Sportsworld Podcast

The Perth Wildcats are leading the NBL Grand Final series 1-0 after defeating Melbourne United 81-71 last night. "I think what we showed last night is that we're pretty composed at the moment and we're playing good basketball," Wildcats' centre Tom Jervis told 6PR's Sportsworld. 

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze, says family played a part in the decision to leave the Sydney Kings at the end of the season, but he's still focused on the NBL finals.  The Kings lost their first Semi Final game against Melbourne United on Thursday night, but is looking to bounce back on Sunday.  "[We've] found some areas that we need to improve on and felt like we didn't help ourselves in that game. If we play to our best then our best should be good enough," Gaze said on 6PR's Sportsworld. 

Kim Hagdorn says Nat Fyfe is recovering from minor surgery on his elbow but has received advice to avoid any contact to the area for a fortnight. 

West Coast Eagles defender Brad Sheppard was nervous heading into his first game back after he sustained a hamstring injury late in the 2018 season that kept him out of the AFL Grand Final.  Sheppard was back in flying form with his 21 disposals, four marks and six tackles in the Eagles 34-point win over Geelong in Round 1 of the JLT Series, but he says it was good to be back playing.  "It's been a long Summer and a long time in between drinks from my last game so it was good to get out there with the boys again and pull the jersey on again," Sheppard said on 6PR's Sportsworld.  "Probably a bit more nervous than I normally am leading into a JLT game, but it was good to get through injury free," he told Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn.  Sheppard also shared his thoughts on the youngsters of the team and their efforts last night, including promising forward Oscar Allen who kicked three goals. 

Former Fremantle Best and Fairest, Lachie Neale has made the switch to Brisbane and says his best is yet to come.  "I feel like my best is ahead of me, I haven't had a full pre season in about three or four years and I haven't missed a session this year so my body's feeling great. I'm feeling quite strong so hopefully my best footy's ahead of me. I'd like to think so and I definitely feel I've improved," Neale told Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn on Sportsworld. 

Nat Fyfe will have surgery on the injured bursa in his elbow that has plagued him since last year, but Fremantle say he will be ready to play in the pre season competition.  The Fremantle captain has had the bursa drained a number of times and the club were debating for a while about what to do with the injury.  "You don't make a decision to send someone off for surgery flippantly, but he got a knock on it a couple of weeks ago and it did swell up," Fremantle's General Manager of Football, Peter Bell, told 6PR's Sportsworld.  "He said it was really painful and when Nat Fyfe says something's painful... he's the guy that played with a broken leg for a game a few weeks ago for a quarter or so and played really well so he's obviously got a really high pain threshold," Mr Bell said. But they are confident the recovery will be quick and Fyfe will be ready to play within days. "I wouldn't think it would be getting into the weeks, I think he would be back into full training really, really quickly and then we'll just manage with how he comes through that whether he's JLT1 or JLT2 we're confident he'll be playing a major part in the pre season games," he told Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn. 

The 2018/19 season of the BBL was extended to 59 games, with the two Melbourne teams playing in the final mid February. But despite some fans and commentators saying the season is too long, Cricket Australia's head of BBL, Kim McConnie, says the extension is a sign of success and the longer season has worked well. 

Perth Glory boss Tony Sage was excited ahead of Perth Glory Women's heading to the W-League Grand Final and the Men's on the edge of being crowned Minor Premiers.  But it was the sacking of Matilda's coach, Alen Stajic, that got him fired up.  "My question has always been, why would you pay someone out if he's done something so terribly wrong? You just instantly dismiss him, you don't have to pay them out. "That's what was suspicious for me from Day One," Tony Sage told Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn on Saturday Morning. 

Josh Kennedy and Jeremy McGovern are just a couple of West Coast players who've had to nurse injuries during the off season, but backline coach Daniel Pratt says the squad should be good to go ahead of season proper.  "We've got a few guys who are working through minor surgeries or minor ailments who are looking on track at the moment to be able to play at some time during the JLT series, obviously Nic's (Naitanui) not going to play," Pratt told SportsWorld on Saturday morning. 

Perth Scorchers star Ashton Turner is getting some attention as a possible inclusion for the World Cup, but a shoulder injury is still plaguing his bowling.   Turner says he's excited about the prospect of being including in the squad.  "You can't not think about it, I've had lots of people asking of late. It's such an exciting thing, a World Cup. I remember as a kid watching it on the TV and how excited I was as a fan." "I know that right now I'm not in that squad and I need to do something special to try and get my name in there and obviously I'm a little bit limited at the moment with what I can do with a shoulder that's been a bit of a pain for me," Turner told 6PR's Sportsworld. 

Former Australian cricketer Greg Ritchie says the Aussie cricket team need to move on from some of the older players need to re-focus or move on.  Ritchie analysed the team with Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn and thinks the pressure on Shaun Marsh for Test matches is too much. "He's playing One Day cricket like it should be played, he's a very, very good player Shaun Marsh. As to why he can't do it in Test cricket, well, I have my own ideas on that. I think there's too much pressure from a whole bunch of sources," Richie says on Sportsworld. 

The former Melbourne Storm and St Kilda CEO doesn't hold back on Sydney;'s choice to nomiate three captain for 2019. The boys talk about Jeff Kennet's latest comments and how the Gold Coast can get to the higher end of the AFL ladder. Brian also talks about the recent state of players leaving clubs and the "honour amongst thieves" rule he says no longer exists.   

Fremantle went in to the AFL Draft without a list manager, but with a new General Manager, Peter Bell discussed the Dockers' decisions behind their picks.  "Sturt... is athletic potential, but he needs to put a bit of weight on. He's never done a pre season in football in his life, so it's going to be quite a shock coming in and doing an AFL pre season so we'll see what his body will tolerate," Bell said on 6PR's Sportsworld. 

Seven West Australian's were picked in the AFL Draft this year, one of the worst results for local talent in recent years.  "There's probably a couple that I'm a bit disappointed that didn't get picked up," WA U18s Coach Peter Sumich told Sportsworld on 6PR.  Sumich says he's a bit "dirty" that no one has taken a chance on Perth midfielder Sydney Stack. 

It's the moment West Coast and Collingwood fans will remember for a long time to come... Dom sheed's goal that pushed the Eagles in front to win the 2018 AFL Premiership. Sheed reminisced about that goal and says there were many similarities between that Grand Final and the first West Coast Premiership back in 1992.  "Peter Sumich kicking the goal from that same pocket to put us in front," Sheed says.  The 23-year-old says life has changed since becoming a Premiership moment but he's looking forward to all the football that is yet to come.  

Talk of a three-game series for the AFL Grand Final has flooded discussions this week after it was reported Adelaide coach Don Pyke urged the Coaches' Association to think about a series format.  West Coast General Manager of Football, Craig Vozzo told 6PR: "It's worth thinking about for sure."

Mitchell Marsh is playing for his future in the Australian cricket team and he's set to play a few more Shield games before he's back in the Test squad.   "Yeah, I'll be playing both of them. The more cricket I can play, hopefully there's more time in the middle I can spend, it'll be great," Marsh told 6PR's Sportsworld.  Mark Taylor was the latest casualty of Cricket Australia this week after the report into the ball tampering scandal and Marsh says he wants the sport to get back to top spot.  "I'd be lying if I said it didn't [affect me]," he said.  "I think ultimately us as players and the fans and everyone involved just wants cricket to be back to the number one sport in Australia.... that drives us everyday to make sure we're trying to perform and win games of cricket for Australia."

Australia's Cricket team hasn't had the best start to the season, but on Sunday they're back on home ground at Optus Stadium and the coach Justin Langer is keen to get a win on the board.  "Let me cut to the chase," Langer told 6PR.  "We've got to stop playing like millionaires and get the job done. It's as simple as that." "The best players adapt and we've got to keep doing that whether it's 20/20, 50 overs or test cricket," Langer says.  Langer was honoured earlier on Saturday morning with the south end of Optus Stadium being named after him. 

WA Cricket has thrived with Justin Langer as a player then a coach and it's earned him a spot as the head coach of Australia and now he's been honoured at the new home ground of Cricket in WA.  The south end of Optus Stadium has been named the Justin Langer Stand. WACA CEO Christina Matthews made the announcement on Saturday morning and spoke with 6PR about the unveiling of the stand.  "We've taken the move this year to, every cricket season to put up the sign and we'll have people bowling or batting from the Justin Langer stand end or the WACA Members Reserve stand end so it gives it a nice cricket feel," Ms Matthews told Sportsworld.  The resignation of Cricket Australia Chairman David Peever during the week didn't shock many people but Ms Matthews says he wasn't pushed out by the other Board members.   "We had expressed reservations to the few things that had happened and that was as far as it went for us," she says.  But Ms Matthews was reluctant to commit to the newly available role.  "Well they didn't want me as CEO so I don't think they'll want me as chairman," she laughed. 

Perth Glory head into their new season with a new CEO, a new Coach, new Captain and some fresh faces in the squad, and owner, Tony Sage, says they are positive as they launch into their first game on Sunday.  But Mr Sage says he's "extremely disappointed" with the lack of promotion of the competition and is looking forward to a new look competition in the near future.  "That's why the owners are angry, that's why there'll be an independent A League next year and you will see chalk and cheese. The promotion of the game will improve dramatically once the A-League is stripped from the FFA," Mr Sage told 6PR. 

