Back Pocket Banter

After a bit of time off searching for jobs, the BPB poddy is back and rolling, and this time Connor and Blair were joined late last year by former AFLW player and a star within the AFL/AFLW media landscape, Kate McCarthy! ⚡️🎙️Kate’s footy journey is anything but ordinary—she didn’t start playing until she was 21, but that didn’t stop her from making it to the top level with the Brisbane Lions🦁, also playing for the Saints and Hawks. On top of that, she’s overcome some serious challenges, including having a pacemaker put in as a kid, proving that nothing could keep her off the field. Now, she’s making waves in the media world, breaking down the game for fans across the country. 🏉📺It was great chatting about her growing up in Queensland, unique pathway into footy, her move into media, and, of course, her love for the mighty Lions and their recent flag. You won’t want to miss this one! A huge thanks to Kate for jumping on and chatting with us. 🤝

Your favourite twins are back with a huge episode 93 of the BPB poddy, we welcomed bodybuilding coach (and our cousin) Taylor Crabtree. Big TC grew up as a promising young footballer in SA before an injury changed his life direction and helped him further discover his passion for bodybuilding. He is now the owner and founder of Crabtree Performance where he coaches and manages more than 50 athletes and has a strong social media presence with more than 50k IG followers. 💪🏋️‍♂️ It was a great episode learning about his journey and you are guaranteed to get plenty of great insights and life perspectives from the chat. A huge thanks to Taylor for coming on. 🤝

The boys are back for Episode 92 of the poddy and welcome a huge special guest, Tom O'Neill-Thorne. 🎙 Tom grew up in Darwin and was confined to his wheelchair from the age of two with a congenital condition. But he didn't let that define him or stop him from being like any other kid his age. He tried his hand at a range of different sports before finding a love for basketball. 🏀 He grew up with aspirations of being an olympian, and now reflects on his career three paralympic appearances later. He also has a plethora of achievements and records to his name. We chat about travelling the world, training with Aus team at 12 years of age, being one of the youngest paralympians and find out his dream dinner guest.

Your hosts were back in a big way for Ep 91 of the poddy, a couple of weeks ago, they caught up with a special guest and long-time listener of the podcast, Andy Munro. 🎙 Andy has taken over social media in recent years with his footy jumper collection and knowledge going viral on TikTok and Instagram. He has more than 600 jumpers in his collection and has an insane knowledge of local football clubs across Victoria in particular. 🏉 The lads chatted about how his jumper collecting first began, as well as the most expensive jumpers he owns. Andy also reminisced on hanging out with the Marmalade boys, playing in the biggest game of Div 12 ressies football (kicking a snag too) and the boys find out his go-to feed at the local footy canteen. Thanks to Andy for coming on, get around it. 🤝

The boys are back and they're into the nervous nineties, they've been flat out with uni, internships and plenty of extra-curricular activities. They spoke about the footy finals which kick off tonight, as well as the trade period and what they got up to while they got home for a week. Stay tuned for some special guest eps dropping in coming weeks. If you haven't already, give last week's ep a listen, Harvey Langford is going to be a star. What they've been up to - Internships - Blair kicking footy with Nick Butler - Parking fines - BYO Monitor policy to watch footy - Lad Pad sesh / Hokball comes to an end - Movie chat / Titanic debut - Harrow/Balmoral dynasty AFL - Ken Hinkley / Ginni saga - Prelim final match-ups and tips - Dusty to the Suns? - Shaun Mannagh - Mac's Monster Deal - GWS heartbreak again - Coates League / Draft chat - VFL grand final preview

Your hosts were back in fine form as Blair and Connor sat down with a potential No.1 pick in this year's AFL Draft, Harvey Langford. He has since played a game for Richmond's VFL side and his draft stocks continue to RISE. 📈🎙 Harv plays for the Dandenong Stingrays and has skyrocketed into contention for the No.1 pick which is held by his childhood club, Richmond. He received the Larke Medal and Vic Country MVP after a stellar U18 Champs. He is everything you want in a modern mid standing at 190cm tall and uses the ball beautifully. 🏅 The boys chat about his draft year and U18 Champs dominance, the AFL Academy experience and how he models his game on the Bont. They also spoke about being the big kid in the juniors, why Mornington is god's country and hit him with the Under Pressure segment. A seriously talented footballer and an even better bloke. Do yourself a favour and give it a listen. ❤️

Blair and Connor caught up with the most exciting, electric and dynamic small forward in the 2024 draft crop who has skyrocketed into first round calculations, Isaac Kako. 📈 The young talent has been part of Essendon's NGA academy since for more than five years and looks set to join the Bombers after the recent NGA changes. 🔴 ⚫️ The boys chatted about his dominant season with Calder Cannons, changing mentality to help scoring accuracy, the U18 champs, his snub from the AFL Academy and how he "took it personally". He loves Lebron, his hair is natural and the kid can bench some kgs. They also chat about how good the Essendon academy has been and the way it all started. A huge thanks to Kako for coming on, can't wait to see you at the top level. 🤝🎙

The boys caught up with a home-town star a few weeks ago for Episode 87 of the Back Pocket Banter podcast, chatting with Abbey Sutherland who continues to put her best foot forward playing basketball at a high level. Abbey is a 6" 4' centre who is strong defensively pulling down plenty of boards every time she steps on the court. Abbey grew up in Hamilton vic attending Monivae College and dominating the junior pathways with Vic Country, before playing with Warrnambool Mermaids and moving to Houston to play College basketball for 4 years. She chats about her moving away, her College experience, the crazy crowds, matching up on Angel Reese and her psychology studies. The boys spoke with Abbey about hitting game-winners after the buzzer, big V titles and silverware, NCAA basketball and hit her with the Under-Pressure segment. The Melbourne Tigers fell short of finals this season but Abbey will look to be an integral part of the team again next season.

Your favourite twins are back after a brief hiatus which has seen them travelling, working and consuming sport as per usual. The lads chat about Connor breaking down on the way to Broken Hill, Blair ringing Jono Brown for work, Dusty 300 and plenty of AFL chat. They look at the state of the game and chat all things suspensions. The Olympics also start tonight so they chat about the goat himself, Patty Mills and the Aussies' chance of getting some medals. Their own basketball seasons have wrapped up and the boys also shed some light on a mishap they had at the U18 Champs grand final at Marvel (they love that place). Breakdown - Holidays, Jono Brown, Broken Hill & extra-curricular activities - Dusty 300 - Connor MCG tour - Dos and D, Sandy Sabres chat - Make shift beer pong at Lad Pad - U18 champs, sauce incident - Jas BDAY celebrations Olympics - boomers / swimming / medal chances - Olympic Patty Mills is built different AFL - Tight race for finals & close ladder - Rachele match-winner, what a game - Pies woes, Ginnivan putting on a clinic - Sydney lost 3 of last 4 - Suspensions / state of the game - kids tickets shenanigans THREE special guest eps locked in for coming weeks...

Your favourite twins are back on the airwaves, chatting about all that is happening in the busy world of AFL. They chat about their week in review, Blair's 0-8 season record in basketball, the end of Connor's career savers and who is the best ruck in the comp? We will back with some more special guest episodes from next Friday, so bless your ears. Give this one a listen and get keen for next week. AFL - What we've been up to in the week gone, Uni, basketball, Speak Share hoodie, Connor's career savers - Luke Parker 6 week suspension - Harley Reid taking the piss - Melb loss, Tiger Torture actually begins - Port Adelaide break Hawthorn Hearts (DBJ) - Who is the best ruck in the comp? - Bombers, Harry Jones 1 week, Nate Caddy Debut - CONNOR'S CAREER SAVERS (are done) - Footy tips for Round 11 BASKETBALL - NBA - Timberwolves d. Nuggets - Start, Bench, Cut - Lebron, Kobe and MJ - Our own bball season (Team 2-8, Blair 0-8) - Connor has a breakout game (nails two threes) Big Weekend Ahead ...

