Broncos win $2.4m Barnett Race, NRL’s referee "Blitz" & AJ’s date with destiny

In the latest episode of the Rugby League Insider podcast, James Hooper, Matt Vautin, and Brandon Savage dive into the high-stakes bidding war for Mitch Barnett, the NRL’s controversial new refereeing "blitz," and Alex Johnston’s pursuit of rugby league history.

The Mitch Barnett Bidding War

‍The show kicked off with a breakdown of what was still a three-way battle for Warriors enforcer Mitch Barnett.

The Australian and New South Wales prop has since since with Brisbane. Read more HERE.

The Referee "Non-Crackdown"

‍The discussion then moved to the NRL’s latest directive to officials. Despite head office's insistence that it isn't a "crackdown," the panel described it as a "full-blown blitz" designed to stop players from "getting in the faces" of referees. Under the new rules, captains are restricted to approaching officials only at halftime, after a try, or during injury breaks. "I like this," Hooper said. "They want players to back off... it filters down to grassroots level." Brandon Savage was more sceptical, noting that set restarts were already up 35% in Round 1. "This just puts more scrutiny on the referees that they probably didn’t want," Savage argued, suggesting that "refereeing to the rules" should be standard without the need for public emails.

History Awaits: AJ’s Record Pursuit

‍The centrepeice of the episode was the panel’s tribute to Alex Johnston as he nears Ken Irvine’s all-time try-scoring record. With AJ sitting on 211 tries—just one shy of the record—Hooper praised the "understated genius" of the South Sydney winger." He ain’t Wendell Sailor or Adam McDougall... he’s subtle, understated, and super quick," Hooper noted. While Matt Vautin initially struggled to place AJ on an all-time list, citing the high-octane Souths attack he benefits from, the panel eventually agreed that his consistency since his 2014 debut makes him a "dollar-one betting certainty" to break the record. The hosts then engaged in a heated debate, ranking their Top 5 wingers of the modern era, with names like Wendell Sailor, Brian To’o, and Brett Morris dominating the conversation.

Thursday Tough Carry: DCE’s Baptism of Fire

‍To close the show, the hosts turned their attention to the "Thursday Tough Carry," focusing on Daly Cherry-Evans ahead of the Roosters’ blockbuster clash with South Sydney. After the Roosters' pack was "steamrolled" in Round 1, Hooper highlighted the massive defensive assignment facing the 37-year-old halfback. DCE must line up against a "lethal" Souths left edge featuring Cody Walker, David Fifita, and Latrell Mitchell. "David Fifita is going to have a bullseye and a target pinned on Daly Cherry-Evans all game," Hooper warned. While Brandon Savage predicted a Roosters bounce-back, Hooper and Vautin suggested the "hatred" and history between these two foundation clubs could favour a motivated Rabbitohs outfit.

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