Gus' blueprint for a NSW upset at Suncorp | Six Tackles with Gus

We are back for another week of Six Tackles with Gus, and it's great to have you with us.Thanks to Tab, giving the punters plenty to shout about this NRL season.Download the Tab app.Tab, we are on.Chances are you're about to lose round 17 coming up.We're on the downhill stretch towards the finals now.

We've got the small matter of an Origin Decider, of course, to get over before that.Some signing news coming up on the show, some breaking news this morning.And I'll ask Gus if the Panthers have a genuine challenger for the favouritism for the Premiership.Welcome, my friend.Matthew Thompson, how are you doing?I'm well.

I'm great.It's a little cool this week, which means it's a perfect time for a beanie.Beanies.It's the 10th year of the Beanies for Brain Cancer Round.The brainchild of Mark and Kearly Hughes, who started the Mark Hughes Foundation going back over a decade ago, but it's 10 years of this round.So they have generated Nearly $30 million in beanie sales.

They've sold over 1 .3 million beanies alone.It's a massive effort.Massive.

Yeah, incredible.We had Mark Hughes on 100 % Footy the other night.He was talking about the giant strides that they've made, where they've invested the money, and how many of the researchers now they've got looking into this.these issues, and that's important.It's raised great awareness, given people hope for the future, and it's been an outstanding promotion.Absolutely wonderful, obviously very close to us here at Channel Nine, but we support it wholeheartedly and the game gets right behind it.

It's a very special round.A lot of people, well, the majority of people have got a cancer story, but brain cancer in particular, it's just absolutely awful.It particularly has a high attrition rate amongst young people.And, you know, you see young children suffering from anything, but particularly this, it's heartbreaking.My great late friend David Morrow passed away, you'll remember, back in 2004.He called footy throughout the 2023 election.

He was diagnosed at the end of the year and had died by the time Origin had finished in 2024.I lost my mom in December.She had a lot of different cancer issues, but she had surgery to have lesions taken out of her brain.I saw the way it hurt her.It's a terrible, terrible disease.Get behind the Mark Hughes Foundation and get yourself a beanie.

The Marquees Foundation is bringing out their boldest colour yet.This is the Watermelon Crush beanie, featuring a soft blush cuff and fully faux fur pom -pom.It is bright and it is fun, which means it is suited to you.Suited to me.That is yours.That's mine.

So you've got the Watermelon Crush.Watermelon Crush.You're not going to wear it?Yeah, I will.It's cold outside today.It's very cold.

It was the coldest day of the year yesterday.This one, if you like a more classic look, is the car key combo beanie, combining earthly car key and warm neutral tones for a timeless winter style that goes with everything.

They put a lot of thought into it.Mark Hughes said, yeah, they sit down and every year it's different, of course.But every year, on my street, they come to my house, can you get us 30 of these beanies?So I've got to go out and everyone in the street wears one.So it's great.

Yeah, I've got a wardrobe full of them.They've got a toddler beanie too.I had a look online.So you can get one for your kids.They've even got scarves this year.So, Mark Hughes Foundation website, you can order your beanies and you can make donations, but at Lowe's and IGA.

And at the ground, if you're going to the footy this weekend, it's very timely.Your phone's going off.Always get nervous when your phone goes off during the podcast.Could be the big one.Oh, the big one?Could be the big one.

Oh, that's a tease.You never know your luck.Breaking news, Gus.Jake Averillo has signed with the West Tigers for four years.Wow.

It's a big signing.

Yeah, that's great.Now, he was a bulldog.He played all over the park.but he's found a home at centre.They've got so many good players out in the back line.He's maybe the one that's been squeezed out.

He's been injured, of course, but that's a good get.

Yeah, it is.He's a very good player, Jake.He was at the Bulldogs when I first got there and of course we were a struggling club and it was very hard work for a lot of the players that were there at the time.But he got a great opportunity up at the Dolphins.They've done extremely well in their years and now he's got himself a really nice contract to come down to the West Tigers who are growing and getting better and he'll be a great asset to them.

Because he played full -back, wing, centre, five -eighth, half -back for the Dogs.He's played a little bit of five -eighth, but mainly in the centres for the Dolphins.He's sneaky fast, Jake Avery.He's really quick.

He is really quick.Lovely kid too.For a number of those young players that were coming through the Bulldogs at that time, it was a very difficult time.It was probably during the COVID eras as well.So it's nice to see that he's forged his NRL career and now got himself a nice contract for he and his family.

The other news in the last 24 hours, Ben Hunt has signed a one -year extension with Brisbane.I just spoke to David Middleton before we came on air.This will be, well next year will be, his 19th NRL season.Now we're working on confirming this, but we think it might be a record, longest career.

Yeah, I can't remember 19 before.De Boer in 2009.Yeah, he was a tremendous kid when he first came in.A boom halfback coming into the system at the Broncos.He's had a great career, particularly at the representative level.It's been wonderful.

And finally got his reward going back to the Broncos last year and winning a Premiership, which was a wonderful thing for him at the back end of his career.And his experience will do them well leading into the future over the next couple of years as well.

He was a big part of that Premiership last year because towards the end of the year when Reynolds and Mann were injured, he went back into that halfback job and playedthat game down in Melbourne when they lost both of those guys?They didn't lose a game for the rest of the year.Maybe it's a bit of history repeating, because he's at halfback this week because Adam Reynolds is out.So maybe he can spark them.

Half 5 '8", hooker, block forward.He's played origin.He won them an origin series a couple of years ago with a last minute try.He's been a great performer for a long time.Rockhampton boy.Country boy from Queensland.

Made good.

Good lad.Good fella.Good on you, Ben.Well done.We talked earlier in the season in particular about the number of points being scored.Now, there's still heaps of points being scored.

Don't get me wrong.But the last couple of weeks, we've seen a couple of grinding defence dominated games.You highlighted the one over in New Zealand where the Sharks beat the Warriors.I was absorbed by the Bulldogs game against Manly on the weekend.Absolutely loved it.

Yeah, and the Titans and the Panthers had a similar sort of game as well.Went down to golden point.I think we're seeing I think coaches and players are coming to terms with what's been thrown at them early in the part of this season.And I think referees and the game has probably tempered a little bit on their expectations of what the players can and can't do in the course of a game.So, as I said, it would even itself out as the season went on.We're now at the back end of Origin and when we come out of Origin, hopefully it's stabilised and everyone gets a really good understanding and it's fair for all teams.

Big win for the dogs that one.Stephen Crichton with the field goal.Yeah, he's a beauty, isn't he?He's a good 'un.

Yeah, nothing more to add.You've got two big wins this year against Penrith and Manly, two of the high -flying teams.

Yeah, we know what our potential is.It's been a tough year.Of course, we lost Satili Tupanur out of the game for eight weeks on the back of Kikau and Preston and a number of other injuries during the year, but the season goes on.We've still got a long way to go.

All right, plenty to get through on the podcast.Let's get on with the show.After a couple of false dawns, Gus, we are witnessing the real rise of the Titans.

Yeah, look, I think that there is no doubt in the world, and I've been saying this for a number of weeks, there has been real improvement in the Titans this year under Josh Hane, and that's nothing against the coaches that have gone previously, but I feel like the Gold Coast is growing as a club and growing as an NRL competitor.They've got so much talent in that side, it's just been getting it directed in the right ways.And I think Josh Hane has really improved their defence this year, which has helped them enormously.Their games look far more controlled and far more reliable than what it has in the past.The difference between their good periods and bad periods is narrowed appreciably.They're putting in 80 -minute performances and the wins in the last couple of weeks against the Broncos and the Panthers have come as no surprise to me. I felt like they've been building to those couple of performances.

They've been a bit unlucky in games previous to that.It's not like previous years where, you know, every now and then they'd have a win out of the blue.You can kind of feel that there are more wins in store for them and Extremely dangerous attacking team still, but it's their defensive result that's really improved.And the other night the Panthers had any number of tackles inside their opposition 20 and couldn't get across the line.And despite even being down 12 nil early, the resilience was great.And that's a great sign for the future.

They've got some really talented players in that side.

So I think the obvious thing that Josh Hanna has done is jettison some of the more seasoned players.The obvious examples are Verrels at hooker, Ilias at halfback, and he's gone with Pascoe, the youngster, and young Zane Harrison, who we bloated a few weeks ago, who he's described as the real deal in the halfback spot.

Yeah, we've all seen Zane coming for a few years.working through the junior systems up there in Queensland.He's a very heady halfback, quite mature beyond his years, got a terrific kicking game.He's strong and he's tough and he had some big moments in that Panthers game the other day and his NRL appearances to now have really realised the potential we all knew he had in him.Yeah, the Gold Coast are potentially a really good side, and I can see it growing.And your future is always in your youth.

It's very, very hard.You can go out and buy players that'll help your club, but in the long run, it's the developing of younger talent.that comes through your system, that's going to forge the DNA of your club into the future and establish them.And the Dolphins, I think, have got some outstanding young talent you haven't seen yet.There's more to come in the next couple of years, but Zane Harrison certainly heads the list there.And he looks like an NRL halfback with a long future.

The Warriors have made a habit of fading towards the end of the season, but they won't this year.No, no, no, no.No, they won't be fading.

We got a bad injury the other night with Jackson Ford, who's got a pec injury.I think it's very much the same as Viliami kick -out, so it's about 12 to 14 weeks, which...They might be able to get him back sooner, I don't know.But he's been one of the mainstays of their forward pack over the last 18 months and done an extremely good job for them.If it's 14 weeks, I bet his season's over, yeah?Yeah.

Well, they might be able to get him back sooner than that.I don't know what sort of surgery he's having or how bad it is.But he's been terrific.Absolutely terrific.He's been on a few people's lists for state of origin, I see, although we tend to pick 130 players for state of origin.Didn't take long.

Yeah.I think the Warriors are a really good footy team, really good footy team.There was a game they played earlier this year against the Panthers, albeit Panthers.didn't have Cleary, but it showed me that they can compete at the highest level in these games and they'll do it for longer this year.They were up there for a long time last year, but as is normally the case, the first time you get there, it's a long wearing season on you and they probably just ran out of puff a little bit towards the back end of the year.They'll be better for that experience.

The thing I'm looking at at the moment is they're handling the games they should win a hell of a lot more comfortably and they're competitive with the other top sides around them.So they're very, very hard for the bottom sides to beat.They're strong defensively and they're so powerful.You've got skill in the halves.They've got speed.They're winning the games they should win, but they're winning them comfortably.

They're fast.North Queensland, they're renowned for their speed, the way they play.They made them look pedestrian in the early stages on the weekend.

Well, the fastest sides are the ones that have been scoring all the points this year because of the new rules and the freedom that they've had.So speed has been a real factor and it's been hard for defences to keep up.As I said, that's tempering a little bit at the moment and justifiably so.The Warriors can play at any number of ways.They can play an open, freestyle, attacking sort of football, or they can be really defensively minded and grind them out, which we saw in that Sharks game a little while ago, and in the Penrith game.I think they can play it both ways.

I think they're well suited towards finals football, and provided they hold their head up over the next 10 weeks, I'm sure they're going to be a competitor at the back end.

The Dolphins are now equal Premiership favourites.

No, no, no, no, no.They're certainly one of the contenders.There's no risk about that.It's a very, very exciting football team.I love watching them play.They are really good.

And when they get a share of possession, they're almost impossible to contain at times.They're another team that can attack in any number of different ways.And even here,them for the five tackles, they're so powerful on last play as well.Very creative halves, explosive fullback, big, strong, fast outside backs that are also good in the air in attack and defense.Their forwards rumble away and do the work that they've got to do in the middle.

Very crafty hooker.They've got all the ingredients of a very, very good side.I think Panthers are still by far and away the best team in the competition and easily Premiership favourites.But sides like the Dolphin, Roosters, Warriors, Sharks still.

Sharks?

Yeah, I still rate the Sharks.The Sharks have got that really tough game in them as well.I still think they're your leading Premiership contenders at the moment.And then you sort of go to your Manleys, your Newcastles, your Souths, those sort of sides.Cowboys?Cowboys are there about, so yeah, I don't know about the Cowboys just yet, but I think they're the leading contenders in this competition.

We're well into the competition, and they're the sides that are consistent at the moment.

Yeah.Crystal balling, but if you get down to the big games, the Dolphins have got the sort of game style that could unsettle Penrith.

Yeah, well, they've got the points in them.They've got the confidence.They've got the confidence, but finals football is different.They haven't played in finals yet.

Very true.

Penrith have all versed at that end of the year on how to play that sort of game and I think Penrith will have a strategy for the Dolphins.Don't get me wrong, they're a competitor and they can win, no risk in the world, but right at the moment I think Panthers deserve very short price favouritism in this competition.I'll be shocked if they're not winning the comp this year.

Seven in a row for the Dolphins, they beat the Tigers at the weekend without Plath, Fleet,Hammer, Selwyn Cobbo and Izzy Katoa.

They've got tremendous depth.When they first came into the competition, I said to people, don't worry about the team you see for the first couple of years, because they've got some really outstanding young kids, and a lot of them you haven't seen yet.This is another one.I think the development up there, right from the get -go, has been very good in their recruitment.They've got a great catchment area.Obviously, the rivalry with the Broncos has created great competition between those two clubs, so they've been very active in the competition.

in the teenage space, getting out and recruiting kids for the future and shoring up their future.And there's some outstanding talent still up there in Queensland, in Southeast Queensland.The Dolphins are well -versed into the future.They've got some outstanding kids to come, which will help with their salary cap management going forward.And they've got a very good coach.Obviously, players play for him.

You've seen that with a number of teams that he's coached before.So he's had success in a number of areas.They're rising, they're certainly rising as a premiership contender, if not this year, certainly into the future.

Across town, things aren't looking quite as rosy for the Broncos.If they lose in Friday night footy, must watch here on Nine, it's curtains.

I said it on 100 % footy the other night, when you start saying it's mathematically possible.It's all over.You're in trouble.They've only won five games this year.Particularly with this far to go.Now, a few weeks ago I said they were in a similar position last year and managed to come through into the top four and win the premiership.

They're not looking like that at the moment, albeit we've got to get through the origin and they've got to get some players back.But what are they on now?Five wins?Five wins, nine losses.Yeah, I've 14, so 10 to go.So they're going to have to win probably eight of their last 10, which is..

not beyond them, but it's a tall order, particularly with injuries and everything that's going to come.I think it's a crucial game for them this week.They need to win this week.And if they do, it can kickstart a run towards September.It's not just where they are on the ladder, it's how many teams they've got between them and the top eight.They've got a dreadful run in.

Let me read this to you, dreadful.Rooster this week, Sharks at home, Penrith away, Cowboys away, Newcastle at home, Dolphins away, White's uncle, Warriors at home, Canberra, Melbourne, Bulldogs.That's a treacherous run.

Well, if they get there, they'll earn it.Oh, yeah.Yeah.If they'll get there, they'll earn it.But, you know, I think the last couple of losses have been telling and Yeah, it's a difficult time for them, but they're certainly walking the tightrope now.And I think after Monday night and people start saying, well, there's still a mathematical possibility.

Once they say that, you're in deep trouble.

Mitch Moser says he's unsure if he'll be picked for the Origin Decider.Should he be?

Yeah, I don't see any reason not to pick him.Yeah, I've sort of got my own theories around that.I thought it was a big arse to play him in Game 2, given the injury and the amount of time he had out, and given that he didn't train the whole week.I don't think that was ideal leading into Game 2.Not that it affected his performance, I don't think.I think he went out and did as good as he could, given the way the team was beaten up.

Look, he's still easily one of our more productive halves in the game, and certainly one of the best that New South Wales can name.There's only he and Cleary.Jerome Lewi, I think, is the forgotten one in all of this and one of my favourites.and of course the young boy from Canberra, Ethan Strange.But yeah, and as I said, I don't want to get too drawn in on selections and the circus that goes on around selections for the New South Wales side.They've got to get through another round of football.

We've got injuries and suspensions to come this weekend.Then they've got to sit down and they've got to work out how they can beat Queensland, what's gone on in the first two games that they've learned from.How can they come up with a game and a scenario that sees them winning and then who can execute that?And in all those scenarios, I guess Mitchell Moses can play a part, if not in the starting lineup, certainly off the bench.But right at the moment, I wouldn't see any need to change the halves for New South Wales.I don't see the reason to change a lot of personnel, really.

They're the ones that have been there for the first two games.They know what's gone on out there.They know what they've dealt with.They know what they haven't handled and what they can handle.They're all professional footballers.I think they can come up with a game to beat Queensland.

And that's the challenge of Origin.They're in Game 3 by hook or by crook, whether they deserve to be or not, that doesn't matter.Whether they deserve to win Game 1, doesn't matter.The bottom line is they've got one shot at winning a State of Origin title, at carrying that shield.One shot, 80 minutes of football.They're professional footballers.

They know how to win football games.They've got to come up with a game that can beat Queensland.

So I'm not going to ask you about selections at all.So don't.

Well, it's pointless, and it's pointless asking anyone about selections.

But I do want to ask you, you've said and you repeated it there, he's got to come up with a plan that's going to beat Queensland and then pick a team.What should his plan be?Plan to beat Queensland?

Look, there's a lot to learn out of games one and two.There's a lot of things that New South Wales have not handled about this Queensland side, about the type of football that they play.How can I put this?Sometimes in Origin, I would say to footballers, I need you to bring everything that you've ever developed in your football game, your toughness, your strength, your physicality, your ability to tackle, your ability to execute all these things, all your skill, all your talent, all your confidence, all your self -belief.You've got to bring all those things.But when it comes down to playing Origin, sometimes you've got to forget everything you've ever known about football.

because it's a different brand of football and you're faced with different scenarios during the course of the game.Queensland are so aggressive with their attacking game and they're so confident in what they do and they're so fast and skilful with what they do.It's a different type of defence, it's a different type of attitude to you and a mentality.It's not like club football.I sometimes think New South Wales teams come together as a group of players and they're all smart, they all know the game but Do they come up with a game that's actually going to combat what they're up against?Sometimes they get it right, sometimes they don't.

At the moment, we haven't got it right and we're not competing with Queensland.They're just beating us to the punch on most things.They need to come up with a scenario.They need to be able to visibly see how they win this game, right from the start, go through the stages of the game, right from the start through to the end.And if we do this, they'll have to do that.If we do this, they'll have to do that.

If they do this, this is how we'll reply.And they've got to paint a scenario and build a confidence in it and believe in it and go out and execute it.And that's the challenge at this level of football.They're the best players in the land.You're not playing against duds.They're a highly skilled, highly talented, very fast, very confident football team, Queensland.

And that's been shown.The first half in New South Wales, and the second half down there in Melbourne, they just blew us away.And we got very disconnected.We got very isolated.We didn't defend as a team.and we we in both games even though we've scored 20 odd points in both games we've never really looked like we know where we're searching for the points it's kind of just we're rolling through shapes and plays but not with any real purpose of where we're attacking and that's that's something they need to come to content they need to contend with and I'm sure the players are aware of it it's a different type of of football and mentality.

When they write on the shield who wins, New South Wales or Queensland, they don't draw pictures, they don't give explanations.It doesn't matter how you do it, you've just got to go and get it done.And I think the players that have been in games one and two are probably the best ones to sit in a circle and say, all right, What do we need to do to win this?And it might be something a little bit out of left field and it might be something that you don't normally do at club level.It might be a different, I think we need to address our market offence.I think we need to address our defensive movements.

I think we need to address our attacking game and our go forward game.I thought there was an improvement in game two in the first half where we were moving the ball more in our own half.It was moving the ball for moving the ball's sake.I didn't think it had any great potential.Direction to it, but by the same token, it's still cut out the errors that we had in game one It got us in front on the scoreboard 12 -8 and I thought once we got the halftime.Well, we're over our hump We've got over our first half Our poor first halves of the previous games and it was up to Queensland to respond whose second halves have been poor in their games as well But they were outstanding in the second half and we couldn't combat it We just they ran us ragged and they scored tries at ease What was it 36 to 12 or something in the second half of one stage 36 to 6?

So that's the LH.

You can't get away from that.You can't get away that we're getting it wrong.We're getting it wrong.But these are the best players to turn it around and get it right.It's just another game.

What I find curious, and I'd be saying this if it was in reverse, if Queensland were in New South Wales position, how can New South Wales beshocked with what they're up against?They know what's coming.It's origin.It's the best of the best.They've looked like a deer in the headlights.

And this is a pattern in the second half in the last game, in the first half in game one, in games two and three last series.How can they be surprised?They know it's coming.

Well, they should know it's coming.They should know what the potential of the opposition team is and where they're going to be good and where they're going to be strong.But Queensland are fearless in what they do.Absolutely fearless.And New South Wales, to me, defensively, just don't look connected in the important parts of the game where they can get some control and then get some control in the defensive movements to deal with what's going to be thrown at them.Now, that's very, very technical, but it starts at the tackle.

It starts with the first couple of tackles.It starts with the market offence.And sometimes you've got to get away from what you do in club land.and do what's necessary for this game right here.And you're talking about blokes who aren't playing together on a weekly basis.They all use different calls and different languages, and some have got different types of interpretations around market offence and defence, and how they control the tackle with their wrestle, and how they retreat, and how many players they put at certain parts of the field when the ball's played in certain areas of the field.

So what you've got to do is come up with something generic that everyone can do that will stand up under pressure.It needs to stand up under pressure.For 90 % of the game, it's comfortable.While ever you're controlling the tackle and controlling, then your defense gets in its movements and the communication is right.But there's going to be four or five times during the game where they've got no control of the tackle.They've got no control of the possession and how the ball was given to the opposition.

And they're at sixes and sevens.And that's where we're coming loose.And Harry Grant is killing us in that aspect.Nathan Cleary.out of marker the other night and just took a dummy.You wouldn't see that in a hundred games at Penrith.

Why?Because he's locked into his defensive mindset and he's locked into his defensive system at Penrith.Somewhere along the lines, he was caught between the two.Whatever it was New South Wales were trying to do and whatever it was, he's ingrained in his muscle memory from Penrith.

So what you're saying is...

Harry Grant is killing us at that area.Their first try came because Harry Grant sneaked down the short side on the fifth tackle.I think we're getting it terribly wrong in the basics there because I don't think, well I'm not there so I don't know, but what it looks from the outside looking in, there isn't a common communication that they can all buy into and trust under pressure.So they kind of still got their muscle memory from their club football.They haven't developed their own muscle memory in what they're trying to do here.And sometimes you've got to simplify it.

You've got to be less aggressive and less technical about your football and come up with a system that's actually going to work tonight so it stands up under pressure.So that Harry Grant can't do that to us.And once Harry Grant does that to you once, then you're guessing, and that's when Munster and Walker and these fellas start to get a little bit more latitude.But they're the things that sort of took me from game two was the number of times Harry Grant played with our markers and beat us comfortably, right?And when the Cleary one opened my eyes, because he has never done that.He has never, ever, ever done that.

So somewhere in his thinking, go and ask Nathan about it.Why did that happen?

Because in Penrith, he would maybe move in that same direction, knowing that the system was going to come over.

Market defences are slightly different across all the clubs.This seems like a really basic point, doesn't it?Just around market defence.But different teams use different types of market defence.The way they communicate in the tackle, who's first up, who runs back into the line, who's first marker, who's second marker, right?And the communication around that and who's locking up the ball and who's locking up a lead, all the different terminologies they've got.

And it'll be different in every club.They all know what they're doing.And it's such a basic premise.But we got beaten.Our market offenders have been so poor right through the first two games.That's where it starts, right?

And that starts in the tackle.It also starts in how and where we give them the ball, right?So there's a lot that they can control and get better where they might have to pull back in some of the aggression or in some of the systems that they're used to and just come up with their own system that's going to suffice for the night, right?To accommodate firstly, Harry Grant, and then to be able to accommodate Walker and Munster and put some pressure on them, which then eliminates the threats out wide.and also helps you recognize where Palmer might be coming into the game.

How do you build a market defense system in a week?

Yeah, they're professional footballers.They can do it, but they've got to pull it back a little bit.They've got to, yeah, but that's up to the coaching staff and the players to recognize that - What have they got to pull back?They need to get the basics right.They really need to get the basics right.And I might be 100 % wrong.

I don't know.Maybe someone just made a mistake.I don't know.But That's what I'm saying.I'm not, you know, and even in the movements of our defensive line, when we come off the line and, um, and how we deal with some of the shapes that they run at us, I can see a little bit of a mishmash of different clubs.You know, what works for one club doesn't work for another club.

And some do it differently.Um, you know, some clubs defend a hell of a lot differently to other clubs.Some are very aggressive off the line.Some are more passive, some are passive on the edges, some jam up and tighten the gaps around the middle of the mark.It's going to go around them.Others use the width of the field and, uh,

aggressive with their line speed.And if that's what you've been training and that's what you've been doing and that's your communication and they're the words that you use when you're out on the field and the trust that you have from training with people week in, week out, it's just not there in origin.You've got to come up with a system that you can trust and believe in on the night that's going to be effective with what you're doing.And I think that's We're not stopping them scoring points.When they get the ball, we're not stopping them scoring points.They'll grab a kick behind us.

They're running from dummy half.Munster's playing both sides of the field.Sometimes we're outnumbered very comfortably at different points.They're very aggressive with their passing.They take some risks.We tend to panic a little bit with our movements.

We're up and in.We're in and out.We've got to get that part of it right.Now, it's a hell of a lot easier to defend at the other end of the field.So that's where they've got to start first.And that's just a small part of it.

Same goes with our attack.What they've got to do is sit down and come up and paint a scenario that they believe in that can win this game, that can win this game based on what we've seen in the first two games.OK, this is the challenge.How do we beat Queensland?How do we contend with their strengths?How do we play on their weaknesses?

And how do we make this game ours?That's the challenge.That's state of origin.That's the challenge.And you've got to bring together 17 talented players in the case of a week and give them a common language, give them a common thought, give them a common goal, give them a common cause, and have everyone fight for it for the full 80 minutes.That's the challenge of origin.

Now, I'm sure they've been trying to do that.They just haven't got it right for the first two games.And they've got to find a way to win this one.And they can.They can win it.They can win it.

It's going to start on Monday, and they're going to have to get together and get their heads together and work it out.I don't think it necessarily matters who you are.I think the more people you pick out of games one and two, the better prepared you're going to be.I think rushing people in that haven't played much football recently just because they're named players or they've done it in the past or what have you is the solution for this one.What needs to be done is a joint force here.They've got a backs to the wall, underdogs approach into this game and underdogs win plenty of origin games.

just based on those simple philosophies.And coins later made a living out of that.Well, we can win.We can beat them.We can come up with a scenario that sees us winning.I've got no doubt in the world that we can win.

And it's not about the selections.It's not about the selection.We're not going to solve this problem in the selection room.We're going to solve this problem in the circle of trust once they come into camp and put all their minds together and say, what can we do as a football team to win this game?What are the things we need to get right with our attack?What are the things we need to get right with our defence?

And how's it going to stand up under pressure?You know, in the key moments of the game where they're getting a roll on, they're getting good possession, they're getting six against, Or we've dropped a ball or they've taken an intercept or there's been a turnover and we can't get organised straight away.How can we get into our set of six and get into our rhythm?And what are we recognising about the shapes and the plays that they're running at us?Because as soon as they're good possession, we're worried about the kick in behind.We're worried about the long ball.

All of a sudden, Harry's running from dummy half.We're just not covering all bases at the moment.

Lindsay Collins ran through the middle and scored.Lindsay Collins ran through the middle.That was a bit of a worry.

Yeah, we're shot.Look, we're shot.And sometimes it's the honesty and self -appraisal that helps you.You've got to sit back and say, we've got it wrong.We're shot.You can see it.

As that game wore on the other night, defensively, we were shot, right?And we didn't know where they were coming to the point where Harry's just picking it up and running past us.So what led us to that position?What got us in that state?What is it that we didn't prepare for that led to that?And how did we not know to accommodate that?

Because on a club basis, they all do it on a weekly basis in their own club.They've got to come there with their own little club football, their own little brand of football and their own little brand of defense to accommodate what they're going to throw at them.And they've got to be confident with it.They've got to be aggressive with it.And they've got to believe in it.If they go up there hoping, they'll get belted.

You can't win this game on hope.You can't win this game on fear.By the time they take the field, they've got to be so confident in what they're doing.And then it will just happen before them.They know that if we do this, they will have to reply with that.They will have to do that.

We can control what they do by what we do.And when they've got the balance of power, how are we going to come together and repel that and dig in until we start to get a bit of momentum ourselves?That all sounds like really basic stuff.I think it's fascinating.It's not simple, it's hard, but they're the best players in the game.They're the best players in the game.

It's not a talent thing.They can sit down and they can come up with a game to beat Queensland.I don't think we've done that.

It's not a talent thing because if you look individually through that New South Wales team, they're some of the best players in the world.Best players in the game.Best players in the game.But they haven't combined as a team in that fashion.

The best teams won.comfortably.

I know it was a lifetime ago.I'm not going to ask about changes.But you famously went through the 96 series with the same 17 for all three games.So you are, I think, philosophically, you're anti -changes because of the restricted time you get in camp.But what would convince you, I need to make changes, when you have?

I had a couple.I had one series, obviously, in 96, we went through all three games and we won at 3 -0 and we had the same17 players.And I was reminded of that because it's the 30 -year anniversary this year.And I went back and I looked at the team and I looked at the Queensland team and it was a hot side.It was a really good side.

And I said to our blokes at the time, you know, maybe this record will get equal at times, but it can never be bettered.to have 17 players go through three games and win 3 -0.And if you look at the quality of the Queensland side in that year, 1996, it was a hot side.

Yeah, or the Langers and Co came back after missing the year before.

They were a really good side.It was a great series win.And they were a very special group of players.It was a great achievement.In 2004, which was my last year, we had a terrible first couple of games with injury and a couple of other issues happened, a couple of suspensions, and our team kept changing all, I think, At one stage, we had about four or five halfbacks and five eights used during the first couple of games for injuries and other things that happened.And it was a series where Brad Fittler came back after he'd been out of retirement for a couple of years.

And I think for game three, we won the first game.That got us into...That was the Timmins game.Then we lost the second game up in Brisbane, which...Might have been the Billy Slater.Well, it was a chip kick, wasn't it?

He was offside.Anyway, which meant it was a decider in game three.So what did we learn from the first two games?And game three, I think we went in with six changes.But the six changes were probably what I would have preferred in game, in the earlier games, if they'd been available.And they were seasoned campaigners.

And I was really confident going into the third game that we had It was my last game as an Origin coach, so I got to pick my own team that time and I was really confident in those players.They're a special group crew.They won pretty handsomely on the night, but they're a special group of players.So you can do it both ways.I've always been one.you know, it's three games and you're going to camp three times and you're bringing together players that play with all different clubs under all different systems and you bring them in.

If you make too many changes, any benefit you got out of the first camp, you lose it in the second camp because you've got to start again.So I try to treat it as a three -game series and build as you go on and hopefully you're peak in game three.And hopefully that's good enough to win the series.So I've had no changes going into game three and I've had as many as six changes going into game three.We won both of them.So you can do it both ways.

Injury and suspension will force changes leading into game three this time.My gut feel is as few changes as possible.The first thing everyone wants to do after a loss is change personnel.Well, if you thought they weren't the right people, why did you pick them in the first place?

Do you think they've picked the right team from the outset?

I think, well, that's their job.They've picked the ones they believe could get the job done.That's their job.They won game one, albeit by hook or by crook.Game two, they did lead 12 -8 at halftime.It's not as though they've got it terribly wrong.

I don't think they've lost it on selections.I really don't.I don't think they've lost it on personnel.I just think they've lost it on not coming together as a team to produce a brand of football that contends with the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.And I think they've just out -footballed us, to be honest.

They're very talented.Do you have a vibe there's going to be mass changes?

I don't know.I don't know.All I've said, and I've not bought into selections or anything like that, all I've said is, I just urge the coach to go with his gut.At the end of the day, he's going to own the result.So he might as well go with his gut.and go with the people that he trusts.

