Marnie Vinall Interview
A special interview for you today as we welcome back Australian journalist and Olympics researcher Marnie Vinall to the show for a full interview about her amazing media career and experiences working on the Olympics! We find out from Marnie her unique path into the media and why a conversation from a friend helped spur her on to what she is doing today. We also learn about the challenges she has faced working in the sports media as a female and how things can be changed further moving forward. Added to this we learn more about her passion for the Olympics, listening to K-Pop with Ian Thorpe and finding out just how amazing Bruce McAveney is in real life. It's a great chat you simply can't miss, so get to listening!
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Please note this is an automated transcript that may contain errors.
BEN WATERWORTH: It is Off The Podium, An Olympics Podcast coming to you once again for an interview episode. And hi, I'm Ben. You might have heard me on such shows as Off The Podium. Haven't been here for a couple of weeks, but I'm back. And I'll just quickly say thanks to Colin for filling in for the last few weeks. But today I'm excited to bring you a chat with someone who you've heard on the show before, but not in a full length capacity, Marnie Vinall. Now, Marnie worked with me at Channel 7 during the Beijing Olympics as an Olympics researcher. And we had her on a couple of times during those games, just hearing her thoughts about the Olympics along the way. And we said we'd get her on in a full length capacity, and here we are. So we're gonna learn a little bit about Marnie's career, how she got into journalism and media, her experiences working on the Olympics and everything else in between. It is a fun chat, which I know you are going to enjoy. So please sit back, relax and listen to my chat with Australian journalist Marnie Vinall.
BEN WATERWORTH: Very rare on this show that we can say we are welcoming back a guest who actually hasn't been on in a full interview. This actually might be the first time that we've had somebody on in a shorter interview that then we've said, hey, we'll get you back on for a longer interview, and here they are for a longer interview. You first heard it during our coverage of the Beijing Olympics, where I worked alongside of her as an Olympics researcher on Channel 7. But outside of that, you may have read some of her work in some publications, such as The Guardian, The Saturday Paper, ABC News, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, SBS News, and many others, and also heard her voice on numerous podcasts. She's also the dedicated AFLW writer for ESPN, and also works on their podcasts as well. And she goes for a kind of crap football team, but we won't talk about that. She's really good at her job everywhere else, except for a choice in football teams. It's a pleasure to welcome back to Off The Podium, Marnie Vinall. Marnie, I had to say it, sorry. Welcome back to Off The Podium.
MARNIE VINALL: No, thank you so much. And I will say that Essendon aren't performing very well in their men's senior team, but the women's, winning by 60 points every single week at the moment, we had a percentage the last time I checked of 420, halfway through the home and away. So VFLW, so even though Essendon, they're, you know, the biggest in the media story is that we're having a very bad year. We've got four losses to one win. That one win was against Adelaide by four points, not something to write home about. But the VFLW team, it's a good baby.
BEN WATERWORTH: You did, yes. And you stole a couple of Carlton's good players too, I believe, for your inaugural season, right? For the AFLW, so just typical Essendon. What can I say?
MARNIE VINALL: Well, also, so Maddie Frasparcas, we stole from Carlton. She's a lifelong supporter of the Bombers. And I know that I'm biased here, but isn't it like super heartwarming to see this, like all these kid photos of a player, just like at games, just full nutcraft going on, like full scarf and jersey and their signings everywhere. And they look a bit ridiculous. And then as an adult, you get to see them run out for their club. Like I get it, I'm biased, because also I'm always going to be on the Frasparcas train when she chugs along to Essendon. But don't we love that story?
BEN WATERWORTH: But the way I picture it is that I remember when I used to do my breakfast show and I'd interview AFL players, the favourite question I always ask an AFL player was like, who did you support growing up? And 90% of the time, they never supported the team they played for. So like you picture yourself, Marnie, that like you're getting drafted by, I don't know, Carlton in five years' time. That's gonna be weird for you because you spent your whole life going for Essendon, but you want to play in the AFL. So it's kind of like, well, shit, what do I do here? So it would be a romantic story for you to get drafted by Essendon because you've got everything ready to go, right?
MARNIE VINALL: Exactly. I don't know if you know about in St. Kilda games, they constantly show the photo of Jack Higgins as a kid being lifted up in the crowd. Have you seen it? It's so sweet.
BEN WATERWORTH: I think I have seen it, yeah, yeah, yeah. I remember my dad used to say to me, I said like, dad, like if I had have grown up to play AFL and I had played for Collingwood and it was a grand final, I mark the ball, Siren goes, I kick against Carlton to win the grand final for Collingwood, who would you be going for? And he's like, Ben, I know deep down, you would know what to do and you would miss that shot, probably would, let's be honest. Sacrifice my own glory for my own team, of course, you bleed for your team. Exactly, exactly. But Marnie, I would be intrigued to find out and learning a lot about you today on the show, your passion for media, your passion for sport, your passion for journalism and everything. I mean, where did this begin? Did you did you grow up wanting to be a journalist, get involved in the media?
MARNIE VINALL: This is probably going to be a bit of a long winded answer, but I grew up a ballet dancer and my sister was a writer and that was kind of like our paths that I felt like we were on. So I ended up I was in the New South Wales Company and then I ended up moving to Sydney when I was 15. So I was like very heavy ballet and contemporary dance and I felt like, okay, well, that's my thing. And then Francis, my sister was very much just like, like docs of the school and like the captain of the debate team. I was also in the debating team, but I wasn't captain of it. She was just like killing it in like the English department and I very much thought these are our paths, whatever. And then when I got to uni, I also like I didn't do it really any of like the English. I mean, I did get very good marks in English, but I didn't do like advanced English or anything like that because I just like felt it wasn't really for me. I did like biography and PE and I did dance and ballet because that was an option at the school that I went to. Anyway, so kind of didn't really dabble too much in like that literary side. And then I went to uni again, did marketing and media comms, just people was like, media comms is cool. And then just like fell in love with media and writing and it was like by far, like I didn't really go to my lectures except my media lecture. Like I would actually look forward to those classes. I just found it so interesting and like media is such like an access point to society and like to talking about like bigger topics that I really care about. And it's also shaped society and I find that really intriguing and really powerful. And there's nothing to me that kind of speaks so much to my soul and gets me quite so interested. And yeah, so at uni, I was just like plugging along doing my essays, whatever, whatever, whatever. And then I remember having a conversation with one of my friends and it just bugged me. This conversation with her just like bugged me and she was saying just like, I was in a long term relationship and she wasn't, she was like, I'm not like you. I just like, I like to go travelling and stuff. I was like, why does me being in a relationship stop me from like travelling and stuff? Like my partner in time is like holding me back from like being who I should be. And I was just like annoyed about it. So I did the very mature thing and wrote about it for the uni magazine.
BEN WATERWORTH: Is this what I say, how very millennial of you that you're like, oh, I want to write about this. My opinion. Come on. I'm going to type it up.
