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Freddy and the Eighth

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NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler, Mat Thompson and NRL legend Andrew Johns dissect the biggest issues of the week.

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22 episodes
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Avg 39 min
English

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S4 · E23
Wednesday · 45 min
Freddy’s brutal truth about the Adam Reynolds saga
Should the Roosters be concerned heading into the finals after a shock loss to the Tigers? Jai Arrow's quest to reach his 100th game for South Sydney, and why Adam Reynolds won't get a fairytale ending. Plus, the NRL is set to test new rules in the Grand Final rematch. All that and more! 00:00 Intro 02:20 Roosters v Tigers recap 04:45 NRL Ladder 05:24 Premiership Heavyweights 08:26 Roosters Departures 09:45 Jai Arrow quest for 100th Game 13:05 Adam Reynolds Retires 19:04 PNG Cheifs sign Joey Manu 21:50 Hudson Young touring PNG 23:53 Wally Lewis Final Game 27:30 New Rule Change 32:25 Freddy and The Eighth Medals 36:00 'Having a Crack' thanks to SportsBet 38:10 Round 26 Preview 43:50 Goodbyes Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9 NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video. Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine #NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E22
August 19 · 42 min
The shock contenders that could win it all in 2026
This week on Freddy & the Eighth, the boys name some shock contenders outside the top 4 who could win the Premiership. Brad Fittler reveals his hilarious ‘welcome to Rugby League’ moment, while Joey explains which roommate he would room with again and who he wouldn’t. Plus, should the NRL buy the Super League? All that and more! Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9 NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video. Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine #NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E21
August 12 · 43 min
Are the Roosters in danger of losing superstar Sam Walker
Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns make sense of the contract drama involving Sam Walker and the Sydney Roosters. Should the Perth Bears go all-in on securing the signings of Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans? Rabbitohs Fullback Matt Dufty joins the show to chat about the ups and downs of his footy career. Plus, should the NRL add a 3rd place game on Grand Final week? All that and more on another episode of Freddy & the Eighth. Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9 0:00 Our new intro 2:00 Mad Monday celebrations 2:48 Horsburgh’s brain snap 3:40 John Hopoate’s phantom finger 4:51 Horsburgh dropped 5:29 Paulo & Horsburgh to Perth? 6:30 Sam Walker contract drama 8:16 DCE to England or Perth 9:52 Brian To’o to PNG 12:40 PNG singing frenzy 13:44 Touring PNG 14:29 Matt Dufty joins the show 15:11 How Dufty joined the Bunnies 16:00 Ups and downs of his career 17:33 Difficulties of train and trial deal 17:58 What does the future hold? 18:39 If Dufty wasn’t a footy player 19:35 Playing with Cody Walker 20:20 Playing under Wayne Bennett 20:55 Fullback battle with Jye Gray 21:30 Dufty’s relationship with Sam Burgess 22:25 Joey’s time at Warrington 24:15 Bulldogs v Rabbitohs preview 25:52 Relief for the Bears 26:47 Perth Bears 2027 team 27:16 Importance of a private plane 28:37 Risk of injuries with Perth 30:01 Bears should target DCE 32:31 Grand Final week extravaganza 34:22 Freddy & the Eighth Medal 36:35 Having a Crack thanks to Sportsbet 39:01 Thursday Night Footy preview 40:39 Friday Night Footy preview 40:58 Saturday Night Footy preview 41:34 Sunday Arvo Footy preview 42:29 Congratulations to Emma and TBH NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video. Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine #NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E20
August 5 · 44 min
Boys debate what NRL rules need to be changed and added ASAP
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E19
July 29 · 44 min
Boys explain what changes need to be made at the Tigers
The gang is back together and ready to tackle all the latest talking points in the world of Rugby League. Adam Doueihi and Benji Marshall may have patched things over, but the boys still believe things need to change at the Wests Tigers. The PNG Chiefs are putting together a formidable roster with the acquisition of Zac Lomax. Plus, the Sharks are circling, can Nicho Hynes steer the Cronulla Sharks to a premiership in 2026? All that and more on another episode of Freddy & the Eighth. Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9 0:00 The gang is back together 0:15 Happy Birthday Danika 0:57 Joey’s private jet 1:52 The Channel 9 Chopper 2:52 Freddy’s microphone hack 3:13 Nicho Hynes on fire 3:38 Hazem El Masri’s kicking masterclass 4:45 No health issues for Laurie 7:48 Doueihi returns to the Tigers 8:49 Was Doueihi in the wrong? 9:23 Stability key to club success 10:08 Tales of Tiger Town 10:59 What needs to change 14:13 Greatest sports curse broken 15:47 Gaelic Football commentary 16:32 County Mayo win the All-Ireland 16:54 Ruby League hoodoo’s 17:03 Roosters v Cowboys 17:44 Knights’ first win against Broncos 18:16 Curse of the Bambino 18:46 Ben Hunt’s curse to redemption 19:25 Sharks break premiership drought 20:02 Rabbitohs comeback premiership win 21:11 Lomax signs with PNG 24:53 Ins and Outs of Round 22 26:05 Blaize Talagi dropped 27:23 Ponga returns 28:15 Sharks surging to the finish 31:33 Jai July 32:46 Freddy & the Eighth Medal 35:35 Having A Crack thanks to Sportsbet 39:06 Sam Walker’s Origin pass 39:55 Thursday Night Footy preview 40:57 Friday Night Footy preview 41:18 Sunday Arvo Footy preview 42:30 Freddy discovers AI NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video. Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine #NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E18
July 22 · 43 min
Laurie Daley endorses Joey to coach NSW
Victorious NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley joins Andrew Johns and Danika Mason on a special edition of Freddy & the Eighth. Laurie throws his support behind Joey to coach the NSW Blues in the future. The Origin greats name their ultimate team of the 90s. Can Manly survive without Tom Trbojevic and what does his latest injury mean for the future of his career? Subscribe 👉 https://bit.ly/2lvAJT2 NRL News👉 https://bit.ly/2mPWIV9 0:00 Welcome Laurie Daley 2:33 Laurie reflects on Origin 3:15 Difference between coaching and playing 4:02 Aftermath of Game 3 4:56 Hardest part of coaching 7:12 Loz’s future as coach 7:47 Who is a future Origin coach? 9:08 Loz endorses Joey for coaching 10:43 1996 Origin series 11:53 Loz’s hit on Andrew Gee 12:36 Bonding in Origin 13:49 Difference from 2014 to 2026 15:14 Grand Final celebrations 17:27 Tim Sheens’ coaching tree 19:18 Joey’s ultimate 90s team 25:17 Loz’s ultimate 90s team 25:54 Bozo sprays ET 27:22 Turbo’s hamstring injury 28:40 Turbo to the centres? 30:55 Having A Crack by Sportsbet 34:20 Jai July 34:48 Freddy & the Eighth medal 35:47 Broncos run home 38:59 Thursday Night Footy preview 40:03 Friday Night Footy preview 40:36 Sunday Arvo Footy preview 41:39 Vale Scott Dureau NRL on Nine is the home of everything rugby league so stay tuned for more NRL highlights, analysis, opinion and video. Watch NRL LIVE and FREE: https://stream.9now.com.au/yewrYenTVJb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRLonNine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrlonnine TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrlonnine?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRLonNine #NRLonNine #WideWorldofSports #NRL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E17
July 15 · 42 min
Has Luai’s tenure at the Wests Tigers been successful or a huge failure
The Eighth Immortal is away on holidays so we’ve recruited his nephew! Cooper Johns joins Brad Fittler and Danika Mason for a very funny episode. The trio make sense of the Jarome Luai and Benji Marshall saga, and has Luai’s time at the Tigers been successful or a failure? Is the Melbourne Storm’s season over with Cameron Munster set to miss 4-6 weeks? Plus, we dive into some of the best ‘having a crack’ moments in Rugby League history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E16
July 7 · 42 min
Freddy & Joey preview the 2026 State of Origin decider
Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns share their final words ahead of the 2026 State of Origin decider. 2024 Origin hero Bradman Best joins the show to discuss tactics and gameplan ahead of Game III. Plus, the boys name the best Indigenous player they have played with in their careers. All that and more on a special Origin edition of Freddy & the Eighth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 5 · 27 min
Stories of Origin: The Unstoppable Greg Inglis – Game 2, 2008
In the final episode of Stories of Origin series five, host Mathew Thompson sits down with the legendary Greg Inglis to discuss his standout 2008 State of Origin campaign. Known for his power and intimidation, "GI" recalls how he overcame a difficult start to the series to secure a glorious victory in Queensland’s golden era of dominance. Despite his on-field success, Greg reflects on the personal challenges he faced with his mental health. Now, as a fit and healthy family man, he uses his powerful profile to support indigenous people who are experiencing the same issues. His commitment to the Goanna Academy is making a significant impact, a legacy that extends well beyond his on-field achievements, especially as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week. This episode concludes series five of Stories of Origin, winner of the Best Sports Podcast at the annual Australian Audio Awards. Host: Mathew Thompson Executive Producer: Matty White Thanks to TAB for supporting Stories of Origin Season 5. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E15
July 1 · 43 min
Joey's answer to the NSW Blues coaching call
With growing speculation around the future of the NSW Blues coaching role, Andrew Johns reveals why he would/wouldn’t take the role. Newcastle Knights legend and Blues hero Danny Buderus joins the show and tells us who he thinks should be the dummy-halves in the future for NSW. Plus, celebrating 10 years of Beanies for Brain Cancer and the remarkable job Mark Hughes and the Callandar’s are doing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 21 · 26 min
Stories of Origin: Brad Fittler's Favourite Origin | The Fairytale Farewell of 2004
No one has had a greater influence on New South Wales rugby league than Brad Fittler. A Blues legend, Freddy played a record 31 State of Origin matches for NSW before later coaching his state on 18 occasions. But the Origin story closest to his heart came in 2004, when Phil Gould convinced him to return from representative retirement for one final campaign. It wasn't all smooth sailing. The comeback didn't start as planned, but it ended with one of the most memorable fairytale finishes in Origin history. In this episode of Stories of Origin, Brad Fittler relives the 2004 series, his final season in the Sky Blue jersey, the unforgettable decider, and the perfect send-off alongside Phil Gould. A farewell that remains one of the great moments in Origin history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
June 18 · 32 min
Joey pinpoints EXACTLY what the Blues keep getting wrong against Queensland
Andrew Johns and Emma Lawrence analyse all the fallout from State of Origin Game 2. Joey demands various changes to the Blues squad ASAP. The Eighth Immortal critiques the Blues poor interchanges and can't understand why Api Koroisau was not used. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E14
June 17 · 43 min
Freddy & the Eighth’s full State of Origin Game II preview
With Game II of State of Origin 2026 coming up, Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns have you covered with a full in-depth preview. The boys take a look back at some of their favourite and non-favourite moments from Origin at the MCG. NSW Blues enforcer Hudson Young dials in from camp. Plus, Las Vegas Raiders’ stars Atonio Mafi and Jonah Laulu stop by for a chat about life as NFL players. All that and more on a special State of Origin edition of Freddy & the Eighth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E13
June 10 · 41 min
Bizarre axing of Haumole Olakau’atu shocks Origin legends
NSW legends Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns try to make sense of the axing of Haumole Olakau’atu. Joey believes Casey McLean will recover in time to play Game 2, but has serious doubts over Mitchell Moses. Red Hill in turmoil, Broncos season in jeopardy and the boys pinpoint where the major issue lies. (0:00) Jai Arrow at the Big Freeze (0:51) Rabbitohs to honour Jai (1:43) Kane Evans’ emotional interview (4:25) Olakau’atu axed from Origin (6:31) Dylan Lucas primed to perform (8:17) Joey’s weather forecast (8:38) Injury cloud around Casey McLean (9:18) How does Daley utilise Api? (9:54) D-Day for Mitchell Moses (11:05) Payne Haas returns (12:25) NRL pedigrees with Joey & Freddy (13:25) 1997 State of Origin series (15:10) Playing under Tommy Raudonikis (16:02) How will Billy use Reece Walsh? (17:41) Difficulty of managing interchanges (18:34) Will Marky Mark’s name fit on the jersey? (18:58) Multiple changes to the Maroons (19:19) Ponga-Munster-Walker combo (19:39) Ponga-Munster feud (20:07) Joey and Freddy’s feud (20:58) Best position for Walsh off the bench? (22:17) Red Hill in turmoil (22:54) Broncos’ run home (23:44) Madge at risk of losing his job? (25:12) Injuries the reason for Broncos' downfall? (27:03) Gal’s greatest Origin moment (28:46) Blues end the QLD dynasty (30:28) Freddy & the Eighth medal (34:26) Having A Crack, sponsored by Sportsbet (37:47) Thursday Night Footy preview (38:26) Friday Night Footy preview (40:07) Sunday Arvo Footy preview (41:15) Advice from the boys See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E12
June 4 · 40 min
Joey demands Laurie Daley to select young SUPERSTAR
Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns select their State of Origin Game 2 squads with a few surprising ins and outs. Joey demands NSW Blues coach, Laurie Daley, to select Penrith Panthers star Casey McLean after his impressive State of Origin debut off the bench in Game 1. Ethan Strange or Mitchell Moses, who should play Five-Eighth for the Blues? Fozball is here to stay and the Dragons get their first win of 2026. All that and more on another bumper edition of Freddy & the Eighth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E11
May 26 · 41 min
Legends terrified of Maroons strike weapons
Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have you sorted with the ultimate State of Origin preview! The Origin legends back Ethan Strange to cement himself in Origin, after Mitchell Moses was ruled out due to injury. The boys reveal which QLDER terrifies them the most ahead of Game 1 State of Origin. In other news, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo is off to Tennis, so who will replace him? All that and more in an Origin edition of Freddy & the Eighth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 24 · 28 min
Stories of Origin: Danny Buderus’ Famous Decider
Danny Buderus relives his favourite State of Origin memory, Game 3, 2005. From the heartbreak of Matt Bowen’s intercept in Game 1 golden point, to the return of Andrew Johns and captaining NSW to a famous 32-10 win at Suncorp. At the time, nobody realised it would become the last Blues decider win in Brisbane for almost two decades. This is the story of a team that got knocked down, found belief again, and etched itself into Origin history. Thanks to TAB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E10
May 21 · 45 min
Andrew Johns & Brad Fittler dissect the NSW & QLD Squads
NSW Blues Legends Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns break down the key and surprising selections from Laurie Daley and Billy Slater ahead of State of Origin 2026 Game 1. The boys applaud the selection of Victor Radley in the forward pack and Jamie Goddard joins the show to relive THAT 1997 Origin fight against Joey. All that and more on another edition of Freddy & the Eighth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S4 · E9
May 14 · 43 min
Ivan Cleary's departure STUNS Freddy and Joey
Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns are stunned by the news of Ivan Cleary's sudden departure from the Penrith Panthers. The boys discuss the Perth Bears' biggest issues regarding signing players and how they can fix it? Plus, a preview of Magic Round 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 8 · 26 min
Stories of Origin: Nathan Cleary’s Masterclass
He was at his lowest ebb - then he delivered perfection. Welcome to Season 5 of Stories of Origin. as we sit down with the true icons of the game to explore the single Origin match that defined their legacy. We are kicking off this series with a bang. Rugby league’s greatest player, Nathan Cleary, joins us to dissect his favourite Origin game: his absolute masterclass in game two of the 2022 series in Perth. It was a performance that silenced the critics and showcased the resilience required to thrive at this level. Nathan takes us inside the intense pressure of that series, revealing how he channelled the disappointment of a 16-10 home loss in game one - against a Queensland side inspired by the champion Cameron Munster, to orchestrate the defining high point of his Origin career. It’s an intimate, tactical, and honest look at what it takes to own the toughest arena in rugby league. Proudly brought to you by TAB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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