Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights

Boyd Cordner has done it all in rugby league but there’s a special record that must sit high in the former Roosters captain’s estimations. Buzz Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights.

Canterbury star Josh Addo-Carr at the Tyson Fury fight.

Peter V’landys wants to guarantee the future of all NRL clubs for the next century.

It will be a nice result to come out of the current funding dispute between the NRL clubs and the governing body over a future funding model.

Some Sydney clubs that have looked to be on shaky ground in previous years are now assured of long-term survival.

“I joined the NRL on the platform that no club will ever leave the competition against their will,” V’landys said.

“We are going to introduce perpetual licenses which run forever.

“The law says we have to put a figure on it so it will be 99 years for arguments sake.

The current participation agreements end next year.

There had been talk of clubs baulking at signing because of the current dispute.

Peter V’landys wants to finalise the historic agreement. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“From here on the clubs won’t have to sign a new agreement every 10 years,” V’landys said.

There will be certain clauses to ensure the integrity of the competition around governance and that licenses could be terminated in extreme circumstances.

V’landys uses the Gold Coast Titans as an example.

“Right now the Titans have two great owners,” V’landys said, “I hope they keep the ownership forever.

“But what if they decide to sell down the track?

“What if we find out a year later that the new owner is actually an international cocaine smuggler.

“What if he goes to jail. It’s only that sort of scenario that might put a license at risk.”

The NRL will also ease back on demands that a certain quota of women need to be on club boards and in senior management positions as part of the agreements.

HIGHLIGHT

The Socceroos. Beaten yet so brave. A magnificent sporting outfit that punched way above its weight throughout the soccer World Cup.

LOWLIGHT

The crowds - or lack of - at the first cricket Test in Perth for a series that 30 years ago was the hottest ticket in Australian sport. Tens of thousands of empty seats as the backdrop to the Channel 7 and Fox Sports TV coverage.

Fans speck Optus Stadium on day one of the first Test. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty

LOWLIGHT II

The passing of Paul Broughton, the former Balmain and Newtown coach. Also the inaugural chairman and driving force behind the Gold Coast Titans. I ran into him only two weeks ago and he was as chatty as ever. A really lovely bloke.

SPOTTED

Channel 9 chief executive Mike Sneesby and former NRL star Beau Ryan at Jamberoo Action Park supervising a kid’s birthday party.

SPOTTED

Kangaroos winger Josh Addo-Carr among 60,000 boxing fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to watch Tyson Fury retain his WBC heavyweight title against British rival Derek Chisora.

Canterbury star Josh Addo-Carr at the Tyson Fury fight.

SPOTTED

Sydney Roosters legend Boyd Cordner at Lilli Pilli Public School last week where he was guest of honour at their sports presentation day. Cordner was also presented with a swimming trophy from back in 2003 that has been sitting in the principal’s office since he left the school to move home to Taree. Cordner still holds the school’s 50-metre swim record from almost 20 years ago.

KIND ACT

Olympian Jessica Thornton has donated 30 pairs of her runners to kids in need in Sigatoka, Fiji. The 400m runner receives new gear each year as part of her Nike sponsorship and decided to put her old kits to good use. The shoes will be delivered just in time to put smiles on kids’ faces for Christmas.

BIG BREKKY

Catch you on the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio with Laurie Daley, Michael Clarke and Gerard Middleton to discuss all the biggest issues in rugby league.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights