Monday Buzz: Why David Nofoaluma wasn’t considered for Tigers selection this week

As Canterbury hits rock bottom with their season on the brink of disaster, Phil Gould has gone missing, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

David Nofoaluma was caught drinking while he was in injury rehab (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Sports Editor-at-large Phil Rothfield runs his rule over the weekend sporting action.

HIGHLIGHT

How fitting that Alex Johnston broke the all-time South Sydney Rabbitohs try-scoring record in Indigenous Round with a treble against the Wests Tigers.

There is no better role model in rugby league.

A wonderful player and person.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now >

Alex Johnston broke the South Sydney all-time try-scoring record against the Tigers.

LOWLIGHT

There has been some poor reporting around Payne Haas’ future at the Broncos. One radio announcer suggested Haas wanted out because the Broncos have betting company Ladbrokes on the back of their jersey and that it is against his religious beliefs.

This is an absolute load of rubbish and has never been raised or discussed.

SHOOSH

The Wests Tigers have remained tight-lipped around winger David Nofoaluma and a recent indiscretion.

Turns out Nofoaluma was caught drinking while he was in injury rehab. The leadership group found out and the winger was not considered for selection against Souths on Saturday night.

David Nofoaluma was caught drinking while he was in injury rehab (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

SHOOSH

The Bulldogs should thank News Corp for saving their sponsorship deal with hotel billionaire Arthur Laundy. It was our exclusive story last week, that Laundy felt unwanted at Belmore and was set to walk away, that forced Phil Gould to act and invite his major sponsor to Belmore to patch-up the relationship.

SPOTTED

Alfie Langer and Adam Reynolds had another drink together after the Friday night comeback victory over the Gold Coast Titans. This time the Broncos skipper was on nothing stronger than Mount Franklin water.

Alfie Langer and Adam Reynolds (this time on the waters).

SPOTTED

Cricketer Dave Warner and ex-PM Scott Morrison with their daughters in Cronulla chairman Steve Mace’s suite at Shark Park on Saturday night, Warner cheering for the Roosters and ScoMo for his Sharkies.

NOT SPOTTED

With Canterbury at rock bottom, their $800,000-a-year general manager of football Phil Gould has missed his second straight Bulldogs game. Last week he had the flu, this week he was working at his other highly-paid job at Channel 9 in Canberra.

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday night on NRL 360 at 6.30pm on Fox League with Braith Anasta, Paul Kent, Cooper Cronk and James Hooper to discuss the State of Origin teams and another big round of NRL footy.