1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talks. 3 00:00:11,627 --> 00:00:16,147 Speaker 2: Edb our preview of tonight's NRL Grand Final Melbourne Storm 4 00:00:16,227 --> 00:00:20,187 Speaker 2: v Penrith Panthers nine point thirty kickoff at a Core Stadium. 5 00:00:20,227 --> 00:00:23,667 Speaker 2: Pleasure to welcome in Ryan Girdler, New South Wales, state 6 00:00:23,747 --> 00:00:27,987 Speaker 2: of origin and Australia international representative, over two hundred games 7 00:00:27,987 --> 00:00:31,747 Speaker 2: for the Penrith Panthers and winner in the side that 8 00:00:32,187 --> 00:00:35,387 Speaker 2: picked up the two thousand and three NRL Premiership beating 9 00:00:35,427 --> 00:00:38,867 Speaker 2: the Roosters eighteen points to six in the final. Ryan, 10 00:00:38,907 --> 00:00:40,947 Speaker 2: thanks for joining us across New Zealand on News Talks 11 00:00:41,027 --> 00:00:43,587 Speaker 2: edb Can we start in two thousand and three, Can 12 00:00:43,627 --> 00:00:46,707 Speaker 2: you remember your emotions heading into that Grand Final? 13 00:00:47,507 --> 00:00:50,107 Speaker 3: Oh? Look, yeah, absolutely. It was the first Grand Final 14 00:00:50,147 --> 00:00:52,987 Speaker 3: that the club had been in for some years. Obviously 15 00:00:53,147 --> 00:00:57,187 Speaker 3: ninety one was our last premiership before that. So you know, 16 00:00:57,347 --> 00:00:59,347 Speaker 3: like at the community, you've just been spoiled, haven't they 17 00:00:59,427 --> 00:01:02,427 Speaker 3: the last five or so years on this on this 18 00:01:02,587 --> 00:01:04,627 Speaker 3: brilliant run that they've had. But back then, you know, 19 00:01:04,707 --> 00:01:08,027 Speaker 3: it was slim pickings for Panthers fans and we kind 20 00:01:08,027 --> 00:01:10,947 Speaker 3: of sort of came from nowhere. Finished out of the 21 00:01:10,947 --> 00:01:14,507 Speaker 3: eight in two thousand and two and had some sort 22 00:01:14,547 --> 00:01:18,627 Speaker 3: of junior pathway development players come through the Luke Lewis's 23 00:01:18,707 --> 00:01:21,467 Speaker 3: and the Rudi's and the Waterhouses and the Rodneys, and 24 00:01:22,547 --> 00:01:25,867 Speaker 3: then we had a trial game. We played your boys 25 00:01:25,867 --> 00:01:30,227 Speaker 3: actually over there and I don't know where it was, 26 00:01:30,267 --> 00:01:33,227 Speaker 3: it might have been on the South Island there as 27 00:01:33,227 --> 00:01:35,787 Speaker 3: an exhibition game early on in the season. Had a 28 00:01:35,787 --> 00:01:38,907 Speaker 3: good result and your guys were sort of obviously in 29 00:01:38,907 --> 00:01:41,627 Speaker 3: the Grand Final of the year before, so got a 30 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:43,667 Speaker 3: little bit of confidence out of that. Then went in 31 00:01:43,827 --> 00:01:46,867 Speaker 3: and started the season. I went two and thought, here 32 00:01:46,907 --> 00:01:49,107 Speaker 3: we go again, and then yeah, just found some form 33 00:01:49,107 --> 00:01:52,907 Speaker 3: and then sort of was able to maintain that that 34 00:01:52,987 --> 00:01:55,987 Speaker 3: momentum throughout the season and then ended up in you know, 35 00:01:56,067 --> 00:01:58,667 Speaker 3: being minor premiers and going into the finals in good 36 00:01:58,747 --> 00:02:03,027 Speaker 3: touch and won our major like the first semi against 37 00:02:03,027 --> 00:02:06,467 Speaker 3: the Broncos and then beat the you know for Warriors 38 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:08,547 Speaker 3: in the pre limp and we're able to go on 39 00:02:08,627 --> 00:02:11,267 Speaker 