PODCAST · sports
The Unused Subs
by Goran Paladin
A 'has-been' and a 'never-was' talk to pro footballers and pundits about the beautiful game, and share the stories they've gathered along the way.
Episodes
-
24 Hours. 3 Matches. 2 Cities. 1 Car. Could you handle The Great Kiwi A-League Roadie!?
3 A-League matches across 2 cities inside 24 hours. 660 kilometres from Auckland to Wellington, while documenting everything as you go. On your own. Could it be done? Goran gave it one hell of a go! And then, had to turn around and drive back home of course... With A-League Champions Auckland FC...
-
Suspension Served! Sam Cosgrove: The A-League's No.1 Villain?
Sam Cosgrove = FREE TO PLAY! Auckland FC's previously-banned A-League Super Villain is available to play Melbourne City in Round 1 of the new season. In a bizarre turn of events, as news of his availability was made public, he just so happened to be sitting with The Unused Subs at Tyler St Sport!...
-
CHAMPIONS! How Yamal's SPAIN gave Messi's ARGENTINA a World Cup Final BATH: The Season Two Finale!
Spain has defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final to become WORLD CHAMPIONS for the second time! On the surface, a solitary goal in extra time doesn't sound overly impressive or convincing, but dig a little deeper and you will see that this was not only a one-sided finale, but one of...
-
It's NOT Coming Home? How Thomas Tuchel & Lionel Messi sent England Crashing OUT!
England has been defeated by Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals. And of course, the finger of blame is pointing directly at England's manager Thomas Tuchel. Were his defensive tactics in the final half hour of the clash 'cowardly' as has been reported in the UK media since the 2-1...
-
CR7 for 2030?? Oh No, Breel Embolo!! All Whites to play lowly India?!
Cristiano Ronaldo to play on for 2030. Yep, CR7 will play at a home World Cup, at the age of 45. According to Paul Ifill. But he's got a point! How he traverses the next four years to get there though, that's unknown. What's also unknown is what was going through the mind of Breel Embolo;...
-
FIFA CONSPIRACY? The Wildest Moments of the FIFA World Cup!
From not-so secret phone calls to suspend American red cards, to baffling refereeing decisions and our new best friend 'SNICKO', the 2026 FIFA World Cup has had it all... and then some! With that in mind, the boys on The Unused Subs bench count down the TOP FIVE WILDEST THINGS to have happened...
-
How FINN SURMAN shocked Egypt! 🏆 What does scoring a World Cup GOAL feel like?!
Finn Surman transfer rumours are now commonplace after the Portland Timbers and All Whites central defender played out of his skin at the FIFA World Cup... in the process, scoring a fabulous headed goal from a Tim Payne assist against Egypt! Finn takes the time to join Goran, Iffy & Oli on The...
-
Proud & Gutted! All Whites 2026 World Cup REVIEW - The Performers, The Disappointments
The All Whites will play no further part at the 2026 FIFA World Cup - needing a win in their final pool game they have been humbled 5-1 by Belgium, and denied access to the Round of 32. So let the review begin! While the gulf in quality was evident against the Red Devils, there is so much to be...
-
Belgium v New Zealand Preview: WIN OR GO HOME! 😱 Group G World Cup Decider
The All Whites final group stage game at the FIFA World Cup is against Belgium at BC Place Vancouver, and for both teams it's a must-win match. The Red Devils are stacked with talent: Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku... the list goes on. But New Zealand have shown across the first two...
-
Egypt 3-1 New Zealand: 2nd half blitz follows Finn Surman's thumping header
Egypt has defeated New Zealand's All Whites at BC Place Vancouver, securing their first-ever World Cup victory and in the process, robbing the kiwis of theirs. Goran, Iffy & Oli look back at what might have been for Darren Bazeley's side who were given an early lead through an unlikely source;...
-
New Zealand vs Egypt Preview! 🏆 Elijah Just & Chris Wood's Plan for the Pharaohs
We can bill it as Mohamed Salah versus Elijah Just as New Zealand's All Whites face Egypt at BC Place Vancouver! And on the undercard, Emam Ashour against kiwi captain Chris Wood - whatever way you slice it, this FIFA World Cup Group G clash is going to be special! To preview the action, Goran,...
