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In this podcast
2:00 – Welcome Ian Roberts
3:19 – Starting the journey in England
5:00 – His parents immigrating to Australia
7:52 – The scariest moments of his childhood
9:53 - When he stated playing footy
10:35 – His relationship with his Dad
11:10 – Coming out to his family
13:00 – Respect from the media
15:00 – Bob Fulton and inclusion
16:27 – Changes in the Gay community from the 1980’s to now
17:29 – Do sports people confide in him
18:55 – Why he didn’t originally come out
20:49 – Why players had a better relationship with the media back then
21:30 – The speedster on the wing
23:41 – Supporting Souths as a kid at Redfern Oval
24:48 – Getting signed by Souths
25:44 – Wanting to give up footy
26:50 – His two idols Craig Young and Les Boyd trying to fight him
28:02 – The fighting era at the Rabbitohs
30:50 – Being stereo typed in acting
31:31 – Success at the Bunnies and injuries in the late 80’s
33:44 – Moving to Manly and the reaction from the Souths fans
34:25 – First game back against Souths
35:18 – The experience playing a season in England for Wigan
40:55 – Regrets not playing for England
41:50 – Being coached by Jack Gibson in the NSW team
42:55 – Changing his style of play
43:45 – Transforming into a rep player
46:30 – Playing with Chief and Lazzo
47:52 – Concussions
50:40 – Terrifying experiences in America
54:40 – Mid-year test against France at Parramatta Stadium
56:18 – The peak of his career in 1994
58:50 – His love of Bob Fulton as a coach
1:00:06 – Why he didn’t play in 1996
1:04:00 – Lachlan Murdoch and Super League
1:06:23 – How he ended up at the Cowboys and how it changed his life
1:14:50 – The dark times
1:18:34 – Working for the NRL doing inclusion workshops
1:20:56 – Loving the finish of his career under Tim Sheens
1:24:44 – Retirement and post footy injuries
1:25:09 – Star Wars and George Lucas
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Ian Roberts is a former professional rugby league player who played 194 first grade games in the NRL for South Sydney, Manly and the North Queensland Cowboys. He represented Australia in 14 tests and played 9 games for NSW in State of Origin. He was Dally M Prop of the Year in 1987, 1993 and 1994. Post footy he has over 50 credits in acting including being Star Wars episode 2, Superman returns an Underbelly on TV.
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