Best of Grandstand

Former Maroons enforcer Josh McGuire told Zane Bojack and Sam Williams on InZane Rugby League that Queensland tried to beat the Blues with skill in Game One of 2025 and it backfired badly. 

Connor Watson takes us inside the NSW camp to chat about how Jarome Luai has settled in, why they had to move on quickly after the loss of Mitch Moses and how he reflects on his 16 mins of impact in game one of the State of Origin series. Talking to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge', Watson also tells us why he's avoiding a surf in WA while in Perth, his semi-accidental mo shave off a few days ago and looks ahead to his 'Boots For A Brighter Future' project later in the year.

After qualifying for another World Champs, 3 x Paralympian Rachael Watson tells us about a school visit from Louise Savage and why swimming is her therapy as well as her competition. Talking to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Watson also talks about setting up the city of Brisbane as an accessible place for the 2032 Paralympics and taking it from a 4/10 to a 9/10, plus why inspiring just one kid with a disability is all she strives to do.

The Brumbies and Wallabies back Len Ikitau will attempt to draw on his years growing up in New Zealand when the Brumbies take on the Chiefs and into the future when the Wallabies meet their foes in All Blacks colours. Talking to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Ikitau tells us about getting over his non selection pain for the World Cup, where this season ranks for the ACT Brumbies and why he's politely not asking James Slipper about the last Lions tour.

The new era of the Matildas starts on June 16 and ex-Matilda Grace Gill talks us through what we can expect from new coach Joe Montemurro, why Football Australia were so keen on him and what his European experience means for the team. Chatting to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge', Gill also talks about her journey after football where she's just become the first Matilda to lead commentate a Tillies match.

On InZane Rugby League this week - Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams are joined by Melbourne Storm General Manager of Football and NSW Head of High Performance Frank Ponissi to preview Origin 2 and discuss the likelihood of the club retaining their stars from the threat of the Perth Bears. 

It's far from a well worn path, David Feliuai gave up on footy until a re-ignition in Romania that has led him to Super Rugby finals with the Brumbies in 2025. Chatting to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge', Feliuai talks not knowing rugby even existed in Romania, Pasifika pride and his Samoan culture and what appealed to him about the Brumbies when the Rebels got the flick.

After dropping the knee in Vegas and grabbing two tries on the field, Xavier Savage might be having the best year of his life. Chatting to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Savage chats wedding plans, the Raiders 'stay humble' mentality, Ricky Stuart's smile and why Origin will always be his ultimate goal due to his obsession as a kid.

Cam Burgess doesn't know why he was so far forward, but given he was metres away from Aziz Behich, Burgess takes us back to that glorious Socceroos goal. We hear about Burgess' special Mexican inspired Socceroos tattoo, his record 56 tickets request for the hometown Perth game and what Tony Popovic's message to the Socceroos was ahead of the Saudi Arabia game.

On InZane Rugby League this week Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams discussed the crisis facing the Brisbane Broncos after six losses in their last seven matches. 

One of the newest Matildas is Leah Davidson who is putting a disappointing end to the Melbourne City season behind her for these two games against Argentina. Davidson talks about the nerves of her Tillies debut, the memories of scoring in her 2nd game in front of her family, Tom Sermanni's effect on her career and why there's not enough half time oranges in football these days.

The GWS Giants forward holds onto the fact that as kids in Ballarat, Aaron Cadman made renowned AFL tough man Zak Butters cry and is the only one to have ever done it. Joining Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge', Cadman chats about living out his AFL dream, the frustrations of waiting for your body to bulk up, what he's learned playing alongside Jesse Hogan and why this week's cultural heritage series at the club has taught him lots.

On InZane Rugby League this week, Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams catch up with Blues legend Ben Elias who unsurprisingly tipped New South Wales to win 3-0. 

Quentin Hull and former Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore spoke to BBC Rugby reporter and commentator Sara Orchard ahead of the 2025 tour of the British and Irish Lions. 

Joel Jeffrey entered the AFL when Indigenous player numbers were at a record high but as those numbers decline, Jeffrey talks about what can be done to arrest the slide. Chatting on 'The Saturday Sledge' Jeffrey chats about his own homesickness when he was first drafted, the Gold Coast Suns big hopes for 2025 and how cool it was to play in Darwin for the last two weeks where he grew up.

Lisa Weightman has been running marathons for 20 years including at Olympics and Commonwealth Games and is as excited as ever for the newest addition to the World Majors in Sydney. Weightman tells us why Eliud Kipchoge should thrive in Australia, whether marathons get easier and why the volunteers will revive the iconic Sydney 2000 kit for the event.

From stirring speeches to defending his players without exception, Tommy Oar has nothing but amazing memories of playing under Ange Postecoglou for the Brisbane Roar and the Socceroos. After Postecoglou's Europa League victory, Oar chats to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' about why players feel no pressure when they're coached by Ange, why the Spurs would be silly to sack him and what it is about him that makes him a natural winner.

ABC Sport expert and teammate of Adam Selwood, Cal Sinclair, implores the AFL and players to be on the offence not defence when it comes to mental health. The former Sydney Swan and West Coast Eagle talks about the numbness of the tragic loss last week and says the transition out of footy can be difficult and modern players need to prepare for it as best they can during their career.

On Inzane Rugby League this week - Queensland host Zane Bojack and New South Wales supporting former Raiders halfback Sam Williams go to war on which State of Origin team is the strongest ahead of Game 1 at Lang Park. 

Despite the family group chat blowing up, Richie Asiata is keeping a lid on his Wallabies aspirations after his best year yet for the Reds in the Super Rugby Pacific. Talking to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Asiata tells us about his Samoan dad who still calls him with some coach advice after most games, his unorthodox journey to the Reds, what it was like playing with Kalyn Ponga as a teenager and how Mason Gordon told the Reds he was medically retiring.

The NSW Swifts are top of the table and their skipper Maddy Turner talks netball on and off the court with her unique position on the Players Association board as well. Chatting to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Turner reveals the Penrith Panthers connection that has helped turn around the Swifts form, why the derby versus the Giants are always extra spicy and what policies, including pregnancy, still need work going forward in Australian netball.

Fresh off a history making Origin win for the NSW Blues Women, Jocelyn Kelleher chats the big post match celebrations and when the emotions spilled over for her. Kelleher also talks to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' about the news this week that the Jillaroos won't play in Las Vegas and why they were all disappointed with the decision.

Robert Walls drafted Joel Bowden to Richmond when Bowden was just 17. Following Walls' passing at 74 after a long battle with cancer, Bowden reflects on the Hall of Famer's lasting influence and what he meant beyond football.

On InZane Rugby League this week - Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams catch up with North Sydney and Kiwis legend Mark Graham to chat about his new movie "Sharko" and the re-admission of the Bears in the NRL. 

On the Saturday Sledge - Brisbane Lions rookie forward Logan Morris spoke to Zane Bojack about why he was keen to stay in Brisbane for the next two seasons. 

On the Saturday Sledge this week - Zane Bojack catches up with NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley as interest over Latrell Mitchell's inclusion intensifies. 

On Inzane Rugby League this week - Zane Bojack, former Raiders halfback Sam Williams and AAP chief rugby league writer Joel Gould review NRL Magic Round including whether it should move away from Brisbane, the re-emergence of Penrith and Nathan Cleary and what Wayne Bennett does to reignite the Rabbitohs?

Debutant NSW Blues fullback Abbi Church had the most nervous but most exhilarating time of her life in her State of Origin debut on Thursday night. Chatting to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Church talks about her life balancing being a paramedic and playing NRLW, what the NSW celebrations were like and the disbelief that she scored on debut against QLD in enemy territory in Brisbane.

Wallaby and QLD Reds great Toutai Kefu applied for the Reds job that Les Kiss got and it was made clear they didn't want to appoint someone chasing the Wallabies gig. Kefu chats to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' about that process and why Les Kiss is a great fit for the Wallabies role, how his friendship with Joe Schmidt will make the transition seamless and what Kefu's own coaching aspirations are in the future.

