Footy IQ

Everyone’s blaming “structure” for NSW’s Origin problems – we think that’s lazy. In this episode Blake pulls apart the real issues behind the Blues’ Game 3 headache, from selection calls to combinations and who’s actually built for Suncorp.We also get into the future: who should coach NSW next, and Blake’s own 1–17 for Origin 3 that he believes can win a decider in Brisbane. If you want more than clichés and want to understand how the Blues can actually get it right, this one’s for you.Subscribe for weekly NRL and State of Origin breakdowns, plus tactical deep dives and smarter footy chat. Audio version is available on all major podcast apps – just search “Footy IQ”.

The Origin Game 2 team lists have finally dropped, and both coaches have swung some big selection calls. In this episode, we give our honest reactions to the Blues and Maroons squads – who deserved their jersey, who’s been a bit lucky, and what these line‑ups tell us about the game plans for the MCG.We break down the spines, forward packs and benches, and ask whether these combinations actually fit modern Origin footy or just look good on paper.Hit subscribe if you’re into Origin‑level tactics and selection chat, and find Footy IQ wherever you get your podcasts.

State of Origin I week has been flipped on its head, with NSW five‑eighth Mitchell Moses in doubt after pulling up with hamstring tightness at training and Matt Burton called into Blues camp as cover. Laurie Daley has already named Raiders young gun Ethan Strange in jersey 18, and if Moses can’t go on Wednesday night it leaves a massive call for the Blues: do you trust Burton’s experience and left foot, or roll the dice on Strange’s X‑factor?

NRL Round 10 delivered a genuine Knights statement, a steady Roosters machine performance and a few big Queensland Maroons selection questions – so we’re breaking it all down on Footy IQ. Newcastle smashed the Dragons 44–10, with Greg Marzhew crossing for five tries and Kalyn Ponga steering a left edge that looked absolutely untouchable. We dig into how Justin Holbrook has transformed the Knights’ attack and whether this is officially a “from spoon to September” season.Then we swing to Gosford, where James Tedesco’s double helped the Sydney Roosters grind past the Titans 28–12 for their sixth straight win – not always pretty, but very much a top‑four type victory. Finally, we zoom out to Queensland’s Origin picture: who’s locked in, who’s pushing their way into Billy Slater’s plans, and which Round 10 performances actually move the needle for the Maroons

The Dragons changed the coach, but the result stayed the same. In the latest episode of Footy IQ, we take a look at where it all went wrong for St George Illawarra in their 46-point Anzac Day loss to the Roosters, which featured a baptism of fire for young halfback Kade Reed. The Tigers chalked up another win, this time against the Raiders, but did the Leichhardt faithful tempt the footy gods? We also cover the Storm's sixth straight loss, Jarome Luai's fact-finding mission to PNG, Kalyn Ponga's contract extension with Newcastle and more.0:00 - Where's Danksy?0:55 - Dragons Anzac Day autopsy10:55 - Tigers fans rejoice in win over Raiders15:12 - Doueihi and/or Luai for Origin?18:37 - Jarome Luai the PNG Chief21:14 - Melbourne's sixth straight defeat26:10 - Can South Sydney win the comp?31:06 - Defending your line early33:30 - Kalyn Ponga's contract extension37:00 - Foran's Sea Eagles move to 4-0#nrl #rugbyleague

The Melbourne Storm have dropped four in a row and the easy narrative is “they’re gone”. We go deeper. Has Craig Bellamy actually fallen behind the modern game, or is this just the price of a roster in transition? We unpack the Storm’s systems, the changing strengths of their squad, and the tweaks Bellamy may need if Melbourne are going to stay a genuine force

Kieran Foran is suddenly the head coach of the Manly Sea Eagles – but is he special enough to skip the traditional assistant‑coach apprenticeship and keep the job beyond 2026? In this Footy IQ episode, we break down Manly’s shock sacking of Anthony Seibold, how Foran ended up in the hot seat, and what the tape says about his chances of turning the Sea Eagles around.

The New Zealand Warriors might have built the best talent “production line” in the NRL – and Andrew Webster is quietly turning unheralded guys like Jackson Ford and Tanah Boyd into genuine weapons.In this episode we break down how Webster is developing role players into starters, why Ford and Boyd are perfect examples of the new Warriors identity, and whether this pipeline can actually keep them near the top long term.We also get stuck into the “set restart” rule – how it’s warping momentum, what’s broken about the current interpretation, and a few ideas to fix it without killing ruck speed.Plus, a look at the Tigers’ surprise win over the Cowboys: how much was genuine improvement, how much was soft opposition and perfect conditions, and what – if anything – it tells us about both teams going forward.

Round 1 in Las Vegas is in the books – but how much did the referees really influence the results?In this episode we break down the biggest calls from the Vegas double‑header, whether they genuinely changed the games or just gave everyone something to blow up about, and why the Dragons might’ve been the quiet winners of the weekend.We also look at what each club actually took out of the trip: combinations, branding, Vegas week off‑field benefits and whether this thing is becoming a genuine launchpad for a season instead of a distraction.

The NRL has officially announced revised State of Origin eligibility rules, and the debate is already heating up. But are these changes really a step backwards — or could they actually be exactly what rugby league in Australia and New Zealand needs?In this episode of Footy IQ, we break down what the new rules mean, why they’re a move in the right direction, and how they could finally bring clarity and balance to international representation. From player development pathways to the impact on Origin’s intensity, we unpack every angle.