Explore every episode of the podcast The Progressive Rugby League Podcast

In August 2020, at the 125th anniversary of Rugby League's birth, Professor Tony Collins joined us to crystal ball what Rugby League could be 125 years into the future.

The Rugby split was the product of a specific period of modern history. What social, economic and cultural ingredients would be needed for reunification to ever be on the cards? Are Rugby League's core tenets strong enough to withstand a major societal shock? What about an economic meltdown? Or a hyper-capitalistic future?

It was prognostications off the back fence, with the good Professor using his limitless knowledge of Rugby League and societal history to whack some sense into proceedings.

It's Rugby League Looking Back, Looking Forward.

Contact us via progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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New Ep! Rob Cardno joins the pod to confirm that no, the Toronto Wolfpack were not a figment of our wildest imaginings. Yes, it actually happened, and yes, it was a wild ride.

Rob was there from the beginning, bearing witness to the dizzying highs and depressing lows as the Wolfpack went from an idea, to a curiosity, to a big deal, and then to dust.

With a few years clear air, Rob reflects on a truly unique Rugby League experience, witnessed from the very front row.

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PRL Classics returns with an illuminating chat about Rugby League's role in the evolution of that strange ol' state of Queensland.

In June 2020, Joe Gorman joined the pod to take us deep into his award-winning book, Heartland: How Rugby League Explains Queensland.

Tales of Jacko, King Wally, Bigs Artie and Mal, Kerry Boustead, the rollicking back stories of the Broncs, the Cows and Super League, and of course....the mysterious power of the Maroons...

Cracking read, super chat.

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Candid, engaging, funny, Ian Roberts graced our little pod in March 2021 for a wide-ranging chat about his unique life on and off the field.

Before this chat, we'd never heard him reflect on the 1997 authorised biography on his life, Finding Out, we hadn't heard much about his time at Souths, or playing for and against Wigan at Central Park. In fact, despite having heard, seen and read much about Ian over the years, there was a lot in this chat that was fresh to us.

And upon another listen more than 5 years later, it still felt fresh.

It's time to revisit The Life and Times of Ian Roberts.

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Most old podcast episodes gather virtual dust. But some deserve a second hearing.

Introducing PRL Classics...

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How much is enough data in Rugby League? Mike Meehall Wood joins the pod to chat about how data is shaping our game in 2026.

From the micro to the macro, from the NRL to Super League, Mike breaks down the trends and the nuances, while musing on more philosophical pieces like 'what makes good Rugby League?' and 'making the risky look sensible'.

Check out Mike's excellent new Substack What You Get Is What You See at mikemeehallwood.substack.com

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Australian sports publishing heavyweight, Geoff Armstrong, joins this very special PRL Book Club to share tales from his favourite all-time Rugby League books.

As author, publisher, editor and more, Geoff has shepherded book releases that together have sold in the millions. So who better to ask about books from Rugby League's storied history that simply cannot be ignored.

As most of our PRL Book Clubs have had an international bent, we've asked Geoff to focus on Australian Rugby League books. But never fear, British fans, Geoff also finds time to shout out a few of his UK faves - that's just the kind of guy he is.

In and around talk of these immense tomes, we also chat about the tricks of the sports-writing trade, the trajectory of sports publishing and the Rugby League stories we want to read in the future.

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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 progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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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 progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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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: progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com.

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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 - progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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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.

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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.

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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 - progressiverugbyleague@gmail.com

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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We revisit our November 2021 chat with Professor Megan Davis that hopefully provides a little space and clarity amongst all the Referendum campaign din. All of course wrapped in a loving Rugby League blanket.

This is an edited version of the original, which can still be found in the feed.

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Anthony Broxton joins the pod to chat about his thoroughly excellent new book Hope & Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain.

A turbulent period for the country meets an ambitious time for British Rugby League. How did it all come to be? And how can we make sense of it 30-40 years on?

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Former NRL referee Matt Cecchin joins us for a special Adjudication Edition of the PRL Podcast.

Matt comes out of retirement to ref our specially convened match to help us better understand some of the grey areas of our great game. And in between rulings, Matt thoughtfully reflects on a storied career in the middle.

The PRL Podcast takes full responsibility for all whistle sounds within this episode.

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What does the Dolphins' entry into the NRL actually mean for the character and make-up of South-East Queensland Rugby League?

Celebrated Australian author and actor, and Redcliffe Dolphins fan from way back, William McInnes gives us 110% and then some, as he reflects on his personal history with the Redcliffe region, the Dolphins and the old Brisbane Rugby League.

William also lays the richest foundation yet seen (by us anyway) for the burgeoning Dolphins-Broncos rivalry.

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We're back for another year! And what better way to kick things off than with a chat with one of the most interesting Rugby League minds, Matt Elliott.

We discuss some of the themes of his new book, The Change Room: Play The Game of Your Life and dip into some of his experiences from a lifetime in Rugby League, including some candid reflections from his coaching career.

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Three years in the waiting, the 50th edition of the Koori Knockout has been run and won. Bidjigal man Brad Cooke joins us to discuss how it all went down.

Plus we chat about how the Knockout continues to evolve, the social dividends it promotes, as well as Brad's memories of some of the all-time great Knockout moments.

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It's high time we took the pulse of Rugby League in the UK. And who better to place two fingers to its wrist than UK Labour historian and Rugby League thinker, Anthony Broxton from Tides of History.

We chat with Anthony about his latest piece, 'Does Rugby League have a gambling problem?', delve into deeper territory on the IMG-led future of the British game, and ponder on the extent to which the UK Labour Party with play the 'Rugby League card' to win back crucial election-defining constituencies.

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