The Dolphins in 2025 were pure chaos in the best way — the comp’s best attack, huge moments, and that “anyone can get it” confidence… but the defensive lapses and consistency swings kept them 9th and watching September from the couch.

In this episode of our 17-part 2026 mini-series, we break down why 2026 is the real “prove it” year — because the roster’s improved, expectations are up, and the draw is 4th-hardest. No freebies, just footy.

We get into:

    •    2025 snapshot: elite attack, but defence + discipline cost them finals

    •    The Round 23 blow-up that basically ended the push

    •    2026 gains: Cobbo, Schneider, Morgan Knowles — what it unlocks

    •    Hammer/Herbie strike, and the early-season reshuffle with Bostock out

    •    The 2026 draw, key stretches, and why start-fast matters

    •    Our ladder call: Dolphins finish 6th — first finals appearance

Cap or Fact: Dolphins finish 6th even with the draw from hell?

Dolphins fans — where’ve you got them finishing in 2026? 👇

Manly are the ultimate “what version are we getting this week?” side. They finished 10th in 2025 (12 wins) and now the 2026 draw has basically handed them a gift — easiest schedule in the comp. 

But here’s the catch: the roster changes are real, and the whole season still swings on health, combos, and whether they can build a ruthless week-to-week identity.

We get into:

    •    2025 snapshot: why Manly hovered around the finals convo but couldn’t lock it down 

    •    The big 2026 roster shuffle: Fogarty, Kobe Hetherington, Dockar-Clay arriving 

    •    The headline exit: DCE to the Roosters and what that changes for Manly’s steering wheel 

    •    Turbo chat: best footy = when he trusts the body and punches through the line (no    hesitation)

    •    The strike and tone-setters: where the points come from, and who sets the standard when it gets ugly

    •    Explicit ladder call: are they a soft-draw riser… or stuck in that 9–13 chaos?

Cap or Fact: the easiest draw is worth +2 ladder spots minimum… so if Manly don’t make the 8, it’s a failure? 

Sea Eagles fans — where do you have Manly finishing in 2026? 👇

Parramatta are stuck in the hardest spot in footy: not bad enough to blow it up… not good enough to scare anyone in September. They finished 12th in 2025 (10–14, -76) and the vibe was basically “transition year, identity pending.”

In this episode of our 17-part 2026 NRL mini-series, we break down what actually went wrong, what the roster reset means, and why the Eels’ season could get decided before winter. They’ve lost serious leadership and yardage (Gutho/RCG/Sivo) and now they’re asking a new spine to find chemistry fast.

We get into:

• 2025 snapshot + why it felt like no-man’s land
• The roster shift: de Belin + Pezet + Brian Kelly in, big culture change out
• The early-season danger zone: 11 straight games before the first bye, with Storm/Broncos/Panthers early
• Projected Round 1 look: Iongi, Moses + Pezet, and the selection headaches around the pack/bench
• Ryan’s ladder call: 16th (and why the margin between 10th and cooked is tiny)

Cap or Fact: the Eels are “not bad, not good… just Parramatta”?

Eels fans — where have you got Parra finishing in 2026 in the comments below. 👇

In this episode of our 17-part 2026 NRL mini series, Ryan breaks down the North Queensland Cowboys’ 2025 season and looks ahead to what 2026 really holds in Townsville.

We get into:

• The Cowboys’ 2025 ladder finish and why the season felt better (and worse) than the results suggest
• What worked in attack, where the defence fell apart, and why consistency is still the biggest issue
• Key ins and outs for 2026 and what the recruitment strategy tells us about the club’s direction
• Players who exceeded expectations vs players who didn’t deliver
• The Dearden–Drinkwater conversation and how much the Cowboys still rely on individual brilliance
• Projected 2026 starting 17, bench balance and smokey picks
• Young players who could take the next step... Purdue?
• The 2026 draw and strength of schedule — where the season could swing
• And a clear ladder prediction for where the Cowboys finish in 2026

This one’s about whether the Cowboys are genuine contenders again… or still stuck in that dangerous middle ground.

Cowboys fans — where do you have them finishing in 2026? Jump in the comments and let us know.

