The Newcastle Knights are into their first Grand Final in 25 years after an extraordinary win over Penrith, while the Roosters booked their place with a dominant performance against the Dolphins. Billy discusses Nathan Cleary’s devastating injury, Newcastle’s incredible resilience, Kalyn Ponga’s leadership, the Roosters’ star-studded side and the key match-ups that could decide the premiership.

Plus, a preview of the NRLW Grand Final between the Broncos and Roosters and the State Championship clash between Penrith and the Dolphins. Pasted text

00:00 Grand Final week is here
02:16 Why live sport is still unbeatable
04:36 Knights stun Penrith to reach the Grand Final
05:05 Nathan Cleary’s injury and coming off the bench
09:34 Phoenix Crossland send-off and the hip-drop tackle
11:24 Billy’s theory on why hip-drop tackles happen
16:44 How Newcastle replace Phoenix Crossland
20:36 Dane Gagai’s huge finals performances
23:04 Kalyn Ponga’s leadership and emotion
26:03 Fletcher Sharpe could be a Grand Final game-breaker
28:47 Sandon Smith’s brave quick-tap try
30:36 Roosters v Dolphins breakdown
31:07 Why the Roosters are firing at the right time
33:25 Mark Nawaqanitawase’s incredible preliminary final
35:40 Robert Toia’s rise and defensive impact
36:44 Daly Cherry-Evans and the Roosters’ recruitment
42:07 Why developing juniors matters
44:35 State Championship: Penrith v Dolphins
45:25 Dolphins’ season and where they improve
47:59 Grand Final preview: Roosters v Knights
49:56 Justin Holbrook v Trent Robinson
54:02 Sam Walker’s return
55:40 Clive Churchill Medal contenders
58:03 NRLW Grand Final: Broncos v Roosters
59:44 Final Billy Slater Podcast of 2026

The Newcastle Knights are into their first Grand Final in 25 years after an extraordinary win over Penrith, while the Roosters booked their place with a dominant performance against the Dolphins. Billy discusses Nathan Cleary&rsquo;s devastating injury, Newcastle&rsquo;s incredible resilience, Kalyn Ponga&rsquo;s leadership, the Roosters&rsquo; star-studded side and the key match-ups that could decide the premiership.
Plus, a preview of the NRLW Grand Final between the Broncos and Roosters and the State Championship clash between Penrith and the Dolphins. Pasted text
00:00 Grand Final week is here 02:16 Why live sport is still unbeatable 04:36 Knights stun Penrith to reach the Grand Final 05:05 Nathan Cleary&rsquo;s injury and coming off the bench 09:34 Phoenix Crossland send-off and the hip-drop tackle 11:24 Billy&rsquo;s theory on why hip-drop tackles happen 16:44 How Newcastle replace Phoenix Crossland 20:36 Dane Gagai&rsquo;s huge finals performances 23:04 Kalyn Ponga&rsquo;s leadership and emotion 26:03 Fletcher Sharpe could be a Grand Final game-breaker 28:47 Sandon Smith&rsquo;s brave quick-tap try 30:36 Roosters v Dolphins breakdown 31:07 Why the Roosters are firing at the right time 33:25 Mark Nawaqanitawase&rsquo;s incredible preliminary final 35:40 Robert Toia&rsquo;s rise and defensive impact 36:44 Daly Cherry-Evans and the Roosters&rsquo; recruitment 42:07 Why developing juniors matters 44:35 State Championship: Penrith v Dolphins 45:25 Dolphins&rsquo; season and where they improve 47:59 Grand Final preview: Roosters v Knights 49:56 Justin Holbrook v Trent Robinson 54:02 Sam Walker&rsquo;s return 55:40 Clive Churchill Medal contenders 58:03 NRLW Grand Final: Broncos v Roosters 59:44 Final Billy Slater Podcast of 2026

Origin coach Billy Slater and co-host Peter Psaltis break down winners, losers, players and clubs each week, answering the biggest questions of the round. Raw. Honest. On demand.

Origin coach Billy Slater and co-host Peter Psaltis break down winners, losers, players and clubs each week, answering the biggest questions of the round. Raw. Honest. On demand.

League’s greatest Fullback returns every Monday of the NRL season to look back on a massive round of Rugby League.