Monday Buzz: Not a struck match between James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic for best player in world

Hold on! Just as everyone is labelling Tom Trbojevic as the world’s best player, James Tedesco has suddenly taken his game to a new level. But just who is best? BUZZ’S HIGHS, LOWS

Eels could have a new coach very soon. Picture: Brett Costello

Parramatta Eels legend Ray Price is always worth a phone call, especially if something needs to be said about his beloved old club.

You ring up, turn on the tape recorder … and then let him rip.

On Sunday, the old Parramatta warhorse was desperately upset about the team’s capitulation to old rivals Manly when we rang and asked him for his thoughts.

Watch new FOX SPORTS Original Production ‘Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town’ four-part docu-series on Kayo >

Eels could have a new coach very soon. Picture: Brett Costello

“I’m pissed off,” he says, “They’re playing like busteds.

“It’s really disappointing because I honestly thought we were a hope this year.

“Then you get all these disruptions about the money and their contracts.

“Please. Just play out the year and worry the rest of the stuff in the off-season.”

Price has his thoughts on the leadership of Brad Arthur.

“The coach has got to accept some blame because he’s telling them what to do,” Price said.

“But the players don’t seem to have the confidence in Brad. Are they listening?

“Still, he’s not the one dropping the ball or missing tackles. And he was coaching fine until a few weeks ago.

“I don’t like bagging them but it’s so disappointing and I’m not going to hide my views.”

One thing for sure is that this current Parramatta side is missing the hunger, attitude and determination that Price turned up with every week.

No-one played the game with more heart.

Brad Arthur consoles Mitch Moses.

HIGHLIGHTS

Just as we are labelling Tom “Turbo’ Trbojevic as the world’s best rugby league player, Roosters skipper James Tedesco produces the most magnificent performance against the Brisbane Broncos. There is seriously not a struck match between these two champions.

LOWLIGHT

The vicious high shot by Raiders forward Corey Harawira-Naera on Melbourne Storm playmaker Jahrome Hughes. The worst act of foul play I have seen this season in a year in which the NRL was supposed to be getting serious about concussion. He should have got six weeks minimum, not three.

LOWLIGHT II

Another hopeless performance from the Wallabies on Saturday, whacked 57-22 by the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup. No wonder Channel 9 executives are so concerned about their huge investment in the sport with the Wallabies at an all-time low and showing absolutely no signs of improvement.

EXPENSIVE GETAWAY

Halfback Shaun Johnson must be desperate to get out of lockdown in Sydney and home to New Zealand. Using his connections, Johnson has booked a flight home to Auckland on Wednesday. It means he is giving up around $60,000 for the last month of his contract with the Sharks.

Shaun Johnson has left the Sharks and his exit cost him $60,000 (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

SHOOSH

One coach has been overlooked in discussions about the future direction of the Parramatta Eels. I heard the name of Paul Green mentioned from a good source over the weekend. He is a proven premiership winner.

DALE’S DOUBLE

Winger Dale Copley has won only two games of football this year – once for the Broncos against the Roosters and once for the Roosters against the Broncos.

360 VIEW

Catch you tonight on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Yvonne Sampson, Paul Kent and James Hooper is discuss all the biggest issues from the weekend. The show will be followed by part 3 of the excellent documentary Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Not a struck match between James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic for best player in world