The grand final is here, but can Newcastle complete one of the greatest fairytales in rugby league history?
Paul Kent and Paul Crawley break down the Knights’ remarkable run from wooden spoon to the decider, the challenge of taking down the star-studded Roosters, and why Kalyn Ponga could hold the key.
The team also unpack Justin Holbrook’s coaching influence, the pressure on Trent Robinson’s Roosters, what makes the perfect NRL coach, the Gold Coast Titans’ identity crisis, and the great teams that fell short of winning a premiership.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — Can Newcastle pull off the grand final upset?
0:37 — Wooden spoon to grand final: the history behind Newcastle’s run
3:49 — The 1997 Knights and Newcastle’s fairytale spirit
9:54 — Parramatta 2001 and lessons from past grand finals
14:14 — Newcastle vs Roosters: can the Knights match the superstars?
16:12 — Kalyn Ponga, the Roosters’ edges and Newcastle’s game plan
17:30 — Justin Holbrook’s impact on the Knights
22:55 — Why Holbrook’s coaching style is working
29:20 — Newcastle’s community connection and grand final fever
31:04 — What does the perfect NRL coach look like?
32:07 — The Titans’ identity crisis
39:12 — Holbrook’s belief, rebuilding confidence and coaching culture
40:03 — Why the next great coach may not be a young coach
42:03 — Holbrook, Trent Robinson and the Roosters connection
43:18 — How the Roosters rediscovered their grit
50:42 — Which great teams should have won a premiership?
53:25 — Famous grand final upsets and near-misses
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