Category: Sports

Categories
Sports

St Kilda Saints coach Brett Ratten backs Max King after inaccurate goal-kicking, Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan wants stand rule eased

St Kilda Saints coach Brett Ratten backs Max King after inaccurate goal-kicking, Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan wants stand rule eased

“He’s doing a power of work and what I do know is I want Max King in my corner,” Ratten said.

“He’ll be at our footy club for 10 years and when we look back, we’ll be saying what a great player he is and what he’s done.

“Tonight he had a night where it didn’t work for him. He did everything right bar the finish.

“He’s 22 years of age, we love what he brings to the footy club, and he’s developing, but we know he’s doing the work.

“Sometimes you don’t get the reward all the time, but he’ll keep doing that and, you watch, he’ll turn it around.”

loading

Ratten said he didn’t think the key forward needed help from outside the club as he feels the Saints’ coaching and support staff can help King deal with his issues.

He also said it was more complex than just attributing King’s goal-kicking to not handling pressure.

“Goal-kicking has got so many elements to it,” Ratten said.

“It’s the technical aspect, the mental aspect, the fatigue – people score from different parts of the ground when the ball is on the right side versus the left [for example].

“There’s different elements to it, but I wouldn’t say it’s high pressure.

“I want to go to war with Max because he delivers, and he will deliver.”

The Saints will enter their final round clash with the Sydney Swans needing a win and then several other results to go their way to have any chance of finishing eighth.

Ratten said he wanted his players to finish on a win after an inconsistent end to the season.

“We have to finish the year strong,” Ratten said.

“The second half of the year has been inconsistent for us. We’ve been inconsistent. So we want to finish the year really strong as a group.

“And you never know, that’s the bit. You never know [what could happen].”

Fagan keen for ‘stand rule’ tweak before finals

Roy Ward

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan can see a heartbreak scenario in the making if the AFL doesn’t tweak its “stand rule” ahead of the upcoming finals series.

In the third term of his club’s 15-point win over St Kilda on Friday night, Saints forward Jack Higgins was running into goal and shaped like he was about to play on before reverting to his kick for goal, a move that made Lions captain Dayne Zorko flinch in response.

That led to the umpire calling a 50-metre penalty for moving on the mark allowing Higgins to trot in and kick a goal from pointblank range.

Fagan said he thought the “stand” rule had made a positive difference to games but he feared it could lead to unjust results if a small allowance wasn’t allowed for players to react.

“Do we want a grand final decided on a decision like that? Can you imagine?” Fagan said post-game.

“I can’t imagine that. My personal view is we should review that rule and that’s not a criticism of the way that it is. I think it’s been quite a good rule, but I think a player on the mark should be allowed one step the left or right as long as he doesn’t go any further than that.

Dayne Zorko in action against the Saints on Friday night.

Dayne Zorko in action against the Saints on Friday night.Credit:AFL Pictures

“I don’t think that there should be a 50m penalty. That’s just my view.”

Fagan said he hoped it was talked about before the finals.

“It’s unnatural not to move when somebody does that and players play for it and good on them – that’s clever football,” Fagan said.

“But you shouldn’t get a 50m penalty for just moving slightly. Am I going to get in trouble for saying that? I hope not, but I think we should talk about it.”

Fagan also raised his concern about opposition taggers being allowed to block superstar Lachie Neale’s path to football.

Lachie Neale gets a handball away against St Kilda.

Lachie Neale gets a handball away against St Kilda.Credit:Getty Images

Neale only had 16 possessions on Friday night with Saints tagger Marcus Windhager keeping a close watch on him.

“What I like about Lachie is that he never stopped having a crack and did a lot of selfless stuff around the stoppages that probably didn’t give him a stat but made us better,” Fagan said.

loading

“It was interesting how he was tagged. That he was blocked off the ball and various other things. He gets pretty rough treatment I reckon.

“I would like to have a look at the tape and see what it looks like but players shouldn’t get blocked getting to the ball like he does.

“I want all ball players to get looked after, not just my blokes.”

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.

Categories
Sports

Sam Edmund’s trade update on De Goey, Grundy, Gunston and more

Sam Edmund's trade update on De Goey, Grundy, Gunston and more

SEN Chief reporter Sam Edmund has provided updates on some of the biggest trade targets in the AFL.

