Buzz: The player Dolphins want above everyone else
Forget about Reece Walsh or Kalyn Ponga. Buzz reveals the player the Redcliffe Dolphins have at the very top of their recruitment wish list.
Phil Rothfield
Buzz: Surprise bolter puts pressure on Brooks
The most interesting point from the Tigers’ trial win is that they played their best football when Luke Brooks was replaced, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Monday Buzz: Why opening round is now a lottery
It’s the issue that infuriates rugby league fans the most – the NRL’s inconsistency in its adjudication of foul play, PHIL ROTHFIELD writes.
Buzz: Souths rookie reveals story behind Piggins photo
George Piggins returned to Erskineville Oval after a rough trot with his health and South Sydney hooker Peter Mamouzelos wasn’t about to miss a rare opportunity with the legend.
Monday Buzz: Real story behind Tapine’s Raiders unrest
Last year Joe Tapine started just 11 games and his wife slammed the Raiders on social media. Now Tapine’s manager is preparing to phone Raiders boss Don Furner, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Kent: Raper led on the field and off it
With the marriage of stats and memory, it is no exaggeration to say Johnny Raper might have been the greatest ever. But that was only part of who he was, writes PAUL KENT.
Monday Buzz: Banished NRL bad boys to light-up bush footy
Three former NRL stars will add serious star power to three different country rugby league competitions in 2022. BUZZ’S HIGHS, LOWS
Changing of guard: Meet NRL’s six new captains
With Kalyn Ponga appointed Newcastle captain for season 2022, PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals who will lead each club this year.
Mundine unloads over Artie’s stadium snub
Arthur Beetson’s son has addressed his father’s snubbing from Sydney’s new $850m stadium, while former NRL star Anthony Mundine has also weighed in.
Buzz: NRL veteran in demand fresh from drug ban
Former Broncos hooker James Segeyaro could join a fifth NRL club after returning from a 20-month ban. BUZZ’S HIGHS, LOWS
Why bad boy May is cleared for French exit
Questions have been raised about Tyrone May’s move to the Super League. PHIL ROTHFIELD has the answers and more in his wrap of the weekend’s highs and lows.
Buzz: Legends on mission to re-build superstar factory
After years of neglect, the Knights haven’t produced a superstar in decades. That could soon change, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Buzz: Winners, losers from new stadium strategy
The Government will soon announce its new stadium strategy and it has huge implications for sports fans. BUZZ’S HIGHS, LOWS
Buzz: Star’s backended deal causes drama for Dogs
It remains one of the most contentious positions on the new-look Bulldogs roster, and it’s made even more interesting by one player’s 2022 contract, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Buzz: The most popular pick for 2022 premiership
They didn’t finish in the top four in 2021 but punters are obviously expecting better next year – much, much better. BUZZ’S HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS
Out of order: Reality bites for Rabbitohs
A club as steeped in history as South Sydney should stop trying to rewrite it and instead learn from their mistakes, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Broncos blaze trail for how NRL deals should be done
Kevin Walters has signed a revolutionary contract that protects the club from a big pay out if they sack him. It’s the way of the future, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Buzz: Sharks young gun caught in contract tug-o-war
The immediate future of Cronulla rising star Luke Metcalf is up in the air despite a mooted move to the Warriors. BUZZ’S HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS
Monday Buzz: Origin biggest loser from TV rights fight
Channel 7’s decision to walk away from NRL broadcast negotiations is a huge loss for State of Origin coverage. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals why in weekend highlights and lowlights.
Bennett powerplay that could steal Walker from Souths
SAINT, SINNER, SHOOSH: Souths are desperate to avoid another Adam Reynolds-like situation in their Cody Walker negotiations. But Wayne Bennett could hold a winning hand.
Buzz: Controversial rule came back to bite Bennett
It was the new rule no NRL coach wanted – except for Wayne Bennett. And then, on the game’s biggest stage, it came back to haunt him.
Buzz: The $6m man suddenly crying poor
A recently retired player who has earned five times more than the average wage earner over the past decade is complaining he needs a loan to pay his Covid breach fines. HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS.
Down, out and broke: Dugan breaks silence on retirement
Josh Dugan claims he was forced into retirement because he could not afford to pay the $150,000 in combined Covid breach fines from Cronulla and the NRL.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Hasler facing player revolt
The Polynesian players on Des Hasler’s roster are not happy a teammate has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
Buzz: Intrigue behind Molan’s exit, replacement
Erin Molan recently told colleagues of her decision to step down — this is her likely replacement. But is there more to the story? BUZZ’S HIGHS, LOWS
Concussions, future, family: Cordner breaks silence
NSW and Roosters captain Boyd Cordner reveals all in an exclusive interview, his first since the State of Origin knockout.
