Rugby league legend Billy Slater has slammed Isaiah Papali’i’s potential Tigers backflip following the news the 23-year-old would make a decision at the season’s end.
Reports suggest the backrow enforcer will honor his contract and ply his trade for the merger club in 2023, but doubts still linger over Papali’i’s future.
The 23-year-old penned three-year deal with the Tigers late last year, but after the sacking of Michael Maguire the young gun said he wants to have “no regrets.”
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“Obviously people ask me about it, just even on the street or family and friends are hitting me up but that’s kind of for my manager look after and even if I don’t stay here or I do go next year, I want to make sure that this year has no regrets,” he said to 9 News.
“When I did sign it was talking to Madge — he’s an awesome coach. That rattled the cage a bit and I guess you have to have those conversations and I guess that was a massive factor for me.”
Now, Slater has been left stunned that Papali’i could potentially backflip on his deal and urged him to honor his contract.
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“If you sign with a club, go to the club,” Slater said on Nine’s coverage.
“You’re signing with a club. You’re not signing with a coach, you’re not signing with a player — you’re signing with a club. Go to the club.
“You’re not allowed to walk away from a contract. It’s just pressure, public pressure if you want out.
“If you sign with a club, you want to take that money and you sign the deal, go to the club.”
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Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has made a passionate plea to the wider NRL community to do more to support mates after the death of former player Paul Green.
Green played 95 matches for the Sharks across the NRL and Super League between 1994-1998.
“Can I just give a quick shoutout to Paul Green’s family, all of us here at the Sharks are thinking of you – he was an important part of this club, I just want to pay my respects, send our condolences to you guys, we ‘re thinking of you,” Hynes said in his post-match interview with Fox Sports.
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“RU OK Day is every year, it’s coming up soon – but I think we need an RU OK day every single day of the year.
“We need to think about it a bit more, and spread the message of mental health – it’s such an important thing at the moment.”
Tigers captain James Tamou was in Green’s premiership-winning Cowboys side. He said the Tigers had gone out of their way to check in on him.
“It’s been quite a weight, with what’s happened – but Noddy (Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley), the boys, the Tigers organisation, they’ve made sure I was alright,” he said.
“It’s just sad, a sad time. It’s awful. The coaches came together and we had a conversation about it, that took a bit of weight off but it’s just a scary thing to think about – when someone can be so high on life with everything going, everything they’ve achieved, and family, and still be fighting some demons.
“It’s just a scary thing and I know the NRL are taking the right steps to make sure people can seek help.”
A suspected knee injury to prop Toby Rudolf and a sin-binning for Teig Wilton were the only sour notes in an otherwise stellar Cronulla performance in Tamworth, which saw them run out 36-12 winners.
Wilton was sent to the sin bin for a late hit on Tigers fullback Daine Laurie with just over ten minutes left in the game.
Laurie had just offloaded the Steeden and was backing towards Wilton when the contact happened. Referee Ben Cummins initially let play go, before the Bunker called it back, leading to the binning.
The decision irked great Steve Roach.
“This sort of tackle you can’t pull out of,” Roach said in commentary for Fox Sports.
Nicho Hynes of the Sharks takes on the defense during the round 22 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Cronulla Sharks at Scully Park, on August 13, 2022, in Tamworth, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) (Getty)
“I don’t think it’s a penalty. He’s turned around to offload the ball – what do you want him to do? Honestly.
“I tell you what if you saw that in normal motion without slowing it down… how is he going to pull out of that?”
The Sharks flew out of the blocks early, scoring their opening try in just the fifth minute when Nicho Hynes – with a defender basically on his back – put a beautiful kick through the Tigers line to Lachie Miller.
The lead was 12-0 when Matt Ikuvalu scored in the ninth, before Fa’amanu Brown gave the Tamworth crowd some hope of a contest when he got the Tigers on the board in the 13th minute.
Tries to Royce Hunt, and Kade Dykes, as well as a penalty goal to Hynes – who’s boot was on fire – saw the Sharks carry a 26-6 lead into half time.
