The Opening Bounce: Recent Episodes
Newson1ine@abc.net.au (ABC News)
Every Friday, Francis Leach, Kelli Underwood and Gerard Whateley look ahead to the weekends AFL fixtures and discuss the big stories in the game
Francis and co-host Kelli Underwood welcomed Grandstand’s Gerard Whateley and Ashley Brown from afl.com.au to discuss tomorrow’s grand final and how they see it unfolding. They discussed the selections, the key strengths of both sides, the coaching methods and gave their tips on who they think will win and by how much.
Francis and co host Kelli Underwood welcomed Gerard Whateley to the studio and they discussed the coaches merry go round on the back of Adelaide’s Brenton Sanderson’s dismissal as well as several other coaches being put on notice by the ir respective clubs. They were then joined by Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas to discuss the remarkable turnaround by the club over the last two years before finally giving their thoughts on how this weekend’s preliminary finals will play out.
Francis Leach and co-host Kelli Underwood were joined by Gerard Whateley to cast their eye over this weekend’s finals action and who they think will win and why. They were then joined by Grandstand’s Alister Nicholson in our Brisbane studio to discuss the changes being made at the Brisbane Lions and the challenges the club faces to win back fans and achieve success again.
Andrew Mayes was joined by co-host Kelli Underwood and ABC Grandstand’s Gerard Whateley to discuss the first week of the AFL finals. Richmond’s head of football Dan Richardson also joined as a guest to discuss how the Tigers are preparing after winning nine straight matches to sneak into this year’s finals series.
Francis Leach and Gerard Whateley delved into the final round of the AFL home and away season, posturing which team will finish with the last double chance in the finals, and if Richmond can win a remarkable ninth straight match and knock off the top of the table Swans en route to securing a finals spot. Sydney Swans champion, veteran and dual premiership player Ryan O’Keefe then spoke with the guys about the decision to not play for the Swans anymore, his goodbyes to a club where he played more than 280 games and whether he is likely to play on in 2015.
Francis Leach and Kelli Underwood were joined by ABC Grandstand’s Gerard Whateley to discuss the penultimate round of the AFL season and dissected the many possibilities for what could be one of the most thrilling finished to the regular season in recent memory. Geelong assistant coach Dale Amos also spoke about the Cats' prospects of finishing in the top two, and preparing for another blockbuster with Hawthorn.
Francis Leach was joined by Gerard Whateley to discuss the latest on the Federal Court case involving the Essendon Football Club. They then turned their attention to the logjam at the middle of the ladder, before speaking with Adelaide assistant coach Mark Bickley on the Crows crunch match with Richmond this weekend.
Francis Leach and co-host Kelli Underwood are joined by two guests for The Opening Bounce – ABC Grandstand’s Adam White, and Sydney Swans assistant coach Marty Mattner - who discuss the Swan’s record winning streak and the challenges that lay ahead.
Al Crombie and co-host Ed Wyatt were joined in the studio by ABC Grandstand’s Gerard Whateley to chat about all things coming up in the AFL world. They talk about the 18th round up and the decision to retire by St Kilda player Lenny Hayes. They then speak with Director of Carlton Coaching Rob Whaley about the potential retirement of Chris Judd and Carlton coach Mick Malthouse’s recent media relations.
ABC Grandstand's Gerard Whateley talks about the weekend ahead in the AFL with Al Crombie. They talk about Gary Ablett's injury and his chances of bagging the Brownlow. They also preview Friday's game as Adelaide take on Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval with Mark Bickley, senior Assistant Coach for the Crows.
Al Crombie and Gerard Whateley discussed the latest movements in the ASADA v Essendon saga before turning their attention to tonight's clash between North Melbourne and Hawthorn. Hawks assistant coach Cameron Bruce then joined the conversation to get the latest out of Hawthorn's camp before Al and Gerard cast their eyes over the matches of interest this weekend.
