With Origin now in the rear-view mirror, Gus explains why the emotional hangover can linger for players and clubs as the race to the finals heats up.
Gus praises Nathan Cleary’s brilliant decider performance, declares the champion halfback is yet to reach his peak and assesses the rebuild facing Billy Slater and Queensland.
The boys also unpack the Wests Tigers’ decision to release Jarome Luai early, why his one-year Parramatta move makes sense for everyone involved and the importance of allowing perseverance to do its work during a long-term rebuild.
Plus, are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders? Can Melbourne survive without Cameron Munster? Could the Broncos upset Penrith? Gus previews every match in Round 20 and offers Rory McIlroy some unusual advice ahead of The Open.
00:00 Welcome and the Origin hangover
01:44 How Origin disruption affects NRL clubs
04:06 Dolphins’ 66-point defeat and the Sharks’ finals chances
06:32 The latest on Stephen Crichton’s neck injury
09:53 Player welfare and the physical toll of rugby league
10:50 The Open Championship and Gus’s golf tips
11:56 The congested NRL ladder
12:16 Why Nathan Cleary’s critics defy logic
14:19 “He hasn’t peaked yet”: Gus’s huge Cleary prediction
16:39 How NSW produced its remarkable Origin turnaround
19:03 Should Billy Slater remain Queensland coach?
21:29 Liam Martin and Hudson Young’s Origin impact
23:49 Are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders?
26:09 Jarome Luai’s one-year move to Parramatta
28:27 The lasting impact Luai has had on the Tigers
30:51 Why the Tigers released Luai one year early
33:10 Benji Marshall makes the tough call
35:29 Huge changes coming for NRL rosters
37:50 “Let perseverance do its work”
40:01 Parramatta’s improvement and the strength of the competition
41:01 Can Melbourne reach the finals without Cameron Munster?
42:11 Jai Arrow’s emotional birthday fundraiser
43:00 Six Tackles Trivia
45:19 Women in League Round and the NRLW
46:23 Round 20 preview: Panthers v Broncos
50:30 Sharks v Knights
51:59 Roosters v Storm
52:48 Raiders v Rabbitohs
53:48 Warriors v Dragons
54:48 Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
55:48 Titans v Sea Eagles
56:57 Dolphins v Cowboys and the bounce-back factor
58:43 Gus’s Round 20 tips
59:43 Does Rory McIlroy need glasses?
1:01:04 Final thoughts and farewell
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