Cameron McInnes makes an offload. Photo: Matt King (Getty)
The reason for the penalty goal may attract Tyrone Peachey some attention from the match review committee, when he made a half-attempt to tackle Sharks second-rower Briton Nikora. His hand basically slapped across Nikora’s face, but was only penalized.
It was all Sharks early in the second half, but it took them more than ten minutes to crack the Tigers defence.
But, the Tigers hit straight back with Luke Garner crossing two minutes later.
It was as good as it got for the Tigers. Jesse Ramien scored in the 61st minute to extend the lead to 24 points, although they did have a consolation try disallowed by the bunker for an obstruction call in the 69th minute.
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Uniform controversies that have rocked sport around the world
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Schedule
Friday 12 August (19:00 local time, 10:00 BST)
First Round
Dimitri Van den Bergh (93.24) 6-2 (85.93) Koha Kokiri
Joe Cullen (108.65) 6-0 (78.52) Dave Marland
Jonny Clayton (87.15) 2-6 (95.59) Haupai Puha
Fallon Sherrock (73.42) 3-6 (79.64) Gordon Mathers
James Wade (91.97) 2-6 (96.13) Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen (85.97) 6-5 (84.64) Bailey Marsh
Gerwyn Price (98.60) 6-5 (98.06) Damon Heta
Michael Smith (104.86) 6-0 (75.41) Joe Comito
Saturday 13 August (19:00 local time, 10:00 BST)
Quarter Finals
Dimitri van den Bergh (102.27) 4-6 (102.74) Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen (91.76) 6-1 (86.51) Haupai Puha
The Broncos have beaten the Knights 28-10 on the back of brilliant displays from Te Maire Martin and Ezra Mam and a hat-trick to Selwyn Cobbo.
Martin’s return from injury gave the Broncos an edge in attack and Cobbo cashed in with a brilliant three-try performance as the Knights’ edges were blown apart.
MATCH CENTER: Broncos vs Knights teams, SuperCoach scores, videos, updates
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Cobbo opened the scoring in the corner after some brilliant lead-up work from Adam Reynolds and Martin.
Corey Oates crossed in the opposite corner for his 19th try of the season after a questionable last pass from Delouise Hoeter was cleared.
Mam and Martin combined for one of the long-range tries of the season to push the Broncos out to a commanding 18-0 lead.
Daniel Saifiti barged over from close range to give the Knights a chance at a late comeback.
Bradman Best dived over to cut the deficit to eight points and set up a grandstand finish.
However, Cobbo snuffed out the comeback after securing his double to seal an important win for the Broncos.
Cobbo sealed his hat-trick when Reynolds put the ball on a dime for him to score in the corner and put the icing on the cake.
Here are the key takeaways from the match.
MARTIN PROVES MISSING LINK FOR BRONCOS
Te Maire Martin returned for his first game since Round 16 and showed the Broncos exactly what they have been missing in a masterful display.
Martin is a five-eighth turned fullback and his playing ability adds another dimension to the Broncos attack.
Corey Parker believes Martin’s inclusion ensured the Broncos looked far more cohesive in attack and it took the pressure of his halves and allowed them to play their games.
“They look more in sync with Martin back,” Parker said.
“He has got a real nice slight of hand. Not your traditional fullback in regards to getting lots of run meters, but he had two try assists in the first half.
“He alleviated a lot of pressure off the halves just by his ability to be able to ball play and Cobbo and Mam were the beneficiaries of that.”
Michael Ennis credited Martin with getting the Broncos out of their funk in terms of their attack over their two game losing run.
“What a game from Te Maire Martin,” Ennis said.
“Coming into the side after being out since Round 16, boy he made a difference just with his composure and his control.
“He has ignited the Brisbane attack.”
MAM SHINES AS REYNOLDS STEERS BRONCOS TO VICTORY
The Broncos were not at their best but with the brilliant running game of Ezra Mam providing the perfect foil for Adam Reynolds’ organisation, Brisbane took the game by the scruff of the neck in the key moments.
As long as the Broncos can get their defense in order, with Mam and Reynolds driving the ship and Selwyn Cobbo finishing in the corner, they can create more than enough points to make a deep run in the finals.
Cooper Cronk noted that the Broncos were not at the peak of their powers against the Knights, but Reynolds and Mam were able to ice the try-scoring opportunities.
