Open Mike: Recent Episodes
Fox Sports Australia
Mike Sheahan, one of the AFL's most respected journalists, hosts Open Mike on Fox Footy, an insightful TV interview series featuring some of the greats of the game and providing viewers with the most in-depth and illuminating footy discussions. The show also works perfectly as an audio product for those catching up on their commute.
Mike Sheahan sits down with Michael Green (grandfather of Tom), whose family went through tragedy losing one grandson before seeing another drafted by the GWS Giants
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After making his debut for the Western Bulldogs while still in high school, Callan Ward became captain of a young GWS side at the age of just 21. Nearing return following two knee injuries that ended his 2019 campaign, he spoke to Mike on the eve of the 2020 season.
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In the season finale, Brian Lake, along with his manager and friend, Marty Pask, opens up to Mike in a powerful and emotional interview.
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After a controversial start to his career, Dane Swan became a Collingwood great before it came to an abrupt end after 258 games.
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Tom Boyd was the number one pick in 2013 and led the Bulldogs to a fairytale premiership before he retired at the age of 23 in May 2019.
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One of September's greatest performers, the mercurial Stevie Johnson, sits down with Mike to discuss his sparkling career.
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Credited with the turnaround of leadership standards in the AFL, Leading Teams' Ray McLean joins Mike.
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Mike Sheahan speaks to former Coleman Medalists and AFL legends to learn about John Coleman, one of the finest to play Australian Rules Football.
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The Coleman Medalist in 1999, Scott Cummings kicked 349 goals in 128 games for four AFL clubs - including a bag of eight on debut.
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A captain for Collingwood, Ray Shaw played 146 games for the Pies. His sons, Rhyce and Heath, also became Magpies under the father / son rule, while his second cousin, Tim Paine, captains Australia in Test cricket.
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A Sydney Swans Hall of Famer, Andrew Dunkley played 217 games in the harbour city, but now has no connection with the club he once played for.
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The Miracle of '99, presented by Fox Cricket, is a series that takes you inside the dressing room for Australia's miraculous run in the 1999 Cricket World Cup.Collectively, one almighty triumph. But it was in fact a long list of unlikely and incredible events that led to green and gold success in the UK.SEARCH & SUBSCRIBE to The Miracle of '99 on iTunes or go to foxsports.com.au/podcasts for the full episodes and related content.
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Not many people diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer feel ‘unbelievably lucky’, but former golfer and popular radio personality Mark Allen does. The 50-year-old recently had surgery to remove 70 per cent of his rectum, after undergoing an operation to remove 18 per cent of his lungs earlier this year.
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Imagine the roller-coaster ride of emotions as you bury your best mate at 23, just days later you win a premiership. Welcome to Clay Smith's world.
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Four-time premiership Blue David McKay joins Mike Sheahan to recount some of the best moments of his career.
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Two of the best players of their era, Kelvin Moore and David Dench sit down with Mike to discuss their careers and rivalries throughout their era.
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Geelong Premiership hero Brad Ottens opens up to Mike about the time he nearly lost his manhood
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Mike is joined by four-time premiership player Rodney Eade, who after a glittering playing career then coached 377 games of AFL football with a premiership eluding him
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Mike Sheahan sits down with one of Melbourne's stalwarts, Steven Smith, to discuss his career with the Demons and role as president of the Melbourne Cricket Club
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Over 330 games for St. Kilda and Essendon, Brendon Goddard was named All-Australian twice but despite his best effort, a premiership eluded him
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Will Hayes and his parents discuss his final draft pickup, horse trainer father David discusses his football days and different upbringing.
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Chastised and scrutinised, AFL Umpire Ray Chamberlain has a media profile like no other. The one they call 'Razor' joins Mike Sheahan on .Open Mike
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Veteran broadcaster Sandy Roberts has announced his retirement from TV after a career spanning 46 years and more than 1100 VFL / AFL games. In a special extended Open Mike, he reflects on a career that saw him play a central role in eight Summer Olympics, three Winter Olympics, tennis, golf and racing alongside AFL.
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With his beloved Magpies set to take centre stage in Saturday's Grand Final, Collingwood's cheer squad leader Jeff "Joffa" Corfe joins Mike Sheahan to chat gold jackets, Eddie, Vic Park and a difficult upbringing.
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In Grand Final week, two-time Premiership hero Shaun Rehn opens up on a successful career battling both mental and physical challenges along the way.
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High flying Carlton Premiership hero Ken Hunter ended his playing days prematurely having sunk to the depths of depression in the late 1980s. Now, he chats to Mike Sheahan about a spectacular career unraveled.
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The rollercoaster that is having three sons in the AFL at the same time is an emotional one. Mark Brayshaw, father of Angus, Andrew and Hamish, is on that ride and joins Mike Sheahan on Open Mike.
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On the eve of Melbourne's return to September action, former Dees coach Mark Neeld sits down with Mike Sheahan to chat about his sacking from the club just five years ago.
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He played with the great Gary Ablett Snr and was coached by the great Malcolm Blight. Barry Stoneham talks to Mike Sheahan about a brilliant career in footy, falling just short of the ultimate success.
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When Nathan Buckley ended his career, he chose Nick Maxwell to take his number. The 2010 Collingwood Premiership Captain joins Mike Sheahan on Open Mike.
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From 1990's Bulldogs hard man to jet-setter and Islam convert - Daniel Southern has lived a life. He tells Mike Sheahan all about it in this return of Open Mike.
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Player Takeover continues on Fox Footy with one of the competition’s finest swapping his boots for the clipboard. North Melbourne full-forward Ben Brown takes aim at award winning journalist and AFL life member – Mike Sheahan. Don’t miss ‘Open Ben’.
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From AFL journalist to business owner, Craig Hutchison has had a significant influence in shaping today's footy entertainment industry. Hutchy goes head to head with Mike on a career in chasing the big story and making the big call.
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Hannah Mouncey made headlines after being ruled ineligible for selection in the 2017 AFLW Draft. The transgender footballer makes her case again and opens up to Mike on her very personal journey away from the footy ground.
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Shaun Smith took one of the most spectacular marks in AFL history. Smith also took many knocks to the head that affected his life after footy. An important chat about concussion tonight on Open Mike.
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After winning three flags at Carlton, the Rhodes Scholar Mike Fitzpatrick sat on the AFL Commission throughout all the big issues of the past decade in football: the Essendon supplements saga, Ben Cousins and the expansion clubs.
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After Richmond's first nine matches in 2005, Nathan Brown had kicked 32 goals and the Tigers were sitting second on the ladder. In the tenth match, what happened to Brown was perhaps the most sickening on-field injury in the AFL.
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Standing at 206cm, Justin 'Harry' Madden played 332 games, won two premierships and later became a state minister - all with a smile on his face. Big Harry has a laugh in this edition of Open Mike.
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Merv Keane is a three-time Premiership player and part of Richmond's Team of the Century. Tragically, Merv suffered incomprehensible personal loss in 2017. He sits down with Mike to tell his story.
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Premiership winner, Big V representative, club captain and diabetic. Richmond goal-sneak Dale 'Flea' Weightman sits down with Mike Sheahan to chat about his life as a Tiger.
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Writer, rock n roller, 300-game player, club captain, rascal, Bob. Mike Sheahan has a yarn with legendary Western Bulldog Robert ‘Bob’ Murphy including missing out on that drought-breaking 2016 Premiership.
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As a player, he played a crucial role in the Lions Premiership three-peat. As a coach, he found success as a Richmond assistant in 2017. In between, he was sacked as coach of Brisbane. An up-front Open Mike with Justin Leppitsch.
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Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan played 188 games in the same team, winning at the extraordinary rate of 74% - what an association, they've lasted longer than most marriages! They sit down for a chat with Mike Sheahan
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A special edition of Open Mike, celebrating 50 years of Kevin Sheedy in footy - he's clearly a high-achiever, has been a trailblazer, a visionary, and to many people an eccentric, and is one of the most positive people in football
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Brian Taylor went agonisingly close to playing in grand finals for both Richmond and Collingwood - finally, now deep into his 50s, he's going to have an active role on the biggest day as part of the Channel 7 commentary team
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Dustin Fletcher started his AFL career as a shy, spindly 17-year-old schoolboy. It was to be 23 years before he finished the longest career in VFL/AFL history. He finished with 400 games, 2 Premierships and a best and fairest at the Bombers
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Richmond was a basket case when Brendon Gale started as a player in the late 1980s. The situation was much the same when he became the club's chief executive in 2009. In 2017, the Tigers completed their most successful home-and-away season since 1995, finishing third with 15 wins. Gale discusses it all
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Paul Connors is the AFL's Jerry Maguire ... a young, starry-eyed player manager who built an empire from a hope and a prayer. Paul Connors had to sell his house to start his business ... and ended up with clients named Judd, Hodge, Dangerfield, Naitanui, Hurley, Sydney's Josh Kennedy and the $9 million man, Josh Kelly
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John Platten played more than 250 games for Hawthorn at 170 centimetres and 70 kilograms. It was a tribute to his bravery and resilience in an era where the football ground was a battlefield, but there was a price. The Brownlow medallist is at his best with Mike Sheahan
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Ron Joseph drove the emergence of North Melbourne from perennial battler to a powerhouse thanks to adventurous dealings and paper bags full of cash in the ‘70’s. He landed Barassi, Blight, Wade, Cable and more in one of the most eventful decades of football
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Corey Enright is the modern-day Bruce Doull....a man content to let his on-field actions do all the talking. Enright came and went as a Geelong player with 332 games – the most ever by a Geelong player. He was twice best and fairest, both in Premiership years. Not bad for a kid from Kimba
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Geoff Southby is one of the best full backs to ever play the game. The talented boy from Bendigo won two best and fairest in his first two years and as well as a flag...all before he was 22. But his football story isn’t all smooth sailing. He shares it all with Mike Sheahan
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Ross Glendinning was one of the most complete players of his era. He was a star in defence for North Melbourne and good enough to kick 70 goals in a season at full-forward for West Coast late in his career
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Jimmy Jess played football competitively from 15 to 44, with a Richmond premiership along the way. It's an amazing story of one man's undying love for the game. If you love football, you will love the Jess story
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The 43rd Premier of Victoria and former President of Hawthorn, Jeff Kennett joins Mike Sheahan to discuss mental health issues in professional sport, Alastair Clarkson, Hawthorn, Premierships, Donald Trump and more on Open Mike
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The former international tennis player Andrew Florent fought bowel cancer for more than three years before succumbing in August last year. His passing at 45 was a crushing blow for the Melbourne family he left behind, wife Rachael and teenage sons Oliver and Jai
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Peter Bosustow lit up the football world like a shooting star at Carlton. He spent three seasons at the Blues, for two Premierships, a mark of the year and a goal of the year before suddenly heading back to Perth. He shares his story brilliantly with Mike Sheahan
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Nick Dal Santo reluctantly accepted his retirement at the end of season 2017 after 322 games, including finals in 10 of 15 seasons. The former Saint and Kangaroo canvasses his entire career with Mike - the good, the bad and even the bizarre
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John Rantall is a North Melbourne Premiership player, a former games record holder and is a member of the team of the century at two clubs. Do yourself a favour and listen to his story
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There are certain players whose contribution generally is undervalued outside their footy club. Peter Sumich is one. He is a dual premiership player at West Coast and was the club's leading goalkicker in seven seasons. Just as a matter of interest, he might have died on the ground one day, too. It is a story well worth hearing
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Former Melbourne midfielder, Daniel Ward honestly and courageously speaks about the embarrassment and the damage caused by his gambling which left him with near to nothing once he retired from his professional football career
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Gary Buckenara has seen football from all angles. He is a former player, a four-time premiership player at Hawthorn, a former coach, a former list manager, and a former club CEO at VFL level, and he remains an occasional newspaper commentator. But, it's hasn't been the blissful ride through life it might seem
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Peter Bedford enjoyed twin careers in football and cricket. The 1970 Brownlow medallist amassed 186 Games for South Melbourne and Carlton. He was also an acclaimed First Class Cricketer for Australia. His story is a beauty and must be heard
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Geoff Raines had won a Premiership and 3 best and fairests and was just turned 26 when he departed Richmond for the enemy called Collingwood after the 1982 season. He happened to be the best centreman in the game at the time. He finished with an impressive 254 AFL games
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Anthony Koutoufides was a Carlton premiership player, a captain and a dual best and fairest winner. He played 278 games and kicked 226 goals for the AFL powerhouse. 10-years-on, he discusses life in and out of football with Mike Sheahan
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Erin Phillips accomplished everything before her in the inaugural AFL Women’s competition. The Australian sporting superstar is now football royalty. She Joins Mike and Kate Sheahan with her Dad, Greg Phillips for a special Open Mike
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Matthew Pavlich is one of the most decorated players in the history of the AFL. He has played 353 games, kicked 700 goals and is a 6 time All-Australian. Mike Sheahan and Pavlich sat down to revisit his football journey
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Football has give us dozens of clever & totally appropriate nicknames down through the years, Captain Blood, Lethal, Hungry, The King, Diesel. Immortal monarchies all of them. Then there's Plough, equally descriptive & adapt for Terry Wallace.
