The Rugby League Digest

The Rugby League Digest

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A weekly digest of all things Rugby League - past, present and future.




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117 episodes

The Super League War - Chapter 37 - It's My Game (Part 2)

In part two of our 1997 ARL recap we look at the battlers and the heavyweights, and everyone in between. From coaching drama in Campbelltown to a Tigers resurgence, Roosters on the rise, the miracle of the Chargers and more. * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 18m
Aug 16, 2023
The Super League War - Chapter 37 - It's My Game (Part 1)

In this instalment, we discuss the RLW Players' Q and A, performance-enhancing drugs, the Perth Reds, pokies taxes, schoolboy brawls, notable player scandals, Craig Field, Willie Peters, Paul McGregor, Tim Brasher, Tom Brock, Ken Shine, Craig Coleman and much more!  * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 22m
Aug 01, 2023
English Rugby League with Anthony Broxton

Michael is joined by English labour historian and author of the upcoming Anthony Broxton. In a wide-ranging and fascinating interview we look at the state of ENglish Rugby League before, during and after the disastrous 1997 World Club Challenge * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 20m
Jun 28, 2023
The Super League War - Chapter 36 - The World Club Challenge (Part 3)

The culmination of an unbridled and unmitigated disaster, a piece of ingenious club marketing, Graham Murray's impact on the Mariners, format issues, for and against taken to the extreme, Paris St Germain squalor, coaching carnage, London Broncos on the rise, Shaun Edwards and Heather Small, Richard Branson and London, the WCC finals, Renouf scores five, a lackluster grand final, the cold hard stats, disastrous crowds, yet another fact-finding report, passing the buck, the legacy of the competition and much, much more! * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 0m
May 17, 2023
The Super League War - Chapter 36 - The World Club Challenge (Part 2)

In part two of this chapter on the WCC we discuss the relatively competitive round one results, Super League pinning their hopes on Wigan, Tallis vs O'Connor, the state of the UK Super League, Wigan vs Tescos, Bradford Bullmania, rating UK Super League stars, Perth's problems, John Ribot and Super League in damage control, an impromptu Brian Smith fan club meeting, jet lag scientists, blaming the media, blaming referees, and much, much more! * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

59m
May 10, 2023
The Super League War - Chapter 36 - The World Club Challenge (Part 1)

In this much-anticipated chapter we discuss the genesis of the WCC concept, going from 8 teams to 22, arbitrary promotion expenditure, convoluted formatting, ignoring the lower grades, goals of globalisation, cavalier management, the players loving the concept, presenting it as 'cup football", Super League spin, obsession with travel, players in holiday mode, bonding sessions, Ridgey holds court, and much, much more!  * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 3m
May 02, 2023
The Super League War - Chapter 35 - Two Tones (Part 2)

In this episode we discuss Super League's legacy on international rugby league, fireworks over developing nations, the Japanese pipe dream, an Anzac Day furore, Langlands defects to Super League, the Super League test vs City Country, eligibility farces abound, the Nikau vs Blackmore feud, NZ wins the test, a truncated UK tour, open letter news, referee controversy, the black mark of the asterisk on rep careers, ARL test matches, the embarrassing but arguable necessary Rest of the World reboot, NZRL playing footsies with the ARL, premature compromise ideas and much more! * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 14m
Mar 28, 2023
The Super League War - Chapter 35 - Two Tones (Part 1)

In this installment we discuss the abominable '97 Blues jerseys, Tom Raudonikis as coach, QLD feeling flat, spin galore, NSW hooking dramas, disappointing Orign crowds, the Aaron Raper incident, Daryl Rodgers, cattle dog, Chris Close the voice of reason, the Super League Tri-Series, scheduling mayhem, remembering Peter Jackson, spin cycles, Ribot Norton, the epic Tri-Series final, Noel Goldthorpe's career, Bill Harrigan's follies, the legacy of the Tri-Series, and much, much more!  * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 24m
Mar 21, 2023
Chapter 34 Omnibus Episode

In preparation for next Wednesday's return of the Super League War series (Monday on Patreon), we have put together all 5 parts of 'Chapter 34 - The Telstra Cup' in a mega omnibus ep. If you feel like a refresher on the lunacy that was the 1997 Super League club season, or if you have a drive to the Central Queensland Corridor looking for NRL expansion sites, feel free to jump on board! * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