With the trade period to kick off in less than two months and the situation surrounding many players constantly changing, Edmund gave the latest on SEN’s Crunch Time.

He also reported that GWS midfielder Tim Taranto is likely to join either Richmond or Collingwood, with Geelong still somewhat in the mix.

Edmund spoke with Jordan De Goey, Brodie Grundy and numerous forward targets for the Brisbane Lions below.

Jordan De Goey

“De Goey will either be at Collingwood or St Kilda next year. I think if you’re a betting man you’re putting your chips in the Collingwood corner at the moment and he stays at the price that is right for Collingwood.”

Brodie Grundy

“Brodie Grundy is on (for a trade) at the moment. Rule out GWS, but he was blown away by the Melbourne presentation I’m told.

“He was so impressed by the vision Melbourne set, their professionalism and what they sold to him.

“Melbourne has been here before, they got in front of Adam Cerra last year when he was down the path to Carlton and Adam Cerra left that meeting blown away by what the Demons had to say and the vision they painted.

“The only problem for him was that Melbourne didn’t have the levers to pull to get him in the door so he ended up going to Carlton.

“So it doesn’t mean that Melbourne are going for Brodie Grundy as a priority, I’m told they might want to go younger, they might want to go cheaper, but they have met with him and been very impressive getting in front of Brodie Grundy.”

Jack Gunston, Lance Franklin and Dan McStay

“Jack Gunston, now Brisbane have not spoken to him directly, but they’ve certainly made an inquiry about getting Jack Gunston up to the Gabba.

“The Lions have definitely asked the question of Buddy Franklin as well. They’ve known for months that Dan McStay is going to be going… the people up there know that Dan McStay is going to end up at the Pies next year, so they’re well down the planning path to the point whereby if McStay somehow backflips and stays they might have a problem.

“But that’s not going to happen, he’s going to leave, and now who do they replace him with?

“He’s got a decision to make at Hawthorn and Hawthorn has got a decision to make with him. Those talks are happening at the moment, he’s 30 years of age, he has reached free agency stats at the Hawks and he’s out of contract as well.

“I think, post the back issues, he’s shown some real signs of life this year and would have a couple of good years of footy left in him.”





.

Categories
Sports

Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic out of US Open tune up in Cincinnati

Novak Djokovic pulled out of next week’s hard-court tournament in Cincinnati because he has not gotten any COVID-19 vaccine shots and so is not allowed to travel to the United States.

That is also why Djokovic is not expected to be able to enter the US Open, the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, which begins in New York on Aug. 29.

READMORE: Cripps ‘farce’ under fire after latest bump furore

READMORE: ‘Sore’ Kyrgios erupts as win streak comes to end

READMORE: The ‘horrible’ toll of ‘weak dog’ slur on Panther

Djokovic is a 35-year-old from Serbia who owns 21 major championships, one behind Rafael Nadal for the men’s record. Djokovic has said he won’t get vaccinated against the illness caused by the coronavirus, even if that prevents him from playing in certain tournaments.

He missed the Australian Open in January after being deported from that country and needed to sit out two events in the United States earlier this year, along with a tournament in Montreal this week.

Unvaccinated foreign citizens can’t go to Canada or the US currently; the Cincinnati tournament’s news release announcing Djokovic’s withdrawal cited “travel restrictions.”

Djokovic has said he was still holding out hope of being able to enter the US Open, but that would require a change of government policy, which the US Tennis Association says it will adhere to.

Djokovic is a three-time champion at the US Open and was the runner-up last year to Daniil Medvedev.

Other men who have withdrawn from the field in Cincinnati include defending champion Alexander Zverev — the 2020 US Open runner-up tore ankle ligaments at the French Open in June — and injured players Gael Monfils, Reilly Opelka, Oscar Otte and Dominic Thiem.

Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins pulled out of the women’s draw because of a neck injury, while three-time major champion Angelique Kerber made a scheduling change and opted not to compete in Cincinnati.

