We’re live as State of Origin fallout takes centre stage.

NSW have completed the comeback, Lozball finally clicked, and Queensland somehow lost the unloseable series. We break down how the Blues won it, what went wrong for the Maroons, whether Nathan Cleary has finally silenced his Origin doubters, and whether the Bunker changed the result.

Away from Origin, we look at the growing tension between Jarome Luai and the Wests Tigers, Daniel Tupou’s 300th game and his place among the Roosters’ all-time greats, Manly’s struggles, Cronulla’s push towards the top four, Newcastle’s costly loss and whether Melbourne can still force their way into the finals.

We also answer a listener question about the reported $700 million-a-year broadcast deal. If the networks valued the rights at closer to $500 million, what drove the price so much higher, and what exactly was the “silly buggery” behind the deal?

Plus, we ask whether lower-ranked teams such as the Titans get the rough end of refereeing decisions, before finishing live with Upset Alert and our tips for the next round.

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Origin 3 is 24 hours away and the series is there to be decided.

This week on Down The Sideline, the boys preview the Origin decider, make their predictions and break down exactly what has to go right for NSW to win.

We also review a huge weekend of NRL action, including the Panthers taking care of Souths, Cody Walker’s brain explosion, Jenkins’ incredible try-scoring run, the

Dragons marching past the Tigers, and the Sharks’ big win over Brisbane.

Plus, Braydon Trindall delivers a masterclass, the Broncos continue their nightmare season, Parramatta finally make the agenda, Manly’s Foz ball might be losing its shine, the Knights keep rolling, and Dylan Brown continues to make the critics eat their words.

Then we finish with a bonus all-time spine debate for the Roosters, Knights and Sharks, before Upset Alert and our tips for the rest of the round.

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Origin 3 is here and the teams are named.

This week on Down the Sideline, Tim, Adrian and Boldo break down the massive NSW shake-up ahead of the State of Origin decider, including Jack Bostock’s debut, Brian To’o being dropped, Bradman Best and Stephen Crichton returning, and whether Laurie Daley has fixed the Blues or hit the panic button.

The boys also look at Queensland’s more settled squad, the impact of Lindsay Collins being ruled out, Billy Slater’s future, and whether a win at Suncorp could open the door to the Melbourne Storm job.

Plus, we get into the reported NRL and Foxtel/Channel Nine broadcast deal, the Panthers wobble through Origin, the Dolphins losing Isaiya Katoa, Madge Watch at Brisbane, Melbourne’s stunning slide, Justin Holbrook’s coach of the year case at Newcastle, and the launch of the NRLW season.

And of course, we finish with Upset Alert and round tips.

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Upset Alert is on fire — and the boys are taking a victory lap.

This week on Down The Sideline, Boldo, Tim and Adrian review last week’s Upset Alert predictions before diving into the big rugby league stories of the week.

The boys unpack the State of Origin fallout after Queensland’s Game 2 win, asking whether Queensland are simply that much better, whether Laurie Daley is out of his depth, and what changes NSW need to make before the decider.

They also discuss the NRL’s match in Christchurch and whether the city should be home to New Zealand’s second NRL team. Was it just one strong event, or did Christchurch make a serious expansion statement?

There’s also chat on Penrith resting stars against the Titans, the Dolphins’ push toward a first finals appearance, the Sharks attack looking clunky despite Nicho Hynes returning, the Roosters’ physical win, the Tigers fading, the finals logjam, Round 17 tips and this week’s Upset Alert.

Down The Sideline — rugby league through the lens of media, money and market share.

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State of Origin Game 2 is almost here, and Down the Sideline is back with a full preview of NSW v Queensland.

Boldo, Adrian and Tim break down the big Origin talking points, including Mitchell Moses returning for the Blues, Reece Walsh’s role for Queensland, Payne Haas starting, Laurie Daley’s bench decisions, and whether Billy Slater has the tactical edge heading into Game 2.

The boys also discuss the Ashley Klein gambling story, what has been reported, why the optics are so difficult for the NRL, and how the game should think about referees, gambling, welfare and integrity.

