Latest news with #PhilRothfield
News.com.au
2 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Brad Fittler Set to Replace Mal Meninga as Kangaroos Coach
Brad Fittler is set to replace Mal Meninga as Kangaroos coach, with Mal heading to the Perth Bears. Phil Rothfield broke the story on the Off the Record podcast alongside Andrew Webster. Here's what we know.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Michael Maguire's post-game move raises eyebrows with Broncos coach ‘feeling the pressure'
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire moved his post-match address away from TV cameras after the disappointing loss to the Sea Eagles. For veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield, it showed Maguire is feeling the pressure and the Broncos are 'in a world of pain' after becoming the flops of the 2025 season. Trailing 22-6 at halftime, Maguire addressed his players in front of the cameras, hoping to inspire a comeback. Instead, the Broncos were unable to conjure any further points and conceded two more tries, with Maguire relocating his post-game address to his struggling squad. 'After the game... Michael Maguire broke the normal practice of addressing the side in the dressing room. He didn't want anything on (the coverage),' Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast. 'They've got that little TV camera inside every NRL dressing room. So they took them to a private area and did it behind closed doors. 'Is that a sign of a man who is feeling the pressure? I think it is. He didn't want a repeat, that (2021 documentary) Tales from Tiger Town, that didn't show the best side of Madge. 'There's talk that his hard-arse coaching methods, that he does have a deteriorating relationships with the players. 'They've lost six of their last seven, I think the Broncos are the biggest story in rugby league right now. They've been the flops so far. 'It's not as if they are just getting beaten, they are playing just terrible aren't they? They were blown off the park by a Manly side without Jake and Tom Trbojevic.' The Broncos now sit in 11th place, with questions once again being raised regarding Maguire's notoriously tough coaching methods. In May, former enforcer Martin Taupau left the club after liking a social media post from retired NRL star Elijah Taylor which criticised Maguire's coaching style. Taylor's post that was liked by Taupau included three reasons why the Broncos weren't delivering despite having a host of multimillion dollar stars, whilst also touching on Maguire's 'intensity'. Rothfield also pointed to the Broncos' elite squad, which boasts the likes of Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds, Ben Hunt and Kotoni Staggs. 'The bottom line is the blowtorch will stay on Madge because he has a premiership-winning roster there... that is a side that should be at the top of the ladder,' Rothfield said. 'I'm not sure the Broncos are playing for Madge. Do you blame Madge? Do you blame the under performing players? Does Madge need to change his ways and drop a bit of intensity? 'I don't know, I just know they are in a world of pain and have a really tough draw coming up. The way they are going they won't make the top eight.' Meanwhile, Melbourne great Ryan Hoffman — who was coached by Maguire in an assistant capacity at the Storm — put the heat back on the Broncos players. 'They've been extremely disappointing. They showed a lot of promise at the start of the year with their new coach in Michael Maguire taking a harder-nosed stance than his predecessor Kevin Walters,' Hoffman said on ABC's Offsiders. 'He was criticised a bit for not being tough enough to the players. Now Michael Maguire's been accused of being too tough. 'I don't think it's a coaching issue at Brisbane, to be quite honest. I think play to understand that it's a hard game and they need to harden themselves up because that was a really lacklustre performance from the Broncos last night. 'The rest of the NRL expects the Broncos to be up the top. 'I've been coached by Michael Maguire before. I know that he is a successful coach. But you need to buy into what he's about. 'He's going to breed a tough football team, but you've got to train tough to be tough. 'Look, I'm going to back Michael Maguire in. I think he's a very good coach. I think he's what Brisbane Broncos need. 'I think the players themselves need to understand that 'this is what we need right now, we need to buy into what he's about'.'
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Major Lachlan Galvin problem no one will admit after Dogs move
Lachlan Galvin looks set to join the Bulldogs effective immediately in a move that could vault the ladder leaders into premiership favouritism — but not everyone is convinced the signing will deliver results right away. In fact, there have been suggestions the signing could create an 'unsettling effect' as the 9-1 Bulldogs look to capitalise on a strong start to the season and lock up a top-four berth. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. That is the opinion of The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield, who questioned what Galvin's arrival could mean for a number of the Bulldogs' unheralded players. 'My view is that it is going to create now a lot of uncertainty over the future of a number of players there,' he said on Triple M's 'Sunday Sin Bin'. 'They say Connor Tracey has lost the fullback spot. Burton is going to go to fullback and Galvin at five-eighth. Where does it leave Toby Sexton? Where does it leave someone like Reed Mahoney, the hooker, because Bailey Hayward I think is the long-term hooker. 'So we've got a football side that without Galvin, without Leo Thompson, had won nine of 11, high-flying at the top of the ladder. I can just see a little bit of an unsettling effect here for the reasons I've just explained.' Panthers legend Greg Alexander was perplexed on SEN 1170 when he referenced the suggestions that Burton could be moved to fullback to accommodate Galvin. 'Why would that happen?' he asked, while Andrew Voss went as far as to question if Galvin would even walk into the Bulldogs' starting line-up, especially if it means Tracey gets 'shafted'. 'I don't know if Galvin's form has been that great,' Voss said. 'I know it hasn't. He's been no better than good and probably a little bit less than that this year. How does that form at the Tigers put him straight into the starting line-up at Canterbury? I don't think Galvin plays Monday week.' While Galvin was initially linked with a move to Parramatta, the whispers grew louder that the Bulldogs could make a play for the Tigers five-eighth after reports that they were holding off extending Toby Sexton, who is off-contract at the end of the year. Galvin's arrival throws his long-term future at the club into question, while Rothfield also said that even if the teenager isn't on big money it could still pose problems with the Bulldogs' salary cap situation in the near-future. 'There are a lot of players there like Jacob Preston, for example, should be in Origin, but for suspension is on $350,000,' Rothfield said. 'You've got Max King, a front rower. He's on $400,000. He's in the Origin team where other front rows are on $800,000. They've got Tracey. I'm just saying it's going to be difficult to keep everyone happy.' Bulldogs legend James Graham, however, had a very different view on the Galvin matter, arguing that the move made plenty of sense given there have been questions over the spine's ability to produce big plays in the big games. 'Well, each and every team though would go through natural progressions in squad, additions, people moving on for different reasons,' Graham said. 'I think if you were to look at the Dogs' team, there is money there available. They lost (Karl) Oloapu, Ryan Sutton as well who was on decent money, medically retired. 'So there's money there to spend and if you looked at the team, a couple of the knocks on the Bulldogs as a playing roster (were that they were) a little bit light in the middle, so they went out and signed Leo Thompson and then if you look at the genuine spine game breakers with Tracey, Burton, Sexton, Mahoney, one of the knocks or the observations were they don't quite have that level of brilliance in those spine positions. So they've gone and acquired that. 'I think any team would look to promote from within and they have put a lot of money into their pathways, but it's naive to think that it's a singular approach. I think it's a dual approach.' Graham also went on to point out that the fact the Bulldogs reportedly landed Galvin on a deal worth $750,000 a season, which he described as 'good value', has largely been ignored. Fellow former Bulldog Michael Ennis made a similar argument on Sunday afternoon, claiming the Bulldogs wouldn't have signed Galvin for this season if they didn't feel like he could improve their team. 'They must feel that he is going to come into that side and be able to get them to a preliminary final or to a grand final,' Ennis said.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Writing on the wall': Sexton was facing axe before quitting amid Dogs' Galvin saga
It has been revealed Toby Sexton was set to be dropped after the loss to the Dolphins as debate raged over the Bulldogs' decision to sign Lachlan Galvin. Sexton confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season on Tuesday, with Galvin set to join the club in the coming days. However, The Daily Telegraph's Brent Read revealed Sexton was set to be dropped and was never in the club's long-term plans. 'Toby Sexton didn't have an offer on the table from the club,' Read said on NRL 360. 'I think it was pretty clear the club was moving in another direction. In fact, it's my understanding, Toby probably wouldn't have been in first grade next week and Bailey Hayward would have been in halfback. 'So I think the writing was on the wall for Toby Sexton. Did you see them last week? 'There is every chance he was going to be in reserve grade next week.' However, veteran journalist Phil Rothfield believes dropping Sexton with the team on top of the ladder is too harsh. 'He did get him to the top of the ladder,' Rothfield said. 'They have won nine from 11. 'I saw him last week. Are you going to do that on one game and they were without three State of Origin players, and they're without how many players suspended and injured? 'If Canterbury were going to drop him it's unfair.' Regardless, Read believes Hayward or Galvin will be the Bulldogs' No.7 after the bye and revealed Reed Mahoney leaving the club is about freeing up money to get the Tigers playmaker. 'I'm just trying to tell you, there was every chance that Bailey Hayward would have been in the halfback in the next game against Parramatta,' Read said. 'That may still be the case. Lachlan Galvin may come off the bench in that game. 'And in terms of Reed Mahoney, he asked for permission in the off-season to explore his options. 'This isn't a Lachlan Galvin-related thing. He asked for it six months ago or so at the end of last year, to look around the comp if he could get a long-term extension, at the end of this year, would they consider letting him go? He just asked the same question again.' However, Rothfield revealed Mahoney wanted to look at his option for a long-term deal elsewhere after Galvin's reported release from the Tigers. 'I've spoken to Sam Ayoub about this and he asked the same question around the same time that the West Tigers gave Galvin permission to negotiate elsewhere, when it became likely he was heading to Belmore,' Rothfield said. 'That's when he asked for release. And he's on big money Reed Mahoney. It's over $600,000 and he wants to get a head start.' Braith Anasta asked if Mahoney's money will go to Galvin's long-term deal. 'Are you saying that that could be money freed up for Galvin?' Anasta asked. Rothfield believes Cameron Ciraldo is eyeing Hayward Mahoney's replacement at hooker next season and warned a number of players will need upgrades. 'Well they've got to free money up,' Rothfield said. 'I mentioned a couple of players who have been hopelessly underpaid. Jacob Preston and Max King. 'You're talking about Bailey Hayward playing halfback. I thought he might play Hayward at hooker next year for Reed Mahoney. 'But this is where I'm talking about unrest. Gus has confused, not only in the entire rugby league world, but the players who are inside those four wars at Belmore. No one knows what's going on.' However, Read believes the Bulldogs needed to improve their spine to match the elite teams like the Storm, which is why they went after Galvin. 'I think that's really unfair on Cameron Ciraldo,' Read said. 'We've sat here on this panel. I've said it since the day the season started. They do not have a spine to win this competition this year. 'And, OK, they look pretty good in recent weeks. They were really poor last week. So I am not going to have a go at them for going out and getting a young player who can give them the strike they need in the spine to compete with Melbourne.'
