The Perfect 10 Podcast

We’re celebrating here at The Perfect 10 with our 50th episode. A huge thank you to all our listeners for being part of this journey. Join us as we catch up with Phil Clayton, a titan of the Uncle Tobys Ironman Series, with 11 career wins and four unforgettable victories at Portsea in Victoria. From tackling mountainous surf, appearing on Baywatch, to coaching at the highest levels of sport, Phil...

Get ready to dive deep into the journey of a true champion. Meet Dylan Littlehales, a 24-year-old para-kayaker who is about to become a three-time Paralympian at the Paris 2024 Games. Despite being born with a limb deficiency and enduring over 20 surgeries since birth, Dylan’s resilience and determination have propelled him to the pinnacle of his sport. In this episode, Dylan shares the highs of w...

He’s virtually achieved it all in both surf lifesaving and kayaking, but there’s just one thing missing for paddling powerhouse Riley Fitzsimmons – an Olympic medal. Inspired by his hero Lachie Tame, Fitzsimmons burst on the surf scene with Avoca Beach, and qualified for his first Olympics in Rio in 2016, finishing fourth in the K4 1000-metres. He then claimed the World Ski title in Adelaide, as w...

“Meet Jack Cogger, whose rugby league career has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks. Starting with the Newcastle Knights before a stint at the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Jack faced a pivotal moment when he was abruptly told his services were no longer required. This setback led him to reassess his path, contemplating a shift away from professional rugby league, and focusing on his b...

Ever wondered what it takes to bounce back from a broken leg and reclaim your place among the world’s top athletes? Meet aerial skier Abbey Willcox… Abbey was even cast aside by the Australian team six years ago, but refused to accept defeat, instead training with the Swiss squad to further her development. Now, four years after her first podium, Abbey has claimed her rightful place among the elit...

Glenn Hall’s quest to reach the World Surfing Tour is nothing short of legendary. He qualified as a 31-year-old, then after just four rounds, he suffered a serious back injury that ruled him out of his rookie season in 2013. In a true testament to his character, he fought his way back in 2015, to pursue his dream once more, retiring after the Pipe Masters in Hawaii. Since then, he’s transitioned i...

Michelle Lee is an adventurer, speaker and mindset mentor who left corporate banking to pursue a life of extreme challenges. She is the first Australian woman to row any ocean solo and the first woman in the world to row the Pacific Ocean solo unassisted and without stopping.  In 2019, she was named Australian Geographic’s Adventurer of the year – one of only five women to ever receive the accolad...

The first guest of 2023 is America’s Cup Legend Grant Simmer OAM. Steve caught up with Grant at the New South Wales Etchells Championships at Gosford. Grant triumphed with Skipper Peter Merrington and Ian McKillop following a seven-race regatta. He shares his memories of the historic win by Australia 11, breaking the longest winning streak in sporting history. Grant has been involved in a staggeri...

After winning a Grand Final with the famous Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in 1995, Mark Hughes thought life couldn’t get much better. But, just two years later, at the age of 20, he played on the wing in Newcastle’s inaugural premiership side, defeating Manly 22-16 in one of the greatest deciders in rugby league history. In 2001, Mark represented New South Wales in the State of Origin Series, and his Knigh...

Brad Donald had stints in Bathurst, Orange and also the ACT, but it’s his role with South East Queensland’s Women’s team that changed his rugby league journey. He landed the Maroons job in 2013, and was appointed Head Coach of the Australian Jillaroos in 2017. His side were World champions that year, defeating New Zealand 23-16, and Donald’s record is currently perfect….eight from eight. He’s now...

Dan Ryan fell in love with the sport of netball from a young age, and fulfilled his childhood dream when he captained Victoria and Australia.  His coaching career began with Corio Devils in the Geelong District, followed by an Assistant role with the Adelaide Thunderbirds. When he lands the top job, it turns into a nightmare! Dan’s side loses 27 games straight, leaving him shocked, stressed and ri...

