# Phil “Buzz” Rothfield. Retirement, NRL scoops & the future of rugby league!

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/chiming-in-steve-gillis-player-manager-7109190/phil-buzz-rothfield-retirement-nrl-scoops-the-future-of-rugby-league
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/chiming-in-steve-gillis-player-manager-7109190/phil-buzz-rothfield-retirement-nrl-scoops-the-future-of-rugby-league.md
Podcast: [Chiming In - Steve Gillis, Player Manager](https://stenobird.com/podcast/chiming-in-steve-gillis-player-manager-7109190)
Published: 2026-05-28T20:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/fanatics-clubhouse/episodes/phil-buzz-rothfield-retirement-nrl-scoops-the-future-of-rugb
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/673a885550b6e3d2a51e5c08/e/6a183486da0413146cfda79b/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/chiming-in-steve-gillis-player-manager-7109190/episodes/phil-buzz-rothfield-retirement-nrl-scoops-the-future-of-rugby-league
Duration seconds: 3763

## Resource

Phil “Buzz” Rothfield has spent 50 years as one of rugby league’s most recognisable voices. After stepping away from newspapers, television, radio and podcasts, Buzz returns for a special episode of Chiming In to explain why he retired, what he misses, and what he really thinks of the NRL season so far. In this episode, Buzz opens up on the pressure of working seven days a week in rugby league media, life after NRL 360, and why breaking stories is still hard to let go. He also gives his unfiltered views on Andrew Abdo’s exit, Peter V’landys, the Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm, NRL expansion and more. From retirement reflections to big calls on the future of the game, Buzz is back behind the microphone and he doesn’t sit on the fence. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Start 00:03 - Highlights 00:48 - Phil “Buzz” Rothfield returns 01:15 - Why Buzz retired 02:29 - Life after rugby league media 06:00 - Andrew Abdo steps down 08:25 - Payne Haas to South Sydney 10:30 - Canterbury Bulldogs struggles 14:24 - Rugby league supporting its own & Try July 16:42 - Melbourne Storm and Billy Slater 18:22 - NRL global round and the Roosters 20:35 - Dragons and Shane Flanagan 23:24 - Blowout scores and rule changes 26:39 - Coaching pressure 29:49 - Best coach in the NRL 30:36 - PNG, New Zealand and expansion 33:01 - Perth Bears 34:39 - Zac Lomax and R360 36:35 - State of Origin and Super League 38:54 - Penrith Panthers and Ivan Cleary 40:05 - Newcastle, contenders and Grand Final prediction 42:07 - Coach of the Year and Dally M judging 44:12 - Wests Tigers 45:13 - Suburban grounds and Shark Park 48:27 - Gold Coast Titans and coaching accountability 52:58 - Wayne Bennett’s future 54:27 - Referees and the bunker 55:35 - Women’s rugby league and Emma Lawrence 57:32 - NRL 360, media pressure an…

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