Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights

Reporter stood down over offensive message, NRL’s $1 million disappointment and more — check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another big weekend in sport.

• How 16 clubs rejected NRL’s most exciting young gun
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Check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another memorable weekend in sport.

JOURNO IN HOT WATER OVER SEIBS TEXT

An NRL-employed journalist has been temporarily stood down over an offensive message he accidentally sent to Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold.

Brisbane-based reporter Joel Gould inferred Seibold had lied in an interview with Fox Sports’ NRL 360 last week.

The text message he meant to send a colleague was sent to Broncos boss ­Seibold by mistake.

Following a complaint to NRL.com, Gould was told to take time off work by his editors.

He will return to work this week. The Daily Telegraph understands he has apologised to Seibold.

An NRL spokesman declined to comment.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold. Picture: AAP

HIGHLIGHT

ScoMo #upupcronulla.

LOWLIGHT

The very sad passing of Quentin Pongia, one of the toughest rugby league players I have ever seen, taken by cancer far too early at just 48 years of age.

SHOOSH

Which NRL player manager got into a physical fight with a group of university students after the Canberra Raiders’ recent game against the Panthers in Wagga Wagga.

SHOOSH II

Which long-serving NRL star is on the verge of announcing his retirement at the end of the season.

Jackson Hastings could be on his way back to the NRL. Picture: Christian Gilles

SHOOSH III

We keep hearing that former Roosters and Sea Eagles halfback Jackson Hastings will be back in the NRL next year at an out-of-town club. His contract in the UK Super League runs out this year. Good judges are saying he is twice the player from the experience in England.

LATRELL FEELS HEAT

Potential superstar Latrell Mitchell had his worst game of the season against the Broncos on Friday night in a performance that indicated contract speculation might be affecting him.

JACK’S SILVER LINING

An 18-month break from rugby league won’t ruin Jack de Belin’s career, as some have claimed. It could actually extend it. That he is likely to go two seasons without the brutal weekly punishment means he will play longer than others who are the same age.

SPOTTED

Freddy Fittler and Greg Alexander struggling with a crossword on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne on Thursday for the Storm-Tigers game.

Ashley Taylor has struggled for the Titans. Picture: AAP

MAKING ASH OF IT

A $1 million-a-year playmaker should not get caught with the football on the final tackle with his team trailing by six points and 30 seconds to go. Ash Taylor has been a huge disappointment for the Gold Coast Titans this year.

NEW 360 VIEW

Catch you tonight on NRL 360 on Fox Sports with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent at the new kick-off time of 7.30pm to discuss all the biggest issues from round 10 of the competition.