Best of ABC Sport Podcast

New South Wales will go in to Game 2 of the Women's State of Origin knowing a win in front of a sold out crowd in Newcastle will secure a historic series win. Flying winger Jaime Chapman played a big part in setting up that victory in Game 1 in Brisbane with a memorable try as the Blues flew out of the blocks. She told Andrew Moore and the team that it's a relief having a 3 game series with some of the pressure to avoid a drawn series. She also said she's looking forward to having the hostile Newy crowd on her side for once!

The Queensland lead in to State of Origin 1 has been very smooth compared to New South Wales. The withdrawal of Dylan Edwards has seen spurned full back and captain James Tedesco recalled. Maroons five-eighth Tom Dearden even though it's a forced change for the Blues they are bringing in another dangerous player. He also told Andrew Moore and the team that he's enjoyed having a full camp after a fairly rushed debut 2 years ago.

Roosters utility and all round good bloke Connor Watson got to spend some unexpected time with Andrew Moore and the ABC Sport NRL Commentary team after picking up a throat injury. However, he might have been missing the Roosters round 13 game with the Cowboys for a different reason had he not been injured. There were plenty of suggestions that he would have been named in the New South Wales squad for Origin 1. But he explained that while he's disappointed it's fed his desire to make sure he can fulfil his dream of playing for the Blues.

Should a player be ineligible for the rising star if they are suspended? Ben Cameron, Cameron Ling and Jake Niall toss around whether Harley Reid or Sam Darcy deserve to miss out on winning the award.

Queensland will travel to Newcastle for Game 2 of the Women's State of Origin expecting plenty of hostility from the sold out crowd. But Second Rower Romy Teitzel told Andrew Moore that she's hoping her Maroons team mate and Knights full back Tamika Upton will win a few local fans over playing at her club ground. She's expecting an improved performance from Queensland and explained that with the series being played outside of the NRLW season she hadn't had chance to play alongside the likes of Ali Brigginshaw for the past 6 months.

AFL Saturday with Ben Cameron, Mick Malthouse and Adam Ramanauskas. On today's show, Western Bulldogs Captain Marcus Bontempelli and AFL Head of Umpiring Steve McBurney.

For the first time ever breaking, or breakdancing, is a part of the Olympics and we chat to b-boy and Australian team member Lawrence 'The Law' Bernal to get the lowdown on the sport. From what to expect at a suburban breaking contest to the significance of it becoming an Olympic sport, to the mystery around the DJ, it's a giant cheat sheet on a sport that doesn't get much attention or funding. There's also cheese wheel hill sprints, Origin squads, Tahitian heavy wave surfing and French Open rowdiness.

Cronulla lock Cam McInnes is still pinching himself about being in th New South Wales team for Game 1 of State of Origin. He told Andrew Moore and the team how special it was to get the call from the man who gave him his 1st Grade debut - Michael Maguire. He talked about the energy in the camp the trio of Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Stephen Crichton bring and also how he's less focused on what he can do as an individual and more on what he can bring to the team.

Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron discuss the state of umpiring in the AFL at the moment as well as everything else in hot news / not news. Brett Deledio in his usual Thursday segment.

Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron discuss the state of umpiring in the AFL at the moment as well as everything else in flesh it out / throw it out. Marc Murphy is in for his Mad Mondays with Murph segment.

On InZane Rugby League this week, Zane Bojack and former Raiders half Sam Williams are joined by NSW Blue's legend Ben Elias who says new coach Michael Maguire has picked a team for State Of Origin Game 1 that can win the series 3-0.

Many people expected the Cronulla v Penrith match to be one of the best of round 12 in the NRL but as it was the Panthers blew the Sharks away 42-0. Penrith second rower Scott Sorensen has had an injury hampered start to the season was delighted with the way his whole team performed from start to finish against Cronulla. He told Andrew Moore and team that they sensed a big performance was coming after the way the team trained in the wake of their Magic Round loss to the Warriors. Sorensen explained how coach Ivan Cleary had wanted to see more intensity from the team which he felt had been lacking from the previous weeks.

Geelong's fourth consecutive loss, Leek Aleer's heroics and umpiring decisions headline the agenda for Matt Clinch, Cameron Ling and Jake Niall.

South Sydney fans might be looking forward to the second coming of Wayne Bennett to the club but CEO Blake Solly reckons there won't be sweeping changes. Solly told Andrew Moore and the team that he was always confident Bennett would be returning despite some interest from the Eels. And he's confident that a shift in attitude should see the Rabbitohs turn around without much change to the roster or the backroom staff.

Brad Arthur has handled his departure from Parramatta in the same way he did things while he was coaching. He's fronted up to every interview, has been open and honest and found time to chat to Andrew Moore and the team. He talked his highlights during his tenure and his admiration for the toughness of Clint Gutherson. He also explained how he didn't expect the sacking but that he's got no resentment and in fact is still grateful for the opportunity at the club. He reiterated he's not done with coaching and he'll be watching his son play for the Eels in the NSW Cup at Stadium Australia before his former team take on Souths in round 12.

AFL Saturday with Corbin Middlemas, Mick Malthouse and Adam Ramanauskas. On today's show, AFL EGM Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch, and Hawthorn acting Captain Jarman Impey.

One of the best Wallabies of the last 15 years opens up on his first hand experience into recent concussions and the way it affected him on and off the park. We also delve into the disappointment of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, that tweet he sent after the Wales game and Foley serves up a left field idea to reinvigorate the sport. Plus there's a Magic Round wrap up, not so random drug tests in the NRL, a Mary Fowler Barbie doll and plenty more on the Sport and Spice rack this week.

Jeff Hardy is a favourite of the ABC Sport team and he dropped by to the visit the commentary box before he was about to lead the St George Illawarra Dragons out on to field ahead of their Indigenous Round game against the Bulldogs. He explained the importance of people hearing the stories of First Nations players, how important it was to have Kurri corner in his time with the Dragons and his pride in seeing how Indigenous Round has grown. He also talked about his work with the Clontarf organisation but refused to spill any dirt about his good friend Matthew Elliott!

On Corbin & Ben, Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron discuss everything happening in the world of football in hot news / not news. Another item is ticked off Ben's annual AFL media cycle bingo card and Brett Deledio joins for his usual Thursday slot.

On Inzane Rugby League this week, Zane Bojack and former Raiders half Sam Williams discuss all the issues out of Magic Round with rumours flying around Brisbane that Michael Maguire will coach the Parramatta Eels in 2025.