Origin coach Billy Slater and co-host Peter Psaltis break down winners, losers, players and clubs each week, answering the biggest questions of the round. Raw. Honest. On demand.
Billy Slater Podcast: Grand Final Preview | Roosters v Knights, Cleary Injury & NRLW Decider
The Newcastle Knights are into their first Grand Final in 25 years after an extraordinary win over Penrith, while the Roosters booked their place with a dominant performance against the Dolphins. Billy discusses Nathan Cleary’s devastating injury, Newcastle’s incredible resilience, Kalyn Ponga’s leadership, the Roosters’ star-studded side and the key match-ups that could decide the premiership.
Plus, a preview of the NRLW Grand Final between the Broncos and Roosters and the State Championship clash between Penrith and the Dolphins. Pasted text
00:00 Grand Final week is here
02:16 Why live sport is still unbeatable
04:36 Knights stun Penrith to reach the Grand Final
05:05 Nathan Cleary’s injury and coming off the bench
09:34 Phoenix Crossland send-off and the hip-drop tackle
11:24 Billy’s theory on why hip-drop tackles happen
16:44 How Newcastle replace Phoenix Crossland
20:36 Dane Gagai’s huge finals performances
23:04 Kalyn Ponga’s leadership and emotion
26:03 Fletcher Sharpe could be a Grand Final game-breaker
28:47 Sandon Smith’s brave quick-tap try
30:36 Roosters v Dolphins breakdown
31:07 Why the Roosters are firing at the right time
33:25 Mark Nawaqanitawase’s incredible preliminary final
35:40 Robert Toia’s rise and defensive impact
36:44 Daly Cherry-Evans and the Roosters’ recruitment
42:07 Why developing juniors matters
44:35 State Championship: Penrith v Dolphins
45:25 Dolphins’ season and where they improve
47:59 Grand Final preview: Roosters v Knights
49:56 Justin Holbrook v Trent Robinson
54:02 Sam Walker’s return
55:40 Clive Churchill Medal contenders
58:03 NRLW Grand Final: Broncos v Roosters
59:44 Final Billy Slater Podcast of 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
21 Sept 2026
Billy Slater: “It Was a Penalty” + Who Makes the Grand Final?
Billy Slater and Peter Psaltis break down a huge weekend of NRL finals as Newcastle and the Roosters book their places in the final four.
Billy gives his verdict on the controversial late no-call in the Knights-Warriors clash, the remarkable rise of Newcastle under Justin Holbrook and the Roosters hitting form at exactly the right time.
Plus, Billy previews both preliminary finals, Dolphins v Roosters and Panthers v Knights, discusses Nathan Cleary’s injury and reveals who he thinks will reach the 2026 NRL Grand Final.
00:00 - The NRL Final Four
04:01 - Newcastle’s incredible turnaround
07:32 - Phoenix Crossland’s huge finals moments
09:02 - Billy’s verdict on the controversial Warriors no-call
13:16 - Where it went wrong for the Warriors
19:44 - Sandon Smith and Newcastle’s halves
22:17 - Dylan Lucas’ remarkable injury comeback
27:02 - Roosters eliminate the Sharks
30:36 - How the Roosters rebuilt into contenders
33:35 - Daly Cherry-Evans steps up
35:10 - James Tedesco finding his best form
37:04 - The Roosters’ set-play secrets
40:27 - What next for Cronulla?
42:45 - PREVIEW: Dolphins v Roosters
46:44 - Victor Radley v Morgan Knowles
49:14 - Billy’s Dolphins v Roosters thoughts
50:53 - PREVIEW: Panthers v Knights
54:09 - Nathan Cleary’s injured foot
56:45 - How Newcastle can upset Penrith
58:29 - Why Fletcher Sharpe could be the key
1:00:51 - Penrith’s hunger to return to the Grand Final
1:02:42 - Billy’s Panthers v Knights prediction
1:04:01 - Preliminary Final weekend
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
14 Sept 2026
Billy Slater: Why the Knights Can Shock the Warriors
Six teams remain in the race for the NRL premiership. Billy Slater reviews every result from the opening week of the finals, including Newcastle’s fearless performance, the Dolphins’ breakthrough victory and Penrith’s epic battle with the Roosters.
Billy also previews this weekend’s elimination finals and explains why something is drawing him towards another Knights upset.
00:00 NRL finals are down to six teams
03:22 Newcastle’s fearless finals approach
05:33 Dane Gagai’s leadership
07:38 Kalyn Ponga hits top form
10:31 Justin Holbrook transforms Newcastle
11:44 Where South Sydney fell short
13:23 Will Cody Walker play on?
15:00 What Latrell Mitchell needs this pre-season
18:57 Dolphins defeat the Warriors
21:46 Breaking down the Dolphins’ spectacular try
25:25 Kurt Donoghoe steps up
28:33 Kurt Donoghoe’s remarkable journey
29:51 Why the Dolphins can reach the grand final
32:17 Braydon Trindall’s courageous performance
34:06 Can Cronulla lift against the Roosters?
36:20 Where the Cowboys go next
39:08 Panthers and Roosters deliver a finals classic
39:58 Mark Nawaqanitawase’s extraordinary performance
42:51 Nathan Cleary’s sin-bin
44:54 The Roosters’ costly penalty decision
46:35 Nathan Cleary’s foot injury
49:00 Roosters v Sharks preview
52:56 Billy tips the winner
54:18 Warriors v Knights preview
56:29 Newcastle’s experienced leaders
58:41 Could Jett Cleary be called upon?
01:00:40 Billy and Salty make their finals selections
01:01:54 Salty tips Newcastle
01:02:22 Billy predicts a Knights upset
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Who has been a guest on The Billy Slater Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Cam Munster
Harry Grant
Gehamat Shibasaki
Marlee Silva
Ruan Sims
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
129 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