“The Broncos did it in second gear,” Cronk said.
“They had the tools to break open the game at any stage with the likes of Adam Reynolds with some craft to sell the dummy for the Oates try.
“This was the attempt of the first half from Ezra Mam.
“He scored with five minutes to go and it set the tone for the rest of the game for the Broncos.”
Michael Ennis marveled at Mam’s ability to break the game open out of nothing at such a young age and with a long career ahead of him.
“Mam was electric,” Ennis said.
“19 years of age. Boy isn’t he an excitement machine.
“The Broncos have now jumped the Eels into sixth and have a healthy points differential lead over them.”
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KNIGHTS WOEFUL ATTACK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE
The Knights had enough ball and field position to win easily against the Broncos, but a combination of their soft defense and inept attack gave them no chance at Suncorp Stadium.
Cooper Cronk lamented the Knights’ inability to create any real try-scoring opportunities despite a mountain of possession in the first half.
“It was a strange first half because statistically the Knights were the better team,” Cronk said.
“They had more ball and more possession but to be honest they didn’t look like scoring a try.
“Their centers Bradman Best and Dane Gagai were under immense pressure.
“They carved up Dane Gagai on the right edge for the Knights.
“The Knights didn’t look like firing a shot.
“When they get down the other end they are just not engaging that Brisbane defensive line at all.”
Corey Parker slammed the Knights’ horror attack, which failed to put the Broncos under any sustained scoreboard pressure.
“25 times the Knights were tackled inside the Broncos 20 without even looking like scoring,” Parker said.
“The only time they were able to mount any sort of pressure was off a couple of repeat sets.
“They were awful with their attack the Knights.
“The Knights are in all sorts at the moment.”
Michael Ennis was at a loss as to why the Knights haven’t been able to be more competitive with the roster they have at their disposal. in 2022.
“You just watch that Newcastle side come out and you see the Saifiti brothers, Dane Gagai and Tyson Frizell who are absolute weapons and great leaders at different stages throughout their careers and I find it hard to fathom that Newcastle are sitting where they are this year with the roster they have,” Ennis said.
MATCH PREVIEW
The Brisbane Broncos host the Newcastle Knights in a clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Te Maire Martin returns at fullback for the Broncos, while Delouise Hoeter replaces Brenko Lee in the centers after his hamstring injury.
Ryan James starts at lockout, with Kobe Hetherington switching to the bench.
The Knights have lost David Klemmer to injury, with Jacob Saifiti to start and Sauaso Sue joining the bench.
Adam Clune returns to the No.7 jumper with Jake Clifford out with a fractured arm.
The seventh place Broncos desperately need to avoid a third straight loss to keep their slim top four hopes alive, while the Knights are playing for pride as they look for their second straight win.
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Warriors cult hero ‘Roger Shoey Vasa-Sheck’ has been banned from Mt Smart Stadium, the man himself has claimed.
Calley Gibbons, a brickie from Auckland, has gained his cult status by sitting in front of Warriors coach Stacey Jones’ box and drinking from his shoe whenever the cameras focus on the box.
But after only one shoey in the Warriors’ win over the Bulldogs on Friday night, Gibbons was asked to leave after being confronted by security and police.
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gibbons told The Sun-Herald he wasn’t drunk and had bought the beer from the venue.
“I was evicted from the stadium and the security guard escorted me out and told me I had a lifetime ban,” Gibbons said.
“Your guess is as good as mine as to why I was kicked out. It’s just wrong.
“I told them I had purchased the beer from the venue, I was not intoxicated and it was my choice as to how I consumed the beer.
Warriors cult hero Roger Shoey Vasa-Sheck (real name Calley Gibbons) has reportedly been given a life ban from Mt Smart Stadium. (Supplied)
“I’m not sure if one particular security guard had it in for me. He told me, ‘You won’t be coming back here in this lifetime’.”
A change.org petition to have the ban lifted was at nearly 5,000 signatures on Saturday afternoon.
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After being kicked out, Gibbons said he went to a nearby bar, and did a shoey every time the Warriors scored – which was often in their 42-18 win. They scored three tries in the last six minutes.
The Sun-Herald reports the Warriors were unaware Gibbons had been kicked out, but said stadium officials took exception to a camera crew following the 31-year-old around.
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Uniform controversies that have rocked sport around the world
Cronulla Sharks star Nicho Hynes has been praised by NRL fans after delivering a moving speech in his post-game interview.
Hynes and the Sharks secured a 36-12 victory over the Wests Tigers, but Hynes’ mind was elsewhere.
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The star halfback instead turned his focus towards Paul Green who’s death rocked the rugby league community this week.
“Can I just give a quick shout out to Paul Green’s family. All of us here at the Sharks are thinking of you,” Hynes said on Fox.
“He was an important part of this club and I just want to pay my respects and condolences to you guys, we’re thinking of you.”
Hynes then went on to highlight the upcoming ‘RU OK’ day, but said more needs to be done towards mental health.
“There’s ‘RU OK’ day every year and it’s coming up soon but I think we need to have ‘RU OK’ day every single day of the year,” he said.
“We need to think about it a bit more and spread the message of mental health. It’s such an important thing at the moment.
“Once again our love to you guys.”
Ten News journalist Veronica Eggleton wrote: “Class act.”
Fox NRL journalist Darcie McDonald wrote: “All class, well said Nicho Hynes.”
Without regular halves partner Matt Moylan or free-running fullback Will Kennedy, Hynes was the central fulcrum for all that was good about Cronulla’s attack. He ran 23 times for 205 meters (33m post-contact) and broke two tackles. As a playmaker he recorded one try assist and two linebreak assists. I have kicked 13 times for 291m.
Uncompromising Essendon small forward/midfielder Devon Smith has called time on his career after 182 games for the Bombers and Giants.
Smith informed teammates of his decision to hang up the boots on his AFL career on Friday morning.
Drafted to Greater Western Sydney with pick 14 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft, Smith made his debut the following year against Sydney in 2012. He quickly earned an AFL Rising Star nomination in the same season and finished second in the GWS Best and Fairest in his third year at the club.
By 2015, the consistent goal sneak was named in the AFLPA 22Under22 team, and after 109 games at GWS, I requested a trade to the Essendon Football Club in 2017.
Making an immediate impact in the red and black, Smith was named Essendon’s Best and Fairest player in 2018, winning the Crichton Medal with 370 votes. The midfielder averaged 22 disposals and went forward to kick 17 goals in his debut season in the red and black.
Smith showed exceptional defensive skills, finishing with 184 tackles – the highest ever recorded in a home and away season in AFL history.
Hailing from Lara in Victoria, Smith would go on to play 73 games for the Bombers, managing eight senior appearances in 2022.
After battling a degenerative knee injury, Smith said the time was right to hang up the boots.
“While it wasn’t an easy decision to come to, unfortunately I couldn’t quite get the body to where it needed to be to perform week-in and week-out,” Smith said.
“I’ve loved my AFL journey and I’ve had the true privilege of representing two fantastic football clubs.
“I want to thank all my past and present teammates for all their support throughout the journey. As players, your time in the AFL goes by so quickly and my message to them this morning was that they shouldn’t lose sight of the fact it is a privilege to run out with your best mates every week. I’ll miss that the most.
“I wish everyone the best for the journey ahead and I look forward to watching the boys on next season with a beer in hand.”
General Manager of Football Josh Mahoney acknowledged Smith’s service to the red and black over the past five seasons.
“While we’re sad to see Devon hang up the boots, we congratulate him on a wonderful career across two clubs over 11 seasons,” Mahoney said.
Despite his body letting him down at times with his injuries, Devon was always hungry to get the best out of himself. He was an ultimate competitor and was selfless in his role when the side required it. Devon added immense tackling pressure and his ability to hit the scoreboard always strengthened our side when he was at his prime.
“We wish Devon, fiancée Simone and their families the very best for the next chapter of their lives.”
Geelong have extended their winning streak to 12-straight on Saturday as they topped the Gold Coast Suns on the road.
The win puts the Cats eight points clear on top of the ladder and secures the minor premiership for the dominant outfit.
