Bulldog’s Bite: Dean Ritchie reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights

Sharks superstar Nicho Hynes was just starting his pre-season holiday on the Sunshine Coast when he was forced to bail on his Airbnb - but he had a very good reason. Bulldog’s highlights, lowlights.

Nathan Cleary. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Dean Ritchie reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights in sport column, Bulldog’s Bite.

HIGHLIGHT

Kangaroos prop Lindsay Collins joining workers at Sydney’s Gateway Project to discuss the importance of workplace mental health and suicide prevention. The building trade suffers the highest rate of suicide of any industry in Australia.

LOWLIGHT

The long wait until the 2024 season. None of us wanted the NRL to end after last weekend’s epic grand final but there’s 145 sleeps until we kick off on March 2 in Las Vegas.

SPOTTED

Former NSW coach Brad Fittler at the rugby union World Cup in France with son Zach, a rising rugby league and union star.

SPOTTED II

Four-time world boxing champion Jeff Fenech dining with infamous real-life Mafioso, Michael Franzese, once described among the 50 biggest mob bosses in the US, at Elements, Haberfield. Franzese is in Sydney on a public speaking tour with former detective chief inspector Gary Jubelin.

Gary Jubelin, Michael Franzese and Jeff Fenech.

SPOTTED III

Former champion Raiders players Laurie Daley, Gary Belcher, David Furner, Steve Walters, Bradley Clyde, David Barnhill, Phil Carey and Ashley Gilbert - along with ex-Canberra coach Tim Sheens - enjoying a Sydney harbour cruise.

SPOTTED IV

Sonny Bill Williams meeting English football royalty David Beckham at the Qatar F1 Grand Prix. SBW posted: “F1 with this legend. Nice to meet with you brother.”

F1 with this legend! nice to meet you brother ✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/JIInV1r28N

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) October 7, 2023

SPOTTED V

Leading racing identity Ken Callander, top NRL player agent Steve ‘Chimes’ Gillis and our own Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield enjoying a seafood platter at iconic Bondi Icebergs.

SHOOSH

Which often-maligned NRL star was due to start a tough training program with a well-known sportsman but failed to turn up?

SHOOSH

Nicho Hynes was hoping for some cheeky compensation when called away from his off-season Queensland holiday to represent the Kangaroos. Hynes posted on social media: “Would anyone like to take my two night Airbnb in Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast? I paid $750 but will give it to you for $500!”

Nicho Hynes has had to change his holiday plans.

Nicho Hynes was called up to the Kangaroos.

Originally published as Bulldog’s Bite: Dean Ritchie reveals his weekend highlights and lowlights