Zero Tackle NRL Podcast

The Boardroom’s Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors, New South Wales, Australia) is joined by renowned rugby league administrator John Ribot for a deep dive into building an NRL club from the ground up. Having been the founding CEO of the Brisbane Broncos, Melbourne Storm and the ceased Australian Super League, Ribot reflects and dissects the travails, tribulations and intricacies...

The Loose Carry NRL Podcast team recap a thrilling weekend of results that saw the Dragons claim their first home win since August and the Knights rise into the top four. ‘Fair or Foul’ raises questions over Brisbane’s season and the future of Michael Maguire, Jonah Pezet’s contract with Parramatta, and Luke Brooks’ role at Manly. Plus, a preview of the Origin series decider, and rugby league coac...

Double digit done deals have been signed and sealed since the last episode of the NRL Contract Show, giving the boys plenty to pick through from the rumour mill. More NRL talent could be on the move, including the likes Moses Leota, Bronson Xerri and Junior Paulo, while the the team take a look at Latrell Mitchell’s contract. Plus, a deep dive into the state of play of the Perth Bears’ squad build...

The final team lists for the 2026 Origin series have landed ahead of the series decider, with the team breaking down some of the surprise changes and decisions, namely out of New South Wales following the Game 2 loss in Melbourne. Lee takes a look at the evolution of the game for Coach’s Corner, and ‘Fair or Foul?’ argues whether Selwyn Cobbo is the NRL’s form player. Also, a look at the Cowboys’...

With Origin fever at a high ahead of the 2026 series decider in Queensland, Hoffy and Chad discuss what’s working and what could change for the NRL’s best product. The boys discuss whether the league should look to adjust the Origin schedule, their surprises from attending the Melbourne game, and the NSW and QLD pathways. Plus, a look at who could be the next coaches in line for both states, and H...

Some BIG results from NRL Round 16 - headlined by Gold Coast’s win over Penrith - leave the Loose Carry team with plenty to discuss. With wins on the board over the weekend, the premiership prospects for the Storm and Dolphins also come into consideration. ‘Fair or Foul?’ raises some big questions over Nathan Cleary and Laurie Daley after the SNW Blues’ Game. 2 defeat, while rugby league coach Lee...

The NRL player movement market has been rife with rumours over the past week, with the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs among the clubs heavily involved. On this week’s episode of the NRL Contract Show, the boys look at the latest moves and speculation on the open market, with Storm champion Cam Munster, Dogs ace Jacob Preston and a list of Broncos playmakers a...

With half of the 2026 NRL season in the books, the team look at how the ladder is taking shape and the teams that have been the most disappointing so far, with two clubs the standouts. The timing and impact of Origin on the NRL season is also put under the microscope, with the league called to look into changing the ‘farcical’ format of the representative period. Plus, a preview for Game 2 in Melb...

Following the recent battles of Jai Arrow and Kane Evans, Hoffy and Chad discuss the support players and their families receive from the NRL during and after their careers. Within the discussion, the boys go inside the frameworks and education seminars players undergo, focusing on drugs, alcohol and respect for women, as well as being role models for NRL fans and their community. Plus, an Origin G...

Hot off the teams for Origin Game 2 dropping, the Loose Carry team break down the changes from the series opener and the big surprises for both New South Wales and Queensland. The Panthers’ 68-0 win over the Tigers raised plenty of talking points for both sides, while Lee goes into bat for the Broncos after the reigning premiers suffered another horror loss. Plus, Israel Folau’s floated NRL return...

In the latest episode of the NRL Contract Show, Darren and Scott recap a busy couple of weeks on the open market, with several deals landing and more big names potentially on the move, including two Kangaroos representatives. With Penrith heading toward a contract crunch, Thomas Jenkins could emerged as a target for rivals to circle, with the boys naming the potential landing spots for the in-form...

The Loose Carry team give the Dragons their flowers after the Red V managed to end a 15-game losing run with a dominant performance over the Broncos, who have issues of their own arising after suffering their fourth straight defeat. Cameron Ciraldo’s pattern of blaming officials post-game also comes under the microscope, and Round 13 might’ve included the game of the season so far. Plus, an Origin...

From having to sack a favourite son, to considering a great of the club for the next senior coaching role, how do clubs fare when it comes to reunions with stalwarts of a past system? This week, the boys dive into some of the club champions-turned-coaches across the NRL, and how much that connection pays off. With some failing to fire as coaches after stellar playing careers, and others currently...

The Loose Carry Podcast team react to Andrew Abdo’s call to resign from his role and look back on his tenure as CEO of the NRL. Zero Tackle editor Scott Pryde details his report on the latest Penrith star heading toward the exit, and where he could be off to next. Meanwhile, Manly managed to “win ugly” over the Titans amid a big watch on Kieran Foran’s future as a coach, and when will the Dragons’...

In a one-on-one chat with Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga, Zero Tackle reporter Leo Twemlow quizzes the inaugural Bears coach on how the expansion club’s recruitment drive is faring, growing the game in Western Australia, the tactics set to be embedded by the coaching group, and Mal’s return to senior coaching in the NRL. 🐻 BECOME A FOUNDATION PERTH BEARS MEMBER: https://shop.perthbears.com.au/ ⬇️...

A busy fortnight in the NRL player movement landscape has the rumour mill in full spin, with Cam McInnes, Connor Watson, Sam Verrills, William Kennedy and Hudson Young among the names making headlines. With Ivan Cleary’s exit date at Penrith locked in, what does the future hold for Nathan Cleary, and which clubs could be circling the Panthers halfback? The team name five potential landing spots fo...

With the Origin teams for this year’s series opener revealed just ahead of the show, the team break down all the surprise calls, biggest snubs, debutants for both Queensland and New South Wales, as well as make their predictions for Game 1. NUMBER UP takes a look at the defensive woes for both the Tigers and Bulldogs, as well as the the Knights’ stunning scoring turnaround, and COACH’s corner brea...

With the first game of State of Origin around the corner, Hoffy and Chad dive into the good, bad and ugly of Origin, from the timing of the matches to its media coverage. Hoffy opens up on his experiences playing for New South Wales, and Chad lifts the lid on missing out on a Blues jersey. Plus, the future for Origin in New Zealand, and the tactics that would arise from clubland. Hosted by NRL pre...

With Origin just weeks away, the team break down and make verdits on some of the biggest looming selection calls for both the Blues and Maroons. The Tigers’ woes continued over the weekend as the Storm found some form, while Lee outlines just how bad the situation is at St George Illawarra. Plus, another Select Cards Battle Break between Phoenix and Darren! Loose takes on real news, Loose Carry is...

In the first episode of The NRL Contract Show, host Darren Parkin is joined by Zero Tackle editor Scott Pryde to look at the state of the NRL’s player movement space and all the latest whispers and rumours that come with it. After Jarome Luai’s confirmed move to PNG, a Roosters forward follow him north, while a New Zealand playmaker has been tied to a switch to Queensland. The team also look at th...

A third of the way through the 2026 NRL season, the team look at the NRL clubs that are the “real deal” as far as the premiership race, including some surprising contenders. Injuries to key Tigers players have raised questions as to whether Benji Marshall’s men can remain competitive, with the venture club joining the 50-point curse club after their defeat to Cronulla. Once seen as ‘novelty games’...

After eight rounds of action in the NRL season, Hoffy and Chad take a wide-lens look at the state of the competition, from the pre-season rules changes to the form of several clubs, as well as what’s working for the league, how injuries are impacting teams, and result of the new speed of the game. Hosted by NRL premiership players Ryan Hoffman and Chad Townsend, The Boardroom NRL Podcast takes a w...

Zero Tackle editor Scott Pryde joins the show for a deep dive into the situation at the St George Illawarra Dragons, while the team also break down their concerns for the Knights and Bulldogs after their own heavy losses. The Storm’s losing streak has extended to six games, with the form of a Melbourne great catching attention, while Lee looks into the Tigers’ attack in Coach’s Corner. Loose takes...

Recording just moments after Shane Flanagan’s St George Illawarra departure was confirmed, the team - alongside NRL great Ryan Hoffman - analyse the end of Flanagan’s tenure and who could succeed him at the Dragons, with two candidates seen as the standout options. The situation at the Storm is yet to improve, with Hoffman weighing in on the state of play at his former club, while Jake Trbojevic’s...

Hoffy and Chad dive into the current state of the NRL’s junior pathways, and the challenges the league, merger clubs and the country’s best young players face within them. The boys reflect on their own experiences as juniors prior to reaching the top flight, assess how current clubs fare, and look ahead to ways the NRL can best position expansion clubs Perth and PNG. Hosted by NRL premiership play...