Peter O’Sullivan is regarded the NRL’s premier recruitment manager having successfully shaped the playing rosters of teams like the Dragons, Roosters, Storm, Warriors and Knights over many years.

He was also responsible for putting together the Dolphins inaugural team in 2023 - which, amazingly, less than four seasons later, is now considered a genuine premiership contender.

So what does a recruitment manager do and how does he identify and procure talent.

O’Sullivan is credited with unearthing and launching the careers of players such as Greg Inglis, Latrell Mitchel, Israel Folau, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck and many, many more. He also plays a key role in the salary cap management of his club.

Today O’Sullivan is an integral part of the Newcastle Knights system and was the man responsible for luring Dylan Brown away from Parramatta in sensational circumstances.

In this episode of Chiming In, you are given a birds’ eye view into the tricks of the recruitment manager’s trade - how they identify players, entice them to switch clubs and build powerful playing rosters.

With new teams Perth and Papua New Guinea on the horizon, no-one is better qualified than O’Sullivan to comment on how their new look rosters are shaping up.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:45 – Recruitment Manager

03:05 – How He Put Redcliffe Together

05:05 – Negotiating with Wayne Bennett

06:20 – Roster Strategy

07:40 – Dolphins Knock Backs

09:20 – Who Said No to the Dolphins

10:20 – Signing Hammer

11:40 – What Do You Look For in a Player?

12:40 – Dealing with Knockback

15:45 – Joel Kane Story

17:20 – Family + Kids (Sean O'Sullivan)

19:20 – Busy Schedule

20:20 – How to Become a Recruitment Manager

23:20 – Managing Melbourne Recruitment

24:20 – Recruiting Greg Inglis

27:50 – Greg Inglis Being a Blue

30:05 – "The Pitch"

31:35 – Working with Player Agents

34:25 – Parents + Agent Pressure on Players

37:15 – Negotiating with Different Backgrounds

38:45 – Player Obstacles Getting Into the NRL

39:50 – Perth Bears Recruitment

42:05 – Helping the Knights Recruitment

43:45 – Dylan Brown Signing

47:10 – Re-Signing Ponga

48:20 – Justin Holbrook's Effects on the Club

49:30 – Premiership at the Knights

50:40 – How to Say No to a Player

51:53 – November Deadline + Trade Windows

54:15 – Coaches, Agents + Representation

56:21 – Israel Folau

58:05 – RTS

59:04 – Boyd Cordner

01:01:05 – Phone Visible on the Wide

01:01:10 – PNG Signings

01:03:10 – Club Bucket List

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Jordan Rankin was only 16 years old and still at school when he got the call-up to make his NRL debut for the Titans.

He became the third youngest player in the game’s history to debut.

On the day of the game, the Gold Coast halfback stuck to his normal routine which included donning his school uniform and heading off for classes.

Looking back, Rankin’s journey has been truly remarkable, having had stints with the Gold Coast, Hull, Doncaster, Wests Tigers, Huddersfield, Castleford and Parramatta - where he captain coached the Eels NSW Cup team.

Today, Rankin is an aspiring coach and is determined to make his mark.

In this episode of Chiming In, Rankin recalls his journey, his plans for the future and discusses many of the challenges that face young players - just like he once was. It hasn’t been all plain sailing but Rankin’s recollection of his life as a rugby league player will inspire you.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:37 - 3rd Youngest Player to Debut in NRL

09:46 - Goals to Make NRL

10:54 - School before first NRL game

19:06 - Staying Grounded

20:09 - Dropped and NRL Return

22:19 - Should kids be allowed to debut before 18?

24:59 - Dealing With Anxiety

27:27 - Time at the Titans

29:09 - English Super League

35:01 - Coming back to the NRL (Tigers)

29:35 - Back to Super League again

41:00 - Back To NRL again (Parramatta)

45:05 - Captain/coach Parra Reserve Grade

48:30 - Flegg Coaching

49:18 - What makes a good coach?

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Phil “Buzz” Rothfield has spent 50 years as one of rugby league’s most recognisable voices.

After stepping away from newspapers, television, radio and podcasts, Buzz returns for a special episode of Chiming In to explain why he retired, what he misses, and what he really thinks of the NRL season so far.

In this episode, Buzz opens up on the pressure of working seven days a week in rugby league media, life after NRL 360, and why breaking stories is still hard to let go.

He also gives his unfiltered views on Andrew Abdo’s exit, Peter V’landys, the Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm, NRL expansion and more.

From retirement reflections to big calls on the future of the game, Buzz is back behind the microphone and he doesn’t sit on the fence.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:03 - Highlights

00:48 - Phil “Buzz” Rothfield returns

01:15 - Why Buzz retired

02:29 - Life after rugby league media

06:00 - Andrew Abdo steps down

08:25 - Payne Haas to South Sydney

10:30 - Canterbury Bulldogs struggles

14:24 - Rugby league supporting its own & Try July

16:42 - Melbourne Storm and Billy Slater

18:22 - NRL global round and the Roosters

20:35 - Dragons and Shane Flanagan

23:24 - Blowout scores and rule changes

26:39 - Coaching pressure

29:49 - Best coach in the NRL

30:36 - PNG, New Zealand and expansion

33:01 - Perth Bears

34:39 - Zac Lomax and R360

36:35 - State of Origin and Super League

38:54 - Penrith Panthers and Ivan Cleary

40:05 - Newcastle, contenders and Grand Final prediction

42:07 - Coach of the Year and Dally M judging

44:12 - Wests Tigers

45:13 - Suburban grounds and Shark Park

48:27 - Gold Coast Titans and coaching accountability

52:58 - Wayne Bennett’s future

54:27 - Referees and the bunker

55:35 - Women’s rugby league and Emma Lawrence

57:32 - NRL 360, media pressure and Magic Round

01:00:00 - Final reflections

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