It's our 2025 finale! We are joined by the podcast's two greatest friends Kiwi Steve (Gazelle #4) and Charlie White (Gazelle #7). We name our favourite moments from 2025, our favourite players to watch, as well as what we're most looking forward to in 2026.

Follow Charlie:

https://www.instagram.com/charliewhite___/

https://www.instagram.com/thebyeround/

https://www.instagram.com/triplem_nrl/

Follow Steve:

https://www.instagram.com/swtgallagher/

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WEBSITE: https://playingandsimple.com.au/

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Simply the Guest this week is former chair of the Wests Tigers & Netball Australia, and Lachie's mother, Marina Go! Marina talks about how she started working in sport, the good times and challenges as the chair of a joint venture, and whether she would ever consider returning to sport...

Follow Marina:

https://www.instagram.com/marinasgo/

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WEBSITE: https://playingandsimple.com.au/

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00:00 Sparts returns.

06:46 Lachie heaps praise on Harvey, the brand new Toukley Tournament champion!

14:52 We talk all things Ashes Cricket as Australia goes 2-0 up.

23:52 Harvey gives us the full wrap of the F1 final race in Abu Dhabi.

30:18 Lachie works through his feelings on the situation at the Wests Tigers.

40:47 We praise the Bulldogs for their decision to include names on jerseys in Las Vegas.

43:01 We are in World Cup times! We go through the groups for the FIFA & Rugby World Cups.

52:28 We preview the possible matchups for the WBBL Final this weekend.

55:03 We tease our next Simply the Guest episode and thank today's in-studio guest.

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WEBSITE: https://playingandsimple.com.au/

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00:00 Lachie cancels our opening game for much more pressing matters.

15:00 We talk R360's postponement and touch on other NRL hot topics.

24:53 We gear up for Ashes Test 2 and pray we see cricket on Day 3.

30:02 Lachie takes a look at the possible World Cup draw scenarios for the Socceroos.

36:29 Harvey takes us through the very exciting final race in the F1 season this weekend.

45:05 We get hyped for the 9th Annual Toukley Tournament, taking place this weekend.

50:25 We congratulate North Melbourne on retaining the Broadmeadows Shield (and winning the AFLW Premiership).

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WEBSITE: https://playingandsimple.com.au/

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00:00 We kick things off with a game of Athlete Venn Diagram (AVD)

07:58 We talk the first Ashes test for almost as long as the match lasted.

16:00 We get stuck into the news of the week from the NRL.

26:51 We preview this weekend's AFLW Grand Final.

30:29 Harvey gets Lachie caught up on all the F1 drama with only 2 races left in the season.

36:29 We open up the Gazelle Gazette and wrap up the show.

INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/playingandsimple/

WEBSITE: https://playingandsimple.com.au/

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Simply the Guest this week is Rugby League journeyman Blake Austin! Blake tells us about growing up a Parramatta fan, playing for the Panthers, Tigers and Raiders before heading to England to play for Warrington. Blake also takes us through his new perspective of the game in retirement, and rejuvenating his passion simply as a fan of the game.

Follow Blake:

https://www.instagram.com/blakeaustin6/

INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/playingandsimple/

WEBSITE: https://playingandsimple.com.au/

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00:00 We kick things off with a game of NRL Career Paths.

17:33 We talk NRL including Eli Katoa, R360 and the format for a 20 team comp.

34:01 Lachie takes us through his day at the Wests Tigers 2026 jersey launch.

38:31 We talk through the upcoming Cricket Ashes.

46:55 Lachie brings yet another wild tennis stat to the poddy.

54:45 We provide your weekly shield updates.

INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/playingandsimple/

WEBSITE: https://playingandsimple.com.au/

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Kiwi Steve joins the show filling in for Harvey!

00:00 We kick things off with a game of NRL Career Paths.

14:58 We review the now finished Rugby League Ashes and Pacific Championships.

27:53 We predict how the Payne Haas R360 saga is gonna go down.

38:46 Steve delivers a dire warning to the Wallabies.

42:45 We talk the upcoming Tennis Battle of the Sexes.

47:13 We honour Harvey by stumbling our way through an F1 chat.

51:43 We provide your weekly shield updates.

INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/playingandsimple/

WEBSITE: https://playingandsimple.com.au/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.