Welcome back to Sporting Spotlight with Bazz and Phil… and this one’s a ripper.

In Episode 16, Phil Smyth and Barry “Bazz” Curtin sit down with the one and only Michelangelo Rucci, legendary footy journalist, longtime chief footy writer, and now SEN drive host… for a wide-ranging chat that goes way beyond the back page.

A massive thanks to our great mates at Air Diffusion Australia, the best air conditioning company in Australia… if not in the world. When the boss walks in and the air con is working in 10 seconds, you know you’re in good hands.

😄 In this episode, we cover:

• Rucci’s journey from Adelaide to New York, including the US Open grind and big international assignments

• Why he disappears to Italy every year, work hard, reset hard

• The shift from old-school journalism, phone calls, facts, deadlines… to instant news on X and endless opinions

• Accuracy, accountability, and the reality of sources playing games behind the scenes • Hall of Fame selection debates, why stats can mislead… and Roo’s idea for a “stat free round”

• Picking the first 3 stars for the Tassie team, plus big calls on Port Adelaide, Josh Carr, and the club’s list strategy

• The Matthew Nicks contract question and why clubs should stop panicking about external noise

• Rapid-fire favourites, dream events, dream dinner guests… and a few laughs along the way 👍

If you enjoyed it, like, share, and subscribe, it helps the show a ton. 🎧 Listen to more Sporting Spotlight with Bazz and Phil on YouTube and your podcast apps.

From basketball royalty to the world of teen adventure fiction, Brett Maher joins Bazz and Phil for a wide-ranging chat that goes well beyond the court. He shares the story behind his brand new book The Adventures of Jack Gibson, an Indiana Jones meets Stargate-style adventure for young readers, and how the idea came to life during COVID. Brett opens up about the creative process, the Golden Wizard Book Prize, and plans for a four-part series.

We also hear about the early days of his career, including a devastating ACL injury at 16, a near miss with a US college scholarship, and the mental toll that came with rebuilding himself as a player. The conversation shifts to Brett’s loyalty to the Adelaide 36ers, where he played 18 seasons and captained three championships. He reflects on turning down major offers from overseas, the moment his name was put on the Brett Maher Court, and the difficult decision to step away from the club during a turbulent period. Brett also shares his views on the current 36ers roster, what’s changed in today’s game, and the key role his family played in every major career decision.

To round things out, we dive into his time with the Boomers, his most admired teammates, and what it meant to finally see Australia break through for an Olympic medal. Brett finishes with some brilliant advice for young athletes on how to train with intent, push out of their comfort zone, and hold themselves to elite standards. It is the same mindset that took him from the backyard to the world stage.

📚 The Adventures of Jack Gibson is out early December. Available on Amazon and all good bookstores.

🎥 This episode was proudly recorded at Garton Plastics. Huge thanks to Gary Thompson and the team for their support.

🙏 Big thanks to our sponsor Air Diffusion Australia, the best air conditioning company in the country.

👇 Like, comment, and subscribe to help us keep shining a light on Aussie sporting legends.

Bazz and Phil are back in the hot seat and this week it’s all about cricket with one of the sharpest minds in the game. Wayne “Flipper” Phillips joins the boys for a massive Ashes chat packed with laughs, insight, and a few cracking stories. From captaincy calls to Travis Head’s future, the pull of T20 money versus the pride of the Baggy Green, and why test cricket still hits different. Plus, Phil drops a hilarious story about his first ever golf shot that ended up making the news for all the wrong reasons.

Tell us your take in the comments. Like, share, and subscribe, it helps the show heaps.

Key topics

• Steve Smith’s captaincy return and Travis Head’s next step

• The lure of T20 money versus the pride of the Baggy Green

• Who Australia can’t leave out for the Ashes

• England’s biggest weapons and why Wood and Archer still scare everyone

• Gaz the GOAT and the art of spin under pressure

• The Barmy Army and the spirit of the game

• Phil’s unforgettable golf day disaster

• Why the Redbacks have everyone’s attention again

Hosts: Phil Smyth and Barry Curtin

Guest: Wayne “Flipper” Phillips

Thanks to our mates at Air Diffusion Australia for backing the show.

#ashes #cricket #WaynePhillips #FlipperPhillips #AustralianCricket #TestCricket #SportingSpotlightPod #BazzAndPhil #SportingSpotlightPodcast #philsmyth #barrycurtin #AirDiffusionAustralia #CricketPodcast #CricketStories #SouthAustralia #SACA #Redbacks #BarmyArmy

Where have we been?

On todays episode the boys discuss where they have been over the past few months, Football Grandfinals and General Sports Talk

🎙️ In this episode of Sporting Spotlight, Bazz and Phil welcome back Terry Lindblom, the man behind Vegas Promotions.....One of Australia’s most colourful and influential promotion companies. From rock bands to sporting heroes, TV stars to comedians, Terry has worked with some of the biggest names in Australia and beyond.

He returns to share more outrageous and unforgettable stories from his decades in the game. You’ll hear about his wild times with Mark “Jacko” Jackson, his legendary tours with Ted Whitten, hilarious tales with Greg Ritchie, insights into Sam Newman, and plenty more characters from footy, cricket, music and media.

Packed with laugh-out-loud yarns, behind-the-scenes stories, and Terry’s unfiltered take on the entertainment industry, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who loves sport, showbiz, or just a cracking story.

