Six Tackles With Gus

With Origin now in the rear-view mirror, Gus explains why the emotional hangover can linger for players and clubs as the race to the finals heats up.
Gus praises Nathan Cleary’s brilliant decider performance, declares the champion halfback is yet to reach his peak and assesses the rebuild facing Billy Slater and Queensland.
The boys also unpack the Wests Tigers’ decision to release Jarome Luai early, why his one-year Parramatta move makes sense for everyone involved and the importance of allowing perseverance to do its work during a long-term rebuild.
Plus, are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders? Can Melbourne survive without Cameron Munster? Could the Broncos upset Penrith? Gus previews every match in Round 20 and offers Rory McIlroy some unusual advice ahead of The Open.
00:00 Welcome and the Origin hangover
01:44 How Origin disruption affects NRL clubs
04:06 Dolphins’ 66-point defeat and the Sharks’ finals chances
06:32 The latest on Stephen Crichton’s neck injury
09:53 Player welfare and the physical toll of rugby league
10:50 The Open Championship and Gus’s golf tips
11:56 The congested NRL ladder
12:16 Why Nathan Cleary’s critics defy logic
14:19 “He hasn’t peaked yet”: Gus’s huge Cleary prediction
16:39 How NSW produced its remarkable Origin turnaround
19:03 Should Billy Slater remain Queensland coach?
21:29 Liam Martin and Hudson Young’s Origin impact
23:49 Are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders?
26:09 Jarome Luai’s one-year move to Parramatta
28:27 The lasting impact Luai has had on the Tigers
30:51 Why the Tigers released Luai one year early
33:10 Benji Marshall makes the tough call
35:29 Huge changes coming for NRL rosters
37:50 “Let perseverance do its work”
40:01 Parramatta’s improvement and the strength of the competition
41:01 Can Melbourne reach the finals without Cameron Munster?
42:11 Jai Arrow’s emotional birthday fundraiser
43:00 Six Tackles Trivia
45:19 Women in League Round and the NRLW
46:23 Round 20 preview: Panthers v Broncos
50:30 Sharks v Knights
51:59 Roosters v Storm
52:48 Raiders v Rabbitohs
53:48 Warriors v Dragons
54:48 Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
55:48 Titans v Sea Eagles
56:57 Dolphins v Cowboys and the bounce-back factor
58:43 Gus’s Round 20 tips
59:43 Does Rory McIlroy need glasses?
1:01:04 Final thoughts and farewell
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Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns share their final words ahead of the 2026 State of Origin decider.
2024 Origin hero Bradman Best joins the show to discuss tactics and gameplan ahead of Game III.
Plus, the boys name the best Indigenous player they have played with in their careers.
All that and more on a special Origin edition of Freddy & the Eighth.
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Special Guest Latrell Mitchell plus inside Blues and Maroons camp.
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Gus explains why New South Wales can't afford to let Queensland dictate early, why the first 20 minutes could decide the series, and how players like Liam Martin and Addin Fonua-Blake should be used to put the Maroons on the back foot from the opening whistle.
Also in this episode:
Why Gus was shocked by Brian To'o being left out
The selection gamble on Jack Bostock
How New South Wales should manage its bench in the biggest game of the year
Why Queensland carries more pressure than people think
Gus' memories of the old Lang Park and coaching Origin deciders in Brisbane
An unexpected live phone call to Emma Lawrence after Gus correctly predicted she was about to start maternity leave
Plus the latest on the NRL ladder, the start of the NRLW season, and your Ask Gus questions.
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Phil Gould says State of Origin isn't a talent problem for New South Wales, it's a football problem. This week Gus explains why the Blues are "getting it wrong", how Queensland continue to outplay them in the moments that matter, and what Laurie Daley must do before the decider.
Plus, the rise of the Titans, why the Warriors are genuine contenders, Ben Hunt's incredible career milestone, Jake Averillo's move to the Tigers, and Gus previews every game of Round 17 thanks to TAB.
(00:00) Beanies for Brain Cancer Round and the Mark Hughes Foundation
(05:23) Breaking news: Jake Averillo signs with the West Tigers
(07:46) Ben Hunt extends with Brisbane for a 19th NRL season
(09:25) Are defensive contests making a comeback in the NRL?
(11:03) The Titans' rise under Josh Hannay
(13:50) Why the Warriors won't fade this season
(15:21) Are the Dolphins genuine premiership favourites?
(19:17) Broncos facing a finals-defining stretch
(21:38) Should Mitchell Moses play Origin III?
(24:00) “We're getting it wrong” - Gus' Origin diagnosis
(35:40) Can NSW fix it before the decider?
(45:13) Why Queensland rarely beat themselves
(48:00) Ask Gus: Origin, coaching futures and Dean Young
(54:12) Round 17 preview and TAB odds
(01:12:00) Gus' Round 17 tips and farewell
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