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Episode 97

Sorry it’s late, computer problems. Forget everything we said about Mitchell Moses and Tony Romo.

Swainy joins us for an in depth discussion about the future of Super Rugby, SANZAR and competition. Plus we recap the NRL and AFL rounds and tip next weeks games. Plus get your AFL Supercoach teams right before the rookies rise up. And there’s some NRL Supercoach cows you need too. Note: This show was recorded before Tony Romo retired to the announcers box.

0:00:00 – NRL
0:50:00 – AFL
1:08:00 – Rugby with Swainy
1:36:00 – AFL Tips
1:48:00 – Masters of Rugby League
1:51:00 – Supercoach
2:18:00 – NFL Continue reading “Episode 97” →

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Episode 96

 

It’s just Pies and Brendan this week as Big Zacko is still reeling after the first week of the AFL. We keep it pretty simple seeing Pies had Masters training before the show. Topics for discussion are NRL scheduling, The New Zealand Warriors form, AFL Round 1 of boilovers, India finished off Australia in the 4th test, and Liam from One Direction had a baby!

0:00:00 – NRL
0:45:00 – AFL
1:00:00 – Cricket
1:17:00 – Supercoach Continue reading “Episode 96” →

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Episode 95

 

We’re joined by a very special guest, our favourite listener and AFL expert Swansational to preview the 2017 AFL Season (0:58) and give us some well needed tips on AFL Supercoach. And before he arrived we went through Round 3 of the NRL and tipped all the winners for Round 4, and previewed the first week of the Bats and Balls Cup in Supercoach.

0:00:00 – NRL
0:51:00 – NRL Supercoach
0:58:00 – AFL 2017 Season Preview
2:04:00 – AFL Supercoach Continue reading “Episode 95” →

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Episode 94

 

After two rounds of the NRL a few of us are ready to make some big statements. Outlandish or otherwise, it’s a fun show with a lot of NRL talk. Plus Masters, No Ma’am Basketball, Australia in India Test Cricket, NFL and Supercoach.

0:00:00 – NRL
0:50:00 – Masters of Rugby League
1:03:15 – Basketball
1:11:00 – Test Cricket
1:28:00 – NFL Free Agency
1:45:30 – Supercoach Continue reading “Episode 94” →

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Episode 93

Robbo, coach of Penrith Waratahs Masters of Rugby League joins us to recap the Selectors Cup and also talk NRL Round 1, Supercoach and Australia’s 2nd test in India.
0:00:00 – NRL
1:20:00 – Supercoach
1:48:00 – Masters of Rugby League
2:14:00 – Cricket
2:17:00 – Basketball
2:30:00 – V8 Supercars
2:31:00 – Cycling Continue reading “Episode 93” →

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Episode 92

The NRL is back and we couldn’t be more pumped. To preview the season and predict the fortunes of all 16 teams we’re joined by Craig Bobby White.
We go through each team and then give our rankings from 16-1. Plus all the major awards and we predict the Grand Final result.
0:00:00 – All the teams in alphabetic order
1:33:00 – Top 16 Predictions
2:01:40 – Grand Final Predictions
2:07:50 – Award Winners
2:40:00 – Masters of Rugby League, Cricket, Basketball

Find us on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn or click on the player below.

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2017 NRL Season Preview

By Brendan Smith

Brisbane Broncos

Ins – Moses Pangai (Townsville Blackhawks), David Mead (Titans), Tautau Moga (Cowboys), Benji Marshall (Dragons), Mitchell Dodds (Warrington), Korbin Sims (Knights)

Outs – Greg Eden (Castleford), Brett Greinke (Rabbitohs), Corey Parker (Retired), Jarrod Wallace (Titans), Jack Reed (Retired), Darren Nicholls (Panthers), Lachlan Maranta (Rugby)

Best 17 – Continue reading “2017 NRL Season Preview” →

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Episode 91

 

Big Zacko is back in the fold and our favourite correspondent Swainy is back from Brisbane with all the latest Rugby news. We talk about the NBA trade deadline and Panathinaikos win in the Greek Cup. Josh is in awe of a bloke eating pies on the bench during the FA Cup and Brighton & Hove Albion are still destined for the Premier League. Plus we cast an eye over Big Zacko’s current NRL Supercoach team. And Continue reading “Episode 91” →

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Episode 90

 

Big Zacko brushed us after a basketball “incident” on Monday night. With any luck he’ll be back next week. Pies was playing Fifa all weekend, so we’re lucky Brendan watched sport and can carry the show.