Fergo on shaky ground as Eels hit market
The Eels have been making discreet inquiries about a number of wingers for next year in a worrying sign for Blake Ferguson.
Buzz: Gus salary call coming back to bite Panthers
The value of Penrith’s squad has risen unexpectedly which will put pressure on its salary cap because of a problem created by Phil Gould.
Buzz: Corey’s cameramen gambling with careers
NRL players have every right to let their hair down after a season in the bubble but Corey Norman’s pokies jackpot wasn’t a great look for two of his companions.
Have your say: Who was the best player of 2020?
Plenty of big names fired but it was a group of new faces that really impressed in 2020. So who was th best? Check out Buzz Rothfield’s full list here.
Handshake deal costs loyal Johns big bucks
Money isn’t everything, and Matty Johns’ son Jack has shown just that after honouring a handshake deal that could be set to see him lose out financially.
Buzz: Why Queenslanders were real Origin losers
The Maroons may have won Origin but everyday Queenslanders were the real losers. Plus, how the NSW government ‘stuffed up’ new stadium plan.
Buzz: Look out Teddy, you have a real rival for No.1
James Tedesco has long been seen as the leading player in the game. But has Origin shown that his time at the top is coming to an end? VOTE NOW!
Buzz: Blues finally find own version of The Axe
Trevor ‘The Axe’ Gillmeister bashed the Blues throughout his Origin career and now NSW have finally found their own version.
Blues need wholesale changes for Origin II
After a terrible second half, there is no question NSW will have to make changes for the return game in Sydney. Who should go and who should replace them?
Buzz: Channel 9’s huge Origin blunder
There was a notable absentee from Channel 9’s coverage of the opening State of Origin game — and the snub had Buzz Rothfield puzzled.
Is this NSW’s weakest link?
They may be overwhelming favourites with the bookies, but NSW look to be lacking in arguably the most important area of the game.
Revealed: The biggest fibbers in the NRL
Never believe a front rower’s call for a captain’s challenge became a mantra of 2020, but these statistics prove that the big boppers get a bad wrap.
What’s the Buzz: Storm damage as another star faces exit
The Storm could face their most challenging period since the salary cap scandal with a mass exodus from Melbourne as another premiership winning star looks set to follow a host of players out the door.
What’s the Buzz: Gayle returns to BBL with Mel’s blessing
The last time we saw him in the BBL Chris Gayle was unofficially banned for comments made to Channel 7 presenter Mel McLaughlin. But his return could be a huge boost for a competition lacking star power.
Buzz’s Top 50: Questions over timing of positive tests
Bronson Xerri and Michael Jennings’ positive drug tests rocked the NRL, but so did how they dropped — coming on the even of the season and a crucial finals match. Check out 2020’s most dramatic moments.
Trophy life: Smith and Storm’s all-nighter
Cameron Smith was giving nothing away about his rugby league future, but the Melbourne champion didn’t hold back as he celebrated Storm’s grand final triumph — check out Buzz Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights.
‘Listen again’: Gus responds to commentary critics
After copping a hammering on social media during Melbourne’s win over Penrith, Channel 9 commentator has responded to critics of his NRL grand final call.
How NRL star made things right with his team
“I’d get back on a plane to Melbourne not knowing if I’d see him again.” These are the harrowing moments that preceded Josh Addo-Carr’s COVID lockdown drama – and how he owned up to the Storm.
Favourite emerges in three-way chase for Addo-Carr
As Melbourne Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr prepares for the NRL grand final, serious discussions are happening in the background over his future.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Gus’ latest Twitter shutdown
Another year, another Phil Gould blow-up on Twitter – and he was close to making it through an entire season without his account being shut down. Check out all the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.
What’s the Buzz: NRL star’s terrifying burglary scare
One of the NRL’s highly paid stars has been left shaken after thieves broke into his new Gladesville home, stealing valuable items while he was asleep.
Shoosh: Drunk Bulldog caught acting like a goose
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.
Key factors that ruined Roosters’ season
No NRL side has hurt more by concussion in 2020 than the Roosters, with their top players spending time on the sidelines due to head knocks. Boyd Cordner should not be playing State of Origin next month, writes Phil Rothfield.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Seibold, Molan team up in online fight
Former Broncos coach Anthony Seibold and sports presenter Erin Molan have teamed up in an effort to take the fight to online trolls. All the latest inside NRL stories here.
Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/opinion/phil-rothfield/page/4