Six Tackles With Gus

Paul Gallen steps in for Gus as Mat Thompson previews a huge preliminary final weekend. 

Can the Dolphins overcome the Roosters, and can Newcastle’s fairytale continue against Penrith?

Gal gives his tips, assesses the Sharks’ season and explains why he’s returning to the boxing ring.

Plus, a classic Ricky Stuart story and a quiz testing Gal’s knowledge of his own career.

00:00 Six Tackles with Gal: Gall...

With four preliminary final spots on the line, Gus and Mat Thompson preview Roosters v Sharks and Warriors v Knights.

Can the Roosters bounce back from their bruising clash with Penrith, and will Kalyn Ponga inspire Newcastle to an upset in Auckland?

Gus reveals the two key inclusions that could swing his Warriors tip, assesses the Dolphins’ premiership chances and discusses Nathan Cleary’s fitness.

Plus, a look inside ...

Gus and Mathew Thompson revisit rugby league’s wild old end-of-season trips before Darrell “The Big Marn” Brohman joins them to tell the unforgettable story of Peter Kelly’s encounter with a skunk.

Plus, Gus delivers his verdict on the NRL finals, assesses the strengths and weaknesses of every leading contender and reveals why Penrith remain the team to beat.

00:00 NRL finals have arrived
01:19 Mad Monday...

Phil Gould and Mathew Thompson break down the final round of the NRL regular season as the Warriors and Panthers battle for the minor premiership.

Gus explains why Lachlan Galvin’s rapid rise is unlike anything he has seen from a young half, assesses the legacies of Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas, Josh Papalii and Jarome Luai, and names his team of the year.

The pair also revisit their preseason predictions, examine whether Cronul...

Brad “Freddy” Fittler fills in for Phil Gould alongside Mat Thompson for a special edition of Six Tackles with Gus.

Freddy ranks the NRL premiership contenders and reveals his number-one team heading into the finals. He also predicts the PNG Chiefs will reach the finals in their inaugural season, reacts to the club’s star-studded recruitment drive and debates whether the Roosters can recover from their shock loss ...

Three rounds remain and the race to the finals is heating up.

Phil Gould and Mat Thompson break down Brisbane’s dramatic fall from defending premiers, why Gus still has Penrith as his premiership favourite, and whether Souths can genuinely threaten the top sides.

Plus, Gus gives a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what an NRL training week actually involves, and whether conferences, trade windows and a revamped Origin per...

The Roosters have lost 11 of their past 12 games against Penrith, and Gus believes this blockbuster is their chance to prove they can beat the Panthers when it matters.

Gus names Penrith, the Roosters and Warriors as his three genuine premiership contenders, explains why the Warriors have taken a giant step forward and reveals how the Panthers can cover the loss of Isaah Yeo.

Plus, the latest on Corey Hors...

The finals race is heating up and Phil Gould believes this weekend could reshape the top four.

This week on Six Tackles with Gus:

• Can the Cowboys recover after conceding a record 82 points?
• Why the Warriors are Gus' upset pick against Penrith.
• Newcastle's incredible rise and why they're a genuine finals threat.
• The emotional Andrew Walker tribute ahead of Indigenous Rounds.
• Why Matt King is the right man to coach the NSW Blues...

The Wests Tigers dominate this week's episode after Benji Marshall and Adam Doueihi front the media following one of the biggest stories of the NRL season.

Phil Gould explains why the real issue isn't Adam Doueihi refusing to play lock, but how the story leaked in the first place, and why great clubs simply don't allow those conversations to become public.

The boys also break down Round 22, discuss whether the Sharks ...

Phil Gould explains why Andrew Johns should seriously consider coaching New South Wales and why the opportunity may not come again.

Gus also weighs in on Tom Trbojevic’s future at Manly, Marcelo Montoya’s immediate retirement, Dean Young taking charge of the Dragons, the growing finals race and whether Penrith are beginning to wobble.

Plus, Gus reviews the biggest bounce-back wins in rugby league history and previews ev...

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 Pa...

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 ...

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, an...

No one has had a greater influence on New South Wales rugby league than Brad Fittler.

A Blues legend, Freddy played a record 31 State of Origin matches for NSW before later coaching his state on 18 occasions. But the Origin story closest to his heart came in 2004, when Phil Gould convinced him to return from representative retirement for one final campaign.

It wasn't all smooth sailing. The comeback didn't start as planned, but it ...

State of Origin heads back to Melbourne with the series hanging in the balance and Darren Lockyer joins Phil Gould and Mat Thompson to break down the biggest Game II storylines. 

The team looks at the impact of Payne Haas' return, Billy Slater's Reece Walsh wildcard, Laurie Daley's selection calls and whether Queensland can force a decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Plus, don’t miss your Round 16 NRL tips from Gus!

See omnystudi...

State of Origin selection drama dominates this week's Six Tackles with Gus as Phil Gould questions some of New South Wales' biggest Game Two decisions ahead of the MCG blockbuster.

Why isn't Haumole Olakau'atu in the Blues' best 17? Is Mitchell Moses a gamble worth taking? And has Laurie Daley got the balance of his bench right?

Gus also breaks down Queensland's changes, explains why the Maroons always seem to find another gear aft...

No player has worn the Queensland jersey more times than Cameron Smith.

Across 42 State of Origin appearances, Smith became the ultimate competitor, captain and match-winner, helping lead the Maroons through one of the most dominant eras in rugby league history.

But when asked to choose his favourite Origin, Smith doesn't go bac...