Episode's summary
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…
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…
Episodes
Billy Slater Podcast: Grand Final Preview | Roosters v Knights, Cleary Injury & NRLW Decider
ListenedThe 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…
Billy Slater: “It Was a Penalty” + Who Makes the Grand Final?
ListenedBilly 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…
Billy Slater: Why the Knights Can Shock the Warriors
ListenedSix 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…
Billy Slater’s Finals Verdict: Who Survives Week One?
ListenedBilly 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…
Rest or Risk It? Billy Slater’s Finals Warning
ListenedWith 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…