Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien admits his club has been embarrassed by a week in the headlines for the wrong reasons and has implored his players to “grow up really quickly”.
Knights’ skipper Kalyn Ponga and teammate Kurt Mann raised serious questions about the club’s culture after they were filmed being escorted out of a toilet cubicle at a Newcastle pub on Saturday night, while both are sidelined through injury.
That issue was further compounded when centre Bradman Best and winger Enari Tuala were stood down for being late to a team bus.
O’Brien said it was on him and his players to own the criticism of their culture and move forward, with their side still reeling from their 6-15 season.
“We’ve got some people that need to grow up really quickly and become really professional over this summer,” he told reporters.
“That’s kind of the only thing that we can do now to get this club back to where it needs to get to.
“Naturally anytime there’s a spotlight on off-field behaviour it’s disappointing … it’s not a good look for our club and the players understand that.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
“They’ve taken responsibility and it’s about me helping educate them and driving standards that will make sure we’re heading in the right direction.”
Captain Ponga has drawn the bulk of the heat with his professionalism questioned, with calls for him to be stripped of his leadership as he fails to justify a $1 million-per-season pay packet.
Ponga’s father told media earlier this week his son had been drinking when he was filmed exiting the cubicle despite being on a break for multiple concussions, and while the Knights were playing in Brisbane. O’Brien admitted Ponga would need to spend the off-season repairing his relationship with teammates.
“He’s a young captain, I gave him the captaincy, so it’s my responsibility that we help him grow in that area and I’m confident that we can learn from this and move forward,” he said.
“He’s a young bloke, I don’t want to make excuses for him, he doesn’t want that. For Kalyn, it’s about helping the team prepare and trying to win back a little bit of respect and trust from teammates.”
Demetriou perplexed by bunker’s new direction
“Honestly, I’ve given up trying to figure out what that rule is.”
Black and white obstruction rulings now look like they’re a thing of the past with the bunker’s interpretation bringing grey areas back into the NRL.
South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou was confused after a controversial Dylan Edwards try in Thursday night’s loss to Penrith with even Panthers legend Greg Alexander admitting on Fox League commentary that he thought it was a dubious four-pointer.
“There would be plenty of fans wondering why wasn’t that a penalty,” he said. “The outside shoulder (rule) has been very black and white.
“The video referee is making a judgment call on whether the player would have made the tackle or not.”
Demetriou refused to blame the bunker for the defeat but he cannot understand the latest nuances of the obstruction rule.
Dylan Edwards makes a break to score. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
With the match evenly poised in the first half on Thursday, Edwards cut through the Rabbitohs’ line on a scrum play to open up an eight-point lead for the Panthers.
In the lead-up, Panthers centre Izack Tago ran a decoy line in between Lachlan Ilias and Campbell Graham and contacted Ilias’s outside shoulder, which usually constitutes an obstruction.
But the Bunker ruled that given Edwards was able to outrun Graham, who was closer to him, Ilias would still not have reached the ball-carrier had he been left untouched.
“I don’t think there’s anything else that Izack Tago can do (to get out of the way of the defenders),” Michael Ennis said in commentary for Fox League. I think they got it right.”
In a similar incident last week, Newcastle’s Bradman Best was paid a try against Brisbane despite a decoy runner contacting Adam Reynolds on his outside shoulder.
Quizzed about the decision to award the try at his weekly briefing on Monday, the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley said the match officials were permitted to use discretion in applying the obstruction rule.
“The referee or review officials can determine the significance of contact initiated by the ‘Block’ or ‘Flat’ runner(s) in impeding a defender’s involvement in a try scoring play,” the NRL’s rules read.
Demetriou said he was still confused by the rule. “Honestly, I’ve given up trying to figure out what that rule is,” he said in the post-match press conference. “(Tago) stops in the line. There’s no way Lachie can get off that.”
While the Panthers went on to win by only four points, Demetriou refused to blame Edwards’ try for the loss, which looks to have ended South Sydney’s last-minute top-four bid.
Instead, he lamented his side’s inability to stifle the Panthers’ attack despite the absence of creative architects Nathan Cleary (suspension) and Jarome Luai (MCL injury).
“We shouldn’t have conceded 26 points in a game when they’re missing their two most creative players,” he said. “We needed to get in front on the scoreboard and put some pressure on them to make a play and we weren’t able to do that up until the last few minutes.
“A few blokes missed their assignments in defence tonight and that’s what cost us.”
Fitzy not fussed about Sharks’ soft schedule
Craig Fitzgibbon is adamant Cronulla’s run into the NRL finals won’t leave the Sharks short come September despite having the softest finish to a regular season of any top-eight side in 13 years.
An analysis of finalists in the NRL era shows that the Sharks style run home is rare, with Canterbury’s 2009 team the last to play finals with a similar record.
On that occasion, the Bulldogs won through the first week but were shocked by a red-hot Parramatta after a week off in the preliminary final.
Of all premiers, only Brisbane in 1998 have won the title without a finals-bound opponent in their last five matches.
