Ask Kenty: Fullbacks, Top 8 Chances & Old-school penalties

Paul Kent and Warren Livingstone returned for another Ask Kenty edition of Kenty Blitz, tackling fan questions on finals reform, the ideal modern spine, Perth’s slow start and the evolution of the fullback role.

Should the NRL expand finals or shorten the season?

‍Kent’s response was blunt: no. He argued the current length of the season has to mean something, and expanding finals only dilutes that. “If you’re going to play 24 games, you’ve got to make it count. You can’t just turn the end of the year into a gala day where everyone gets a ribbon.” He went further, suggesting even the current top eight can reward mediocrity, pointing to seasons where teams scrape in with 50-50 records. The push for a top 10 system in a future expansion competition drew particular scorn. “Honestly, give us a break. Just make the competition stand for something.”

Picking the best spine in the game

‍Asked to select a form-based spine, Kent built it around Nathan Cleary and Harry Grant, with Reece Walsh at the back and Mitchell Moses in the halves. Notably, he left out Cameron Munster, citing an underwhelming start to the season.

The six-man bench “accidentally” working‍

A rule tweak that initially drew scepticism is, in Kent’s view, producing unintended benefits. With coaches wary of burning interchanges too early, rotations have effectively tightened, reintroducing fatigue into the game.
“I wasn’t a fan of more interchanges, but if it’s bringing fatigue back, that’s a win.”

Perth’s roster concerns

‍On the new Perth franchise, Kent acknowledged the appeal of the market but questioned the early execution. With a limited roster and no marquee signings locked in, he suggested the club is already behind expectations. “They haven’t really landed a tier-one player yet. That’s got to be a concern.” The geographic challenge remains a major hurdle, with players hesitant to commit without confidence in the club’s competitiveness.

Country footy and development pathways

‍A proposed Country Origin curtain-raiser drew a positive response, but Kent used it to highlight a broader issue: the decline of regional pathways. He suggested the NRL should actively fund ex-players to return to the bush as captain-coaches, rebuilding the grassroots ecosystem that once produced elite talent.

Why the Knights are working

‍Kent was bullish on Newcastle’s start, crediting coaching clarity over individual brilliance. “Every player knows their job. That’s just good coaching.” He pointed to consistency of structure and the “next man up” mentality as indicators of a genuine top-eight side.

The fullback evolution - from cigarettes to collision

‍One of the more colourful discussions traced the fullback role from its origins to the modern game. Kent referenced French great Puig Aubert, who famously leaned on the posts during play, through to Clive Churchill, who redefined the position, and ultimately Billy Slater, who revolutionised it. Slater’s influence, particularly around try-saving technique and involvement through the middle, has become the modern benchmark. “Suddenly every fullback had to be able to get under the ball and stop a try. That became part of the job.”

Old-school toughness vs modern rules

‍Addressing nostalgia around physicality, Kent pushed back on the idea that the game was looser in the past. While fights were more common, referees were quicker to send players off for dangerous contact.
“You got away with punching, but for a high shot? Boom, you were gone.”

The Roosters’ junior dilemma

‍A question around development pathways led to a broader observation about Sydney’s demographic shift. Traditional rugby league heartlands in the east have changed, with fewer grassroots pathways compared to western Sydney’s production line, “Out west, rugby league is like boxing in Mexico," Kent said.

And finally… guitars

On a lighter note, Kent revealed he owns a Gibson SG and a Fender acoustic, and is currently attempting to learn Walk by Foo Fighters — though he was quick to shut down any suggestion of a live performance.