Every rugby league player has a story but few have overcome more humble beginnings than dashing try scoring winger Ricky Walford.

Born and raised in Western NSW, Walford became a household name in the 1980s, plying his trade with Eastern Suburbs, North Sydney and St George.

In this episode of Chiming In, Walford talks openly about a his journey after being raised on a mission before finding his way to the bright lights of Sydney.

The way he articulates the challenges he overcame to get to the top will inspire you.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

02:18 - Back to the beginning

07:22 - Growing up in Walgett

10:24 - Getting professional with footy

15:13 - Making Australian Schoolboys

18:54 - The defining phone call

27:21 - Joining North Sydney Bears

30:53 - Moving to Dragons

40:02 - Roy Masters as a coach

41:01 - State of Origin & injury

43:36 - '92 & '93 GF appearances

45:46 - Tina Turner commercial

48:42 - Ricky Walford Shield competition

51:21 - Working for NSWRL

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Brad Clyde can’t hide his excitement as his beloved Canberra Raiders storm towards their first premiership since 1994.

The former champion lock forward knows better than most what it takes to win a competition.

Rated as one of the best players of all time, Clyde burst onto the rugby league scene in the late 1980s before becoming a household name through the 1990s.

He played in three grand finals and was awarded the Clive Churchill medal on two occasions. He played a key role in Canberra’s 1989 grand final win over Balmain - which is regarded by many as the greatest grand final of all time.

In this episode of Chiming In, Clyde shares his thoughts on Canberra’s amazing charge to the top of the ladder this year and explains why his former team-mate Ricky Stuart was always going to become a super coach.

He also talks about his amazing career and some of the incredible characters he met along the way.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

01:25 - Raiders in 2025

02:00 - 2 x Clive Churchill medalist

03:40 - Sam Backo passing

05:28 - Being a movie star

07:26 - Tina Turner advert

09:00 - Horse riding accident

11:20 - Early days & AFL

13:55 - First grade debut

18:50 - 1989 GF memories

22:16 - 1994 GF memories

25:25 - Comparing past & present Raiders

28:29 - Canberra creating Super Coaches

33:25 - Moving to Bulldogs

36:57 - New corporate role

41:07 - Captaincy for Raiders & Australia

44:47 - Family of League Foundation

49:10 - Concessions for one club players

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Bob McCarthy is considered one of the greatest rugby league players of all time.

He’s captained Australia, won premierships for Souths and was made a Member of the British Empire for his services to the sport.

In this episode of Chiming In, McCarthy shares stories of the Rabbitohs’ glory days where he played alongside greats like John Sattler, John O’Neill, Mike Cleary and Eric Simms.

He also speaks openly about the day he and his wife Judy almost lost their lives in the Black Summer bushfires in 2020.

A wonderful storyteller and an outstanding sportsman, McCarthy will entertain you about footy from yesteryear.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

03:11 - Back to the beginning

10:55 - 'Brutal game back then'

11:50 - South Sydney's mighty era

15:10 - Famous 1967 intercept

17:49 - Coached by Clive Churchill

19:50 - Rabbitohs super side

23:08 - 'Unlosable' 1969 GF

29:00 - John Sattler breaking his jaw

38:42 - Meeting Judy

40:15 - Huge losses in the fires

46:15 - Being sent off

52:18 - Coaching career

01:00:15 - Highlight of career

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Todd Carney was once the undisputed Bad Boy of the NRL.

Constantly in trouble with police, sacked by clubs and deregistered by the game - Carney struggled with an alcohol addiction and constantly found trouble.

But things have changed.

Two and a half years ago, the former Dally M Winner decided he needed help and checked himself into rehab in a desperate bid to save his relationship with partner Susie.

Today Todd Carney is living a healthy and happy life - giving back to the game and helping others.

In this episode of Chiming In, the former Canberra, Sydney Rooster and Cronulla star, shares his journey in a polarising discussion - leaving no stone unturned.

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Jada Taylor announced herself to the rugby league world on June 23, 2022 when she ran from try line to try line to score a game breaking try for NSW against Queensland in an Under 19s match.

If you haven’t seen it - you should google it.

Millions of fans viewed the try both here and abroad - even movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson acknowledged her achievement.

FanaticsTV viewers might have already met Jada Taylor on Kenty Blitz, Footy For Real or Fox Sports where she is making a name for herself as an emerging media talent.

