Monday Buzz: Nick Politis concedes on ‘Home of Roosters’ sign at Allianz Stadium

Powerful Roosters boss Nick Politis concedes the sign will have to be removed from Allianz Stadium — check out Buzz Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights.

Storm football manager Frank Ponissi (left) and Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Picture: Getty

Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the weekend’s sporting action in his column, Monday Buzz.

HIGHLIGHT

Jockey James McDonald. Four winners at Flemington on Saturday. The best hoop in the country.

LOWLIGHT

Poor old Greece at the rugby league World Cup, thumped 94-4 by England just a week after being flogged 70-4 by Samoa.

Storm football manager Frank Ponissi (left) and Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Picture: Getty

SHOOSH

There is very strong mail that the Manly Sea Eagles recently sounded out Melbourne Storm’s general manager of football Frank Ponissi about the possibility of him returning home to Brookvale. A close mate of Des Hasler, he declined.

SHOOSH

We’re hearing the Manly Sea Eagles are closing in on former Melbourne Storm halfback Cooper Johns to add some depth following the departure of Kieran Foran to the Gold Coast.

SHOOSH

Even Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis concedes his ‘Home of Sydney Roosters’ sign will have to be removed from Allianz Stadium for the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year. Hopefully FIFA will do better than a shabby Bunnings tarpaulin.

Nicho Hynes and Billy Slater at Flemington on Saturday.

SPOTTED

A couple of Dally M medal winners Nicho Hynes and Billy Slater at Flemington racecourse on Saturday for Derby Day.

SPOTTED

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson at Rosehill for the Golden Eagle with Peter V’landys and Channel 7 presenter Mel McLaughlin.

SPOTTED

Mitchell Pearce back in Australia looking fit and fresh enjoying lunch at the Village Café in Mosman on Sunday afternoon.

Peter V'landys, Alex Ferguson and Mel McLaughlin at Rosehill.

BIG BREKKY

Catch you this morning with Laurie Daley, Michael Clarke and Gerard Middleton on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast to discuss all the big rugby league issues.

CLEARY V DCE DOWN TO WIRE

The Nathan Cleary v Daly Cherry-Evans showdown for the Kangaroos halfback job is not as clear cut as most think.

Cherry-Evans still has a lot in his favour.

He is the incumbent, we know Mal is big on loyalty and he is not playing poorly.

He has the relationship with five-eighth Cameron Munster from State of Origin.

He has the relationship with the two Queensland hookers, Harry Grant and Ben Hunt.

He also captained the Maroons to a State of Origin victory over NSW this year.

Surely winning Origin is worth more than four try assists against Scotland and Italy.

Daly Cherry-Evans (C) and Nathan Cleary both had standout games against Italy. Picture: Getty

The headache for Mal is that Cleary is such a wonderful player.

A champion at 24 and clearly and consistently the best halfback in the NRL for two seasons.

On club form he beats DCE hands down. On Origin form DCE wins.

While Cherry-Evans has the strong spine relationship with the Maroons, Cleary combines beautifully with his Penrith teammate, Isaah Yeo.

It’s a huge reason why the Panthers have won the last two grand finals.

Those closest to Meninga say he is still agonising over the call.

That he is still genuinely torn, knowing both players probably deserve to be there but can’t be.