Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

Royce Simmons is one of the most loved people to have ever played the game of rugby league.

Who could forget the 1991 grand final, when Simmons - in his very last game for the Penrith Panthers - scored two tries in a five star performance to overcome the Canberra Raiders.

Sadly, in recent times, the former NSW and Australian hooker has struggled with health issues and is battling dementia.

But it hasn’t stopped Simmons' zest for life and his desire to raise funds and try and find a cure for the debilitating disease.

In this episode of Chiming In, Simmons talks passionately about his health battles, his love for rugby league and those he has shared his journey with.

But it’s his funny life stories which will have you chuckling as Simmons recalls a career well done.

Simmons also reveals the greatest ever forward he’s ever seen - and it will shock you.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start
00:04 - Highlights
01:46 - Diagnosis Dementia
04:16 - Walking
05:06 - Warning Signs / Finding Out
07:01 - Biggest Killer in the World / Stats
08:41 - Treatment for Dementia
10:06 - Treatment in America
11:36 - Dealing / Living With It
12:46 - People Reaching Out
14:03 - Lightbulb Moment for Starting Charity
15:31 - England & Hull Work
18:46 - Raising Money & Marathons
21:56 - "Worst Thing That Could Happen"
25:36 - Nathan Cleary & Current Penrith
26:56 - Penrith Pride
28:31 - Named in His Honour + Retirement / Aged Living Apartments
34:16 - '91 Grand Final + Last Game
37:36 - Promise to Fans + Grand Final Night
39:01 - Growing Up in the Bush
43:46 - Early Sporting Days
46:59 - Pet Horse + Motorbike
50:16 - Meeting His Wife + Meeting in High School
52:46 - Clubs That Almost Signed
56:16 - Comparing Old vs New Players
58:11 - Isaah Yeo / Best Forward Ever
01:02:16 - Upcoming Walks & Fundraisers
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Wes Heritage is a former Australian Rules footballer who gave the game away to focus on the family business - burying people.

And while some of his former team-mates went on to greatness, the hard working funeral director chose a different path.

Each year, Heritage oversees more than 600 funerals - ensuring families and their loved ones are given nothing but the best support and care in a most difficult time.

Death awaits us all yet we never really explore the funeral process until it’s bestowed upon us.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you die, Heritage has the answers on a Chiming In podcast of a very different kind.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Start
00:04 - Highlights
01:28 - Intro
01:52 - Introduction to Wes
02:37 - Death
03:47 - Starting the Funeral Business
06:52 - Witnessing Death
08:12 - Funeral Sizes
10:07 - Burying at Sea
11:19 - What Makes a Good Funeral Director?
13:37 - How Does It Work?
14:52 - Changes of Funerals Over the Years
18:07 - Picking Celebrants
20:37 - Wes' Experience as a Priest
20:57 - Funeral Costs
23:45 - Funeral Insurance
26:31 - Cremation
28:07 - Items of Remembrance
29:42 - Managing Emotions
32:52 - Pet Funerals
35:27 - Bikie Funerals
37:22 - Life After Death
38:37 - Open Caskets
41:17 - Funeral Songs
42:33 - Rivalry Companies
45:22 - White Lady Funeral
46:22 - Funeral Director Conventions
48:52 - Advice for Funerals
50:52 - Attending Wakes
52:22 - Funny Funerals
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Peter O’Sullivan is regarded the NRL’s premier recruitment manager having successfully shaped the playing rosters of teams like the Dragons, Roosters, Storm, Warriors and Knights over many years.

He was also responsible for putting together the Dolphins inaugural team in 2023 - which, amazingly, less than four seasons later, is now considered a genuine premiership contender.

So what does a recruitment manager do and how does he identify and procure talent.

O’Sullivan is credited with unearthing and launching the careers of players such as Greg Inglis, Latrell Mitchel, Israel Folau, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck and many, many more. He also plays a key role in the salary cap management of his club.

Today O’Sullivan is an integral part of the Newcastle Knights system and was the man responsible for luring Dylan Brown away from Parramatta in sensational circumstances.

In this episode of Chiming In, you are given a birds’ eye view into the tricks of the recruitment manager’s trade - how they identify players, entice them to switch clubs and build powerful playing rosters.

With new teams Perth and Papua New Guinea on the horizon, no-one is better qualified than O’Sullivan to comment on how their new look rosters are shaping up.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Start
00:04 - Highlights
01:45 – Recruitment Manager
03:05 – How He Put Redcliffe Together
05:05 – Negotiating with Wayne Bennett
06:20 – Roster Strategy
07:40 – Dolphins Knock Backs
09:20 – Who Said No to the Dolphins
10:20 – Signing Hammer
11:40 – What Do You Look For in a Player?
12:40 – Dealing with Knockback
15:45 – Joel Kane Story
17:20 – Family + Kids (Sean O'Sullivan)
19:20 – Busy Schedule
20:20 – How to Become a Recruitment Manager
23:20 – Managing Melbourne Recruitment
24:20 – Recruiting Greg Inglis
27:50 – Greg Inglis Being a Blue
30:05 – "The Pitch"
31:35 – Working with Player Agents
34:25 – Parents + Agent Pressure on Players
37:15 – Negotiating with Different Backgrounds
38:45 – Player Obstacles Getting Into the NRL
39:50 – Perth Bears Recruitment
42:05 – Helping the Knights Recruitment
43:45 – Dylan Brown Signing
47:10 – Re-Signing Ponga
48:20 – Justin Holbrook's Effects on the Club
49:30 – Premiership at the Knights
50:40 – How to Say No to a Player
51:53 – November Deadline + Trade Windows
54:15 – Coaches, Agents + Representation
56:21 – Israel Folau
58:05 – RTS
59:04 – Boyd Cordner
01:01:05 – Phone Visible on the Wide
01:01:10 – PNG Signings
01:03:10 – Club Bucket List
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Jordan Rankin was only 16 years old and still at school when he got the call-up to make his NRL debut for the Titans.

He became the third youngest player in the game’s history to debut.

On the day of the game, the Gold Coast halfback stuck to his normal routine which included donning his school uniform and heading off for classes.

Looking back, Rankin’s journey has been truly remarkable, having had stints with the Gold Coast, Hull, Doncaster, Wests Tigers, Huddersfield, Castleford and Parramatta - where he captain coached the Eels NSW Cup team.

Today, Rankin is an aspiring coach and is determined to make his mark.

In this episode of Chiming In, Rankin recalls his journey, his plans for the future and discusses many of the challenges that face young players - just like he once was. It hasn’t been all plain sailing but Rankin’s recollection of his life as a rugby league player will inspire you.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Start
00:04 - Highlights
01:37 - 3rd Youngest Player to Debut in NRL
09:46 - Goals to Make NRL
10:54 - School before first NRL game
19:06 - Staying Grounded
20:09 - Dropped and NRL Return
22:19 - Should kids be allowed to debut before 18?
24:59 - Dealing With Anxiety
27:27 - Time at the Titans
29:09 - English Super League
35:01 - Coming back to the NRL (Tigers)
29:35 - Back to Super League again
41:00 - Back To NRL again (Parramatta)
45:05 - Captain/coach Parra Reserve Grade
48:30 - Flegg Coaching
49:18 - What makes a good coach?
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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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