3: and get the Ruses in the GF. So it was yeah, 40 00:02:11,507 --> 00:02:13,907 Speaker 3: it's obviously a while ago, but it was the back 41 00:02:13,987 --> 00:02:15,707 Speaker 3: end of my career, so I was old enough to 42 00:02:15,787 --> 00:02:19,107 Speaker 3: kind of know how important that experience was and how 43 00:02:19,227 --> 00:02:23,947 Speaker 3: rare it was, you know Chief, you know, premiership glory 44 00:02:24,947 --> 00:02:27,267 Speaker 3: in a club that wasn't used to having that sort 45 00:02:27,307 --> 00:02:28,227 Speaker 3: of success. 46 00:02:28,227 --> 00:02:31,507 Speaker 2: And ahead of such a big occasion, Ryan, how did 47 00:02:31,547 --> 00:02:34,467 Speaker 2: you and the other players keep the emotions and the 48 00:02:34,507 --> 00:02:37,147 Speaker 2: excitement and check? How do you just try and approach 49 00:02:37,187 --> 00:02:39,627 Speaker 2: it like any other game if that's possible. 50 00:02:40,147 --> 00:02:42,267 Speaker 3: It was interesting. You know. We had a few guys 51 00:02:42,987 --> 00:02:45,747 Speaker 3: like myself that had a fair bit of experience in 52 00:02:45,787 --> 00:02:49,547 Speaker 3: bigger games, in origins and Test matches and World Cups, 53 00:02:49,547 --> 00:02:53,027 Speaker 3: so we kind of knew what it was about and 54 00:02:53,027 --> 00:02:54,827 Speaker 3: what it represented. But as I said, you know, we 55 00:02:54,827 --> 00:02:57,307 Speaker 3: had all these young guys coming in that had really 56 00:02:57,347 --> 00:03:00,547 Speaker 3: no expectations. We're just going out there bringing lots of 57 00:03:00,667 --> 00:03:04,387 Speaker 3: energy and just taking it literally, you know, each week 58 00:03:04,427 --> 00:03:07,107 Speaker 3: at the time. So as we got into the finals, 59 00:03:07,507 --> 00:03:09,667 Speaker 3: there was still a lot of people, you know, writing 60 00:03:09,747 --> 00:03:12,987 Speaker 3: us off. We played a Broncos side in that first 61 00:03:13,027 --> 00:03:16,387 Speaker 3: final that had like Talis and Lockier and Sailor and 62 00:03:16,427 --> 00:03:19,347 Speaker 3: Webke and Thorn, and it was like, you know, like 63 00:03:19,627 --> 00:03:21,707 Speaker 3: we didn't even go into that game as favorite after 64 00:03:21,747 --> 00:03:24,267 Speaker 3: being minor premierships, and after winning that, we went straight 65 00:03:24,267 --> 00:03:27,587 Speaker 3: through and met your boys again. You know, expectation was, well, 66 00:03:27,627 --> 00:03:29,627 Speaker 3: can they continue on this run? And then you know, 67 00:03:29,667 --> 00:03:31,627 Speaker 3: we met the Roosters who won the company year before 68 00:03:31,627 --> 00:03:34,267 Speaker 3: in the Grand Final, and again all the pressure seemed 69 00:03:34,267 --> 00:03:36,427 Speaker 3: to be on them because no one really expected us 70 00:03:36,467 --> 00:03:39,267 Speaker 3: to be where we were. So, you know, there was 71 00:03:39,267 --> 00:03:43,267 Speaker 3: a couple of the older guys that knew how rare 72 00:03:43,307 --> 00:03:46,107 Speaker 3: this opportunity was because you know, I played fourteen years 73 00:03:46,107 --> 00:03:48,547 Speaker 3: at the club before we had any sort of success, 74 00:03:48,587 --> 00:03:50,667 Speaker 3: so I kind of knew that this was, you know, 75 00:03:50,707 --> 00:03:52,947 Speaker 3: an opportunity that need to be taken. But the young 76 00:03:52,987 --> 00:03:55,427 Speaker 3: guys probably just thought, well, this is what happens every year. 77 00:03:55,507 --> 00:03:58,827 Speaker 3: And Howard was playing, you know, the NRL had the 78 00:03:58,907 --> 00:04:01,227 Speaker 3: dream run. So I think it was a combination of 79 00:04:01,267 --> 00:04:04,027 Speaker 3: all that allows us to contain all those emotions and 80 00:04:04,427 --> 00:04:07,267 Speaker 3: not get overwhelmed. And then I guess it was you know, 81 00:04:07,307 --> 00:04:10,827 Speaker 3: all the outside noise about, you know, the Roosters and 82 00:04:10,827 --> 00:04:12,627 Speaker 3: the Warriors and these other teams that were going to 83 00:04:12,627 --> 00:04:15,227 Speaker 3: beat us and end up not being able to and 84 00:04:15,227 --> 00:04:17,147 Speaker 3: and that was kind of like the story of our 85 00:04:17,227 --> 00:04:17,867 Speaker 3: run that year. 86 00:04:18,187 --> 00:04:20,267 Speaker 2: Well let's bring it to the present day. This is 87 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:25,027 Speaker 2: already by any measure a great Penrith side. What would 88 00:04:25,027 --> 00:04:28,347 Speaker 2: a fourth straight title do to further solidify one of 89 00:04:28,347 --> 00:04:29,867 Speaker 2: the great NRAL dynasties. 90 00:04:30,267 --> 00:04:32,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, I mean, you know, sometimes you've just got 91 00:04:32,667 --> 00:04:35,987 Speaker 3: these these clubs that have these brilliant individual players that 92 00:04:36,027 --> 00:04:38,267 Speaker 3: play a lot of origin and rep football and are 93 00:04:38,307 --> 00:04:40,627 Speaker 3: just dominant, you know, like as I spoke about that 94 00:04:40,787 --> 00:04:44,227 Speaker 3: that that Bronco side in the late nineties early two thousands, 95 00:04:44,227 --> 00:04:46,147 Speaker 3: you know, with those names that I just mentioned, you know, 96 00:04:46,227 --> 00:04:49,507 Speaker 3: individual wise, and you'd have to say that, you know, 97 00:04:49,587 --> 00:04:53,307 Speaker 3: those guys are probably a better side of individuals. And 98 00:04:53,347 --> 00:04:55,787 Speaker 3: then you have just this this group at the moment 99 00:04:55,827 --> 00:04:57,867 Speaker 3: that are just a great team. You know, like they're 100 00:04:57,907 --> 00:05:01,707 Speaker 3: just a fantastic, fantastic team that work really hard and 101 00:05:01,947 --> 00:05:04,267 Speaker 3: have found that you don't need to be a whole 102 00:05:05,227 --> 00:05:09,787 Speaker 3: team full of individuals stars to have success sustain success. 103 00:05:09,787 --> 00:05:13,027 Speaker 3: They've got the secret, you know. They obviously each year 104 00:05:13,027 --> 00:05:15,827 Speaker 3: for me, the surprise is the fact that they've already 105 00:05:15,947 --> 00:05:18,267 Speaker 3: got two or three rings and they find a way 106 00:05:18,267 --> 00:05:20,827 Speaker 3: to have more desire than everyone else that's chasing them, 107 00:05:20,867 --> 00:05:23,587 Speaker 3: and they they're the hunted every year, and they seem 108 00:05:23,627 --> 00:05:27,587 Speaker 3: to kind of like it. They seem to continually outwork 109 00:05:27,667 --> 00:05:30,987 Speaker 3: other teams and the model that they've used to had 110 00:05:30,987 --> 00:05:33,667 Speaker 3: all that success, which is really hard to maintain, which 111 00:05:33,707 --> 00:05:35,867 Speaker 3: is the standards in which they keep the training and 112 00:05:35,907 --> 00:05:40,347 Speaker 3: in their preparation. They've just got those sort of characteristics 113 00:05:40,387 --> 00:05:43,547 Speaker 3: individually that you know, just put them in that position 114 00:05:43,627 --> 00:05:47,427 Speaker 3: every year and they just find a way continually even after, 115 00:05:47,547 --> 00:05:51,067 Speaker 3: you know, losing the quality of players. And everyone mentions 116 00:05:51,107 --> 00:05:53,827 Speaker 3: the kickours and the corus ours and the critons, but 117 00:05:54,507 --> 00:05:56,587 Speaker 3: you know they're losing guys at pathways as well. You've 118 00:05:56,587 --> 00:05:58,707 Speaker 3: got guys that haven't played a lot of first grade, 119 00:05:58,827 --> 00:06:04,587 Speaker 3: like the lockforward that went over to Paramatta this year 120 00:06:04,587 --> 00:06:07,027 Speaker 3: and end up playing Origin, you know, like he came 121 00:06:07,947 --> 00:06:10,227 Speaker 3: out of the system, you know. So and then there's 122 00:06:10,267 --> 00:06:12,267 Speaker 3: the Cape Wells and the other guys that people forget 123 00:06:12,347 --> 00:06:15,627 Speaker 3: about that you see what sort of impact he had 124 00:06:15,627 --> 00:06:18,587 Speaker 3: when he left the Broncos as well. So it's just 125 00:06:18,627 --> 00:06:25,067 Speaker 3: an incredible story in history. Given a cap in place, 126 00:06:25,267 --> 00:06:28,947 Speaker 3: you'd have to credit the whole organization for recruitment and 127 00:06:29,027 --> 00:06:32,227 Speaker 3: retention and the whole other side of the business that 128 00:06:32,267 --> 00:06:34,467 Speaker 3: a lot of people don't really think about. But the 129 00:06:34,547 --> 00:06:37,067 Speaker 3: whole club has just done a wonderful job and given 130 00:06:37,107 --> 00:06:39,387 Speaker 3: that community so much joy over the last five or 131 00:06:39,427 --> 00:06:40,867 Speaker 3: six years. I've just love watching it. 132 00:06:41,307 --> 00:06:46,147 Speaker 2: The Clearies coach, Ivan, playmaker, Nathan, such an important player, 133 00:06:46,387 --> 00:06:49,467 Speaker 2: such an important coach. Are you able to articulate Ryan, 134 00:06:49,507 --> 00:06:52,427 Speaker 2: how integral the Clearies are to this club? 135 00:06:53,547 --> 00:06:56,467 Speaker 3: Well, I think what people really respect like they know 136 00:06:56,507 --> 00:06:59,107 Speaker 3: that they're not being a juniors. Although you know, Nathan's 137 00:06:59,107 --> 00:07:00,867 Speaker 3: been a fair bit of time out there, because Ivan's 138 00:07:00,907 --> 00:07:03,227 Speaker 3: been out there, and obviously I haven't spent a lot 139 00:07:03,267 --> 00:07:05,107 Speaker 3: of time over your way as well, and Nathan was 140 00:07:05,147 --> 00:07:08,587 Speaker 3: over there, So I feel like, you know, what the 141 00:07:08,627 --> 00:07:12,267 Speaker 3: people really respect is how they've embraced the community and 142 00:07:12,347 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 3: how even though they might live there or you know, 143 00:07:16,427 --> 00:07:19,147 Speaker 3: they might have spent a lot of time out there 144 00:07:19,147 --> 00:07:21,947 Speaker 3: in the past, like while they're out there, they've really 145 00:07:22,027 --> 00:07:24,787 Speaker 3: embraced their connection with the community and with the people 146 00:07:24,827 --> 00:07:28,267 Speaker 3: out there, and I think that's been really why the 147 00:07:28,307 --> 00:07:31,107 Speaker 3: fans have responded. And then obviously on the back of 148 00:07:31,147 --> 00:07:33,307 Speaker 3: their success, you know, it's easy, as you know, to 149 00:07:33,347 --> 00:07:35,947 Speaker 3: be a supporter when you know things are going well, 150 00:07:35,987 --> 00:07:38,307 Speaker 3: it's easy to you know, spend your heart earned when 151 00:07:38,347 --> 00:07:40,307 Speaker 3: you're going down there on a Sunday or a Saturday 152 00:07:40,427 --> 00:07:42,987 Speaker 3: night and you know that the team's going to make 153 00:07:43,107 --> 00:07:44,787 Speaker 3: you and your family feel good and there's going to 154 00:07:44,827 --> 00:07:48,427 Speaker 3: be plenty to celebrate. So yeah, I just think and 155 00:07:48,507 --> 00:07:51,027 Speaker 3: people respect it. You know, it's a hard working community. 