Monday Dog: Dean Ritchie reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights
Benji Marshall’s influence at Wests Tigers is having an immediate effect, with the club on the cusp of securing a major signing. Dean Ritchie’s weekend highlights and lowlights.
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I keep hearing Wests Tigers are ready to make a splash in rugby league’s player market over the next week.
Multiple sources are claiming the club is poised to sign Panthers winger Charlie Staines while also ready to announce Aaron Woods from the Dragons on a one-year deal.
After a 12-month stint, his homecoming, Woods could then possibly shift into a front office job at the Tigers.
And Parramatta’s Nathan Brown continues to be linked with Wests Tigers. Don’t be surprised if that move is also announced shortly.
The wait has been agonising but maybe, just maybe, good times lie ahead for Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall and Wests Tigers.
Is Latrell rugby league’s most gifted?
I have covered rugby league for 35 years in the cutthroat Sydney media.
Through those decades, I have watched, interviewed, admired and reported on many of rugby league’s greatest.
There’s been Brett Kenny, Laurie Daley, Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Wally Lewis, Bradley Clyde, Johnathan Thurston, big Blocker Roach, Mal Meninga, Cam Smith, Darren Lockyer, Greg Inglis…where do I stop?
But I cannot recall too many players that possess the raw natural talent of Latrell Mitchell. My goodness, what a gifted player.
The sublime and subtle skills, the power, instinctiveness, vision, sleight of hand – he is a master.
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Yes, Latrell can turn angry on the field – he doesn’t win too many friends - but the competitive fire that burns inside can never be doused.
Kenny was the most natural player I have ever seen. A mesmerising Eel who was born to play rugby league. Jarryd Hayne had many of the same skills.
But Mitchell can do things on the footy field others wouldn’t dare attempt. His capabilities far outweigh the average player. I have no absolutely no doubt Mitchell can carry Souths on his shoulders to this year’s grand final.
Mitchell is a player who will be discussed one day among the all-time champions of our game. He is something special.
HIGHLIGHT
I was really pleased for Dragons coach Anthony Griffin on Friday night. A bold win over Manly should ease – for now at least – the scrutiny he endured last week. As always, Griffin took the speculation about his job calmly, refusing to become uptight or cranky at the innuendo. Griffin knew he had the backing of the board – and it’s all that mattered.
LOWLIGHT
The player or players leaking information to the media out of St George Illawarra’s camp. If you’re the player doing this, be very careful because big Craig Young – the club chairman - is hunting you down. Have you ever seen Albert’s face when he’s angry?
SHOOSH
Which former NSW player from a massive Sydney club has fallen out so badly with his head coach that the pair are no longer on speaking terms? This won’t end well.
SHOOSH
A former Origin star who was playing Super League wants to come home for a final season – and has already attracted interest from one high-profile Sydney club.
SHOOSH
Which NRL star – and we’re talking big name here - shelled out more than $4m to buy a mansion in Sans Souci over the weekend?
SHOOSH
Which former NRL stars and journos have been hand-picked to appear in a documentary about North Sydney and Kiwi great Mark Graham? The doco – titled Sharko - is due for release in the mid-2023.
SHOOSH
A big-name player from a Queensland club wants to move to Sydney. He has another year remaining on his current deal but has told mates he wants to try his luck with a successful club in the Harbour City.
SPOTTED
A host of current and former footy stars attended a La Perouse rugby league fundraiser on Friday including Sam Burgess, Laurie Daley, Blake Taaffe, Jed Cartwright, Cody Walker, Lloyd Walker, Russell Fairfax and Sean Garlick.
SPOTTED
Two Sea Eagles greats opposed each other in the Shute Shield derby between Manly and Warringah on Saturday. Geoff Toovey is an assistant coach at the Rats while Phil Blake is head coach of the Marlins.
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