Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

🏉 Welcome to Chiming In
Ben 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.

⏱️ TIMECODES

0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In
2:20 — Growing up in Parkes, sport and a love of rugby league
6:00 — Being spotted and moving to Sydney to chase the dream
11:30 — Finding his feet at South Sydney
20:00 — Working through the grades and earning his opportunity
24:20 — NRL debut, family support and Sam Burgess’ influence
26:30 — The NSW Cup grand final and the devastating knee injury
30:15 — Diagnosis, surgery and the long rehabilitation process
33:20 — When medical retirement became a real possibility
35:10 — Souths Cares, community work and finding purpose during rehab
37:00 — Wayne Bennett’s difficult but honest retirement conversation
40:00 — Trying to return, telling his family and accepting the decision
42:00 — Transitioning into coaching at South Sydney
45:40 — Mentoring young players and life in the player house
50:30 — Mental health, grief and asking for support
52:00 — Ben’s advice for young players and parents
54:10 — Living without regret and looking ahead
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Terry Kennedy joins Chiming In for a brilliant trip through his career in Australian sport and media

From growing up around greyhound tracks with his father Frank Kennedy, to learning the ropes in regional newsrooms and calling almost 200 NRL games, TK shares the stories, characters and moments that shaped his career.

He also reflects on working alongside some of sport’s biggest names, his love of racing, unforgettable trips to Hong Kong, South Africa and Royal Ascot, plus the changing landscape of Australian racing and sports media.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In
1:30 — Terry Kennedy’s early media days and radio stories
6:00 — Growing up as a punter and life around the racetrack
10:00 — Frank Kennedy, greyhound racing and family memories
15:00 — School, rugby league and Terry’s first break in journalism
20:00 — Early newsroom disasters and finding his feet on air
25:00 — Queensland sport, Wally Lewis and league’s great characters
30:00 — Calling nearly 200 NRL games and the arrival of pay TV
35:00 — Covering sport: commentary boxes, sideline reporting and TV memories
40:00 — Wild racing stories from South Africa and country race days
45:00 — Melbourne Cup memories, Hong Kong and Royal Ascot
50:00 — The future of racing, ownership and wagering
55:00 — Sporting icons, Greg Norman and media’s big personalities
1:00:30 — Wayne Bennett, final stories and wrap-up
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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.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Coming Up
00:45 — Intro
01:30 — Penrith’s November Player-Market Outlook
03:10 — Tolutau Koula, Manly and Anthony Seibold
06:12 — Melbourne Storm’s Rebuild
07:30 — Is Cronulla’s Premiership Window Closing?
09:05 — Cameron McInnes and the Reality of Super League Money
10:35 — What Went Wrong at Wests Tigers?
11:40 — Bulldogs, Phil Gould and Roster Changes
13:20 — R360: Can the Rebel Competition Return?
15:16 — Laurie Daley, Origin Pressure and the Media
17:59 — Unsigned Players and Contract Pressure
20:03 — Adam Ritson’s Remarkable Story
25:03 — Should the NRL Invest in Super League?
28:40 — Las Vegas, Global Round and NRL Expansion
30:38 — Third-Party Deals Explained
32:58 — Notional Value and Salary-Cap Scrutiny
35:46 — What It Takes to Become an NRL Player Agent
39:20 — How Agents Handle Player Crises
42:14 — Steve on Podcasting, Media and the Future
47:04 — Wrap-Up
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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, thrills and spills he’s overseen this season.
Having worked in rugby league as a journalist and player agent for almost 45 years, Chimes knows the ins and outs of the game as well as anyone.

In this episode of Chiming In, he gives us an inside look at Sam Walker’s future, how Adam Reynolds’ send-off was bungled, what’s next for Josh Papalii, and why the Dragons’ Couchman twins put their negotiations on hold.

Plus, Chimes unpacks PNG’s recruitment plans, the Perth expansion challenge, player retirement funds, the coach market, and why smart recruitment is the key to sustained NRL success.

It’s raw, revealing and a fascinating insight into how a player agent goes about his business.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Intro
01:49 — Adam Reynolds’ Retirement and Brisbane Exit
06:50 — Sam Walker’s Roosters Future
17:01 — Hugo Savala’s Roosters Loyalty
18:53 — DCE’s Career Crossroads
19:48 — PNG’s Recruitment Plans: Alex Johnston & Zac Lomax
26:41 — Alex Johnston’s South Sydney Exit That Never Happened
28:54 — Perth’s Marquee Player Challenge
31:10 — Can the NRL Sustain a 20th Team?
34:21 — Preparing Players for Retirement
36:07 — How the NRL Retirement Fund Works
40:56 — How Player Agents Find and Sign Talent
42:48 — Dane Gagai’s Move to Brisbane
44:46 — How Clubs Land Marquee Players: Ben Hunt
46:25 — Why the Couchman Twins Paused Negotiations
50:43 — Dean Young’s Coaching Journey
55:28 — Do NRL Coaches Need Agents?
59:56 — Should the NRL Add a Second New Zealand Team?
60:55 — Parramatta’s Recruitment Challenge
62:24 — Scott Drinkwater’s Cowboys Exit
65:35 — Brisbane, Madge McGuire & the Broncos’ Future
68:50 — Newcastle’s Turnaround
69:50 — Justin Holbrook’s Coaching Revival
70:27 — Are the Dolphins the Expansion Blueprint?
71:38 — Titans Recruitment, Roster Management & Penrith’s Dynasty
73:51 — Wrap-Up
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Inside Jai’s Journey.

South Sydney CEO Blake Solly has been front and centre since news of Jai Arrow’s battle with Motor Neurone Disease began.

In this episode of Chiming In, Solly shares insight into Jai’s courage and the way he has inspirationally lifted his teammates this season.

He also reveals how coach Wayne Bennett was instrumental in ensuring Arrow was credited with 100 NRL games for the Bunnies — and how Souths pitched the idea to the NRL.

But there’s more. Solly openly discusses:
- The signing of Payne Haas
- The futures of Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell
- Why the NRL should invest in Super League
- The new CBA
- Wayne Bennett’s use-by date
- Souths legend Nathan Merritt and his battle with cancer
- South Sydney’s premiership chances

It’s a must-watch episode for every rugby league fan — not just
Rabbitohs supporters.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Intro: Inside Jai’s Journey
1:45 - Jai Arrow’s MND Diagnosis & the Rugby League Community’s Response
6:00 - Jai’s 100-Game Milestone & the Emotional Gold Coast Tribute
9:30 - Payne Haas: How Souths Got the Deal Done
14:00 - Why the NRL Should Invest in Super League
17:30 - Wayne Bennett’s Role in Jai Arrow’s 100th NRL Game
20:00 - Souths’ Culture, Facilities & Building a Lasting Club
26:00 - Souths Cares, Nathan Merritt & Supporting Former Players
30:00 - Does Wayne Bennett Have a Use-By Date?
32:00 - Cody Walker & Latrell Mitchell’s Futures
34:00 - NRL Expansion and Funding Club Pathways
38:00 - Can South Sydney Win the Premiership?
40:00 - The New CBA and Player Payments
46:00 - Why Financially Strong Clubs Matter
48:00 - Souths’ Stance on Gambling Sponsorships
50:00 - Making Rugby League More Accessible for Kids
52:00 - John Sutton’s Ongoing Role at Souths
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