As we kick off season three, we see a clearing of the decks of some of the major players in the war to date, Cowley goes, Frykberg arrives, Ribot and Quayle stand down, and we reflect on Ribot and Quayle's legacies, Quayle's replacement Neil Whittaker, Arko steps down, but the hurt remains, interstate fighting, the ghost of Jeans West, Arko's amazing legacy and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News on the imminent release of The Super League War season 3. We are pumped for the season ahead! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very special episode featuring long time loyal listener Murray Croft and his wonderful fundraiser with the legendary Royce Simmons, as well as Mick and Andy discussing the origin teams, indigenous jersey ratings, the week that was, the RLD catch up, barnet talk, signing news, minnie riperton news, and much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To apologise for the lack of new episodes this year we have unlocked one of our Patreon bonuses, recapping round one of the NRL. This episode includes thoughts on the state of the women's game, RLD vindication watch, jersey talk, new league speak, love for the lock forward position, the boys' thoughts on all the round one games, next week's games, and more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Americanisation was a cultural buzzword inside and outside Rugby League during the Super League period, and American sport was an obvious influence on the presentation of the Super League vision. But what did it all mean? We break it down with academic and Rugby League fan Spencer Kassimir. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The big one! Michael is joined by Super League fellow traveller Steve Mascord to discuss the war and his new, greatly anticipated book Two Tribes. RLD listeners can go to http://stevemascord.com/product/twotribes and enter product code "rugby league digest" for a great discount offer on Two Tribes discussed at the end of the episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the second and final episode of this chapter, we look at the fallout from News Limited's comprehensive court victory. It was a frenzied week of speculation following the judgment, with crisis talks at the ARL and in club boardrooms, possible club defections, yet another loyalty agreement, a pay-TV rescue package, and much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The RLD takes an in-depth look at the appeal judgment, the lead up to the case, predictions, the court's interpretation competition, overturning nearly all of Justice Burchett's decision, the immediate courtroom reactions, Ray Hadley's public backflip, Arko's naive reaction to the result, the question of legality versus morality and much, much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this concluding episode of Chapter 30: The Optus Cup, we discuss the semi-final runs of Manly and St George, the post mortems for their victims, a surprisingly entertaining grand final despite popular sentiment, the infamous Manson blunder, John Raper's memorabilia fiasco and much, much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this penultimate episode of the Optus Cup chapter we compare the seasons of the 1996 ARL grand finalists, we discuss Manly's veterans, the impact of unlimited interchange, the Lyons and Menzies combination, offer some overdue Daniel Gartner appreciation, discuss Manly's gun back row, Joey's "red hair" game, Rod Reddy's departure as Dragons coach and the impact of David Waite, Mark Coyne's leadership, "goose of the week" shirts, Dean Raper, nefarious 'Skull' plans, more claims of referee...

A tribute to the life and career of the Immortal Norm Provan. Vale Sticks. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Max Easton is host of the excellent Barely Human music history podcast and author of The Magpie Wing. Michael talks with Max about all of things, about Rugby League in the western suburbs, about Chilli's Hill, and more! The Magpie Wing is available now through Giramondo Press https://giramondopublishing.com/books/the-magpie-wing/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

While we are immersed in the 1996 season it is time for a deep dive on Parramatta's buying spree and its failure to generate instant success, with former Wallaby and Gain Line Analytics founder Ben Darwin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

 In the second installment of Chapter 30, we discuss the Super League teams forfeiting round one in1996, Illawarra club turmoil, the Crushers failing on and off the field, South Sydney's abysmal record, Balmain punching above their weight, Sironen remaining a one club man, the 1996 awards season, David Farleigh, the last Rothmans medal, the RLW players poll, a mini hall of fame discussion on the year's retirees, a deeper look at Parramatta and their gigantic player splurge,...

It is part one of our 1996 season recap. In this episode we look at the state of the game in 1996. Rule changes, falling attendances, threats from AFL and rugby union, and the return of Monday Night Football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part 2 of this Patreon exclusive episode (available to everyone this week), the RLD's heartfelt tribute to Peter Sterling commentary career descends into bashing modern commentary once again, we discuss Joey, Cooper Cronk, the expected exciting top 8 finish in the NRL, Brad Arthur, the Titans' resurgence, the Storm and Roosters' systems, and the magnificent efforts of the Cleveland Rugby League and! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this Patreon exclusive episode (available to everyone this week), the RLD goes hard on the NRL / ARLC for their attitude towards the international game, the differences between Australasian Covid response and that of the UK and Europe, the alleged smokescreen about player welfare, Gus's views, the impact of the Olympics, NRL's responsibility to international football, we go broken record on the benefits of a deisgnated rep round, the cancellation of junior and ancillary comps and much...

'Tarnished Gold' is a chapter highlighting the farcical nature of both sides of the war regarding the appalling treatment international football. We discus limbo, the City vs Country litmus test, reconnected state or origins squads, rebel teams, Fiji being used as a pawn, coup leader George Speight, cheapening international jerseys, the Rest of The World game abandoned, disastrous Great Britain Super League tour of PNG and New Zealand, and much more!   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and...

To conclude our English miniseries, Michael is joined by the legendary Professor Tony Collins for an expansive look at the RFL's road to Super League, and the fallout afterwards.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As a companion piece to our Chapeltown Road chapter of the Super League War, Michael chats to British labour historian Anthony Broxton about Thatcherism, striking miners, economic depression and how it all relates to Rugby League in England. Go to https://tidesofhistory.wordpress.com/ for more of Anthony's important work.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The RFL receives a mammoth offer to defect to Super League, the ARL begs them to stay, clubs unanimously agree to the switch, then immediately revolt over proposed mergers, fans mobilise with the publication 'Merging on the Ridiculous', the ARL makes a hypocritical raid on English players ... all this against a backdrop of northern economic decline and classism A fantastic concluding episode of this chapter!   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In anticipation of a potentially season-defining clash between the Raiders and Dragons in Wollongong Saturday, we bring a Patreon bonus ep from behind the paywall, as Michael and Andy (separately) list their favourite ever Dragons and Raiders teams respectively. NOTE: Andy was horrified to omit one of his favourite players in Steve 'Boxhead' Walters. Take it as read that Steve gets the 9 jersey in this team.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

English two of 'Chapeltown Road' the RLD discusses Engl rugby league in the 1980s. financial peril, expansion plans and at times lack thereof, teams in London, Kent and Carlisle, Australian imports, the bizarre history of the Golden Boot award, the legendary Wigan teams, Chorley, the need for structural change, Cliff Richard, The 'Framing the Future' report and much, much more!   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode the RLD discusses the cultural idiosyncrasies of the English game, the lasting impact and legacy of the 1982 'Invincibles', comparing kangaroo tour squads, the British sporting psyche, fudging gate figures, fighting Paul Weller and The Jam, a golden generation of British players, a gulf in professionalism, the Larder report, Ryan Giggs' unwise career move, the brilliance of Garry Schofield and much, much more!   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The RLD is joined this week by a very special guest to discuss the incredible 1996 Challenge Cup Final between the Bradford Bulls and St Helens, Mike Mehall Wood is a brilliant journalist with a life long immersion in English rugby league and an inner circle view on the English Super League, the move to summer rugby league and indeed the impact of the war on the game as a whole, a must listen for every true rugby league fan   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.