The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast

The Sydney Roosters are your 2026 NRL Premiers after a dominant display from the Roosters against a never-say-die Newcastle Knights. The panel analyse the key moments from the game, the player ratings, and give their take on who should have been awarded the Clive Churchill Medal (hint: none of them said James Tedesco)… Around the Grounds saw Wakefield win their first Super League Premiership in 58-years, London Broncos annihilate Doncaster in the Championship division, Roosters win the NRLW Premiership in a perfect season, and a thrashing in the State Championship won by the Redcliffe Dolphins. In the Bunker Review, the boys analyse the Dally M Awards, the Man of Steel, and end with discussing the 23-man Australian Kangaroos squad for the Rugby League World Cup, as well as players pledging their allegiance to other nations in the tournament.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

11:05 - Episode Overview

12:42 - NRL Grand Final: Sydney Roosters def. Newcastle Knights

50:15 - NRL Grand Final: Who should have won the Clive Churchill Medal?

56:10 - NRL Grand Final: Player Ratings

1:17:05 - ATG: Wakefield win Super League GF

1:24:26 - ATG: London Broncos dominate English Championship

1:26:10 - ATG: Roosters win NRLW undefeated

1:27:37 - ATG: Redcliffe Dolphins are the State Champs

1:29:10 - Bunker Review: 2026 Dally M’s and Man of Steel

1:39:24 - Bunker Review: Australian Kangaroos squad confirmed for RLWC

1:44:42 - Bunker Review: Players pledge allegiance to nations for RLWC 

1:52:17 - Outro

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Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

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“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

The Newcastle Knights dream run to the Grand Final has culminated with one of the greatest underdog wins in NRL Finals history when a 12-man Knights overcame a powerhouse, albeit injury-riddled, Penrith Panthers in the Prelim - with the latter now dealing with a shocking leg injury to Nathan Cleary that has clouded the remainder of his NRL career (and Phoenix Crossland now suspended for 4 weeks as a result of the injury). In the other prelim, the Sydney Roosters dominated the Dolphins in a one-sided contest… It now all comes down to the 2026 NRL Grand Final between Roosters and Knights… Around the Grounds we will also see history in the Super League as Warrington will face Wakefield, with one of these clubs set to break a very, very, very long premiership drought… NSWRL and QLDRL lower grade GFs were also played this past weekend.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

01:20 - Preliminary Final: Knights upset Panthers to make first GF in 25 years

34:50 - Episode Overview

37:41 - Preliminary Final: Roosters dominate Dolphins to make the GF

53:54 - NRL Grand Final Preview: Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights

1:06:33 - Bunker Review: NRL sack GF entertainment

1:12:30 - ATG: Super League Finals Prelims Review + GF Preview

1:14:14 - ATG: NRLW Finals Prelims Review + GF Preview

1:15:40 - ATG: NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg, Womens Prem, & QLD Cup Finals GF Reviews

1:20:23 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

We are in the midst of Finals Footy - From the Roosters slapping Cronulla, the Knights upsetting the Wahs in controversial circumstances, Leigh and Warrington advancing in the Super League, as well as the Raiders and Broncos in the NRLW, not to mention all the Grand Finals to be payed this coming weekend in QLD Cup, NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg (u21s), and NSW Women's Premiership!.. We end our episode with The annual Sideline Story MVP, Team of the Year and Club MVPS!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

03:07 - Latrell Mitchell to leave Rabbitohs?

05:05 - Episode Overview

05:34 - NRL Finals Week Two: Roosters annihilate Sharks in Semi

16:58 - NRL Finals Week Two: Knights upset Warriors at Eden Park Semi

31:00 - NRL Finals Week Three: Dolphins v Roosters (Prelim Final Preview)

38:26 - NRL Finals Week Three: Panthers v Knights (Prelim Final Preview)

43:24 - ATG: NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg, Womens Prem, & QLD Cup Finals Week 3 Review

45:15 - ATG: Super League Finals Week 1 Review

45:43 - ATG: NRLW Finals Week 1 Review 

46:25 - Bunker Review: The Sideline Story MVP, Team of the Year, & Club MVPs

57:50 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

Week One of the 2026 NRL Finals Series is in the books as we saw the Dolphins triumphant in their first ever finals game; Panthers qualifying for their SEVENTH straight prelim final; Worries for the Warriors; Roosters good but not good enough; Knights courageous in their defeat of Souths; and an unconvincing win from Sharks to eliminate the Cowboys… The boys preview Week 2 of the NRL Finals with Easts to host Cronulla, and the Wahs to play an historic sold-out game at Eden Park against Newcastle… We also preview the finals series for the Super League and NRLW as well as review the already underway finals series for the NSW and QLD Cups, and the NSW Jersey Flegg and Women’s Premiership (before a quick chat on Josh Addo-Carr’s drug charge…)

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

04:47 - Episode Overview

06:25 - NRL Finals Week One: Knights eliminate Rabbitohs

22:55 - NRL Finals Week One: Dolphins defeat Warriors in Qualifier

32:47 - NRL Finals Week One: Sharks eliminate Cowboys

40:22 - NRL Finals Week One: Panthers defeat Roosters in Qualifier

55:24 - Bunker Review: Roosters v Sharks (NRL Finals Week Two Preview)

58:50 - Bunker Review: Warriors v Knights (NRL Finals Week Two Preview)

1:05:43 - ATG: Super League Finals Preview

1:06:36 - ATG: NRLW Finals Preview 

1:07:23 - ATG: NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg, Womens Prem, & QLD Cup Finals Week Two Review

1:10:23 - ATG: Josh Addo-Carr drug charge

1:12:13 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

The 2026 NRL regular season is in the books and all attention reverts to the Finals Series involving the Panthers, Warriors, Dolphins, Roosters, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Knights and Cowboys as the panel preview the Qualifying and Elimination NRL Finals games this coming weekend… St Marys Saints (Penrith Panthers-aligned) take out the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield, with Penrith also topping the NSW Cup after the regular season… We also cover the Super League, with Wigan Warriors set for the League Leaders Shield after the Top 6 was confirmed with one round to go!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

01:50 - Episode Overview

08:12 - Bunker Review: What Wildcard Round would have looked like in 2026

21:16 - NRL Round 27 Review 

1:05:08 - NRL Finals Preview: Rabbitohs v Knights (Elimination Final)

1:09:24 - NRL Finals Preview: Warriors v Dolphins (Qualifying Final)

1:11:36 - NRL Finals Preview: Sharks v Cowboys (Elimination Final)

1:13:58 - NRL Finals Preview: Panthers v Roosters (Qualifying Final)

1:15:30 - ATG: Super League Round 26, NRLW Round 10, NSW and QLD Cup Finals

1:20:20 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

The Top 8 is locked-in with 1 round to go as the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs bow out of the finals race… The boys farewell Tass who is Europe-bound for one month as they cover Round 26 with an impromptu Kangaroos and Kiwis-watch for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup… We also cover the Super League, NRLW, NSW Cup, QLD Cup, NSWRL updates.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

02:55 - Episode Overview

04:15 - Bunker Review: NRL Finals Top 8 locked-in

15:47 - Bunker Review: Backlash for trialled kick-off rule 

17:02 - NRL Round 26: TSS Tipping & Supercoach Comps

21:16 - NRL Round 26: Overview 

1:33:47 - NRL Round 27: Rapid Fire Tips

1:36:57 - ATG: Super League Round 25, NRLW Round 9, NSW and QLD Cup updates

1:45:54 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

We deep-dive into the best and worst-case scenarios for the 10 teams remaining in NRL Finals contention, Conjecture surrounds the premature retirement of Adam Reynolds, Joey Manu confirmed as PNG Chief 007, Dragons players may backflip on Castleford Tigers, Kevin Walters to relinquish Kangaroos role for St Helens, Jai Arrow to play 2 more games for Souths in heart-warming gesture, NRL to trial kick-off rule in GF rematch, Sharks and Warriors may need to move stadiums for finals, & “Why do they call it a Rabbitoh?”… NRL, Super League, NRLW, NSW Cup, QLD Cup, NSWRL updates.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

04:15 - Episode Overview

05:36 - Bunker Review: Best & Worst-case scenarios for NRL Finals-eligible teams (2 rounds to go)

24:16 - Bunker Review: Player Transfer News & Rumours (headlined by Adam Reynolds and Joey Manu)

56:54 - Bunker Review: Headlines (Jai Arrow to play two more games, Kick-off trial, Stadium finals policy changes, Trivia)

1:14:26 - NRL Round 25: TSS Tipping & Supercoach Comps

1:16:57 - NRL Round 25: Overview 

1:33:40 - NRL Round 26: Rapid Fire Tips

1:36:57 - ATG: Super League Round 24, NRLW Round 8, NSW and QLD Cup updates

1:44:27 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

Nine teams remain in NRL Finals contention as Manly fall out of the race; Roosters, Panthers and Warriors fight for the Minor Premiership; Dolphins, Sharks and Knights fight for the Top 4; Souths, Cowboys and Bulldogs fight for the Top 8… DCE signs with Hull FC, Josh Papalii retires, Sam Walker wants $1.7m, Jacob Preston and Bradman Best may test open market, and more!.. Billy Slater quits QLD Maroons, Origin confirmed for NZ in 2027, NRL make formal offer for 50% stake in Super League… NRL, Super League, NRLW, NSW Cup, QLD Cup, NSWRL updates.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

04:00 - Episode Overview

06:55 - Bunker Review: Run-Home to NRL Finals (3 rounds remain)

26:49 - Bunker Review: Player Transfer News & Rumours (headlined by DCE to Hull FC)

1:00:18 - Bunker Review: Headlines - Slater quits QLD, Origin in NZ, NRL make offer for SL, and more!

1:18:51 - NRL Round 24: TSS Tipping & Supercoach Comps

1:22:41 - NRL Round 24: Overview 

1:53:48 - NRL Round 25: Rapid Fire Tips

1:58:09 - ATG: Super League Round 23, NRLW Round 7, NSW and QLD Cup updates

2:05:29 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

10 teams remain in NRL Finals contention as the Raiders fall out of the race, the winner of Bulldogs and Souths will likely determine th spot as the Cowboys seemingly have an easier draw… Brian To’o becomes PNG Chief no. 6, as the Perth Bears look to Corey Horsburgh after missing out on Junior Paulo… The NRL want to trial the kick-off rule, play a 3rd-place NRL game for GF week alongside the All-Stars and an U21s Origin match, and finally go global in 2028 with games in LV, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong!… Christchurch up their bid to be the NRL’s 20th team with stipulations set for their entry… & the Australian Kangaroos World Cup Squad will each get paid $45K for the tournament, causing a stir in the International Rugby League scene as all other nations (at time of writing) will only get paid $850 match payments per game!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

05:30 - Episode Overview

07:05 - Bunker Review: Run-Home to NRL Finals (4 rounds remain)

24:16 - Bunker Review: Player Transfer News & Rumours (headlined by Brian To’o to PNG Chiefs)

56:53 - Bunker Review: NRL ideas - Kick-off rule trial, extra games in GF week, global round

1:06:51 - Bunker Review: Christchurch up their bid as 20th NRL club

1:13:01 - Bunker Review: Australian Kangaroos $45K RLWC payments

1:20:08 - NRL Round 23: TSS Tipping & Supercoach Comps

1:23:09 - NRL Round 23: Overview 

1:45:13 - NRL Round 24: Rapid Fire Tips

1:54:34 - ATG: Super League Round 22 and NRLW Round 6 Results

2:03:06 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

The run-home to the 2026 NRL Finals Series is heating up with only 11 teams remaining in contention… The Panthers, Roosters, Warriors and Sharks are locked in, the Dolphins and Knights are one win away from shoring up a finals berth, leaving Souths, Canterbury, Cowboys, Manly and Raiders fighting it out for the finals two spots… The panel make the Top 8 predictions with 5 rounds to go!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

06:42 - Matt King NSW Blues coach; Laurie Daley retires

15:12 - Episode Overview

17:05 - Bunker Review: Run-Home to NRL Finals (5 rounds remain)

49:54 - NRL Round 22: TSS Tipping & Supercoach Comps

55:37 - NRL Round 22: Overview 

1:22:39 - NRL Round 23: Rapid Fire Tips

1:33:21 - ATG: Super League Round 21 and NRLW Round 5 Results

1:38:04 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps.

Music credit ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

Logo designed by Tahlia Tassone.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”