The Dragons sit in one of the most frustrating spots in the NRL: not bad enough to bottom out, not good enough to matter.

In this episode of our 17-part 2026 NRL mini series, Ryan breaks down the St George Illawarra Dragons’ 2025 season and asks the hard question — are the Dragons actually building towards something, or just treading water again?

We cover:

• The Dragons’ 2025 ladder finish and why it felt flatter than the results suggest
• What went right, what went wrong, and where the team lost its identity
• Key ins and outs for 2026 and what the recruitment strategy says about the club’s direction
• Players who exceeded expectations vs players who went missing
• The Ben Hunt legacy conversation and life after being the “organiser-first” Dragons
• Projected 2026 starting 17, bench makeup and smokey picks
• Young players and roster pieces that could define the next few seasons
• The 2026 draw and strength of schedule — where the season could be made or broken
• And a clear ladder prediction for where the Dragons finish in 2026

This one’s about honesty, not hype. No pile-on — just a straight look at whether the Dragons are finally turning a corner or stuck in the same cycle.

Dragons fans, jump in the comments and tell us where you’ve got them finishing in 2026 — because opinions on this club are never quiet.

Ryan is joined by best mate and long-time Gold Coast Titans member Sam for a full Titans deep dive that very quickly turns into a 90-minute therapy session.

Before getting stuck into the pain, the boys rewind to Sam’s other love — the Brisbane Broncos — breaking down their epic 2025 finals run and championship win, what went right, and why Brisbane still sets the benchmark for Queensland footy.

Then it’s all Titans, all honesty:

• A full 2025 season autopsy — what worked, what didn’t, and why the ladder position tells part of the story
• Ins and outs heading into 2026 and what the roster actually says about the club’s direction
• The ongoing spine debate and where the Titans keep getting stuck
• Players who exceeded expectations vs players who let the side down
• Sam’s projected Titans starting 17 and selection battles to watch
• Young guns and reasons for optimism (yes, there are some)
• And the big question: are the Titans finally turning a corner, or is this the same cycle again?

It’s part footy analysis, part group chat energy, part emotional support podcast for long-suffering Titans fans.

This is Episode 2 of our 17-part 2026 NRL mini series, where we go team-by-team reviewing 2025 and previewing what’s ahead in 2026.

Titans fans — this one’s for you. Jump in the comments and tell us where you’ve got the Gold Coast finishing next season.

The Knights were supposed to be building… instead, 2025 ended in a full reset.

In Episode 2 of our 17-part 2026 NRL mini series, we break down the Newcastle Knights’ 2025 season and look ahead to what 2026 actually holds.

In this episode:

• 2025 ladder finish and what the numbers don’t tell you
• Why the season fell apart and whether it was coaching, roster balance, or both
• Players who exceeded expectations vs players who let the side down
• Key roster changes for 2026 and how the spine shapes up
• Projected starting 17 (using Zero Tackle) + smokey picks
• The Knights’ 2026 draw, strength of schedule, and danger periods
• Our clear ladder prediction for 2026
• Cap or Fact: are the Knights closer to finals… or another rebuild year?

This is the first full team deep dive of the series as we go from worst to first heading into 2026.

Drop your thoughts in the comments — Knights fans especially.

We went deep for this one.

Across 90 minutes, the boys empty the esky on the entire 2025 season and set up our new 17-part mini series, where we’ll go team-by-team from Knights to Raiders and preview every club for 2026.

In Episode 22 we zoom out and talk big-picture footy:

• 2025 Grand Final recap – key swings, clutch moments & the official Tinnie of the Decider
• The Broncos’ run: did finishing 4th with a +172 diff actually undersell how good they were?
• Did Reece Walsh just deliver the best Grand Final performance we’ve ever seen, or are we drunk on highlights?
• Perth Bears 2027 – expansion chat, early signings, and who they have to throw the chequebook at next
• Extended 21-man bench idea – concussion cover, rotation strategy and what it does to SuperCoach
• Golden Boot debate – why Harry Grant got it, and why we reckon Dylan Brown was robbed
• Rep footy wrap – Ashes + Pacific Nations Cup: standouts, storylines and surprise smokeys
• ChatGPT’s 2026 crystal ball:
  Dally M Team of the Year & medal winner
  Biggest risers and fallers on the ladder
  Grand Final matchup & premiers prediction

From next episode we start the club-by-club run – one team per ep, from the Knights all the way up to the Raiders. If you’re riding the whole series with us, hit follow, sub, and crack a tinnie. 🍻

The boys are back with a blockbuster ep — Ryan, Chris, and Adam (who officially finished 3rd in Australia 👑).

💬 Q&A with Adam:
– What worked, what didn’t, and the PODs that carried him home
– How much is a trade really worth?
– Do you trade hard early or stay conservative?
– The role of cash gen & when to pull the trigger on injured guns

⚔️ 2026 SuperCoach Chat:
– Must-buy players for next year
– Will we get Latrell and Turbo at CTW?
– Is it set-and-forget Payne Haas and Terrell May?
– The big hope: a flood of cheapies 💰

📋 Finals Week 2 Team Lists:
– Sharks vs Raiders: no changes from last week
– Panthers vs Bulldogs:
– Panthers: possibly getting Kenny back
– Bulldogs: Crichton on extended bench, Sexton to halfback, Xerri back to centre with Burton, Kikau named, Galvin into 5/8, Reed returns on the bench, Connor Tracey likely back to FLB if Crichton doesn’t play
– Verdict? The boys reckon the Bulldogs are cooked

Ryan’s dreaming of a storybook Broncos vs Panthers preliminary final (2023 GF rematch) if Penrith get through.

📊 SuperCoach Finals Week 1 Wrap:
– Ryan & Chris flex over Adam (finally beating him)
– Each position broken down, and yes, Ryan STILL refuses to put in Nicho Hynes (the Nico saga lives on).

🔥 Fan Question from Noah on TikTok:
“How was the Broncos game! Can they win it? Is Reece Walsh going to carry them there?”
– The boys compare Walsh’s purple patch to Turbo, Ben Barba, and even Jarryd Hayne 2009.
– Ryan says Walsh is on par already, Chris & Adam say he needs a grand final win to eclipse them.

It’s lessons, bold calls, and banter at its peak — you don’t want to miss this one.

🎧 Listen now: https://linktr.ee/tacklesandtinnies

The regular season is done, and the boys are looking back at their biggest year yet.

💥 This Season in Review:

• . He overtakes Chris and won’t let him forget it. Ryan’s Chirping (nothing new) 😏. He finishes with an all-time best rank of 836 and drops his highest-ever weekly score of 1826 in Round 27.
• Chris Holding Strong 💪
  Cracks the Top 1K, finishing at 939 overall, proving consistency is key.
• Jake Survives 😅
  Scrapes into the Top 17K, cops banter, but keeps swinging and promises to be better.

⚔️ Finals Footy Talk:
– Full breakdown of each finals game, lined up with Team List Tuesday.
– Ryan and Jake are riding with the Broncos, Chris is coping plenty of banter for wearing a Panthers hat after hopping off his Tigers.
– Debate heats up: Should Shark Park host finals with only 12k capacity? Ryan says no, Chris and Jake say yes — player advantage vs fan numbers. What are your thoughts? Drop them in the comments.

🐴 Titans Corner (of course):
The lads celebrate the Gold Coast avoiding the wooden spoon.
– Is AJ Brimson a centre now?
– Is Carter Gordon locked into the halves with JC?
Ryan beams like a proud dad.

📊 Strategy & Lessons Learned:
– Breaking down the new finals fantasy format: only two players per team, triple captain, double VC — play safe or swing for the fences?
– Chris stuns with his captaincy analysis, and Ryan is still buzzing over Walsh carrying him home.
– Key takeaways:
– Don’t pick good players in bad teams (unless they’re proven guns).
– Trades are priceless — is channelling your inner Money Man worth it early?

🔥 The boys wrap with a teaser for next week: Which proven guns are a must-have for 2026?

🎧 Listen now: https://linktr.ee/tacklesandtinnies