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Rugby League largely splutters where it exists around the world. But it's a different story in New South Wales and Queensland. What is it that has made Australia's 'northern states' unique, and their capitals - Olympic cities no less - the only 'global cities' on the planet where Rugby League sits atop the sporting summit? This (draft) essay muses on this question and ponders how it all came to be. Contact the pod via [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roy Francis is one of the most significant figures in British Rugby League history. A Black British sporting legend, Roy followed up a distinguished playing career with a ground-breaking period as coach, where he pioneered methods decades ahead of their time. What is less known is the impact the game in Australia had on this storied personality. Professor Tony Collins joins the pod to take us through the remarkable times of Roy Francis, Rugby's Forgotten Black Leader, including how a stint with the North Sydney Bears went sour and changed Roy's life. If you want to get in touch, you can do so at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Independent international Rugby League reporting raconteur, Steve Mascord, gives us the lowdown on which way the pendulum is currently swinging for French involvement in Super League. Who's on which side? Where does the NRL fit in (is 'NRL Europe' a thing)? How does it all play into the discussion of the future size of the competition - 10 teams? 12 teams? 14 teams??? As always in matters European Rugby League, things get existential... Get in touch with the Progressive Rugby League Podcast: [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The banning of Rugby League in Vichy France continues to intrigue and appal 85 years on. Melissa McMahon, author of Unlucky 13: Amateurism as a weapon of war in Vichy France, joins the pod to discuss how it all went down, the key characters involved and the political and cultural context.  There is simply no sporting story quite like it. Drop us a line - [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a real treat to have the OG of Australian journalists with a penchant for foreign affairs named Hamish McDonald, Hamish McDonald on the pod to discuss his fascinating new book Melanesia: Travels in Black Oceania. This is a brilliant mix of travelogue, history and political analysis of a under analysed and misunderstood region. The books journeys from Fiji through Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and finally Papua New Guinea, where this chat mostly focuses. Hamish helps us delve through the milestones, landmarks and checkpoints of the Australia-PNG relationship that help explain how we've arrived at place where Rugby League tops the agenda when our two Prime Ministers meet. From the early European explorers to the World Wars, independence, and all the way to the impending inclusion of a PNG team into the NRL in 2028. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ABC commentary doyen, Quentin Hull, joins the pod to discuss the art of commentary. This curious artform is a soundtrack to so many of our lives. Let's get under the hood to better understand how good Rugby League commentary is made, the ins and outs of radio commentary, how TV commentary differs, and the challenges of switching between sports. Plus, Quentin shares a fascinating perspective of the Brisbane sporting landscape and how it compares with Sydney's. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hard Ons founding member, bassist, artist and staunch Parramatta Eels fan, Ray Ahn joins the pod to take stock of 40-plus years of the Hard Ons and the travails of being a Parramatta supporter throughout the journey. A really engaging chat encompassing distant memories of Eels glory and not-so-distant Eels heartbreak, all while charting the rise of one of Australian rock n roll's seminal bands. Hard Ons Bandcamp - https://hard-ons1.bandcamp.com/ Hard Ons doco trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3HgvrlDUwk Contact The Progressive Rugby League Podcast - [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time again to shove the thermometer where it needs to go to take the temperature of Rugby League in the Old Dart as we observe the State of the UK Rugby League Nation 2024. Joining us is a panel (if two guests can be counted as a panel) comprising two fine UK Rugby League minds - Anthony Broxton, author of Hope & Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain and Gavin Willacy, author of No Helmets Required: The Remarkable Story of the American All Stars and Rugby League Bravehearts: The Official History of Scottish Rugby League. IMG, the on-field product, broadcast market trends and more... on the table for your listening consideration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A reboot from 2022 of a great chat with Brendan Cowell about his novel Plum, which has just been turned into a beaut TV series. Plum is the tale about the turbulent post-footy life of Rugby League great, Peter Lum. Brendan shared what he knows and what he's learnt about footy, fame, concussion, masculinity, the Johns brothers' reading habits and plenty more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rugby League in New Zealand: A People's History is the definitive account of the people and the culture of the great game in Aotearoa. Author and historian, Ryan Bodman joins us to chat about Rugby League's unique voyage in New Zealand, the events that have shaped its trajectory, and how it's faring in the modern day. It's simply a brilliant book - warmly conveyed, thoroughly researched and beautifully produced. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newtown Jets CEO Stuart McCarthy joins the pod to give us a glimpse into what it's like running a Rugby League club away from the bright lights of the NRL. What are the spreadsheet tabs that matter? Is it possible to make ends meet? How does a rainy Saturday at Henson Park impact the bottom line? Who came up with the idea for the Beer Footy Food Festival? Oh and how close were we to experiencing the "Western Jets"? There's nothing quite like second-tier sport. And no-one does second-tier sport quite like the Newtown Jets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time to chat NRL OF THE FUTURE. How do we get from 17 to 20? What shape will the competition take? And what will it mean for Origin, International Rugby League, the NRLW and Super League. NRL.com and International Rugby League's Brad Walter joins us to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parramatta Eels fans have a difficult relationship with momentum. There's an actual physical limit to how much we can talk about a certain match from a certain year against a certain team with a certain 16-point lead with a certain 10 minutes to go... ...maybe it's time we try understand momentum a little better. Dr Caitlin Fox-Harding joins us to go deep on this elusive sporting concept. Read Caitlin's article in The Conversation - https://theconversation.com/the-mystery-of-the-massive-sporting-comeback-whats-the-psychology-of-momentum-in-sports-232598 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How on earth does someone stay vital in Rugby League over six decades? What drives a man to continue coaching at the top level at an age when everyone else has either been pensioned off or has had enough? Andrew Webster has written a splendid biography on Wayne Bennett that goes deep on one of Rugby League's most significant all-time figures. The Wolf You Feed - Wayne Bennett, The Man, The Myth, The Mayhem dissects an extraordinary life and explains how family life and family strife shaped the man and the coach that has helped shape Rugby League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max Easton joins the pod to chat about his new novel Paradise Estate. A sequel to the Miles Franklin-nominated The Magpie Wing, Paradise Estate introduces us to a Hurlstone Park share house, including Rocco, who's making a late tilt at the Italian Rugby League World Cup squad. Like its predecessor, Paradise Estate is a brilliant Sydney snapshot, chronicling the real-life struggles of a generation as it faces up to the brutal reality of an economy and housing market totally stacked against them. And while far from a Rugby League novel, you can betcha bottom dollar we find a way to go deep on some alluring, but fundamental questions about the game in 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.