Show Notes
On NRL Monday with Andrew Moore we dissect week one of the finals and look ahead to week two. Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland also joins the show to discuss the Knights’ upset win over South Sydney and what they expect from the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland. Matthew Elliott swings by the studio to discuss whether Nathan Cleary should have been suspended, what impresses him most about the Dolphins, and his football catching ability.
More from ABC NRL Daily
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicks off in Sydney this Thursday night, with Australia’s Kangaroos taking on New Zealand’s Kiwis in the tournament opener. ABC Sport will bring you every match live on ABC listen.
Catch the all the post match analysis and reaction from the 2026 NRL Grand Final with Andrew Moore and Luke Lewis, plus all the player reaction with Michael Carayannis, including interviews with Daly Cherry-Evan, Sam Walker and Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco.
Champion Sydney Roosters full back Anthony Minichiello is thrilled to see his former side into the Grand Final again. He told Andrew Moore, Luke Lewis, Matthew Elliott and Michael Carayannis that while plenty has been made of Newcastle's working class roots the Eastern Suburbs has a similar history. While it's now the top end of town Mini explained that in the early days of the game the Eastern Suburbs were a very different place. Plus you can hear Moorey guide the panel through the big issues on the game in 6 Again.
It's 25 years since Newcastle played in a Grand Final and almost 30 since the remarkable Darren Albert try clinched the Knights first ever Premiership. He joined Andrew Moore, Luke Lewis, Ruan Sims and Michael Carayannis to explained how he feels fortunate to have scored that try - and to have got hold of some tickets to go to the 2026 Final! MC is in season's best form with his edition of MC's Hammertime, Brisbane Broncos' NRLW coach Scott Prince discusses his team's chances or retaining the title against the Roosters. And it's 20 years since Brisbane won a Grand Final against the Storm and Brent Tate told Moorey all about it
In the final NRL Monday for the year we discuss the epic preliminary final between Penrith and Newcastle, the send-off of Phoenix Crossland, and the injury suffered by Nathan Cleary. Newcastle’s General Manager of Football Chris James joins the show to chat about the Knights’ surge into the decider and Michael Carayannis takes us through the storylines of Grand Final week including whether or not Sydney Roosters star Connor Watson will play. And Ruan Sims swings by the studio to announce the winner of the NRLW player of the year and talks about the massive build up to Grand Final day.