The Billy Slater Podcast

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
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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
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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
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Billy Slater explains why he has decided to step down as Queensland State of Origin coach after five years in charge.
Billy reflects on his three series victories, the relationships he formed, the responsibility of representing Queensland and whether coaching could feature in his future. He also discusses the leading candidates to succeed him, including Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston.
Then, Billy and Peter Psaltis turn their attention to the NRL finals race: why the Warriors may be the competition’s best team, the alarming signs at Brisbane, the Cowboys’ costly loss, controversial bunker decisions, the Roosters’ premiership credentials and the Dolphins’ push for a top-four finish.
00:00 Welcome
00:23 Why Billy is stepping down as Queensland coach
02:10 Billy’s proudest achievement with Queensland
04:59 The call that brought Josh Papali'i back
06:16 Protecting what State of Origin represents
08:19 Who should coach Queensland next?
11:52 Could Billy coach again?
15:03 Billy’s all-in approach to life
16:57 Paul Vautin, Cameron Smith and the golf game
18:19 Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston as coaches
20:23 Are the Warriors the NRL’s best team?
23:43 How Andrew Webster transformed the Warriors
26:11 The Warriors’ returning players
27:16 Have the Broncos checked out?
29:48 Can Brisbane recover before the season ends?
31:02 The top-eight race opens up
33:42 The penalty that decided Cowboys–Eels
35:37 Stephen Crichton’s referee collision
39:18 Roosters edge the Panthers
41:42 Daly Cherry-Evans’ final NRL premiership push
44:29 Panthers face a dangerous Melbourne Storm
46:17 The Dolphins’ top-four opportunity
47:49 Why Kurt Donoghoe is so valuable
50:28 Dragons–Bulldogs preview
53:11 Closing thoughts
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Round 23 delivered spectacular comebacks, major upsets and another dramatic shake-up of the NRL ladder.
Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis assess the race for the minor premiership, explain why Newcastle should concern every finals contender and consider whether Melbourne can still make a late charge for the top eight.
Billy breaks down the Warriors’ premiership credentials, Luke Metcalf’s impact at halfback and the emergence of Aaron Clark and Leka Halasima. He also examines how the Panthers can replace the injured Isaiah Yeo and why writing off the defending champions would be a serious mistake.
The team also discusses the Roosters’ rising stars, Cody Ramsey’s remarkable return, the Dolphins’ first finals appearance, Cody Walker’s extraordinary match-winning play and the biggest contests awaiting us in Round 24.
New episodes of The Billy Slater Podcast are available every Monday.
00:25 Billy’s NRL ladder observations
02:17 Can Melbourne still reach the finals?
03:54 Dragons upset the Sharks
07:07 Why one poor performance shouldn’t define a contender
09:00 Cowboys respond after their record defeat
11:25 The rise of Heilum Luki
13:34 Where should the Warriors host a home final?
17:22 Aaron Clark’s outstanding season
20:04 Luke Metcalf makes his statement
22:59 The Warriors’ young talent and winning culture
26:29 Isaiah Yeo’s injury and the impact on Penrith
29:40 Why Billy refuses to write off the Panthers
30:15 How Nathan Cleary’s role could change
32:18 Will Penrith rest players before the finals?
34:09 Roosters survive a thriller against the Bulldogs
37:00 Cody Ramsey’s remarkable return
39:45 Is Billy coaching seven NRL teams next year?
40:24 Dolphins secure their first finals appearance
43:44 The experience powering the Dolphins’ forward pack
47:35 Cody Walker’s incredible match-winning 40/20
49:24 Melbourne prospect Hayden Watson impresses
51:44 Panthers versus Roosters preview
52:59 Bulldogs versus Rabbitohs preview
53:45 Can Brisbane upset the Warriors?
55:05 Round 24 closing thoughts
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