Fresh TV hurdle confronting Perth Bears: Phil Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights from the week in sport

The NRL has one important hurdle to overcome before introducing a Perth Bears side into an expanded competition. Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights.

Peter V’landys x Western Bears

Phil Rothfield’s reveals the highlights and lowlights from the week in sport, revealing the latest roadblock standing in the way of the NRL’s venture to the west.

HIGHLIGHT

The Ricky Stuart Foundation lunch at Doltone House last Friday afternoon was a beauty. Chatham House rules were in place so I can’t quote what was said inside the room. I can report Nathan and Ivan Cleary were there to support the charity and gave a great insight into Penrith’s four-straight titles. Even warring brothers Matty and Andrew Johns, who hadn’t spoken for six months, had a laugh and some funny exchanges on stage. And as for Ricky … he spoke with so much emotion around autism and the education programs that are so close to his heart.

LOWLIGHT

Wayne Bennett spoke over the weekend in a Latrell Mitchell story about players being driven out of the game by negative publicity. “I’ve seen the media do jobs on players,” he said. Hang on a minute. It’s hardly the media’s fault that Latrell did his F-bomb tirade on Triple M, elbowed Shaun Johnson in the head or got photographed with a white substance in a Dubbo Hotel room last year.

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and Latrell Mitchell. Pic: Instagram

SHOOSH

The NRL has one important hurdle to overcome before introducing a Perth Bears side into an expanded competition. It is all about getting the broadcasters, Fox Sports and Channel 9, onside. We have spoken to high-level sources at both networks on this issue. They have concerns around the tricky timeslots in broadcasting from Perth into the eastern states, the production costs – and the fact the NRL is going into a city that is already so invested in two AFL sides. However, both Nine and Fox Sports have faith in Peter V’landys’ track record with successful new ventures.

The cost of covering Perth games in a concern for Fox League. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

SHOOSH

The NRL spin doctors have been working overtime to take the controversy away from the sudden ‘resignation’ of Jillaroos coach Brad Donald, burying the news at the bottom of a Friday press release on the Australian squad to play in Las Vegas. The truth is that Donald had lost the sheds over a number of issues around his coaching. He didn’t just resign – he was forced out.

SPOTTED

Ivan Cleary needed someone to house sit on the northern beaches over the summer. In stepped rival clipboard holder, Warriors coach Andrew Webster, who came home from New Zealand for Christmas. They are close mates from their days at Penrith.

Andrew Webster and Ivan Cleary remain good friends. Picture: NRL Photos

SPOTTED

There was a wonderful turnout to farewell legendary Rabbitohs forward Gary Stevens last week, including South Sydney captain Cameron Murray and utility star Jack Wighton.

SPOTTED

Not all UFC fighters are bums like Sean Strickland. Last week Hall of Famer Joanna Jędrzejczyk and world champ Merab ‘The Machine’ Dvalishvili turned up at PCYC Eastern Suburbs and took young kids through some martial arts drills. The PCYC has a Fit for Life program that is run by Tara Coleman, the daughter of old Rabbitohs legend Tugger Coleman. “They were so generous with their time and so great with the kids,” Tara said.

UFC fighters Merab Dvalishvili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Tara Coleman (middle) at PCYC Eastern Suburbs.

SPOTTED

John Vellis, the NRL’s general manager of U.S expansion, at the UFC on Sunday sitting with Dana White and premier Chris Minns.

BIG BREKKY

Catch you this morning on the Big Sports Breakfast at 7.10am to talk all things rugby league with Laurie Daley and Gerard Middleton.