Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

Dave Trodden runs one of Australian sport's biggest and least understood organisations — the New South Wales Rugby League turns over more than $50 million a year, oversees 126,000 players across 700 clubs, and controls every competition in the state bar the NRL and NRLW.Trodden takes us inside the business of Origin: why Matt King was the right call to succeed Laurie Daley, whether Ivan Cleary has put his hand up for a future crack at the job, and why he expects Origin player payments to eventually double. He also opens up on protecting referees after a wave of public controversy, why bush footy is in far better shape than people think, and the extraordinary economic value the game's 40,000 volunteers add each year.It's not all boardroom talk, either — Trodden shares the story of falling in love with rugby league at Balmain's famous 1969 grand final upset, how he ended up on the Wests Tigers board almost by accident during the fractious merger years, and becoming chairman in time for the club's fairytale premiership win in 2005.In this episode of Chiming In, Dave Trodden gives a rare inside look at how the game is really run, from grassroots to Origin.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro01:25 - Welcome: NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden joins Chiming In02:14 - What people get wrong about the NSWRL02:54 - The Blues as one of Australia's biggest sporting brands03:48 - Matt King's appointment as Origin coach05:01 - Did Ivan Cleary put his hand up?10:41 - Why a club coach can't also coach Origin11:57 - Will Origin players push for a bigger pay packet?13:39 - A Monday morning inside NSWRL headquarters19:51 - Protecting referees, and the Tamworth suspension controversy21:01 - Is bush footy really dying?23:28 - Visiting Junee with Laurie Daley24:12 - Getting retired players back into country footy25:44 - The economic value of 40,000 volunteers28:08 - How Magic Round in Tamworth came about39:20 - Falling in love with rugby league at the 1969 grand final41:38 - Joining the Wests Tigers board almost by accident44:02 - Becoming chairman during the merger fallout45:21 - The fairytale run to the 2005 premiership53:43 - Origin scheduling, PNG games and jersey tweaks55:33 - Could City vs Country ever come back?56:31 - Does the job ever feel appreciated?58:29 - Wrap-up

Darryl Brohman OAM is back on Chiming In just over a year since his last appearance — and in that time he's fought off non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, his second cancer battle after prostate cancer a few years earlier.The Queensland Origin forward turned radio institution talks candidly about six rounds of chemo, losing his hair "everywhere," and the perspective he found sitting in a ward full of people going through the same thing — all delivered with the self-deprecating humour that's made him one of the game's most loved characters for the best part of 50 years.Brohman also looks back on winning the 1984 grand final with Canterbury after a move from Penrith, coaching reserve grade for Phil Gould at the Bulldogs, receiving his OAM for services to rugby league, and the racehorse syndicate he ran with Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart that paid off in Melbourne on Oaks Day.In this episode of Chiming In, the Big Marn opens up on health, humour, and half a century in the game he loves — proving why he's still one of the best gets in the business.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro01:32 - Welcome back: Darryl Brohman returns to Chiming In01:45 - Health update: beating cancer for a second time03:25 - How the diagnosis came about04:50 - Chemo, and finding perspective in the ward06:22 - Does a football career prepare you for something like this?09:54 - The line between commentator, expert and comic12:02 - Was he always the funny kid?13:06 - Prostate cancer, sleep apnea, and losing his sense of taste17:26 - Meeting Bev, and coaching reserve grade for Gus at the Bulldogs28:31 - Punting, and the racehorse he owned with Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart31:14 - Winning the 1984 grand final with the Bulldogs35:04 - Receiving his OAM for services to rugby league36:08 - Giving back through the Starlight Foundation39:17 - Copping a spray from Tim Sheens, and getting dropped42:00 - Backing Laurie Daley through the Origin scrutiny1:00:15 - Life after footy: the media career and finances1:01:20 - Wrap-up

Dean "Bulldog" Ritchie has covered rugby league for the Daily Telegraph for 37 years, breaking some of the game's biggest stories along the way — from a teenage cadet's first back-page scoop to the Bulldogs' secretly-photographed meeting with Jonathan Thurston.Ritchie takes us through how a chance work-experience placement turned into a career, the mentors who shaped him — including the legendary Peter "Chippy" Frilingos, whose sudden death at work in 2004 Ritchie still finds hard to talk about — and 37 years' worth of scoops, near-misses and colourful nights out, including the taxi door that put him in hospital.He also opens up on his 37-year friendship with Laurie Daley, the on-air Origin III prediction that turned out to be spot on, and life inside NRL 360 alongside some of the game's biggest personalities.In this episode of Chiming In, Bulldog shares stories from a career spent chasing the game he's loved since he was a kid waving a Roosters flag from the outer.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start 01:27 - Welcome: Dean "Bulldog" Ritchie joins Chiming In 02:11 - His schoolboy footy days and a near-miss at a Wallabies jumper 06:00 - Breaking into journalism through Bill Mordy 08:18 - Cutting his teeth at the Cumberland papers 09:40 - Landing the Daily Telegraph job on 1989 Grand Final day 11:06 - His mentors: "Chippy" Frilingos and "Buzz" Rothfield 15:38 - Chippy's sudden death, and being a pallbearer 18:25 - His first scoop: "Saints Sack Craig Young" 22:09 - The Bulldogs-Thurston scoop, and other big stories 24:23 - Friends and foes in rugby league 25:53 - Building a 37-year friendship with Laurie Daley 36:52 - The night a taxi door put him in hospital 38:41 - Covering rugby league around the world 39:52 - The Perth Bears trip that cost Mal Meninga $20K 45:38 - Backing Laurie Daley, and the Origin III prediction that came true 47:58 - Inside NRL 360, and copping a spray on air 48:33 - Sunday mornings on the Big Sports Breakfast 53:28 - 37 years at the Daily Telegraph 54:51 - Social media, and whether the nastiness is new 57:49 - Expansion: Christchurch vs Brisbane for team 20 59:56 - Should the NRL buy English Super League? 01:01:18 - Wrap-up

Peter Sharp is one of rugby league's most respected and longest-serving coaching minds — over 40 years in the game, and the man widely credited with discovering and shaping a young Andrew and Matthew Johns at the Newcastle Knights.From playing days at Maitland in the 1970s and a colourful path through Central Charlestown, England and Newcastle's junior system, Sharp went on to become an NRL head coach at Manly, an assistant to Craig Bellamy at Melbourne, and later took Hull FC on a 13-game winning streak in England before switching codes entirely to coach Ulster in rugby union. These days he's back in the NRL working alongside Phil Gould at the Canterbury Bulldogs.Sharp opens up on discovering a teenage Joey Johns, the night out that nearly cost the Jersey Flegg side a game, getting sacked and picked straight back up by Craig Bellamy, and the toughest and funniest moments from four decades on the sideline — plus a candid word on mental health and the Black Dog Institute.In this episode of Chiming In, Peter shares stories from a career that's taken him from suburban rugby league grounds to Belfast, and reflects on what's changed in the game he's given his life to.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start01:01 - Rugby league royalty: introducing Peter Sharp01:35 - Phil Gould's tribute and the Gus friendship07:29 - The Brian Smith interview and the "beef and pickle sandwich" job08:35 - Growing up in Maitland, playing on the weight13:11 - The 1977 grand final and a 30,000-strong crowd14:06 - Injury, and backpacking to England17:15 - Meeting Andrew and Matthew Johns at Newcastle19:28 - The infamous night out before a Balmain game21:21 - Rising to reserve grade and a premiership23:39 - Becoming Manly head coach after Bob Fulton's shock resignation26:22 - The Northern Eagles "messy flop"28:13 - Forgetting his wife at Gosford29:03 - Learning under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne30:34 - Hull FC and a 13-game winning streak in England31:51 - Switching codes: coaching Ulster rugby union in Belfast41:19 - Greatest coach debate and rugby league heroes45:00 - Media scrutiny then vs now49:40 - Mental health advocacy and the Black Dog Institute51:02 - Wrap-up: 32 years in rugby league

