I am not sure they get too much more frustrating than Round 21's hugely controversial clash against the Panthers after the Eels fell just 7-points shy of a monstrous boil over amidst some jaw dropping missed calls. Sixties and Forty20 review the heart breaking loss in a fired up Instant Reaction podcast.

A rapid fire turnaround from Team List Tuesday to Thursday night footy means a not so rapid fire show as Sixties and Forty20 pull double duty for a news and previews super show. There was no follow-up signing news after the Eels confirmed Jarome Luai would join the club in 2027 so the fellas check in on the latest as fans remain hungry for more additions to the roster.

It is a monster week against the Panthers in all five grades as the show goes in depth from the Jersey Flegg all the way through to the NRLW and NRL. Every squad barring the NSWWP are hunting either bounceback wins or desperate turnarounds in form...which of them figure to be in the mix for a reversal of fortune?

As always, the boys go around the NRL to bring you the latest across the code. Several superstars are facing season ending injuries while Manly and Wests are well and truly in their own respective quagmires as their form lines trend down and down.

The NRLW and NSWWP come to the fore this weekend with a bye round putting the men's competitions on the backburner. While both teams are looking to snap back from losses last weekend their respective seasons stand in deeply contrasting situations. The NSWWP are looking to keep touch with the breakaway group at the top of the ladder while in the NRLW the Eels desparately trying to disengage the handbrake.

Sixties and Forty20 take a deep dive into both games as the Eels suit up to take on the Wenty Magpies in reserve grade and the Gold Coast Titans in the NRLW.

And just like that the Parramatta Eels and Jarome Luai have confirmed that their unlikely partnership for 2027 is very much real and official after the club put out a press release on Tuesday afternoon announcing that the premiership and Origin winning half was joining the Blue & Gold next year. Luai, a polarising figure in the code, has understandably split fans on whether it is the right move for the Eels but regardless of where you stand there it is ultimately the first major move Parramatta have made for next season since signing Jaydn Su'A. Sixties and Forty20 reflect on the news and the significance of the signing and ruminate on who could be next as the media link the Eels to Jack Howarth.

As always, the boys go around the NRL to scope out the latest happenings. The NRL is prepared to make an allowance for Mark Nawaqanitawase to play in the World Cup while Josh Hannay has unloaded on officials after his team went down to the Melbourne Storm in Round 19. All that and more in another live edition of The Tip Sheet.

Daniel Tupou got his magic milestone game as the 300-gamer notched a hat-trick on Saturday night. For the Parramatta Eels though, it was a case of some genuinely gutsy defence getting worn down by a string of errors as the Roosters took an age to capitalise on a gargantuan gap in possession and territory.

Sixties and Forty20 review the Round 19 loss in a game where the Eels were all heart but came up short against a top-of-the-table side.

Another mammoth preview podcast sees The Tip Sheet covering five grades, some massive news out of the Tigers (for which you should also check Ep 74 for more in depth thoughts) and a rapid fire review of Origin III.

Sixties and Forty20 run right through the Flegg all the way to NRL as the Eels face the Roosters in the mens footy and the Dragons/Steelers in the ladies this week. With only the NRLW dropping their game last week the Blue & Gold now have a terrific chance to build across Saturday and Sunday - so how do they stack up?

Lincoln Fletcher is set to make his NSW Cup debut in Round 19 as he rejoins Lorenzo Talataina in the halves. It adds an extra layer of interest to the Cup this week as the Eels ramp up their development in reserve grade. In the NRLW, Parramatta will be looking for a vastly improved effort after they slumped to a disappointing loss to the Tigers in Round 1 while the NRL squad will be looking to play spoilers to Daniel Tupou's 300th cap on Saturday night.

The NRL was rocked by a breaking report today that the Wests Tigers had given Jarome Luai permission to sign with other clubs for the 2027 season following his decision to link with the PNG Chiefs from 2028. That situation has swiftly evolved into the Parramatta Eels leading the chase for his short term services as they look to simultaneously install a star next to Mitchell Moses and keep the pipeline open for a number of highly touted halves prospects.

Sixties and Forty20 convene for an emergency podcast as the wheels whir into motion for the Eels. Of all the potential players - could Luai be the signing to ignite some recruitment momentum for the Blue & Gold?

The NRL is set for an explosive expansion of the salary cap in the wake of the a massive windfall from the new media deal. With rumours suggesting the figure could be around 20 million dollars, the landscape of the code will be changed forever. Sixties and Forty20 tackle the mind-blowing numbers in a live edition of The Tip Sheet.

Meanwhile, in Parradise the Eels are reloading after a largely successful weekend against the Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers. Injury and suspension have struck both the NRL and NRLW as Jason Ryles and Steve Georgallis turn to young options to replace Sean Russell (Quadriceps, Rd 23) and Boss Kapua (Suspension, Rd 4). Lincoln Fletcher is set to make his NSW Cup debut this week in an exciting iteration of Team List Tuesday.

The big decider for State of Origin takes place tomorrow night - who will prevail? The boys give their finals thoughts on the game before going around the code to discuss the latest bits and bobs.

Just as we all expected! The Parramatta Eels were too tough and too hungry for the lowly Sea Eagles. In a complete reversal of their respective ladder positions it was the Blue & Gold that largely dictated terms to Manly on the first Sunday of July. The stunning upset came on the back of some of the feistiest and energetic play of the Eels from the whole season - with a few comical moments for both sides.

Sixties and Forty20 celebrate a tremendous upset victory as the Eels set things right after a disappointing loss to South Sydney last week!

The Tip Sheet – 2026 Ep 71: Rd 18/Rd 1 Previews by The Cumberland Throw