🏉 Welcome to The Rugby League Insider Podcast
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James Hooper is joined by Darcie McDonald and Anthony Watmough to unpack one of the wildest preliminary-final weekends in recent memory.
The team breaks down Newcastle’s remarkable 12-man win over Penrith, including Phoenix Crossland’s send-off, Nathan Cleary’s injury and the Panthers’ costly selection calls. They then look ahead to a blockbuster Grand Final between the fairytale Knights and the star-studded Sydney Roosters.
Plus, Sandon Smith’s breakout performance, Newcastle’s game plan to expose the Roosters, Justin Holbrook’s inside knowledge, DCE’s premiership chance, and why the Hunter region is fully behind the Knights.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — Newcastle’s stunning 12-man win over Penrith
1:54 — Where the Knights’ comeback ranks among great finals wins
3:20 — How Newcastle exposed Penrith’s edge defence
5:48 — The Knights’ fairytale run and the Newcastle fan wave
9:08 — Phoenix Crossland’s send-off and Nathan Cleary’s injury
18:58 — Did Penrith get their selection calls wrong?
20:27 — Panthers’ edge defence, leadership and late-game errors
23:06 — Sandon Smith’s quick tap and the defining moments
26:00 — Newcastle’s resilience and belief heading into the Grand Final
30:00 — How the Knights can target the Roosters’ defence
31:12 — Roosters v Dolphins and Justin Holbrook’s inside knowledge
33:52 — Can Newcastle win it after last year’s wooden spoon?
36:42 — Grand Final odds, pressure and the Roosters’ strike power
41:58 — Why the Knights have nothing to lose
43:10 — Phoenix Crossland referred straight to the judiciary
46:10 — Does DCE deserve to finish with another premiership?
48:05 — Final Grand Final predictions and wrap-up
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