State of Origin Game 2 is almost here, and Down the Sideline is back with a full preview of NSW v Queensland.

Boldo, Adrian and Tim break down the big Origin talking points, including Mitchell Moses returning for the Blues, Reece Walsh’s role for Queensland, Payne Haas starting, Laurie Daley’s bench decisions, and whether Billy Slater has the tactical edge heading into Game 2.

The boys also discuss the Ashley Klein gambling story, what has been reported, why the optics are so difficult for the NRL, and how the game should think about referees, gambling, welfare and integrity.

Then it’s into the weekend review, with the Sharks’ 10–8 win over the Warriors, the Tigers’ emotional Leichhardt farewell, the misfiring Raiders, the struggling Broncos, the rising Dolphins and Tim’s concerns about the Roosters and DCE.

To finish, the boys run through Upset Alert, Round 16 tips, Sharks v Roosters, and Boldo’s NRL football team — a full soccer XI made up of rugby league players.

A big Origin week, a strange club round, a serious integrity discussion, and one deeply unnecessary debate about which NRL players would make the best footballers.

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Sixty-eight nil.

That is where this episode starts, because when the Wests Tigers lose by 68 points, it is not just another bad day at the office. Boldo, Adrian and Tim unpack the Tigers’ humiliation against Penrith, what it says about Benji Marshall, whether the club is genuinely in crisis, and why blowout scorelines may become an even bigger issue as the NRL expands.

The boys then turn their attention to State of Origin Game Two, with both squads now named. They break down the NSW changes, the Mitchell Moses debate, Payne Haas returning, the Blues bench, Reece Walsh being recalled by Queensland, Briton Nikora starting, and whether Billy Slater’s side now looks stronger than it did in Game One.

There is also plenty of club footy to get through. Tim enjoys being wrong about the Roosters after their 26-0 win over Canberra, Adrian reacts to Newcastle’s narrow loss to Melbourne, and the panel discusses the Broncos’ loss to the Titans, Michael Maguire pressure, the Bulldogs grinding out another win, and how the top eight is starting to shape up.

The episode also includes Upset Alert, Round 15 tips, and a final segment on the Shark Park controversy, as Boldo responds to the noise around Cronulla’s future at their home ground and the wider debate about suburban stadiums in rugby league.

This is Down the Sideline, the rugby league podcast looking at the NRL through the lens of media, money and market share.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Down the Sideline Podcast goes live for the very first time as David Boldeman, Adrian Manca and Tim Micallef tackle one of the biggest talking points of the 2026 NRL season.

Five days after State of Origin I, the boys revisit the Kalyn Ponga send-off and ask a question few others are asking: was the controversy actually good for rugby league?

Rather than debating whether the referee got the call right, the discussion explores the reaction from fans, commentators and media throughout the week, and whether the incident created exactly the sort of conversation and attention the game thrives on.

The boys also look ahead to Origin II, break down the Panthers vs Warriors thriller that may prove to be the match of the season, discuss the Dragons finally getting off the mark, examine the growing pressure on Michael Maguire and the Broncos, and debate the NRL's new taunting crackdown.

Plus, the return of Boldo's Soapbox, Upset Alert and tips for every Round 14 clash.

This episode includes:

• Was the Kalyn Ponga send-off actually good for rugby league?
• Origin II team changes and predictions
• Panthers vs Warriors fallout
• Dragons finally break through for their first win
• Pressure building on the Broncos and Michael Maguire
• Winners and losers from Round 13
• The NRL's controversial taunting rule
• Upset Alert
• Round 14 tips

Down the Sideline is the rugby league podcast that looks beyond the scoreboard, exploring the stories, personalities, media narratives, business decisions and big-picture issues shaping the game.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 12 of the Down the Sideline Podcast is here.

This week the boys dive into the official State of Origin team announcements and ask the bigger question around the game right now… does Origin still feel as massive as it once did?

The panel breaks down the key selections, surprise calls and what the squads say about where both NSW and Queensland are heading heading into the series opener.

Plus:

• Full Origin team reactions

• Magic Round fallout and biggest takeaways

• Ivan Cleary discussion and the wider impact on the game

• Clubs rising and falling across the competition

• Metcalf’s breakout performances

• Upset Alert returns

• Round predictions and bold takes

No safe takes. No fence sitting. Just rugby league through the lens of media, momentum and what it all means.

Originally recorded during the 2025 NRL season and uploaded as part of the Down the Sideline archive collection.

#NRL #StateOfOrigin #MagicRound #RugbyLeague #DownTheSideline

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State of Origin is almost here… so why does rugby league suddenly feel flat?

In the debut episode of Down the Sideline, David Boldeman and Adrian Manca break down the strangely quiet build-up to the 2026 State of Origin series, the impact of split rounds on the NRL season, and whether the game has lost some of its momentum during its biggest moments.

The boys preview Game I of Origin, debate Nathan Cleary’s pressure heading into the series, discuss the changing rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland, and ask whether the “mate vs mate” hatred that once defined Origin still exists.

Also in this episode:

• Andrew Abdo’s shock move to Tennis Australia
• What happens next for the NRL CEO role?
• Vegas teams announced for 2027
• Is the Vegas concept actually helping the game?
• Ricky Stuart vs the referees
• Dolphins resurgence and finals chances
• South Sydney’s struggles without Latrell Mitchell
• Warriors vs Panthers discussion
• Upset Alert
• Full NRL Round Tips

Down the Sideline looks at rugby league through the lens of media, money, momentum and what the biggest stories actually mean for the game.

Live every Monday @ 8:30PM AEST on YouTube.

Audio episodes available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.