Six Tackles With Gus

9Podcasts

4.1 (10)
Rugby
Updated Weekly

League legend Phil 'Gus' Gould and Mathew Thompson tackle the biggest talking points in Rugby League each week, delivering bold opinions, deep analysis and inside stories.

4d ago

Let Perseverance Do Its Work: Gus Backs the Tigers’ Tough Luai Call

With Origin now in the rear-view mirror, Gus explains why the emotional hangover can linger for players and clubs as the race to the finals heats up. Gus praises Nathan Cleary’s brilliant decider performance, declares the champion halfback is yet to reach his peak and assesses the rebuild facing Billy Slater and Queensland. The boys also unpack the Wests Tigers’ decision to release Jarome Luai early, why his one-year Parramatta move makes sense for everyone involved and the importance of allowing perseverance to do its work during a long-term rebuild. Plus, are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders? Can Melbourne survive without Cameron Munster? Could the Broncos upset Penrith? Gus previews every match in Round 20 and offers Rory McIlroy some unusual advice ahead of The Open. 00:00 Welcome and the Origin hangover 01:44 How Origin disruption affects NRL clubs 04:06 Dolphins’ 66-point defeat and the Sharks’ finals chances 06:32 The latest on Stephen Crichton’s neck injury 09:53 Player welfare and the physical toll of rugby league 10:50 The Open Championship and Gus’s golf tips 11:56 The congested NRL ladder 12:16 Why Nathan Cleary’s critics defy logic 14:19 “He hasn’t peaked yet”: Gus’s huge Cleary prediction 16:39 How NSW produced its remarkable Origin turnaround 19:03 Should Billy Slater remain Queensland coach? 21:29 Liam Martin and Hudson Young’s Origin impact 23:49 Are the Cowboys genuine premiership contenders? 26:09 Jarome Luai’s one-year move to Parramatta 28:27 The lasting impact Luai has had on the Tigers 30:51 Why the Tigers released Luai one year early 33:10 Benji Marshall makes the tough call 35:29 Huge changes coming for NRL rosters 37:50 “Let perseverance do its work” 40:01 Parramatta’s improvement and the strength of the competition 41:01 Can Melbourne reach the finals without Cameron Munster? 42:11 Jai Arrow’s emotional birthday fundraiser 43:00 Six Tackles Trivia 45:19 Women in League Round and the NRLW 46:23 Round 20 preview: Panthers v Broncos 50:30 Sharks v Knights 51:59 Roosters v Storm 52:48 Raiders v Rabbitohs 53:48 Warriors v Dragons 54:48 Bulldogs v Wests Tigers 55:48 Titans v Sea Eagles 56:57 Dolphins v Cowboys and the bounce-back factor 58:43 Gus’s Round 20 tips 59:43 Does Rory McIlroy need glasses? 1:01:04 Final thoughts and farewell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 7

Freddy & Joey preview the 2026 State of Origin decider

Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns share their final words ahead of the 2026 State of Origin decider. 2024 Origin hero Bradman Best joins the show to discuss tactics and gameplan ahead of Game III. Plus, the boys name the best Indigenous player they have played with in their careers. All that and more on a special Origin edition of Freddy & the Eighth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 6

100% Footy - State of Origin Special

Special Guest Latrell Mitchell plus inside Blues and Maroons camp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 1

"Unleash Liam Martin": Gus' 20-Minute Origin Decider Blueprint

Gus explains why New South Wales can't afford to let Queensland dictate early, why the first 20 minutes could decide the series, and how players like Liam Martin and Addin Fonua-Blake should be used to put the Maroons on the back foot from the opening whistle. Also in this episode: Why Gus was shocked by Brian To'o being left out The selection gamble on Jack Bostock How New South Wales should manage its bench in the biggest game of the year Why Queensland carries more pressure than people think Gus' memories of the old Lang Park and coaching Origin deciders in Brisbane An unexpected live phone call to Emma Lawrence after Gus correctly predicted she was about to start maternity leave Plus the latest on the NRL ladder, the start of the NRLW season, and your Ask Gus questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 24

“NSW Can Win”: Gus Blueprint for NSW upset at Suncorp

Phil Gould says State of Origin isn't a talent problem for New South Wales, it's a football problem. This week Gus explains why the Blues are "getting it wrong", how Queensland continue to outplay them in the moments that matter, and what Laurie Daley must do before the decider. Plus, the rise of the Titans, why the Warriors are genuine contenders, Ben Hunt's incredible career milestone, Jake Averillo's move to the Tigers, and Gus previews every game of Round 17 thanks to TAB. (00:00) Beanies for Brain Cancer Round and the Mark Hughes Foundation(05:23) Breaking news: Jake Averillo signs with the West Tigers(07:46) Ben Hunt extends with Brisbane for a 19th NRL season(09:25) Are defensive contests making a comeback in the NRL?(11:03) The Titans' rise under Josh Hannay(13:50) Why the Warriors won't fade this season(15:21) Are the Dolphins genuine premiership favourites?(19:17) Broncos facing a finals-defining stretch(21:38) Should Mitchell Moses play Origin III?(24:00) “We're getting it wrong” - Gus' Origin diagnosis(35:40) Can NSW fix it before the decider?(45:13) Why Queensland rarely beat themselves(48:00) Ask Gus: Origin, coaching futures and Dean Young(54:12) Round 17 preview and TAB odds(01:12:00) Gus' Round 17 tips and farewell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 21

Stories of Origin: Brad Fittler's Favourite Origin | The Fairytale Farewell of 2004

No one has had a greater influence on New South Wales rugby league than Brad Fittler. A Blues legend, Freddy played a record 31 State of Origin matches for NSW before later coaching his state on 18 occasions. But the Origin story closest to his heart came in 2004, when Phil Gould convinced him to return from representative retirement for one final campaign. It wasn't all smooth sailing. The comeback didn't start as planned, but it ended with one of the most memorable fairytale finishes in Origin history. In this episode of Stories of Origin, Brad Fittler relives the 2004 series, his final season in the Sky Blue jersey, the unforgettable decider, and the perfect send-off alongside Phil Gould. A farewell that remains one of the great moments in Origin history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 17

Origin on the Line at the MCG | Darren Lockyer Joins Gus + Round 16 Tips

State of Origin heads back to Melbourne with the series hanging in the balance and Darren Lockyer joins Phil Gould and Mat Thompson to break down the biggest Game II storylines. The team looks at the impact of Payne Haas' return, Billy Slater's Reece Walsh wildcard, Laurie Daley's selection calls and whether Queensland can force a decider at Suncorp Stadium. Plus, don’t miss your Round 16 NRL tips from Gus! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 9

‘That Shocks Me’: Gus Can’t Understand the Olakau'atu Call

State of Origin selection drama dominates this week's Six Tackles with Gus as Phil Gould questions some of New South Wales' biggest Game Two decisions ahead of the MCG blockbuster. Why isn't Haumole Olakau'atu in the Blues' best 17? Is Mitchell Moses a gamble worth taking? And has Laurie Daley got the balance of his bench right? Gus also breaks down Queensland's changes, explains why the Maroons always seem to find another gear after a loss, reflects on his memories of playing at the MCG, discusses the Dolphins' rise under Kristian Woolf and previews Round 15. It's all thanks to TAB. Send us your best Ask Gus Question to sixtackles@nine.com.au NordVPN is giving you a huge discount and four extra months on your NordVPN subscription. To get this exclusive deal, go to nordvpn.com/sixtackles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See All (101)

Mathew Thompson

Host
Phil “Gus” Gould

Host
Bradman Best

Guest
Latrell Mitchell

Guest
Brad Fittler

Guest
Billy Slater

Guest
Nathan Cleary

Guest

4.1

out of 5

10 Ratings

Best on Ground

12/27/2023

Blacka

This guy knows his stuff.

League legend Phil 'Gus' Gould and Mathew Thompson tackle the biggest talking points in Rugby League each week, delivering bold opinions, deep analysis and inside stories.