Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

🏉 Welcome to Chiming InBen Lovett joins the show to share his powerful rugby league journey, from growing up in Parkes and chasing an NRL dream, to breaking through at South Sydney before a devastating knee injury changed everything.Ben opens up on the physical and emotional reality of rehabilitation, being advised to medically retire, the support of his family and South Sydney, and finding a new purpose through coaching, community work and mentoring young players.⏱️ TIMECODES0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In2:20 — Growing up in Parkes, sport and a love of rugby league6:00 — Being spotted and moving to Sydney to chase the dream11:30 — Finding his feet at South Sydney20:00 — Working through the grades and earning his opportunity24:20 — NRL debut, family support and Sam Burgess’ influence26:30 — The NSW Cup grand final and the devastating knee injury30:15 — Diagnosis, surgery and the long rehabilitation process33:20 — When medical retirement became a real possibility35:10 — Souths Cares, community work and finding purpose during rehab37:00 — Wayne Bennett’s difficult but honest retirement conversation40:00 — Trying to return, telling his family and accepting the decision42:00 — Transitioning into coaching at South Sydney45:40 — Mentoring young players and life in the player house50:30 — Mental health, grief and asking for support52:00 — Ben’s advice for young players and parents54:10 — Living without regret and looking ahead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Come inside the world of player agent and Chiming In presenter Steve Gillis as he gives us a bird’s-eye view into the deals, drama and decision-making behind the NRL player market.Having worked in rugby league as a journalist and player agent for almost 45 years, Chimes brings his trademark honesty and insight to Part 2 of this wide-ranging conversation.In this episode, Chimes breaks down Penrith’s player-market outlook, Tolutau Koula’s future at Manly, Melbourne’s expected bounce-back and whether Cronulla’s premiership window is closing.Plus, he explains the realities of Super League money, what went wrong at the Wests Tigers, Phil Gould’s role at the Bulldogs, the possibility of R360 returning, Laurie Daley’s Origin pressure, third-party deals, notional value and how agents support players through crises.It’s raw, revealing and a fascinating insight into how the rugby league player market really works.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Coming Up00:45 — Intro01:30 — Penrith’s November Player-Market Outlook03:10 — Tolutau Koula, Manly and Anthony Seibold06:12 — Melbourne Storm’s Rebuild07:30 — Is Cronulla’s Premiership Window Closing?09:05 — Cameron McInnes and the Reality of Super League Money10:35 — What Went Wrong at Wests Tigers?11:40 — Bulldogs, Phil Gould and Roster Changes13:20 — R360: Can the Rebel Competition Return?15:16 — Laurie Daley, Origin Pressure and the Media17:59 — Unsigned Players and Contract Pressure20:03 — Adam Ritson’s Remarkable Story25:03 — Should the NRL Invest in Super League?28:40 — Las Vegas, Global Round and NRL Expansion30:38 — Third-Party Deals Explained32:58 — Notional Value and Salary-Cap Scrutiny35:46 — What It Takes to Become an NRL Player Agent39:20 — How Agents Handle Player Crises42:14 — Steve on Podcasting, Media and the Future47:04 — Wrap-Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Royce Simmons is one of the most loved people to have ever played the game of rugby league.Who could forget the 1991 grand final, when Simmons - in his very last game for the Penrith Panthers - scored two tries in a five star performance to overcome the Canberra Raiders.Sadly, in recent times, the former NSW and Australian hooker has struggled with health issues and is battling dementia.But it hasn’t stopped Simmons' zest for life and his desire to raise funds and try and find a cure for the debilitating disease.In this episode of Chiming In, Simmons talks passionately about his health battles, his love for rugby league and those he has shared his journey with.But it’s his funny life stories which will have you chuckling as Simmons recalls a career well done.Simmons also reveals the greatest ever forward he’s ever seen - and it will shock you.