Monday Buzz: Highlights, lowlights, talking points

Another NRL player behaving badly, Kurtis Patterson’s stunning emergence and NRL coaches under pressure. MONDAY BUZZ

• Greenberg: Barba won’t return under my watch
• Phil Rothfield: Barba must be banned for life

Another NRL player behaving badly, Kurtis Patterson’s stunning emergence and NRL coaches under pressure.

HIGHLIGHT

The Twitter feed of former Socceroos star and Fox Sports commentator Robbie Slater over the weekend and the manner in which he dealt with a whingeing Melbourne sports writer who still hasn’t got over the departure of Ange Postecoglou as coach.

HIGHLIGHT II

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley and his unwavering support for Lleyton Hewitt in his dispute with Bernard Tomic: “Lleyton is right to say Bernard will not be considered for Davis Cup. Bernard does not meet the standards of behaviour and commitment to himself, the team or the sport.”

MORE BUZZ: Sharks CEO on outer for being honest

HIGHLIGHT III

The Australian cricket team. We know the opposition is hardly Test-match standard but it’s so refreshing to watch a new face like Kurtis Patterson emerge as a serious Ashes contender.

LOWLIGHT

Ben Barba’s behaviour and sacking at the Cowboys. If the allegations of assaulting his partner are proven, he will never play NRL again.

SPOTTED

● Businessman and Sydney Roosters board member Mark Fennessy checking out this NRL billboard in Atlanta at the Super Bowl. This was a brilliant $10,000 marketing ploy that has attracted an estimated $500,000 worth of media coverage.

Sydney Roosters director Mark Fennessy in Atlanta for the Super Bowl.

● Cowboys assistant coach David Fairleigh fishing in waist-deep water during the Townsville floods, unaware the council had issued a warning about crocodile sightings nearby.

● Sonny Bill Williams’ manager Khoder Nasser with AFL superstar Dustin Martin at the beautiful Grappa restaurant in Leichhardt on Saturday night.

Khoder Nasser and AFL star Dustin Martin.

GAL’S BUTTERFLIES

For the first time in his career, rugby league warhorse Paul Gallen admits he is nervous going into Friday night’s fight with John Hopoate at the Hordern Pavilion. “I’m expected to win so all the pressure is on me,” Gallen said, “Hoppa’s got nothing to lose.”

ANOTHER OFF-FIELD DRAMA

In this current climate you would expect all NRL stars to be on their best behaviour.

Yet some will never learn.

Ben Barba knew he was on his last chance in rugby league when he allegedly assaulted his partner.

There is another story too about a boofhead player at the Manly Sea Eagles.

A number of Manly players were drinking at their regular watering hole, the Harbord ‘Hilton’, last week.

One had too many to drink and stuck his hand in the staff tips jar.

This idiot took a $20 note.

When questioned by staff he refused to put it back.

Fancy a highly paid footballer doing that to $20-a-hour bar staff.

On this occasion we have chosen not to name the Sea Eagles player.

Coach Des Hasler is aware of what happened and has made sure the money was returned.

The player has been told in no uncertain terms to pull his head in.

Des Hasler made sure the money was repaid.

COACHES UNDER PRESSURE

The 2019 NRL season is likely to be another big year for coaching movement.

Last year it was all about Wayne Bennett, Anthony Seibold, Ivan Cleary, Anthony Griffin, Des Hasler, Trent Barrett and more recently Shane Flanagan.

Four coaches are about to launch their 2019 campaigns under enormous pressure.

At the Canterbury Bulldogs Dean Pay desperately needs early results.

MORE BUZZ: Sharks CEO on outer for being honest

The same with Nathan Brown at the Newcastle Knights and Brad Arthur at the Parramatta Eels.

Garth Brennan on the Gold Coast will also need to improve now he has a side, on paper, capable of playing finals football. Their futures will be among the biggest stories of the season.

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