Episode 47
KA is leaving us, so the gals decided to do one final ep of the Rookie Me Players Take with KA & J podcast to celebrate.
On this ep, we catch up with a few of our faves from over the years, Izzy from Newport, Live with Lenny, Caitlin Brennan from Spotswood, Melanie Thompson-Allan from the Yarraville Seddon Eagles, Pete Matovic from North Footscray and Lachlan Grant from Point Cook Centrals all join us.
The gals reminisce about their time together, the award the show won (yeah the gals), plus we revisit our bold predictions for 2023. It is a fun show! We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 46
And just like that… season 2022 is finished.
KA & J wrap up the year that was including re-capping the TIV Division 1 Grand Final, re-visiting our bold predictions for the season, share our best bits from the year as well as reveal the most important list of them all – the top five foods in the WRFL. We also give some predictions for 2023.
The gals have loved sharing the pod with you this season and we hope you enjoyed listening. We will be back next season to do it all again!
Episode 45
We are a days away from the biggest game of the season, so KA & J catch-up with four players who are set to have a huge impact in the TIV Division 1 Grand Final. From Altona we have Ethan Taylor and Joel Menadue and the boys from Werribee, Ben McMahon and Zak Busuttil.
We talk to them about how they are feeling ahead of the big clash, what a premiership would mean to them, plus we go through the Back Six and share some stitch-ups.
It is one of our biggest and best episodes of the season. We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 44
We have another special Grand Final edition of the pod this week. We have Ella Logan (Spotswood) and Rebecca Hicks (Point Cook Centrals) on the show to discuss the big Victoria University WRFL Netball Division 1 Grand Final on Friday night. Plus we catch-up with Michael Ryan (Suns) and Aidan O’Rafferty (Braybrook) ahead of Sunday’s big Alan Mance Motors Division 3 decider.
We also check-in with the man of the moment, Lachlan Grant. Fresh from the Sharks premiership win his Best on Ground performance.
Plus KA & J give their tips ahead of another huge weekend of WRFL footy. We hope you enjoy, The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 43
We have a Grand Final edition of the pod for you this week. KA & J get the Grand Final word from each of the teams competing in Saturday’s big games – Ebony Watkins (Point Cook Centrals), Krystal Delanty (Caroline Springs), Caitlin Brennan (Spotswood), Caitlin Pretty (Caroline Springs), Kurt Mayne (Point Cook Centrals) and Jackson Barrett (Parkside) all feature.
Plus, the gals give their tips for all the Senior games across what will be a HUGE weekend of WRFL footy in the west.
We hope you enjoy, The Players Take.
Episode 42
KA & J catch-up with Keenan O’Shea (Caroline Springs), Steve Kennedy (Altona), Spiros Amarantidis (Deer Park), Daniel Schibeci (Werribee Districts), Liam McMahon (Hoppers Crossing), Michael Ryan (Suns), Nathan Johnson (Albanvale), Aidan O’Rafferty (Braybrook) and Elliot Rosado (Sunshine Heights) ahead of the start of the TIV Division 1 and Alan Mance Motors Division 3 Finals this weekend.
We chat to the boys about how they are feeling ahead of what is shaping up to be an exciting finals series. We hope you enjoy, The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 41
This is an action-packed episode. KA & J chat to Division 2 players Nathan Williams (Point Cook Centrals), Jackson Barrett (Parkside) and Matt Smith (North Footscray) ahead of this weekend’s Semi Finals (Wyndhamvale was an apology).
Plus we catch-up with VU Polytechnic Division 1 Senior Women’s captains Caitlin Pretty (Caroline Springs), Caitlin Brennan (Spotswood), Jade De La Rue and Taylor Vilcins (Werribee Centrals) and Jaimi Paten (Manor Lakes).
In Division 2 we talk to Sharni Currie and Ebony Watkins (Point Cook Centrals), Kathleen Gannon (West Footscray), Krystal Delanty (Caroline Springs) and Jess Metz (Wyndhamvale).
Plus the gals give their thoughts on all the big matches. We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 40
Three Vikings join KA & J on the show this week – Spencer Johnson, Luke Whatman & Kosta Arapidis.
We chat to the young guns about their preparation ahead of Finals, the mix of young and experienced players leading the way at Altona and we find out their pre-game superstitions.
Plus we learn a little more about the trio – Spencer is a romantic, Kosta is a chef and Luke aims to win more Best & Fairest awards.
It is one of the great episodes of this season, we hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 39
Let’s hear it for the gals!
Today’s episode features Turtle and Caitlin from Spotswood as well as goal kicking superstars from Caroline Springs Jacinta Kondis and Caitlin Pretty.
Pretty. KA & J chat to them about how their season’s are tracking ahead of what is shaping up to be an exciting finals series.
