Here are the key talking points for Round 25.
Desperate times
There are some huge games for some desperate teams this weekend, with all spots outside of the minor premiership still up for grabs. The last few weeks have seen a number of these teams miss big opportunities to solidify their finals spot, and there is no doubt that will cost some of those teams dearly. The Raiders have all but missed their opportunity to climb into the 8, needing to win both their final games, including one against the Storm, and hoping for other results to fall their way. Surely it can’t happen. The Tigers will be out to spoil the Cowboys’ season, who are limping their way out of contention, and Manly simply must get back in the winners’ circle when they head to New Zealand. The Sharks and the Roosters is a flip of the coin, while the Panthers should put another nail in the Dragons’ coffin for 2017. It’s now or never for a number of teams.
A Hayne in the neck
What were the Gold Coast Titans thinking rolling Jarryd Hayne out in front of the media yesterday? It has been the season from hell for the Titans, culminating in the sacking of coach Neil Henry amidst swirling rumours of player unrest, led by the enigmatic Hayne. So why, then, was Hayne thrown to the wolves yesterday? For his part, Hayne duly delivered the headlines we all knew he wouldn’t be able to resist providing, claiming Henry was in cahoots with journalist Paul Kent, leaking stories of teammates being fed up with Hayne’s disinterest. Kent didn’t miss the opportunity to fire back at the superstar on Fox Sports on Wednesday night, denying that he had a relationship with Henry, and pointing the finger of blame squarely at Hayne.
So where does this whole mess leave us, or more importantly, the Titans? It leaves them as a club that has chosen a player over a coach, commercial reality over cultural integrity. Kevin Walters has distanced himself from the coaching position, his smartest move since bringing Cameron Munster into the Origin fold, and the Walker brothers have emerged as left-field, yet intriguing, coaching options. For now, though, Hayne needs to earn back the respect of his teammates, who are clearly disillusioned with both his effort on the training paddock and his output on the field, and the club need to find a way to restore balance to a culture that has handed power to the players. Is the glitter strip about to claim another sporting franchise? Let’s hope not, but there is still plenty to play out in this one.
Bargaining blues
Is everybody sick of the collective bargaining process yet? Just when we thought we were close to a resolution, the players have dug their heels in and sent us back to the proverbial drawing board. Despite their claims that this is not just about the salary cap figure, it’s difficult not to be cynical about the players’ motivation. Threats to boycott the Dally M presentation and World Cup are fanciful, as neither are events that the NRL has any vested interest in putting on. What must be avoided at all costs is the ugly brawling that almost brought cricket to its knees, to continue through the summer. Get it sorted soon, gentlemen, for everyone’s sake, so we can get back to the footy.
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Words: Cameron Stokes