-
JUST BRILLIANT! All Whites 2-2 Iran REVIEW, with ELIJAH on the double
An Elijah Just brace, some fabulous Chris Wood hold-up play, and a wonderful team performance has given New Zealand plenty to be proud about as the All Whites produced plenty of highlights in a 2-2 draw with Iran! After the match, Goran, Iffy & Oli Sail got together at Somm Wine Bar in Auckland…
more -
ALL WHITES v IRAN Preview 🏆 Starting Line Up + World Cup Group G Predictions!
Chris Wood versus Mehdi Taremi, New Zealand against Iran, and All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley mulling over his Starting XI for our first FIFA World Cup match in 16 years! Goran, Iffy and Oli return to preview NZ's opener in Group G, and we reveal the All Whites Starting XI - so Baze doesn't...
-
What's our Starting XI? New Zealand All Whites World Cup Squad Debate with IVAN VICELICH
What is the All Whites Starting XI? Will they escape Group G at the FIFA World Cup? The answers to those two pertinent questions will present themselves in the coming days, because the wait is almost over - the FIFA World Cup for 2026 is so close we can almost taste it! On today's episode THE...
-
The Tim Payne Phenomenon 🤯 And why Callan Elliot might start in his place at the FIFA World Cup
¿Por qué Tim Payne no será titular con Nueva Zelanda? TIM PAYNE! The New Zealand All Whites footballer who has become the accidental hero of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Thanks to social media influencer Elscarso, the Wellington Phoenix right back went from 4,715 Instagram followers to around 4…
more -
CHAMPIONS! How Auckland FC conquered the A-League in YEAR TWO! What's Steve Corica's Next Move?
Sorry not sorry, Australia... your best football team comes from New Zealand! In front of 28,000 fans at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland FC reached the A-League summit by defeating Sydney FC 1-0, giving Aotearoa its first-ever A-League champion. There to see it happen was ERIK PAARTALU of...
-
History Beckons! 🏆 Auckland FC vs Sydney FC Grand Final Preview + KOSTA BARBAROUSES prediction!
Kiwis will be scouring the web for Auckland FC vs Sydney FC tickets this week and Go Media Stadium Mt Smart will be packed for the first A-League Grand Final to be played in New Zealand - of course, you can always watch it live on Sky Sport! To gear up for the action, The Unused Subs are joined…
more -
History Makers: Phoenix AND Auckland To Reach A-League Grand Final? PLUS: Finn Surman Exclusive!
Another gargantuan episode for The Unused Subs as we tackle a phenomenal week in New Zealand's football history - not only has the Wellington Phoenix made the A-League Women's GRAND FINAL, but Auckland FC has the chance to make the men's equivalent. Just think: TWO KIWI TEAMS in the A-League…
more -
Auckland FC's Wild Elimination Final + LIBBY CACACE on Wrexham & Ryan Reynolds!
LIBBY CACACE joins The Unused Subs for the first time, Bev Priestman kindly takes a quick call at Brisbane Airport, two more Wellington Phoenix players take up the 10-Ball Challenge, and of course, there's the Elimination Final... That sudden death, do or die clash was won by Auckland FC over...
-
Can Auckland FC win the A-League? KEEP or CUT: The Wellington Phoenix Edition & LACHIE BAYLISS does it for DAD!
The big question this week: Can Auckland FC still win the A-League? Having stumbled their way through the last 5 games of the regular season, and dropping out of the Top 2 in the process, they face Melbourne City this Saturday for a place in the semifinals. What changes need to be made to the...
-
What's happening to Auckland FC?! Alex Rufer's SHOCKING 10 Ball Challenge & our McDonald's Pickle Juice trial!
It's all happening in this week's episode of The Unused Subs! Iffy is at Sydney Airport awaiting a flight to London, Jacob frantically drives from NZCIS to Wellington to join the call, while Goran is in the company of the returning OLI SAIL at Tyler St Sport... and for the first time on the bench...
-
Football Ferns Katie Kitching, Hannah Blake & Deven Jackson celebrate EP50 of The Unused Subs!
