Knights’ Fairytale Grand Final Run | Crossland Facing Ban | Roosters v Newcastle | RLIEP173

🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast Brought to you by FanaticsTV.

James Hooper is joined by Darcie McDonald and Anthony Watmough to unpack one of the wildest preliminary-final weekends in recent memory.

The team breaks down Newcastle’s remarkable 12-man win over Penrith, including Phoenix Crossland’s send-off, Nathan Cleary’s injury and the Panthers’ costly selection calls. They then look ahead to a blockbuster Grand Final between the fairytale Knights and the star-studded Sydney Roosters.

Plus, Sandon Smith’s breakout performance, Newcastle’s game plan to expose the Roosters, Justin Holbrook’s inside knowledge, DCE’s premiership chance, and why the Hunter region is fully behind the Knights.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Newcastle’s stunning 12-man win over Penrith 1:54 — Where the Knights’ comeback ranks among great finals wins 3:20 — How Newcastle exposed Penrith’s edge defence 5:48 — The Knights’ fairytale run and the Newcastle fan wave 9:08 — Phoenix Crossland’s send-off and Nathan Cleary’s injury 18:58 — Did Penrith get their selection calls wrong? 20:27 — Panthers’ edge defence, leadership and late-game errors 23:06 — Sandon Smith’s quick tap and the defining moments 26:00 — Newcastle’s resilience and belief heading into the Grand Final 30:00 — How the Knights can target the Roosters’ defence 31:12 — Roosters v Dolphins and Justin Holbrook’s inside knowledge 33:52 — Can Newcastle win it after last year’s wooden spoon? 36:42 — Grand Final odds, pressure and the Roosters’ strike power 41:58 — Why the Knights have nothing to lose 43:10 — Phoenix Crossland referred straight to the judiciary 46:10 — Does DCE deserve to finish with another premiership? 48:05 — Final Grand Final predictions and wrap-up

📞 INSIDER HOTLINE Got a question, opinion or hot take? We’d love to hear from you. ☎️ (02) 8001 6260 Leave us a voicemail and you could feature on an upcoming episode.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Rugby League Insider with James Hooper

🔥 FANATICS CLUBHOUSE Join the Fanatics Clubhouse for exclusive sports content, live show invites, member-only discounts, sports tours, giveaways and bar shout perks throughout the year.

No spam — just quality updates delivered straight to your inbox twice a week. 👉 Join now: fanatics.tv Head to www.fanatics.tv for more insights & banter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.