Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns

Is Kurt Gidley actually Cooper’s dad? The boys kick off with a live in-studio paternity test before diving into Gidley’s career, from debuting at Newcastle to captaining NSW. Plenty of laughs, old stories, and a surprising family twist.

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0:00-Leadership & Hard Times

4:00-Wayne Bennett

6:00-Alex Mckinnon

8:30-Priv...

Is Kurt Gidley actually Cooper’s dad? The boys kick off with a live in-studio paternity test before diving into Gidley’s career, from debuting at Newcastle to captaining NSW. Plenty of laughs, old stories, and a surprising family twist.

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0:00-Swab Test

4:00-Intro Gids

6:00-Matty Gidley

8:00-McDonalds

Someone’s trying to poach Jack…We’re going full tradie this week — from past jobs to the worksite showdown. Plus, our review of Happy Gilmore 2 sparks a deep dive into the greatest sports comedies ever.

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The boys sit down with Manly and Origin legend Jake Trbojevic for a big chat on leadership, loyalty, and life outside footy. From DCE’s wedding, Russian toothbrushes to COVID camps and Tom Turbo tales, nothing’s off limits.

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0:00-Intro

1:20-DCE’s Wedding

5:20-Dave From Dee Why

7:30-Manly...

Des Hasler’s fiery blow-up might be just what the Titans need 💥, while the boys farewell the Prince of Darkness himself — Ozzy Osbourne 🦇 Leichhardt chaos, coaches cracking, and a dive into Animation Domination 🎬.

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0:00-Ozzy Osbourne RIP

8:45-Birthdays

11:00-Golfin & Rumblin

20:00-Superpower

29:00-Des Goes Boom!

33:00-Coaches Incide...

Tom Starling joins the boys for a wild episode full of laughs, inside stories, and 2025 Raiders chat.They prank-call Adam Elliott and take a hilarious trip down memory lane.

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0:00-Brodie Jones’ Dad

1:00-Adam Elliot Prank

5:00-Pranks

9:00-Canberra

12:15-Roommates

19:15-Ricky v Cooper

21:15-Te...

Tom Starling joins the boys for a wild episode full of laughs, inside stories, and 2025 Raiders chat.They prank-call Adam Elliott and take a hilarious trip down memory lane.

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0:00-Engagement

3:00-Eligibility

9:00-Raiders 2025

15:30-Teammates

19:15-Knights Exit

21:30-Too Small For NRL

23:00-Big Papa

Matty meets his Kiwi Doppleganger, Cheese x Matty - the boys unpack Kalyn Ponga’s future as rugby comes knocking, and the legendary Cockhead Cup returns with full heat.

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Matthew & Cooper sit down with Tim Tszyu ahead of his massive bout with Sebastian Fundora.
They chat legacy, his famous father, Manny Pacquiao, the boxing world — and share a few laughs along the way.

WATCH THE FIGHT HERE: https://mainevent.kayosports.com.au/boxing/tszyu-vs-fundora-2?pg=default&extcamp=tszyuvfunbackstage-ptr-kyo-lnk-grc-acq-box-kyo&channel=social

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We’ve been loving the boost — and reckon you will too.

Use the Code JOHNS for a 10% discount, OR 20% paired with a Subscription.

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The boys take a chaotic trip from Oasis reunions to marriage counselling, with pit stops in Canberra, Townsville, Melbourne and which NRL Player had a night to forget at the Mad Cow.

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Queensland secured the 2025 State of Origin series with a 24–12 Game 3 victory, driven by Cameron Munster's inspiring leadership amid personal tragedy and Tom Dearden's breakout performance, earning him the Wally Lewis Medal. Coach Billy Slater's bold decisions, including key lineup changes, proved decisive in the Maroons' triumph.

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0:00-Leather Jacket

1:30-Munster Reac...

Queensland roll the dice for the decider — Shibasaki’s in, The Hammer shifts to fullback, and Big Papa returns! We break down every move, the Bellamy factor, and who wins Game 3 (and why).

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0:00-Coming Up

1:00-Decider

4:30-NSW

8:30-QLD & Shibasaki

15:00-Big Papa

18:00-Stefano

20:0...

Matty breaks down life lessons from SpongeBob 🧽, a royal audio leak, and a Ferrari meltdown.
From fights to flippin’ birds.

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0:00-Matty & SpongeBob

7:00-Meghan Markle

15:00-Triple M Guests

18:30-Woods v Hoffman

23:00-Your Week

27:30-Flippin Birds

31:30-Formula 1

33:00-Ferrari

38:00-Ring<...

The boys catch up with Roosters gun & NSW Blue Connor Watson to relive wild stories from their past, his rise through the NRL, and the moment he got the Origin call-up. With Game 3 around the corner, Connor gives a raw look into Blues camp life and what’s coming next.

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0:00-Back to Club Foo...

The boys catch up with Roosters gun & NSW Blue Connor Watson to relive wild stories from their past, his rise through the NRL, and the moment he got the Origin call-up. With Game 3 around the corner, Connor gives a raw look into Blues camp life and what’s coming next.

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0:00-Matty's Home Dramas

Alex Johnston’s heartfelt letter to Wayne Bennett, Angus Sampson charms the ladies and Trish has become a one can screamer. 

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0:00-Intro

8:00-Alex Johnston

12:00-Drama in the House

14:30-Angus & Feedback

21:00-Craig Johnston 

24:00-Bowling Club Beers

26:00-Junior Footy

32:00-Marriage Drama

Mark Hughes: Brain cancer survivor and absolute legend on and off the field.
The boys chat with the Newcastle great about the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, the 1997 Grand Final, and some wild stories from his playing days—including dragging Chief out of the pub.
A heartfelt, hilarious episode with one of rugby league’s most loved blokes.

Get Your Beanie Here!

https://markhughesfoundation.com.au/

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Rugby league legend Paul Gallen opens up about his upcoming boxing match against Sonny Bill Williams. Get the inside scoop on the long-awaited grudge match years in the making.

Overview: In this episode, Gallen discusses the lengthy negotiations leading up to the fight, including disagreements over financial splits and round lengths. He also analyzes Sonny Bill's fighting style and strengths in the ring. 

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

👉 Ticket for Gallen v SBW HERE!

0:00-KIIS Prank

2:00-Manly Offer

6:00-Sharks 2000

10:00-Paul Mellor

12:00-Sharks

14:00-Cha...

Warwick Capper’s five year ban, mutiny on the deep sea fishing trip Cooper’s wasted career and who’s the stinker? 

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The boys break down Queensland’s gutsy Game II win, dissecting the key moments and standout performances. From brutal hits to big plays, they unpack how the Maroons turned the series on its head.

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0:00-Woods v Slater

4:00-First Impressions

10:00-NSW Discipline

14:00-Momentum

19:00-Best Players

2...

The Blues bring back the band — Cleary x Luai are back with everything to prove.
Over in Maroons camp, Munster’s now captain, and Cherry’s been booted — here comes the chaos.

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0:00-MJs TikTok Addiction

3:00-DCE Dropped

7:00-Maroons

13:00-Stefano Utoikamanu

16:00-Jarome is Back!

19:00-B...

Matt and Trish’s romantic weekend. Friendships gone bad. Chat GPT’s marriage advice and using players as pawns. 

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0:00-Relationship breakdown

9:00-Walkout Song

14:00-Bush Man

17:00-The city

19:30-Elon Musk v Trump

22:00-top 5

25:30-Vegans

28:00-Coopers bad golf

30:00-Willie Peters...

The boys sit down with Bulldogs star Jacob Preston to chat about the fiery Eels vs Bulldogs clash. He opens up about life at the Doggies, his rise in the NRL, and the culture under coach Cameron Ciraldo. Preston also shares insights on his teammates and what drives the squad.

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0:00-2023

4:00...

Nasty review is back, better than ever!! Ben Fordham’s beetle-nut teeth get spotted. Matts biceps are causing a ruckus. Trish accepts that she’s at the bottom of the talent ladder, but strives for success as a stage-mother. Jack shows us his freaky side and Cooper addresses the smear campaign against him.

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0:00-John...

Ash Wicks from Two Doting Dads joins the show for a chat full of laughs and dad-life real talk. They dive into Trish’s guest appearance, Matty’s fact-checking, the Manly Sea Eagles, and some cheeky beef with Beaver. From Fatherhood to “big tears = big revenue".

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0:00-The Snip

1:30-Trish on Two Doting...

We revisit Matt’s bold NRL prophecies from 2008, and Jack slaps a heavy tariff on Trish (emotionally, not economically). Cooper lobs a hand grenade into the mix, and ‘Edward Scissorhands’ is back—this time causing trouble with the council.

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The boys break down all the action from State of Origin Game 1 in their post-match reaction. They share hot takes, key moments, and plenty of passion after a thrilling opener. 

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0:00-First Thoughts

3:30-Queensland Ball Movement

6:30-Stephen Crichton

9:00-Nathan Cleary

11:00-Yeo

12:40-10 Mins Before HT...

The boys break down the team lists for Origin 1 and preview this week’s blockbuster clash.
They dive into each side’s strengths, weaknesses, and key matchups to watch.
Plenty of NRL headlines to kick things off — Galvin to the Dogs, Cheese to Souths, and Madge to the Broncos.

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0:00-Madge & The Broncos...

Jack lets out a couple of zingers. Pizza pie, Lovely legs, plover problems, mocking miner birds and surging seagulls. Don’t be afraid to fact check. Matty!

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Josh Addo-Carr shares thoughts on team culture, Critta’s arrival, and the pride of State of Origin. From the Koori Knockout to life after footy, Josh stays grounded in community and culture.

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0:00-Wally v Pricey

4:00-Ray Price

5:00-Sparing Coop

8:30-New Systems

10:00-Bulldogs Success

14:30-Crit...

Josh Addo-Carr looks back on his rise in rugby league, from early challenges to his current chapter with the Parramatta Eels. He shares career highs, the impact of Storm’s culture, and learning from legends like Billy Slater. From army camps to locker room banter, Josh gives an honest look at what shaped his game.

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The Baddie Patrol was out in full swing last weekend. Cooper gets a geography lesson, Recipe of the Week makes a comeback and when country songs are always playing, he’s a going and she’s a staying.

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Recipe of the week

'Korean/Italian Pasta'

#1 - 300 Grams of Spa...

The boys are naming their 17-man teams for the 2025 State of Origin series. Who makes the cut, who misses out, and where do the big calls land?

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0:00-Mal Meninga to Perth Bears

4:50-Cheese released

7:30-State of Origin

9:00-NSW Blues

30:00-QLD Maroons

See omnystudio.c...

WARNING FOR LISTENERS - This Episode contains Sensitive Topics

Matty and Cooper chat with former UK Special Forces soldier, Royal Marines Commando, and Royal Engineer Ant Middleton about Head game, climbing Everest, accountability, society today & mates like Sam Burgess.

Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. 

Trilogy Tour has been rescheduled to the following dates:

Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW

Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD

Visit Ti...

How good are Rugby League people! Cooper delivers an accidental monologue, 
Matt relives the moment he got Steph Curried, Owen Wilson loves Magic Round,
and who is Rugby League’s best sledger?

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0:00-Cooper Car Accident

13:00-Magic Round

24:30-Max Plath & Sledgers

31:00-Getting Steph Curried

34:40-Fle...

WARNING FOR VIEWERS - This Episode contains Sensitive Topics

Cooper and Matty catch up with Joel Caine to talk footy, Fletch, life after the game, and some wild personal stories — including the legend of Johnny Gambler.

This episode includes discussions about sensitive topics such as trauma and mental health. Listener discretion is advised.

If you’re facing your own mental health challenges, please visit:

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Who sent Matt home in a cab? Jack lands one of his best zingers, Coop plays the Good Samaritan and find out what AI really thinks of Trish.

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0:00-Snakes

9:00-Choose a Drink!

16:15-Thursday Card Reveal

18:45-Friday Footy!

22:30-Sunny Coast Twins

24:00-Collapse

32:15...

Justin 'Scope' Horo joins the hosts to delve into the internal tensions at Manly, share a memorable story involving Richie Fa'aoso, discuss the challenges of retirement, explore his journey with YKTR, and reflects on working with the great Willie Mason.

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0:00-2013 Grand Final

2:30-Tension at Manly

10:00-Player Meetings

Justin 'Scope' Horo joins the hosts to share stories from their Byron Bay adventures, discuss Daly Cherry-Evans' leadership, delve into NRL training regimens, and analyze the current NRL market.

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0:00-Upper Crust

4:00-Byron Bay Trip

9:00-The Dad Bod

10:15-DCE's Wedding

12:15-NRL Training

18:00-Daly's Backrowers

At this week's family gathering, Cooper steals the spotlight with hilarious tales from Matty's childhood in Cessnock. Meanwhile, a deep dive into Gaz and Gayle's YouTube history reveals more than a few surprises.

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0:00-Homeland Insecurity

3:30-Australian Characters

7:30-The Pope

10:20-Gary & Gayle

23:00-Kurt Gidley

34:00...