Phil Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights: Fletch & Hindy go head-to-head drive-time radio-ratings showdown

Legendary Fox Sports duo Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh will go head-to-head in a drive-time radio-ratings showdown - and Fletch made sure it will be a spicy clash.

Fletch & Hindy on the Matty Johns show on Fox Sports have now become Fletch v Hindy in a drive-time radio-ratings showdown.

Bryan Fletcher recently signed a new three-year contract on SEN at the same time as Nathan Hindmarsh joined Triple M in the same afternoon timeslot.

In the last radio ratings survey in the drive slot, Triple M was rating a 7.8 to SEN’s 3.1, not that old Eels warhorse Hindy can take any credit because he hadn’t started.

Fletcher is remarkably confident for someone so far behind.

“We’ll mow him down,” Fletch declared, “similar to his career where he never won anything … including a premiership.”

Bryan Fletcher and Nathan Hindmarsh will be on the sideline for Kayo Sports at Magic Round. Credit: Phil Hillyard.

Hindmarsh refused to get involved in a slanging match.

“Are you trying to drive a wedge between Bryan and I,” he asked, “Bryan and I are great friends. We call and facetime each other late at night when our wives are asleep and chat for hours.

“We can rely on each other for honest advice, just the other day he showed me some ugly sores and I told him he should try some Bepanthen cream.

“Bryan has done an outstanding job on that am radio station and he thoroughly deserves his contract extension. I’m just a poor bloke from the west who Triple M has given a chance at changing the world.”

HIGHLIGHT

In the old days when your team trailed by 20 points in an NRL game, you’d turn the TV off or head for the car park. Now you strap yourself in for the rollercoaster ride that is rugby league in 2025. The comeback victories of the Titans from 20 points down, the Rabbitohs from 14-0 down and the Bulldogs from 20 points down were amazing. Even the Cowboys got a draw against the Panthers after twice being 12 points down. These comeback wins have been happening all year.

LOWLIGHT

Cronulla’s salary cap mess has left the Sharks in a position where they are not in a position right now to make an offer to their best player this year - fullback Will Kennedy – who is off contract at the end of the season. They need to sort this out ASAP.

SHOOSH

Even if veteran Jake Trbojevic makes the 17-man NSW State of Origin squad this year, it’s unlikely he will retain the captaincy. That job is expected to go to champion lock Isaah Yeo who did such a great job as skipper of the Kangaroos under Mal Meninga last year.

SHOOSH

The Broncos did their best to hide the fact they went on a Sydney Harbour cruise on Anthony Bell’s luxury cruiser before Friday night’s shock loss to the injury-ravaged Rabbitohs. Players were told they were not to post any photos from the harbour on social media.

Michael Maguire is feeling the pressure.

SPOTTED

Sharks chairman Steve Mace chatting to ex-PM Scott Morrison at the London airport baggage arrivals. Mace is apparently there to watch his beloved Liverpool v Arsenal over the weekend. Shame he didn’t get his timing right to see them lift the trophy.

SPOTTED

The Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm farewelled retiring centre Justin Olam before the kick off at AAMI Park. Olam had six seasons at Storm and one at the Wests Tigers before the PNG star was forced into a medical retirement with a knee injury.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and Brent Read to discuss all the major issues from another great round of rugby league.

Originally published as Phil Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights: Fletch & Hindy go head-to-head drive-time radio-ratings showdown