Season's Greetings to all Fire Up! Listeners, we've put together a little "Best Of" to commemorate another year of inane blatherings about the NRL in all its glory....and it's many atrocities! Thanks again to all the guests who appeared on the show this year, as well as the Production team (Mash Ferris and Josh Beagley) and Andrew Gordon from Personal Best Media.

Here's looking forward to another wild ride in 2025, cya on the other side.

The Fire Up! Crew xoxox

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We're joined this week by Dave Ray who has a nose for a story and a deeply held affection for the Canberra Raiders. He has also sat next to Tigers supremo, Shane Richardson, during a game at Leichhardt this year and lived to tell the tale.

We discuss everything from Nathan Cleary's Rexona commercial to Nibbler Flanagan and the Trbojevic Tricksters.

And much, much more!

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Things were a little existential and spiritual in the Fire Up! studios this week, as our hosts discussed exhumations, Creationism, Life Coaches and St. Jerome of Latimore.

STGI's epochal victory against the Storm is discussed, along with The Prophet Of Belmore, Coaching Jocularity and DJ Otsi.

We get a great new track from Denis Carnahan celebrating Papaalii's 300th, and as always, MUCH, MUCH more.

Tune in to tune out.

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With the Olympics and Rugby League coalescing this week our hosts have adopted the Spirit of Revolution and are "Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore!" They discuss overturning the RL Class system and "The Big Walk" at the Tigers, along with St George getting "Nathanised" on the weekend.

They spend some time talking about ways to "Fix" Rugby League let's just say that the brilliant ideas abound.

Add in a song from Denis Carnahan and you have quite a show.

Tune in to tune out.

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Still basking in the victorious afterglow of Origin III, this week our Blueslander hosts are joined by Matt Rule, promoter of the upcoming "Beer, Food & Footy" Festival held annually at Newtown Oval, to discuss what happens on the day, the promising future of the Jets, the freeform Jazz improv performance of ref Ashley Klein, the Luai Hustle, The Bulldog "Hustlers", Trumpian Robbo and much much more.

Please let us know your thoughts and we'll see you at the festival!

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In the lead up to the massive Origin III Decider we have the inestimable Vonnie Sampson from Fox Footy join us to discuss Mankinis, Possums, Fred Zeppelin, Police Escorts, The "Caco", Schnapps for breakfast, Navel Gazing and Regurgitator in a box.

And some footy.

Listen in for all the good goss.

And tell your friends please, we need some more listeners!

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Unfortunately we've had to cancel this week's episode due to a Personal Injury Mishap to one of our hosts.

Back next week!

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We wrap up all the important news to come out of Round 17 and State Of Origin II, trying to make sense of 90,000 confused Melburnians, Ashley Klein's need to be liked, Billy Slater's private video room and all the Sin Bin confusion. Sticky "Dials In" again and we live in fear of The Rise Of The Robots.

All this and much much more!!!

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On the eve of Origin II our hosts bemoan the absence of genuine nude streakers these days, talk up "Little Guys" with Vossy and Brandy, discuss the importance of having "Mitchell's" in your team and worry about Stephen Crichton's burgeoning handshake repertoire.

All this and a severely inadequate preview of the big game. 

With a new tune from Denis Carnahan and as always much much more!

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In the wrap up of Round 15, our hosts explore the idea of Role Models across the code, debate the etymology of the term "Glass Houses" (spoiler - it's not Billy Joel), the expansion team potential of the Beijing Bears, and take a deep dive into the motivational power of ribald tattoos.

They also look into beat poet fanboy Tristan Sailor, ask "can Gutho Moonwalk?" and go hard at Billy Slater's transgressional history.

And of course Latrell and the upcoming Origin game get closely analysed.

For all this and more, tune in to the full episode.

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What else is there to talk about this week but - The Dismissal?  Well our hosts do bemoan the musical choices from The Origin Debacle, and talk up the pre-game Lebanese meal at Accor Stadium,  but the incident between the "Pretty Boys" dominates the hearts, minds and conversation of all.

Along the way they get to revisit Nate Myles's best work and credentials, Denis Carnahan's classic "That's In Queensland," and eventually get to spend some quality time discussing Kenty's 21 Beer session and The Fire Up! Cup....and, as always, lots lots more.

Tune in for the full extravaganza. 

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Special Guest Podcaster and ex-Cricketer Shane Lee joins the boys in the studio as Stephen battles his PTSD at not being the Game Day DJ for the first time in many, many years to discuss The NRL Grand Final, the run up, the game, the fallout....and as always, much much more!!!

