Monday Buzz: Kyle Flanagan’s spot at Sydney Roosters under threat as Trent Robinson looks to future with Sam Walker
Capping off a week of horror headlines for the NRL, which intoxicated star Bulldogs player was kicked out of an eastern suburbs hotel? BUZZ HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS.
Phil Rothfield
Don't miss out on the headlines from Phil Rothfield. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It is not fair to single out one player for the Parramatta Eels being bounced out of the competition against the Rabbitohs on Saturday night at Bankwest.
However the debate continues over Mitchell Moses and whether he has the ability to steer this club to a premiership success over the next few years.
The four sides still alive in the competition have the best four playmakers this year – Nathan Cleary, Adam Reynolds, George Williams and Jahrome Hughes.
Watch the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals on Kayo. Every game before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans would be the only halfback outside of the top four who could challenge that quartet on what we’ve seen this year.
The likes of Mitchell Pearce and Luke Brooks, who normally poll well in the Dally Ms, have been disappointing.
But back to Moses.
This season he’s had the benefit of being tutored by rugby league immortal Andrew Johns, albeit from outside of the bubble.
He was also playing behind outstanding middle forwards Nathan Brown, Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
The 26-year-old halfback has now played 150 first grade matches.
He needs to take his game to the next level in 2021 if the Eels are to win the premiership.
HIGHLIGHT
Damien Cook’s running game for the Rabbitohs against the Eels, proving he is back to his best after a sluggish start to the season. Eight runs for 135 metres. Three tackle busts, two line breaks, two try-assists, 41 tackles. A truly great player.
HIGHLIGHT II
The wonderful sportsmanship of the Canberra Raiders players who stayed on the field after full-time to form a guard of honour for retiring Sydney Roosters legend Mitch Aubusson.
LOWLIGHT
A horrible weekend of headlines on the Michael Jennings and Tristan Sailor stories.
LOWLIGHT II
The Wallabies almost pulled off one our most remarkable Bledisloe Cup victories over the All Blacks on Sunday. But in an unbelievably poor case of news judgment, 2GB cut off David Morrow in the gripping final minutes to take an ad break. It was all over by the time the break was finished.
SHOOSH
Which intoxicated Canterbury Bulldogs player was removed from an eastern suburbs hotel on Friday night by security guards for behaving like a goose.
SHOOSH
There has been much discussion in the refereeing ranks over the weekend about the performance of Chris Sutton (Bernie’s little brother) as touch judge in the Raiders-Roosters game. The high tackle by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on Josh Morris that should have been a penalty happened right in front of him.
SPOTTED
Soooooooooo happy â¤ï¸ðŸ’”â¤ï¸ðŸ˜Š pic.twitter.com/9cRXhmcirE
— Julie Burgess (@itsmejuliebe) October 10, 2020
Sam Burgess watching brother Tom and the Rabbitohs beat the Parramatta Eels from home with his mum Julie, who tweeted after the game: “Sooooooooooo happy.”
SAM’S THE MAN
There will be much off-season discussion about the future of Kyle Flanagan at the Roosters. There is very strong mail that coach Trent Robinson will try to fast track Ipswich teenager Sam Walker into first grade in the number seven jersey next year.
TIGER CUT
The big changes continue behind the scenes at the Wests Tigers. Their football manager Tony Carson has been told his services are not required for next year.
MORE NRL
‘Completely shattered’: Jennings speaks after drug shock
‘I’m not retiring’: Fifita insists he’s far from finished
HADLEY HISTORY
In two weeks 2GB’s Ray Hadley will call his 30th grand final. He’s still three short of equalling the legendary Frank Hyde. Given his contract at the network goes through 2024, Hadley will equal his hero. He is still best radio commentator by a country mile.
360 VIEW
Catch you tonight on NRL 360 on Fox Sports at 6.30pm with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and James Hooper to discuss all the big issues from the weekend. Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will appear as a special guest.