australian television information archive

While The Cath's Away

Episode 2.01 (14)
August 28, 1999
Writer: Ron Elliott
Director: Steve Peddie

Mr Eggleston seizes on Principal Usher's absence to put out a call for ideas for new student-lead projects to improve the school. Usher returns and cancels the new programs due to a lack of funding but Gunther shows the value of his new radio station by covering Steve and Michael's appearance at Nationals.©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, Nicolette Findlay as Samantha Fitzgerald, Ann Korzeniecka as Joy Davis, Daniel Martin as Steve Sharpe, 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: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Igor Sas as Doug Hardarce [uncredited]

You Get My Goat

Episode 2.02 (15)
September 04, 1999
W: Ron Elliott
D: Steve Peddie

No one is happy about having to attend a mandatory soccer camp. Despite the beach-side accommodations, the team struggles to cope with a mysterious prankster and Mr Eggleston's relentless training schedule. An injury threatens Joy's future at Bradman High.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Peter Withnell as Chad, Greg McNeill as Will Jordan

Coached To Perfection

Episode 2.03 (16)
September 11, 1999
W: Alicia Walsh
D: Steve Peddie

New student athlete Samantha Fitzgerald arrives at Bradman High School. She's not a good heptathlete as is claimed but excels on the soccer pitch. Karen and Mandy are put off by their eccentric new Scottish rowing coach. Fast-talking Gunther organises a raffle to afford new records for his school radio startion. Brittany auditions her fellow students for a new play, and Mr. Eggleston enrolls the soccer team in a tournament.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Jessica Sardi as Samantha - Soccer Double

Note: despite being credited in the previous two episodes, this marks the first appearance of Nicolette Findlay and Bill McCluskey. Like many others in the cast, both appeared in The Gift.

Testing …1…2…3

Episode 2.04 (17)
September 18, 1999
Writer: Alicia Walsh
Story: Julie Monton Director: Steve Peddie

Mr Eggleston cuts a delighted Irena from the soccer team as he continues to transform the team. Gunther's increasing focus on the radio station is interfering in his schoolwork (and soccer training). To avoid getting shut down by Principal Usher, Gunther adds a roster of new hosts to share the workload. Despite his success at Nationals, Michael questions his future as a runner while Mandy and Karen have doubts about their new coach's methods. The future of the school radio station depends on the students impressing Inspector Hardacre with their unconventional radio show.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Murray Dowsett as Colin Carlisle, Igor Sas as Mr Hardarce, Brent Hill as Student #1, Ashleigh Love as Student #2, Georgina Berger as Karen - Rowing Double, Talia Wards as Mandy - Rowing Double, Jessica Sardi as Samantha - Soccer Double

One Step At A Time

Episode 2.05 (18)
September 25, 1999
W: Sarah Smith
D: Steve Peddie

To spur Michael's flagging interest in running, Coach Parsons puts him into a cross-country race. Alana gets Principal Usher's support for a more intelectual student activity — a quiz competition. Brittany delays casting for her play hoping Alana, the school's best actress, will sign on to participate. Mr Cameron's latest training scheme has Mandy and Karen tethered together.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Georgina Berger as Karen - Rowing Double, Talia Wards as Mandy - Rowing Double

To Be Or Not To Be

Episode 2.06 (19)
October 02, 1999
W: Ysabelle Dean
D: Peter Pritchard

In exchange for Brittany joining her quiz team, Alana agrees to appear in Brittany's modern adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The quiz pitting the Freaks against the Worms ends in controversy when it is revealed Alana picked the topics. Mandy, aka The Phantom DJ, hijack's Gunther's radio station.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Georgina Berger as Karen - Rowing Double, Talia Wards as Mandy - Rowing Double, Lauren Williams as Bookworm 1

Crunch Time

Episode 2.07 (20)
October 09, 1999
W: Simon Hopkinson
D: Peter Pritchard

Samantha admits to Stretch she got into Bradman under false pretences. To keep her spot on the soccer team, Sam asks Gunther to help her pass a maths exam. Brittany asks Michael to rewrite her play when his comedic suggestions prove popular.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Anne-Marie Mazza as Mrs Fitzgerald, Jessica Sardi as Samantha - Soccer Double

Telling It Like It Is

Episode 2.08 (21)
October 16, 1999
W: Simon Hopkinson
D: Peter Pritchard

Gunther creates a new "set in concrete" radio roster. Mr. Eggleston's "pass the ball to Samantha" strategy saps the fun out of the game for the rest of the team prompting Principal Usher to call for more balanced team. Michael's training is taking a backseat to writing the play. The Bradman Bulls get a new mascot.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Salim Hazife as Brent, Greg McNeill as Will Jordan, Jessica Sardi as Samantha - Soccer Double, James Sollis as Stan Brumfield

The Truth Will Out

Episode 2.09 (22)
October 23, 1999
W: Sarah Smith
D: Arnie Custo

Samantha endeavours to keep out of sight when Principal Usher starts looking into her enrolment status — and Mr Eggleston's role in the deception. Steve accuses Michael of being a Worm when he keeps skipping training to write. Alana is crippled by stage fright when she must perform in front of an audience for the first time.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Anne-Marie Mazza as Mrs Fitzgerald [uncredited]

Ace Reporter

Episode 2.10 (23)
October 30, 1999
W: [not shown]
D: Arnie Custo

Principal Usher offers Samantha the chance to try out for a place in the school's sports program unaware Joy's unexpected return from injury has taken away the vacant spot. Michael puts on his investigative reporter's hat to craft a radio program on what makes a real athlete.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron

Nothing Is Ever a Sure Thing

Episode 2.11 (24)
November 06, 1999
W: James Beard
D: Arnie Custo

When Michael decides to quit track to concentrate on his writing, Alana introduces him to her parents to show him sport freak's can be successful. Candide replaces Guther on the quiz team when he comes down with Laryngitis. Alana's stage fright resurfaces at the worst possible moment.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Lewis Lewis as Ham Slam, Quinton George as Fan #1, Therese Huska as Fan #2, Cheetah Swan as Lori Burroughs, Peter McCallum as Scott Burroughs

Midsummer Nights Scream

Episode 2.12 (25)
November 13, 1999
W: Ron Elliott
D: Steve Peddie

The play risks descending into chaos as the performance nears and a number of cast changes must be made. Michael admits to his father that he doesn't want to be a runner anymore but his father refuses to let him give it up and "waste his life".©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Murray Dowsett as Colin Carlisle, James Sollis as Stan Brumfield, Elizabeth Spencer as Judy Brumfield, Cheetah Swan as Lori Burroughs, Peter McCallum as Scott Burroughs, Anne-Marie Mazza as Mrs Fitzgerald

Cheats Never Prosper

Episode 2.13 (26)
November 20, 1999
W: Ron Elliott
D: Steve Peddie

Mr Eggleston quits as the soccer team's coach when Samantha, his star player, is ruled ineligible before the team's Grand Final.©tzuk

With: Laura Black as Cath Usher, Frank Johnson as Clive Eggleston, Bobbi Henry as Sally Parsons, Bill McCluskey as Andrew Cameron, Dene Irvin as Uncle Clarrie, Greg McNeill as Will Jordan, Igor Sas as Mr Hardacre, Anna Brockway as Sports Examiner, James Sollis as Stan Brumfield, Elizabeth Spencer as Judy Brumfield, Cheetah Swan as Lori Burroughs, Peter McCallum as Scott Burroughs, Murray Dowsett as Colin Carlisle, Anne-Marie Mazza as Mrs Fitzgerald, Jessica Sardi as Samantha - Soccer Double, Peter Withnell as Chad [uncredited]