Connor and Blair are back chatting all things sport for episode 84. It has been a couple months since you last heard from the boys. They speak about going to Tigers vs Bulldogs and their thoughts, as well as uni life. They were back with the hottest takes on the AFL season, why they don't want shorter quarters, they make some big calls and chat about some of the most exciting draft talent in 2024. Before chatting basketball and cricket to round out the ep. INTRO Life, uni, media gigs Tiger Torture at the MCG Recent special guests AFL Suns dominate Cats Rising stars of the comp Geelong 0-3 form Essendon to win a final in 24? Can the Dees win the flag with no forward line? Shortening quarters (why they hate it) Ryley Sanders & Luke Parker in 2s Weitering 12 MILLION Saints offer 2024 draft girls and boys NO.1 predictions BASKETBALL Boomers Squad Caitlin Clark WNBA CRICKET Fraser-McGurk WC snub World Cup teams Bronny James NBA draft combine (viewer qns)

Welcome back to an exciting episode 83. Connor and Blair sat down to chat with one of the most exciting prospects in the 2024 draft, Luke Trainor. The teenager has shot into TOP 5 calculations following some impressive form recently. 📈 The lads spoke about the AFL academy, getting BOG against Coburg, a positional change to defence, the great culture at the Sandy Dragons and his famous grandfather, Doug Wade. 🏈 They also spoke about him training with the Saints, playing footy with Brighton Grammar and the upcoming U18 champs with Metro and who his most annoying teammate is. A huge thanks to Luke for coming on, and all the best for the rest of the year. 🤝

Blair and Connor spoke with current Geelong Cats footballer Shaun Mannagh for a massive episode 82 chatting all things about his journey of being overlooked in drafts and finally getting to live out his childhood dream being drafted at the age of 26 as a mature ager just late last year. ⚪️🔵 It is an incredible story about belief and persistence. The boys spoke about his journey from playing at Murray Bushrangers, missing that opportunity to make it in the big time. Playing years of local footy before getting a shot at the VFL through a coach and AFL great, Jason Akermanis. Time at Richmond VFL and moving to Werribee, including his dominance last year. 📈 We have a laugh about how Connor allegedly got him drafted, living with the youngsters at Geelong, life in Melbourne early days and plenty of other exciting stories including the intense build up to draft night. It has been a story of ups and downs and it was a pleasure to sit down and listen to it. 🎙 Thanks a lot to Shaun for coming on, he is an incredibly humble person and we wish him all the best in the future. He has a couple number 1 fans in us here at the BPB. 🤝

The lads caught up with Tyler Welsh for a cracking episode 81 chatting all things about his footy journey so far. Welshy is a high-end father-son prospect for this year's AFL draft and has been spoken about as being drafted in the Top 10. He is a slightly undersized key forward at 191cm, but has a good kick and is continuing to add more strengths to his game. Blair and Connor spoke to Tyler about growing up around elite level footy, his early memories of watching his dad, Scott play AFL. What it's like to spend every day of the week with the Crows boys, why Reilly O'Brien is the funniest bloke ever and Tyler's experience of being selected into the AFL academy. He also speaks about representing his state and kicking five snags against a STACKED Vic Country side last year at the U18 champs as a bottom-ager. 🤯 Welshy is a special talent and great young man, we wish him all the best for the year ahead and the draft come November. 🤝

"A problem shared is a problem halved" ❤️ This is an episode the boys have been excited about for . Connor and Blair were fortunate enough to make the trek to Mornington where they sat down with the Speak Share boys in their factory, to chat all things about their not-for-profit organisation which has and continues to impact so many people positively. Ben and Nathan spoke to the boys about how the organisation all started, their own individual struggles with mental health. About how important it is to be vulnerable and utilise the support systems available to those going through tough times. There was also plenty of banter between the boys chatting about playing footy at Tiwi Bombers, promising potential and delivering ressies. There are plenty of exciting things that Speak Share is doing in the community. Through school programs, the Pop-Up, their popular merch, stickers and their Fun Run, these boys are making a massive difference in the community. Stay tuned for exciting things coming in 2024. A huge thanks to Ben and Nathan for the opportunity to meet and chat with you guys. We love what you're doing and can't wait to watch it grow even more. ❤️

We have another huge guest in the world of AFL. Paul Roos played 356 games for Fitzroy and Sydney. He was a star key defender earning him 7x All-Australian selections (including as captain), 5x Best & Fairests, a premiership coach and is in the AFL Hall of Fame. An incredibly successful career and undoubtedly one of the greats to be involved with the game. We chatted to Paul about dominating basketball as a youngster, what it feels like to go into the Brownlow Medal count as the favourite, representing the big V, and his memories of coaching Sydney to a drought-breaking flag including the moment "Leo Barry you star". And his business @performancebydesign We also find out how his son brought him back to coaching at Dees after retirement. Whether it's captaincy, kicking a bag of 7 goals early in his career or getting publicly sprayed by an AFL CEO, this chat had it all. Roosy was one of the pioneers at trying to introduce and spread Aussie Rules football to America, while speaking about the journey of guys like Mason Cox. Thanks heaps to Roosy for coming on. 🙏

Connor and Blair caught up with one of the greats for their latest episode. Terry Wallace. He played and coached over 500 VFL/AFL games throughout his career. He is a 3x Premiership Player, 2x Hawthorn B&F, 2x Bulldogs B&F, All-Australian as a player and coach and in the AFL Hall of Fame. The boys chat about not getting a game in the junior ranks, being part of a Hawthorn dynasty alongside players like Leigh Matthews, narrowly missing out on a Brownlow Medal and they go inside Plough's decision to get Ben Cousins to Richmond. They speak about his time in the media as the "list manager", as well as that Iconic spray in 96 and find out what his first pair of footy boots were back in the day during the Under Pressure segment. Get around it, a long one but a ripper, we will also have another special guest and former AFL coach coming in the next couple weeks.

Your favourite twins are back and having laughs about all things from their lives down in the big smoke, Blair's premiership glory, the start of the AFL season, some NBL talk and they get nostalgic reminiscing on the past 4 years of the poddy. They chat about the humble beginnings of the podcast recording out of their bedroom back near Hamilton, turning 22 together, starting their final year of uni and some of the recent guests they've spoken to. Basketball is up and running and Connor dropped some points last week, yes you read that right. 4 points for the big dog. They chat about recent performances and predict the future of the AFL 2024 season. The ep is rounded out with a couple intriguing viewer questions, find out what song the boys can't get out of their heads and what retired AFL player they'd bring back to the game. Thanks to Owen Watts and Cody Lorenzi for the questions. Lots of love BPB brothers💕

The boys sat down with Seymour export and current College basketballer, Tyler Best who is plying his trade over in North Dakota playing for Williston State College in the NJCAA Division 1 at the age of just 22. 🤯 He stands at almost 2 metres tall and has a complete game, he has the ability to break ankles, knock down big threes and pull down plenty of boards. 👀 After dominating for years in the CBL with Seymour Blasters, big T chats about the opportunity to further his basketball and make the move to America to play ball at the highest level possible. The lads chatted about kicking bags at full forward, some of his big games throughout the year. As well as the differences in Aus vs American basketball and becoming a leader in the team. ⛹️‍♂️ Tyler recorded a strong debut season with the Tetons being rewarded with a spot in the AllConference 2nd team with an average of more than 13 PPG in his debut season. He will return to Australian soil next month to play Big V and CBL. You are guaranteed to enjoy this episode. 🎙 Also Happy Birthday to the big man who turned 22 today. Excited to see where your career takes you. 🏀🤩

The boys are back with a massive episode 75 for you die-hard listeners. They welcomed one of the top AFL 2024 Draft prospects to the studio, Christian Moraes joined Blair and Connor in person to chat all things about his journey so far. Like our previous guest FOS, Moraes has also been floated as a potential NUMBER 1 pick in this year's draft crop and you can expect some huge performances this season. Christian has always been a gun basketballer for Waverley Falcons and plays footy for Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League. He had a massive bottom-age year in 2023 averaging 26 disposals per game, and has been selected into the AFL Academy and the Vic Metro U18 champs squad. The boys chat about his basketball career, how it feels to drop 70 points in a game, picking between the two sports, his ambidextrous abilities and his similarities to Pendles. 🏀 Chatting in the sauna with Newcombe, Ginni and CJ at the Hawks, to tearing it up alongside Caleb Windsor and Nick Watson last season, as well as the Under Pressure segment. This chat had it all. Thanks heaps to Christian for coming on, we are excited to see what 2024 holds for you. ❤️