Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

🏉 Welcome to Chiming In

Ben Lovett joins the show 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.

⏱️ TIMECODES

0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In

2:20 — Growing up in Parkes, sport and a love of rugby league

6:00 — Being spotted and moving to Sydney to chase the dream

11:30 — Finding his feet at South Sydney

20:00 — Working through the grades and earning his opportunity

24:20 — NRL debut, family support and Sam Burgess’ influence

26:30 — The NSW Cup grand final and the devastating knee injury

30:15 — Diagnosis, surgery and the long rehabilitation process

33:20 — When medical retirement became a real possibility

35:10 — Souths Cares, community work and finding purpose during rehab

37:00 — Wayne Bennett’s difficult but honest retirement conversation

40:00 — Trying to return, telling his family and accepting the decision

42:00 — Transitioning into coaching at South Sydney

45:40 — Mentoring young players and life in the player house

50:30 — Mental health, grief and asking for support

52:00 — Ben’s advice for young players and parents

54:10 — Living without regret and looking ahead

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Terry Kennedy joins Chiming In for a brilliant trip through his career in Australian sport and media

From 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.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In

1:30 — Terry Kennedy’s early media days and radio stories

6:00 — Growing up as a punter and life around the racetrack

10:00 — Frank Kennedy, greyhound racing and family memories

15:00 — School, rugby league and Terry’s first break in journalism

20:00 — Early newsroom disasters and finding his feet on air

25:00 — Queensland sport, Wally Lewis and league’s great characters

30:00 — Calling nearly 200 NRL games and the arrival of pay TV

35:00 — Covering sport: commentary boxes, sideline reporting and TV memories

40:00 — Wild racing stories from South Africa and country race days

45:00 — Melbourne Cup memories, Hong Kong and Royal Ascot

50:00 — The future of racing, ownership and wagering

55:00 — Sporting icons, Greg Norman and media’s big personalities

1:00:30 — Wayne Bennett, final stories and wrap-up

Head to www.fanatics.tv for written versions of these interviews.

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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.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Coming Up

00:45 — Intro

01:30 — Penrith’s November Player-Market Outlook

03:10 — Tolutau Koula, Manly and Anthony Seibold

06:12 — Melbourne Storm’s Rebuild

07:30 — Is Cronulla’s Premiership Window Closing?

09:05 — Cameron McInnes and the Reality of Super League Money

10:35 — What Went Wrong at Wests Tigers?

11:40 — Bulldogs, Phil Gould and Roster Changes

13:20 — R360: Can the Rebel Competition Return?

15:16 — Laurie Daley, Origin Pressure and the Media

17:59 — Unsigned Players and Contract Pressure

20:03 — Adam Ritson’s Remarkable Story

25:03 — Should the NRL Invest in Super League?

28:40 — Las Vegas, Global Round and NRL Expansion

30:38 — Third-Party Deals Explained

32:58 — Notional Value and Salary-Cap Scrutiny

35:46 — What It Takes to Become an NRL Player Agent

39:20 — How Agents Handle Player Crises

42:14 — Steve on Podcasting, Media and the Future

47:04 — Wrap-Up

Head to www.fanatics.tv for written versions of these interviews.

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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.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Intro

01:49 — Adam Reynolds’ Retirement and Brisbane Exit

06:50 — Sam Walker’s Roosters Future

17:01 — Hugo Savala’s Roosters Loyalty

18:53 — DCE’s Career Crossroads

19:48 — PNG’s Recruitment Plans: Alex Johnston & Zac Lomax

26:41 — Alex Johnston’s South Sydney Exit That Never Happened

28:54 — Perth’s Marquee Player Challenge

31:10 — Can the NRL Sustain a 20th Team?

34:21 — Preparing Players for Retirement

36:07 — How the NRL Retirement Fund Works

40:56 — How Player Agents Find and Sign Talent

42:48 — Dane Gagai’s Move to Brisbane

44:46 — How Clubs Land Marquee Players: Ben Hunt

46:25 — Why the Couchman Twins Paused Negotiations

50:43 — Dean Young’s Coaching Journey

55:28 — Do NRL Coaches Need Agents?

59:56 — Should the NRL Add a Second New Zealand Team?

60:55 — Parramatta’s Recruitment Challenge

62:24 — Scott Drinkwater’s Cowboys Exit

65:35 — Brisbane, Madge McGuire & the Broncos’ Future

68:50 — Newcastle’s Turnaround

69:50 — Justin Holbrook’s Coaching Revival

70:27 — Are the Dolphins the Expansion Blueprint?

71:38 — Titans Recruitment, Roster Management & Penrith’s Dynasty

73:51 — Wrap-Up

Head to www.fanatics.tv for written versions of these interviews.

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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 chances

It’s a must-watch episode for every rugby league fan — not just

Rabbitohs supporters.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Intro: Inside Jai’s Journey

1:45 - Jai Arrow’s MND Diagnosis & the Rugby League Community’s Response

6:00 - Jai’s 100-Game Milestone & the Emotional Gold Coast Tribute

9:30 - Payne Haas: How Souths Got the Deal Done

14:00 - Why the NRL Should Invest in Super League

17:30 - Wayne Bennett’s Role in Jai Arrow’s 100th NRL Game

20:00 - Souths’ Culture, Facilities & Building a Lasting Club

26:00 - Souths Cares, Nathan Merritt & Supporting Former Players

30:00 - Does Wayne Bennett Have a Use-By Date?

32:00 - Cody Walker & Latrell Mitchell’s Futures

34:00 - NRL Expansion and Funding Club Pathways

38:00 - Can South Sydney Win the Premiership?

40:00 - The New CBA and Player Payments

46:00 - Why Financially Strong Clubs Matter

48:00 - Souths’ Stance on Gambling Sponsorships

50:00 - Making Rugby League More Accessible for Kids

52:00 - John Sutton’s Ongoing Role at Souths

Head to www.fanatics.tv for written versions of these interviews.

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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

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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 - Intro

01:25 - Welcome: NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden joins Chiming In

02:14 - What people get wrong about the NSWRL

02:54 - The Blues as one of Australia's biggest sporting brands

03:48 - Matt King's appointment as Origin coach

05:01 - Did Ivan Cleary put his hand up?

10:41 - Why a club coach can't also coach Origin

11:57 - Will Origin players push for a bigger pay packet?

13:39 - A Monday morning inside NSWRL headquarters

19:51 - Protecting referees, and the Tamworth suspension controversy

21:01 - Is bush footy really dying?

23:28 - Visiting Junee with Laurie Daley

24:12 - Getting retired players back into country footy

25:44 - The economic value of 40,000 volunteers

28:08 - How Magic Round in Tamworth came about

39:20 - Falling in love with rugby league at the 1969 grand final

41:38 - Joining the Wests Tigers board almost by accident

44:02 - Becoming chairman during the merger fallout

45:21 - The fairytale run to the 2005 premiership

53:43 - Origin scheduling, PNG games and jersey tweaks

55:33 - Could City vs Country ever come back?

56:31 - Does the job ever feel appreciated?

58:29 - Wrap-up

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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 - Intro

01:32 - Welcome back: Darryl Brohman returns to Chiming In

01:45 - Health update: beating cancer for a second time

03:25 - How the diagnosis came about

04:50 - Chemo, and finding perspective in the ward

06:22 - Does a football career prepare you for something like this?

09:54 - The line between commentator, expert and comic

12:02 - Was he always the funny kid?

13:06 - Prostate cancer, sleep apnea, and losing his sense of taste

17:26 - Meeting Bev, and coaching reserve grade for Gus at the Bulldogs

28:31 - Punting, and the racehorse he owned with Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart

31:14 - Winning the 1984 grand final with the Bulldogs

35:04 - Receiving his OAM for services to rugby league

36:08 - Giving back through the Starlight Foundation

39:17 - Copping a spray from Tim Sheens, and getting dropped

42:00 - Backing Laurie Daley through the Origin scrutiny

1:00:15 - Life after footy: the media career and finances

1:01:20 - Wrap-up

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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

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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 - Start

01:01 - Rugby league royalty: introducing Peter Sharp

01:35 - Phil Gould's tribute and the Gus friendship

07:29 - The Brian Smith interview and the "beef and pickle sandwich" job

08:35 - Growing up in Maitland, playing on the weight

13:11 - The 1977 grand final and a 30,000-strong crowd

14:06 - Injury, and backpacking to England

17:15 - Meeting Andrew and Matthew Johns at Newcastle

19:28 - The infamous night out before a Balmain game

21:21 - Rising to reserve grade and a premiership

23:39 - Becoming Manly head coach after Bob Fulton's shock resignation

26:22 - The Northern Eagles "messy flop"

28:13 - Forgetting his wife at Gosford

29:03 - Learning under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne

30:34 - Hull FC and a 13-game winning streak in England

31:51 - Switching codes: coaching Ulster rugby union in Belfast

41:19 - Greatest coach debate and rugby league heroes

45:00 - Media scrutiny then vs now

49:40 - Mental health advocacy and the Black Dog Institute

51:02 - Wrap-up: 32 years in rugby league

Head to www.fanatics.tv for written versions of these interviews.

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