Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s weekend highlights and lowlights

CHECK out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another memorable weekend in sport, with a special mention to the greatest equine of them all.

Winx - the greatest of them all.

CHECK out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another memorable weekend in sport.

HIGHLIGHT I

Winx. This sensational racehorse just keeps on winning. An unbelievable performance at Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon to win a Group I race by eight lengths — and with plenty in reserve. She’s the best ever.

Winx - the greatest of them all.

HIGHLIGHT II

Your columnist spent an emotional Saturday night in Cooma at the fundraiser for 12-year-old local boy Louie Mould, who tragically broke his neck in a trampoline accident last year. What a night. To be in the same room as 500 wonderful locals who rallied like only country people can for one of their own was unbelievably special.

HIGHLIGHT III

MONDAY BUZZ: NRL to blame for bush footy’s graveyard

NRL EARLY MAIL: Isaako scores wing spot

WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Saint, Sinner, Shoosh, Spotted

LOVE STORY: The woman who made Mitch Pearce

The Australian cricket team in South Africa. This side is showing we don’t have to just rely on captain Steve Smith to dominate our opponents.

LOWLIGHT

Rumours that Gary McIntyre, the boss of the Canterbury Bulldogs during the 2002 salary cap scandal, will stand as an independent in the upcoming Leagues Club elections with the support of Lynne Anderson and the directors who were recently swept into power at the football club.

Gary McIntyre.

WELCOME MATT

We told you recently how actor, writer and former player Matt Nable would be debuting as a commentator on Fox Sports this season. He’ll call the Wests Tigers v Roosters game from ANZ Stadium on Saturday at 4pm.

HYDE ACHIEVER

Ray Hadley returns to rugby league broadcasting on 2GB next weekend for his 32nd year of calling the football. He overtakes the one and only Frank Hyde who did 31 seasons at 2SM from 1953 to 1983. Hadley will host the 2GB Continuous Call team on Saturdays and call State of Origin and the grand final.

New Fox League commentator Matt Nable. Picture: Fox Sports

ARTHUR 360

Catch you Monday night on NRL 360 with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent on Fox Sports at 6.30pm to discuss all the big footy issues and the round-one games. For Parramatta fans, coach Brad Arthur will be on the show to talk about the Eels’ chances in 2018.

INCREDIBLE START TO NRL SEASON 2018

The wait is almost over …

Thursday night, Kogarah Jubilee Oval. St George Illawarra host Brisbane to launch the most anticipated season in memory. Ben Hunt against his old team.

The furore over Matt Lodge’s selection in the Broncos side.

Can Saints dominate the early rounds like they did last year?

Then Friday 6pm in Newcastle. Mitchell Pearce’s Knights against the Manly Sea Eagles. A massive home crowd.

Club captains at the NRL launch. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Cronulla travel to Townsville for the 8.05pm game against premiership favourites North Queensland. What a game. No James Maloney and Jack Bird, but Matt Moylan and Josh Dugan.

Seriously, this is a season where probably 14 of the 16 clubs are a realistic hope of playing finals football.

I’d probably only rule out the Wests Tigers, the New Zealand Warriors and maybe the Gold Coast. But who knows.

It’s a level playing field where any one team can win any weekend.

Bring it on.

BROCK ROCKIN’ HIS WAY TO TOP

There has been plenty of talk about Jeff Horn’s big fight in America next month — but Australian boxing fans have another reason to be excited.

Rising Sydney fighter Brock Jarvis remains unbeaten in 13 bouts after a third-round TKO over Indonesian Hamson Lamandau on Friday night in Five Dock.

Brock Jarvis is on the rise. Picture: Tim Hunter

Jarvis was stung in round two but remained composed to secure victory the next round.

“It was a good test for Brock — he will learn from it,” said Jarvis’ trainer, triple world champion Jeff Fenech. “Brock is a student of the game and he wants to be the best.”

Jarvis, 20, is soon expected to officially enter boxing’s world ratings.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s weekend highlights and lowlights