Craig Salvatori was a mainstay of the Sydney Roosters front row through the late '80s and early '90s, racking up around 140 first grade games between the Roosters and a final season at South Sydney, three State of Origin appearances for the Blues alongside Laurie Daley, and a Roosters life membership this year that came with the club's Indigenous Round honour.He was also at the centre of one of Australian sport's most confronting personal stories: in October 2002, Salvatori lost his wife Kathy in the Bali bombings, and became an unlikely go-between for the Australian government's response on the ground, speaking daily with radio host Alan Jones and eventually meeting with then-Prime Minister John Howard. More than two decades on, he talks openly about grief, acceptance, and raising his daughters through it.It's not all heavy going, though — Salvatori also revisits the infamous headbutt that cost him a five-week suspension, a near-miss at a premiership in 1987, and a colonoscopy story that nearly blew up his marriage. And after 45 years as a builder, he's about to set off on "Salvo's Aussie Pub Crawl" — a year-long lap of the country's pubs with his wife and dog in tow.In this episode of Chiming In, Craig shares stories from a life that's been as tough as it has been full, and explains why he's chosen to talk about the hardest parts of it rather than look away.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro 01:21 - Welcome: Craig Salvatori joins Chiming In 01:47 - Breaking news: retiring after 45 years as a builder 02:32 - The plan: Salvo's Aussie Pub Crawl 05:20 - The colonoscopy story that nearly got him busted 09:02 - Naming the tour and sorting sleeping arrangements 14:35 - Opening up about the Bali bombings and losing Kathy 16:33 - How the group ended up split between the Sari Club and babysitting 18:06 - The night of the bombing and the search for answers 21:34 - Getting the Prime Minister involved 24:25 - Has he been back to Bali since 25:29 - Roosters and Rabbitohs career, and getting signed for $2,000 29:50 - The 1987 preliminary final classic against Canberra 31:12 - Backing Laurie Daley against his critics 32:40 - Falling out with Phil Gould and leaving the Roosters 35:24 - Retiring at 30, and getting two new knees at 53 37:36 - Roosters life member and Indigenous Round honour 41:28 - The hardest front rowers he played against 42:20 - The famous headbutt and five-week suspension 46:15 - Calling games on radio with 2GB 47:16 - Life on the road calling Cowboys games in Townsville 53:01 - Wrap-up and best wishes for the trip

Fresh off coaching New South Wales to a series win nobody outside the camp gave them a chance of, Laurie Daley sits down for a full debrief on the campaign — the celebrations, the criticism, and everything in between.Daley takes us inside the moments after the siren: the Gatorade shower, the speech in the sheds, a beer on the SCG turf with the playing group, and the 5:30am walk into a radio station on zero sleep to do an interview live, still buzzing from the win. He also answers his critics head-on — the press conference "grenade," the pile-on over Melbourne's interchange calls, and whether Laurie Daley holds a grudge (his answer: no, but he's keeping receipts).Along the way he talks through what Stuart Diver's story meant to the playing group, a reunion dinner with the 1996 Blues team, the viral clip of Phil Gould pinching his seat in 2002, and just how far Andrew Johns' influence reached inside the camp this year. There's also a quiet moment about his late father, and the song that reminded Daley he was with him in spirit on the day it mattered most.In this episode of Chiming In, Laurie shares what it really took to win the "unwinnable" series — and what's next for him and the Blues.00:00 - Intro 01:08 - Welcome: the Origin-winning coach in the studio 02:35 - What's next — the contract question and his plans 06:50 - Celebrations: the Gatorade shower and the sneaky phone request 08:52 - On the field when the siren went 10:27 - The team photo, and standing at the back on purpose 12:21 - A beer on the SCG turf and the speech in the sheds 14:59 - 16 weeks without a beer, then the one that mattered 16:10 - The 5:30am walk into the radio station 17:51 - Over a thousand texts, and who reached out 26:51 - The press conference "grenade" 29:09 - Does Laurie Daley hold a grudge? 30:15 - The "putting his players to sleep" story 32:44 - Answering the Melbourne interchange criticism 37:56 - Brian To'o's Origin future 39:44 - Stuart Diver's story and what it meant to the group 42:08 - Reuniting with the 1996 Blues team 44:03 - Phil Gould's "greatest ever" comments 45:44 - The viral Gus seat-pinching clip 47:38 - What he learned about himself this campaign 48:38 - Isiah Yeo's leadership in camp 50:26 - Nathan Cleary and the immortal conversation 52:13 - Mitch Moses' kicking game and his role in the win 56:25 - His late father, and the song that reminded him he was there 58:11 - Wrap-up and what's ahead for the Blues

Paul Nobby Clarke is one of rugby league’s good guys.A powerful front rower forward in the 1980s and 90s, Clarke gave as good as he got but always found time to look at the lighter side of life.Tough, skilful and uncompromising, Clarke played a major role in Penrith’s first ever premiership victory in 1991.According to team-mate Royce Simmons, Clarke was deserved on the Churchill Medal. Clarke reckons Simmons told him after the game that he was Canberra’s best player in the first half and Penrith’s best performer in the second.In this episode of Chiming In, Nobby shares the secrets of his success and recalls how his childhood dream of playing in the NRL never left his radar.

You would think former Manly coach Anthony Seibold would be death riding the Sea Eagles this year. Strangely, that’s not the case.Dumped by the Club after just three NRL games, Seibold is today back on top of his game and would be more than pleased if his former chargers went on to the win the premiership.In this episode of Chiming In, Seibold opens up on shock moment he was shown the door at Brookvale and how he has since put his life back together.His openness and honesty will surprise you. In fact, Seibold hasn’t given up on Coaching NRL again - despite failing to fulfil his last two contracts at Manly and Brisbane.He also talks candidly about his time at Souths and the enormous pressure he found himself under after joining the Brisbane Broncos.Often criticised but always up for the challenge, Seibold is one of rugby league’s true survivors. His honesty and frankness will surprise many and his journey from a ball boy to an NRL head coach will amaze you.

Royce Simmons is one of the most loved people to have ever played the game of rugby league.Who could forget the 1991 grand final, when Simmons - in his very last game for the Penrith Panthers - scored two tries in a five star performance to overcome the Canberra Raiders.Sadly, in recent times, the former NSW and Australian hooker has struggled with health issues and is battling dementia.But it hasn’t stopped Simmons' zest for life and his desire to raise funds and try and find a cure for the debilitating disease.In this episode of Chiming In, Simmons talks passionately about his health battles, his love for rugby league and those he has shared his journey with.But it’s his funny life stories which will have you chuckling as Simmons recalls a career well done.Simmons also reveals the greatest ever forward he’s ever seen - and it will shock you.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start00:04 - Highlights01:46 - Diagnosis Dementia04:16 - Walking05:06 - Warning Signs / Finding Out07:01 - Biggest Killer in the World / Stats08:41 - Treatment for Dementia10:06 - Treatment in America11:36 - Dealing / Living With It12:46 - People Reaching Out14:03 - Lightbulb Moment for Starting Charity15:31 - England & Hull Work18:46 - Raising Money & Marathons21:56 - "Worst Thing That Could Happen"25:36 - Nathan Cleary & Current Penrith26:56 - Penrith Pride28:31 - Named in His Honour + Retirement / Aged Living Apartments34:16 - '91 Grand Final + Last Game37:36 - Promise to Fans + Grand Final Night39:01 - Growing Up in the Bush43:46 - Early Sporting Days46:59 - Pet Horse + Motorbike50:16 - Meeting His Wife + Meeting in High School52:46 - Clubs That Almost Signed56:16 - Comparing Old vs New Players58:11 - Isaah Yeo / Best Forward Ever01:02:16 - Upcoming Walks & Fundraisers