In January 2025, Goran & Jacob started The Unused Subs as a way to tell kiwi football stories - the ones from the pitch, the ones behind the scenes, and highlight the people and personalities playing the beautiful game at the highest levels representing New Zealand. Somehow, some way, we have got...
-
Marko Stamenić & Alex Paulsen! Flying Phoenix & Hiroki Sakai: Yellow/Red? | EP49 - The Unused Subs
This week, we are graced by not one but TWO ALL WHITES: Marko Stamenić and Alex Paulsen! Goran & Jacob ventured into the team hotel while the squad was in Auckland, and burgled a little bit of time with each of them. A massive thanks to NZF and McDonald’s for making it all possible! We hope you…
more -
LEDLEY KING on Spurs fighting Relegation, Injuries, Kiwis & Auckland FC | EP48 - The Unused Subs
The Unused Subs goes international this week as we welcome into Tyler St Sport LEDLEY KING! While in New Zealand to announce Auckland FC versus Tottenham Hotspur at Eden Park on July 26, we somehow managed to convince the Spurs ambassador to spend some time with us. And man, what an absolute…
more -
Save the Wellington Phoenix: Take 4! The CHRIS GREENACRE Story | EP47 - The Unused Subs
In the wake of Giancarlo Italiano's resignation, Chris Greenacre has been handed the keys to the Phoenix Kingdom for a 4th time, and he joins us on the bench this week to talk all about it. On the surface it seems to be going really well: back-to-back wins, 3 matches unbeaten, one point outside…
more -
Superstar JESSE RANDALL! The Wellington kid haunting the Phoenix | EP46 - The Unused Subs
This week we are joined by none other than JESSE RANDALL: the Wellington kid carving up for Auckland FC, making the Phoenix pay dearly at derby time! Jesse talks about AFC's all-important win over Newcastle at the weekend, and what has made the Jets so hard to play against this season.…
more -
OLI SAIL on Auckland FC v Jets PLUS Alex Paulsen or Max Crocombe for All Whites #1? | EP45 - The Unused Subs
Injured Auckland FC goalkeeper OLI SAIL joins the bench today - the perfect replacement for Jacob Spoonley who finds himself in Australia on proper work-related duty. Oli helps Goran and Iffy preview the BIG CLASH this Saturday, with Auckland heading to Newcastle to face the high-flying Jets. A…
more -
BEV PRIESTMAN: The ban, the stress, and the COMEBACK | EP44 - The Unused Subs
Head coach of the Wellington Phoenix Women BEV PRIESTMAN is our special guest this week on The Unused Subs, and what a treat it was to spend time with this energizer bunny of a football manager. Things we cover off in this episode: * How she's adapted to the various injuries and unavailable…
more -
CHIEFY OUT! Oluwayemi's HOWLER & Yellow Fever KIWI Derby Day EXCLUSIVE | EP43 - The Unused Subs
The Unused Subs is proudly presented by McDonald's! Boy, oh boy... what a week for the Wellington Phoenix. What a result for Auckland FC! The 6th kiwi derby became a routine dismantling of the Black & Yellow, with AFC claiming their sixth straight win in a 5 star performance in the capital.…
more -
Wellington Phoenix VS Auckland FC: Who wins the 6th KIWI Derby? | EP42 - The Unused Subs
For the final time this A-League regular season, our two kiwi teams square off on Saturday afternoon in the nation's capital. WHO WILL WIN? Can the Wellington Phoenix finally get on the board? Or will Auckland FC extend their streak to SIX?! The boys make an argument for the Nix, an argument for...
-
Hey Claudia, how do you say BUNGE? Sarpreet Singh is BACK! AFC’s huge xG | EP41 - The Unused Subs
With Tyler St Sport opening its doors for the Superbowl on Monday, The Unused Subs needed a venue to play their unique brand of football… look no further than directly upstairs, as the mighty Portside came to the rescue! Only one small issue though: very, very hot in there, with the sun beating...
