We break our long offseason, and well, season silence to find out if James has indeed become a Queenslander! Also this week: are Wests the league equivalent of the girl everyone gossips about in high school (8:48)? In our Twitter question: what would most surprise a footy fan about the NRL today if they had been in a coma for 30 years (25:15)? And lastly, a nod to the road Warriors, finally clear to play home games (39:03). 

We break our long offseason, and well, season silence to find out if James has indeed become a Queenslander! Also this week: are Wests the league equivalent of the girl everyone gossips about in high school (8:48)? In our Twitter question: what would most surprise a footy fan about the NRL today if they had been in a coma for 30 years (25:15)? And lastly, a nod to the road Warriors, finally clear to play home games (39:03).

Like the NZ Warriors, we're finally back

We begin our 100th episode with a look back at the pod's origins (2:53), which explains why we have a siren open each instalment. Also: we talk Roy Masters' piece on the divergent demographics of the big footy codes (8:41), the chatty resolution to the Brandon Smith signing saga (31:18), and league players you'd most like to have a beer with in our Honesty Session. And with Bathurst looming, we recall James' encounters with motorsport legends (49:31). 

We begin our 100th episode with a look back at the pod's origins (2:53), which explains why we have a siren open each instalment. Also: we talk Roy Masters' piece on the divergent demographics of the big footy codes (8:41), the chatty resolution to the Brandon Smith signing saga (31:18), and league players you'd most like to have a beer with in our Honesty Session. And with Bathurst looming, we recall James' encounters with motorsport legends (49:31).

Raise the bat

James reports back from Penrith's victory parade (2:36) and says this is the way of the future for all premiership winners, which leads to a question: which club would have the quickest bus route? (9:14) We also talk about fan loyalty and how the NRL's one-year-in-advance contract rules are no help (24:01). The Honesty Session sounds our listeners out on the World Club Challenge (33:11), and we end with Tim Paine, which brings up discussion of James's grave (51:36). 

James reports back from Penrith's victory parade (2:36) and says this is the way of the future for all premiership winners, which leads to a question: which club would have the quickest bus route? (9:14) We also talk about fan loyalty and how the NRL's one-year-in-advance contract rules are no help (24:01). The Honesty Session sounds our listeners out on the World Club Challenge (33:11), and we end with Tim Paine, which brings up discussion of James's grave (51:36).

Of retail ghosts, reverse funerals and long tombstones

James descends from the highlands to talk the Panthers' upcoming victory parade (13:33), and why it shouldn't involve mass chaos. Our Honesty Session asks our listeners for their best rugby league gags (29:14), and we end on a discussion of the game's administration, inspired by the Prof (43:31).

James descends from the highlands to talk the Panthers' upcoming victory parade (13:33), and why it shouldn't involve mass chaos. Our Honesty Session asks our listeners for their best rugby league gags (29:14), and we end on a discussion of the game's administration, inspired by the Prof (43:31).

A laugh riot

To begin this week, James reiterates his disdain for the peculiar theatricality of soccer (1:46). We then get into our main topic: are NRL players properly compensated, which we discuss at length (11:06) before getting to our listeners' thoughts on the subject in the Honesty Session (42:53). Lastly, Andrew Johns, burgeoning legend (55:42).

To begin this week, James reiterates his disdain for the peculiar theatricality of soccer (1:46). We then get into our main topic: are NRL players properly compensated, which we discuss at length (11:06) before getting to our listeners' thoughts on the subject in the Honesty Session (42:53). Lastly, Andrew Johns, burgeoning legend (55:42).

Are league players worth what they are paid? At least they don't dive ...

We start with James' continuing series looking back to 1986 through the pages of Big League (3:05). With the rookie draft hitting the league agenda once again, we get into a highly involved discussion about how talent is distributed across the NRL (19:48), and whether equalisation is really important to the comp. We also recall your most memorable rookies in our Honesty Session (49:47).  

We start with James' continuing series looking back to 1986 through the pages of Big League (3:05). With the rookie draft hitting the league agenda once again, we get into a highly involved discussion about how talent is distributed across the NRL (19:48), and whether equalisation is really important to the comp. We also recall your most memorable rookies in our Honesty Session (49:47).

How equal should the NRL be?

As the offseason takes hold, Dead in Goal begins a new segment which takes us back in time through the pages of James' Big League magazine collection (11:49). Also this week: Jeff declares he will violate his fan neutrality if the Bears make it back into the comp (2:57), and the Honesty Session gets into the rules surrounding wearing your supporter jersey (30:45).

As the offseason takes hold, Dead in Goal begins a new segment which takes us back in time through the pages of James' Big League magazine collection (11:49). Also this week: Jeff declares he will violate his fan neutrality if the Bears make it back into the comp (2:57), and the Honesty Session gets into the rules surrounding wearing your supporter jersey (30:45).

