Show Notes
Abbey Gelmi joins Eddie McGuire for a massive Grand Final edition of Gold Sport, with the AFL premiership on the line, the NRL preliminary finals heating up and Kylie Minogue preparing to take centre stage at the MCG. The show kicks off with all the build-up to the AFL Grand Final, as Eddie and Abbey break down Brisbane’s chances of going back-to-back, Fremantle’s shot at creating history and the huge selection and tribunal talking points dominating Grand Final week. They also make their calls on who will lift the premiership cup and who could take home the Norm Smith Medal. Former Fremantle star Hayden Ballantyne joins the show ahead of his old side’s biggest day, reflecting on the Dockers’ Grand Final journey, the passion surrounding the club and why he believes this young Fremantle group is built for sustained success. Plus, Hayden reveals the extraordinary travel and ticket drama behind his own journey to Melbourne for the game. The NRL preliminary finals are also in the spotlight, with Melbourne Storm and Queensland superstar Cam Munster joining Eddie and Abbey to talk finals football, handling the pressure of the biggest games and what separates the best players when a premiership is on the line. The team also previews the Dolphins’ blockbuster against the Roosters and the Panthers’ clash with the Knights. Plus, Eddie and Abbey go behind the scenes of the AFL Grand Final entertainment with Mushroom Group’s Tom MacDonald, as Kylie Minogue prepares for a huge hometown performance at the MCG. They unpack the months of planning behind the spectacle, the challenge of bringing music and football together on Australia’s biggest sporting stage and why this year’s performance could be one to remember. As always, Eddie and Abbey wrap up the biggest headlines, talking points and debates from across Australian sport as one of the biggest weekends on the sporting calendar arrives. Guests: Hayden Ballantyne Cam Munster Tom MacDonald See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from GOLD Sport
Abbey Gelmi joins Eddie McGuire for another huge edition of Gold Sport, as they unpack a massive weekend across basketball, racing and Australian culture. From devastating injury news for one of Australia’s biggest sporting stars to spring racing's hottest trainer and the enduring legacy of an iconic Australian film, Eddie and Abbey cover the stories everyone is talking about. The show kicks off with the heartbreaking news that Australian basketball star Ben Simmons has suffered another major setback, tearing his Achilles tendon just as he appeared poised to revive his NBA career. Eddie and Abbey reflect on the cruel timing of the injury after Simmons had shown encouraging form during the preseason, before discussing what the latest setback means for both his NBA future and his hopes of representing the Boomers at the Los Angeles Olympics. They also delve into the mental resilience required to return from repeated injuries and whether Simmons can find a way back once again. Basketball legend Lanard Copeland joins the show to provide expert insight into Simmons’ situation. Copeland reflects on his own unlikely rise to professional basketball after not taking up the sport seriously until late in his teenage years, before analysing Simmons’ remarkable talent, the challenges he has faced throughout his career and what lies ahead as he confronts another lengthy rehabilitation. Attention then turns to the spring racing carnival, with Eddie and Abbey reviewing a huge weekend highlighted by the Caulfield Cup and The Everest. They discuss the extraordinary run of trainer Ciaron Maher, whose stable continues to dominate Australian racing. Maher joins the program to reflect on another remarkable weekend of success, the performances of his leading runners and his prospects heading into the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup. He also shares the story of building one of the country's most powerful racing operations from humble beginnings on a family farm. The show then takes a nostalgic turn as Working Dog co-founder Rob Sitch joins Eddie and Abbey following the announcement that Australian cult classic The Castle is heading to the stage. Sitch discusses adapting one of the most beloved Australian films of all time into a live theatre production, the challenge of balancing iconic quotes with new material and why the story continues to resonate with generations of Australians nearly three decades after its release. Eddie, Abbey and Rob relive many of the film’s most memorable moments, from "the vibe" to "the pool room", while reflecting on why The Castle has become such a defining part of Australian popular culture. Rob also reveals details about the cast, the production process and what audiences can expect when the stage adaptation opens. As always, Eddie and Abbey wrap up another enormous week in sport and entertainment, celebrating the stories, personalities and moments that continue to bring Australians together across generations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Abbey Gelmi joins Eddie McGuire for another huge edition of Gold Sport, as they look ahead to one of the biggest weekends on the Australian sporting calendar. With the Caulfield Cup, The Everest and the return of the A-League all taking centre stage, Eddie and Abbey unpack the biggest stories in racing, football and beyond, while taking a trip down memory lane through some iconic moments in Australian sport. The show kicks off with Eddie and Abbey discussing the arrival of Caulfield Cup weekend and what it signals in the sporting calendar, with the spring racing carnival hitting full stride as attention turns towards the Melbourne Cup. They also debate whether Christmas arrives earlier every year, before turning their