Monday Buzz: Highlights, lowlights and talking points from the weekend’s sporting action

A MIRACLE escape, Ogre takes on Ogre and Joey Leilua needs to pull his head in. PHIL ROTHFIELD takes a look at all of it in his wrap of the weekend in the world of sport.

Joey Leilua’s sledge of the Bulldogs was an ugly look. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

A MIRACLE escape, some Ogre on Ogre action and the punters running away from the holy grail of tennis.

Phil Rothfield takes a look at the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another bumper weekend of sporting action.

MONDAY BUZZ: Is State of Origin losing it’s shine?

HIGHLIGHT

The Canberra Raiders’ three spectacular tries in the final five minutes against Canterbury. What a magnificent 14-minute contribution from Blake Austin.

HIGHLIGHT II

The Poms into the semi-finals of the World Cup. Eventually they’ve got to win something.

LOWLIGHT

Joey Leilua’s grubby sledging of Canterbury players after scoring the matchwinning try at Belmore on Saturday night.

Leilua let the Bulldogs know after he scored his matchwinning try. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

NRL BUCKET LIST

Mark ‘Buckets’ O’Neill lost his job as general manager of the Wests Tigers 18 months ago for inappropriate behaviour. Not that it’s a problem for the NRL. O’Neill is now on the payroll at Moore Park headquarters as a consultant.

SPOTTED I

Former Bulldogs and NSW Blues prop Mark O’Meley didn’t know who to cheer for when the Roosters played the North Sydney Bears in Jersey Flegg on Saturday. One son, Nicholas, played for the Roosters while another, Jake, played for the Bears. The Roosters won 34-18.

Nicholas O'Meley and his brother Jake, the sons of former Test prop Mark O’Meley.

SPOTTED II

Jake Trbojevic helping out with the juniors at Mona Vale Raiders on his day off from NSW Blues training on Saturday.

How good is this young bloke. Day off @NSWRL training and Jake Trbojevic is back helping his junior club @MonaValeRaiders !! pic.twitter.com/etGzNf6ArG

— Chris Warren (@ChrisWarreNRL) July 7, 2018

DALLY MOVERS

Betting on rugby league’s Dally M award has changed dramatically since Knights star Kalyn Ponga was injured against the Canterbury Bulldogs last week. While Ponga’s price has eased from $3 to $4, Gold Coast Titans halfback Ash Taylor ($23 to $11) and Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($13 to $9) have been the biggest firmers.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox Sports Monday night with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent to talk State of Origin and discuss the biggest issues in the game.

PUNTERS DESERT WIMBLEDON

NEXT weekend’s Wimbledon final could be the least watched in years, even if the great Roger Federer is involved.

If England make the World Cup final in Russia, the game starts at 3pm London time, right in middle of Men’s final at Wimbledon.

At this stage Wimbledon organisers won’t budge and move it. International television networks who have rights to the tennis are blowing up deluxe.

FAMILY: Why Fergo turned down cashed-up rivals

HISTORY: Blues will hit silver screen

BRILLIANT WHEN REFS PUT IT AWAY

Considering the NRL was missing 34 Origin stars, the football over the weekend was outstanding.

I have seen few better games this year than the Melbourne Storm v St George game.

The fact Matt Cecchin blew only eight penalties meant there was a fatigue effect. Tired players couldn’t make tackles they normally would.

Having 10 less penalties than the season average meant we got to see about eight minutes extra football. And that’s what everyone wants.

ANOTHER PENRITH YOUNG GUN

The Penrith junior rugby league production line continues to produce the best youngsters in the game. Halfback Jarome Luai smacked Shaun Johnson’s backside at Penrith Stadium on Friday night. This guy reminds me a lot of old Rothmans Medallist Ewan McGrady. It’s obviously too early to be suggesting he’s going to be as good as McGrady but the signs are promising.

If Nathan Cleary chooses to take up a big money offer from a rival club, the Panthers have certainly got a ready-made replacement.

Will the Warriors fall apart again? Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

WOBBLY WARRIORS STRUGGLING AGAIN

The Warriors are looking the wobbliest of all top eight contenders after a terrible performance against the Panthers.

In the run home they play the Broncos away, Storm at home, Titans away, Dragons away, Knights home, Bulldogs away, Panthers home and Raiders home.

If the Raiders or the Wests Tigers can string some wins together, the race for the finals is back on again. We know the Canberra Raiders can beat any side on their day.

Their last five minutes against the Bulldogs was simply devastating. The Wests Tigers also showed earlier in the year they can compete against the best teams.

Watch the 2018 State of Origin Series LIVE or ON DEMAND anywhere outside AU, NZ and Pacific Islands on WATCH NRL. GRAB YOUR PASS NOW >

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Highlights, lowlights and talking points from the weekend’s sporting action