Royce Simmons is one of the most loved people to have ever played the game of rugby league.

Who could forget the 1991 grand final, when Simmons - in his very last game for the Penrith Panthers - scored two tries in a five star performance to overcome the Canberra Raiders.

Sadly, in recent times, the former NSW and Australian hooker has struggled with health issues and is battling dementia.

But it hasn’t stopped Simmons' zest for life and his desire to raise funds and try and find a cure for the debilitating disease.

In this episode of Chiming In, Simmons talks passionately about his health battles, his love for rugby league and those he has shared his journey with.

But it’s his funny life stories which will have you chuckling as Simmons recalls a career well done.

Simmons also reveals the greatest ever forward he’s ever seen - and it will shock you.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:46 - Diagnosis Dementia

04:16 - Walking

05:06 - Warning Signs / Finding Out

07:01 - Biggest Killer in the World / Stats

08:41 - Treatment for Dementia

10:06 - Treatment in America

11:36 - Dealing / Living With It

12:46 - People Reaching Out

14:03 - Lightbulb Moment for Starting Charity

15:31 - England & Hull Work

18:46 - Raising Money & Marathons

21:56 - "Worst Thing That Could Happen"

25:36 - Nathan Cleary & Current Penrith

26:56 - Penrith Pride

28:31 - Named in His Honour + Retirement / Aged Living Apartments

34:16 - '91 Grand Final + Last Game

37:36 - Promise to Fans + Grand Final Night

39:01 - Growing Up in the Bush

43:46 - Early Sporting Days

46:59 - Pet Horse + Motorbike

50:16 - Meeting His Wife + Meeting in High School

52:46 - Clubs That Almost Signed

56:16 - Comparing Old vs New Players

58:11 - Isaah Yeo / Best Forward Ever

01:02:16 - Upcoming Walks & Fundraisers

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Wes Heritage is a former Australian Rules footballer who gave the game away to focus on the family business - burying people.

And while some of his former team-mates went on to greatness, the hard working funeral director chose a different path.

Each year, Heritage oversees more than 600 funerals - ensuring families and their loved ones are given nothing but the best support and care in a most difficult time.

Death awaits us all yet we never really explore the funeral process until it’s bestowed upon us.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you die, Heritage has the answers on a Chiming In podcast of a very different kind.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:28 - Intro

01:52 - Introduction to Wes

02:37 - Death

03:47 - Starting the Funeral Business

06:52 - Witnessing Death

08:12 - Funeral Sizes

10:07 - Burying at Sea

11:19 - What Makes a Good Funeral Director?

13:37 - How Does It Work?

14:52 - Changes of Funerals Over the Years

18:07 - Picking Celebrants

20:37 - Wes' Experience as a Priest

20:57 - Funeral Costs

23:45 - Funeral Insurance

26:31 - Cremation

28:07 - Items of Remembrance

29:42 - Managing Emotions

32:52 - Pet Funerals

35:27 - Bikie Funerals

37:22 - Life After Death

38:37 - Open Caskets

41:17 - Funeral Songs

42:33 - Rivalry Companies

45:22 - White Lady Funeral

46:22 - Funeral Director Conventions

48:52 - Advice for Funerals

50:52 - Attending Wakes

52:22 - Funny Funerals

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Peter O’Sullivan is regarded the NRL’s premier recruitment manager having successfully shaped the playing rosters of teams like the Dragons, Roosters, Storm, Warriors and Knights over many years.

He was also responsible for putting together the Dolphins inaugural team in 2023 - which, amazingly, less than four seasons later, is now considered a genuine premiership contender.

So what does a recruitment manager do and how does he identify and procure talent.

O’Sullivan is credited with unearthing and launching the careers of players such as Greg Inglis, Latrell Mitchel, Israel Folau, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck and many, many more. He also plays a key role in the salary cap management of his club.

Today O’Sullivan is an integral part of the Newcastle Knights system and was the man responsible for luring Dylan Brown away from Parramatta in sensational circumstances.

In this episode of Chiming In, you are given a birds’ eye view into the tricks of the recruitment manager’s trade - how they identify players, entice them to switch clubs and build powerful playing rosters.

With new teams Perth and Papua New Guinea on the horizon, no-one is better qualified than O’Sullivan to comment on how their new look rosters are shaping up.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Start

00:04 - Highlights

01:45 – Recruitment Manager

03:05 – How He Put Redcliffe Together

05:05 – Negotiating with Wayne Bennett

06:20 – Roster Strategy

07:40 – Dolphins Knock Backs

09:20 – Who Said No to the Dolphins

10:20 – Signing Hammer

11:40 – What Do You Look For in a Player?

12:40 – Dealing with Knockback

15:45 – Joel Kane Story

17:20 – Family + Kids (Sean O'Sullivan)

19:20 – Busy Schedule

20:20 – How to Become a Recruitment Manager

23:20 – Managing Melbourne Recruitment

24:20 – Recruiting Greg Inglis

27:50 – Greg Inglis Being a Blue

30:05 – "The Pitch"

31:35 – Working with Player Agents

34:25 – Parents + Agent Pressure on Players

37:15 – Negotiating with Different Backgrounds

38:45 – Player Obstacles Getting Into the NRL

39:50 – Perth Bears Recruitment

42:05 – Helping the Knights Recruitment

43:45 – Dylan Brown Signing

47:10 – Re-Signing Ponga

48:20 – Justin Holbrook's Effects on the Club

49:30 – Premiership at the Knights

50:40 – How to Say No to a Player

51:53 – November Deadline + Trade Windows

54:15 – Coaches, Agents + Representation

56:21 – Israel Folau

58:05 – RTS

59:04 – Boyd Cordner

01:01:05 – Phone Visible on the Wide

01:01:10 – PNG Signings

01:03:10 – Club Bucket List

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