https://soundcloud.com/user-644086018/the-tip-sheet-2026-ep-104
Join Sixties and Forty20 as they break down the 2026 NRL Grand Final in a tense match that saw the Roosters narrowly edge out the Knights 19-18. The boys discuss all the big moments and where the decider was won and lost as Trent Robinson and his men climb back to the summit for the 4th time in Robinson’s tenure. For the Knights, it was an agonising end to an incredible run as they fell short by the barest margin. Chat about it all in the instant reaction pod!
Far closer than I’d predicted – The Knights were down their entire starting front row and their big money starting half back; The Roosters were short only Connor Watson. Despite The Knights, as predicted, getting home against a badly wounded Panthers I gave them no hope. Walker for The Roosters clearly was far from fit, Marky Mark had enough class to get The Rosters home, just.
Both he and Dally will be gone next year and we have to see how Nathan comes back; I wouldn’t want to be framing a market for next year.
Ponga cost them the game.
No short dropouts, the Roosters score probably 2 less tries.
Every try came off the back of a short dropout or kickoff.
In 2027, can someone tell Jason Rules that it is a game loser, just like it was for us in the GF against Penrith where it killed our chances of a revival.
Ummm not sure what game you were watching. Ponga is elite. Parra don’t have elite players except our often injured Moses. We must buy Spencer and Best and see what comes after that.
How good was Spencer! Hopefully that deal is complete like it’s been speculated. Absolute wrecking ball – we desperately lack a player of his style
What caught my eye was the Roosters’ line speed and the ability to maintain it for 80 minutes. I get the impression a couple of penalties for inside 10 may not have deterred them. Their overall defensive technique was very strong, enormous credit to the Knights for competing for 80 minutes while the stats indicated they hardly came up for air.
They were off side constantly but it’s worth the gamble. If you do it every play it’s not like the officials are going to penalise you every play.
It’s a risk v reward thing and the rewards are huge.
It’s the very same playbook that Penrith have been using for years.
The referee who penalises less in a major game is seen as a referee who is having a great game.
100% one of my issues with our team over the past 6 or so seasons is that we don’t try to push the line when it comes to infringing. I think this also in turn gives the refs a “tip sheet” that Parra aren’t wrestlers so when we do wrestle the refs penalise us instantly where they’d let teams like the panthers, roosters, sharks and storm off the hook because they’re known for doing this.
One of the ones I’ve noticed, in particular penrith, the 1st marker will do everything they can to get their hand of the back of the head of the person playing the ball. Great way to slow down the ruck in those final stages and neither the refs or the commentary have seemed to have picked up on it. It’s little things like that that I believe we need to start employing. The blow torch may be applied to us for 2 maybe 3 weeks but we’d hopefully come out on top in the long run
Penrith are not the only team doing this. There are a few others holding the back of the head. It is one of the most debilitating parts of the body.
I also noted in a single game this year that the Storm were taking a step to the side and a second step forward at the play the ball. This helped them get quicker PTB’s
The GF left me rather deflated to be honest.
The good guys came close but it just wasn’t to be.
In any other game, the Knights would have been lapped by 50.
I think the game has a real problem.
The same 4 or so teams battling it out every year and then we have a smokie like the Knights.
The salary cap is an absolute joke.
As for the NRLW, If PVL can’t see the problems we have in that competition then we may as well give up and watch the AFL.
Did the Roosters lose a match all season ?
What was their average points ? 50 ?
I loved Politis interview after the match … ” We have the star rugby fullback joining us next year, I can’t remember her name but she’s great”
I really enjoyed the NRLW, it’s a great day out and the girls give it their all but it’s a Micky mouse competition when you allow one or two teams to stack all the talent.
Why even bother ?