ABC NRL Daily

North Queensland centre Jaxon Purdue joined NRL Monday with Andrew Moore to discuss the Cowboys’ topsy-turvy season, what they need to get right for the finals, and his preferred position.
We also discuss which teams will provide the ideal grand final match-up, Brisbane’s horrible title defence, and whether the Sydney Roosters can win without Sam Walker.
Luke Lewis swings by the studio to discuss the build up to the finals series, what’s wrong with Cronulla, and Jai Arrow’s emotional 99th ‘game’ for the Rabbitohs.

At the pointy end of the NRL season every incident can an amplified effect and that's the way it looks with the injury to Roosters' half back Sam Walker. He's facing surgery on his ankle that's likely to rule him out for the rest of the season and Luke Lewis told Andrew Moore and Matthew Elliott in 6 Again that it rules the Roosters out of winning the Premiership. The team also spoke to Warriors CEO Cameron George who talked about growing the game in New Zealand and about the prospect of hosting finals matches at Mt Smart. You can get to know Rooster Jayme Fressard, hear a First Thought on rule changes and there's a Denis Carnahan Song of the Week from the vaults from our sexagenarian song smith.

A special event on ABC Sport as Jai Arrow - proud father, husband and NRL star walks out in front of a packed house at Robina Stadium for his 99th appearance as a South Sydney Rabbitoh. 
0:20 - Jai Arrow walkout - called by Quentin Hull
4:53 - Alex Johnston try and full-time 
6:42 - Cameron Murray with Zane Bojack 
9:59 - Jai Arrow with Zane Bojack

In an ominous sign for the rest of the NRL Penrith showed a bit of their best gritty finals form to beat the Bulldogs in round 26. Back rower and top man Scott Sorensen told Andrew Moore, Luke Lewis and Michael Carayannis he felt a lift in intensity at training during the week. Plus there was a "big" MC's Hammertime (even if Grimesy took the wind out of Michael's sails), and Manly points scoring machine Reuben Garrick chatted about his final match at Brookvale Oval in what he admitted has been a strange season. There's also a good debate about whether the NRL should follow the AFL in adopting a wildcard round.

There will be 2 emotional games left in this NRL season for South Sydney with Jai Arrow set to notch up his 99th & 100th appearances for the club. The Rabbitohs approached the NRL for special permission to name the Motor Neurone stricken player so he could reach his milestone. Souths CEO Blake Solly told Quentin Hull and Billy Moore that the game has pulled together to honour the popular figure and make this happen. Plus Billy and Q dissect why last season's Grand Finalists - Brisbane and Melbourne - are meeting in a dead rubber match with a potential rule change being trialled in it.