-
TESSEL MIDDAG: Growing women’s football, full time contracts, and Lucy Bronze’s broken leg! | EP40 - The Unused Subs
Dutch international and injured Wellington Phoenix footballer TESSEL MIDDAG joins The Unused Subs today, but not before the boys talk about Oli Sail’s unfortunate injury for Auckland FC, Bill Tuiloma’s horrible error for the Nix, and debate which kiwi will be promoted to the Premier League from…
more -
Michael Woud’s error! | 21-seconds to score?! | Shane Smeltz talks the Italian Job & Phoenix 500! | EP39 - The Unused Subs
A bumper episode from The Unused Subs this week with so much to cover off! Our special guest is Wellington Phoenix Original and All Whites superstar striker Shane Smeltz, but before we get to him the Subs unpack: * The Michael Woud last-minute shocker against Central Coast Mariners * Should Oli...
-
SAM COSGROVE for Ballon D'Or! Get Physical with Auckland FC's BIG MAN | EP38 - The Unused Subs
The giant frame of Sam Cosgrove eased into the Tyler St Sport studio this week! The Auckland FC big man was ready to chat all things about his move to NZ from the UK, and experiencing his first summer Christmas. Whether Paul Ifill could hang in for the entire chat though was placed in serious...
-
What’s the BEST Phoenix Starting XI? Kiwi FA Cup 3rd Round & Craig David’s Night Out! | EP37 - The Unused Subs
This week, The Unused Subs lick their wounds after a rough weekend. Jacob Spoonley endured a late, white-knuckle drive from Napier to Wellington after his flight to cover the Phoenix/Adelaide game was canceled, and poor old Paul Ifill got sprayed and drenched in the pre-game by a rogue sprinkler!...
-
Don't talk about Milly Clegg's Mum & Paul Ifill's Attacking Masterclass! | EP36 - The Unused Subs
Happy New Year everyone! The Unused Subs are back like we never left (because we didn’t) and our first guest of 2026 is 20 year old Football Ferns striker Milly Clegg - yes, we know, she’s the daughter of former Black Sticks hockey captain Kylie, but let’s see how long it takes for us to mention...
-
Predictions for Kiwi football in 2026! The Unused Subs farewell 2025 | EP35 - The Unused Subs
For the final time in 2025 Jacob & Goran enter the Tyler St Sport studio where they are joined by Paul Ifill. As the new year approaches rapidly the Subs bench uses this time to review the key moments of the year that was, and look forward to big things in 2026! Michael Boxall’s unlikely goal in...
-
Callan Elliot responds to Lachie Brook's character assassination! | EP34 - The Unused Subs
Last week, Auckland FC’s Lachie Brook joined the Subs Bench at Tyler St Sport and took it upon himself to reveal the secret life of teammate Callan Elliot. The man Lachie described was something of a moody, angry individual, capable of abusing a postman or messing with a stranger’s car for no…
more -
Lachie Brook on Wondergoals, Mormon Undies & Callan Elliot EXPOSED! | EP33 - The Unused Subs
This week on The Unused Subs it’s Lachie Brook of Auckland FC joining the bench. Where doesn’t this chat take us?! When he’s not ripping on his new ‘Best Friend Forever’ Callan Elliot we chat about his growing collection of fabulous goals in the A-League, the son of ‘Goldenballs’ Romeo Beckham,...
-
All Whites’ FIFA World Cup Group revealed! Phoenix lose FIVE to Auckland | EP32 - The Unused Subs
If you’ve been with The Unused Subs from the start, you’d know that Tommy Smith kicked off the very first episode back in January when he was plying his trade with Auckland FC. Now in the UK, he makes a welcome return to chat about the All Whites’ FIFA World Cup opponents, and his old team piling...
-
Hey Auckland: Your HATE is Corban Piper’s FUEL for the 5th Kiwi Derby! | EP31 - The Unused Subs
The 5th NZ Derby is this Saturday at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart… and depending on which side of the fence you sit, you’re either gonna love or despise our special guest this week: Corban Piper of the Wellington Phoenix. In a relatively short A-League career, Corban’s made a name for himself thanks...
