The Sports Playbook - Weekly Sports News Podcast

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The Sports Playbook is your go-to weekly sports news podcast delivering fast, factual and non-sensationalised sports coverage across Australia and beyond. Hosted by Daniel, every episode cuts through the noise to keep you informed and in the know — without the hype, scandals or filler. Every Monday, Daniel wraps up the biggest stories from the weekend across the NRL, NRLW, AFL, Super Netball, Formula 1, Cricket and more in the Weekend Sports Wrap. Every Thursday, the Weekly Sports Preview breaks down the major storylines from the week, dives deep into one athlete story worth your attention and previews the biggest games and events coming up that weekend. The Sports Playbook covers men's and women's sport equally — because sport is sport. Whether it's a record-breaking performance, a shock coaching resignation, a feel-good comeback story or a major signing, if it matters in the sports world this week, Daniel covers it. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Subscribe now and never miss your weekly sports wrap.

  1. Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Serena Williams Makes Her Comeback, FozBall Locked In & BBL's Melbourne Shake-Up

    4d ago

    Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Serena Williams Makes Her Comeback, FozBall Locked In & BBL's Melbourne Shake-Up

    One of the biggest stories in tennis in years — Serena Williams is back. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has accepted a wildcard for the doubles competition at Queen's Club in London at 44 years of age. The tournament is a Wimbledon precursor and Serena's return is the story the entire sporting world is talking about. Kieran Foran — dubbed FozBall by rugby league fans this season — has signed with the Manly Sea Eagles until the end of 2029. Nine weeks ago he was the assistant coach with Manly sitting at 0 wins from 3. He has since led them to 7 wins from 9 games and is already one of the most exciting coaching stories of 2026. Daniel explains why this signing changes everything for Manly's future. The BBL franchise landscape in Melbourne is shifting significantly — Daniel breaks down what the proposed merger means for the competition and what it could mean for cricket fans in Victoria. Freddie Flintoff has been confirmed as Sydney Thunder Head Coach in one of the most surprising appointments of the Australian cricket off-season. Australia's Rugby Sevens teams produced a historic double — both the men's and women's sides winning the tournament in Spain for the first time since 2018. The women's side now lead the World Championship series heading into the final weekend in Bordeaux. Connor Watson signs with the Dragons and PNG Chiefs. Katie McCabe makes a shock move from Arsenal to Chelsea. And Helen Housby has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games with a stress fracture — heartbreaking timing as all Super Netball contracts expire at season's end. This weekend — Manly host the Rabbitohs Thursday night, the Melbourne Derby in Super Netball on Sunday, Collingwood vs Melbourne on Monday and the Bulldogs face the Eels in what shapes as a crucial NRL clash. Episode 10 of The Sports Playbook Thursday Preview. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    13 min
  2. Your Weekend Sports Wrap: Dragons End the Drought, Carlton's Upset of the Year & Jess Fox's Miraculous Return

    May 31

    Your Weekend Sports Wrap: Dragons End the Drought, Carlton's Upset of the Year & Jess Fox's Miraculous Return

    What a weekend of sport. The St George Illawarra Dragons ended one of the longest losing streaks in recent NRL history, stunning the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium after racing out to a 30-8 lead — their first win since Round 23 of 2025. Carlton produced the upset of the AFL season, defeating third-placed Geelong by four points in three wins in a row under interim coach Dean Solomon, with captain Patrick Cripps delivering when it mattered most. Fremantle extended their winning streak to 11 consecutive games. In Super Netball, the Adelaide Thunderbirds have firmly planted their flag as premiership favourites, defeating the Melbourne Vixens by 19 goals to open up a clear gap at the top of the ladder heading into finals. The Melbourne Mavericks caused a massive upset in Perth defeating West Coast Fever to cement their Top 4 spot. The Australian Diamonds squad has been named for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2027 World Cup — with Donnell Wallam earning her full squad spot and Jessie Grenvold making her debut selection off the back of her impressive Mavericks form. Paige Hadley is among the notable omissions. The San Antonio Spurs have upset the defending NBA champions to reach their first Finals since 2014, where they will face the New York Knicks in a series starting Thursday 4th June. PSG claimed back-to-back Champions League titles on penalties against Arsenal. Liverpool have sensationally sacked Arne Slot just one season after winning the Premier League. And at the French Open, both Alex De Minaur and Novak Djokovic have been eliminated — meaning the men's title is wide open for the first time in years. This week's standout performer is Jess Fox — who claimed silver in kayak at the World Cup just nine months after having a kidney tumour removed. As she said herself, that silver felt like gold. Episode 9 of The Sports Playbook Monday Wrap. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. podscan_q6fH6n3ekza7RJCgnDIm2uhpl3dtmipA