6h 23m
Mar 14, 2023
The Super League War - Chapter 34 - The Telstra Cup (Part 5)

In this concluding episode of 'The Telstra Cup' we discuss the semi finals, ANZ Stadium, Princess Diana, Taking the grand final to Brisbane, grand final week celebrations, ET's stirring speech, the excellence of Bill Harrigan, our Olivia, Human Nature, our love for Steve Renouf, John Plath's contribution, Ray Warren's professionalism, the overall feeling of Super League's only domestic season and much, much more!    * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 14m
Dec 21, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 34 - The Telstra Cup (Part 4)

In the penultimate episode of our 1997 Super League season recap we look at the grand finalists Cronulla and Brisbane. A likeable Sharks outfit up against a Broncos team looking for redemption after three seasons of disappointment.  * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 16m
Dec 06, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 34 - The Telstra Cup (Part 3)

In this the third installment of chapter 34, we discuss Penrith in 1997, Gower the prodigy, Tony Puletua, Ryan Girdler being more than a super boot, an oddly in-depth debate on rugby league’s sexiest man, Matt Adamson, the Bulldogs season, their halfback woes, Hazem El Masri breaks out, hitman Haumono, Halligan the dealmaker, Steve Price, crowd violence, intra-familial disputes at the family club, Canberra’s decline, Mal taking the reigns, hookers galore, Mullins’ star falls, the greatness of Laurie Daley, Clyde and Stuart’s departures, Noa Nadruku insanity and much much * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 28m
Nov 22, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 34 - The Telstra Cup (Part 2)

In this second installment of ‘The Telstra Cup’, we discuss the ill-fated Perth Reds through the lens of three genuine rugby league bad boys, Scott Wilson, Julian O'Neill and Mark Geyer. We discuss the tragedies, nuance, and the redemption arcs, both real and imagined, highlighting a very real human side to Super League War! * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 10m
Nov 01, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 34 - The Telstra Cup (Part 1)

In the first installment of ‘The Telstra Cup’ we discuss the Cowboys, Tim Sheens and the coaching merry go round, player clean outs, John ‘Chicka’ Ferguson, The Adelaide Rams, Liz Dawson, Kevin Campion, being cast aside, the Warrior’s board, Phil Blake, Steve Kearney, Lee Oudenryn, the sacking of John Monie, the Warriors' financial woes, privatisation and much, much more! * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 25m
Oct 25, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 33 - Two Tribes (Part 3)

In this concluding episode of ‘Two Tribes’ we discuss the ARL's preseason trip to East Japan, the ARL World Sevens vs the Super League World Nines, Super League jersey designs and numbering system, a Baz Luhrmann opening night, underwhelming opening rounds, slippery balls, the ARL’s Yanni effect, mass ticket giveaways on both sides, Topper Stadium, Wonderland militants and much, much more! * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

54m
Sep 13, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 33 - Two Tribes (Part 2)

In part two of 'Two Tribes' we discuss the ad campaigns of both competitions, the ARL ramps up nostalgia, false anniversaries, Ron Casey lunacy, Super League goes all in on the sizzle, Cubby Checker, Dionne Warwick, Rodney O, great Aussie companies, hit and miss rules changes, the video referee, Hollywood Harrigan, the ARL's 40/20 rule, an Eric Cox update, and much, much more! * Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 14m
Sep 07, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 33 - Two Tribes (Part 1)

In this installment we examine rugby league's competitors in 1997, Stadium Australia, Paddington vs Homebush, contract fiascos, a trademarks quagmire avoided, football magazine wars, gossip mongers, petty radio squabbles, primitive Pay TV, The Footy Show, Channel 9's true colours, the juggernaut that is Water Rats, the downfall of Monday Night Football, and much, much more! * Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 12m
Aug 30, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 32 - Clearing The Decks

As we kick off season three, we see a clearing of the decks of some of the major players in the war to date, Cowley goes, Frykberg arrives, Ribot and Quayle stand down, and we reflect on Ribot and Quayle's legacies, Quayle's replacement Neil Whittaker, Arko steps down, but the hurt remains, interstate fighting, the ghost of Jeans West, Arko's amazing legacy and much, much more! * Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

