After being touted as the only real premiership contender, the Penrith Panthers are now under pressure as captain Isaah Yeo starts rehabilitation in a bid to return for the finals. Yeo suffered a pectoral injury in their loss to the Warriors last weekend.

So are the Panthers still favourites to win the premiership?

Plus, after being sin-binned and publicly blasted by coach Ricky Stuart for striking in the closing stages of Canberra’s loss to Newcastle, which ended their slim finals hopes, is Corey Horsburgh set to join another team? And was Ricky’s wrath warranted?

This week, rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko join national sports editor Neil Breen to break down the race to the finals.

Read the latest on the Panthers here.

After being touted as the only real premiership contender, the Penrith Panthers are now under pressure as captain Isaah Yeo starts rehabilitation in a bid to return for the finals. Yeo suffered a pectoral injury in their loss to the Warriors last weekend. So are the Panthers still favourites to win the premiership? Plus, after being sin-binned and publicly blasted by coach Ricky Stuart for striking in the closing stages of Canberra&rsquo;s loss to Newcastle, which ended their slim finals hopes, is Corey Horsburgh set to join another team? And was Ricky&rsquo;s wrath warranted? This week, rugby league journalists Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko join national sports editor Neil Breen to break down the race to the finals. Read the latest on the Panthers <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/tears-over-to-o-as-yeo-backed-for-shock-world-cup-appearance-20260812-p60ni9.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=40/20&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">here.</a>

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>

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New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

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Panthers under pressure as finals race heats up

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

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.

NRL grand-final entertainment falls through, plus finals blockbusters

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.

Panthers under pressure as finals race heats up

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