Phil Gould returns with one of the great podcast openers after revealing a heart monitor scare that led to the line: “I’ve been dead for 3 days.”

From there, it’s straight into Magic Round chaos and the biggest Origin talking points heading into team selections. Gus breaks down the Reece Walsh v Kalyn Ponga fullback debate, the Warriors’ decision to release Luke Metcalf, and why modern rugby league has become “a game of fatigue.”

There’s also Ask Gus from Switzerland, Perth expansion discussion, Women’s Origin preview, and a full Round 11 Magic Round breakdown thanks to TAB.

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.

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The "Billy the Kid" Breakout: State of Origin Game 2, 2004

In this episode of Stories of Origin, host Matthew Thompson sits down with a true icon of the game, current Maroons coach and Queensland legend Billy Slater.

Travel back to 2004, a year that cemented Slater's place in Origin folklore. We revisit the electric atmosphere of Suncorp Stadium and the moment that left the sporting world breathless: Slater’s legendary double chip-and-chase try.

Join us as Billy reflects on the sheer instinct behind that iconic play, the magic of the 2004 series, and what it means to be part of the Maroons' enduring legacy.

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The game is changing… and Gus reckons it’s happening fast.

We kick off with a deep dive into the modern NRL, where speed is up, defence is down, and scorelines are blowing out. We’ve seen 80-point games, record losing scores, and a competition that feels more unpredictable than ever. Is this the new normal… or just a phase?

There’s also a big warning around Origin. If the current style of officiating carries over, Gus says it could get “scary”… with fatigue, injuries, and recovery becoming just as important as tactics.

From there, it’s all the big talking points. The fallout from Gal v Bracey, a PNG discussion, and a strong call that Bula could be a one-club player. Injury concerns for Doueihi, plus the question hanging over Liam Martin and his future at the Panthers.

Gus also backs a Queensland fightback in Women’s Origin, before tackling your questions. Origin selection headaches, the push to “make scrums great again,” and how forward recruitment has changed in today’s faster, more demanding game.

We finish with trivia, a defunct clubs quiz, and a full NRL preview.

Six Tackles with Gus State of Origin Game 1 live podcast show is happening at The Locker Room from 2pm before kick off on Wednesday 27th of May. If you want to come along send us your best Ask Gus Question to sixtackles@nine.com.au It’s all thanks to TAB.

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