A weekly sport podcast by fans for fans (with a focus on basketball, cricket and football). As well as regular episodes on recent news and involving interviews, other episode topics include: great sport chokes, sport curses, sporting families, revisiting old drafts and more! We’ll cover anything but we have a strong love for NBL, NBA, NCAA, AFL, NFL, test cricket, ODI, T20I, BBL, WBBL, Sheffield Shield, IPL, tennis, WNBL, WNBA & ALFW (not the Hundred because that sucks). MAILBAG: sportblokes@gmail.com or @sportblokes on Twitter. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook.
Episodes
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Recorded 20 September 2023 (with other clips from interviews recorded on same date as when guests appeared in respective episodes: 128, 152, 153, 154 & 155).
(00:22) Introduction
(02:52) With very special thanks again to our guests Liam Santamaria, Beau Estes, Casey Frank & Alex Loughton
(06:54) Context - the NBL, the NBL Next Stars Program & NBLxNBA (Liam Santamaria)
(15:00) Beau Estes on the attraction of Australia and New Zealand and the NBL and NBA as leagues
(16:50) Casey Frank on The New Zealand Breakers success with the NBL Next Stars Program.
(18:00) Rayan Rupert – 2023 NBA Draft Pick #43 Portland Trail Blazers (with thoughts from Casey Frank, Liam Santamaria & Alex Loughton).
(27:18) Mojave King – 2023 NBA Draft Pick #47 LA Lakers.
(29:44) Luke Travers – Perth Wildcats/Melbourne United, 2022 NBA Draft Pick #54 Cleveland Cavaliers (with thoughts from Beau Estes, Alex Loughton & Casey Frank).
(39:21) Hugo Besson – 2022 NBA Draft Pick #58 Milwaukee Bucks (with thoughts from Alex Loughton and Casey Frank).
(42:17) Ariel Hukporti - 2023/2024 NBL Next Star, Melbourne United (with thoughts from Alex Loughton, Liam Santamaria, Beau Estes).
(48:54) The other NBL Next Stars - AJ Johnson, Alexander Sarr, Alex Toohey, Mantas Rubstavicius, Bobi Klintman, Rocco Zikarsky & Trentyn Flowers.
(54:57) A brief update since time of recording
(56:53) Some others of interest – Beau Estes on Kai Sotto (and others), fit and perseverance; Casey Frank on William McDowell-White, transferable NBA skills and the Breakers' NBLxNBA schedule & Alex Loughton then Casey Frank on Keanu Pinder.
(1:06:25) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Recorded 20 September 2023
(00:22) First Service: Tennis: US Open, Llittle Lleyton's llittle one playing well/Davis Cup, Simona Halep suspension (and Serena Williams' response); Women's NCAA Volleyball; RIP Lionel Morgan.
(12:10) Football – AFL: Thoughts on finals and picks; RIP Ron Barassi.
(37:50) Whatdya Reckon?
(42:06) Basketball: Germany win the gold at the FIBA World Cup but all we want to talk about is the USA's loss to Canada (at least they have the 'World Champions' from the NBA); Stuey's random NBL Blitz thoughts.
(1:00:56) Mailbag
(1:07:08) Cricket
(1:11:21) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Recorded 6 September 2023
(00:22) Kicking Off –
- (02:00) US Open (tennis): good and bad times on and off the court as finals draw near;
- (05:13) Quick hits: Dunk leagues fail to impress Nath; Useless MLB & NFL stats (Arryn Siposs cut by Philadelphia Eagles); Riley Leonard’s Mum practices tough love and the Nebraska Cornhuskers are a bit chokey in college football the last 5 seasons but their women’s volleyball fans helped break the attendance record for women’s sport; Women’s soccer rankings have changed post-World Cup.
- (10:05) Indian wheelchair cricket; Adam Hills’ journey with the Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup; 30-year anniversary of Jim Abbott’s remarkable no-hitter for the New York Yankees.
- (15:52) James Webb wins Wing It On!
(17:23) Basketball – Thoughts and prayers for Corey ‘Homicide’ Williams; Men’s FIBA World Cup: Boomers stumble to worst finish at Basketball tournament since 2014 but maybe it’s where we should’ve finished? Latvia nearly snatch one from Germany after Lithuania beat the USA; Boomers a lacking some sharpness and looking ahead to Paris 2024 Olympics in light of Trev Gleeson’s list/Brian Goorjian slander. NBL season closer than we realise. Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas impress in WNBA. LA Lakers sign Christian Wood, should fancy themselves as a genuine NBA contender.
(38:32) Cricket: Australia dominate T20s in South Africa and World cup squad released; A brief history of cricket at the Olympics.
(52:23) AFL – John Noble very unlucky to be missing 1st final; Membership record broken; Incredible retiring class of 2023; All-Australian class. Stuey has a few more thoughts on the Eagles.
