Toohey's News: The Podcast: Recent Episodes
Barry Toohey
Newcastle Herald sports reporter Barry Toohey interviews a legend of the NRL and Newcastle Knights every week in a revealing look behind the scenes of Australian rugby league.
After 108 episodes, Baz is hanging up the headphones for the last time with one final interview with Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien.
Mitch Barnett might be the only former Knight with a smile after last weekend's finals loss to the Warriors in New Zealand. The former man of steel turned Warriors enforcer calls in from across the ditch to unpack the week's events.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
The Newcastle Knights are in the best form they have shown for years after an historic run of wins. This week, club great Mitchell Pearce calls in from across the pond.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Newcastle Knights legend Timana Tahu looks back on his record-breaking career in the NRL with no regrets.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
If you're not in the Red and Blue, Tyson Gamble might be your worst enemy. And that's why fans love him.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Peter Mata'utai has been through more than most people could imagine. This is the story of how he made it back from the edge. There are some heavy topics in today's episode, if you are affected by anything in today's show help is always available. Lifeline: 13 11 14
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Can you believe it, it's Baz's 100th podcast! This week he's chatting to the Knight's not-so-secret weapon Phoenix Crossland.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Troy Fletcher drops in to reminisce about his days in the NRL.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Former Newcastle Knight Sean Rudder calls on the drive back to Melbourne (or from underwater?) to look back on the Newcastle Knights' memorable 2001 NRL Grand Final victory.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
After a hallowed career with the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights, Shaun Kenny-Dowall is now captaining Hull KR to noted success across the pond. He phones in this week to catch up with Toohey's News host Barry Toohey.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Newcastle Knights original Steve Fulmer drops in to regale us with how he got the nickname 'Joey'
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
At his lowest point, former Knights backrower Cory Turner was alone, staring down a bottle of pills. This week, he reveals how he made it back from the brink.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
A winner of not one but two NRL premierships, with Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights, Paul Marquet drops in for a chat.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Newcastle Knights old boy Gary Wurth drops in to look back on his career and take a few jabs at his old mate, Marc Glanville.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Newcastle Knights legend Tony Kemp looks back on the legacy carved out for Knights gone by.
Toohey's News is sponsored by The Wests Group Australia.
Veteran playmaker turned attacking coach Blake Green joins Barry Toohey to look back on his career and the future of the Knights' offense.
Just before the buzzer goes on 2022, Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien joins Barry Toohey to look back on this year's rocky season for the Newcastle Knights.
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Half a century ago, Doug Walters was among the most loved and acclaimed cricketers in Australia. And the legend lives on.
Now 76, Dungog's famous sporting son still spends many of his weekends in Sydney doing what he is passionate about - teaching kids how to play cricket.
In a special Toohey's News podcast this week, we go one-on-one with the man who earned the nickname 'Dashing Doug' for his cavalier batting exploits.
All the funny stories, his famed drinking and smoking exploits - they're all here.
He reveals the greatest cricketer he ever saw and the fastest bowler he faced.
"It's a compelling interview," Host Barry Toohey says, "Have a listen."
Have your say or suggest a guest for an upcoming episode bycontributing a rating and review in your Apple Podcasts app, or get in touch via email atnews@newcastleherald.com.au.
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There has been two names dominating the news coming from the Newcastle Knights this week - Kalyn Ponga and Kurt Mann.
Ponga and Mann remain in the spotlight after they were filmed being escorted out of a toilet cubicle at Hotel Delany on Saturday night.
Both Newcastle and the NRL say they have no reason to be concerned that drugs could be involved, with claims Ponga was ill after celebrating the purchase of a house and was being aided by Mann.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo on Wednesday defended the integrity unit's decision to investigate.
It's believed the pair were drug tested on Tuesday. However, that is unlikely to shed any public light on the matter.
This week, on Toohey's News: The Podcast, host Barry Toohey unpacks the latest in the unfolding saga to dissect how Knights' fans are finding their faith tested, and - amid the turmoil - tries to find the silver lining on the storm cloud as the Knights' women's team plan to kick off their season at the weekend.
Joining a jam-packed show, new Knights' NRLW coach Ron Griffiths calls in the talk about his team's chances as they have prepared through a blitzkrieg four-week pre-season ahead of this weekend's game.
The former Kurri Kurri, Maitland and Greta-Branxton mentor has more recently been working full-time at the Wests Tigers.
He's also held roles with NRL women's and men's Indigenous All Stars, state junior Indigenous teams as well as locally for Mindaribba.
He takes over from Casey Bromilow following Newcastle's inaugural NRLW season.
Listen to the latest episode of Toohey's News: The Podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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The Newcastle Knights have signed long-serving North Queensland Cowboys official Peter Parr as their new director of football.
Parr, a born-and-bred Novocastrian, was a premiership-winning centre for South Newcastle in the district competition in the late 1980s before leaving his home town for coaching and administrative roles with the Western Reds, Adelaide Rams, Brisbane Broncos and Cowboys.
He served as CEO, football manager and director of football at the Cowboys during a 21-year stint that incorporated their golden era, which produced a premiership in 2015 and grand final appearances in 2005 and 2017.
He has also been football manager for the NSW Blues in recent seasons.
Parr's appointment is expected to ease the burden on Philip Gardner, who for almost five years has juggled the dual roles of chief executive of the Wests Group and the Knights.
In a revealing interview this week with Toohey's News host Barry Toohey, Parr reveals some of his plans to turn the club's losses around and transform the Knights to contenders within the NRL competition.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Parr opens up on the fallout from the club's most recent drama surrounding star player David Klemmer, as well as a few key strategies he plans to implement as he gets underway in his new appointment.
Have your say or suggest a guest for an upcoming episode by contributing a rating and review in your Apple Podcasts app, or get in touch via email at news@newcastleherald.com.au.
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Russell Richardson may have started his career in rugby league, but it has been as a Newcastle publican that he has left his mark on the city.
In a wide-ranging interview on this week's episode of Toohey's News: The Podcast, Richardson joins host Barry Toohey to look back on his career after rugby league, and the Newcastle Knights, which began with his first pub in Tamworth and has now grown to a stable of popular nightclubs in Newcastle.
From his season with the Newcastle Knights after a playing stint with Cronulla to the future of the popular music venue, The Cambridge Hotel, this week's episode is not one to miss.
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Listen to the latest episode of Toohey's News: The Podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Robert "Rip" Taylor has forgotten more coaching achievements than most will ever achieve ... literally. In 2015, the Newcastle Herald wrote of Taylor's then-36 year career that he had taken his teams to 30 finals series, 23 grand finals, and won 12 premierships at clubs including Lakes United, Parramatta, Bellingen and Grafton. But when his long list of achievements were laid out in this week's episode of Toohey's News: The Podcast, even the legendary coach himself was surprised to hear one or two of his countless accolades. Taylor joins host Barry Toohey this week to look back on his outstanding career, the players he fostered to rugby league greatness, and his one-time alter-ego as a wrestling superstar Rick Flair. Search "Toohey's News: The Podcast" on your preferred podcast app to listen to the full episode now.
Listen to the latest episode of Toohey's News: The Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or wherever you like to listen.
Take a seat in the trainers' stand at the back of Broadmeadow Racecourse's grandstand and ask Kris Lees why he hasn't left Newcastle for the big smoke and he will tell you. "I grew up there," pointing towards the red brick cottage near one end of the Broadmeadow Racecourse's long straight. "I went to school there," with a nod to Merewether High School at the opposite end, "... and I am very happy right here."
Lees has long had the CV to command a spot in any trainers' stand in the world, whether it be with stables in Sydney or even the Asian racing hubs of Hong Kong or Singapore, but the proud Novocastrian is happy to be beating the big guns from his hometown.
Lees joins Barry Toohey for the 18th episode of the Toohey's News Podcast, season three, to look back on a stellar career in racing, taking up his legendary father's legacy, and the future of racing in the Hunter.
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Adam Woolnough speaks about his new coaching role and falling foul of coach Brian Smith's controversial player clean-out.
Willie Peters is bound for England next year but has unfinished business at the Knights.
Jayden Brailey talks personal "embarrassment" and his journey back from long-term injury.
The news broke this week that Garth Brennan would part ways with the Newcastle Knights after nine months as Pathways Manager. With Baz off on holiday, we're revisiting Brennan's first appearance on Toohey's News back in May 2021, to look back on his coaching career, motivations, and passion for rugby league and junior player development.
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He played more than 100 games for the Roosters and the Eels and carried the flag for both state and country, but it was as an administrator that John Quayle had his greatest impact on the sport of rugby league.
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How Daniel Abraham was cut from the side only to become one of the Newcastle Knights' longest-serving and premiership-winning players
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Newcastle Knights forward Mitchell Barnett joins Barry Toohey to address his six-week suspension and move to the Warriors on the eve of his return to the field.
Top boxing promoter George Rose reveals what he has in store for Newcastle ahead of blockbuster Nikita Tszyu and Paul Gallen boxing extravaganza.
Allan Bell mentored Andrew Johns, provided guidance to Mitchell Pearce, and was a foundation coaching director at the Newcastle Knights.
Kalyn Ponga finally puts the speculation over his future with the Knights to bed, as Jeremy Smith drops in for a chat and Baz answers all your questions from the Twitter mail bag.
Aidan Guerra on life after the NRL, plus - it's an election year - so, does Baz know the Australian cash rate and unemployment rate? All these questions and more answered this week.
Glen Jennings managed security for Michael Jackson on tour in Australia, and that's just the start of this story ...
Former Newcastle Knight Josh King joins Barry Toohey to talk about his meteoric rise at the Melbourne Storm.
Newcastle Knights NRLW forward Phoebe Desmond joins the show to talk about the club's first NRL women's season, plus Baz answers your questions.
New Newcastle Knights halfback Adam Clune joins Barry Toohey after the Knights stunning victory over the Roosters in Round 1.
On the field, he's the Newcastle Knights' menacing prop, but off-field is a whole other story.
Baz is back for a third season - as is Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien ahead of the 2022 NRL season kick-off against the Roosters
Former Sharks coach John Morris opens up on his controversial exit and that infamous Facebook post from his mum.
Newcastle Knights co-captain Jayden Brailey is in preparation with his team ahead of this week's clash with Sydney.
Newcastle Knights co-captain Daniel Saifiti opens up on football, home, his twin brother Jacob, and aspirations in the NRL
The son of legendary boxing champion Kostya Tszyu sits joins host Barry Toohey on the eve of his next fight, and the sensational news that was about to land ...
Barry Toohey is off this week, so we're looking back on some of our favourite moments and most memorable Newcastle Knights stories from the show so far.
Former Newcastle Knight Clint Newton - son of legendary golfer Jack Newton - joins host Barry Toohey to look back on the highs and lows of a career stacked with achievement.
Former Newcastle Knights, Eels, and Storm star Todd Lowrie reveals what it's like inside the NRL's top clubs
Andrew 'Bobcat' Ryan played opposite the Knights for one of their most memorable games. This week, as Old Boys' Day comes round again, Ryan looks back on the rivalry that eventually became fast friendship.
Kirk Reynoldson was one of the Newcastle Knights' most popular players but a bitter dispute with mercurial coach Brian Smith would forever change not just Reynoldson's playing career, but the legacy of the entire club.
Controversial former Titans coach Garth Brennan looks back on the best and worst days of his career.
Newcastle Knights fan favourite Nathan Ross loves NRL despite the knock-backs. The late starter's remarkable career ended in medical retirement. But after 4 years he's making a comeback in the local comp with the Kurri Bulldogs.
Local NRL export Brett Kimmorley started at the Newcastle Knights during Andrew Johns reign and was soon overshadowed. He left his home town and found wins and losses among the Cronulla Sharks and Melbourne Storm.