And on average, the eventual champions have played two-fellow contenders in the run home.
Nicho Hynes celebrates. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The Sharks’ clash with an injury-ravaged Manly on Saturday is symbolic of their last month of football, with the Sea Eagles’ finals hopes now over after last week’s loss to Gold Coast.
Cronulla have suffered a minor blow on the eve of the match, with stand-in fullback Kade Dykes ruled out with a calf injury and Lachie Miller to move to the back.
Matt Moylan (quad) and Connor Tracey (concussion) have both been cleared to return, while Fitzgibbon hopes centre Siosifa Talakai will return next week from a shoulder issue.
A win on Saturday will all but wrap up a top-four spot for the Sharks, but there are questions over the ideal build-up to finals.
Every other top-eight team will enter September battle-hardened, with at least three matches against fellow finals-bound rivals.
With upcoming matches against lowly Canterbury and Newcastle, Cronulla in contrast have none, with round 21 rivals St George Illawarra the last side they face with anything to play for.
Regardless, Fitzgibbon was confident his team would benefit from a different challenge.
“I know teams might not be trying to play in the semi finals but they’re dangerous,” Fitzgibbon said.
“They’re freeing up, they’re excited about next year. Some guys might be fighting for contracts. Some guys are trying to prove they’re in the team next year.
“It happens most weeks, you’re asked about who you’re playing, you just can’t afford not to turn up, irrespective of who is in front of us. So I try not to buy into that too much.”
Corey Oates scores a try. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Oates to reap new contract for try-scoring feats
Corey Oates is closing in on Brisbane try-scoring history and a new contract, according to coach Kevin Walters.
The in-form winger has risen from the scrap heap last season to sit just four tries off the Broncos’ single-season try-scoring record with three rounds remaining.
Walters says Oates is close to agreeing to a new multi-year deal too, having forced the NRL club to act with his powerful form that led to a State of Origin recall for the decisive third game.
“I expect that to happen in the next couple of weeks,” Walters said of the 27-year-old, who was wallowing in reserve grade at times in 2021.
“He’s had a great season, some of his best in his days at the club and we’re looking forward to getting him back next year and hopefully for a couple more.”
Ahead of Friday night’s clash with Melbourne, Oates has 19 tries in as many games in 2022 and has importantly been a cornerstone of Brisbane’s edge defence, been strong in early-set carries and safe under the high ball.
Four more tries would bring him level with Steve Renouf (1994) and Darren Smith (1998) as the club’s joint top scorers for a single season. One try on Friday would be enough to see him become just the fifth at the club to score 20 or more in a season, while a double would be a record-equalling seventh two-try effort for the season.
Brisbane have lost their last 11 games against Melbourne and not beaten them at Suncorp Stadium since 2009.
Victory in Brisbane on Friday would all but seal the Broncos’ return to the finals after a two-year absence, while providing a dash of belief that they can make waves in September.
“The record (against Melbourne) is irrelevant; we’ve eight or nine guys to the club that are new,” Walters said.
“(Melbourne) have been good for a long time and they’ll be good tomorrow.
“We’re ready for what they throw at us and we’ll throw a bit back as well.”
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Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Righto fair enough then. But he's still in position to be the first defender off the scrum on one side
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
No, defending halfback has to stand at the scrum and can't retire until the ball comes out. ..Unless that rule has changed.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
On the Bunker and Annesley's comment that the bunker can use its discretion in applying the obstruction rule. League used to be so good because the rules were black and white nand refereed that way. And the comment about technology helping with forward passes, pleeeeease! We have a referee and two touchies out there and if the latter do their jobs properly then we don't need to spend extra on technology. If it's missed why can't the bunker rule on it (for tries only) union TMOs can cal on forward passed why can't the bunker.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
What's becoming clear (as mud), is that a certain referees continue to want to interpret the rules far differently to the other refs. That really will just equal a big mess in weeks to come. Even for the very next game this week. Will the next obstruction be cleared or not ? It was actually last week's Newcastle try v Broncos which was passed ok, but was in the context of offering the Knights a consolation try. 'Give 'em a try, they're getting flogged' has suddenly changed the whole interpretation for a game last night, which who knows, could have been a back to back Grand Final preview.
Phil
Roar Rookie
It's appeared.
Phil
Roar Rookie
John, I posted a reply to your post but it hasn't appeared. Not doing it again, too long, In a nutshell, I'm a fan of PVL.