1h 36m
Aug 23, 2022
The Super League War Season 3: WE ARE BACK

News on the imminent release of The Super League War season 3. We are pumped for the season ahead! * Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

2m
Aug 16, 2022
Patreon exclusive episode - Royce Simmons charity event

A very special episode featuring long time loyal listener Murray Croft and his wonderful fundraiser with the legendary Royce Simmons, as well as Mick and Andy discussing the origin teams, indigenous jersey ratings, the week that was, the RLD catch up, barnet talk, signing news, minnie riperton news, and much more! * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

39m
Jun 01, 2022
Round One Recap - Patreon Bonus Episode

To apologise for the lack of new episodes this year we have unlocked one of our Patreon bonuses, recapping round one of the NRL. This episode includes thoughts on the state of the women's game, RLD vindication watch, jersey talk, new league speak, love for the lock forward position, the boys' thoughts on all the round one games, next week's games, and more! * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

43m
Mar 16, 2022
Americanisation case study with Spencer Kassimir

Americanisation was a cultural buzzword inside and outside Rugby League during the Super League period, and American sport was an obvious influence on the presentation of the Super League vision. But what did it all mean? We break it down with academic and Rugby League fan Spencer Kassimir. * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1h 26m
Jan 17, 2022
Two Tribes: an intreview wityh Steve Mascord

The big one! Michael is joined by Super League fellow traveller Steve Mascord to discuss the war and his new, greatly anticipated book Two Tribes. RLD listeners can go to http://stevemascord.com/product/twotribes and enter product code "rugby league digest" for a great discount offer on Two Tribes discussed at the end of the episode. * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1h 15m
Jan 11, 2022
The Super League War - Chapter 31 - The Appeal (Part 2)

In the second and final episode of this chapter, we look at the fallout from News Limited's comprehensive court victory. It was a frenzied week of speculation following the judgment, with crisis talks at the ARL and in club boardrooms, possible club defections, yet another loyalty agreement, a pay-TV rescue package, and much more! * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1h 4m
Dec 30, 2021
The Super League War - Chapter 31 - The Appeal (Part 1)

The RLD takes an in-depth look at the appeal judgment, the lead up to the case, predictions, the court's interpretation competition, overturning nearly all of Justice Burchett's decision, the immediate courtroom reactions, Ray Hadley's public backflip, Arko's naive reaction to the result, the question of legality versus morality and much, much more! * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1h 3m
Dec 16, 2021
The Super League War - Chapter 30 - The Optus Cup (Part 4)

In this concluding episode of Chapter 30: The Optus Cup, we discuss the semi-final runs of Manly and St George, the post mortems for their victims, a surprisingly entertaining grand final despite popular sentiment, the infamous Manson blunder, John Raper's memorabilia fiasco and much, much more! * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1h 47m
Nov 12, 2021
The Super League War - Chapter 30 - The Optus Cup (Part 3)

In this penultimate episode of the Optus Cup chapter we compare the seasons of the 1996 ARL grand finalists, we discuss Manly's veterans, the impact of unlimited interchange, the Lyons and Menzies combination, offer some overdue Daniel Gartner appreciation, discuss Manly's gun back row, Joey's "red hair" game, Rod Reddy's departure as Dragons coach and the impact of David Waite, Mark Coyne's leadership, "goose of the week" shirts, Dean Raper, nefarious 'Skull' plans, more claims of referee bias, Broncos accused of stacking players, Chang's tours, Saints legends sharing in the victory and much, much more! * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

54m
Oct 26, 2021
Vale Norm Provan

A tribute to the life and career of the Immortal Norm Provan. Vale Sticks. * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

11m
Oct 14, 2021
The Magpie Wing with Max Easton

Max Easton is host of the excellent music history podcast and author of . Michael talks with Max about all of things, about Rugby League in the western suburbs, about Chilli's Hill, and more! is available now through Giramondo Press https://giramondopublishing.com/books/the-magpie-wing/ * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

57m
Oct 01, 2021
The Parramatta Splurge with Ben Darwin

While we are immersed in the 1996 season it is time for a deep dive on Parramatta's buying spree and its failure to generate instant success, with former Wallaby and Gain Line Analytics founder Ben Darwin * See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1h 1m
Sep 24, 2021