It is official. Papua New Guinea will be the home of the code's 18th NRL franchise! The Tip Sheet analyses the historic decision in a landmark episode that celebrates the franchise building efforts of a close friend of TCT in Joey Grima. Sixties, Forty20 and Clint lock in for the penultimate regular episode of the year with plenty happening elsewhere across the code and for the Eels.

The Eels are finally at full strength in the preseason as Zac Lomax and Isaiah Iongi return from rep duties. Sixties delivers the latest from Kellyville as the heat hit Sydney. The NRL depth has been boosted by the acquisition of Kitione Katoga from the Bulldogs. The young Fijian backrower will join the Eels immediately on a 2-year deal. The NRLW also made some big moves headlined by the re-signing of Elsie Albert and the pickup of Blackfern outside back Martha Mataele.

The NRL news is obviously dominated by the confirmation that the code will expand to PNG in 2028. The boys look at the logistics, how it lines up for coaching prospects (conveniently for the 90* year old Wayne Bennett) and what it means for the game itself.

From there, the game's growing asset portfolio is up next with major property acquisitions made in Port Macquarie and Brisbane. Speaking of boosting stocks and port folios, the Roosters nabbed Reece Robson on a 4-year deal. What does it mean for Brandon Smith and which clubs could be suitors for the hybrid hooker/lock?

The show closes out with a buffet of bits and pieces from Isaah Yeo winning the Golden Boot to the NRL ads for Vegas 2025 and even some baseball and track and field news!