But in his own mind, he's got to sit down and say, well, all right, what have I learned from the first two games?How can we beat this side?What have I learned?Well, it's the last five games, really.He was in charge for three games last year.How can we beat this side?

What sort of brand of football do we need?And then who do I need to execute that?Who he might choose might be different to who Michael McGuire might choose or who Andrew Johns might choose or whoever, you know, it doesn't really matter.It's in what he believes and how he wants to play the game.I just think that he's got to ignore the influence and all the media and all the speculation and all the advice going on around him and trust his gut.You know, Laurie's one of the best blokes in the world.

He's the greatest origin player New South Wales has ever produced, the greatest leader we ever had.You know, and it pains me to see, you know, where they are at the moment and him battling with this.But he needs to trust himself and trust his gut and go with players that he believes in and bugger the media, bugger what everyone thinks about the team and come up with a game that can win.They can do it.They can come up with a game that can win.What greater challenge?

Brisbane, Decider, Suncorp Stadium.What greater challenge?What greater place to make a statement than that?And they can do it.They can do it.They can do it.

Queenslanders are giggling away, aren't they?Let them giggle.Wipe the smiles off their faces.It should be your greatest motivation.That's the thing about Origen.It gets under your skin.

It gets in your blood.It gets in your heart.That's why everyone wants to be a part of it.That's why everyone wants to do it.That's why they all want to come back and coach it.That's why they all get passionate about it and want to pick teams and throw their two cents in.

But it doesn't help.Laurie's got to trust his gut.He knows how to win Origen games.And he's got to come up with a no -nonsense, no -frills approach to how they're going to prepare for this game and get it done.And they can get it done.They can.

Ask Gus.Well, this is more a comment.This is from Mario.Gus, Billy Slater is Queensland coach is too smart for New South Wales and Queensland has the talent to support Billy's coaching style.We'll take that as a comment.Any response?

Where's the question?We'll take that one as a comment.Everyone loves a winner.It's an editorial comment.Everyone loves a winner.Queensland do Origin really well.

Queensland very, very rarely get Origin wrong.Very rarely do they get wrong.Queensland never beat themselves.New South Wales, unfortunately, we do.We do get it wrong.We get it wrong, you know, we get it wrong.

When we get it right, we're very good, but we do get it wrong.Queensland rarely get it wrong.They rarely get it wrong and Billy's experienced in it and he's got great support around him and they don't make mistakes in their selections.They don't make mistakes in the style of play.They trust their style of play.Queensland are always highly motivated, so is New South Wales, they're always highly motivated.

But New South Wales just needs to come together better as a team and come up with a plan, come up with a mentality, come up with a strategy.and come up with something that they can believe in and then minute by minute, play by play, execute it and trust it and just get the job done.

They're professional footballers.They can do it.They should go back and watch the decider from 2024.That was a committed performance.

That was one of the best games ever.The more of old origins you watch, the better it gets.That's your education.And there is so much of origin that has never changed.That's never changed.All right It's a brand of football all it's all on its own.

I remember talking to Craig Bellamy Craig Bellamy is one of our greatest ever coaches in history If not the greatest he coached origin for three years and lost three years in a row and at the end of it I was talking to him and he said I just he said I didn't get it.He said I you know, he said it just it's different.I said, yeah, it is different.It's very different and it's You know, we've got a you know I've just got to knuckle down and get it done.I know that sounds really simple, but you've just got to bite down on the mouth guard and get it done.

All right, let's move away from origin.Our next question is from Toledo in Ohio, in the USA.Before I get on with the question, have you watched any of the World Cup?Soccer?Yes.

How would I have time for World Cup soccer?

Come on.When's Australia play again?Midday Friday.I'm going to watch that.I'll be on the Gold Coast.I'll watch that.

My wife and I are living in a granny flat out the back of Some friend's house, I think I mentioned that before.And Andy, our landlord, is an Englishman.So, he asked me to come up this morning, have brekkie, and watch England play Ghana.So, we had a lovely full English breakfast, and it was the most boring game of football I've ever watched in my life.Ghana just put everyone behind the ball, and it was a nil -all draw.And I will never get that morning back.

But thanks for making breakfast, Andy.

Soccer people will think that's brilliant.

Oh, man, it was shocking.I think even the football people admitted that was a bludger.

I'm jealous of the crowds.

I'm jealous of the stadiums.They're incredible.

Aren't they amazing?Absolutely incredible.They're like giant coliseums.

Anyway, Marvin from Toledo, Ohio in the USA.Have you been to Toledo in Ohio?No.A huge fan of the NRL and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.There's our random Souths fan.My question for you is will the NRL ever do a big freeze game in the future?

to help Jai Aro?You know how they all go down the slide into the icy water at the MCG?All right.That's what led Ethan Neil Downing here.That was his big legacy.Okay.

I think we should do it and I think Gus should be the first person down the slide.You'd be up for that, wouldn't you?What do you have to do?You've got to slide.You've got to dress up or something.You've got to slide down the water slide into a freezing pool of water to raise money for motor neurone disease research.

Whatever it takes.Gus is in.Go the rabbit hoes and fight on Jai.Well done.We've got the Jai Arrow fundraiser coming up as well, don't we?Yep.

Jai July, a big fundraiser for motor neurone disease.Matt wants to know which future coach should we all be keeping an eye on?Future coach?Like currently not coaching?I'm assuming maybe like an up and coming coach, someone coming through the ranks somewhere.

I think there's a lot of them out there.

Peter Wallace would be a good start.He's going to take over the big chair.

He's about to take over the Panthers in 2028.

Is Josh Jackson still around?Because you gave him a massive rap.

Yeah, he certainly is.

He's coaching Bulldogs?Yeah.

So he's been coaching our jersey flag team, but pretty much been in charge of the pathways coming through.Done an outstanding job.The head coach kept wanting to move him up.to coach full time with the NRL squad.I've been holding him back because he's doing such a great job in the pathways and we've spent a lot of time in the last two or three years getting our pathways in the shape that we want to be able to bring in young talent and develop it over a period of time.Our $53 million Centre of Excellence is powering along at the moment and I'm hoping that we're in that by next January or February next year, which will be a milestone for the club.

and a big part of what we've been working on over the last three or four years.And from there, I'm hoping the Academy programs catch fire.and it attracts a lot of good kids coming to our club.Josh Jackson's been wonderful for the Bulldogs, not just as a player and a captain and a leader, but what he's done in the junior pathways.I think probably in the next 12 months he'll move up with Cameron Serrato in the NRL program and probably coach our NSW Cup side going into the future.That's sort of been the plan internally for a while now.

