Episodes
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Can the Knights Finish the Fairytale? Gus’s Grand Final Verdict
Newcastle’s fairytale meets the Roosters’ finals experience as Gus delivers his grand final verdict. He reflects on the Knights’ extraordinary win over Penrith, Phoenix Crossland’s absence and Nathan Cleary’s season, plus shares a classic Andrew Johns story from 2001. There’s also grand final...
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Can the Dolphins Make History?
Paul Gallen steps in for Gus as Mat Thompson previews a huge preliminary final weekend. Can the Dolphins overcome the Roosters, and can Newcastle’s fairytale continue against Penrith? Gal gives his tips, assesses the Sharks’ season and explains why he’s returning to the boxing ring. Plus, a…
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Ponga’s Moment? Gus Previews a Huge Finals Weekend
With four preliminary final spots on the line, Gus and Mat Thompson preview Roosters v Sharks and Warriors v Knights. Can the Roosters bounce back from their bruising clash with Penrith, and will Kalyn Ponga inspire Newcastle to an upset in Auckland? Gus reveals the two key inclusions that could...
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Gus’s Life Lesson: Don’t Wrestle with a Skunk
Gus and Mathew Thompson revisit rugby league’s wild old end-of-season trips before Darrell “The Big Marn” Brohman joins them to tell the unforgettable story of Peter Kelly’s encounter with a skunk. Plus, Gus delivers his verdict on the NRL finals, assesses the strengths and weaknesses of every...
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Gus Names His NRL Team of the Year
Phil Gould and Mathew Thompson break down the final round of the NRL regular season as the Warriors and Panthers battle for the minor premiership. Gus explains why Lachlan Galvin’s rapid rise is unlike anything he has seen from a young half, assesses the legacies of Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas…
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Are the Warriors About to Win It All?
Brad “Freddy” Fittler fills in for Phil Gould alongside Mat Thompson for a special edition of Six Tackles with Gus. Freddy ranks the NRL premiership contenders and reveals his number-one team heading into the finals. He also predicts the PNG Chiefs will reach the finals in their inaugural season,...
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Inside the Grind: Gus Breaks Down a Week in the NRL
Three rounds remain and the race to the finals is heating up. Phil Gould and Mat Thompson break down Brisbane’s dramatic fall from defending premiers, why Gus still has Penrith as his premiership favourite, and whether Souths can genuinely threaten the top sides. Plus, Gus gives a fascinating...
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You Have to Beat the Best on Their Best Day
The Roosters have lost 11 of their past 12 games against Penrith, and Gus believes this blockbuster is their chance to prove they can beat the Panthers when it matters. Gus names Penrith, the Roosters and Warriors as his three genuine premiership contenders, explains why the Warriors have taken a...
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Gus Reveals the Most Gifted Player He Ever Coached Against
The finals race is heating up and Phil Gould believes this weekend could reshape the top four. This week on Six Tackles with Gus: Can the Cowboys recover after conceding a record 82 points? Why the Warriors are Gus' upset pick against Penrith. Newcastle's incredible rise and why they're a genuine...
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Gus Unpacks the Tigers Crisis + His Biggest Tip of Round 22
The Wests Tigers dominate this week's episode after Benji Marshall and Adam Doueihi front the media following one of the biggest stories of the NRL season. Phil Gould explains why the real issue isn't Adam Doueihi refusing to play lock, but how the story leaked in the first place, and why great...
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Gus Backs Joey to Coach NSW: “He’ll Regret It If He Doesn’t”
Phil Gould explains why Andrew Johns should seriously consider coaching New South Wales and why the opportunity may not come again. Gus also weighs in on Tom Trbojevic’s future at Manly, Marcelo Montoya’s immediate retirement, Dean Young taking charge of the Dragons, the growing finals race and...
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Let Perseverance Do Its Work: Gus Backs the Tigers’ Tough Luai Call
With Origin now in the rear-view mirror, Gus explains why the emotional hangover can linger for players and clubs as the race to the finals heats up. Gus praises Nathan Cleary’s brilliant decider performance, declares the champion halfback is yet to reach his peak and assesses the rebuild facing...
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Freddy & Joey preview the 2026 State of Origin decider
Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns share their final words ahead of the 2026 State of Origin decider. 2024 Origin hero Bradman Best joins the show to discuss tactics and gameplan ahead of Game III. Plus, the boys name the best Indigenous player they have played with in their careers. All that and more...
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100% Footy - State of Origin Special
Special Guest Latrell Mitchell plus inside Blues and Maroons camp.
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"Unleash Liam Martin": Gus' 20-Minute Origin Decider Blueprint
Gus explains why New South Wales can't afford to let Queensland dictate early, why the first 20 minutes could decide the series, and how players like Liam Martin and Addin Fonua-Blake should be used to put the Maroons on the back foot from the opening whistle. Also in this episode: Why Gus was...
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“NSW Can Win”: Gus Blueprint for NSW upset at Suncorp
Phil Gould says State of Origin isn't a talent problem for New South Wales, it's a football problem. This week Gus explains why the Blues are "getting it wrong", how Queensland continue to outplay them in the moments that matter, and what Laurie Daley must do before the decider. Plus, the rise of...
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Stories of Origin: Brad Fittler's Favourite Origin | The Fairytale Farewell of 2004
No one has had a greater influence on New South Wales rugby league than Brad Fittler. A Blues legend, Freddy played a record 31 State of Origin matches for NSW before later coaching his state on 18 occasions. But the Origin story closest to his heart came in 2004, when Phil Gould convinced him to...
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Origin on the Line at the MCG | Darren Lockyer Joins Gus + Round 16 Tips
State of Origin heads back to Melbourne with the series hanging in the balance and Darren Lockyer joins Phil Gould and Mat Thompson to break down the biggest Game II storylines. The team looks at the impact of Payne Haas' return, Billy Slater's Reece Walsh wildcard, Laurie Daley's selection calls...
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‘That Shocks Me’: Gus Can’t Understand the Olakau'atu Call
State of Origin selection drama dominates this week's Six Tackles with Gus as Phil Gould questions some of New South Wales' biggest Game Two decisions ahead of the MCG blockbuster. Why isn't Haumole Olakau'atu in the Blues' best 17? Is Mitchell Moses a gamble worth taking? And has Laurie Daley…
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Stories of Origin - Cam Smith's Favourite Origin: Against All Odds
No player has worn the Queensland jersey more times than Cameron Smith. Across 42 State of Origin appearances, Smith became the ultimate competitor, captain and match-winner, helping lead the Maroons through one of the most dominant eras in rugby league history. But when asked to choose his...
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NEW PODCAST - Mark My Words: Overtrained Broncos, Origin Jitters & Foran Takes the Wheel
Welcome to the Mark My Words podcast, where the Mark Geyer, Mark Levy and Mark Riddell bring you the latest news and passionate chats about NRL rugby league. Go and search for Mark My Words wherever you listen or watch your podcasts. In this episode, the hosts celebrate the Dragons' massive win…
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Six Tackles Origin Live Special with Jake Trbojevic
State of Origin is back and Six Tackles with Gus is live from The Locker Room at Sydney Olympic Park thanks to TAB. With kick-off only hours away across the road, Mat is joined by Phil Gould, Jake Trbojevic, Josh Reynolds, Josh Morris and special guests for a huge Origin night packed with laughs,...
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Stories of Origin: Danny Buderus’ Famous Decider
Danny Buderus relives his favourite State of Origin memory, Game 3, 2005. From the heartbreak of Matt Bowen’s intercept in Game 1 golden point, to the return of Andrew Johns and captaining NSW to a famous 32-10 win at Suncorp. At the time, nobody realised it would become the last Blues decider…
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Gus On Bulldogs’ Toughest Period + Origin Selections
(01:40) Bulldogs issues (08:45) Origin selection headaches (36:40) Ask Gus (46:00) Round preview and predictions NordVPN is giving you a huge discount and four extra months on your NordVPN subscription. To get this exclusive deal, go to nordvpn.com/sixtackles. Phil Gould opens up on the Bulldogs’...
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“I’ve Been Dead for 3 Days” | Gus’ Origin Calls, Magic Round Chaos & The Walsh v Ponga Debate
Phil Gould returns with one of the great podcast openers after revealing a heart monitor scare that led to the line: “I’ve been dead for 3 days.” From there, it’s straight into Magic Round chaos and the biggest Origin talking points heading into team selections. Gus breaks down the Reece Walsh v...
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Stories of Origin: Billy Slater's Favourite Origin - The "Billy the Kid" Breakout
The "Billy the Kid" Breakout: State of Origin Game 2, 2004 In this episode of Stories of Origin, host Matthew Thompson sits down with a true icon of the game, current Maroons coach and Queensland legend Billy Slater. Travel back to 2004, a year that cemented Slater's place in Origin folklore. We...
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80-Point Shootouts & Origin Fears
The game is changing… and Gus reckons it’s happening fast. We kick off with a deep dive into the modern NRL, where speed is up, defence is down, and scorelines are blowing out. We’ve seen 80-point games, record losing scores, and a competition that feels more unpredictable than ever. Is this the...
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Ask Gus: Hardest Worker Ever Coached and Gus’ go-to Chinese dish
This week on Ask Gus, Phil Gould tackles the big questions from listeners. Who was the hardest-working player he ever coached? Did Queensland’s eight straight Origin series wins ever tempt him back into the New South Wales coaching box? Gus also weighs in on whether James Tedesco deserves an…
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Luai’s PNG bombshell and Gus’ Origin Hypotheticals
Jarome Luai’s blockbuster move to the PNG Chiefs headlines a seismic episode of Six Tackles with Gus, as Phil Gould breaks down what the superstar signing means for the Wests Tigers, the new franchise, and the future player market. Plus, Gus weighs in on Blues Origin hypotheticals, Women’s State…
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Stories of Origin: Nathan Cleary’s Masterclass | Season 5 Premiere
He was at his lowest ebb - then he delivered perfection. Welcome to Season 5 of Stories of Origin. as we sit down with the true icons of the game to explore the single Origin match that defined their legacy. We are kicking off this series with a bang. Rugby league’s greatest player, Nathan…
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Ask Gus: When Gus dropped Royce Simmons 'He had a LOT of beers'
Gus, I’m looking for a bit of unfiltered coaching history. First, regarding 1991 - as a lifelong Panthers fan, I’ve always wondered about the tough calls you had to make around Royce Simmons during that premiership year. How did you balance the emotion of his career with the tactical needs of the...
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ANZAC Round: Resilience, Rebuilding, and the Road to State of Origin
As the nation prepares to pay tribute to our service people, we sit down with former 2nd Commando Damien Thomlinson for an unforgettable conversation on survival, perspective, and true toughness. Plus, we break down a massive week in the NRL: the Dragons enter a new era with Dean Young at the…
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Ask Gus: Is Gus Using the ‘Moneyball’ Playbook for the Bulldogs?
In this bonus Ask Gus episode, Phil 'Gus' Gould dives into the mailbag to tackle everything from recruitment philosophy to Rugby League history. We explore the 'Moneyball' philosophy - is there a secret similarity between the Oakland A’s approach and the current Bulldogs rebuild? Gus also gives…
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"I Can't Understand It": Gus Gould Baffled by Api Koroisau’s Origin Omission
Is this the wildest start to a season ever? The Wests Tigers are equal first, the Melbourne Storm have lost four in a row, and the ladder is completely upside down. In this episode, Gus and Mat break down: Api Koroisau: Despite being one of the premier hookers in the game and a proven winner, Api...
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Ask Gus: From Tiny Terrors to Modern Giants
Phil "Gus" Gould and Mathew Thompson dive into the physical evolution of the NRL. From the "diminutive" magic of Alfie Langer and Geoff Toovey to the massive stature of modern playmakers like 6'4" Lachlan Galvin, Gus explains why the "little man" is being blasted out of the front line. Plus, a…
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The Foran Coaching Interview, The Panthers Hangover & The Brookvale Blowtorch
This week on Six Tackles with Gus, Phil Gould reveals the startling results on a team after a loss to Penrith. As we head into a massive Easter Long Weekend of footy, Gus weighs in on the Brookvale dramas as pressure mounts at Manly and questions whether Shane Flanagan is already on the chopping...
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Ask Gus: Boyd Breakout, Tigers Trouble & The NRL in 10 Years
Your Ask Gus Questions. Gus breaks down whether Tannah Boyd is the most improved player in the game right now, and what’s behind his rise. He looks at the Tigers’ chances without Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi. There’s pressure talk too. Should Shane Flanagan be feeling the heat? And could tensions...
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Broncos Blow-Up: “You Can’t Be a Yes Man”
Coaching drama has exploded just three rounds into the season as the Broncos are rocked by the sudden exit of assistant Ben Te’o, raising fresh questions about leadership and stability at Red Hill. Gus unpacks the situation, what could be happening behind the scenes, and why differences of…
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Gus on Wests Tigers: 'It all seems to be moulding together at the right time'
Gus and Mat reflect on an emotional night at Allianz Stadium where Alex Johnston made history by breaking the all-time try-scoring record. Gus shares his personal memories of watching the legendary Ken Irvine and discusses what makes "AJ" such a special part of the South Sydney club. Plus, Tigers...
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You can check-out any time you like. But you can never leave!
Phil Gould is back from Las Vegas after seeing the Eagles at the Sphere and breaks down the big statements from Round 1, the Raiders’ hot start, and whether Alex Johnston is about to make NRL history. Plus a Tigers young gun debut, your Ask Gus questions, and Round 2 tips thanks to TAB.
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Vegas Bound: Preseason Gains & 2026 Season Predictions
In this episode of Six Tackles with Gus, Mathew Thompson and Phil "Gus" Gould dive into the final preparations for the historic 2026 NRL season opener in Las Vegas. Gus shares behind-the-scenes insights into the Bulldogs’ massive logistical undertaking to move their entire staff and roster...
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Six Tackles with Gus Is Back! Season Ten Kicks Off with Rule Changes, Origin Eligibility & NRL’s Big Year Ahead
We’re back, baby, and it’s Season Ten of Six Tackles with Gus. Live from The Locker Room at Olympic Park, Phil Gould opens the milestone season with a massive breakdown of the NRL’s biggest off-season changes, from revamped Origin eligibility rules to new rules. Gus digs into what it all means…
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The 2025 Grand Final Preview
Phil Gould is out, and rugby league legend Darryl 'The Big Marn' Brohman is in for a massive Grand Final preview! Brohman joins Mat Thompson to dive deep into the Storm vs. Broncos decider, focusing on the key match-ups: Harry Grant to be the difference, Stefano Utoikamanu's rise, and the...
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#AskGus: Advice, Minor Premiers & Cleary–Luai’s Rise
Gus tackles your #AskGus questions head-on. From the best piece of advice he’s ever received, to whether the NRL really gives minor premiers the reward they deserve, and how Nathan Cleary and Jerome Luai developed into elite players so early.
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Why Gus Believes ‘the Hoodoo Is About to End’ – 5 to play 7 in GF
The finals are here and Gus is firing. From the Raiders’ struggles and Nicho Hynes silencing the critics, to Turbo’s uncertain future at Manly and the bombshell of Mark Nawaqanitawase quitting the Roosters - which Gus calls “sad for our game.” Gus explains why he believes “the hoodoo is about to...
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#AskGus: The best of 2025
We take a look back at the best of #AskGus from 2025
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'Statistically, he's the best ever' plus Gus's fearless finals predictions.
The best time of the year is upon us! Finals football! Gus and Thomo break down all the key matchups and storylines for an electrifying Week 1 of the NRL finals. Gus declares Payne Haas to be one of the greatest props the game has ever seen. Gus also dives deep into the state of the Newcastle...
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Gus not ruling out shock Grand Final clash + Tries and Moments of 2025
Gus isn’t ruling out a shock Grand Final clash, suggesting the finals could throw up some unexpected contenders from outside the top of the ladder. With September footy just around the corner, the team unpacks all the possible scenarios and surprises. They also dive into the biggest Tries and...
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Six Tackles Live thanks to TAB
Join Gus & Mat live from the Canterbury Leagues Club for their first live podcasting recording. With special guests Josh Reynolds & Mark O’Meley plus plenty of #AskGus questions live. It’s all thanks to our mates at TAB.
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#AskGus: Trbojevic Reality Check & Raiders’ X Factor
This week on #AskGus, Gus and Mat tackle some of the big questions from listeners. At what point do Manly have to face the hard truth about the Trbojevic brothers and the toll on their roster? Could the Raiders have the spark to knock off heavyweights Melbourne or Penrith if they make it to the…
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