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Episode Summary:

The NRL finals are here and the week-one matchups are locked in. Ian and Steve look ahead to four huge games; Rabbitohs v Knights, Warriors v Dolphins, Sharks v Cowboys and Panthers v Roosters; and ask whether one qualifying final could have an enormous influence on who reaches Grand Final day.

Warriors v Dolphins shapes as one of the most exciting games of the finals. The Warriors have been one of the competition’s two standout teams, but the Dolphins possess exactly the attacking firepower that could trouble them. Ian and Steve discuss whether the Dolphins are the finals dark horse nobody wants to play and why victory in Auckland could completely transform their path to the Grand Final. The Roosters also can’t be written off despite losing Sam Walker, while South Sydney remain the most likely team outside the top four to make a serious run.

The boys also unload on another frustrating weekend of refereeing, questioning the increasing penalties, six-agains, sin bins and inconsistent decisions heading into the biggest games of the season.

Then it’s time to review four seasons that ended without finals football. The Dragons finally have genuine reasons for optimism after an enormous recruitment drive and the emergence of their young forwards. The Titans showed defensive improvement but still appear to be in a longer rebuild, while the Tigers’ promising 5–2 start collapsed into another hugely disappointing season.

And then there are the Broncos. After their dramatic fall, Ian and Steve question the culture, recruitment, roster and whether Michael Maguire’s intensity can produce another turnaround. With Payne Haas leaving, the challenge heading into 2027 only gets bigger.

About the Host:

Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.

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