WEBVTT - Reece Walsh recall puts Billy Slater under fire for "hit and hope" pick — IS HE PANICKING? 0:00:06.240 --> 0:00:10.319 Well, hello and welcome to Code NRL podcast. I'm Bulldog Richie, 0:00:10.400 --> 0:00:13.480 joined by Fatima Cando, Patima, How are you and of 0:00:13.480 --> 0:00:16.360 course Alex from NREL Soapbox Soapy? 0:00:16.440 --> 0:00:16.840 Well done? 0:00:16.880 --> 0:00:18.880 How are you? Very good mate? So I get into it. 0:00:18.920 --> 0:00:21.160 Good to see if champion all right? Let's rick anyway? 0:00:21.200 --> 0:00:24.799 State of Origin Queensland have named their side for Origin 0:00:24.840 --> 0:00:28.440 to the same Queensland side that is down one nil. 0:00:28.520 --> 0:00:31.680 And the big story is the rock star himself, Reese 0:00:31.720 --> 0:00:35.000 Walsh is back, Soapy, What have you made of it? 0:00:35.159 --> 0:00:38.360 His form this year's been modest at best, but you 0:00:38.680 --> 0:00:41.560 just get the feeling Origin might bring out the best 0:00:41.600 --> 0:00:42.000 in Reese. 0:00:42.080 --> 0:00:44.680 Well, Reese is a superstar, like he's someone that you 0:00:44.720 --> 0:00:47.159 expect to be in the Origin squad. But when Billy's 0:00:47.159 --> 0:00:50.120 decided he wasn't good enough for game one, I haven't 0:00:50.120 --> 0:00:53.320 seen anything from Reese Walsh to suggest that he's earned 0:00:53.320 --> 0:00:56.760 that spot for game two, and Billy's answers were really vague, 0:00:56.800 --> 0:00:59.160 like there's no evidence to say that Reese Walsh has 0:00:59.200 --> 0:01:01.600 turned a corner. Doesn't mean that he won't do something brilliant, 0:01:01.720 --> 0:01:03.120 but he's not looking hot right now. 0:01:03.680 --> 0:01:06.399 Of course I should add calm Ponger his fullback for TEAMLA, 0:01:06.440 --> 0:01:08.960 and Reese is going to come off the bench. 0:01:09.000 --> 0:01:10.440 What do you make of the Walsh decision. 0:01:11.640 --> 0:01:12.279 I'm with Alex. 0:01:12.360 --> 0:01:15.919 I think it's a little bit odd considering Billy Slater, 0:01:16.000 --> 0:01:18.119 when asked what like you, said what he had seen, 0:01:18.160 --> 0:01:19.760 He couldn't really point to anything, and he said, I'd 0:01:19.840 --> 0:01:20.639 leave that in house. 0:01:21.000 --> 0:01:22.560 So maybe he has seen something. 0:01:22.800 --> 0:01:24.800 You know, Billy Slater's one of the best fullbacks of 0:01:24.920 --> 0:01:27.160 his generations, so maybe he's seen something obviously that. 0:01:27.120 --> 0:01:27.839 We haven't seen. 0:01:28.920 --> 0:01:31.319 I wonder how much losing Ponger the way they did 0:01:31.600 --> 0:01:35.119 in Game one sort of maybe scared Slater a little bit, 0:01:35.200 --> 0:01:37.160 so you know, if there is a situation where they 0:01:37.160 --> 0:01:40.280 do happen to lose Ponger. I noticed Ponger was clutching 0:01:40.319 --> 0:01:42.080 at his shoulder in the game on the weekend, not 0:01:42.080 --> 0:01:44.440 to suggest he's under an injury cloud, but maybe he 0:01:44.560 --> 0:01:46.640 is sort of thinking, okay, that way, if you've got 0:01:46.640 --> 0:01:49.080 Reese on the bench, then if we do need somebody 0:01:49.120 --> 0:01:53.480 to replace pong at fullback, we're not reshuffling outside backs. 0:01:53.480 --> 0:01:57.960 He's got a straight swap. What I find interesting is defensively, 0:01:58.000 --> 0:02:00.600 Ponger didn't have his best game on the weekend. And 0:02:00.640 --> 0:02:03.240 that's why I'm so surprised that Billy Slater went with him, 0:02:03.280 --> 0:02:05.520 considering you know, he was one of the best defensive 0:02:05.720 --> 0:02:09.120 fullbacks in the game during his time. But you know, 0:02:09.520 --> 0:02:12.600 he's a big game player. Origin is the biggest stage. 