Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights
Brisbane set for leadership overhaul, Trent Robinson’s big Roosters dilemma, stoush between former NRL greats and more — check out the weekend’s big talking points.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Revealed — why Burgess did it
What’s the Buzz: Bulldogs eye huge Canberra raid
Check out the highlights, lowlights and talking points from another big weekend in sport.
HIGHLIGHT
The most stunning Parramatta finals performance since the glory days of the 80s in front of a ground record attendance at Bankwest Stadium. This side will give the Melbourne Storm a run for their money.
HIGHLIGHT II
Cooper Cronk’s tackle to drive Rabbitohs winger Adam Doueihi into touch at the SCG. It reminded me of Ron Coote, the greatest cover defender of them all.
More Monday Buzz: Ricky’s rare praise for Raiders star
Stream every match of the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >
LOWLIGHT
Wayne Bennett’s coaching record in finals football in the last three years, flogged 30-6 by the Roosters on Friday night, 48-18 by St George Illawarra last season and 30-nil by Storm in 2017. That’s a combined score of 108-24.
.
LOWLIGHT II
The touch judge who stuffed up and denied Melbourne one final shot at the Raiders by raising his flag to rule Suliasi Vunivalu had gone into touch with 90 seconds to go. He was clearly in the field of play.
SHOOSH
Beau Scott was one of the toughest forwards of the modern era. We’re hearing he’ll step into the ring to fight the undefeated Justin Hodges in December.
GOT YOUR BACK, BRO
Nothing like sticking up for your little brother. Refs boss Bernard Sutton told Melbourne Storm officials that referee Ashley Klein twice incorrectly overruled calls from assistant referee Chris Sutton in the Raiders-Storm match.
FATHER AND SON FIRST
Ray and Chris Warren calling the Manly Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks semi-final from Brookvale Oval for Channel 9 and 2GB. It’s understood to be the first time a father and son have called the same game.
SPOTTED
Former NRL star Willie Mason chatting to high profile paparazzi Jamie Fawcett in Double Bay over the weekend.
SPOTTED II
Rugby league royalty Steve ‘The Pearl’ Renouf at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday night to watch the Lions against the GWS Giants in the AFL final.
360 VIEW
Catch you on NRL 360 at 7.30pm Monday on Fox Sports with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent, James Hooper, Nathan Brown and Anthony Griffin and later on Controversy Corner with Graeme Hughes, Blocker Roach and Geoff Toovey.
ROBINSON’S ROOSTERS DILEMMA
Roosters coach Trent Robinson is facing one of the toughest calls of his coaching career over a starting hooker for the preliminary final.
Rookie Rooster Sam Verrills has been in outstanding form and clearly outplayed Test hooker Damien Cook, who played behind a beaten pack at the SCG on Friday night.
Verrills is just 20 years of age and has played only 11 first-grade games.
Roosters co-captain Jake Friend is due to make his comeback. He is 29, has played 243 first-grade games and is the best defender at the club.
We checked in with Robinson over the weekend.
“I’m not going to go into it with a journalist,” he said.
“I know what I’m going to do but we’ll leave it at that.”
On Friend, he said: “Everyone underestimates him outside our four walls.”
And on Verrills: “Sammy has been exceptional for us.”
Friend has played only five games this year. Verrills is match fit and flying. It’s a nice selection headache to have.
MORE NEWS
Harsh facts busted Broncos must face after finals fiasco
Russell Crowe still paying for boozy blow up with Keary
BIG CHANGES AT BRONCOS
The Broncos are likely to undergo a leadership overhaul after Sunday’s embarrassing capitulation to the Parramatta Eels.
For weeks there has been speculation long-serving chief executive Paul White would stand down.
And from the Bankwest Stadium sheds last night reports emerged veteran Darius Boyd had almost certainly captained the club for the last time.
Not that Boyd can be singled out and blamed for Sunday’s debacle. The captaincy issue was up for discussion long ago.
The 32-year-old, who still has two years to run on his contract, has struggled with the burden of leadership. The tip is Kangaroos and Maroons forward Matt Gillett will take over as captain.
Boyd insists he will play out his contract until the end of 2021 despite his struggles this year.