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The Cats put the foot down from the opening bounce with forward Tyson Stengle in scorching form, slotting three goals to get the game going.
“It’s one of the great quarters we’ve seen from a small forward this year,” legendary Hawk Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.
Anthony Hudson added: “He is putting on quite a show.”
It remained one-way traffic in the second quarter as the Cats went into the halftime break holding a 51-point advantage.
“The Suns are getting a masterclass,” Dunstall said.
In what could be their last match outside of Victoria for the year, Geelong cruised to a 17-4 record on the back of an inside 50 entry landslide of 72-43.
It’s the 15th time the Cats have secured the minor premiership, however the feat hasn’t meant much in recent history.
Melbourne last season was the only club to go from minor premiers to premiers, breaking a drought of seven straight minor premiers to fall short.
Collingwood can pull off the biggest heist in AFL history and pinch the minor premiership, to do so they’d need to win their final two games by around 50 combined goals while Geelong would have to lose next weekend by around 25 goals.
Jeremy Cameron finished alongside Stengle with three goals as the Cats flexed their muscles on the road.
They finish the home and away season on Saturday at home against the West Coast Eagles.
As if there wasn’t enough attention on him with speculation swirling around him about
leaving the Suns for Adelaide, Gold Coast livewire Izak Rankine decided to dye his hair a
shade of peroxide blonde.
Rankine is set to accept an offer of $900.00 a year to be the highest paid Crow and Adelaide supporters would have enjoyed his first quarter goal that included a spin in traffic and cheeky right-foot checkside for a goal. He also won a free kick with a crunching tackle and went within a fingernail of a second goal as his performance lived up to his haircut. He left the field in the fourth term favoring his left shoulder in what could be his last appearance of him as a Sun.
Geelong has extended its winning streak to 12 games and sealed the minor premiership with one round remaining, defeating Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night – 18.11 (119) to 9.5 (59).
The Cats put in yet another ominous performance from virtually the opening bounce, strangling the Suns defensively while the likes of Jeremy Cameron and Tyson Stengle starred in attack.
Geelong will now host West Coast to end its home-and-away season, while Gold Coast will face North Melbourne in its final outing of the season.
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QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
first quarter
There were no late changes for either side, with Jeremy Sharp (Suns) and Mark O’Connor (Cats) named the medical subs.
The Suns showed promise early, moving the ball swiftly across Metricon Stadium. But they couldn’t get scoreboard reward for effort.
Geelong, however, could make its early opportunities count, with Tyson Stengle snapping his 40th — and probably best — goal of the season before Jeremy Cameron snapped his first of the night to give the Cats an early advantage.
But the Suns responded thanks to some individual brilliance from Izak Rankine, who gathered the ball in a pocket, spun, kicked off balance and conjured a terrific goal.
“He’s impossible to contain … No wonder the Crows have made him a target,” Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson said.
The Cats hit back at the other end as Cam Guthrie showed off his left boot and nailed a tough goal, before Sam Menegola and Tom Hawkins snapped a couple more for Geelong.
Stengle then plucked a rare contested mark and snapped his second as the Cats kicked out to a 33-point lead.
Gold Coast got one back late in the quarter, with Sam Day converting a set-shot opportunity, but Stengle couldn’t be stopped as he conjured his third major to give Geelong a 31-point lead at the major break.
Stengle, arguably the recruit of the year, booted 3.1 from a game-high nine disposals and three marks in the first quarter.
Tyson Stengle of the Cats. Picture: Albert PerezSource: Getty Images
“It’s one of the great quarters we’ve seen from a small forward this year,” legendary Hawk Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.
Hudson added: “He is putting on quite a show.”
second quarter
The Cats’ dominant continued after quarter-time as Mark Blicavs and Brandan Parfitt goaled and Geelong’s lead ballooned out to 42 points.
“This is so impressive,” Hudson said.
The Suns got a couple against the grain, with Elijah Hollands nailing a long-range goal before Alex Davies added another.
But Max Holmes showed off his acceleration by foot and nailed a terrific running goal in a steadying major for Geelong.
The Cats led by 51 points at the main break. Their half-time score of 12.5 (77) was their second-highest of the year to date.
