Cook’s future clouded after axing; Broncos star’s new role as debuts rain — Teams Talking Points

WHO NEXT? The coaching options if Souths swing axe as surprise contender emerges

SOUTHS DRAMA: ‘Apologetic’ Latrell Mitchell pours heart out to teammates

FLANAGAN’S WARNING SIGNS

“I need to make change at this club, that’s my job and I’m going to make change.”

That was Shane Flanagan’s stance after his side suffered another loss, going down to the Knights in the torrential rain.

His first change came during the game, moving Zac Lomax to fullback at halftime, with Tyrell Sloan shifting to the wing.

It loomed likely that switch would be a permanent one ahead of the Round 6 team lists release, while several other players were said to be on the chopping block.

Both Blake Lawrie and Mikaele Ravalawa were reportedly facing the axe, but the pair retained their spots in the 17.

It begs the question – when will Flanagan swing the axe?

He’s indicated he wants to make changes, but has so far resisted to urge to drop players and has instead tried a multitude of combinations in the forwards.

The Dragons face the Tigers on Sunday afternoon in a huge clash that could decide whether the former Sharks premiership-winning coach makes wholesale changes.

Benji Marshall’s side have been strong so far this season, but are missing John Bateman and also rising star Lachie Galvin in the halves.

Meanwhile, the Red V aren’t missing any players outside of Corey Allan who has been ruled out for the season with an ACL rupture.

If the Dragons go down, expect Flanagan to act on his warnings and his team in Round 7 could look very different to the team that runs out against the Tigers.

WHO IS JYE GRAY?

Latrell Mitchell’s suspension was a huge blow for the Rabbitohs and Jason Demetriou who is fighting to save his job after a horror start to the club’s 2024 campaign.

The under-siege coach has now called upon rookie Jye Gray to wear the No.1 jersey, handing one of rugby league’s best prospects a chance to shine.

The 20-year-old is an electric attacking weapon, standing at only 170 centimetres tall.

But what he lacks in height, he well and truly makes up for in speed and agility, sporting his trademark head gear.

Gray was excellent for the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield in pre-season, and dominated his first three games in NSW Cup.

Fox League’s Darcie McDonald revealed that rival coaches were starting to take notice and focus on studying the fullback to dampen his abilities.

Against the Warriors, he was still able to assist a try, break four tackles and run for 102 metres.

Gray played as a five-eighth coming through the ranks but has found a home at fullback, scoring three times in four games so far in 2024.

The club also clearly know how good he’s going to be in the future and have reportedly begun negotiations to extend his contract, currently signed until the end of 2024.

Interestingly, Gray is also set to become the shortest current player in the competition, being two centimetres shorter than Api Koroisau and three below Adam Reynolds.

Gray has a big job on his hands filling in for Mitchell in a huge game in the scope of the Rabbitohs 2024 campaign, but Demetriou believes he’s up for the task.

WHAT NOW FOR COOK?

Damien Cook after was sensationally dropped to 18th man by under siege coach Jason Demetriou as Souths reach desperation stakes.

Currently dead last on the ladder, Demetriou needs to try things to spark the team, but dropping a player who was playing Origin for NSW last year is a dubious call.

Cook hasn’t been in red hot form to start the season, but his running game has improved in recent weeks and his defence is always reliable.

Cook inked a two-year extension for 2024 and 2025 and wanted three years, but it remains to be seen if he will see out his contract.

An extended time out of the first team could see Cook try to get out of his contract to join a team that values his experience.

There is no shortage of clubs that would be luring a hooker of Cook’s calibre to their team.

Souths have an exciting prospect in Peter Mamouzelos, who is signed for the next four seasons as Cook’s successor.

However, it remains to be seen if now is the time to put that succession plan into action.

Coming into a losing team is not the best way to usher in a new player and Mamouzelos could struggle to fire with the rest of the team so badly out of form.

Cook needs to have a blinder in reserve grade and force the coach to pick him next week because the longer this lingers the more harmful it will be to Demetriou, Cook and the club’s chances of keeping him for the remainder of his deal.

SAILOR’S HUGE REWARD

The Broncos have received a huge boost with star fullback Reece Walsh returning earlier than anticipated from a facial fracture.

