Matty Stewart links up with Knights legend Kurt Gidley for a brand-new season of The Don’t Argue podcast! Breaking down the biggest NRL headlines, match-winning plays, and their Best Bets. Watch and listen each week and stay one step ahead.
Matty and Gids are back for Round 24 of The Don’t Argue, and with the NRL finals race entering its final month, the competition is tightening at exactly the right time. Penrith and the Roosters now sit level at the top of the ladder, while the Warriors, Sharks and Dolphins remain firmly in the premiership conversation. Behind them, the battle for positions inside the top eight is becoming increasingly fierce, with every win and loss carrying major September implications.
The boys break down all the major talking points from Round 23, including the Warriors’ statement 28-12 victory over Penrith that reignited the race for the minor premiership, and the Roosters’ gritty two-point win over the Bulldogs that saw them draw level with the Panthers on competition points. They also discuss the Dolphins’ impressive comeback victory over Brisbane, Newcastle’s crucial win over Canberra, and Melbourne’s dominant performance against Manly that kept its slim finals hopes alive.
There is also plenty of discussion around the congested battle for the lower half of the eight. Newcastle has strengthened its position with back-to-back important victories, while North Queensland continues to hold onto a finals spot despite a negative points differential. South Sydney remains in the hunt after another win, but the Bulldogs are refusing to go away and remain within striking distance of the eight.
The boys also examine the teams facing the greatest pressure. Melbourne kept its season alive with a convincing win over Manly, while the Sea Eagles, Raiders and Bulldogs are running out of opportunities to close the gap. Brisbane’s season is hanging by a thread following another defeat, and the margin for error has all but disappeared for several clubs outside the finals positions.
Round 23 also delivered one of the biggest surprises of the season, with the last-placed Dragons stunning Cronulla 24-16. The result has opened up the race for a top-four finish and raised fresh questions about the Sharks’ consistency heading into September.
Looking ahead to Round 24, Matty and Gids preview another massive weekend of rugby league, highlighting the games that could reshape both the top-four race and the battle for the final finals positions. With Penrith and the Roosters fighting for top spot, the Warriors looking to keep the pressure on, and a host of clubs battling to keep their premiership dreams alive, there is no shortage of storylines across the competition.
To wrap up the episode, the boys lock in their tips for every game and reveal which clubs they believe are best positioned to launch a genuine premiership charge over the closing weeks of the season. If you’re after all the biggest NRL talking points, ladder analysis, finals projections and strong opinions from around the game, The Don’t Argue has everything you need heading into Round 24.