Serena Williams is entered in the field for what is expected to be one of her last appearances on tour.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

The backstories and controversies that have ignited feuds involving athletes

Categories
Sports

Beth Mooney sets new record in women’s Hundred, but falls agonizingly short of competition’s first ever century

Beth Mooney completes a shot off her pads to the on side

Beth Mooney has hit the highest-ever score in the women’s Hundred but was left a tantalizing three runs short of a century.

The Australian batter also ended on the losing side as her London Spirit team lost by six wickets to last year’s runners-up Southern Brave.

At one stage, Mooney looked like she would score the first century in the competition, which has just embarked on its second year, but needing to hit the last ball of the innings for six she managed only two.

The left-hander’s shot placement in front of a crowd of about 9,000 at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl was superb, toying with the field as she stroked 16 fours and a six.

“Credit to Beth Mooney, she was outstanding. As a captain and bowler she makes you feel like you haven’t got a clue about where to put your fielders,” Southern Brave captain Anya Shrubsole said.

Mooney’s unbeaten 97 off 55 balls was the mainstay of Spirit’s 4-155 off their 100 balls with only New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr (37 off 27) also reaching double figures.

.

Categories
Sports

Transfer news, rumours, Willian to Fulham, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea, Marcus Rashford to PSG, latest, updates

Transfer news, rumours, Willian to Fulham, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea, Marcus Rashford to PSG, latest, updates

A Brazilian winger with over 250 Premier League appearances to his name could be returning to the English top flight, while Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed his admiration for a top transfer target.

Catch up on all of the transfer whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumor Mill!

Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Kyah Simon stars in Spurs’ kit launch | 00:20

MORE COVERAGE

‘I’ve had enough’: Socceroos boss was inches from giving up on brutal World Cup journey

Sam Kerr short-listed for football’s biggest prize — but Messi snubbed

PL Preview: Crunch Ronaldo call as Utd fears 86-year low; Spurs’ title dream faces huge Blues test

BRAZILIAN STAR LINKED WITH PL MOVE AFTER MESSY EXIT DUE TO DEATH THREATS

Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Willian quit Corinthians on Saturday (AEST) following the Brazilians’ Copa Libertadores elimination against domestic rivals Flamengo, after claiming he and his family received death threats on social media.

“Willian asked us for his (contract) termination. We are sad not to have him any more and also because it didn’t go the way we expected. But we have to keep those here that are happy,” said club president Duilio Monteiro Alves.

It was only a year ago that the 34-year-old only rejoined the club where he made his professional debut in 2006. Local media have linked him with a move to promoted English Premier League side Fulham.

Arnold on WCQ: ‘That knocked me about!’ | 05:56

The return to Corinthians in Sao Paulo quickly turned sour for Willian both on the pitch where he scored one goal in 45 matches, and off it.

“Whenever Corinthians lost and I didn’t play well, my family received threats and insults on social media. My wife, my children, recently they also started attacking my father, my sister,” Willian told the Globo Esporte website.

“I didn’t play as well as I expected but I was never a player who scored 20 or 30 goals a season,” he told ESPN Brasil on Wednesday.

Willian, who also played for Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine and Russians Anzhi Makhachkala, leaves the club three days after they were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals by Flamengo, 3-0 on aggregate

Mat Ryan joins FC Copenhagen | 02:10

TUCHEL ‘VERY, VERY CLOSE’ WITH TOP TRANSFER TARGET

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said he will always have a “close bond” with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as speculation links the Barcelona forward with a move to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are looking to reinforce their forward line after the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.

Aubameyang, who only joined Barcelona in January, would appear to fit the bill with both Premier League experience from four years at Arsenal and the time he spent under Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund.

The Gabon international scored 79 goals in 95 appearances under Tuchel.

“This is totally separate from anything that is happening now, but I enjoyed a lot working with Auba while I was at Dortmund,” said Tuchel on Friday at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s visit of Tottenham.

“Some players stay your players because you were very, very close, and Auba is one of those players.

“There was always straight away this close bond. They always stay your players in a way.”

A behind-the-scenes documentary on Arsenal’s 2021/22 season has revealed the scale of disciplinary breaches that saw Mikel Arteta freeze Aubameyang out of the Gunners’ first-team squad.

However, Tuchel said “there was never an issue” with Aubameyang’s discipline during their time in Germany.

Chelsea has been linked with a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP)
Chelsea has been linked with a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP)Source: AFP

RED DEVILS BOSS QUASHES TALK OF STAR WINGER’S SHOCK EXIT

Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to remain at Manchester United despite rumors this week that Paris St Germain have made contact with the forward’s representatives.

Rashford’s form dipped dramatically last season as he scored just four goals in 25 Premier League games, which has led to him being dropped from the England squad just months before the World Cup.

The 24-year-old, who has one year left on his contract with a club option for a further year, has twice scored in wins against PSG in the Champions League at the Parc des Princes.

But Ten Hag said he is too important to lose despite his struggle for form, which continued in a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton in the Dutch coach’s first match in charge last weekend.

“He’s really important,” Ten Hag said. “You have seen from the first day I’m here, I’m really happy with him, I don’t want to lose him.

“He’s definitely in our plans at Manchester United.”

.

Categories
Sports

PGA Tour 2022, LIV Golf, Cameron Smith, FedExCup playoffs, scores, leaderboard, news, highlights

PGA Tour 2022, LIV Golf, Cameron Smith, FedExCup playoffs, scores, leaderboard, news, highlights

Australia’s Cam Smith is reportedly defecting to LIV Golf in a $140m deal – but he’s still storming up the leaderboard at the FedEx St Jude Championship as the PGA Tour playoffs begin.

After a stunning hole-out eagle from 156 yards capped a respectable opening round at TPC Southwind in Memphis as the world number two finished three-under, the second day saw him emerge into contention.

A sensational draw shot gave Smith an eagle chance on the par-five 16th, and the Australian duly drained the putt to move to eight-under overall and three off the lead.

But a tricky birdie putt on the 17th just curled around the cup and missed, as a commentator exclaimed: “How did that stay out?”

Watch LIVE coverage from The USPGA Tour with Fox Sports on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Cam Smith holes out for EAGLE! | 00:24

Smith finished -8 overall after his second round 65, leaving three shots behind solo leader JJ Spaun (62.67).

Smith picked up birdies on the fifth and sixth holes, and another on the eighth and 14th holes.

A poor drive found the rough on the 15th, where he gave a shot back, before his impressive eagle on the 16th.

Austrian Sepp Straka (64.66) is tied for second with American Troy Merritt (65.65) on 10 under. Straka remarkably had missed his last six cuts before this event.

“Took what the course gave me,” Spaun said. “I worked on some good things in the past couple weeks that are starting to pay off. Got a nice feel with my swing and just trusting it. And the putter is working, too.”

Straka birdied four of the last five holes to shoot 66. “Hadn’t played great coming into this week,” Straka said. “But that’s golf. You’re going to have the ebbs and flows and just go with it.”

‘Ready to cop some heat’ Smith talks LIV | 00:49

MORE NEWS

‘Ready to cop some heat’: Cam Smith’s big admission over $140m PGA bombshell

World No. 1 commits ultimate golfing sin on Smith … sparking storm about whether he meant it

RD 1 WRAP: J-Day of old stuns to revive hopes in $75m event

Meanwhile world number one Scottie Scheffler missed the cut for just the fourth time this season, a bombshell result that gives Smith a huge opportunity to claim the PGA Tour playoffs.

The tournament is the opener of the FedEx Cup playoffs, a season-ending trio of events with a winner’s prize of $18 million USD.

Only 125 players qualified on season points and only the top 70 advance to next week’s BMW Championship, where the 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship in Atlanta are decided.

Aussie Adam Scott carded a 67 to finish seven-under overall, while fellow Aussie trio Marc Leishman (69.69), Cam Davis (72.66), both just mad the cut at two-under.

But Lucas Herbert missed the cut after a second-round 70 left him three-over total after a poor opening-round 73, while Jason Day (65, 74) also missed out.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy missed the weekend after a 69 to stand on 139, one over the cut line.

Did Scheffler give Smith ultimate snub?! | 00:22

.

