The Rugby League Digest presents: The Super League War

In the concluding installment of this chapter Michael and Andrew discuss the historic Gold Coast Sevens trophy, the fall of the Seagulls era and the meteoric rise of the Jeff Muller era, followed by its equally meteoric fall, we go behind the scenes of a disastrous 1996 campaign, discuss the emergence of Phil Economidis, Legendary footballing lawyer Mike Eden, Jeff Muller's post football career, T...

In this instalment of the Super League War the RLD analyses the seemingly impossible sporting landscape of the Gold Coast, the rushed inclusion of the Giants in 1988, setting the club up to fail, the Seagulls takeover and subsequent withdrawal, King Wally's reign as captain and coach, endless losses on and off the field, 'Save Our Seagulls', white knight entrepreneurs and much, much more! Hosted o...

The Rugby League Digest returns with the first instalment of Season Two of 'The Super League War'. In this chapter Michael and Andrew discuss rugby league's propensity for court cases, the tangled three pronged approach to compromise, News Limited's questionable attitude to compromise, the impotence of various stakeholders, the Singleton plan, the naivete of Ken Arthurson, the true nature of Kerry...

In the final episode of season one of The Rugby League Digest's in-depth investigation into the Super League war, we present a case study on one of the clubs pivotal to the whole affair: the Canberra Raiders. Joining Michael and Andrew is former Raiders media manager and Canberra Times sports journalist Bevan Hannan. Bevan discusses the history of the club from the early struggles through to the g...

Master of creative, idiosyncratic Rugby League media and Balmain Tigers obsessive Steven Russo joins Michael to discuss jerseys, retro and the flagging fortunes of the Balmain Tigers in the 1990s. Super League, mergers and the legendary 1980s team are up up for discussion in a wide ranging chat. Don't forget to register for this year's Tom Brock Lecture (via Zoom) at www.tombrock.com.au. Hosted on...

Michael is joined by Adam Newman, co-host of the-running Sharks podcast SharkCast Radio. Newman discusses the mixed fortunes of Cronulla and their eventual decision to sign with Super League, as well as their prospects for long-term success and survival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is thrilled to be joined by good friend of the show and host of the Hyper Thetic RL podcast David Hunter to discuss Parramatta's journey through the Super League war. From 80s powerhouse embarrassment, the war came at an interesting time for Parramatta, and we go through it all. Listen to Hyper Thetic RL at https://anchor.fm/hypertheticrl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

The RLD welcomes journalist, and friend of the show, Nick Campton on to share his experiences writing an extraordinary and eloquent long form article on the North Sydney Bears and their stellar teams of the 1990's, we discuss the heart and soul of the club Greg Florimo, Mark Soden, Peter Jackson, Billy Moore, Matt Seers, Nick's Canberra Raiders fandom, background in journalism, and much more....

We are honoured to be joined by the great Ian Heads, making his third RLD appearance to discuss the media fallout from the Super League war. As a longtime league writer for the Herald, Rugby League Week and through his many essential books, Ian had a box seat for some of the most seismic in the game's history, and graciously shares some of his experiences and memories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Author of The Monthly article "The Art of Class War" Lech Blaine joins Michael to discuss his wonderful essay and put class in Rugby League into context- where it came from, whether it is still relevant and how it relates to Super League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Wallaby prop and Gainline Analytics founder Ben Darwin joins Mick and Andy to discuss Rugby Union in a Super League context, the current problems of the code, as well as some fascinating stories from his life and career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a Canterbury case study with Bulldogs fan and esteemed Rugby League journalist. We discuss the glory days, Super League and the 1995 season, their modern day woes and, of course, The Filthy Four, with the originator of the term. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is joined for a crossover special with Michael Carbone and The Biggest Tiger from the Chasing Kangaroos podcast. We discuss the 1995 World Cup and its ramifications for the future of international Rugby League, as well as reflecting on personal memories on the Super League war and, for the two Michaels, a shared lament on the frustrations of being a Dragons supporter. Hosted on Acast. See...

Michael is joined by The NRL Economist @Ramy_Haidar for a deep dive into the most successful team of the 1990s, the Brisbane Broncos. In a wide-ranging discussion, we look at their origins, organisational strength, the keys to their on-field success, and yes- THOSE diamond jerseys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the final episode of season one of The Super League War. It has been an incredible journey through the year 1995 in rugby league. Fittingly, the end of the Winfield Cup era provided us with an enthralling year on the field culminating with a Super League vs ARL grand final. we discuss the season both on and off the field, a wonderful final series and the careers of some legendary players s...

In 1995, international football was in as precarious a position as the game itself, in this episode we analyse the impact of the Super League war on the Rugby League World Cup, a largely ignored Supreme Court decision, international slanging matches, Arthurson vs Lindsay, truces, team mutinies, wasted opportunities to grow the game, the Huddersfield show, Diana Ross, the rise of the minnows, Matth...

In this chapter we discuss Super League's tenth franchise which was still undecided after the initial raids did not go to plan, Super League looking at some interesting candidates before settling on the Adelaide Rams, talks with the Crushers causes friction between the Broncos and News Limited, North Sydney hold a club wide honesty session, we examine the origins of the Adelaide franchise, Rod Red...

In 1995 'Save Our Saints' started as a small group protesting the proposed merger between Easts and St George, eventually growing into a formidable movement numbering in the hundreds. In this episode, we examine the reasons for the failure of this proposed merger, the rise of Nick Politis, Michael's personal recollections of the period, Geoff Carr's tenure as CEO, the ARL getting cold feet and muc...

In this chapter Michael and Andrew discuss South Sydney's decline from powerhouse to paupers, corruption in leagues clubs, the Moffat Royal Commission, the fall of Souths Leagues and the rise of Souths Juniors, Darcy Lawler, the ultimate South Sydney man George Piggins, principles and paradox and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode the RLD examines the state of rugby union in 1995 via the prism of rugby league, we look at News Ltd vs the WRC, finally letting go of amateurism, the history of classism between the codes, the impact of the 1987 World Cup, the allocution of rugby's administrators regarding professionalism, Simon LeBon gets involved, Phil Kearns' naivety, enough Peter Fitzsimons pomposity to last a...

Michael is joined by sports journalist and Panthers fan James Smith to discuss the decision of the Penrith Panthers to join Super League. The Panthers found themselves in a desperate fight to retain their standalone status in 1995, leading them to defection. Along the way they lost an all-time great of the game, and Michael and James cover it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

In this episode, we discuss the legendary 1995 State of Origin series, selection confusion, the ARL's snubbing of Super League players, the Blues taking QLD too lightly, the hiring of Paul Vautin as QLD coach, QLD's team of "Nevilles", Gavin Allen's unique situation,  the mythical Queensland spirit, Billy Moore's iconic "Queenslander" call, pre-mediated fighting, the Queenslanders' unbreakabl...

In this installment we discuss the contract craziness of April '95, the Steve Edmed story, Gus' role in creating that legend, Craig Coleman's windfall, contract top ups, the Bulldogs' Super League contracts, the filthy four's backflip to the ARL, Jarrod McCracken's nuclear heat with the Chris Anderson, Mathew Ridge poking the bear, and much more!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

In this instalment we discuss the infamous 1995 speech at Cronulla by retiring great Mal Meninga (now an immortal), vague promises of an ARL job, testimonial dinners, Mal signing with News Limited, an open letter by the surviving immortals, John Raper lashes out, reconciliation attempts being thwarted by a Grand Final snub, the older generation’s views on Super League and much, much more! Hosted o...

In this instalment we discuss "the vision", the ARL's PR machine, Piers Akerman vs Fatso Vaughn, John Ribot's infamous Footy Show appearance, New Limited's media machine, Rugby League Week playing a straight bat, the heavy impact on print and broadcast journalism, lifelong friendships torn apart and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.