focus to the Everest and the extraordinary impact outgoing Racing NSW chairman Peter V’landys has had on Australian racing. Leading racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner joins the show to preview the Caulfield Cup, assess the Melbourne Cup contenders and break down the latest racing news heading into one of the most important weekends of the spring carnival. The discussion covers track conditions, key runners, the influence of weather and which horses are best placed to emerge as genuine Melbourne Cup threats. Australian surf lifesaving legend Guy Leach joins Eddie and Abbey for a nostalgic look back at the golden era of Ironman competition. Eddie reflects on hosting the legendary Uncle Toby’s Ironman series and the immense popularity of surf lifesaving in the 1980s and 1990s, while Leach discusses the push to have surf lifesaving included at the Brisbane Olympics. The conversation celebrates some of the sport’s biggest names and explores why the Australian beach culture remains such an important part of the nation’s identity. The focus then shifts to football as former Socceroo Robbie Slater joins Gold Sport ahead of the opening weekend of the A-League season. Robbie previews a blockbuster Sydney Derby between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, discusses the growing anticipation surrounding the competition and analyses Melbourne Victory’s prospects after their strong finish to last season under Patrick Kisnorbo. He also weighs in on South Melbourne’s Australia Cup success and the ongoing discussion around expansion and pathways into the A-League. Eddie also shares a remarkable untold story from the early days of Australian football, revealing how former Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy once offered him ownership of what would become Melbourne Victory. The discussion explores the role the Lowy family played in shaping modern Australian football and the importance of creating new stars and heroes to help grow the game into the future. As always, Eddie and Abbey wrap up the biggest headlines, stories and debates from another enormous week in sport, celebrating the enduring power of Australian sporting traditions while looking ahead to a massive weekend across racing, football and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Abbey Gelmi joins Eddie McGuire for another massive edition of Gold Sport, as they unpack a huge weekend across Australian sport. From the drama and emotion of the Bathurst 1000 to the Wallabies’ tough night against the All Blacks and a major debate over illicit drugs in the AFL, Eddie and Abbey tackle the biggest stories making headlines around the country. The show kicks off with discussion surrounding allegations involving Carlton players following a private gathering that saw two players hospitalised. Eddie and Abbey examine the broader issue of illicit drug use in sport and society, the AFL’s responsibility in protecting both players and the competition, and whether stronger measures are required to address what has become an increasingly prominent issue. They also discuss the balance between welfare and accountability, the role elite athletes play as role models and why the latest developments could prove significant as the league prepares to introduce new illicit drug policies. Attention then turns to the Bathurst 1000, with Eddie fresh from Mount Panorama after witnessing one of the most dramatic editions of Australia’s great race. Eddie and Abbey reflect on the extraordinary atmosphere around Bathurst, the passionate fans who camp for days around the mountain and why the event continues to hold a unique place in Australian sporting culture. They also discuss the future growth of Supercars and why Bathurst continues to resonate with fans across generations. Former Wallaby Justin Harrison joins the show to analyse the Wallabies’ heavy Bledisloe Cup defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park. Harrison breaks down where things went wrong for Australia, the challenge of facing New Zealand at one of world rugby’s most intimidating venues and what improvements are needed before the return clash. He also discusses the progress made under Les Kiss, the positives to take from recent performances and why the Wallabies can still take confidence into the road ahead despite the disappointing result. The focus then returns to Bathurst as race winners Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood join Gold Sport fresh off their incredible triumph. The pair relive the final laps of a dramatic race, discuss the pit-stop issues that threatened to derail their chances and reveal what was going through their minds as they mounted their charge back through the field. They also reflect on the emotional scenes inside the garage after victory, the significance of conquering Mount Panorama and the special role Bathurst continues to play in Australian motorsport. Plus, Eddie and Abbey celebrate another record-breaking sporting event as they discuss the enormous audiences drawn to the AFL Grand Final, NRL Grand Final and Bathurst 1000. They reflect on the power of major Australian sporting events to bring communities together and why the emotional connection between fans, athletes and iconic venues remains one of sport’s greatest strengths. As always, Eddie and Abbey wrap up another enormous week across Australian sport, from football and rugby to motorsport, highlighting the moments, personalities and stories that continue to capture the nation’s attention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Abbey Gelmi joins Eddie McGuire for another massive edition of Gold Sport, as they dive into the biggest stories across AFL, NRL, cricket, motorsport and racing. From the AFL trade period and one of the most