Our Journalists

Dean “Bulldog’” Ritchie has covered rugby league at The Daily Telegraph, and now CODE Sports as well, for 33 years. From the Super League war to NRL grand finals, State of Origin clashes and World Cups, Bulldog has written about the biggest issues in the game and broken many of the most important stories.

@BulldogRitchie

Dean Ritchie

Latest

UpdatedSuperCoach

NRL 2025 RD14 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels - Lachlan Galvin

Early Mail: Bulldogs backflip on Galvin demotion

Lachlan Galvin has been recalled to Canterbury’s starting line-up while a number of key players are in doubt for round 20. See the updated early mail inside.

NRL

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley looks on during a NSW Blues State of Origin squad training session at Accor Stadium on July 07, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

‘Scratching my head’: Daley opens up on shock Origin loss

Almost a week after NSW’s shock defeat in the State of Origin decider, Laurie Daley has addressed the Blues series defeat and what went wrong.

UpdatedSuperCoach

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Tino FaÃ¢â¬â¢asuamaleaui of the Titans reacts during the round 17 NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium, on June 29, 2025, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

NRL Late Mail: Tino benched, Haas rested

Plenty of Sunday team changes with Titans star Tino Fa’asumaleaui benched, Broncos prop Payne Haas ruled out and a host of associated changes.

NRL

July 9, 2025. State of Origin game 3, in Sydney. Blues looking dejected down 3 tries. Picture: NRL Photos

Inside Blues’ ugly post-mortem: What was said in the sheds

The Blues were left shattered and stunned in the wake of their horror loss in the Origin decider, prompting an unscripted honesty session in the dressing room in which the players apologised to the coaching staff.

NRL

‘We weren’t good enough’: NSW blew it big time

The Blues will spend the next 12-months wondering what the hell went wrong, as Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater orchestrated a remarkable comeback to beat NSW on their home turf.

NRL

First NSW State of Origin RL team 1980 (L-R back row) Robert Stone, Graeme Wynn, Bob Cooper, Greg Brentnall, Mick Cronin & Graham Eadie, (middle row) Ted Glossop (Coach), Jim Leis, Gary Hambly, Steve Rogers, Chris Anderson & Alf Richards (Trainer), (front row) Terry Parker (Manager), Steve Edge, Craig Young, Tommy (Tom) Raudonikis (C), Alan Thompson, Steve Martin & John Fleming (Manager). Rugby League / Teams archived

Guard of honour: Original Blues’ inspirational act for Sydney decider

NSW’s courageous State of Origin pioneers will welcome the current generation of Blues heroes onto the field in Origin III, hoping to inspire a courageous series victory.

NRL

Expert tips & bold predictions: Maroon to resign, Blue immortalised

The results are in. Our experts have made their tips and bold predictions ahead of the Origin III decider, with one going as far to call on Billy Slater to stand down if Queensland lose the series.

NRL

The good, bad and ugly from 100 games of Origin coverage

Dean Ritchie is raising the bat for his 100th game of State of Origin coverage. In that time he’s witnessed epic games, sad times, icons in their prime and a fair share of shocking moments. He reveals the most memorable.

PollMaroons

Daley, Beetson, Tallis: Greatest Indigenous Origin side ever

Players with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage have dominated rugby league’s highest level for decades. We reveal the greatest combined Indigenous State of Origin side. VOTE HERE

NRL

News/sport 11/6/1985. Game two of the rugby league State of Origin series, Queensland vs New South Wales at Lang Park. NSW won 21-14. Captain Steve Mortimer chaired by teammates after NSW went 2-0 up in the series.

Win it for Turvey: The 40-year legacy spurring on the Blues

This Origin series celebrates the 40-year anniversary of the year Blues icon Steve ‘Turvey’ Mortimer led NSW to its first-ever series triumph. Key players share their memories of the game and why the 2025 NSW team can win the decider.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/dean-ritchie/page/2