LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a fiery debate with Maroons legend Gorden Tallis, veteran journalist Phil Rothfield didn't hold back in slamming the actions of Daly Cherry-Evans during Wednesday night's Game III clash.
Rothfield, known for his no-nonsense approach, believed that Cherry-Evans was the one who sparked the heated scuffle that erupted during the Blues' victory.
He didn't mince his words, stating that the Maroons captain's "brain fade" was unacceptable.
But Tallis, always one to stick up for his fellow players, came to Cherry-Evans' defense.
He pointed the finger at Cam Murray and Haumole Olakau'atu, who he claimed were the real troublemakers for running in from the bench to join the fracas.
Despite Tallis' attempts to deflect blame, Rothfield stood firm in his criticism of Cherry-Evans.
He described the moment as a pivotal point in the game, likening it to a high-stakes play on the rugby league field with the score deadlocked at 0-0.
"It was like Queensland on zero tackle, just about to make a big play, and then Cherry-Evans goes and starts a stink with Luai," Rothfield said with conviction.
The debate between the two rugby league titans raged on, with Rothfield refusing to back down from his initial assessment of the situation.
In the world of rugby league, where passion runs deep and rivalries are fierce, there's no room for half-hearted opinions.