156 00:07:51,067 --> 00:07:54,427 Speaker 3: People respect hard work and they see the hard work 157 00:07:54,467 --> 00:07:56,507 Speaker 3: that those guys put in to be able to maintain 158 00:07:56,547 --> 00:08:00,347 Speaker 3: the levels that they do and for long distance and 159 00:08:00,467 --> 00:08:03,307 Speaker 3: long periods of time. So they just fit in in 160 00:08:03,387 --> 00:08:05,947 Speaker 3: so many different ways. They seem very humble. 161 00:08:06,107 --> 00:08:06,307 Speaker 2: You know. 162 00:08:06,387 --> 00:08:09,027 Speaker 3: The way that they communicate through the media to their 163 00:08:09,067 --> 00:08:13,387 Speaker 3: fans is always I believe, done in a manner in 164 00:08:13,427 --> 00:08:17,547 Speaker 3: which the fans respect it. And even though they can 165 00:08:17,667 --> 00:08:19,587 Speaker 3: have a little bit of swagger and they can be 166 00:08:19,627 --> 00:08:23,227 Speaker 3: a little bit cocky on the field, you know, they've 167 00:08:23,427 --> 00:08:26,587 Speaker 3: they've been in the last five Grand Finals, so they're 168 00:08:26,667 --> 00:08:29,307 Speaker 3: walking the walk, they're talking the talk, and the people 169 00:08:29,307 --> 00:08:30,227 Speaker 3: out there just love them. 170 00:08:30,347 --> 00:08:32,427 Speaker 2: Let's talk about the Melbourne Storm. Then, how do you 171 00:08:32,427 --> 00:08:34,987 Speaker 2: write their chances of stopping this Panthers machine tonight? 172 00:08:35,947 --> 00:08:38,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, Look, you know, I think they are a really 173 00:08:38,347 --> 00:08:40,187 Speaker 3: good chance. I thought the Broncos were a really good 174 00:08:40,267 --> 00:08:42,387 Speaker 3: chance last year and they did go really close. And 175 00:08:43,067 --> 00:08:44,907 Speaker 3: you know, I think the Melbourne storm go in in 176 00:08:44,947 --> 00:08:48,027 Speaker 3: probably better form. Their finals forms probably been a little 177 00:08:48,027 --> 00:08:52,107 Speaker 3: bit better than Penis. You know, they've got you know, 178 00:08:52,147 --> 00:08:56,027 Speaker 3: their key personnel in those key positions are all in 179 00:08:56,107 --> 00:09:00,147 Speaker 3: great form that they've got a really the way that 180 00:09:00,187 --> 00:09:03,867 Speaker 3: they play really threatened Penrith defensively, you know, with running 181 00:09:03,907 --> 00:09:09,107 Speaker 3: halves and a fullback that has so much variation and 182 00:09:09,187 --> 00:09:11,547 Speaker 3: speak to his game as well, and probably the most 183 00:09:11,547 --> 00:09:14,827 Speaker 3: creative dummy half in the league. So they're certainly going 184 00:09:14,907 --> 00:09:19,227 Speaker 3: to be a handful for Penrath. And this kind of 185 00:09:19,347 --> 00:09:22,667 Speaker 3: like to me, looks more like an origin than it 186 00:09:22,707 --> 00:09:25,867 Speaker 3: does like an NRL game. When you've got you know, 187 00:09:25,907 --> 00:09:28,747 Speaker 3: all these key players and all these representative players from 188 00:09:28,747 --> 00:09:31,147 Speaker 3: both teams that have had so much success at all 189 00:09:31,227 --> 00:09:33,867 Speaker 3: different levels. They go out and usually it's one in 190 00:09:33,907 --> 00:09:36,947 Speaker 3: a couple of moments because they both have the same 191 00:09:36,987 --> 00:09:40,627 