Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights

Brisbane set for leadership overhaul, Trent Robinson’s big Roosters dilemma, stoush between former NRL greats and more — check out the weekend’s big talking points.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson faces a tough selection call. Picture: Getty Images

• Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Revealed — why Burgess did it

• What’s the Buzz: Bulldogs eye huge Canberra raid

Check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another big weekend in sport.

HIGHLIGHT

The most stunning Parramatta finals performance since the glory days of the 80s in front of a ground record attendance at Bankwest Stadium. This side will give the Melbourne Storm a run for their money.

HIGHLIGHT II

Cooper Cronk’s tackle to drive Rabbitohs winger Adam Doueihi into touch at the SCG. It reminded me of Ron Coote, the greatest cover defender of them all.

More Monday Buzz: Ricky’s rare praise for Raiders star

Stream every match of the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Michael Jennings and the Eels enjoyed a win for the ages. Picture: Getty Images

LOWLIGHT

Wayne Bennett’s coaching record in finals football in the last three years, flogged 30-6 by the Roosters on Friday night, 48-18 by St George Illawarra last season and 30-nil by Storm in 2017. That’s a combined score of 108-24.

.

LOWLIGHT II

The touch judge who stuffed up and denied Melbourne one final shot at the Raiders by raising his flag to rule Suliasi Vunivalu had gone into touch with 90 seconds to go. He was clearly in the field of play.

SHOOSH

Beau Scott was one of the toughest forwards of the modern era. We’re hearing he’ll step into the ring to fight the undefeated Justin Hodges in December.

GOT YOUR BACK, BRO

Nothing like sticking up for your little brother. Refs boss Bernard Sutton told Melbourne Storm officials that referee Ashley Klein twice incorrectly overruled calls from assistant referee Chris Sutton in the Raiders-Storm match.

FATHER AND SON FIRST

Ray and Chris Warren calling the Manly Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks semi-final from Brookvale Oval for Channel 9 and 2GB. It’s understood to be the first time a father and son have called the same game.

Ray and Chris Warren.

SPOTTED

Former NRL star Willie Mason chatting to high profile paparazzi Jamie Fawcett in Double Bay over the weekend.

SPOTTED II

Rugby league royalty Steve ‘The Pearl’ Renouf at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday night to watch the Lions against the GWS Giants in the AFL final.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 at 7.30pm Monday on Fox Sports with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent, James Hooper, Nathan Brown and Anthony Griffin and later on Controversy Corner with Graeme Hughes, Blocker Roach and Geoff Toovey.

ROBINSON’S ROOSTERS DILEMMA

Roosters coach Trent Robinson is facing one of the toughest calls of his coaching career over a starting hooker for the preliminary final.

Rookie Rooster Sam Verrills has been in outstanding form and clearly outplayed Test hooker Damien Cook, who played behind a beaten pack at the SCG on Friday night.

Verrills is just 20 years of age and has played only 11 first-grade games.

Roosters co-captain Jake Friend is due to make his comeback. He is 29, has played 243 first-grade games and is the best defender at the club.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has a tough call to make. Picture: Getty Images

We checked in with Robinson over the weekend.

“I’m not going to go into it with a journalist,” he said.

“I know what I’m going to do but we’ll leave it at that.”

On Friend, he said: “Everyone underestimates him outside our four walls.”

And on Verrills: “Sammy has been exceptional for us.”

Friend has played only five games this year. Verrills is match fit and flying. It’s a nice selection headache to have.

MORE NEWS

Harsh facts busted Broncos must face after finals fiasco

Russell Crowe still paying for boozy blow up with Keary

BIG CHANGES AT BRONCOS

The Broncos are likely to undergo a leadership overhaul after Sunday’s embarrassing capitulation to the Parramatta Eels.

For weeks there has been speculation long-serving chief executive Paul White would stand down.

And from the Bankwest Stadium sheds last night reports emerged veteran Darius Boyd had almost certainly captained the club for the last time.

Darius Boyd’s days as Broncos captain could be over. Picture: AAP

Not that Boyd can be singled out and blamed for Sunday’s debacle. The captaincy issue was up for discussion long ago.

The 32-year-old, who still has two years to run on his contract, has struggled with the burden of leadership. The tip is Kangaroos and Maroons forward Matt Gillett will take over as captain.

Boyd insists he will play out his contract until the end of 2021 despite his struggles this year.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights