Buzz’s weekend highlights and lowlights: James Magnussen the dope, Shaggy shunned from SCG

Despite donning a $200,000 gold necklace, Jamaican music icon Shaggy was denied entry to the SCG members. Phil Rothfield reveals why in his weekend highlights and lowlights.

Shane Flanagan with players Jack Bird and Kyle Flanagan at a training session ahead of the 2024 NRL season. Picture: Richard Dobson

Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights for the week – shedding light Shane Flanagan’s embarrassing moment at a junior rep game, James Magnussen setting a disgraceful example and Shaggy being denied by the SCG members.

HIGHLIGHT

Super Bowl Monday and another Aussie, Mitch Wishnowsky, turning out for the San Francisco 49ers against the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas. The TV audience will be more than 120 million thanks to Taylor Swift and the tens of millions she will attract to the broadcast.

LOWLIGHT

James Magnussen is talking about making a comeback at the Enhanced Games which allows athletes to use performance enhancing drugs. Organisers are offering $1.5 million if he can break the 50-metre world record.

“I’ll juice to the gills and I’ll break it in six months,” he said. As the former great front-rower, Martin Lang, said over the weekend on social media: “A disgraceful example to set for children and aspiring young athletes.”

Shane Flanagan had to talk his way into the Kogarah Oval carpark.

SPOTTED

Shane Flanagan had to talk his way into the Kogarah Oval carpark for junior rep games on Saturday because someone forgot to put his name on the list and the attendant didn’t know who he was.

SPOTTED

The SCG members have always had strict dress regulations. Last weekend Jamaican rap legends Shaggy and Sean Paul turned up for the one-dayer to catch up with their mate Brian Lara, who was commentating for Fox Sports. It didn’t matter that Shaggy was wearing a $200,000 gold necklace. He had a rip in his jeans and was turned away.

Shaggy in his iconic It Wasn't Me video clip. Picture: YouTube

SPOTTED

Former NRL referee and touch judge Brian Barry celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family at Balgowlah RSL on Saturday. Fox Sports boss Patrick Delany and his family were among the guests.

Brian was a touch judge in five straight grand finals, including the Parramatta and St George 9-all draw in 1977.

Former referee and touch judge Brian Barry celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday.

SPOTTED

Parramatta Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown and Aussie cricket stars Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner at the Pink concert at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

SPOTTED

Carmelo Pesce, the Shire Mayor and likely replacement for ScoMo in the seat of Cook, mingling with a room full of influential guests and media types at the Ricky Stuart Foundation charity lunch at Doltone House on Friday.

He was a guest of ex-Mayor of Gunnamatta, the great Marty Downs and Shire legend Peter the Greek.

BIG BREKKY

Catch you this morning at 7.05am on the Big Sports Breakfast with Laurie Daley, Michael Clarke and Gerard Middleton to chat all things rugby league.

Originally published as Buzz’s weekend highlights and lowlights: James Magnussen the dope, Shaggy shunned from SCG