1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,827 Speaker 1: from Newstalk. 3 00:00:11,467 --> 00:00:15,787 Speaker 2: ZEDB meantime For Auckland FC this afternoon, they'll play their 4 00:00:15,827 --> 00:00:19,667 Speaker 2: fiftieth A League men's game when they host MacArthur at 5 00:00:19,707 --> 00:00:22,707 Speaker 2: go Media Stadium from three o'clock this afternoon. They moved 6 00:00:22,707 --> 00:00:26,147 Speaker 2: to within one point of leaders Newcastle at the top 7 00:00:26,187 --> 00:00:29,427 Speaker 2: of the table when they beat the Jets in Newcastle 8 00:00:29,507 --> 00:00:30,147 Speaker 2: last weekend. 9 00:00:30,707 --> 00:00:34,267 Speaker 3: Randall uses m de Frees with that cross back post 10 00:00:34,307 --> 00:00:37,827 Speaker 3: cost growth. This time he max no mistake well less 11 00:00:37,867 --> 00:00:43,667 Speaker 3: than two minutes after completely mishitting has seen Auckland extract 12 00:00:44,187 --> 00:00:46,067 Speaker 3: the maximum penalty they lead to. 13 00:00:45,947 --> 00:00:48,427 Speaker 2: One and they won it to one. Last weekend. Left 14 00:00:48,427 --> 00:00:51,347 Speaker 2: back Francis Devrees, who provided that cross for Sam Cosgrove, 15 00:00:51,707 --> 00:00:55,547 Speaker 2: has started every single one of Auckland FC's forty nine 16 00:00:55,627 --> 00:00:59,907 Speaker 2: matches to date. He joins us now the club's fiftieth match. Francis, 17 00:00:59,987 --> 00:01:02,787 Speaker 2: is this something that gets recognized internally or is it 18 00:01:03,187 --> 00:01:05,387 Speaker 2: perhaps something more for the fans of the club and 19 00:01:05,947 --> 00:01:07,027 Speaker 2: for us in the media. 20 00:01:07,547 --> 00:01:09,627 Speaker 4: I think a little bit more for you and the fans. 21 00:01:09,867 --> 00:01:12,467 Speaker 4: I'm sure there will be mentioned of it as we 22 00:01:12,627 --> 00:01:15,227 Speaker 4: do our final preparations for the game. But as you 23 00:01:15,347 --> 00:01:17,667 Speaker 4: know that it's the business end of the A League 24 00:01:17,707 --> 00:01:22,587 Speaker 4: season and it's very much focused on how we're performing 25 00:01:22,627 --> 00:01:24,987 Speaker 4: and how we're training and how we're getting ready for 26 00:01:25,587 --> 00:01:27,827 Speaker 4: what's probably the most important time of the year. So 27 00:01:28,267 --> 00:01:30,627 Speaker 4: I think there's a bit more focus on that particular 28 00:01:30,707 --> 00:01:31,707 Speaker 4: aspect at the moment. 29 00:01:32,027 --> 00:01:34,507 Speaker 2: You have been there since the start, obviously, how much 30 00:01:34,507 --> 00:01:37,827 Speaker 2: has this team evolved over the first fifty matches of 31 00:01:37,867 --> 00:01:38,947 Speaker 2: its life. 32 00:01:39,867 --> 00:01:43,227 Speaker 4: Quite a bit, I think. I think it's been quite enjoyable, 33 00:01:44,067 --> 00:01:47,707 Speaker 4: per see for everybody. We've had a great crowd support 34 00:01:47,907 --> 00:01:51,547 Speaker 4: throughout the whole time, so that's been magic, and to 35 00:01:51,587 --> 00:01:54,107 Speaker 4: see I think the style of play evolving as well. 36 00:01:54,987 --> 00:01:57,827 Speaker 4: I feel like this year we've progressed a lot and 37 00:01:57,867 --> 00:02:01,467 Speaker 4: how we play in position and how we look to 38 00:02:02,107 --> 00:02:05,267 Speaker 4: have a more measure of control over games, especially. 39 00:02:04,867 --> 00:02:05,387 Speaker 2: With the ball. 40 00:02:05,547 --> 00:02:10,307 Speaker 4: So it's nice to see also individual players developing. I'm 41 00:02:10,307 --> 00:02:13,867 Speaker 4: sure you've probably got some thing to say about that 42 00:02:13,947 --> 00:02:16,267 Speaker 4: in a bit, but it's been really nice to see 43 00:02:16,307 --> 00:02:19,107 Speaker 4: a lot of individuals succeeding as well within the team. 44 00:02:19,187 --> 00:02:20,867 Speaker 2: Yeah, I do want to talk about a couple of players, 45 00:02:20,867 --> 00:02:25,107 Speaker 2: but collectively, just eight defeats in forty nine matches. That 46 00:02:25,267 --> 00:02:28,747 Speaker 2: is an incredible record, regardless of the league you're playing in. 47 00:02:29,787 --> 00:02:32,387 Speaker 2: Have you been able to a cease or evaluate why 48 00:02:32,467 --> 00:02:36,627 Speaker 2: you have been so consistent as a team over fifty games. 49 00:02:38,187 --> 00:02:38,907 Speaker 2: It's a good question. 50 00:02:38,947 --> 00:02:40,627 Speaker 4: Again, you get caught up in this week to week, 51 00:02:40,667 --> 00:02:42,427 Speaker 4: don't you when you're a player just focusing on the 52 00:02:42,467 --> 00:02:44,907 Speaker 4: next game. And maybe that's part of the success of 53 00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:50,067 Speaker 4: not really looking at the whole picture and rather just 54 00:02:50,227 --> 00:02:52,987 Speaker 4: breaking it down week by week and looking at what 55 00:02:53,307 --> 00:02:55,387 Speaker 4: you need to do individually and then what the team 56 00:02:55,427 --> 00:02:58,987 Speaker 4: needs to do collectively to be successful, and probably just 57 00:02:59,067 --> 00:03:01,747 Speaker 4: the attitude of all the players working for each other 58 00:03:01,827 --> 00:03:05,387 Speaker 4: and you can see how hard everybody goes for the 59 00:03:05,387 --> 00:03:09,027 Speaker 4: whole game. If you can consistently do that and then 60 00:03:09,067 --> 00:03:11,747 Speaker 4: have quality as we do within the squad, then it's 61 00:03:11,787 --> 00:03:13,787 Speaker 4: a great recipe for success. 62 00:03:13,907 --> 00:03:16,027 Speaker 2: And there's been a solid core of players too. I 63 00:03:16,027 --> 00:03:19,627 Speaker 2: mean obviously yourself, but the likes of Gigimomi, Logan Rogerson, 64 00:03:20,027 --> 00:03:22,947 Speaker 2: Felipe Guy Gos, Luis vi Strata, Jesse Randal, Jake Bremer. 65 00:03:22,987 --> 00:03:25,827 Speaker 2: These guys have all played over forty of the forty 66 00:03:25,907 --> 00:03:28,507 Speaker 2: nine games that the team has played. How much of 67 00:03:28,507 --> 00:03:30,547 Speaker 2: a factor has that solid core been. 68 00:03:31,547 --> 00:03:34,747 Speaker 4: I think definitely a lot. Don't want to discredit the 69 00:03:34,787 --> 00:03:39,307 Speaker 4: whole squad because everybody works just as hard in training. 70 00:03:39,387 --> 00:03:42,667 Speaker 4: Everybody comes with the same commitment and the same effort, 71 00:03:42,907 --> 00:03:46,347 Speaker 4: So the whole squad is where I would say the 72 00:03:46,347 --> 00:03:50,387 Speaker 4: real success lies. Then I think it is rather unusual 73 00:03:50,427 --> 00:03:53,667 Speaker 4: to have a core group of players playing so many games. 74 00:03:54,707 --> 00:03:58,267 Speaker 4: Usually you see a little bit more rotation, whether that's 75 00:03:58,347 --> 00:04:02,067 Speaker 4: due to injuries or different other factors that have happened. 76 00:04:02,107 --> 00:04:06,947 Speaker 4: So to get the chemistry between the players really great. 77 00:04:06,987 --> 00:04:10,227 Speaker 4: I think me and Jesse have played almost every game 78 00:04:10,267 --> 00:04:12,827 Speaker 4: on the left together, and it definitely helps when you 79 00:04:12,907 --> 00:04:16,147 Speaker 4: have someone like that that you can learn how they 80 00:04:16,187 --> 00:04:18,587 Speaker 4: play a loo, where they want the ball, how they move, 81 00:04:18,747 --> 00:04:21,107 Speaker 4: that kind of thing, and it definitely gives you that 82 00:04:21,187 --> 00:04:25,027 Speaker 4: little bit of extra understanding and connection when the pressure's 83 00:04:25,067 --> 00:04:25,667 Speaker 4: on in the game. 84 00:04:26,147 --> 00:04:29,187 Speaker 2: I've often heard it said that a player's best ability 85 00:04:29,347 --> 00:04:33,547 Speaker 2: is availability, and that's been the hallmark or one of them. 86 00:04:33,627 --> 00:04:35,747 Speaker 2: As far as you're concerned, what has been the key 87 00:04:35,787 --> 00:04:40,867 Speaker 2: to you staying fit and being selected every week? That's 88 00:04:40,867 --> 00:04:41,547 Speaker 2: a great question. 