Playing for Keeps (TV series)

On 9 November 2017, the series was announced during Ten's upfronts.{{cite web|url=https://www.if.com.au/ten-unveils-new-drama-comedies-pilots-week/|title=Ten unveils a new drama, comedies and pilots week|last=Groves|first=Don|date=10 November 2017|work=If Magazine|access-date=10 September 2018}} It focuses on the women behind the men of an Australian rules football club.{{cite web|url=https://tendaily.com.au/entertainment/tv/a180525rvk/playing-for-keeps-is-the-sexy-show-we-need-in-our-lives-now-20180526|title=Playing For Keeps Is The Hot New Show You Need In Your Life|last=Lynch|first=Jessica|date=27 May 2018|publisher=Ten daily|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=9 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709161800/https://tendaily.com.au/entertainment/tv/a180525rvk/playing-for-keeps-is-the-sexy-show-we-need-in-our-lives-now-20180526|url-status=live}} The concept for the series was created by Rick Maier, the head of drama at the network.{{cite web|url=https://www.if.com.au/secrets-lies-and-scandals-in-network-ten-screentimes-playing-for-keeps/|title=Secrets, lies and scandals in Network Ten/Screentime's 'Playing for Keeps'|last=Groves|first=Don|date=24 August 2018|work=If Magazine|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204039/https://www.if.com.au/secrets-lies-and-scandals-in-network-ten-screentimes-playing-for-keeps/|url-status=live}} Playing for Keeps is produced by Screentime, and has received investment from Screen Australia and Film Victoria. The episodes have been written by Claire Phillips, Christine Bartlett, Ian Meadows, Ainslie Clouston, and Mithila Gupta, with Sian Davies, Scott Major, and Tori Garrett directing.

In May 2018, it was announced Madeleine West, Cece Peters, Annie Maynard, and Olympia Valance, had been cast as the wives and girlfriends.{{cite web|url=https://decidertv.com/page/2018/5/27/ten-announce-cast-for-new-drama-playing-for-keeps|title=Ten announce cast for new drama Playing For Keeps|date=27 May 2018|publisher=DeciderTV|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911002416/https://decidertv.com/page/2018/5/27/ten-announce-cast-for-new-drama-playing-for-keeps|url-status=live}} West plays Kath Rickards, who is married to the coach and acts as a "mentor and den mother." Peters plays Paige Dunkeley, a high school teacher who follows her boyfriend to the city. Maynard was cast as Maddy Cochrane, a lawyer and a mother of two.{{cite web|url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/cast-playing-for-keeps-channel-ten-51302|title=Playing For Keeps: Meet the main players of Ten's sexy new drama|date=19 September 2018|work=TV Week|access-date=19 September 2018|archive-date=19 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211631/https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/cast-playing-for-keeps-channel-ten-51302|url-status=live}} Valance is socialite Tahlia Woods, who is engaged to the captain of the Southern Jets. Of securing her role, Valance stated "When I read the script, I just knew that I had to play Tahlia. I was determined this character would be mine."{{cite web|url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/olympia-valance-new-channel-ten-show-playing-for-keeps-48732|title=Exclusive: Former Neighbours star Olympia Valance on exciting new role|last=Isrin|first=Kietley|date=25 May 2018|work=TV Week|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=9 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709190241/https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/olympia-valance-new-channel-ten-show-playing-for-keeps-48732|url-status=live}} The following month, Isabella Giovinazzo was cast as Jessie Davies, a former footballer married to one of the club's players.{{cite web|url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/isabella-giovinazzo-new-show-playing-for-keeps-49364|title=Isabella Giovinazzo opens up about her big career move|date=21 June 2018|work=TV Week|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625022231/https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/isabella-giovinazzo-new-show-playing-for-keeps-49364|url-status=live}}

Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Jackson Gallagher, Kevin Hofbauer, George Pullar, James Mason, and Ethan Panizza also joined the ensemble cast. Taylor is the team's coach Brian Rickards, Gallagher plays Tahlia's fiancé Connor Marrello,{{cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/from-summer-bay-to-the-footy-field-life-after-home-and-away-for-isabella-giovinazzo/news-story/d96c81904400432b426ddda93995413b|title=From Summer Bay to the footy field, life after Home and Away for Isabella Giovinazzo|last=Moran|first=Jonathon|date=29 June 2018|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=11 September 2018}} Hofbauer is an "admired club veteran" Travis Cochrane, while Pullar, Mason and Panizza portray footballers Daniel Fletcher, Jack Davies, and Rusty O'Reilly respectively. Paul Ireland was cast as Andrew Macleish, the president of the Southern Jets. Of the casting process, Maier stated "This has been one of the most comprehensive casting calls we've done. The key roles dictate strong, independent, fascinating women. We think Nathan Lloyd and the team at Screentime have done a brilliant job securing a cast of this calibre."

Filming for the show began on 4 June 2018 in Melbourne. The eight-part series began airing on 19 September 2018 on Network Ten and WIN Television.{{cite web|url=https://mediaweek.com.au/ten-announces-premiere-playing-for-keeps/|title=Ten announces premiere date of new Aussie drama Playing For Keeps|date=6 September 2018|work=Mediaweek|access-date=10 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204414/https://mediaweek.com.au/ten-announces-premiere-playing-for-keeps/|url-status=live}} The first episode was available to view one week early on the catch-up service 10Play.

On 14 November 2018, Network 10 announced the show had been renewed for a second season.{{cite web|url=https://www.who.com.au/channel-ten-confirms-playing-for-keeps-is-returning-for-season-2|title=Channel Ten confirms Playing For Keeps is returning for Season 2|last=Moustafa|first=Abi|date=14 November 2018|work=Who|access-date=14 November 2018|archive-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114141421/https://www.who.com.au/channel-ten-confirms-playing-for-keeps-is-returning-for-season-2|url-status=live}} It began airing on 16 October 2019.{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/09/returning-playing-for-keeps.html|title=Returning: Playing for Keeps|last=Knox|first=David|date=28 September 2018|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=28 September 2018|archive-date=28 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928011133/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/09/returning-playing-for-keeps.html|url-status=live}} The first two episodes are directed by Major. Season 2 is set six months after the season 1 finale, and sees the club welcome a new player Liam Flynn (Ben Chapple) and his girlfriend Kendall Pereira (Jess Bush).{{cite web|url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/playing-for-keeps-liam-kendall-cast-59579|title=Meet the two new cast members joining Playing For Keeps season 2|last=Hockey|first=Maddison|date=7 October 2019|work=TV Week|access-date=12 October 2019}}

The series was officially cancelled in February 2021 after failing to be picked up for a third season.{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/02/axed-playing-for-keeps-trial-by-kyle-celebrity-name-game-one-born-every-minute-aus.html|title=Axed: Playing for Keeps, Trial by Kyle, Celebrity Name Game, One Born Every Minute Aus.|date=3 February 2021|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=3 February 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203060628/https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/02/axed-playing-for-keeps-trial-by-kyle-celebrity-name-game-one-born-every-minute-aus.html|archive-date=3 February 2021}}

• Madeleine West as Kath Rickards
• Annie Maynard as Maddy Cochrane
• Cece Peters as Paige Dunkeley
• Olympia Valance as Tahlia Woods
• Isabella Giovinazzo as Jessie Davies
• Jeremy Lindsay Taylor as Brian Rickards
• George Pullar as Daniel Fletcher
• Jackson Gallagher as Connor Marrello
• Kevin Hofbauer as Travis Cochrane
• Ethan Panizza as Rusty O'Reilly
• James Mason as Jack Davies
• Ben Chapple as Liam Flynn
• Jess Bush as Kendall Pereira
• Paul Ireland as Andrew Macleish
• Miriama Smith as Dr Lauren Gambi
• Alicia Banit as Karlie Lum
• Georgina Naidu as Toni Chadha
• Nick Russell as Brody Schneider
• Christopher Brown as Neil Murray
• Tom O'Sullivan as Nate Sabo
• Kasia Kaczmarek as Joanna Zielinksi
• Alison Whyte as Diane Marrello
• Alex Williams as Shane Manrara
• Marta Kaczmarek as Ferderikia

