Apr 8th, 2019

Apr 8th, 2019

So why exactly was talented young outside back Moses Suli dropped by Manly for last weekend’s clash with Souths?

Manly declared Suli was outed for ‘disciplinary performance standards’ and coach Des Hasler was at his cryptic best when discussing the matter.

“It’s an internal disciplinary thing, it’s nothing to do with integrity,” Hasler said.

“But there are certain standards that the players themselves maintain, and he fell below a couple of performance standards; so consequently won’t be playing this weekend.

“I won’t be going into the details. It’s not attitude, there are just certain standards we insist on and he didn’t comply.”

I can reveal that Manly were delighted that Suli, who is in his third club in two years, had lost 12 kilos in pre-season training.

But then Suli, who at just 20 is still coming to grips with the life of a professional footballer, put five of them back on - and as a result was dumped by Hasler and given a good talking-to.

Moses Suli was dropped by Manly after regaining 5kg. (AAP)

THE MOLE: MANLY CHASING EELS STAR FOR NEXT SEASON

DE BELIN COMEBACK BID TO BE DENIED

Jack de Belin is poised to suffer another setback in his bid to resume his career, with the NRL set to reject a plea by the suspended Dragons forward to play in the NSW Cup.

The Rugby League Players Association is backing de Belin in his bid to have a run in the second-tier competition and there are precedents - most notably Russell Packer, who was allowed to play in the NSW Cup after he completed a jail term in 2015 but was still banned from returning to the NRL.

De Belin has been stood down indefinitely in the wake of sexual assault charges and my mail is the NRL won’t back down on their stance.

The case returns to the Federal Court on April 15 but is likely to last for many months, with de Belin’s career to remain in limbo until the case is settled.

Jack de Belin. (AAP)

HOLD YOUR HORSES, BRONCOS FANS

Those Broncos fans who are starting to press the panic button after the disastrous start to the Anthony Seibold era, take a deep breath.

Seibold was in an almost identical position exactly 12 months ago in his rookie coaching season at Souths, losing three of his first five games.

Seibold totally changed the way the Rabbitohs played - just as he has with the Broncos - and the players took time to adjust.

But adjust they did, winning 11 of their next 12 games just when Souths fans were also on the verge of panic.

The Rabbitohs finished third on the ladder and a game short of the grand final. Seibold has the knowledge to get this under-performing Broncos side back on track - and soon.

Anthony Seibold (R) with Darius Boyd. (AAP)

LEEDS FULLBACK ON NRL RADAR

Teenage Leeds fullback Jack Walker is the latest player to attract the attention of NRL clubs.

Although only 19, Walker is rated among the best fullbacks in Super League and has at least two Aussie clubs on his tail.

The youngster won a Super League championship with Leeds at just 17 and while his kicking in general play is a little inconsistent, he is a special talent who Leeds will find hard to retain.

With fullback becoming one of the game’s key positions in the 2010s, Walker will command big money if he decides to come to the NRL.