Show Notes
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from The Billy Slater Podcast
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis break down a huge weekend of NRL finals as Newcastle and the Roosters book their places in the final four. Billy gives his verdict on the controversial late no-call in the Knights-Warriors clash, the remarkable rise of Newcastle under Justin Holbrook and the Roosters hitting form at exactly the right time. Plus, Billy previews both preliminary finals, Dolphins v Roosters and Panthers v Knights, discusses Nathan Cleary’s injury and reveals who he thinks will reach the 2026 NRL Grand Final. 00:00 - The NRL Final Four 04:01 - Newcastle’s incredible turnaround 07:32 - Phoenix Crossland’s huge finals moments 09:02 - Billy’s verdict on the controversial Warriors no-call 13:16 - Where it went wrong for the Warriors 19:44 - Sandon Smith and Newcastle’s halves 22:17 - Dylan Lucas’ remarkable injury comeback 27:02 - Roosters eliminate the Sharks 30:36 - How the Roosters rebuilt into contenders 33:35 - Daly Cherry-Evans steps up 35:10 - James Tedesco finding his best form 37:04 - The Roosters’ set-play secrets 40:27 - What next for Cronulla? 42:45 - PREVIEW: Dolphins v Roosters 46:44 - Victor Radley v Morgan Knowles 49:14 - Billy’s Dolphins v Roosters thoughts 50:53 - PREVIEW: Panthers v Knights 54:09 - Nathan Cleary’s injured foot 56:45 - How Newcastle can upset Penrith 58:29 - Why Fletcher Sharpe could be the key 1:00:51 - Penrith’s hunger to return to the Grand Final 1:02:42 - Billy’s Panthers v Knights prediction 1:04:01 - Preliminary Final weekend See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Six teams remain in the race for the NRL premiership. Billy Slater reviews every result from the opening week of the finals, including Newcastle’s fearless performance, the Dolphins’ breakthrough victory and Penrith’s epic battle with the Roosters. Billy also previews this weekend’s elimination finals and explains why something is drawing him towards another Knights upset. 00:00 NRL finals are down to six teams 03:22 Newcastle’s fearless finals approach 05:33 Dane Gagai’s leadership 07:38 Kalyn Ponga hits top form 10:31 Justin Holbrook transforms Newcastle 11:44 Where South Sydney fell short 13:23 Will Cody Walker play on? 15:00 What Latrell Mitchell needs this pre-season 18:57 Dolphins defeat the Warriors 21:46 Breaking down the Dolphins’ spectacular try 25:25 Kurt Donoghoe steps up 28:33 Kurt Donoghoe’s remarkable journey 29:51 Why the Dolphins can reach the grand final 32:17 Braydon Trindall’s courageous performance 34:06 Can Cronulla lift against the Roosters? 36:20 Where the Cowboys go next 39:08 Panthers and Roosters deliver a finals classic 39:58 Mark Nawaqanitawase’s extraordinary performance 42:51 Nathan Cleary’s sin-bin 44:54 The Roosters’ costly penalty decision 46:35 Nathan Cleary’s foot injury 49:00 Roosters v Sharks preview 52:56 Billy tips the winner 54:18 Warriors v Knights preview 56:29 Newcastle’s experienced leaders 58:41 Could Jett Cleary be called upon? 01:00:40 Billy and Salty make their finals selections 01:01:54 Salty tips Newcastle 01:02:22 Billy predicts a Knights upset See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.