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The Bench with Jenna and Jon

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

Catch up on the latest news and hear the best interviews from around the Betfred Super League and beyond with Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin.

Location:

United Kingdom

Description:

Catch up on the latest news and hear the best interviews from around the Betfred Super League and beyond with Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Anthony Mullally | Veganism, wellness and meditation

5/13/2024
Former Super League winner, Anthony Mullally joins Jenna and Jon on this week's episode of The Bench. Anthony talks about how he began to focus on mindfullness during his playing career, why he decided to go vegan, and tells us about the retreats business he has set up which offer men the chance to explore their masculinity.

Duration:00:47:48

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Sean O'Loughlin | Captaincy, coaching ambitions and touch judge frustration

5/6/2024
Wigan Warriors' legendary captain, now coach, Sean O'Loughlin is Jenna and Jon's guest on this week's episode of The Bench. Sean looks back on his hugely successful career as a player and tells us what his ambitions are now he has moved into coaching.

Duration:00:30:25

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Alex Walmsley | A different path, happiness and getting rid of backs!

4/29/2024
St Helens prop, Alex Walmsley joins Jenna and Jon this week to discuss his journey from university and amateur rugby league to becoming a Saints legend.

Duration:00:32:27

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Sam Halsall | Contract extensions, coffee and leaving Wembley

4/22/2024
Huddersfield Giants' Sam Halsall joins Jenna and Jon for this week's episode of The Bench. Sam talks about his newly-signed contract extension, how he's trying to become a better barista and offers up a thought on Wembley Stadium in 'On and Off the Bench'.

Duration:00:29:41

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Gary Hetherington | Leeds CEO talks state of rugby league and Rhinos ambition

4/8/2024
Leeds Rhinos chief executive, Gary Hetherington joins Jenna, Jon and Sam Tomkins on this week's episode of The Bench. Gary gives his views on the current state of rugby league in Britain and what he thinks the future looks like for the Rhinos.

Duration:00:29:33

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Professor Chris Brookes | Tour tales, concussion learnings & being a chairman!

4/2/2024
Jenna and Jon are joined by Wigan Warriors chairman, professor Chris Brookes on this week's episode on The Bench. 'Doc' shares stories from his 30 years in rugby league including a couple of brilliant tales from Great Britain's tour of Australia in 2006. Plus, he tells us how understanding of head injuries has changed over the decades and what he has to do now in his role as chairman.

Duration:00:55:04

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Cade Cust | Proving people wrong, no sulking and celebrity appearances

3/25/2024
Salford Red Devils hooker, Cade Cust is Jenna and Jon's guest this week. Cade tells us about how head coach, Paul Rowley is helping to inspire the side to prove their doubters wrong and the importance of having a good attitude in training - even when you might not be in the starting 13. Plus, listen out for Jenna's 'Off The Bench' idea to get more celebrities along to Super League games... Margot Robbie at Castleford anyone?!

Duration:00:29:26

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Shaun Kenny-Dowall | Becoming a coach, big name signings and driving planes

3/18/2024
Jenna and Jon are joined by Hull KR coach, Shaun Kenny-Dowall for this week's episode. Shaun tells us how his move from playing into coaching has gone and how targets and standards are increasing at the Robins. Plus, listen out for some cracking answers to the quickfire questions!

Duration:00:24:26

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Joe Batchelor | Patience, brotherly love and... Heather Small?!

3/11/2024
St Helens second row, Joe Batchelor is Jenna and Jon's guest this week. Joe tells us about how he has had to be patient to break into the Saints team and how James Roby continues to inspire the squad. Plus, listen out for Jon's hilarious story about meeting singer, Heather Small!

Duration:00:29:40

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Harry Smith & Abbas Miski | Becoming world club champions!

3/4/2024
Wigan Warriors duo Abbas Miski and Harry Smith are Jenna and Jon's guests this week, just a few days after they beat Penrith to become club world champions!

Duration:00:38:44

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Sam Tomkins | The documentary, no more training and lookalikes

2/26/2024
Jenna and Jon are joined by the newest addition to Sky Sports' Rugby League coverage, Sam Tomkins. Following his retirement at the end of last season, Sam speaks about life after league, including being mistaken for a famous celebrity fighter, and tells us about the upcoming documentary which delves into the end of his playing career.