89 00:04:41,547 --> 00:04:44,867 Speaker 4: I'm not sure I can answer it just this quickly, 90 00:04:44,987 --> 00:04:49,227 Speaker 4: but I think just the foundation of it is a 91 00:04:49,267 --> 00:04:51,587 Speaker 4: couple of things, like just having a really good, solid 92 00:04:52,667 --> 00:04:55,507 Speaker 4: home life, like Lester supports me a lot, and my 93 00:04:55,587 --> 00:04:57,827 Speaker 4: parents support me a lot, so you can't do it 94 00:04:57,867 --> 00:05:00,587 Speaker 4: by yourself, like it's all about the people around you. 95 00:05:00,787 --> 00:05:04,827 Speaker 4: And then also having the discipline to stick with your 96 00:05:04,867 --> 00:05:07,787 Speaker 4: recovery routines and and then a little bit of luck 97 00:05:07,827 --> 00:05:10,267 Speaker 4: as well to not pick up a knock. You know, 98 00:05:10,307 --> 00:05:12,307 Speaker 4: a lot of players have really good habits, but they 99 00:05:12,307 --> 00:05:15,187 Speaker 4: get unlucky, they get hit somewhere or do something, and 100 00:05:15,227 --> 00:05:16,947 Speaker 4: that's happened to me in the past in my career. 101 00:05:17,067 --> 00:05:19,867 Speaker 4: So it's been really nice to have this consistent run 102 00:05:19,907 --> 00:05:23,307 Speaker 4: and I feel like you're contributing to the team as 103 00:05:23,387 --> 00:05:24,067 Speaker 4: much as you can. 104 00:05:24,387 --> 00:05:26,147 Speaker 2: And there have been a couple of occasions too where 105 00:05:26,147 --> 00:05:29,827 Speaker 2: you've flyn back from international duty, long haul travel and 106 00:05:29,947 --> 00:05:33,747 Speaker 2: still started the next Auckland FC match. Well, those games 107 00:05:33,747 --> 00:05:34,187 Speaker 2: a bit. 108 00:05:34,067 --> 00:05:38,707 Speaker 4: Tougher, yeah, definitely, those were hard games. I remember I 109 00:05:38,707 --> 00:05:40,667 Speaker 4: think the victory game was the first game of the 110 00:05:40,667 --> 00:05:43,027 Speaker 4: season and I arrived I think at one am on 111 00:05:43,067 --> 00:05:45,707 Speaker 4: the Friday morning before we played on Saturday, and it 112 00:05:45,787 --> 00:05:49,747 Speaker 4: was just hotel bid and training or I remember from 113 00:05:49,747 --> 00:05:52,387 Speaker 4: that trip until the game, because yeah, it was just 114 00:05:53,147 --> 00:05:55,907 Speaker 4: constantly trying to play catch up a little bit with 115 00:05:55,947 --> 00:05:59,427 Speaker 4: the body. But honestly, like from where I came in 116 00:05:59,467 --> 00:06:03,427 Speaker 4: my career, like you know, obviously playing at the amateur 117 00:06:03,427 --> 00:06:05,507 Speaker 4: and semi pro levels for many years, like to be 118 00:06:05,507 --> 00:06:07,587 Speaker 4: able to have this opposit unities, I think is another 119 00:06:07,667 --> 00:06:11,227 Speaker 4: factor that you don't take anything for granted anymore, and 120 00:06:11,827 --> 00:06:15,387 Speaker 4: you really understand yourself and your game and you can 121 00:06:15,947 --> 00:06:18,547 Speaker 4: stick with those principles and if you can do that 122 00:06:18,627 --> 00:06:20,747 Speaker 4: in your mind, then even if your body is physically 123 00:06:20,827 --> 00:06:23,587 Speaker 4: a little bit not at the top level, you can 124 00:06:23,627 --> 00:06:27,707 Speaker 4: still perform to an adequate level that you need to. 125 00:06:28,147 --> 00:06:31,587 Speaker 2: You've also taken the captain's armband several times in particular 126 00:06:31,667 --> 00:06:34,467 Speaker 2: this season and the absence of Aroki Sakai, who's kind 127 00:06:34,467 --> 00:06:36,587 Speaker 2: of battled hamstring injuries and such like, how much have 128 00:06:36,587 --> 00:06:38,867 Speaker 2: you enjoyed the leadership side of your game this year? 129 