The Battle: Brisbane Broncos, Dolphins identities go head-to-head at exclusive lunch
QRL boss Ben Ikin has defended the decision to join legal action against the ARLC over funding, saying it league must remain the dominant code in Qld.
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Welcome to The Courier-Mail’s Battle lunch, as we build up to the Friday night blockbuster between The Dolphins and the Brisbane Broncos.
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NECESSARY STEP: IKIN DEFENDS LEGAL ACTION
Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin has defended the joint decision with NSW Rugby League to take legal action in February against the Australian Rugby League Commission over funding for the game, declaring it is “the necessary step” to defend against the threat of the AFL.
Mr Ikin said the AFL has a 50-year plan to “become the sport of choice for kids around the state”.
“They will be putting in further investment to win hearts, minds and green space. We’re all in this fight for green space for community sports,” Mr Ikin told The Courier-Mail’s Robbert Craddock.
Mr Ikin said he was content letting the NSW Supreme Court decide.
“What we believe is adequate funding for what we want to do is not at the same level the ARLC is thinking,” he said.
“We stepped in because we love the game up here.
“It’s about getting the appropriate level of investment to ensure that rugby league remains the dominant code in Queensland for as long as we’re all around.”
Ikin believes the state’s governing body is hamstrung by the current process for funding.
He said the QRL would find out halfway through the year how much funding they would have to run Queensland’s 356 clubs and 68,000 participants.
“The process is so confusing,” Mr Ikin said.
“At the moment, we can’t plan properly. Grassroots rugby league in Queensland and NSW deserve better than that.
“The individuals involved in the argument are irrelevant.
“There is an issue that needs to be solved, we can’t solve it in the room together, so we need external intervention.”
IS WAYNE BENNETT HEADING TO THE BURROW?
With Jason Demetriou under pressure after a poor start for the Rabbitohs, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has been linked to the club for next year.
“Well Wayne won’t be at the Dolphins next year,” league writer Peter Badel said told the crowd.
“Wayne has always said there are some clubs he will coach, and there are some he won’t. South Sydney is a glamour club. I think they are one genuine destination. Parramatta has also been mentioned.
“But to me, if Jason Demetriou was to step aside in the next few months or weeks, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wayne back there next year and Sam Burgess in some capacity as an assistant to Wayne with a view to him eventually passing the baton.”
HAMSTRING INJURIES KEEP PLAYERS ON BENCH
A player panel has provided an injury update for the Broncos and Dolphins, with a number of players ruled out of Friday night’s clash.
Fox Sports’ Jake Duke is hosting a panel with Broncos’ Adam Reynolds and Corey Oates, as well as Herbie Farnworth and Felise Kaufusi from The Dolphins.
Reynolds suffered a hamstring injury against the Storm.
“I had a good session this morning, I ran for the first time. I’m looking at a couple of weeks,” Reynolds said.
He confirmed star fullback Reece Walsh is fit to play after a brutal facial injury.
Corey Oates is fully fit and is in contention for a start, with Deine Mariner now out injured.
Oates has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Reynolds at halfback this week, claiming he’d already spoken to coach Kevin Walters earlier in the season.
Former Bronco-turned-Dolphin wasd dressed down for the day, to accommodate a shoulder injury.
“The shoulder is too sore for (a buttoned) shirt,” he said, adding that he thinks he’ll be out for four to six weeks.
Meanwhile, Kaufusi has just been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
“I’m looking like a couple of weeks out as well, like Reyno,” he said.
But Kaufusi boasted about his speed in the lead-up to his injury, saying he reached a speed of 9.2 metres per second, which he claims rivals speedster teammate Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Kaufusi also gave an injury update on Tom Flegler, another former Bronco turned Dolphins enforcer.
Kaufusi said Flegler was “touch and go” after suffering a shoulder knock, but Kaufusi has backed Flegler to play against his old team.
PLAYER PREDICTIONS FOR FRIDAY’S GAME
Adam Reynolds: “I think we’re well-rounded, we got a bit of confidence out of last week even though we weren’t too good in defence, but we’ve fixed up a few things there. Reece Walsh being back is obviously a major factor for us. I think Pat Carrigan will win the Battle Medal, whenever there is a medal on the line he seems to get it.”
Corey Oates: “I think the last few weeks the defence hasn’t been there, but our attack has been very good. Having Reece back will add more spark to that. The things we needed to work on weren’t massive issues, they were just small areas. If we can get those right and shut down those Dolphins’ attacking weapons, I think we will go a long way to controlling and winning the game. If Walshy plays, he’s a chance to be the Battle Medal winner.”
Herbie Farnworth: “I think it will be a really tough and close game. I’m backing the Dolphins, at the moment we’re not making many errors which will make it tough for the Broncos and I think we will just edge it out. Medal winner - I’ll go Flegs (Tom Flegler).”
Felise Kaufusi: “I’ll go the Broncos … to lose. I like where we’re at as a team. I think it will be a close one, but I reckon we will be able to just get the two points. Medal winner, I’ll go Jamayne Isaako.”
Originally published as The Battle: Brisbane Broncos, Dolphins identities go head-to-head at exclusive lunch
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