In our final episode for 2025, Tass, Clarkie and Guildy discuss their pretty crappy crystal ball predictions they made back in February; Their thoughts on the return of the Ashes and if Kevin Walters or Shaun Wane’s jobs will be safe; The Pacific Championships with the rise of Samoa and the unfortunate mishandling of Eli Katoa’s concussion; Buzz’s 10-point plan to make NRL even greater; Super League expanding to 14 teams and the NRL’s likelihood of taking over the English and International Game; World Club Challenge to return in 2026; NRL’s ambitious idea to create a “Global Round” in 2027; Rugby360 and the bans set by the NRL and World Rugby, plus which NRL players are on the hit-list; Perth Bears set to sign 10 players by Christmas; PNG Chiefs confirmed as the 19th NRL club with their national team winning the Pacific Bowl 3-peat; Rugby League World Cup 2026 and 2030 details; NRL’s new anti-tampering law explained; State of Origin to be played in New Zealand; NRL refuse to cover Koori Knockout injuries for NRL players; Tyrone Munro stood down; Bulldogs new logo doesn’t sit right; Which song would you play if you scored a try; and a wide range of player signings and rumours in both NRL and Super League… AND OH YES, THE SIDELINE STORY WILL BE RENEWED FOR A SIXTH SEASON IN 2026!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

04:02 - Episode Overview

06:18 - Revisiting our 2025 Crystal Ball Predictions

19:22 - Thoughts on the Ashes and Pacific Championships

47:52 - Buzz Rothfield’s 10-point plan to make NRL even greater

1:05:23 - Super League expansion; NRL to takeover SL; WCC return; NRL Global Round

1:16:09 - Rugby 360 and the 10-year ban

1:32:44 - NRL Expansion confirmed for Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs

1:44:56 - New anti-tampering law (aka the Gus Gould law)

1:48:02 - Rugby League World Cup details for 2026 and 2030 editions

1:54:29 - State of Origin to be played in New Zealand in 2027

1:56:07 - Koori Knockout dramas; Tyrone Munro stood down; Bulldogs new logo; Try song?

2:04:27 - NRL and Super League player signings and rumours

2:22:35 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, check out our sponsors, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast mixed by Daniel Tassone using Garageband.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps using Spotify for Podcasters.

Music credit for this episode: ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

——

Logo designed by Tahlia Zaccomer.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

Rugby League is the winner, but in a more accurate way the Brisbane Broncos (and Queensland in general) are the winners!… Reece Walsh will go down as one of the best to ever claim the Clive Churchill Medal in another come-from-behind victory for the Broncos who, lead by future coaching great Michael Maguire, have finally broken their 19-year premiership drought… Broncos also claimed the NRLW and the NZ Warriors claimed the State Championship in front of the highest ever TV audience in Australian Sporting GF History!… For the Super League Grand Final, Hull KR will face Wigan for the second year in-a-row hoping to go one better to claim the coveted treble… We end the episode with an analysis of the Australian Kangaroos 2025 Ashes Tour Squad!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

08:18 - Episode Overview

09:46 - Clarkie’s Good Guy of the Week: Michael Maguire

16:50 - Who’s in Guildy’s Bin: Grant Atkins

18:54 - Bunker Review: Broncos def. Storm (GF: 26-22)

1:02:25 - Bunker Review: NRL GF Player Ratings

1:13:20 - ATG: Broncos win NRLW GF

1:24:03 - ATG: NZ Warriors win State Championship

1:29:47 - ATG: Super League Semis Results + Grand Final Preview

1:31:58 - ATG: Toulouse Olympique win Betfred Championship

1:32:35 - ATG: Australian Kangaroos Squad announcement

1:39:00 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, check out our sponsors, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast mixed by Daniel Tassone using Garageband.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps using Spotify for Podcasters.

Music credit for this episode: ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

——

Logo designed by Tahlia Zaccomer.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

The stage is set… After the Brisbane Broncos ended the Penrith Panthers streak (and arguably their dynasty) in the dying moments of an incredible Preliminary Finals match, as well as seeing the Finalist Specialists in the Melbourne Storm knock-off the Sharks to enter their 11th Grand Final under Craig Bellamy, we are in for an insane NRL Grand Final in 2025!.. The boys cover the prelims as well as give an extensive preview of the upcoming NRL GF and their predictions for who will win and the Clive Churchill medalist predictions… In ATGs: Leigh and St Helens progress to the Semis to face Wigan and Hull KR respectively with Saints winning after the hooter, the NRLW GF will see the 3rd edition of Roosters v Broncos, the NZ Warriors (NSW Cup Premiers) will face Burleigh Bears (QLD Cup Premiers) in the State Championship, and much more!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

10:21 - Episode Overview

12:07 - Clarkie’s Good Guy of the Week vs. Who’s in Guildy’s Bin

28:35 - Bunker Review: Storm def. Sharks (PF: 22-14)

52:34 - Bunker Review: Broncos def. Panthers (PF: 16-14)

1:33:38 - NRL GF Preview: Storm v Panthers

1:54:55 - ATG: Super League Eliminators Results + Semi Finals Preview

1:59:16 - ATG: NRLW Prelim Finals Results + GF Preview

2:01:55 - ATG: NZ Warriors win NSW Cup (+ Jersey Flegg and HNWP Premiers)

2:08:08 - ATG: Burleigh Bears win QLD CUP (+ State Championship Preview)

2:10:25 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, check out our sponsors, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast mixed by Daniel Tassone using Garageband.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps using Spotify for Podcasters.

Music credit for this episode: ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

——

Logo designed by Tahlia Zaccomer.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

The Sharks and Panthers have managed to knock the Raiders and Bulldogs out in straight sets respectively as all eyes turn to the Final Four clubs left in the race for the 2025 NRL Premiership! As we preview the Prelims, we ask: Can the Panthers write another chapter in the dynasty or will the Broncos end the streak? Can the Sharks continue their underdog story or are the Storm willing to go one better from last season?... We also discuss the changes to the NRL Finals schedule, and preview: the Super League elimination finals, the NRLW Prelims, the NSW Cup and QLD Cup Grand Finals, and finish up with our review of the 2025 Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Cups!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

05:55 - Clarkie’s Good Guy of the Week vs. Who’s in Guildy’s Bin

14:49 - Episode Overview

16:00 - Bunker Review: Sharks def. Raiders (SF: 32-12)

32:23 - Bunker Review: Panthers def. Bulldogs (QF: 46-26)

57:15 - Are there issues with the NRL Finals schedule?

1:05:12 - NRL Finals Week 3: Storm v Sharks (PF Preview)

1:13:08 - NRL Finals Week 3: Broncos v Panthers (PF Preview)

1:18:08 - Which NRL team do you want to see win the 2025 Premiership?

1:22:50 - ATG: Super League Elimination Finals Preview

1:24:45 - ATG: NRLW Finals Week One Results + Week Two Preview

1:26:56 - ATG: NSW Cup & QLD Cup GF Previews

1:30:12 - ATG: Queensland win Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Cups

1:33:37 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, check out our sponsors, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast mixed by Daniel Tassone using Garageband.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps using Spotify for Podcasters.

Music credit for this episode: ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

——

Logo designed by Tahlia Zaccomer.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

Broncos defeating Raiders 29-28 in Canberra for a Prelim spot was one of the most insane games of rugby league ever played! From the Reece Walsh headbutt, to the incorrect Hudson Young sinbin, to the Pat Carrigan suspension, the 18mins of Walshie brilliance, the equaliser, Extra time, Golden Point, disallowed tries, field goals, the list is insane! Not to mention the casualty ward the Bulldogs copped against Melbourne despite the game being decided in the dying minutes, the Panthers slapping the Warriors, and the fiery clash between the Sharks and Roosters!… We conclude the episode with a Preview of the NRL Semi Finals with Raiders hosting Sharks and the Bulldogs hosting Panthers, the Super League ladder analysis before finals, the NRLW Week One Finals Preview, the NSW Cup and QLD Cup Week 2 Finals results, and the premiers crowned for Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

