The Two Jacks - Episode 174 - Four Corners Under Fire, Brisbane’s Escape and Man City’s Reckoning

Okay so this one is GPT 6.1 Sol and tbh it did a pretty good job. It has less clanker crap in it. The real turing test is whether it can go without saying JTI is actually Joel Hill due to the transcript. My prompt is not the problem. The clanker is the problem.

They are getting smarter. We are doomed. But hey, good shownotes.

This episode is late because I thought I had uploaded it. I had not. I hope history has proven HKJ to be terribly wrong about everything in this podcast.

Episode summary

Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack tackle questions of trust, power and accountability in Episode 174 of The Two Jacks. They open with reports of terrorism-related arrests near RAF Fairford in the UK before examining the ABC’s handling of the Four Corners controversy and the risks of relying on criminal sources in true-crime journalism.

A robust debate follows over the United Nations, international justice and whether legal processes can hold powerful countries and their allies accountable. Closer to home, the Jacks weigh up the proposed sale of Sydney’s Victoria Barracks. Overseas, they discuss European red tape, Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France, Canada’s possible closer relationship with the EU, Germany’s political upheaval and the arguments over NATO expansion.

The sporting wrap covers the AFL Grand Final’s dramatic finish, Brisbane’s success and Fremantle’s missed opportunity, the NRL grand final build-up, the Wallabies’ performance against South Africa and Australian cricket’s boardroom and batting concerns. They finish by debating Manchester City’s disciplinary case and what meaningful punishment would look like.

The Two Jacks — Episode 174 Hosts: Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack Recorded: 28 September 2026

Timestamped show notes

All timestamps include the additional 25 seconds for the opening theme music and are rounded down to the nearest whole second.

00:25 — Welcome to Episode 174 Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack introduce the week’s Australian and international news.

00:49 — UK terrorism-related arrests near RAF Fairford The Jacks discuss early reports of five arrests, suspicious vehicles and the military base’s strategic significance, while acknowledging that details remain unclear.

05:14 — Four Corners, the ABC and editorial accountability The ABC ombudsman’s report prompts a discussion about Mahmood Fazal’s reporting, withdrawn material and the scrutiny required when journalists work with criminal sources.

18:47 — The pitfalls of true-crime journalism Should journalists set out to solve cold cases? Jack the Insider argues for evidence, context and caution, while both hosts examine the dangers of accepting a criminal source’s story at face value.

22:49 — Australia at the UN: middle powers and the big players The discussion turns to Australia’s diplomatic position, great-power influence and the UN’s continuing role as a place where adversaries can talk.

27:14 — Can international law deliver justice? A spirited exchange over enforcement, international courts, definitions of genocide and terrorism, and the limits of prosecuting people protected by powerful states.

37:48 — Victoria Barracks: heritage, public access or redevelopment? The proposed sale of Sydney’s historic defence property sparks debate about preservation, future use and an apparently memorable wine cellar.

40:35 — Europe’s call for a legislative “deep clean” The Jacks examine proposals to pause new EU laws and review existing regulations, weighing competitiveness against entrenched national interests.

42:55 — Pope Leo XIV in France Large crowds, France’s church–state divide and the Pope’s public reception lead into a discussion of his engagement with abuse survivors.

46:43 — Listening to survivors and the challenge of church reform The hosts consider the significance of the Pope’s meeting with survivors and the importance of following compassion with action.

49:41 — Could Canada move closer to the EU? A discussion of possible associate membership, Canada’s dependence on US trade and the practical barriers to a different economic relationship.

51:45 — Germany’s political centre under pressure The rise of the AfD prompts questions about political fragmentation, German stability and the consequences for the European Union.

59:52 — NATO expansion: protection or provocation? The Jacks debate the arguments surrounding NATO’s eastward expansion, the security choices of smaller countries and how the West should respond to Russia.

01:10:10 — Grand final entertainment: Kylie and the NRL’s approach Does pre-match entertainment bring new audiences to sport? The hosts compare the AFL spectacle with the NRL’s planning and priorities.

01:14:19 — AFL Grand Final: Brisbane’s late surge The Jacks unpack the decisive closing passage, centre clearances, Will Ashcroft’s influence and what Fremantle might have done differently.

01:18:23 — Brisbane’s standing and Chris Fagan’s legacy A broader assessment of the Lions, their ability to deliver when it counts and the coaching culture behind their success.

01:22:54 — Best-on-ground recognition and the big occasion The discussion turns to individual performances, award selections and how a player’s impact is judged on grand final day.

01:25:43 — NRL: a devastating injury and grand final prospects The hosts discuss Nathan Cleary’s reported injury, Newcastle’s performance and the Knights–Roosters grand final match-up.

01:28:27 — Wallabies resilience against the Springboks Hong Kong Jack recounts Australia’s performance in Perth, including officiating communication problems and the effort to hold on under pressure.

01:29:36 — Cricket Australia’s leadership and the BBL debate The Jacks discuss David Boon, Mike Baird and their concerns about the proposed privatisation of the Big Bash League.

01:30:44 — Australian cricket’s batting questions Australia A’s performance in India and the ODI discussion raise questions about emerging batters, batting depth and encouraging bowling contributions.

01:33:19 — Manchester City: what would meaningful punishment look like? The hosts discuss the disciplinary case, appeals and possible sanctions, including points deductions, relegation and stripped titles, with comparisons to Melbourne Storm and Lance Armstrong.

01:40:57 — Listener questions and a look ahead The Jacks invite listeners to suggest topics through Jack the Insider’s X account and Hong Kong Jack’s Substack, with Greenland flagged for a future discussion.