Ebbs and Flows

State of Origin 2026 Game II is coming to the MCG, and the big question for the NSW Blues is simple: where do you actually play Ethan Strange?” In this episode of Footy IQ, we break down all the options – five‑eighth, centre, bench utility – and what each one does to the rest of the Blues spine and attacking structure.We look at how Strange combined with Nathan Cleary in that wild Game I comeback, what Laurie Daley has hinted at with his selections, and how a young ball‑runner changes the way NSW attack Queensland’s edges.

NSW just picked Addin Fonua‑Blake, Moses and Cleary together and left out some big Origin names – while Queensland handed Sam Walker his first Maroons jersey. In this Origin 2026 teams reaction episode, we unpack what those calls really say about how Laurie Daley and Billy Slater want to play.

We dig into the Blues’ weaponised middle, the new‑look backline without Latrell, the Maroons’ pace and X‑factor, and who actually won the selection battle.

NRL Round 10 delivered a genuine Knights statement, a steady Roosters machine performance and a few big Queensland Maroons selection questions – so we’re breaking it all down on Footy IQ. Newcastle smashed the Dragons 44–10, with Greg Marzhew crossing for five tries and Kalyn Ponga steering a left edge that looked absolutely untouchable. We dig into how Justin Holbrook has transformed the Knights’ attack and whether this is officially a “from spoon to September” season.

Then we swing to Gosford, where James Tedesco’s double helped the Sydney Roosters grind past the Titans 28–12 for their sixth straight win – not always pretty, but very much a top‑four type victory. Finally, we zoom out to Queensland’s Origin picture: who’s locked in, who’s pushing their way into Billy Slater’s plans, and which Round 10 performances actually move the needle for the Maroons

Another coach gone, a head of football moved on, and Dragons fans once again told this is the reset that will finally fix everything. In this episode we talk honestly about why this club keeps ending up here – and whether the wider NRL, with its endless tweaks and chaos‑era footy, has actually created an environment where anyone can build something stable.

Melbourne Storm, Craig Bellamy, NRL Round 6 and a four‑game losing streak – tonight we dig into whether the greatest system coach of the era needs to evolve as his roster changes. We break down what’s actually gone wrong in the Storm’s last month, from middle rotation and spine combinations to defensive systems that used to be bulletproof. 

Dragons fans are restless, Kade Reed’s name is getting louder every week, and plenty of people reckon Shane Flanagan has already hit rock bottom. This chat looks at where the fan‑base has it wrong – why simply throwing a young half in isn’t a magic fix, and why Flanno being punted would set the club back even further.

Manly just handed Kieran Foran the keys – now the question is whether he’s too special to be “just another assistant” or if the Sea Eagles are betting big on a club legend with zero head‑coach experience.

In this episode, we unpack the Seibold sacking, Foran’s fast‑tracked rise, and what Manly actually need from a modern NRL coach. Then we head to Belmore: how did the Bulldogs let the Knights roll them in Round 4, and did they really get the best out of Matt Burton in that 24–16 loss?

The NRL’s new interchange rules are already separating the planners from the passengers.
In this episode we break down which coaches are nailing their rotations, who looks lost with the new tempo, and how the changes are reshaping momentum, fatigue and game style.
We then dive into the 3–0 start for the Warriors – what’s actually sustainable, what’s schedule‑driven, and how their bench and middle rotations are quietly becoming a weapon.
Finally, we talk Panthers: three rounds in, has anyone really put their hand up as the team to stop them, or are we watching another slow march to September where Penrith are still the standard?

The New Zealand Warriors might have built the best talent “production line” in the NRL – and Andrew Webster is quietly turning unheralded guys like Jackson Ford and Tanah Boyd into genuine weapons.
In this episode we break down how Webster is developing role players into starters, why Ford and Boyd are perfect examples of the new Warriors identity, and whether this pipeline can actually keep them near the top long term.
We also get stuck into the “set restart” rule – how it’s warping momentum, what’s broken about the current interpretation, and a few ideas to fix it without killing ruck speed.
Plus, a look at the Tigers’ surprise win over the Cowboys: how much was genuine improvement, how much was soft opposition and perfect conditions, and what – if anything – it tells us about both teams going forward.

The Canberra Raiders have kicked off 2026 with a wild 29–28 golden point win away to Manly – coming from 14–0 down, leaning on a young core and a brand new No.7 who nailed the match‑winning field goal.
In this episode we break down how they did it, what Ethan Sanders and the kids showed about Canberra’s ceiling this year, and whether it’s fair to start talking about the Raiders as genuine threats or if it’s just Round 1 noise.