Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights

The finest individual performance of the season, a new contender for NRL’s top recruit, Trent Robinson talks Nick Politis around and more — check out the talking points from another big weekend.

Check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another big weekend in sport.

HIGHLIGHT

The first grade debuts of exciting rookies Tristan Sailor and Billy Smith for the Dragons and Roosters at Kogarah on Saturday night and the touching celebrations with their families afterwards, captured beautifully by the Fox Sports cameras.

More Monday Buzz: Pathetic performance sums up attitude of Knights

Tristan Sailor poses with friends and family including his father Wendell Sailor after making his NRL debut for the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

HIGHLIGHT II

Souths hooker Damien Cook produced arguably the finest individual performance of the season in a magnificent victory on Friday night against the Broncos.

Damien Cook is congratulated by Rabbitohs teammates after scoring a try against the Broncos. Picture: Getty Images

LOWLIGHT

James Roberts’ grubby forearm to the head of his former Broncos teammate Corey Oates. He should have been sent-off, not sin-binned. It was a dog shot.

BROTHER’S PAIN

You’ve got to admire the courage of Kieren Jack ’s brother Rhys speaking so openly about his family’s pain. As his dad Garry said on Twitter: “It was a beautifully written positive article by a brother who has lived through terrible pain over four years. Hard to fix things when you are ostracised for four years.”

SPOTTED

Andrew Johns, still without his drivers’ license, catching a bus and train to work from Bronte to Channel 9’s Artarmon studios.

SPOTTED II

Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves visiting Warriors opponent Gerard Beale in RPA hospital after their collision last weekend that left the veteran centre with a fractured knee cap.

SPOTTED III

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and his wife Lisa walking the Cronulla esplanade on a beautiful Saturday morning.

BEST BUYS

There’s no question Raiders pair John Bateman and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad have been the best NRL buys this year. At the Rabbitohs, former Roosters, Sea Eagles and Raiders prop Liam Knight has been an outstanding acquisition.

Liam Knight has proved a top recruit for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Brett Costello

SEIB’S $1.9M PAD

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold is planning a long stay in Brisbane. He has just bought a five bedroom home near Suncorp Stadium, a $1.9 million pad at Paddington. He recently sold his old home on Sydney’s northern beaches.

360 VIEW

Catch you tonight on Fox Sports on NRL 360 at 7.30pm with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent, Cooper Cronk and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart to discuss all the biggest issues from round 23.

TRENT TALKS POLITIS AROUND

It is a mark of respect for coach Trent Robinson that Adam O’Brien will remain on the Roosters’ coaching staff for the rest of the season before joining the Newcastle Knights.

The club’s chairman Nick Politis is a tough businessman and very emotional man. If this had happened in his car business, an employee joining a rival dealership would be shown the door immediately.

Politis wanted to sack O’Brien and had a furious row with his agent Isaac Moses last Tuesday. Normally what Politis wants, happens.

On this occasion, Robinson spoke to him about taking the emotion out of the decision. That the club was on track to achieve its goals this year and to change the coaching staff at this late stage could have an effect on the team.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Picture: AAP

FOX SPORTS STILL FIRST-RATE

A lot has been written in rival publications about a recent decline in NRL television ratings.

It is true Channel 9’s figures have slumped significantly in recent months.

Fox Sports, however, ­remains on par with last ­season’s record-breaking ­figures.

This is a remarkable result considering the World Cup cricket and Ashes series in England have clashed with big rugby league games since late May.

Tens of thousands of fans have also taken to watching their footy on the streaming sports network Kayo instead of Channel 9 and Fox Sports.

STORM COACH’S VIP GUEST LIST

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy shared his coaching box at AAMI Park on Sunday with some of rugby union’s smartest minds.

Scott Robertson at AAMI Park. Picture: AAP

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson and Saracens’ Mark McCall were Bellamy’s guests against the Titans.

Robertson has won the past three Super Rugby championships, while Saracens are defending European Cup champions and have won five of the past 10 English premierships under McCall.

Sydney Kings coach Will Weaver was a guest of football general manager Frank Ponissi on the sideline bench.

FEUDS FUEL RUGBY LEAGUE FEVER

The best promotion for rugby league is a good old-fashioned feud. It sells tickets to the football and lifts television ratings. Shane Richardson blasting the Storm for wrestling tactics was actually good for the game.

Anthony Seibold attacking the Rabbitohs coaching staff was brilliant, too. Wayne Bennett pretending he didn’t care added to it all. Bring on the ­finals and bring on more fireworks.