Walsh undoubtedly makes this team better, but his backup Tristan Sailor had been doing a terrific job in the Broncos star’s place.

Not only was Sailor making plenty of metres and proving a threat whenever he touched the ball, he showed a willingness to add a playmaking spark as well, which he did, as the Broncos scored 70 points in the two games he deputised for Walsh.

His form made him hard to drop, even though there seemingly wasn’t a spot for him in the starting side on Walsh’s return.

Some, including Broncos great Gorden Tallis, pondered publicly whether Sailor could have moved into the halves in injured skipper Adam Reynolds’ absence, but coach Kevin Walters elected to roll with Jock Madden in the No. 7 jersey.

If Madden fails to flatter on Friday night, Sailor at six and Ezra Mam at halfback could be a move that Walters considers until Reynolds returns.

But for now, Sailor will come off the bench against the Dolphins.

While it isn’t known what his role will be when he enters the game or how many minutes he plays, it’s obvious the Broncos are a better side with him in the 17.

WHO IS BAILEY HAYWARD?

Hayward has long been touted as a future prospect at the Bulldogs.

The 23-year-old won the club’s 2022 Jersey Flegg Player of the Year at halfback, steering the side to an eighth placed finish with 10 wins from 22 games.

Now Cameron Ciraldo has called on him to make his NRL debut, being named as the utility player in the No.14 against the Storm.

Over the last three seasons in NSW Cup, Hayward has played 32 games, winning 17 of those and featuring 20 times in 2023.

So far in 2024, Hayward has deputised for Jake Turpin and Bailey Biondi-Odo, playing off the bench in all of his three appearances.

However, he’s made 45 minute and 50 minute displays to start the year, priming him to play the utility role and potentially give Reed Mahoney a rest.

Hayward could also slot in at halfback is called upon, giving Ciraldo versatility in his outside backs should someone go down injured.

The Bulldogs rookie is also a Scottish international and played two games for his country at the World Cup in 2022.

Hayward is a local junior and Canterbury-Bankstown will get their first glimpses of one of the club’s pathways products in the NRL in Round 6.

ARTHUR’S PLAN B SEES ROOKIE OMITTED

The Eels are in desperate need of a win after two straight losses, and coach Brad Arthur has decided to shake up his halves pairing.

Under fire Dylan Brown will remain in the No. 7 jersey, but will this week be partnered by Daejarn Asi at five-eighth.

Asi comes into the side for rookie Blaize Talagi, who looked a little out of place at six.

It’s hard to be too critical of the youngster though, as he was playing out of position after making a spalsh on debut in the centres.

Due to the injury to Mitch Moses, Talagi was pushed into a playmaking role in just his second and third NRL appearances. He went ok there, but didn’t play well enough to keep his spot as the Eels look to avoid a third straight loss.

Asi played well in patches last year when Brown was out through suspension, but Arthur will be hoping for an improved showing against the Cowboys in what is his first NRL game of the season.

WHO IS CHEVY STEWART?

The Green Machine will unveil Raider #396 against the Titans on Sunday, 18-year-old Chevy Stewart.

Labelled an excitement machine, Stewart was one of Canberra’s best during their NSW Cup campaign in 2023, which resulted in a semi-final birth for the Raiders.

The young fullback also represented the NSW u-19’s team in 2023 alongside impressive Raiders rookie Ethan Strange.

It appeared Stewart had the inside running for the Raiders No. 1 jersey before the Pre-Season Challenge this season, but he put in an average performance against the Eels in the first game which took him out of the running.

In a surprising move, Ricky Stuart went with veteran Jordan Rapana to start the season, which had proven to be the right decision. Unfortunately for Rapana, he’ll miss up to eight weeks with a knee injury he suffered against the Eels.

That opens the door for Stewart to strut his stuff alongside what is already a young and talented backline.

This week, the Raiders will field the 18-year-old Stewart at fullback, 19-year-old Strange at five-eighth as well as young wingers Xavier Savage (21) and James Schiller (22). Centres Matt Timoko and Seb Kris are both 24.

Exciting times in Canberra!