Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights from NRL round 15
He’s one of the most wanted men in rugby league but he can’t get a game - and the contract offers will flow thick and fast as a result. Plus, which club executive has lost the faith of the board? It’s all here in Buzz’s weekend wrap.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Phil Rothfield runs the rule over another weekend of NRL action, while revealing gossip from around the grounds.
HIGHLIGHT
Josh Papalii’s desperation ankle tap on Titans halfback Jamal Fogarty to save a try on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon. It was extraordinary determination from the big man.
HIGHLIGHT II
The South Sydney’s spectacular win over Manly on the back of a Damien Cook blinder. This side has emerged as a genuine premiership threat. Their clash with the Parramatta Eels on Thursday night is potentially the game of the year.
LOWLIGHT
Winning margins of 40, 22 and 20 on ‘Super’ Saturday. These blowouts under the new rules are happening too often and are affecting television ratings.
SHOOSH
We’re hearing Trent Barrett won’t be offering Aiden Tolman a new deal at the Canterbury Bulldogs when his contract expires at the end of the season. The 31-year-old front-rower has played 271 games over 13 seasons and might struggle to find another club.
SHOOSH
There is mail Jeff Horn has been struggling with his sparring in the build-up to Wednesday night’s super fight against Tim Tszyu. The bookies have obviously heard the same thing because Tszyu is at the ridiculously short odds of $1.50.
SHOOSH
Which NRL club chief executive has fallen out of favour with his board and may struggle to keep his job at the end of the season.
DODGY MULLET
The man with the worst haircut in the NRL is getting rid of his mullet to raise money for charity. Gold Coast Titans forward Jai Arrow will proudly take part in the World’s Greatest Shave to support the Leukaemia Foundation. Check out Jai’s Instagram account for details.
360 VIEW
Catch you tonight on NRL 360 on Fox Sports at 6.30pm with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and James Hooper to discuss all the biggest issues from round 15 of the competition.
RIVALS EAGER TO POUNCE ON PANTHER
The most wanted man in rugby league can’t get a game of football or even a start on the reserves bench.
Each week the Penrith Panthers choose boom 20-year-old Matt Burton in jersey No.20.
He hasn’t started since way back in round four on June 5.
Burton gets a run only when gun halves Nathan Cleary or Jarome Luai are unavailable.
He started one game last year and two earlier this season when Cleary was suspended.
At any other club he’d walk straight into the starting halves.
He is an outstanding footballer with maturity way beyond his age.
Burton is under contract at the Panthers until the end of next year.
He can however talk to rival clubs from November.
Like any 20-year-old Burton wants to play football, not sit on a bench.
His manager David Riolo says the youngster at this stage is not concerned about the situation.
“His job is to be ready if needed this season,” Riollo said, “who knows what will happen with injuries. He could find himself playing in a final so he’s got to be prepared.”
Come November Burton will be the hottest player on the open market.
MORE NRL NEWS
What’s The Buzz: Storm tun up heat on legend’s future
Saint, sinner, shoosh: Mundine’s tip for Horn-Tszyu fight
Panthers assistant coach Trent Barrett is off to the Bulldogs and would love to take him, especially now a decision has been made not to keep Kieran Foran at Belmore as chief playmaker.
At least six other clubs have indicated they will be chasing Burton.
This raises an important question for the Panthers.
Will they allow him to leave a year early to get an opportunity to sign a long-term deal and secure a starting position at another club? Or will they park him on the bench for another year? It’s a big call.
Originally published as Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights from NRL round 15