I'm the one that's held it up because I value him very much where he is.I've just got to find someone to replace him in that role and it's not an easy role to do.So that's what I'm looking for at the moment.But Josh Jackson's easily an NRL coach of the future.Easily an NRL coach.in waiting.

So he's one that I could give a wrap on.But there's plenty in other clubs.They speak highly of some of the assistants at other clubs.

I'll toss one up.

I think the apprenticeships are important these days.Not everyone can do a Kieran Foreman and just jump in and make it look easy from day one.

Fozball, baby.

Yeah.

Dean Young.I'd love to.He should get that job.They've actually played good footy in the last couple of weeks.With all the signings, they've got a proper team next year.I'd love to see them get a crack at it.

It's interesting that they've made those signings because I'd imagine a lot of the conversations for those new players is who's going to be coach.You'd have to have an answer for them.It's hard to say what'll happen down there at the Dragons.I really have no information whatsoever, but Dean Young is...He's a really good coach, and he's a great bloke.

He's wholehearted about the Dragons.I agree.I think we've seen real improvement in him over the last month or so.He's given a lot of young fellas a chance and backed them, and I think he's prepared to back them into the future.You've got Drinkwater coming next year, and Kalaumatangi, and young Luke Metcalfe is coming to the club, Philip Samy.from...

Connor Watson.Connor Watson is coming to the club for 12 months.So they've gone out and bought some experience in and around those really good young kids that are coming through the system.That's where you've got to start.

The young forward pack's coming good.

Yeah.Look, they've got the talent there.There's no risk in the world.They've just got to persevere with it.

All right.A little break and then I'm going to start with a new format, six tackle trivia.But on the way to the break, Gus has already mentioned this, Stories of Origin Series 5, my favourite Origin.This week, Monday, we released Episode 5 in the series featuring the one and only Brad Fittler talking about his favourite Origin game, the one that Gus looked back on, Game 3, 2004.Freddy's last game as a blue and Gus's last game as a coach in Stories of Origin, presented by Tab this season.

Tab is giving you something to shout about this NRL season.

With Tab's NRL My Offers, get personalized offers on every game this round.Download the Tab app for the NRL.Tab, we're on.Imagine what you could be buying instead.For free and confidential support, visit gamblinghelponline .org .

au.Chances are you're about to lose.For free and confidential support, call the number on the screen or visit the website.

Okay, let's preview round 17.Thanks to Tab.Starting with Parramatta versus the Rabbitohs.7 .50 kickoff, live and free here on Nine.The Tab odds, Parramatta are 2 .60, Souths are $1 .48.So, Mitch Moses is in.

It's his 250th game.Ronald Voigtman stakes 5 .08 and Jawash Pappali goes out of the starting team.Cam Murray's back from origin.And some other cosmetic changes to the South Sydney team.The big one, of course, is Latrell Mitchell got over his back injury.He's out with a calf for four weeks now.

100 % footy the other night.I'd actually tip Parramatta.I just like their energy.I like the football that they play.They're really competitive at the moment.What did they do last time they played?

They beat Raiders.

Yeah, 15 -12.

15 -12.Mitchell Moses is back in the team for the first time in quite a while.South Sydney are going well though, obviously.I think they're a real chance, Parramatta, playing at home.I'm going to tip the chance of an upset.Rabideaus are going good though, obviously.

All right, Parra to win.I mean, you give Parra a chance in any game, as you say, they're very, very competitive.All right, the Gold Coast versus the Bulldogs.Six o 'clock Friday, Titans $1 .95, Bulldogs $1 .85.That's a big blow with Sertilli, he's been terrific.Preston's named on the extended bench.

Have you got a scoop for us?Do you think he'll come in?

No, from what I understand, he's coming back from a fractured arm, obviously.His surgeon cleared him yesterday for contact.So he's going to train today.He'll be training right at the moment.And see how he comes through that.I guess the temptation, because Tupinua's out, to rush him back.

But after the Gold Coast game, we do have a bye as well.So the original plan was that he would come back after the bye and get a couple of good weeks training under his belt.I think they'll leave it up to Jacob.And I don't think we should go in with any players in doubt against this Gold Coast side because they're so strong and they're skilful and they're so fast and they're in good form at the moment.So Jacob would have to convince us he's 110 % fit to take his place in the team.So we'll wait to see what the day brings by the time we get there.

comes out, I guess we'll have some sort of idea.I guess he'll train today, then they'll see how he pulls up tomorrow.But the original plan was to leave it until after the bye, with Tupinua being out and Kickout not available, obviously, of course, and Sam Hughes still not back.There'll be a temptation to play him if he's anywhere near right, but it's such an important game.You know, if the dogs win this, you're right on the cusp of the eight.

I don't look at the ladder, Matthew.Well, that's a lie.Eight o 'clock kickoff for Friday night footy up at Suncorp.The Broncos against the Roosters in a game that Gus says is must win for the premiers.It could be all over.$2 .25 outside as the Broncos against the Roosters at $1 .65.

So back come Walsh, Staggs, and Haas, but Reynolds is out with a calf, so Hunt will play halfback, and Ezra Mams out.He's been coming off the bench.His place is taken by Blake Moser.Savada returns from concussion, so Smith goes to the wing to allow out of the team for the Roosters.

They're pretty impressed with the Roosters the other night against the Sharks, because the Sharks were a good side, and they swept them aside pretty comfortably.I mean, it was a willing game, but Roosters were just better to the punch on most of the bigger plays and the bigger moments.The halfback is in.rare form at the moment and playing with a lot of confidence.You know, I think the Roosters are genuine contenders where the Broncos have got to get themselves to rise to that level.I'm going to tip Rooster.

All right, Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp.So back -to -back games at Suncorp.This is an absolute beauty.I cannot wait to watch this.I hope it's sunny weather because the Dolphins versus the Warriors.This could be

anything up there.The Dolphins walking back Katoa, because of a knee injury, and then the Origin boys come back as well.Kafusi Schneider and Keeley go to the bench.Tre Fuller's dropped out of the team.I mean, he's a dead set first grader every day of the week.How much depth have they got up there?

They've got tremendous depth, really tremendous depth.And then Jackson fought out, so Stowe Smith goes to prop.Capel's back.which moves Murata Niokore to the bench for the Warriors, who were very, very impressive last week.That stadium looks pretty special.The brand new stadium.

Yeah, brilliant.

As I said, years ago, we took a game for Penrith across there, not long after the earthquakes were in Christchurch.And the devastation I saw over there was incredible, what they had to contend with and rebuild the city and the suburbs around it.And the stadium that we played at was on scaffolding.The whole stadium was built on scaffolding.So they had scaffolding up to the tiered seating, and then they had scaffolding with some little corporate boxes up the top.Really?

Where?

Yeah, the Christchurch ground was built on scaffolding.So I hadn't really seen the progress since that time, but looking just at the pictures on TV.Looks great.Magnificent.It's got a roof on it and everything.

Where's Origin being played next year?

Auckland, I think.Is it Auckland?I think so, yeah.

So it'll be Mount Smart.Oh, actually, sorry, it's Eden Park, I think.Is it?Yeah, I think Eden Park holds more.27th state of origin Claude tells me it'll be hosted at Eden Park in Auckland.That'll be good.

We've called a game there You and I we did the we did the Tonga game.Remember the Tonga beat Australia?

I've been to Eden Park a few times.Yeah, I've called a few times there.

Anyway, $1 .62 Dolphins, Warriors $2 .30.What a game!

Yeah, toss of the coin.I can't wait to watch the game.Saturday afternoon.I really can't.Because as you say, we discussed earlier in the show, you're looking at potential title contenders.I think Panthers are well out in front of everybody, but both of these teams performed very well against the Panthers.

I think Dolphins got beaten by one point and Warriors got beaten by two points by the Panthers.Up against each other, different sort of footy teams.I think it's a real test for the Warriors' defense, which I rate.I think their defensive line is really good.They're in good form.I'm going to stick with Warrior.

Warrior?

I've just got a feel about them.

All right.

I really do.So I'm going to go with what I think is the better defensive team.And in today's world, that might be fraught with danger.I don't know.No surprise whichever team wins.I'll just go with the Warrior.

One of the best games of the year in prospect.We'll see if it transpires that way.5 .30 p .m.Saturday, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, North Queensland, hosting the Panthers.Cowboys, 350.

Penrith, $1 .30.One change to the seven and it took the field against the Warriors.Liam Sutton added to a six -man bench.John Bateman's dropped out.Oh, it's Jason Tomlale's 300th game.Yep.

So it's a bit of a milestone going.It's a bit of money for the Cowboys actually, I notice.Cleary, Yeo and To 'o return after being rested in round 16. Alamodie back to centre. Garner, Cogger and Henry all to the bench. So Casey McLean's done his quieties out for a while and I think Mitch Kenny isn't all that far away. But that's the situation.

Yeah, now I've got memories of Cowboys beating them up there last year.Was it a Golden Point game they beat them?And I think Drinkwater scored a try?

Was it a draw?

Oh, they had a draw, did they?It was a draw.Yeah.So, yeah.It's always a difficult trip up there.But I won't be tipping against Panther in any game until further notice.

OK.Ah, yes, you can pull out all the old vision.Saturday night, Brookie.Manly, $1 .60.Melbourne, $2 .25.Reuben Garrick's out.

So's Brandon Wakeham, and so is Kobe Hetherington.Wow.Three big losses there.But countering that, the loss of Jerome Hughes to a hamstring injury, Tyrone Wishart's going to play half -back for Melbourne.Jerome Hughes, that's a big out.

I'm going to tip Storm.Storm?Storm.

Storm.No Hughes?Storm.Storm to win.All right.I've got the upset feel about this next game.

Two o 'clock Sunday down in Canberra, Raiders against the Dragons.Raiders are $1 .34.Dragons are $3 .30.Gee, see Mr. Sung, he's back for the Raiders.Same $13 for the Dragons that competed so well in their last game.Just hasn't worked for Canberra this year, has it?

No, it's hard to get your finger on why.I mean, it's a very young spine.And last year was a different season to what this season was.And you can see that because the top four teams from last year are outside the eight this year.It's not just the Canberra Raiders.I mean, the Melbourne Storm, the Broncos have struggled, Bulldogs have struggled.

The competition has been turned on its head, really.It's hard to understand why they haven't won more games, but I just didn't, you know, on the weekend, they led 16 -0 after 19 minutes.And I made the commentary, I know it's 16 -0, but an hour is a long time down in Melbourne.A lot of things can happen in an hour down at Melbourne.How's 15 minutes go?Well, nine minutes later they were level and Harry came on and just sorted them out.

And then Melbourne ran away with it in the second half.And that's worrying because Canberra rate of sides, they just don't capitulate like that.

Have you seen a player change a game so instantly like that on Sunday?It was like they just pressed a button.

Yeah.But having said that, Melbourne hadn't had a lot of ball up to that stage anyway, whether he came on or came off, I still think there was going to be a correction in the game.The fact that he was pacing the sideline and couldn't wait to get out there.And the fact that Bellamy didn't panic for 20 minutes, even though the score was running against him, he didn't panic.He held him up.He probably said, well, I'm going to give him an hour of football today, and that's what I'm going to do regardless of the score.

But as soon as he went out there, he just sorted it out.It was just incredible.Wheel in the wrecker.He just came out and wrecked him.And what did it end up?I think from that point, it was 44 -4 or something or other for the rest of the game.

It was absolutely incredible.Dragon are going to win another game.They're going to win another few games.This could be one of them.I'm going to tip Dragon away from home.Dragon, win number two down in Canberra.

Sunday footy.Oh, this is a good one.Newcastle up against the West Tigers.Triple boost for Newcastle.Ponga and Lucas come back from origin.Jermaine McEwen had a week off.

imposed by the club, so he returns.Fletcher Sharp gets back to 5 '8", Sandon Smith to the bench.But Adam Dewey's back for the first time since round nine, and will take over at halfback for the West Tigers.A massive, and he was flying before he got hurt.$1 .42 Newcastle, $2 .90 for the West Tigers.

Now, earlier this year, we called a game out at Camel Town, and Tigers wiped the floor with them.They belded them.I think they match up pretty well, to be honest, although Newcastle are going better now.This is a great game.When's this, Sunday?Sunday afternoon footy.

We're calling this one.Yeah.Tigers.Adam Dewey back.That's a big in.

They're not going as well as they were at the start of the year, though, to be fair.

No, but a halfback makes a difference.I'll go with Knight.Is that the last game this weekend?

That is it.

All right, let me go back to the start.I think I tipped a few upsets.Eel to beat Rabbit.Oh, dear.Rooster to beat Bronco.Warrior, I like to beat Dolphin.

Panther to beat Cowboy.Storm to beat Seagull.Dragon to beat Raider.

Knight to beat Tiger.Enjoy the footy here on Knight.Oh yes, get your beanies, the watermelon colour one and your traditional car key for the Mark Hughes Foundation.We'll be back with more six tackles with Gus next week.

Hope I didn't confuse you too much about Origins.

I thought it was fascinating, as you always are.Hooroo!