Phil “Buzz” Rothfield. Retirement, NRL scoops & the future of rugby league!

Phil “Buzz” Rothfield has spent 50 years as one of rugby league’s most recognisable voices.After stepping away from newspapers, television, radio and podcasts, Buzz returns for a special episode of Chiming In to explain why he retired, what he misses, and what he really thinks of the NRL season so far.In this episode, Buzz opens up on the pressure of working seven days a week in rugby league media, life after NRL 360, and why breaking stories is still hard to let go.He also gives his unfiltered views on Andrew Abdo’s exit, Peter V’landys, the Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm, NRL expansion and more.From retirement reflections to big calls on the future of the game, Buzz is back behind the microphone and he doesn’t sit on the fence.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Start00:03 - Highlights00:48 - Phil “Buzz” Rothfield returns01:15 - Why Buzz retired02:29 - Life after rugby league media06:00 - Andrew Abdo steps down08:25 - Payne Haas to South Sydney10:30 - Canterbury Bulldogs struggles14:24 - Rugby league supporting its own & Try July16:42 - Melbourne Storm and Billy Slater18:22 - NRL global round and the Roosters20:35 - Dragons and Shane Flanagan23:24 - Blowout scores and rule changes26:39 - Coaching pressure29:49 - Best coach in the NRL30:36 - PNG, New Zealand and expansion33:01 - Perth Bears34:39 - Zac Lomax and R36036:35 - State of Origin and Super League38:54 - Penrith Panthers and Ivan Cleary40:05 - Newcastle, contenders and Grand Final prediction42:07 - Coach of the Year and Dally M judging44:12 - Wests Tigers45:13 - Suburban grounds and Shark Park48:27 - Gold Coast Titans and coaching accountability52:58 - Wayne Bennett’s future54:27 - Referees and the bunker55:35 - Women’s rugby league and Emma Lawrence57:32 - NRL 360, media pressure and Magic Round01:00:00 - Final reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.