{{Series overview

| color1 = #982621

| link1 = #Season 1 (2018)

| episodes1 = 8

| start1 = {{Start date|2018|09|19|df=yes}}

| end1 = {{End date|2018|11|07|df=yes}}

| color2 = #3198FF

| link2 = #Season 2 (2019)

| episodes2 = 8

| start2 = {{Start date|2019|10|16|df=yes}}

| end2 = {{End date|2019|12|04|df=yes}}

}}

{{Episode table |background=#982621 |overall= |season= |title=10 |writer=13 |director=13 |airdate=13 |viewers=10 |viewers_type= |country=Aus.|episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| RTitle = Episode 1

| WrittenBy = Claire Phillips

| DirectedBy = Sian Davies

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|09|19|df=yes}}{{efn|The pilot episode received an early release on 12 September 2018.|group=lower-alpha}}

| Viewers = 626,000{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/09/timeshifted-wednesday-19-september-2018.html|title=Timeshifted: Wednesday 19 September 2018|last=Knox|first=David|date=28 September 2018|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 September 2019}}

| ShortSummary = Teacher Paige Dunkeley moves to Melbourne to be with her boyfriend Daniel Fletcher, a footballer and the newest member of the Southern Jets Football Club. At a barbecue for the team, Paige meets the wives and girlfriends of the players; Kath, Tahlia, Maddy and Jessie. After a poor start to the pre-season, the team's coach, Brian Rickards announces that the players are returning to training camp the following day. Tahlia and the team's captain Connor Marrello also announce their engagement, while Kath and Brian later go into the city to continue their respective affairs. During a team bonding exercise at the camp, Jessie's husband Jack Davies dies while kayaking.

| LineColor = 982621

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| RTitle = Episode 2

| WrittenBy = Christine Bartlett

| DirectedBy = Sian Davies

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|09|26|df=yes}}

| Viewers = 496,000{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/10/timeshifted-wednesday-26-september-2018.html|title=Timeshifted: Wednesday 26 September 2018|last=Knox|first=David|date=6 October 2018|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 September 2019}}

| ShortSummary = Jack's funeral is held. Brian tells Kath that Jack's head injury was unlikely to have occurred from falling out of the kayak. Paige recalls seeing Jessie and Rusty having an intimate talk at the barbecue. Paige starts her first day teaching at the school. Tahlia confronts Connor after learning he is adopted, while Travis tells Maddy that he has signed on to play for another year. The Southern Jets win their first game, thanks to Daniel kicking the winning goal. Daniel later admits to Paige that Jack was alive after falling out of the kayak, but Connor told him to move on, leaving Jack and Rusty alone together.

| LineColor = 982621

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| RTitle = Episode 3

| WrittenBy = Ian Meadows

| DirectedBy = Tori Garrett

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|03|df=yes}}

| Viewers = 497,000{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/10/timeshifted-wednesday-3-october-2018.html|title=Timeshifted: Wednesday 3 October 2018|last=Knox|first=David|date=13 October 2018|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 September 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801031337/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/10/timeshifted-wednesday-3-october-2018.html|url-status=live}}

| ShortSummary = Rusty breaks up with his girlfriend Karlie, who gets drunk and tells Paige that Rusty and Jessie were having an affair. Karlie posts about the break up on social media, prompting Kath to ask Paige to speak with her. Paige is later blamed when someone talks to the press about Jessie and Rusty's suspected affair. Maddy learns Jessie is pregnant, while Tahlia clashes with Connor's mother, Diane. Kath ends her affair with her escort, and she later has sex with Connor. Rusty is called to speak at the inquest into Jack's death. He tells the coroner that he and Jack had an argument, before Jack fell out of the kayak. Rusty lies that no one else was there.

| LineColor = 982621

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| RTitle = Episode 4

| WrittenBy = Christine Bartlett

| DirectedBy = Tori Garrett

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|10|df=yes}}

| Viewers = 427,000{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/10/timeshifted-wednesday-10-october-2018.html|title=Timeshifted: Wednesday 10 October 2018|last=Knox|first=David|date=21 October 2018|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 September 2019|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801031420/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/10/timeshifted-wednesday-10-october-2018.html|url-status=live}}

| ShortSummary = After Lauren tells Brian that Rusty knows about their relationship, he ends it and decides to close his and Kath's open marriage. But Kath has sex with Connor again. Jessie learns that Karlie told the press about her supposed affair with Rusty, leading to the women coming together to apologise to Paige, who invites them and Lauren for a girls night out. Meanwhile, Rusty and Travis have a fight in the changing room, and Jack's death is ruled an accident. Travis later reveals to Maddy that he gave Jack Xanax, which he took before he died. Jessie meets with her boyfriend Nate, while Rusty contacts journalist Neil Murray to inform him that he is not having an affair with Jessie because he is gay.

| LineColor = 982621

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| RTitle = Episode 5

| WrittenBy = Christine Bartlett and
Mithila Gupta

| DirectedBy = Scott Major

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|17|df=yes}}

| Viewers = 359,000{{cite web|url=https://mediaweek.com.au/tv-ratings-october-17-2018-nine/|title=TV Ratings October 17: Nine wins by narrow margin primary and combined|last=Manning|first=James|date=18 October 2018|work=Mediaweek|access-date=18 October 2018|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204231854/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/tv-ratings-october-17-2018-nine/|url-status=live}}{{efn|Timeshifted ratings unavailable for Episode 5.|group=lower-alpha}}

| ShortSummary = Tahlia encourages Paige to make some extra money by setting up a social media brand. Paige is later fired for filming one of her students without permission at a bar the previous night, while Connor refuses to take part in the shoot for Tahlia's new men's fragrance. Nate asks Jessie to move to Queensland to be with him. Brian and Connor express their support for Rusty at a press conference, but Andrew makes an insensitive joke and later tells Rusty that he would not be playing if it was up to him. Meanwhile, Paige makes a supportive social media post which goes viral, but it leads to a fight with Daniel. Maddy and Travis lose their nanny Joanna, after she tells them she has fallen in love.

| LineColor = 982621

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| RTitle = Episode 6

| WrittenBy = Ainslie Clouston

| DirectedBy = Scott Major

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|24|df=yes}}

| Viewers = 538,000{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/11/timeshifted-wednesday-24-october-2018.html|title=Timeshifted: Wednesday 24 October 2018|last=Knox|first=David|date=3 November 2018|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 September 2019|archive-date=29 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929020107/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/11/timeshifted-wednesday-24-october-2018.html|url-status=live}}

| ShortSummary = Paige cannot find work, so her colleague Brody offers to speak to their boss on her behalf. Paige also meets up with one of her social media followers, who she thinks is trolling her, which leads to an argument with Daniel about their careers. Tahlia plans an elaborate engagement party and Connor tells her about his affair with Kath. Tahlia forces him to marry her during the party, and she ends her friendship with Kath. Meanwhile, Maddy and Travis struggle to find time to have sex, and they lose another nanny after he walks in on Travis masturbating. A paparazzo threatens to reveal Jessie's pregnancy to the press. Jessie invites Nate to the engagement party, but he is not ready to make their relationship public, so she goes alone. Rusty admits to Kath that he and Jack were in love.

| LineColor = 982621

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| RTitle = Episode 7

| WrittenBy = Christine Bartlett, Ian Meadows and Ainslie Clouston

| DirectedBy = Sian Davies

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|10|31|df=yes}}

| Viewers = 483,000{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/11/timeshifted-wednesday-31-october-2018.html|title=Timeshifted: Wednesday 31 October 2018|last=Knox|first=David|date=10 November 2018|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 September 2019|archive-date=29 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929020118/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/11/timeshifted-wednesday-31-october-2018.html|url-status=live}}

| ShortSummary = Tahlia and Connor attend counselling, but realise their relationship is over. Andrew plans to start a foundation in Jack's name to benefit Jessie and the baby. He also employs Maddy in his divorce, and the women soon learn that he is dating Karlie. Travis passes a fitness test following an injury, but Brian tells him that there is no room for him on the team. Paige goes to a recruitment meeting, and Daniel invites Toni and Brody to the president's lunch. Paige later ends their relationship. Jessie meets with Nate, who is reluctant to let everyone know that he is the baby's father. She later learns she is having a daughter. Tahlia tells Brian about Kath and Connor's affair, while Rusty tells Travis about his relationship with Jack.

| LineColor = 982621

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| RTitle = Episode 8

| WrittenBy = Claire Phillips

| DirectedBy = Sian Davies

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|11|07|df=yes}}

| Viewers = 517,000{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/11/timeshifted-wednesday-7-november-2018.html|title=ABC shows flows across Wednesday, Seven takes win|last=Knox|first=David|date=16 November 2018|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=29 September 2019}}

| ShortSummary = Paige stays with Tahlia following the break up. She turns down a job offer from Toni, and tells Daniel that she is going to go back home. Brian confronts Connor about the affair with Kath. While their teenage daughter Ella comes home and reveals she is getting married. Maddy sees Joanna and learns that she actually quit because she felt uncomfortable hearing Maddy and Travis having sex. Tahlia meets with Connor's mother to discuss their separation, and she goes ahead with her fragrance launch. Connor tells Jessie about leaving Jack in the water the day he died. Jessie, Maddy and Kath think Andrew had something to do with Jack's death, as he was against his relationship with Rusty. However, Brian explains that he pushed Jack during a fight, causing him to hit his head on a rock. He then walked away and Jack died. Andrew resigns from the club. Daniel and Paige say goodbye at the train station.

| LineColor = 982621

}}

}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Episode table |background=#3198FF |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR= |viewers= |viewers_type= |country=Aus.|episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|EpisodeNumber2 = 1

|Title = Episode 1

|DirectedBy = Scott Major

|WrittenBy = Claire Phillips

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|16|df=yes}}

|Viewers = 297,000{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/10/block-gruen-win-wednesday-slots.html|title=Block, Gruen Win Wednesday Slots.|date=17 October 2019|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=17 October 2019|archive-date=17 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017011803/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/10/block-gruen-win-wednesday-slots.html|url-status=live}}

|ShortSummary = Six months later, Brian has stepped down as coach of the Southern Jets and Travis has succeeded him. Kath is now sitting on the board, and tries to persuade Brian to take a new job with the club. Jessie has given birth to a daughter and is living with Rusty. The club signs new player Liam Flynn. Paige returns from her travels for Dan's birthday, but insists that they are not getting back together. Tahlia goes home with a woman that she believes Connor is interested in. Connor later tells her that he has met someone. The women meet Liam's girlfriend Kendall, who takes cocaine and picks a fight with Jessie and Maddy. Kendall later calls Maddy and Travis to her home, where they find Liam with a head injury.

|LineColor = 3198FF

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|EpisodeNumber2 = 2

|Title = Episode 2

|DirectedBy = Scott Major

|WrittenBy = Ainslie Clouston

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|23|df=yes}}

|Viewers = 221,000{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/10/playing-for-keeps-low-as-gruen-leads-slot.html|title=Playing For Keeps Low, As Gruen Leads Slot.|date=24 October 2019|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024043427/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/10/playing-for-keeps-low-as-gruen-leads-slot.html|url-status=live}}

|ShortSummary = With Liam due to appear at a televised press conference, Kath learns that Kendall glassed him while high on drugs. She urges him to report it, but Liam refuses and tells the press that he was injured during a collision in training. With Maddy's encouragement, Kendall decides to go to rehab. Kath runs for club president and wins, but she and Brian realise that their marriage is not working, and he leaves for a new job. Tahlia announces her new swimwear line. After learning that Paige has been hanging out with Dan, Tahlia tells her to have a one-night stand. Paige meets Brody at a club and they go home together, but nothing happens between them. However, after speaking with Dan about it, Paige kisses Brody. Meanwhile, Jessie sets Rusty up on a date, while he encourages her to return to training.

|LineColor = 3198FF

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 11

|EpisodeNumber2 = 3

|Title = Episode 3

|DirectedBy = Ian Watson

|WrittenBy = Nicky Arnall

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|10|30|df=yes}}

|Viewers = 231,000{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/10/today-show-hits-new-2019-low.html|title=Today Show Hits New 2019 Low|date=31 October 2019|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=31 October 2019}}

|ShortSummary = After breaking up with Kendall, Liam flirts with Tahlia. Kath faces opposition to her ideas for increasing the club's membership and social media presence. Maddy meets with Oliver Jansen, a law school friend and barrister to discuss a case. Wanting to finance her swimwear business, Tahlia visits Connor's mother to get her to sign over the house before she divorces Connor. Diane asks to invest in Tahlia's business instead. Brody and Paige go on a date, but things are awkward when they cannot get away from reminders of the Southern Jets and Dan. They eventually have sex for the first time. Tahlia meets Connor's girlfriend Annabel at the president's lunch. Jessie is invited to train with the Eastern Dragons, but she plans to set up a Southern Jets women's team instead, which gets Kath's approval, but not the rest of the board. The Jets win their opening game

|LineColor = 3198FF

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 12

|EpisodeNumber2 = 4

|Title = Episode 4

|DirectedBy = Ian Watson

|WrittenBy = Emma Gordon

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|06|df=yes}}

|Viewers = 274,000{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/11/celebrity-name-game-trails-abc.html|title=Celebrity Name Game trails ABC|date=7 November 2019|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107004909/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/11/celebrity-name-game-trails-abc.html|url-status=live}}

|ShortSummary = Nude photos of Tahlia are uploaded to the internet, after Connor's phone is stolen. Diane advises her to keep silent and release an apology to keep the investors happy. Kath and Brian decide to make their separation public. Paige tells Dan about her relationship with Brody, before he is injured in a collision with a skateboarder. Dan later asks for space from Paige. The Jets suffer their first loss of the season, and the club is visited by a integrity operations manager, after an unusual amount of bets are placed on the opposition. Maddy realises Oliver used her to gain intel into the club. After Jessie gives an interview about her plans for the women's team, the subject of Georgie's paternity is raised by the journalist.

|LineColor = 3198FF

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 13

|EpisodeNumber2 = 5

|Title = Episode 5

|DirectedBy = Kate Kendall

|WrittenBy = Paul Gartside

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|13|df=yes}}

|Viewers = 301,000{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/11/bachelorette-up-love-island-down.html|title=Bachelorette Up, Love Island Down|date=14 November 2019|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=14 November 2019}}

|ShortSummary = Tahlia's mother Narelle visits, following the death of her second husband Sam, to reconcile their relationship. Tahlia tells Narelle that she was a bad mother and asks her to go home. The women learn that Liam had sex with 17-year old work experience student Samira, and they urge Kath to talk with him. Paige confronts Dan about his friendship with Liam, leading to them having sex. Kath and Brian decide to call their children to tell them about their separation. Maddy is interviewed by integrity about Oliver, and later suffers panic attacks. Connor and Liam fight during training. Jessie organises an open day to promote the Women's team, but she tears her ACL and shatters her dreams of playing professional Women's AFL again.

|LineColor = 3198FF

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 14

|EpisodeNumber2 = 6

|Title = Episode 6

|DirectedBy = Kate Kendall

|WrittenBy = Shaun Topp

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|20|df=yes}}

|Viewers = 186,000{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/tv-ratings-november-20-seven-worlds-one-planet-a-winner/|title=TV Ratings November 20: Seven Worlds One Planet a winner|last=Manning|first=James|date=21 November 2019|work=Mediaweek|access-date=21 November 2019}}

|ShortSummary = Liam and Connor continue to fight, resulting in another loss by the Southern Jets. Paige forces herself to tell Brody that she had sex with Dan. Dan is injured when he is involved in a car crash while with Liam, who was under the influence of cocaine. Kath asks Brian to help Travis coach the team.

|LineColor = 3198FF

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 15

|EpisodeNumber2 = 7

|Title = Episode 7

|DirectedBy = Scott Major

|WrittenBy = Ainslie Clouston

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|11|27|df=yes}}

|Viewers = 141,000{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/tv-ratings-aria-awards-celebration-of-australian-music-slips-in-ratings/|title=TV Ratings: ARIA Awards celebration of Australian music slips in ratings|last=Manning|first=James|date=28 November 2019|work=Mediaweek|access-date=28 November 2019}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 3198FF

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 16

|EpisodeNumber2 = 8

|Title = Episode 8

|DirectedBy = Scott Major

|WrittenBy = Emma Gordon

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|12|04|df=yes}}

|Viewers = 188,000{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/12/wednesday-4-december-2019.html|title=Wednesday 4 December 2019|date=5 December 2019|publisher=TV Tonight|website=TV Tonight|access-date=5 December 2019|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205201653/https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/12/wednesday-4-december-2019.html|url-status=live}}

|ShortSummary = At the end of the night Daniel and Paige go outside and Daniel tells Paige that the bikie who visited the party wants him as he has placed some bets with the man. Then, one of the bikies shoots Paige and rides away on his motorbike. The scene ends with everyone trying the help Paige as her life is hanging in the balance.

|LineColor = 3198FF

}}

}}

In September 2018, Network 10 launched a spin-off web series alongside the first season called The Goss Boss (or TGB) on TenPlay.{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/ten-launches-web-series-for-playing-for-keeps/|title=TEN launches web series delving deeper into the lives of those Playing For Keeps|date=27 September 2018|work=Mediaweek|access-date=8 October 2019|archive-date=8 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008202130/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/ten-launches-web-series-for-playing-for-keeps/|url-status=live}} A new episode became available shortly after Playing for Keeps aired that week. The Goss Boss is a fictional gossip show that covers the feuds and fashions featured in Playing for Keeps, and is hosted by Liv Phyland. General manager of digital at Network 10, Liz Baldwin stated: "In addition to our regular behind-the-scenes cast interviews, we created a fun web series that explores the Playing For Keeps storyline in more detail, giving fans of the show the chance to see what it would be like in the real world for the characters on the show. It's a grandstand exposé into Playing For Keeps' real power players: the WAGs."

On 30 October 2019, Network 10 launched a new web series for season two called Sidelines on 10 Play, which was sponsored by Volvo Cars. Each webisode follows the characters during different activities in a car ride.{{cite press release|title=Australia's Juiciest Drama Playing For Keeps Launches Sidelines: A Web Series Exclusive to 10 Play|publisher=TV Blackbox|date=30 October 2019|url=https://www.tvblackbox.com.au/programs/2019/10/30/australias-juiciest-drama-playing-for-keeps-launches-sidelines-a-web-series-exclusive-to-10-play|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031000050/https://tvblackbox.com.au/programs/2019/10/30/australias-juiciest-drama-playing-for-keeps-launches-sidelines-a-web-series-exclusive-to-10-play|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.10play.com.au/sidelines|title=Sidelines|date=27 September 2018|publisher=Network 10|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=20 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120213358/https://10play.com.au/sidelines|url-status=live}}

Jessica Multari of TV Week called the series "a new TV obsession".{{cite web|url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/playing-for-keeps-episode-one-review-51306|title=Opinion: Why we're obsessed with Ten's new drama series Playing For Keeps|last=Multari|first=Jessica|date=19 September 2018|work=TV Week|access-date=19 September 2018|archive-date=19 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211711/https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/playing-for-keeps-episode-one-review-51306|url-status=live}} Multari found that "there's more to Ten's new Aussie series than socialites swanning around in stilettos supporting their sports star husbands. Scratch the surface and you'll find secrets, betrayal, deceit and heartache." Praising the character of Paige, Multari said she won the audience over with her country charm and stole all of the scenes she was in.

Bridget McManus of The Sydney Morning Herald also gave the series a positive response, writing "This is the Aussie Rules WAG drama that was begging to be made. With a murder mystery blighting the start of the season and rumours and innuendo flying like the proverbial at the ceiling fan, it's a story that could have been lifted straight from a gossip site."{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/m22tvwed-20180824-h14gnj.html|title=What's on TV: Wednesday, September 26|last=McManus|first=Bridget|date=23 September 2018|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926085849/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/m22tvwed-20180824-h14gnj.html|url-status=live}}

The Age's Karl Quinn said the show's "most obvious comparison is Footballers' Wives, the hysterically over-the-top soapie about English soccer WAGs. But while it has its share of funny moments, Playing For Keeps is a far more sober – and certainly less snarky – affair."{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/from-bogan-to-wag-annie-maynard-is-playing-for-keeps-20180927-p506e2.html|title=From Bogan to WAG, Annie Maynard is Playing for Keeps|last=Quinn|first=Karl|date=5 October 2018|work=The Age|access-date=25 October 2018}}

The first season of Playing for Keeps was released on DVD via Roadshow Entertainment.{{cite web|url=https://www.bigw.com.au/product/playing-for-keeps-series-1/p/16004/|title=Playing for Keeps: Series 1|publisher=Big W|date=May 2019|access-date=17 October 2019|archive-date=17 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017083556/https://www.bigw.com.au/product/playing-for-keeps-series-1/p/16004/|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://10play.com.au/playing-for-keeps}}
• {{IMDb title|8681362|Playing for Keeps}}

Category:2010s Australian drama television series

Category:Network 10 original programming

Category:2018 Australian television series debuts

Category:2019 Australian television series endings

Category:Television shows set in Melbourne

Category:Australian English-language television shows

Category:Television series by All3Media

Category:Television series by Screentime

Category:Television episodes directed by Kate Kendall

Category:Television episodes directed by Scott Major