Francis and co-host Kelli Underwood were joined by Gerard Whateley and they began by discussing the latest inductees into the AFL Hall of Fame. They then discussed the growing debate surrounding the allowances given for interstate teams and the effect it is having on the competition and finally, they cast their eyes over this weekend's matches. They were then joined by St Kilda's assistant coach Peta Searle, the first female assistant coach to join the AFL.
Francis and Gerard Whateley discussed Sydney's massive win over Geelong and what that means for the competition as well as how the Swans are now viewed in AFL circles. They then previewed tonight’s clash between St Kilda and Collingwood.
Francis and co host Kelli Underwood were joined by Gerard Whateley in the studio to discuss the Tigers’ woes at Punt Road, the resurgence of North Melbourne and the validity of the Gold Coast Suns as finals contenders. They then spoke to Darren Crocker, assistant coach at North Melbourne ahead of their tough clash tonight against Geelong at Kardinia Park.
Francis and co-host Kelli Underwood were joined by Gerard Whateley to dissect Adelaide's big win over Collingwood last night as well as gauging where the Crows sit in 2014. They then spoke to Jade Rawlings, Melbourne assistant coach as the Demons prepare to take on Richmond this weekend.
Francis and co-host Kelli Underwood were joined by Gerard Whateley to discuss all the issues from the week including the infamous "bump". They then discussed tonight’s big clash between Sydney and Hawthorn before Sydney Swans assistant coach Marty Mattner joined them to talk about managing their star-studded forward line and how they plan to contain Hawthorn tonight.
Francis and co-host Kelli Underwood talk AFL with Grandstand's Gerard Whateley, beginning with a discussion on the naming of Gillon McLachlan as the AFL's new chief executive. They then turn their attention to round seven, starting with the Carlton-Collingwood blockbuster at the MCG, and ending with the western derby between Fremantle and West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Sunday evening.
Francis Leach spoke to sports historian Ian Syson and writer John Harms about the links of sport with Anzac Day culture, while Gerard Whateley previewed the Bombers vs Magpies blockbuster. Download and subscribe to the podcast here.
Francis and co-host Kelli Underwood spoke to ABC Grandstand’s Gerard Whateley about this weekend’s big clashes, kicking off with tonight’s big one between Richmond and Collingwood and the MCG. They then spoke to GWS ‘s Josh Hunt as the Giants look to notch their third win of the season.
Francis and co-host Kelli Underwood were joined in the studio by Gerard Whateley to discuss the grand final rematch between Fremantle and Hawthorn at the MCG. Fremantle assistant coach Mark Stone joined them to discuss the challenges of going one better in 2014 and finally, the team looked over the remaining matches this weekend.
Francis and co host Kelli Underwood welcomed Gerard Whateley to the studio and they discussed last night’s match between Richmond and Carlton. They then spoke to Richmond defender Troy Chaplin about their last gasp win and what it means for the playing group as well as how players are adjusting to the new interchange rule. Finally, they spoke about Buddy Franklin’s celebrity status taking off in Sydney before previewing tonight’s blockbuster between Hawthorn and Essendon.
Joe Sullivan welcomed Grandstand's Gerard Whateley to the studio and they discussed Geelong's win over Adelaide last night as well as the latest developments in the James and Tania Hird v AFL saga. They then cast their eye over the remaining games in round one this weekend.
Francis and co-host Kelli Underwood spoke with Gerard Whateley about the latest developments in the Stephen Dank V ASADA saga before previewing this weekend’s matches as well as giving their bold tips for the both the flag and the wooden spoon for 2014. They were then joined by former Sydney Swans' player Jude Bolton to discuss his mid-week article regarding concussion in AFL and the dangers it poses for players longterm.
Francis Leach, Gerard Whateley and Kelli Underwood preview the AFL grand final between Hawthorn and Fremantle. Download and subscribe to the podcast here.
Francis Leach, Kelli Underwood and Gerard Whateley cast their eyes over the AFL preliminary finals, while Andrew Demetriou speaks about the rumour ASADA fraction notices are going to be handed down soon. Download and subscribe to the podcast here.