0:02:12.760 --> 0:02:15.040 You know, if it was a fast game, there was 0:02:15.080 --> 0:02:17.160 plenty of fatigue in that first game, especially in the 0:02:17.600 --> 0:02:20.080 first twenty minutes, So you know, if you're looking to 0:02:20.120 --> 0:02:23.000 inject him in that clash at some point in time, 0:02:23.040 --> 0:02:24.880 maybe late in the game, he's the perfect guy. 0:02:25.000 --> 0:02:27.480 Yeah, you say that, Fatima, and you're one hundred percent rot. 0:02:27.480 --> 0:02:29.639 He's box office Reese Wolks, And if there is a 0:02:29.680 --> 0:02:32.160 biggest stage in Rouga League, it is State of Origin 0:02:32.440 --> 0:02:34.480 in front of what we believe could be a crowd 0:02:34.560 --> 0:02:38.480 in at the MCG in excess of ninety three, ninety 0:02:38.480 --> 0:02:39.399 four thousand. 0:02:39.120 --> 0:02:41.160 And this has got Reese Walts written all over totally. 0:02:41.200 --> 0:02:44.240 But also like Laurie's come under a lot of scrutiny 0:02:44.240 --> 0:02:47.079 for his decisions. But Billy needs to get cop some 0:02:47.120 --> 0:02:49.560 peat now too. He's one nil down and I reckon 0:02:49.560 --> 0:02:51.120 there's a little bit of I don't know what to do, 0:02:51.200 --> 0:02:53.160 Like it's a bit of an insurance policy bringing the 0:02:53.160 --> 0:02:53.800 superstar in. 0:02:54.000 --> 0:02:55.120 I didn't necessarily need you. 0:02:55.160 --> 0:02:57.160 It was nil lull, But now that I've I actually 0:02:57.200 --> 0:02:59.880 really need talent, let's bring him in. It just feels 0:02:59.880 --> 0:03:01.840 like a little bit of hit and home. I'm sure 0:03:01.840 --> 0:03:05.359 Billy has a rationale, but Laurie's cop heaps. Where's Billy's scrutiny? 0:03:05.800 --> 0:03:06.440 I will run through. 0:03:06.440 --> 0:03:10.280 There's other changes for Queens Phinifiiaki rather in for Karrigan, 0:03:10.680 --> 0:03:13.920 written a Korra in for Max Plath, Mari Tao Lungi 0:03:14.000 --> 0:03:18.919 in for Shibasaki and hel and Luki is the twentieth man. Guys, 0:03:18.919 --> 0:03:20.800 what do you make of the balance of this Coeens 0:03:20.840 --> 0:03:21.800 down squad right now? 0:03:22.360 --> 0:03:22.560 Yeah? 0:03:22.600 --> 0:03:24.640 I think it's a it's a really good side. Obviously, 0:03:24.800 --> 0:03:29.079 Carrigan is a huge loss, Helam Luki has probably been 0:03:29.120 --> 0:03:32.640 one of the cowboys best during their run, so he's 0:03:32.680 --> 0:03:37.160 well deserving. And Finifiiaki is somebody that I've heard Billy 0:03:37.400 --> 0:03:40.080 talk about quite glowingly for a really long time now. 0:03:39.920 --> 0:03:40.760 So it's not surprising. 0:03:40.800 --> 0:03:44.320 I think he was the twentieth nineteenth man in Game one, 0:03:44.360 --> 0:03:46.520 so it's not surprising that he's getting his shot now too. 0:03:46.680 --> 0:03:49.920 Yeah, Finifuaki's player fans have been crying out for in Origin. 0:03:49.960 --> 0:03:52.560 I reckon he's that perfect counterbalance to the big second 0:03:52.640 --> 0:03:54.920 roller like Homolio Kawatu Queens. 0:03:54.920 --> 0:03:56.680 They need a bit of that power. He could do 0:03:56.720 --> 0:03:57.559 really well. 0:03:57.760 --> 0:03:59.720 Now as we film this, of course, the New South 0:03:59.760 --> 0:04:01.400 Wales side has not been picked. 0:04:01.440 --> 0:04:04.120 It will be picked at seven o'clock on Sunday night. 0:04:04.240 --> 0:04:07.880 So let's just talk about some likely changes. Now we 0:04:07.920 --> 0:04:11.560 are hearing that Dylan Lucas from Newcastle may be added 0:04:11.640 --> 0:04:12.560 to the side. 0:04:13.000 --> 0:04:14.000 What would he bring, mate? 0:04:14.080 --> 0:04:15.920 He's fast, you know, he grew up playing as a 0:04:15.920 --> 0:04:17.800 center like I learned about that a couple of weeks ago. 0:04:18.000 --> 0:04:21.360 He's fast, He's in roaring hot form. I'd be really 0:04:21.360 --> 0:04:22.880 excited to see him playing for New South Well, it's 0:04:22.960 --> 0:04:23.400 be awesome. 0:04:23.600 --> 0:04:27.200 And the other contentious one is who will replace Blake Bradley, 0:04:27.240 --> 0:04:29.240 who of course broke his arm. It's going to be 0:04:29.279 --> 0:04:32.239 out of Connor Watson and or Appy Chorus out for Timid. 0:04:32.240 --> 0:04:36.000 Do you think yesterday the sixty eight nail hammering which 0:04:36.080 --> 0:04:39.720 humiliated the West Tigers, did that damage Appy's chances? 0:04:40.880 --> 0:04:42.479 I don't know. I don't think so. 0:04:42.800 --> 0:04:45.400 For mine, I would have gone with Happy to start 0:04:45.440 --> 0:04:48.760 at hooker before he got suspended and missed those few weeks. 0:04:48.760 --> 0:04:50.960 I reckon he was probably you know, maybe him and 0:04:51.080 --> 0:04:51.680 Wade Egan. 0:04:51.720 --> 0:04:55.200 The form number nine's that we had and the way 0:04:55.240 --> 0:04:59.040 that you know, Happy plays his craftiness around dummy half. 0:04:59.200 --> 0:05:01.599 You know, he's got footy smarts. He just adds I 0:05:01.600 --> 0:05:03.880 think another edge to the spine by having him there. 0:05:04.560 --> 0:05:06.520 It wasn't good from the Tigers. We'll get to that later, 0:05:06.680 --> 0:05:10.120 but I still would go with Appy over Konna Watson. 0:05:10.160 --> 0:05:12.479 I think Appy's on a running dummy half as we know, 0:05:12.560 --> 0:05:14.159 but he's a very cagey sort of yeah. 0:05:14.160 --> 0:05:15.280 As I said, I believe. 0:05:15.080 --> 0:05:17.040 These days he lies with his eyes, yeah yeah, and 0:05:17.080 --> 0:05:19.880 he's a very very clever player. Look he's thirty four, 0:05:19.920 --> 0:05:22.440 but he's very experienced and certainly for my opinion, I 0:05:22.480 --> 0:05:24.880 don't know about U SOPI, but I think Appy would 0:05:24.880 --> 0:05:26.880 be the ideal man to take to Melbourne under that 0:05:26.920 --> 0:05:29.039 excruciating pressure of playing such. 0:05:29.240 --> 0:05:29.839 A big game. 0:05:29.920 --> 0:05:30.760 It's Sufferwate Egan. 0:05:30.760 --> 0:05:33.560 He's obviously been in great form, but Appy's experience and 0:05:33.600 --> 0:05:37.400 his football skill, like he's just a guy who can 0:05:37.440 --> 0:05:39.600 see the play that needs to happen, and you want 0:05:39.600 --> 0:05:42.520 an intelligent player like that, particularly in high pressure moments 0:05:42.520 --> 0:05:45.200 like Origin. Even I know the Tiger's loss was abysmal, 0:05:45.480 --> 0:05:47.960 but he can't pin that all on Appy, and so 0:05:48.040 --> 0:05:49.040 I think he deserves his spot. 0:05:49.120 --> 0:05:52.760 Yeah, So the other important one was Casey McLean obviously 0:05:53.080 --> 0:05:56.880 did finish that game with an ankle issue. There is 0:05:56.880 --> 0:05:59.800 no issue. He's been cleared this morning. So if he 0:06:00.200 --> 0:06:01.240 Laurie's free to pick him. 0:06:01.400 --> 0:06:05.280 Is there any concern or anxiety among this panel over 0:06:05.640 --> 0:06:09.920 Mitch Moses, who will have not played for thirty one 0:06:10.000 --> 0:06:13.680 days when we expect him to be picked and to 0:06:13.760 --> 0:06:17.160 run out at the MCG. I'm a bit a bit 0:06:17.200 --> 0:06:20.280 against the old school notion that after thirty one days 0:06:20.320 --> 0:06:21.039 they're not fit enough. 0:06:21.040 --> 0:06:21.920 They're all fit these days. 0:06:21.920 --> 0:06:25.000 They are incredible athletes in a performance by performance centers, 0:06:25.080 --> 0:06:27.919 and that doesn't particularly bother me. Someone like Mitch Moses, 0:06:27.920 --> 0:06:31.279 of his skill and durability, that he hasn't played for 0:06:31.320 --> 0:06:33.719 thirty one days, I guess he iss would be timing. 0:06:33.920 --> 0:06:34.160 Yeah. 0:06:34.160 --> 0:06:37.400 Well, I've joined the Ethan Strange fan club, so if 0:06:37.400 --> 0:06:41.000 I think I want to win, we must pick Ethan Strange. 0:06:41.320 --> 0:06:43.599 Not because Mitch Moses isn't a great player, but we 0:06:43.640 --> 0:06:46.960 already have a gun halfback. I like the cagi chaotic, 0:06:47.080 --> 0:06:50.480 manic style that Strange plays with. Moses will do a 0:06:50.520 --> 0:06:52.760 great job. He's been a fantastic servant in New South Wales. 0:06:53.040 --> 0:06:55.800 But I like that we've got a different X factor 0:06:55.839 --> 0:06:58.320 in Strange, whereas Moses and Cleary are very similar. 0:06:58.640 --> 0:07:01.159 And is it too many cooks in the kitchen there is? 0:07:01.200 --> 0:07:03.760 Does Cleary work better when he's got a junior player 0:07:03.760 --> 0:07:05.680 there who's more like eyes up foot he compared to 0:07:05.960 --> 0:07:11.280 a captain like Moses. So Mate, I'll back his selection, 0:07:11.400 --> 0:07:12.800 but I really want Ethan Strange starting. 0:07:12.840 --> 0:07:13.480 Who's six. 0:07:15.080 --> 0:07:17.360 If Moses is fit, it's Moses. 0:07:17.440 --> 0:07:20.880 The thing that worries me is absolutely thirty one days 0:07:21.040 --> 0:07:21.760 hasn't played. 0:07:21.880 --> 0:07:23.440 It's a soft tissue injury. 0:07:23.600 --> 0:07:26.080 It's he might get through the whole camp and then 0:07:27.160 --> 0:07:30.200 five ten minutes in you know that hamstring might go. 0:07:30.360 --> 0:07:32.040 So that's what I'm worried about. 0:07:32.080 --> 0:07:34.920 The interesting one is where Isaiah Katara fits in this. 0:07:35.160 --> 0:07:37.600 I know that when Matt Burden was brought in for 0:07:37.680 --> 0:07:40.400 Game one that you know Blues coaching staff are actually 0:07:40.480 --> 0:07:43.119 quite keen or we're looking in the direction of Katar 0:07:43.240 --> 0:07:47.000 but he wasn't available. So yeah, Laurie has a big 0:07:47.040 --> 0:07:48.760 decision to make because I do agree because it has 0:07:48.840 --> 0:07:51.080 been you know, like if he goes with Mitch or 0:07:51.120 --> 0:07:53.120 Mitch is injured and they lose, he made the wrong 0:07:53.160 --> 0:07:56.720 call by dropping, not dropping, but not going with Strange 0:07:56.720 --> 0:07:58.679 and it's the same thing. It's it's such a hard 0:07:58.680 --> 0:08:02.680 situation for Laurie unless we win to come out a winner. 0:08:02.440 --> 0:08:06.360 In let's go to the NRL and how could we 0:08:06.480 --> 0:08:10.320 not start with the abysmal performance we saw at Combank 0:08:10.400 --> 0:08:15.480 Stadium yesterday. Let's be fair here, that Penrith machine. I 0:08:15.520 --> 0:08:18.320 don't think I've ever seen it as clinical as what 0:08:18.360 --> 0:08:24.040 they produced yesterday. But there's no sugarcoating. No NRL side 0:08:24.080 --> 0:08:25.920 should lose sixty eight mil. 0:08:26.360 --> 0:08:28.720 Yeah, it's terrible. I'm still torn on which was the 0:08:28.720 --> 0:08:30.960 worst result this weekend. Was it the Broncos losing to 0:08:31.000 --> 0:08:34.000 second last or was it the Tigers capitulation against a 0:08:34.080 --> 0:08:36.480 gun team. I think this is why Benji didn't like 0:08:36.520 --> 0:08:39.000 the hype around his team earlier in the season, because 0:08:39.200 --> 0:08:41.600 then they put out performances like this against the Panthers 0:08:41.800 --> 0:08:44.120 and who would be a Tigers fan that is so 0:08:44.280 --> 0:08:47.480 embarrassing to watch that performance. Like I get, they're an 0:08:47.520 --> 0:08:49.520 amazing side and they're going to push you in there. 0:08:49.720 --> 0:08:52.280 They were obviously going to win, but to concede sixty 0:08:52.320 --> 0:08:53.600 eight points is embarrassing. 0:08:53.880 --> 0:08:56.480 I think some of the early season sopi as you 0:08:57.640 --> 0:09:01.440 alluded to, some of the early season accolades from the 0:09:01.440 --> 0:09:03.840 West Tigers were totally over the top. But I said 0:09:03.880 --> 0:09:06.439 at the time, we've put them on a higher status 0:09:06.440 --> 0:09:08.960 than what they deserve to be. They're a fair football side, 0:09:08.960 --> 0:09:11.400 they're not a final seat. They're certainly not a top 0:09:11.440 --> 0:09:13.360 four side. What did you make of it? Sixty eight 0:09:13.720 --> 0:09:14.480 twelve tries? 0:09:15.200 --> 0:09:17.880 It was bad. It was really bad. And good on Benji. 0:09:18.200 --> 0:09:21.720 You know there's been you know, lots of coaches this 0:09:21.880 --> 0:09:24.240 year trying to defect when they're you know, teams have 0:09:24.280 --> 0:09:27.920 played poorly. But he was like, we were done, we 0:09:28.000 --> 0:09:32.640 played branded and he's not wrong. But he's not wrong, right, So, 0:09:33.040 --> 0:09:35.839 And I don't know, like I am not a Tiger's fan, 0:09:35.880 --> 0:09:38.319 but I could if I was a Tigers fan and 0:09:38.400 --> 0:09:40.600 you know, somebody like really drinking the kool aid earlier, 0:09:40.640 --> 0:09:43.560 they did look like they had made significant changes of 0:09:44.080 --> 0:09:46.600 improvements over the summer. There was that resilience in defense 0:09:46.600 --> 0:09:48.640 that we haven't seen from them before they were exciting 0:09:48.640 --> 0:09:51.640 an attack. For me, the biggest problem is how they've 0:09:51.679 --> 0:09:54.680 capitulated defensively. So in the four out of the five 0:09:55.360 --> 0:09:58.880 losses that they've had in their last five games, they've 0:09:58.880 --> 0:10:02.520 considered over two hundred like. That's a problem, and the 0:10:02.800 --> 0:10:05.440 issue for them now is those losses and those heavy 0:10:05.440 --> 0:10:09.679 defeats coincide with what with Jerome Lai announcing he's going 0:10:09.720 --> 0:10:12.240 to the Chiefs now, not to say that, because they 0:10:12.280 --> 0:10:15.400 have had things going on right. Adam Dewey hasn't played 0:10:15.440 --> 0:10:19.000 since round nine, Appy he didn't play in that run 0:10:19.040 --> 0:10:19.520 as well. 0:10:19.559 --> 0:10:21.000 They lost twelve on the weekend. 0:10:21.040 --> 0:10:23.319 Samie lafe Kne, who was one of their form players, 0:10:23.360 --> 0:10:26.480 hasn't been there. So there are things going on, But 0:10:26.559 --> 0:10:29.400 it's that lack of resolve in defense that'stsicipated since the 0:10:29.480 --> 0:10:33.960 Lui decision that could potentially come back to hornmatizers. 0:10:33.600 --> 0:10:34.720 Dumb and brain dead. 0:10:34.840 --> 0:10:38.280 I love Benji's honesty, and I think it's great that 0:10:38.360 --> 0:10:41.400 a coach actually comes out and says that. However, in 0:10:41.400 --> 0:10:44.720 this current day, we know players are very sensitive. Yeah, 0:10:44.920 --> 0:10:47.079 will the players take that well or do you think 0:10:47.080 --> 0:10:50.680 there'll be a little bit of why did he gomes 0:10:50.720 --> 0:10:52.120 it's something so strong. 0:10:52.320 --> 0:10:55.559 I think from all reports, Benji's got a great connection 0:10:55.600 --> 0:10:58.160 with the squad. I think they would I would imagine 0:10:58.200 --> 0:11:00.000 he's pretty honest with them and direct. I don't think 0:11:00.000 --> 0:11:02.640 think's they were dumb and brain dead, like too bad 0:11:02.640 --> 0:11:04.360 if you don't want your coach at to hamme. I 0:11:04.520 --> 0:11:08.280 played better on the point of Leui Coen Siding. I 0:11:08.320 --> 0:11:10.560 actually thought there was even a better connection of the 0:11:10.600 --> 0:11:12.839 last time Bulldog watched them play against the Raiders. They've 0:11:12.840 --> 0:11:14.800 barely won since then, so you might have cursed the time. 0:11:16.480 --> 0:11:19.240 So I do think actually the Bulldogs game, this is 0:11:19.240 --> 0:11:20.959 why we'd be so frustrating. I don't even think it's 0:11:21.000 --> 0:11:24.160 necessarily their defensive resolve. Of course it's been bad. It's 0:11:24.200 --> 0:11:27.040 that the bigger problem is their lack of consistency. So 0:11:27.040 --> 0:11:29.720 they won on defense against the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs peppered them, 0:11:29.720 --> 0:11:32.200 peppered them, peppered them, and they held up strong. But 0:11:32.240 --> 0:11:34.640 then this week it just has gone blown out of 0:11:34.640 --> 0:11:37.360 the water. The only thing I will say is that 0:11:37.000 --> 0:11:39.120 it was a dumb and brain dead performance. But it's 0:11:39.440 --> 0:11:42.760 in oscollation in these rules. Right now, do allow for 0:11:42.800 --> 0:11:45.720 these massive scores to happen and Penrith are just capitalized. 0:11:45.760 --> 0:11:47.720 It could just be a blip. I don't think the 0:11:47.720 --> 0:11:49.440 Tiger season is dumb and brain dead. 0:11:49.679 --> 0:11:53.240 Just this game, let's pinch a positive from the game. 0:11:53.320 --> 0:11:56.439 The Panthers. Do we just give them the trophy? Now? 0:11:56.480 --> 0:11:58.959 Why are we even having this competition this season? 0:11:59.160 --> 0:12:01.560 They clearly are so far ahead of the chasing Pact. 0:12:01.600 --> 0:12:04.319 The Warriors are no doubt the second side, and from 0:12:04.360 --> 0:12:06.240 there there's probably a gap maybe to the Roosters and 0:12:06.320 --> 0:12:07.280 maybe a couple of others. 0:12:07.480 --> 0:12:10.440 How far ahead are they of the rest of the field? 0:12:11.000 --> 0:12:16.080 Willy fit par you know when and this is so 0:12:16.440 --> 0:12:20.800 was Isaaeo, Nathan Cleary and bizarre. I think all had 0:12:20.800 --> 0:12:24.319 a break last weekend post origin, came back fit and 0:12:24.360 --> 0:12:25.520 fresh with a vengeance. 0:12:26.080 --> 0:12:28.199 It reminds me of a moment. 0:12:28.760 --> 0:12:30.520 In the finals last year in the prelium and the 0:12:30.520 --> 0:12:34.079 post match where Ajourna asked Ivan whether or not the 0:12:34.160 --> 0:12:36.640 dynasty was over, and he was like, what's over? 0:12:36.840 --> 0:12:39.880 Yeah, you know? And yeah, what's over? 0:12:40.280 --> 0:12:40.559 You know? 0:12:40.640 --> 0:12:41.040 And look. 0:12:41.120 --> 0:12:43.240 Having said that, though there were times last year were 0:12:43.240 --> 0:12:45.520 Ivan himself questioned, especially at the start of the year, 0:12:45.520 --> 0:12:48.600 when they weren't playing well, questioned whether they'd lost that desire, 0:12:48.760 --> 0:12:51.839 lost that hunger. They've completely found it again and it's 0:12:51.880 --> 0:12:52.800 scary how good they are. 0:12:52.920 --> 0:12:54.720 They need to be studied that what are they doing? 0:12:54.720 --> 0:12:57.640 They keep losing great players and keep delivering peak performances. 0:12:57.679 --> 0:13:00.199 How are we still talking about the Penrith Pen's being 0:13:00.240 --> 0:13:03.439 invincible six years on from their first Grand Finals mental. 0:13:03.280 --> 0:13:05.400 Extraordinary, extraordinary franchise. 0:13:05.720 --> 0:13:10.400 Let's head North Brisbane Broncos have been beaten by the 0:13:10.400 --> 0:13:12.319 Titans who are running second last, and last week, of 0:13:12.320 --> 0:13:15.560 course they were beaten by the Dragons who were running last. 0:13:16.640 --> 0:13:19.800 In a word, soapie, are the Broncos gone? 0:13:20.200 --> 0:13:21.240 Yes? Why? 0:13:21.400 --> 0:13:23.880 Or they're gone because they've lost to the bottom three teams. 0:13:23.880 --> 0:13:26.640 So and I know everyone talks about their mid season 0:13:26.679 --> 0:13:29.480 revival last season, right, fair enough, that happened, but it 0:13:29.480 --> 0:13:31.959 would have to happen again. So you've got to make 0:13:31.960 --> 0:13:34.040 the top four to win the comp that that's just 0:13:34.160 --> 0:13:36.800 proven they're not gonna make it. They're now losing some 0:13:36.840 --> 0:13:39.280 players out to origin. Some of their best players last 0:13:39.280 --> 0:13:42.200 season are hopelessly out of form. It would take something 0:13:42.240 --> 0:13:44.199 that has not yet happened, like something's gonna have to 0:13:44.480 --> 0:13:47.960 like change dramatically, almost miraculously for the Broncos to have 0:13:48.000 --> 0:13:50.760 a chance. And I have been Magice mcguy's biggest defender 0:13:50.800 --> 0:13:53.560 this season. I know he copped it way too early 0:13:53.559 --> 0:13:56.880 in the season with the Broncos poor form, but at 0:13:56.880 --> 0:13:59.160 the moment they deserve some scrutiny. They need to play better. 0:13:59.200 --> 0:14:03.120 It's really bad. The defending premiere is to lose to last, second, last, 0:14:03.120 --> 0:14:04.840 and third last hopeless. 0:14:05.000 --> 0:14:07.880 You got to remember too, last year was an extraordinary 0:14:07.920 --> 0:14:10.560 run on the back of Rysce Walsh whose final series 0:14:10.679 --> 0:14:13.480 was just off the charts. But just because you did 0:14:13.480 --> 0:14:15.440 it in twenty twenty five, you don't do it in 0:14:15.440 --> 0:14:17.559 twenty twenty six. So everyone's out there waiting for this 0:14:17.960 --> 0:14:20.600 run to come, waiting for them to get hot. And 0:14:20.640 --> 0:14:22.520 who's to say they will get hot. I think they're gone. 0:14:22.800 --> 0:14:23.760 I said it last week. 0:14:23.880 --> 0:14:24.080 Yep. 0:14:24.280 --> 0:14:24.480 Yeah. 0:14:26.120 --> 0:14:28.840 So they need to win ten, so they've got two 0:14:28.880 --> 0:14:31.760 buys in hand. If my math is right, and math 0:14:31.800 --> 0:14:33.880 isn't my strong point, I think they need to win 0:14:33.960 --> 0:14:37.200 ten from their last eleven. 0:14:37.360 --> 0:14:39.400 Basically, and then you look at the run. 0:14:39.480 --> 0:14:41.960 So obviously the Rabbit o's this week they go into 0:14:42.000 --> 0:14:48.440 the Roosters Sharks Penrith, Cowboys, Knights, Dolphins, Warriors. When you 0:14:48.480 --> 0:14:50.280 look at that and you see how the Broncos are 0:14:50.320 --> 0:14:52.880 playing at the moment, there isn't a game there where 0:14:52.920 --> 0:14:55.600 I comfortably go Okay, the Broncos have got this. The 0:14:55.600 --> 0:14:57.880 Broncos are going to knock off the Cowboys in the respect. 0:14:57.880 --> 0:14:59.680 And also too, they haven't been that great at home. 0:15:00.560 --> 0:15:02.280 You know, sun Corp was a fortress for them, but 0:15:02.280 --> 0:15:04.680 they've lost way too many games at home as well. 0:15:04.960 --> 0:15:08.440 And again I love match too, like I'm one of 0:15:08.440 --> 0:15:12.080 his biggest defenders. They have had a lot of injuries 0:15:12.800 --> 0:15:15.120 and they just haven't been able to pick themselves up 0:15:15.160 --> 0:15:15.800 off the canvas. 0:15:15.800 --> 0:15:16.480 I don't think. 0:15:16.760 --> 0:15:20.440 Fosball yeah, baby, it's still going. Can you believe this? 0:15:20.560 --> 0:15:22.800 Eight from ten under Kieran four and of course was 0:15:23.360 --> 0:15:28.560 given a three year full time extension contract just last week. 0:15:28.600 --> 0:15:32.480 He's got KFC signs, he's got Fosball Park. Even the 0:15:32.520 --> 0:15:37.280 local Brookvale Public School is now known as fos Public School. Really, 0:15:38.120 --> 0:15:41.400 having said that, I think I know Kieran well enough 0:15:41.400 --> 0:15:44.840 to suggest that there's a bye this weekend. The community 0:15:44.880 --> 0:15:47.120 on the Northern Beaches is right behind Foles and it's 0:15:47.160 --> 0:15:51.080 been fantastic, But at some point I think Kieran's got 0:15:51.160 --> 0:15:54.600 to say, right, that's it, no more media, Let's pull 0:15:54.640 --> 0:15:55.240 everything right. 0:15:55.160 --> 0:15:56.560 Back all right. 0:15:56.600 --> 0:15:59.400 It would be a shame for him to do that. 0:15:59.600 --> 0:16:02.000 The fos, this boor movement has captivated fans like the 0:16:02.080 --> 0:16:04.480 upp the Wise movement has. I think Justin Horror was 0:16:04.480 --> 0:16:06.080 talking about this and I thought his analysis and that 0:16:06.160 --> 0:16:09.320 was brilliant, Like it's something special that's happening on the 0:16:09.320 --> 0:16:12.760 Northern Beaches who have been quite despondent for many a year, 0:16:12.960 --> 0:16:16.200 and now everyone wants to be involved with kran for it. 0:16:16.320 --> 0:16:18.840 He doesn't have to be the thing about. I know 0:16:18.920 --> 0:16:20.960 he hates it. I know he hates the attention. He 0:16:20.960 --> 0:16:23.280 doesn't want it. But the problem is that just creates 0:16:23.320 --> 0:16:25.800 more and more fanfare. The more he resists it, the 0:16:25.840 --> 0:16:28.040 more fan the more it makes him more likable because 0:16:28.040 --> 0:16:30.680 he's genuinely humble. So he might call it, but it 0:16:30.680 --> 0:16:34.240 won't matter because it's a train that's the horse has bolted. 0:16:34.400 --> 0:16:36.440 The Northern Beaches is alive, singing the song of here 0:16:36.440 --> 0:16:37.080 and for it now. 0:16:37.160 --> 0:16:38.800 Curing to Tim last week at a press conference that 0:16:38.840 --> 0:16:41.240 he believes that Manly can win the premiership, the year 0:16:41.360 --> 0:16:43.480 this year, and I love that optimism. I love the 0:16:43.480 --> 0:16:46.360 fact that coach will say we can win it and 0:16:46.440 --> 0:16:49.440 as he rightly said, how can I not believe it 0:16:49.480 --> 0:16:52.760 and then try to portray it onto my players. We've 0:16:52.800 --> 0:16:55.120 just discussed the Panthers. They're miles out of the field. 0:16:55.200 --> 0:16:58.480 But if there's a swooper, can Manly come home and 0:16:58.480 --> 0:16:59.320 win the premiership? 0:16:59.640 --> 0:16:59.840 Ah? 0:17:00.960 --> 0:17:02.720 Yeah, I don't see why not. But if we're talking 0:17:02.720 --> 0:17:04.920 about like a bolt or a dark horse. 0:17:04.920 --> 0:17:06.760 So I like what the Dolphins are doing at the moment, 0:17:08.119 --> 0:17:11.520 but yeah, I just think it's Penrith Warriors. The Roosters 0:17:11.560 --> 0:17:15.440 are coming good at the right time. Yeah they could, 0:17:15.720 --> 0:17:19.560 but there's there's other teams and that could territory too. 0:17:19.400 --> 0:17:20.240 That I like a bit more. 0:17:20.400 --> 0:17:22.239 I think Manly are overperforming. I think this is why 0:17:22.400 --> 0:17:24.000 Kieran fren is a great coach. When I look at 0:17:24.000 --> 0:17:26.760 that pack that went up against South Sydney at the 0:17:26.760 --> 0:17:28.800 start of the season, you'd have no chance that Manley 0:17:28.840 --> 0:17:30.479 were going to dominate that pack, but they did. They 0:17:30.480 --> 0:17:32.400 won the battle in the middle. So he's got those 0:17:32.440 --> 0:17:34.760 boys playing fantastically, but they do have a lot of 0:17:35.080 --> 0:17:37.439 injuries and a lot of age in that pack so 0:17:38.200 --> 0:17:40.679 and anyone that's coming in is very inexperienced, so what 0:17:40.720 --> 0:17:43.080 they're doing is amazing. I'm not buying into the hype. 0:17:43.119 --> 0:17:45.080 I want to believe. I'm a Manley fan by the way, 0:17:45.080 --> 0:17:47.760