“The Suns are getting a masterclass,” Dunstall said.
third quarter
Gold Coast made an impressive start to the second half.
Rankine snapped a classy goal from a free kick before Noah Anderson nailed a running major.
And when Jack Lukosius was moved forward and nailed a set-shot attempt, Geelong’s lead had been cut to 33 points.
As the Suns continued to push the Cats, Geelong ruck Rhys Stanley was subbed out of the game — the second time in three matches that’s happened.
And then Gold Coast had its own injury issues, with Sam Day limping off with a knee injury that saw
Geelong upped its defensive pressure, which led to a Gold Coast turnover and a Gryan Miers goal against the grain, before Zach Tuohy snapped another to give Geelong breathing space.
Cameron then rejoined the party, receiving a handball on the 50m arc and nailing a running goal off one step.
After being challenged by the Suns, the Cats showed their class to steady and take a 55-point lead at the final break.
fourth quarter
Rhys Stanley was subbed out of the game before the quarter commenced, but he appeared to be running freely prior to the move and could be seen smiling after one of the club’s trainers spoke to him on the ground.
Max Holmes opened the term with a major as the Cats continued to boost their already-impressive percentage.
Cameron missed a chance for a third goal, which left the door open for Gold Coast to peg a couple of goals back, which came via Jarrod Witts and Sam Flanders.
A couple of late Geelong goals helped put the Cats further ahead, with one to Brandan Parfitt right before the final siren capping the 60-point win.
THE 3-2-1
3. CATS SHOW NO MERCY IN RUTHLESS ‘MASTERCLASS’ TO SEAL MINOR PREMIERSHIP
This isn’t the season for ‘loss you need to have’ believers.
For this relentless Geelong outfit, as it proved on Saturday night, he has no plans to show any mercy to any rival club during the closing stages of the home and away season.
Despite managing several stars for the game, the Cats were ruthless against the 11th-placed Suns at Metricon Stadium, claiming their 12th straight win and sealing this year’s minor premiership in what legendary Hawk Jason Dunstall dubbed a professional “masterclass”. They produced their second-best first half of the season and finished with their fourth-highest score and equal-third biggest winning margin of the year to date.
While Jeremy Cameron again starred with three goals from 21 disposals, it was a genuine team performance from Geelong where players took the baton of responsibility from each other from quarter to quarter.
Tyson Stengle set the tone in the first quarter with three goals from nine touches, Brandan Parfitt (14 disposals, 1 goal) and Patrick Dangerfield (9 disposals) then took over with dominant second terms, Gryan Miers and Jeremy Cameron worked hard up the ground and hit the scoreboard in the third quarter before the classy Mark Blicavs proved in the final quarter why he’s so valuable to his team.
Dangerfield, in particular, looks like a man on a mission. After withdrawing himself from last week’s game against St Kilda at the last minute, Dangerfield was crucial to Geelong’s dominance over the Suns at the coalface, finishing with game-high contested possessions and clearances.
The only concern was No. 1 ruck Rhys Stanley, who was subbed out of the game in the third quarter with a lower leg injury. However judging by the reaction of the ruckman, the move was very precautionary.
The Cats next week return to GMHBA Stadium for a Round 23 clash against the 17th-placed West Coast, with Isaac Smith and Mitch Duncan due to come back into the side. If the win over the Suns is anything to go by, don’t rule out a pre-finals bloodbath at the Cattery.
2. RECRUIT OF 2022 POUNCES ON ‘ODD MATCH-UP’ TO PRODUCE ‘ONE OF THE GREAT QUARTERS’
If selectors were unconvinced Tyson Stengle was worthy of an All-Australian spot before Saturday night’s clash, they surely would’ve been after his breathtaking first quarter.
Stengle continued to build his case for AFL recruit of the year against the Suns, sparking Geelong to a fast start at Metricon Stadium.
The 23-year-old, who was picked up by the Cats as a delisted free agent late last year, booted three of Geelong’s seven first-quarter goals, including a pearler from the pocket running away from goal.
As well as the three goals, Stengle had a game-high nine disposals and three marks in the first quarter.
“It’s one of the great quarters we’ve seen from a small forward this year,” legendary Hawk Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.Stengle (171cm) was manned up by young Sun Mac Andrew (201cm) – a move described as an “odd matchup” by Dunstall.