Speaker 3: sort of attributes. They play at high intensity for long 192 00:09:40,667 --> 00:09:42,867 Speaker 3: periods of time, which is I think what sort of 193 00:09:42,867 --> 00:09:46,067 Speaker 3: stood them above from everyone else in the competition this year. 194 00:09:46,107 --> 00:09:48,027 Speaker 3: You know, people teams just couldn't go with them. They 195 00:09:48,027 --> 00:09:50,467 Speaker 3: would just literally get them in the cycle and just 196 00:09:50,547 --> 00:09:55,427 Speaker 3: like you know, just burn them out and you know, 197 00:09:55,707 --> 00:09:58,747 Speaker 3: just be relentless and other sides just couldn't go with 198 00:09:58,827 --> 00:10:01,307 Speaker 3: them for long periods, and these two sides are the 199 00:10:01,347 --> 00:10:03,627 Speaker 3: best of that. So if they both go out there 200 00:10:03,627 --> 00:10:05,747 Speaker 3: with that mentality, which I'd imagine they will, it's going 201 00:10:05,787 --> 00:10:09,347 Speaker 3: to come down hopefully not referee decisions, but big moments 202 00:10:09,387 --> 00:10:13,307 Speaker 3: owned by you guys like Clearing and Munster and Grant 203 00:10:13,387 --> 00:10:16,867 Speaker 3: and Edwards and Yo. So it's a top of a coin. 204 00:10:17,187 --> 00:10:19,187 Speaker 3: To be fair, I really have no idea who's going 205 00:10:19,227 --> 00:10:20,547 Speaker 3: to get the job done, but I think it's going 206 00:10:20,587 --> 00:10:21,667 Speaker 3: to be one hell of a content. 207 00:10:22,147 --> 00:10:24,627 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I totally agree. Just to finish Ryan, it 208 00:10:24,627 --> 00:10:26,627 Speaker 2: always felt like we were heading for a storm Panther's 209 00:10:26,707 --> 00:10:29,827 Speaker 2: Grand Final. Even from a long way out during the 210 00:10:29,867 --> 00:10:32,547 Speaker 2: regular season, these two felt like they were the best 211 00:10:32,547 --> 00:10:35,507 Speaker 2: two teams by some distance. Has that taken away any 212 00:10:35,547 --> 00:10:38,747 Speaker 2: of the jeopardy, any of the excitement, the interest in 213 00:10:38,787 --> 00:10:40,747 Speaker 2: the regular season in the final series? 214 00:10:42,267 --> 00:10:44,067 Speaker 3: Oh? Look, I think the anl if you look at 215 00:10:44,067 --> 00:10:46,747 Speaker 3: the numbers, you know the gate that you know, bums 216 00:10:46,747 --> 00:10:50,307 Speaker 3: on seats and also through their broadcasters, you know the 217 00:10:50,347 --> 00:10:52,387 Speaker 3: game has just gone to another level. I think, you know, 218 00:10:52,467 --> 00:10:56,827 Speaker 3: with how they're the administration, the permission to paker, the 219 00:10:56,867 --> 00:11:00,227 Speaker 3: last couple of years has been exceptional, and yeah, you know, 220 00:11:00,507 --> 00:11:04,027 Speaker 3: it's it's more popular than ever over here. Obviously, no 221 00:11:04,107 --> 00:11:06,547 Speaker 3: one really mentions the Wallabies anymore because of you know, 222 00:11:06,587 --> 00:11:10,787 Speaker 3: where they're at in their cycle of development. So and 223 00:11:10,827 --> 00:11:13,907 Speaker 3: the AFL has sort of finished last week, So yeah, 224 00:11:13,987 --> 00:11:15,907 Speaker 3: I think the r l's and r L is more 225 00:11:15,947 --> 00:11:19,187 Speaker 3: popular than ever. With different social media platforms and so 226 00:11:19,227 --> 00:11:23,347 Speaker 3: many different broadcasts, there's so much information, you know, coming 227 00:11:23,387 --> 00:11:26,627 Speaker 3: out about the game and the players. You know, there's 228 00:11:26,667 --> 00:11:29,467 Speaker 3: lots of characters in