But who is this bubbly and energetic young lady who is regarded one of the most promising players in the NRLW.

On this episode of Chiming In, Jada Taylor shares her story. You will be entertained from start to finish as she takes a light hearted look at her career and her plans for the future.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

02:09 - Jada's famous try

09:10 - Origin camp

10:29 - Female heroes in league

16:49 - Growing up with RL

26:43 - Working in the media

28:18 - Women going full time in RL

31:49 - Jada's numerous injuries

34:33 - Pregnancy & the professional game

40:32 - Playing rugby sevens

48:50 - Fast questions

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Tommy Herschell is fast becoming one of the best known names in Australian sport. And he hasn’t had to make a tackle, sink a putt or wield the willow to catch the headlines.

The founder of a charity called Findyafeet - Tommy and his team run school, sporting and community based workshops for people young and old.

It provides a platform for people to tell their story, the skills to own their stuff and the tools to shift culture that’s been holding them back from speaking up for far too long.

Today rugby league stars Nico Hynes, Luke Lewis, Harry Grant, Sam Thaiday and Dale Finucane have all teamed with the charity to lend a hand.

Other famous athletes including Matthew Hayden, Sam Riley, Mitch and Shaun Marsh, Ky Hurst, Geoff Huegill and many others have also joined the cause.

This year Tommy has begun working with several NRL clubs and the results have been astounding.

You will be motivated and moved by this episode of Chiming In which brings a different but emotional perspective to life. Hopefully Tommy’s message may help you as you travel life’s journey.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

01:22 - What is Find Ya Feet?

04:32 - Back story to struggles

13:49 - Find Ya Feet ambassadors

21:08 - Workshops at schools

25:16 - Old school teaching for the better

28:37 - Feedback from schools

31:01 - Partnering with Matthew Hayden

34:55 - Partnering with Mitch Marsh

39:22 - Holding on to pain & suffering

42:09 - Working in the rugby league space

45:13 - Best advice to someone who is struggling

49:11 - Grand plan for Find Ya Feet

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Bob Tate is one of Sydney’s best known publicans - you name it, he’s seen it.

In the 1990s Tate owned and ran the Clovelly Hotel, deep in the heart of Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Rugby league, union, cricket, AFL and surf lifesaving stars would flock there - making it one of the best known sporting pubs in the country. Jockeys, trainers and bookmakers would also frequent the establishment.

In this episode of Chiming In, Tate shares countless yarns about the sports men and women who often walked a fine line with a belly full of beer.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Roy Masters once described the pub as the headquarters of the NRL where all the big deals were done.

Tate’s recollection of the thrills and spills at the famous pub are enlightening and entertaining.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

02:10 - Claim to fame

07:10 - How Clovelly became THE pub for NRL

10:30 - Maroons meet the Blues at Clovelly

13:59 - Mad Monday's

16:10 - Banning sports stars

18:21 - Origin teams coming into the pub

21:38 - Which sport stars eat the most

25:39 - Most famous people in the pub

27:55 - The 'toilet' incident

31:05 - NSW Cricket team vs pub drinkers

35:45 - What makes a good publican

41:40 - RSA & the gray area

45:25 - Sport runs in the family

54:55 - AFL invasion and no space for junior RL

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Frank Ponissi is regarded the best general manager of footy on the business.

After dreaming of becoming an nrl player and later hoping to become a head coach, Ponissi’s journey took him into administration and he’s made every post a winner. Ponissi’s journey took him all over the world until I’m 2007 the Melbourne storm came knocking and he’s never looked back.

In this episode of chiming in - you will hear how the ponissi and Craig Bellamy combination is unbreakable. He talks of his intentions for the storm to continue to build a dynasty and how he and his coach crave success.

He also speaks candidly about the day he genuinely feared his coach was about to walk away from rugby league forever.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

01:10 - 1994 Kangaroo Tour

04:15 - Passion for coaching

06:55 - Becoming an administrator

09:35 - Tough questions about Bellamy

18:45 - The story behind the success of the Storm

21:30 - Storm recruiting process

24:10 - Junior RL in Melbourne

28:00 - 2011 season

30:25 - Bellamy and salary cap scandal

36:45 - Importance of grass roots

38:35 - Ryan Papenhuyzen

42:35 - Smith & Slater coaching club footy one day

45:25 - Laurie Daley & the Blues

52:55 - Players carrying injuries

55:15 - Going to AFL

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