Monday Buzz: Former teammates Brent Naden and Matt Dufty clash | NRL rivals pokie drama

Which NRL player was ruled out from his Round 11 clash - only to pop up playing the pokies the next day? PHIL ROTHFIELD gives his highlights and lowlights from the weekend.

Sports Editor-at-large Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the weekend of sport.

From former NRL teammates clashing at full-time, to Phil Gould’s latest illness, to the crossover between NRL and politics.

Read on for more. 

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HIGHLIGHT

The resurgence of rugby league in Queensland via the Cowboys and the Broncos. It shows this year’s State of Origin series is going to be an absolute belter.

The Broncos are back (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

LOWLIGHT

Who would have thought Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm would ever lose two matches in a row with a combined score line of 68-12?

SPOTTED

A flare-up between Bulldogs fullback Matt Dufty and his former teammate Brent Naden at full-time at Leichhardt. It wasn’t picked up on TV because Fox Sports crossed straight to CommBank Stadium for the Sea Eagles v Eels (video in player above).

Brent Naden and Matt Dufty clash. Picture: Fox League

JAKE’S BACK

Halfback Jake Clifford made his return from personal leave for the Newcastle Knights in NSW Cup on Saturday. The Knights beat the Dragons 27-20 and Clifford played impressively.

SHOOSH

Which NRL player who was ruled out over the weekend with the flu but was spotted the next day in the pub playing the pokies?

SPOTTED

Injured Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma leaving Leichhardt Oval at half-time on Friday night. Ruled out with concussion, he told media manager Chris Warren he was suffering from headaches.

GUS GROUNDED

Phil Gould couldn’t get to Leichhardt on Friday night for Mick Potter’s first game, having been struck with the flu. He said on Twitter: “My head aches. My bones ache. My skin is so sensitive. Hurts to touch. Relentless cough. Struggle to breathe. Shaking with chills. This isn’t going so good.”

My head aches. My bones ache. My skin is so sensitive. Hurts to touch. Relentless cough. Struggle to breathe. Shaking with chills. This isn’t going so good.

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) May 21, 2022

SPOTTED

South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas at Anthony Albanese’s victory party at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL on Saturday night.

SPOTTED

Sam Burgess at Redfern Oval on Saturday helping out with coaching of the Rabbitohs’ Jersey Flegg side.

SPOTTED

England’s Test coach Shaun Wane at the Parramatta v Manly game on Friday night. Wane also dropped into Belmore last week to meet front-rower Luke Thompson.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Paul Kent, James Hooper and Cooper Cronk to discuss all the biggest issues out of Round 11 of the competition.