Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

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

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:46 - Diagnosis Dementia

04:16 - Walking

05:06 - Warning Signs / Finding Out

07:01 - Biggest Killer in the World / Stats

08:41 - Treatment for Dementia

10:06 - Treatment in America

11:36 - Dealing / Living With It

12:46 - People Reaching Out

14:03 - Lightbulb Moment for Starting Charity

15:31 - England & Hull Work

18:46 - Raising Money & Marathons

21:56 - "Worst Thing That Could Happen"

25:36 - Nathan Cleary & Current Penrith

26:56 - Penrith Pride

28:31 - Named in His Honour + Retirement / Aged Living Apartments

34:16 - '91 Grand Final + Last Game

37:36 - Promise to Fans + Grand Final Night

39:01 - Growing Up in the Bush

43:46 - Early Sporting Days

46:59 - Pet Horse + Motorbike

50:16 - Meeting His Wife + Meeting in High School

52:46 - Clubs That Almost Signed

56:16 - Comparing Old vs New Players

58:11 - Isaah Yeo / Best Forward Ever

01:02:16 - Upcoming Walks & Fundraisers

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wes Heritage is a former Australian Rules footballer who gave the game away to focus on the family business - burying people.

And while some of his former team-mates went on to greatness, the hard working funeral director chose a different path.

Each year, Heritage oversees more than 600 funerals - ensuring families and their loved ones are given nothing but the best support and care in a most difficult time.

Death awaits us all yet we never really explore the funeral process until it’s bestowed upon us.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you die, Heritage has the answers on a Chiming In podcast of a very different kind.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:28 - Intro

01:52 - Introduction to Wes

02:37 - Death

03:47 - Starting the Funeral Business

06:52 - Witnessing Death

08:12 - Funeral Sizes

10:07 - Burying at Sea

11:19 - What Makes a Good Funeral Director?

13:37 - How Does It Work?

14:52 - Changes of Funerals Over the Years

18:07 - Picking Celebrants

20:37 - Wes' Experience as a Priest

20:57 - Funeral Costs

23:45 - Funeral Insurance

26:31 - Cremation

28:07 - Items of Remembrance

29:42 - Managing Emotions

32:52 - Pet Funerals

35:27 - Bikie Funerals

37:22 - Life After Death

38:37 - Open Caskets

41:17 - Funeral Songs

42:33 - Rivalry Companies

45:22 - White Lady Funeral

46:22 - Funeral Director Conventions

48:52 - Advice for Funerals

50:52 - Attending Wakes

52:22 - Funny Funerals

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter O’Sullivan is regarded the NRL’s premier recruitment manager having successfully shaped the playing rosters of teams like the Dragons, Roosters, Storm, Warriors and Knights over many years.

He was also responsible for putting together the Dolphins inaugural team in 2023 - which, amazingly, less than four seasons later, is now considered a genuine premiership contender.

So what does a recruitment manager do and how does he identify and procure talent.

O’Sullivan is credited with unearthing and launching the careers of players such as Greg Inglis, Latrell Mitchel, Israel Folau, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck and many, many more. He also plays a key role in the salary cap management of his club.

Today O’Sullivan is an integral part of the Newcastle Knights system and was the man responsible for luring Dylan Brown away from Parramatta in sensational circumstances.

In this episode of Chiming In, you are given a birds’ eye view into the tricks of the recruitment manager’s trade - how they identify players, entice them to switch clubs and build powerful playing rosters.

With new teams Perth and Papua New Guinea on the horizon, no-one is better qualified than O’Sullivan to comment on how their new look rosters are shaping up.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:45 – Recruitment Manager

03:05 – How He Put Redcliffe Together

05:05 – Negotiating with Wayne Bennett

06:20 – Roster Strategy

07:40 – Dolphins Knock Backs

09:20 – Who Said No to the Dolphins

10:20 – Signing Hammer

11:40 – What Do You Look For in a Player?

12:40 – Dealing with Knockback

15:45 – Joel Kane Story

17:20 – Family + Kids (Sean O'Sullivan)

19:20 – Busy Schedule

20:20 – How to Become a Recruitment Manager

23:20 – Managing Melbourne Recruitment

24:20 – Recruiting Greg Inglis

27:50 – Greg Inglis Being a Blue

30:05 – "The Pitch"

31:35 – Working with Player Agents

34:25 – Parents + Agent Pressure on Players

37:15 – Negotiating with Different Backgrounds

38:45 – Player Obstacles Getting Into the NRL

39:50 – Perth Bears Recruitment

42:05 – Helping the Knights Recruitment

43:45 – Dylan Brown Signing

47:10 – Re-Signing Ponga

48:20 – Justin Holbrook's Effects on the Club

49:30 – Premiership at the Knights

50:40 – How to Say No to a Player

51:53 – November Deadline + Trade Windows

54:15 – Coaches, Agents + Representation

56:21 – Israel Folau

58:05 – RTS

59:04 – Boyd Cordner

01:01:05 – Phone Visible on the Wide

01:01:10 – PNG Signings

01:03:10 – Club Bucket List

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan Rankin was only 16 years old and still at school when he got the call-up to make his NRL debut for the Titans.

He became the third youngest player in the game’s history to debut.

On the day of the game, the Gold Coast halfback stuck to his normal routine which included donning his school uniform and heading off for classes.

Looking back, Rankin’s journey has been truly remarkable, having had stints with the Gold Coast, Hull, Doncaster, Wests Tigers, Huddersfield, Castleford and Parramatta - where he captain coached the Eels NSW Cup team.

Today, Rankin is an aspiring coach and is determined to make his mark.

In this episode of Chiming In, Rankin recalls his journey, his plans for the future and discusses many of the challenges that face young players - just like he once was. It hasn’t been all plain sailing but Rankin’s recollection of his life as a rugby league player will inspire you.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:37 - 3rd Youngest Player to Debut in NRL

09:46 - Goals to Make NRL

10:54 - School before first NRL game

19:06 - Staying Grounded

20:09 - Dropped and NRL Return

22:19 - Should kids be allowed to debut before 18?

24:59 - Dealing With Anxiety

27:27 - Time at the Titans

29:09 - English Super League

35:01 - Coming back to the NRL (Tigers)

29:35 - Back to Super League again

41:00 - Back To NRL again (Parramatta)

45:05 - Captain/coach Parra Reserve Grade

48:30 - Flegg Coaching

49:18 - What makes a good coach?

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil “Buzz” Rothfield has spent 50 years as one of rugby league’s most recognisable voices.

After stepping away from newspapers, television, radio and podcasts, Buzz returns for a special episode of Chiming In to explain why he retired, what he misses, and what he really thinks of the NRL season so far.

In this episode, Buzz opens up on the pressure of working seven days a week in rugby league media, life after NRL 360, and why breaking stories is still hard to let go.

He also gives his unfiltered views on Andrew Abdo’s exit, Peter V’landys, the Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm, NRL expansion and more.

From retirement reflections to big calls on the future of the game, Buzz is back behind the microphone and he doesn’t sit on the fence.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:03 - Highlights

00:48 - Phil “Buzz” Rothfield returns

01:15 - Why Buzz retired

02:29 - Life after rugby league media

06:00 - Andrew Abdo steps down

08:25 - Payne Haas to South Sydney

10:30 - Canterbury Bulldogs struggles

14:24 - Rugby league supporting its own & Try July

16:42 - Melbourne Storm and Billy Slater

18:22 - NRL global round and the Roosters

20:35 - Dragons and Shane Flanagan

23:24 - Blowout scores and rule changes

26:39 - Coaching pressure

29:49 - Best coach in the NRL

30:36 - PNG, New Zealand and expansion

33:01 - Perth Bears

34:39 - Zac Lomax and R360

36:35 - State of Origin and Super League

38:54 - Penrith Panthers and Ivan Cleary

40:05 - Newcastle, contenders and Grand Final prediction

42:07 - Coach of the Year and Dally M judging

44:12 - Wests Tigers

45:13 - Suburban grounds and Shark Park

48:27 - Gold Coast Titans and coaching accountability

52:58 - Wayne Bennett’s future

54:27 - Referees and the bunker

55:35 - Women’s rugby league and Emma Lawrence

57:32 - NRL 360, media pressure and Magic Round

01:00:00 - Final reflections

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael “Mouse" Jenkinson is a highly decorated yet extremely humble Bondi Lifeguard.

On December 14 last year, the man they nicknamed “Mouse” was about to complete a normal day of work at the beach with his colleagues when he two gunman started firing high powered rifles at innocent people.

Fifteen people lost their lives and many more would have, if not for the courage of countless people like Jenkinson who ran towards danger - not away from it. Aside from the precious lives lost, as many as 40 people were wounded.

In this episode of Chiming In, Jenkinson recalls that fateful day and how it will change the lives of so many forever.

At tragic as the circumstances were, Jenkinson’s story - like so many other first responders - will inspire you.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

02:10 - Growing up

05:53 - Getting into being a Lifeguard

10:27 - Bondi Rescue

14:43 - Nickname Mouse

15:34 - 1st Day as a lifeguard

17:42 - Rescuing kids

24:27 - Bondi team

30:00 - Backpackers Rip

31:45 - Bondi attack 2025

43:21 - Ahmed El Ahmed

50:58 - Response from first responders

55:02 - The aftermath

01:01:35 - The Jewish community

01:02:28 - Mental recovery

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.