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Episode 207: Ian Roberts


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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

Connect with Ian on Twitter

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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