Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

Ben Lovett joins Chiming In to share his powerful rugby league journey, from growing up in Parkes and chasing an NRL dream, to breaking through at South Sydney before a devastating knee injury changed everything.Ben opens up on the physical and emotional reality of rehabilitation, being advised to medically retire, the support of his family and South Sydney, and finding a new purpose through coaching, community work and mentoring young players.⏱️ TIMECODES0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In2:20 — Growing up in Parkes, sport and a love of rugby league6:00 — Being spotted and moving to Sydney to chase the dream11:30 — Finding his feet at South Sydney20:00 — Working through the grades and earning his opportunity24:20 — NRL debut, family support and Sam Burgess’ influence26:30 — The NSW Cup grand final and the devastating knee injury30:15 — Diagnosis, surgery and the long rehabilitation process33:20 — When medical retirement became a real possibility35:10 — Souths Cares, community work and finding purpose during rehab37:00 — Wayne Bennett’s difficult but honest retirement conversation40:00 — Trying to return, telling his family and accepting the decision42:00 — Transitioning into coaching at South Sydney45:40 — Mentoring young players and life in the player house50:30 — Mental health, grief and asking for support52:00 — Ben’s advice for young players and parents54:10 — Living without regret and looking ahead

Terry Kennedy joins Chiming In for a brilliant trip through his career in Australian sport and mediaFrom growing up around greyhound tracks with his father Frank Kennedy, to learning the ropes in regional newsrooms and calling almost 200 NRL games, TK shares the stories, characters and moments that shaped his career.He also reflects on working alongside some of sport’s biggest names, his love of racing, unforgettable trips to Hong Kong, South Africa and Royal Ascot, plus the changing landscape of Australian racing and sports media.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In1:30 — Terry Kennedy’s early media days and radio stories6:00 — Growing up as a punter and life around the racetrack10:00 — Frank Kennedy, greyhound racing and family memories15:00 — School, rugby league and Terry’s first break in journalism20:00 — Early newsroom disasters and finding his feet on air25:00 — Queensland sport, Wally Lewis and league’s great characters30:00 — Calling nearly 200 NRL games and the arrival of pay TV35:00 — Covering sport: commentary boxes, sideline reporting and TV memories40:00 — Wild racing stories from South Africa and country race days45:00 — Melbourne Cup memories, Hong Kong and Royal Ascot50:00 — The future of racing, ownership and wagering55:00 — Sporting icons, Greg Norman and media’s big personalities1:00:30 — Wayne Bennett, final stories and wrap-up

Come inside the world of player agent and Chiming In presenter Steve Gillis as he gives us a bird’s-eye view into the deals, drama and decision-making behind the NRL player market.Having worked in rugby league as a journalist and player agent for almost 45 years, Chimes brings his trademark honesty and insight to Part 2 of this wide-ranging conversation.In this episode, Chimes breaks down Penrith’s player-market outlook, Tolutau Koula’s future at Manly, Melbourne’s expected bounce-back and whether Cronulla’s premiership window is closing.Plus, he explains the realities of Super League money, what went wrong at the Wests Tigers, Phil Gould’s role at the Bulldogs, the possibility of R360 returning, Laurie Daley’s Origin pressure, third-party deals, notional value and how agents support players through crises.It’s raw, revealing and a fascinating insight into how the rugby league player market really works.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Coming Up00:45 — Intro01:30 — Penrith’s November Player-Market Outlook03:10 — Tolutau Koula, Manly and Anthony Seibold06:12 — Melbourne Storm’s Rebuild07:30 — Is Cronulla’s Premiership Window Closing?09:05 — Cameron McInnes and the Reality of Super League Money10:35 — What Went Wrong at Wests Tigers?11:40 — Bulldogs, Phil Gould and Roster Changes13:20 — R360: Can the Rebel Competition Return?15:16 — Laurie Daley, Origin Pressure and the Media17:59 — Unsigned Players and Contract Pressure20:03 — Adam Ritson’s Remarkable Story25:03 — Should the NRL Invest in Super League?28:40 — Las Vegas, Global Round and NRL Expansion30:38 — Third-Party Deals Explained32:58 — Notional Value and Salary-Cap Scrutiny35:46 — What It Takes to Become an NRL Player Agent39:20 — How Agents Handle Player Crises42:14 — Steve on Podcasting, Media and the Future47:04 — Wrap-Up

