Six Tackles With Gus

With four preliminary final spots on the line, Gus and Mat Thompson preview Roosters v Sharks and Warriors v Knights. Can the Roosters bounce back from their bruising clash with Penrith, and will Kalyn Ponga inspire Newcastle to an upset in Auckland? Gus reveals the two key inclusions that could swing his Warriors tip, assesses the Dolphins’ premiership chances and discusses Nathan Cleary’s fitness. Plus, a look inside Canterbury’s end-of-season review and another chapter in the infamous skunk story. 00:00 Welcome: finals week two 01:22 Wests Tigers’ NRLW turnaround 02:51 Ranking the opening weekend of finals 04:40 Gus: let the game breathe 13:25 Can the Dolphins win the premiership? 14:34 Herbie Farnworth and the Hammer’s strike power 18:42 Will finals fatigue hurt the Roosters? 20:02 Nathan Cleary’s injury concerns 22:24 The science behind the skunk story 23:39 Yes or No: Millie Elliott and Corban Baxter’s legacy 25:45 Kalyn Ponga’s brilliance and leadership 33:29 Are finals tickets too expensive? 39:03 Ask Gus: which teams will regret their season? 42:22 Inside the Bulldogs’ end-of-season review 52:10 Gus shares his data and graphs 56:13 Six Tackles Trivia 58:45 NRLW finals and NRL preview 59:36 Roosters v Sharks 1:03:22 Warriors v Knights 1:10:07 Potential preliminary final matchups 1:10:23 Weekend coverage and farewell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gus and Mathew Thompson revisit rugby league’s wild old end-of-season trips before Darrell “The Big Marn” Brohman joins them to tell the unforgettable story of Peter Kelly’s encounter with a skunk. Plus, Gus delivers his verdict on the NRL finals, assesses the strengths and weaknesses of every leading contender and reveals why Penrith remain the team to beat. 00:00 NRL finals have arrived 01:19 Mad Monday then and now 03:47 The Bulldogs’ legendary overseas trips 06:06 Gus’s life lesson - don’t wrestle with a skunk 10:40 Rugby league rallies around Jai Arrow 13:19 Darrell Brohman joins the show 14:10 Darrell tells the full skunk story 18:02 Memories from the Bulldogs’ trip 20:30 One final warning about skunks 21:14 Yes or No - Canberra’s exciting future 24:49 Should finals be played at suburban grounds? 31:03 Isaah Yeo’s remarkable recovery 33:38 Assessing the NRL finals contenders 34:14 Penrith Panthers - strength, weakness and X-factor 42:34 New Zealand Warriors - strength, weakness and X-factor 48:03 Dolphins - strength, weakness and X-factor 56:04 Sydney Roosters - strength, weakness and X-factor 01:01:34 Can a bottom-four team win the premiership? 01:02:02 Six Tackles Trivia 01:05:59 NRLW Round 11 01:06:34 Rabbitohs v Knights 01:09:13 Warriors v Dolphins 01:11:31 Sharks v Cowboys 01:16:28 Panthers v Roosters 01:18:04 Gus predicts the finals 01:19:16 The infamous “Sic ’em, Rex” commercial 01:20:45 Gus’s final life lessons See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns share their final words ahead of the 2026 State of Origin decider. 2024 Origin hero Bradman Best joins the show to discuss tactics and gameplan ahead of Game III. Plus, the boys name the best Indigenous player they have played with in their careers. All that and more on a special Origin edition of Freddy & the Eighth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special Guest Latrell Mitchell plus inside Blues and Maroons camp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gus explains why New South Wales can't afford to let Queensland dictate early, why the first 20 minutes could decide the series, and how players like Liam Martin and Addin Fonua-Blake should be used to put the Maroons on the back foot from the opening whistle. Also in this episode: Why Gus was shocked by Brian To'o being left out The selection gamble on Jack Bostock How New South Wales should manage its bench in the biggest game of the year Why Queensland carries more pressure than people think Gus' memories of the old Lang Park and coaching Origin deciders in Brisbane An unexpected live phone call to Emma Lawrence after Gus correctly predicted she was about to start maternity leave Plus the latest on the NRL ladder, the start of the NRLW season, and your Ask Gus questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Gould says State of Origin isn't a talent problem for New South Wales, it's a football problem. This week Gus explains why the Blues are "getting it wrong", how Queensland continue to outplay them in the moments that matter, and what Laurie Daley must do before the decider. Plus, the rise of the Titans, why the Warriors are genuine contenders, Ben Hunt's incredible career milestone, Jake Averillo's move to the Tigers, and Gus previews every game of Round 17 thanks to TAB. (00:00) Beanies for Brain Cancer Round and the Mark Hughes Foundation (05:23) Breaking news: Jake Averillo signs with the West Tigers (07:46) Ben Hunt extends with Brisbane for a 19th NRL season (09:25) Are defensive contests making a comeback in the NRL? (11:03) The Titans' rise under Josh Hannay (13:50) Why the Warriors won't fade this season (15:21) Are the Dolphins genuine premiership favourites? (19:17) Broncos facing a finals-defining stretch (21:38) Should Mitchell Moses play Origin III? (24:00) “We're getting it wrong” - Gus' Origin diagnosis (35:40) Can NSW fix it before the decider? (45:13) Why Queensland rarely beat themselves (48:00) Ask Gus: Origin, coaching futures and Dean Young (54:12) Round 17 preview and TAB odds (01:12:00) Gus' Round 17 tips and farewell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one has had a greater influence on New South Wales rugby league than Brad Fittler. A Blues legend, Freddy played a record 31 State of Origin matches for NSW before later coaching his state on 18 occasions. But the Origin story closest to his heart came in 2004, when Phil Gould convinced him to return from representative retirement for one final campaign. It wasn't all smooth sailing. The comeback didn't start as planned, but it ended with one of the most memorable fairytale finishes in Origin history. In this episode of Stories of Origin, Brad Fittler relives the 2004 series, his final season in the Sky Blue jersey, the unforgettable decider, and the perfect send-off alongside Phil Gould. A farewell that remains one of the great moments in Origin history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State of Origin heads back to Melbourne with the series hanging in the balance and Darren Lockyer joins Phil Gould and Mat Thompson to break down the biggest Game II storylines. The team looks at the impact of Payne Haas' return, Billy Slater's Reece Walsh wildcard, Laurie Daley's selection calls and whether Queensland can force a decider at Suncorp Stadium. Plus, don’t miss your Round 16 NRL tips from Gus! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State of Origin selection drama dominates this week's Six Tackles with Gus as Phil Gould questions some of New South Wales' biggest Game Two decisions ahead of the MCG blockbuster. Why isn't Haumole Olakau'atu in the Blues' best 17? Is Mitchell Moses a gamble worth taking? And has Laurie Daley got the balance of his bench right? Gus also breaks down Queensland's changes, explains why the Maroons always seem to find another gear after a loss, reflects on his memories of playing at the MCG, discusses the Dolphins' rise under Kristian Woolf and previews Round 15. It's all thanks to TAB. Send us your best Ask Gus Question to sixtackles@nine.com.au NordVPN is giving you a huge discount and four extra months on your NordVPN subscription. To get this exclusive deal, go to nordvpn.com/sixtackles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No player has worn the Queensland jersey more times than Cameron Smith. Across 42 State of Origin appearances, Smith became the ultimate competitor, captain and match-winner, helping lead the Maroons through one of the most dominant eras in rugby league history. But when asked to choose his favourite Origin, Smith doesn't go back to the beginning. He picks 2017. It was a series that seemed destined for New South Wales after a crushing Game One victory in Brisbane against a Queensland side missing Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston. Then came Thurston's unforgettable sideline conversion in Sydney despite a shattered shoulder. And finally, a decider in Brisbane that would become Smith's last ever game for Queensland. In this episode of Stories of Origin , Cameron Smith relives the highs, the pressure, the leadership challenges and the moments that made the 2017 series his most memorable Origin campaign. From adversity to triumph, this is the story of one of Queensland's greatest ever victories, told by the man who led it. Thanks to TAB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the Mark My Words podcast, where the Mark Geyer, Mark Levy and Mark Riddell bring you the latest news and passionate chats about NRL rugby league. Go and search for Mark My Words wherever you listen or watch your podcasts. In this episode, the hosts celebrate the Dragons' massive win and joke about the players eating McDonald's. They break down Kieran Foran's new coaching gig at Manly and share their thoughts on State of Origin selections. You will also get their expert predictions and betting tips for all the big Round 14 matchups. Plus the boys wrap things up with classic locker-room banter, including a hilarious story about a player in red undies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State of Origin is back and Six Tackles with Gus is live from The Locker Room at Sydney Olympic Park thanks to TAB. With kick-off only hours away across the road, Mat is joined by Phil Gould, Jake Trbojevic, Josh Reynolds, Josh Morris and special guests for a huge Origin night packed with laughs, footy debate and a few surprises. Will the Blues strike first again… or can Queensland continue their incredible recent record in Sydney? Thanks to TAB & The Locker Room! NordVPN is giving you a huge discount and four extra months on your NordVPN subscription. To get this exclusive deal, go to nordvpn.com/sixtackles . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.