LeagueCast

Salford Red Devils were beaten away at Leigh on friday we got reaction to the game from Head Coach Paul Rowley, Nathan Connell, Dec Murphy and Loghan Lewis after the match

This episode talks to Dr Nick Halafihi about the life and career of his father, Nanumi (Nan) Halafihi, the first Tongan to play at Wembley and the first-ever Tongan to play professional rugby league.

This is a fascinating story of how Nan travelled with his brother Sione, a world-ranked cruiserweight boxer, and family friend Sam Felatu, and made a home in the north of England. He began his career with Doncaster in 1958 and then moved to Roy Francis’s Hull, where he established himself as attacking left-centre and played in the 1960 Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

This is about much more than rugby talent - it’s a tale of crossing hemispheres and cultures, of the warm welcomes he received but also of the racism he and his family faced. Most of all, it’s about someone whose career who paved the way for hundreds of other Tongan rugby players who would follow the path laid down by Nan Halafihi.

Tune into this weeks podcast lots going on in the world of Salford Red Devils as the 1873 protest march and meeting with the owners provides some answers, Local MPs send letters and Salford mayor Paul Dennett and Andy Burnham meet RFL seeking answers it’s all hotting up ahead of a big week for the club.

Players leave on loan deals, we bring loan players in as a Council provide funds to help the next generation to play

Our ladies have one foot in the playoffs as they beat Oulton away with a last minute try, we talk about that and their playoff chances.

Paul Rowleys team, a mix of loannees and Salford players travel to Leigh.

The Big Diesel is into the Toowoomba C-Grade Touch GF and we are hyped. We also pay tribute and celebrate an incredible halfback notching up his 350th game, what an incredible milestone for a great man.

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Rugby league was a little bit different in the 1990s. A mainly part-time sport where the attributes of some players could have easily secured themselves alternative employment as bouncers! Such as the charging rhino himself, Barrie McDermott, who used a not so subtle trick to further intimidate his opponents. Or Kelvin Skerrett, who won six Championships and four Challenge Cups with Wigan. The Wales and Great Britain international is the man described as a "dirty get" on Mick Morgan's famous viral commentary.

Castleford legend Mal Reilly was just as tough as a coach as he was as a player. When he moved to Manly he used to ask his team-mates who the toughest players on the opposition were so he could target them to gain respect. Later, he coached at Newcastle Knights, where he found out which of his players had the best records on the rowing machine before smashing them all with his own stamina and fitness. He's even got a an intense training drill named after him... the Malcolm!

And then there's the likes of Adrian Morley. Known as 'The Enforcer' in Australia, 'Moz' kept his own little black book to keep tabs on opponents who were due a little retribution. He once received a seven-match ban for kneeing an opponent in the chest. However, the ban was expected to be more than double that before a character reference from long-time foe 'Big' Willie Mason described him as "one of the toughest players in the toughest competition in the world" helped his case.

There's a fine line between legal and illegal violence in rugby league and often some of these fellas crossed it. Nowadays it would lead to an instant red card, but that doesn't mean hard men don't exist in the sport today. They just go about showing it slightly differently!

Tune into this weeks podcast as we look back at wild week in the world of Salford Red Devils.

Reaction to statements from club, council, the 1873 and the RFL, Players and officials depart , more international honours for our ladies as fans will take a peaceful walk searching for answers on Sunday

Tune into this weeks podcast as Rob and BBC Radio Manchesters Alex Whitington talk to Assistant Coach Krisnan Inu about Salford Red Devils owners, building a new squad, dealing with the stress this season and Wakefield.

Salford Red Devils ladies Head Coach Mike Grady celebrates international call ups for a number of his squad, the playoff push in the last few weeks and looks forward to Oulton

It's Nate and the Big Diesel this week while Stepdad is off loving on the clankers.

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Paul Rowley reacts to Salford Red Devils 80-6 defeat at Hull FC

Tune into this weeks podcast as we take a deep dive into another mad week following Salford Red Devils, Players leave, Owners remain silent, 1873 group formed to get answers as Paul Rowley looks foward to Hull FC