This is taken from a recent Patreon episode. We wanted to share our thoughts on a man to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude: a true gentleman and statesman of the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

After three years of backroom deals, broken contracts, court cases, public sniping, and the splitting of the competition, peace was finally declared, and the National Rugby League was born. In our final chapter, we look at the rocky road to peace throughout 1997, covering every false start, potshot, rejected peace proposal, and, finally, the meeting that saw the game come together and the road to rationalisation begin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

Michael is joined by our long time Adelaide correspondent Guy Wilson to discuss the rise and demise of the Rams, Rugby League in South Australia before and after and the case for a return to big time Rugby League in Adelaide.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

Our extended recap of all the on-field action in 1997 concludes with the Newcastle Knights historic grand final win over Manly. We trace the Knights' road to glory, Joey's redemption arc, the convoy of Sid Foggs willing them to victory, Chief's leadership masterclass, that famous last second win, the insane scenes that followed in Newcastle, and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

In this long awaited episode we discuss Newcastle's mining history, identity as the steel city, BHP's closure, the tragic Newcastle earthquake, the miners' strike, seige mentality as a cultural feauture, Barabara Davis and the Aussies for the ARL, vitriol towards the Hunter Mariners, mascot mayhem, stadium wars, merger discussions, further Graham Murray appreciation, and much, much more!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

In this concluding episode of 'The Optus Cup', we discuss the 1997 RLW Player's Poll, shorts fuses of the era, an odd but pleasantly competitive finals system, knee-jerk calls to implement the video ref, Nick Kosef vs the Johns family, Tony Butterfield vs Terry Hill, some pre grand final Darren Albert magic, a Craig Field game-winner, some cruel injuries, suspension mayhem, and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

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 for more information ..read more

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 for more information ..read more

Michael is joined by English labour historian and author of the upcoming Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain 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 for more information ..read more

The 22nd annual Tom Brock Lecture, presented online on November 9, 2020. This year's lecture was delivered by Joe Gorman, author of the Queensland Premier's Award-winning "Heartland: How Rugby League Explains Queensland". The 2020 lecture was titled "40 Years of State of Origin: the past, present and future of Rugby League's showpiece event", and included a panel discussion with NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden and Blues legend Steve "Blocker" Roach. The Tom Brock Bequest, given to the Australian Society for Sports History (ASSH) in 1997, consists of the Tom Brock Collection supported by an ongoing beq ..read more