(1:07:42) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Recorded 30 August 2023
(00:22) Kicking off the opening serve: US Open (tennis); Caribbean Premier League (cricket); Major League Baseball.
(11:40) Basketball - FIBA Men’s World Cup: France bows out in the first round to a Latvian team without Kristaps Porzingis; Good stories of the tournament so far including Japan’s first win over a European team; Naturalisation/Rondae Hollis-Jordan?; Olympic Qualification; The Boomers 1st round results; Xavier Cooks; Wouldn’t Bryce Cotton come in handy?; Canada.
(26:22) The Court of Public Opinion (Noah Lyles/NBA)
(37:55) What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?
(41:10) Football – AFL: Commiserations to Adelaide again as we reflect on the goal umpiring decision that did end up deciding the finals (butterfly effect notwithstanding); Reflections on another big final round; goalkickers; Finals picks; Coleman medal.
(58:00) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Friday Aug 25, 2023
Recorded 23 August 2023
(00:22) Intro/RIP Austin Robertson Jnr
(04:42) Opening Bounce/First serve/Teeing off (BMW championship; Brooklyn Cyclones)
(08:20) AFL – Crows robbed by goal umpire’s incorrect call against Swans (and will miss finals partly as a result), Channel 7’s (artist formerly known as) twitter feaux pas and recent umpiring howlers; Turns out the Eagles aren’t tanking and North’s upcoming draft picks (time for a lottery in the AFL?); Crazy stats & quick hits: GWS banner team are ruthless (and we love it!); Dimma miraculously recovers from burn-out in 3 months to sign a new 6 year deal with the Gold Coast Suns. Final 8 predictions (and commiserations again to the Adelaide Crows fans, it sucks).
(35:35) The Court of Public Opinion
(42:37) Basketball - FIBA World Cup: Anthony Edwards’ ascendancy (Damian Lillard/Karl-Anthony Towns); Boomers – Landale’s injury; Duop Reath; Another 4th on the cards?; The Olympics vs World Cup. NBL retirements Daniel Johnson & Cody Ellis; Brett Mare Sabonis court?; Mad Rise
(50:33) One last quick thing before we call stumps (cricket)
(51:36) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Saturday Aug 19, 2023
Saturday Aug 19, 2023
Recorded 17 August 2023
(00:22) Opening Kick-off
(09:45) Football: FIFA Women's World Cup. Matildas capture the heart of the nation but go down to England in the semis
(26:14) The Court of Public Opinion - Tim Cahill; Megan Rapinoe; Colin Cowherd; James Harden
(37:15) Basketball: NBA contracts; Trivia without notice; NBA Hall of Fame; FIBA warm-ups; Liz Cambage.
(55:13) What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?
(57:00) Football: AFL - Random thoughts with 2 rounds to go; Who can win it?
(1:12:45) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Recorded 1 August 2023
(00:22) Introduction and background. (Wanna hear more? Check out 'All Your Christmases')
(03:04) Naughty
(28:31) Naughty & Nice
(31:40) Nice (A massive thank you once again to all of our guests and collaborators over the past 12 months. Check out all of our interviews and collaborations here!)
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Recorded 2 August 2023
* The second one's a typo
(00:22) The bloke's Ashes
(41:24) Quick Hits on women's Ashes & Major League Cricket
(42:42) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
Recorded 24 July 2023
(00:22) Teeing Off
(19:06) Cricket: The bloke's Ashes
(42:46) Quick Hits & Stats (of course) - Football & Basketball
(54:35) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Recorded 14 July 2023
(00:22) Opening kick-off: Soccer/Football clarifications from last week; UFC; Rubik's Cube World Record broken; Atlanta 10k; NFL (of sorts); Cricket-related NRL & Wimbledon.
(12:03) Cricket: The bloke's Ashes - the last time we played without Nathan Lyon; Does the current score line feel right?; Where did it go wrong for the Aussies in the 3rd test/Tactical errors; More glass houses from England; Selections for the 4th test
(31:26) Basketball - NBA: More trades and transactions and how they relate to the ones before them Patty Mills, John Collins, Kristaps Porzingis, Grant Williams, Isaiah Stewart, Dillon Brooks, Max Strus, Obi Toppin, Tyrese Halliburton, Chris Duarte, Donte DiVincenzo and Victor Oladipo (with some clarification on salary cap and luxury tax and stuff from last week).
(47:03) Football - AFL: Melbourne steal one against Brisbane; Scott Pendlebury & Zac Tuohy break major records; Gold Coast Suns sack Stuey Dew; Gryan Miers and Lionel Messi; Random Stats (Thanks Swampy); Our feelings as Eagles and Swans fans.
(53:14) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Recorded 1 & 4 July 2023
(00:22) Context
(01:01) Basketball - NBA: NBA Finals, Big trades & signings (and the usual dislike for James Harden, Kyrie Irving etc).
(53:00) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Recorded 1 & 4 July 2023
(00:22) Context
(01:07) Opening Bounce (MLB; The good times and sport stuff from Nath's trip to Koh Samui)
(12:16) Cricket: The World Test Championship Final
(16:38) Cricket: The bloke’s 1st Ashes Test
(23:18) Cricket: The bloke’s 2nd Ashes Test up to mid-day 4
(27:16) Cricket: World Cup Qualifiers (and the demise of the West Indies cricket team?/rise of the Scottish team?)
(31:41) Cricket: The bloke's 2nd Ashes Test from mid-day 4 to result (and all surrounding merriment, which is all in good fun and doesn't involve any salt or vitriol at all); Possible selections for Leeds; and a bit more World Cup Qualifiers too.
(1:02:16) Football - AFL: We struggle to keep interest amongst our teams’ performances and low scores across the competition; Scorigamis and Stats; Who can win it all?
(1:12:57) Final Thoughts
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Recorded 1 June 2023
(00:22) Welcome and Introduction
(02:36) Early sporting career - juniors/club & representative basketball and High School (James Crawford stories)
(09:28) WAIS, AIS & College at Old Dominion University (Luc Longley story; stories about career high 45 points v Charlotte and going to the NCAA tournament)
(29:30) Playing in 2006 NBA Summer League (Darvin Ham and Adam Morrison stories; the difficulties of uncertain job security post-college)
(36:12) Playing in Europe
(41:35) Coming back home to Australia/NBL career (Importance of professionalism; playing in a Grand Final; Cairns Taipans' struggling keeping players)
(48:47) Alex's All-time Taipans 5 (Coaching philosophies)
(1:00:00) Lough 40 Hoops
(1:02:40) Final Thoughts
Check out Loughton 40 Hoops (especially if you're in the Cairns area).
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Recorded 1 June 2023
(00:22) Welcome (with 'closure' on a Liam Santamaria anecdote from last week's episode)
(03:08) IPL, AFL, State of Origin, Sam Kerr and the FA Cup; French Open
(10:26) Interview (clip): Basketball - Alex Loughton (tune in next week for more including a great anecdote about Luc Longley)
(32:28) NBA: Conference Finals & Finals Picks
(50:27) Trivia without notice (and more NBA)
(1:00:05) Final Thoughts
Check out Loughton 40 Hoops (especially if you're in the Cairns area).
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Friday May 26, 2023
Friday May 26, 2023
Recorded 24 May 2023
(00:22) Welcome to former NBL player and current commentator and GM of the Next Stars Program - Liam Santamaria (not Lim Saint Marie).
(02:19) Early career: playing for Brian Goorjian with the Victoria Titans; NBL highs and lows circa early-mid 2000s.
(08:31) From contraction to expansion (leading to an NBL that's never been stronger).
(13:59) Early roles in media and commentary (and friendship with former player and current CEO of South East Melbourne Phoenix Tommy Greer); The importance of good coaching, challenges in commentary and point guards as commentators.
(21:15) MAILBAG
Role as General Manager of NBL Next Stars Program:
(24:08) History and evolution of NBL Next Stars (from early inspiration in 2016 to today - Terrance Ferguson, Brian Bowen, LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey); Day-to-day duties and road ahead.
(33:38) Breaking news: 5 star recruit Ron Holland in Next Stars' sights after de-committing from Texas Longhorns.
(34:23) NBL Salary Cap: Marquee player rule (and how it work with Next Stars); Goal of Next Stars going forward; French Connection.
(43:50) Future prospects Rocco Zikarsky & Dash Daniels - and how early Next Stars start recruiting.
(46:16) Thoughts on current/soon to be Next Stars in the NBL - Ariel Hukporti, A.J. Johnson & Alexandre Sarr.
(54:42) NBLxNBA as potential NBA pipeline.
(58:28) Favourite live sporting moment and interview wrap.
(1:04:03) Final thoughts.
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Saturday May 20, 2023
Saturday May 20, 2023
Recorded 17 May 2023
(00:22) Opening Tip (with NBA Beau flashbacks) - the San Antonio Spurs get #1 in the NBA Draft Lottery!!!!!!!!
(05:16) Interview - Casey Frank (NBL/ANBL/NZNBL/FIBA Basketball):
(06:38) Appearing in Bollywood film Mohenjo Daro with Hrithik Roshan and Mike Homik (includes trivia without notice)
(12:17) Family sporting background and early collegiate basketball career (thoughts on Aaron Rodgers to New York Jets)
(18:30) Pro career (with focus on Australian NBL days - Cairns Taipans, but also includes CBA and Isiah Thomas; thoughts on expansion; chemistry and coming in as injury replacement player; favourite team mates over the years)
(32:28) FIBA International Career (includes thoughts on playing for his naturalised country against his birth country)
(38:40) Thoughts on current New Zealand Sal's NBL season
(42:24) Favourite live sporting moment and interview wrap (MLB and Basketball World Championships/World Cups)
(45:39) Basketball: NBA (More quick thoughts on the Spurs winning the rights to Victor Wembanyama and other lottery thoughts; Ja Morant caught waving a gun around (again); Mat Ishbia/Nikola Jokic 'incident'; Philadelphia 76ers (and Doc Rivers) choke (again); Mark Jackson blows his MVP ballot; Coaching Carousel (and doom for many recent Coach of the Year winners); Predictions for Conference Finals Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers and Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat)
(1:12:57) Final Thoughts.
Check out our interview with 'NBA' Beau Estes: Episode 128 & Episode 132.
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Sunday May 07, 2023
Sunday May 07, 2023
Recorded 5 May 2023
(00:22) Teeing off to Face off for the Opening Bounce - Major upsets in the NHL playoffs (and teams with major records don't finish as well as you maybe think in all of the Big 4 US sports); MLB; Alabama produce the very first offensive and defence players in the NFL drafts (Nath briefly talks about his Indianapolis Colts).
(11:38) Basketball - NBA Playoffs: (Western Conference): Sacramento Kings & Golden State Warriors series (Steph's record game 7, but Looney better? What price for Harrison Barnes?); Memphis Grizzlies & LA Lakers series (Dillon Brooks not coming back under any circumstances - harsh?); LA Lakers & Golden State Warriors series (Who wins from here at 1-1?). Phoenix Suns & Denver Nuggets series (28:00) Trivia without notice (With Chris Paul injury, gentleman's sweep on the cards?)
(33:56) Basketball - NBA Playoffs: (Eastern Conference): Atlanta Hawks & Boston Celtics series; Philadelphia 76ers & Boston (James Harden, Jaylen Brown; That turnover; Celtics flip switchers? Joel Embiid happy with his MVP for 2023? Who wins from here at 1-1?). Miami Heat & New York Knicks series (Injuries and Jimmy Butler). Coaching Carousel. Bat Beverly words of truth?
(48:16) Final Thoughts.
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Saturday May 06, 2023
Saturday May 06, 2023
Recorded 4 May 2023
(00:22) Opening Bounce
(06:43) Australian Rules Football - Interview Part 1: AFL Europe Champions League with Oslo Crows' Steve McCracken
(32:15) Just Not Cricket
(38:25) Aussie Rules Football - Interview Part 2: AFL Europe Champions League with Oslo Crows' Steve McCracken (with a shout-out to the AFL Europe Podcast); Fandom internationally and picks for Brownlow and AFL Premiers (that Will Ashcroft goal)
(52:13) Steve McCracken's favourite live sporting moments, plugs and thankyous
(1:03:00) Final Thoughts.
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Saturday Apr 29, 2023
Saturday Apr 29, 2023
Recorded 27 April 2023
(00:22) Opening Raid - Congratulations to Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens; Tottenham Hotspur players apologise to fans (and an exciting finish to the EPL season ahead); Aaron Rodgers traded to Jets (for too big a haul?) on the eve of the NFL Draft (also suspensions for gamblers); AFL - Nick Daicos and Darcy Moore impress in close ANZAC day clash over Essendon and other notes after 6 rounds as well as early thoughts on impending new Tasmania license (shout out to James Sicily);
(12:57) Basketball - NBA (Western Conference): Sacramento Kings & Golden State Warriors series; Memphis Grizzlies & LA Lakers series; Phoenix Suns & LA Clippers series; Denver Nuggets & Minnesota Timberwolves series. Predictions.
(35:22) What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?
(36:37) Basketball - NBA (Eastern Conference): Milwaukee Bucks & Miami Heat series; Cleveland Cavaliers & New York Knicks series; Boston Celtics & Atlanta Hawks series; Philadelphia & Brooklyn series; Predictions.
(59:34) Final Thoughts.
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook
Saturday Apr 22, 2023
Saturday Apr 22, 2023
Recorded 20 April 2023
(00:22) Opening Bounce: AFL - Gather Round (or TourismSA Round?); NBL - Melbourne United continue to stock up, signing Travers and JLA; New schedule for NBL 2024 (and the Phoenix's witty take on it)
(16:00) Basketball - NBA: Dallas' tanking 'penalty'; Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors (and the Draymond stomp and suspension)
(33:32) What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?
(35:42) Basketball - NBA: A whip around the rest of the series: Memphis Grizzlies v LA Lakers, Phoenix Suns v LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets v Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics v Atlanta Hawks.
(1:04:00) Final Thoughts.
Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com. Music and artwork @danntozerillustrations on Instagram/danntozerillustrations on Facebook