Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights

Utility Kyle Flanagan has played his last game for Canterbury but his NRL career is set to kick on with a familiar face.

Campbell Graham after the loss. Picture: Matt King/Getty

Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the final regular season NRL round of the year in his weekly column, Monday Buzz.

HIGHLIGHT

Knights winger Dom Young’s spectacular acrobatic skill to touch down twice in the second-half of the match against St George Illawarra to break Newcastle’s all-time record for most tries in a season. Who will he replace at the Roosters next year … Daniel Tupou or Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii?

LOWLIGHT

James Graham, on the payroll at the Bulldogs, smashing Andrew Davey on radio for having the temerity to speak openly and honestly about his forgettable experiences at Belmore. Last week it was Willie Mason, who’s next?

James Graham slammed former Bulldog Andrew Davey. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty

LOWLIGHT II

South Sydney missing the finals for the first time since 2017. Say what you want about Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, but they always bring high drama and something special to big finals games.

SHOOSH

Kyle Flanagan finished up with the Bulldogs after the Titans game. We’re tipping he’ll be off to St George Illawarra next year as No.14 or back-up hooker, halfback or five-eighth.

With Jake Averillo (Dolphins) and Tevita Pangai Jr (retired) also leaving, Canterbury’s roster will undergo some changes in the off-season under coach Cameron Ciraldo.

SHOOSH

Why do bookies drive BMWs? Because they make squillions out of teams like South Sydney. The Rabbitohs were the second best backed team to win the NRL title with 14 per cent of the money on the TAB. They were backed into $4.25 favouritism by Round 11.

South Sydney fell off a cliff. Picture: Matt King/Getty

SHOOSH

Which player manager has swooped on Cowboys star Reuben Cotter to pinch the Maroons and Kangaroos forward from veteran agent Sam Ayoub. Not that the new manager will be getting his 6 per cent sling anytime soon because Cotter is under contract until the end of the 2025 season in Townsville.

HELPING HAND

Fox Sports host Lara Pitt and Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will host a fundraiser for Sydney’s homeless on Friday at the Red Lion Hotel in Rozelle. You can get your tickets at the Eventbrite website.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and Brent Read in the countdown to the first weekend of finals footy.