EPISODE #81: ZIAD SOLTANI

EPISODE #81: ZIAD SOLTANI

EPISODE #81: Ziad Soltani, inspirational sports photographer & videographer joins me, MattyG, in the Speak Free Studio. At just 12 years old, Ziad was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour and faced a life-threatening battle. Against all odds, multiple operations & a high-risk surgery performed by Charlie Teo, and the support of a community that rallied behind him helped change the course of his life. We chat about his remarkable journey, the rugby league community that stood by him, his passion for the NRL & the Bulldogs, and how he now uses sports photography and videography to inspire others and raise awareness through his work in the game he loves. This is a story of resilience, gratitude and never giving up.

EPISODE #80: KEITH GALLOWAY

EPISODE #80: Keith Galloway, Wests Tigers legend, life member, and one of the best props to ever wear our colours joins MattyG in the Speak Free Studio to chat Keith’s career, which totalled 210 games in the NRL (173 at Wests Tigers) and 42 games in Super League. They also chatted his huge achievements including representing NSW for State of Origin in 2011, and representing Australia in the Kangaroos for 5 Test Matches. The boys talked the Wests Tigers culture and how it shifted from 2006-2015, Keith’s favourite players he’s ever played with, and his admiration for Tim Sheens as a coach. They also discussed this year’s Wests Tigers team, and how well Benji is doing as Head Coach to bring the club back to a winning culture, plus a whole heap more!

EPISODE #79: PHEONIX GODINET

EPISODE #79: Pheonix Godinet, rising Wests Tigers star, joins MattyG in the Speak Free Studio to chat Pheonix’s journey through the Wests Tigers pathways, his coaching/skills work and content creation, and how his dad has had such a positive impact on him not only as a player, but as a person, plus a whole heap more!

EPISODE #78: ISAAC ISSA

EPISODE #78: Isaac Issa, super popular rugby league journalist, returns to the Speak Free Studio, joining MattyG to discuss his rapid rise in rugby league media over the past year, including landing a role with ESPN and becoming NRL accredited media. They also got into some of the biggest talking points in rugby league, including the success of the latest edition of the NRL in Las Vegas and the Wests Tigers finally heading there in 2027, the huge announcement that State of Origin will be played in New Zealand in 2027, and of course they gave some predictions for how the 2026 season will unfold, plus a whole heap more!

EPISODE #77: WESTS TIGERS 2026 SEASON PREVIEW (FEAT. SHAKTV, LACHIE PRINGLE & NRL FANATIC)

EPISODE #77: WESTS TIGERS 2026 SEASON PREVIEW In this special episode, Speak Free brings together some of your favourite Wests Tigers loving content creators - ShakTV, Lachie Pringle (Playing & Simple Podcast), NRL Fanatic & of course your host, MattyG - for a deep dive into the 2026 season. The boys break down: 🔥 Round-by-round predictions (zero Wests Tigers bias…🤥) 🐯 Players they're most excited to watch 💥 Who’s primed for a breakout year 📈 Where their Tigers will finish on the ladder 🏟️ Their shared love for The 8th Wonder