This just in (from 1986!)

This week, we hail the arrival of the dolphin among the NRL's mascots, and talk why the new Brisbane franchise's symbol is a winner (8:06). As long-time club logo connoisseurs, we also look at image touch-ups at Gold Coast and Wests (27:17). Finally, in our Honesty Session: what would you see in a rugby league theme park? (36:47)

This week, we hail the arrival of the dolphin among the NRL's mascots, and talk why the new Brisbane franchise's symbol is a winner (8:06). As long-time club logo connoisseurs, we also look at image touch-ups at Gold Coast and Wests (27:17). Finally, in our Honesty Session: what would you see in a rugby league theme park? (36:47)

The rugby league menagerie

James revels in his Panthers' victory in 2021, and no broken trophy is going to ruin it. Our Honesty Session delves into broken things (19:55), as well as revisit Jeff's proposal for the interlocking trophy. As a premiership-winning fan, James dispenses advice from on high for the Broncos (27:23), and we fondly farewell Benji Marshall (37:44), who could make every league fan feel like a kid.

James revels in his Panthers' victory in 2021, and no broken trophy is going to ruin it. Our Honesty Session delves into broken things (19:55), as well as revisit Jeff's proposal for the interlocking trophy. As a premiership-winning fan, James dispenses advice from on high for the Broncos (27:23), and we fondly farewell Benji Marshall (37:44), who could make every league fan feel like a kid.

That premiership afterglow

... but we do love grand final day. Dead in Goal waits nervously with the rest of rugby league fandom to see if the 2021 decider goes off without a hitch, and asks in our Honesty Session for your favourite part of GF day (3:14). We also delve into the match-up and talk why James is not nervous about his Panthers (22:55). And to finish off, we honour another of our favourites, this year's All-Academic team (49:13) – Tommy Turbo winning here too!  

... but we do love grand final day. Dead in Goal waits nervously with the rest of rugby league fandom to see if the 2021 decider goes off without a hitch, and asks in our Honesty Session for your favourite part of GF day (3:14). We also delve into the match-up and talk why James is not nervous about his Panthers (22:55). And to finish off, we honour another of our favourites, this year's All-Academic team (49:13) – Tommy Turbo winning here too!

We don't rate Christmas ...

A pair of former editors of a now-defunct sports magazine, James Smith and Jeff Centenera, talk about the very alive game of rugby league (mostly).

We get right into this weekend's prelim finals (6:56), with James expressing backhanded admiration for Wayne Bennett's longevity and guarded optimism for his Panthers. And like a couple of old men, we reminisce in our Honesty Session (27:43) about how we first became interested in rugby league, which includes references to Amco Cup board games and Paul Hauff. Lastly, a memorable encounter with the retiring Issac Luke (52:16).

We get right into this weekend's prelim finals (6:56), with James expressing backhanded admiration for Wayne Bennett's longevity and guarded optimism for his Panthers. And like a couple of old men, we reminisce in our Honesty Session (27:43) about how we first became interested in rugby league, which includes references to Amco Cup board games and Paul Hauff. Lastly, a memorable encounter with the retiring Issac Luke (52:16).

Newsflash: old man is not useless

Week two of the NRL Finals looms, and James didn't expect his Panthers to have to play this weekend. We talk the postseason format present and past (3:15), James explains why the finals are a certain nondescript colour (17:18), and how a two-point conversion to win a match would be the ultimate act of league bravado (27:33). In our Honesty Session, we ask what you would rename your team, which includes Jeff's memories of Filipino pro basketball teams named after hot dog brands (40:18).

Week two of the NRL Finals looms, and James didn't expect his Panthers to have to play this weekend. We talk the postseason format present and past (3:15), James explains why the finals are a certain nondescript colour (17:18), and how a two-point conversion to win a match would be the ultimate act of league bravado (27:33). In our Honesty Session, we ask what you would rename your team, which includes Jeff's memories of Filipino pro basketball teams named after hot dog brands (40:18).

The colour of the finals: beige!

The NRL season reaches its decisive phase, and James is beginning to feel nervous. Dead in Goal goes final by final (8:28), and we ask you in our Honesty Session what the headlines will be after this weekend (39:52). Spoiler alert: an inordinate amount of them relate to the Tigers. Also: the grand final heads to Brisbane (49:03), and with Jordan Mailata on the verge in the NFL, Jeff waxes lyrical about the athleticism of rugby league players.

