australian television information archive

New Kid On The Blocks

Episode 1.01
September 05, 1998
Writer: Greg Millin
Director: Steve Peddie

Michael Carlisle's first day in the special sports program at Bradman High School does not get off to a good start and only gets worse as he is initiated into the culture clash between the Book Worms and Sports Freaks. Things turns around when he sees the angelic Alana walking the school grounds while reciting Shakespeare.©tzuk

Starring: Gillian Alexy as Alana Burroughs, Joseph Atherden as Michael Carlisle, Katrina Cassey as Mandy Poljak, Tamar Cassey as Karen Poljak, Troy Douglas as Leslie 'Stretch' Brumfield, Daniel Martin as Steve Sharpe, Ann Korzeniecka as Joy Davis, Pia Meehan as Mariko Lee, Sam O'Sullivan as Gunther Schultz, Melissa Sampson as Candide Westwood, Claire Sprunt as Irena, Jemma Thomson as Brittany James

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Murray Dowsett as Colin Carlisle, Marina Del Basso as Marina Holstrum, Lianna Hulsdunk as Irena Double, Ben Young as Kid #1, Thomas Young as Kid #2, Shayne White as Mate #1, Darren Wright as Mate #2

Notes: Gillian Alexy, Joseph Atherden, and Claire Sprunt previously appeared together in the Barron Entertainment series The Gift (1997). Barron Entertainment also produced the similar themed teen athlete drama Sweat (1996) in which Claire Sprunt appeared among an impressive cast that included Martin Henderson, Heath Ledger, Inge Hornstra, and Melissa Thomas.

No Pain, No Gain.

Episode 1.02
September 12, 1998
W: Peter Kinloch
D: Steve Peddie

New discus thrower Joy Davis pretends to be Russian to mess with Irena and Mariko. Steve's obsessive training puts him in hospital and costs him an opportunity to attend a prestigious coaching clinic. Clumsy highjumper Leslie 'Stretch' Brumfield has a series of run-ins with Alana.©tzuk

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Marina Del Basso as Marina Holstrum, Lianna Hulsdunk as Irena Double

Double Trouble

Episode 1.03
September 19, 1998
W: Peter Kinloch
D: Steve Peddie

Mandy questions her future in rowing when she is beaten by her younger sister. Steve is in a foul mood after being sidelined by injury. Irena pranks Alana to teach her a lesson for how she's been mistreating Stretch who she describes as a "walking disaster". Mr Johnson accuses Principal Usher's sports students of corrupting the school.©tzuk

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Venetia Tilbrook as Female Student, Georgina Berger as Rowing Double, Talia Warda as Rowing Double

A Game, Not A Sport

Episode 1.04
September 26, 1998
W: Simon Hopkinson
D: Steve Peddie

Academic students Alana and Gunther get into trouble for posting a provocative poster making fun of the athletes. Principal Usher pushes back by making soccer training compulsory for all students which upsets (nearly) everyone. The students revolt and come together to demand change.©tzuk

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Alex Board as Academic Student

About Face

Episode 1.05
October 03, 1998
W: Simon Hopkinson
D: Arnie Custo

Principal Usher tasks the sports students with electing one of their own to be the face of the school's new publicity campaign. As the athletes campaign for votes, Iren'a victory at the state championships seems to make her a shoo-in for the position, but Alana decides the Academic students deserve a say in the matter as well.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Georgina Berger as Karen Double, Lianna Hulsdunk as Irena Double, Talia Warda as Mandy Double

Bad Losers

Episode 1.06
October 10, 1998
W: Chris McCourt
D: Arnie Custo

Irena challenges Mariko to a rematch after the latter uses a phantom illness as an excuse for her poor performance at the State Championships. Gunther dives into sports psychology in an attempt to motivate the soccer team. Taking things slow while he recovers from his own injury, Steve helps Mariko overcome the issues she's facing.©tzuk

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Marina Del Basso as Marina Holstrum, Georgina Berger as Karen Double, Lianna Hulsdunk as Irena Double, Talia Warda as Mandy Double

Jumping For Joy

Episode 1.07
October 17, 1998
W: Chris McCourt
D: Arnie Custo

Frustrated by his poor high jumping, Stretch contemplates dropping out of school when he returns to the family farm to help out after his father's accident. The fractured soccer team is under pressure from Principal Usher to perform but suffer an embarrassing loss to a team of children.©tzuk

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, James Sollis as Stan Brumfield, Elizabeth Spencer as Judy Brumfield

Personal Worst

Episode 1.08
October 24, 1998
W: Greg Millin
D: Steve Peddie

Michael's school work suffers after he is selected for an ad campaign featuring up-and-coming athletes. Karen develops a crush on Steve when he saves her from Michael's prank.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Georgina Berger as Karen Double, Talia Warda as Mandy Double

Secrets and Fries

Episode 1.09
October 31, 1998
W:
D:

... ... ...

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Cheetah Swan as Lori Burroughs, Peter McCallum as Scott Burroughs, Larissa Clayton as Young Alana

The Tortoise & the Hairstyle

Episode 1.10
November 07, 1998
W: Alicia Walsh
D: Steve Peddie

Principal Usher hopes to combat the lack of respect between the sports disciplines by sending the students on an orienteering excursion. However, a day that was intended to develop teamwork quickly devolves into a battle of the sexes.©tzuk

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Marina Del Basso as Marina Holstrum, Mollie Whitson as Joy Double

Get Thee Behind Me, Gunther

Episode 1.11
November 14, 1998
W: Ron Elliott
D: Arnie Custo

Stretch is scouted for rival school's basketball team. Stretch is content with being a high jumper but Gunther sells Stretch on the more lucrative economics of a basketball career and moulds Stretch into an agressive basketball superstar. Principal Usher wants Mr Eggleston to prioritise the soccer team.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, David Moran as Mr Stoffelus, Russell Haxby as Stretch Double

Get A Life

Episode 1.12
November 21, 1998
W: John Rapsey
D: Arnie Custo

Mr Eggleston makes an anonymous complaint to the Education Department hoping to get the soccer program shut down to refocus the school on academics. Michael and Alana try to help Irena expand her interests beyond gymnastics.©tzuk

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Igor Sas as Doug Hardarce, Marina Del Basso as Marina Holstrum, Lianna Hulsdunk as Irena Double, Amy Granston as Irena Soccer Double, Elise Bogle as Alana Double

My Left Boot

Episode 1.13
November 28, 1998
W: Ron Elliott
D: Arnie Custo

The feud between the Worms and the Freaks reaches a new low when Michael and Alana start a food fight. Gunther tries to unit the opposing factions but inadvertently triggers student strike in response to Principal Usher's punishments. Alana's friends believe she is ashamed to let them meet her parents. The soccer team faces its biggest challenge.©tzuk

With: Jarrad West as Duncan McLaren, Laura Black as Cath Usher, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Matthew Ralph as John McLeod, Cheetah Swan as Lori Burroughs, Peter McCallum as Scott Burroughs, Kathryn Hanlon as Dream Mother, Ingle Knight as Dream Father, Richard Lane as Poet, Graham Mitchell as Referee, Simon Kolmyjek as Player 1, Elise Bogle as Alana Double