Then it’s into the weekend review, with the Sharks’ 10–8 win over the Warriors, the Tigers’ emotional Leichhardt farewell, the misfiring Raiders, the struggling Broncos, the rising Dolphins and Tim’s concerns about the Roosters and DCE.

To finish, the boys run through Upset Alert, Round 16 tips, Sharks v Roosters, and Boldo’s NRL football team — a full soccer XI made up of rugby league players.

A big Origin week, a strange club round, a serious integrity discussion, and one deeply unnecessary debate about which NRL players would make the best footballers.

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Sixty-eight nil.

That is where this episode starts, because when the Wests Tigers lose by 68 points, it is not just another bad day at the office. Boldo, Adrian and Tim unpack the Tigers’ humiliation against Penrith, what it says about Benji Marshall, whether the club is genuinely in crisis, and why blowout scorelines may become an even bigger issue as the NRL expands.

The boys then turn their attention to State of Origin Game Two, with both squads now named. They break down the NSW changes, the Mitchell Moses debate, Payne Haas returning, the Blues bench, Reece Walsh being recalled by Queensland, Briton Nikora starting, and whether Billy Slater’s side now looks stronger than it did in Game One.

There is also plenty of club footy to get through. Tim enjoys being wrong about the Roosters after their 26-0 win over Canberra, Adrian reacts to Newcastle’s narrow loss to Melbourne, and the panel discusses the Broncos’ loss to the Titans, Michael Maguire pressure, the Bulldogs grinding out another win, and how the top eight is starting to shape up.

The episode also includes Upset Alert, Round 15 tips, and a final segment on the Shark Park controversy, as Boldo responds to the noise around Cronulla’s future at their home ground and the wider debate about suburban stadiums in rugby league.

This is Down the Sideline, the rugby league podcast looking at the NRL through the lens of media, money and market share.

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The Down the Sideline Podcast goes live for the very first time as David Boldeman, Adrian Manca and Tim Micallef tackle one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 NRL season.

Five days after State of Origin I, the boys revisit the Kalyn Ponga send-off and ask a question few others are asking: was the controversy actually good for rugby league?

Rather than debating whether the referee got the call right, the discussion explores the reaction from fans, commentators and media throughout the week, and whether the incident created exactly the sort of conversation and attention the game thrives on.

The boys also look ahead to Origin II, break down the Panthers vs Warriors thriller that may prove to be the match of the season, discuss the Dragons finally getting off the mark, examine the growing pressure on Michael Maguire and the Broncos, and debate the NRL's new taunting crackdown.

Plus, the return of Boldo's Soapbox, Upset Alert and tips for every Round 14 clash.

This episode includes:

• Was the Kalyn Ponga send-off actually good for rugby league?
• Origin II team changes and predictions
• Panthers vs Warriors fallout
• Dragons finally break through for their first win
• Pressure building on the Broncos and Michael Maguire
• Winners and losers from Round 13
• The NRL's controversial taunting rule
• Upset Alert
• Round 14 tips

Down the Sideline is the rugby league podcast that looks beyond the scoreboard, exploring the stories, personalities, media narratives, business decisions and big-picture issues shaping the game.

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Episode 12 of the Down the Sideline Podcast is here.

This week the boys dive into the official State of Origin team announcements and ask the bigger question around the game right now… does Origin still feel as massive as it once did?

The panel breaks down the key selections, surprise calls and what the squads say about where both NSW and Queensland are heading heading into the series opener.

Plus:

• Full Origin team reactions

• Magic Round fallout and biggest takeaways

• Ivan Cleary discussion and the wider impact on the game

• Clubs rising and falling across the competition

• Metcalf’s breakout performances

• Upset Alert returns

• Round predictions and bold takes

No safe takes. No fence sitting. Just rugby league through the lens of media, momentum and what it all means.

Originally recorded during the 2025 NRL season and uploaded as part of the Down the Sideline archive collection.

#NRL #StateOfOrigin #MagicRound #RugbyLeague #DownTheSideline

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