The NRL season reaches its decisive phase, and James is beginning to feel nervous. Dead in Goal goes final by final (8:28), and we ask you in our Honesty Session what the headlines will be after this weekend (39:52). Spoiler alert: an inordinate amount of them relate to the Tigers. Also: the grand final heads to Brisbane (49:03), and with Jordan Mailata on the verge in the NFL, Jeff waxes lyrical about the athleticism of rugby league players.

We interrupt all the Wests Tigers chatter to bring you a finals series ...

Jeff's dog sets the tone for this episode, as we woof about what can be done about resting players in the penultimate round (2:38) and restoring esteem to the minor premiership (20:08). In our Honesty Session, we ask about your favourite upsets (29:41). And to finish, we discuss Latrell Mitchell, because everyone else has (45:31).

Jeff's dog sets the tone for this episode, as we woof about what can be done about resting players in the penultimate round (2:38) and restoring esteem to the minor premiership (20:08). In our Honesty Session, we ask about your favourite upsets (29:41). And to finish, we discuss Latrell Mitchell, because everyone else has (45:31).

Barking mad at season's end

With the bids for the NRL's 17th team going before League HQ again this week, we're talking about the expansion of the comp (8:27) and how James once found himself viewed suspiciously around the Redcliffe Dolphins (25:25). And in the spirit of the league going places, our Honesty Session asks about your best footy trips (33:09). Also: a rule change for the dead-in-goal crowd (50:41).

With the bids for the NRL's 17th team going before League HQ again this week, we're talking about the expansion of the comp (8:27) and how James once found himself viewed suspiciously around the Redcliffe Dolphins (25:25). And in the spirit of the league going places, our Honesty Session asks about your best footy trips (33:09). Also: a rule change for the dead-in-goal crowd (50:41).

Expanding our horizons

After the NRL's average salary figures were made public this week, Jeff gets a step closer to information he's long been dying to know. The pod gets into a way-too-involved discussion of which positions rake in the big bucks, as well as how clubs structure their payrolls (11:22). Also: firing back at ref-blaming (32:18), and our Honesty Session asks about your favourite footy legend from the bush (40:27). And yes, one indeed did tackle sheep. 

After the NRL's average salary figures were made public this week, Jeff gets a step closer to information he's long been dying to know. The pod gets into a way-too-involved discussion of which positions rake in the big bucks, as well as how clubs structure their payrolls (11:22). Also: firing back at ref-blaming (32:18), and our Honesty Session asks about your favourite footy legend from the bush (40:27). And yes, one indeed did tackle sheep.

Tackling salary cap numbers ... and sheep

In honour of the great national head count this week, we talk stats and whether we should trust them at all in rugby league (4:25). We nominate our most useless stats (23:28), as well as the ones we'd most like to see (32:38). And in our Honesty Session (44:33): what rugby league question should have been asked on the census?

In honour of the great national head count this week, we talk stats and whether we should trust them at all in rugby league (4:25). We nominate our most useless stats (23:28), as well as the ones we'd most like to see (32:38). And in our Honesty Session (44:33): what rugby league question should have been asked on the census?

Damn lies and statistics

The NRL season is headed down the stretch, but we're still in preseason form. This week, we talk about whether Tom Trbojevic could swing a finals campaign by himself (6:45), share our thoughts about Wild Wests (23:55) – we're not going to bash your club, Tigers fans – and ponder other great rugby league doco subjects in our Honesty Session. Also: James explains the Hallmark movie formula!

The NRL season is headed down the stretch, but we're still in preseason form. This week, we talk about whether Tom Trbojevic could swing a finals campaign by himself (6:45), share our thoughts about Wild Wests (23:55) – we're not going to bash your club, Tigers fans – and ponder other great rugby league doco subjects in our Honesty Session. Also: James explains the Hallmark movie formula!

A deadset trial match in Albury

Our first regular episode of Dead in Goal arrives just in time for the big Storm-Panthers contest this weekend, and Penrith devotee James tells us why he feels no pressure about it (5:20). We also re-introduce our Twitter question, with a new name for the segment (30:18). And lastly, a lament for the Rugby League World Cup, from two guys who worked on the last one (42:21).

Our first regular episode of Dead in Goal arrives just in time for the big Storm-Panthers contest this weekend, and Penrith devotee James tells us why he feels no pressure about it (5:20). We also re-introduce our Twitter question, with a new name for the segment (30:18). And lastly, a lament for the Rugby League World Cup, from two guys who worked on the last one (42:21).

Time for an honesty session

For listeners old and new, we get up to speed since we last cast a pod in mid-2019. So nothing too big has happened in rugby league – and the world – since then, right?

For listeners old and new, we get up to speed since we last cast a pod in mid-2019. So nothing too big has happened in rugby league – and the world – since then, right?

Welcome (back) to Dead in Goal!

Dead In Goal

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