talked-about player moves in recent memory to Bathurst, the Rugby League World Cup and Australia’s Test series against South Africa, there is no shortage of sporting headlines to unpack. The show kicks off with discussion surrounding Nick Blakey and the fallout from the AFL trade period, as Eddie and Abbey examine the circumstances behind his likely departure from the Sydney Swans, the enormous offers being floated around the competition and what it says about the changing landscape of player movement in Australian sport. They discuss the drama of trade week, the growing influence of player power and why the AFL is increasingly resembling the major professional sports leagues overseas. With Bathurst weekend arriving, six-time Bathurst 1000 winner Garth Tander joins the show to preview one of Australia’s greatest sporting events. Tander reflects on last year’s dramatic finish, the unique challenge of conquering Mount Panorama and why Bathurst remains one of the toughest endurance races anywhere in the world. He also breaks down the leading contenders, discusses life after full-time driving and reflects on the enduring legacy of Peter Brock as the motorsport world marks twenty years since his passing. The focus then shifts back to rugby league as former premiership-winning Sydney Roosters captain Luke Keary joins Eddie and Abbey following the club’s latest Grand Final triumph. Keary reflects on the Roosters’ relentless culture, the celebrations following premiership success and the emotional connection the club has built with the Bondi community. He also looks ahead to the Rugby League World Cup, analysing Australia’s chances and explaining why this tournament appears more open than ever before, with New Zealand, England, Tonga and Samoa all genuine contenders. Cricket also takes centre stage as Australian great Mark Waugh joins the show to preview the opening Test against South Africa. Waugh discusses the intense rivalry between the two nations, the lingering shadow of the 2018 Sandpapergate series and the challenges awaiting Australia in South African conditions. He also weighs in on the pressure facing Marnus Labuschagne, the selection dilemmas confronting the Australian selectors and why the upcoming series looms as a crucial period for a number of players ahead of a huge international summer. Plus, Eddie and Abbey turn their attention to the spring racing carnival, discussing the Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup Carnival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eddie McGuire and Abbey Gelmi return for another huge edition of Gold Sport, wrapping up an extraordinary NRL Grand Final, celebrating a Sydney Roosters premiership double and looking ahead to another massive stretch on the Australian sporting calendar. The show kicks off with Eddie fresh off the plane from Sydney after witnessing the Roosters’ extraordinary one-point Grand Final victory over the Newcastle Knights. Eddie and Abbey reflect on Newcastle’s remarkable journey from wooden spooners to within a point of a premiership and the atmosphere surrounding one of Australian sport’s biggest nights. Eddie also takes Abbey inside his Grand Final experience, including some serious name-dropping from the stands, as they discuss the spectacle, entertainment and personalities who turned out for the decider. Eddie and Abbey discuss the strength of the Roosters’ women’s side, the place of the NRLW on Grand Final day and the way rugby league has embraced the women’s game on its biggest stage. Sydney Roosters powerbroker Mark Bouris then joins Eddie and Abbey to celebrate an extraordinary night for the club. The Straight Talk Podcast host also discusses the intersection between business and elite sport and what successful organisations can learn from each other about leadership, culture and building winning teams. T he focus then returns to the Grand Final itself as legendary rugby league commentator Ray Warren joins the show. Eddie, Abbey and Warren break down the drama of the Roosters’ one-point triumph, the performances and moments that decided the premiership and Newcastle’s enormous effort to take the game all the way. Warren brings his unique perspective from decades calling the biggest moments in rugby league as they reflect on the players, the atmosphere and another classic chapter in Grand Final history. With the football season complete, Eddie and Abbey turn their attention to what comes next. Bathurst is firmly on the agenda, along with a packed spring racing calendar featuring the Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Cup, The Everest, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup week. They also look ahead to the summer of cricket and reflect on a remarkable period for Australian sport in which the AFL, NRL and NFL have all delivered enormous events. Screaming Jets frontman Dave Gleeson joins Eddie and Abbey to unpack the NRL Grand Final entertainment and what it was like performing on one of the biggest stages in Australian sport. Gleeson reflects on being part of the celebration, the atmosphere inside the stadium and the emotion surrounding the night. The conversation also looks at the value of putting Australian artists front and centre at major sporting events, with Eddie, Abbey and Gleeson discussing the performances across both the NRL and AFL Grand Finals and Kylie Minogue’s show-stopping appearance on AFL Grand Final day. As always, Eddie and Abbey wrap up the biggest talking points from another enormous week in sport, including the huge Grand Final audiences and an incredible month across the AFL, NRL and NFL. With Bathurst, spring racing and cricket still to come, Gold Sport rolls straight from one massive sporting season into the next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.