Come inside the world of player agent and Chiming In presenter Steve Gillis as he gives us a bird’s-eye view into the deals, thrills and spills he’s overseen this season.Having worked in rugby league as a journalist and player agent for almost 45 years, Chimes knows the ins and outs of the game as well as anyone.In this episode of Chiming In, he gives us an inside look at Sam Walker’s future, how Adam Reynolds’ send-off was bungled, what’s next for Josh Papalii, and why the Dragons’ Couchman twins put their negotiations on hold.Plus, Chimes unpacks PNG’s recruitment plans, the Perth expansion challenge, player retirement funds, the coach market, and why smart recruitment is the key to sustained NRL success.It’s raw, revealing and a fascinating insight into how a player agent goes about his business.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Intro01:49 — Adam Reynolds’ Retirement and Brisbane Exit06:50 — Sam Walker’s Roosters Future17:01 — Hugo Savala’s Roosters Loyalty18:53 — DCE’s Career Crossroads19:48 — PNG’s Recruitment Plans: Alex Johnston & Zac Lomax26:41 — Alex Johnston’s South Sydney Exit That Never Happened28:54 — Perth’s Marquee Player Challenge31:10 — Can the NRL Sustain a 20th Team?34:21 — Preparing Players for Retirement36:07 — How the NRL Retirement Fund Works40:56 — How Player Agents Find and Sign Talent42:48 — Dane Gagai’s Move to Brisbane44:46 — How Clubs Land Marquee Players: Ben Hunt46:25 — Why the Couchman Twins Paused Negotiations50:43 — Dean Young’s Coaching Journey55:28 — Do NRL Coaches Need Agents?59:56 — Should the NRL Add a Second New Zealand Team?60:55 — Parramatta’s Recruitment Challenge62:24 — Scott Drinkwater’s Cowboys Exit65:35 — Brisbane, Madge McGuire & the Broncos’ Future68:50 — Newcastle’s Turnaround69:50 — Justin Holbrook’s Coaching Revival70:27 — Are the Dolphins the Expansion Blueprint?71:38 — Titans Recruitment, Roster Management & Penrith’s Dynasty73:51 — Wrap-Up

Inside Jai’s Journey.South Sydney CEO Blake Solly has been front and centre since news of Jai Arrow’s battle with Motor Neurone Disease began.In this episode of Chiming In, Solly shares insight into Jai’s courage and the way he has inspirationally lifted his teammates this season.He also reveals how coach Wayne Bennett was instrumental in ensuring Arrow was credited with 100 NRL games for the Bunnies — and how Souths pitched the idea to the NRL.But there’s more. Solly openly discusses:- The signing of Payne Haas- The futures of Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell- Why the NRL should invest in Super League- The new CBA- Wayne Bennett’s use-by date- Souths legend Nathan Merritt and his battle with cancer- South Sydney’s premiership chancesIt’s a must-watch episode for every rugby league fan — not just Rabbitohs supporters.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Intro: Inside Jai’s Journey1:45 - Jai Arrow’s MND Diagnosis & the Rugby League Community’s Response6:00 - Jai’s 100-Game Milestone & the Emotional Gold Coast Tribute9:30 - Payne Haas: How Souths Got the Deal Done14:00 - Why the NRL Should Invest in Super League17:30 - Wayne Bennett’s Role in Jai Arrow’s 100th NRL Game20:00 - Souths’ Culture, Facilities & Building a Lasting Club26:00 - Souths Cares, Nathan Merritt & Supporting Former Players30:00 - Does Wayne Bennett Have a Use-By Date?32:00 - Cody Walker & Latrell Mitchell’s Futures34:00 - NRL Expansion and Funding Club Pathways38:00 - Can South Sydney Win the Premiership?40:00 - The New CBA and Player Payments46:00 - Why Financially Strong Clubs Matter48:00 - Souths’ Stance on Gambling Sponsorships50:00 - Making Rugby League More Accessible for Kids52:00 - John Sutton’s Ongoing Role at Souths

Tim Gilbert has covered two Olympics, US golf majors, the Commonwealth Games and 11 years producing the Sunday Footy Show — but he started out earning nine grand a year at a tiny radio station in Goulburn, and very nearly lost the job in his first few months.Gilbert takes us from his early days growing up as one of six kids in Guildford, through a thousand dollars' worth of job applications that finally landed him a start at 2GN, to the night he slept through his alarm and left the Goulburn rural news off the air for nine minutes. He shares stories from three decades in Sydney media — stripping off on the Today Show, playing schoolboy rugby league alongside Greg Alexander, and the chaos of live TV crosses gone wrong.There are big names throughout too: a Kerry Packer safari-suit blow-up, a first-class seat next to a food-averse Tony Greig on the way home from covering cricket in India, and the story behind Beanies for Brain Cancer, born from the loss of his Channel 9 colleague Matt Calendar. Gilbert also opens up on leaving Nine "in the most public fashion" and why he has no regrets about any of it.In this episode of Chiming In, Tim Gilbert looks back on a career that took him from a country radio booth to some of the biggest stages in sport and media.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro 01:36 - Welcome: Tim Gilbert joins Chiming In 02:04 - A career across the Today Show, Olympics and more 03:06 - Growing up half-Lebanese in Guildford, one of six kids 04:26 - A thousand dollars applying for radio jobs 05:06 - Landing his first gig at 2GN Goulburn 06:25 - The night he slept through the rural news 18:57 - Radio and TV bloopers, and taking his shirt off on the Today Show 20:22 - Playing schoolboy rugby league, and missing "the tackle" 21:54 - Eleven years producing the Sunday Footy Show 23:09 - Reading the news, and the chaos of live crosses 24:48 - Coat and tie above the desk, thongs below 32:08 - Covering cricket in India, and the "cream rises to the top" upgrade 39:19 - Kerry Packer, and the origin of Beanies for Brain Cancer 40:44 - A love of Sound of Music and Willy Wonka 43:03 - Life now: Lead Story, NSWRL and life after Nine 44:37 - Leaving Nine in the most public fashion 45:33 - No regrets along the way 46:13 - Wrap-up