Categories
Sports

Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys results, kick off time, Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks, Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights

Veteran NRL referee Ben Cummins has opened up on his controversial ‘Six Again’ call that flipped the 2019 grand finale, saying he felt “ashamed and worthless” in the days that followed.

The comments come as the NRL world still comes to grips with the death of league great Paul Green.

Cummins’ call is widely considered to have flipped the match, which the Sydney Roosters wound up winning 14-8 against the Canberra Raiders.

The incident occurred in the 71st minute when a Raiders’ fifth tackle kick was contested in the air 10m from their try line and bounced backwards off Canberra’s kick chaser into skipper Josh Hodgson’s path.

Cummins, believing the ball had come off Roosters fullback James Tedesco, initially called ‘Six Again’ before changing his call seconds later on the advise of assistant referee Gerard Sutton and the touch judge.

However, Wighton did see the changed call and assumed his side had a whole new set to work with before being required to hand over the ball.

Raiders players were left incensed at the call, and their feelings were made worse just minutes later when the Roosters scored through Tedesco off the ensuing set, in what turned out to be the match-winning play.

Cummins, who has refereed in over 400 matches, said the enormity of the situation hit him once he left the pitch after the final whistle.

“I walked into the tunnel and the cameras were all on me and I was thinking, ‘This is not normal. This is big’,” he said. “I think my heart sunk.”

“I got into the changerooms and Graham Annesley and ‘Jacko’ (Glenn Jackson from NRL media) were there and they basically said, ‘This is going to be the back page’.”

Cummins revealed that his teenage daughters were targeted by abusive fans in the wake of the incident, admitting he endured some dark days in the aftermath.

“When you sign up to referee at the top level, you know that it comes with fans who are passionate, and people can say things about your performance,” he explained.

“But when it brings in your family and your home, it’s sort of to a different level. I found that really hard.

“I can’t say it was easy for them. My son was copping a lot of abuse at school and my daughters (were) online – because they are on social media. That was really tough.

“I basically locked myself in my house for a week.

“It was pretty dark times. I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it. I had some thoughts about what I wanted to do with my life and they were pretty negative.

“You feel ashamed and worthless, embarrassed. I wasn’t sleeping. I just wanted everything to go away.”

Categories
Sports

Warriors cult hero ‘Roger Shoey Vasa-Sheck’ banned from Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors cult hero 'Roger Shoey Vasa-Sheck' banned from Mt Smart Stadium

The man dubbed Roger Shoey Vasa-Sheck, who guzzles beer from a boot at New Zealand Warriors games, was sensationally tossed out of Mt Smart Stadium and handed a lifetime ban on Friday.

Calley Gibbons, a 31-year-old Auckland brickie, had gained cult-hero status for popping up on the TV screen in front of Stacey Jones’ coaches box and drinking beer from his size-12 footwear.

He was spotted during the Warriors’ homecoming game against Wests Tigers, again during the Storm clash and briefly in the first half on Friday night against Canterbury.

However, after enjoying only one “shoey”, Gibbons was fronted by security and several police and asked to leave.

gibbons told The Sun-Herald he was not intoxicated, had bought the beer from inside the venue and ended up heading down the road to a nearby pub and drinking from his shoe every time the Warriors scored a try.

Gibbons is not facing any charges, while The Sun-Herald has contacted the Warriors for comment.

A change.org petition to have Gibbons’ ban overturned had already attracted more than 2,500 signatures by Saturday morning.

“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.

Calley Gibbons before he was asked to leave on Friday night.

Calley Gibbons before he was asked to leave on Friday night.

Categories
Sports

Teen sensation David Popovici stuns swimming with recordbreaking 100m freestyle at European Championships, video

Teen sensation David Popovici stuns swimming with recordbreaking 100m freestyle at European Championships, video

World swimming has another bona fide superstar on its hands.

Teenage sensation David Popovici continued his breakout season at the European Swimming Championships on Saturday (AEST), posting a sizzling time in the 100m freestyle semi-finals.

The 17-year-old touched the wall in 46.98 seconds, setting a new European record and breaking his own world junior record.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

He won his heat easily, finishing over a second ahead of Italian Lorenzo Zazzeri, while only two other swimmers, Kristof Milak and Alessandro Miressi, managed to go under 48 seconds.

Popovici became just the fourth swimmer ever to dip under the 47-second barrier, after world record holder Cesar Cielo (46.91), Alain Bernard (46.94) and Caeleb Dressel (46.96).

Bernard is still the fastest European ever but his time was not ratified by FINA in 2009 because it was swam in a non-approved suit.

Swimming fans were blown away by Popovici’s scintillating effort in Rome.

The Romanian, who goes by @chlorinedaddy on Instagram, is expected to threaten the world record again in the final, which he goes into as the raging favourite.

“It’s a fine route to the final and a step towards the right direction,” an understated Popovici said after the semi-final.

“It feels normal for me to go step-by-step and keep improving my time.”

Popovici has taken the swimming world by storm since emerging onto the scene with solid results at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.

And in June, he became the first man to win the 100m and 200m freestyle double at the World Championships in nearly 50 years.

He dominated the 200m freestyle final and claimed gold in the 100m final in the absence of Kyle Chalmers and Dressel.

Earlier this year he also won three European junior titles in his home town of Bucharest.

In other events, Italian world champion Nicolo Martinenghi won the 100m breaststroke.

Martinenghi was a double gold winner at the Budapest worlds and got the home crowd roaring in Rome with a time of 58.26sec in his final, beating countryman Federico Poggio by 0.72sec.

Andrius Sidlauskas took the bronze for Lithuania.

Margherita Panziera won the 200m backstroke, Thomas Ceccon claimed the honors in the 50m butterfly and Simona Quadarella won European gold in the 800m freestyle for the third straight time.

With AFP

.

Categories
Sports

NRL 2022: Penrith Panthers, Jaeman Salmon, video, contract, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler

Only Jaeman Salmon knows how it feels to be called a “weak-gutted dog person” by Ricky Stuart, and to be at the center of an intense media spotlight after the Raiders coach exploded at a press conference.

Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler, trying to put themselves in the shoes of the Panthers playmaker, imagine he’s struggled enormously.

“Walking down the street, you’re shopping, you look over and someone’s looking at you. You’re going, ‘What are they thinking about? Why is everyone staring at me?’,” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.

READMORE: Payten’s emotional tribute to Paul Green

READMORE: ‘Hardcore’ move that could redefine Ricciardo

READMORE: Great rips AFL ‘mess’ after staggering Cripps call

“It’d be horrible.

“I dare say during the week there would have been camera crews outside his house.

“It’s an absolutely shitty feeling.

“Until you’ve been in the bull’s eye it’s hard to describe how difficult it can be.”

Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.

Salmon, filling in for Jarome Luai as the first-choice five-eighth recovers from a knee injury, turned out for Penrith in its 16-0 defeat to Melbourne on Thursday night.

He didn’t impress at Penrith Stadium, but few Panthers players did as the Storm strangled the reigning premiers.

Raiders coach banned for ‘unacceptable’ spray

“You’d like to think it’s not going to affect (him), but it will,” Fittler said.

“It’s anything. It’s just in your head. Whether someone says something about you, writes something about you, if you see it or hear it or people want to throw it down your throat, then it’s in your head.”

Salmon has played 17 NRL games for the Eels and 23 for the Panthers.

The 23-year-old has quietly gone about playing 20 games this season, primarily starting on the bench and being injected into the second row.

So good are Luai and halves partner Nathan Cleary that, if he wants to become a first-choice playmaker in the NRL, his future doesn’t lie at the Panthers.

Freddy reveals honesty sessions gone wrong: Freddy & The Eighth – Round 22

Fittler believes Salmon, who’s not contracted beyond this year, is an attractive prospect for rival clubs.

“It’s the best footy he’s played by far. By far. And he’s a talented player, without a doubt. What he’s doing at the moment — it’s working,” Fittler said.

“I always speak about the bench. The bench is so important. You have a look at (the Panthers’) bench: Scott Sorensen, himself, sometimes they’ve got Mitch Kenny, Spencer Leniu, Eisenhuth, possibly, sometimes. There’s blokes there who’ve played in big games, played in pressure games, so it makes a huge difference.”

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

Paul Green’s life in pictures: From Sharks prodigy to premiership-winning coach