    11 min
  3. Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Blues Win Great Escape in State of Origin, Neale Daniher's Legacy & NRL CEO Exits

    May 27

    Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Blues Win Great Escape in State of Origin, Neale Daniher's Legacy & NRL CEO Exits

    We break down Game 1 of 2026 State of Origin. QLD Maroons rushed out to a 20-0 lead before halftime. Before the NSW Blues mounted a come back after Kalyn Ponga got sent off with 23 minutes to go. Qld lead by 20-6 at this point, but NSW won the game 22-20 in the final minute through a James Tedesco special try off the back of a Nathan Cleary clutch kick. A week of significant news across Australian sport. Neale Daniher — one of the great figures of Australian rules football — passed away on Monday 25th May at the age of 65. The Essendon legend played 82 games, coached the club for more than 220 games and spent over a decade fighting MND with extraordinary courage and grace. His charity Fight MND raised over $141 million. A giant of the game — remembered forever. Essendon have also parted ways with coach Brad Scott after just one win from their last 24 games, with Dean Solomon stepping in as interim head coach. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has announced his resignation after more than six years in the role — staying until at least July 15th as the NRL's broadcast deal negotiations continue. The New York Knicks are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after ending a 27-year drought. And the NSW Swifts have opened recruitment for their 2027 head coaching position. This weekend Daniel previews the NRLW State of Origin Game 3 as NSW aim for a historic clean sweep, the AFL top of the table clash between Fremantle and Brisbane, Super Netball's biggest game of the season as the Thunderbirds and Vixens meet at the top of the ladder, and the NRL's number one vs number two clash between the Panthers and Warriors — with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's career ending through ACL injury adding heartbreak to the occasion. Episode 8 of The Sports Playbook Thursday Preview. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    14 min
  4. Your Weekend Sports Wrap: AFL Records Tumble, Thunderbirds Make History & Mercedes F1 Teammates Collide

    May 24

    Your Weekend Sports Wrap: AFL Records Tumble, Thunderbirds Make History & Mercedes F1 Teammates Collide

    What a weekend in sport — the AFL was handing out records like confetti. North Melbourne completed the second biggest comeback in AFL history, overturning a 43-point deficit to win after the siren. Scott Pendlebury broke the all-time AFL/VFL games record in Collingwood's win over West Coast. The GWS GIANTS scored 86 points in a single quarter — the highest third quarter score in AFL history. And Fremantle's 10th consecutive win puts them alone at the top of the ladder. In Super Netball, the Adelaide Thunderbirds beat the GIANTS by 33 goals — the biggest winning margin in Super Netball history. The Melbourne Mavericks cemented their Top 4 spot with a crucial win over the Lightning, moving one step closer to making their first ever finals series in just their third season of existence. Auckland FC made history becoming the first New Zealand club to win the A-League title. Abbey Caldwell claimed her first Diamond League title overnight in China. And in Formula 1, Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli came to blows in the Canadian Grand Prix Sprint — the most dramatic moment between teammates since 2016. Daniel's main story deep dive this week goes into the Melbourne Mavericks and what their remarkable rise under new coach Gerard Murphy means for the future of Super Netball's newest club. Episode 7 of The Sports Playbook Monday Wrap. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    10 min
  5. Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Pendlebury's Historic Record, Origin Teams Confirmed & Arsenal Win the Premier League!

    May 20

    Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Pendlebury's Historic Record, Origin Teams Confirmed & Arsenal Win the Premier League!

    This week in sport has been nothing short of extraordinary. Scott Pendlebury is set to break the all-time AFL/VFL games record on Saturday — surpassing 443 games in his 21st season in front of the Collingwood faithful at the MCG. A moment the entire football world will stop for. In heartbreaking news, NRL star Jai Arrow has been forced to medically retire after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. One of rugby league's most respected players — his courage in sharing his story is a reminder of what truly matters in sport. The State of Origin teams are confirmed — James Tedesco gets the nod over Dylan Edwards at fullback for the Blues, with Vic Radley making his long-awaited debut. Queensland welcome four debutants including Jojo Fifita and Sam Walker as Billy Slater backs youth heading into Game 1 on Wednesday 27th May. Arsenal have ended 22 years of Premier League hurt — winning the title in one of the most emotional moments English football has seen in a generation. Carlos Alcaraz is out of the French Open and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, blowing the draw wide open. Joe Ingles is coming home to the NBL with Melbourne United. The BBL could open its season in India. NRL Las Vegas 2027 fixtures are confirmed. And Hawthorn farewell Tasmania from 2028. This weekend Daniel previews the Indianapolis 500 — the biggest single day motorsport event on the planet with 300,000 fans and speeds exceeding 370km/h, the AFL Top 3 clash between Geelong and Sydney, and a must-win Super Netball clash between the Mavericks and Lightning with finals spots on the line. Episode 6 of The Sports Playbook Thursday Preview. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    15 min
  6. Your Weekend Sports Wrap: Mitchell Out of Origin, Romelda Breaks the Record & Sam Kerr's Chelsea Farewell

    May 17

    Your Weekend Sports Wrap: Mitchell Out of Origin, Romelda Breaks the Record & Sam Kerr's Chelsea Farewell

    The biggest story heading into State of Origin Game 1 just got bigger — Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of the NSW Blues opener through a back injury, throwing the fullback debate wide open before a ball has even been kicked. Is this the moment Laurie Daley goes back to James Tedesco? Daniel breaks down what Mitchell's absence means for the Blues and what both squads are shaping up to look like ahead of Wednesday night. Away from Origin, Romelda Aiken-George made history in Super Netball, playing her 255th national league game to break the all-time record in her 19th season — celebrated on court with her young daughter by her side. The Melbourne Vixens' undefeated streak is over after the Sunshine Coast Lightning pulled off the upset of the season. Sam Kerr officially farewells Chelsea after six years and 116 goals. Abbey Caldwell runs the second fastest Australian 1500m time in history. And Melbourne City claim their fifth Women's A-League Championship title before immediately flying to South Korea for the Asian Champions League. Plus the NRL ladder shifts after Magic Round in Brisbane, the AFL update as Sydney and Fremantle stay locked at the top, and the full state of play heading into a massive week of sport. Episode 5 of The Sports Playbook Monday Wrap. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    12 min
  7. Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Cleary Calls Time, Carlton in Crisis & LeBron's Last Dance?

    May 13

    Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Cleary Calls Time, Carlton in Crisis & LeBron's Last Dance?

    he greatest coach of the NRL modern era is stepping down. Ivan Cleary has announced he will leave the Penrith Panthers at the end of the 2027 season — closing the chapter on one of the most dominant coaching dynasties the game has ever seen. With 18 months left and a stack of key players off contract, what comes next for Penrith? In the AFL, Michael Voss has resigned as Carlton coach after eight straight defeats to start 2026 — the Blues now searching for their sixth coach in under 14 years. LeBron James could have played his final NBA game, Manchester City are through to the FA Cup Final thanks to a Mary Fowler stunner, and Paralympic gold medallist Alexa Leary has been heartbreakingly ruled out of the Commonwealth Games through a reclassification beyond her control. This weekend Daniel previews the NRLW State of Origin decider, the Swans vs Collingwood Friday night blockbuster, a record-breaking moment for Romelda Aiken-George in Super Netball and Max Verstappen taking on the Nürburgring 24 Hour — not in F1, but in his own racing team. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    11 min
  8. Weekend Sports Wrap Up: Cummins' $4M Mega Deal, Fremantle's Stunning Comeback & Paige Hadley's Incredible Return

    May 10

    Weekend Sports Wrap Up: Cummins' $4M Mega Deal, Fremantle's Stunning Comeback & Paige Hadley's Incredible Return

    What a weekend in sport. Cricket Australia has tabled a $4 million per year offer to Pat Cummins in a bid to keep their Test captain away from franchise cricket — and it's not the only big money move on the table. In the AFL, Fremantle produced one of the comebacks of the season, overturning a 19-point deficit in the final quarter to win their 8th straight. In Super Netball, Paige Hadley returned to the court just 10 weeks post-partum — fittingly the day before Mother's Day — to inspire the NSW Swifts to their best win of the season. The Melbourne Vixens remain undefeated after nine rounds, Scott Pendlebury equalled an all-time AFL record, and James Tedesco is making Laurie Daley's Origin selection headache even harder. We wrap it all up in on The Sports Playbook Monday Wrap Up. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

    10 min
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The Sports Playbook is your go-to weekly sports news podcast delivering fast, factual and non-sensationalised sports coverage across Australia and beyond. Hosted by Daniel, every episode cuts through the noise to keep you informed and in the know — without the hype, scandals or filler. Every Monday, Daniel wraps up the biggest stories from the weekend across the NRL, NRLW, AFL, Super Netball, Formula 1, Cricket and more in the Weekend Sports Wrap. Every Thursday, the Weekly Sports Preview breaks down the major storylines from the week, dives deep into one athlete story worth your attention and previews the biggest games and events coming up that weekend. The Sports Playbook covers men's and women's sport equally — because sport is sport. Whether it's a record-breaking performance, a shock coaching resignation, a feel-good comeback story or a major signing, if it matters in the sports world this week, Daniel covers it. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Subscribe now and never miss your weekly sports wrap.

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