While Stengle’s ability to hit the scoreboard was superb, his awesome workrate was also on display. He ran hard up the ground to help the Cats’ defense before working back inside 50 to provide a forward option where he got both front and square and took contested marks.
“He just goes from strength to strength,” triple premiership Lion Alastair Lynch told Fox Footy
“He’s got an unbelievable ability to make something out of nothing. He’s really setting himself up for All-Australian small forward selection … he’s putting together quite a season.
“As far as general forwards in the league, only Tom Papley is in front of him for score involvements.”
Small Gold Coast defender Sean Lemmens was moved onto Stengle for the second term and was able to stop the bleeding, but the damage had already been done.
1. RANKINE GOES ALL ‘AKER’ AMID MAJOR CROWS PLAY
The Suns are doing everything possible to convince Izak Rankine to remain at the club – and rightly so when he can pull off great goals like he did against Geelong on Saturday night.
Although all footy fans will have their fingers crossed for the slick Suns forward after he came from the ground during the close stages of the match with an injury concern to his already-heavily strapped left shoulder.
Earlier, while the Cats dominated the first term, Rankine – who’s weighing up a big offer from Adelaide – produced a stunning major for Gold Coast, spinning out of a tackle and nailing a right-foot goal off-balance that left Fox Footy commentators stunned .
“He’s impossible to contain … No wonder the Crows have made him a target,” Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson said.
Alastair Lynch said Rankine, who was sporting a new look, was “certainly making a fair impression” in a performance that reminded the triple premiership Lion of a former teammate.
“I don’t know who he barracked for as a kid, but he’s got a bit of Jason Akermanis about him with this new hairdo, the black beard and mustache – and he’s playing like him,” Lynch told Fox Footy.
The Crows are making a major play for South Australian-based product Rankine, offering him a five-year deal worth as much as $800,000 per season – a contract Gold Coast is highly unlikely to match, although it’s still willing to pay him about $650,000 a year.
Senior Suns players have reportedly warned him of the increased pressure that would come playing for Adelaide.
But Lions legend Jonathan Brown said Rankine might be a player that could cope with the extra scrutiny of playing in a footy-mad town for extra cash.
“He’s a very talented player, but he strikes me as a guy that might be better under the pressure. He may need to have the foot on the throat a little bit down there,” Brown told Fox Footy on Friday night.
“The problem is at the Gold Coast, you can fly under the radar. Sometimes a player like him – how hard is he really working and getting the best out of himself? You look at his consistency of him in games and it’s not quite there yet.
“Maybe he might be better off going there and putting the pressure on himself at Adelaide.”
The Western Derby exploded on Saturday night when the Dockers and Eagles broke out in a giant scuffle.
Players from all over the ground converged as tensions boiled over halfway through the opening quarter.
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Hugh Dixon slotted a goal as the brawls broke out and then quickly joined in on the action as wrestles flared all over the ground.
Fremantle’s Caleb Serong and West Coasts’ Jack Redden were in the thick of the action as multiple players were left with ripped Guernseys.
“You saw it coming Pav and they’re all racing in to join into the scuffle. No love lost. West Coast, the underdogs, have come with a fighting mentality and it is right on here,” commentator Adam Papalia said.
“The umpires are trying to control this so they can restart the game but they can’t,” Dermott Brereton added.
“Both teams still wrestling each other, there is a fair bit happening,” Papalia said.
Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich said Serong was simply “flying the flag” in the scuffle.
“Andy Brayshaw was getting harassed by Jackson Nelson when he was coming off and he didn’t like it so he went back at him and it just exploded. Caleb Serong came in flying the flag,” he said.
“A bit of spice in Derby 55,” Papalia added.
The Eagles upstaged their cross-town rivals in the opening term to hold the two point lead after the first quarter.
A result matters not for the Eagles, for the Dockers however the result would have a serious bearing on where they finish on the ladder.
Lose and there best chance is a fifth placed finish. Win and they keep their hopes alive of securing a double chance.
The Dockers responded in the second quarter and head into the halftime break holding a slender four point lead.
