Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights: Buzz vs Cronk II, Roosters entertain Brandon Smith Rabbitohs transfer

It’s the “ignorant” comment from an NRL great that has reignited a dormant feud. Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield takes aim at Cooper Cronk after the Hall of Famer called his exclusive Kalyn Ponga story “factually incorrect”.

Phil Rothfield

@BuzzRothfield

2 min read

March 16, 2025 - 4:54PM

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In this week’s explosive highlights and lowlights column, Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield takes aim at Cooper Cronk following the NRL Hall of Famer’s ignorant comments in relation to an exclusive Kalyn Ponga representative story.

HIGHLIGHT

Confirmation over the weekend that a fourth season of Ted Lasso and Richmond FC is happening, officially confirmed by Apple TV. This is the best show ever, even better than MAFS.

LOWLIGHT

As an old journo you become accustomed to the occasional critique and criticism of your work. Most of it is fair play and everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, there is nothing worse than an ignorant TV commentator describing one of your column items over the weekend as “factually incorrect” when he hadn’t even read it and had no idea of my sources. The truth is, Kiwi coach Stacey Jones is investigating the possibility of Kalyn Ponga playing for New Zealand this year. That is a fact. The door is open to a Ponga switch because he has only represented Australia in a Nines tournament and not in a full-on international Test match. Perhaps Cooper Cronk is still upset that your columnist exposed his conflict of interest in having coaching jobs at Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters at the same time a few years back.

The article which sparked Buzz vs Cronk I.

The feud was reignited on Saturday night.

SHOOSH

The Sydney Roosters will consider giving unwanted star Brandon Smith an early release to the South Sydney Rabbitohs providing the transfer term is satisfactory.

Smith is recovering from ACL surgery but will be back for round 15. He’d be a handy pick-up for Wayne Bennett in the run home to the finals. He’d also be a handy player to release for the Roosters, freeing up the remainder of his $900,000 contract to spend on some of the youngsters who were so impressive against the Panthers.

SHOOSH

Which NRL club is closely monitoring Daly Cherry-Evans’ contract situation at the Manly Sea Eagles. CEO Tony Mestrov wants to offer DCE a one-year deal on reduced terms at this late stage of his career. The rival club will offer two years and more cash.

SHOOSH

Shane Flanagan has picked up the phone and apologised to his struggling halfback Lachlan Ilias for his heat-of-the-moment press-conference comments after the loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Ilias is not playing well but has a number of teammates in the same boat. St George Illawarra did score five tries to four but were beaten by goal-kicking.

SHOOSH

Referee Adam Gee was once the best in the business because he refused to nitpick, always let the footy flow and had a feel for the game. He then got overlooked for last year’s finals series. The NRL obviously wanted him to be more stringent. On Friday night he blew 13 set restarts (11 against Manly) and nine penalties. It’s a shame. The football was much better to watch under his old style.

SPOTTED

Former NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne at the Wentworthville Magpies game in the Ron Massey Cup at Ringrose Oval. He didn’t play because of a hamstring injury.