Beyond the Field

In this episode, I sit down with Bronwyn Wright, CEO of the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, a proud wife and mother, and a huge influence in my journey beyond NRL. She’s helped me see Papua New Guinea in a whole new way: with empathy, purpose, and hope. We talk about her family’s deep roots in PNG, the legacy of Sir Brian Bell, and why improving women’s health through Her Health Hub, is a mission close...

Lee Cheesman shares a story of how a near death experience to be something that saved her life, literally. Getting hit by a car while crossing the road. It was because of this event that doctors found a lime-sized tumour in her head while she was in hospital. The tumour was affecting an optic nerve which meant her sight wasn’t clear. As a result she was hit by a car she ‘didn’t see’. After nine mo...

Representing her dad’s country, Papua New Guinea, while playing in her mother’s homeland, England, was a powerful and unique moment. In this episode, Shae shares what it felt like to wear the PNG Orchids jersey and why the team means so much to her. We talk about the rise of women’s rugby league in PNG and the growing impact the Orchids are having in the community. Messages from families back home...

Lesley grew up in a settlement area in Port Moresby; Morata. Discovered his passion for art at a very young age. Sold his artwork to become independent and this was his way of providing for him and his family. He got a scholarship to Australia to further his education. He has his sights set on winning the Archibald prize; the most prestigious portrait prize in Australia. I'm backing him to receive...

Growing up in Papua New Guinea before heading to boarding school in Australia, Aidan shares what it was like finding his love for rugby union at 16 and the importance of enjoying what you do. We talk about the untapped potential of rugby in PNG and why real pathways matter. He opens up about the cultural shifts of moving to France and Japan, learning to dive all-in (with a few too many croissants...

Delouise has had a different path to NRL than most. Seven years between first grade games and plenty of speed bumps along the way. We speak about what is was like to move countries from Tonga to New Zealand and then from New Zealand to Australia, and what the best tips are for handling that transition. Being held accountable at a young age by his older brother helped him to stay on the right path....

Anna-Liza Mopio-Jane moved from Port Moresby to the Central Coast of NSW at just four years old. Her visits back to PNG are always special — reconnecting with family, friends, and the roots that shaped her. A Learn to Swim program in Australia opened the door to a career in the pool, eventually leading her to represent Papua New Guinea on the world’s biggest stage: the Olympics. In this episode, A...

In this episode, Kurt Capewell shares what it was like growing up in the country town of Charleville, QLD — riding horses, going pigging, and living a life far removed from the city. He opens up about the challenges of moving from the bush to the city, and how rugby league gave him an instant community. We talk about how to settle into new environments, making the most of your 1% chance of crackin...

Peter Vollert grew up in Papua New Guinea and now runs a successful business in Australia — but his connection to PNG remains strong. In this episode, we dive into his journey from childhood in PNG to entrepreneurship, and the routines and mindset that keep him focused daily. We talk about: What growing up in PNG taught him about community, resilience, and opportunity The reality of running a busi...

Mel Kawa was born and raised in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea and moved to Australia at 14 in search of better educational opportunities. Her rugby journey began unexpectedly — a friend dragged her along to sign up at the University of Queensland, and three seasons later, a coach told her she had the potential to represent Queensland. Back-to-back knee injuries couldn’t keep her from...

“Birth isn’t a medical event but it’s been treated like one. It can become medical, and when it does, we have the support. But it’s not where we start.” - Melissa Spilsted Melissa became a clinical hypnotherapist to empower people through birth after seeing how much misinformation was out there. My wife Taneal and I did four sessions with her before our firstborn arrived — and the calm, clarity, a...

Tommy lived his early days in Alotau, a beautiful part of PNG. Fishing, gardening, fun and relaxed lifestyle in the village bring back plenty of great memories. Parents owned a successful fish and chips shop. The arcade games in the shop made the upbringing much better. Tom is currently the General Manager at BallyCara retirement village, Redcliffe. We chat about what it’s like working amongst sen...

This is one of the most important conversations I’ve had on the podcast — it speaks directly to my roots and where I hope to make the biggest impact. Lucy was born in Hula, Central Province PNG, in a village with no running water or electricity. After a tough start in Port Moresby, she moved to Melbourne for better opportunities. Unfulfilled in her career, she followed her passion and founded a pr...

David Lakisa “Pacific Contribution Matters.” Born in New Zealand, Former PE teacher. PHD in Pacific Sport and Diversity Management. Masters in International Sports Management. Bachelor of Education. First ever Pacific Islander Wellbeing Officer at NSWRL in 2007. The game noticed a huge level of participation from junior level right through to NRL. How to connect to this demographic. What to do abo...

Zeb Taia played over 300 professional rugby league games, won two Super League titles, and built his career not on talent alone, but on discipline, consistency, and doing his job better than anyone else. Now the Athlete Wellbeing Manager at Marsden State High School, Zeb shares his journey from Western Sydney to the top of the game — and the challenges young athletes face today. We talk about bein...

Tayla Clement was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. She was born with moebius syndrome which affects one in three million people. Endured years of bullying in school because of how she looked. Six attempts to take her own life. Lied to parents about the bullying so they wouldn’t get upset. Her advice to victims of bullying: “Talk to someone you trust and over communicate your feelings. You can’t...

Early Days at the Gold Coast Titans. The hardest part of professional rugby league. Taking the footy mentality and applying it to other parts of life. Rollerblading in Miami and Burleigh. Enlightening the world by being your weird self. A transition from professional rugby league to interest in acting. Being told by a nurse “There goes your acting career” was an inspiration to take on the acting....

Hanan Laban is the current CEO of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup rugby league competition. We speak about: The upbringing he had with his Samoan family. The hard work his grandparents did that laid a good platform to help him and his family to be able to get their education. The skills that were transferable from the banking industry to CEO as Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Having structu...

Dave Donaghy is the CEO of the Brisbane Broncos — one of the most iconic sporting organisations in Australia. This past year has brought its challenges, but also strong results off the field and a clear long-term vision as Brisbane prepares for a golden decade leading into the Olympics. I asked Dave about how a vision is built — not just because I’m curious, but because I want the rugby league com...

Jordan Riki was born in Raglan, New Zealand, and raised in a strong Māori culture surrounded by leadership and guidance. At just 17, he made the big move to Australia to chase his NRL dream — but without his support system, the journey nearly slipped away. In this episode, Jordan opens up about the tough moments early on, how the Broncos’ mentoring program helped him stay focused, and how it felt...

Ben Ikin is the Head of Football at the Brisbane Broncos — one of Australia’s largest sporting organisations — and still holds the record as the youngest ever player to debut in State of Origin. In this episode, Ben reflects on his upbringing on the Gold Coast, a family full of sport, music and performance, and how that shaped the conversations and values he carried into rugby league. He shares a...

“Rugby league is a team sport. It’s not about one person.” — Marcus Bai Marcus is one of the few players in rugby league history to win an NRL Premiership, a Super League title, and a World Club Challenge. He has created an incredible legacy. In this episode, Marcus shares powerful reflections on his journey from Papua New Guinea to the biggest stages in rugby league. When he first arrived in Aust...

Albert Kelly is one of the most naturally gifted rugby league players I’ve ever played with and against — but what people don’t always see is the hard work he puts in behind the scenes to back that talent. In this episode, Albert shares what it was like to grow up in Macksville and Kempsey, NSW, being raised by his hardworking grandparents alongside his younger brother. He speaks with gratitude ab...

Alex Glenn played an incredible 285 professional rugby league games — all at one club, the Brisbane Broncos — a rare achievement in modern sport. He also represented New Zealand and the Cook Islands on the international stage and captained one of Australia’s biggest sporting organisations with humility, resilience, and heart. In this episode, we dive into the mindset that helped him reach the top...

Xavier Coates is a professional rugby league player — and a great friend I’ve been lucky to get to know over the past year. At just 20 years old, he reached one of the highest levels in the game: State of Origin. A proud Papua New Guinean and Australian, Xavier credits his success to his parents, his upbringing, and the fierce backyard battles with his siblings that shaped his competitive edge. In...