Hoffy and Chad dive into the current state of the NRL’s junior pathways, and the challenges the league, merger clubs and the country’s best young players face within them. The boys reflect on their own experiences as juniors prior to reaching the top flight, assess how current clubs fare, and look ahead to ways the NRL can best position expansion clubs Perth and PNG.

Hosted by NRL premiership players Ryan Hoffman and Chad Townsend, The Boardroom NRL Podcast takes a wide lens look at the state of rugby league, delivering big picture, no nonsense views on the NRL.

⬇️ THE AGENDA:

00:00 Welcome to the Boardroom

02:40 Chad and Hoffy's junior pathway

06:07 The Current System

11:49 The Role of Reserve Grade in Player Development

18:13 Success Stories: Penrith Panthers and Warriors

23:55 Melbourne Storm

29:26 Players agents

35:42 The Perth Bears

39:38 PNG Chiefs

Recorded on 31/03/2026

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