Monday Buzz: Phil Gould poaches Broncos young gun Ethan Quai-Ward in Magic Round mission

Most people thought Phil Gould was in Brisbane two weeks ago to watch the Bulldogs in Magic Round. Not entirely true, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

General Manager of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Phil Gould.

Gus Gould has pinched one of the Brisbane Broncos’ top-30 players for an immediate transfer. Highly regarded centre Ethan Quai-Ward will join the Canterbury Bulldogs this week.

The 23-year-old has been stuck behind Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth. Most thought Gould was in Brisbane two weeks ago to watch the Bulldogs in Magic Round.

He was actually there to see Quai-Ward play for Souths Logan Magpies against Wynnum Manly.

Straight after the game Gould rang Quai-Ward’s manager Michael Cincotta to sign him. The Bulldogs are building nicely for outside backs.

They also have Bronson Xerri coming back from a doping suspension next year.

Quai-Ward is a big unit. He’s 190cm tall and weighs over 100kg.

He’s also fast and powerful and ran for 280 metres in a recent Q Cup game.

Phil Gould (L) poached Ethan Quai-Ward while at Magic Round.

HIGHLIGHT

The loudest cheer at Allianz Stadium on Friday night came half an hour before kick-off as Souths fans were gathered around TV sets watching the Roosters v Dragons. It was like they’d won a grand final when St George-Illawarra scored in the final minute to beat their arch-rivals.

LOWLIGHT

The match review committee gives Victor Radley a three-week holiday for a head-butt. Yet the Roosters forward is allowed to stay on the field despite the bunker having a clear view of the incident. It is this inconsistency that drives fans mad.

SPOTTED

A broken Anthony Griffin after his sacking from St George-Illawarra taking a much-needed break in Queenstown in New Zealand with his wife Helen.

SPOTTED

Penrith and NSW winger Brian To'o in a Blues promo shot.

No great scoop that Penrith Panthers Brian To’o has already been confirmed as a Blues winger in the Origin team. He was seen wearing the NSW jersey for a promotional shoot on Friday.

SPOTTED

Old players from Balmain’s 1969 premiership winning side flew into town for a reunion weekend. They rang Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe to let him know they were in Sydney to try to get tickets to the Cowboys game. They were looked after in the chairman’s lounge and loved every minute of the Wests Tigers’ stunning victory.

SPOTTED

Storm did Indigenous round a little bit differently to other clubs. Instead of an ex-Melbourne Indigenous player leading the team onto the field on Saturday against the Dolphins they chose their 19-year-old academy hooker Gabe Satrick along with Reimis Smith. Gabe is a proud Indigenous boy from a little town in far North Qld, Yarrabah.

SPOTTED

Race caller Darren Flindell charging out of Rosehill after the last race on Saturday. He was seen jumping into an Uber to head across to Leichhardt Oval to watch his beloved Wests Tigers against the Cowboys.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and Brent Reed. Matty Johns is also joining the panel for segment two with Cooper Cronk.