Kenty - Paul Kent NRL Podcast

🏉 Welcome to Kenty Blitz

Brought to you by FanaticsTV.

Paul Kent returns for an off-season edition of Kenty Blitz, breaking down the Rugby League World Cup, the NRL’s looming November 1 player market and the biggest contract questions in the game.

Kenty explains why the World Cup still struggles to excite, how the rise of Samoa and Tonga has changed the international game, and why the NRL’s global ambitions face a major challenge.

Plus, the truth behind Latrell Mitchell’s value at centre, David Fifita’s Souths revival, Sam Walker’s future, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo’s Penrith deals, Cameron Munster’s next contract, Peter O’Sullivan’s recruitment influence and the NRL’s proposed wildcard finals system.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Welcome to Kenty Blitz

02:37 — Why the Rugby League World Cup still struggles to excite

05:02 — NRL meat market: Latrell Mitchell’s value at South Sydney

10:08 — David Fifita’s career revival at the Rabbitohs

11:30 — Sam Walker, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo’s contract futures

15:03 — Cameron Munster’s value and the NRL’s notional-value problem

17:48 — Salary-cap management: how smart clubs stay successful

20:30 — Peter O’Sullivan’s recruitment genius and Brisbane move

23:20 — Why centres are rising in value: Bradman Best, Herbie Farnworth & Jack Bostock

26:21 — NRL wildcard finals: rewarding mediocrity or growing the game?

30:39 — Australia v New Zealand World Cup preview

32:04 — Kangaroos v Kiwis: player-by-player comparison

35:39 — Samoa v France preview

36:09 — Papua New Guinea v Lebanon preview

36:29 — England v Tonga preview

37:33 — Fiji v Cook Islands preview

38:42 — Wrap-up

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Paul Kent breaks down the 2026 NRL Grand Final as the Sydney Roosters edge the Newcastle Knights 19–18.

Kenty explains why Newcastle’s brave defence kept the contest alive, but the Roosters’ power through the middle, smart game management and big-match experience ultimately decided the premiership.

Plus, Daly Cherry-Evans’ field-goal moment, the impact of Phoenix Crossland’s absence, Trent Robinson’s coaching legacy, James Tedesco’s Clive Churchill Medal, Mark Nawaqanitawase’s final NRL game, Grand Final entertainment, and the Kangaroos squad.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Roosters v Knights: Grand Final overview

02:25 — Roosters’ physicality and Newcastle’s brave defence

04:55 — Phoenix Crossland’s absence felt at dummy-half

07:25 — Daly Cherry-Evans’ field goal and the Roosters’ halves partnership

09:30 — Why the Roosters signed DCE

12:00 — Trent Robinson, recruitment and the Roosters’ winning culture

15:00 — Robinson’s coaching legacy and future

18:00 — Grand Final officiating, consistency and key calls

25:00 — James Tedesco’s Clive Churchill Medal

27:00 — Roosters’ middle dominance and bringing collision back

28:30 — Farewell to Mark Nawaqanitawase

30:50 — The NRL Grand Final entertainment debate

35:30 — Kangaroos squad, new faces and World Cup plans

39:10 — Season wrap-up

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Paul Kent answers your biggest rugby league questions on Grand Final day.

Kenty breaks down Newcastle’s remarkable connection with its former players, why the Knights have such passionate support, and whether they can complete a fairytale run to the premiership.

He also discusses Nathan Cleary’s mental toughness after playing through injury, Phoenix Crossland’s Grand Final suspension, the hip-drop tackle debate, player development, Super League’s challenges and how the modern game compares with rugby league in the ’90s.

Plus, Kenty answers your questions on premiership rings, player recruitment, NRLW scheduling, short dropouts, expansion, the Knights’ attacking style and more.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Why Newcastle’s Old Boys Love the Club

03:00 — Who Deserves a Premiership Ring?

06:00 — Nathan Cleary’s Mental Toughness Through Injury

09:00 — Rugby League’s Toughest Players and Playing Through Pain

12:00 — Can Talent Really Be Identified and Developed?

15:00 — Player Value, Contracts and the Transfer Market

18:00 — Hip-Drop Tackles: Why the Debate Won’t Go Away

21:00 — Phoenix Crossland’s Ban and Grand Final Suspensions

24:00 — The Future of Super League

27:00 — Chris Heighington’s Remarkable Trial Story

30:00 — Injuries, Penrith and the Blaze Talagi Question

33:00 — NRLW Scheduling and Newcastle’s Grand Final Chance

36:00 — Why Rugby League Looked Better in the ’90s

39:00 — Newcastle’s Attacking Blueprint

42:00 — Short Dropouts, Expansion and Fan Questions

45:00 — Grand Final Predictions and Wrap-Up

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The big guns are together for a full NRL year-in-review. Paul Kent, James Hooper and Steve “Chimes” Gillis look back on the biggest stories, controversies, players and moments from the season then turn their attention to what’s ahead.

From the media debate, rule changes and the commission, to recruitment, expansion, Origin, the game’s best players and plenty of banter, this is the full-length Fanatics TV rugby league wrap.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Welcome and the year’s biggest talking points

1:00 - NRL media scrutiny and the “media cop” debate

5:00 - Broadcast rights, criticism and the media landscape

10:00 - Back in the game, FanAxe TV and Vegas

15:00 - The year’s controversies and league entertainment

20:00 - The NRL’s big-event approach and public reaction

25:00 - Peter V’landys, the commission and power in the game

30:00 - Six-again, fatigue and rule-change debate

35:00 - Breakout players, Origin and season standouts

40:00 - Judiciary calls, suspensions and dangerous tackles

45:00 - Club spending, development and roster-building

50:00 - Penrith’s recruitment and retention model

55:00 - Tigers, coaching pressure and player movement

1:00:00 - Payne Haas, South Sydney and Wayne Bennett

1:05:00 - Expansion: Queensland, New Zealand, Perth and Adelaide

1:10:00 - The game’s best players and premiership windows

1:15:00 - Super League, rugby union and international opportunities

1:20:00 - Leaks, media narratives and PNG’s entry

1:25:00 - State of Origin: Billy Slater, Laurie Daley and the future

1:30:00 - Off-field stories, recovery and closing banter

1:35:11 - End

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The grand final is here, but can Newcastle complete one of the greatest fairytales in rugby league history?

Paul Kent and Paul Crawley break down the Knights’ remarkable run from wooden spoon to the decider, the challenge of taking down the star-studded Roosters, and why Kalyn Ponga could hold the key.

The team also unpack Justin Holbrook’s coaching influence, the pressure on Trent Robinson’s Roosters, what makes the perfect NRL coach, the Gold Coast Titans’ identity crisis, and the great teams that fell short of winning a premiership.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Can Newcastle pull off the grand final upset?

0:37 — Wooden spoon to grand final: the history behind Newcastle’s run

3:49 — The 1997 Knights and Newcastle’s fairytale spirit

9:54 — Parramatta 2001 and lessons from past grand finals

14:14 — Newcastle vs Roosters: can the Knights match the superstars?

16:12 — Kalyn Ponga, the Roosters’ edges and Newcastle’s game plan

17:30 — Justin Holbrook’s impact on the Knights

22:55 — Why Holbrook’s coaching style is working

29:20 — Newcastle’s community connection and grand final fever

31:04 — What does the perfect NRL coach look like?

32:07 — The Titans’ identity crisis

39:12 — Holbrook’s belief, rebuilding confidence and coaching culture

40:03 — Why the next great coach may not be a young coach

42:03 — Holbrook, Trent Robinson and the Roosters connection

43:18 — How the Roosters rediscovered their grit

50:42 — Which great teams should have won a premiership?

53:25 — Famous grand final upsets and near-misses

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🏉 Welcome to Kenty Blitz

Paul Kent and the team deliver their final grand final preview as the Newcastle Knights prepare to take on the Sydney Roosters.

Kenty unpacks Newcastle’s incredible run, the Dally M Awards debate and why Justin Holbrook may feel hard done by after missing out on Coach of the Year. He also discusses Nathan Cleary’s dominant season, the debate around Immortal status, and why rugby league needs to protect the value of its greatest honours.

Plus, the latest on Latrell Mitchell’s future at South Sydney, grand final team selection and concussion calls, Cody Ramsey’s remarkable comeback, the key Roosters v Knights match-ups, and the final predictions.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Final grand final preview: Roosters v Knights

02:07 — Dally M Awards: has the night lost its prestige?

05:30 — Justin Holbrook, Andrew Webster and Coach of the Year

09:47 — Nathan Cleary’s clean sweep and the Immortal debate

18:53 — Latrell Mitchell’s South Sydney future

22:26 — Newcastle injuries, team selection and player welfare

25:55 — Roosters v Knights combined team: key match-ups

29:00 — Cody Ramsey’s incredible road back to football

30:51 — How the Knights can win the grand final

32:00 — Why the Roosters are favourites

32:44 — Final predictions and wrap-up

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🏉 Welcome to Kenty Blitz: “It’s All Done” Herbie Roosters Whispers Grow | Kenty Blitz

Paul Kent breaks down the biggest stories in rugby league as the NRL Grand Final draws closer.

Kenty reflects on Newcastle’s extraordinary finals run and the Knights’ grand final fever, before making his calls on the Dally M awards — including why Nathan Cleary remains the man to beat.

Plus, he unpacks Phoenix Crossland’s heartbreaking four-week suspension, Nathan Cleary’s classy response, and whether Newcastle’s judiciary case could have been argued differently.

Kenty also discusses the grand final pre-game entertainment debate, Connor Watson’s bid to be cleared under concussion protocols, Daly Cherry-Evans’ confidence, the coaching chess match between the Roosters and Knights, Herbie Farnworth’s likely move, and Parramatta’s decision to extend Jason Ryles.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Newcastle’s Grand Final Fever

00:45 — Dally M predictions: Nathan Cleary’s case

02:40 — Coach and Captain of the Year debate

05:10 — Dally M history, betting controversy and old media rivalries

10:55 — Phoenix Crossland’s four-week Grand Final ban

13:10 — The Grand Final pre-game entertainment debate

16:09 — Connor Watson’s concussion clearance bid

19:22 — Daly Cherry-Evans embraces the Grand Final moment

21:15 — Rested players, finals scheduling and Grand Final preparation

24:00 — Roosters v Knights: the coaching chess match

24:52 — Herbie Farnworth to the Roosters?

25:45 — Parramatta’s Jason Ryles extension

27:09 — Wrap-up

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Paul Kent breaks down the biggest stories in rugby league as the NRL Grand Final draws closer.

Kenty reflects on Newcastle’s incredible finals surge, Adam Gee’s appointment as Grand Final referee, and the pressure that comes with officiating the biggest game of the season.

Plus, he discusses Nathan Cleary’s remarkable season, his classy message of support for Phoenix Crossland, and why the Knights forward’s suspension is a heartbreaking Grand Final blow.

Kenty also unpacks the NRL’s mystery pre-game spectacle, the changing leadership of the game, the debate around Herbie Farnworth’s hip-drop tackle, and Billy Slater’s warning about the unintended consequences of rule changes.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Newcastle’s Grand Final Fever

03:02 — Adam Gee Appointed Grand Final Referee

05:23 — Nathan Cleary’s Players’ Champion Award & Classy Crossland Message

10:44 — NRL’s Mystery Grand Final Pre-Game Spectacle

14:56 — Phoenix Crossland’s Grand Final Ban

17:42 — The NRL’s Leaders: Quayle, Gallop, Greenberg & V’landys

25:04 — Herbie Farnworth’s Hip-Drop Tackle v Crossland’s Suspension

28:22 — Did Nathan Cleary’s Leg Break Before the Tackle?

30:37 — Billy Slater on Rule Changes and Tackling Technique

34:12 — Wrap-Up

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Paul Kent breaks down a huge weekend of NRL finals footy as Newcastle’s remarkable run sends them into the Grand Final.

Kenty explains why the Knights’ connection to Newcastle and Justin Holbrook’s influence could make them dangerous against the Roosters. Plus, the fallout from Nathan Cleary’s sickening injury, Phoenix Crossland’s hip-drop tackle, the Panthers’ collapse, and why the Bunker needs a major rethink.

Also: the Grand Final entertainment debate, whether Newcastle can handle the hype, why the Roosters are peaking at the perfect time, and what’s next for the Dolphins.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Knights’ Grand Final Fairytale & Holbrook’s Newcastle Connection

07:21 — Cleary’s Horror Injury & The Hip-Drop Crackdown

19:27 — Panthers Left Rudderless Without Cleary

24:00 — Knights’ Hooker Dilemma & Can They Beat The Roosters?

28:15 — Why Newcastle Will Own Grand Final Week

29:17 — NRL Grand Final Entertainment & Ratings Debate

32:57 — Can The Knights Handle Grand Final Week Hype?

36:18 — Bunker Blow-Up: The Calls That Went Wrong

40:12 — Roosters Peaking At The Perfect Time & Dolphins’ Future

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Kenty answers listener questions on referee pay, AI in the bunker, commentary standards, Fox vs free-to-air coverage, coaching and recruitment, stadiums, player negotiations, NRL finances, and fresh approaches to coaching

Timecodes:

0:00 – Introduction

0:16 – How much NRL referees and touch judges earn

1:02 – Could an AI bunker work?

1:12 – Should commentators know the rules better?

2:23 – Fox/Kayo vs free-to-air commentary and presentation

3:00 – Broadcast expectations and promoting the game

6:00 – Sam Burgess, Warrington and a possible South Sydney future

9:00 – The pressures and demands of coaching

12:00 – Coaches, recruitment and decision-making at clubs

15:00 – Sydney stadium location and transport discussion

18:00 – Why contested possession has disappeared from the game

21:00 – Rule changes, review decisions and coaching influence

24:00 – NRL finances, assets and the game’s changing position

27:00 – How player contract negotiations work

30:00 – Selection, defence and past representative players

33:00 – Fred Michelak and developing playmakers

36:00 – Learning from ice hockey and innovation in coaching

39:00 – The Walker Brothers, Penrith, Newcastle and new coaching ideas

41:30 – Wrap-up

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