The Outer Sanctum

As we farewell the home and away season, we take a look at the qualifying finals, and discuss the possibility of an August 2022 start for the next AFLW season -- the pros, the cons, and the whatabouts. We also discuss a recent global report which - in news that shocked no one - indicates Australian men have some of the most sexist views in the western world. For an in depth read on the August seas...

This week, Kate catches up with discrimination law expert, academic and former footy scout Liam Elphick, to discuss the "Save Women's Sport" bill currently before federal parliament. What does it mean and how would it work if it became law? They consider the implications for trans and intersex athletes and some of the bill's troubling unintended consequences. You can follow The Outer Sanctum on Tw...

We talk about breaking records and breaking systems as we reflect on the final week of the home and away games and IWD. We mentioned: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/international-womens-day-2022-sarah-perkins-hits-back-at-faceless-online-trolls/news-story/9c84b96836644541082f0d85b33fc89b You can follow The Outer Sanctum on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook .   Email us at theouter...

Rana catches up with Collingwood AFLM player Brodie Grundy. They chat about life outside footy, the impact of a new coach, what success really looks like and what they have learned from the Do Better report. You can follow The Outer Sanctum on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook .   Email us at theoutersanctumpodcast@outlook.com   The Outer Sanctum is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri...

It’s been a seismic week in global politics with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We look at how sportspeople and organisations around the world have responded, and closer to home, reflect on footy’s fraught relationship with the imagery of war. We also ask: how do we inspire women to take up sport? Plus all the AFLW highlights. We mentioned: Why we need to stop using war metaphors Stop the Bombing!...

This week Shelley caught up with Richmond’s Tessa Lavey to chat about cross-coding, being a role model, and the story behind the Tigers’ Indigenous jumper. You can follow The Outer Sanctum on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook .   Email us at theoutersanctumpodcast@outlook.com   The Outer Sanctum is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We acknowledge the&nbsp...

As we embrace the AFLW festival of footy, we discuss the latest concussion research, the role of player – and mascot! – unions, and what really drives change. And, as we farewell Red Rooster at the G, we offer an alternative footy menu. We mentioned: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-20/aflw-kirsten-mcleod-gender-concussion-women-sport/100810750 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/21/pred...

This week Kate phones Melbourne star Libby Birch to discuss Libby’s recent call for an historic joint collective bargaining agreement for the AFLM and AFLW. Libby also reflects on some of the lessons that first generation AFLW players are teaching the next generation about the history of women’s struggle for equality in sport. We mentioned: https://www.womens.afl/news/84186/birch-come-on-boys-join...

There's no such thing as "perfect conditions" this AFLW season. What are the fixes? There are lots of suggestions out there, we discuss them, and come up with some of our own. We mentioned: https://twitter.com/leesacatto/status/1492667684844027909?s=21 https://twitter.com/siekmanwayne/status/1492467442114646021?s=21 https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/mark-robinson-aflw-season-is-a-mess-an...

Tess and Lucy call Fremantle captain, Hayley Miller, to talk about life on the road, leadership, and how the team are regrouping back in WA. You can follow The Outer Sanctum on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook .   Email us at theoutersanctumpodcast@outlook.com   The Outer Sanctum is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Ow...

The heat is on and there are some familiar faces at the top of the ladder. Leadership is on the agenda again, and we discuss some examples from further afield. And we celebrate 5 years of the AFLW.  We mentioned: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/07/five-years-after-the-first-each-aflw-game-marks-march-towards-progress https://www.instagram.com/n0meshath/ And a follow up to one of th...

This week Julia and Rana sat down to discuss Haneen Zreika’s decision to opt out of wearing the Pride jumper. They talked about the complex feelings it stirred up and asked each other questions, as they sought to make sense of the moment.  We mentioned: https://overland.org.au/author/fahad-ali/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-6893652816452313088-sA4s You can follow The Outer Sanctum o...

Barty, big bucks and boycotts. We discuss whether being a member makes you a “good fan”, sportswashing, and the function of nostalgia. And we look ahead to this week’s Fifth Quarter with Rana and Julia.  We mentioned: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/31/alfw-pride-round-jumper-debate-provides-litmus-test-for-true-inclusion-and-diversity? CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other You can follow The Out...

Ever the confused fan, Rana calls academic and co-founder of Siren Sport, Dr Kasey Symons, to talk about sports fandom. They discuss the uniqueness of AFLW fans, representation of sports fans in pop culture and what it means to be a ‘true’ sports fan. You can follow The Outer Sanctum on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook .   Email us at theoutersanctumpodcast@outlook.com   The Outer Sanctu...

We discuss the wash up from Pride Round and consider what more there is to do when it comes to themed rounds and inclusion. We also talk about some of the ways in which politics and sport have collided this week, and reflect on whether they are ever separate in the first place? We mentioned  https://www.cbc.ca/sports/opinion-shireen-ahmed-france-ban-hijab-1.6325820 https://twitter.com/muslimw...

This week Tess calls Kate to unpack one of the most controversial weeks in the history of tennis, as men’s world number one Novak Djokovic is deported from Australia. They explore why he was ejected, what the decision means for the refugees currently languishing in detention, and some of the uncomfortable possibilities the case raises for athletes’ free speech into the future. You can follow...

Do all siblings require a cup? We discuss the power of sisters, the power of Pride, and life lessons from the AFLW.  We mentioned: https://thewest.com.au/sport/aflw/aflw-2022-west-coast-will-be-the-only-club-not-to-wear-a-pride-jumper-for-aflw-pride-round--c-5345924?utm_campaign=share-icons&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&tid=1642418777369 You can follow The Outer Sanctum on...

This week Kate phones AFL expert commentator Chyloe Kurdas to unpack round one. Chyloe also reflects on a range of off-field issues, including the use of skin fold tests and how an emphasis on players’ weight can impact their mental health, and how an influx of women commentators are changing the way these and other issues are analysed, for the better. You can follow The Outer Sanctum on Twitter ,...

Cruel Summer Round one is done and we celebrate the highs, but sadly there were some lows. We discuss the spate of injuries, the timing of the season, and the skills we saw on display. We mentioned: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/the-w-with-sharni-and-sam/episode-two-erin-phillips/13700826 https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/absolutely-devastated-for-izzy-third-acl-tear-confirmed-for-dogs-s...

This week Emma phones Western Bulldogs VFLW head coach, Kirby Bentley, to catch up on the excitement around her recent appointment. Hear about the impact Covid is having in clubland in this fly on the wall phone call. You can follow The Outer Sanctum on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook .   Email us at theoutersanctumpodcast@outlook.com   The Outer Sanctum is recorded on the lands of the...

Footy’s back and so are we! On the eve of Season 6, we discuss the challenges presented by the pandemic, practice match results and coaching. And we’re joined by Nicole Livingstone, General Manager, Women’s Football at the AFL.  We mentioned: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/aflw-2022-league-backs-players-to-mitigate-covid-risk-in-order-to-avoid-another-interrupted-season/news-stor...

In our final pod of the year we offer up some non-denominational gifts, and an interview with Zoe Daniel - journalist, foreign correspondent, political candidate and footy brat. It's a romp. We mentioned: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781250316776/ https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760987411/ https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/other-books/28-Brando...

This week Rana and Nicole are joined by author and former AFL footballer, Brandon Jack, to discuss his memoir,  28 , a candid exploration of the pressures of pursuing a career in elite footy. Brandon talks openly about notions of success and failure, and explores the complexities of masculinity, sexuality, and addiction in professional footy, as well as the role of creativity in his life. We...

This week Kate is joined by the President of the Richmond Football Club, Peggy O'Neal AO, fresh from being named as Melburnian of the Year. Peggy was recognised for promoting women in leadership, and for her work to secure stable housing for women and children. She tells us about these dual passions, and looks ahead to her final year at the helm of the Tigers. You can follow The Outer Sanctum on T...

This week Alicia is joined by the comedic sporty legend HG Nelson talking about his book,  The Fairytale: A Real and Imagined History of Australian Sport.  HG takes us through his love of all things sport and some very strange fairytale highlights. (Please note, the chat includes a swear and what we think are some howling dogs.) We mentioned: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760985271...