Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager

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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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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