The Phil Davis Podcast

We're finishing with a bang this season with everyone's favourite player Lenny Hayes. He shares stories from his amazing career, including THAT Grand Final, and what it was like to play with some of the greatest leaders of the modern era, in Nick Riewoldt and Luke Ball. Great way to finish season two of the Phil Davis Podcast.  

No one's AFL contract, and decisions over their playing future, has fallen under more scrutiny than Phil's guest this week, GWS star Josh Kelly. He shares with Phil what it's like to have AFL clubs chasing your signature, how he made his important career decisions, and why he decided to stay in Sydney. Perfect timing to listen to his ep as the Giants, and Josh, make their finals run!

Patrick Tiernan inspired a nation with his efforts in the 10,000m in Tokyo, and this week he's Phil's special guest. He shares his journey to Tokyo, the art of long distance running, and his inspirational race in Tokyo where he willed himself over the finish line after dramatically collapsing on the track. 

The voice of summer, and the ABC's most experienced cricket commentator Jim Maxwell joins Phil this week. Jim shares how he got his first job at the ABC, learning the art of cricket commentary under the great Alan McGilvray, his health challenges, and how the game of cricket has changed. If you're a cricket tragic, THIS is the episode for you.

The AFL's first practising orthodox Muslim, Bachar Houli, joins Phil this week. Bachar discusses his parents, who migrated to Australia from Lebanon in the 70s, the importance of his faith, and how that has affected his football career. Praying five times a day while playing in the AFL is quite the juggling act! Bachar has also been a part of three flags with Richmond, and the gents take some time to discuss how Bachar became one of the most decorated half-back the game has seen.

As AFL fans, we are bombarded with tales, books, and interviews from the greats of the game. The 300 gamers. But what is it like to be the 18th man picked? How does that pressure impact on a young player? Brandon Jack dealt with that pressure his entire career, on top of being the son of Garry Jack, and the brother of Kieran. He joins Phil to discuss those pressures, and his journey from football to journalism, which has led him to writing his recent book, titled 28.

A man who talked the talk, but more importantly, walked the walk on the AFL field, Jason Akermanis joins Phil this week. Jason shares stories about his troubled upbringing and his insecurities, before launching into some cracking stories and insights about the legendary Brisbane team he won three premierships with. One of the greatest entertainers in sport does just that this episode. Strap in for Aker!

Number one draft pick, NBA rings, partying in Las Vegas - Andrew Bogut has done it all in the world of basketball. He joins Phil this week to discuss his extraordinary career, before sharing his thoughts on the current basketball landscape here in Australia, and how our Boomers are shaping up ahead of Tokyo. A MUST LISTEN for any Aussie basketball fan.

Four clubs, four states. Sydney ruckman and AFL journeyman Tom Hickey joins Phil to discuss his unique footy career, how he separates footy from his personal life, and his passion for sustainability and climate action.

Unfortunately, a bye week of sorts is upon us as many parts of the country go into lockdown. Because of this, we've had to put a brief pause on recording, but don't worry, we'll be fresh and ready to launch into the second half of the season as soon as possible with new episodes. Until then though, enjoy some of our previous chats which you can find on the ABC listen app, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Alyssa Healy joins Phil from her trophy room that she shares with husband and fellow Aussie cricket star Mitchell Starc. Healy recounts how she went from beating the boys at Barker College to starring in the T20 World Cup Final in front of almost 90,000 people. Healy also shares with Phil the tragic passing of her sister at the age of 15, and how that has provided perspective throughout her career and personal life.

The Goat, Nathan Lyon, joins Phil this week to discuss his unconventional journey to the Australian cricket team, his rise to cult status, how he became the custodian of the team song, and his never-ending love for the game of cricket.

One of South Australia's greatest ever players, Chad Cornes, joins Phil to discuss growing up the son of SA football royalty, winning flags with his brother Kane, and what it was like to be both the most loved and hated footy figure in the City of Churches simultaneously.

Former AFL player turned commentator and media personality, Tony Armstrong, joins Phil this week to discuss his journey in the AFL and the media as an Aboriginal man, what he learnt from playing with ‘titans' of the AFL in Adam Goodes and Andrew McLeod, while talking openly on the challenges young Indigenous players face when thrust into the AFL system. A powerful and important discussion ahead of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

From leading Carlton as captain in the first ever AFLW fixture, to winning a premiership with Brisbane in her farewell match. Lauren Arnell has been a pioneer and a trailblazer in the women's game. Listen to her story, before looking forward, as she addresses the recent AFLW developments and the challenges the women's game still faces.

'I felt like I didn't belong' - Adam Treloar talks openly about his challenging upbringing, his battles with mental health, and his dramatic departure from Collingwood. One of the AFL's most open players takes us though his bumpy road to the Dogs, and much more.

"You wouldn't expect to come home without the boat!" - Jeremy Cameron talks to Phil about sinking his boat off the Sydney coast, growing up in Dartmoor, trouble with the tribunal, forward craft and scrutiny about his contract negotiations with the Giants.

‘A number of near death experiences' - Shaun Burgoyne tells Phil about the time Alastair Clarkson nearly killed him, how the Crows nearly drafted him and his ‘hunt for 400 games' (as described by Phil). The man known as ‘Silk' takes us through all that and much more.

“More than four, less than six.” – Gillon McLachlan tells Phil how much sleep you need to run the AFL during a pandemic, how his Mum partially inspired quarantine restrictions for clubs, his rejection of the NRL CEO position, how came to lead the AFL, why he called his Dad ‘singlets' and how he copes (or doesn't) with FOMO.

"Loved a dart, loved a drink, wasn't exactly professional" - Max Gawn isn't a conventional athlete, he's not even a conventional person. Yet, the Demons Captain is one of the best rucks in the AFL and an even better person. The Melbourne gun discusses the club's 'private school' vibe, how getting caught smoking helped him, the challenge of changing culture, the leaders who shaped him and finding his identity.

Just like a good footy season, we're taking a bye-round to re-charge, re-set and re-load. More cracking guests coming up soon, but make sure you catch up on the series so far with chats including Pat Dangerfield, Nic Naitanui, Sharni Layton, Pat Cummins, Mat Ryan and many more.

"I neglected Sharni the human, in my quest to be the superhero athlete" - Sharni Layton details her incredible journey from Australian netball captain to AFLW star and the struggles with identity and mental health along the way. This interview might be deep, but it'll have you grinning.

"He called me brains" - Dressing room yarns with Tony Lockett, sprays from Rodney Eade, knee reconstructions, Big Brother and commercial radio. Fitzy discusses his wild ride from the automobile construction line to the AFL and beyond.

tHe wanted to play in the AFL & ended up winning Olympic Gold. It might not even be the strangest part of Chalmers' story. He's impressed NBA stars, competed against people he 'can't trust', learnt how to be an 'alpha' and dealt with Covid by helping his cousin fix boats.

"Addicted to the feeling" - Ryan talks about the passion of Socceroos representation, the ruthless nature of football transfers, cultural challenges at the elite level and the time he paid for 27 family members to go to the World Cup.

Nic Naitanui is among the most exciting players in the AFL. The Eagles gun talks BLM, family loss, professional drive, what makes him angry & sneakers.

One of the AFL's modern day characters, Dylan Buckley shares his memories of run ins with Mick Malthouse, wisdom from Brendon Bolton, following in his Dad's footsteps, coping with being delisted & life after footy.

Toby Greene is one of the best player's in the AFL, but while he has many admirers, he has also had his share of criticism. Phil and Toby discuss his approach to footy, his upbringing & being a secret nerd.

The world's best Test bowler talks about his physical struggles, team challenges and the insane world of international cricket. From backyard cricket in the Blue Mountains, to Test Cricket and the wild world of IPL.

Daisy Pearce charts her remarkable journey from community footy to the face of the AFLW. She discusses how she deals with the critics, ironic 'bitterness', building a legacy and the possibility of becoming a coach.

Eddie Betts on learning from Adam Goodes, the raw emotion of leaving clubs, the joy of footy and his incredible journey from illiterate draftee to Aboriginal community leader.

Can winning a Brownlow feel hollow? Kind of, according to Patrick Dangerfield. I talk to the Cats star about professional fulfilment, Adelaide scrutiny & footy in the time of Covid.