Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns reflect on friend Wally Lewis' likely CTE diagnosis, share their own concerns, and reveal the NRL's actions to combat the disease. Could the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen deliver Storm a premiership? The boys welcome the star fullback, as the Roosters undergo a review of their coaches, and a Sharks player embarrasses his teammates. Plus, a preview of NRLW Round 3 and NRL Round 23 on Nine and 9Now.

Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns reflect on friend Wally Lewis' likely CTE diagnosis, share their own concerns, and reveal the NRL's actions to combat the disease. Could the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen deliver Storm a premiership? The boys welcome the star fullback, as the Roosters undergo a review of their coaches, and a Sharks player embarrasses his teammates. Plus, a preview of NRLW Round 3 and NRL Round 23 on Nine and 9Now.

NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler, Mat Thompson and NRL legend Andrew Johns dissect the biggest issues of the week.

NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler, Mat Thompson and NRL legend Andrew Johns dissect the biggest issues of the week.

Freddy and the Eighth

NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler, Mat Thompson and NRL legend Andrew Johns dissect the biggest issues of the week.<a href="https://www.9now.com.au/freddy-and-the-eighth-nrl"></a>

Andrew Johns opens up on measures to combat CTE

On a special Grand Final episode of Freddy & the Eighth, Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler are joined by NRL legends Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon, Anthony Minichiello and Billy Peden, as the gang share their final thoughts on the 2026 NRL Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights. Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9

0:00 Get ready!
2:08 Joey’s emotional scenes
3:29 What it means to Newcastle
4:46 Emotions of Sunday’s game
5:40 Atmosphere of 
6:25 Ponga’s huge tackle
7:37 Chooks flying under the radar?
8:28 Any concerns around Walker?
9:20 Storylines in the Roosters squad
10:23 Chief’s music video
11:08 Paul Harragon joins the show
11:24 The Chief’s thoughts on the Knights
12:18 Ponga’s evolution as a leader
13:04 The impact of Justin Holbrook
14:02 Chief impressed by young forwards
15:03 Chief’s take on the Roosters pack
15:38 How to manage fanfare during GF week
16:40 Chief’s address to the 1997 team
18:22 Dark days of the Knights
19:07 Importance of signing local talent
20:00 Joey’s kidnapping of Daniel Johns
23:10 Anthony Minichiello joins the show
23:37 Which premiership was special to Mini?
24:20 The Rooster way
25:32 Mini’s injuries
26:26 Mini’s fun adventures with Joey
27:14 Roosters silent advantage
27:38 Dolphins v Roosters recap
28:19 The freakish Marky Mark
29:17 The match-up to watch
29:30 Two fullbacks - Two captains
29:48 Mini’s plans for GF day
30:19 Romy Teitzel joins the show
33:08 Billy Peden joins the show
35:34 Having a crack thanks to Sportsbet
38:06 Final thoughts


NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video.

Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en
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#NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL

On a special Grand Final episode of Freddy &amp; the Eighth, Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler are joined by NRL legends Paul &lsquo;Chief&rsquo; Harragon, Anthony Minichiello and Billy Peden, as the gang share their final thoughts on the 2026 NRL Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights. Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9
0:00 Get ready! 2:08 Joey&rsquo;s emotional scenes 3:29 What it means to Newcastle 4:46 Emotions of Sunday&rsquo;s game 5:40 Atmosphere of&nbsp; 6:25 Ponga&rsquo;s huge tackle 7:37 Chooks flying under the radar? 8:28 Any concerns around Walker? 9:20 Storylines in the Roosters squad 10:23 Chief&rsquo;s music video 11:08 Paul Harragon joins the show 11:24 The Chief&rsquo;s thoughts on the Knights 12:18 Ponga&rsquo;s evolution as a leader 13:04 The impact of Justin Holbrook 14:02 Chief impressed by young forwards 15:03 Chief&rsquo;s take on the Roosters pack 15:38 How to manage fanfare during GF week 16:40 Chief&rsquo;s address to the 1997 team 18:22 Dark days of the Knights 19:07 Importance of signing local talent 20:00 Joey&rsquo;s kidnapping of Daniel Johns 23:10 Anthony Minichiello joins the show 23:37 Which premiership was special to Mini? 24:20 The Rooster way 25:32 Mini&rsquo;s injuries 26:26 Mini&rsquo;s fun adventures with Joey 27:14 Roosters silent advantage 27:38 Dolphins v Roosters recap 28:19 The freakish Marky Mark 29:17 The match-up to watch 29:30 Two fullbacks - Two captains 29:48 Mini&rsquo;s plans for GF day 30:19 Romy Teitzel joins the show 33:08 Billy Peden joins the show 35:34 Having a crack thanks to Sportsbet 38:06 Final thoughts
 NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video.
Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine
#NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL

Freddy & the Eighth 2026 Grand Final SPECIAL!

Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns go nuclear on the behaviour of fans after Wahs fans pelted bottles at referees after a controversial call in the semi-final match between the Warriors and Knights. The boys preview the upcoming preliminary finals and make some shocking tips as to who they think will make it to the Grand Final. Plus, Roosters star Tarryn Aiken and Newcastle Knights legend Kurt Gidley join the show. Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9

0:00 Jai Arrow Gala
3:03 NRL logos stolen
4:00 No Grand Final entertainment
5:56 Latrell & Cody to leave?
9:28 Where could Cody end up?
10:50 Joey Commbox Cam
11:48 Boys thoughts on missed call
14:18 Fredd & Joey blast fans
17:52 Knights fans secure tickets
18:42 What it means to Newcastle
20:10 Kurt Gidley joins the show
21:01 Newcastle’s head office fix
22:04 Knights young forwards
23:20 Embracing the challenge of Eden Park
24:59 Joey & Kurt’s fond memories
26:11 How to beat Penrith?
28:07 Joey nervous
29:40 Tarryn Aiken joins the show
30:07 Baxter and Millie retirement
30:26 Tarryn’s mindset leading into a game
30:52 Strict offseason for NRLW players
31:30 Recovering from an ACL
32:26 RLPA NRLW Dream Team
33:07 Teagan Levi’s impressive rookie year
33:25 Are the Broncos the main threat?
34:56 Roosters v Raiders preview
35:21 Joey’s getting cancelled
36:01 Tarryn’s thoughts on the modified ball
37:53 Dolphins v Roosters preview
41:59 Panthers v Knights preview
45:35 Having A Crack thanks to Sportsbet
48:15 Boys tips for Prelims


NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video.

Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine

#NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL

Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns go nuclear on the behaviour of fans after Wahs fans pelted bottles at referees after a controversial call in the semi-final match between the Warriors and Knights. The boys preview the upcoming preliminary finals and make some shocking tips as to who they think will make it to the Grand Final. Plus, Roosters star Tarryn Aiken and Newcastle Knights legend Kurt Gidley join the show. Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9
0:00 Jai Arrow Gala 3:03 NRL logos stolen 4:00 No Grand Final entertainment 5:56 Latrell &amp; Cody to leave? 9:28 Where could Cody end up? 10:50 Joey Commbox Cam 11:48 Boys thoughts on missed call 14:18 Fredd &amp; Joey blast fans 17:52 Knights fans secure tickets 18:42 What it means to Newcastle 20:10 Kurt Gidley joins the show 21:01 Newcastle&rsquo;s head office fix 22:04 Knights young forwards 23:20 Embracing the challenge of Eden Park 24:59 Joey &amp; Kurt&rsquo;s fond memories 26:11 How to beat Penrith? 28:07 Joey nervous 29:40 Tarryn Aiken joins the show 30:07 Baxter and Millie retirement 30:26 Tarryn&rsquo;s mindset leading into a game 30:52 Strict offseason for NRLW players 31:30 Recovering from an ACL 32:26 RLPA NRLW Dream Team 33:07 Teagan Levi&rsquo;s impressive rookie year 33:25 Are the Broncos the main threat? 34:56 Roosters v Raiders preview 35:21 Joey&rsquo;s getting cancelled 36:01 Tarryn&rsquo;s thoughts on the modified ball 37:53 Dolphins v Roosters preview 41:59 Panthers v Knights preview 45:35 Having A Crack thanks to Sportsbet 48:15 Boys tips for Prelims
 NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video.
Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine
#NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL

Boys BLAST fans for disgusting act over Finals controversy

Former Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen joins the show to tell us all about his life post Rugby League, Cameron Munster makes a surprise call in to catch up with Papy and ask a few hard hitting questions. Is Nathan Cleary's injury going to be worry for the Panthers? And the Warriors fans have proven, that with the right venue, Finals Footy can get a huge turnout.  All this and more on another episode of Freddy and the Eighth.

0:00 Welcome
1:44 What caught our eye
7:03 Nathan Cleary sin bin
13:04 Eden Park sellout
15:34 Ryan Papenhuyzen joins the show
22:05 Cameron Munster joins the show
29:09 Warriors v Knights preview
33:35 Roosters v Sharks preview
36:51 Teagan Levi named RLPA Women's Rookie of the Year
40:41 NRLW Finals Footy
43:12 Having a Crack 
46:02 Finals Week 2 tips

Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9

NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video.

Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine

#NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL

Former Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen joins the show to tell us all about his life post Rugby League, Cameron Munster makes a surprise call in to catch up with Papy and ask a few hard hitting questions. Is Nathan Cleary's injury going to be worry for the Panthers? And the Warriors fans have proven, that with the right venue, Finals Footy can get a huge turnout. &nbsp;All this and more on another episode of Freddy and the Eighth.
0:00 Welcome 1:44 What caught our eye 7:03 Nathan Cleary sin bin 13:04 Eden Park sellout 15:34 Ryan Papenhuyzen joins the show 22:05 Cameron Munster joins the show 29:09 Warriors v Knights preview 33:35 Roosters v Sharks preview 36:51 Teagan Levi named RLPA Women's Rookie of the Year 40:41 NRLW Finals Footy 43:12 Having a Crack&nbsp; 46:02 Finals Week 2 tips
Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9
NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video.
Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine
#NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL

Andrew Johns opens up on measures to combat CTE

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