MARNIE VINALL: And it was also great because she didn't realise that like this was born out of a conversation that I had with her. She was kind of just like, oh, my God, this is so cool, like, congratulations. I loved it. It was like, okay. A few missing leaks going on here. No worries. So my, yeah, I guess my media career started with pettiness, which I love. It does feel very millennial of me.
BEN WATERWORTH: Were you drinking a soy latte at the same time? Like just, you know, I mean.
MARNIE VINALL: I mean, I'm never not drinking a soy latte. I was wearing like a black turtleneck. Yeah, soy latte in a keap top, like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Bomber scarf around my neck, my usual uniform. Yeah, yeah.
BEN WATERWORTH: Um. Exactly the standard Melbourne attire.
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah. And then I just kept writing for that publication. So it was called Hijacked. I think it was online and it was like Australia-wide, it was a national-wide uni magazine. And then I started writing for, do you know Junkie?
BEN WATERWORTH: Yup.
MARNIE VINALL: So they had a uni branch, so they had uni junkie when I was at uni and I used to write for them quite a lot. And I was like, I really like this, I'm getting a lot of reward out of just writing regularly for them. And like, because it was a uni publication, it was stuff like, why you should drink green tea in the morning instead of coffee? Like it was nothing, really. Although I did write one piece that I really loved, which was called, it was called, I can't remember, but it was all about how like the pressure to be like chill in women is like holding us back. And I really liked that and that got put on their main page of junkie and I was like, I'm good at this. So I just kept doing that. I didn't feel like it was a viable career option because everyone was telling me so. I don't know.
BEN WATERWORTH: Everyone's been saying that for the last 20 years. Now don't worry, we're still here. It's fine. Newspapers still exist. It's okay humans. It's fine.
MARNIE VINALL: It's not a dying industry. So now I've got two degrees and a master's and even in my master's, which I did with an already established career, they were like, every class would be like, don't do it. There's no jobs in it. You're going to have to be a copywriter instead, which I actually did. So I actually went straight from uni to copywriting and then wrote a piece for the ABC, which is like one of our main national publications and was like, I really want to just do this. So I quit my marketing job and was like, I'm just going to build a portfolio and then COVID happened and they ended up building a portfolio for two years, but it actually took off. So we're pretty happy about that. Not COVID obviously. Not that part.
BEN WATERWORTH: I mean, it did take off, but that's not a good thing that took off. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. It still is. It's going up there. But it's fascinating that, I don't know if I've ever talked to somebody who's like, yeah, I was a ballerina, but now I'm like a writer, like there's not a common-
MARNIE VINALL: A sports writer.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Which I've got to ask though with being a ballerina, like was that as a kid, were you hoping to pursue that as a professional career? Were you hoping to be like dancing at the Sydney Opera House, like as a professional ballerina touring the world, going like Europe and Carnegie Hall in American places like that? Was that the goal when you were a kid?
MARNIE VINALL: It wasn't. I feel like I've always been self-aware enough to know when I'm good at something, but not great at something, if that makes sense. So like I grew up in Bathurst, which is a smallish, it's not actually that small, town in like regional New South Wales. Yeah. Yeah. So in regional New South Wales, central New South Wales. And I was probably one of the best there. And then I, yeah, pursued, I auditioned for the New South Wales Company and I got in and that was amazing. And like props to my dad, who would drive me to Sydney and back. So that's a six hour round trip every single week so that I could be a part of this while at the high school in Bathurst. And then I auditioned for New Town School of the Performing Arts, I don't know if you know it, but yeah, it's like one of the main performing arts high schools. I got in, you can't be in the New South Wales company and at New Town because New Town would just it would just be all New Town kids if that was the case, which was kind of because they do a lot of things together as well, which was like fine. So I got the company, went to New Town and then it was where I really realised that like I'm really good at this and I love this, but I don't, I'm not obsessed with it in the same way a lot of these other people around me are. And also I'm not as good as a lot of the people around me are and like that was fun with me. I also didn't want the like competitive lifestyle that it seemed to have. I was just like, this is not some way that I will thrive.
BEN WATERWORTH: Well the question I have to ask though is if one of your friends had been like Marnie, you're not very good at ballet, you should probably do better. No, I'm going to write about this. You watch, I'm going to do better. I'm going to do better. Like was that maybe what you needed to pursue you to go further in it?
MARNIE VINALL: No, because I was told I don't have the correct turnout and things like that. And I was like, have you seen Tana Sage? That's literally the main plot point of that movie. She's told she doesn't have perfect turnout. And then she goes on to like set up that company with who they want it like. No, I mean, because also when you go to Newtown, which is like, we're just going to dance a five hours a day, have fun. It's like they're brutal. So like you get told where your areas of weaknesses are.
BEN WATERWORTH: Wow. I went to Newtown High in Hobart, it was an all boys high school, and we definitely did HLA.
MARNIE VINALL: You missed out. It's the universal language. That also made me look like, also because you had to write like a two to three, a four page every single day of your diary, of like the class lessons and like all the different muscles you use and more. And I just love so much to all the essays that were just like, dance is the universal language, true, but you couldn't show just a clip of someone dancing to people in every single different country in the world. They'll be like, I understand exactly what's going on in Ukraine. You know what I mean? It's just very silly to me.
BEN WATERWORTH: Well, maybe there's the issue, though, Marnie. Maybe if Vladimir Putin watched some dance, then we'd be fine. Like that guy needs to watch some dance videos and then we'd be good. That's that simple. Solves all the world problems. I mean, actually, growing up in Bathurst, you don't want to become a car driver, like racing V8s or something along those lines. I mean, I think Bathurst, I just think of the race. I mean, I'm sure most people do if you know much about motor racing or just sport in Australia. But I mean, was that something that crossed your mind? Oh, they're in our backyard. I may as well do that for a living.
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah, given my Bogan tendencies, I think a lot of people would tell them that I'm in Bathurst. They're like, that makes sense. Always have like Bundy at my house, you know, got to be prepared. But no, my family were not into car racing. We used to go camping when the car racing was on, so we'd rent our house out to drivers. And then we'd get like money to pay for our camping trip. And then we'd have to deal with like the influx of car racing fans in that town, which was a lot. It was just, it was a lot.
BEN WATERWORTH: That's why when I say like, I like Formula One, people are like, oh, so you're a rev head. You like what? I'm like, no, I like Formula One. That's like proper. I don't like that stuff. Like, you know, like, well, I follow Ferrari.
MARNIE VINALL: Me and Super Cars are going to come for you now.
BEN WATERWORTH: What are they going to do? Should I have a Holden in front of me? They're going out of business, aren't they? I don't know what's going on there.
MARNIE VINALL: Well, growing up, you did have to be either Holden or Ford. And I was Holden, so.
BEN WATERWORTH: And that's what always frustrated me about like Super Cars is just that you had two to choose from. Like, like it's when Mercedes and frickin like Volvo came in bold. Like, come on, let's go team Volvo.
MARNIE VINALL: So you can either go for the Gold Coast Suns or Greater Western City.
BEN WATERWORTH: Oh, Gold Coast, easy. That's not even a question. Come on. I've got roots to the Gold Coast, though. Like I was in their cheer squad for a good season. So it kind of it works a treat. It's great. Great. Like, seriously, if you if you knew you listen to this, you need to get in an AFL team. Get on board the Suns. They need the support.
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah, they do need the support.
BEN WATERWORTH: They do.
MARNIE VINALL: We got 4,000 in the game the other day.
BEN WATERWORTH: And they reckon Tasmania can't sustain a team. But that's a whole other question. Which so on the sporting side of things, then, I mean, did you grow up as a sports nut? Were you were you constantly watching? I mean, I know you're you're a football fan. You're a rugby fan and soccer fan. I know you like these all now. But were these happening as a kid? Or did you sort of develop this passion the older you got?
MARNIE VINALL: No, I grew up in Red and Green. So I grew up in Rabideaux. I met Russell Crowe when I was like 13, which really just solidified that. That was when he was feeling like he's like prime years, if you know what I mean.
BEN WATERWORTH: And was he good? Was he good to you? Or did he yell at you?
MARNIE VINALL: No, he was lovely. I feel like you yell and throw a phone at someone one time.
BEN WATERWORTH: You get a reputation.
MARNIE VINALL: No, he was he was lovely. No, so I grew up. Yeah, dad used to take us to Rabideaux games like all the time, like we would do again, the six hour round trip to Sydney just to see the Rabideaux lose. That was when they're in their winning spoon days. It was like I grew up. One of those fans is just like used to hanging out on the bottom of the ladder, which I actually like quite like. I like that feeling of being an underdog. And just like every try is so important. And like it's worth like winning. We're like, if you support a winning team, it's like, sorry. Not that I would know, but yes, I grew out like pretty invested in sport. I never made, I never played my many teams sports with surprises. A lot of people now are never like, we're talking about, you know, just because I'm around sport and athletes all the time. We talked about like growing up with sports we played. I was like, ah, ballet, because I didn't make the soccer team. I didn't make the hockey team. I didn't make the netball team. I didn't make the touch rugby team because it was, what's it called, like multi-sex, gender, you know, like mixed in the team, mixed. And they had to let girls in or they would be disqualified. So I did get to my touch at school. Yeah, literally. But no, didn't play yet, but I did love it. And then when I moved to Melbourne, that's when like it really took off. So I'm like 18 at this point. And I met a boy who went to Essendon and-
BEN WATERWORTH: That's your first red flag. That's why it didn't work out straight away. I'm telling you now, that's never gonna work out Marnie. Straight away, like, oh, I love you. You go for Essendon. Oh, that's okay, isn't it? No.
MARNIE VINALL: Well, that's what people do to me now. That's why I'm actually single. Yeah, so I was like, I'll go for Swans because I'm from Newth Wells. But like, you know, we're in your heart when you just don't feel it. And I was like, I do not, I'm not feeling it with this team, this team and not the team for me. And I just happened to be going to Essendon games like every single week at this point with him because he would go to every single game. And I just fell in love with the team. And I remember there was one game where like, I knew more stats about a player than he did. And I was like, yeah, we're here. Like we're on baby. Like we are firmly on the Essendon train, like toot toot. We are not going to Promotion Station, but that's okay. We'll just keep going around. And it was when I have always felt that like sport is, all those cliches like bringing people together in community and how it really is almost like a spiritual thing. I think in like, especially in like these days where like religion is on the decline, but like sport is on the incline. Like it's part of feeling, you know, you're a part of something bigger than yourself and you feel included in something bigger than yourself. And that could feel, you know, a sense of like belonging and purpose and reward and all of those things that I think are really important in life. And I was getting all of that from sport and from following Essendon. And then I had like a really bad year. It was, partner and I broke up and we've been together for like four years at this point. I quit my job. My dad had cancer, he's fine now. And these things happened. And it was just like Essendon were the one thing that was like every single week, like the only thing that matters. So that like three hours is like where the ball is in the air and like whose hands it lands in. And it was such like a reprieve. And it was just this like, this is only thing that was like really getting me through. I still remember we beat Port and it was when Joe Downer had played with us. And like he was on the front page of the newspaper and I like got it out, like stuck it on my wall. It's just like, this is like something like keeping me going. And it's my thing like every week, instead of just being like this monotonous, like really bad time, it was like, well, when it essence of play, is it at the G or Marvel or like, where is it gonna be? And it was just like, it was my joy in like really bad times. And I was like, this is amazing. I'm firmly on like sport. And then I did a program called Making The Call with Emma and Lucy Brace. They like headed up. So they did the Outer Sanctum, which is like a AFL, MNW podcast in Melbourne. And they did a course. It was like to get more women into sports broadcasting roles. That was like, well, I'm already in the media and I really love this. I really love sport. Let's just give this a go. And then as soon as I did the program, it was like, I'm here now. Like this is what I want to do. You know, they got me opportunities, put me in touch with people. My place is like Channel 7. And I wrote for like The Guardian. And what they really did was like that sense of belief, which sounds really like sentimental and kind of cliche, but it was this like, no, you belong in this space because as much as I love sport, it can feel like it doesn't love me back constantly. I mean, when you are watching, you know, someone who's pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges, be like glorified by this system and by the fans and by the broadcasters. And it's like, well, I don't belong in this space. So that's what I kind of always felt was just like, like, you know, I love it. But I'm also quite aware that like, this is not a safe space for me. Like I, and things have happened to games and things. I remember it as a kid, like at a Rabbitose game, the opposition won, surprise. And then on the train back, he was like, what about a victory fuck? And he said that to me and my sister, who were like 14 and 12. Like, you know, like ever since I was a kid, I've like known that like sport isn't the safest place for me. And I've been like very aware of that. But this program, it was very much just like, no, you do belong here. And you're just not used to like saying people like you on the TV, because there's not people like you on the TV, but there should be. So go and do that. If you get radio spots, like I remember the first time that I was asked to like a radio spot. And I was just like, no one wants to hear my voice. I sound, I have got a very young high pitched voice. And I was like, people, I'm going to take that seriously. People are going to mock me. And they're just like, well, no, the only reason you think that is because you haven't heard it before. So think about all of the people like with a voice like yours that need to hear your voice on the radio talking about the AFL. And I was like, okay, fine. And so that was probably the biggest thing they gave me was just this very big push of just like being in that space. We're not saying it's going to be easy, but you definitely belong there. And like the difference that you'll make by being there won't open the door for other people. I was like, okay, cool. So I just like kept like pushing. And like, they also, the thing that they instilled in us was because it's like this, I'm bad at numbers. I'd say there's like 15 to 20 that did the first round with me. And they very much instilled in the get-go, like it's a cohort, not competition. So we're all working together, even though we work in like cross platforms, or like we all want to do like the same kind of things here and there, whatever. If we're a cohort, we're not competition, which is like completely different from like all my journalism, you know, degrees and stuff where it was just like, you are constantly, yeah, everything is a competition. You have to be everyone else, whatever. We're like in the women's sports space, especially it's just like, we are working together, which like really kept me buoyed. Otherwise, I think I would have like tapped out of this space long ago, because there have been times like where I've had to like go to the bathroom and just like voice memo notes, people from that cohort should just be like, this happened, I'm really annoyed about it. Or like even just little things like being called love, like that is really frustrating because like, have you ever been called love in a professional sense?
