Channel 9 is throwing its footy weight around this election week with a jam-packed NRL Magic Round and the opening clash of the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series, live and free across Nine.
From Thursday night’s showdown between the Maroons and Blues at Suncorp, to Albo’s Rabbitohs facing the Knights on election day, and a Broncos v Panthers blockbuster to wrap it up—there’s no shortage of drama.
The action begins Thursday night with Game 1 of the Women’s State of Origin at Suncorp, followed by a prime-time doco spotlighting the rise of women’s rugby league.
From Nine:
VOTE 1 NRL ON NINE WITH WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN EXCLUSIVE AND NRL MAGIC ROUND FOR FREE
NRL on Nine holds the winning vote on election week with four games of footy for free across NRL Magic Round, beginning with Women’s State of Origin, Exclusive on Channel 9 and 9Now, this Thursday, May 1 from 7.30pm.
The classic Queensland v New South Wales rivalry gets it all underway at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane when Game 1 of the 2025 Ampol Women’s State of Origin series is go. The Maroons will look to the experience of Ali Brigginshaw and Tamika Upton for a home victory, but NSW Blues big names Olivia Kernick and Isabelle Kelly are out crash the home party, with a star studded line up of the NRLW’s highest profile players in tow.
Wide World of Sports will have you ready for the big game with the premiere of Breakthrough: The Rise of Women’s Rugby League from 8.30pm tonight. The documentary captures the journey of women’s rugby league from its beginnings through to the inaugural three game State of Origin series in 2024, watched by over 2 million people, and the lives behind the stars who made it a reality.
Friday Night Footy gets Nine’s NRL Magic Round party started when the Roosters meet the Dolphins from 7.30pm. The finest of fullbacks James Tedesco and “The Hammer” Hamiso Tabui-Fidow will be holding all the aces, as they go all-in on for the Artie Legacy Medal in honour of the seventh rugby league Immortal, and legend of both clubs, Arthur Beetson.
On federal Election day, Saturday Arvo Footy has Prime Minister Albanese looking for his first win of the day when his much loved Rabbitohs face the Knights. However, one Knight in shining armour, Kalyn Ponga, has other plans as he aims to put on a magical display of his own to break their run of five consecutive losses.
A stacked Magic Round edition of the Sunday Footy Show is live from Suncorp Stadium before Sunday Arvo Footy pits Nathan Cleary’s Panthers against the Broncos. Headed up by Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, the Broncos a fresh off a huge victory over the ladder leading Bulldogs, and a primed for this blockbuster match up in front of their home crowd.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: MAGIC ROUND ON THE 9NETWORK
Thursday, May 1
WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN, GAME 1 – QUEENSLAND v NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 5.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Friday, May 2
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – ROOSTERS V DOLPHINS
Sydney 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 5.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Saturday, May 3
SATURDAY ARVO FOOTY – RABBITOHS v KNIGHTS
Sydney 2.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 2.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 2.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 1.30pm on Channel 9HD stream free on 9Now
Perth 12.00pm on Channel 9HD stream free on 9Now
Sunday, May 4
WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS
Panel – Roz Kelly, Ellie Cole, Mark Taylor and John Millman
Sydney / Brisbane – 10.00am on Channel 9
Melbourne / Adelaide / Perth – 12.00pm on Channel 9
THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW LIVE IN BRISBANE FOR MAGIC ROUND
Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and host Emma Lawrence.
Sydney / Brisbane 11.00am on Channel 9
Melbourne 11.00am / Adelaide 10.30am / Perth 11.00am on 9Gem
SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – PANTHERS v BRONCOS
Sydney 3.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 3.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 3.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 2.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 1.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Monday, May 5
100% FOOTY – 8.45pm on Channel 9 and 9Now in Sydney/Brisbane.
Phil Gould, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith to weigh in on the big issues after Magic Round. Host James Bracey will steer the ship, while 9News rugby league reporters Danny Weidler and Michael Chammas bring the latest breaking news each week.
RISE OF THE DOLPHINS – EPISODE 2, FOLLOWING 100% FOOTY
Come behind the scenes with the Dolphins. We’re at home with Herbie Farnworth as quizzes his partner Lily on the Dolphins roster, Josh Kerr shares a portrait painting exercise with partner Dijana and talks conspiracy theories, the birth of Dwayne Bennett, the WAGS watch the Warriors and Herbie’s partner Lily is mic’d up as her carves up his old team Broncos, plus Tom Gilbert’s off-field relationship with North Harbour.
NRL ON NINE DIGITAL THIS WEEK: STREAM FREE ON 9NOW
Stories of Origin Podcast – Episode 2: Teddy’s Match Winner – Monday April 5
A series decider at ANZ Stadium in 2019. The NSW Blues teetered on the brink, heartbreak hanging over Homebush once more – until one breathtaking chain of passes rewrote Origin folklore.
Relive the frantic final minute: Boyd Cordner to Cam Murray, Mitchell Pearce punching through the line, Tom Trbojevic unleashing Blake Ferguson on white-knuckle tippy-toes down the sideline, and – like lightning – James “Teddy” Tedesco diving over to clinch NSW’s first back-to-back crown since 2005.
Buckle up for the play that stunned Queensland and carved Teddy’s name into Origin legend.
167 Podcast – Three of the Melbourne Storm’s biggest names will bring you exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes access on 9Now with weekly the 167 podcast diving into all things NRL and beyond.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes give you a front-row seat to the 2025 season, delivering plenty of laughs, interviews with sports stars, fan-submitted questions, and much more. Stream for free on 9Now.
Six Tackles with Gus – This week Gus Gould and Mat Thompson will delve into the Lachlan Galvin drama, answer all your listener questions and Gus finalises his team by adding centres for ‘Gus’ Auction House.’