Western Australia were rolled by Victoria in the Sheffield Shield by an innings and 45 runs, but there were some positives out of the match with Josh Philippe clocking up a century.  Adam Voges spoke with Karl Langdon, Kim Hagdorn and Brad Hardie about the tough loss and getting a few big names back. "We get Shaun [Marsh] back, he'll be back tonight. We'll certainly welcome him back, he obviously didn't have the series that he wanted to have," Voges told 6PR.   

Fremantle landed their man, Jesse Hogan, after on-again, off-again discussion that kept footy fans guessing for weeks; Fremantle General Manager of Football Peter Bell says it was a difficult deal to execute.  "It certainly wasn't smooth the whole way, I guess there's no textbook way to have those discussions and negotiations. There were a few ups and downs," Bell told 6PR.  "It's an incredibly complicated deal but once we reengaged on Monday and we sorted through a few things we were very pleased to get to the outcome that we landed at." The Dockers were also able to gain Rory Lobb, Reece Conca and Travis Colyer during the AFL Trade period and they're happy with how their new-look squad is forming.  "Our best 22 is a pretty good line up," Bell said. "The key is to get them all out in the park, but certainly we've brought in talent so if they're all up and about and playing their best football I think we're a pretty threatening outfit."

The Fremantle Dockers name their Fairest and Best player tonight and Lachie Neale is the clear favourite to win the Doig Medal, but there's been plenty of talk the popular player is set to leave the club. Fremantle's CEO Steve Rosich spoke with 6PR about Lachie Neale, Reece Conca, Jesse Hogan and more. 

Elliot Yeo has taken out the John Worsfold medal for the second year running as the West Coast Eagles Fairest and Best. 

West Coast Eagles Premiership winning midfielder Elliot Yeo has won his second Fairest and Best award in consecutive years, but the humble player puts his success down to a coach who's leaving.  Yeo says any improvement he has made over the last few years has been because Sam Mitchell has put the hard yards in.  "There's still plenty that I feel can give and there's still parts of my game that I've got to work on. I've worked closely with Sam Mitchell this year and it's going to see him go," Yeo told 6PR. 

Cricket Australia bowling coach David Saker joined Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn straight off the plane after arriving in Perth for the last ODI clash against England.

WA cricketer Jhye Richarson joined Karl Langdon, Kim Hagdorn and Brad Hardie on Sportsworld to chat about the Scorchers going into finals and Australia's last ODI clash at Perth Stadium.

WA cricket coach Justin Langer joined Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn on Sportsworld to chat about the Scorchers BBL form and the state of WA Cricket.

Perth Glory owner Tony Sage joined Karl Langdon, Kim Hagdorn and Jason Behrendorff to speak about the club's current run of form and their chances going forward.

Swan Districts new coach Adam Pickering joined Karl Langdon, Kim Hagdorn and Jason Behrendorff to chat about his side's chances ahead of the upcoming 2018 WAFL season.

Former West Coast Eagles midfielder Daniel Kerr joined Karl Langdon, Kim Hagdorn and Jason Behrendorff on Sportsworld to chat about his coaching role at the Thornlie Football Club.

Perth Wildcats player Jarrod Kenny joined Karl Langdon, Kim Hagdorn and Jason Behrendorff to chat about their 2-point loss to Melbourne and preview their clash against the Bullets.

Australian cricketer Marcus Stoinis joined Karl Langdon, Kim Hagdorn and Jason Behrendorff ahead of the upcoming ODI clash against England.

Australian cricket great Merv Hughes joined Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn to chat about the Boxing Day Test and preview all the big talking points heading into the clash.

Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn spoke with Michael Ablett about his new role as the head of the WAFL colts program & talent pathway.

Australian Bowling coach David Saker joined Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn to speak about the Ashes ahead of the WACA Test.

Jason behrendorff spoke with Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn about his injury set-back and the form of the side.

The Player Services Coordinator at the West Coast Eagles Ian Miller joined Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn to chat about their new draftees and how they're settling into life at the club.

Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn spoke with West Coast Eagles list manager Brady Rawlings about all their selections in the AFL National Draft.

Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn spoke with the Fremantle Dockers General Manager of List Management - Brad Lloyd to discuss all their selections in the AFL National Draft.

AFL Talent Manager Michael Ablett joined Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn to speak about the upcoming AFL draft.

West Coast Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett joined Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn to chat about the new AFL X competition and the seating arrangements at Perth Stadium.

Former West Coast Eagles great and long-time coach Peter Sumich joined Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn to preview the AFL draft and give his insight into WA's draft prospects.

Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn spoke with Geoff Marsh about the Australian team selection ahead of the Ashes and the summer of cricket.

Chris Scott is coaching Australia for the upcoming International Rules series against Ireland - he joined Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn for a chat.

Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn chat with cricketer Hilton Cartwright about his performances for WA and his national selection chances for the upcoming Australian summer and Ashes.

AFL player manager and agent Colin Young who works with Corporate Sports Australia joins Karl Langdon, Brad Hardie and Kim Hagdorn to speak about the hectic AFL Trade Period.