the game at the moment, and yeah, 229 00:11:29,467 --> 00:11:31,187 Speaker 3: I think there's a lot of interest. As you said, 230 00:11:31,227 --> 00:11:33,267 Speaker 3: this has been the game that I think everyone's been 231 00:11:33,307 --> 00:11:38,187 Speaker 3: waiting to see, especially since probably you know, later around 232 00:11:38,187 --> 00:11:41,507 Speaker 3: in the competition. I think any everyone forecasted this Grand 233 00:11:41,507 --> 00:11:44,627 Speaker 3: Final at the beginning, you know, when the finals started, 234 00:11:44,667 --> 00:11:47,227 Speaker 3: and I think it would have been disappointing to see 235 00:11:47,627 --> 00:11:52,627 Speaker 3: anyone else get there. So there's yeah, even though Penrith 236 00:11:52,947 --> 00:11:56,627 Speaker 3: have sort of had that run, and I think people appreciate, 237 00:11:56,747 --> 00:11:59,907 Speaker 3: you know, when they're alive to witness greatness and that's 238 00:11:59,907 --> 00:12:02,427 Speaker 3: what they're seeing and they might might be another fifty 239 00:12:02,507 --> 00:12:05,947 Speaker 3: years before we see another team go through like a 240 00:12:05,947 --> 00:12:09,547 Speaker 3: cycle like this, so I think everyone's just enjoying it. 241 00:12:09,587 --> 00:12:13,147 Speaker 3: You know, it's hard not to respect and an honor 242 00:12:13,187 --> 00:12:18,187 Speaker 3: what they've done as a footy club. And obviously everyone likes, 243 00:12:18,587 --> 00:12:20,987 Speaker 3: you know, some of those Melbourne guys. There's a lot 244 00:12:20,987 --> 00:12:24,347 Speaker 3: of characters in their side and they're well respected for 245 00:12:25,267 --> 00:12:27,867 Speaker 3: what they do on a weekly basis. So yeah, I 246 00:12:27,867 --> 00:12:29,387 Speaker 3: think there's a hell of a lot of interest in 247 00:12:30,907 --> 00:12:33,187 Speaker 3: this game on the weekend, and I don't think too 248 00:12:33,227 --> 00:12:35,027 Speaker 3: many people will be too worried about which way the 249 00:12:35,027 --> 00:12:37,267 Speaker 3: result goes either. As long as it's a good contest 250 00:12:37,307 --> 00:12:40,907 Speaker 3: and the players decide who gets the cup, I think 251 00:12:40,907 --> 00:12:41,667 Speaker 3: everyone I'll be happy. 252 00:12:41,747 --> 00:12:43,427 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think you're probably right. Ryan. Hey, great to 253 00:12:43,427 --> 00:12:46,267 Speaker 2: get your expertise and your memories as well. Thanks mate, 254 00:12:46,427 --> 00:12:50,307 Speaker 2: Ryan Girdler Premiership winner with Penrith in two thousand and 255 00:12:50,347 --> 00:12:54,147 Speaker 2: three over two hundred games for the Panthers Panthers Storm tonight. 256 00:12:54,547 --> 00:12:56,427 Speaker 2: I don't think there's any way separating these two. You 257 00:12:57,347 --> 00:12:59,747 Speaker 2: can make arguments for both sides, you can look at 258 00:12:59,787 --> 00:13:04,187 Speaker 2: the odds that have the Storm slightly favored, but really 259 00:13:04,227 --> 00:13:09,027 Speaker 2: it's just a clash of two absolute powerhouses of modern 260 00:13:09,107 --> 00:13:11,427 Speaker 2: day rugby league going out at tonight from nine point thirty. 261 00:13:11,467 --> 00:13:14,147 Speaker 2: Let's just hope that the contest lives up to all 262 00:13:14,187 --> 00:13:15,427 Speaker 2: of the hype Tonight 263 00:13:16,107 --> 00:13:19,267 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 264 00:13:19,387 --> 00:13:22,667 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow 265 00:13:22,707 --> 00:13:24,267 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio