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 26 of The Don’t Argue, and with just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the race for finals positions has reached another level. The battle for the minor premiership has taken a dramatic twist, with the Warriors surging to the top of the ladder alongside Penrith and the Roosters on 38 competition points. With only points differential separating the top three sides and the Dolphins and Sharks still firmly in top-four contention, every game from here feels like finals football.
The boys break down all the major talking points from Round 25, including the Warriors’ emphatic 45-26 victory over South Sydney that propelled them to the top of the ladder, Penrith’s professional win over Melbourne at AAMI Park, and one of the biggest upsets of the season as the Wests Tigers stunned the Roosters 25-24. They also discuss the Dolphins continuing their impressive campaign with a convincing win over Parramatta, Cronulla strengthening its top-four hopes against the Titans, and Canterbury keeping its finals hopes alive after a dominant victory over St George Illawarra.
The fight for the bottom half of the eight is also heating up. South Sydney and North Queensland currently occupy the final finals positions, but Canterbury remains within striking distance and refuses to go away. Manly’s impressive win over Newcastle has also kept the Sea Eagles alive, ensuring several clubs still have plenty to play for over the final fortnight. With so little separating the chasing pack, every result is capable of reshaping the finals picture.
Looking ahead to Round 26, Matty and Gids preview another massive weekend of rugby league, with the top-four race, minor premiership battle and finals race all set to take centre stage. They identify the key matchups that could decide ladder positions, assess the sides facing the most pressure, and discuss which teams appear best placed to build momentum heading into September. With every game carrying huge ramifications, 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 assault over the final 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 a crucial Round 26.