Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s weekend highlights and lowlights

CommBank Stadium was the scene of a disturbing security breach during Rooster coach Trent Robinson’s press conference. Buzz’s weekend highlights and lowlights.

Joseph Suaalii. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty

Phil Rothfield runs the rule over the weekend’s sport action, revealing his highlights and lowlights in Monday Buzz.

HIGHLIGHT

Parramatta’s spectacular first half performance against the Roosters in a barnstorming return to form just five days after the humiliation of losing 34-4 to the Bulldogs.

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LOWLIGHT

A horrible night at CommBank Stadium for Roosters brothers Nat and Ethan Butcher, both forced off with concussion after heavy knocks.

REYNOLDS TO QUIT

Josh Reynolds is about to part company with Hull FC in the UK by mutual agreement despite having five months remaining on his big-money contract as a marquee player. The 33-year-old has struggled with injuries, like at the Wests Tigers. He was spotted in Barcelona over the weekend sightseeing with Mitchell Pearce.

Josh Reynolds and Mitchell Pearce in Barcelona.

SHOOSH

The Maroons have had their first win in Origin week. They have been lobbying hard behind the scenes for Ashley Klein to be retained as the referee in Perth. His appointment will be announced by the NRL on Monday afternoon.

SHOOSH

So much for the promotion of international football. The Cowboys wouldn’t allow journalists to interview Jason Taumalolo after the win over Manly. They only wanted to chat to him about the Tonga-New Zealand Test match next weekend.

SHOOSH

Where is the security at CommBank Stadium? A punter drinking a Bundy and coke and wearing a GoPro somehow made his way into the media centre on Saturday night and sat there for Trent Robinson’s entire press conference.

SPOTTED

It’s a tough life being an out-of-work rugby league front-rower. Matt Lodge spent Saturday night at Wentworth Park greyhounds. On Thursday night he was in Wollongong to watch his mate Andrew McCullough in his 300th game.

SPOTTED

Socceroos skipper Maty Ryan at Rosehill races and then at the Eels v Roosters game. He was invited into the Eels sheds afterwards.

SPOTTED

Former Bulldogs, Storm and Cronulla Sharks coach Chris Anderson in Coffs Harbour on Saturday to watch his old club knock off the Gold Coast Titans.

SPOTTED

Former Wallaby skipper John Eales boarded a ferry with his family from Mosman Bay Terminal for Circular Quay to check out the Vivid lights.

360 VIEW

Catch you on Monday night on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Paul Kent and James Hooper. We’ll chat to Billy Slater and Greg Alexander for the latest State of Origin news.

Roosters failing themselves and Suaalii

Joseph Suaalii is the next big thing in rugby league. No scoop there.

However he could be having an even greater impact for the Sydney Roosters.

Suaalii’s performances on right-side wing have been one of the few highlights in what has been a disappointing season for the club.

The Roosters were among the pre-season premiership favourites but have now dropped out of the top eight and are stuck on 14 competition points.

Somehow Roosters coach Trent Robinson needs to get him more touches of the football.

Coming through juniors, Suaalii played fullback, five-eighth and centre.

Joseph Suaalii scored the opening try against the Eels. And the Roosters need to get him more football. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty

Robinson refuses to rush the 18-year-old which is admirable but this team needs to start winning football games.

The halves combination of Sam Walker and Drew Hutchison didn’t work against the Eels.

Hutchison is a handy player but pedestrian and predictable.

Joey Manu should have started at five-eighth with Suaalii in the centres.

It’s obvious what they are doing now is not working.

NRL’S BEST-VALUE PLAYER

The best-value player in the NRL bar none is Penrith Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards.

It is hard to believe that this guy is on only half the salary of Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.

I know who the better player has been in the last couple of seasons.

Edwards is only a fraction behind the likes of James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Ryan Papenhuyzen.

There is not a more consistent performer every week at the Panthers.

He is tough and can play injured as was shown during the finals series last year.

Edwards is apparently on around $500,000 a season at Penrith.

Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

The likes of Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris, Isaah Yeo and Stephen Crichton are soaking up the big dollars in the Panthers salary cap.

You know that coach Ivan Cleary wouldn’t swap him for any other fullback.

On Saturday against the Warriors he ran 171 and had four tackle busts.

Earlier this year the 26-year-old fullback committed to Panthers for another two years.

He could have earnt more elsewhere, especially at a club like the Dolphins.

Edwards has such a great attitude. He is so humble and unassuming.

“The Panthers is the only place I want to be,” he said.

“This club means everything to me. I’ve grown up with this team and the bond we share is something special.”

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s weekend highlights and lowlights