Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights from NRL Round 13

It wasn’t so long ago that James Tedesco was hailed as the stand-out best player in the NRL. It’s far more open to question now. Plus Bulldogs under fire for ruthless sacking. It’s all here in Buzz’s weekend wrap. HIGHLIGHT There’s nothing better than rugby league redemption stories. During the COVID lockdown, Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr were on the front and back pages for all the wrong reasons. They are now playing outstanding football at the Panthers, Rabbitohs and Storm. LOWLIGHT Wayne Bennett earns $19,230 a week as coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. His $20,000 fine for a serious COVID breach is an insufficient penalty, especially for someone who refuses to apologise for putting the entire competition at risk or take any ownership for doing the wrong thing over his midweek lunch at Leichhardt. LOWLIGHT II The ruthless sacking of long-time and highly respected Bulldogs trainer Garry Carden at the Canterbury Bulldogs after 37 years. So much for being a family club. SPOTTED II Brookvale Oval used to be a fortress for the Manly Sea Eagles. This year’s record is terrible — four defeats from five games. The loss of Tom Trbojevic is hurting them but they can’t keep using it as an excuse when getting outplayed by lowly placed teams like the Warriors. PANTHER PROWLING How much longer can Penrith’s outstanding young five-eighth Matt Burton be happy to be wearing the No.19 jersey each week? He is under contract until the end of next year but can talk to rivals from November. Surely Trent Barrett will make a move to get him to Belmore. SHOOSH Which club is seriously concerned about new Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett trying to pinch one of their key football department staff members to move to Belmore next year? FOLAU INTEREST Which club is still making serious inquiries about getting Israel Folau back to the NRL next year? 360 VIEW Catch you tonight on NRL 360 on Fox Sports at 6.30pm with Ben Ikin, Paul Kent and James Hooper to discuss another huge weekend of rugby league news and drama. TEDDY DEMOTED At the start of the season we almost all agreed that the Sydney Roosters’ superstar fullback James Tedesco was the NRL’s standout best player. However, if we were now doing a list of the top 10 players in the NRL right now, I’m not sure he would still be at No.1 on current form. At the top of my list would be either Nathan Cleary at the Panthers or Luke Keary at the Roosters. It’s a coin toss. Tedesco has been strong all season but these two playmakers have been out of this world. They will form the most stunning halves combination for the NSW Blues in November against Daly Cherry Evans and Cameron Munster. COACHING CREDENTIALS You have got to admire Melbourne Storm’s assistant coach Jason Ryles. The former Kangaroos and Blues Origin front-rower is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best young coaches in rugby league. He is 41 and learning the ropes under Craig Bellamy, the best education for anyone wanting to become a head coach in the NRL. Ryles was on North Queensland’s final list of potential replacements for Paul Green. Last week he phoned the club and pulled out. Ryles had a handshake deal with Eddie Jones to work in the UK with the England rugby union side as a defence coach. His word is his honour. A bit like Craig Fitzgibbon at the Roosters who refuses to talk to rival clubs while he is under contract. Ryles will go to England and learn more under another super coach. He will come home in 12 months and be ready to go. He will be a great acquisition for any club looking for a new head coach.