They describe each other in three words, we go through the Back Six, talk about fringe players, cheat sheets, the race for the Leading Goal Kicker award and so much more. It is a fun episode!
We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 38
Two Sharks join KA & J on the show this week.
Point Cook Centrals duo Kurt Mayne and Lachlan Grant chat to the gals about how the excitement is building at the club ahead of what could be a special finals series for both their Men’s and Women’s team.
We learn a little about some of the boys’ pre-game routines (particularly two players who got a pedicure before a game this season), Dean Chambers’ out of the box thinking and Boomer tells us about the time he kicked 15 goals in a game.
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 37
In the next episode we catch up with West Footscray duo Kane Liossis & Phil Rigg.
KA & J chat to them about how the boys are keeping their spirits up after a challenging few years at Shorten Reserve, the junior stars stepping up and who they believe will win the Division 2 Premiership. We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 36
Two Suns brothers join KA & J on the show this week – John & Peter Tomelty.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 35
Double trouble join KA & J on the show this week.
Caroline Springs duo Max Tessari and Jerome Caterino talk to the gals about the hot start the Lakers have had in TIV Division 1 so far, the impact their new recruits have had on the group and the rise of two-meter-Reader!
Plus we have some elite stitch-up stories on the boys, including revealing a nickname that is one of the best we have ever heard.
We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 34
One of the most talented young guns in footy at the moment, joins KA & J on the podcast.
We chat to Point Cook star Massimo D’Ambrosio who is one of the players to watch ahead of the AFL’s mid-season draft on June 1.
We talk to him about his footy journey, his incredible junior career in the WRFL (four league Best & Fairests and three Premierships) and how he is feeling with all this attention. We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 33
In the next episode of the Players Take, we catch up with two of Spotswood’s finest – Mitch Coleman and Toby Kopa.
We chat about their start to the season and the new players making an impact, their favourite footy memories and we get them to describe each other in three words.
This episode was one of our faves over the past few years, plenty of laughs! You won’t be caught napping in this episode…. actually maybe Toby will.
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 32
KA & J chat with two Devils on the latest episode of The Players Take – Joel Richardson & Corey Edwards aka Hank & Froffies.
We chat about some North Footscray characters, the toughness of Division 2 and some questionable tattoos – we are looking at you Matt Smith.
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 31
KA & J catch up with their new besties Emily O’Connell & Melanie Thompson-Allan from the EaGALS.
We chat about the launch of the VU Polytechnic Senior Women’s competition this weekend as well as the vibe around the club heading into 2022 and how the best was yet to come. We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 30
In the first episode of 2022, KA & J chat to all 10 TIV Division 1 Captains ahead of the start of the season – Spiros Amarantidis, Declan Moloney, David Iaccarino, Jack Sims, Nick Buykx, Steve Kennedy, Daniel Schibeci, Jesse Varsamakis, Keenan O’Shea and Liam McMahon. We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 29
The final episode of 2021 is here and this little surprise gift features your hosts KA & J talking about the year that was, the highlights, lowlights and everything in-between, plus we talk the Round 1 men’s fixtures and give our bold predictions for the new year.
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 28
We have an action-packed episode of The Players Take today. KA & J catch-up with Kel Rowe from West Footscray, the little superstar from Newport Power, Lenny Greenham and two bros from Wyndhamvale in Jack Tessari and Joel Russell.
We talk about the year that was, how lockdown life is going and we get them to look into their crystal balls and predict who they think wins the AFL premiership (we are getting behind the Dogs!) and Brownlow medal.
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 27
In this episode, KA & J catch up with Spotswood stars Dylan Callard and Harley Walshe, plus we talk to Braybrook duo Aidan O’Rafferty and Brad Busuttil.
We chat about what is keeping us busy in lockdown, the footy played in 2021 and we find out some interesting facts about our guests.
Did you know Harley has Shaquille O’Neal’s phone number and that Aidan loves karaoke?
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 26
As we approach the end of the home and away season, we have a big episode of The Players Take for you. KA & J sit down with Werribee Districts stars Dillon Viojo-Rainbow and Jordan Patty. Plus we speak to St Albans coach Sam Butler and skipper Jack Sims.
It is one of our favourite episodes of the season. We chat about the closeness of the TIV Division 1 competition, the greatest players they have played with and against (the boys drop some big names here), plus we add an Olympic flavour to the show and find out who would win a 100m sprint at their club.
We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 25
Need some lockdown listening. Look no further. KA & J chat with high school sweethearts Keenan O’Shea & Mitch Bongiovanni from Caroline Springs.
We talk about the development of the club, their expectations for the remainder of the TIV Division 1 season, the young stars rising through the ranks, the best wins they have been a part of and of course their ultimate bromance.
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 24
KA & J visit Altona training to catch-up with some Viking stars.
We chat to the Etihad specialist himself, Sean Tighe, good friend of the show, Froffy, two rising stars of the competition, Jack Robinson and James Callaway, plus we catch-up with Josh Macdonald and Deacon Millward. The boys are pumped for the second-half of the season.
We chat about the year so far, we go through the back six and have plenty of stitch-ups (guess which player tried out for the recruit).
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 23
Sam and Aaron join KA & J for one of the all time funniest episodes of the Players Take (we aren’t kidding).
We chat about their time playing footy in London, how the Smith family are the Kardashian’s of North Footscray, the story behind the nickname Sugar, plus we begin out petition to have nuggets a part of every canteen in the west.
Plus we chat about footy. The boys are back btw. We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 22
On the next episode of the Players Take, KA & J catch up with Dean Formosa and Daniel Walsh from Albanvale.
We talk about their impressive start to the 2021 season, the rivalry between the Trench and the Winx Club.
Plus we discuss Dean’s big milestone that is approaching (500 games) and the all important Walsh Cup and medal – which is given to the player who tries hard but doesn’t actually get a touch.
All that and more. We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 21
Need some lockdown listening.. listen to the latest episode of the Players Take.
In this ep, KA & J chat to some of our favourite gals; Paras Mackenzie from Manor Lakes and Sam Kloet from Werribee Centrals.
We talk life in lockdown, how they have seen the first half of the season, plus we have plenty of stitch-ups (Jack Steele if you are listening, send us a DM).
Plus KA & J chat canteen food. We hope you enjoy, The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 20
In the next episode of the Players Take, KA & J catch-up with Nic Weir & Elliott Wood from Point Cook as well as Jarrod Vella & Todd Lawrie from the Wyndham Suns.
The season is flying by, so we talked all things footy, from developing the next generation of stars at the Bulldogs to being premiership favourites at the Suns.
We talk footy food and bromances. Plus we have the best and worst stitch-ups we’ve ever had on the show.
We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 19
We have an action-packed episode of the Players Take.
First-up Fluffy & AK from Parkside join KA & J. The chat is one of the funniest we have had.
We cover everything from being premiership favourites to the time Fluff sat with the Kreuzer family (trust us it is a story you have to hear) and how AK shrinks his t-shirts in the wash.
Plus we catch-up with Laverton Senior Women’s captain Abbey Brown. Abbey is passionate advocate for female footy having played and coached in the WRFL for some time and we also discuss her family connection to Laverton.
It’s a big ep. We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 18
Newport Power superstar Lenny Greenham aka Live with Lenny joins KA & J to talk all things footy in this very special edition of The Players Take.
Lenny is one of the most passionate and exciting young juniors in the WRFL. The aspiring footballer and commentator talks about his love of the game, how he created the Live with Lenny Instagram page (give it a follow) and his plans for the year ahead.
Lenny also loves The Bounce on Fox Footy and is a mad Carlton fan. Take it to the bank, this is a great ep!
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 17
Need a little Sunshine in your day, look no further. On the next episode of the Players Take with KA & J, we chat to Sunshine coach Heath Scotland and star player Jake Allan.
We talk about Heath’s coaching style and how the players embraced having him involved, how the year off re-invigorated them both and their plan of attack heading into Round 2.
Plus we go through the Back Six and stitch them up. We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 16
In our first episode of Season 2 of the Players Take, KA & J head to Hoppers Crossing training to catch-up with a few of our old friends.
We chat to the Kitchen brothers, talk star signs with Corey Muscat, learn about the time Jack Dorgan went head-to-head with Jake King, get a lesson in modelling from Jordan Moody, learn about the time Aussie Joel got caught red-handed and talk Round 1 footy with our fave Braden Ferrari.
It is an action-packed episode with lots of stitch-ups (Ryan spills the tea). We hope you enjoy, The Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 15
In the final episode of the Players Take for 2020, KA & J chat to Yarraville Seddon Eagles coach Michael Barlow.
We talk about his love for the Werribee Football Club, the reason he said yes to coaching the Eagles, the resilience needed to stick with your goals and he reveals the AFL player he believes is the greatest he has played with.
Plus the gals reflect on the year that was and what we are looking forward to next season.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 14
In the next episode of the Players Take, KA & J speak with three of the WRFL’s most promising young players; Eddie Ford (what a name!), Cody Raak and Issy Pritchard.
These players have some serious talent and have the potential to get drafted later this year.
We speak to them about their careers so far, their defining moments and how their clubs and mentors have shaped them into the players and people they are today.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 13
Matt Smith and Josh Van Den Berg join KA & J on the next episode of the Players Take.
