Blindside: Bennett rules out DCE for Broncos
WAYNE Bennett has addressed speculation Queensland Origin halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is heading to the Broncos.
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WAYNE Bennett has quashed speculation Queensland Origin halfback Daly Cherry-Evansis heading to the Broncos.
Cherry-Evans has been linked with a shock move to Brisbane on the back of Manly’s bitter break-up with coach Trent Barrett.
“DCE” made some cryptic comments in the media where he appeared to back Barrett in the falling out, prompting suggestions he could part ways with Manly next season.
That would mean Cherry-Evans would have to be released from his infamous “lifetime contract” at the Sea Eagles.
The Broncos appear the perfect home for Cherry-Evans given their struggles to find a star halfback and his links to Queensland.
But Bennett knocked a potential move to Brisbane for Cherry-Evans on the head.
“He is not coming to the Broncos,” Bennett told Blindside unequivocally.
That should be the end of that.
Movie stars
FORMER NSW Origin prop Jason Stevens’ first movie is a hit with NRL stars. Players from the Cowboys and Titans were treated to an advance screening of Chasing Comets, which was launched yesterday in 95 cinemas across Australia.
Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurstonand Titans coach Garth Brennanenjoyed the flick, while former Broncos pivot Ben Ikinwill feature at a screening tonight in Brisbane.
The film pays homage to Thurston and newly crowned Immortal Mal Meningawith real-life footage of the pair. The movie begins with footage of Meninga’s magical try on the 1990 Kangaroo Tour which saved the Ashes.
“It’s quite a funny film,” Brennan said.
“It’s entertaining… it has a lot of footy humour which people in the NRL industry will relate to.”
Hayne Plane downed
IT’S official: Johnathan Thurstonis a bigger crowd-puller than Jarryd Hayne.
The Gold Coast Titans are on target for what could be their biggest home crowd in nearly a decade, and it’s all thanks to Thurston.
Thurston will make his final appearance as an NRL player at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday week when the Cowboys face the Titans in the last round of the season.
Tickets are selling like hotcakes for what is shaping up to be one of those rare moments in rugby league history.
A crowd of more than 25,000 is on the cards at the 27,500-seat stadium.
Hayne attracted a crowd of 25,109 at the Gold Coast in 2016 when he made his return to the NRL after his brief stint in the NFL.
The Titans haven’t had a crowd of 26,000 since the 2010 finals series, and their last crowd of 27,000 was against the Broncos back in 2008.
The Titans will open the southern stand of the stadium for the first time this year and the match could even sell out.
It would be a fitting send-off for the four-time Dally M Medal winner and one of the game’s greatest ever players.
Chambers danger
MAROONS centre Will Chamberswon’t be on the Christmas card list of NRL CEO Todd Greenberg. Chambers briefly posted a picture on social media reading the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***.
No doubt it was a subtle dig at the NRL after he copped a three-match ban for his crusher tackle against the Eels. The image was quickly removed, but there are concerns about Chambers’ wider attitude at the Storm.
Good coach, bad coach
TITANS coach Brennan has spoken about the savage half-time blast he gave his players at Brookvale last week.
While it had the desired effect – the Titans scored 30 unanswered points – Brennan admits it was out of character.
“I’m a little embarrassed by it,” he said.
“You forget the cameras are there and people see you carrying on like a goose.
“But we got the desired result.
“You can only do it once or twice a year; if you do it every week the boys start rolling their eyes, thinking ‘here he goes again’.
“That’s not me. I don’t like to be like that, I am pretty composed usually.
“It was a calculated thing, it wasn’t something where I just went off and sprayed them and said crap. There was some purpose and meaning and instructions behind what I said.
“They responded to what I asked and we got the result.”
Big man flies coop?
COULD a code switch be on the cards for Broncos winger Corey Oates?
It was only a scratch match at training, but Oates showed all the attributes of a promising AFL player at Red Hill this week.
The 192cm flyer was in the thick of the action, flying high for marks, spoiling the ball and had a surprisingly long boot.
Broncos prop Matt Lodgesaid Oates was the pick of the bunch.
“I’d pick Corey Oates as an AFL player if he ran a bit more,” Lodge said.
Benny’s barbie
WAYNE Bennett’s potential sponsorship with Barbecues Galore has fallen through. Sadly, he does own a barbecue after all.
Bennett claimed he did not own a barbecue when news broke of last week’s dramatic Broncos standoff between Bennett and CEO Paul White.
Bennett ordered ribs for his players at the gathering, and Blindside spies tell us the Broncos coach has a beautiful built-in barbecue in his entertaining area.
Dislodging bias
MATT Lodge is winning over the people. He knows he will never be adored by all following his New York rampage, but sponsors are showing interest in the reformed Broncos prop. Leading Broncos sponsor TradeTools requested Lodge head up a promotional event at Red Hill on Wednesday where the front-rower chatted with clients.
Lodge weathered a media storm in February but has not put a foot wrong at the Broncos. He is relishing life as a father to his baby son Coby, who turns one in December.
Meanwhile, Lodge said he was ordered not to try convincing Roosters halfback Sean O’Sullivanto sign with Brisbane.
O’Sullivan is the brother of Lodge’s partner Jessica, whose father is renowned recruitment expert Peter O’Sullivan.
But Lodge claimed he had nothing to do with the Broncos signing coup.
“I’ve been told to stay out of it,” he said. “I’m not allowed to convince him.
“He is a great halfback. He grew up around footy. He knows the game inside-out. He is one of the most knowledgeable people.
“I do like him, we get along really well. But it’s his career. I can’t have any influence on that.”
Sweet reunion
FORMER Titans coach John Cartwrightcould replace Trent Barrettat Manly, and at least one of the Sea Eagles’ recruits will be happy about that.
Titans playmaker Kane Elgeywill head to Manly next season on a two-year deal after being cut by Titans coach Garth Brennan.
Elgey came through the lower grades while Cartwright was at the helm of the Titans and is close to the former Gold Coast mentor.
It could mean his passage to the NRL and a spot alongside Daly Cherry-Evansbecame easier if Cartwright is calling the shots.
Whisper
WHICH two rugby league Immortals cannot cop each other and are not on speaking terms? Some feuds may never end.
Rising
Kodi Nikorima: Has taken three intercepts in recent weeks and outpointed Souths halfback Adam Reynoldslast week. Now he faces Cooper Cronk.
A.J. Brimson: Outstanding two-try display against Manly last week. The Titans young gun has a massive future at age 19.
Jordan McLean: Has been the form prop in the game since his return from injury three weeks ago. He has lifted the Cowboys.
Matt Moylan: Has found his feet in the Sharks’ backline and could be a danger man in the finals.
Falling
Cameron Smith: Niggling injuries are beginning to test the Storm’s Mr Unbreakable. Can he play on beyond his 36th birthday next year?
Manly: What is going on at that club? Their second-half display against the Titans last week, amid the Trent Barrett saga, was simply unacceptable.
Luke Brooks: Has failed to step up when it matters most. The Tigers needed their halfback to steer them to the finals, but it hasn’t happened.
Kalyn Ponga: The back end of his season has been beset with injury following his superb State of Origin debut.
Originally published as Blindside: Bennett rules out DCE for Broncos