The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

How on earth does someone stay vital in Rugby League over six decades? What drives a man to continue coaching at the top level at an age when everyone else has either been pensioned off or has had enough? Andrew Webster has written a splendid biography on Wayne Bennett that goes deep on one of Rugby League's most significant all-time figures. The Wolf You Feed - Wayne Bennett, The Man, The Myth, The Mayhem dissects an extraordinary life and explains how family life and family strife shaped the man and the coach that has helped shape Rugby League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max Easton joins the pod to chat about his new novel Paradise Estate. A sequel to the Miles Franklin-nominated The Magpie Wing, Paradise Estate introduces us to a Hurlstone Park share house, including Rocco, who's making a late tilt at the Italian Rugby League World Cup squad. Like its predecessor, Paradise Estate is a brilliant Sydney snapshot, chronicling the real-life struggles of a generation as it faces up to the brutal reality of an economy and housing market totally stacked against them. And while far from a Rugby League novel, you can betcha bottom dollar we find a way to go deep on some alluring, but fundamental questions about the game in 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We revisit our November 2021 chat with Professor Megan Davis that hopefully provides a little space and clarity amongst all the Referendum campaign din. All of course wrapped in a loving Rugby League blanket. This is an edited version of the original, which can still be found in the feed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Broxton joins the pod to chat about his thoroughly excellent new book Hope & Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain. A turbulent period for the country meets an ambitious time for British Rugby League. How did it all come to be? And how can we make sense of it 30-40 years on? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former NRL referee Matt Cecchin joins us for a special Adjudication Edition of the PRL Podcast. Matt comes out of retirement to ref our specially convened match to help us better understand some of the grey areas of our great game. And in between rulings, Matt thoughtfully reflects on a storied career in the middle. The PRL Podcast takes full responsibility for all whistle sounds within this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the Dolphins' entry into the NRL actually mean for the character and make-up of South-East Queensland Rugby League? Celebrated Australian author and actor, and Redcliffe Dolphins fan from way back, William McInnes gives us 110% and then some, as he reflects on his personal history with the Redcliffe region, the Dolphins and the old Brisbane Rugby League. William also lays the richest foundation yet seen (by us anyway) for the burgeoning Dolphins-Broncos rivalry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back for another year! And what better way to kick things off than with a chat with one of the most interesting Rugby League minds, Matt Elliott. We discuss some of the themes of his new book, The Change Room: Play The Game of Your Life and dip into some of his experiences from a lifetime in Rugby League, including some candid reflections from his coaching career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three years in the waiting, the 50th edition of the Koori Knockout has been run and won. Bidjigal man Brad Cooke joins us to discuss how it all went down. Plus we chat about how the Knockout continues to evolve, the social dividends it promotes, as well as Brad's memories of some of the all-time great Knockout moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's high time we took the pulse of Rugby League in the UK. And who better to place two fingers to its wrist than UK Labour historian and Rugby League thinker, Anthony Broxton from Tides of History. We chat with Anthony about his latest piece, 'Does Rugby League have a gambling problem?', delve into deeper territory on the IMG-led future of the British game, and ponder on the extent to which the UK Labour Party with play the 'Rugby League card' to win back crucial election-defining constituencies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grade Cricketer and North Sydney Bears lifer Sam Perry joins the pod to ruminate on the lot of Bears fans as the pendulum may be finally, possibly, potentially (don't shout it lest you jinx it!) swinging their way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Foreign and public policy specialist, Hugh Piper takes us deep on soft power, sports diplomacy and the role Rugby League is playing and may play in Australia's foreign policy strategy in the Pacific, including through a potential PNG-based team in the National Rugby League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trevor Gibbons joins the pod to discuss the writing and legacy of Dave Hadfield, with a focus on the seminal essay collections, XIII Winters and XIII Worlds. Trevor warmly reflects on Dave the person, his influence on British Rugby League writing, as well as some of the escapades he and Dave shared around the world in the name of the thirteen-folk code. Dave passed away in March 2022. And stay tuned after the outro for an excerpt from one of Dave's essays, A Tangerine Machine (with thanks to Phil Caplan and the kind folk at Scratching Shed Publishing). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Sydney Rugby League fans, there's a bit of mystery and allure about the concept of a one-team-town. Like seriously, how does it work? THE MILK is a super new book that sneaks us a handy little glimpse into what it's like to follow one such team - the Canberra Raiders. But more than that, it's a fun ride through the history of a real community club; a club that arguably changed Australia's bush capital for good. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raiders legend Alan Tongue joins the pod to talk us through the unsung senses of Rugby League - the stuff that can't penetrate our TV sets. Which smells dominate the dressing sheds, or at a scrum? What does it feel like to 'put on a good shot' or to succumb in a wrestle? And how common is the pre-game spew? Plus, Alan shares his experiences as a community servant and gives us his thoughts on the Raiders' chances in 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PLUM is a cracking new novel about the turbulent post-footy life of Rugby League superstar, Peter Lum. Author Brendan Cowell joins the pod to discuss the process of piecing Plum together and shares what he knows and what he's learnt about footy, fame, concussion, masculinity, the Shire, the Sharks, the Johns brothers' reading habits and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Mascord joins the pod to explain why he took it upon himself to bring back into focus the rollicking ride that was the 1997 Rugby League season in Australia. Armed with a thick wad of interviews with the most influential figures of the Super League era, Steve reflects on what it all meant then and what it all means now. How can we judge who won the war? How should international Rugby League devotees feel about that period? How would the Super League war be reported upon if it unfolded in the 24/7 media and communications landscape of 2021? Lots to chat about; let's get stuck in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sports broadcaster, journalist and media coach Niav Owens joins the pod to discuss how professional Rugby League players are preparing themselves to navigate the sprawling world of modern communication. What's involved in turning a shy suburban kid into a formidable sporting ambassador? How has media and communication training evolved with the times? What does the word 'certainly' have to do with it? And what's the deal with eye contact? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Megan Davis joins the pod to discuss the deep and fascinating connection between First Nations and Rugby League, why the Uluru Statement From the Heart matters and how Rugby League helps to bind our society. Plus, Megan gives us a glimpse into how things roll at the Australian Rugby League Commission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toulouse Olympique are officially a Super League club. And we have two guests to help us reflect on this sweet sounding sentence. Toulouse Olympique CEO Cédric Garcia joins us to chat about how it all unfolded, as well as the road ahead for the club. And the doyen of French Rugby League history and author of The Forbidden Game, Mike Rylance, helps us put this achievement into historical context. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Lech Blaine joins the pod to chat about his Quarterly Essay 'Top Blokes - The Larrikin Myth, Class and Power', which surveys the changing nature of the Australian larrikin and how Rugby League is bearing witness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.