⏱️ Timestamps:

• Interview Start: 00:46

• Mark “Jacko” Jackson Stories: 01:11

• Ted Whitten & Curly Austin: 06:45

• The End of Port Adelaide Luncheons: 11:36

• Greg Ritchie Tales: 14:20 • Sam Newman Stories: 16:32

• Nicknames & Footy Club Legends: 26:30

• Never Working With Them Again: 44:16

• Wrapping Up with Vegas Promotions: 49:14

🙌 Thanks to our amazing sponsor Air Diffusion Australia.

🙌 Huge thanks to everyone who continues to support Sporting Spotlight.

🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to keep the Spotlight shining

#sportingspotlightpod #terrylindblom #vegaspromotions #sportsagent #australiansport #sanfl #afl #cricketaustralia #philsmyth #barrycurtin #sportpodcast #entertainmentindustry #australianmusic #tvstars #rockbands #footystories #sportslegends #comedy #gregritchie #samnewman #markjackson #tedwhitten #sportsbusiness #behindthescenes #aussielegends #locallegendsaustralia #footyhistory #cricketpodcast #footylegends #sportingstories #australiansportspodcast

🎙️ This week on Sporting Spotlight, we flip the script.

Barry takes the reins and interviews his long-time co-host and Aussie basketball icon Phil Smyth.

Phil shares stories from a life in sport..... captaining the Boomers at four Olympic Games, winning three NBL championships as coach of the Adelaide 36ers, and everything in between.

He opens up about:

• Choosing basketball over footy
• His journey through the Olympic Games
• The highs and lows of coaching
• That infamous Magic Johnson moment
• His current work in AFL with the Brisbane Lions

A rare look behind the scenes with one of Australia’s most respected sporting minds

🙌 Thanks to our sponsor Air Diffusion Australia

🙌 Big Thanks to The Glenelg Golf Club for hosting us!

🙌 Intro/Outro music by @kayneandreasmusic

🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to keep the Spotlight shining

Whether you remember him steaming in at the SCG or raising his bat for one of cricket’s most talked-about double centuries,

Jason 'Dizzy' Gillespie’s story is unlike any other. A true student of the game, he’s seen it from every angle. As a player, a coach, and now a thoughtful voice in the commentary box. This episode dives into the grit, the glory, and the great yarns behind one of Australia’s most unique cricketing journeys.

Bazz and Phil sit down with Jason Gillespie to talk cricket, coaching chaos in Pakistan, Vegemite emergencies, and everything in between.

🙌 Thanks to our sponsor Air Diffusion Australia

🙌 Big Thanks to Air Diffusion Australia for hosting us!

🙌 Intro/Outro music by @kayneandreasmusic

🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to keep the Spotlight shining

🎙️ In this episode of Sporting Spotlight, Bazz and Phil sit down with South Australian footy icon, Graham Cornes.

From Glenelg to North Melbourne, Vietnam to the Crows, Cornesy takes us through six decades of stories. He opens up about the hits, the heartbreak, and the humour. You’ll hear about getting dropped mid-season, fan abuse on Jetty Road, the infamous red leather pants, and why he reckons footy players would’ve made great soldiers.

If you love gritty old-school footy and hearing Cornesy nearly go toe-to-toe with his commanding officer, this one’s for you.

🌬️ Note: A bit of wind sneaks into the recording. Cornesy might’ve brought the weather with him. We cleaned it up best we could, but a few gusts stuck around for the ride.

🙌 Thanks to our sponsor Air Diffusion Australia

🙌 Big Thanks to The Glenelg Golf Club for hosting us!

🙌 Intro/Outro music by @kayneandreasmusic

🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to keep the Spotlight shining

🎙️ In this episode of Sporting Spotlight, Bazz and Phil sit down with one of Port Adelaide’s most beloved characters,

Stephen “Bomber” Clifford. Bomber takes us through his wild journey from debuting at just 16 for Collingwood to becoming a three-time premiership player and three-time best and fairest at the Magpies.

From on-field brawls and legendary torpedoes to giving KG a live TV stitch-up and finding family in Port Adelaide, this chat is packed with stories you’ve probably heard… but never like this. If you love footy from the golden era, raw honesty, and a few police escorts off the field, you’re going to love this one.

🙌 Thanks to our sponsor Air Diffusion Australia

🙌 Big Thanks to Bomber for hosting us!

🙌 Intro/Outro music by @kayneandreasmusic

🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to keep the Spotlight shining

🎙️ In this episode of Sporting Spotlight, Bazz and Phil sit down with South Australian football legends Chris and James Gowans, the twin dynamos behind Central District’s incredible run of success.

The Gowans boys share their journey from nearly joining South Adelaide, lured by promises of “the Gold Coast of South Australia,” to becoming SANFL icons at Centrals, winning nine premierships and building a legacy few can match.

Packed with hilarious stories about club life, homesickness, rivalry games, and the fierce bond only twins can have on the field, this is a must-watch for any Aussie footy fan.

If you love great footy yarns, underdog stories, and hearing from true club legends, you will love this one.

🙌 Thanks to our amazing sponsor Air Diffusion Australia.

🙌 Thank you to Norwood Football Club for letting us use the grounds to film.

🙌 Special Thanks to @_kayneandreasmusic_ on TikTok for our Intro/Outro theme

🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to keep the Spotlight shining