Thanks for listening this year, we'll be back next year and keep your eye out for some off-season special episodes.

Big Love from the Fire Up! Crew

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On the eve of the first Origin game for 2024, our hosts focus on the complex issues behind the facile back page news of the daily blatherings, such as Corey “Scavenger” Parker’s wedding night BLT, eradicating Sweet Caroline from the face of the earth, The DFAT Raiders’ Vegas gambit, The Taiwan Tornadoes, Vlandy’s Rosehill Ghetto and create a tonne of content for the impending reality that is PVLTV. And that’s just to get us started.

Tune in for the full package. Like, subscribe, comment, get involved!

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With Origin Rounds looming and injury carnage across the competition, many clubs that are flailing and floundering my be sniffing a chance to put their seasons back on track.

Our hosts look back on Indigenous Round and have plenty of fodder for their segments "Dial In," "Rugby League Biology" and "On The Wires."

As always we feature lots of (in)appropriate tunes and highly irrelevant information, but that's the just the way Fire Up! rolls...get on board and enjoy the barely coherent mayhem!

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With Special Guest Redfern Pat in the studio to discuss the fallout from Magic Round, the injury carnage keeps piling up and the controversies are erupting thick and fast. Nothing gets past the Fire Up crew, from Brad Arthur's Mad Monday to the Fifita Backflip to the PNG Franchise and Bellamy's Bits 'R' Us Business.

Make sure to DIAL IN! one more time and come out the other end much more well informed.

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It's Round 11 and The Code Is In Crisis! 50 Hamstrings! FIFTY!!!  Are we evolving, expanding, or devolving? It's a state of mass confusion with mere lovetaps earning 3 weeks on the sidelines. The Kythera Connection, The Planet Of The Apes, SuperCoaches Bennett and Bellamy and The Roosters Way are all scheming before our eyes, and Benny Elias, for one, has absolutely no idea what is going on. 

Can Steve and Kris make sense of things? Tune in to find out.

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With The Met Gala occurring at the same time as Fire Up! was recorded this week our hosts felt a freakish affinity between the Fashionistas in New York and the world of Rugby League, and they proceed to untangle these threads across the course of the episode.

Of course the big issues like "Small Ball," "Kenty's Tree," "Departure Day," "Big Man Syndrome" and Kristi Noeme the Puppy Murderess are all involved.

Tune in to see how this all plays out! 

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The ANZAC Day Rd throws up a plethora of talking points for this week, including but not limited to - "Eyes Up" Ipswich footy, is Brendan Cowell REALLY Nostradamus,? Kickoff - Yay or Nay? Sam Walker's winning Beard and winning ways, and is "Doghead" as an insult Paul Kent's best media work yet? Rugby League Biology is back with plenty to discus.

Also - Where were the Black Hawks? Terry Hill RIP. The Caxton St. Globetrotters. Pandemonium. Denis Carnahan's musical tribute to Jarrod Croker.

And of course....Paul Kent's watch.

Tune in for the details.

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With our first guest for the year in the studio, actor/writer/Cronulla fan Brendan Cowell comes in all guns blazing, shooting opinions from his hip about everything from the gold plated taps at Casa Melbourne Storm to how he would revitalise the Roosters and eliminate The Titans, whilst he picks the NSW Origin Team and lauds the Tszuyu brothers as Australian treasures.

Regular segment "Rugby League Biology" gets a start as does new segment "Dial In!"

And as always, much more - and a song from Denis Carnahan!

Tune in for laughs and solid opinions. Then rate and review if you would.

Luv yas!

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Round 6 of the Season sees a return to the good old days of feuds, anger, hate and turmoil as Sticky Ricky, the Game's Greatest Thinker, is back in superior form and initiates a proper stink with Des Hasler. Our hosts also dive deep on to the ongoing feud between Parasite Peter Fitzsimmons and Jimmy Graham, the turmoil at Souths, The Lomax vortex of common sense, the diminishing loveability of the Tigers and of course the comedy stylings of Flanno!

All this and much more, and a brilliant track from Denis Carnahan called "Demetriou."

Listen in for enlightenment.

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Our hosts dissect the wild and woolly Round 5 of the NRL, asking whether or not James Tedesco is an impediment to his own health?, is Latrell "too special"?, is Billy Slater "The Modern Horseman" or "The Electric Cowboy?" and where to next for the upwardly mobile Rabbitohs?

