Six Tackles With Gus

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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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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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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