The Tip Sheet

The Eels fell painfully short of the finals in the NRLW but it was still a massively successful season. The Tip Sheet looks at the mega strides made under Steve Georgallis as Sixties and Forty20 break down their season. It is a quiet week in Parradise in general but incoming star back Zac Lomax has earned selection in the NRLPA Team Of The Year while he is tipped to be joined by Mitchell Moses in the upcoming Kangaroos squad. The show reviews the week of games that was and then casts an eye ahead to the NRL and NRLW Grand Final Qualifiers as they tip who is set for a date in the big dance. Josh Addo-Carr is looking at a 4-game suspension for his antics while Kalyn Ponga is copping it from the press for choosing to prioritise the Knights over the Roos - is he wrong though?

Fittingly, episode 100 of season 2024 is of the special variety as Sixties and Forty20 are joined by former Eels CEO Bernie Gurr to debrief a singularly difficult season for the club and look at what lies ahead with a new era being ushered in. Bernie discusses the review process every club undertakes every year and the obvious factors that played into Parramatta's struggles this year. From there the boys look at which players we should be expecting to turn it around in 2025 and what can the team salvage from their spirited end to the difficult campaign. The departure of Reagan Campbell-Gillard leaves a monstrous hole in the roster and Gurr isn't so sure it can be filled in the short term - so how do the Eels handle it? What does new coach Jason Ryles bring to the team and how does he make it so the Eels undergo a retool as opposed to a rebuild? Gurr finishes the show with his overview of the NRL this year, a quick look at the finals series as well as some administrative insight into what looms ahead for established clubs with big time expansion coming to the code.

The NRLW are on the cusp of the finals but in an insane twist, even a win over the Roosters and the excellent 6-3 record that would come with it doesn't guarantee them a shot at the finals. Sixties and Forty20 break down exactly why a prospective 66% win rate season could somehow seet them miss the finals in this episode of The Tip Sheet. Kennedy Cherrington and Rachael Pearson were both honoured with awards as the show celebrates their recognition. A review of the weekend results in NRLW and HNWP saw the Eels bag two wins before the boys looks at the huge upcoming game against the Roosters in the NRLW and why the Tigers and Titans hold the keys to Parramatta progressing. Week 1 of the NRL finals is in the bag and that means a full review of the round as the boys cover the drama out of four games. How much did the officiating impact the first week of finals footy, can Cronulla get the King Kong sized gorilla off their back next week after a hefty loss to the Storm? The show covers the most recent developments on Josh Addo-Carr before signing off with a fun look at the Wests Tigers congratulating Luke Brooks on his win over the Bulldogs.

Jason Ryles has spoken in an official capacity for the very first time as the new head coach of the Parramatta Eels. Sixties, Forty20 and Clint eschew the regularly scheduled news podcast (don't worry, it is still coming) in order to react to all of the important questions posed by Adam Hawse. Parramatta's new commander-in-chief details what has he learned from the likes of Craig Bellamy, Trent Robinson and Eddie Jones and what do each of the new appointments to his coaching staff bring to the table for both the club and himself. How does he rate the current roster and who are his elite players? What do Zac Lomax and Isaiah Iongi add to his backline and why did he let Reagan Campbell-Gillard walk? Ryles gives insight into the state of his roster and offers some early clues to some of the first moves he will make. The show closes out with an important dive into JR's view on the Parramatta pathways and the intergration of former players into the modern setup before looking at his closing message to all the stakeholders of the Blue & Gold.

The Ken Thornett Medal, NRL Finals, important injury news and the confirmation of the departure of Reagan Campbell-Gillard are at the heart of a beefy news episode of The Tip Sheet. Sixties and Forty20 are recording this week as the KT Medal is live and react to the various winners across the Jersey Flegg, NSW Cup and NRL as they happen. It is finally official, 'RCG' will be departing the Parramatta Eels. Where does his legacy place him among the big boys in the front row at the club? Who is his next employer? Dylan Brown got good news on his knee but he is not in the clear. The boys discuss the implications of a partial ACL tear, what his recovery timeline now becomes and what risks entail in the future. The NRLW were lion-hearted in a massive against-the-odds victory against the Gold Coast Titans. The post-game wrap looks at how they absorbed near impossible levels of possession and pressure to prevail and keep themselves in the hunt for the finals. In the NRL and NRLW weekly wrap the jockeying for finals positions reached its zenith for the men and intensified for the ladies. The fellas look at how it all played out while Sixties fires up about draw inequities. Josh Addo-Carr is the latest player to end up in the headlines in a time where the Bulldogs need all hands on deck. Speaking of the finals, a host of players are returning in the nick of time - which clubs gain the most and who wins in the first week?

The Eels won, or rather dominated, the Mariana Trench Trophy as they delivered a 60-26 hiding of the Wests Tigers to consign the joint-venture to their 3rd straight wooden spoon. The victory comes with a heavy cost though with serious concerns about Dylan Brown (suspected ACL) and Will Penisini (suspected MCL) heading into the offseason. Sixties and Forty20 break down all of the play as usual but are joined by a pair of special guests this week and Greg and Rob chime in to deliver their closing takes on the game. The boys chat about the heroics of several players including what looks to be a bittersweet send off for Reagan Campbell-Gillard after the big man pocketed a try and a conversion in a rousing last hoorah.

The Tip Sheet previews three games this week as the NRL, NRLW and HNWP take to the field. Sixties and Forty20 reject the Spoon Bowl and embrace the Mariana Trench Trophy ahead of the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers fighting over who avoids finishing last. What lead is safe this weekend? Who will finish this cursed season strongly for the Blue & Gold? Finals are beyond the HNWP but they have a chance to finish these season strongly after their stunning upset of the Wenty Magpies last week. How do they look as they prepare for Mounties? A home game against the Titans is on the docket for our NRLW but they are going to without star forward Kennedy Cherrington. Breanna Eales will take her place but what do the team need to do to both overcome the injury blow and correct course back towards the finals?

The beginning of the end or an end of the beginning? The curtains have closed on the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg while the NRL play out their final game of the season in the titular Spoon Bowl. Sixties, Forty20 and Clint dive into the last proper week of the NRL for the Eels while also reviewing how the NRLW stand after the loss of another key player in Kennedy Cherrington. Elliot Whitehead and Trent Robinson dominated headlines in the NRL following an ugly off-field spat deriving from an injury to Brandon Smith. Who is in the wrong, who is right? Smith wasn't the only injury for the Roosters on the weekend after they were ravaged in a tough loss to the Raiders. Are they still contenders?

John Muggleton joined The Tip Sheet ahead of the wild Round 26 shoot out against the St George Illawarra Dragons. While neither he nor Sixties or Forty20 had any clue about the madness that was to soon unfold, they manage to have an excellent chat about the changes to the coaching staff in 2025. In particular, Muggo's connection to Scott Wisemantel gives him some strong insights into what Parramatta's cross-code appointment can bring to the club. The boys discuss the unique perspectives that come with a background in union - including Muggo's own time in the code. Which players stand to gain the most and how different will Parramatta's attack look under Wisemantel?

The Greatest Game Every Played. Sixties and Forty20 try to make sense of the insanity out of Round 26 after the Parramatta Eels held on to defeat the St George Illawarra Dragons 44-40. Although the Blue & Gold threatened to succumb to yet another late collape, the buffer of a 32-point lead with 10-minutes to play proved to be barely enough to secure their 6th win of the season. The mood is understandly mixed after the manic final exchanges of the game and the boys vent their frustrations. There were also positives, believe it or not, including a rather outstanding record for Maika Sivo after he became the fast player to 100 tries in the NRL era.

The Jersey Flegg nervously await on two other results this week while the NRLW look to bounce back from a tough loss to the Knights. The backdrop to all of this is Parramatta's final home game of the season in the NRL as The Tip Sheet previews a busy round against the St George Illawarra Dragons (and Wentworthville Magpies!). Sixties and Forty20 discuss the member's event hosted by the club this week that included the news of J'maine Hopgood's extension. There are some bizarre tidings out of Tiger Town so the boys take a moment to look at what is happening there before the show turns to 5 previews.

While the NRL may be winding down for the Parramatta Eels in 2024, it seems like there is more footy to discuss than ever for The Tip Sheet as Sixties, Forty20 and Clint unleash a gargantuan episode of the news. New coaches and training staff are on the way and it looks like Jason Ryles has leaned into rugby union to help form his coaching crew. What should we expect and are the boys excited for the new look coaches? Rumours have surfaced again about Parra's interest in Blake Wilson. Is he the right target for the roster revamp? Are there other positions the club should be focusing on? The NRL news wraps another hectic week in the NRL and NRLW while the boys discuss the latest on Latrell Mitchell. What has the Bunker done now? How did Stephen Crichton avoid a sin bin or even a send off for his shoulder charge on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck?

Impressively, frustratingly, unbelievably, believably...the Parramatta Eels found a way to bottle another game this year with their 30-24 loss to the Brisbane Broncos in a match that saw the Blue & Gold squander a 16-0 lead. Sixties and Forty20 vent after another game full of effort (albeit with some vexing misdirection) that featured far too many mistimed errors and defensive misplays.

The preview podcast gets a healthy dose of extra content this week as The Tip Sheet reviews the NRL Hall of Fame Class of 2024 including the induction of the 14th Immortal. Sixties and Forty20 pay their tributes to Ron Coote but also share their frustrations that the all-conquering Eels of 1981-86 are still without representation in the game's inner circle. The four previews this week are then interrupted by the official confirmation that Isaiah Iongi will be joining the club on a 3-year deal starting next in 2025. It is a massive shot in the arm for the Blue & Gold after losing a series of talented prospects to other arms. The Jersey Flegg and NRLW are carrying the banners of the club this week as the boys look at how those two teams can take further steps towards the post-season.

Have the Parramatta Eels finally found their heir to Clinton Gutherson? The Tip Sheet covers reports that the club is close to securing talented Penrith prospect Isaiah Iongi on a 3-year deal as Sixties, Forty20 and Clint offer their perspectives on the potential signing and other roster developments. Kennedy Cherrington celebrated an important miletone as she became the first Eel to reach 25 games in the NRLW. She also led her side to a tough victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday night as the show looks at how well the ladies are travelling. The NRL and NRLW weekend wraps cover a hard forught weekend for the NRLW while the NRL saw the Storm steal an important march on the Panthers in the race for the minor premierip in a game that also saw Nathan Cleary get hurt. In a relatively quiet week for NRL news, the Roosters re-signed Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson while the Sea Eagles have linked up with the Castleford Tigers to boost their development pathways.

In a special episode of The Tip Sheet, Sixties and Forty20 are joined by members of the NSW Physical Disability Rugby League to discuss one of the most empowering branches of our great game. The boys are joined by Rebecca, Che, Geroge, Todd and Joel as they discuss the origins of the PDRL, their recent trip to England for the World Cup as well as what lies ahead for them.

We feared a comprehensive defeat was coming and while the Roosters certainly won handedly...is it odd to say that the Eels still showed a bit of ticker? Sixties and Forty20 review the 38-14 loss in a game where Allianz Stadium almost flooded after a short downpour and the Eels spent 20min of the contest playing with 12 men. The contest felt closer to water polo than footy at times with the expensive drainage systems at Allianz competely failing to effect the saturated field. The boys look at how the class of the Tri-colour won out against the depleted Eels on a night where both teams struggled defensively. Did anyone stand up? Sixties and Forty20 share their 3 Eels who stood tall on the soggy ground before wrapping up the Round 24 contest.

The Tip Sheet pouts over another action packed weekend for the Parramatta Eels. Sixties and Forty20 cover five full games on the docket with the NRLW and Jersey Flegg in particular looking to flex their aspirations for the finals. A double header at Eric Tweedale Stadium sees the Flegg and NSW Cup taking on the Newcastle Knights while the HNWP and NRLW face the Wests Tigers across Monday and Sunday respectively. Another Friday night prime time game awaits the NRL boys as they take on the 3rd placed Sydney Roosters.

With a degree of prophetic certainty, The Tip Sheet gets to unload on a bizarre defence of a crucial obstruction no-call from Graham Annesley just one week after highlighting a troubling change in interpretations on the very same topic. It is safe to say that Sixties, Forty20 and Clint are fired up for this one as they hammer the code for circling the wagons on bad officiating. So yeah, that is the tone for this episode of The Tip Sheet! There are positive things discussed though as the boys celebrate another strong commitment to junior rugby league from Parramatta Leagues Club plus that latest on the roster overhaul as Reagan Campbell-Gillard is linked to other clubs. The weekend recaps in the NRL and NRLW focus on some suprise results and second half comebacks before the boys poke at some controversial topics centreing around Latrell Mitchell and Kyle Flanagan with handy, handy 10m poles.

Ah yes, The Parra Special. Take an incredibly unlikely stranglehold over the best team in the competition only to let it slip away in the final moments. Throw in a string of controversial calls and no-calls and you have the recipe for an insanely exciting game rife with hope and ultimately heartbreak. Sixties and Forty20 record a morning after reaction in the wake of last night's insanity with feelings still coursing strongly. A certain podcast just this week popped off about inconsistencies in the interpretation of obstruction. Lo and behold that very subject rearing its ugly head in the single most critical juncture of this game with the Panthers scoring the game winning try on the back of an incredbily contentions blocker run by Liam Martin. The boys sound off about the no-call and discuss what else went wrong for the Eels in that period. The rest of the game gets broken down after the fiery takes get dialed back to a more gentle simmer as the effort of application of the Eels gets praised for another week running. The boys hand out their 3, 2, 1s and also give a couple of shout outs to the NSW Cup. The second half of the podcast features Michael Buettner as part of the Pre Game Show with the Parramatta and North Sydney star giving his insight on some topical matters. Why do young talents head to other clubs? Buettner gives his personal insight on the decision to switch from the Eels to the Bears and what goes into such a decision. The show looks at some Xs and Os and how you look to upset the Panthers and what is the best course of action when it comes to trying to nullify the impact of Brian To'o.