Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns

This week, we’re joined by rugby league legend Shaun Johnson to reflect on his incredible career.
From the Warriors and Sharks to winning the Golden Boot, Shaun opens up about the highs, injuries and self-doubt.
He shares the lessons that shaped him, his transition into media, and his passion for the game.
Plus, the rise of the Wahs, the Kiwis and what’s next for rugby league.

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

0:00-Podcast Intro

2:00-Welcome SJ

9:00-Family

13:00-Cultured

15:30-Growing Up in NZ

20:00-The Wahs!

25:00-Debut 2011

33:30-James Maloney

36:00-Feel for the Game

40:00-Nathan Cleary

41:40-2011 Grand Final

44:00-Playing Footy

45:20-World Cup Moments

48:00-Cronulla Sharks

53:00-2nd Stint at THE WAHS!

55:00-UP THE WAHS!

57:00-The Kiwis

1:00:00-Winning the Comp!

1:02:20-The All Blacks

1:03:20-Lone Survivor

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trish is in China, so Cooper's partner Poppy steps in for her first-ever Family Pod. Quantum MC, Uncle John stories, Melbourne transport gripes, and a deep dive into Cooper's ongoing AFL feud all make an appearance. Billy Slater and the NRL Tips round out.

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

0:00-Special Guests

13:00-Quantum MC

18:00-Uncle John

20:30-Melbourne Transport

22:00-Knights Old Boys Day

23:00-Cooper’s AFL Feud

28:40-Film, Fame & Vinyl

50:00-Billy Slater

52:00-NRL Tips

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Keary opens up on his journey from a Rabbitoh to Roosters premiership winner, sharing untold stories about Craig Bellamy's and Cooper Cronk's now-infamous house party. He gets real about the brutal 2018 Grand Final gameplan against Storm's defence, and the toll of repeated head knocks. Plus, James Tedesco's tactics to longevity, whilst Luke names the Best he's ever played with.

MERCH LINK HERE:

https://3b1e7f.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Keary opens up on his journey from a Rabbitoh to Roosters premiership winner, sharing untold stories about Craig Bellamy's and Cooper Cronk's now-infamous house party. He gets real about the brutal 2018 Grand Final gameplan against Storm's defence, and the toll of repeated head knocks. Plus, James Tedesco's tactics to longevity, whilst Luke names the Best he's ever played with.

MERCH LINK HERE:

https://3b1e7f.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cooper goes off on the AFL vs NRL debate, the boys dodge weddings, Bon Jovi, and Tokyo trip chat, then somehow land on cuticles and personal space before wrapping with the week's NRL tips.

MERCH LINK HERE:

https://3b1e7f.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

Timestamps

0:00-Inking Paper

3:00-Cooper AFL Beef

8:00-No Ass Johns

12:00-Wedding Celebrant

17:00-Bon Jovi

22:00-Paddo Inn

25:00-Troph Lolly

28:00-Tokyo

31:00-The Liver

33:00-Personal Space

37:40-Cuticles

47:00-NRL Tips

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The race to the NRL finals heats up as Isiah Yeo’s injury puts Penrith’s premiership hopes under the microscope.
The Wahs are flying, the ladder is tightening, and we ask whether Webster or the Warriors deserve more credit for their rise.
Plus, the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Knights, Dolphins, Global Round — and a fiery AFL rant to finish!

MERCH LINK HERE:

https://3b1e7f.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

Timestamps

0:00-The Mock

3:00-The Sharks

11:00-Isiah Yeo Pec Injury

13:00-The Panthers

19:30-The Ladder

22:00-The Bulldogs

26:40-The Sea Eagles

30:30-The Wahs!

36:00-The Knights

38:00-The Dolphins

41:00-Global Round

44:30-The AFL Beef

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Lebanese BBQ sparks one of the wildest conversations we've ever had, before the boys tackle outrageous wedding costs, an unforgettable visit from Gaz & Gayle, and Matt's sleepless night. Cooper also makes a huge bet with Nicho Hynes that could see him dye his hair blonde, before wrapping up with NRL tips.

MERCH LINK HERE:

https://3b1e7f.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

Timestamp

0:00-Lebanese BBQ

7:00-Balls & BJs

10:00-Gaz & Gayle Visited

17:30-Wedding Costs

23:30-Nicho Hynes Bet

28:00-Matt’s Sleepless Night

35:00-ASAP Rocky vs. Allan Peters

41:00-NRL Tips

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blues coach Laurie Daley joins us to reflect on the 2026 State of Origin series, revealing the key selection calls, leadership decisions and tactical moments that shaped NSW's success. He opens up on the pressure of coaching, his health scare, and the personal toll Origin takes on coaches and their families.

The Johns family investigates one of life's greatest mysteries while a passionate local Italian launches an emotional campaign to bring Gutho home. Matty reveals his ultimate midlife crisis and delivers a surprisingly heartfelt love letter to the Escort in another beautifully unhinged episode.

MERCH LINK HERE:

https://3b1e7f.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

0:00-B B Bounce!

3:00–Laurie’s Health
6:30–Off the Drink
8:45–Ricky Stuart
12:00–Health Scare Article
15:00–Origin Reflection
21:45-Cameron Murray Decision
24:00-Yeo Leadership
27:00-Tactics & Players Mentality
36:00-The Outside Noise
40:00-The Toll of the Series
43:00-Just Win!
45:00-Billy Slater
46:00-Toll on the Family
48:00-Free Time
51:00-Tommy Raudonikis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Johns family investigates one of life's greatest mysteries while a passionate local Italian launches an emotional campaign to bring Gutho home. Matty reveals his ultimate midlife crisis and delivers a surprisingly heartfelt love letter to the Escort in another beautifully unhinged episode.

MERCH LINK HERE:

https://3b1e7f.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daily Telegraph journalist Brent Read joins us to discuss the highs and lows of modern journalism, rugby league's biggest feuds, and the stories behind some of sport's biggest events.

From media scrutiny to behind-the-scenes tales, Brent gives an insider's perspective on the game and the industry that covers it.

MERCH LINK HERE:

https://3b1e7f.myshopify.com/

Subscribe, Watch, and Follow
Catch the full episode on YouTube and stay updated by following us on social media:
Linktree: Backstage with Cooper & Matty

Contact Us
For any enquiries, email us at:
[email protected]

Timestamps

0:00-Ringer Going Off

2:00-Peter Badel

4:00-Paris Olympics

8:00-Journalism

27:00-The Dark Web

31:00-Feuds

34:00-Sporting Events

37:30-State of Origin

41:00-Nathan Cleary

49:00-NSL

51:30-Auction Draft

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.