Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis preview every game from the opening week of the 2026 NRL finals.

Billy explains why Penrith remain the competition’s hardest team to beat, why the Roosters cannot be written off, how the Dolphins could silence Auckland and which players could decide the elimination final between the Sharks and Cowboys.

The pair also reflect on Jai Arrow’s inspiring courage, Melbourne’s response to a difficult season and Darius Boyd’s appointment as Queensland coach before revealing their tips for all four finals.

00:00 Finals have arrived
00:50 Penrith claim the minor premiership
02:27 How to beat the Panthers
04:05 Penrith’s extraordinary depth
05:32 Liam Martin sets the standard
06:48 Jai Arrow’s inspiring courage
12:40 Are South Sydney vulnerable?
13:52 Latrell Mitchell sends a finals warning
16:16 Can Rround 27 form be trusted?
19:32 Sharks enter the finals without momentum
22:29 Melbourne’s season of adversity
25:09 Sua Fa’alogo’s breakout season
26:44 Why young players need time
28:59 Will Tyrell Sloan return to the NRL?
30:59 Canberra’s exciting young talent
32:19 Cowboys searching for form
34:03 Darius Boyd becomes Queensland coach
38:32 Rabbitohs v Knights preview
41:53 Warriors v Dolphins preview
48:10 Sharks v Cowboys preview
52:42 Panthers v Roosters preview
54:34 Why Victor Radley is crucial
57:14 Dylan Edwards v James Tedesco
59:30 Billy tips Panthers v Roosters
01:01:27 Penrith’s production line
01:03:26 Billy and Salty tip every final

Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis preview every game from the opening week of the 2026 NRL finals.
Billy explains why Penrith remain the competition&rsquo;s hardest team to beat, why the Roosters cannot be written off, how the Dolphins could silence Auckland and which players could decide the elimination final between the Sharks and Cowboys.
The pair also reflect on Jai Arrow&rsquo;s inspiring courage, Melbourne&rsquo;s response to a difficult season and Darius Boyd&rsquo;s appointment as Queensland coach before revealing their tips for all four finals.
00:00 Finals have arrived 00:50 Penrith claim the minor premiership 02:27 How to beat the Panthers 04:05 Penrith&rsquo;s extraordinary depth 05:32 Liam Martin sets the standard 06:48 Jai Arrow&rsquo;s inspiring courage 12:40 Are South Sydney vulnerable? 13:52 Latrell Mitchell sends a finals warning 16:16 Can Rround 27 form be trusted? 19:32 Sharks enter the finals without momentum 22:29 Melbourne&rsquo;s season of adversity 25:09 Sua Fa&rsquo;alogo&rsquo;s breakout season 26:44 Why young players need time 28:59 Will Tyrell Sloan return to the NRL? 30:59 Canberra&rsquo;s exciting young talent 32:19 Cowboys searching for form 34:03 Darius Boyd becomes Queensland coach 38:32 Rabbitohs v Knights preview 41:53 Warriors v Dolphins preview 48:10 Sharks v Cowboys preview 52:42 Panthers v Roosters preview 54:34 Why Victor Radley is crucial 57:14 Dylan Edwards v James Tedesco 59:30 Billy tips Panthers v Roosters 01:01:27 Penrith&rsquo;s production line 01:03:26 Billy and Salty tip every final

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.

The Billy Slater Podcast

Billy Slater’s Finals Verdict: Who Survives Week One?

With one round remaining before the NRL Finals, Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis examine the huge decision facing every top-eight coach: rest the stars or build momentum?

Billy explains why the call could make or break a premiership campaign and assesses the Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Warriors and Sharks heading into September.

Billy also reflects on the emotional scenes surrounding Jai Arrow and Sam Walker’s devastating injury, Jet Cleary’s impressive debut and the controversial Tigers obstruction decision.

Plus, could the NRL eventually adopt the AFL’s wildcard format, and did the experimental kick-off rule offer enough to survive?

00:00 One round until the NRL Finals
00:30 The massive decision facing top-eight coaches
04:24 There is nowhere to hide in September
06:16 The emotional tribute to Jai Arrow
10:38 Latrell Mitchell returns for South Sydney
14:40 The battle for a home elimination final
16:46 Should the NRL introduce wildcard finals?
18:47 Sam Walker’s devastating injury
21:38 How the Roosters can replace Sam Walker
23:59 The impossible decisions facing coaches
25:22 Jacob Saifiti’s send-off
27:18 Jett Cleary impresses on debut
28:32 How the Warriors overcame adversity
30:01 Mitch Barnett’s outstanding season
32:18 The Sunday afternoon upset curse
35:22 The controversial Tigers no-try
37:18 Can the Cowboys find their best football?
39:37 Verdict on the experimental kick-off rule
43:25 Melbourne’s exciting young winger
45:26 Sharks face a dangerous Storm side
46:42 The biggest games of Round 27
47:37 Finals preview

With one round remaining before the NRL Finals, Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis examine the huge decision facing every top-eight coach: rest the stars or build momentum?
Billy explains why the call could make or break a premiership campaign and assesses the Panthers, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Warriors and Sharks heading into September.
Billy also reflects on the emotional scenes surrounding Jai Arrow and Sam Walker&rsquo;s devastating injury, Jet Cleary&rsquo;s impressive debut and the controversial Tigers obstruction decision.
Plus, could the NRL eventually adopt the AFL&rsquo;s wildcard format, and did the experimental kick-off rule offer enough to survive?
00:00 One round until the NRL Finals 00:30 The massive decision facing top-eight coaches 04:24 There is nowhere to hide in September 06:16 The emotional tribute to Jai Arrow 10:38 Latrell Mitchell returns for South Sydney 14:40 The battle for a home elimination final 16:46 Should the NRL introduce wildcard finals? 18:47 Sam Walker&rsquo;s devastating injury 21:38 How the Roosters can replace Sam Walker 23:59 The impossible decisions facing coaches 25:22 Jacob Saifiti&rsquo;s send-off 27:18 Jett Cleary impresses on debut 28:32 How the Warriors overcame adversity 30:01 Mitch Barnett&rsquo;s outstanding season 32:18 The Sunday afternoon upset curse 35:22 The controversial Tigers no-try 37:18 Can the Cowboys find their best football? 39:37 Verdict on the experimental kick-off rule 43:25 Melbourne&rsquo;s exciting young winger 45:26 Sharks face a dangerous Storm side 46:42 The biggest games of Round 27 47:37 Finals preview

Rest or Risk It? Billy Slater’s Finals Warning

With only two rounds remaining before the NRL finals, Billy Slater breaks down the race for the minor premiership, the top four and the final places inside the eight.

Billy reveals why he is predicting a cracking grand final, explains how the Tigers exposed the Roosters and assesses whether Penrith can defend their premiership under mounting pressure.

The team also discusses Joey Manu’s blockbuster move to the PNG Chiefs, the extraordinary recruitment advantage created by tax-free contracts, the Warriors’ winning culture, Josh Papalii’s emotional Canberra farewell and the teams fighting to keep their seasons alive.

00:00 The NRL finals race heats up
00:49 Three teams level at the top
01:35 Billy breaks the ladder into three races
03:28 Why the Warriors have the perfect finals run
06:02 Joey Manu signs with the PNG Chiefs
08:11 PNG’s extraordinary recruitment advantage
09:58 The Chiefs’ first seven players
11:25 Developing Papua New Guinea’s local talent
13:48 How the Tigers stunned the Roosters
17:11 Patrick Herbert’s remarkable NRL comeback
18:10 Is the Roosters loss a blessing in disguise?
21:12 Sharks survive a scare against the Titans
23:48 Why elite teams value their wingers
25:02 The Dolphins’ premiership credentials
27:59 Billy makes his grand final prediction
29:56 The Dolphins’ dangerous bench weapons
31:13 Why the Dolphins can win the premiership
33:01 Are the Panthers back to their best?
35:22 Panthers v Bulldogs preview
36:26 Will Ivan Cleary rest players?
38:13 How the Warriors reached the top
41:13 Warriors overcome their injury crisis
43:54 What Kurt Capewell brings to a team
46:44 Josh Papalii’s emotional Canberra farewell
49:55 The Broncos’ remarkable comeback record
50:35 Broncos v Storm preview
52:21 Last year’s top four could all miss the finals
54:31 How Newcastle can threaten the contenders
56:27 Cowboys face a dangerous Tigers test
58:21 Round 26 final thoughts

With only two rounds remaining before the NRL finals, Billy Slater breaks down the race for the minor premiership, the top four and the final places inside the eight.
Billy reveals why he is predicting a cracking grand final, explains how the Tigers exposed the Roosters and assesses whether Penrith can defend their premiership under mounting pressure.
The team also discusses Joey Manu&rsquo;s blockbuster move to the PNG Chiefs, the extraordinary recruitment advantage created by tax-free contracts, the Warriors&rsquo; winning culture, Josh Papalii&rsquo;s emotional Canberra farewell and the teams fighting to keep their seasons alive.
00:00 The NRL finals race heats up 00:49 Three teams level at the top 01:35 Billy breaks the ladder into three races 03:28 Why the Warriors have the perfect finals run 06:02 Joey Manu signs with the PNG Chiefs 08:11 PNG&rsquo;s extraordinary recruitment advantage 09:58 The Chiefs&rsquo; first seven players 11:25 Developing Papua New Guinea&rsquo;s local talent 13:48 How the Tigers stunned the Roosters 17:11 Patrick Herbert&rsquo;s remarkable NRL comeback 18:10 Is the Roosters loss a blessing in disguise? 21:12 Sharks survive a scare against the Titans 23:48 Why elite teams value their wingers 25:02 The Dolphins&rsquo; premiership credentials 27:59 Billy makes his grand final prediction 29:56 The Dolphins&rsquo; dangerous bench weapons 31:13 Why the Dolphins can win the premiership 33:01 Are the Panthers back to their best? 35:22 Panthers v Bulldogs preview 36:26 Will Ivan Cleary rest players? 38:13 How the Warriors reached the top 41:13 Warriors overcome their injury crisis 43:54 What Kurt Capewell brings to a team 46:44 Josh Papalii&rsquo;s emotional Canberra farewell 49:55 The Broncos&rsquo; remarkable comeback record 50:35 Broncos v Storm preview 52:21 Last year&rsquo;s top four could all miss the finals 54:31 How Newcastle can threaten the contenders 56:27 Cowboys face a dangerous Tigers test 58:21 Round 26 final thoughts

Billy Reacts to Joey Manu’s PNG Move and Predicts the Grand Final

Billy Slater explains why he has decided to step down as Queensland State of Origin coach after five years in charge.

Billy reflects on his three series victories, the relationships he formed, the responsibility of representing Queensland and whether coaching could feature in his future. He also discusses the leading candidates to succeed him, including Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston.

Then, Billy and Peter Psaltis turn their attention to the NRL finals race: why the Warriors may be the competition’s best team, the alarming signs at Brisbane, the Cowboys’ costly loss, controversial bunker decisions, the Roosters’ premiership credentials and the Dolphins’ push for a top-four finish.

00:00 Welcome
00:23 Why Billy is stepping down as Queensland coach
02:10 Billy’s proudest achievement with Queensland
04:59 The call that brought Josh Papali'i back
06:16 Protecting what State of Origin represents
08:19 Who should coach Queensland next?
11:52 Could Billy coach again?
15:03 Billy’s all-in approach to life
16:57 Paul Vautin, Cameron Smith and the golf game
18:19 Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston as coaches
20:23 Are the Warriors the NRL’s best team?
23:43 How Andrew Webster transformed the Warriors
26:11 The Warriors’ returning players
27:16 Have the Broncos checked out?
29:48 Can Brisbane recover before the season ends?
31:02 The top-eight race opens up
33:42 The penalty that decided Cowboys–Eels
35:37 Stephen Crichton’s referee collision
39:18 Roosters edge the Panthers
41:42 Daly Cherry-Evans’ final NRL premiership push
44:29 Panthers face a dangerous Melbourne Storm
46:17 The Dolphins’ top-four opportunity
47:49 Why Kurt Donoghoe is so valuable
50:28 Dragons–Bulldogs preview
53:11 Closing thoughts

Billy Slater explains why he has decided to step down as Queensland State of Origin coach after five years in charge.
Billy reflects on his three series victories, the relationships he formed, the responsibility of representing Queensland and whether coaching could feature in his future. He also discusses the leading candidates to succeed him, including Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston.
Then, Billy and Peter Psaltis turn their attention to the NRL finals race: why the Warriors may be the competition&rsquo;s best team, the alarming signs at Brisbane, the Cowboys&rsquo; costly loss, controversial bunker decisions, the Roosters&rsquo; premiership credentials and the Dolphins&rsquo; push for a top-four finish.
00:00 Welcome 00:23 Why Billy is stepping down as Queensland coach 02:10 Billy&rsquo;s proudest achievement with Queensland 04:59 The call that brought Josh Papali'i back 06:16 Protecting what State of Origin represents 08:19 Who should coach Queensland next? 11:52 Could Billy coach again? 15:03 Billy&rsquo;s all-in approach to life 16:57 Paul Vautin, Cameron Smith and the golf game 18:19 Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston as coaches 20:23 Are the Warriors the NRL&rsquo;s best team? 23:43 How Andrew Webster transformed the Warriors 26:11 The Warriors&rsquo; returning players 27:16 Have the Broncos checked out? 29:48 Can Brisbane recover before the season ends? 31:02 The top-eight race opens up 33:42 The penalty that decided Cowboys&ndash;Eels 35:37 Stephen Crichton&rsquo;s referee collision 39:18 Roosters edge the Panthers 41:42 Daly Cherry-Evans&rsquo; final NRL premiership push 44:29 Panthers face a dangerous Melbourne Storm 46:17 The Dolphins&rsquo; top-four opportunity 47:49 Why Kurt Donoghoe is so valuable 50:28 Dragons&ndash;Bulldogs preview 53:11 Closing thoughts

Billy Slater’s Finals Verdict: Who Survives Week One?

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