Monday Buzz: Weekend highlights, lowlights

MONDAY BUZZ: Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights and talking points from another memorable weekend in sport.

THE highlights, lowlights and talking points from another memorable weekend in sport.

HIGHLIGHT

No player in the NRL has been under more media scrutiny than Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.

Two weeks ago he was apparently a $10 million flop.

Since then he’s outpointed Johnathan Thurston and carved up the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.

A potentially great player now looks like becoming one.

MORE MONDAY BUZZ: How long does Des Hasler have left?

Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans has been in superb form. Picture: Gregg Porteous

HIGHLIGHT II

Despite the peptide scandal, an incredible 60,000 members signed up with the Essendon Bombers for 2017.

Their loyalty was rewarded with a fantastic first-up win over AFL giants Hawthorn.

LOWLIGHT

The pathetic performance from Canterbury at Brookvale on Saturday afternoon.

Some of their players should be handing back their pay cheques. They were that disgraceful.

The Bulldogs had a day to forget against Manly. Picture: Gregg Porteous

LOWLIGHT II

The Sydney Swans’ loss to Port Adelaide at the SCG on Saturday.

It’s early days but we’re hearing some players are still living on past glory and that a few egos are out of control.

BROOK-HAIL!

Manly’s victory over the Bulldogs proved two things — Trent Barrett CAN coach and Bob Fulton CAN recruit. Let’s hope CEO Tim Cleary stays out of their way.

WAXING LYRICAL

I received a critical email after revealing Manly centre Dylan Walker was spotted in a Warringah beautician getting his eyebrows done before the Bulldogs game.

Regina from Canberra wrote: “I think ridiculing a player for taking pride in his appearance is in itself ridiculous. Perhaps it would be more acceptable if he had been drunk and disorderly at a nightclub? Or having one of those T-bones with a few bikie associates? Must have been a very slow week for gossip.” Thanks Regina.

TUNE IN

See you tonight on NRL360 with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent to discuss the biggest issues out of round four.

TIGERS CAN’T AFFORD TO DAWDLE

THE sooner the Wests Tigers appoint Ivan Cleary as Jason Taylor’s replacement the better.

The players showed in the first half against Melbourne Storm on Sunday that it’s not too late to save this season. Right now they need some stability more than anything else.

There is no doubt they have the roster to compete against the best sides, although they might be one front-rower short of being finals contenders. Someone to support Aaron Woods.

Cleary needs to come in this week. He needs to be at training no later than Tuesday.

Tigers captain Aaron Woods takes on the Storm defence at Leichhardt Oval. Picture: Gregg Porteous

They have a fair draw against the Dragons, Cowboys, Eels and Bulldogs over the next month. Three of those games are winnable. And they’d be back in the race. To lead 14-0 over Melbourne Storm shows what this side is capable of doing.

If Cleary can get them to play for 80 minutes, anything can happen. It’s far too early to be throwing away the season.

COACHES MUST UNITE

RUGBY league coaches need to start their own union. There is no other business in this country where employees are treated so poorly.

Jason Taylor was sacked after three games and now Des Hasler, one of the most successful coaches of the modern era, is facing the same treatment at the Bulldogs.

His proven track record at Canterbury and Manly means nothing. Not in this business.

Winning is everything and nothing else matters.

ONLY SEND-OFFS FAIR

WE had further proof over the weekend why the send-off rule needs to be reintroduced.

The Roosters flogged Souths on Thursday night because they got the benefit of playing the Rabbitohs while three of their players were under suspension.

The team the Rabbitohs committed the fouls against, the Knights, got no advantage.

It is about time the NRL’s head of football Brian Canavan did something proactive. Sending off thugs is the only fair solution.