Your Sports Week & Weekend Preview: Laurie Daley Steps Down, Kodi Nikorima to the Dragons & Australia's 80-Medal Comm Games Haul

Laurie Daley has stepped down as NSW Blues head coach. Daniel breaks down the departure and what it means for the Blues heading into the next Origin cycle. Australia is making a statement at the Commonwealth Games, sitting top of the medal tally at the halfway mark with 80 medals overall and 35 gold — well clear of Canada (13 gold, 35 total), England (10 gold, 43 total) and host nation Scotland (7 gold, 15 total). In netball, Sunshine Coast Lightning have locked away Belinda Reynolds on a new deal through 2027. In this week's talking point: the Dragons continue to reshape their roster for 2027, confirming Kodi Nikorima's signing from the Dolphins on a two-year deal. It's the latest in a string of big pickups under recruitment boss Daniel Anderson, who's also brought in Connor Watson, Scott Drinkwater, Keaon Koloamatangi, Luke Metcalf and Phillip Sami for next season. Daniel unpacks why the Dragons are building this aggressively — and why a move to bring John Morris in as a second assistant coach alongside Dean Young could round out one of the more ambitious rebuilds in the competition. Collingwood vs Geelong in a massive wildcard match up, Battle of the West - West Tigers vs Eels and NRLW Magic Rd is your Weekend Preview Episode 78 of The Sports Playbook. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Follow The Sports Playbook on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.