THE black dog of depression has claimed another big-name NRL star, with Cronulla, NSW and Australian frontrower Andrew Fifita recently checking into an eastern suburbs rehabilitation centre.

Sport Confidential has been told Fifita initially checked into a Shire-based facility after an incident on his brother David’s buck’s party in Brisbane last month, before later being transferred to an eastern suburbs clinic.

media_camera NRL player Andrew Fifita was forced into rehab to treat his depression.

A 116kg wrecking ball when fully focused on the field, the Kangaroos and NSW Origin frontrower has long been struggling with a number of inner demons.

As far back as the Kangaroos World Cup campaign in the UK last year, there was an incident involving the local authorities which the Australian team management did well to contain.

A hotel room in Manchester was damaged and the Australian frontrower was issued with a fine and forced to pay for the damages.

Alcohol is part of the issue, with Fifita occasionally losing control of his actions when he chooses to drink to excess.

media_camera Andrew Fifita is tackled by James Segeyaro and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in a clash against the Panthers.

Interestingly, Fifita was also a late withdrawal from an Auckland Nines promotion in Sydney 12 days ago.

This is when the frontrower is believed to have entered into a specialist facility. As part of his rehabilitation, the Sharks forward has been given permission to attend his brother David’s wedding in Thailand later this month.

Fifita’s management refused to comment but said he was no longer in the rehabilitation clinic.

CHARITY WALK IN HONOUR OF NATHAN

SOME of the biggest names in sport will take part in the “Walk for Nathan” event this Monday thanks to racing expert Richard Callander and his wife Kaye’s efforts to raise money for charity.

Named in honour of jockey Nathan Berry this year, some of the participants include his brother Tommy Berry, Daniel Geale, Home and Away actor Johnny Ruffo and ex-NRL and NSW Waratahs player Duncan McRae.

One of the most popular figures in the racing industry, Nathan Berry died unexpectedly in April of Norse syndrome, an acute form of epilepsy.

media_camera Charity walk for Nathan Berry. L-R: Jockey Tommy Berry, Home and Away actor Johnny Ruffo, Richie Callander and former Souths player Duncan McRae at the Theatre of the Horse at Randwick where the walk will finish.

This year more than 300 people will take part in the “4tracks4kids” walk, with the course set to run from Warwick Farm to Rosehill Gardens, Canterbury and then finish down the straight at Royal Randwick.

The Callanders are hoping to raise $400,000 for charities including the Sydney Hospital Network, Epilepsy Action Australia and the National Jockeys Trust.

“I get all the glory for being the front man but I do none of the work, my wife Kaye does all the heavy lifting,” Callander said. “She works 16 hours a day to make sure it comes together. I don’t know how she gets it all done.”

COOGEE LOCALS HECKLE BULLDOGS PAIR

CANTERBURY pair Josh Reynolds and Josh Jackson probably should have known better than to show their faces in Rabbitohs territory this week. The pair went for a dip at Coogee on Monday and were roundly heckled by the locals.

The other untold story of grand final week is the great friendship between ex-Melbourne Storm teammates Greg Inglis and Aiden Tolman, who are as thick as thieves.

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HULL Kingston Rovers are preparing to break the stalemate between Canberra and Terry Campese.

KR boss Mike Smith was Down Under last week, talking up his ­interest in the dumped Raiders skipper. KR’s push is somewhat ironic given their cross-town ­rivals, Hull FC, were poised to steal Campese until talks broke down in June.

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DON’T be surprised to see banned Sharks coach Shane Flanagan cleared to return some time in the next 10 days.

Flanagan has been telling mates in the Shire that he expects to be back at work next week, indicating a follow-up meeting with the NRL is imminent.

media_camera Suspended Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan is expected to be back at work next week.

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TRENT Hodkinson can only hope his post-season knee surgery is not too severe. The last thing Canterbury’s halfback needs is to be confined to crutches for his honeymoon, which will be taken in New York over Christmas.

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THERE were plenty of raised eyebrows when Daly Cherry-Evans was named Halfback of the Year on Tuesday night, despite Broncos No. 7 Ben Hunt polling more points. And some of the surprised types were from Manly, who did not award Cherry-Evans a ­single gong at their own awards night last month.

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THERE were shades of 1991 Rothmans Medallist Ewan McGrady on Tuesday afternoon when Eels winger Semi Radradra did not want to attend the Dally M Awards out of shyness.

Radradra was also booked on a flight back to Fiji that evening, but was talked out of skipping the country by Parramatta officials.

RIVAL CLUB LEGENDS TO BE OUT IN FORCE

THE guest list for Sunday’s sold out grand final at Sydney Olympic Park is a who’s

who of South Sydney and Canterbury-Bankstown royalty, with NSW premier Mike Baird and Australian Olympic Committee boss John Coates also set to be on hand at ANZ Stadium.

From the South Sydney Hall of Fame, Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote and John Sattler will be present.

From the Bulldogs, Steve Mortimer, Steve Folkes, Terry Lamb and Greg Brentnall will be decked in blue and white.

● DALLY M Medallist Johnathan Thurston will make his Fox Sports commentary debut at the grand final.

media_camera Johnathan Thurston joint winner of the 2014 Dally M Award held at The Star in Pyrmont. Picture: Richard Dobson

DOGS FANS STRIKE AGAIN

WE showed you last week how one cheeky Bulldogs fan had invaded Panthers territory armed with a cordless drill and a miniature Canterbury-Bankstown flag. Well, as this picture shows, the culprit was at it again this week.

media_camera A Bulldogs fan has attached a Bulldogs flag to Souths Juniors.

This time the target of the tongue-in-cheek banter was Souths Juniors at Kingsford, where the Doggies fan successfully drilled into the red and green heartland. Still on the Juniors, the club will play host to the South Sydney grand final luncheon today, when 350 guests, including the Souths legend who led the club to its last premiership in 1971, John Sattler, will attend.

WINNING

THE Australian Turf Club has come up with a brilliant promotion for Epsom Day at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Anyone with an NRL grand final ticket gets free entry to the racetrack.

With a wonderful day of racing lined up, it’s the perfect way to start the October long weekend.

An honourable mention goes to the NRL, which nailed the Dally M Awards entertainment when

Jessica Mauboy covered Pat Benatar’s All Fired Up.

media_camera Jessica Mauboy on the red carpet during the Dally M Awards ceremony.

DUNCE CAP

GRAND final week is all about handling pressure, and yet again ARLC chairman John Grant has dropped the ball.

In a gaffe to rival his Cronulla Hawks and Manly Seagulls blooper in April, Grant told Thursday’s grand final lunch that it had been a “long, long time” since two Sydney teams contested the decider.

We know a year is a long time in football, but seriously? The Roosters-Manly game. Hello?

SPOTTED

COOGEE hot spot Sauce has created plenty of headlines over the last month, with South Sydney superstar Greg Inglis the latest NRL star spotted dining at the venue. It was a family affair last Wednesday, when Inglis, wife Sally, baby Nate and GI’s parents all enjoyed a meal.

media_camera Raelene Castle celebrated her club’s entry into the grand final by attending a Robbie Williams concert.

BULLDOGS CEO Raelene Castle at Allphones Arena for last Sunday night’s Robbie Williams concert, celebrating her club’s entry into the grand final.

Elsewhere, on a not-so- victorious note, Sydney Swans stars Adam Goodes and Ted Richards were also spied looking a little worse for wear on Queen St in Woollahra last Tuesday.

The duo looked like they were still coming to terms with the Swans’ grand final capitulation against Hawthorn.