After heavy back-to-back defeats in Brisbane not seen since the ‘97 & ‘98 series, Billy Slater has swung his axe, sensationally dropping Queensland halfback and captain Daley Cherry-Evans for State of Origin Game 2. The Blues now have the Maroons on the ropes and are in a prime position to throw a knockout blow and claim the Origin series in Perth next Wednesday night. Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi discuss the new team line-ups ahead of next week's game.

After heavy back-to-back defeats in Brisbane not seen since the &lsquo;97 &amp; &lsquo;98 series, Billy Slater has swung his axe, sensationally dropping Queensland halfback and captain Daley Cherry-Evans for State of Origin Game 2. The Blues now have the Maroons on the ropes and are in a prime position to throw a knockout blow and claim the Origin series in Perth next Wednesday night. Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi discuss the new team line-ups ahead of next week's game.

40/20 is a brand new NRL podcast from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. During this year's State of Origin and Finals series we will break down the biggest stories from across the game with journalists Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi and NRL insiders from around the country. We'll be giving you press pass access as we breakdown the latest news, controversy and performances from the biggest matches in the Rugby League calendar. To listen to our episodes as soon as they drop follow 40/20 wherever you listen to podcasts.


And, why not become a subscriber? Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ or https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

40/20 is a brand new NRL podcast from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. During this year's State of Origin and Finals series we will break down the biggest stories from across the game with journalists Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi and NRL insiders from around the country. We'll be giving you press pass access as we breakdown the latest news, controversy and performances from the biggest matches in the Rugby League calendar. To listen to our episodes as soon as they drop follow 40/20 wherever you listen to podcasts.
 And, why not become a subscriber? Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe&nbsp;<a href="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/" data-stringify-link="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://subscribe.theage.com.au/</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/" data-stringify-link="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://subscribe.smh.com.au/</a>

40/20

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

Billy Slater swings the axe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/c4a14dce-1ecf-4d89-bd87-b2f800c1c4db/transcript

There are only a few sleeps away from NRL Christmas with the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm facing off in the Grand Final on Sunday.

But has the new rebel Rugby 360 competition, looking to poach marquee NRL players, spoiled the party like the Grinch?

And is this the beginning of a new era for the Kangaroos? As new coach Kevy Walters is set to blood up to seven debutants for the upcoming Ashes series against England.

Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi break down all the Rugby League news ahead of the Grand Final.

There are only a few sleeps away from NRL Christmas with the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm facing off in the Grand Final on Sunday. But has the new rebel Rugby 360 competition, looking to poach marquee NRL players, spoiled the party like the Grinch? And is this the beginning of a new era for the Kangaroos? As new coach Kevy Walters is set to blood up to seven debutants for the upcoming Ashes series against England. Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi break down all the Rugby League news ahead of the Grand Final.

NRL Grand Final week: A new Kangaroos era begins, and a Rugby 360 poaching raid looms

As the last days of September loom only four teams remain in the NRL competition, and by the end of the weekend we’ll know who will face off in the grand final.

So now the Sharks have our respect, can they weather the Storm in Melbourne?

Can the Broncos superstar spine deal with Panthers four-time champion winning half-back Nathan Cleary?

And should Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase be picked for the Kangaroos with the news of his return to Rugby Union?

Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi break down all the NRL news ahead of the two huge grand final qualifying matches.

*NRL grand final competition, Terms and Conditions: Game of skill. Competition open to residents of NSW who are current subscribers of the Sin Bin newsletter and the Sydney Morning Herald. Entrants under 18 must seek Parent or Legal Guardian consent to enter. Competition closes 25/09/2025 11:59pm AEST. Winners chosen 29/09/2025 at 11:00am AEST at Promoter’s office. Winner notified by phone within 2 days. Full terms and conditions at subscriber.smh.com.au/nrl-terms. Promoter is Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd of 1 Denison Street, North Sydney NSW 2060.

As the last days of September loom only four teams remain in the NRL competition, and by the end of the weekend we&rsquo;ll know who will face off in the grand final. So now the Sharks have our respect, can they weather the Storm in Melbourne? Can the Broncos superstar spine deal with Panthers four-time champion winning half-back Nathan Cleary? And should Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase be picked for the Kangaroos with the news of his return to Rugby Union? Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi break down all the NRL news ahead of the two huge grand final qualifying matches. *NRL grand final competition, Terms and Conditions: Game of skill. Competition open to residents of NSW who are current subscribers of the Sin Bin newsletter and the Sydney Morning Herald. Entrants under 18 must seek Parent or Legal Guardian consent to enter. Competition closes 25/09/2025 11:59pm AEST. Winners chosen 29/09/2025 at 11:00am AEST at Promoter&rsquo;s office. Winner notified by phone within 2 days. Full terms and conditions at&nbsp;<a href="http://subscriber.smh.com.au/nrl-terms" data-stringify-link="http://subscriber.smh.com.au/nrl-terms" data-sk="tooltip_parent">subscriber.smh.com.au/nrl-terms</a>. Promoter is Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd of 1 Denison Street, North Sydney NSW 2060.

NRL finals week three: Can Brisbane deal with Cleary and have Cronulla really earned our respect?

The first week of the finals did not disappoint, and with the Roosters and Warriors exiting the competition, six teams now remain.

So this week, can the Sharks earn the respect they’ve asked for or will the Raiders prove too difficult?

Can young gun Lachy Galvin steer the Bulldogs to a win over the Panthers?

And Victor Radley has been slapped with a 10 game ban, and another $30,000 fine.

Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi from The Sydney Morning Herald break down the news of the week ahead of two massive semi-final clashes.

*NRL grand final competition, Terms and Conditions: Game of skill. Competition open to residents of NSW who are current subscribers of the Sin Bin newsletter and the Sydney Morning Herald. Entrants under 18 must seek Parent or Legal Guardian consent to enter. Competition closes 25/09/2025 11:59pm AEST. Winners chosen 29/09/2025 at 11:00am AEST at Promoter’s office. Winner notified by phone within 2 days. Full terms and conditions at subscriber.smh.com.au/nrl-terms. Promoter is Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd of 1 Denison Street, North Sydney NSW 2060.

The first week of the finals did not disappoint, and with the Roosters and Warriors exiting the competition, six teams now remain. So this week, can the Sharks earn the respect they&rsquo;ve asked for or will the Raiders prove too difficult? Can young gun Lachy Galvin steer the Bulldogs to a win over the Panthers? And Victor Radley has been slapped with a 10 game ban, and another $30,000 fine. Michael Chammas and Christian Nicolussi from&nbsp;The Sydney Morning Herald&nbsp;break down the news of the week ahead of two massive semi-final clashes. *NRL grand final competition, Terms and Conditions:&nbsp;Game of skill. Competition open to residents of NSW who are current subscribers of the Sin Bin newsletter and the Sydney Morning Herald. Entrants under 18 must seek Parent or Legal Guardian consent to enter. Competition closes 25/09/2025 11:59pm AEST. Winners chosen 29/09/2025 at 11:00am AEST at Promoter&rsquo;s office. Winner notified by phone within 2 days. Full terms and conditions at&nbsp;<a href="http://subscriber.smh.com.au/nrl-terms" data-stringify-link="http://subscriber.smh.com.au/nrl-terms" data-sk="tooltip_parent">subscriber.smh.com.au/nrl-terms</a>. Promoter is Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd of 1 Denison Street, North Sydney NSW 2060.

Billy Slater swings the axe

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