Buzz’s highlights, lowlights: Former agent’s DCE ploy, Broncos star Xavier Coates tours Storm’s facilities

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is under new management, but a former agent is still using his image to attract business. BUZZ’S HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS

Xavier Coates is on the cusp of joining the Storm. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Phil Rothfield runs the rule over another weekend of NRL action in Buzz’s Highlights and Lowlights.

HIGHLIGHT

Roosters coach Trent Robinson presented Knights coach Adam O’Brien with his 2019 premiership ring in the dressing sheds on Saturday night in Newcastle. O’Brien left the Roosters for Newcastle straight after the grand final and wasn’t around to collect his. Not expecting it, O’Brien got highly emotional as he accepted the ring in the Roosters’ rooms.

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LOWLIGHT

The horrific injury toll at South Sydney and the Roosters. Adam Reynolds, Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Brett Morris and Lindsay Collins. This is a huge blow to their chances of staying in touch with the Panthers and Storm.

Brett Morris has likely paid his last NRL game. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty

SHOOSH

Melbourne Storm are closing in on the signature of highly regarded Brisbane winger Xavier Coates in what would be another shocking recruitment blow for Broncos fans. We first reported the Origin winger meeting with Storm coach Craig Bellamy on the Gold Coast last December. On Saturday, Coates flew to Melbourne to check out the Storm’s facilities.

Xavier Coates is on the cusp of joining the Storm. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

SHOOSH

Penrith star Matt Burton will meet his future Canterbury teammates in Brisbane at Magic Round. The NRL has booked the Panthers and Bulldogs into the same hotel. We hope Trent Barrett and Ivan Cleary are still on speaking terms.

SHOOSH

Which player agent is using an old photo and bio of Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans on his website to help attract new business. DCE is now managed by a rival company.

SPOTTED

Referee Ben Cummins knows how to relax before big games. He was spotted fishing on Lake Ginninderra in Canberra before the Raiders v Rabbitohs game.

The fish was this big... Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty

SPOTTED

Boxing legend Jeff Fenech and his great mate Mark Bouris meeting Channel 9 and Stan executives over the future of his rising featherweight star Brock Jarvis.

RIP PUNCHY

Rugby league lost a great man over the weekend with the passing of legendary Canterbury Bulldogs chairman Barry ‘Punchy’ Nelson who, alongside Peter Moore, formed the best administration in the competition back in the 1980s.

Do not run at Ava Seumanufagai. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty

TACKLE GONG

If there was a Dally M award for tackle of the year, Bulldogs forward Ava Seumanufagai would win for his rib-rattler on Parramatta’s Shaun Lane. Clint Gutherson would get a gong too for best hospital pass.

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and James Hooper to discuss another huge weekend of rugby league action.

Originally published as Buzz’s highlights, lowlights: Former agent’s DCE ploy, Broncos star Xavier Coates tours Storm’s facilities