SUNDAY JUNE 4 2017 SPORT 51 Blues’ resurgence leaves forgotten Merrin on outside looking in

MICHAEL CARAYANNIS But Merrin said the NSW the moment. I have to keep a player that aspires to be in Merrin putting his non-selec- time I didn’t make the team in performance increased his de- working harder on my game. that team it motivated me tion down to a different brand five years, it was a smash in the watched NSW sire to win back the Blues Hopefully, I find myself back watching it.” of football to that of Kanga- face but it’s all a lesson and you put the cleaners through jumper he last wore in 2015. in that position. After his Blues dumping last roos coach . learn lessons along the way, it’s Queensland Wednesday night. “I was very disappointed but “They were outstanding the year, Merrin made the Kanga- “It comes down to the what you do next.” He probably did so with it happened last year,” Merrin way they played. I was very roos No.13 jersey his own in coaching staff. I’m very grate- Merrin can push his claims mixed emotions – deemed good said of his non-selection. happy for them and for our last year’s Four-Nations. ful Mal (Meninga) picked me for an Origin recall should the enough to start for “It didn’t hit me as hard as it state. He has not heard from in the team,” Merrin said. Blues need to make any forced last month, Merrin was again did last year. I accepted it. I’m “As a Blues player, to see Blues coach Laurie Daley since “I learnt from (missing Ori- changes when the Panthers snubbed by Blues selectors. not doing the right things at the potential we have. If you’re the team was selected, with gin) last year. It was the first play Canterbury today. Refs won’t be swayed by Stuart: Frizell in Barrett MATT ENACARNACION hospital MANLY coach is confident NRL officials won’t be influenced by claims made by coach that clubs are getting away with murder in the ruck. Stuart last week took aim at after rib referees after his team were pinged for split markers in their win over the , saying rival outfits are often guilty of the same. But, ahead of the Sea Eagles clash against the Raiders injury today, Barrett believes Stuart’s rant will have no impact. “Teams try to slow down SCOTT BAILEY DRAGONS the ruck against every side and 16 that’s where the game’s won. I NSW State of Origin lock don’t think the Canberra side was taken to hos- TIGERS cops any special treatment,” he pital for scans on his ribs after 12 said. The Raiders back five of being injured in St George Illa- ST GEORGE , , warra’s 16-12 NRL win over the Tries: G Widdop 2 T Frizell , Joey Leilua and . Goals: G Widdop 2 Nick Cotric are widely re- The Blues’ starting forward WESTS TIGERS nowned for supplying the mo- was hurt attempting a tackle Tries: M Chee Kam K Naiqama Goals: T Lolohea 2 mentum from their kick on Tim Grant midway through Crowd: 12,983 at ANZ Stadium returns. the second half and played no Referees: G Badger, P Gough And it shows in the stats, further part in yesterday’s with the Raiders receiving game at ANZ Stadium. margin. But they were unable seven penalties a game this It’s understood he was to score in a last-ditch set to year – fourth in the competit- taken there only as a pre- suffer their fourth- straight ion behind North Queensland, caution, but it would no doubt loss. Penrith, and St George Illa- be a concern for the Blues, Dragons captain Gareth warra. given Origin II is just two-and- Widdop had earlier scored two Barrett insists his backline is a-half weeks away. first-half tries on return from a just as adept. “We’ve got a “Tyson Frizell copped an five-week knee-injury layoff. pretty good back five as well,” elbow to his pectoral in the sec- While in periods the Drag- he said. “If we play the footy we ond half against the Wests Ti- ons’ attack lacked the cohesion have been over the last month, gers,” Dragons performance they’d had before Widdop’s in- we’ll be okay. I don’t think the manager Nathan Pickworth jury, he had no trouble on his referees will be too influenced said. feet. by that.” “As he is in a fair bit of pain, The Englishman opened The clash comes just five we want to send him to the the scoring in the 13th minute weeks after the Sea Eagles hospital for an X-ray for a and then went 60 metres after stole a golden point thriller possible rib fracture.” scooping up a loose ball to with Dylan Walker’s penalty St George Illawarra captain In a further concern for the have the Dragons’ second try goal in a fiery contest at GIO gets a kick away Blues, also suf- 16 minutes later. “Our co- Stadium. Walker was sledged in his comeback match against fered a knee injury and re- hesion and our connection numerous times by Raiders of- Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium quired attention from trainers, wasn’t there,” coach Paul ficials for his wayward kicking yesterday. Inset: Tyson Frizell but stayed on the field as the McGregor said. during the match, but had the on the rampage for the Dragons Dragons survived a late scare. “But once we get that right, last laugh with the clutch kick before succumbing to injury Trailing 12-2 at half-time we sit third on the table — it’s a in extra time. Barrett backed Pictures: MARK EVANS and 16-6 with five minutes to good position halfway through Walker to maintain his com- play, the Tigers had a chance the competition when I and posure should the Raiders tar- to steal it after Michael Chee- the players feel our best footy get him again. Kam crossed to narrow the is still ahead.” NRL comes clean on finances as critical salary cap negotiations loom

SCOTT BAILEY rule out a strike if a new deal increase a set figure each year statement yesterday that re- * $59.8 million to states and which includes referees, rep- can’t be signed. until it grows by 45 per cent cent speculation over the grassroots ; resentative programs, drug THE NRL has opened its Representatives from the over the life of the five-year game’s finances had been * $72.1 million in revenue testing and salary cap adminis- books just two days out from RLPA and NRL will meet for a deal. largely “inaccurate”. generating costs (including tration; crucial meetings with the two-day lockdown tomorrow, Smith on Monday ques- Instead, it claimed that in representative payments to * $16.9 million for commun- Rugby League Players’ Associ- where it’s hoped the parties tioned the NRL’s management 2016, despite a revenue of players, stadium costs and ity, education and wellbeing ation. will move closer towards set- of money, asking why head of- $350.5 million, 45 per cent of sponsor servicing); programs. Controversy over the tling a salary cap figure. fice wasn’t able to run the the game’s $353.1 million ex- * $21.5 million for adminis- NRL chief executive Todd game’s Collective Bargaining At the heart of the issue is game on his calculation of $192 penditure was given to the tration which includes staff Greenberg said every aspect of Agreement (CBA) peaked last the RLPA’s push for a revenue- million per year in available players as follows: and other overheads; the game’s operations was im- week with Australia captain sharing model, while the funds. * $160.2 million to clubs, in- * $22.6 million in football portant when determining fi- refusing to league are keen to gradually But the NRL claimed in a cluding players; department and integrity costs, nances.

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