06:29 - Episode Overview

07:56 - Clarkie’s Good Guy of the Week vs. Who’s in Guildy’s Bin

15:13 - Bunker Review: Broncos def. Raiders (QF: 29-28)

48:02 - Bunker Review: Storm def. Bulldogs (QF: 26-18)

1:13:44 - Bunker Review: Panthers def. Warriors (EF: 24-8)

1:21:31 - Bunker Review: Sharks def. Roosters (EF: 20-10)

1:31:46 - NRL Finals Week 2: Raiders v Sharks (SF Preview)

1:38:00 - NRL Finals Week 2: Bulldogs v Panthers (SF Preview)

1:42:03 - ATG: Super League Ladder (one round to go)

1:43:36 - ATG: NRLW Finals Week One Preview

1:44:51 - ATG: NSW Cup Finals Week 2 Results (+ Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield GF results)

1:47:50 - ATG: QLD Cup Finals Week 2 Results

1:49:00 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, check out our sponsors, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast mixed by Daniel Tassone using Garageband.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps using Spotify for Podcasters.

Music credit for this episode: ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

——

Logo designed by Tahlia Zaccomer.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

In one of the most unpredictable NRL Finals Series in recent memory, the panel preview Week One with Melbourne hosting Canterbury, and Canberra hosting Brisbane in the Qualifying Finals, with Cronulla hosting Easts, and NZ hosting the 4x Premiers in Penrith for the Elimination Finals… The Sideline Story MVP Awards are also hosted in this week’s episode, with our 5th annual MVP recipient crowned, as well as TSS Team of the Year and Club MVPs!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

04:46 - Episode Overview

06:15 - Clarkie’s Good Guy of the Week vs. Who’s in Guildy’s Bin

08:00 - Bunker Review: The Sideline Story MVP Award

21:35 - Bunker Review: The Sideline Story Team of the Year

29:53 - Bunker Review: The Sideline Story Club MVPs

36:05 - TSS Money Comps: Tipping Champion crowned!

37:02 - NRL: Final Ladder Standings

41:42 - NRL Finals Week 1: Storm v Bulldogs (QF Preview)

54:11 - NRL Finals Week 1: Warriors v Panthers (EF Preview)

1:03:30 - NRL Finals Week 1: Sharks v Roosters (EF Preview)

1:17:00 - NRL Finals Week 1: Raiders v Broncos (QF Preview)

1:25:05- NRL Week 2 Finals structure explained

1:32:00- NRL Round 27 Results (+ chat about teams not in finals)

1:49:15 - ATG: Super League Round 25 Results

1:49:58 - ATG: NRLW Round 10 Results

1:50:23 - ATG: NSW Cup Finals Week 1 Results (+ Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield Finals updates)

1:53:48 - ATG: QLD Cup Finals Week 1 Results

1:54:41 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, check out our sponsors, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast mixed by Daniel Tassone using Garageband.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps using Spotify for Podcasters.

Music credit for this episode: ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

——

Logo designed by Tahlia Zaccomer.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

Raiders locked in (and Minor Premiers for the first time since 1994), Storm and Bulldogs locked in, Broncos, Sharks and Warriors fight for 4th, Panthers locked in, Roosters and Dolphins fight for 8th, Knights and Titans fighting off the Wooden Spoon… and only one round to go before FINALS FOOTY!… The panel also discuss Adam O’Brien’s departure from the Knights, Brandon Smith’s criminal charge updates, and who we think will win The Sideline Story MVP Award next week… Around the Grounds, England Rugby League have confirmed they will consolidate their lower grade comps, NSW Cup and QLD Cup Finals confirmed, and Ron Massey + Sydney Shield enter the preliminary finals!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

02:45 - Episode Overview

06:03 - Clarkie’s Good Guy of the Week vs. Who’s in Guildy’s Bin

10:00 - Bunker Review: Who will replace Adam O’Brien at Newcastle Knights?

23:50 - Bunker Review: Brandon Smith criminal charges (Update)

31:39 - Bunker Review: Sideline Story MVP Awards (Sneak-Peak)

39:06 - TSS Money Comps: Tipping [Round 26] + Supercoach [GF]

42:59 - NRL: Road to the Finals analysis

50:40 - NRL Round 26: Bulldogs def. Panthers (Penrith rest 16 players)

57:47 - NRL Round 26: Eels def. Warriors (Were the Wahs robbed?)

1:06:33 - NRL Round 26: Roosters def. Storm (Marky Mark bags 4 tries)

1:15:25 - NRL Round 26: Raiders def. Tigers (Canberra claim Minor Premiership)

1:24:28 - NRL Round 26: Manly def. Dragons

1:27:30 - NRL Round 26: Broncos def. Cowboys

1:32:02 - NRL Round 26: Sharks def. Knights

1:35:53 - NRL Round 26: Dolphins def. Titans

1:39:30- NRL Rapid Fire Tips: Round 27

1:42:34 - ATG: Super League Round 24 Results + Ladder

1:45:46 - ATG: Super League off-field news (Consolidating lower divisions,

1:50:33 - ATG: NRLW Round 9 Results

1:51:00 - ATG: NSW Cup, Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield Finals updates

1:53:45 - ATG: QLD Cup Finals update

1:55:25 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, check out our sponsors, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast mixed by Daniel Tassone using Garageband.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps using Spotify for Podcasters.

Music credit for this episode: ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

——

Logo designed by Tahlia Zaccomer.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”

10 does not fit into 8, and with two rounds remaining in the NRL regular season it is clutch time for the race to the 2025 NRL Finals Series! On this week’s episode, Clarkie and Guildy crunch the NRL Ladder numbers, and also discuss the firing and hiring of the GC Titans coach, as well as the criminal charges against Brandon Smith… Round 25 of the NRL was another insane round with multiple try of the year contenders and a flipped script for the finals run home.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

07:10 - Episode Overview

08:12 - Clarkie’s Good Guy of the Week vs. Who’s in Guildy’s Bin

12:44 - Bunker Review: Des Hasler sacked, Josh Hannay new GC Titans coach

19:40 - Bunker Review: Brandon Smith charged with drug supply and betting scandal

21:55 - Bunker Review: NRL Ladder Analysis (after Round 25)

30:48 - TSS Money Comps: Tipping [Round 25] + Supercoach [Prelims]

33:33 - NRL Round 25: Rabbitohs def. Dragons

42:22 - NRL Round 25: Raiders def. Panthers (Insane Golden Point victory)

54:00 - NRL Round 25: Storm def. Bulldogs (Are the Dogs the real deal?)

1:00:14 - NRL Round 25: Manly def. Dolphins (Top 8 race alive for both clubs)

1:05:56 - NRL Round 25: Warriors def. Titans

1:11:21 - NRL Round 25: Eels def. Roosters

1:17:25 - NRL Round 25: Broncos def. Knights

1:22:45 - NRL Round 25: Cowboys def. Tigers (No finals footy for Tigers)

1:26:42- NRL Rapid Fire Tips: Round 26

1:28:17 - ATG: Super League Round 23 Results

1:29:43 - ATG: Super League Player Transfer News (Dodd, Carr, Valemei, Staines, Izack)

1:31:25 - ATG: NRLW Round 8 Results

1:32:00 - ATG: International RL allegiances (Val, Tino, Stefano)

1:34:47 - Outro

——

Click the link to follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, check out our sponsors, or to listen on your preferred podcasting platform:

https://linktr.ee/thesidelinestoryrlpodcast

——

Proudly sponsored by:

* ADSE Apparel

* Best Sport 2.0

* Good Guys Mowing

* rugbyleague.com

——

Hosted by Daniel Tassone, Nicholas Guild & Ryan Clarke.

Podcast mixed by Daniel Tassone using Garageband.

Podcast distributed to all major listening apps using Spotify for Podcasters.

Music credit for this episode: ‘Chase’ [prod. Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay].

——

Logo designed by Tahlia Zaccomer.

© The Sideline Story: Rugby League Podcast, 2021.

——

“You're listening to The Sideline Story Rugby League Podcast: The Greatest View of Rugby League from the Sideline”