Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights | Clint Gutherson’s time as Eels captain could be up

The Parramatta Eels will undergo a major overhaul under new coach Jason Ryles, and Clint Gutherson’s status at the club is high on the agenda. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals his highlights and lowlights from the week in sport.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Clinton Gutherson of the Eels looks on after losing the round 19 NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta Eels at Cbus Super Stadium, on July 13, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Phil Rothfield is back to reveal his highlights and lowlights from the week in sport.

HIGHLIGHT

Damien Cook’s 200th game for the Rabbitohs in Gosford – as a goal-kicking centre. What a player.

I still can’t believe that Wayne Bennett didn’t step in to keep him at Redfern for an extra year.

Damien Cook was tremendous in his 200th for the Rabbitohs. Picture: NRL Photos

LOWLIGHT

The Newcastle Knights are facing an impossible task to make the semi-finals after another disappointing performance against the Brisbane Broncos.

New recruitment chief officer Peter O’Sullivan will have his work cut out to fix this underperforming roster. They look nothing like the team that went on the phenomenal winning streak last year.

The Knights face an uphill battle to make finals. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

SPOTTED

Leading player agent Mario Tartak having a coffee with Titans coach Des Hasler at Ida’s Kitchen at Parkwood on the Gold Coast.

Tartak has Josh Schuster in his stable among others Dessie would be interested in.

SPOTTED

The Wallabies might have won three straight but no-one is watching them on Channel 9. Their victory over Georgia attracted an audience of only 320,000 on Saturday.

SPOTTED

Which former NRL star was betting in huge amounts at the Grafton Cup meeting last Thursday. He was renowned for loving a punt in his playing days.

SHOOSH

The Parramatta Eels will undergo a major overhaul under new coach Jason Ryles, that could include the appointment of a new captain.

We’re hearing Ryles will consider naming Blues State of Origin hero Mitchell Moses as the new skipper to replace long-time captain Clint Gutherson.

The Eels have already decided that interim coach Trent Barrett will not be offered a role under Ryles.

The 29-year-old Gutherson is also under pressure to retain the fullback role with speculation young gun Blaze Talagi will be offered the role.

Ryles declined to comment when we spoke to him over the weekend.

However it is known he is a huge fan of Moses’ on-field leadership after his outstanding contribution for the Blues in the Origin series win over QLD.

SHOOSH

The Roosters’ record of one win from their last 20 games against Penrith and Melbourne Storm is a huge concern as we approach the finals.

Sure they’ll have Joey Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back for the finals but Storm have got Cameron Munster, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Christian Welch to return as well.

The Roosters’ horror record against Melbourne continued on Saturday. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

SHOOSH

Which Sydney-based NRL club is making discreet inquiries about Storm’s superstar fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who is free to talk to rival clubs from November 1.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and James Hooper, filling in for the Paris-bound Brent Read.