Crash Tackle: Round 4 wrap of the week in rugby league

We take a look at the big talking points coming out of the NRL, including why Brisbane’s James Roberts decision makes sense and harsh criticism of a Broncos star.

James Roberts avoided a ban from the Broncos. Picture: AAP

Each week, we take a look at the big talking points coming out of the NRL.

ONSIDE

NOT A FINE TIME

James Roberts could have received a fine or a short suspension by the Broncos.

He was responsible, however unwittingly, for an image bringing the game into disrepute.

Just ask — and here we go again — Mitchell Pearce.

But if you recognise that an employer has a duty of care to an employee with a serious medical issue, the Broncos’ decision on Sunday makes some sense. They took into account his efforts at rehabilitation.

One factor suggesting this should not have been a suspension matter is that Roberts, who has had rehabilitation over past alcohol use, did not fall over drunk in a nightclub or hotel.

He did not, from what we know, do anything to anyone.

There has so far been no complaint to police.

It doesn’t necessarily follow that all players captured on social media when impaired by alcohol must be suspended.

The Broncos opted against fining James Roberts. Picture: AAP

WIRED FOR SUCCESS

It took just one half of football at fullback for the repositioned Kalyn Ponga to lay an early claim to the Queensland No.1 jersey.

The livewire Ponga fired two cutout passes to send teammates across for tries.

Darius Boyd had an unhappy night against the Roosters, drawing ire on social media for not attempting a tackle on a Roosters tryscorer.

SCORE SETTLED

What’s a workplace without the odd disagreement amiably settled? Corey Oates said he held nothing against Boyd for the skipper giving him a verbal spray when Boyd’s cutout pass flew over the sideline ahead of him in the 36-4 loss to the Roosters.

“I didn’t do my job on that play, so I probably deserved a spray,’’ Oates said.

TWO TO GO

Cameron Smith kicks closer to the NRL record. Picture: Getty Images

Cameron Smith can become the greatest points-scorer in first grade history on Friday if he scores more than two points in Townsville.

With 2416 career points, he has closed on Hazem El Mazri (2418), and it would be appropriate if he is to take the record outright in a match on Queensland soil.

EELS SMOKING IT

Parramatta’s three wins from the first four games gives one of the NRL’s heartland clubs a burst of adrenaline.

The new stadium at Parramatta will have its first Eels game on Easter Monday.

Parra’s television audiences last year were astonishingly good for a wooden-spoon club, but they had the season’s worst average home crowd of 11,175.

OFFSIDE

STATE OF DISBELIEF

It’s now seven straight losses and counting for Queensland’s under-pressure NRL teams.

The only Queensland club to win in the past three rounds was the Broncos, and that was over the Cowboys. The next night, the Titans started this unhappy run of seven losses for themselves, Brisbane and North Queensland.

Anyway, I know what you’re thinking — yep, the date is here somewhere … State of Origin starts on June 5.

HARSH ON MILF

The criticism of Anthony Milford’s capacity for structured football has been, I reckon, harsh.

Two Milford grubbers could have led to tries against the Roosters. Milford and Kodi Nikorima notably trained in their normal positions on Sunday so there was no indication the clamour from pundits will succeed that one or the other should move for Thursday’s clash against Wests Tigers.

Anthony Milford looks set to continue as Brisbane’s five-eighth despite criticism of his performances. Picture: Getty Images

STIRRING POTS

Ex-players as television commentators are shaping the agenda on controversial plays and I hope they fully realise their influence.

Split-second views from Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston (not to mention Phil Gould) stir pundits on mainstream media and social media, who run with the opinions as if Holy Writ.

SENDING A MESSAGE

Tevita Pangai Jr’s grade two dangerous contact charge for a late hit which Johns and Thurston castigated was at the high end of the scale.

He experienced one of the NRL’s “INXS’’ moments when the league sees fit to “send a message’’ to a wider audience than one player.

BRONCOS EXPOSED

Last Thursday, Broncos coach Anthony Seibold said in regard to his team’s battles that “we have five blokes 21 and younger and they are learning’’.

The Broncos exposed themselves to this inexperience in their pack by releasing Josh McGuire, who has played 194 NRL games.

It freed up salary cap room to retain so many young forwards. This was on top of the transfer of 120-gamer Korbin Sims and the retirement of Sam Thaiday.