Not to mention discussions of Keith Barnes, Zac Lomax, the Dialled-In Waratahs, Social Darwinism, Michael Jennings, David Klemmer and the ever-evolving Rugby League Etymology.

With an incredible tune from Denis Carnahan and of course much, much more.

Subscribe, like, share, review, discuss etc etc blah blah

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Redfern Pat gives us his weekly Fire Up! Mediawatch update

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With most of the NRL fraternity focussed on this week's grand final, Fire Up! scratches at the surface of the supernatural and paranormal realms this week, as ghost stories begin to emanate from the Pearce family. Crazy stuff, but you can't ignore it!

And of course our hosts dig deep - some might say too deep - into the forthcoming big dance. Spooooooky

Tune in comrades for all this and much, much more

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After a slow news week where even the Sydney Swans AFLW Team can outdo the entire NRL on the Atrocity ladder, our hosts explore themes of resilience and distraction, taking a look at Albert Hopoate's "bizarre cooking accident", Tim Tszuyu's bloodied boxing battle and the unlikely results that see both Tigers and Dragons with weekend wins.

And as always, much, much more.

Tune in, and if you like what your hear then we'd love to hear your thoughts - or tell your friends.

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What a week in Rugby League! The boys talk about falling empires, moral compasses, theme songs, the game day experience, Paul Kent, gold plated urinals, Reece Walsh's eyes (as we all are), The Melbourne Cowbell, "Mind Gyms", Flanno and Scott Fulton and MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Rugby League is a barometer for life as we know it, stay tuned to hear why.

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Redfern Pat takes us through key moments - Trell, Swear, Coates try, Scrum

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From the Stench in Canberra to the Toxic Swamp in Cronulla, from the sublimity of Xavier Coates's try to the ridiculousness of Latrell's new language profile, from Astro Travelling with Bradley Charles Stubbs and Robbo to the emerging nexus of MAGA, Polites and Vlandys, there's a LOT of surface area, both physical and mystical, covered in this week's episode.

Tune in for it all to make some kind of sense.

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With the season lurching into gear,  our hosts discuss purpose and dignity, Princess Kate, emotional support animals, prejudice plus power, and, yes, true grit.

We get a song from Denis Carnahan, look forward to the Ravalawa Bobblehead,  glimpse at the fun and games at the Slater Ranch, and getting down to Rugby League, ask "what is going wrong at the Bulldogs? and pose the Question we're all thinking: "With all the obvious body sculpting going on at The Dragons, are they on the good drugs with Flanno?!"

All this and much more

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Acknowledging that nothing will ever be the same again, our hosts take a deeeeep breath and carefully analyse the Vegas experiment. They despair at the lack of off-field atrocities, the disappointing Game Day entertainment, the musical cliches, and the general lack of "Rugby League-ness".....did the game really do enough to attract the idiot sporting speculators of America? But let's not say too much - listen in for the full 360 Fire Up! Report.

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With one Fire Up! host - Gale - heading over to Vegas and the other - Ferris - tragically marooned in Sydney, they get the 2024 Season underway with a look at the disappointing lack of NRL pre-season atrocities thus far, tempered with the boundless potential for mischief on the Strip. They also discuss what the evil Cameron Smith might be bringing to the Currumbin U15 program now that he has assumed coaching responsibilities. Denis Carnahan sings about Vegas and as always there is much, much more. Thanks for listening and bring on the atrocities.

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With hope, dreams and wistful longing coursing through their veins, Stephen and Kris are back for a Pre-Season look at what's coming up in the 2024 Season of the NRL. From Anal Beads to Viva Las Vegas, The Nevada 4 to Richo of Nazareth, Star Spangled Steedens to Davey Warner's Baggy Greens, all the big issues facing the NRL and the wider world of Australian sport get discussed. It's good to be back.

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And then there were 4.

If you need a completely non-critical, non-expert analysis of where the NRL Season is at right now, you've stumbled on to the right POD.

Fortunately our hosts have spies everywhere, from the Caringbah Inn to the set of 100% Footy to the cockpit of the Vlandys Airlines NRL Jet, and have got all the big news covered.

Thanks for listening

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This doesn't need much description. The best RL Podcast discussing arguably the greatest RL Grand Final ever. 

Why wouldn't you tune in?

Just Fire Up!

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With temperatures climbing and a hot grand final drawing near, our hosts keep their heads cool and debate the big issues facing the game without pride or prejudice, fear or favour.

From "Alex The Grub" - the forthcoming Fire Up! Children's book, to Reece Walsh's mesmerising eyes, from the quantum physics of forward passes to the Chairman "Dictatorships" of Hagipatelis and Lancaster, from Shaun Johnson's happiness to Val and Rowdy's double act, no stone gets left unturned in this week's diagnosis of the soap opera we affectionately know as Rugby League.

Listen with a friend.

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As the RL Season narrows towards its finale you would think there might be less to discuss, but it seems not! Tune in to hear Kris and Steven opine on all the current talking points in the game, such as Kalyn Ponga's thoughts on the love of a good woman, Rugby League Matchmaking, a potential new wing in the RL Hall Of Shame, Shaun Johnson's Dinner Suit, Penrith & Melbourne's Fractured Fairy Tale, The Brisbane "Sucked In Wayne" Bronco's, Kris's prosthetic tongue, Ashley Klein's Refereeing Apology, the intersection of Rugby League & Politics, Lindsay Collins' Avocado Habit,  PVL's Property Portfolio, the immense potentialities of "Destination" Shire, Balmain's Root & Branch Review, Val Holmes's Instagram Strategy, Fitzy's "good" and "bad" concussions, the NRL Atrocity Walk, the Cleary Finger Readjustment and...as always....much, much MORE!

And what's more Denis Carnahan delivers a brilliant take on Jack Wighton's biting incident to the tune of Kung Fu Fighting!

It's Good stuff. Listen in and maybe even give the boys a review or a share. Luv ya's all.

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Where do you even begin? So much to talk about it….in the first 15 minutes alone Ferris & Gale address all the burning issues - Bellamy’s meltdown, Adam West’s tights, lonely Thursday nights, Ice Men, Steven Wright jokes, Mr. Magic, death riding, the Green Whistle, Chat GPT, Rugby League Biology, OMC vs Up The Wa’s vs Up The Pa’s, the saga of the Roosters, Futurama, Red Mist, spiritualists, The Biting Incident….it’s all VERY Rugby League!
Tune in for more….much, much more…..

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This week as the longest regular season ever finally draws to a close, we welcome the esteemed and hugely entertaining RL journalist and broadcaster Yvonne Sampson to the studio to discuss everything from raising bananas to outgoing Broncos, Ricky Stuart's Standup Stylings, fielding B Teams, Super Coaches Bennett, Bellamy and Stuart, the lovely Walters' boys and as always - much, much more. Try and keep up and see youse in the Finals!

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Listen up people, there's a lot happening! In a "funny old week," with several clubs still jockeying for positions leading into finals, we find ourselves delving deep into the TURMOIL at Hefron Park, including the multiple dog-related incidents involving Simba, Rocky, Thor & Ruby, Rodney Churchill's infamous text and the 27 member WhatsApp group, the "myth" of Latrell and "creating memories" with Luke Combs.

We also discuss The Book Of Feuds, Parramatta's dacking of the Panthers, and look at the various controversial incidents over the weekend in a mega episode of Rugby League Biology.

Stephen rants about Trap Music, Denis Carnahan channels ELO to sing about Tyrell Sloan's ball grounding issues in the weekly tune, The Eels dack The Panthers, the victimisation of JWH gets analysed and there is... as always....MUCH MUCH MORE!

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As the regular season draws to a close we welcome esteemed journalist and author - and sometime ghostwriter - Andrew Webster - to the Fire Up! studios to discuss all the hot issues in Rugby League and more, including Latrell's cowboy fixation, Luke Brooks's BBQ, Wayne Bennett's passive aggressive phone manner, "The Stapler - tackle or injury procedure?", the Dragon's 2018 Faceplant, Sonny Bill's sound business advice and Payne Haas's surprising act of generosity. 

And of course, much, much, more, including a ripping track from Denis Carnahan!

Hope you enjoy X

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Special Guest this week is the keyboard warrior and lung suffering Parramatta Eels fan Adrian Proszenko (Nine Corp/SMH) who thoroughly entertains us with tidbits of his encounters with luminaries like the Coach Whisperer Bradley Stubbs, The Immortal Joey Johns, Ref Boss Graham Annesley and many more. The boys get down and dirty attempting to dismantle the new peace between the NRL and the Players Association, as words like "autonomy," "governance," and "workload" get bandied about. It's rip-roaring stuff! 

And plenty more topics are discussed including Sticky Ricky, the Las Vegas Junket, The Kythera Connection, Rugby League Haircuts and The Newington RL Factory.

All this - and a new song from Denis Carnahan! - in under an hour! Corrr.....

