Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

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 - Start
00:03 - Highlights
00:48 - Phil “Buzz” Rothfield returns
01:15 - Why Buzz retired
02:29 - Life after rugby league media
06:00 - Andrew Abdo steps down
08:25 - Payne Haas to South Sydney
10:30 - Canterbury Bulldogs struggles
14:24 - Rugby league supporting its own & Try July
16:42 - Melbourne Storm and Billy Slater
18:22 - NRL global round and the Roosters
20:35 - Dragons and Shane Flanagan
23:24 - Blowout scores and rule changes
26:39 - Coaching pressure
29:49 - Best coach in the NRL
30:36 - PNG, New Zealand and expansion
33:01 - Perth Bears
34:39 - Zac Lomax and R360
36:35 - State of Origin and Super League
38:54 - Penrith Panthers and Ivan Cleary
40:05 - Newcastle, contenders and Grand Final prediction
42:07 - Coach of the Year and Dally M judging
44:12 - Wests Tigers
45:13 - Suburban grounds and Shark Park
48:27 - Gold Coast Titans and coaching accountability
52:58 - Wayne Bennett’s future
54:27 - Referees and the bunker
55:35 - Women’s rugby league and Emma Lawrence
57:32 - NRL 360, media pressure and Magic Round
01:00:00 - Final reflections
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Michael “Mouse" Jenkinson is a highly decorated yet extremely humble Bondi Lifeguard.

On December 14 last year, the man they nicknamed “Mouse” was about to complete a normal day of work at the beach with his colleagues when he two gunman started firing high powered rifles at innocent people.

Fifteen people lost their lives and many more would have, if not for the courage of countless people like Jenkinson who ran towards danger - not away from it. Aside from the precious lives lost, as many as 40 people were wounded.

In this episode of Chiming In, Jenkinson recalls that fateful day and how it will change the lives of so many forever.

At tragic as the circumstances were, Jenkinson’s story - like so many other first responders - will inspire you.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Start
00:04 - Highlights
02:10 - Growing up
05:53 - Getting into being a Lifeguard
10:27 - Bondi Rescue
14:43 - Nickname Mouse
15:34 - 1st Day as a lifeguard
17:42 - Rescuing kids
24:27 - Bondi team
30:00 - Backpackers Rip
31:45 - Bondi attack 2025
43:21 - Ahmed El Ahmed
50:58 - Response from first responders
55:02 - The aftermath
01:01:35 - The Jewish community
01:02:28 - Mental recovery
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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 - Start
00:04 - Highlights
02:04 - 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?
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Craig Field could be considered one of the most polarising figures in rugby league.

The diminutive halfback was told he was to small to ever play NRL yet went onto to play in 183 games - representing South Sydney, Manly and the Wests Tigers.

Fast forward to today and Field is putting his life back together after being sentenced to 10 years jail for the manslaughter of a man following a fight outside the Kingscliff Hotel on July 15, 2012.

In this episode of Chiming In, Field talks candidly about the day his life changed forever and his efforts to ensure people learn from his mistakes.

He also reflects on a football career which saw him debut for Souths as a 17-year-old, play for Manly in the 1997 grand final and later become part of a Wests Tigers outfit that was full of talent but failed to fire.

00:00 - Start
00:04 - Highlights
02:04 – Released from prison
02:53 – What is doing today
06:09 – Craig coaching
07:33 – Growing up
08:24 – Starting League
13:59 – Rabbitohs false start
16:44 – Souths debut
20:42 – Form flatlining
21:44 – 1994 “arrival” as a player
23:44 – Rough time growing up
26:12 – Blowing cash & regrets
29:09 – Balancing passion and gifts as a coach
33:30 – Credit to grassroots volunteers
39:32 – Tenure at Tigers
42:49 – Trouble with alcohol & drugs
46:36 – John Hopoate incident
49:04 – Kingscliff Hotel jailing
53:22 – Police arrest
01:01:39 – Motivational speaking
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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 - Start
00:04 - Highlights
02:02 – What is a Football Manager?
05:10 – Welfare role
06:18 – FM disasters
10:58 – Travel for football teams
13:15 – Flights after serious injury
15:56 – Wearing the blue shirt
19:00 – Meals on the road
21:55 – What players can and can’t wear
23:44 – Johnny Sutton as a blue shirt
24:36 – Jason’s career
27:53 – Debut
31:13 – 2014 GF win
37:01 – Leaving Souths
41:23 – Joining Warrington Wolves
45:55 – Playing in France
53:18 – Souths in 2026
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