Category Archives: Podcast

Podcast, Sports

We spoke with former NBL player and Star Wars actor, Axel Dench.

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In part one of the podcast, Axel Dench spoke with the Professor about how he started his basketball career, being a member of the 1999 Gonzaga college basketball team that made the ‘Elite Eight’ at the NCAA championships, being selected as rookie of the year in the NBL in 2001 and he was a member of the Illawarra Hawks that were NBL champions in the same year. Perhaps he is better known as Wookie chieftain, Merumeru in the Star Wars movie, Revenge of the Sith.

In part two of the discussion with Axel, we talk about how he got his role of Merumeru in Star Wars and the sliding doors moment when he had to make the choice between basketball and a career on the silver screen.

Podcast, Sports

Cameron Schwab joins the panel to discuss footy on show #447

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The Professor and the panel of the Judge, Coutta and Paul Dalligan had a wide ranging conversation with special guest, Cameron Schwab about the success of the in Melbourne Football Club in 2021, their fostering of a women’s football team before the advent of the AFLW and the role disappointment plays in success. His words of wisdom are well worth a listen.

Paul Dalligan reviews the NRLW season, previews the NRL season and, like Nostradamus, predicts the 2022 NRL ladder at season end.

Podcast, Preview, Punting, Sports

Four red hot bets for Caulfield races on 26 January 2022 and the Professor’s Parlay

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Australia Day – cause for a holiday? celebration? or not? – in any event, whatever the answer, there are races on at Caulfield today so the Professor and the Gelding offer their tips. The track is currently rated a Good 4 but may be upgraded during the day. The rail is out 6 metres for the entire circuit.

Don’t forget to back the tips each way!

Caulfield

Professor’s tips

Race 7 Horse 2 – So Risque (for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 8 Horse 9 – Yonce (also for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Gelding’s tips

Race 1 Horse 1 – Philosopher

Race 6 Horse 4 – Lighthouse

Professor’s Parlay

Race 6 Horse 4 – Lighthouse into Ash Barty to beat Madison Keys (women’s singles AO) into Daniil Medvedev to beat Felix Auger-aliassime (men’s singles AO).

You can see the latest episode of That’s Racing!! here.

Good luck and good punting!

The Professor

Podcast, Sports

Sportzfan Radio show #441 featuring special guest, Amy McCann

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The Professor and the panel of Coutta and Paul Dalligan discuss women’s baseball with special guest, Amy McCann. They talk about how big it is for Genevieve Beacom to pitch an innings for the Melbourne Aces and Rachel Balkovec being appointed the manager of the New York Yankees affiliate, Tampa Tarpons. Coutta reviews week one of the Australian Open and Paul looks at what has happened in the NRL over the Christmas/New Year break.

You can see this episode of Sportzfan Radio here.

News, Podcast, Preview, Sports

Sportzfan Radio show #440 with special guest, Roddy Reynolds

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The Professor and the panel of the Judge, Coutta and Paul Dalligan discuss Novak Djokovic’s recent court case and disect the coming Australian Open with special guest, Roddy Reynolds from SEN’s the First Serve.

You can see this episode of Sportzfan Radio here.

Podcast, Sports

Sportzfan Radio show 350 – 18 August 2019

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Sportzfan Radio celebrated the 350th show in fine style welcoming back some panellists from the past in Daniel Eade and Chris formerly from Barwon Heads who joined the discussion with the Professor, the Gelding, the Judge, Coutta and Nick the Saint.

The Panel spoke to former steeplechase jockey, Leigh Woodgate about her early years, her career, the race fall 25 years ago, her recovery from the injuries she suffered in the fall and the inspirational speaking role she now has.

We also talked Premier League with Mark Fiorenti and NRL with Paul Dalligan.

You can hear the podcast here at Southern FM.

Podcast, Sports

Sportzfan Radio – 7 July 2019 – Show #348

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On yesterday’s show the panel spoke with US correspondent, Dan Butterly about the the recent NBA draft and free agency period and the season so far in Major League Baseball. We also spoke State of Origin with Paul Dalligan and Mark Fiorenti previewed the women’s soccer World Cup final between the USA and the Netherlands. A new panellist was introduced to the show too.

You can hear the podcast of the show now.

Podcast, Sports

The first of the Sportzfan Interviews – Axel Dench

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In this first of a series of Sportzfan Interviews, the Professor talks with former College and NBL player, Axel Dench about his career in basketball and as Merumeru in Star Wars 3, Revenge of the Sith. In a career that included a March Madness trip to the Elite Eight with
 Gonzaga, a Championship in his first year with Wollongong Hawks plus the 2001 NBL Rookie of the Year award, he believes he peaked early. A shoulder injury hampered his development and he eventually bounced around Europe until returning to Australia to play with the Melbourne Tigers in 2007.

Whilst he enjoyed playing at elite level in basketball, it wasn’t until his taste of Hollywood in Revenge of the Sith that he discovered he had a love for acting and movies. His one regret is that he declined another movie role to accept a three year contract with the Melbourne Tigers only to be released after one year to free up player points.

You can hear the full interview at https://soundcloud.com/sportzprofessor/the-sportzfan-interviews-axel-dench