Dave Trodden. The CEO allows us inside the $50 million engine that is NSWRL | Chiming In EP060

Dave Trodden runs one of Australian sport's biggest and least understood organisations — the New South Wales Rugby League turns over more than $50 million a year, oversees 126,000 players across 700 clubs, and controls every competition in the state bar the NRL and NRLW.

Trodden takes us inside the business of Origin: why Matt King was the right call to succeed Laurie Daley, whether Ivan Cleary has put his hand up for a future crack at the job, and why he expects Origin player payments to eventually double. He also opens up on protecting referees after a wave of public controversy, why bush footy is in far better shape than people think, and the extraordinary economic value the game's 40,000 volunteers add each year.

It's not all boardroom talk, either — Trodden shares the story of falling in love with rugby league at Balmain's famous 1969 grand final upset, how he ended up on the Wests Tigers board almost by accident during the fractious merger years, and becoming chairman in time for the club's fairytale premiership win in 2005.

In this episode of Chiming In, Dave Trodden gives a rare inside look at how the game is really run, from grassroots to Origin.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

01:25 - Welcome: NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden joins Chiming In

02:14 - What people get wrong about the NSWRL

02:54 - The Blues as one of Australia's biggest sporting brands

03:48 - Matt King's appointment as Origin coach

05:01 - Did Ivan Cleary put his hand up?

10:41 - Why a club coach can't also coach Origin