Phil Rothfield

Phil Rothfield is a retired Australian sports journalist who covered rugby league for The Daily Telegraph, writing the long-running column 'What's the Buzz'. He retired from News Corp Australia in January 2026 after a 50-year career that began as a cadet in 1976. Rothfield has been first to reach Cap Dramas with two contract stories this season, and has carried three in all. The latest, on 15 August: Matt Burton linked with Perth Bears move. Posts as @BuzzRothfield.

Journalist · The Daily Telegraph · @BuzzRothfield

Against the field

• Scoops: 2 · mid 2 · 36th · 11 of 22
• Early: 0 · mid 0 · 36th · 7 of 22
• Stories carried: 3 · mid 9.5 · 5th · 21 of 22
• Heat: 7.2 · mid 12.9 · 20th · 18 of 22

Aug 2026

1 scoop · 0 early · 1 carried

• 15 Aug — Preston re-signs with Bulldogs long-term (carried) · X · Jacob Preston · Bulldogs
• 15 Aug — Matt Burton linked with Perth Bears move (first) · X · Matt Burton · Bulldogs

Jul 2026

1 scoop · 0 early · 0 carried

• 10 Jul — Jarome Luai granted early release from Tigers (first) · X · Jarome Luai · Wests Tigers