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After yet another "weekend of disappointment," Rugby League fans Ferris & Gale declare their need of the "Wellness Gurus" to re-balance their damaged minds and souls. Ubuntu and DIs and all that. They take a good hard look at the numerous refereeing controversies over the weekend, discuss the battle with FIFA for the hearts and minds of young female sports fans, and amongst a myriad of other things touch on Rexona ads, the Tibby Cotter Bridge, The History of On-Field Urination, The Scorpion Tackle, how to Google "Strip" and much, much more. 

They may be down in the dumps, but it's still very entertaining. Tell your friends.

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As we draw firmly in to the business end of the season we welcome guests Michael Carayannis, journalist for the Daily Astonisher amongst many other roles, and ABC satirist Denis Carnahan to the studio to discuss the RLPA v NRL negotiations, moral victories, Sticky Ricky, Billy Slater and "the General Public," the Bunker - a necessary evil?, and of course delve deeply in to the Melbourne Gargoyles and their recent round of backslapping.

It's all rather entertaining, educational and at times even slightly comical, if you like that sort of thing.

Thanks for listening League Lovers :)

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As this oh-so-long Season of Rugby League winnows it's way to conclusion, our hosts are exhausted and furious. With hope taken off the table, now there is little do but hate.

But wait.....does Stephen have a secret affinity for the Panthers? And Kris seems very-entrenched with the Eastern Suburbs elite at The Chooks? What's afoot?

Join us to find out, and hear a bunch of non-expert pontifications on all the games from the weekend and beyond.

See you in the queue for the Fireball Bubbler next week!

Please like and subscribe and get involved.

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Round 21 finds host Gale back from La LA Land and in the studio and some normality resumes. Our hosts discuss whether Supremo Vlandy's has jumped on the Barbie bandwagon, Sheriff Mitchell, Accountant Arrow and South's "Build The Wall" campaign, "The Dance Of Death" that was the Dragons v Tigers debacle, the leaky Dogs and Sharks, Adam Reynold's superior intelligence, "The Ray Hadley Broadcast Box" and "The Pantheon of NRL Biters" - male and female.

And of course, much , much more.

As always we include a brilliant song from Denis Carnahan.

Please share, like, subscribe, comment, and generally rain down internet love on our little show.

Thanks for listening.

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With an absent co-host Kris Gale swanning around Californian music festivals in Hayden James's private jet, Stephen Ferris oversees "possibly the strangest Fire Up! episode ever" as he wrangles guests Stuart Macgill, Josh Beagley and Shane Lee, talking Ashes, Bazball, Warnie the TV Show, the Dead Rubber, Freddy, the aspiring basket cases that are the Dragons and The West Tigers, the decline of the Roosters Empire and much, much more.

We have a power ballad where Denis Carnahan meets Meatloaf...

We tag team hosts in a Fire Up! first....

And just a warning....the language today is a little blue on occasion...

Let us know what you think x

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What a pleasure and privilege it is this week to welcome the funniest and smartest man in the business, the absolute legend Greig Pickhaver aka H.G. Nelson to our humble kitchen-themed podcast studio to discuss all that is wrong, right, amazing and interesting in the wide, wide world of Rugby League and the broader sporting universe.

In a wide ranging conversation....

Did we find out who his favourite player of all time is? (Maybe not.)

Can he name a single player in the current Canberra Raiders team? (That's a hard no.)

Did we force him to listen to Eckhardt Tolle? (A lil bit)

Does he even know who Billy Idol is? (Yes/No/Maybe)

Where does he stand on the commercialisation of the game and expansion teams and the overall talent pool? (Tune in and find out)

This is a great conversation with a great man. If any of you Fire Up! fans enjoy it, maybe do us a favour and share the love or take the time to rate, review and opinionate on your Poddy platform of choice or our socials. We really need the support if you want us to keep getting these amazing guests for you. Like Transvision Vamp, We don't want your money, we just want your love!

You're welcome!

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With both hosts’ respective teams suffering devastating losses on the weekend  this week’s episode centers around circling the drains, class warfare, the state of the boo, the ongoing culture wars in cricket and the NRL, and Jon Hamm’s deceptive good looks.

Other discussion points include the Tally Ho Defense, the Gould/Ciraldo Experiment, Dave Warner From The Suburbs, Ryan Carr’s Honesty Session, Reece Walsh v Seinfeld, the Rabbit-Proofing of the NSW team and, as always, much, much more.

And Dennis Carnahan sings “Reece Is The Word!”

Thanks for listening, please rate and review and comment on our socials, we need all the help we can get.

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