Sport Confidential: Stats reveal NRL’s quickest, busiest players

The NRL Telstra tracker has revealed the game’s quickest and busiest players of the season, Nick Cotric’s stunning first and John Bateman eyes a unique piece of history. SPORT CONFIDENTIAL

• CONCERN: Bateman struck down by virus

• OVERHAUL: Simple move to fix Dally M problem

Canberra flyer Nick Cotric will get his first opportunity to attend an NRL grand final on Sunday. The Raiders winger has never been to a decider before.

The 20-year-old has long dreamt about playing on grand final day.

But his family tradition was to have a grand final barbeque instead of heading to ANZ Stadium to watch the game.

Replay the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final in full on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Nick Cotric has never attended an NRL grand final. Picture: Jenny Evans

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“I’ve never been to one,” Cotric said. “I’ve had the BBQ, family and friends sitting there wishing and hoping I’d get there. It’s pretty crazy thinking the first grand final I’ll get to go to I’ll be playing.

“I grew up as a little kid dreaming about playing in a grand final. Now I get the chance to do it.”

Cotric described his 2019 as a “roller-coaster”. He made his Origin debut before getting injured and then was sent-off for a lifting tackle against St George Illawarra which resulted in a three game ban.

“We’re playing in the grand final so that’s all that matters,” Cotric said. “The bond we have is very strong.”

SPOTTED I

Former Rooster and Canterbury winger Sam Perrett paying a visit to the Roosters sheds after their win last Saturday.

Former Cronulla stars Valentine Holmes and Ricky Leutele reunite in Canada

SPOTTED II

Former Cronulla teammates Ricky Leutele and Valentine Holmes catching up in Canada.

SPOTTED III

Canberra players walking to the fan day on Wednesday handing out mini-footballs.

SHOOSH I

Which high-profile player could be headed to court as he looks to break away from his current player manager?

LISTEN! In the season finale, Matty Johns is joined by James Hooper and Paul Kent to go over this Sunday’s grand final, plus how the build-up to the NRL’s biggest weekend can weigh on the favoured team (and how the Roosters are counteracting it!).

DALLY M WHISPERS

SHOOSH I

Which journalist wore an oversized jacket, having been forced to borrow one and a tie from a colleague after realising he left his at home. In a further blow to the ego, the scribe had to ask his colleague to help do up his tie at a nearby pub.

SHOOSH II

Which legend of the game was seen trying to put coins into a parking meter which only took card payment?

SHOOSH III

Which media identity tried to sneak off with Cameron Smith’s Captain of the Year trophy?

* Josh Papalii might be the form player in the NRL but it wasn’t enough for event organisers to spell his nametag correctly. The Canberra prop’s name was spelt “Papalaii”.

* The NRL’s own Facebook page caused a stir by spoiling some of the results before they were officially announced. They gave away Cameron Smith had won Captain of the Year and Craig Bellamy Coach of the Year about 20 minutes before they were announced on stage during the live broadcast. The posts were quickly deleted and re-posted when they were officially known.

* Next year looms as a season of extra responsibilities for Wade Graham. Not only will he be the standalone skipper at the Sharks for the first time but Graham used the red-carpet on Wednesday night to show off his pregnant partner Karianne Lafrance’s baby bump for the couple’s second child.

Winger Daniel Tupou turned photographer at the Roosters media session.

RELAXED ROOSTERS DO IT EASY

What can’t Roosters flyer Daniel Tupou do? Tupou showed how relaxed he and his teammates are after stepping up to take some snaps during the Roosters media day earlier this week.

The Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas is raising money for a great cause.

THOMAS TURNS BLUE FOR A GOOD CAUSE

If you spot our colleague Ray Thomas walking around with nail-polish just know he is doing it for a good cause. Thomas is painting one finger blue through October as part of the Polished Man campaign which raises awareness to help end violence against children. Donations allow for trauma recovery and trauma prevention for children around the world. To donate: https://my.polishedman.com/ray-thomas

MOMENT THAT SWITCHED BUTCHER’S MINDSET

A frank conversation with Trent Robinson at the end of season review prompted a dramatic shift in Nat Butcher’s mindset.

Butcher warmed up on the field as 19th man for the Roosters in last year’s grand final. He has been named in the 17 for Sunday’s game after featuring in all but one of the Roosters games since round four. He could be the unlucky player to be squeezed out to accommodate Jake Friend’s return but Butcher said his form had turned the corner this year.

“Warming up last year and not playing has been a real motivator,” Butcher said. “I’m happy with how this year has gone. Hopefully Robbo (coach Trent Robinson) puts me in the 17 this week.

“I had to believe in myself a bit more and express myself as a player. He wanted more from me and push me to show more what I can do on the field.”

NSW Blues captain Boyd Cordner holds a signed Blues jersey which the team donated. Picture: Brett Costello

BLUES LEND A HAND AFTER TRAGEDY STRIKES

The NSW Blues raised about $50,000 to the Hunter Valley family who lost three children in a tragic house fire in June. NSW players donated their jerseys from the game three match which were then auctioned. Kara Atkins and her daughter Bayley survived the blaze which claimed the lives of her son Blake and twin daughters Matylda and Scarlett.

NSW captain Boyd Cordner led the initiative.

BATEMAN’S SHOT AT NRL HISTORY

Canberra back-rower John Bateman has an opportunity to join a very unique list if the Raiders win on Sunday. Since the English Super League grand Final began in 1998 only one Englishman has won the Super League grand final and an NRL grand final. That was Adrian Morley who won the 2002 pemiership with the Roosters and in 2005 with the Bradford Bulls. Bateman and Raiders teammate Ryan Sutton won premierships with Wigan in 2016 and 2018.

Josh Addo-Carr is the NRL’s fastest player. Picture: Daniel Pockett

ADDO-CARR OFFICIALLY THE NRL’S QUICKEST PLAYER

In case there was any doubt, Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr was officially the fastest player on the field this season according to the NRL’s Telstra tracker. Addo-Carr recorded the highest speed by any player since tracking began – reaching 38.5 km/h against the Cowboys in round five. Manly’s Tom Trbojevic covered the most distance in any single match this year – 9.8 km against the Storm in round 19 and Penrith playmaker Nathan Cleary covered the most distance on average throughout the year – 8.7km.

STORM BREWING IN MELBOURNE

Melbourne fans have launched an online petition against “constant NSW Media based assassination” on the club and players. The change.org petition had just 500 signatures.

Originally published as Sport Confidential: Stats reveal NRL’s quickest, busiest players