Behind The Roar

By Wests TigersSports Rugby

Behind The Roar episodes

May 10, 2023 12. Ronnie Palmer
On episode 12 of Behind The Roar we talk to rugby league’s longest serving strength and conditioning coach, Ronnie Palmer.
A Balmain junior who would later play for the Tigers in the 70’s, Ronnie has seen it all, having given more than 50 years of service to the game. That includes twenty-odd years with the Roosters, about 25 years with the NSW Origin team, and working with 23 different coaches in that time.
Ronnie talks about experiences spanning several decades, how the game has changed so much over that time, and how the modern-day rugby league professional is so well equipped to perform at his or her peak.
All that and more in this week’s episode of Behind The Roar.
1 hr 10 min
May 03, 2023 11. Api Koroisau
On episode 11 of Behind The Roar we talk to Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau following the team’s first win of the season, against his former club.
Api talks about the team’s brilliant win over the Panthers in Bathurst, what the team learnt after suffering seven straight losses, why captaincy is so important to him, the influence his mother has had on him as a player and a person, his penchant for reading books, his desire to play in this year’s Origin series, and a whole lot more.
Api also talks about playing ‘the long game’, like they did in Bathurst, and how important it is for the team going forward. And about how he’s honed his craft around the ruck over many years. It’s about repetition. Repetition. Repetition.
All that and more in this week’s episode of Behind The Roar.
39 min
April 27, 2023 10. Botille Vette-Welsh
This week’s podcast has a focus on the women’s game and coincides with the launch of the 2023 NRLW fixtures. Joining us for episode 10 is Wests Tigers NRLW star, Botille Vette-Welsh.
The New Zealand born fullback is well placed to talk all things footy, having played five seasons at Wests Tigers in the NSWRL Women’s Premiership, NRLW with the Roosters, Dragons and Eels, State of Origin for NSW, as well as international representation for the Australian Jillaroos and Māori All Stars.
She talks openly about her battles through injury, about how an NRL star reached out through the dark times, about her path to Wests Tigers and about Wests Tigers pathways, and about a few of the players to watch out for in the club’s inaugural NRLW season.
All that and more in episode 10 of Behind The Roar.
1 hr 2 min
April 19, 2023 9. Shannon Gallant
In Episode 9 of Behind the Roar podcast, We talk to former Wests Tigers fullback, Shannon Gallant, who these days is an integral part of Wests Tigers' pathways programs in the south-west and Macarthur regions.
Shannon Gallant might not be a household name in rugby league, but if you want insight into how a young boy’s dreams became reality, about how a passion for rugby league became a way of life, and about the daily challenges of talent identification, then episode 9 of BTR is a must listen.
58 min
April 12, 2023 8. Chris Lawrence & Pat Richards LIVE
This week’s episode of Behind The Roar was recorded live at Accor Stadium before Easter Monday’s match against Parramatta Eels, featuring former Wests Tigers players Chris Lawrence and Pat Richards.
Just as they did in their respective careers, the boys cover plenty of ground. With almost 600 first-grade games between them, they’ve seen a lot, learned a lot, and hurt a lot. Now retired but still heavily involved with the club, both are very happy with their lot in life.
All that and more in this week’s edition of Behind The Roar.
56 min
April 05, 2023 7. Roy Masters
On this week's episode of Behind the Roar we are paying tribute to Western Suburbs great Tommy Raudonikis, two years after his passing. Roy Master's joins Chris to reflect on our club legend.
Roy and Tommy were not just coach and player, they were the best of mates. In Episode 7 of BTR, Roy tells a few tales about the mighty number 7, who passed away on April 7 two years ago.
56 min
March 29, 2023 6. Simon Dwyer
On episode 6 of Behind The Roar, we chat to former Wests Tigers forward and now assistant coach, Simon Dwyer.
Dwyer talks about how he's coped after a career-ending injury, his love for Wests Tigers and his revamped role at the club, some encouraging stats from our team despite four straight losses, 'that hit' on JWH in 2010, and a whole lot more.
They say you don’t fully appreciate what you have in life, until it is taken away. Simon Dwyer lost so much, but still has so much to give. He offers advice and hope to others living with a disability.
All that and more in episode 6 of Behind the Roar.
46 min
March 22, 2023 5. Paul Sironen
On episode 5 of Behind The Roar, Balmain great Paul Sironen talks about a range of issues including John Bateman’s Wests Tigers debut, the perils of social media, the satisfaction that comes with his role in pathways, the loveable larrikins he played with at the Tigers, and why our current NRL team should feel confident ahead of Friday’s clash in Melbourne.

One week after NRL Multicultural Round, Sironen discusses his own heritage, recounting how his late father emigrated from Finland in the 50’s, learning to speak English on the long boat ride to Australia.
Sironen also talks about the highs and lows of the 1989 Grand Final loss to Canberra. And the irony of how his ‘best career moment’ and his ‘worst career moment’ were separated by about 60 minutes.
All that and more in episode 5 of Behind the Roar.
1 hr 3 min
March 15, 2023 4. John Skandalis
Episode 4 of BTR takes a deep dive into the world of a former professional rugby league player who has carved a career that he loves, with a club that he loves, long after hanging up the boots.
Skandalis talks openly about how, to this day, he still yearns to play rugby league but how the ‘body says no’. He also talks about the challenges facing this year’s NRL team, after a disappointing start to the season, but is supremely confident success will come.
57 min
March 08, 2023 3. Joe Ofahengaue
Joe Ofahengaue joins host Chris Warren on episode three of Behind The Roar. We learn a whole lot more about popular Wests Tigers forward, Joe Ofahengaue in a revealing interview on the official Wests Tigers podcast. A player of proud Tongan heritage, Joe explains more about his family’s strong influence on his career, and how correct pronunciation of Pacifica island names is a show of respect.
One of twelve siblings, he tells Behind The Roar (BTR) how his father’s ‘experiment’ turned into a childhood dream, and what it means to represent Tonga on the international stage.He also speaks highly about how Wests Tigers helped make his 150th NRL appearance such a special occasion, despite a heavy loss to the Roosters. With three children under the age of three, whose images are printed on his favourite pair of socks, there’s not a whole lot of ‘downtime for Joffa. But he does reveal to BTR his love for making music, his obsession with Lebron, and his ‘man-crush’ on Storm star Cameron Munster.
All that and more on this week’s episode of Behind The Roar.
42 min