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If you believe all you hear & read, Jake King should have had a starring role in underbelly instead of running around as a bit player for Richmond in the AFL. Jake King sits down for a one-one-one with Mike Sheahan.
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He is arguably West Coast's most decorated player in their history, and one of few defenders with a postive win-loss record against Wayne Carey - it was football's equivalent of Ali and Frazier. Glen Jakovich sits down for a one-on-one with Mike Sheahan.
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He was known as a battering ram and a human wrecking ball - but Aaron Hamill was done as an AFL player three weeks after his 29th birthday after limping through the last two seasons of his career. He sits down for a one-on-one with Mike Sheahan.
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He played more than 130 games at AFL level, including a grand final, yet he is remembered best for removing several of Terry Wallace's teeth without appointment or anesthetic. Melbourne hard man Rod Grinter sits down for a one-on-one with Mike Sheahan.
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Ken Sheldon was a triple-premiership player at Carlton who was discarded by the Blues at the age of 27 - he later coached St. Kilda with a 55% win ratio before he was dumped by the Saints after four years. Does he have any hard feelings? He sits down for a one-on-one with Mike Sheahan.
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It is twenty years since the Fitzroy Football Club faded into history. Michael Conlan was one of the club's all-time favourite playrs. He sits down for a one-on-one with Mike Sheahan.
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Russell Greene played the first eight rounds of the 1980 season for St. Kilda, and reappeared the following week in Hawthorn colours - it was a shock transfer that reshaped his football life, and his life in general. He sits down for a one-on-one with Mike Sheahan.
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Denis Banks is one of a rare species - a Collingwood premiership player. He sits down for a one-on-one chat with Mike Sheahan about his 'interesting' career that was marred by injury and suspension.
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Paul Vander Haar played football like it was the stuff of boy's dreams - one-on-one contests, huge marks, and spectacular goals. He sits down for a chat with Mike Sheahan.
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Simon Black was passed over until Brisbane's third selection in the 1997 national draft - and then duly proceeded to embarrass every club that ignored him along the way. He sits down and chats in a one-on-one with Mike Sheahan.
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Richie Vandenberg was nothing more than an interested observer when Hawthorn's most successful era began in 2008 - is he proud, frustrated, or jealous? Listen to the latest Mike Sheahan's Open Mike to hear the former Hawks skipper speak about his career in football.
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Mike speaks to a host of people to gain a better understanding of the sad history of one of the AFL's foundation clubs. St. Kilda, like Hawthorn, won their first flag in the 1960s. Sadly, for the Saints, that's where the similarity ends. Hawthorn now has 13 flags, the Saints just one. Since then, the Saints have played in five grand finals...yet the ultimate football prize continues to elude the club.
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Football: it's a man's game, everyone knows that. Yet the most influential commentator in the game happens to be a woman. She's chief football writer of the Age, a panellist on two television programs, and a fixture twice weekly on radio station 3AW. Welcome, Caroline Wilson, to Open Mike.
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In this opening episode of the 2016 season, Mike Sheahan hosts a special with three 300 match legends of the 1960s and 1970s who turned 70 over the summer of 2015/16 - Peter Hudson, Barry Richardson and the inimitable John 'Sam' Newman.
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