The NRL grand final will be held without a headline pre-game entertainment act after negotiations with Australian artist Tones and I collapsed. The NRL has said it will donate $1 million to junior rugby league in lieu of a payment to a big-time star. With Kylie Minogue set to headline the AFL grand final pre-game entertainment, is this a big fail for the NRL, which wants to establish itself as a global competition?

Plus, top referee Ashley Klein has been dumped for failing to award a penalty in the final minute of Sunday’s Eden Park semi final between the Warriors and Knights. Was the axing warranted and is the scrutiny referees are now under becoming unfair?

This week rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Chris Barrett join sport deputy editor Billie Eder to break down the latest NRL news, and preview this weekend’s preliminary finals matches.

The NRL grand final will be held without a headline pre-game entertainment act after negotiations with Australian artist Tones and I collapsed. The NRL has said it will donate $1 million to junior rugby league in lieu of a payment to a big-time star. With Kylie Minogue set to headline the AFL grand final pre-game entertainment, is this a big fail for the NRL, which wants to establish itself as a global competition? Plus, top referee Ashley Klein has been dumped for failing to award a penalty in the final minute of Sunday&rsquo;s Eden Park semi final between the Warriors and Knights. Was the axing warranted and is the scrutiny referees are now under becoming unfair? This week rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Chris Barrett join sport deputy editor Billie Eder to break down the latest NRL news, and preview this weekend&rsquo;s preliminary finals matches.

From newsroom of The Sydney Morning Herald, NRL podcast 40/20 gives you press pass access to the latest news, controversies and performances in the rugby league calendar. Each week, hear the best analysis in the business from Neil Breen, Christian Nicolussi, Channel Nine's Zac Bailey and a host of guest stars.

Follow, and review our show on Apple or Spotify, and for all the latest sports news, go to smh.com.au.

From newsroom of The Sydney Morning Herald,&nbsp;NRL podcast 40/20 gives you press pass access to the&nbsp;latest news, controversies and performances in the rugby league calendar. Each week, hear the best analysis in the business from Neil Breen, Christian Nicolussi, Channel Nine's Zac Bailey and a host of guest stars.
Follow, and review our show on Apple or Spotify, and for all the latest sports news, go to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl">smh.com.au.</a>

40/20

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

NRL grand-final entertainment falls through, plus finals blockbusters

After an unpredictable season, the stage is now set for a David versus Goliath battle as the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights prepare to face off in this Sunday's NRL grand final. Will it be a fairytale finish for the Knights who collected the wooden spoon last season or will Sydney’s silvertail club prevail to claim another premiership?

And at the NRL’s best and fairest awards – The Dally M awards – Panthers superstar and wheelchair-bound Nathan Cleary was named the NRL’s best player of 2026, while Knights coach Justin Holbrook was beaten to the coach of the year award by the Warriors’ Andrew Webster.

Plus, Brisbane NRLW fullback and three-time Dally M Medal winner Tamika Upton will be chasing an unprecedented sixth premiership when the Broncos take on the Roosters in the NRLW grand final on Sunday, with the Broncos also looking to send NRLW great Ali Brigginshaw out a champion.

This week rugby league journalist Christian Nicolussi and national head of sport Neil Breen join sport deputy editor Billie Eder to break down the Dally M awards and grand final week.

After an unpredictable season, the stage is now set for a David versus Goliath battle as the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights prepare to face off in this Sunday's NRL grand final. Will it be a fairytale finish for the Knights who collected the wooden spoon last season or will Sydney&rsquo;s silvertail club prevail to claim another premiership? And at the NRL&rsquo;s best and fairest awards &ndash; The Dally M awards &ndash; Panthers superstar and wheelchair-bound Nathan Cleary was named the NRL&rsquo;s best player of 2026, while Knights coach Justin Holbrook was beaten to the coach of the year award by the Warriors&rsquo; Andrew Webster. Plus, Brisbane NRLW fullback and three-time Dally M Medal winner Tamika Upton will be chasing an unprecedented sixth premiership when the Broncos take on the Roosters in the NRLW grand final on Sunday, with the Broncos also looking to send NRLW great Ali Brigginshaw out a champion. This week rugby league journalist Christian Nicolussi and national head of sport Neil Breen join sport deputy editor Billie Eder to break down the Dally M awards and grand final week.

Fairytale or silvertail finish? This is a grand final for the ages

One of the big discussion points this week has been Nathan Cleary’s foot.
The Penrith superstar suffered a “stress-related bone issue”, according to the club, and his fate for the finals is still very much up in the air.
Another player whose future is uncertain, but for an entirely different reason, is Josh Addo-Carr. The Parramatta star allegedly tested positive to cocaine at a random police roadside test last week and it’s the second time he has been embroiled in a drugs drama.
But back to the game, the Newcastle Knights travel to New Zealand forfinals week two. While the Warriors start as favourites, our panel dives into the extraordinary season of Knights coach Justin Holbrook.
Today’s episode is hosted by Sydney Morning Herald deputy sports editor Billie Eder, and features panellists Adrian Proszenko and senior sports journalist Chris Barrett.

One of the big discussion points this week has been Nathan Cleary&rsquo;s foot. The Penrith superstar suffered a &ldquo;stress-related bone issue&rdquo;, according to the club, and his fate for the finals is still very much up in the air. Another player whose future is uncertain, but for an entirely different reason, is Josh Addo-Carr. The Parramatta star allegedly tested positive to cocaine at a random police roadside test last week and it&rsquo;s the second time he&nbsp;has been embroiled in a drugs drama. But back to the game, the Newcastle Knights travel to New Zealand for finals week two. While the Warriors start as favourites, our panel dives into the extraordinary season of Knights coach Justin Holbrook. Today&rsquo;s episode is hosted by Sydney Morning Herald deputy sports editor Billie Eder, and features panellists Adrian Proszenko and senior sports journalist Chris Barrett.

The extraordinary season of Justin Holbrook and the Newcastle Knights

NRL finals are finally here and the pick of the round for our pundits is the New Zealand Warriors v Dolphins game.

Both teams are electric to watch, and while the Dolphins might be the better team on paper, rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi says the team suffers from a slow start to their game. The Kiwi team are playing at home and the Warriors will take full advantage.

There’s also been a renewed spate of criticism for the NRL’s restart rules, after Melbourne Storm skipper Harry Grant argued they were turning the game into “touch football”. Is there anything to this contention or are the players more upset about not being consulted about the changes in the first place?

Also this week, we’re loving Spencer Leniu. He’s been criticised for costing his team a penalty, but we argue his showmanship and his love for playing the villain is terrific to watch.

Today’s episode is hosted by deputy sport editor Billie Eder with regular guests, NRL reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko.

Further reading:
'PVL concedes rare ground after RLPA rebuke for questioning integrity of NRL stars'

NRL finals are finally here and the pick of the round for our pundits is the New Zealand Warriors v Dolphins game.
Both teams are electric to watch, and while the Dolphins might be the better team on paper, rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi says the team suffers from a slow start to their game.&nbsp;The Kiwi team are playing at home and the Warriors will take full advantage.
There&rsquo;s also been a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-stars-fear-set-restarts-could-decide-a-final-v-landys-says-they-re-not-telling-the-truth-20260907-p60v1g.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">renewed spate of criticism for the NRL&rsquo;s restart rules</a>, after Melbourne Storm skipper Harry Grant argued they were turning the game into &ldquo;touch football&rdquo;. Is there anything to this contention or are the players more upset about not being consulted about the changes in the first place?
Also this week, we&rsquo;re loving Spencer Leniu. He&rsquo;s been criticised for costing his team a penalty, but we argue his showmanship and his love for playing the villain is terrific to watch.
Today&rsquo;s episode is hosted by deputy sport editor Billie Eder with regular guests, NRL reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko.
Further reading:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/pvl-concedes-rare-ground-after-rlpa-rebuke-for-questioning-integrity-of-nrl-stars-20260908-p60vl0.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">'PVL concedes rare ground after RLPA rebuke for questioning integrity of NRL stars'</a></li>
</ul>

NRL grand-final entertainment falls through, plus finals blockbusters

In 2 playlist(s)

40/20

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips