Fox League commentators and characters Warren Smith and Matt Russell assemble to tackle to biggest talking points of each NRL week, as only they know how - with passion and precision.
Fox Sports Australia presents a brand new show: The Professor and Barney PodcastIn the first episode, they run through some of the best, worst and most memorable sporting debuts.The show is now available on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Hit 'subscribe' and you won't miss an episode.Or listen to the first episode in full at this URL: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=544125Search for The Professor and Barney Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
Matt Russell and Warren Smith pop in to chat the upcoming Tests, the Nines and much more.
The biggest match had some enormous moments. Matt Russell and Warren Smith have been closely assessing decisions and interpretation all year, and are well qualified to talk their way through the controversial moments that headlined the Roosters' NRL GF victory.But it wasn't just the main game that caught our attention over the weekend, with Brisbane too good in the NRLW decider and Newtown producing an incredible hail mary play.And then there's the World Cup 9s around the corner.No Lara Pitt this week, but the trio plan to return next week, as anticipation for the WC 9s builds.
It's Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt once again! And it's Grand Final week, no less, after two exciting Prelims.Here's some of what was discussed:-Jess Surgess. What a talent (0:30)-The Raiders' win (10:00)-Canberra's fantastic community work (11:00)-James Tedesco's Raiders back flip re-visited (12:00)-Raiders v Roosters in 2019 (14:00)-The Roosters great win over Melbourne (26:00)-Talk of a Cronk-to-Melbourne return (26:30)-Cam Smith's big decision (39:00)-Commentator bias accusation (47:00)-'Fixing' the man of the match awarding in the GF (48:00)-Some of the amazing player stories, heading into Sunday's GF (50:00)-Grand Final predictions (57:00)
Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt are back to react to an action-filled Week 2 of the finals, where Melbourne and Souths progressed to the Prelims.Here's some of what was covered:-Wayne Bennett forgot the score (0:00)-Where is Graham Annesley? (6:00)-Jake Trbojevic's sin-bin decision (8:00)-How Souths can beat Canberra (15:00)-Slapping stuff (20:00)-'We're future-proofing the game' (25:00)-The Eels crash back to earth (26:00)-Why the Roosters probably won't lose at the SCG (33:00)
Matt Russell, Warren Smith and Lara Pitt have plenty of good stories and thoughts out of the opening week of the NRL Finals.Here's some of it:-Broncos' woes and what's going wrong (4:00)-The Eels haven't won anything yet (10:00)-Fireworks at Melbourne (15:00)-The Raiders outstanding win (20:00)-Why Manly were good things to upset Cronulla (26:00)-The beast probably keeping T-Rex out of the 17 (38:00)-Lara's experience in the Roosters' sheds post-game (44:00)-Previewing Week 2 of the finals (50:00)
Matt Russell and Lara Pitt keep the pod ticking over, as Warren Smith continues to recover from his bout of the flu.But this show is no compromise - there are plenty of great things to chat about, as the long regular season finally comes to an end and the meaningful September showdowns arrive.Here are some highlights:-Sivo's story - hard to Maika it up (3:00)-Are Cronulla legit contenders? (6:00)-Hudson's rookie error (12:00)-JWH's carless act (17:00)-Storm thinking Raider revenge (23:00)-The Dogs have their D (27:00)-Finals Week 1 Preview and tips (30:00)
*Audio file now fixed*Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt are still riding a high from an action-packed Round 24 and can't wait for what's to come in the final round of the regular season.Here are some of the highlights:-The build-up to the battle for 8th / Robbie Farah farewell (1:00)-Top two considering resting? (15:00)-Turbo's ruptured pec and sideline Lara's reporting of it (22:00)-Will Chambers' fan run-in (27:00)-Souths' impressive win (34:00)-Waz's chunk of NQ turf (37:00)-Round 25 Tips (55:00)
Matt Russell, Lara Pitt and Warren Smith are overwhelmed with talking points out of Round 23.Here are just a few of them:-Fonua-Blake's 'disrespectful' crowd gesture (2")-A message for Joey Leilua (4")-Amazing try-savers (14")-The Doggies keep coming (20")-Parra's concerns (22")-Unnecessary roughness in Rugby League (30")-The farewells coming up (39")-Newcastle's wheels fall off (53")
Matt Russell, Lara Pitt and Warren Smith check in after Round 22, a weekend filled with wild and wonderful action.Here's just some of what was looked into:-Latrell chasing point scoring history (0:30)-Boyd Cordner's injury and coaches protecting players (5:00)-August fatigue and the Bunnies (10:00)-Bulldogs finishing strong (18:00)-The race to September (20:00)-Favourite fan activities (35:00)-The stripping rule (44:00)-R23 preview (50:00)
Feel the passion and frustration as Matt Russell, Lara Pitt and Warren Smith dig into some of the issues that have gripped the NRL community after Round 21.Here are some of the highlights:-Reaction to Trent Robinson's strip comments (10:00)-How the Bulldogs make the finals (19:00)-Late hits on ball-players (22:00)-A lovely James Graham moment with surprise parental visit (36:00)-What do we do with Josh McGuire? (40:00)
Fox League commentators Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt cover some of the major talking points from Round 20 and offer their own spin on the movings and shakings in the NRL right now. Here are some highlights:-Blowout round - some big losses and a horrendous stat for Queensland league (7:00)-Brisbane disappointment (8:00)-Bulldogs players Paying back Dean and buying in big (14:00)-Analysing clubs' runs home (17:00)-The belter games coming up (23:00)-Coach of the Year contenders (30:00)-Is there a field goal cam fix? (50:00)
Warren Smith and Matt Russell dive into a series of big and controversial talking points out of Round 19, before nominating which of the teams outside the top 4 could be this season's 'bolter'... because there's always one.
Fox League broadcasters Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt assemble for this week's issues in the NRL. Under-performing teams and players have been under the microscope and under the pump... none more so than the Dragons and Titans. This podcast doesn't miss, either.Here are the show's highlights:-Dragons drama (4:00)-What the focus should be now for teams out of the hunt (8:00)-How to rest players and how not to rest players (11:00)-How Wayne Bennett would fix the Origin period (14:00)-Sunday's high-scoring halves record (26:30)-Shoulder charging incidents from Round 18 (29:00)-Ken Irvine Medal race (42:00)-Gold Coast's under-performers (45:00)
Warren Smith and Matt Russell have their second term report card to run through.But that's after ticking off a long list of remarkable talking points that Round 17 offered up.Here are the highlights:-Cotric send off (1:30)-Garth Brennan's no longer Gold Coast coach (5:00)-Titans going around in circles (9:00)-Cam's milestone (15:00)-Latest set of officiating blunders (21:00)-Golden Point. Good? (25:00)-End of term 2 Report Card (28:00)
The Origin period of the NRL season is almost over, but for those that have stopped to smell the roses, yet again, it's created some fantastic rugby league stories.Fox League broadcasters Matt Russell Lara Pitt and Warren Smith look through some of those good news events, as well as attempt to thrash out this issue involving injured players and play being allowed to continue, following the Peta Hiku incident on Saturday night.Here is more information on this week's episode:-One of Boyd's best wins (3:00)-On the plus side of the NRL's Origin period (8:00)-Melbourne's nice media initiative (17:00)-Gordie's heartwarming Walters moment (19:30)-The bunker bobs up again: Maumalo, Marsters (25:30)-Whether the refs should stop play for an injured player or not (34:00)-Analysing the Origin build-up (43:00)-Some Cam Smith highlights ahead of game 400 (49:00)-The other milestone men (59:00)
Fox League broadcasting trio Matt Russell, Lara Pitt and Warren Smith return to wrap up Round 15 of the NRL, involving hugely consequential charges, consequential results and monumental stuff ups.Here's more info:-Issues getting to the venue (0:00)-Tariq Sims (12:00)-George Burgess (18:00)-Bunker blunders (27:00)-Ben Cummins milestone (31:00)-Ladder watch (31:30)-Jimmy wins (37:00)-Wooden Spoon race (38:00)-The pressure on Anthony Seibold (42:00)-Reacting in real time to the report that David Klemmer will be overlooked if Tariq Sims gets off his charge (59:00)
Warren Smith and Matty Russell don't just watch Origin like the rest of us.They pulled out their comprehensive notes to break down the Blues' dominant performance in Perth. No Lara Pitt this week!The guys also looked into Rep Round, some of the great stories to come out of it, plus dig a little deeper into the games they called.-Waz had Samoa v PNG (26:00)-Women's State of Origin wrap - rise and relocating? (37:30)-NZ v Tonga (40:30)-The Rep Round earnings conversation (42:00)-Milford magic (44:00)-Round 15 preview (45:00)
Fox Sports commentators Warren Smith, Lara Pitt, and Matt Russell run the rule over NRL's Round 14, and the State of Origin team changes for game two.
Matt Russell, Lara Pitt and Hannah Hollis dissect the State of Origin opener and the hottest topics in rugby league this week.
Join Warren Smith, Lara Pitt and Hannah Hollis on Take Me Now, I Have Seen It All.The trio discuss Round 12 as well as all the happenings in the Blues and Maroons camps.
Warren Smith and Lara Pitt dissect the Round 11 action, State of Origin squads, praise Mitchell Pearce's fine performance and address Dragons' worrying form.
Fox League experts Warren Smith, Lara Pitt, and Matt Russell run the rule over Round 10, and all the biggest talking points in the NRL.
Fox League broadcasters Matt Russell, Lara Pitt and Warren Smith tell stories and break down all the fallout from the NRL's Magic Round.-Magic Round thoughts (1:00)-Round 9 Carnage (11:00)-What's happening in Penrith? (16:00)-Parra's hiccup (20:00)-Knights' growing belief (25:00)-The best of the top three (35:30)-Raiders' luck (41:30)-A look at Round 10
Ahead of Magic Round and after one third of the season DONE, Matt Russell, Lara Pitt and Warren Smith discuss the state of every NRL club. Same as last year, Warren has come up with a way of categorising each 'tier' of team.Here's a full rundown of the episode:-Bankwest delivers again (1:00)-Fergo fantastic (4:00)-Semi Sivo? (7:00)-Latrell-level talent (12:00)-Turbulent times at Red Hill (17:30)-Extent of Cody Walker's attacking output (22:30)-End of term Report Card for every club (23:30)The Report Card is categorised like this:1 Keep the first weekend of October free2 We might be contenders3 Is there a chance we actually suck?4 Will we make it to September?5 Is it Bali or Byron Bay?Also in today's episode:Warriors' confusing Nikorima coup (41:00)Magic Round Preview (43:00)
Matt Russell, Lara Pitt and Warren Smith are back, wrapping up the ANZAC round and paying tribute to the respect that all Rugby League fans showed across Round 7.Waz reckons it could be argued a couple of Manly's wins are the most impressive we've seen in 2019, while the trio discuss coaches' 'late' changes antics.Here's more info:-Danny Levi and the Knights bounce back (0:30)-The off-season focus working wonders for the Storm (6:00)-Sione Mata'utia's baby 'gender reveal' (8:00)-Coaches pulling late changes... like, dislike? (10:30)-Manly's 'most impressive' wins of the season (19:00)-Snappy Seibold (33:00)-Round 8 tips (35:00)PLEASE RATE, REVIEW & SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST! Thanks for listening.
Fox League broadcasters Matt Russell and Warren Smith wrap up Round 6 and look ahead.Here's much of what was brought up on this week's show:-How much of a game-changer this new Parra stadium will be for everyone (1:00)-Titans' injury toll (13:00)-One theory on why Newcastle's struggling (16:00)-Latrell Mitchell's immense market value (20:00)-Bronson Xerri brilliance (23:00)-Cowboys' cause (26:00)-Raiders' fit Brits (29:00)-The increasing importance of goal-kicking (31:30)-Signs the Dragons are coming good (38:00)-Down by 8. Take the 2? (43:00)
Matt Russell and Lara Pitt return, joining fellow Fox League broadcaster Warren Smith to dissect Round 5 and react to the monumental news that Greg Inglis is hanging up the boots, effective immediately.And there's the 'wow' factor of two gun Rabbitohs breaking out as NRL stars at rather mature ages. And there's the divisive case of play continuing when Nene McDonald was down with a nasty, nasty injury.Here's more detail of today's rundown:Greg Inglis' immediate retirement (2:00)Wayne's Cook plan (13:00)Cam Smith taking over Hazem el Masri's point-scoring record (19:00)Jarrod Croker's chances of catching Cam (22:00)John Bateman's incredible impact (24:00)The Nene McDonald injury / play-on situation (26:00)'Stop showing the replays' (39:00)McGuire's eye gauge (40:00)Tips for Round 6 (56:00)MORE FOX SPORTS PODCASTS
The Knights and Broncos are heavy on the agenda this week. They've started the season well beneath expectation.But there are good news teams and talking points to balance out the negatives going on in the game.No Matt Russell or Lara Pitt this week, so podcast producer & aspiring broadcaster Phil Prior joins Warren Smith.MORE FOX SPORTS PODCASTS
Warren Smith made it back in one piece after his road trip with Finchy over the weekend (Sydney -> Canberra -> Bathurst -> Sydney).As usual, he joins fellow Fox League broadcasters Matt Russell and Lara Pitt.Here's some of what they spoke about:-Details of Waz's roady (1:00)-The Don is #1 (7:00)-'Peak Wests Tigers' (9:30)-Tom Trbojevic's insane return (16:30)-Club's most valuable individuals (18:30)-Replacing Widdop, the fullback and goal-kicker (22:30)-The Ponga experiment (24:30)-Round 4 tips (30:00)
Fox League broadcasters Warren Smith, Lara Pitt and Matt Russell are back to unpack Round 2.They name some of the star performers of the round, some of the things that need fixing and even touch on expansion! MORE FOX LEAGUE PODCASTS
Fox League broadcasters Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt had plenty of thoughts after the opening round of 2019.Waz looks into the drop off of tries we've witnessed over the years, dated roughly back to the time wrestling was introduced into the game.Here is the rundown:Taumalolo's monster game (4:00)Parra's promising start (6:00)De-rusting... even commentators (10:00)The demise of tries - Waz's case (19:30)Nathan Brown's devastating injury (32:00)Phil Gould's weird 'feeling' about Panthers (35:00)Warriors' Christchurch tribute (41:00)
There was a war of words between club and state rivals Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen over the weekend, regarding the punishments handed down for salary cap breaches.The podcast trio of Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt address this talking point, before diving into a full season preview.The Take Me Now, I Have Seen It All team go through each team and how they'll fare, in reverse 2018 ladder order.
It's time for Fox League's commentators to have their say on the seemingly longest, but undoubtedly most controversial off season of all time.Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt return with their own 'trial' pod, blowing out the cobwebs and dipping their toes into some of the big issues.Warren was in Mudgee for Saturday night's Charity Shield over the weekend, which is where the podcast begins, before the conversation opens up.Here's what was discussed:Mudgee's Charity Shield (1:00)What a commentator does in the off-season (4:00)The drama-filled off season (10:00)Warren, Matt and Lara's thoughts on Todd Greenberg's rule changes (12:00)Have we got the trials right? (19:00)
Fox League broadcasters Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt have capped off the 2018 season with one final edition, looking over the Roosters' GF triumph and beyond.
Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt discuss the biggest storylines ahead of the 2018 NRL grand final.
Rabbitohs' telling huddle after emotional week; Cam McInnes penalty was wrong; Matt Moylan's brilliance; and why the Panthers' season was a failure.
Fox Sports NRL experts Matt Russell and Lara Pitt recap an incredible opening to the 2018 NRL finals series and preview the upcoming semi-final blockbusters.
Warren Smith, Lara Pitt, and Matt Russell dissect all the mouth-watering finals match-ups this weekend in the NRL
One round remaining, countless problems... from individual players to entire clubs. Fox League broadcasters Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt unpack all the issues. Produced by Phil Prior.
Fox League's Warren Smith, Matt Russell and Lara Pitt are all on board this week, covering the Manly debacle, Andrew Fifita's on-field message, Waz's Bellamy insight, the unbelievable lineup Lara compiled of currently unavailable players and whether or not the Dragons can be considered in the title hunt.
Fox League broadcasters Warren Smith and Lara Pitt analyse the circus unfolding in Penrith, ALL the clubs with coaching uncertainty and a number of the other hot talking points, following Round 22.