From his playing days with Richmond in the 1970's to coaching Melbourne in the 1990's and overseeing various footy departments throughout the 2000's, Neil Balme has seen and done it all. In this episode Balme reveals the formula to Richmond's golden era under Tom Hafey, his tumultuous sacking from Melbourne and how he became Football's Mr Fix-it.
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Neil Balme - Footy's Mr Fix-It

What really happens when the axe falls in the AFL world? Some of the biggest names in the sport reveal the remarkable true stories of how they discovered their days were numbered and when the guillotine dropped.

Sports

Tony Jewell commenced his senior football career with Oakleigh, in 1963. He tried out with St Kilda but failed to impress and was turned away. Richmond, however, decided to take a punt on him and he went on to give them good service, mainly as a half back flanker or back pocket, in 80 VFL games between 1964 and 1970. 
After a two-year stint as coach of the Richmond reserves, which included overseeing a flag in 1977, he took over as senior coach of the Tigers in 1979. A year later he led them to an emphatic 81-point grand final defeat of Collingwood. Just one season later, however, Jewell was sacked with Francis Bourke being installed as coach in his place. Jewell later had unsuccessful stints as coach of St Kilda (1983-4) and Richmond once more (1986-7).

In this episode Jewell opens up about his brutal sacking at Richmond, recruiting Tony Lockett to St Kilda and how he almost became coach of Collingwood instead of Leigh Matthews. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Jewell - Tiger tales and more

As Victorian opposition leader from 1982 to 1989 and then again from 1991 to 1992 before becoming the 43rd Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett has guided and divided many during his time in politics.
Post political life Kennett became the inaugural chairman of Beyond Blue and in December 2005, replaced Ian Dicker as president of Hawthorn.
In this episode Kennett opens about his relationship with 4-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson - and what really happened, his plans to hand the presidency over at the end of 2022 and his secrets to political success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Kennett - From Premier to President

Love him or loathe him, you can’t ignore Tony Cochrane. As Chairman of the Board Tony Cochrane is best known in his role as boss of the Gold Coast Suns. 
A successful businessman who didn't bother to finish school, Cochrane has been involved in event promotion since the 1970s, and has promoted or produced tours for several international and local artists. In March 2014, Cochrane joined the board of the struggling Gold Coast Suns, and then became chairman in March 2016
In this episode Cochrane explains how he came to befriend Frank Sinatra and bring him out to Australia, he opens up on the sackings of Guy Mckenna and Rodney Eade, his aim to turn the Gold Coast Suns into a finals contender and why he thinks a 19th franchise in the AFL won't work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Cochrane - Chairman of the Board

A powerful forward with an unpredictable streak, Cameron Mooney was a nightmare matchup for backmen during his 221-game career. Drafted to North Melbourne during an era of dominance, Mooney broke into the North side during the 1999 season, where he'd become a premiership player without even touching the ball! Traded to Geelong in the preseason of 2000, Mooney would make his name with the Cats as Geelong would go on a golden run.
In this episode Mooney opens up about the brutal selection battle he endured with John Longmire during the 1999 finals series, his erratic and undisciplined ways through his career and how the Cats built a dynasty.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cameron Mooney - The Making of Moons

Trent Croad had an almost immediate impact when he was recruited to Hawthorn in 1998. At the end of 2001, Hawthorn would shock the football world, trading Croad who was then 21 and one of the Hawk's blue chip youngsters to Fremantle for the number 1 pick which would eventually secure Luke Hodge.  After two years at Fremantle, Croad became the Prodigal son of Hawthorn, returning to Glenferrie Oval. 
In this episode Croad opens up about the biggest trade shock in AFL history played out between Hawthorn and Fremantle, the creation of Clarko's cluster and the pain of his career ending injury. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Balme - Footy's Mr Fix-It

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