Phil Rothfield: Phil Gould, Peter V’landys fallout is talk of game

A fallout between Phil Gould and ARL commission boss Peter V’landys is turning heads, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Phil Gould and Peter V'landys have fallen out.

Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield wraps the weekend of Australian sport.

HIGHLIGHT

Joseph Suaalii was the victim of an accidental crusher tackle on Saturday night at the SCG against the Broncos. Rather than latch onto the latest player trend of holding the back of his neck, pretending to be hurt and play for a penalty, Suaalii bounced straight back to his feet to play the ball. At a time when the game is over-reacting to minor accidents, this was my favourite moment from the weekend.

LOWLIGHT

Saturday night at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Broncos were robbed of praise for a magnificent victory thanks to another complete overreaction from NRL match officials.

SOUTHS SACRIFICE

The NRL owes a huge debt of gratitude to the South Sydney Rabbitohs for taking Sunday’s blockbuster against the Panthers to the bush. It would have been easy and far more profitable to play the game at Stadium Australia in front of 40,000 fans. The decision to take the game to Dubbo would have cost them upwards of $250,000 in gate-takings.

Jarome Luai jumps on the pack after a Viliame Kikau try in Dubbo (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

SPOTTED

Sportsbet offered $1.70 for veteran Roosters centre Josh Morris scoring a try at any time against the Brisbane Broncos just half an hour before kick-off on Saturday night. The Roosters star was ruled out the day before.

SPOTTED

The old Mayor of Gunnamatta Marty Downs catching up with popular Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss in Bowral.

SPOTTED

Bulldogs major sponsor Arthur Laundy celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday night with 200 guests at the Novotel Manly Pacific on Saturday night. Sporting guests included Cronulla Sharks front-rower Aaron Woods and GWS star Toby Greene.

SHOOSH

The fallout between commission boss Peter V’landys and Phil Gould over the high tackle outrage is the talk of the game.

Phil Gould and Peter V'landys have fallen out.

SHOOSH

The Cronulla Sharks are close to announcing the re-signings of two of their best players – fullback Will Kennedy and lock Toby Rudolf in a huge boost for new coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

WAKE UP GEOFF

Is it any wonder that no one in sport in Sydney takes Geoff Lee seriously? The NSW sports minister was spruiking this week that the new SFS will be ready in time for the 2022 NRL grand final.

Breaking news Minister … the magnificent new venue will hold only 42,000 fans. We’re sure the NRL will want to sell an extra 40,000 tickets and play the decider at Stadium Australia.

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday night on NRL 360 with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and James Hooper to discuss another weekend of high drama and all the biggest issues in the game.