Skipper Andrew Ryan, along with Corey Payne, Gary Warburton and Danny Williams, toured the hospital yesterday after visiting schools as part of the NRL’s Community Carnival.

*HAVE A LISTEN: Ben Walker talks to Bulldogs star and Dubbo boy Andrew Ryan*

Jeremiah has been laid up with an infection in his leg and his mum Kirsty said her little boy was devastated when he thought he had missed the chance to see his football heroes.

“He goes to Dubbo North Primary School and the players visited there on Monday,” she said. “But luckily they came to the hospital as well.”

For Ryan, the visit was a chance to brighten up the day for some fellow Dubbo-ites.

“There’s not many kids in here which is good in a way, but it was good to see Jeremiah and good for him to have a smile on his face because he’s been doing it a bit tough,” Ryan said.