NRL Round 20 is done and the Top 8 race is officially on. In this Footy IQ episode we dig into the fringe teams – Broncos, Storm, Raiders, Bulldogs and even the steadily impressive Knights – and ask whether the hype matches the ladder when it comes to finals footy.
We break down Brisbane’s upset of Penrith, Melbourne’s worrying slide, the Raiders’ surge and Hudson Young’s injury blow, the Bulldogs’ emerging defensive identity, and why the Knights might be one of the competition’s most consistent sides despite a narrow loss.
We also talk about the annual post‑Origin lull, what it does to intensity and discipline, and how Dragons and Raiders fans should feel seeing so many young stars on the park at once.
If you like tactical NRL breakdowns, systems chat and real talk on decision‑making rather than hot‑take outrage, you’re in the right place.
Subscribe for weekly NRL Round reviews, deep dives on key clubs, and smarter finals chat. Watch the show here, or listen on Spotify and your favourite podcast apps by searching Footy IQ – an NRL show about how teams actually play, not just who won.
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Leaning into rugby league and combat sports, we break down the tactics, personalities and pressure points shaping Australian and global sport. You’ll find in-depth analysis, documentaries, interviews, explainers and live coverage built for fans who want more than highlight reels.
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