No action taken against hair-pulling Jack Bird: Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights from the week in sport

No further action was taken against Tigers star Jack Bird who was put on report for pulling an opponent’s hair. Does that mean it’s now acceptable? Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the week.

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Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield delivers his highlights and lowlights after round one of the NRL season.

HIGHLIGHT

Manly’s spectacular season-opening demolition of the Cowboys at Brookie. It’s early days but this side has the talent, skill, speed and power across the park to seriously challenge premiership heavyweights Penrith and Melbourne for the title.

HIGHLIGHT II

The magnificent Brisbane Broncos. I’ve said all along they would burst out of the blocks in the early rounds after a gruelling off-season of an army camp and players vomiting at training. Whether they burn out mid-year around Origin time is the big question.

LOWLIGHT

No action was taken by the match review committee on Wests Tigers star Jack Bird, who was put on report for pulling Phoenix Crossland’s hair. Does this mean it is now an acceptable practice? And another one … how did Canterbury Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton escape the sin bin for dropping his knees into Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu at Kogarah?

Jack Bird pulling at Phoenix Crossland’s hair.

SHOOSH

We’re hearing the Wests Tigers are one of several NRL clubs closely monitoring the legal case of Taylan May, who fronts Penrith court on Monday to fight domestic violence charges. He has pleaded not guilty. The Wests Tigers will have money available from the pending medical retirement of Justin Olam.

SPOTTED

Benji Marshall said in a pre-game interview at Campbelltown on Friday night that the Wests Tigers had worked hard on defence in the off-season. They then missed 55 tackles against the Knights.

SPOTTED

Cronulla Sharks front-rower Braden Hamlin-Uele drove all the way to Campbelltown to watch his former teammate Royce Hunt debut for the Wests Tigers against the Knights.

SPOTTED

NSW Blues State of Origin coach Laurie Daley at Kogarah Oval on Saturday to check the early form of Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Illawarra players.

SPOTTED

Get in quickly if you want to secure a seat at Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round in Brisbane in May. Ticket sales have gone gangbusters and the NRL is expecting a sell-out on all three days well prior to the event.

SHOOSH

Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo have rightly received enormous praise for the year-on-year growth and success of Las Vegas. The NRL now has a full-time general manager of US expansion in John Vellis, a great operator, who will ensure the event’s future success.

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo at Allegiant Stadium. Picture: NRL Photos

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday night on NRL 360 at 6.30pm on Fox League with Braith Anasta, Gordie Tallis and Brent Read to discuss all the major issues out of round one of the competition.

PREMIERSHIP SHAKE UP

TAB oddsmakers have been busy over the weekend revamping the NRL betting markets and slashing the prices of the Broncos and Sea Eagles – the two most impressive teams in Round 1.

The Broncos firmed from $7.50 into $5.50 after originally opening the premiership betting at $17 in the first market last year.

Manly is in from $15 to $10 and has jumped the Sharks and Bulldogs onto the fourth line of betting after blowing the Cowboys off the park at Brookie.

The wooden spoon betting remains the tightest market of all with virtually nothing separating the Eels, Dragons, Dolphins, Warriors and Wests Tigers.

Even the Roosters and Cowboys have been backed into $10 for most losses.

NO.1 ERA FOR FULLBACKS

I can’t recall the last time the NRL had so many fullback champions in the one era.

The depth of great players across the competition in the No1 jersey is unprecedented.

So here’s my top 10.

I’ve got Dylan Edwards on top because he’s won four straight premierships and he’s the current Kangaroos fullback and such an integral part of the machine that is the Penrith Panthers.

Tommy Turbo comes in at No.2 and anyone who watched him at Brookie on Saturday night would have to agree. So much speed, power and remarkable passing skills.

Surely it puts to bed any suggestion of him moving to the centres or even five-eighth.

Then Knights champion Kalyn Ponga and Broncos superstar Reece Walsh.

Even Roosters veteran James Tedesco, who tried his heart out against the Broncos on Friday night, is still in the top five.

Originally published as No action taken against hair-pulling Jack Bird: Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights from the week in sport