Identified by Julie Fitzgerald as a rising teenage talent, Kimberlee Green went on to become one of the greatest players of her generation, carving out an extraordinary 17-season career at the highest level. Her glittering résumé features three premierships, two World Championships, Commonwealth Games gold, a League MVP Award and 74 Test caps for the Australian Diamonds. Just when retirement appea...

One of Australia's most admired Olympians, Kerri Pottharst OAM joins The Perfect 10 to share her remarkable journey from adversity to Olympic glory. After a serious injury brought her indoor volleyball career to an abrupt halt, Pottharst reinvented herself on the sand, becoming a three-time Olympian and famously winning gold with Natalie Cook at Bondi Beach during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. It...

Corban Baxter has etched her name into NRLW history as one of the competition’s most respected leaders, guiding the Sydney Roosters to their maiden Premiership triumph in 2022. A fearless competitor and inspirational captain, Baxter led from the front during a remarkable finals campaign, overcoming the three-time NRLW champion Brisbane Broncos in a thrilling semi-final before delivering the ultima...

Georgia Miller has cemented her place among the legends of surf lifesaving, matching Karla Gilbert’s remarkable record with her third Australian Ironwoman Championship title. The BMD Northcliffe star’s latest triumph was made even more extraordinary by the challenges she overcame just to reach the starting line. After battling COVID-19 and being diagnosed with pericarditis, Miller showed incredibl...

Not only was Lightning Luke King sitting second in the TCR Australia Series aboard his Audi, he was also fast establishing himself as one of Australia's finest motorsport analysts. In this episode, Luke breaks down the biggest stories in Formula One, including Daniel Ricciardo's unforgettable victory at Monza and Lewis Hamilton's milestone 100th Grand Prix win. We also shine the spotlight on the A...

With one breathtaking leap, Nicola McDermott rewrote the Australian record books. Her clearance of 2.02 metres earned Olympic silver in Tokyo and cemented her place among the world's elite high jumpers. In this inspiring conversation, Nicola shares the lessons behind her remarkable rise and reveals why she's already chasing Olympic gold. Find more episodes and conversations with champions at The P...

As a teenager Pat Farmer was inspired by the iconic Sydney to Melbourne Ultra Marathon. Since then, he’s accomplished some of the greatest feats on Earth. He ran from the North Pole to the South Pole and was named National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year. Now, he’s looking to unite Australia with a new run from Broken Hill to Byron Bay. Find more episodes and conversations with champions at ht...

Trent Hodkinson's NRL journey was built on resilience, determination and an unwavering belief in himself. Despite battling numerous injuries throughout his career, Trent went on to play 174 NRL games, represent his state, make two Grand Final appearances and become a key figure in New South Wales' drought-breaking 2014 State of Origin series victory. But Trent's legacy extends well beyond the foot...

Before Andrew Johns became a Newcastle Knights immortal, Matthew Rodwell was the man steering the club towards its first taste of finals football. Nicknamed "Rocket", Rodwell enjoyed a remarkable 1992 season, earning the Dally M Rookie of the Year award and establishing himself as one of rugby league's most exciting young talents. From appearing alongside Tina Turner in one of rugby league's most...

In Part 2 with Mark "Ogre" O'Meley, we delve into the coaches who left the biggest mark on his representative career—Phil "Gus" Gould, Ricky Stuart and legendary seven-time premiership-winning coach Wayne Bennett. We also revisit his infamous clash with Bryce Gibbs at ANZ Stadium before Mark names the greatest team he played alongside—a star-studded Best 17 featuring some of rugby league's all-tim...

From the tough breeding ground of the Munmorah Maulers Junior Rugby League Club, Mark O'Meley emerged as one of rugby league's most respected and feared front-rowers. In Part One, "Ogre" reflects on becoming a Dad at the age of 16, his journey from the Central Coast to the NRL, bursting onto the scene with the North Sydney Bears before becoming a premiership winner with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bu...