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Newcastle’s fairytale meets the Roosters’ finals experience as Gus delivers his grand final verdict.
He reflects on the Knights’ extraordinary win over Penrith, Phoenix Crossland’s absence and Nathan Cleary’s season, plus shares a classic Andrew Johns story from 2001.
There’s also grand final trivia and previews of the NRLW and State Championship deciders.
00:00 Grand final week
00:46 Inside Newcastle’s extraordinary win
03:59 Penrith’s injuries and the Knights’ belief
06:54 Records set to fall
07:28 Silverchair and Newcastle’s groundswell of support
09:32 Phoenix Crossland’s absence and the hip-drop debate
12:06 Newcastle’s depth and Penrith’s painful exit
13:39 Who wins the Clive Churchill Medal?
14:43 Ali Brigginshaw and the NRLW grand final
16:52 Dally M results and Nathan Cleary’s season
19:44 Penrith’s next chapter
20:37 Grand final trivia
22:23 Gus’s Andrew Johns story from 2001
24:30 Clive Churchill winners and the Royce Simmons argument
26:52 Rugby league’s greatest grand final fairytales
28:41 Why Gus is backing the Roosters
32:52 Team news and Daly Cherry-Evans
33:28 Newcastle’s dummy-half options and defensive strength
35:33 Why the first 20 minutes matter
36:48 Gus’s final tips
37:05 State Championship preview
38:05 Grand final entertainment and season farewell
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The Newcastle Knights are into their first Grand Final in 25 years after an extraordinary win over Penrith, while the Roosters booked their place with a dominant performance against the Dolphins. Billy discusses Nathan Cleary’s devastating injury, Newcastle’s incredible resilience, Kalyn Ponga’s leadership, the Roosters’ star-studded side and the key match-ups that could decide the premiership.
Plus, a preview of the NRLW Grand Final between the Broncos and Roosters and the State Championship clash between Penrith and the Dolphins. Pasted text
00:00 Grand Final week is here
02:16 Why live sport is still unbeatable
04:36 Knights stun Penrith to reach the Grand Final
05:05 Nathan Cleary’s injury and coming off the bench
09:34 Phoenix Crossland send-off and the hip-drop tackle
11:24 Billy’s theory on why hip-drop tackles happen
16:44 How Newcastle replace Phoenix Crossland
20:36 Dane Gagai’s huge finals performances
23:04 Kalyn Ponga’s leadership and emotion
26:03 Fletcher Sharpe could be a Grand Final game-breaker
28:47 Sandon Smith’s brave quick-tap try
30:36 Roosters v Dolphins breakdown
31:07 Why the Roosters are firing at the right time
33:25 Mark Nawaqanitawase’s incredible preliminary final
35:40 Robert Toia’s rise and defensive impact
36:44 Daly Cherry-Evans and the Roosters’ recruitment
42:07 Why developing juniors matters
44:35 State Championship: Penrith v Dolphins
45:25 Dolphins’ season and where they improve
47:59 Grand Final preview: Roosters v Knights
49:56 Justin Holbrook v Trent Robinson
54:02 Sam Walker’s return
55:40 Clive Churchill Medal contenders
58:03 NRLW Grand Final: Broncos v Roosters
59:44 Final Billy Slater Podcast of 2026
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Paul Gallen steps in for Gus as Mat Thompson previews a huge preliminary final weekend.
Can the Dolphins overcome the Roosters, and can Newcastle’s fairytale continue against Penrith?
Gal gives his tips, assesses the Sharks’ season and explains why he’s returning to the boxing ring.
Plus, a classic Ricky Stuart story and a quiz testing Gal’s knowledge of his own career.
00:00 Six Tackles with Gal: Gallen replaces injured Gus
02:27 Why Gal is returning to boxing
04:03 Boxing heroes and Mike Tyson stories
06:03 Marathons, charity walks and a pie-eating contest
07:29 Graduation celebrations
08:44 Grand final entertainment and Nolsey’s Origin encounter
10:48 Yes or No
11:57 Can the Dolphins handle preliminary final pressure?
12:53 Nathan Cleary’s fitness
15:08 Why the Roosters are hitting their straps
17:47 Who deserves Coach of the Year?
20:46 Latrell Mitchell and the Perth Bears speculation
24:48 What’s missing at the Sharks?
28:48 Ask Gal: preparing for a preliminary final
32:17 Ricky Stuart’s brutal training challenge
36:09 How well does Gal know his own career?
40:02 NRLW preliminary final predictions
41:21 Dolphins v Roosters
43:41 Panthers v Knights
45:35 Gal’s boxing comeback and approach to trash talk
47:46 Farewell

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