Buzz’s highlights, lowlights: Roosters unveil future star Ronald Volkman in NRL trial
The Roosters won a tug of war with rugby to sign teen sensation Ronald Volkman. Now we know why his signature was so sought after. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
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Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield runs the rule over another weekend in rugby league land in his highlights and lowlights column.
HIGHLIGHT
The absolutely stunning pre-game passion, pride, atmosphere and emotional energy around the Maori and Indigenous war cries before the All Stars kick-off in Townsville on Saturday night. #Respect
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LOWLIGHT
The anti-climax from a 10-all draw in the All Stars game was the best ever advertisement for golden point to stay. The players looked so flat and it should end all arguments about scrapping extra time after 80 minutes in the NRL rounds.
ROOSTER BOOSTER
Don’t worry about Sam Walker and Lachlan Lam … the Roosters have another boom young halfback in Jersey Flegg (under-21s). Teenager Ronald Volkman scored a magnificent chip-and-chase try (al la Phil Blake) against Michael Maguire’s Wests Tigers on Saturday.
BRILLIANT BENJI
Recruitment has not been a strong point at the Wests Tigers. Judging by Benji Marshall’s lively performance and leadership in the All Stars, they have made another mistake in sacking the veteran five-eighth. He will be a handy pick up for the Rabbitohs.
SPOTTED
St George-Illawarra skipper Ben Hunt buying Andrew McCullough an ice cream on Saturday night at Cold Rock in the Cronulla mall.
SPOTTED
New Bulldogs coach might be off with Ivan Cleary but not his son Nathan. We spotted Baz in the grandstand at St Marys on Saturday watching the Penrith v Mounties trial, chatting happily to Nathan and fullback Dylan Edwards.
BREKKY RADIO
Catch you Monday morning at 7.10am on the Big Sports Breakfast with Laurie Daley, Michael Clarke and Gerard Middleton to discuss all the big issue in rugby league.
THE TITANS - A DOCUMENTARY
Over the Christmas holidays your columnist turned up at a mate’s place for a barbecue.
His wife, who has always hated cricket, was sitting there glued to Australia v India.
Turns out it was the Australian cricket team’s documentary The Test on Amazon that captured her interest in the game. She is now a full-on fan.
The documentary followed Australia’s journey from the South African sandpaper scandal to the Ashes in England. The show humanised the players.
It was an extraordinary behind the scenes exposure of life on tour, the personalities, the pressure of Ashes cricket, the significance of the baggy green cap and much, much more.
This show gave non cricket types a fascinating introduction to the sport.
Which now brings us to the point of this item.
The Gold Coast Titans have opened their doors to Fox Sports cameras to produce a four-part documentary to give fans an insight into their daily operations on the eve of the season.
We will see the coach, players and management like never before.
There will be nothing hidden.
It is all about a battling club that has, to date, achieved little.
However the cameras and commentary will show all the determination and resolve to fix that.
Like the cricket example, it can bring a new audience to rugby league.
Anyone who has seen the Michael Jordan story or the Sunderland Until I Die film will know what I’m talking about.
Last year Channel 9’s Karl Stefanovic linked up with a production company to film a documentary on our showpiece State of Origin series.
Sadly old Queenslanders like Bruce Hatcher and Wayne Bennett are still living in the past and wouldn’t allow it or recognise the benefits.
The Titans are doing a great thing for rugby league.
Hopefully all other clubs will learn a lesson from it … that the promotion of their sport is not just about attracting rusted-on fans.
Future growth can only come from more exposure to new audiences.
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