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start00:04 - Highlights01:46 - Diagnosis Dementia04:16 - Walking05:06 - Warning Signs / Finding Out07:01 - Biggest Killer in the World / Stats08:41 - Treatment for Dementia10:06 - Treatment in America11:36 - Dealing / Living With It12:46 - People Reaching Out14:03 - Lightbulb Moment for Starting Charity15:31 - England & Hull Work18:46 - Raising Money & Marathons21:56 - "Worst Thing That Could Happen"25:36 - Nathan Cleary & Current Penrith26:56 - Penrith Pride28:31 - Named in His Honour + Retirement / Aged Living Apartments34:16 - '91 Grand Final + Last Game37:36 - Promise to Fans + Grand Final Night39:01 - Growing Up in the Bush43:46 - Early Sporting Days46:59 - Pet Horse + Motorbike50:16 - Meeting His Wife + Meeting in High School52:46 - Clubs That Almost Signed56:16 - Comparing Old vs New Players58:11 - Isaah Yeo / Best Forward Ever01:02:16 - Upcoming Walks & Fundraisers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter O’Sullivan is regarded the NRL’s premier recruitment manager having successfully shaped the playing rosters of teams like the Dragons, Roosters, Storm, Warriors and Knights over many years.He was also responsible for putting together the Dolphins inaugural team in 2023 - which, amazingly, less than four seasons later, is now considered a genuine premiership contender.So what does a recruitment manager do and how does he identify and procure talent.O’Sullivan is credited with unearthing and launching the careers of players such as Greg Inglis, Latrell Mitchel, Israel Folau, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck and many, many more. He also plays a key role in the salary cap management of his club.Today O’Sullivan is an integral part of the Newcastle Knights system and was the man responsible for luring Dylan Brown away from Parramatta in sensational circumstances.In this episode of Chiming In, you are given a birds’ eye view into the tricks of the recruitment manager’s trade - how they identify players, entice them to switch clubs and build powerful playing rosters.With new teams Perth and Papua New Guinea on the horizon, no-one is better qualified than O’Sullivan to comment on how their new look rosters are shaping up.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start00:04 - Highlights01:45 – Recruitment Manager03:05 – How He Put Redcliffe Together05:05 – Negotiating with Wayne Bennett06:20 – Roster Strategy07:40 – Dolphins Knock Backs09:20 – Who Said No to the Dolphins10:20 – Signing Hammer11:40 – What Do You Look For in a Player?12:40 – Dealing with Knockback15:45 – Joel Kane Story17:20 – Family + Kids (Sean O'Sullivan)19:20 – Busy Schedule20:20 – How to Become a Recruitment Manager23:20 – Managing Melbourne Recruitment24:20 – Recruiting Greg Inglis27:50 – Greg Inglis Being a Blue30:05 – "The Pitch"31:35 – Working with Player Agents34:25 – Parents + Agent Pressure on Players37:15 – Negotiating with Different Backgrounds38:45 – Player Obstacles Getting Into the NRL39:50 – Perth Bears Recruitment42:05 – Helping the Knights Recruitment43:45 – Dylan Brown Signing47:10 – Re-Signing Ponga48:20 – Justin Holbrook's Effects on the Club49:30 – Premiership at the Knights50:40 – How to Say No to a Player51:53 – November Deadline + Trade Windows54:15 – Coaches, Agents + Representation56:21 – Israel Folau58:05 – RTS59:04 – Boyd Cordner01:01:05 – Phone Visible on the Wide01:01:10 – PNG Signings01:03:10 – Club Bucket List Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil “Buzz” Rothfield has spent 50 years as one of rugby league’s most recognisable voices.After stepping away from newspapers, television, radio and podcasts, Buzz returns for a special episode of Chiming In to explain why he retired, what he misses, and what he really thinks of the NRL season so far.In this episode, Buzz opens up on the pressure of working seven days a week in rugby league media, life after NRL 360, and why breaking stories is still hard to let go.He also gives his unfiltered views on Andrew Abdo’s exit, Peter V’landys, the Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm, NRL expansion and more.From retirement reflections to big calls on the future of the game, Buzz is back behind the microphone and he doesn’t sit on the fence.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start00:03 - Highlights00:48 - Phil “Buzz” Rothfield returns01:15 - Why Buzz retired02:29 - Life after rugby league media06:00 - Andrew Abdo steps down08:25 - Payne Haas to South Sydney10:30 - Canterbury Bulldogs struggles14:24 - Rugby league supporting its own & Try July16:42 - Melbourne Storm and Billy Slater18:22 - NRL global round and the Roosters20:35 - Dragons and Shane Flanagan23:24 - Blowout scores and rule changes26:39 - Coaching pressure29:49 - Best coach in the NRL30:36 - PNG, New Zealand and expansion33:01 - Perth Bears34:39 - Zac Lomax and R36036:35 - State of Origin and Super League38:54 - Penrith Panthers and Ivan Cleary40:05 - Newcastle, contenders and Grand Final prediction42:07 - Coach of the Year and Dally M judging44:12 - Wests Tigers45:13 - Suburban grounds and Shark Park48:27 - Gold Coast Titans and coaching accountability52:58 - Wayne Bennett’s future54:27 - Referees and the bunker55:35 - Women’s rugby league and Emma Lawrence57:32 - NRL 360, media pressure and Magic Round01:00:00 - Final reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George has waited patiently for his club to become a major force in the NRL.Now riding near the top of the competition ladder and respected and feared by its rivals, George confidently predicts this is the year of the Wahs.And if they do eventually capture their first NRL title, George is entitled - more than most - to celebrate the achievement.It was George who steered the Club through covid, fought for his players rights and ensured the safety and well being of a group of men and their families, who made an incredible sacrifice to ensure the game went on.In this episode of Chiming In, you will get to know the man behind the secrets of the Warriors success. From humble beginnings in Northern NSW, George has emerged as one of the game’s top administrators who is respected and liked by all.He gives an inside look at how the Warriors stayed afloat, while the world was seemingly crumbling.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start00:04 - Highlights02:04 - 2026 GF on the cards 03:32 - NZ development pathways 05:14 - Invading recruits 07:42 - Recruiters in Aus for NZ 09:15 - Finding Webby 12:14 - Long term Warriors coach 13:25 - NZ undervaluing 15:15 - Competing with All Blacks 17:00 - Fanatical Wahs fans 20:19 - 20th team out of Wellington 23:16 - Womens game 26:50 - Does PNG have an unfair advantage? 30:17 - Getting players to Auckland 33:25 - When Covid hit 47:00 - Learning about players 51:48 - Pacific Islander family focus 52:53 - Homecoming for Wahs 54:38 - Club Haka 01:00:07 - Can Wahs dominate NRL? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He’s regarded one of the kindest, most humble and hard working people in rugby league.Jason Clark is the first to admit he wasn’t the most gifted individual yet he boasts an NRL premiership and English Challenge Cup trophy among his finest achievements.After a stellar 10 year stint with the Rabbitohs, Clark packed up the family and moved to England before putting the finishing touches on his career playing First Division in France.Today, the former South Sydney lock forward, has returned to where it all began and now works as a Football Manager with the mighty Rabbitohs.This interview will enlighten you as Clark shares the secrets of his success, the struggles he’s had to overcome and thrills and spills along the way.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start00:04 - Highlights02:02 – What is a Football Manager?05:10 – Welfare role06:18 – FM disasters10:58 – Travel for football teams13:15 – Flights after serious injury15:56 – Wearing the blue shirt19:00 – Meals on the road21:55 – What players can and can’t wear23:44 – Johnny Sutton as a blue shirt24:36 – Jason’s career27:53 – Debut31:13 – 2014 GF win37:01 – Leaving Souths41:23 – Joining Warrington Wolves45:55 – Playing in France53:18 – Souths in 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every youngster who laces a boot, dreams of debuting in the NRL and forging a career in the big time.While so many fail to make the cut, there is an incredible amount of players who debuted yet only ever play just ONE game. South Sydney’s Mick Bernie is one such player but he wouldn’t swap his moment for anything. And while Michael Buettner boats a truckload of NRL appearances, he too fits the one game wonder category after making one-off appearances for NSW and Australia.With the help of masterful statistician David Middleton, this episode of Chiming In takes you inside the world of the one game wonders.Hear how Berne remembers his debut as one of the best days of his life while Buettner still proudly showcases the jumpers and memories which can never be erased.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start00:04 - Highlights01:37 – David intro 02:58 – David’s books 04:03 – How stats have changed 05:43 – One NRL game players 10:03 – Median number for NRL players 11:30 – Cam Smith’s record 12:58 – “New” stats to the game14:59 – Mick Byrne intro 16:11 – Hearing “you’re in” 19:32 – The big game 26:18 – David's stats on Origin 30:37 – Cam Smith dominance 33:55 – Origin stats are different 36:42 – Michael Beuttner intro 38:49 – “Cattle Dog” call 44:19 – North Sydney Bears memories 47:11 – David on Test footy 50:17 – One Test players 54:34 – Michael Buettner on his one Test Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.