"Everybody loves Marky Mark...but yeah, nah...look" Michael Bridger and David Free on the NRL 2026 Grand Final

On this final episode of The Selection Table for 2026, Michael Bridger is joined by Australian writer and essayist David Free. Michael puts the boots into Foxtel, describes Roosters Captain "Teddy" Tedesco as being like "a ball in a pinball machine", declares his undying love for Marky Mark, his admiration for Kalyn Ponga and his wish for a sombrero. Michael also wisely reminds us that "there are 19 teams in the competition" and reminds Sam Walker too, that he needs to keep playing well. In Part Two, David takes us through his recently published story, The Day Nathan Cleary Broke His Leg, his history of being a Panthers supporter, of his greatest nightmare coming true and the sick stillness of Nathan Cleary after his compound fracture.