The Grapple

An overcast Queensland Autumn Tuesday evening , on the roof of a Leagues on Fulcher Road Red Hill, a solitary man cuts a forlorn figure as pulls the cover off a large spot light pointed into the Brisbane sky and grits his teeth as he flips the switch….. he sighs as sparks shoot from the steampunk switch….. a moment of silence and anticipation…almost gives way to concern that the spot light has failed…… after all its been nine months… then with a wurr and a shudder the brilliant beam sets the South East sky alight….. a silhouette that excites every Broncos fan and tells every other fan…we really don't give a shit… The Ezra Sign… and just like his Gotham City counterpart…. Ezra will answer the call.And the heroes will Grapple with it….

It is a time of great upheaval. The NRL.. obsessed with its quest to flood players' veins with hyperdrive fuel and create the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, have created a paradox of umbilical proportions. Referees are afraid not to blow the whistle, while also being terrified of its piercing shrill. The Get Square narrative around football means penalties not blown in one game are now blown in another. One might describe the approach as utterly Sith-house. Meantime.. rumours abound concerning a rebel faction dropped by their clubs and plying their craft in state league. The Imperial senate will move to quash any chance of them speaking out about their fortunes, while also unearthing a good news angle around the disturbance in the force that is Ezra Mam returning. In the Outer rim of non-rugby league content: Oscar Piastri has completed the Kessel Run in 4 parsecs, collecting a chequered flag at each checkpoint. Comparisons are being made on his stature in the all time stakes. Amid it all.. an echo in the force. An awakening. And two idiot padawans are dispatched by the Jedi Council to investigate.. or be investigated. We're not quite sure.

As player safety continues to be the number one issue in Rugby League today our heroes are buoyed with confidence knowing the NRL will not.... ever.... compromise...... if there's a fire.Our heroes provide the CSA that there has been no crackdown, none...Crackdown here, no... The 18 sin bins last week was the eventuality of an anomaly, which despite our sincerest efforts we have been unable to eliminate from what is otherwise a harmony of mathematical precision. Matrix Revolutions quotes aside, the Grapplers tackle the assertions of the NRL's top dog and turn from admiration to criticism the deeper they delve and separate themselves from comparisons with David Gallop.The player safety focus is challenged by the numbers in the NRL casualty ward and the Rabbitohs being with a 3rd of their top squad riding the pine. Far too much Broncos analysis for one, is never enough for another, as these men offer solutions for Madge's glaring absence of hookers in his squad.Rugby Australia's deal with their new coach is sealed with a Kiss, Joe Schmidt gives the resurgent men in Gold the Long Kiss Goodnight, and the Reds are Kissed on the proverbial to hold on to their coach for another year.Tom Lynagh has not been given the Kiss of Death despite what some outlets are reporting, he's just being rested, and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is next on Kiss List.With every Kiss pun exhausted our hero's gaze turns to the Subcontinent and the actions of a young man aged between 14 and 34 who became the youngest kid in the IPL to knock a ton and in 35 balls thank you very much.Amazing considering how small the Indian junior base is. NBA, a quick lesson on vice work and a couple of charming dudes who simply want to Grapple.Like it, subscribe to it, share it, dig it. 

As any Statistician on a juicy consulting wage from the NRL will tell you, records are made to be invented, and it's with this gusto that our heroes grapple with yet another glorious 'crowd record' declaration issued from Pyongyang. That, alongside the scheduling of a double header to take on the British and Irish Lions tour opener, assures us all the leadership coming from HQ remains- as ever- supreme.The game is feeling a bit 1998 at the moment, with unlimited tackles AND the reinstated presence of the Bears. A reverent look at Bears past unfolds, as our grizzled heroes pontificate their wisdom, while subtly referencing Wikipedia articles.Expansion is on the mind and in the gullet, from PNG to Perth, and next (we're pretty sure) the announcement of a team for the league loving province of Daugavpils in Latvia.Forward passes, high tackles, sin bins and tipping shit shows. Some harsh but fair calls on QLD Origin selections, while Johnny invites fellow male model James O'Connor back into the Wallaby fold- only to be met by a wall of disinterest from Joel, who is pretty sure no one would really bat an eyelid if he became an All Black. Our heroes also briefly mention a few Super rugby scores, amid wide eyed realisations they probably need to watch the games before talking about them. And so, we leave you with an ode to the game:As the whistle blows, and blows and blows and blowsThe spectacle known as rugby league gets more on the nose nose noseBut lets not stop PVL and co from making it grow grow growFrom Perth to Port Moresby...soon we'll have more teams than players to put on a show show show

The only thing Grappling harder than our heroes this week isLachie Galvins Instagram algorithm.  Withthe young man being essentially boned this week by Benji our heroes doingsomething no other media outlet is doing...provide an opinion on the Tigers/Galvin saga..... but wait there's more. Despite the East Coast of Australia thinking that's the onlystory worth our intrepid  raconteurs will regale with astute  insights into domestic and world rugby, how the hell anyone can say The Joker shouldn't be MVP and keep a straight face, The LA Chargers next Pro Bowl Tight end ( a former QLD Red of course) and the usual repartee, swordplay, quips and wisecracks you've come to love and know. Life's a Grapple Lachie…dig it….. play like hell is Reggies…and maybe sack your manager …just saying.

Join our heroes for a crucial investigation, as they try and work out exactly WHO started the ugly, damaging smear campaign against outgoing Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans. A long list of suspects and a longer list of clickbaity dickheadery; let's just say it's an investigation breaching deep inside the walls of the NRL ‘moidea.' Even more intriguing is a preview of the nuclear fallout on its way when one or both of the Turbo brothers are told they are surplus to operational requirements.Payne Haas wants to play for Samoa, which alongside Tonga currently provides the majority of the NSW backline and a smattering of its bench forwards. Understandable he'd probably want to have his cake and eat it too, while equally difficult to understand is the melted and sat-on box of ice cream cake that is origin eligibility. A simplemessage here: sort it out, sillies.The QLD reds are showing signs of late 90's combined with 2011, and we're loving it. The ashes are back: Joel doesn't like it because the Ashes are for cricket. Meantime it somehow prompts Johnny into a now trademark rant about Ireland and the UK and geography or something. Whatever it is he's talking about- it's bloody good television. The New York Yankees are batting with marble columns stolen from the Acropolis and getting away with it. And Steph Curry is forcing the writers of record books to finally transition from quills to typewriters- such is the speed of his record shattering exploits. Life, as always, is a grapple. Dig it, because you can.

This week a dagger has thrust into the heart of our heroes. Not only do they have to deal with continuous, rubbish “6 again” calls and dubious at best “on reports… now the news arrives that the weekly briefings from the great and powerful, the Hard Running Graham Annersley have been discontinued. Zero foresight for the upcoming broadcast rights deal, this weekly segment had the potential for Gold, Silver and People's Choice Logie written all over it.Alas they allay their sorrow with tales of who will win the competition and why Penrith's two losses on the trot only serve to strengthen their premiership cred.Uzi has been in the cross hairs of Joe Dawes of late after walking the grid “Rundle Style” in Melbourne, but as fate would have all that will be in his cross hairs next week will be a humbled and ineffective South Australian attack. It's 30 years since The Bulls broke the drought and history is set to repeat itself at ……wait what? Not the Adelaide Oval. Stop rolling Sir Don!The Lions ideal starting 15 is revealed as is a potential tennis rebel league…Rest easy Sir Kerry. And soon we'll have a new IOC Head… step up Lord Sebastian.All of and some of this plus perhaps a smidge more on your home of sports sarcasm and anti- media…. The G to R to the Apple.  Get busy grappling or get busy dying…

Never before has Bills 16 Century  ominous foreshadowing of Caesar's been more pertinent than right here, right now… after one round of the NRL season.This week our Grapplers go ahead and Over- React-lle in a way only the true Ruggest of Rugba Loigers know how.  The NRL Media.Who can and can't win the comp after a full 80 minutes of the season. Who's happy as Larry and who wants to get the hell out of Dodge asap.Our heroes Grapple with the richest deal in Rugby League history and wonder what the cheque book holds for the next half decent half who tests the open market. Cycling comes to Grapple in big way with (insert European name here) making a mockery of mountain climbs  and competitors as his wattage output dwarfs that of  a household in Logan still running off a BYD after a single charge. All that and much much more regional and weather event specific humour. The Ides of March doth approach….. and so does St Patty's Day. Erin go Bragh and Grapple go bragh 

Yes, your heroes are idiots. Big enough idiots to record an episode on the cusp of a cyclone? You better believe it. Because dont we all need something other than Alfred to discuss?

On this 1st Birthday Graptacular,  our heroes  bemoan and empathise with the victim of one of sports biggest scandals of the last decade. When this kind of thing happens to a person the road back to some assemblance of a normal life is hard, laden with trauma and hardship. However, the commitment to self improvement and to be a role model n to future generation"S" can only serve to allay fears of any permanent castigation. You've dealt with so much and even reached out a couple of times... hats off to you Ezra. In more troubling news Tick Sergerblom doesn't quite know what kind of monster he has just created by giving everyone associated with the Vegas NRL immunity on the strip post match. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way Tick. A hero's prediction of Wahs and Panther glory is equally matched by a hero's rebuttal of Shark and Raider dominance, but only time will tell who will be upset..... just like the England Cricket team bowing out of the Champions Trophy in invariably controversial circumstances against Afghanistan.What's the biggest sporting upset you can remember? Or What's the biggest sport you've seen upset? All this and much much more in another swashbuckling foray into the world of sport seen through the eyes of two knuckleheads.Success is falling nine times and Grappling ten. 

There's a whiff in the air, a sniff perhaps.. and the tennis world is reeling. Our heroes main concern around Jannik Sinner's 3 month doping suspension- aside from the cries of foul play and uneven playing fields- are its potentially tarnishing impact on our beloved Aussie Open.Staying positive. Kyrie Irving is welcomed back to the Grapple fold, after his decision to become a Boomer. We'll forgive him for calling him 'Team Australia,' for now, so long as he brings home a medal (at age 36) from the LA games. While Ange Postecoglou never left the Grapple fold, and will have the full might of our opinions in his corner should any kind of unthinkable action be taken on his English Premier League coaching career. The NRL trials gave us all we needed to know about the thinking of the majority of NRL coaches- with Madge Magguire, Kristian Woolf, Todd Payten, Craig Fitzgibbon, Jason Ryles- among others- very much showing their hands ahead of the season proper. We'll run the rule over the various choices and raise eyebrows accordingly, while pondering the decision of major free to air broadcasters to NOT send commentary teams to Las Vegas. While at it, our heroes have a pitch to Peter V'Landys around the scheduling of the NRL All Stars fixtures, after they apparently played out last weekend. And just in case you forgot, Super Rugby is BACK, and the QLD Reds have signed a schoolboy with a bugger of a name to pronounce, but we should all know it, on account of his 120kg, 17 year old frame. Hat tip to what our heroes descibe as 'a return to the golden days' for the code. Tune in and find out why,Like, Share, Subscribe, and most of all- DIG IT. 

It's mid February, and Aussies are dominating sporting headlines across the cosmos. We now officially have our very own Australian owned superbowl ring, thanks to Jordan Mailata and the Philadelphia Eagles. We have a world where Sam Kerr is once again an extremely gifted footballer and not a walking, talking late night legal drama/ taxi cab confesser on the juice. And we have Aussies doing great things in the NBA, one of them under a doping cloud.And so, we grapple, and our heroes tred a bold path through all the noise and nuance of the sporting world most high.Also this week:- A Luka Doncic related CONSPIRACY theory to chill you to your bones- A fair and balanced take on the NRL's proposed 15 minutes later sinbin, and 'Ref says go' trial rules- A six nations that is showcasing everything the Rugby Championship isnt- A comprehensive washup of the Aussie cricket tour of Sri Lanka, taking in every angle...including the slightly questionable angle of Andrew Kuhnemann's bowling arm- The best and worst of Superbowl Halftime shows.. and the Aussie who closed down Bourbon StreetIt's all out there, in the great beyond that is also known as Grapple HQ. Dig it.

Left in two parts last week, as if hewn down the middle by a lightsaber, the Grapple limped to the close of January. Now, as February's moon enters Jupiter's orbit the Jedi Returns to make whole what was broken. Cricket remains front and centre in our heroes' cross hairs. Michael Bevan gets his due credit after being every 90's cricket kids hero, Pup's rein at the top is discussed, Smudger's 10K, and they talk about a fella called Don. (Heard of him?) Mentioning Don's, Luka Doncic's unceremonious exit from the Lone Star State to City Of Angels is discussed and put up against its "would be like"  Rugby League equivalent. And of course  not an ep can go by without the mention of Brad Clyde.The late 880's early 90's Raiders are delved into- oh what could have been. All of this and much much more.... in your home of all cool sports stuff. The one, the only ,The Grapple. Beware of other shitty sports podcasts. When the red moon a rises.... The Grapplers come a callin......

This week our heroes have been cleft in two, hewn asunder and separated by the stars. But Fear not, whilst their stocks are down and their manpower low  you will still get your regular does of Grappling with the sports issues of today From Smudgers record breaking one run to Pat Mahomes cloak of invisibility to Mitch Moses parting the Blue and Gold sea and leading his chosen people to the promised land. Frank Molo says YOLO and ditches training in hold out of sorts, Ezra Mam breaks his silence on his suspension ( just joking) and the talk of town is Brisbane Stadia. All this and realistically ...probably less in this week's Grapple-ation. All we are saying, is give Grappling a chance 

As we usher in the new year our heroes make a Grapp-Tacular splash back into the world of sport, issues surrounding sport, pop culture references and vicious self deprecation. This we discuss failures, the failures of government, governance and The Broncos Guvna. The Failures of mainstream media to appropriately prosecute the aforementioned failure ..... and the failure of one of our guys to finish the push up challenge last year.  Yes, no sacred cows in 2025... nothing is off limits and everything is fair game. NFL is in full swing and we have a quick lesson on how the Seppo's do things, preseason injuries and much much more. 2025, in the Chinese Calendar its The Year of The Grappler.... how convenient.

The Christmas Extrava- Grappler As the festive season falls into full swing, and on Break-Up Day of all days our hero's tackle the touchie subject of Reese Robinson breaking up with the Cowboys. No band aid pull there, more so a  long slow good night. And with Roosters bedding their new flame in 2026, does this mean a splitting of the sheets with  Brandon Smith?  Like eating too many left overs on Boxing Day, will the Roosters cut the Cheese? The Broncos,  on the other hand, have been drinking from the fountain of knowledge that is Todd  Carney. A cautionary tale perhaps but his words were delivered with pin point aim and landed like a refreshing blast of perspective on hot Sutherland night.  The 3rd  test in the AB-SG Trophy hits the Gabbatoire on Saturday and is there the scent of dissent in the Indian locker room?  Sharma tests Sharmi's karma and a desperate Jasprit tries to untie the cramps.  NFL players as Simpson's characters, Rugby League players as NFL characters, Golden Boots, Christmas Movies, Christmas Sweaters, Christmas beers and hug to sign off the year. Thank you Grapplers you've been Great. 

Christmas is calling and our heroes have failed to decorate Grapple HQ. That doesn't stop them from loading up on the jolly joy of the yuletide season with a tinsel laden extravaganza of sporting analysis and insight, as this Graptacular podcast edges toward the conclusion of its exceptionally merry  first season. Santa's workshop is abuzz with speculation about the contract of Ben Hunt and the Broncos, and these two little Elves just can't help but remind one and all that THEY TOLD YOU SO. How does he fit, who goes, who stays? It's a puzzle that would have even Clark Griswold struggling to bullshit his way out of, and our noses are shining red with all the intrigue. Also stuffed under the Christmas Tree is a veritable sprawl of rugby league players vying to take one of QLD's 4 NRL teams to the North Pole of Premiership glory. The Grapplers run the rule over the top 30 squad's of each club, and speculate wildly on who fits where, when, how and what they might need to do to actually take that coveted step underneath the mistletoe of Rugby League's ultimate gift. Laurie Daley is the Marty McFly of State of Origin coaching, call us Grinches but we're not entirely sure this trip back to the future is in the spirit of the season. A semi-rare reappointment for the Blues gig has our heroes pondering if the Bellamy/Daley combo can deliver the gifts like the OG Santa, or if it's more like some old dude making a bit of pocket money by dressing up in a suit and posing for pics at the local Westfield.  The NFL is a long way from Ballymore, and it's well worth a stuff into the speculative stocking to work out just what Jordy Pataia is up against in his quest to slide down the chimney of talent identification and stick the landing. Can this ultra talented Wallaby and Red wrap himself up and nestle snugly under the proverbial tree of glory? The numbers suggest he's driving the sleigh into a blizzard, but isn't Christmas all about belief?  Also on the lunch table: Why are the Matildas the Kamala Harris of Aussie sport? And let's pop a christmas cracker to celebrate the career of Fatty Vautin, and pay tribute to the life of Neale Fraser, who becomes a spirit of Christmas past and leaves a sizeable bootprint in the snow of Australian tennis. It's merry, it's bright, it's the Grapple Podcast. Dig it. 

Just like when Skywalker returned to Tatooine, The Broncos' very own chosen one has returned to  Red Hill in a bid to bring balance to the force. The Disturbance felt when Kevvie was exiled was sharp but mercily short. Their failed attempt to destroy Penrith built DeathStar two years ago now a distant memory as the Rebel Alliance led by Patty, Payne, Reese, Adam and now Dozer steal themselves for a full frontal assault on the Empire. In other news how will Flanno and Ilio fare as halves partners, and where will John Bateman find a home?  Being English one would assume Coogee or Bondi  but only time will tell. Elvis is back on top with a win in the Aussie PGA but can he repeat the does at Kingston Heath? Beau Webber joins the Aussie Cricket team but will he get a baggy green? The Great Barrier Thief,  Saquon Barkley, The Mighty Ducks and much more. So little time.... so much Grappling to be done  Like it, Share it, Subsribe

After a period of inactivity (a week off) our heroes feel a disturbance in the force…. An awakening….a ripple in the fabric of reality…. Back to back Wallabies wins. This so called anomaly has ignited a battle many a League journo thought to  be dormant if not extinct- The Code War.In a time of year when only the darkest off-season scandal gets the cockroaches scurrying to the typewriters, it's the performance of the so called lesser code that has our best bards penning immaculate tributes to the likes Wright, Wilson and Valentini. Social media awash with claims of “it's all because of us” and “anything they do, we do better”. Our heroes call for calm and discretion using a reference that is omnipresent in its powers unity - The Three Amigos.  Equal in their rants and mood altering film references, both charges weigh on where Dozer will move dirt and Pappi's decision to stay in Mexico.  The Summer Series is your only place for impartial (cough) discussion on all sports and the story's you love. Get busy Grappling or get busy dying y'all 

The grapplers are wearing shorts and it's f**king not even summer, but let's put away complaints about this darn weather and focus on the arrival of the Grapplers Summer Series. Ben Hunt is on the hunt, AJ Brimson is being hunted, and the hunt for some sort of actual detailed information from new Broncos Michael Maguire continues. Tonga are the toast of the rugby league world but can they out-hop the Kangaroos? Does Josh Addo-Carr's new labouring gig have a bit of a whiff of a politician on the election trail? And on that note, how about some clueless insights from two non Americans on the progress of the US Election and its absolute irrelevance to the world of sport? Also on the grill plate: the wallabies MUST play Suali'i, the English have mastered the art of losing the unloseable, and Australian cricket finds itself grappling with a fatiguing format and more selection confusion than the diabetic in the candy store. Also, it's summer, so why not a few random references to 90's films, the early career trajectory of Chris Pine, and a ponderance of whether many athletes get bigger paycheques at a new club after being sacked by the old one. Also- Barkley NFL. Google it. And you're welcome. The grapple is a movement, it's making sport podcasting great again, and it will take out both the popular vote and the electoral college without the felonies. Dig it.

Our heroes are in the lab with those sharp and pointy scientific tools, dissecting a post season that has included a distinct shortage of drama. The above mentioned dramas have been reserved for the off field domain, and it's the Brisbane Broncos again in the shiny lights. Ezra goes off the grid in a bid to save his career, as the scribes of OUR FAVOURITE outlets get up on the apple box and pontificate about the clubs best direction forward. Has anyone asked if he's ok? Has anyone reported widely on the other victims of the accident? Or is it just another chance to orchestrate a ‘whats wrong with Brisbane narrative.' And another thing about the Bronc- Ok Joel thats enough about the Broncos.. Im taking over- No John, Im not finish- Give me that god dam keyboard- I HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE BRONCOS! F**k me. Can you just have a rant in the show, for a change? Yes that's acceptable. OK. Moving on. A decimated Comm games- how much do sports actually care? Do we parachute  Suali'i into Wallaby gold? Yes we do. Is New Zealand's weekend of sporting glory worth a toast. Sure. And have the Commonwealth Games created a blueprint for the future? Shit yeah they have. It's the Grapple off season.. And it's… ALLLIVVVVE.

International rugby league kicks into gear, as rugby league fans everywhere gasp for air at the end of a seemingly interminable season. Oh wait, it's not the end… because there's still internationals to play. And it's a shame there's a bit of fatigue around, because the International matchups are juicier than an early 00's Mad Monday. Can the Kangaroos overcome the ‘second tier' and reclaim their dignity as the pre-eminent league playing nation? And all rise.. captain Yeoh is on the bridge! Meantime.. Australia's government snuggles ever tighter to its PNG pillow, as the NRL's transfer market heats up with a King, a Cobbo, a Dozer and a Stagg all potentially looking a place to rest their weary head. Premier League is in full swing Liverpool seem to doing just fine in a Post- A-Klopp-olis world, but poor old Man U look like losing another gaffer to the poison chalice, Buzz saw, Angel of Death that is the Managers position at that once proud club. NFL, Baseball, basketball, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun….. this is actually a “sports” show… if you haven't already realised…..a remember - “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with a Grapple”

As well as being a highly effective run play in American Football, a delay can also mean time lapsing between two people discussing issues on a podcast using a digital platform. This, amongst many other obstacles and barriers, is what our heroes had to contend with in the Grand Final/Offseason Kick off episode. All the Grand Final stories are disclosed, discussed and  dissected  and - The Howarth no try, The Yeo no Medal, The NAS no show, The Luai no stay, The Kid Laroi no smoke......and The Hard Running GA brings the press in behind closed doors for a mid match video session. Then to national teams and Lindsay Smith............. cough cough.........and Mal's Merritt Team. The Wallabies Spring tour, the NFL is upon us... and the summer of cricket approaches.  Still plenty of sport to come and still and plenty of issues for our two delusional clowns to Grapple with. Like It, Share It, Subscribe to it....and as George Herman Ruth said.. 'Never let the fear of striking out keep you from Grappling' 

This week our two heroes are squarely sandwiched between the AFL and NRL Grand Finals.  On one hand it's all celebrations and leaping on Lions wagons that carry bands, and on the other it's the steely focus on the absolute Clash of Rugby League Titans. (not of the Gold Coast variety)  1-13 who gets over who on Sunday? Early late mail on who gets Herbert Henry's award?  Unable to play in the GF and until after a full lunar cycle in the new season..Does NAS go back to Brooklyn? Will Rudolph be red nosed in Vegas? More Bandwagoning on Fagan and the Pride North Sydney's week from hell as North Brisbane look to enter the promised land  Madge calls QLD home  and how much did Connery forgo when knocked back the role of Gandalf? It's a great day for sport and a great day for Australia. It's all happening, the tension, the drama, the buzz, the atmosphere, the buffoonery.  Its a sports podcast baby, we welcome all comers.  Darkness cannot drive out darkness, hate cannot drive out hate... only Grappling can do that 

Did King Arthur and his knights of the round table sweep into Camelot riding a mob of noble Kangaroos? The answer is no, at least if Kalyn Ponga was one of those Knights. Our heroes dissect the decision to say ‘no' to Straya, whether it's sensical, and whether punishment is indeed warranted. They then shake off the cobwebs with a spirited correction session, admitting to being human by unpacking a couple of ‘minor' errors committed in the previous episode. All the nonsense aside, it's the rare opportunity of an ‘Equinoctial Convergence,' or ‘Sporting Equinox,' as multiple codes come together for a super Saturday of sporting utopia. In a nutshell: Up the Lions. Carn the Wallabies. And Lord have mercy on the Roosters and Sharks. The spirit of the game is discussed, and exemplified by the deeds of the All Blacks in recognising the feats of 140 cap Wallaby James Slipper. Australia's return to England, and the origins of the ‘DLS method' are analysed, and the belief of Brisbane's AFL team is forensically sussed out- will it be enough? Finally, the end of the road. We talk retirements in all their different forms, and highlight the poignant words of Demons star Angus Brayshaw at the Brownlow medal, and the emotional cockpit lingering of Daniel Ricciardo. The end comes in many forms, but it doesn't make it any less the end. In the words of some smart motherf**ker: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin Grappling”

This week our star duo are made whole again as Joel returns from the Heart of Darkness- "At first, I thought they handed me the wrong dossier."Conspicuous by his absence is any conversation this week is the Hard Running Graeme Annersley. Are our heroes :"Graeme'd Out"? Are we suffering from the dreaded "Graeme Fatigue"? Or is it like beating yourself in the head with a needle hammer? Only time will tell.Finals predictions abound as teams fight for their survival but is the comp a two horse race?Cleary's shot a serious piece of history, the stare Nicho needs to give the Shire a chance, has PVL chewed too much BeetleNut or is the PNG deal idea "good for the game'? Battle of the felines in the AFL  as Queensland echo's Princess Leia's finals words to R2.... "Help me Lions and Cowboys, you're my only hope" All will be revealed in a bum tickling weekend of sport, but before you dive in to the kick off or the opening bounce, Grapple with this pair of fools.Like Share Subscribe. The road to Grappling  and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.

With milestones in the rear view for the time being, our hero duo have been cleaved asunder again. The rock upon which the Grapple was built, Mr Spreadborough, has earned some R&R before a balls to wall tilt towards the Grand Final. In his stead, Mr Manning required a man for all seasons, an experienced sports head, a calm head, a bald head .. so the choice was simple- Mr Worldwide. Cowboys and Eels former great Shane Muspratt takes reins on Joley's side of the desk to carry Johnny through week 1 of the finals. And carry the weight he did!  Our charges cover all things from the upcoming finals games, to the NFL, Socceroos, the Lions 2 quarter cricket score against Carlton and a couple of cheeky multi's the fellas have their fingers crossed for. Tribute is paid as our Paralympians return to Oz, and chats of beers of bygone eras…(Saturday)   The obstruction rule is called into question, as is the hunky Bunkers interpretation of said rule.  Uncle Wayne departs the Peninsula in search of greener (and redder) pastures at Redfern. And the guys go deep on the 4 NRL games facing us fans in Finals weeks 1. Tips, bets, predictions, permutations, sensations, home comings and short comings. All that and much much more….and remember – Life's not about the amount of breaths you take, it's about the amount of times you Grapple.  

Our heroes launch into the milestone 30th episode of the Grapple with a eulogy of sorts, lamenting ongoing mutations and bastardisation of a game once known as Rugby League. Former NRL hard man Jamie McDonald calls in to weigh in on the plight of a game that's gone too far down the path of change to retract, and ponders what it might mean for the future. Then we shake off the sads and rip into another epic round of confusion and point scoring. We all love attacking footy but 434 is just a bit much for one weekend. Frightening conclusions are reached. Is Covid time war hero PVL now the problem? Are we actually finding a small degree of sympathy for the hard running Graham A? The capitulation of the Dragons is bested only by that of the Broncos, and we analyse the decline of the Brisbane powerhouse- headlined by an exclusive reveal of player manager interference around one of the biggest stars of the game, who apparently doesn't enjoy feedback from his coach.  And has the NRL descended into diving? A series of incidents from round 26 are explored, with the games coaches yet again doing what they can to make the most of the interpretations of the day.  Don't worry though- it ain't all bleak. The Grapplers toast the wonderful things; the Shaun Johnson's and Wayne Bennett's of the world again helping to keep faith that all is most definitely not lost. Life's a grapple. Dig it. 

As the saying goes, two heads are better than one,  this week our heroic duo is made whole again as Joel returns from the  deep, dark abyss of a Brisso winter flu.  With a full deck in our hands and systems operating at full capacity our two soldiers take aim at the Hard Running Graeme again and the fascist language contained in the NRL email out for his weekly briefings....not so brief these days. The bunker is under siege and the reffing in the cross hairs, but just like Wyatt at the OK Corral, Gun-Slinging Graeme doesn't blink when it comes to backing his refs. Turbo tries to play Robin Hood but the NRL does their best Sheriff of NOttingham to thwart his gestures. Wayne under the pump, the Broncos get a sniff and Hoppa's hand gets him in the sh$t again... not literally this time:-)  Get busy Grappling or get busy dying...

As our Heroes battle the Dreaded Brisbane Exhibition one falls a foul of the infamous Ekka Flu. And so The Grapple Lite is born.As Joel battles Dante's 7th circle of hell Johnny fumbles his way through the announcement of the 14th Immortal - You little Ronny Coote!! A stack of the boys responsible for 8 straight getting  a start in the HOF, plus the Pearl and Lionel Graeme  Graeme-splaining as only Graeme can, age old arguments against 6 agains and challenges, and what needs to happen for your team to make the 8. And remember life is not about the number of breathes you take…… it's about the number of times you Grapple. 

As the games of the 33rd Olympiad draw to a close (enough about old Frenchie's mort already) our heroes look for inspiration from some of the great performances, memorable moments and influential figures - From Turkish-Jason Bourne to Noah “Weekend-at-Bernie's” Lyles to Cam” Mark Watney” McEvoy.... (Never a shortage of Matt Damon references) .... -  Enter Aragorn Meares, cleaving quipping journo's asunder and prompting one little black duck to delete a slightly derogatory social media comment. That defence of Raygun was Rodman-Like. They tackle Flanno Junior getting a rest for letting loose that tremendous rack of chompers on Critter's proboscis (unlike dad, he's yet to win a comp), They theorise that the bat wing doors at the last chance saloon swing both ways as Val follows is stableford partner to the Harbour City, they call Townsville a wash?  Graeme, as always, does Graeme, a couple of Wallabies make the switch  and the News Media are at their listing best. So much to get through, so few podcasts…… And always remember- When life gives you lemons... just say f%ck the lemons and Grapple.

This episode sees our two heroes on a quest to find out what in god's name has gone wrong with the Broncos. Switching gears there's always grappling in the Olympics and home town favourite, poor old Anthony Ammirati is grappling with an early exit from the pole vault...but let's be honest the 21 year old may have lost the battle, but he's definitely won the war. Not one to sit around and console himself with a baguette or two, his Instagram followers have grown faster than a honeymooners horn.  They celebrate the good, the bad and the ugly of the Olympic coverage and pay homage to our athletes. One fella they continually celebrate is the hard running Graeme Annersley, who again has wowed the sporting faithful with another term Rugby League didn't know it needed.The 'Sleeper'. Most likely not a reference to our country's escalating terror threat, but something the HRGA felt needed to be part of the repertoire in his weekly Monday rules explanation extravaganza. Player movements at the moment are like an Ornythorincus - they exist but are rarely seen. Oils might be oils according to Lawsy, but according Ash Klein a Head High certainly ain't a Head High. The NRL's top 50 most influential people have been announced .... ...Fortunately for their egos , our two knuckleheads are destined to operate in the shadows. Board a boat, sans latrine, and sail down the crusty waters of Rugby League's La Seine with two absolute half wits as the Grapple through life's merde.

Our heroes are dissecting the truth behind the NRL's head honcho undertaking a 'recruitment mission' to Paris, and dreaming about rugby league's inevitable and eventual foray into the Olympic games. They are a little confused by some of the commentary around Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds' suitability for the (c) in Brisbane, and are calling a big steaming pile of BS on Brian To'o having the s**ts at Penrith. They get the medical hats on to try and understand why confusing neurological terminology needs to be deployed to explain poor rulings by NRL referees. More than anything, they're a pair of douche bags who don't really know asses from elbows, and you know what, neither does anyone else. It's the Grapple and it's 25 episodes old. Get in on the ground floor, as we raise the collective bats for a glorious quarter century.

Well done to the NSW blues on an epic victory in the 2024 state of origin series. And commiserations to those enjoying the victory, who had to deal with some of the BS in the aftermath. Our heroes lift the lid on some poor form detracting from the grace of a well deserved victory, and unpack the words of an anonymous letter sent by someone in the maroon hierarchy. The broncos are back, the cowboys are initialising a changing of the guard, and the Knights are ready to rumble with their own coach. It's another week of grapple fever, and it's infecting us all.

An Origin decider.... at the Cauldron...... QLD is up against it...... No Bloody Worries...... This week our Heroes Grapple with a game 3 that seems unwinnable against a team that looks unbeatable in a series that is all but unsalvageable....... But isn't this exactly how we like it? We draw on the spirit of Arthur, the work rate of Horse, the tenacity of Turtle, the guile of Alf, the physicality of Boxhead the Toughness of Jed and the finish of Dozer. This week we need all the greats, all the FOGS, all the people who proudly call themselves Queenslanders… to unite… and fight…. For what needs to be always ours……. Lets Effing Grapple Yo!!

 Billy's under pressure, QLD are underdogs, and the bunker cocks another one up. It's a big week for rugba legg, and our heroes are up to their necks in a tireless search for answers to questions you didn't realise you needed to know. Are media bans actually media bans? What would Reece Walsh talk about anyway? Who's been the most under pressure State of Origin coach in history? Is a broken leg a blessing for Nicho Hynes? And are the NRL's touted record participation numbers actually papering over a disturbing truth in grassroots rugby league? All that, and much much mor.. well, SOME more stuff.. on the 22nd installment of The Grapple Podcast.

This week our heroes Grapple with the listener question- Has QLD and Billy begun to believe their own hype? Digging into Origin and discussing any needed changes. The Rah Rah boys have been given the green light to jump ship….. invoking memories of H.H. Messenger in 1908. Are the Broncos flogging a dead horse and The Annersley Effect- should it really be Charlton Heston delivering the weekly media brief on the rule interpretation buffoonery. Only here will such burning questions be addressed. Life's a Grapple…. Dig It.

 Our heroes call in some backup as they notch the big 2-0. Former Warrior, Cowboy and Italian international Grant Rovelli chimes into the backline to discuss the increasing influence of the bunker (do we actually have some sympathy for infield referees?), the demise of defence, how the NFL might help the NRL manage dodgy hammies, and some of the fairytale stories of the iconic Confraternity Shield tournament (of which he's a former MVP). Origin chat turns to the attitudes of the two camps ahead of a trip to Melbourne; one side being adamantly focused on individuals, the other seemingly not giving a s**t. It's also creeping closer to finals time, so who is wearing the proverbial pants in the top 8? And what's behind the latest withdrawal from next years trip to Vegas? It's the grapple, and it's a gorgeous thing. Get onboard.

As the world of NRL is enveloped by Origin fever, our heroes break down the two teams heading for Melbourne - a QLD 3peat or NSW saving face? Was Nicho the Scape Goat? Will Mosses part the Maroon sea? Does Billy Slater live in a glass house, and can Madge ever look relaxed? The Euros rock, Rory in De shambles as Bryson wins the open….. and some really crappy tipping. Lets Grapple

joins the boys for a completely balanced and impartial discussion on the Raiders v Cowboys game and prop bets are made. At the mid point of the season our hero's deal with breaking news on multiple levels. The Roosters are storming the beaches of Orange County in search of the next Tom Brady, oblivious to the fact he's filling in at 7 for the Broncos. A wallaby wants to be a Titan and a cheese is on the nose, and are the Jets migrating west for the Winter at the expense of the Headhunters from the North. So much Grappling to be Grappled with Grapplers……

This week our heroes Grapple with the Clear and Present Danger….. Origin. Both teams dissected, line up changes speculated pressure points dissected, selections pondered and results predicted. Joel Grapples with his best NSW 17 but all are conspicuous by their absence in Madge's team. Annersley cops it again but what's new? The new digs just got newer and the production room is fuller. Hypocrisy, idiocy and a tribute to late Rob Burrow. What a warrior.

Three quarters of a score deep it's time for our heroes to take a completely unbiased and leveled view of State of Origin….. no really….. they looks at the Blues team as, if not more, closely as the QLD team. Is Dylan Edwards the right call? Is Jurbo a captain? How many times with they mispronounce Olakau'atu? Plus a wrap of the weekends key moments, a look ahead at the split round and a general malaise towards hip drops and sin binning. All this gently massaged through with the dulcet tones absolutely dripping in hypocrisy. New HQ…..same old idiots….. Lets Grapple !

Our heroes are having a cool glass of water, some vegemite toast and a calm Look at the horizon after a dizzying three days of magic round action in Brisbane. Much is to be dissected as they conduct mathematical equations as to the miserly margins and weigh up its on field successes and failures, offer exclusive inside goss on some of the real conversations happening about officialdom in the bowels of Suncorp Stadium, and begin the annual task of telling state of origin selectors how to do their jobs. The various broadcasts of magic round are also ruthlessly examined- glass houses and all. Another coach has been sacked, an ageless coach lives on, and the good guys are grappling with the right way- if there is one- of tearing someone from their livelihood. Running styles are also in focus, as we nominate the purest, gliding'est, most graceful and swan like of all the great gaits of rugby league. Coming to you from a newly acquired studio, nestled in a deep underground survivalist bunker in the mountainous mists of Peru, the grapplers remain possibly the most mysterious hypocrites in Australian sports media. Let's grapple.

This week our hero's hit the ground running with an early week episode fresh from a round of footy that saw more casualties than Omaha Beach. Now along with idiocy and hypocrisy we add “broken record” to list of descriptors as both liege's lament the speed of the modern game and lack of care from the administration.Expansion talk expands and Uncle Wayne is head hunters for the Head Hunters. Rules are on the chopping block and Origin teams are discussed. All that along with a brand new sound effects board in temporary Grapple HQ.Enjoy, like, share, subscribe and tell you friends 

Queensland looks as though its losing a wrecking ball backrower and a SuperCoach. Our hero's grapples with the concept of Fifita leaving the Titans and Uncle Wayne's seemingly inevitable move back to Redfern. Referees are in the spotlight again this time in a negative light (said dripping with sarcasm) and we bemoan yet another crappy week of tipping. Hypocrisy abounds as usual. Like Share Subscribe

Our heroes are enthralled by a chat with Cowboys legend and Sharks assistant coach Josh Hannay; who reflects on the footy adage ‘if you're good enough, you're old enough,' and his journey since being named to debut as a 16 year old schoolboy at Townsville Granmar, and subsequently banned for being too young. His journey obviously extended to the glory of state of origin, and evolving into one of the games best coaching prospects. So he's gonna chat about that stuff too. The intrepid trio also weigh in on the Jackson Topine saga, with Josh and Johnny recalling their own days of cruel, unusual but character building training under legendary cowboys drill Sargent Billy Johnstone. Some number crunching is carried out under the searing lights of the grapple bunker- with the team working out if calls for kick off bans are justified by the number of concussions from kickoffs. Sackings and backings are discussed, with the removal of Jason Demetriou proving once again that all roads lead to Uncle Wayne.

Our heroes are besotted with the idea that the NRL is now featuring more unchecked forward passes than international rugby.Perhaps they've been getting stuck into the Dolphins private stash, but it's difficult puzzling out how exactly an illegal sponsorship made it onto the jersey, only to be covered and then peeled off in the Darwin heat.Tributes are paid to sharks, storm and bulldogs great Dale Finucane- the latest player to have his career terminated by repeated concussions.A tunnel stoush is examined, and credit is duly given to the match review committee for getting one right. We can't all be perfect, according to our heroes.And they are helpless to arrest a shocking run of tipping, remarking at some of the blowouts in the NRL and blaming anyone but themselves.Also credit where it's due- as we introduce ‘the clapple,' due acknowledgement of a job well done by some of the NRL's newest players- overcoming adversity, nerves, and inclement weather to hold their heads up and keep on fighting.

It is a time of transition right across the Rugby League Galaxy.Our heroes are thrust once again into the bitter conflict around rules, the interpretation of them, and the need for weekly apologies from those who enforce them.Some big name players are moving between clubs, codes and countries; offering plenty of opportunities for critics to ignite their lightsabers and swing wildly at the game in general, while the job security of coaches is now the subject of a weekly assurance narrative.One club is bringing a Darth Vader like figure in to enforce the word of law, and the Grapplers assess the value of installing a villain to do a heroes work. We wonder if Liam Neeson is available?And what on earth is an indirect war of words? We'll ask that question, possibly in our best Sean Connery voice.

Our heroes are doing their best impressions of Ancient Greek mathematicians this week, as they crunch the numbers on some leaked NRL claims of on field prosperity and superior product, amid a crippling injury toll. A stirring debate over the beauty or ugliness of tries off kicks ensues, as does a discussion of the best or worst ever half time sprays. A new prop is introduced to the set, with the hopes a plastic master Yoda can help the guys become better tippers. And immortal ponderings ensue, as they try to work out whether an all time great with a middling club coaching record can command respect at the bunnies.

This week our heroes are joined by the guy legendary commentator Ray ‘Rabbits' Warren dubbed “faster than a gazelle”. NRL superstar, origin hero, and all round good guy Chris Walker has some incredible stories to tell, and he shares them candidly; traversing life, footy, his ridiculous footballing bloodline, and the perils of drinking the night before a Wayne Bennett led army boot camp.  It's a chat not to be missed. The narrative turns to the pros and cons of proposed kick-off banning, all time try saver tackling (cough Tom Dearden), Panthers talking more than cliche's, and the NRL's latest man mountain. Hypocrisy is celebrated as usual, as the Grapplers grapple with their own sense of self, failed auditions, Al Pacino, and heaps of other crap.

Luck is the operative word this week, as our heroes are joined by NRL legend and current Cowboys GM Michael Luck. The 226 gamer helps navigate the literal minefield  that is the NRL casualty ward, and the hosts tops are very nearly blown on the Rant-O-Metre. We find out just how eager teams are to line up for Las Vegas next year, and you might surprised by the answer. Hypocrisy abounds as usual with general critique of league commentary, the glory of Leichhardt Ovak is toasted, the AFL drug scandal is addressed, and excuses are made for another week of average tipping. Like share, subscribe, tell everyone you know. It's The Grapple, and it's still going.