Dean Ritchie’s 2024 NRL predictions: Doggie’s Dally M bombshell

DEAN RITCHIE’S scorching 2024 predictions include a high-profile signing thriving at his new club after years of pain at the Wests Tigers.

A shock grand final winner, a bolter for the Dally M Medal, a Hollywood star to rekindle his love of rugby league and a star veteran to be dumped as NSW skipper.

A returning coach to triumph and a long-running public media feud to end in an infamous Chinese restaurant.

Let’s play clairvoyant. These are the biggest, boldest and cheekiest predictions for 2024.

1 LUKE BROOKS TO WIN DALLY M MEDAL

Maligned at Concord, lauded at Brookvale. Brooks is yet to play finals during his 10-year, 205-game NRL-career

But that’s about to change. Brooks is about to rise to a new elite level and drive Manly deep into the finals.

He will thrive with DCE inside and Turbo outside. The Dally M Medal looms for this vilified playmaker.

Dean Ritchie is backing Luke Brooks for the Dally M. Picture: Jeremy Piper

2 BUZZ AND GUS END THEIR FEUD

Gus Gould and Buzz Rothfield – the man who fills these esteemed pages through the NRL season – have been going hard at one-another publically for years but next season will bring peace.

The pair will be spotted dining and laughing over a dim sim and Sauv Blanc inside The Dynasty Chinese at Canterbury Leagues Club.

Strangely, a News Ltd photographer is coincidently nearby with the exclusive photo to, ironically, appear in Buzz’s much-read News Corp column.

Phil “Buzz” Rothfield and Phil “Gus” Gould have a longstanding rivalry. Picture: Brett Costello

3 TEDDY’S TIME IS UP

The crystal ball suggests James Tedesco’s time as NSW fullback and skipper may come to end after a glorious rep career.

Cam Murray will be the Blues’ new skipper with Dylan Edwards to take over as NSW fullback.

Teddy copped some unfair criticism this year and should be remembered as one of the great representative fullbacks of his era.

4 SOUTH SYDNEY TO SHOCK THE NRL

This will be premiership No.22.

After fading badly during late 2023, Souths will be back for a more successful – and resilient – crack at another title.

Latrell, Cody, Cam, Jai Arrow, Damien Cook, Alex Johnston, Campbell Graham, Keaon Koloamatangi and now Jack Wighton – look out, this is South Sydney’s year. Glory, glory.

Dean Ritchie says Shane Flanagan will turn the Dragons around. Picture: Richard Dobson

5 THIS IS FLANNO’S TIME

Returning as a head coach, Shane Flanagan will push his St George Illawarra side into the finals.

He will give the club grunt, credibility and respect.

I’m tipping Flanagan can lead Saints to week two of the finals and claim the Dally M coach of the year award. It will be some story.

Arnold Schwarzenegger packs down in a scrum in 1974 against Laurie Freier, Elwyn Walters and Arthur Beetson as Eastern Suburbs coach Jack Gibson looks on.

6 ARNIE’S BACK

Is Vegas ready for more Hollywood glamour and muscle?

Arnold Schwarzenegger was famously photographed in 1974 training with Eastern Suburbs.

Immortal Arthur Beetson, supercoach Jack Gibson and others were pictured with Arnie.

In a left-field prophecy, Schwarzenegger – the former professional bodybuilder – could now return to the Roosters by helping promote rugby league’s historic double-header along with Hollywood heavyweights Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman in Las Vegas next March.

Originally published as Dean Ritchie’s 2024 NRL predictions: Doggie’s Dally M bombshell