Duration:00:30:03

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Ryan Brierley | Red Devil realism, kit bags and window cleaners

2/19/2024
Salford Red Devils back, Ryan Brierley is this week's guest on The Bench with Jenna and Jon. Ryan speaks about Salford's realistic aims for the 2024 Super League season, his personal ambitions and his relationship with head coach, Paul Rowley. Plus, 'Set of Six' and 'On the Bench, Off the Bench' are back for another week!

Duration:00:44:46

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Matt Moylan | Cronulla, leopard print and the first 'Set of Six'

2/12/2024
Jenna and Jon are back for another season, and their first guest of 2024 is Leigh Leopards' new signing, Matt Moylan. Matt tells us about his move to the UK from Cronulla in Australia, how he's getting used to wearing leopard print clothing and how he's looking forward to hearing the chants of English crowds. Plus, as 'On the Bench, Off the Bench' makes its return there's also the debut of a new feature - 'Set of Six'.

Duration:00:33:35

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Ostriches! Lie detectors! Streakers! | The Bench - Best of 2023

12/18/2023
Jenna and Jon are back to take a look back on the first full season of The Bench. Amongst the highlights are Kyle Amor's revelation that he's ridden an ostrich, Sam Tomkins' excellent 'Off the Bench' idea to introduce lie detectors into rugby league and Dan Sarginson's plea to bring back streakers! Thanks for listening to The Bench with Jenna and Jon in 2023 and we'll be back in the New Year!

Duration:00:29:28

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Matt Peet | Learning points, coaching styles and the importance of culture and purpose

10/12/2023
Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet ahead of the Grand Final against Catalans Dragons at Old Trafford. Looking at the in and outs behind coaching at the top level, Matt reveals the key findings he’s made in his career, as well as why his personality matches with who he is as a coach. Purpose and culture are also discussed and does he have a future in the NRL?

Duration:00:35:37

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Kyle Amor & Jodie Cunningham | Cumbria vs the world! Women's RL in London and Cardiff?

10/10/2023
Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Kyle Amor and Jodie Cunningham this week on the day of the Women's Super League Grand Final. Kyle talks passionately about Cumbrian rugby league and his plans to grow the sport in his home county, while Jodie discusses how London and Cardiff could be key areas to help grow the women's game. Plus, there are more ideas for things we want to see more of and less of on 'On The Bench, Off The Bench'.

Duration:00:30:19

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Paul Rowley | Coach of the Year contender, Brodie Croft's future and earmuffs on refs!

10/3/2023
Barrie McDermott steps in for Jon this week as he and Jenna are joined by Salford head coach Paul Rowley. They discuss his nomination for Super League Coach of the Year, the challenges he faces at the club, and Brodie Croft's future. They also reflect on how the game has changed over the years, and Paul explains the story behind an amusing photoshoot from his playing days! Plus, this week's 'on the bench, off the bench' debate includes a 'creative' idea to improve the standard of refereeing!

Duration:00:30:22

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Danika Priim | Social media slogans and dodgy tattoos!

9/29/2023
Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by former Leeds Rhinos forward, Danika Priim who discusses social media slogans and reveals a tattoo which leaves Jon reeling! Plus, Danika chats about her move into the media and there are some 'interesting' ideas put forward in 'On The Bench, Off The Bench'.

Duration:00:31:03

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George Williams | Being a dad, playing in the NRL and what next for Warrington?

9/20/2023
Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by Warrington Wolves' George Williams as he discusses what it's like to be a dad, his time in the NRL with Canberra and how it came to an end, and what to expect from Warrington moving forward.

Duration:00:28:46

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Konrad Hurrell | Food guilty pleasures, Tongan families and... shaking it!

9/12/2023
Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin are joined by St Helens centre, Konrad Hurrell to discuss everything from his family life at home in Tonga to his food guilty pleasures. Plus there's a pretty epic edition of 'On the Bench, Off the Bench' that cannot be missed!

Duration:00:30:17