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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Brad “Freddy” Fittler fills in for Phil Gould alongside Mat Thompson for a special edition of Six Tackles with Gus.

Freddy ranks the NRL premiership contenders and reveals his number-one team heading into the finals. He also predicts the PNG Chiefs will reach the finals in their inaugural season, reacts to the club’s star-studded recruitment drive and debates whether the Roosters can recover from their shock loss to the Tigers.

The team pays tribute to Jai Arrow ahead of an emotional South Sydney milestone, reflects on Adam Reynolds’ remarkable career and selects a hotly contested NRL team of the year.

Plus, Freddy recalls Penrith’s historic 1991 premiership and previews every major game from the penultimate round of the regular season.

00:52 Freddy’s son begins his French rugby journey
03:02 Jai Arrow’s emotional South Sydney milestone
06:11 Freddy assesses the experimental kickoff rule
09:30 Should Adam Reynolds receive a farewell game?
10:38 Adam Reynolds’ remarkable career
12:50 Will the PNG Chiefs make the finals immediately?
14:42 Could tax-free money tempt Freddy back?
15:59 Is Jacob Preston a future captain?
17:23 Can the Roosters still win the premiership?
18:59 The Warriors’ enormous home-finals advantage
20:37 Freddy ranks the premiership contenders
24:31 Mat and Freddy select their team of the year
25:45 Kalyn Ponga versus James Tedesco
26:00 The NRL’s most underrated winger
28:30 The best forwards of the season
30:24 Freddy challenges Mat’s back-row selections
31:58 Why Wade Egan deserves recognition
33:20 Listener tactics and field goals every set
36:02 Memories of Penrith’s 1991 premiership
39:09 Six Tackles trivia
40:07 Round 26 and NRLW preview
40:57 Broncos v Storm
42:04 Sea Eagles v Dragons
42:51 Panthers v Bulldogs
45:11 Titans v Rabbitohs
46:06 Roosters v Dolphins
47:27 Cowboys v Wests Tigers
48:34 Warriors v Knights
48:52 Eels v Sharks
49:31 Final thoughts

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The finals race is heating up and Phil Gould believes this weekend could reshape the top four.

This week on Six Tackles with Gus:

• Can the Cowboys recover after conceding a record 82 points?
• Why the Warriors are Gus' upset pick against Penrith.
• Newcastle's incredible rise and why they're a genuine finals threat.
• The emotional Andrew Walker tribute ahead of Indigenous Rounds.
• Why Matt King is the right man to coach the NSW Blues.
• Round 23 tips and all your Ask Gus questions.

Thanks to TAB.

00:00 Welcome & Round 23 Preview

01:17 Roosters' Record 82-12 Win Over the Cowboys

04:45 Newcastle's Rise & What's Gone Wrong at the Broncos

06:24 Andrew Walker Tribute & Indigenous Rounds Special

17:06 Is the Top Four Already Locked In?

20:29 Ali Brigginshaw Suspension Explained

21:56 Tigers vs Eels & Adam Doueihi's Response

27:29 Why Matt King Is the Right Coach for NSW

32:24 Why the Broncos Have Fallen Apart

38:02 Ask Gus

42:02 Why Cliff Lyons Was the Greatest Indigenous Player Gus Coached Against

53:41 Six Tackles Trivia

55:57 Round 23 Preview & Tips

1:08:09 Wrap Up

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The Wests Tigers dominate this week's episode after Benji Marshall and Adam Doueihi front the media following one of the biggest stories of the NRL season.

Phil Gould explains why the real issue isn't Adam Doueihi refusing to play lock, but how the story leaked in the first place, and why great clubs simply don't allow those conversations to become public.

The boys also break down Round 22, discuss whether the Sharks are genuine premiership threats, the Panthers' roster squeeze, Newcastle's injury blow, and why Gus believes the Tigers are his best bet of the weekend despite starting as outsiders.

Plus, could Kodi Nikorima be on the move?

00:00 Broncos officially eliminated & finals race tightens

02:27 Why the NRL's talent pool is about to change forever

03:30 Newcastle's injury crisis and finals hopes

04:45 What's gone wrong at Manly?

06:10 Bulldogs quietly becoming a premiership threat

06:52 Can PNG really be finals competitive in year one?

09:07 Panthers' salary cap squeeze & Nathan Cleary's future

14:27 Are Cronulla Penrith's biggest premiership threat?

17:40 Benji, Doueihi and the Tigers press conference fallout

33:58 Ask Gus: What makes a genuine finals team?

37:12 Which clubs are building for 2027?

38:34 Ask Gus: How do you recover from a 40-point loss?

46:24 Six Tackles Trivia: The Tigers' last finals campaign

51:03 NRLW Magic Round preview

51:55 Round 22 Preview & Tips

51:55 Cowboys vs Roosters

59:07 Dragons vs Dolphins (Kodi Nikorima rumours)

1:00:22 Storm vs Bulldogs

1:01:46 Titans vs Warriors

1:03:34 Panthers vs Raiders (Blaze Talagi dropped)

1:05:56 Broncos vs Knights

1:08:16 Sharks vs Rabbitohs

1:09:26 Tigers vs Eels | Gus' upset tip

1:10:32 Wrap up & final tips

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Phil Gould explains why Andrew Johns should seriously consider coaching New South Wales and why the opportunity may not come again.

Gus also weighs in on Tom Trbojevic’s future at Manly, Marcelo Montoya’s immediate retirement, Dean Young taking charge of the Dragons, the growing finals race and whether Penrith are beginning to wobble.

Plus, Gus reviews the biggest bounce-back wins in rugby league history and previews every match of NRL Round 21.

00:00 Round 21, judiciary & Dean Young confirmed as Dragons coach
01:15 Dean Young's vision for the Dragons
04:12 Marcelo Montoya retires immediately
07:20 Could Gus ever do a podcast with his wife?
08:10 Judiciary fallout: Tigers, Rabbitohs & suspensions
09:35 Why Achilles injuries can end seasons
12:05 Are the Raiders still in the finals race?
14:40 Should Manly consider Tom Trbojevic's future?
19:45 The salary cap problem with long-term injuries
24:18 Are Penrith starting to wobble?
26:36 Should Perth panic about recruitment?
28:22 Can PNG build a competitive NRL roster?
30:45 Gus predicted the Dolphins' huge turnaround
35:28 The NRL's most underrated player?
35:58 Ask Gus: Markers, play-the-balls & gamesmanship
39:05 Why the NRL draw is never fair
41:48 Is Cam Munster's Kangaroos spot under threat?
43:52 The biggest hitters in rugby league history
48:24 Should Andrew Johns coach NSW?
49:34 "He probably should do it"
50:56 Why Joey would galvanise the Blues
56:28 Six Tackles Trivia
57:23 Andrew Johns' incredible 34-point game
59:58 NRLW Round 4 preview
1:01:18 Eels vs Panthers
1:02:00 Knights vs Roosters
1:04:12 Rabbitohs vs Storm
1:05:40 Raiders vs Tigers
1:06:18 Bulldogs vs Warriors
1:06:56 Cowboys vs Broncos
1:09:02 Dragons vs Titans
1:11:15 Sea Eagles vs Sharks
1:13:06 Gus' full Round 21 tips
1:14:28 Fritz's Wiener recommendation

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With Origin now in the rear-view mirror, Gus explains why the emotional hangover can linger for players and clubs as the race to the finals heats up.

Gus praises Nathan Cleary’s brilliant decider performance, declares the champion halfback is yet to reach his peak and assesses the rebuild facing Billy Slater and Queensland.

The boys also unpack the Wests Tigers’ decision to release Jarome Luai early, why his one-year Parramatta move makes sense for everyone involved and the importance of allowing perseverance to do its work during a long-term rebuild.

Plus, are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders? Can Melbourne survive without Cameron Munster? Could the Broncos upset Penrith? Gus previews every match in Round 20 and offers Rory McIlroy some unusual advice ahead of The Open.

00:00 Welcome and the Origin hangover

01:44 How Origin disruption affects NRL clubs

04:06 Dolphins’ 66-point defeat and the Sharks’ finals chances

06:32 The latest on Stephen Crichton’s neck injury

09:53 Player welfare and the physical toll of rugby league

10:50 The Open Championship and Gus’s golf tips

11:56 The congested NRL ladder

12:16 Why Nathan Cleary’s critics defy logic

14:19 “He hasn’t peaked yet”: Gus’s huge Cleary prediction

16:39 How NSW produced its remarkable Origin turnaround

19:03 Should Billy Slater remain Queensland coach?

21:29 Liam Martin and Hudson Young’s Origin impact

23:49 Are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders?

26:09 Jarome Luai’s one-year move to Parramatta

28:27 The lasting impact Luai has had on the Tigers

30:51 Why the Tigers released Luai one year early

33:10 Benji Marshall makes the tough call

35:29 Huge changes coming for NRL rosters

37:50 “Let perseverance do its work”

40:01 Parramatta’s improvement and the strength of the competition

41:01 Can Melbourne reach the finals without Cameron Munster?

42:11 Jai Arrow’s emotional birthday fundraiser

43:00 Six Tackles Trivia

45:19 Women in League Round and the NRLW

46:23 Round 20 preview: Panthers v Broncos

50:30 Sharks v Knights

51:59 Roosters v Storm

52:48 Raiders v Rabbitohs

53:48 Warriors v Dragons

54:48 Bulldogs v Wests Tigers

55:48 Titans v Sea Eagles

56:57 Dolphins v Cowboys and the bounce-back factor

58:43 Gus’s Round 20 tips

59:43 Does Rory McIlroy need glasses?

1:01:04 Final thoughts and farewell

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