Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Cleary Calls Time, Carlton in Crisis & LeBron's Last Dance?

he greatest coach of the NRL modern era is stepping down. Ivan Cleary has announced he will leave the Penrith Panthers at the end of the 2027 season — closing the chapter on one of the most dominant coaching dynasties the game has ever seen. With 18 months left and a stack of key players off contract, what comes next for Penrith? In the AFL, Michael Voss has resigned as Carlton coach after eight straight defeats to start 2026 — the Blues now searching for their sixth coach in under 14 years. LeBron James could have played his final NBA game, Manchester City are through to the FA Cup Final thanks to a Mary Fowler stunner, and Paralympic gold medallist Alexa Leary has been heartbreakingly ruled out of the Commonwealth Games through a reclassification beyond her control. This weekend Daniel previews the NRLW State of Origin decider, the Swans vs Collingwood Friday night blockbuster, a record-breaking moment for Romelda Aiken-George in Super Netball and Max Verstappen taking on the Nürburgring 24 Hour — not in F1, but in his own racing team.Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.