Phil
Roar Rookie
John, while you are the PVL topic I'll put my two bob's worth in for what it's worth. PVL is a tough minded negotiator, exactly what you need when dealing with bureaucrats. Whether he runs back and forth to his commissioners, I don't know but he drives hard when doing business. Some government types are like village idiots when at the table seeing nothing but what's in black and white. Put forward a common sense solution to a problem and they will reject it simply because they can just to feed their ego. Speaking from experience on that one. PVL is an experienced negotiator who could have rejected the Gov's proposal but the GF is now in Sydney with an extra 33k bums on seats and a reported $8m to go with it. That's a good result for RL fans. His decision to sell the GF to the highest bidder in future looks to be a good business decision but time will tell on that one. I do hope Brisbane secures GFs on a semi-regular cycle, say, each Olympiad, to give the fans up there a thank you for their support. PVL is a much better chairman than his political predecessor.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
John, PVL’s smarter and therefore more dangerous that ScoMo. If he ever wins political office I want tracking devices, cameras and mics on him 24/7. Geez, just suit him up like Hannibal the Cannibal …
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
But don't we also allow the defending side to stand their "halfback" in the defensive line? Perhaps I'm wrong on that.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
But the answer is if you run into the line that’s your problem, and it’s up to you to avoid the defensive line if their players aren’t initiating contact with you, not the other way round. Yup.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
There as a story maybe in the SMH just a few weeks ago (maybe after Tigers v Cows?). The guy who originally sold the NRL on the idea, I think from the US hockey league, said exactly that - be very careful and circumspect in what you use it for or you may regret it.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
There’s talk of technology being introduced to gauge whether a ball is passed forward or not. Perhaps that’s just a smokescreen to turn our attention away from all the other issues we have at present. I don’t know what to make of PVL. Whilst he played a pivotal role in keeping the game going last year, he seems very autocratic & I wonder how consultative he is prior to various decisions being announced e.g. GF venue. Does he have to run all decisions past the NRL commission or perhaps he wears as many hats as Sco Mo did?
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Edwards try shouldn't have been a try - not because of obstruction though, because we are allowing attacking teams at scrums to retire the halfback into the backline after feeding the scrum giving them an automatic overlap. I would like to see a defending team only pack 4 in the scrum and add two players to their defensive line. When the ref doesn't allow it, ask him if he is going to allow the attacking team to have the extra player in their backline
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I’ve probably shifted from clear no obstruction to 50/50
Steve
Guest
But that's the whole point...the bunker admitted there WAS an obstruction but decided it didn't matter. So what are they actually ruling on?
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
I agree with this, whether you think the decision is right or wrong it'd be completely silly to point to it as a reason for the loss. But still, finals will be messy without some clarification.
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
I have complete sympathy for the refs, these obstructions aren't the same each time and this one was a little unusual. But having listened to the arguments today, I've shifted from 50/50 to a clear obstruction. Most teams don't have the outside man defending the dummy runner and the inside sweeping behind to defend the man on the outside. But you're perfectly entitled to do it and if the attacking team bowl someone over that stops it, it's a penalty. I don't like the idea that Graham has to cover Edwards and Ilias the dummy runner for the obstruction to be paid, it's irrelevant to the rule. It's also not like Edwards ran straight through the gap, he props, dummies and then goes. If Ilias runs across in cover, he'd have ample time to effect the tackle if he didn't fall for the dummy. I agree it's difficult if the dummy runner asks where is he supposed to go. But the answer is if you run into the line that's your problem, and it's up to you to avoid the defensive line if their players aren't initiating contact with you, not the other way round.
thomas c
Guest
With Mitchell, they can say the tackle was still affected. No advantage. With the offside try that was denied, they looked at a forward getting too close (which only really makes a difference if he impedes defenders) rather than saying it had no bearing and only looking at the grounding. With double movements, if the player was going to get there anyway, it doesn't make an ounce of difference. If (genuinely) making no difference is the measure, then that should apply broadly. Fine. HOWEVER, with an obstruction call, if the obstruction leads to a try in the corner, then you can argue that there was no advantage. But if the attacker breaks the line and then circles around to place the ball nearer to the posts, then they could get an advantage. If the attacking player didn't see the obstruction, they wouldn't necessarily know that they were exploiting a player being taken off their feet. It creates a situation where there are no good solutions. Ok, we would have scored anyway, but where? If you allow it when it makes no difference, but penalised it when he brought the ball round, you'd be punishing the attacking player for something he didn't know. Obstructions seem more complex than occasions where a player was able to affect a tackle perfectly well or when the player's entire torso ends up in the in-goal. In two cases, a common sense approach has effective proof that nothing was affected. In the other, you have murky physics.
Rob
Guest
TB. If they’re giving Luciano a try after ruling Holmes knocks on off his chin( going backwards as discretionary I’m more concerned? What about the Sharks player getting 10min for a late bump after passing and Suallii grabbing and taking Holmes who is about to get a pass and score?
steveng
Roar Rookie
It doesn’t matter either way imo in this game, as JD said ‘I don’t know anymore what the rules are?” we came very close but just not good enough, as the Bunnies tried hard and had allot go wrong for them, with dropped balls, bombed tries but especially dropped balls at crucial times of the game which really gifted points and the game to the Panthers. The bottom line is that this was a great lesson for weeks to come, as we can’t afford to do what we’ve done against top sides. But and the only worrying aspect here is the usual consistency of the bunker and especially when the bunker is judicated by blokes like Klein or Atkins, as these two have never followed the ‘black and white’ rules so any game once it gets to the bunker, could be anything irrespective, just like when they referee games :laughing: