WEBVTT - ‘WARRIORS’ HAKA MAGIC’: Metcalf stuns Penrith as Panthers' spine crumbles | Round 23 review 0:00:06.160 --> 0:00:09.400 Hello everyone, and welcome to the Code NURL Monday edition. 0:00:10.440 --> 0:00:13.400 You probably realize Bulldog is not here, and neither is Soapy, 0:00:13.480 --> 0:00:17.119 So Tyson Jackson filling in with Fatima Fatima, how was 0:00:17.160 --> 0:00:18.640 your weekend? Big weekend of footy? 0:00:18.840 --> 0:00:20.840 It was a big weekend of footy. It was a 0:00:21.000 --> 0:00:22.400 very good weekend. What about you? 0:00:22.680 --> 0:00:24.640 Yeah, it was. It was an interesting weekend. I think 0:00:24.640 --> 0:00:27.000 we've got a lot of answers this weekend that we 0:00:27.080 --> 0:00:29.040 probably didn't have before, and we've probably got a few 0:00:29.080 --> 0:00:30.920 more things to talk about. 0:00:30.760 --> 0:00:32.640 Before we talk about NRL footy. Do you want to 0:00:32.640 --> 0:00:36.920 talk about your local footy? You saunted in here saying 0:00:36.920 --> 0:00:40.000 you've done a long weekend of celebrating what yes, yes. 0:00:40.159 --> 0:00:43.560 Del ourself second grade. We are the minor premiers. So yeah, 0:00:43.600 --> 0:00:46.400 it was a good weekend. It was nice. Got the 0:00:46.400 --> 0:00:49.480 weekend off now and then into a Door Di semi 0:00:49.479 --> 0:00:52.440 final next week, so I'm excited. Can arrest the body, 0:00:52.920 --> 0:00:53.800 get ready. 0:00:54.240 --> 0:00:55.600 To catch up on some sleep. 0:00:55.400 --> 0:00:58.160 Catch up on some sleep, and then I'm retiring. So 0:00:58.280 --> 0:01:00.240 you know, we're we're on a good star. 0:01:00.600 --> 0:01:02.279 Last ride is that what you call last ride? 0:01:02.960 --> 0:01:05.080 There's not going to be a documentary like Michael Jordan, 0:01:05.160 --> 0:01:07.640 but going to We're going to do some celebrating, I'm sure, 0:01:07.680 --> 0:01:11.080 but let's dive into a footy because after my celebrating, 0:01:11.440 --> 0:01:15.680 I'll stop by the Dragon Sharks game yesterday, and what 0:01:15.800 --> 0:01:18.200 a game that was. I mean, I tipped the Sharks. 0:01:18.240 --> 0:01:19.720 I thought it would be closed, but I thought the 0:01:19.720 --> 0:01:21.520 Sharks just have way too much class. I thought the 0:01:21.520 --> 0:01:24.080 Sharks would go the rest of this year without having 0:01:24.080 --> 0:01:26.920 a loss. But this is a big issue. I feel, 0:01:27.160 --> 0:01:28.240 what did you make of that game? 0:01:29.440 --> 0:01:32.120 I don't think I was brave enough to tip the Dragon, 0:01:32.160 --> 0:01:34.640 so I think I tipped the Sharks. But as sort 0:01:34.680 --> 0:01:36.680 of we got closer to the game, I thought, if 0:01:37.440 --> 0:01:39.920 the Dragons are a real shot here because and I 0:01:40.040 --> 0:01:41.840 know the Sharks had been playing so well. They were 0:01:41.840 --> 0:01:45.120 on a high. Niko Hines was sort of gunning for 0:01:45.120 --> 0:01:48.560 hazarm l Masriz what is it, thirty five thirty six, Yeah, 0:01:48.720 --> 0:01:50.160 goals in a row. The rest of it. There was 0:01:50.160 --> 0:01:53.960 a lot of good things happening at the Sharks, but yeah, 0:01:53.960 --> 0:01:56.080 it was really disappointing from them. You know, look, the 0:01:56.160 --> 0:01:58.160 Dragons have been competitive. You have to give them that 0:01:58.760 --> 0:02:02.640 last couple of weeks, but to come against come up 0:02:02.720 --> 0:02:06.320 against the side that he's running last. That's what one 0:02:06.400 --> 0:02:11.520 game so far this year for the Dragons. Two games 0:02:11.919 --> 0:02:14.680 and instead of I don't know whether a win is 0:02:14.680 --> 0:02:17.560 a statement win against a team you know running last, 0:02:17.639 --> 0:02:21.240 but to not come away with the win is pretty disappointing. 0:02:21.280 --> 0:02:24.800 And craigfits given after the game nailed it. He said 0:02:24.919 --> 0:02:29.840 the Dragons simply ran harder, tackled harder, and that was 0:02:29.880 --> 0:02:32.760 the difference. So, yeah, you know, Bulldog has been banging 0:02:32.800 --> 0:02:35.160 on for a few weeks now that he reckons that 0:02:35.200 --> 0:02:39.280 the Sharks still pretenders. What do you think? 0:02:39.480 --> 0:02:43.360 Yeah, after yesterday, I probably tend to agree with Bulldog 0:02:43.360 --> 0:02:44.919 a little bit. I don't know if I'd be brave 0:02:45.000 --> 0:02:47.440 enough to call them pretenders, but I just think we're 0:02:47.440 --> 0:02:48.760 going to get a bit more of the same from 0:02:48.760 --> 0:02:50.680 the Sharks. And I thought we were past that. I thought. 0:02:51.400 --> 0:02:54.120 I think I said someone the other day before yesterday 0:02:54.520 --> 0:02:57.160 that I could see like a rooster, Sharks ran final. 0:02:57.200 --> 0:02:59.359 I could see. That's how good I thought the Sharks were. 0:02:59.440 --> 0:03:02.160 But I mean now I just don't know, like you said, 0:03:02.200 --> 0:03:04.760 they just the Dragons did the simple things right. Yesterday. 0:03:05.240 --> 0:03:07.560 Damie Cook spent the entire game on the bench yesterday, 0:03:07.800 --> 0:03:09.919 like these are all things, et cetera. Two came off 0:03:10.240 --> 0:03:13.040 the bench on the wing the FI guy and came 0:03:13.080 --> 0:03:15.359 out and absolutely tore shreds off the Sharks. And the 0:03:15.919 --> 0:03:18.400 one thing that I think I really got to meet 0:03:18.480 --> 0:03:20.240 was that last try from cent two. It was off 0:03:20.240 --> 0:03:22.760 a scrum. The Sharks had done so well to hold 0:03:22.760 --> 0:03:25.000 out the Dragons when Adam fanil Blake had been simpin, 0:03:25.160 --> 0:03:26.839 which is probably going to be drama with as well 0:03:26.960 --> 0:03:30.040 shoulder straight to the head, but then to just let 0:03:30.080 --> 0:03:33.239 such a soft try in a we are we seeing 0:03:33.280 --> 0:03:35.760 the same Sharks as we always do? Which is which 0:03:35.800 --> 0:03:37.640 is what I was asking myself, and I think the 0:03:37.680 --> 0:03:40.800 answer sadly yes, Like you know, they're a good team 0:03:40.960 --> 0:03:42.560 and that's what they are every year. They're a top 0:03:42.600 --> 0:03:45.320 four team every year. But it's taking that next step. 0:03:45.360 --> 0:03:47.280 That's what we wanted to see from the Sharks this year, 0:03:47.720 --> 0:03:49.040 and I just don't know if they can do it. 0:03:49.080 --> 0:03:50.960 And if they can't do it this year with the 0:03:50.960 --> 0:03:54.200 players they're losing next year, I think their premiership windows 0:03:54.200 --> 0:03:55.680 closing and I think that's going to put pressure on 0:03:55.720 --> 0:03:56.480 Craig fits Given. 0:03:56.960 --> 0:04:00.320 Yeah, it's interesting because speaking of last ride, they'd sort 0:04:00.320 --> 0:04:02.440 of adopted that with you know, all the players that 0:04:02.560 --> 0:04:04.760 are leaving at the end of the year. I mean, 0:04:05.080 --> 0:04:08.520 I said, beating the Dragons probably isn't a statement win. 0:04:08.560 --> 0:04:11.560 But when I think back on that, actually local derby 0:04:11.640 --> 0:04:14.000 in congrat it really was a chance for them to 0:04:14.280 --> 0:04:17.400 blow the Dragons off the park and they didn't. Yeah, 0:04:17.440 --> 0:04:19.440 in terms of Premiership windows, when you look at the 0:04:19.440 --> 0:04:23.080 guys that are leaving, probably it is not shutting completely 0:04:23.160 --> 0:04:26.920 for them. But I felt like going into this round 0:04:27.880 --> 0:04:30.760 they were probably in a better position to shake up 0:04:30.880 --> 0:04:34.200 the final series than ever before. And now I'm a 0:04:34.240 --> 0:04:36.680 little bit worried because you know, I was just disappointed 0:04:36.760 --> 0:04:41.240 with them on the weekend. But the Dragons, good on them. 0:04:41.279 --> 0:04:44.400 You were talking, your mate was celebrating. They're pretty hard, 0:04:44.560 --> 0:04:46.160 so look and they deserve the win. 0:04:46.520 --> 0:04:49.720 Yeah, they were were great, unbelievable actually like that, Like 0:04:49.720 --> 0:04:51.719 like you mentioned, they did the simple things right. But 0:04:52.000 --> 0:04:53.599 I think it was actually a really good glimpse into 0:04:53.640 --> 0:04:55.960 the future. I'm quite excited for the Dragons next year. 0:04:56.000 --> 0:04:57.919 I think they will compete for the top eight. I 0:04:57.920 --> 0:04:59.080 don't know if they'll make it or not. 0:04:59.240 --> 0:05:01.479 It's funny you say that because when I was watching them. 0:05:01.520 --> 0:05:03.880 I was thinking about should I write that in my tackle? 0:05:03.960 --> 0:05:07.160 Am I ballsy enough to say that the Wooden Spooners 0:05:07.640 --> 0:05:09.320 are going to make the top eight next year? But 0:05:09.560 --> 0:05:12.280 you look at yeah, exactly, but you look at how 0:05:12.320 --> 0:05:14.680 competitive they've been, You look at the guys coming in, 0:05:16.320 --> 0:05:20.160 you know, even the emergence of liking Kingtongia. You know, 0:05:20.320 --> 0:05:23.039 we saw Caid Reid with glimpses of Caid Reid earlier 0:05:23.040 --> 0:05:25.599 in the year. He went okay without setting the ball 0:05:25.680 --> 0:05:27.760 on fire, but all of a sudden, you know, even 0:05:27.839 --> 0:05:29.720 Kyle flanningg and Kyle flang And had his moments. He 0:05:29.839 --> 0:05:33.560 wasn't perfect on Sunday, but he's been playing some good footie. 0:05:33.680 --> 0:05:35.760 So I really like what I'm seeing from them. And 0:05:35.839 --> 0:05:39.440 when you think about the guys that are coming in, yeah, 0:05:39.480 --> 0:05:42.520 maybe they are a genuine chance of making the finals 0:05:42.560 --> 0:05:42.920 next year. 0:05:42.920 --> 0:05:45.520 You gonna say this about Kyle before we move on 0:05:45.680 --> 0:05:48.440 from the Dragons, but I think Kyle has copped a 0:05:48.520 --> 0:05:51.120 lot of crap purely because of what his last name is. 0:05:51.480 --> 0:05:54.120 I'm actually really glad that Dean Young has taken the 0:05:54.279 --> 0:05:57.040 risky move by dropping Daniel Atkinson. Who's this guy that 0:05:57.200 --> 0:05:59.080 was supposed to be their long term half. Now I 0:05:59.160 --> 0:06:01.800 don't think Kyle or Daniel will be at the club 0:06:01.839 --> 0:06:04.640 long term anymore. Obviously, Cody nik Koreima and Luke Metcalf, 0:06:04.720 --> 0:06:07.720 which we will get to, are coming next year. But 0:06:08.200 --> 0:06:11.159 Kyle Flanaghan, Dean Young stuck to his guards. He said, 0:06:11.200 --> 0:06:13.120 Kyle Flanagan is the best guy for this spot, which 0:06:13.160 --> 0:06:15.599 I think he has been all year. He's a genuine seven. 0:06:15.880 --> 0:06:18.160 He just kicked the ball along. He can set up 0:06:18.200 --> 0:06:20.800 plays and organize the field, which is what he's done, 0:06:20.880 --> 0:06:22.760 and that's a big part of the reason they won yesterday. 0:06:22.839 --> 0:06:25.479 So I think Dean Young deserves a massive rap because 0:06:26.120 --> 0:06:28.960 we talk about balls and having having, you know, the 0:06:29.040 --> 0:06:32.200 guts to do something like that. Dean Young has shown 0:06:33.000 --> 0:06:34.840 in so early on to his coaching career that he 0:06:34.880 --> 0:06:36.800 will make the tough calls. No matter how much to 0:06:36.880 --> 0:06:39.160 pay Danielakinson to come and be their guy. He's not 0:06:39.279 --> 0:06:41.720 their guy. They've got two guys coming next year. But 0:06:41.760 --> 0:06:44.240 Kyle Flanaghan right now is the best for that job, 0:06:44.600 --> 0:06:46.120 and I'm glad that they've stuck with him. 0:06:46.440 --> 0:06:48.440 What do you think happens to down at CONSAI next year? 0:06:48.440 --> 0:06:49.240 How does he fit in. 0:06:50.640 --> 0:06:53.520 I think there's an interesting I think there's an interesting 0:06:53.560 --> 0:06:55.480 thing that's going to happen with Daniel Atkinson and with 0:06:55.680 --> 0:07:00.520 Clint Gutson. One of them, unless if you play Clint 0:07:00.560 --> 0:07:02.920 Gutson in the Centers, I think one of them will 0:07:02.960 --> 0:07:07.159 have to be the eighteenth or nineteenth man. Clint Guts' 0:07:07.200 --> 0:07:08.840 obviously on a lot of money. He's not gonna be 0:07:08.839 --> 0:07:10.560 there full back next year, and I probably wouldn't play 0:07:10.600 --> 0:07:12.640 him the Centers either. I don't think he makes the 0:07:12.720 --> 0:07:16.400 Dragon's Best seventeen next year, but I thought he played 0:07:16.440 --> 0:07:18.240 well yesterday. I will say that. But just with the 0:07:18.280 --> 0:07:20.160 amount of talent they have, so I think one of 0:07:20.160 --> 0:07:23.160 them has to go. If I'm Daniel Atkinson, I think 0:07:23.200 --> 0:07:25.600 the writing's on the wall. They've signed two genuine halves 0:07:25.640 --> 0:07:29.920 over me, two top eight halves who there's no question 0:07:30.200 --> 0:07:32.720 who they're like. It's not even a race, right. Cody 0:07:32.800 --> 0:07:34.920 Nikarima and Luke Metcalf will be their halves next year. 0:07:35.480 --> 0:07:38.160 So Daniel Atkinson I think needs to swallow his pride 0:07:38.200 --> 0:07:40.400 a little bit and make the call himself to get 0:07:40.440 --> 0:07:42.640 out and find somewhere else, because there's places that will 0:07:42.640 --> 0:07:44.880 take him. I mean he'd be a great signing for Perth. 0:07:45.560 --> 0:07:48.120 It hasn't worked at the Dragons and so be it. 0:07:48.760 --> 0:07:52.200 That's not gonna work everywhere you go. But I genuinely 0:07:52.280 --> 0:07:54.920 believe that he will be a better fit somewhere else, 0:07:55.280 --> 0:07:57.080 and for his sake, he's probably best to go to 0:07:57.160 --> 0:08:00.640 the club and ask for a release and find another club. Fatima. 0:08:00.720 --> 0:08:05.320 My favorite game of the round was the Penrith Warriors game. 0:08:05.880 --> 0:08:07.720 And I'm going to go out there and say, and 0:08:07.760 --> 0:08:10.520 I'm not a Warriors fan, they should be allowed to 0:08:10.560 --> 0:08:12.240 do the hawker before every single one of their games. 0:08:12.240 --> 0:08:14.400 I think it's an unfair advantage. Yeah, but I like it. 0:08:14.480 --> 0:08:16.960 I like the theatrics, and any team that has to 0:08:17.040 --> 0:08:19.600 go there to play a finals game this year I 0:08:19.760 --> 0:08:23.600 feel sorry for. First of all, what did you make 0:08:23.680 --> 0:08:25.680 of that game? I mean, we talk about top of 0:08:25.720 --> 0:08:28.280 the table clashes, we talk about epic clashes. I don't 0:08:28.280 --> 0:08:29.400 think it gets much better than that. 0:08:30.000 --> 0:08:33.240 No, it was Yeah, like you said, it started off 0:08:33.360 --> 0:08:35.520 obviously it was indigenous round with the hawker, which was 0:08:35.600 --> 0:08:39.520 an amazing touch. But the atmosphere was just incredible. You know. 0:08:40.040 --> 0:08:42.000 I heard a couple of times in the commentary comparing 0:08:42.040 --> 0:08:44.199 it to a nightclub. It's just it feels like, you know, 0:08:44.320 --> 0:08:47.400 the fans are riding this high. I noticed on and 0:08:47.480 --> 0:08:49.440 I don't know if this is a new thing, maybe 0:08:49.440 --> 0:08:51.600 it's been there all season, but on the Warriors Instagram 0:08:51.679 --> 0:08:54.439 page in the profile, it's got our year and that 0:08:54.559 --> 0:08:56.640 sort of caught my attention on the weekend and I thought, 0:08:56.679 --> 0:08:59.520 you know what it might just be and you look 0:08:59.520 --> 0:09:02.400 at the immergence of you know, Leccha Hellaesima. I know 0:09:02.440 --> 0:09:04.040 people want to compare him to Sunny Bill the rest 0:09:04.080 --> 0:09:07.240 of it, but he's just a different beast onto himself. 0:09:07.400 --> 0:09:11.480 I mean he was he turned you know what was it? 0:09:11.600 --> 0:09:13.880 I think he turned Nathan Cleary into a speed hump 0:09:13.920 --> 0:09:18.360 a couple of times there in that run. Look, they've 0:09:18.360 --> 0:09:21.360 got depth, which I think has has been the difference, 0:09:21.400 --> 0:09:23.559 and we've seen that with Luke Metcalff come in and 0:09:23.720 --> 0:09:25.760 Luke Mtcuff had to bide his time, he had to 0:09:25.840 --> 0:09:28.920 be patient, and then he comes in and you know what, 0:09:29.880 --> 0:09:33.559 to his credit, he was absolutely brilliant in that game. 0:09:33.600 --> 0:09:37.120 What did he score two tries? So yeah, it'll be 0:09:37.160 --> 0:09:40.000 an interesting one to see what Andrew Webster does with them. 0:09:40.040 --> 0:09:41.800 But I just you know, look, you look at their 0:09:41.840 --> 0:09:44.360 forward pack. You've got lek A hell A Seema, who 0:09:44.440 --> 0:09:46.079 is probably the best young forward in the game, but 0:09:46.080 --> 0:09:48.199 he's playing out in the centers. You know, You've got 0:09:48.360 --> 0:09:54.719 guys like Tanna, Jacob Laban, dimitric Bymonga, all of them 0:09:54.720 --> 0:09:57.319 who have sort of gone to another level this year. 0:09:58.200 --> 0:10:03.360 Lots of excitement and striking outside backs. And yeah, I 0:10:03.480 --> 0:10:07.080 think if they're the team, if anybody's going to challenge Penrith, 0:10:07.080 --> 0:10:08.679 who are looking a bit wobbly at the moment, I 0:10:08.800 --> 0:10:10.439 think it's it's the Warriors. 0:10:10.679 --> 0:10:13.040 We will get to Penrith. But I just think when 0:10:13.080 --> 0:10:15.600 it comes to the Warriors, like you said, Andrew Webbs 0:10:15.920 --> 0:10:18.559 has got such a tough decision to make because I 0:10:18.600 --> 0:10:21.000 think tomorrow Martin has been great, but I think the 0:10:21.120 --> 0:10:24.480 Warriors haven't looked that good all year. I love that 0:10:24.600 --> 0:10:26.800 Luke Metcalf came out with the point to prove, and 0:10:26.880 --> 0:10:29.880 he also didn't make that a secret. After the game, 0:10:30.920 --> 0:10:33.079 I was listening to his interview on Triple M, I believe, 0:10:33.200 --> 0:10:37.319 and Charlie from Triple M asked him, oh, do you 0:10:37.400 --> 0:10:39.360 want to keep this number seven jersey? And he just 0:10:39.440 --> 0:10:41.840 flat out and said yes, So I want this jersey, 0:10:41.920 --> 0:10:44.199 this is my team. I feel like we don't have 0:10:44.360 --> 0:10:46.040 enough of that in the NRL. We're very used to 0:10:46.160 --> 0:10:48.880 the generic whatever's best of the team, what this whatever 0:10:48.960 --> 0:10:52.280 is that after the weekend, I think Luke Metcalf is 0:10:52.520 --> 0:10:54.559 what's best for this team. And I've said, I've said 0:10:54.600 --> 0:10:56.240 to a few people. I've said to a few Dragons 0:10:56.280 --> 0:10:58.719 fans that have come up to me and asked, we're 0:10:58.760 --> 0:11:00.760 going to be great next year. I said, I hope 0:11:00.800 --> 0:11:04.439 you guys are signing Luke Metcalf the Warriors half and 0:11:04.640 --> 0:11:08.160 not you know, a half back that had struggled before 0:11:08.200 --> 0:11:10.280 he went to the Warriors. Because that's what Luke Metcalf's 0:11:10.280 --> 0:11:13.280 career was. And we've seen every player that stepped into 0:11:13.320 --> 0:11:15.960 that number seven jersey for the Warriors that's played great footy. 0:11:16.040 --> 0:11:18.480 So is it a Warrior's thing or a Luke Metcalft thing. Well, 0:11:18.960 --> 0:11:20.719 the fact that Luke Metcalf came back and did what 0:11:20.800 --> 0:11:23.079 he did on the weekend, I think it's almost a 0:11:23.200 --> 0:11:26.520 Luke Metcalf thing. Now I can say confidently that I 0:11:26.600 --> 0:11:28.959 think Luke Metcalf is the best number seven they have 0:11:29.080 --> 0:11:31.719 at that club. You put ego aside, you put the 0:11:31.760 --> 0:11:33.559 fact that he's not going to be there next year. 0:11:33.760 --> 0:11:36.000 This is the Warrior's chance to win a premiership and 0:11:36.120 --> 0:11:39.280 they need Luke Metcalf there. And I think the reason 0:11:39.320 --> 0:11:41.080 why this is the chance for the Warriors to win 0:11:41.160 --> 0:11:44.920 a premiership Isaiahoh. I think a lot of people will 0:11:44.960 --> 0:11:46.559 brush over it, or a lot of people will say 0:11:46.720 --> 0:11:49.600 they've still got Nathan Cleary, They've still got this awesome team, 0:11:49.640 --> 0:11:53.240 which they do. But Isaiaho, if he's ruled out for 0:11:53.280 --> 0:11:54.959 the rest of the year or ruled out for a 0:11:55.080 --> 0:11:58.840 long period, it's looking like a torn peck. He might 0:11:58.920 --> 0:12:00.440 make it back for the Grand Final if they make 0:12:00.480 --> 0:12:02.440 it that far, but I just don't know if they 0:12:02.480 --> 0:12:03.320 can do it without him. 0:12:03.800 --> 0:12:07.800 Yeah, I'm it's so hard. They're a champion team. It's 0:12:07.840 --> 0:12:10.280 almost muscle memory, you know, when they get to the finals. 0:12:11.559 --> 0:12:15.280 What is interesting for me is, and you know what, 0:12:15.800 --> 0:12:17.800 Isaia Yo could be in any team and there would 0:12:17.840 --> 0:12:19.920 not be a likeful like replacement, But they just don't 0:12:20.000 --> 0:12:22.079 have that like for like replacement. I mean, I think 0:12:22.160 --> 0:12:24.959 there's there's a word that you know, we're assuming that 0:12:25.120 --> 0:12:27.240 Yo is going to be out at least for a 0:12:27.320 --> 0:12:29.520 couple of weeks. We're waiting to hear exactly the extent 0:12:29.640 --> 0:12:33.160 of the injury that Lindsay Smith will be the guy 0:12:33.280 --> 0:12:35.679 to go in there. How do you think, how do 0:12:35.720 --> 0:12:36.319 you think that'll go? 0:12:36.600 --> 0:12:38.600 I like Lindsay Smith. I think Lindsay Smith is as 0:12:38.679 --> 0:12:41.120 close to a like for like replacement as Isaiah Yoh. 0:12:41.800 --> 0:12:44.840 He's a tough ball carrier, he's got a great, great 0:12:44.880 --> 0:12:48.360 passing game. His defense, like all of the Panish Panthers, 0:12:48.800 --> 0:12:52.439 is on song. So I do like, I do like 0:12:52.559 --> 0:12:55.480 Lindsay Smith, but it's just not the same. And it's like, 0:12:56.679 --> 0:12:59.960 you move Lindsay Smith from it, it's a trickle ef thing. 0:13:00.080 --> 0:13:02.400 Do you move Lindsay Smith from prop to lock, you 0:13:02.520 --> 0:13:05.160 lose Isaiaho, then Liam Henry has to come and replace 0:13:05.240 --> 0:13:07.240 Lindsay Smith. Then you lose a bit of punch off 0:13:07.280 --> 0:13:10.319 the bench and trickles and trickles and trickles and trickles, 0:13:10.880 --> 0:13:13.280 And then we get to a point where there's going 0:13:13.320 --> 0:13:14.880 to be times like there was on the weekend where 0:13:14.960 --> 0:13:17.720 they just they just can't get it done. And once 0:13:17.760 --> 0:13:20.800 it gets the finals, sure they can lose the first week, 0:13:21.720 --> 0:13:24.480 but then it still will die. Then it's any anyone 0:13:24.559 --> 0:13:27.800 could be It could be anyone's day could be anyone's game. 0:13:27.880 --> 0:13:29.600 All it takes Nathan clearly to have an off game, 0:13:29.679 --> 0:13:32.840 and we don't say that often. We don't see him 0:13:32.840 --> 0:13:36.040 having an off game often, but all of a sudden, 0:13:36.120 --> 0:13:39.839 the favorites could be done and that could leave I 0:13:39.960 --> 0:13:43.280 think will be the Grand Final. Now bold statement, A 0:13:43.480 --> 0:13:44.920 Rooster's Warriors Grand. 0:13:45.160 --> 0:13:50.160 Okay, you're going Rooster's Warriors. Look, it's It's interesting because 0:13:50.280 --> 0:13:55.160 I think we're also underestimating what an impact of Dylan 0:13:55.320 --> 0:13:58.040 Edwards and Mitch Kenny not being there. So I think 0:13:58.120 --> 0:14:02.000 that changes a narrative little bit when those two come back. 0:14:02.960 --> 0:14:05.880 Dylan Edwards I believe might be a chance this week. 0:14:06.120 --> 0:14:08.240 Mitch Kenny we're probably not going to see him until 0:14:08.240 --> 0:14:11.120 the finals. So even if they don't have Isaiah, you 0:14:11.280 --> 0:14:13.439 inject those two guys back in the spine. I think 0:14:13.440 --> 0:14:16.920 we're having a different conversation. But you know what I 0:14:17.000 --> 0:14:21.120 know watching that game on the weekend, Yes, Penrith weren't 0:14:21.120 --> 0:14:22.840 at their best. They were off, you know, in that 0:14:22.960 --> 0:14:25.880 last twenty minutes fifteen minutes, Nathan Cleary sort of took 0:14:25.960 --> 0:14:28.200 that team on his back and almost got them home. 0:14:28.920 --> 0:14:30.640 But I realized he can't do it on his saying, 0:14:31.200 --> 0:14:33.360 So they're going to they're going to need Mitch Kenny back, 0:14:33.640 --> 0:14:36.240 and they're going to need Dylan Edwards back, hopefully, you know, 0:14:36.880 --> 0:14:39.080 as fit as he possibly can be at this time 0:14:39.120 --> 0:14:40.880 of the year. And I think that makes a difference 0:14:42.160 --> 0:14:46.120 if they lose another spine guy between now and the finals. 0:14:46.560 --> 0:14:49.440 I'm not going to write them off, but I don't 0:14:49.440 --> 0:14:52.640 think they look as dangerous as they did. You know 0:14:53.200 --> 0:14:54.320 at the start of the year, what did. 0:14:54.320 --> 0:14:57.560 You make of Blasee Talani not getting put onto the field? 0:14:57.920 --> 0:15:00.880 We heard word twenty four hours before that Jack Coggar 0:15:00.880 --> 0:15:04.240 wouldn't make the trip. The news break that blaslong he 0:15:04.320 --> 0:15:06.720 was going to get recalled into that side, but Ivan 0:15:06.800 --> 0:15:09.240 Cleary decided to go Jack Cole instead of Jack Cole 0:15:09.280 --> 0:15:14.000 and Nathan Cleary combination. Do you reckon it's just Blaze, 0:15:14.040 --> 0:15:15.560 you just got to wait, We just we just want 0:15:15.600 --> 0:15:16.720 to keep you out for a bit, or do you 0:15:16.760 --> 0:15:19.360 reckon this is a sign that maybe they don't feel 0:15:19.400 --> 0:15:22.400 that he's going to be there guy going into into September. 0:15:23.320 --> 0:15:25.720 Good question, and I think it's a little bit of both, 0:15:26.240 --> 0:15:28.440 you know, like because we know what Blaze can do 0:15:28.600 --> 0:15:31.040 when it comes to, you know, creating opportunities the attack 0:15:31.120 --> 0:15:33.920 and the rest of it. But the problem is that 0:15:34.200 --> 0:15:36.720 edge in defense has been a problem, and it has 0:15:36.800 --> 0:15:38.560 been a problem all year. And we saw when he 0:15:38.640 --> 0:15:40.960 first came to the club that you know, Ivan Cleary 0:15:41.000 --> 0:15:43.560 had no problem with letting him, you know, get to 0:15:43.640 --> 0:15:46.200 learn their systems, bide his time before he you know, 0:15:46.320 --> 0:15:49.840 blooded him. And Ivan's just making what he thinks. I 0:15:49.960 --> 0:15:52.800 think it's a defensive thing. What is best for the team, 0:15:53.160 --> 0:15:55.560 What that means for him going forward, I'm not sure. 0:15:55.640 --> 0:15:58.360 I mean, Jack Coggar stayed back because his missus was 0:16:00.200 --> 0:16:03.080 having a baby, so obviously that changes. I'm assuming this 0:16:03.240 --> 0:16:06.400 week he's back, and I think I think that Jack 0:16:06.520 --> 0:16:12.640 Coga Nathan Cleary combination works better for them. I don't 0:16:12.640 --> 0:16:14.720 know what your thoughts are on that, and I understand 0:16:14.840 --> 0:16:19.320 why people questioning what it means for Blaze, but I 0:16:19.400 --> 0:16:23.280 think in terms of being a foil for Nathan Cleary, 0:16:23.360 --> 0:16:25.120 I think Jack Cogger that probably does that a bit 0:16:25.200 --> 0:16:28.320 better at than Blaze to Lungey, And I think defensively, 0:16:28.520 --> 0:16:32.560 Ivan is worried about that edge really really being a 0:16:32.600 --> 0:16:34.160 weakness for them going into the finals. 0:16:34.480 --> 0:16:37.400 Yeah, I agree with you on. It's definitely a defensive 0:16:37.440 --> 0:16:39.640 thing and that edge has struggled, and then you've got 0:16:39.800 --> 0:16:42.160 you've got to make a decision if you're eitheran is 0:16:42.200 --> 0:16:45.040 a Blazer is a Casey McLean that you drop We 0:16:45.120 --> 0:16:47.200 all know what Casey McLean is. Now, he's an origin player. 0:16:47.880 --> 0:16:49.680 You know he's one of the best centers in the competition. 0:16:50.280 --> 0:16:51.680 I feel as though Blaze is being a bit of 0:16:51.720 --> 0:16:54.680 the fall guy here, a bit of escapegoat because at 0:16:54.720 --> 0:16:56.440 the start of the year when parents were dominating and 0:16:56.480 --> 0:16:59.160 we didn't think they'd lose a game all year, Blaze 0:16:59.160 --> 0:17:01.920 were scoring tries, were setting up tries, taking short sides, 0:17:02.400 --> 0:17:04.879 his creative playoff the back of eighth and actually, what 0:17:04.960 --> 0:17:06.639 I really enjoyed about Pedis at the start of the 0:17:06.720 --> 0:17:09.800 year was Nathan's kicking game along with Blazers chase. Because 0:17:09.960 --> 0:17:12.200 you had an extra Chaser in there, all of a sudden, 0:17:12.200 --> 0:17:14.280 you put more pressure on the defense and you can 0:17:14.359 --> 0:17:16.080 put you can get a drop ball, you can get this, 0:17:16.160 --> 0:17:17.919 you can get that. He's getting a lot of results. 0:17:18.600 --> 0:17:22.240 I think, I think if you're gonna don't don't mess 0:17:22.280 --> 0:17:24.879 with Blazer's head, right, If Blaze is if Blaze is 0:17:24.960 --> 0:17:27.480 going to be or five to eighth. You know, sure, 0:17:27.720 --> 0:17:30.840 let him you dropped him. Once he starts getting better, 0:17:30.920 --> 0:17:32.359 you have to put him back in that team. I 0:17:32.480 --> 0:17:35.479 think I don't think they can win a premiership without Blaze, 0:17:36.240 --> 0:17:38.720 to be honest, because I think Blaze is just and 0:17:38.800 --> 0:17:41.199 you say whatever you want about his defense and whatnot, 0:17:41.560 --> 0:17:43.680 but you need flair, you need attack. And that's the 0:17:43.760 --> 0:17:46.000 one thing on the weekend watching Penrith and I went, 0:17:46.520 --> 0:17:49.200 they're struggling to score points. They're struggling to score points. 0:17:49.200 --> 0:17:50.920 So this is a team that doesn't struggle to score points. 0:17:51.520 --> 0:17:55.879 Blaze fixes that. Fatima. We are heading in to the 0:17:56.000 --> 0:17:59.240 pointy end of the year and crunch from numbers of 0:17:59.359 --> 0:18:02.800 how to look at you've got? We've got drop? I 0:18:02.880 --> 0:18:06.879 dropped maths in a year eleven okay, but the calculator 0:18:06.920 --> 0:18:09.080 still does work on my phone. So we're all right 0:18:09.160 --> 0:18:12.600 the team. We are heading in to the pointy end 0:18:12.640 --> 0:18:15.680 of the year and crunch from numbers. I've had to 0:18:15.720 --> 0:18:19.280 look at you you've got We've got drop? I dropped 0:18:19.280 --> 0:18:23.240 maths in a year eleven okay, but the calculator still 0:18:23.280 --> 0:18:25.520 does work on my phone, so we're all right. There 0:18:25.640 --> 0:18:28.359 is a few teams that are locked into the eight 0:18:28.480 --> 0:18:33.320 so Pentis, Panthers, locked in, Roosters, Warriors, Sharks, the Dolphins, 0:18:33.920 --> 0:18:35.080 and the Knights. 0:18:34.880 --> 0:18:37.480 Which I mean, you're looking at the Knights, Okay, Well, I. 0:18:37.520 --> 0:18:39.640 Don't believe they need any more wins. I think they're 0:18:39.640 --> 0:18:41.480 locked in. So I think seventh and eighth are the 0:18:41.520 --> 0:18:45.080 two spots up for grabs. Now. The Rabbit O's will 0:18:45.119 --> 0:18:47.479