ROUND 27 NRL TIPS ARE HERE!

Chad Townsend is joined by Josh Morris for the final round of NRL tips before the 2026 finals!

With the regular season coming down to the final weekend, there is still plenty to play for — including the minor premiership, home finals and momentum heading into September.

But there's one massive problem for the tipsters...

WHO IS ACTUALLY PLAYING?

Several finals teams have decided to rest key players ahead of the opening week of the finals, making Round 27 one of the hardest rounds of the season to tip.

Chad and Josh go through every Round 27 game and give their tips, predictions and biggest calls.

ROUND 27 MATCHUPS

- Bulldogs v Broncos
- Titans v Dolphins
- Roosters v Rabbitohs
- Warriors v Sea Eagles
- Sharks v Storm
- Cowboys v Raiders
- Panthers v Tigers

We discuss:

Panthers & Warriors — who finishes as minor premiers?

Can the Dolphins finish the regular season strongly?

Roosters v Rabbitohs — can South Sydney secure a home final?

Warriors v Sea Eagles — can the Warriors finish No.1?

Sharks v Storm — can Cronulla find some form before the finals?

Cowboys v Raiders — can North Queensland build momentum?

Panthers v Tigers — will Penrith rest players or go all-out for the minor premiership?

Plus plenty of Josh Morris v Chad Townsend tipping banter, big calls, potential upsets and predictions for who we think will win every game.

With the finals just around the corner, every tip matters.

PUT YOUR ROUND 27 TIPS IN THE COMMENTS!

Who are you backing to win the 2026 NRL Premiership?

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Welcome back to the podcast.

Chris Heighington was one of the experienced forwards who helped drive that Cronulla side through the season, while Chad Townsend and James Maloney formed the halves combination that guided the Sharks to the biggest prize in rugby league.

This isn't just a story about winning a Grand Final.It's about 49 years of history, the people who came before us, the players who carried that weight and the group that finally got the job done.Three players.

One premiership.

49 years of waiting.

Welcome inside the story of the 2016 Cronulla Sharks.

IN THIS EPISODE:

- How the 2016 Sharks team came together

- The belief inside the playing group

- The famous 15 game winning streak

- What made that team so difficult to beat

- The pressure of the finals

- The build-up to the 2016 Grand Final

- Facing the Melbourne Storm

- Andrew Fifita's iconic Grand Final performance

- What it felt like to finally win the Sharks' first premiership

- The celebrations after 49 years of heartbreak

- The dressing-room stories and moments fans didn't see

- What made the 2016 Sharks team so special

COMMENT YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM THE 2016 SHARKS PREMIERSHIP

Subscribe to the Chad Townsend Show for more NRL stories, interviews, behind-the-scenes access and conversations with the players who lived them.Subscribe to The Chad Townsend YouTube channel for NRL news, analysis, tips, interviews, player stories and weekly rugby league podcasts.If you like these videos please make sure you SUBSCRIBE!Join BearBet today for all my footy tips and multis throughout the season: https://www.bearbet.com.au/signup/ChadTownsendGamble ResponsiblyJoin FANSCOOP for members only exclusive insights and access:https://www.fanscoop.tv/chadtownsendMY WEBSITE:https://www.chadtownsend.com.au PLAYERS GOLF CLUB - SHOP HERE:https://www.playersgolfclub.com.auTHE CHAD TOWNSEND SHOW PODCAST:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EvFnF9...Contact:Chad@chadtownsend.com.au THE NUTRITIOUS BROS:CHAD20 for 20% off first orderCHAD10 for 10% off ongoing orderhttps://thenutritiousbros.com.au/LEAVE A MESSAGE ON OUR VOICEMAIL TO GET ON THE SHOW:https://www.speakpipe.com/thechadtownsendshowThanks for watching! Please make sure if you enjoy the content that you subscribe, like and comment it really does make a huge difference and I am really grateful for your support.CT

Welcome back to the podcast.

NRL ROUND 26 IS DONE — AND THE FINALS PICTURE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE INTERESTING!

I break down the biggest performances, controversies, injuries and storylines as we head into the final round of the regular season.

And there is plenty to talk about.

The Roosters' premiership hopes have taken a huge hit with Sam Walker suffering a serious ankle injury in their loss to the Dolphins. Can the Roosters still win the competition without their star halfback?

Meanwhile, Jett Cleary made an incredible NRL debut for the Warriors, producing three try assists as the Warriors returned to the top of the ladder.

We also break down:

- Panthers return to No.1 — are Penrith hitting their best e right time?

- Bulldogs MISS THE FINALS — what went wrong for Canterbury?

- Sharks smashed by the Eels — are Cronulla genuine premiership contenbers?

- Dolphins stun the Roosters — are the Dolphins the team nobody wants to play?

- Warriors beat the Knights — can Andrew Webster's side win the premiership?

- Rabbitohs make the finals — how far can South Sydney go?

- Broncos collapse continues — where did it all go wrong in Brisbane?

- Storm smash the Broncos — are Melbourne the best team to miss the finals?

- Manly destroy the Dragons — too little, too late?

- Cowboys secure their finals spot — can North Queensland cause an upset in September?

Jacob Saifiti SENT OFF — what does his suspension mean for Newcastle's finals campaign?

Plus the biggest player performances, coaching questions, injuries, finals combinations and my biggest takes from Round 26.

One of the craziest stats from the round: both teams from last year's Grand Final — Brisbane and Melbourne — will miss the 2026 finals.

It is the first time since 2010 that both previous Grand Finalists have failed to make the finals.

Subscribe to The Chad Townsend YouTube channel for NRL news, analysis, tips, interviews, player stories and weekly rugby league podcasts.

If you like these videos please make sure you SUBSCRIBE!

Join BearBet today for all my footy tips and multis throughout the season:

https://www.bearbet.com.au/signup/ChadTownsend

Gamble Responsibly

Join FANSCOOP for members only exclusive insights and access:

https://www.fanscoop.tv/chadtownsend

MY WEBSITE:

https://www.chadtownsend.com.au

PLAYERS GOLF CLUB - SHOP HERE:

https://www.playersgolfclub.com.au

THE CHAD TOWNSEND SHOW PODCAST:

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EvFnF9...

Contact:

Chad@chadtownsend.com.au

THE NUTRITIOUS BROS:

CHAD20 for 20% off first order

CHAD10 for 10% off ongoing order

https://thenutritiousbros.com.au/

LEAVE A MESSAGE ON OUR VOICEMAIL TO GET ON THE SHOW:

https://www.speakpipe.com/thechadtownsendshow

HUDDLE CONNECT FAST INTERNET:

Donate up to $5 to your local sporting club with Huddle Connect:

https://huddleconnect.com.au

Please make sure if you enjoy the content that you subscribe, like and comment it really does make a huge difference and I am really grateful for your support.

CT