BEN WATERWORTH: Not in a professional, I've been called love, but not in the sense of that, no, no.
MARNIE VINALL: And it's like, yeah, and like, it's almost like hard. And so like they have really kept me buoyed and like that whole community like kept me lifted as I'm like trodden further and further and further down the sports path because I do find it really rewarding. And there are lots of like inequalities within, so I mostly write about like coverage, yes, but then also like the bigger issues, which is really what like I get a lot of my reward and purpose and like makes my heart sing about, but it also is like pretty tough. And so quite often like I'll be like, I'm really annoyed about this thing that keeps happening. And it's so much easier to like write that down and write like a thousand word article explaining it, giving examples, then having a conversation one-on-one when someone's just gonna be like, no, you're wrong, no, you're wrong, no, you're wrong. You know what I mean? So that, so like even for example, like I wrote a piece this week that was about, and this is where I've really used a little bit of my degree, but it was about gender biases in machine learning and AI and how that is a barrier to progressing women's sport, because it's like contributing to the invisibility of women's sports online and it's like a feedback loop. And like, yes, there are reasons why men's will come up before women's, they've got 150 years versus five years, blah, blah, blah, like there's all these reasons for it, but it is a problem, this is the problem, this is the solution, yada, yada. And it's so much easier to like write that down and explain it out than to like pull someone and be like, I'm annoyed that when I Google NRLW, it comes up with NRL and they go, well, that's just how machine learning is, you don't know anything.
BEN WATERWORTH: You've got that voice really, don't you? That like with that platform to be able to put that article out there that you can express that essentially rather than just typing or yet saying it as you're saying like that to somebody.
MARNIE VINALL: I can't actually remember what your beginning question was. I feel like I've just like deviated and gone on a bit.
BEN WATERWORTH: This is Off The Podium, this is what happens. I will ask you like, what did you have for breakfast this morning? And we'll end up talking about how we really do think that the economic crisis in Burkina Faso is affecting the world more so than people are talking about. Like it's a natural order. Yeah, it really is though, isn't it? Like it really needs to, we need to focus on that. But I mean, on your website, arnievinall.com if people want to check it out. I mean, looking at some of the headlines you've got here on your articles and sort of what you're touching on. You've got, no Google, I meant Women's Rugby League, not NRL, sexism in sports media, a man behaves badly and a woman pays the price. If Marble Stadium can be upgraded, AFLW can surely get a boost too. And let's just sort of all these sort of things which are, I guess, posing that question and like what you're saying there. But I find it really fascinating that you seem to really be in this period now where these sort of articles and these talking points are much more, I guess, mainstream now, aren't they? Whereas, you know, like, I mean, even five years ago, these weren't being talked about as much as they are now and it seems to be going on there. So, I mean, do you find that kind of as you are going further in your career that this is a great time for not only yourself, but for women to get involved in sports media because it is a lot more accessible and a lot more people, I guess, are, I don't wanna say when I say listening to you as much as they were before, I'm not saying that they weren't being listened to, but it's much more on a level which maybe it wasn't happening five years ago.
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah, so I think there's two parts to this. One is there is a push for increased women's coverage and the women's coverage at the moment, like we're getting 10% of all mainstream media on a good day. Like it is not anywhere where it should be, it is a problem. But there are a lot of publications that are taking note because they really, I mean, they really have to. It's a bad look if they don't. So it's on them, they really have to. And a lot of places, I mean, the ABC have a 50-50 goal. That's incredible to get like 50-50 coverage. There are places like, you know, in The Guardian, yeah, I'm just going to name every publication, we don't want to leave them out. They're all having a push to get more women's coverage, which is amazing. They also are aware that they need women to cover women's sport, because it looks bad if they don't. And also it's better work if you get women to cover women's sport. And I do think that there should be a cross of like, 50-50 should cover men's sport, 50-50 should cover women's sport, so non-binary people should absolutely be in that mix. But, you know, at the age currently, so we're recording this mid-April, they currently have no female sports reporters, none. So it's a big problem. And so a lot of places are just like, well, we need to get more coverage. And they're reaching out to freelancers. So yes, so I'm ESPN's AFLW writer. This season is the first season that they've like properly covered AFLW. And they're like, well, we need someone to do it. Like, I can do it. So I am coming up at like a very good time for the, I guess the progression of women's sports coverage. And that's awesome. Also to the point now where like I can pitch things and it's being accepted where it wasn't before. And like, and still on the same level, like, you know, there's a new captain appointment in the AFLM and that'll get an article for sure. There's a new captaincy appointment in AFLW and most places are like, that's probably not news enough, which is pretty frustrating, but at least it's getting better. And there is like a big push from the community and also from fans being like, where is this stuff? So that's good. And then the other one is that the culture is starting to change and develop in terms of just like progression and like actually listening to more women and people from marginalised communities speak and they want more of that content and that includes women's sports. So I think a good one is like, you read that headline of a man behaves badly and a woman pays the price. So that was referring to the Tom Morris, Fox footy, leaked audio and video content saga that happened. And I think that, yeah, five years ago, if there was leaked audio from like a main sports journalist in the Australian landscape, it would have got like a series of like tweets about it and then probably died in the water. Like it would have just been complete. So I've done the right thing. I think it would have happened. But like this day, especially post me too and all of that, it got proper attention and got looked at. So the editor of the age actually reached out to me. So this all happened at night. So she reached out to me at night and said like, Hey, can you write about this? So I submitted it at 2 a.m. And I was like, why is that it was, I don't know what that would have been like, but it was good. Thankfully. But like that, I don't think that would have happened five, 10 years ago. Absolutely not. Like there's no way something like that would happen. And we'd be like, oh, we need to get like more of a story on this. And we need to get the... So I talked to in that piece how, you know, that example was just a bigger example of a wider problem. And like, this is not actually about like one individual person who said some pretty horrendous, like heinous stuff on a WhatsApp group. And it got leaked. This is about like a wider cultural problem. But like every woman that I know in women, like sports media understands deeply. And it's like scared of, and it's keeping women out. And there's all these problems to it, that it's not about him, it's about the problem. That would not have been a piece five years ago. And no one would have listened five years ago, I reckon.
BEN WATERWORTH: Which it is fascinating just to hear that side of things. Cause like, I guess as a man in the media industry, sports media industry, yeah, you're right. Like back to your question about, have I been called in? No, I haven't, things like that. And it's interesting because I guess it takes that education for somebody like myself who I've never experienced it. And I'm not aware of it, to hear, I guess kind of that sort of stuff to move forward that, which yeah, there's all those layers to it, I guess, which it's, I guess we live in an age now where people can have more of an active voice about this to get it told out there. And hopefully that then brings change so that in another five years, it's gonna be even better than it is now. Like how now is better than it was five years ago and the cycle continues, right?
MARNIE VINALL: And even just like people's willingness to listen, because if we're using that exact case of like me writing that piece, I had a few women who I work alongside and I count them as peers, reach out to me and say, that was great. And we're really happy you did that, but we can't personally say anything because we are really scared of repercussions from our employers. And like I'm freelance, which means that I can do that, but it does hinder opportunities in the future. And I do really worry about it. You know, like after I had that, it was on my mind being like, well, if I'm speaking openly, you know, in the age about sexist culture and boys club culture in sports media, are Channel 7 gonna ask me back? And like that piece wasn't about Channel 7, but like, are they gonna be like this?
BEN WATERWORTH: Can I interrupt you really quickly? They hired me. Go back and listen to all the stuff I've said about them during Rio and Pyeongchang. You're safe, you're fine, you're good.
MARNIE VINALL: No, but like, you know what I mean? Like it's really, it's genuinely like a huge fear that like so many of us have. And like, yeah, just to be clear, Channel 7 is super supportive, it wasn't like, that piece wasn't about that culture.
BEN WATERWORTH: We love them, we love them, they're fantastic.
MARNIE VINALL: But like it is because like, and even just like, to your point, like I had a meeting at like one of the main sports networks a week before this happened, and I didn't get a call back. Like that's like, I can join the dots and stuff like that happening. So like, there is like a self-censorship problem when it comes to this stuff, but there are more people listening. So I did have a lot of people who I think are like quite big in sports, in the Australian sports media, reach out saying great article, blah, blah, blah. Or like Eve, I had even like a few phone calls from a few men, which is like awesome. I didn't expect that to happen. I was really scared of the opposite. But it, you know, so yes, there is like an increased willingness to listen, but also to an extent, like even the, I've had a lot of times where I've like written stuff and then people have been like, that's great. I can't personally share it because I will get in trouble if I do. Which means that like their employees aren't gonna contact me ever.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah. Well, I'm saying that you're on Off The Podium right now, Marnie, we are now an award-winning podcast. You're fine. Subtle brag, just gotta say that. And then the one thing I'll say too, talking about like reputation and things like that, there's another prominent, I guess, sports media person in Australia called Ben Waterworth. Right. Yeah, the amount of times I will wake up to abusive tweets or messages to like my email address, saying, you're full of shit, what do you know about this player? Fuck you, where do you live? And I'll just write reply back, wrong Ben Waterworth. Oh, ha ha ha ha, sorry. And I'm like, yeah, mate, good on ya.
MARNIE VINALL: Oh my god.
BEN WATERWORTH: I got an email from Eddie Maguire's brother going off at me for an article that I supposedly wrote about Eddie Maguire. And I wrote back and I'm like, pleased to meet you Mr. Maguire, wrong Ben Waterworth.
MARNIE VINALL: I mean, it's not, I mean, you don't really wanna wake up with all of that, but oh my god.
BEN WATERWORTH: It's, the funniest thing is, is that we've been aware of each other for a long time, like it's kind of, you know, when you've got another Ben Waterworth kind of doing what you do, people know that. And when I worked at the Mercury, he was at the Herald Sun, and cause we're both News Corp papers, my email address, like his email address is, and I don't think he's your work sir, and if he does, you can send him an email, ben.waterworthatnews.com.au. Mine was ben.waterworth2atnews.com.au. So, all the time, I would get stuff, or like people would be like, oh, there's two of you, aren't you? And I'm like, yes, there are.
MARNIE VINALL: Like, yeah, it was fun. Like, we get it. You know, the first one to come up with this joke, surprisingly.
BEN WATERWORTH: Which, I mean, kind of on the same page, we're kind of transitioning into the Olympics. I mean, I know growing up as an Olympics fan, the only real, I feel time that women's sport in Australia, at least, and I'm sure around the world got, you know, you'd say equal coverage, was during an Olympics. You know, because at that point, I usually would find that gender didn't matter as long as an Australian was doing well at the Olympics. We didn't care if they were male or female, which, I mean, did you grow up loving the Olympics as well, like part of all the sports that you did, or was this sort of, again, something that came to you when, as we'll get to how you got involved with Channel 7, like that you sort of took more of a notice then as well?
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah, I definitely have loved the Olympics. There's a photo of me in the big photo of my sister, me and my father at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, just like covered in like zinc on the face paint. I was 2000, oh, I would have been four. I was four years old.
BEN WATERWORTH: Of 13.
MARNIE VINALL: I still remember, oh, oh shoot, what was her name? It was a walker and we were supposed to get gold and then... Yes, we were there for that. And mum and dad was like, she's about to get gold. Just like, you know, get ready.
BEN WATERWORTH: So were you there where she got disqualified? Like were you like at the...
MARNIE VINALL: We were physically there. Big moment in sporting history.
BEN WATERWORTH: Geez, this is what happens. That's crazy, wow.
MARNIE VINALL: I love fanfare as well. And I love, we talked about this with the Olympics, but I mean, when we were at the other one, the other podcast, we were talking about the Olympics. What I really love about the Olympics as well is just like, you can be just like one-eyed completely, 100%. You are, like everyone around you, for the most part, is all going for Australia. And that is so fun, because like there are even times, like even like with the news of like the trade news with the AFRW, and it's just like, I'm so excited to get these players, but I have to like control some of that excitement around certain people. And like you've got to still be sensitive to like certain feelings that are going on, like die hard, cough and things like whatever. Like you've got to like mix your joy in with compassion. But with the Olympics, it's just like everyone around me, everyone on the street, everyone in the newspapers, like we are all going like hardcore for Australia. And that is like so fun. I love that so much about the Olympics. I've always been like a big, yeah, all these sports and I used to, I have memories of waking up at like three or 4 a.m. and just sitting on the couch with hot chocolate towards the World Cup with dad. Like, I just, and like the green and gold, like we've always just been like very much about it. I just, I love, yeah, that like, that huge community sporting spirit that the Olympics really, really do have. When it comes to women in the Olympics, yeah, I mean like, when I was a kid, like I wasn't aware of like, the patriarchy and gender dynamics and blah, blah, blah. It's like sport is sport. But as I started to get older, like it was like pretty prominent to me. That's just like sport is a man's thing. And that's not, you know, like even like every pop culture thing you ever watch ever, like if they need to give the dude an interest, it'll be sport every single time. And it like drives me bananas. So I've like, I've been aware of it, but it wasn't like until I, you know, started to become aware as I got older of systems instructors and cultural biases and like all of this stuff, but like it was like a huge problem. And you know, like Cathy Freeman, like we had our, you know, there were women, but also I think it is, it was also like a huge problem when you've got people like Cathy Freeman and just like a select few of Australian women who have done really well, because then you can be like, there's a problem with like, we aren't giving women any platforms, and you go, what about Cathy Freeman? It's like, yeah, okay, like one out of the 5,000 that you've given, you know, opportunities. Like, so yeah, so like they were there, but I didn't grow up, yeah, I didn't grow up with them like female heroes, which is why I've got number 20, Sam Kerr tattoo.
BEN WATERWORTH: You do, yes.
MARNIE VINALL: Because it's so important to me that all these like young kids are growing up and they can have both women and men as role models. Like that's so exciting to me, that literally sets my heart on fire so much.
BEN WATERWORTH: Well, I would argue with women's soccer right now that most Australians would know more about female players, because I don't know if I can name any of our male players right now, or I could probably name a few female players.
MARNIE VINALL: Because, yeah, and because we're doing better, right? And that's how it should go, and that makes sense. Like the men shouldn't get the platform just because they're men. Like we're doing better, so we get the front page stuff. That is also an exaggeration. We don't go on the front page, but you know.
BEN WATERWORTH: I think the men are getting front pages just because we probably won't make the World Cup this year, not for good reasons, but.
MARNIE VINALL: Right, but that wouldn't happen if it was a material. Like if the material didn't make the World Cup, we wouldn't get the front page.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, true, true, which it is, I mean, you know, I mean, the Matildas have been much better than the Socceroos for a long time. I feel like, you know, the last, it just hasn't really gotten the coverage right. Cause I don't think the Matildas have ever missed a World Cup, whereas, I mean, God, I mean, you're probably are old enough to remember us what it was qualifying for the Men's World Cup in 2006, how much of a bigger deal that was. But.
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And like, to be fair, the Matildas aren't like smashing it. Like it's pretty chaotic. We got kicked out of the Asian Cup that we were supposed to win in like a quarterfinal. And we just had friendlies and we beat New Zealand, but like we didn't beat US or. And we're ranked 12th in FIFA. So we got dropped, like we're like, we're not in the 10th anymore. So Matildas aren't doing that well, but they put a lot of effort into building the, building who the Matildas are with the fan base and the community and to see that actually like.
BEN WATERWORTH: Which it's obviously with the World Cup being in Australia next year, it's obviously, I mean, I'm not there at the moment. I mean, being here in the US at the moment, there's a bit of stuff happening with the men's one being here in 2026. But it's, yeah, I can imagine the short period I was back in Australia, I could see what it was doing already for the country and the sport. And I've seen a lot of it in promotional material in the last week or so popping up in my social media about sort of the World Cup there. So I mean, that's got, I mean, how excited are you for that Marnie, the Women's World Cup being in Australia next year?
MARNIE VINALL: I'm very excited. I just, it is important to me just like, frankly that like I'm in the spaces, which is why I'm seeing this stuff. The promotion for the World Cup has been pretty poor. I'm like, I even like was at a game with someone who like is a pretty decent fan of being like, oh, are we having the World Cup next year? Like they didn't even know, because it's not put in our fate. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like if you asked anyone on the street, they would have no idea the World Cup is in Australia next year.
BEN WATERWORTH: I met someone here who actually, I'll be honest, it was a date, and she was like, she was a big soccer fan. And she actually like, she travelled with the like US team. Like she'd been to the last like two or three World Cups because she just was obsessed with it. So she's like, yeah, like I'm already planning my trip to Australia next year because I'm that obsessed with it. So she was very much aware. So there are people over here at least that know about it, Marnie, I'll tell you that.
MARNIE VINALL: Well, I think it's like, if you are in the soccer community, right? You would know about it. Like if she's travelled with women, like she's going to know about it because she was following them. It's just like, if the World Cup is in America next year, I would know about it because I would want to go see my tillies, meet them in their home turf.
BEN WATERWORTH: I think the soccer over here is just happy that the men's team made the World Cup for the first time in like eight years. So that's, you know, I'm on board with like, you know, just Canada making the men's World Cup for the first time in like, you know, we're going to be doing an episode on that later this year just because we've never covered the World Cup before, but you know, got to keep those Canadian side of things there too. But it's, just back to your sort of your history with the Olympics and then sort of mentioning about how you're watching it, you obviously then go on to work with channel seven during Tokyo. Obviously you and I met during Beijing. So going back to what you're talking about, how you got into media and everything, all in those lines and those connections. So tell us how that all came about then working with it. And then going back to you, as you're saying, growing up loving these moments of Australia coming together was this sort of like a dream come true that you could then work on, you know, iconic broadcaster, Channel 7, who are the home of the Olympics in this country, and get a chance to bump shoulders with Bruce McAveney and people like that.
MARNIE VINALL: I mean, I shared an office with Ian Thorpe. So, yeah, I told everything I knew about that. I remember once he was like playing K-pop, and he was like, Marnie, do you like this? It wasn't really hard to concentrate. I was like, this is genuinely annoying. There was a time, though, actually where there was two commentators that I admired very, very greatly in the office, and they were talking so loudly, and I couldn't hear my boss on the phone. And I just turned around and be like, I'm so sorry. Could you just, like, shut a little bit?
BEN WATERWORTH: Who were they, Marnie? Who were they? Can you tell me who they were?
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah, they were also amazing people. So they were like, oh my God, we're so sorry. Also, because commentators are just very loud people, they didn't even notice. It was Georgie Parker and Alistair.
BEN WATERWORTH: Shut up, Georgie! Shut up, Alastair! Thorpey, play more K-pop.
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah, oh my goodness, it's so funny.
BEN WATERWORTH: That makes me really happy. Every time I hear K-pop now, I'm just gonna think of Thorpey, okay.
MARNIE VINALL: And I guess he was like, oh, do you like this? And I was like, oh, I'm not gonna say no. This is a chance for me, Thorpey, but I don't really know much about K-pop. So I was just like, black, pink, pink something. I can't even remember, but I was like, oh yeah, I love this band that I'd heard because they're done a mashup, a mashup, a collab. And I was just like, oh yeah, I really like this band. And I was like, sweet.
BEN WATERWORTH: That's what you tell like Psy, Gangnam Style, best song ever, right? Like that's K-pop.
MARNIE VINALL: Oh, that's so funny. But yeah, I got into the Olympics because Andy Ma, so his wife is Emma Race, who was like making a call, and like it's a bit of a mentor for me in this space. And I remember, I still remember, I was like sitting on my couch, and I got a text from Emma Race saying, Channel 7 need some researchers and writers for the Olympics. Do you mind if we put your name forward? And I was like, I'll have to check my schedule. I was like, yes, please.
BEN WATERWORTH: No, I'm busy.
MARNIE VINALL: And then, yeah, they put my name forward. Angie Marr obviously carries, his name carries a bit of weight around Channel 7. And then, yeah, just had a few conversations with Nick Tharrow, the EP at the time, in sport. And I was a researcher, but a researcher writer. So I did the daily preview to get all the stuff ready for like host producers, everyone in the morning, which I really appreciated because I meant that I could actually also like put a little bit of personality into that, which was nice and fun. But yeah, I still remember like driving in on my first day, being like, I don't know if I can do this. Like I'm so nervous. I'm so scared. Like this is the Olympics. And I'm just like wee little me, but I remember driving in and like straight away, they made me feel like super welcome, super comfortable. Like they also give you like a lot of like time to prep, I feel in those beginning days, especially because like the Olympics, like they start with like a few days of like, before the actual opening ceremony. And like, so you got a little bit of like breathing space before like the whole thing kicked off. The Tokyo was wild. Like it was so busy and so chaotic. The days were so long, but they didn't feel that long. Like I was working like 10, 11 hours getting home, like 2, 3 a.m. And like that was it. Like it was just like, wake up, eat my breakfast, go in. Hang out with Thorpey, listen to the K-pop. And also because like they were super supportive. So like, I would be like, oh, if I come in like two hours earlier, can I just like sit in on the swimming commentary? And I was like, watch. And they're like, oh, of course. So I spent like a lot of time outside of my, you know, rusted on 10 hours, just like, also just being there so that I could be there because it was like three weeks of working on the Tokyo Olympics, that like I would never get ever again. And I love that stuff. Like I love watching how other people work, like just to sit in the back of the, sort of the commentary and just like, you know, Leslie, Leslie, oh, Lisa Jones is like quite composed and like, she's so confident in like what she knows. So like when it's her time to speak where like, Thorpe, he will kind of like, he's very animated, even though it's like just like commentary. So he's not visually, but he's very animated. And like, so does, yeah. I've got a lot out of just being there and just like watching other people work and how they work and how they prepare.
BEN WATERWORTH: Just going through it. Which did you, were you then also, so you say you go in like early to sort of witness it, but you were there also like, so say Ariane Titmuss is swimming. So you're like, I want to be there to witness the commentators, like this is going to be a moment that will be replayed in sporting history forever. You're always going to hear Baz and Thorpey and Leesville calling this in 20 years time, like you were in the box when, you know, to become a legend, you've got to beat a legend. You know, these great things that Basil's saying. So you could be there for those moments.
MARNIE VINALL: Yeah, well, some part, yes, some part no, because it also just like, I would get home like 3am. Sometimes I wouldn't go to sleep until four and Ariane was on at 10am. So one time from my couch and I cried and it was so, it was, it's just like some real feeling of like, I remember being on my couch, had a coffee, watched it, I cry once you got a go and I drove into the studios and like that's where they called it. Like it was just, it was really just being like, I was just like there, part, like I was watching it with the whole of Australia, you know, chatting with like all of my friends who were like also watching it and then I go in to the studios and like that's where that happened. It was just, it's so, it was, yeah, it's so surreal. And like, it's also a good reminder of like how big the thing is that you're working on and how it feels.
BEN WATERWORTH: It is fascinating those things, how you put it that way, because I know like particularly when I was like stuck in a hotel with COVID and I would be watching things and I'd be like, I was just around the corner that that's, you know, happening. And like, I think watching Jakar and Gold, I'm just like, well, they're just over the road, basically, commentating that right now. But we're, okay, here's one for you. Were you in studio when Basil gave the great, the iconic line of we're all going gobbledygook for Zack stubbledygook? Like I'm jealous if you were in the room with that, because that was iconic Australian commentary.
MARNIE VINALL: No, because I remember I tweeted, but I remember tweeting something like, stick a fork in me, I'm cooked for stubbleygook. Something like, oh, like stick a fork in me, I'm stubblygook. I think I tweeted something like that. And I was like, that's good. And then I get into the other side of it like, raving up Basil's line.
BEN WATERWORTH: Mine was better.
MARNIE VINALL: I'm not gonna find out why I got Twitter out, let's see if I'm gonna find that. It was ages ago.
BEN WATERWORTH: It's ready to go. I've been sitting on a podcast, waiting for someone to ask me, yes, Ben, there it is.
MARNIE VINALL: I haven't tweeted anything since, because I just wanted to get the attention it deserves.
BEN WATERWORTH: Been waiting like eight months for this moment. But you're talking about, you know, Thorpey, Georgie Paye, Alyssa, did you meet Bruce? And do you have any Bruce stories for us today? Cause like, I always, anybody here who's like breathed the same air as Bruce. And I know he came in one of the days I was off with COVID. But did you bump uglies with Bruce and how was he?
MARNIE VINALL: I met, I didn't bump uglies with Bruce, but I did meet Bruce.
BEN WATERWORTH: I don't know where that sentence came from in my head. I've been sitting on that for a hundred odd episodes waiting to say the word bump uglies on Off The Podium.
MARNIE VINALL: Came out.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah.
MARNIE VINALL: No, I met him a few times actually. And it is so interesting. Just like the air changes a little bit. I think everyone's kind of like genuinely treats him, you know, rightly, I guess, because of who he is as like almost royalty. It's very interesting. He is one of the nicest, most genuine men I have ever, ever, ever met. And also because like, you know, a lot of commentators and a lot of people in those roles are super extroverted. They're constantly like performing for the people around them when they're on there, when they're off there, especially like there's something like the Olympics, where like all the hours get meddled into one and it's 3 a.m. and they're like cracking some jokes. You're like, you don't have to do that. We're like literally just like making a cup of tea. Like, you know what I mean? But like, Bruce was like so different where he was just like, so he had like, he has such like a calming energy and like genuinely so lovely. So like he met me and then the second time he met me, he like remembered my name, like who I was. And I was like, hey, there's like so many people working on this broadcast and you are you. Like that is pretty incredible. Insane. And then like even times like I would be, because I was getting ready for the day, the morning of like the next morning. So like I would be the only person left in like the commentator and researchers room at like 1230 when he was going home and he would like make the F to like walk to my office and like open the door and be like, good night.
BEN WATERWORTH: Oh, wow.
MARNIE VINALL: He did not have to do that. Like no one else did that, you know what I mean?
BEN WATERWORTH: Like it's just because we're all-
MARNIE VINALL: Because we're all just like working for like long, long hours. Like it's just very, very genuine. And then when he came in for Beijing, which is like Tokyo was June, July? July, and then Beijing is February, the following year. And like he's known me like a handful of times. And also like I'm a lonely researcher. I think researchers are amazing and beautiful and wonderful. And they do such important work, but you don't want to be able to say that. And he remembered it, who I was. Yeah, I was like, that is incredible. Like-
BEN WATERWORTH: They're meeting him enough, but then to have him remember you is like just another level, right?
MARNIE VINALL: And it also was like it gave me like faith in like who we idolised. Because we idolised so many dickheads in this country that like to have Bruce up on the pedestal he is and to have him as like genuinely a lovely human. I was like, yes, Australia, yes.
BEN WATERWORTH: Solidifies it. Just like Stephen Bradbury. I met Stephen Bradbury for the first time, like on like a Wednesday. I met him like two days later on a Friday. I didn't even remember who I was. He's like, oh, I'm Stephen. How are you? I'm like, dude, you met me two days ago.
MARNIE VINALL: I'm like, I don't know if I should say this, but I'm going to anyway. I just remember Stephen Bradbury sending on like, he WhatsApped me a, also like he had my number because he needed to call if he was in commentary, he needed anything. He like WhatsApped me a speed skating video like 12 30 at night was. And then the following day was like, how cool was that video? And I was like, it was good.
BEN WATERWORTH: Then you had drinks with him on his 20th anniversary. So I see the tears of research or respect that Stephen, but thanks, Stephen. He was on the show like two weeks ago.
MARNIE VINALL: So I'm sure he also had many stories about me, obviously.
BEN WATERWORTH: Oh, that's what we talked about on our interview. Do you didn't listen to it completely. Marnie, what do you, did you have a favourite moment during Tokyo and sort of like, you know, like any moments at all that kind of just stood out for you on top of everything?
MARNIE VINALL: Oh, yeah. So, channel seven provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks. It's great. The dinner, it was a bit different in Beijing. The dinners were just, I don't even know how we find why they were different. They were just different. And there was one night from the hat on the side, it's gonna be special knocky. And me and my friend Hannah, so Hannah worked there. She was on the night program, so we would often cross over in those nights. Here is my son and have dinner together. And we were like, oh my god, special knocky. That sounds like heaven. And we get it. And it's just potato jams and tomato sauce.
BEN WATERWORTH: That's very well played, Channel 7.
MARNIE VINALL: It just felt like the pinnacle of working at those games, where we laughed so hard and Hanna was genuinely devastated. We were just like, this is fucked. This is ridiculous. Like what? Special knocky, special knocky. It's just potato jams. And it was so funny. And such like this moment of like we're kind of like losing our minds a little bit and just to be served this like meal was just it was so funny. And we ate it and we watched Harry Garcide. He was on at that point. Remember? Yep.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yep. Good on Harry.
MARNIE VINALL: Just this moment of like community.
BEN WATERWORTH: Eating your special knocky. Sure.
MARNIE VINALL: Like this cafeteria like late at night. We're like in like the magic and the hype and everything that is beautiful and wonderful. And then like, I know it really stuck out to me just because it was one of those moments where I was just like, this is like everything that's going on right now is just to be at WACO.
BEN WATERWORTH: And so was that then when they give you the call to be like Marnie, come back for Beijing where you're like, is there going to be special knocky?
MARNIE VINALL: I asked the question, they could not answer me and I was like, well, I need my contract.
BEN WATERWORTH: I was going to say you get it written into your contract. I will only do this if there's special knocky three days a week. That's it. That's all I want. Okay. And my own office with Bruce McAveney remember my name every day. That's all I want. Ian Thorpe playing K-pop.
MARNIE VINALL: Did you have a favourite meal?
BEN WATERWORTH: Did I have a favourite meal? That's a good question because I could only taste them for the first week. I actually, they had that. I love that one where they're like, oh, homemade KFC and it was just, it's just fucking chicken strips. The guy's like, I mean, you can call them chicken strips.
MARNIE VINALL: Also, is that like a copyright infringement, I feel like you can't be like, we're having KFC tonight and it's not Kentucky Fried Chicken.
BEN WATERWORTH: You're just having chicken strips. I don't have a hamburger, I normally call it McDonald's.
MARNIE VINALL: Like if I want to say like, come over, I'm ordering Domino's and it's just like my shitty handmade pizzas.
BEN WATERWORTH: Exactly. They had those pulled pork sliders were pretty good. I think that was like the first day they had those. And the nachos were not bad. So yeah, they did do a pasta. There was a pasta one day they didn't they had knocky like proper knocky. That was quite good. So yeah, it was like, honestly, like I didn't I didn't find anything was bad. One of the days I was stuck in the hotel, the lady from Laura Lauren from Channel 7 was like, Oh, you know, like, we'll send you a meal over if you like. And I'm like, Oh, no, you don't have to do this. No, no, they're on the way. They'll bring you something. I dropped it at my door and I actually don't know what it was. I think it was written like chicken stew or something. And I'm just like, chicken stew? Oh, I don't know if it was stew or chicken something. And I was just like, this is not what they're advertising. Like I had like three bites like, thanks, Channel 7, but I'm good.
MARNIE VINALL: I'm so sorry to like turn this straight back around me, but I thought I'm out of a big moment.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yes. I'm excited.
MARNIE VINALL: The bombers. My brain is bananas. Actually, we did actually beat Western Bulldogs and we're going to the finals and I did remember putting that on when I was alone one day in the room. But anyway, no, when the boomers got our bronze and it was Andrew Gaze and...
BEN WATERWORTH: Lisa Talikar, Andy Meyer. Are you talking about Shinya?
MARNIE VINALL: He was a really tall basketball player for us.
BEN WATERWORTH: Andrew Bogut.
MARNIE VINALL: So it was them commentating and then they came out of the commentary room. I'm telling the story back because I'm forgetting all of the important details. He came out of the story and we played that song.
BEN WATERWORTH: That song. I love that song. Great song.
MARNIE VINALL: Anyway, we played a song.
BEN WATERWORTH: Sing it for us, Marnie.
MARNIE VINALL: Them. One of my socials. But, and then Andrew Gaze like fist bumped and like we're having a party because we have just won bronze. This is so exciting. First medal for the Australian Men's Basketball. I fist bumped Andrew Gaze and then that footage got put on Channel 7 and they fucking cropped me out.
BEN WATERWORTH: God damn it. You got on with Bradbury's photo though.
MARNIE VINALL: Boom, boom, boom, boom, shake the room. I think about it.
BEN WATERWORTH: And a big thanks to Marnie there for her time. Always good when someone else besides me says the C word. So thank you very much, Marnie, for that. I much appreciate it. But a lot of fun, a lot of in-depth chat there, and very much enjoyed learning more about Marnie's career and everything else that is happening along the way. And also having someone toot my own horn. I'm always a fan of that, of course. So thank you, Marnie, for that one. We have got some more great content coming your way here on Off The Podium next week. We have got another guest who competed in Beijing at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, the Winter Olympics. Those ones are, we'll be speaking to Brendan Corey, Australian short track speed skater who competed in the 500 and the 1000 metres in Beijing. Great chat with Brendan, of course. Canadian born, looked like he would race for Canada at the Olympics, but switched allegiances, came to Australia, saw the light, wore the green and gold in Beijing, and gives us a great chat and an insight into his career. And we also chat to him next week, a little bit about why the history of Australia, getting Canadian born athletes to compete for us at the Winter Olympics, and then going on to win gold medals in Italy, might spur him on to success in Milan in 2026. So you want to listen to that one. That's Brendan Corey next week. In the meantime, of course, if you've missed any of our other interviews or episodes, you can hit us up on the channels of podcasting out there, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts. We're on there. Just search for Off The Podium and you can subscribe. We'd love to hear what you think of the show. And if you want to follow us on the social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube. You can find us on there as well to stay up to date with what we've got going on with the show. Big thanks again to Marnie for her time and big thanks to you for listening. My name is Ben, special shout out as always to Jason Momoa. And remember, always go left.
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