News.com.au
14-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘How dare they': NRL storm erupts over Mitch Moses move
The NRL has been told to step in over reported drama behind the scenes at Channel 9. A flamethrower was turned on the network on Tuesday with leading rugby league journalists Andrew Webster and Phil Rothfield revealing new details surrounding Mitchell Moses' controversial appearance on Nine's 100% Footy. As first reported by Code Sports, journalist Michael Chammas was told he would not be needed to perform his regular duties of appearing on the Monday night panel after producers were told the Eels star did not want the reporter to be there. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. According to the report, Moses' manager Isaac Moses told producers he would consider pulling Moses from his appearance on the show if Chammas was not replaced. Veteran reporter Danny Weidler took Chammas' place for the regular segment. As a result of the network's decision to bow to the demand made by the footballer and his representatives, several journalists at Nine are reportedly furious. Webster and Rothfield have torched the network in the latest edition of their popular Off the record with Buzz and Webby podcast. Webster said the saga was a 'really, really poor look' for Nine. 'It's weak as piss from Channel 9,' Webster, who has previously been employed by the free-to-air network, said. 'There's no way that should be allowed. It's hard for me to talk about because I left the joint last year after many years. I've got a lot of people that I love and respect who are still there and it probably is a good indicator for why I'm no longer working for the joint and the frustration you can get there when you're a journalist trying to do your job. 'Chammas works his guts out. He chases like a greyhound. The only silver lining is that it disproves the theory that he's in Isaac Moses' pocket. Because Moses has speared him from being on the show.' Webster said the NRL should be asking questions about how the incident played out. 'It's not good. It's outrageous,' he said. 'The NRL should step in. They're the host broadcaster. If I'm the NRL I'm going what's this So player managers now decide who appears on football panels? That's bulls***.' Rothfield said: 'Who do they think they are? How dare they. I'm so angry about it and it's got nothing to do with me'. Moses used the opportunity to urge NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley to stick with him for the upcoming State of Origin series and spoke about his confidence playing alongside another dominant half in Nathan Cleary. 'I feel pretty comfortable playing on the left side of the field, I've only pretty much played on the right side because I'm a right-foot kicker and I was predominantly the dominant kicker,' he said on 100% Footy. '... being able to play in the six with Nathan would be unreal. I've never played with a half before that's taken control and I've been able to sit back and pick my opportunities. That excites me ... I feel like that could work.' Why is Isaac Moses a controversial figure? Moses was notably one of the agents banned for six months for his role in the Melbourne Storm salary cap saga. He was also sensationally deregistered for breaching his obligations as an agent, in relation to an investigation into the Parramatta Eels in 2021. However, his accreditation was later reinstated after Roosters chairman Nick Politis famously lobbied ARLC chair Peter V'landys to allow him to be a player agent again. But soon after Moses returned, Politis would come to regret his decision as he reportedly felt blindsided by Moses' client Joseph Suaalii's defection to rugby and sensationally declared he would never deal with the agent again. More recently he seemingly was the man behind Lachlan Galvin's messy exit from the Tigers. The player's agent reportedly had no interest in listening to the Tigers' offers and informed the club that he had no faith in Marshall's coaching ability, believing the rookie coach didn't have the tools to develop his client into a star of the game. It wasn't the first time Isaac Moses has ruffled feathers at the joint venture either as he managed James Tedesco, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods and Mitch Moses when they were all coming off contract all at the same time in 2017. In the end, only Brooks signed a new deal, with the Tigers left licking their wounds after three of their four star players moved to rival clubs and resulted in the club having to go through a rough roster rebuild.
