Phil Gould and Mathew Thompson break down the final round of the NRL regular season as the Warriors and Panthers battle for the minor premiership.

Gus explains why Lachlan Galvin’s rapid rise is unlike anything he has seen from a young half, assesses the legacies of Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas, Josh Papalii and Jarome Luai, and names his team of the year.

The pair also revisit their preseason predictions, examine whether Cronulla can recover in time for the finals and preview every Round 27 match.

00:00 Round 27 and the minor premiership race
01:06 Bulldogs finish the season with promise
03:06 Lachlan Galvin’s remarkable season
03:26 Why young halfbacks need development time
07:19 Galvin’s extraordinary leap into the NRL
09:45 When halfbacks reach their prime
10:48 Adam Reynolds’ Brisbane legacy
13:11 Payne Haas prepares to leave Brisbane
17:05 Josh Papalii’s Canberra legacy
19:28 Jarome Luai’s complicated Tigers legacy
22:25 PNG and the changing player market
25:06 Can the Tigers replace Luai?
27:39 Six Tackles team of the year
41:46 Revisiting Gus’ preseason predictions
44:24 Can Cronulla recover before the finals?
48:48 The danger of resting players
51:03 Six Tackles trivia
53:01 NRLW news and Round 27 preview
54:27 Titans v Dolphins
57:21 Rabbitohs v Roosters and Jai Arrow’s milestone
01:00:58 Warriors v Sea Eagles
01:02:51 Cowboys v Raiders
01:03:31 Sharks v Storm
01:05:04 Dragons v Eels
01:06:31 Panthers v Tigers
01:08:24 The selection debate turns to golf
01:09:04 Gus’ Bob Fulton golf-cart story

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The Roosters have lost 11 of their past 12 games against Penrith, and Gus believes this blockbuster is their chance to prove they can beat the Panthers when it matters.

Gus names Penrith, the Roosters and Warriors as his three genuine premiership contenders, explains why the Warriors have taken a giant step forward and reveals how the Panthers can cover the loss of Isaah Yeo.

Plus, the latest on Corey Horsburgh’s expected move to the Perth Bears, Gus rejects the proposed third-place playoff, discusses how private player negotiations reach the media and explains what makes a great captain.

Gus also previews the NRLW action and delivers his tips for every game in Round 24.

00:00 Finals arrive early with Panthers v Roosters
03:57 Corey Horsburgh dropped and linked with Perth
06:46 Gus rejects the third-place playoff
12:45 Can Milky Jenkins break the try-scoring record?
14:21 Luke Metcalf and the Warriors’ halves
16:38 Why the Warriors can win the premiership
20:09 When will Isaah Yeo return?
21:56 How Penrith can cover Yeo’s absence
27:24 Sam Walker’s future and leaked contract talks
30:15 What makes a great NRL captain?
31:56 The game’s emerging leaders
34:39 How Brad Fittler grew into the captaincy
37:55 Six Tackles Trivia
40:27 NRLW preview
41:46 Panthers v Roosters
49:12 Sea Eagles v Dolphins
51:31 Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
53:03 Sharks v Raiders
57:08 Eels v Cowboys
59:15 Broncos v Warriors
1:00:07 Knights v Titans
1:00:45 Wests Tigers v Dragons
1:01:03 Gus’ Round 24 tips

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Three rounds remain and the race to the finals is heating up.

Phil Gould and Mat Thompson break down Brisbane’s dramatic fall from defending premiers, why Gus still has Penrith as his premiership favourite, and whether Souths can genuinely threaten the top sides.

Plus, Gus gives a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what an NRL training week actually involves, and whether conferences, trade windows and a revamped Origin period could work in a 20-team competition.

They also preview Round 25, revisit one of Brad Fittler’s great finals performances and remember some extraordinary goal-kicking displays from Hazem El Masri and a teenage Nathan Cleary.

00:00 - Welcome & the Logies

02:27 - The Premiership Race Takes Shape

03:35 - Can the Sharks Recover Without Braydon Trindall?

06:17 - What Is Going On With the Cowboys?

08:48 - Bulldogs' Missed Opportunity Against Souths

09:56 - Are South Sydney a Genuine Premiership Threat?

13:12 - Will Cody Walker Play On?

14:28 - Tedesco's Kangaroos Chances

15:30 - What's Broken at the Broncos?

20:07 - The Pressure of the NRL Media

22:43 - Why Gus Still Believes in Penrith

29:08 - Are Penrith in a Mini Pre-Season?

30:17 - Inside the Week of an NRL Team

33:02 - How NRL Players Spend Their Training Week

36:17 - Travel, Captain's Runs & Game-Day Preparation

38:06 - How Short Turnarounds Change an NRL Week

40:21 - Team List Tuesday & the Six-Man Bench

42:26 - Are Five-Day Turnarounds a Disadvantage?

44:29 - What Fans Don't See About NRL Players

47:24 - Could Conferences Work in the NRL?

49:17 - Does the NRL Need a Trade Window?

51:31 - Gus' Vision for Rugby League's Future

53:38 - Should Origin Be Played in Consecutive Weeks?

55:27 - Gus' Fan Mail

56:38 - Gus Discovers Amazon

58:10 - Six Tackles Trivia: Fittler's Famous Comeback

1:02:20 - Hazem El Masri's Incredible Goal-Kicking

1:05:45 - Teenage Nathan Cleary's 10 From 10

1:07:08 - Round 25 Preview & Gus' Tips

1:17:08 - A Special Panthers Reunion Coming?

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