It's not often you get to speak to someone hours after the greatest day in their life, so hear in real time what the Bells Beach Pro win meant to Aussie surfer Isabella Nichols. Nichols chats to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' about the cut throat nature of the tour, missing her twin sister's wedding for a surf event, her Dad's Broncos obsession and Danish surfing experiences.

Blood and tears were the norm in the Warner family house growing up and Corey Warner talks about the fine line between brotherly love and fierce rivalry that still exists. Joining Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Warner reveals how he found out first that Chad was re-signing, his first Sydney Derby this weekend, why he's loving Dean Cox and who the youngest Warner brother is that might be the best of the lot. Plus, he gives us the one key factor that Corey trumps Chad in...

On Inzane Rugby League this week - Zane Bojack and former Raiders halfback Sam Williams are joined by Qld Maroons prop Sophie Holyman and NSW Blues debutant Ellie Johnston ahead of Origin 1 at Lang Park on Thursday night. 

Maddison Levi is the reigning Sevens Player Of The Year but at age 23 the talented athlete has a choose your own adventure type situation ahead of her with more to achieve in the 7s world as well as 15s and Rugby League calling. Chatting to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' ahead of the LA Sevens finals, Levi talks of first dreaming of touring the world as a dancer, what it's like to live and play alongside your younger sister and what the next few years might look like.

Chelsea Lenarduzzi is another NSW born and raised player in QLD colours and ahead of the series starting on May 1 she talks about why she chose them ahead of the Sky Blues. The three time premiership winner with the Broncos joins 'The Saturday Sledge' to chat about the upcoming series, what camp has been like and why she might turn back to her former path as a successful shot putter after her league career end to have a tilt at the Olympics.

After all but retiring, Callan Ward's wife convinced him to give it one last crack while she raises their three children, including a 5 month old boy, about 1000km away from where Ward is in Sydney. The GWS Giants veteran chats to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' about this huge decision for his family to live in Melbourne for his final year of footy, how hard it's been, the lure of a premiership and what the spice level is like on the Giants v Bulldogs clashes these days.

In the wake of a tumultuous week for the Richmond Football Club, CEO Shane Dunne joins the ABC Sport team to provide insights into recent developments surrounding Noah Balta. He also discusses the club's preparations for the upcoming ANZAC Day Eve match, a key fixture on the AFL calendar.

Former #1 draft pick Nicola Barr jumps on 'The Saturday Sledge' to chat about moving from her beloved GWS to St Kilda and what her work with climate action organisation FrontRunners involves. Barr talks through a 'Duty Of Care' Bill, the bringing together of athletes for a cause and reminisces on when the AFLW used to play in the hottest part of the year.

After competing on Alone Australia this season, former Raiders and Warriors player Matt Allwood joins 'The Saturday Sledge' to talk about how footy helped and hindered his experience. Allwood compares a rugby league pre-season to being alone in the Tasmanian bush, what eel tastes like, how his footy injuries changed his preparation and whether he'd do it again.

On Inzane Rugby League this week Zane Bojack and Sam Williams catch up with Dolphins game development manager and former PNG Hunters CEO Shane Morris to find out how Kristian Woolf has turned around the form of Redcliffe and his thoughts on salary cap dispensation for PNG players as the competition introduces an 18th team in 2028. 

On Inzane Rugby League this week Zane Bojack and Sam Williams catch up with Dolphins game development manager and former PNG Hunters CEO Shane Morris to find out how Kristian Woolf has turned around the form of Redcliffe and his thoughts on salary cap dispensation for PNG players as the competition introduces an 18th team in 2028. 

Debuting in the game that his Dad helped create, Jayden Campbell enjoyed every second of the cultural and the on field moments as a part of his first Indigenous All Stars camp. Joining Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Campbell tells us about the proud week, his culture and its celebration at the Titans and also chats dogs and tattoos.

We're watching a crew of Australian sprinters blossom before our eyes and track and field commentator Dave Culbert talks Gout Gout and co as well as casting an eye to this weekend's Stawell Gift. Get the lowdown on 'The Saturday Sledge' of who stood out at the National Champs in Perth including the head turning run of Peter Bol and which new faces jumped out in the men's and women's space and also who might surprise at the fabled Stawell Gift on Easter Monday.