnight ago where he failed to attempt to tackle Tedesco.
The footage went viral and was eerily similar to Cartwright’s failed attempt to tackle Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster a few weeks earlier.
“It was more a case of a poor defensive read,” Brennan said.
“We spoke about Luke Keary being a runner all week and out the back of Tedesco he is there.
“It was a case of Bryce thinking about what might happen, instead of what was happening with the football, and he over-read the situation.
“By the time he looked around and realised Mitch Rein had missed his man, Tedesco was gone.
“That’s a bad defensive read on Bryce’s part. They’re structures we’ve got to work on at training.”
HUNGRY SHARKS EYE NEXT GAL
THE Sharks have made a huge play for young Titans firebrand Keegan Hipgrave to replace skipper.
Blindside spies spotted Hipgrave with his manager, former Maroons fullback Clinton Schifcofske, meeting with the Sharks at a Cronulla cafe on Wednesday.
Hipgrave, 21, has only played 10 NRL games but is being chased by a number of rival clubs.
Gallen, 36, is expected to retire this season and Hipgrave could be his replacement in the Cronulla No. 13.
The Palm Beach Currumbin product has been likened to former NSW Origin star Greg Bird with his tenacious defensive attitude.
Hipgrave has already been suspended twice and charged three times by the match review committee.
Titans coach Garth Brennan is a huge fan of Hipgrave but after splashing big money on Canberra prop Shannon Boyd and Maroons prop Jarrod Wallace, the Gold Coast could struggle to retain him.
MAROONS MISSION FOR BOYD
DARIUS Boyd’s Origin career is hanging by a thread, with Queensland coach Kevin Walters telling the Broncos skipper to lift his game to get back in Maroon.
There were many raised eyebrows when Maroons hierarchy opted to call up Kalyn Ponga and Anthony Milford after Billy Slater withdrew from Origin I on Wednesday night with a hamstring injury.
Just 12 months ago, Boyd was Queensland’s No. 1 and widely expected to be the Plan B for Slater given his wonderful 28-game contribution to the Maroons since his Origin debut in 2008.
Walters insists there is no bad blood with Boyd after he chose a New Zealand holiday with his wife over a stint in Camp Maroon.
The Maroons coach says Boyd was overlooked purely because of form and challenged him to get better — starting against Melbourne on Sunday.
“I have spoken to Darius about it (missing out),” he said. “We just think at the moment that he isn’t quite at the level where he knows he should be.
“Certainly if he can get back to the great Darius Boyd and the player he has been for Queensland, he will get himself back into the side.
“I’ve had the conversation with him.
“I did see a bit of talk around him going on holidays — it had nothing to do with that. He is a great member of this Queensland family and he just needs to pick his act up in a few little areas and get back to being the Darius Boyd that we know he can be and he will be back in this side.”
MORGAN SURGERY OPTION
MAROONS ace Michael Morgan is doing his best to avoid surgery.
The Cowboys’ $5 million man suffered an abdominal injury on the eve of round one and has been courageously playing through the pain barrier, which can explain why his form has suffered this season.
There are fears Morgan may eventually need surgery to repair a possible hernia, but he is hoping to avoid that scenario. Morgan was one of the Queensland’s best players in Origin I, suggesting he can get through the season with diligent rehabilitation.
“Morgo has some issues with his groin but he had a good rest through the week,” Walters said.
“Some of the balls he caught (in Origin I) were very impressive and I thought he had a really strong match.
“I don’t know if Morgo will need surgery. It’s one for the doctors to decide, I dropped out of medical school after my third year, so it’s hard for me to comment.”
CLASS ACT PONGA
Kalyn Ponga is an impressive young man and a credit to the NRL.
While struggling Bronco Anthony Milford refused to talk to the media and fled Melbourne airport like a prison escapee, Ponga was a class act.
Upon his arrival at Melbourne airport following Billy Slater’s withdrawal, Ponga stopped to talk to journalists with a friendly smile on his face.
Milford could learn a lesson or two from the polite Ponga.
If it wasn’t for the luck of the NRL draw, Ponga could have easily been making his Origin debut as Queensland’s utility.
The Knights played the Eels last Saturday, meaning Ponga could not spend the week in Camp Maroon because of his Newcastle commitments.
On the other hand, Brisbane had a bye which allowed Milford to train with the Maroons during the week.
When Slater withdrew, coach Kevin Walters opted for the low-risk option, which was to call-up the fresh Milford.
If the Knights did not have a game, Ponga would have been in the box seat to make his Origin debut at the MCG.
BIRD STILL IN INJURY WARS
BRONCOS star signing Jack Bird is facing an extended stint on the sidelines with a troublesome sternum injury.
Bird was not named in Brisbane’s team for Sunday’s clash against the Storm in Melbourne.
It will be the third straight game Bird has missed after coach Wayne Bennett decided to rest him.
Bird was in terrible form in the early stages of his first season at the Broncos due to shoulder and sternum complaints.
And it could be weeks before he returns to the NRL.
FREDDY THINKS OUT OF THE BOX
NSW coach Brad Fittler is a left-field thinker and a breath of fresh air.
At the captain’s run on Tuesday, Fittler ordered his players to take their shoes off and walk on the MCG turf in bare feet to “soak up the minerals”.
Fittler also made the entire NSW squad conduct media interviews after every training session, including the captain’s run on match eve.
It shows he cares about promoting the code.
MOOSE TOPS FOR MAROON
JOSH McGuire’s effort in Origin I was simply phenomenal.
The Maroons lock hadn’t played a game in six weeks due to an ankle injury, but finished as Queensland’s top forward with 121 metres.
He also added 33 tackles in a performance that franked his Ron McAuliffe Medal-winning display from last year’s series.
“Josh bleeds Maroon,” coach Kevin Walters said. “How good was he? It doesn’t surprise me that Josh was our best forward, he is the ultimate pro.”
PLAYING STOCKS
RISING
James Tedesco
The Blues fullback was simply sensational in Origin I, running for 224m and busting 13 tackles to leave the Maroons clutching at air.
Greg Inglis
Queensland lost but Inglis produced one of the great Origin performances in his debut as skipper. He was inspirational.
Michael Morgan
It has been a tough season for the Cowboys star but he produced a stellar performance at fullback for the Maroons despite having a limited preparation.
Jason Taumalolo
The Cowboys lock has been quiet in 2018 but exploded with 264m and 10 tackle busts in North Queensland’s win against Manly.
FALLING
Jarrod Wallace
The Maroons prop produced just five runs for 43m in Origin I and is now fighting for his Queensland jumper as Matt Scott looms.
Coen Hess
Was lucky to be picked for Queensland given his NRL form and was quiet in Origin I. The likes of Joe Ofahengaue will be pushing for his spot.
Gavin Cooper
Worked hard in defence but possessed little attacking threat for Queensland compared to debutant backrower Felise Kaufusi.
Mitchell Moses
The Parramatta halfback was being sized up for the NSW No. 7 jersey at the start of the season but has been woeful for the Eels.
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