After winning a Grand Final with the famous Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in 1995, Mark Hughes thought life couldn’t get much better.

But, just two years later, at the age of 20, he played on the wing in Newcastle’s inaugural premiership side, defeating Manly 22-16 in one of the greatest deciders in rugby league history.

In 2001, Mark represented New South Wales in the State of Origin Series, and his Knights return to The Big One.

In front of 90 000 fans at Stadium Australia, Half Back Andrew Johns puts on a masterclass in a 30 – 24 upset over the Parramatta Eels.

Then, at the age of 36, and with three young children, Mark faced the fight of his life when he was diagnosed with a Grade 3 high grade Oligoastrocytoma.

He completed 33 radiation sessions and 6 months of oral chemotherapy, and in 2014, Mark and his wife Kirralee began the Mark Hughes Foundation when they realised how underfunded brain cancer was in Australia in comparison to other cancers.

Since then they’ve raised close to $30 million for research, to create awareness and support brain cancer patients and their families.

The Knights use the following words to describe Mark on the club’s website.

Brave. Adaptable. Reliable. Resilient. Inspiring.

At The Perfect 10 we’d like to add just one more – Legend!

We hope you enjoy The Mark Hughes story.

Brad Donald had stints in Bathurst, Orange and also the ACT, but it’s his role with South East Queensland’s Women’s team that changed his rugby league journey.

He landed the Maroons job in 2013, and was appointed Head Coach of the Australian Jillaroos in 2017.

His side were World champions that year, defeating New Zealand 23-16, and Donald’s record is currently perfect….eight from eight.

He’s now determined to defend the title at Old Trafford in Manchester this November.

(Image courtesy of NRL Photos)

Dan Ryan fell in love with the sport of netball from a young age, and fulfilled his childhood dream when he captained Victoria and Australia.

His coaching career began with Corio Devils in the Geelong District, followed by an Assistant role with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. When he lands the top job, it turns into a nightmare! Dan’s side loses 27 games straight, leaving him shocked, stressed and riddled with anxiety.

After parting ways with the club, and plenty plenty of soul searching, he secures the Head Coaching position with Northern Ireland as well as the Leeds Rhinos.

Then, after an exhaustive interview process, Dan replaces Stacey Marinkovich at the West Coast Fever, and leads the team to its first title in 25 years.

Dan’s story should be mandatory listening, and a blueprint for any aspiring coach on the enormous highs and lows in sport.

Identified by Julie Fitzgerald as a promising teenager, Kimberlee Green established herself as one of the World’s finest players in a career spanning 17 seasons. Her resume includes three premierships, two World Championships, Commonwealth Games Gold, a League MVP Award and 74 caps for the Australian Netball Diamonds. Then, just when she was set to retire, she reunites with Fitzgerald to Captain The Giants in 2017. Now, the 36-year-old is juggling motherhood, a successful business, and continues to shine off the court, in her commentary role with Fox Sports.

One of Australia’s most well known and loved athletes, Kerri Pottharst OAM, shares her story on the Perfect 10. After injury forced her to switch from indoor to beach volleyball, Pottharst went on to become a three-time Olympian, winning gold on the sands of Bondi Beach in Sydney 2000. The mother, motivational speaker, author and athlete mentor, also elaborates on inspiring the nation all over again on SAS Australia.

NRLW star Corban Baxter guided her Sydney Roosters team to its first Premiership, defeating three-time champions, the Brisbane Broncos in the semis, followed by St George Illawarra in the Grand Final. The 28 year-old has also represented New South Wales, Australia and the Maori Allstars. She is a Mum, a successful business woman, and an extraordinary leader on and off the field.

(Image courtesy of NRL)

The Golden Girl of the surf lifesaving, Georgia Miller has equaled Karla Gilbert, claiming her third Australian Ironwoman Title. The BMD Northcliffe star overcame Covid -19 as well as Pericarditis, just to reach the starting line on the Gold Coast. One thing is for sure, she won’t be doing an Ash Barty any time soon, the 26 year-old is hoping to wear the green and gold at the World Championships in Italy later in the year.

Not only is Lightning Luke King running second in the TCR Australia Series in the Audi, he’s rapidly becoming one of the finest motorsport analysts in the country. On this episode Luke covers the latest in Fomula One, including Daniel Ricciardo’s stunning victory in Monza and Lewis Hamilton’s 100th Grand Prix win. We put the spotlight on Aussies starring on the World stage in support categories, as well as the long awaited return of domestic racing.

Nicola McDermott claimed silver in the Women’s high jump in Tokyo, soaring to a new Australian record – two metres and two centimetres. While the 24 year-old is delighted with a podium finish, she now wants gold in Paris in 2024.

As a teenager Pat Farmer was inspired by the iconic Sydney to Melbourne Ultra Marathon. Since then, he’s accomplished some of the greatest feats on Earth. He ran from the North Pole to the South Pole and was named National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year. Now, he’s looking to unite Australia with a new run from Broken Hill to Byron Bay.