The Players Pod with Robbie Cornthwaite A-Leagues

Former A-Leagues and Socceroos defender Robbie Cornthwaite is joined by Australian football legends Luke Wilkshire & David Zdrilic ahead of the 2023 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final between Melbourne City & Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.

Wilkshire talks about the comparisons that can be made with the ‘golden generation’ of Socceroos from 2006 to the team we saw at the World Cup last year and how well placed the side is moving forward. He also talks about different coaching styles and the effectiveness on certain types of players, his tip for the Grand Final and reveals why he isn’t pulling on the boots for the legends 5-a-side game this Friday night.

Meanwhile, Zdrilic discusses the importance of nurturing young talent and how the Isuzu UTE A-League can be used in helping develop the next generation of Aussie stars. He also talks about his unique experiences coaching in both Italy and the US, the experience of watching the Socceroos at the World Cup last year from Italy and gives his ultimate 5-a-side team from players he has played with in his career.
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Former A-Leagues and Socceroos defender Robbie Cornthwaite is joined by a pair of A-Leagues legends in Josh Rose & Erik Paartalu as the build-up continues for the 2023 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final between Melbourne City & Central Coast Mariners.

Rose talks about just why Graham Arnold reached out to him as his first ever signing at the Central Coast Mariners and how the heartbreaking loss of the 2011 Grand Final helped spur them on to their success in 2013. He also discusses the strong community on the Central Coast that helps shape the team, how his son reacted to his move to Melbourne City with teammates Tim Cahill and Daniel Arzani and how Ange Postecoglou has helped him in his most recent footballing endeavour.

Meanwhile, Paartalu discusses working under Postecoglou, how he was able to turn the Brisbane Roar into such a dominant side in the early 2010s and how he always ended up sitting next to the boss on a plane when travelling. He also talks about his memories of scoring that epic goal in the 2011 Grand Final to send the game to penalties, his unique experiences playing in Asia and how he experienced Melbourne City transition from “the little brother” in Melbourne to the powerhouse it is today.
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A special episode of the Players Pod this week as guest host Daniel Garb puts the questions to regular host Robbie Cornthwaite and Central Coast Mariners legend Daniel McBreen ahead of this weekend's Semi Final second legs of the Isuzu UTE A-League finals.

Cornthwaite talks about the vibe in Adelaide at the moment around the Reds and whether the last five seasons can be seen as a success without winning a trophy. He also talks about how he put on a different persona when playing overseas compared to Australia, why McBreen was a ‘pest’ when he roomed with him and just how he is connected to Wrexham AFC.

Meanwhile, McBreen discusses how the Mariners have been able to turn around their fortunes over the last decade since their iconic Championship win and what it would mean to all of Gosford and the Central Coast to make it through to the Grand Final. He also talks about how tactics from a decade ago can still work in the modern game, what it was like playing up against Cornthwaite in the A-League and how he’ll celebrate this weekend if the Mariners win.
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Former A-Leagues and Socceroos defender Robbie Cornthwaite is joined by Adelaide United head coach Carl Veart and his assistant Damian Mori ahead of their massive Semi-Final clash against Central Coast this weekend.

Veart talks about the importance of being open in today's football landscape to help grow the game and the league and just why he might be the A-Leagues version of Ted Lasso. He also talks about helping Nestory Irankunda grow and keeping him "safe" as his stocks continue to rise in Australia.

Meanwhile, Mori discusses how important a role camaraderie plays at Adelaide United in helping them towards their form on and off the field and just how that is used each week. He also talks about the mindset of finals football as well as why one haircut at the Olympics in 1992 helped shape his friendship with Carl.
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Former A-Leagues and Socceroos defender Robbie Cornthwaite is joined by two Isuzu UTE A-League legends, Alex Brosque & Brendon Santalab, ahead of this week’s historic first ever Sydney Derby Final in a bumper edition of the Players Podcast.

Brosque talks about whether he genuinely hates the Wanderers and how playing up the passion between the two sides is important ahead of each Derby. He also talks about his best and worst Derby memories, which side that didn’t make the finals was his biggest disappointment of the season and whether he ended up getting Indiana dos Santos’ autograph after the Liberty A-League Grand Final on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Santalab discusses why this Derby is the biggest in the history of the Isuzu UTE A-League and the fireworks he expects to come from the game on Saturday. He also adds why two past derbies, in particular, him made him so emotional, his memories of playing with Brosque and why Andrew Redmayne may owe him royalties for the grey Wiggle persona that helped the Socceroos make the 2022 World Cup.
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Guest host Daniel Garb is joined by two of Melbourne City’s star imports Valon Berisha and Thomas Lam on a bumper edition of the Players Podcast, brought to you by Neds.

Berisha talks about the bromance between the pair and explains why Lam and his family have been so crucial to his time in Australia and his performances for Melbourne City. He also discusses City’s “championship mentality” and why going on to the pitch feeling like he’s the best player out there always helps him, his dream of playing for Kosovo and what it would mean to him to help them qualify for a major tournament. Plus, his experiences living with Erling Haaland!

Meanwhile, Lam discusses his adaptation to the Australian lifestyle and how has found living and playing in Australia, how he has relished the bromance between himself and Valon and how he considers him “family” since their time together at City. The Finland international also talks about his experiences at Euro 2020, how ground-breaking it was to qualify, his fun memories of hanging out and playing with “party animal” Nicklas Bentner and just what an A-Leagues double would mean to him.
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