-
BILL TUILOMA: Birkenhead to Marseille & Marcelo Bielsa | EP30 - The Unused Subs
This week’s guest is an absolute ripper: it’s All Whites defender Bill Tuiloma, repping Aotearoa and Pasifika all over the footballing world. From humble beginnings on Auckland’s North Shore, the Beach Haven resident helped put Birkenhead on the map… and then wound up in Marseille under the...
-
MICHAEL WOUD "gets used to playing again" after Alex Paulsen departure | EP29 - The Unused Subs
Joining Paul, Jacob and Goran this week is MICHAEL WOUD - Auckland FC's number 1 goalkeeper for Season 25/26. It's been a long and difficult road back to the pitch for Woudy, after being stuck behind Alex Paulsen for AFC's inaugural A-League campaign. He talks about the dark times during a…
more -
WeLLLLington Phoenix lose 4th-straight NZ DERBY to 9-man AUCKLAND FC! | EP28 - The Unused Subs
Ooh wee! The first kiwi A-League derby of the new season was FIRE as red cards and highline goals took centre stage at Sky Stadium in Wellington. And The Unused Subs painstakingly go through all the flashpoint moments for you in this week’s episode… before CARLO ARMIENTO of the Wellington Phoenix...
-
THE 4th KIWI DERBY! Phoenix vs Auckland FC with TERRY McFLYNN | EP27 - The Unused Subs
Our home ground of Tyler St Sport was unavailable this week so we popped next-door to THE BRIT to welcome back Jacob Spoonley and Paul Ifill to the Subs bench, and handed a debut to Auckland FC’s Director of Football Terry McFlynn. IT’S NZ DERBY WEEK! NIX v BLACK KNIGHTS… So of course we talk…
more -
Phoenix Coach GIANCARLO ITALIANO: Death Threats, Derbies & Legacies | EP26 - The Unused Subs
With Monday being Labour Day in NZ, and Jacob working both of the kiwi A-League games across the weekend, he needed some much-needed downtime with family, and nobody else was free... so it was up to Goran to go it alone - 1v1 - with Wellington Phoenix head coach GIANCARLO ITALIANO. The man with a...
-
ROY KEANE vs PAUL IFILL & Angeball OUT of CHRIS WOOD’S Nottingham Forest! | EP25 - The Unused Subs
With Jacob Spoonley unavailable for selection this week and Tom Doyle sunning himself in Fiji, Goran was forced to pull out all the stops for the second episode of Season Two. He recruited not only the exceptional SEAMUS MARTEN of Between Two Beers, but handed a debut to none other than PAUL…
more -
HAMSTRUNG: Max Mata's off-season ordeal & SEASON TWO PREMIERE! | EP24 - The Unused Subs
That’s right, it’s the SEASON TWO PREMIERE of The Unused Subs! Somehow, some way, the boys are back… and they’ve convinced former Auckland FC striker MAX MATA to join the fun at the Tyler St Sport studio. Max has endured a less than desirable off-season; a niggling hamstring injury led to a...
-
SEASON FINALE! 12 months out from the 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP | EP23 - The Unused Subs
In the 23rd and FINAL episode of The Unused Subs first season, Jacob & Goran are separated by the Tasman Sea, courtesy of a Spoonley family holiday... but through the wonders of technology The Spoon joins via video call. In studio our old pal TOM DOYLE slots into his position, alongside the big...
-
The FRANCIS DE VRIES Story: Sweden, Sunscreen, Salmon & Shirt Swapping | EP22 - The Unused Subs
In the 22nd episode of The Unused Subs, Jacob & Goran are joined in the Tyler St Sport studio by the 'Transparent Terminator' FRANCIS DE VRIES of Auckland FC and the All Whites! Fresh off the plane from international duties in Canada, the A-League's best left back chats about the sun protection...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Unused Subs have?
The Unused Subs currently has 71 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Unused Subs about?
A 'has-been' and a 'never-was' talk to pro footballers and pundits about the beautiful game, and share the stories they've gathered along the way.
How often does The Unused Subs release new episodes?
The Unused Subs has 71 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Unused Subs?
You can listen to The Unused Subs on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Unused Subs?
The Unused Subs is created and hosted by Goran Paladin.
URL copied to clipboard!