Newcastle Knights founder Michael Hill looks back on the triumphs and tribulations of establishing a winning NRL club.
The former Brisbane Broncos head coach Anthony Seibold, who left the club in highly controversial circumstances, only to join the Newcastle Knights coaching ranks in a consultant capacity, opens up on his early years coaching and how he has recovered from the controversy that almost brought him undone.
In a brutally honest interview former Newcastle Knights star Jarrod Mullen reflects on the moment he hit rock bottom and the long road he has walked for a second chance.
On the eve of Newcastle Knights star Mitchell Pearce's 300th game, Barry Toohey speaks with the man who knows Pearce better than anyone; his father, NRL legend Wayne Pearce.
Guess who's back on the airways! Barry Toohey returns for a whole new season of Toohey's News: The Podcast, joined this week by Wests and Newcastle Knights CEO Phil Gardner to discuss the success and drama of the off-season and the road ahead in 2021.
Newcastle Knights CEO Phil Gardner on Tinkler, Nathan Brown, Ponga and how Wests bagged the Knights club for $1
The Newcastle Knights are coming from a deflating loss to the Warriors at Tamworth last week, but Mitch Barnett is confident the real Newcastle Knights will stand up against Cronulla in the next round.
The hero of the 1997 Newcastle Knights grand final victory and the play that no one saw coming.
Sam Stewart joins Toohey in episode 21 of Toohey's News to reminisce about the Knight's earliest days, the emergence of the club's biggest stars, the game tactics employed in the good old days of rugby league, and one infamous pass right into the third row of the grandstand.
Newcastle Knights legend Matt Parsons opens up on life after football and the horrific injury that nearly took his life.
Darren Mooney might not be the first name to mind when you think of the Newcastle Knights, but he is the man who forged the current Newcastle Knights dynasty from behind the scenes.
Kurt Gidley weighs in on the Newcastle Knights record $4 million re-signing of star player Kalyn Ponga.
Danny Buderus - one of the true legends of the Newcastle Knights - has done just about every job the Knights and the NRL can offer
Mitchell Pearce on life, love, league and how he made his way to captain the Newcastle Knights
On the eve of the NRL's return, after it was shut down amid the coronavirus outbreak, Alex McKinnon opens up on Knights' Tyson Frizell signing and working with coach Adam O'Brien, and his life before and after his devastating injury in 2014.
The Newcastle Knights' famous fullback joins Barry Toohey to look back on his life before and after football.
Owen Craigie was a natural footballer - whip-fast on the field with a seemingly endless supply of natural talent. He was the youngest player ever to debut with the Newcastle Knights in 1995, but off the field, his road to NRL glory was paved with hardship. In an exclusive interview with the Newcastle Herald, Craigie opens up on his rise, fall and rise again with host Barry Toohey.
Scott Dureau began chemotherapy in the morning to treat the cancer that threatened to leave him with only two years to live. In the afternoon, he was back on the field to coach his Newcastle Knights 20s squad.
On the field, Matt Gidley is perhaps the only NRL player to have a pass named in his honour - the famous "Gidley Flick". Off the field, he lived through the Newcastle Knights' most tumultuous years.
The Chief opens up on his early years with the Newcastle Knights from the glory days of the 1997 ARL grand final to the infamous strife of the Super League War.
The Newcastle Knights' new coach is facing an NRL competition in hiatus, a team in isolation, and a pandemic that threatens to derail his 2020 campaign to lead the Knights to glory. Can he make it happen when the odds are stacked against him?
Even as he lay in his hospital bed having just survived surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumour, Mark Hughes was thinking about how he could help others. He is now the founder of a multi-million dollar foundation raising funds for research toward a cure for brain cancer.
Veteran broadcaster Craig Hamilton joins Barry Toohey to discuss how the impact of an ongoing coronavirus crisis on the NRL and Australian sport, his illustrious career as the ABC's sideline eye, and his journey to become one of the nation's foremost mental health advocates.
Legendary Newcastle Knights coach Michael Hagan's historic rise from rookie to NRL premiership victory in his first year.