The Rugby League Digest

In the final episode of our in-depth investigation of The Super League War, we look ahead at what came next for the newly formed NRL and survey the terrain of the postwar Rugby League landscape*. Then, we examine the legacy of Super League and celebrate the stories and characters who have shaped our series. Finally, we pay sincere tribute to the listeners who have come along for the ride. Be sure to join us to celebrate one last time at our wrap party, Saturday June 8: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/897010561737?aff=oddtdtcreator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our penultimate Super League episode we are thrilled to welcome back Steve Mascord to discuss our parallel Super League journeys, the legacy of 1997 and much more. ANyone who hasn't yet got a copy of Two Tribes can go to www.haroldhoarder.com and enter the code "rugby league digest" for a special discount offer. And don't forget to register for our Super League Wrap Party on Saturday June 8: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/897010561737?aff=oddtdtcreator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is taken from a recent Patreon episode. We wanted to share our thoughts on a man to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude: a true gentleman and statesman of the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After three years of backroom deals, broken contracts, court cases, public sniping, and the splitting of the competition, peace was finally declared, and the National Rugby League was born. In our final chapter, we look at the rocky road to peace throughout 1997, covering every false start, potshot, rejected peace proposal, and, finally, the meeting that saw the game come together and the road to rationalisation begin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is joined by our long time Adelaide correspondent Guy Wilson to discuss the rise and demise of the Rams, Rugby League in South Australia before and after and the case for a return to big time Rugby League in Adelaide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss the demise of the Reds, Crushers and Chargers, troubling economic realities, transit lounges, the "original sin" of 1995 mass-expansion, gifting Perth to rugby union, the Crushers' surprisingly good start, Packer the (off)white knight, packed lunches, throwing open the gates, winning their last ever game, failed merger plans, the great Rugby League man Eric Cox, players getting shafted and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our extended recap of all the on-field action in 1997 concludes with the Newcastle Knights historic grand final win over Manly. We trace the Knights' road to glory, Joey's redemption arc, the convoy of Sid Foggs willing them to victory, Chief's leadership masterclass, that famous last second win, the insane scenes that followed in Newcastle, and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this long awaited episode we discuss Newcastle's mining history, identity as the steel city, BHP's closure, the tragic Newcastle earthquake, the miners' strike, seige mentality as a cultural feauture, Barabara Davis and the Aussies for the ARL, vitriol towards the Hunter Mariners, mascot mayhem, stadium wars, merger discussions, further Graham Murray appreciation, and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this concluding episode of 'The Optus Cup', we discuss the 1997 RLW Player's Poll, shorts fuses of the era, an odd but pleasantly competitive finals system, knee-jerk calls to implement the video ref, Nick Kosef vs the Johns family, Tony Butterfield vs Terry Hill, some pre grand final Darren Albert magic, a Craig Field game-winner, some cruel injuries, suspension mayhem, and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of our 1997 ARL recap we look at the battlers and the heavyweights, and everyone in between. From coaching drama in Campbelltown to a Tigers resurgence, Roosters on the rise, the miracle of the Chargers and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this instalment, we discuss the RLW Players' Q and A, performance-enhancing drugs, the Perth Reds, pokies taxes, schoolboy brawls, notable player scandals, Craig Field, Willie Peters, Paul McGregor, Tim Brasher, Tom Brock, Ken Shine, Craig Coleman and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is joined by English labour historian and author of the upcoming Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain Anthony Broxton. In a wide-ranging and fascinating interview we look at the state of ENglish Rugby League before, during and after the disastrous 1997 World Club Challenge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The culmination of an unbridled and unmitigated disaster, a piece of ingenious club marketing, Graham Murray's impact on the Mariners, format issues, for and against taken to the extreme, Paris St Germain squalor, coaching carnage, London Broncos on the rise, Shaun Edwards and Heather Small, Richard Branson and London, the WCC finals, Renouf scores five, a lackluster grand final, the cold hard stats, disastrous crowds, yet another fact-finding report, passing the buck, the legacy of the competition and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of this chapter on the WCC we discuss the relatively competitive round one results, Super League pinning their hopes on Wigan, Tallis vs O'Connor, the state of the UK Super League, Wigan vs Tescos, Bradford Bullmania, rating UK Super League stars, Perth's problems, John Ribot and Super League in damage control, an impromptu Brian Smith fan club meeting, jet lag scientists, blaming the media, blaming referees, and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this much-anticipated chapter we discuss the genesis of the WCC concept, going from 8 teams to 22, arbitrary promotion expenditure, convoluted formatting, ignoring the lower grades, goals of globalisation, cavalier management, the players loving the concept, presenting it as 'cup football", Super League spin, obsession with travel, players in holiday mode, bonding sessions, Ridgey holds court, and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss Super League's legacy on international rugby league, fireworks over developing nations, the Japanese pipe dream, an Anzac Day furore, Langlands defects to Super League, the Super League test vs City Country, eligibility farces abound, the Nikau vs Blackmore feud, NZ wins the test, a truncated UK tour, open letter news, referee controversy, the black mark of the asterisk on rep careers, ARL test matches, the embarrassing but arguable necessary Rest of the World reboot, NZRL playing footsies with the ARL, premature compromise ideas and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this installment we discuss the abominable '97 Blues jerseys, Tom Raudonikis as coach, QLD feeling flat, spin galore, NSW hooking dramas, disappointing Orign crowds, the Aaron Raper incident, Daryl Rodgers, cattle dog, Chris Close the voice of reason, the Super League Tri-Series, scheduling mayhem, remembering Peter Jackson, spin cycles, Ribot Norton, the epic Tri-Series final, Noel Goldthorpe's career, Bill Harrigan's follies, the legacy of the Tri-Series, and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In preparation for next Wednesday's return of the Super League War series (Monday on Patreon), we have put together all 5 parts of 'Chapter 34 - The Telstra Cup' in a mega omnibus ep.If you feel like a refresher on the lunacy that was the 1997 Super League club season, or if you have a drive to the Central Queensland Corridor looking for NRL expansion sites, feel free to jump on board! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this concluding episode of 'The Telstra Cup' we discuss the semi finals, ANZ Stadium, Princess Diana, Taking the grand final to Brisbane, grand final week celebrations, ET's stirring speech, the excellence of Bill Harrigan, our Olivia, Human Nature, our love for Steve Renouf, John Plath's contribution, Ray Warren's professionalism, the overall feeling of Super League's only domestic season and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the penultimate episode of our 1997 Super League season recap we look at the grand finalists Cronulla and Brisbane. A likeable Sharks outfit up against a Broncos team looking for redemption after three seasons of disappointment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this the third installment of chapter 34, we discuss Penrith in 1997, Gower the prodigy, Tony Puletua, Ryan Girdler being more than a super boot, an oddly in-depth debate on rugby league's sexiest man, Matt Adamson, the Bulldogs season, their halfback woes, Hazem El Masri breaks out, hitman Haumono, Halligan the dealmaker, Steve Price, crowd violence, intra-familial disputes at the family club, Canberra's decline, Mal taking the reigns, hookers galore, Mullins' star falls, the greatness of Laurie Daley, Clyde and Stuart's departures, Noa Nadruku insanity and much much Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second installment of ‘The Telstra Cup', we discuss the ill-fated Perth Reds through the lens of three genuine rugby league bad boys, Scott Wilson, Julian O'Neill and Mark Geyer. We discuss the tragedies, nuance, and the redemption arcs, both real and imagined, highlighting a very real human side to Super League War! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first installment of ‘The Telstra Cup' we discuss the Cowboys, Tim Sheens and the coaching merry go round, player clean outs, John ‘Chicka' Ferguson, The Adelaide Rams, Liz Dawson, Kevin Campion, being cast aside, the Warrior's board, Phil Blake, Steve Kearney, Lee Oudenryn, the sacking of John Monie, the Warriors' financial woes, privatisation and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this concluding episode of ‘Two Tribes' we discuss the ARL's preseason trip to East Japan, the ARL World Sevens vs the Super League World Nines, Super League jersey designs and numbering system, a Baz Luhrmann opening night, underwhelming opening rounds, slippery balls, the ARL's Yanni effect, mass ticket giveaways on both sides, Topper Stadium, Wonderland militants and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of 'Two Tribes' we discuss the ad campaigns of both competitions, the ARL ramps up nostalgia, false anniversaries, Ron Casey lunacy, Super League goes all in on the sizzle, Cubby Checker, Dionne Warwick, Rodney O, great Aussie companies, hit and miss rules changes, the video referee, Hollywood Harrigan, the ARL's 40/20 rule, an Eric Cox update, and much, much more! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this installment we examine rugby league's competitors in 1997, Stadium Australia, Paddington vs Homebush, contract fiascos, a trademarks quagmire avoided, football magazine wars, gossip mongers, petty radio squabbles, primitive Pay TV, The Footy Show, Channel 9's true colours, the juggernaut that is Water Rats, the downfall of Monday Night Football, and much, much more! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we kick off season three, we see a clearing of the decks of some of the major players in the war to date, Cowley goes, Frykberg arrives, Ribot and Quayle stand down, and we reflect on Ribot and Quayle's legacies, Quayle's replacement Neil Whittaker, Arko steps down, but the hurt remains, interstate fighting, the ghost of Jeans West, Arko's amazing legacy and much, much more! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

News on the imminent release of The Super League War season 3. We are pumped for the season ahead! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very special episode featuring long time loyal listener Murray Croft and his wonderful fundraiser with the legendary Royce Simmons, as well as Mick and Andy discussing the origin teams, indigenous jersey ratings, the week that was, the RLD catch up, barnet talk, signing news, minnie riperton news, and much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To apologise for the lack of new episodes this year we have unlocked one of our Patreon bonuses, recapping round one of the NRL. This episode includes thoughts on the state of the women's game, RLD vindication watch, jersey talk, new league speak, love for the lock forward position, the boys' thoughts on all the round one games, next week's games, and more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Americanisation was a cultural buzzword inside and outside Rugby League during the Super League period, and American sport was an obvious influence on the presentation of the Super League vision. But what did it all mean? We break it down with academic and Rugby League fan Spencer Kassimir. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The big one! Michael is joined by Super League fellow traveller Steve Mascord to discuss the war and his new, greatly anticipated book Two Tribes. RLD listeners can go to http://stevemascord.com/product/twotribes and enter product code "rugby league digest" for a great discount offer on Two Tribes discussed at the end of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the second and final episode of this chapter, we look at the fallout from News Limited's comprehensive court victory. It was a frenzied week of speculation following the judgment, with crisis talks at the ARL and in club boardrooms, possible club defections, yet another loyalty agreement, a pay-TV rescue package, and much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The RLD takes an in-depth look at the appeal judgment, the lead up to the case, predictions, the court's interpretation competition, overturning nearly all of Justice Burchett's decision, the immediate courtroom reactions, Ray Hadley's public backflip, Arko's naive reaction to the result, the question of legality versus morality and much, much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this concluding episode of Chapter 30: The Optus Cup, we discuss the semi-final runs of Manly and St George, the post mortems for their victims, a surprisingly entertaining grand final despite popular sentiment, the infamous Manson blunder, John Raper's memorabilia fiasco and much, much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this penultimate episode of the Optus Cup chapter we compare the seasons of the 1996 ARL grand finalists, we discuss Manly's veterans, the impact of unlimited interchange, the Lyons and Menzies combination, offer some overdue Daniel Gartner appreciation, discuss Manly's gun back row, Joey's "red hair" game, Rod Reddy's departure as Dragons coach and the impact of David Waite, Mark Coyne's leadership, "goose of the week" shirts, Dean Raper, nefarious 'Skull' plans, more claims of referee bias, Broncos accused of stacking players, Chang's tours, Saints legends sharing in the victory and much, much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A tribute to the life and career of the Immortal Norm Provan. Vale Sticks. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Max Easton is host of the excellent Barely Human music history podcast and author of The Magpie Wing. Michael talks with Max about all of things, about Rugby League in the western suburbs, about Chilli's Hill, and more!The Magpie Wing is available now through Giramondo Presshttps://giramondopublishing.com/books/the-magpie-wing/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

While we are immersed in the 1996 season it is time for a deep dive on Parramatta's buying spree and its failure to generate instant success, with former Wallaby and Gain Line Analytics founder Ben Darwin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the second installment of Chapter 30, we discuss the Super League teams forfeiting round one in1996, Illawarra club turmoil, the Crushers failing on and off the field, South Sydney's abysmal record, Balmain punching above their weight, Sironen remaining a one club man, the 1996 awards season, David Farleigh, the last Rothmans medal, the RLW players poll, a mini hall of fame discussion on the year's retirees, a deeper look at Parramatta and their gigantic player splurge, Canterbury-Bankstown and the heroic legacy of Terry Lamb, the Super League Action Movement aka SLAM, and much. much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is part one of our 1996 season recap. In this episode we look at the state of the game in 1996. Rule changes, falling attendances, threats from AFL and rugby union, and the return of Monday Night Football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part 2 of this Patreon exclusive episode (available to everyone this week), the RLD's heartfelt tribute to Peter Sterling commentary career descends into bashing modern commentary once again, we discuss Joey, Cooper Cronk, the expected exciting top 8 finish in the NRL, Brad Arthur, the Titans' resurgence, the Storm and Roosters' systems, and the magnificent efforts of the Cleveland Rugby League and! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this Patreon exclusive episode (available to everyone this week), the RLD goes hard on the NRL / ARLC for their attitude towards the international game, the differences between Australasian Covid response and that of the UK and Europe, the alleged smokescreen about player welfare, Gus's views, the impact of the Olympics, NRL's responsibility to international football, we go broken record on the benefits of a deisgnated rep round, the cancellation of junior and ancillary comps and much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

'Tarnished Gold' is a chapter highlighting the farcical nature of both sides of the war regarding the appalling treatment international football. We discus limbo, the City vs Country litmus test, reconnected state or origins squads, rebel teams, Fiji being used as a pawn, coup leader George Speight, cheapening international jerseys, the Rest of The World game abandoned, disastrous Great Britain Super League tour of PNG and New Zealand, and much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To conclude our English miniseries, Michael is joined by the legendary Professor Tony Collins for an expansive look at the RFL's road to Super League, and the fallout afterwards. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As a companion piece to our Chapeltown Road chapter of the Super League War, Michael chats to British labour historian Anthony Broxton about Thatcherism, striking miners, economic depression and how it all relates to Rugby League in England. Go to https://tidesofhistory.wordpress.com/ for more of Anthony's important work. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The RFL receives a mammoth offer to defect to Super League, the ARL begs them to stay, clubs unanimously agree to the switch, then immediately revolt over proposed mergers, fans mobilise with the publication 'Merging on the Ridiculous', the ARL makes a hypocritical raid on English players ... all this against a backdrop of northern economic decline and British classism. A fantastic concluding episode of this chapter! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In anticipation of a potentially season-defining clash between the Raiders and Dragons in Wollongong Saturday, we bring a Patreon bonus ep from behind the paywall, as Michael and Andy (separately) list their favourite ever Dragons and Raiders teams respectively. NOTE: Andy was horrified to omit one of his favourite players in Steve 'Boxhead' Walters. Take it as read that Steve gets the 9 jersey in this team. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

English two of 'Chapeltown Road' the RLD discusses Engl rugby league in the 1980s. financial peril, expansion plans and at times lack thereof, teams in London, Kent and Carlisle, Australian imports, the bizarre history of the Golden Boot award, the legendary Wigan teams, Chorley, the need for structural change, Cliff Richard, The 'Framing the Future' report and much, much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode the RLD discusses the cultural idiosyncrasies of the English game, the lasting impact and legacy of the 1982 'Invincibles', comparing kangaroo tour squads, the British sporting psyche, fudging gate figures, fighting Paul Weller and The Jam, a golden generation of British players, a gulf in professionalism, the Larder report, Ryan Giggs' unwise career move, the brilliance of Garry Schofield and much, much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The RLD is joined this week by a very special guest to discuss the incredible 1996 Challenge Cup Final between the Bradford Bulls and St Helens, Mike Mehall Wood is a brilliant journalist with a life long immersion in English rugby league and an inner circle view on the English Super League, the move to summer rugby league and indeed the impact of the war on the game as a whole, a must listen for every true rugby league fan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.