The Tigers have called for a review of the rule that will rob boom five-eighth Lachlan Galvin of the Dally M Rookie of the Year award.
Galvin – the standout new player to hit the NRL scene this season – would be a certainty to take out the prestigious award.
But in the fine print of the Dally Ms, there is a rule that states players are automatically out of the running for an award if they are suspended for two or more matches.
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Galvin took an early guilty plea for a hip-drop tackle early in the season, sitting out two games… and ruling him out of contention for the award that even fans of rival clubs will admit he deserves.
"We don't make the rules and I don't want to kick up a massive stink but it is disappointing because Lachlan is a great kid and anything but a dirty player," Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson told Wide World of Sports.
"It's a hard call that he's not Rookie of the Year.
"It's something of an anomaly in the rules and it would be good if they could look at it for the future.
"One thing I will say though – Lachlan will win the Dally M Medal at some stage in the future – that's how good a player he is."
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Galvin spurred the Tigers to their fine upset win over Manly last week and his coach Benji Marshall also had his say on the youngster.
"What does Rookie of the Year even mean, anyway? The notoriety of winning it, what does that actually do for you?" Marshall said.
"What he's shown and proven is that he belongs in first grade, and that's more important than an award, to me.
"He's a pleasure to coach, he never complains, and what you tell him, he takes it on board.
"If you give him a bit of time, he could be something very special."
CLUBS CHASING Q CUP STAR
Several NRL clubs are in the market for an exciting edge forward from Norths Devils in Brisbane.
Cooper Jenkins, a former Australian Schoolboys representative, has been in fine form in the Queensland Cup this season.
The 23-year-old learned his footy in the Newcastle Knights system before making the move to Brisbane over the past couple of seasons.
Jenkins played alongside the likes of Phoenix Crossland and Bradman Best in the Knights juniors and it wouldn't surprise to see him return home now he has made his mark in senior football in the highly competitive Q Cup.
DOUBTS OVER PNG FRANCHISE
Former Kangaroo players aren't sure the current crop of NRL stars will enjoy the prospect of playing for the new Papua New Guinea franchise – or even playing against them when they enter the NRL premiership.
One ex-Test star still cringes when he thinks back on his PNG experience before a Test match in Port Moresby a few years ago.
"We flew in, the team bus took us straight to the hotel and we were told we weren't allowed out the front door," the player, who preferred not to be named, told Wide World of Sports.
"A few days earlier a lady was robbed and had her arm chopped off on the main street, so they didn't have to tell us twice.
"We couldn't wait to get out of the place! Good luck to the blokes they sign – better them than me!"
BENNETT PUPIL SET TO EXPLODE
When Wayne Bennett takes a player with him to a new club, you know he has to be something special.
So Souths officials are excited at the prospect of middle forward Lachlan Hubner joining their ranks next season.
A 24-year-old middle forward from Queensland, Hubner has already played three NRL games at the Dolphins this year and looked right at home in top company.
He possesses all the traits of a Bennett player – he's a solid citizen off the field, works hard on it and has a great motor.
One to watch at the new-look Rabbitohs in 2025.
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