Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights

South Sydney concern, the Canterbury story that won’t go away, big win for Blues rookies and more — check out the talking points from another big weekend in sport.

• More Monday Buzz: New stars breathe life into Origin

• Casualty Ward: Big guns return, double blow for Raiders

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

HIGHLIGHT

Tigers coach Michael Maguire for allowing Robbie Farah to experience his once-in-a-lifetime journey to Madrid for Liverpool’s Champions League win yesterday.

LOWLIGHT

A weekend without 6pm Friday, Super Saturday and 2pm Sunday games for us league tragics.

LOWLIGHT II

So much for the argument that stand-alone Origin weekends would give AFL a free kick in Sydney. Despite not having an NRL game to compete with on Saturday afternoon, second-placed GWS could only attract 7581 fans to the ground and 32,000 viewers on Fox Footy as they smashed the Gold Coast.

Just 7581 fans watched GWS trounce Gold Coast at GIANTS Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

SHOOSH

● Which really big-name NRL star has a serious gambling problem that is worrying club officials?

● Which NRL skipper is about to lose the captaincy because he is so unpopular with teammates?

JUST THE TICKET

NSW stars get four free tickets to each Origin game as part of their collective bargaining agreement with the NRL. Blues CEO Dave Trodden has relaxed the rule and been more generous with debutants, who will take extra family members to Suncorp Stadium. Cody Walker received 12 tickets and Cameron Murray 10.

PARR EXCELLENCE

Blues team manager Peter Parr missed his first North Queensland game since 2002 because of his Origin commitments on Sunday. That’s 446 games straight!

KNIGHT TO REMEMBER

Origin is going to be huge but we can’t wait for the Knights v Rabbitohs game on Friday night. A lot of Novocastrians are still filthy at how Wayne Bennett walked out on the club and left them on the scrapheap.

NSW and Queensland players line up for the national anthem before Game Two of the 2018 State of Origin series. Picture: AAP

NO ANTHEM NOISE

NRL boss Peter Beattie is hardly concerned about the indigenous Origin players and their national anthem boycott. “Players and fans have never been required to sing the Australian national anthem,” he said. “We simply expect that players and fans treat the occasion with respect and dignity, be it silent or in full voice. I will be singing but respect those who don’t.”

360 VIEW

Catch you tonight on NRL 360 with Paul Kent and Ben Ikin in the countdown to Origin I. There will be live crosses to Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and Blues superstar James Tedesco.

RABBITOHS’ LIES SET VERY POOR EXAMPLE

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: AAP

Rugby league and the NRL are not just about winning games on the weekend.

They are also about teaching young footballers the right ­values in life. About honesty, trustworthiness, teamwork, culture and integrity.

This is where the leadership of South Sydney is a concern.

Wayne Bennett has admitted he lied and misled fans about James Roberts’ signing.

Their football general manager Shane Richardson has a bit of history in this area, too.

I clearly remember the off-season after Souths won the 2014 premiership.

Veteran forward John Sutton was unexpectedly sacked as captain. I questioned Richardson at the time: “There has to be more to his sacking.” His reply: “Not to my knowledge.”

Turns out Sutton and Luke Burgess had been arrested over an assault in the United States.

Richardson lied. It was a cover-up.

WHEN WILL THE BULLDOGS EVER LEARN

Bulldogs coach Dean Pay. Picture: Getty Images

The Canterbury board, headed by Lynne Anderson, was critical of former directors for extending coach Des Hasler’s contract and then having to pay him out. This was fair criticism.

However, the board has made the same mistake with Dean Pay.

The Bulldogs should have beaten a Canberra side missing Nick Cotric, Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii, Jordan Rapana, Joey Leilua and Josh Hodgson on Saturday night. Their first-half attack, in particular, was ­pathetic, and a wooden spoon awaits.

Questions need to be asked about why Pay’s contract was extended earlier this year. There are rumblings from the players about their preparation and tactics. This story will not go away anytime soon.