Some big NRL news interrupts the preview podcast as Sixties and Forty20 discuss the most recent developments surrounding Luke Metcalf and Ivan and Nathan Cleary. The Dragons continue their spending spree as they look to remodel their roster after signing Metcalf for 3-years while Ivan Cleary's decision to step back from coaching at the end of 2027 has created intense speculation around Nathan's future.

As for the Eels - because this is a Parramatta focused podcast after all - they are in action in the NSW Cup and the NRL as both grades play out of a singular venue this weekend. For the NRL it is Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium while the NSW Cup is hosting its Festival of Footy at North Sydney Oval. The boys preview both games as the Cup look to bounce back from a heavy loss to the Bears while the NRL are looking to build on a crazy win over the Cowboys and bury some Magic Round hoodoos against the Storm.

The Tip Sheet – 2026 Ep 53: Magic Round Madness, Metcalf Mania by The Cumberland Throw

It is time to wrap up the 2026 Junior Representatives following campaigns that saw the Parramatta Eels progress at least to the second week of the finals in all four grades. Of course the headline act was the Tarsha Gale Cup and their dominant defence of their 2025 title but Sixties and Forty20 are joined by Steve Georgallis to defrief the Harold Matthews, Lisa Fiaola and SG Ball Cups as well.

The Tip Sheet – 2026 Ep 51: Gilded Boot, Golden Point; Eels & Moses Find A Way by The Cumberland Throw

Round 10 sees the Eels traveling all the way North to Townsville as Parramatta face off with the gunslinging Cowboys. The Tip Sheet has the Spaghetti Western music blaring and the tumbleweeds rolling and Sixties and Forty20 get their hands over their holsters and ready to draw in the blink of an eye. All signs point to a massive shootout on Friday night as the boys break down the keys to victory. The lower grades have a mixed slate of opponents.

The NSW Cup will host the high flying Bears while the Jersey Flegg welcome the Kaiviti Silktails to Kellyville in a bumper double header at Eels HQ.

The North Queensland Cowboys are square in Parramatta's iron sights this week as the Eels head to Townsville for a gunfight in the tropics. It just so happens that the Eels are also targeting a Cowboy off the field with reports emerging today that Harrison Edwards could be a midseason transfer to the Blue & Gold. Forty20 is the lone sheriff in town this week as The Tip Sheet shoots from the hip.

The weekend in review features wins for every grade beyond the NRL including a historic double for the Tarsha Gale. The pain just piles on for first grade as Ryley Smith and Will Penisini are both consigned to the injury ward. That directly impact Team List Tuesday as coach Jason Ryles continues to try and make adjustments on the fly with whoever and whatever he has available.

The Cowboys flavoured podcast leans into a shootout on Friday night but the NRL is in a perpetual state of shootouts presently with the points flowing to an absurd degree. The Round 9 wrap looks at some of the more telling score lines as the field starts to shake out.

Jahream Bula has inked a long term deal with the Tigers, Daniel Saifiti has bowed out of the NRL due to a shoulder injury while Cody Ramsey had an emotional return to first grade in the best (and worst) bits of the round.

Plenty of courage, some silly errors and ill-timed defensive lapses along with a handful of baffling calls. Sound familiar? Welcome to Ground-Eel Day. The class of the Warriors prevailed in the end in a tough Round 9 slugfest with the Eels but it was a torrid battle until the final 17-minutes. Sixties and Forty20 unpack another tough loss for the Blue & Gold as they continue to show plenty of fight but remain guilty of getting in their own way.

The spectre of injury also looms large once again with Ryley Smith succumbing to an incredibly painful sternum injury.

The Warriors are rolling into town in Round 9 as The Tip Sheet previews a trio of contests against the New Zealand franchise across the NRL, NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg. Craig, John and Chris go into extra depth in the Flegg and Cup this week as the Eels make some bold calls surrounding the acceleration of some talented prospects including Cameron Bamblett, Ryda Talagi and Chris Petrus.

Parramatta were let down by a sloppy third quarter against the red hot Sea Eagles last week - can they lock in for the 2nd placed Warriors on Saturday? The show discusses some crucial selection decisions while the boys speculate on some possible changes to the team to combat the outstanding forward pack of the Warriors.

The Tip Sheet – 2026 Ep 46: Tarsha Gale Cup Grand Final Preview by The Cumberland Throw

The youth takeover in the NSW Cup is very much on the cards in Round 9 as Ryda Talagi and Chris Petrus win positions in reserve grade. They join the likes of Lorenzo Talataina, Zack Visconti, Trace Beattie and fellow Round 9 promotee Jack Hudson in an aggressive revamp of the team following a victory over the Sea Eagles on Sunday.

Sixties and Forty20 break down all the team news out of Team List Tuesday with the Eels getting a pair of players back this week in Jordan Samrani and Jonah Pezet. Araz Nanva has earned an extension, albeit to the end of 2027, for his strong early form this year while the Tarsha Gale are through to the big dance as they look to defend their title. Four Eels will turn out for NSW and QLD on Thursday night in the Women's State of Origin match - who earned the call ups from the Blue & Gold?

The Chiefs have struck some decisive recruitment blows with the signature of Alex Johnston and the rumoured acquisition of Jerome Luai. It is a massive start to the recruitment drive but are things doing as well in Perth? Their Head of Football has departed and rumours of an unsettled football department are gaining momentum.