1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 1: The Brisbane Lions touchdown in Melbourne, plotting a familiar path 2 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 1: in the quest for back to back premierships. 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 2: Locking Eel's moment of truth, rides and main training tomorrow. 4 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 2: John Longmire takes us inside the biggest selection. 5 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: Call of the year and what becomes of Zach Merrit's. 6 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:23,920 Speaker 1: The new Essendon president equally resolutes the captain is going nowhere. 7 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 3: We talked about his step into it, embrace. 8 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 1: All of it in the room and reason it's unedifying 9 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: for a senior coach to do that. 10 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 4: They're on the side of Cautia with the brain tape, 11 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 4: the man on. 12 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 1: They played the best footy I've ever seen at the 13 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:39,279 Speaker 1: start of the season, and into said the president left 14 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:39,560 Speaker 1: the cup. 15 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 5: O Lder said he, of course they do. 16 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:43,159 Speaker 4: Is the stuff that legends are made of. What is 17 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 4: holding the ball? 18 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:46,879 Speaker 6: I don't think I could answer it clearly right now 19 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:47,479 Speaker 6: that I can do. 20 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 5: Something wrong, you know, And I need to go and 21 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:50,120 Speaker 5: the board sexually. 22 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 4: The fans lover and with no fans, no through sixty 23 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 4: year old. 24 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 5: Grand Final week is coming together. 25 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: Gays, I've got the snoop dogg Merch, which is a 26 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 1: safer thing to say after midnight than it is now, 27 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 1: I imagine in most circumstances. But just stoop sneep dog 28 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 1: is a snoop DOGG. 29 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 4: Hat your snoop dogg guernsey anything in there that. 30 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 5: I'm not quite sure about. 31 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 4: Snoop dogg jumper. 32 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, that'll be a collector, my word, it will get 33 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 2: the dog Monica on that. 34 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 7: That. 35 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 2: That's one of the rarest things I've ever seen a 36 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 2: snoop dog. Pretty surprising that arrived today. But anyway, the 37 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 2: number of each of their owner does twenty five. 38 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:41,400 Speaker 4: Of course. 39 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 1: All right, so today we learned the cup presenters. This 40 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: is one of the beautiful new editions that's been added 41 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 1: along the way, one of our nostalgia touches. The two 42 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: clubs have gone. Geelong have gone with Joel Selwood and 43 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: Brisbane Lines. Jonathan Brown, as Lee Matthews told us on 44 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: Monday night, So what if we had We've had Bob 45 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: Davis and Peter Moore and Lee Matthews. 46 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 5: You did it? What strategy? 47 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'll be what they're inspired choices, how emotional. If 48 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:12,560 Speaker 2: Joel was to present it and hand it over to 49 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 2: his great mate Patty, that would be awesome. And then 50 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 2: if the big fella if he gets up there, I've 51 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:18,359 Speaker 2: got to have to put the clock on him. 52 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 4: You can't linger, Jared. It's up, handed over and get off. 53 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 4: It's not about you. I'm worried that Brownie might linger. 54 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 2: He might not want to jump off that stage too quickly. 55 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:27,840 Speaker 2: So I'm going to have the clock on Brownie. But 56 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:31,000 Speaker 2: i love both of them. I love both those players. 57 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 2: They epitomize what's great about our game. So either one 58 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 2: will be fantastic. 59 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: And so for Joel, those are the scenes twenty twenty two, 60 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: which was his last game, and knowing the tragedy that 61 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: has befallen the family over the past twelve months, is 62 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 1: that will drip with emotion if he does happen to 63 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: be there at the end. 64 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:50,400 Speaker 2: No question about that. So either way, we'll be thrilled 65 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:51,239 Speaker 2: to see them up there. 66 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 4: And a big fella has been on a bit of 67 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 4: a solid campaign here. 68 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 2: He might just pull him up a little bit shorter 69 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 2: than what would otherwise be the case, which might be 70 00:02:58,160 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 2: the worst thing. 71 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: What's the moment of realize when you think it's not 72 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 1: going to be it's not going to be. 73 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 2: My team twenty one points there have Marcus Bontepelli just 74 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 2: slaughtered one. I thought that's the end of me. Chris 75 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 2: Grant's going to be doing the job. But some is 76 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 2: redundant role in footy. If you're not the presenter, it's 77 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 2: good in the build up, dude, then you just push aside. 78 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 4: Like everyone else. 79 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 2: So these are great presenters that we've got here, and 80 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 2: there's another one of their boys going to be involved. 81 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 1: Yes, all right, So this is what we've got lined 82 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 1: up for you tonight, Simo and Horse the Grand Final Edition. 83 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:27,800 Speaker 1: So there's a bit of down memory lane and a 84 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 1: bit of plotting and scheming for the weekend. The here, 85 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: John Longmy and Adam Simpson, Simon Meredith and Jacob Mollison 86 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 1: are two of our four field umpires. They're here and 87 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 1: Mark Knight. It's a great tradition on this night that 88 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 1: he unveils the posters, the night posters, which are such collectors' 89 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: items for winning fans, and the one. 90 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 2: That doesn't get used might go into the vault inje. 91 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: Midweek tackle following us. So so much happening in footy 92 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: right now. Lauren wod Scott Gallons just back from Tokyo, 93 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: and John Ralph as well. Tomorrow night our Grand Fial edition, 94 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: So I can't offer you fifteen thousand as at Rod Labor. 95 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 5: This is what I've got for you though. 96 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: Guys Josh Dunkley, he did it last season, so he's staying. 97 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:07,120 Speaker 5: With what works for him. 98 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 4: A great lineup. 99 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: Simon Goodwin, Jack Revelt, Ray Chamberlain, Toby Green, Alice Dair, 100 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: Lynch Ebony and Ali have got a great story to 101 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 1: tell in the afl W side of things in Bernie 102 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: Vince as well. 103 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 4: Ray, you can sing a song for it his hand. 104 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:28,599 Speaker 1: Forget the Elton John gear again side. All right, let's 105 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 1: get into the top of the agenda. The moment is 106 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: getting close for Locke Neil the story that is unfolding 107 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:37,280 Speaker 1: around his most unlikely selection for this ground final. He 108 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:40,480 Speaker 1: has to get through main training at Icon Park tomorrow 109 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: to complete what three weeks ago felt like mission impossible. 110 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 2: We're guessing my gut field would be it's a massive 111 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,840 Speaker 2: risk and I've got penallly in the back of my mind. 112 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 2: But their gut field might be we're not listening to you. 113 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:58,599 Speaker 2: We're playing one of the best players in the comp 114 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 2: with muscular injury. 115 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: You're never sure you're okay until you've played a couple 116 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: of games back. 117 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 5: It is a conundrum. 118 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 4: He knows what's at stake. 119 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 1: He's not taking this decision lightly. I'm confident with that 120 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 1: aspect of it. 121 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 3: I would imagine it'll either be Thursday, maybe Friday. 122 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 5: He's either good to go he's not. 123 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:18,719 Speaker 4: I'm playing my best sort of thing. I'd rather dice. 124 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 8: I think Lucky expects and he's going to be right 125 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 8: to go, but we'll still wait. 126 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:24,880 Speaker 1: To see the coach just hate the sub real, but 127 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 1: the fact you have got a sub. 128 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 5: I would take the risk. 129 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 1: If the medical staff and our fitness people give him 130 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: the tick off, then I'm going to back them in. 131 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 1: These things break either way, and they're always written in hindsight. 132 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: Jeremy McGovern and Stephen May played through their ailments in 133 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 1: winning sides, and the cautionary tails are probably Phil Davis 134 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 1: and Sam Ray. They're not isolated those two either side 135 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: of it, but they're big decisions to make. So the 136 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 1: grand final health update is for hb IF health insurance. 137 00:05:57,279 --> 00:05:59,480 Speaker 1: When you boil it all down, he's going to get 138 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:02,840 Speaker 1: through training tomorrow, so there's a lot of jumping that marker, 139 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 1: and I imagine he'll be put through a relatively serious 140 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:10,200 Speaker 1: test and then the moment arrives, do your don't you Yeah? 141 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:12,599 Speaker 4: I suspect he's in until he's out. 142 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:17,280 Speaker 2: I think that's everything that we've heard Chris Fagan, his 143 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:20,040 Speaker 2: last night talking to us and his reaction after they 144 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,599 Speaker 2: went on Friday night. I think he's in until it's 145 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:24,600 Speaker 2: proven that he's not in. That's the way I'm reading it. 146 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:27,279 Speaker 2: At the moment. I suspect that they won't take that 147 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:29,480 Speaker 2: risk with Berry. They couldn't take a risk with two 148 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:32,600 Speaker 2: of them. So the dull, brawd laugh metalist isn't the 149 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 2: right you know. And as long as he puts his 150 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 2: hand up and he'll be as fake says, he'll be 151 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:39,159 Speaker 2: brutally honest with himself and what's best for the team. 152 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 2: And I suspect right now that everyone is planning for 153 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 2: Block he new to play. I suspect your longer planning 154 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 2: for him to play as well, until he comes back 155 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 2: to them and says I'm not. 156 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 4: That's why I'm reading it. 157 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 1: We've been round twenty one and it was a quarter, 158 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:54,560 Speaker 1: kept him out for three weeks, the qualifying final, last 159 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: quarter it's a calf and he misses two and gets 160 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: himself back after the club had ruled him out for 161 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 1: the remainder of the season. It felt like a flight 162 00:07:01,279 --> 00:07:03,840 Speaker 1: of fancy at the starter. You do what you need 163 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: to do to stay motivated and stay connected, and then 164 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: he's forced it, which is credit to his recuperative powers. 165 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 5: That probably the one caution that's been offered to me. 166 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 1: By a couple of people who followed the NBA is 167 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 1: there has been a sequence of players who've torn their 168 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 1: achilles while rushing back from calf injuries, and Tyrese Haliburton 169 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 1: was in the NBA Finals and it's going to cost 170 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: him another season in the aftermath. So these things aren't 171 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 1: without their risk, not only on the day itself, but 172 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 1: I suspect Locke's the sword of player. I'll defer to 173 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 1: you here is play in tight triangles, do all the 174 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: hard work and some of the running you would typically 175 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 1: have done. Will sacrifice that for your skill around the footy. 176 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:45,000 Speaker 1: And just knowing how the vision of him last year 177 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 1: and you spoke about how clean they are, he was 178 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: the cleanest player. 179 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 5: On the field last year. He could easily have been 180 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 5: the norm Smith medlers. 181 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: So if he can give you that and you can 182 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 1: work out how to cover a little bit of the run. 183 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: That's sort of the strategic piece. 184 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 5: I would get. 185 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 2: It could be I don't subscribe to that too. I 186 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 2: think when you're out there, you can't pick and choose 187 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 2: when you're. 188 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 4: Going to run and when you're not going to run. 189 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 2: And it's more about and whether or not that would 190 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 2: protect the calf in terms of whether he does it again. 191 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: My experience was and I only had a bit of 192 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 2: soft tissue. 193 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 4: Like my career. 194 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 2: You can do all the training and this is the 195 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 2: risk that they'll take. And you get out there and 196 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 2: as soon as the game starts, your split second reaction 197 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: to change the direction or loose ball or whatever is 198 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,600 Speaker 2: nothing that you can replicate through a training session, and 199 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: that's the risk that they will take going in. 200 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 4: And there might be a moment where, you. 201 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 2: Know, the intensity of the Grand Final will mean that 202 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 2: the stress on the body is nothing like you're going 203 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 2: to do with a training session, and that might just 204 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 2: go and that is the risk that they're going to 205 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 2: have to take. And I think the eyes are wide 206 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 2: open for everyone involved. You know, he could tick every 207 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 2: box yep, I'm right, get through training, pull up, well, 208 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:51,960 Speaker 2: they go with him, and it wouldn't surprise too many people. 209 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,680 Speaker 2: If it went I hope, like hell that doesn't for 210 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:57,439 Speaker 2: the sake of him and the game. But if it did, 211 00:08:57,640 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 2: you'd say, Okay, that's the risk that we took. 212 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 1: All is Dane z Orco, the designated spokesman on arrival tonight. 213 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 9: You know, right now, I just stay in the moment 214 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 9: and enjoy it. It's such a great week, right even 215 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:11,439 Speaker 9: getting here earlier, we get to stay near the MCG 216 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 9: and the buzz around the park and everything. It's just 217 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 9: a really cool week to be a part of, and 218 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 9: to be the center stage of that on Saturday afternoon 219 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 9: is yeah, real privilege. Sat next to him, well, he's good. 220 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:30,679 Speaker 9: He's obviously got to get through training tomorrow. He'll probably 221 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:32,839 Speaker 9: have a little bit more of a different session than us, 222 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 9: I imagine, But yeah, sitting next to him on the plane, 223 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 9: he seemed good, seemed happy, So that's a good sign. 224 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 9: He knows his body better than us. So look, I know, 225 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:45,959 Speaker 9: Lockie always puts the team first, and he rule on 226 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,839 Speaker 9: this occasion as well, so he knows it was the line. 227 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:50,120 Speaker 9: He knows he's got to put his body through a 228 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 9: fair bit tomorrow to get through and if he does 229 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 9: that with flying colors, we trust him to make the 230 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 9: right call. 231 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,560 Speaker 1: So John longmight knows these calls ever so well as 232 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 1: this day last year he was ruling his captain out 233 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: of the Grand Final and they sort of had calls 234 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 1: that went either way as well. We went stray too 235 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 1: far from the Grand Final. But Essendon's president Andrew Welsh 236 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 1: has been on duty for twenty four hours. He's been 237 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,440 Speaker 1: on the hustings, he's answered the questions, he's spoken to 238 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:16,160 Speaker 1: the fan base. He's guaranteed the day one of pre 239 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 1: season Zach Merritt will still be a bomber. You had 240 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 1: a terrific exchange with him on radio today. 241 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 7: I don't think, with all due respect Garret, that Zach's disgruntled. 242 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:28,960 Speaker 2: I lovely an argument for the shake of it, but 243 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 2: it doesn't ring true to me. Well, she he is disgruntled, 244 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 2: otherwise he wouldn't be. 245 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:34,960 Speaker 4: Meeting with another club in the manner that he has. 246 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:39,679 Speaker 7: I can only say from conversations with Zach, from conversations 247 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:42,839 Speaker 7: with you, he's driven for success Gas and he hasn't 248 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:45,679 Speaker 7: seen that rightfully so at our football club, which is 249 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 7: disappointing because we're all there working for success and we 250 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 7: want to make sure that he sees the vision, he 251 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:52,720 Speaker 7: sees where we're going, and he's a very big part 252 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 7: of that. 253 00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:55,960 Speaker 1: It's been through a few ebbs and flows this. What 254 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 1: were your first impressions of Andrew Welsh's defense. 255 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, clearly I didn't agree with him about the discouner, 256 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 2: but I don't want to hang him on that. I 257 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 2: think he's a first up president that's been thrown at 258 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 2: the deep end. I think he's got to be fantastic 259 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 2: for them. I mean, he has got great energy. Dean 260 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 2: Solomon's circulated the email close to Andrew as a boardman, 261 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 2: but also has a great mate. I think, you know, 262 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 2: I think he'll be fantastic in the role. But I 263 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 2: didn't agree with him. And look, we had Zach on 264 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:24,319 Speaker 2: our show here throughout the course of the year, and 265 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:26,559 Speaker 2: we put it to him in the strongest possible terms 266 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 2: that you know, this is what we're hearing. 267 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 4: Is there any truth to it? No? No, no truth. 268 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:32,719 Speaker 4: So I think what Zach's and it's Look, I don't know. 269 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:34,600 Speaker 2: It's a hard position for Zach to be in, but 270 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 2: I don't take anything that he says right now. 271 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:38,600 Speaker 4: I take it all with a grain of salt. 272 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 2: I don't know what he's telling Andrew, I don't know 273 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:43,959 Speaker 2: what he's telling. Other people clearly told us one thing 274 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 2: and other things were at play, and that's a difficult 275 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:49,280 Speaker 2: road to try and negotiate when you're in the media. 276 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 2: And Andrew's trying to put his best foot forward there. 277 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 2: So I don't hang him up on that. I don't 278 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 2: agree with him in any way, shape or form about 279 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 2: the discompliment that's clearly there. But as to whether or not, 280 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,439 Speaker 2: Ridley's turned around and said he's coming back, so that's 281 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:02,200 Speaker 2: a big pick for him. 282 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 1: Lines of communication are obviously happen, and Welsh was active 283 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: in that last Friday. 284 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:09,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, so I think that's really significant and important. And 285 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 2: you know, we almost to a man, didn't see your 286 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 2: way back for Zach Merritt captaincy or otherwise. 287 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:20,360 Speaker 4: And maybe it's changed, and maybe there has been. 288 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 2: I know that there's been a great optim not great 289 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 2: more optimism from Essen's point of view. But again, what's 290 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 2: happening with Zach away from them and away from the 291 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 2: club is hard to decipher. 292 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: Trade periods aren't easy to navigate, especially with a commodity 293 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 1: like this. He's got two years to run. But I 294 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 1: do think once you come to the job as president 295 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 1: fresh and he is fresh, and you guarantee that he's 296 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:44,600 Speaker 1: going to be there on the first day of pre season. 297 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 5: I think you have to live that. 298 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:49,319 Speaker 1: So if there was a possibility that they were going 299 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 1: to trade him, the new president had the absolute right 300 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,680 Speaker 1: just to leave himself for just a wedge of space 301 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 1: to be able to navigate him too in three weeks time. 302 00:12:57,840 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 5: He shut that absolutely. 303 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: If I'm an Essendon fan, I don't want him coming 304 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 1: to me in three weeks time saying no, we traded him. 305 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 5: Well, I'm here today. Today was the day. 306 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:07,959 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm not ruined out, Jared. 307 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 2: I'm putting that down to the perhaps a bit of 308 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 2: naivety for a first president in his first media and I'll. 309 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:16,960 Speaker 1: Cut him a bit of slack, and I expect him 310 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 1: to be at Essendon now. I expect them to absolutely 311 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 1: live their word that they've done it over and over 312 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 1: and over and this was their moment just to cre 313 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:25,560 Speaker 1: out a little bit of wiggle room. If you're going 314 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 1: to stay so strong with your fan base, then your 315 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:29,599 Speaker 1: best follow through things. 316 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 4: Change for me. 317 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 2: Then you can be resolute one day in football and 318 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:37,199 Speaker 2: you can go godpost move the next. 319 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,559 Speaker 1: All right, let's bring in a couple of our umpires, 320 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 1: shall we. It's a great honor to be one of 321 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 1: the four chosen. One of these is doing it for 322 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:46,679 Speaker 1: the tenth time and another for the seconds. 323 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:49,080 Speaker 5: So there's a blend of the older the new. 324 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 3: Just as big a thrillers doing me first. So yeah, 325 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 3: you look forward to this week every year and every 326 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 3: chance you get it. It's such a privilege you honor 327 00:13:57,120 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 3: to represent not only the afl umpires but all eyes 328 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:03,080 Speaker 3: around the country. So really looking forward to it again. 329 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:05,520 Speaker 8: You know, like as an umpire, sort of work your 330 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 8: whole life to to sort of reach this this moment. 331 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,439 Speaker 8: And yeah, but I got the phone call. I was 332 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 8: sort of speechless, speechless, couldn't put couldn't put words together, 333 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:18,559 Speaker 8: and yeah, it's a dream come true. The cliches, it's 334 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 8: just another game, but it's not like it's a Grand 335 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 8: Final and you want to you want to get it right. 336 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 8: But I guess our job is to let the players shine, 337 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 8: you know, and let them decide the game. 338 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 1: Andrew Stevens and his first Hayden Mayers in his seconds, 339 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:33,560 Speaker 1: Jacob Mollison's and his second Jacob. 340 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 5: Great to have you here. 341 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 1: Thanks Jary, Simon merediths in his ten Simon, what are a 342 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 1: magnificent achievement? Well done? 343 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:39,200 Speaker 3: Thank you? 344 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 4: What are you doing here? Cool? Rank? And s Andrew, 345 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 4: I've done ten. 346 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 3: He tucked it and tucked and new go away so 347 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 3: he can just relax and enjoy, enjoy the week. 348 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 4: When do you get an inkling? 349 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 2: Do you get an inkling throughout the finals campaign that 350 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 2: you're a chance or you've had ten times now you 351 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 2: must know whether you're going to get this. 352 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 3: Never you never know, You're never real confident about it. 353 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,040 Speaker 3: Like we wait for the call on Monday, just as 354 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 3: nervous as it and I was walking laps of the street. 355 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 3: You're out running trying to wait for the call. 356 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 4: Do you get nervous? Joking in the finals? 357 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 2: Ray here obviously every week and he says that how 358 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 2: you umpire through the finals campaign has a big bearing 359 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 2: on whether you get the big gig? Is it back 360 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 2: of your mind throughout this finals campaign? 361 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 6: I think every time you go out there, you just 362 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,080 Speaker 6: want to put on the best performance that you can. 363 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:23,680 Speaker 6: I suppose at the end of the day, but I 364 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 6: think what held us in good stead We had three 365 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 6: of the last four games together the same crew that's 366 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 6: going out there on Saturday. 367 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 4: So we've got the whole lot. 368 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 6: Yeah, that we're familiar with each other and umpired quite 369 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:35,600 Speaker 6: well in some of those games, so that gives us 370 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 6: a lot of confidence going in each week and into Saturday. 371 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 5: So you were the Friday night crew? What is that worth? Simon? 372 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: You've seen lots of different crews and just have a 373 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 1: little bit of stability together. 374 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 3: Nice? Great, Yeah, certainly you know where everyone's going to be. 375 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 3: You know the lead up and how everyone sort of 376 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 3: reacts leading in and just about basically what the team's 377 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 3: going to put out there and the knowledge of how 378 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 3: we're going to operate this basically throughout the whole game. 379 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 2: How many games together in the lead up then did 380 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 2: you have? Is it through the finals or does it 381 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 2: go further back to that? 382 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 3: We did round twenty four, week one and week two 383 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 3: of the finals. 384 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 2: And how's Andrew feeling about it all? You've spoken to 385 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 2: him for his first Grand Final? 386 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 6: Yeah, he's wrapped and well deserved too, like he's done 387 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 6: five prelim finals and to achieve this now it's just 388 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 6: a great feather. 389 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 4: In his cap. 390 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 2: He's super excited and the bounce who goes I'm fascinated 391 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 2: with this because it is the moment I think we've 392 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 2: got the man here. It is the moment all eyes 393 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 2: are on it and you've got the bull in your 394 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 2: hand for the first bounce. 395 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 4: It's going to be you. Jacob. 396 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 6: Yeah, I'm going to have to go at a Garrett 397 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 6: and Yeah, we decided today. I got some sound advice 398 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:43,920 Speaker 6: when I did the Granny in twenty one from Simon 399 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 6: and sort of said, you know your first one, he's 400 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:48,640 Speaker 6: into it, what have you? So I let static take 401 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 6: that one back then and this year I sort of 402 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 6: get to reciprocate that for Andrew sort of said, look, 403 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 6: he might want to take it, but if there's any 404 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:58,680 Speaker 6: nerves or if there's any reason why you don't want to, 405 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 6: I'm happy to do it. So I'm really excited. I 406 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 6: haven't done it before, so super excited to give it 407 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 6: a go on today. 408 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,640 Speaker 1: Your Grand Final was Perth during one of the COVID years. 409 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 1: So is it an additional thrill to know that this 410 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:10,160 Speaker 1: one's at the mcgundred. 411 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 6: Yeah, Like it's been the driving force for me to 412 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:14,560 Speaker 6: really want to try and get that one on the 413 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:18,479 Speaker 6: g Doing it in Perth was amazing, but was had 414 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 6: to sort of celebrate with the family via the FaceTime 415 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 6: after the game and what have you. Whereas this time 416 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 6: we will get to see each other. So per. 417 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,600 Speaker 2: You were tenth in a row? What is it about you? 418 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 2: And modesty might prevent you might have to ask Jacob, 419 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:35,399 Speaker 2: But that is ten grand not in the raw, but 420 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 2: ten Grand finals is just unbelievable. 421 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:39,960 Speaker 3: It is like it's it's I just get you so 422 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:42,840 Speaker 3: excited for this one as I was from the first one. 423 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,400 Speaker 3: So you know, we love being part of it. That's 424 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 3: what you strive for, that's what you want to do, 425 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 3: and just to represent not only our group but umpires 426 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 3: all around Australia on the biggest day for us. 427 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:54,879 Speaker 2: As such a thrill, you sneak out and have a 428 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,439 Speaker 2: look at the dog before you get to stick your 429 00:17:57,440 --> 00:17:57,920 Speaker 2: head out. 430 00:17:58,560 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 4: You do that the pregame ended. 431 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 3: Oh well yeah, we might be able to just sneak 432 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:05,719 Speaker 3: up the race a bit and see what he is delivering, 433 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:07,720 Speaker 3: so hopefully we can soak it in a bit. 434 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:09,199 Speaker 1: All right, I got two for it, and I'm going 435 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:11,399 Speaker 1: to borrow Gary's line. I'm not trying to be argumentative. 436 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: If you are, if the Stasovich Elliott moment presents exactly 437 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:15,920 Speaker 1: as it did. 438 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 5: What will you pay on Saturday? 439 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:20,480 Speaker 3: I'd be more inclined to pay free kick. I'd like 440 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 3: to see the ball smashed away, more clear of contact 441 00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:27,800 Speaker 3: with the ball. That's with the benefit of super seeing 442 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:29,479 Speaker 3: it on super slow MOS and things like that. 443 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 4: Traffic is support us turn around. 444 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:36,439 Speaker 1: And the second one, obviously is the brown Low voting. 445 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 1: Is it time for the umpires to have all the 446 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 1: available information to use as you choose? 447 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 3: I think it certainly helps. It would help us do 448 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:48,840 Speaker 3: it a lot quicker. But also just having every piece 449 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:54,160 Speaker 3: of information would eliminate these isolated instances where we sometimes 450 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:57,119 Speaker 3: doesn't marry up with what the greater footy world sees. 451 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 3: So I think whatever info you can get help. 452 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 4: Thank congratulations for both of you. It's awesome. 453 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 2: So you going around again, You're in good hands and 454 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 2: Jacob bounce. 455 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 1: That's good idea. Simon and Jacob with us. They are 456 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:13,080 Speaker 1: heading to the Grand Final on Saturday. Two who know 457 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:16,919 Speaker 1: the scene so well as players and as coaches, longtime 458 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 1: comrades and peers. They've guided us right through the years, 459 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,560 Speaker 1: so now more than ever John Lmire and Adam Simpson 460 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: to join us at the desk share their experiences, make 461 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 1: us smart for Saturday.