Competition leaders Dogs & Warriors lead the way & Cleary’s assistants on top

Kenty and Woz dive into the latest NRL headlines, focusing on the resurgence of the Bulldogs and Warriors, the influence of Ivan Cleary's coaching tree, and the brewing controversy surrounding Mitchell Moses and the media.

Defense: The Eternal Truth

Kent highlights that while modern fans are often captivated by high-scoring comebacks, the current success of the Canterbury Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors is built on a more traditional foundation: defense. These two sides currently boast the best defensive records in the competition.

Kent specifically praised Stephen Crichton, describing him as a "generational player" in the mould of Greg Inglis or Mal Meninga. He noted that Crichton is not just leading with his talent but is an "alpha dog" whose influence has transformed the entire Bulldogs culture.

The Cleary Coaching Factory

The panel discussed the remarkable success of Ivan Cleary’s former assistants, Andrew Webster (Warriors) and Cameron Ciraldo (Bulldogs). Kent pointed out that Cleary has an uncanny ability to identify and develop coaching talent.

Both Webster and Ciraldo have implemented defensive blueprints at their respective clubs that mirror the systems used during Penrith’s premiership runs. With the Bears looking for a coach for their Perth-based entry, Kent suggested that while the club might want someone from the "Cleary bloodline" like Jason Taylor, the NRL appears to be pushing for a high-profile figurehead like Mal Meninga to help win the "propaganda war" against the AFL in Western Australia.

The Vegas Launch and "Socialist" Selection

The NRL is set to decide on the four teams for the 2025 Las Vegas season opener, with the Dragons, Bulldogs, Knights, and Cowboys currently the frontrunners. Kent voiced his frustration with the selection process, calling for the NRL to stop acting like a "socialist organisation." He argued that the league should send the most exciting, high-performing "super clubs" rather than simply rotating teams to ensure everyone gets a "free trip."

Origin Selection & The Moses-Lui Debate

With State of Origin teams to be picked after the weekend, Kent analysed the dilemma facing New South Wales coach Laurie Daley. While Mitchell Moses has publicly stated his desire to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves, Kent believes the "safe" and most likely choice will be Jarome Luai due to his existing club and Origin combinations with Cleary.

In the Queensland camp, Billy Slater faces a hooker crisis with Ben Hunt injured and Harry Grant in a race against time to be fit. Kent suggested Reed Mahoney is firmly in the conversation as a potential replacement.

Media Blues: Moses vs Chamus

The episode also touched on a "volatile" incident where journalist Michael Chamus was pulled from a television appearance after Mitchell Moses reportedly refused to go on air with him. Kent was critical of Channel 9 management for "blinking" and pulling the journalist.

Drawing from his own history of "blues" with coaches and players, Kent argued that players should be "bigger blokes" and face their critics directly on air rather than hiding from them. He recounted a story of being cornered by a "scary" Darren Tracy in the dressing rooms in the 1990s, suggesting that face-to-face interaction—no matter how volatile—is healthier for the game than the current trend of media avoidance.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.