Mark Geyer opens up on Triple M axing, rugby league return and potential role with NSW Blues

Mark Geyer has broken his silence on his breakfast radio axing, revealing Triple M’s rivals are already circling, as well as opening up on a potential return to rugby league.

Having finally unplugged his 3.30am alarm, Penrith Panthers legend Mark Geyer has started a new life following his axing from breakfast radio.

Rather than dwell on his sudden departure from Triple M after 17 years at the station, Geyer has already been sounded out by rival organisations, flagged a return to rugby league and a business venture at ‘Pondi’.

A fan favourite on the Mick & MG in the Morning breakfast show alongside co-hosts Mick Molloy and Cat Lynch, the trio will be replaced in 2025 by former NRL stars Beau Ryan and Aaron Woods, and media personality Natarsha Belling.

In his first interview since being blindsided by the broadcaster, Geyer was typically magnanimous.

Former NRL star Mark Geyer at the family's gym in Penrith this week. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I’d rather not discuss it. I wish the new team the best of luck,” Geyer said.

“Breakfast radio is good money but it’s not about money, it’s about opportunity and now I have a lot of opportunities.

“Working so long at one radio station was fantastic and now I have a couple of nibbles, a couple of solid leads from other media outlets. It’s good to be wanted.”

Geyer, who turns 57 on Saturday, has already taken on a more hands-on approach at MG ACTIV, the family gym he operates with two of his children in Jamisontown. He is weighing up different roles in the media, entering the public speaking circuit and possibly the podcast world.

He has revealed a desire to take on a role with the NSW State of Origin side, and wants to mentor young rugby league players.

Most importantly, he wants to spend more quality time with his wife, Meagan, their five kids, Mavrik, Logan, Montanna, Kennedi and Rafferti, along with grandson, River.

“It already sounds busier than when I was on breakfast radio,” Geyer said, who admitted the gruelling early hours had taken their toll.

Geyer and Aussie comedian Mick Molloy on their Triple M breakfast show.

“All of a sudden, I’ve just filled my week. It’s a whole new world for me. I’m a kid in a candy store. It’s cathartic to be in the position I am in.

“When you’re in brekky radio for so long, you knock back a lot of opportunities because of work, and being tired.

“It’ a whole new world for me. I’m excited about exploring other options that I would never have thought about unless life changed.

“It’s kind of similar to when I retired from footy. I didn’t say no to anything back then and that’s my attitude now. I’m open to anything which might come my way.

“I’ve got a couple of podcast ideas I also wouldn’t mind throwing up and I’ve also had to knock back some keynote speaking because you can’t do them midweek because of the early start for radio.”

SINGING THE BLUES, BABY

Geyer played three games for NSW and would dearly love to help new coach Laurie Daley beat Queensland.

“I’d run the water if they wanted me to,” Geyer said.

Daley was this week returned as Blues coach, with Craig Bellamy his advisor and Dean Young, Brett White and Matt King named his assistants.

“If Loz needs a tackling bag or water runner, I’d love to get among the boys. The pre-game camps will be in the Blue Mountains, which isn’t far from where I live,” Geyer said.

“I’d like to do something, to be called into camp and help in any way I can. It’s something I couldn’t do because of brekky radio.

Geyer met NSW coach Michael Maguire during last season’s series.

“When Freddy (Brad Fittler) and Brandy (Greg Alexander) were involved with NSW, they asked me to do a few things but I couldn’t.

“Even this year, Madge (Michael Maguire) asked me to go to different lunches on a couple of occasions but, again, I couldn’t.

“Madge showed the blueprint this year and Loz has a blank canvas to work with and I hope all Blues get behind him.”

MG DIVES INTO PONDI

Following his retirement from rugby league in 2000, Geyer opened a home gym that he has since grown into a family business, MG ACTIV.

“Two of my kids, Logan and Montanna, have basically been running it while I’ve been working on radio so now I can put a lot more time into that,” Geyer said.

They will now take it to the shores of Penrith Beach – the newest attraction in Western Sydney, which opens for its second summer on Saturday after more than 215,000 people visited last year.

Penrith Beach, aka Pondi, where Geyer’s fitness business will run boot camps over summer. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Geyer and his son, Logan, at the family's gym in Penrith. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“We’ve just been given a contract by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to run boot camps at Penrith Beach over summer,” Geyer said. “We will do that four days a week.

“Again, that’s something I wouldn’t have even contemplated if I was still working morning radio. When on radio, I would need to relax over summer before going back to work but I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

FAMILY MATTERS

The Geyer name lives on at the Panthers with his son, Mavrik, 23, who made his NRL debut in March as an edge forward, the same position as his dad.

“Watching my young bloke, Mav, this coming season will be a highlight after he played 11 games last season,” Geyer said.

“Hopefully he can take the next step and lock down a regular spot in that first-grade side.”

In his playing days, Geyer was ferocious. He helped Penrith to the club’s first premiership in 1991, the same year he infamously clashed with Wally Lewis in Origin.

Mavrik Geyer flanked by his father, Mark, uncle Greg Alexander, mum Meagan Geyer and brother Logan.

“I was a lunatic on the field but I calmed down once kids entered my life,” he said.

“I’m a grandfather now – or a Poppy. It’s cathartic to be in the position I am in.”

“I’d like to be a mentor to young kids.

“I have a couple of blokes at the gym whose kids are pretty good footballers, so I have been talking to them about different things they should implement in their kids’ lives. I’d even be a sounding board, a bit of a life coach.

“I’m an open book. I don’t hold back – I talk about the good, bad and ugly.”

Originally published as Mark Geyer opens up on Triple M axing, rugby league return and potential role with NSW Blues