Facebook Live – 0:00:00

NRL All Stars – 0:34:00

Rugby 10s – 0:58:00

Winx, Pleas, Brighton & Hove Albion – 1:03:00

Supercoach – 1:14:00
Continue reading “Episode 90” →

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Episode 89

All three of us were back in the one location and it made for a fun show. There was an interactive Facebook Live session with some good questions asked. Then we recapped the NRL Auckland 9s, the Sydney Rugby 7s and the Atlanta Falcons capitulation at the hands of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. Plus heaps more.

Facebook Live – 0:00:00

NRL, AFLW, Bathurst 12hr, Boxing, Rugby 7s – 0:31:00

Super Bowl LI – 1:11:00

NBA, A-League, Supercoach – 1:43:00

Big Zacko Moment – None this week Continue reading “Episode 89” →

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Episode 88

 

We took all of January off so it’s time to get back in the studio for another go round. Only problem is, we forgot to tell Big Zacko.
In this episode we recap most of the talking points from the start of 2017 including the last two tests between Australia and Pakistan, the Big Bash League including Mitchell Johnson’s BBL Semi Final and Final heroics. The Australian Open tennis wound back the clock with a couple of classic final match ups. Did they live up to the hype? Ben Barba is trying to pull a swifty over the NRL. And we get Swainy on to talk about Rugby Sevens and the upcoming season.
0:00:00 – Facebook LIVE Continue reading “Episode 88” →

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Episode 87

The year of 2016 is drawing to a close so we decided to bring on all of the friends of the show to do a recap of the year that was. All your favourites are here as we remember the highs and lows of 2016. Continue reading “Episode 87” →

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Episode 86

Quick show this week. Colbee stops in to defend his position as Masters of Rugby League correspondent. We discussed the cricket schedule for next Summer on Facebook Live.
Colbee and Josh recap the Penrith Waratah Masters presentation night.
Then we discuss the NFL. Both Zac and Josh’s teams are in the hunt for the playoffs. Brendan’s just sacked their coach.
And Josh catches up with some NBA news. Continue reading “Episode 86” →

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Episode 85

It’s been a looong time since we had published author Erik Nielsen on the show. As a historian, Erik helps the boys discuss cricket history.
And we also welcome back Swainy to talk Rugby around the world. It’s been a few weeks and a couple of Wallabies losses since we spoke to Swainy. And he is more than happy to go on a BS style Ref Rant!
Plus the V8 Supercars wrapped up on the weekend and we talk NFL. Continue reading “Episode 85” →

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Episode 84

Special thanks to Robbo from Penrith Waratahs Masters for joining us in the sweltering heat to record the show.
We discussed the Australian cricket team rebuild. How the new bats will handle test cricket. And wondered if chatty keepers were the answer. Robbo and Pies reminisce about playing Car Cricket.
Our own version of the Macho Man returned Continue reading “Episode 84” →

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Episode 83

We recorded Episode 83 last night in the sauna that is the BS Studio. Thankfully we finished in just over 90 minutes. Continue reading “Episode 83” →

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Episode 82

A big week of sport even if the only Rugby League is the 4 Nations and the only AFL is Jobe Watson returning his Brownlow medal.

We have more than enough sport to talk about and leading the charge is the poor showing by the Australian cricket team for the second straight test against South Africa. There’s been plenty of talk of mass sackings and heads rolling. Rod Marsh has already stepped down. And we discuss the cricket.com.au article naming 11 potential new bats for Australia.

The 4 Nations is down to an Australia vs New Zealand final Continue reading “Episode 82” →

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Episode 81

It was looking unlikely we’d get a show out this week. But

Swainy got on the phone and recapped a big weekend of Rugby including Ireland’s historic win over the All Blacks in Chicago. Plus Australia put the cleaners through Wales. And Swainy had a big Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Brendan is not impressed Continue reading “Episode 81” →

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Episode 80

So while Brendan works a second job to make up the money he lost on the Melbourne Cup, Josh and Zac recorded a show. We recap the win of Almandin in the Melbourne Cup. Discuss how all of our selections went. And muse over the futures ofsome of the runners.

Josh is excited to see South Africa’s pace attack this Summer. Especially young Continue reading “Episode 80” →

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2016 NFL Preview 6/8 Four teams on the up?

In the 6th chapter of Zac’s NFL Preview, four teams building on strong 2015 performances and some key roster additions this year.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

Coach: Gus Bradley (2013, 12-36) With over 26 years coaching experience at different levels, Bradley shot to NFL fame as the defensive co-ordinator of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” which was one of the most dominant defences of the modern era. Entering his 4th year in Jacksonville there are high expectations.
QB: Blake Bortles (2014) Third year man who had a breakout 2015, needs to work on accuracy and decision making as he makes the progression to bona fide young gun.

Key Rookies. Continue reading “2016 NFL Preview 6/8 Four teams on the up?” →

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2016 NFL Preview 5/8 Build From Within

Four sides that performed well last year, did very little in free agency but lost some key players. How will the young guys step up?

Green Bay Packers (10-6)

Coach: Mike McCarthy (2006, 104-55-1) Veteran coach who is one of the best offensive minds in the game.
QB: Aaron Rodgers (2008) Rodgers is currently arguably the best QB in the NFL.

Key Rookies. Continue reading “2016 NFL Preview 5/8 Build From Within” →

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2016 NFL Preview 4/8 Is The End Near?

Zac thinks the writing is on the wall for these four teams in his latest instalment of the NFL Preview.

 

Atlanta Falcons (8-8)

Coach: Dan Quinn (2015, 8-8) 2nd year coach looking to improve on last years record.
QB: Matt Ryan (2008) Would be wanting to bounce back from a down year last year. Previously was considered a premier QB in the league.

Key Rookies. Continue reading “2016 NFL Preview 4/8 Is The End Near?” →

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2016 NFL Preview 3/8 Great Expectations

In the latest round of his NFL Preview, Zac examines four teams who could be ready to take a giant leap.

Cleveland Browns (3-13)

Coach: Hue Jackson (2016) Second stint as a head coach. High quality offensive mind so the Browns offense should look much better this year.
QB: Robert Griffin III (2016) Looked like a superstar as a rookie but injuries and destructive coaching have derailed his career. Could be in line for a resurgent 2016 in Cleveland.

Key Rookies Continue reading “2016 NFL Preview 3/8 Great Expectations” →

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2016 NFL Preview 2/8 A New Sheriff in Town

In the second chapter of his NFL Preview, Zac focusses on four teams who have added first time Head Coaches to the mix.

Miami Dolphins (6-10)

Coach: Adam Gase (2016) Gase is a first year head coach who has spent the last three years as John Fox’s offensive co-ordinator (in Denver then Chicago) and at 38 is currently the youngest head coach in the NFL
QB: Ryan Tannehill (2012) It’s time for Tannehill to start to deliver on his promise.

Key Rookies Continue reading “2016 NFL Preview 2/8 A New Sheriff in Town” →

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2016 NFL Preview 1/8 Bounceback or Bust?

In his first instalment of the 2016 NFL preview, Big Zacko highlights four teams with veteran QBs that need to win this season or face imminent rebuilds.

San Diego Chargers (4-12)

Head Coach: Mike McCoy (2013 22-26)
Quarterback: Phillip Rivers (2004) – one of the most prolific passers in the last 10 plus years whose cool head will help what is now a young supporting cast.

Key Draft picks. Continue reading “2016 NFL Preview 1/8 Bounceback or Bust?” →

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NFL Preview Coming SOON

Big Zacko’s NFL Preview

Zac is poring over the 32 NFL teams ins, outs, draft picks, coaching changes and shady equipment guys to deliver our first series of blog posts. While Big Zacko is putting the finishing touches on his rankings, we thought we’d share this video of his favourite WR.

Cheers,

Josh

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Our Web Page

Welcome to the new Bats & Balls Podcast webpage. From Twitter to Facebook to even the occasional blog this page will have everything Bats and Balls.

A brief history of Bats & Balls Podcast

During a hot Western Sydney Summer Josh Button midway through a cricket game had an idea of doing a Sports Podcast. Josh is a regular on Inebriation Nation (a beer podcast) and wanted his own sports show. Josh asked a few friends and Brendan Smith was the one who answered the call. After finding a name & logo the Bats and Balls Podcast was born.

Wednesday 4th March 2015 was the 1st show of Bats and Balls Podcast. It was the night before the 2015 NRL season and the episode was the NRL Preview. With only 1 poor microphone the boys did episode 1. From this point on the show has only got better and the team has added some new technology which has helped greatly. For a laugh go and listen to Episode 1 then listen to one of the latest episodes and hear the difference for yourself.

The Bats and Balls team love banter so if you are on twitter or facebook feel free to heckle the boys.

Brendan Smith

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