Eels captain Clint Gutherson was sent to the naughty corner in the 75th minute during Monday’s blockbuster loss to the Bulldogs, as the fullback was told ‘do not speak to me like that’ by referee Peter Gough.
After Blake Wilson’s cracking match-winning try on the right edge put the Bulldogs in front, Gutherson argued to Gough about a potential obstruction call that would have overturned the score.
“Oh my god, that’s horrible, that is horrible”, Gutherson said in a heated exchange with Gough.
However, the Eels captain only received a taste of his own medicine back from the stonewalling referee.
“Regardless of your opinion as captain, do not speak to me like that when you ask me the answer,” Gough responded.
“That is not acceptable. You need to be better as a captain.”
The heated debate went on while the bunker reviewed the try and continued after the match, with Gutherson repeatedly saying that the call ‘cost us the game’.
“They’re going to come out tomorrow and say that’s the wrong call and it cost us the game. That play cost us the game,” he said.
Galvin ‘can’t wait to get out’
Tigers young gun Lachlan Galvin has made matters worse regarding his request for an early release, reportedly telling his teammates post their round 14 loss to the Dragons that he ‘can’t wait to get out’.
The 18-year-old is believed to be unhappy with Wests management, following their handling of his fractured hand which has plagued him for the last three weeks.
Club CEO Shane Richardson had declined Galvin’s request for a release and is reportedly preparing to offer the five-eighth and extension and increase.
Speaking on NRL 360, The Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said Stefano Utoikamanu is also unhappy at the Tigers.
“Lachie Galvin and Stefano Utoikamanu believes their games aren’t developing as they should be at the Tigers re coaching and general development,” Rothfield said.
“I’m told both would be prepared to take less money to join a more powerful outfit.”
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The Tigers are set on building the club around Galvin, to avoid a deja vu situation, where they released the likes of James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses seven years ago.
Radley says Smith will learn from ‘kick up the a–e’
Roosters star Victor Radley believes Brandon Smith is ready to turn a corner, after he was issued a breach notice by the club for missing a mid-season review following their round 13 loss to the Cowboys.
Radley, who has no shortage of on-field misdemeanours, knows Smith can bounce back after the mishap.
“It’s a little kick up the arse for him,” Radley said.
“You could see today that he looks a bit dialled-in.”
“He’s got his hair cut. He’s had a shave, and honestly it looks like he’s gone, ‘I’ll be on for the rest of the season’.”
“A little thing like that can be beneficial. I know personally, I learnt everything the hard way,”
Speaking on the Bye Round Podcast with former NRL player James Graham, Smith opened up on his misdemeanour, saying he ‘was starting to think I was going to get sacked’ after being dealt the breach notice.
“It put me on notice that it is not good enough obviously,” Smith said.
Brandon Smith. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“I was the first one into training this morning. I feel like I let people down and I don’t like to let people down.
“It was dumb… I went out for a coffee with my missus, and she doesn’t like it when I take my phone out because I ignore her.
“So I left my phone at home. The reason it is my fault is because you check the schedule before you go to sleep.
“I missed the meeting – that was the problem.”
Smith has struggled to live up to his lofty price tag since crossing to the Roosters from the Storm at the end of 2022, with club hierarchy reportedly frustrated with his off-field behaviour.