‘Who advised him?’: ‘Speechless’ legends roast NRL boss for bizarre stat gaffe

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has been roasted by rugby league legends for a hilarious gaffe that is sure to haunt him for years to come.

Andrew Abdo is getting roasted for his bizarre stats.

Rugby league greats Cameron Smith and Greg Alexander have roasted NRL CEO Andrew Abdo for his bizarre shoutout for Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards on the weekend.

The Panthers sealed the minor premiership in a brilliant 44-12 trouncing of the Cowboys to both end North Queensland’s season and retain the JJ Giltinan Shield.

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On hand to present the Panthers the trophy in-front of a still packed BlueBet Stadium, Abdo took to the stage to celebrate the club’s achievements.

After his initial comments, Abdo turned to the playing group, praising the Panthers for their set completion rates before singling Edwards out for special praise.

“It’s very difficult to single out any individual in such a phenomenal team effort, but I would like to acknowledge how unified this team is,” he said.

“Dylan Edwards at fullback has made 193 assists. That’s phenomenal.”

Edwards looked seriously confused by Abdo’s stats shoutout, which was not even close to being correct.

According to the NRL’s own stats, Edwards has had 23 appearances, 11 tries and two conversions.

He’s had five try assists and 12 line break assists — a little bit short of the 193.

Andrew Abdo rattled off some interesting stats. Photo: Fox Sports

Dylan Edwards was flabbergasted. Photo: Fox Sports

Footy fans had a field day on social media at Abdo’s expense and the NRL boss continued to cop it from rugby league greats on radio on Monday.

Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith said on SEN: “I don’t know. I’ve got nothing for you. I’m speechless.

“193 assists for Dylan Edwards. Assisting with what? Wow. That’s amazing. Andrew, well done.

“But just get up there and congratulate Penrith on a wonderful season, hand over the JJ Giltinan Shield and step to the side mate.”

Penrith’s 1991 premiership hero Greg Alexander was in hysterics as SEN co-host Andrew Voss theorised that Abdo’s cherry-picked stat that Penrith ran 45,000m with the ball in hand was like something out of Russell Crowe’s A Beautiful Mind.

Alexander said: “45,000m? Who advised Andrew? Who advised him to say that stuff?”

Voss said: “Hang on a sec. Is A Beautiful Mind on in the background at the NRL?

“He’s just punching these random numbers that none of us have access to.

“Did you know? The answer is no I didn’t know, Andrew and I’ve never heard anything of the kind.

Greg Alexander (right) was in stitches over the bizarre stats. Photo: Fox Sports, Twitter.

“I’m just going to float a theory out there. I reckon there’s a work experience kid behind this. I think someone there that’s punched this out and put in on there.

“That’s the first time I’ve heard of that. I’m a man of stats and I’m blown away by that. That’s almost greatness. If they’re true, then that’s greatness that someone’s produced that (many try assists).”

The Panthers finished top of the ladder and are in the box seat to become the first team in 40 years to win three premierships in a row.

They will play the New Zealand Warriors at home on Saturday afternoon in the first week of finals.

The Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm will kick off the NRL finals action on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.