38 SPORT TUESDAY JUNE 30 2020 Des makes no excuses Kev and for defeat

NO Tom Trbojevic, but that’s no excuse for Manly. Coach refused to let his NRL side off the hook over Sunday’s heavy loss to ex-stars Cronulla despite their most-in- fluential player sitting on the sidelines. Leading into the match, the star fullback had scored or set up 11 of Manly’s 16 tries but, after a 40-22 loss in , vital for Hasler pointed the finger at his team’s defensive attitude. “I’m not going to use that as an excuse,” he said. “There were other areas in our game where we weren’t proficient enough.” The Sea Eagles trailed 34-6 Broncos before three late tries flattered the scoreline in miserable con- ditions at Central Coast Stadi- LAINE CLARK In the meantime, Carne um. AAP said Walters could provide the Hasler said he was disap- spark the Broncos desperately pointed with the defensive in- BRISBANE great Willie Carne need. tent and labelled the loss a says the Broncos must not only Critics have called for Wal- ‘wake-up call’ ahead of this accept Kevin Walters’s help ters to replace Seibold, who is week’s clash with Newcastle. but also reconnect with more 18 months into a five-season players from their golden era deal, after Brisbane slumped to to help inject pride back in the second-last following their em- jersey. barrassing 30-12 last-round Tamou tips Carne backed former cap- loss to battlers Gold Coast. tain Walters’s offer to assist Walters on Sunday re- loan deal under-fire coach Anthony signed as Queensland coach Seibold after the Broncos until the end of 2021, seem- slumped to five straight NRL ingly ending speculation he to aid Jack losses. But the two-time could depose Seibold. premiership-winning winger But Walters, who was a PENRITH captain James hopes Brisbane go one step Broncos assistant under Tamou has revealed needing further and throw the welcome Wayne Bennett in 2018, said to allay Jack Hetherington’s mat out for more club greats, he was happy to help Seibold concerns about his loan to the claiming the Broncos power- in their time of need. Warriors and predicts he’ll brokers had shunned their “old Asked what he could offer, thrive with NRL action for the boys” in the past. Walters told Sky Sports Radio: embattled club. Carne said he and other “Just lift the spirits of the group Hetherington joined the past players would love to be somehow, provide a bit of Warriors yesterday as a re- more involved with the current unity.” Bulldogs star Will Hopoate has picked up an ankle injury Picture: GETTY IMAGES placement for Poasa Faamaus- squad but claimed they had Broncos chairman Karl ili, who was recalled by the been shut out. Morris said it was up to Seibold Roosters after Victor Carne said strict health pro- to decide his support staff. Pay still sees hope for Dogs Radley and Sam Verrills suf- tocols could prove a hurdle at “Kevin had a role when fered season-ending ACL in- the moment. But he hoped in Wayne Bennett was coach. UNDER-PRESSURE Can- there, but after that, it wasn’t after the off-contract Pay juries. future Broncos “old boys” who When he had that role we terbury coach Dean Pay in- good,” Pay said post-game. survived a board meeting Hetherington played in the turned the club into a six-time thought he did a good job and sists there is light at the end “It wasn’t good at all.” where his future was be- Panthers’ season-opener but premiership-winning power- is one of the most successful of their NRL tunnel. The loss was soured by a lieved to be discussed. has since struggled to crack house would be allowed to in- old boys of the club,” he said in The Bulldogs on Sunday suspected ankle injury to Highly-regarded English Ivan Cleary’s top 17. It is under- teract more with players, a statement. slumped to a sixth defeat in fullback Will Hopoate, who front-rower Luke Thomp- stood the 24-year-old can be helping them follow in their “At the end of the day An- their opening seven games, has arguably been their best son was due to meet his called back at any time during footsteps. “It would be nice to thony is head coach and it’s up this time being walloped player in a sorry campaign teammates for the first time his month-long loan. be invited back and help unite to him to decide the make-up 34-6 by the Wests Tigers at thus far. The last-placed yesterday after finishing his “Jack Hetherington is such the club that we helped build,” of his coaching team.” Bankwest Stadium. Bulldogs are the only team two-week isolation. “There’s a talent. He’s one of the fastest Carne said. “The Broncos have Seibold appears to need all “First 20 minutes was, we to have won just one game light at the end of the tunnel. in the club and one of the most never done that. They don’t the help he can get ahead of competed really hard and so far. We need to get into the mar- powerful people in the club,” want the old boys in there – I Brisbane’s clash with Warriors got through our sets. We The uninspired perform- ket. We need to buy 3-4 Tamou said. “He’ll thrive, just don’t understand that.” at Gosford on Saturday. done some good things ance also came just days quality players,” Pay said. in getting those minutes.” Storm players could spend months in Queensland, says Finucane MELISSA WOODS ment crackdown on sporting approval by the Queensland Veteran forward Dale Finu- cane said yesterday. “They with family in NSW before AND MATT ENCARNACION teams from Melbourne, where Government. Another bonus cane revealed the players held want a period of 28 days once heading to Queensland, about the coronavirus spike has for the Storm ahead of their a meeting with NRL boss An- the virus has slowed. So if 20 partners and 30 children ’s timely sounded alarm bells. clash with the premiers is their drew Abdo and biosecurity ex- today, for whatever reason, the have already arrived – al- escape to Queensland’s Sun- It means they are free to amazing record at Suncorp pert David Heslop on Sunday virus slowed, we’d be looking though they cannot leave the shine Coast has helped the “host” the at Stadium – they have not lost to night and were told there was at 28 days. confines of the Storm “bubble” NRL avoid fixturing chaos en- Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium Brisbane at the Broncos’ home no end date for their stay in “Obviously that’s probably within the complex for the veloping the AFL but they may on Thursday night. venue since 2009. Queensland. not happening any time soon next fortnight. face months away from home. While the NRL still has to But the Storm squad will “Given that the numbers given that the rates are con- They can access a beach, The decision to relocate the sign off on the match, a Mel- likely need to settle in for a are increasing in Victoria it’s tinuing to increase.” while those within the com- Storm came ahead of yester- bourne club spokesperson con- long stay in their new base at not looking like (we’ll be While Finucane’s wife and plex can still enjoy a round of day’s Queensland Govern- firmed it had been given the Twin Waters resort. home) any time soon,” Finu- baby son are spending time golf on the adjoining course. NTNE01Z01MA - V1