Two of North Footscray’s most elite kicks talks to us about winning a premiership and that time Vanders kicked four goals against Glen Orden.
We talk about the ‘rivalry’ with West Footscray and how Matt was a little athletics champ growing up. This episode will Bring the Noise! We hope you enjoy it.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 12
Caroline Springs star duo Alex O’Shea and Jasmine Bongiovanni join KA & J on the next episode. We chat life in Stage 4 Lockdown, with Jasmine, a nurse, revealing she has Coronavirus.
Plus we talk about the growth of the women’s game in the WRFL, the heartbreak of losing the past two Grand Finals and how Alex was a DJ before playing footy. It is a special episode, with lots of girl power. Enjoy the Players Take.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 11
The next podcast is a little different. KA & J speak with the award winning WRFL Radio team.
Peppe Cavalieri, Andrew Wilson, Cade Lucas & Nick Boylan join the show to talk all things WRFL footy.
From not turning your microphone off when you are ordering food at the canteen, to the big on-field moments that have shaped our league over the past few seasons.
It is a big footy episode, with lots of talking points. We hope you enjoy it.
Listen below or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 10
In the next episode of the Players Take with KA & J, we chat to two Werribee Districts stars, Ben ‘Bricks’ McMahon and Judah Dundon.
We chat about club traditions, junior premierships, rival rat packs and we ask the boys about the last movie they cried in.
The great Chris Gilham calls in to talk about life in lockdown and his favourite TV show! Plus, we have your favourite segments, the Back Six and It’s a Stitch Up!
Listen below or via Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Just search ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 9
In the next episode of The Players Take, KA & J speak with two legends from Newport, Mozz and Izzy.
We chat about fresh fades on game day, what’s app groups, TV recommendations, the great Ziggy Kadour, chasing flags and we also get a little Spanish lesson.
It is one of the best episodes of the season. Enjoy this.
You can listen below, or via Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Just search ‘The Players Take’.
Episode 8
In the next episode of the Players Take, KA & J talk to Zach Thornton and Zac Gillard from the Tarneit Football Club.
Listen below or you can also listen on iTunes or Spotify.
Episode 7
In the next episode of The Players Take, KA & J catch-up with two Altona legends, Kelly Pickard & Mitch Turnbull.
The episode is also available on iTunes or Spotify.
Episode 6
In the next episode we chat to Daniel Riosa (the Hoppers Crossing heavy-hitter) and Ryan Kitchen (that guy from The Voice).
We talk about the possibility of returning to footy, their best footy trip stories, plus everything in between.
It is 30-minutes of non-stop laughing. We hope you enjoy The Players Take!
The episode is also available on iTunes or Spotify.
Episode 5
Spotswood’s Senior Women’s Premiership captains Sara Truman and Stacy Szalay join KA & J on the next episode of The Players Take.
We discuss what life has been like in isolation, reflect on their incredible 2019 season as well as how they juggle playing footy and being Mum’s.
It is a wonderful episode. We hope you enjoy The Players Take.
The episode is also available on iTunes or Spotify.
Episode 4
Two WRFL funnymen, Armend Ahmedi and Stevie Walters-Kepada join KA and J in the latest episode of the Players Take.
We chat about their love of the Sunshine Heights Football Club and their favourite footy moments from across their careers. Plus, we stitch them up with two great stories.
We hope you enjoy, The Players Take. You can listen below, or via Spotify or iTunes.
Episode 3
In the next episode of The Players Take we speak to Yarraville Seddon Eagles premiership hero Andrejs Everitt, Wyndhamvale favourite Alex Hamilton and catch-up with Kane White from TIV.
Everitt talks about his career, the influence Mick Malthouse had on him at Carlton, plus the Mark of the Year he took in last years Grand Final. Hamilton talks about the finals loss and how the Falcons plan on bouncing back.
Kane from TIV also gives us an update on how they are moving to an online model.
We hope you enjoy, The Players Take. You can listen below, or on Spotify and iTunes.
Episode 2
In the second episode of The Players Take, we chat to two Team of the Decade members in Andrew Panayi from Werribee Districts and Deer Park premiership captain Jack Purton-Smith.
Andrew talks about his nickname and Jack gets redemption for Media Day.
We hope you enjoy, The Players Take.
You can listen below, or on Spotify and iTunes.
Episode 1
In the first episode of the Players Take, your hosts Kristen Alebakis and Jessie Chester chat to three members of the WRFL Team of the Decade – Braden Ferrari from Hoppers Crossing, Tim Jenkins from St Albans and Jayden Post from Altona. There is also a little appearance from Steve Kennedy.
We hope you enjoy the Players Take.
p.s. We are also on Spotify, just search for the Western Region Football League.
Or you can listen below: