The League Scene

AJ and Rhys recap a dramatic opening week of the NRL finals. The boys weigh up Brisbane's strong defensive output against the Storm holding them to 0 for the first time since the Storm entered the competition in 1998. Also, we sympathise with Melbourne on their loss and horror injury run which included the disastrous injury to full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen (we send our love). The boys turn attention to Penrith's strong win over the Wahs before criticising the broadcasters for focusing too much on Nathan Cleary and give some well deserved praise to others within the squad who deserve the praise they missed out on. We look at the Warriors demise and end the Dylan Walker halves shift, it's not working guys.

AJ is jubilant after the Chooks narrow away win to Bob the Builder's home (sorry Shark Park). He gives a praise to those that had to change positions due to the horror injury run and Tedesco's sin-bin. Rhys soon gets AJ on track and gives the Sharks' a post-mortem and tells their fans on what their club needs to do moving beyond their failure of a season. They soon turn to Newcastle to recap and epic 10 try elimination final which went right down to the wire and the 5 minute extra-time period. Newcastle escape with a controversial late penalty and Canberra's fortunate appearance comes to an end.

The boys recap Round 8 of the NRLW, the second week of the NSW Cup finals and the third week of the QLD Cup finals series before concluding with our LOLCOW of the Week award.

AJ and Rhys recap the final round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership as the 17 teams turn into the last 8. We look at all the finals teams' chances. Plus we give the post-mortems for the sides that find their seasons coming to a premature end.

Here are the time stamps so you can skip ahead to your favourite sides and moments from the episode.

1:25 - Broncos v Storm review - looking at the best of the reserve graders in this one including the debutants. We look at a deeper dive of these two sides beyond this weekend as they prepare to go head to head on Friday night.

11:15 - Manly v Tigers review - Manly end their season in style as we praise Tolu Koula. The Tigers are in shambles and they needed the season to end before. Plus we praise Belinda Sharpe's maiden NRL solo middle.

20:06 - Souths v Roosters review - Roosters march into the 8! How they did it, AJ will never know. We analyse South's SPECTACULAR CHOKE JOB as AJ loves EVERY DAMN SECOND OF IT.

29:22 - Dolphins v Warriors review - Phins end their season on a high. Warriors young guns struggle to match it with the expansive Dolphins side and we look ahead to next week for the visitors!

35:06 - Panthers v Cowboys review - Panthers wrap up the minor premiership in emphatic style. We give the post-mortems to a disastrous year for the boys from the North and look at what happened to a side everyone had to compete for a title.

43:20 - Dragons v Knights review - farewelling Ben Cummins. Knights stroll into the top 8 and a home final. Dragons need Mad Monday and a reboot into 2024.

48:42 - Titans v Bulldogs review - TANK BOWL! Debut of Kasey Badger. Defence clearly optional in this one. We dissect the problems at Belmore plus give some hope for both sides leading into 2024.

57:48 - Sharks v Raiders review - Sharks seal a home final. Was a tight affair until Canberra imploded. Seb Kris ruins his great season with a HORROR spear tackle. What does this mean for both sides?

1:01:40 - NRL ladder REVIEW! Plus early look at the week one finals schedule!

1:04:22 NRLW Round 7 Review - wins for the Knights, Broncos, Dragons, Titans and Roosters

1:09:17 - Lower Grade Report - Week 1 NSW Cup & Week 2 QLD Cup Recap

1:13:43 - LOLCOW of the Week

AJ and Rhys review a big weekend of rugby league. Some sides continue their improbable runs of the finals and we refrain from talking about the crisis engufling Redfern with Souths. We stick to most things on-field here at The League Scene and will keep on doing so heading into the finals.

Episode Time-Stamps!

2:13 - Panthers v Eels review - Parramatta's season comes to an end as we give our post-mortems. We debate Penrith's R27 approach as Luai's injury throws everything wide open!

10:12 - Warriors v Dragons review - Warriors get away with a scrappy victory, Dragons are brave but still show how far away from the big boys they are, unfortunately.

15:50 - Dolphins v Cowboys review - Cowboys keep their finals hopes alive, Dolphins pack struggling as we question what they are doing with Isaiya Katoa as Isaako continues his career renaissance.

22:22 - Storm v Titans review - PAPI IS BACK! We discuss his impact and what it could mean for Nick Meaney also the Titans season ending in a flutter as they give us a glimpse into AJ Brimson at centre.

31:31 - Roosters v Tigers review - Suaalii better than Manu at fullback, plus JWH being an idiot costing his side dearly with a 6 game ban. Sam Walker returning to maximise the Roosters finals output, plus the Tigers keeping in the effort.

39:10 - Raiders v Broncos review - try a-thon in the first half before Canberra implode in the second half. Brisbane capitalise and escape with a big victory. We look at the Walsh tackle by Tapine and Jock Madden delivering as well as Sticky "respecting" Croker by giving him his charity 3 mins at home!

47:55 - Bulldogs v Manly review - the debut of GCKT! Also a critical look of Koula at full-back and biting the hand of Canterbury - is it all on Matt Burton or is it time Phil Gould takes some much needed accountability at Belmore?

56:36 - Knights v Sharks review - Knights clutch up securing their finals place while Cronulla fall flat on their face without Nicho.

1:05:16 - NRLW Round 6 Recap - Wins for Parra, Titans, Roosters, Brisbane and Newcastle

1:09:02 - NSW Cup Round 26 recap - see who makes the final 5!

1:17:53 - QLD Cup Week 1 Finals recap!

1:23:17 - Rhys' LOLCOW of the Week

AJ and Rhys review the week that was in rugby league. The boys touch on the news around the game and individual game recaps across the NRL. As well as a comprehensive look at the NRLW and the NSW & QLD Cup scene. Also, we have some fun with our LOLCOW of the Week where we hold ourselves accountable after a post!

Episode Time Stamps

0:30 - Intro and News of the Week - Haas extension and the death of Kyle Turner

4:18 - Cowboys v Sharks review - Sharks bench forwards make impact giving Nicho a platform while the Cowboys' bubble appears well and truely burst in 2023.

9:27 - Warriors v Manly review - Right Wingers' day out, Referee decisions in the spotlight (we prove their correct) and the Wahs resilience to get the 2 points while any hope Manly had appears DOA like Josh Schuster's performance.

17:05 - Eels v Roosters review - Are the Chooks back as AJ praises the heart and soul of the side in Lindsay Collins. We criticise the Eels' efforts as their right edge defensively was bathed by Luke Keary.

26:26 - Tigers v Dolphins review - TANK BOWL RETURNS as the Tigers get out of jail with Api Koroisau showing the ice in his veins. The Dolphins tried with their injury-depleted side but we criticise Wayne Bennett's coaching rotations.

33:36 - Titans v Panthers review - Klese Haas' running inconsistencies, Dylan Edwards' outstanding game and Penrith putting debutant Tom Weaver to the sword!

39:24 - Dragons v Storm review - Crazy game of footy with defence not the aim of the game on BOTH sides! Melbourne does enough to escape but looks defensively vulnerable. Building blocks for the Dragons heading into 2024.

45:05 - Knights v Souths review - Knights show their finals class with Clune proving a ready-made replacement for Jacko. Souths imploded in spectacular fashion as we ask the question on Latrell Mitchell and his ill-discipline.

54:31 - Raiders v Bulldogs review - Despite the win, we're left here questioning Canberra's finals credentials... YES we are. Canterbury tried hard, but ultimately their discipline and defense was their downfall.

1:00:39 - NRLW Round 5 review - wins for Sharks, Dragons, Roosters, Knights and Canberra.

1:04:25 - Lower Grade Report - Round 25 of the NSW Cup and the final round of the Hostplus Cup before the finals plus we look at the first week's matchups.

1:25:20 - LOLCOW of the Week - Taking Accountability and Harry Maguire!

AJ and Rhys recap a big week of footy where we see some teams rise as contenders in the 2023 season while others emerge as teams that could be headed for the sewer. We look at the big week of footy that saw everything happen from great footy to questionable refereeing decisions that have a big outcome on the 2023 Telstra Premiership.

Time-Stamps for those keen to look ahead

0:55 - CBA news reaction between the NRL and RLPA!

2:19 - Manly v Panthers review - refereeing blunders strike as Manly got risky in an attempt to get the biscuit but Penrith show that without their stars they get it done.

10:25 - Sharks v Titans review - Sharks show they can win without Nicho playing the vital role as the Titans defence sinks without trace despite Tino's best efforts.

16:54 - Broncos v Eels review - Rhys takes the reigns as the Broncos make one big premiership statement ending the Eels season.

26:50 - Souths v Dragons review - Souths win ugly and questions are raised as the Dragons show they have a backbone. However, the bunker pulls off a howler which makes AJ panic.

35:47 - Warriors v Tigers review - Is AFB the best front rower in the game, while bumpers up might give Tim Sheens a heart attack!

42:30 - Roosters v Dolphins review - Billy Smith bathing Te Whare, Terrell May's coming out party and the Dolphins falling into uncharted waters!

50:00 - Storm v Raiders review - Melbourne prove who we thought they were while Canberra's season officially comes to a grinding halt.

56:56 - Knights v Dogs review - Knights do it rather easy as the Dogs sink faster then a ship with water.

1:03:55 - NRLW Round 4 Review - Dragons robbed by a bizarre no try?

1:07:22 - Lower Grade Report - Papenhuyzen and Walker make 80 minute returns!

1:20:50 - LOLCOW of the Week

AJ and Rhys review the week in rugby league. On the program - The Super Tank Bowl, the rise of the Warriors, Reece Walsh's dynamic return from a 3 game ban, the Roosters getting back to basics against a leaderless Titans, Newcastle showing they do in fact have a backbone to beat the Storm, Cowboys showing their top 8 credentials, Penrith doing it easy against a hapless Bulldogs and Manly giving their fans cardiac arrest nearly blowing a 30-0 lead against a toothless Sharks side. This week also saw the NRLW kick off which sees an expanded lower grade report to give an adequate coverage of the women's game this season along with the NSW Cup as the Q Cup guys had a bye week. We also look at Supercoach and our LOLCOW of the Week.