Raiders finally hit back

Nick Cotric got the Raiders on the board in the 25th minute, cutting the Rabbitohs lead to 18-6.

Cotric was awarded the try by the video referee, despite Jarrod Croker appearing to make contact with a Souths defender off the ball.

Souths get perfect start

Alex Johnston gave South Sydney a perfect start when he broke through the Raiders’ goal line defence in just the third minute.

Johnston got on the outside of Blake Austin and split the defence.

Souths extended their lead to 10-0 four minutes later when Cody Walker crossed the stripe.

Bennett’s disrespect comes back to bite him

Gorden Tallis says Wayne Bennett’s disrespectful attitude towards the media over the years is coming back to bite him as he deals with speculation about his own coaching future and whether Melbourne mentor Craig Bellamy will take his job at the Broncos.

Bennett walked out of a media conference during the week because he refused to answer questions about Bellamy coaching at Brisbane and while former Bronco Tallis agreed journalists may have gone a little too hard with their questioning, Bennett still should have provided an answer.

“They asked it about five times so I thought that was a bit unfair but Wayne’s got to answer the question,” Tallis told Triple M.

“Wayne has done this for so long right, he’s had the power ... but at the moment the tide’s turned and all those guys that he’s bullied at some stage — and bullied’s probably not the right word but he’s shown them no respect as journalists — they’ve got a voice now and a bit of courage and are prepared to ask the question because Wayne’s star, as sad as it is, is starting to dim a little bit.

“Wayne’s running out of friends in the game.”

DCE reportedly punished

Jackson Hastings has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.Source:AAP

Channel Seven rugby league reporter Liam Cox is reporting Manly will fine captain Daly Cherry-Evans $10,000 for his altercation with teammate Jackson Hastings.

Hastings has effectively been dropped to reserve grade for the rest of the year amid reports he isn’t gelling with the playing group.

Cherry-Evans and Hastings were involved in a scuffle at training and again at the team hotel in Gladstone when the Sea Eagles played the Titans in round five.

It’s been reported Cherry-Evans confronted Hastings at his hotel room after coming back from a strip club in Gladstone, which resulted in a physical altercation.

Gutherson given the captaincy

Parramatta star Clinton Gutherson will captain the Eels alongside Tim Mannah and Beau Scott for the rest of the season, the NRL club has announced. Gutherson made a successful return from an ACL injury in last week’s loss to Canberra and is regarded as a core piece of their long-term future. “Each player brings different strengths to our team, and Clint has certainly proven his leadership skills and deserves to be rewarded for it,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said.

— AAP

McCullough injury to test Brisbane’s depth

Andrew McCullough will spend some time on the sideline.Source:AAP

A stumped Wayne Bennett admits he has no idea who will be Brisbane’s new hooker amid fears No. 9 Andrew McCullough faces up to two months on the sidelines with an elbow injury.

McCullough suffered suspected elbow ligament damage when he collided with teammate Joe Ofahengaue in a second-half tackle before Melbourne held on for a 34-20 NRL win over the Broncos on Friday night.

It was another blow to a Broncos pack reeling from the injury to Test back-rower Matt Gillett that may sideline him for three months.

It could get worse still after prop Matt Lodge was placed on report for a 75th- minute dangerous throw.

But Bennett’s main priority was trying to find a replacement hooker. McCullough’s understudy Jake Turpin is also out of action with a broken ankle. Bennett said Kodi Nikorima could be given the No. 9 jersey next week. “Maybe we can do that but I just need to think about it all and see what our best options are,” he said.

“I really don’t know what we do.” Bennett may be losing forwards but not his sense of humour.

He couldn’t resist a sly dig at Sam Thaiday’s maligned first-round effort as Brisbane dummy half when asked to name rake contenders.

“We will just have to have a look around this week. I don’t think Sam will be going back,” Bennett smiled.

— AAP