Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights: Channel Nine’s hatchet job on NRL over looming broadcast deal

Nine Entertainment’s hatchet job on the NRL for exploring broadcast partners outside of the long-established traditional channels reeks. This is the same broadcaster that attempted to pinch the AFL rights two years ago.

Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the week in sport, taking Nine Entertainment to school over the free-to-air network’s hatchet job on the NRL for exploring broadcast partners outside of the long-established traditional channels.

HIGHLIGHT

The Wests Tigers are not just an attractive footy side to watch. They also have plenty of heart. To come back from trailing 18-6 after 30 minutes in an away game shows Benji’s boys are up for the fight and a team that will win plenty more games this season.

LOWLIGHT

You know the TV broadcasting rights negotiations are about to happen when Nine Entertainment’s hatchet man writes a column to question the NRL’s strategy to look for partners outside of the long-established traditional channels. In the modern world of media, the NRL would be derelict in their duties not to be looking at all potential bidders. And the NRL haven’t forgotten Nine tried to pinch the AFL rights two years ago. Yes, they wanted to cover both AFL and NRL at the same time.

Peter V’landys is trying to secure the NRL’s future.

WAYNE’S CURSE

Nearly every club old super coach Wayne Bennett leaves falls in a heap. The Knights followed up his departure in 2014 with three wooden spoons. Look at how the Dragons fell apart in 2011. And what Anthony Seibold was left to inherit at the Broncos. Now it’s poor Kristian Woolf’s turn at the Dolphins. Three starts, three losses. The bookies predicted this would happen by installing the Dolphins as favourites to win the wooden spoon at the beginning of the season.

The Dolphins are winless in 2025. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

SHOOSH

The Broncos are facing a tough and emotional call on the future of Billy Walters, the son of club legend Kevvy Walters. Billy is off contract at the end of next season. When Ezra Mam returns from suspension, Walters will be the club’s number three hooker behind Ben Hunt and Cory Paix. He is a hugely popular figure around the dressing shed.

Could Billy Walters (R) be forced out of the Broncos? Picture: NRL Photos

SPOTTED

He’s not quite in Payne Haas’ league but there is not a more improved middle forward in the NRL than the Penrith Panthers’ Liam Henry, who was one of the best on the park against Melbourne Storm on Thursday night. At 23 he is still a couple of years off reaching his peak.

Liam Henry went toe to toe with the Storm’s imposing pack. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

SPOTTED

Injured Cronulla star Toby Rudolf sitting in the press box seats at Shark Park on Saturday afternoon alongside his former skipper Dale Finucane, refusing my request for him to move on.

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday on NRL 360 at 6.30pm on Fox League with Braith Anasta and Gorden Tallis to talk all things rugby league. Canterbury Bulldogs major sponsors and hotel tycoons Arthur and Stu Laundy will join the panel to discuss their roles in the revitalisation of the Doggies.

Originally published as Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights: Channel Nine’s hatchet job on NRL over looming broadcast deal