00:06:39,787 --> 00:06:42,707 Speaker 4: No, it's been nice. It's been nice that Obviously people 130 00:06:42,747 --> 00:06:45,467 Speaker 4: in the community recognize that, and that's probably what you 131 00:06:45,507 --> 00:06:47,787 Speaker 4: get the most buzz off because it's not something you 132 00:06:47,867 --> 00:06:51,067 Speaker 4: directly goide and look for, like it's something that should 133 00:06:51,107 --> 00:06:53,347 Speaker 4: happen to you. I think based on how you act 134 00:06:53,387 --> 00:06:56,427 Speaker 4: and if you're consistent in your behaviors as well as 135 00:06:56,467 --> 00:06:59,467 Speaker 4: your performances, and so it's been nice. Obviously Rocky is 136 00:06:59,467 --> 00:07:01,867 Speaker 4: a great role model in terms of how to be 137 00:07:01,987 --> 00:07:03,947 Speaker 4: as a captain, so I've learned a lot from him, 138 00:07:04,067 --> 00:07:07,507 Speaker 4: and as I have over pre captains that I've had 139 00:07:07,747 --> 00:07:10,667 Speaker 4: in my career. So no, it's been a lovely touch 140 00:07:10,747 --> 00:07:14,427 Speaker 4: and something that I definitely feel proud of. 141 00:07:15,107 --> 00:07:18,547 Speaker 2: The win over Newcastle in Newcastle last weekend brought to 142 00:07:18,587 --> 00:07:20,507 Speaker 2: you with it brought you to within one point of 143 00:07:20,507 --> 00:07:22,427 Speaker 2: them at the top of the table five games to go, 144 00:07:23,267 --> 00:07:27,587 Speaker 2: huge result. How much did that win solidify the confidence 145 00:07:27,587 --> 00:07:30,027 Speaker 2: inside the playing group that you can go now and 146 00:07:30,067 --> 00:07:31,627 Speaker 2: win The Premiers played again. 147 00:07:32,427 --> 00:07:35,587 Speaker 4: A lot, I think, I think, I mean you've seen 148 00:07:35,587 --> 00:07:38,667 Speaker 4: our season here, like I think we've actually been playing 149 00:07:38,707 --> 00:07:40,667 Speaker 4: really well in a lot of games and sometimes not 150 00:07:40,707 --> 00:07:44,307 Speaker 4: got the results for whatever reason. There's been obviously different 151 00:07:44,307 --> 00:07:46,547 Speaker 4: ones in each game. But I think we knew within 152 00:07:46,587 --> 00:07:50,827 Speaker 4: the group that we were on a good role and 153 00:07:50,987 --> 00:07:54,427 Speaker 4: on a good development process with our performance. And obviously 154 00:07:54,427 --> 00:07:56,107 Speaker 4: in a game like this where there's no guarantees and 155 00:07:56,147 --> 00:07:58,267 Speaker 4: it feels like a final to come through in the 156 00:07:58,267 --> 00:08:01,267 Speaker 4: manner that we did definitely gives you the trust and 157 00:08:01,787 --> 00:08:04,827 Speaker 4: your teammates and in the processes that we've been developing. 158 00:08:04,867 --> 00:08:05,827 Speaker 4: So yeah, it was huge. 159 00:08:06,547 --> 00:08:08,587 Speaker 2: And at the stage of the season five games to go, 160 00:08:09,107 --> 00:08:11,627 Speaker 2: is it more about just finding ways to get the 161 00:08:11,667 --> 00:08:14,307 Speaker 2: three points or do you still try to stick as 162 00:08:14,347 --> 00:08:16,747 Speaker 2: true to your principles as you possibly can. 163 00:08:17,427 --> 00:08:19,427 Speaker 4: That's a great question. I think it's something we learned 164 00:08:19,427 --> 00:08:22,427 Speaker 4: from last year that we do need to stick with 165 00:08:23,307 --> 00:08:25,307 Speaker 4: what works for us, and we do need to continually 166 00:08:25,387 --> 00:08:27,747 Speaker 4: look to improve each week, both on and off the 167 00:08:27,787 --> 00:08:30,507 Speaker 4: board and transition and how we operate as a team, 168 00:08:30,547 --> 00:08:34,387 Speaker 4: because yeah, you can feel like the season's long and 169 00:08:34,467 --> 00:08:37,627 Speaker 4: it can get to this point where you're just hanging 170 00:08:37,667 --> 00:08:40,587 Speaker 4: on in games, and of course that's necessary sometimes, but 171 00:08:41,067 --> 00:08:43,547 Speaker 4: you rather want to be going into playoffs on the 172 00:08:43,587 --> 00:08:47,547 Speaker 4: front foot and believing in everyone around you and what 173 00:08:47,547 --> 00:08:50,067 Speaker 4: we're doing together. And I feel like this year that's 174 00:08:50,107 --> 00:08:52,827 Speaker 4: time to come together really nicely. So again it's up 175 00:08:52,827 --> 00:08:56,307 Speaker 4: to us to do that today against MacArthur, because each 176 00:08:56,307 --> 00:08:59,547 Speaker 4: weekend's a completely new challenge and you don't know what's 177 00:08:59,587 --> 00:09:02,507 Speaker 4: going to happen. There's no guarantee, but if we stick 178 00:09:02,547 --> 00:09:06,107 Speaker 4: with that kind of internal aspect of what we've been developing, 179 00:09:06,387 --> 00:09:09,107 Speaker 4: and yeah, PHIIL have a lot of belief in the 180 00:09:09,147 --> 00:09:10,267 Speaker 4: team and the guys around me. 181 00:09:10,427 --> 00:09:11,907 Speaker 2: All right, And off the back of this game today, 182 00:09:11,907 --> 00:09:13,907 Speaker 2: you'll then go into all whites mode. You and four 183 00:09:13,907 --> 00:09:16,227 Speaker 2: of your awkwad FC teammates will link up with the 184 00:09:16,267 --> 00:09:19,507 Speaker 2: team early in the new week for games against Finland 185 00:09:19,507 --> 00:09:22,467 Speaker 2: and Chile at Eden Park next weekend. How exciting a 186 00:09:22,507 --> 00:09:24,907 Speaker 2: prospect of those games with the World Cup now getting 187 00:09:24,947 --> 00:09:25,587 Speaker 2: really close. 188 00:09:26,107 --> 00:09:27,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, it feels real now, doesn't it. 189 00:09:27,747 --> 00:09:28,467 Speaker 2: Yeah. 190 00:09:28,547 --> 00:09:30,627 Speaker 4: I think it's exciting for everyone, for the whole community 191 00:09:30,627 --> 00:09:33,187 Speaker 4: in Auckland and hopefully a few people from around New 192 00:09:33,267 --> 00:09:35,827 Speaker 4: Zealand possibly coming to travel to watch the team play, 193 00:09:35,907 --> 00:09:40,147 Speaker 4: because what an opportunity to see players who could potentially 194 00:09:40,187 --> 00:09:41,987 Speaker 4: be playing on the world stage in just a couple 195 00:09:41,987 --> 00:09:44,747 Speaker 4: of months. Great to have so many players from the 196 00:09:44,747 --> 00:09:46,747 Speaker 4: team there as well from Auckland. That's going to be 197 00:09:47,227 --> 00:09:49,227 Speaker 4: I think a really good reflection of the hard work 198 00:09:49,267 --> 00:09:51,547 Speaker 4: that all of these boys have put in over the season, 199 00:09:51,627 --> 00:09:54,427 Speaker 4: and it's really exciting, Like to have these high quality 200 00:09:54,427 --> 00:09:57,627 Speaker 4: games in New Zealand is something that doesn't really happen 201 00:09:57,667 --> 00:10:00,867 Speaker 4: that often, so I would just encourage everyone to take 202 00:10:00,907 --> 00:10:03,067 Speaker 4: that opportunity to come and watch and support and be 203 00:10:03,107 --> 00:10:03,987 Speaker 4: a part of the journey. 204 00:10:04,067 --> 00:10:05,827 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm sure they will, Frennie, I'm sure they will. 205 00:10:05,827 --> 00:10:07,787 Speaker 2: Thanks for chating to us made on match Dave Francis 206 00:10:07,787 --> 00:10:11,227 Speaker 2: Devreese there out of Auckland FC. They take on Macalthurt 207 00:10:11,227 --> 00:10:14,267 Speaker 2: this afternoon three o'clock kickoff at go Media Stadium in Auckland. 208 00:10:14,427 --> 00:10:17,267 Speaker 2: Don't forget those All Whites matches are also in Auckland 209 00:10:17,387 --> 00:10:20,707 Speaker 2: Eden Park on Friday against Finland. The following Monday, that's 210 00:10:20,707 --> 00:10:23,987 Speaker 2: the thirtieth of March against Chile, the final two matches 211 00:10:24,027 --> 00:10:26,787 Speaker 2: before the All Whites head off to the Football World Cup. 212 00:10:27,427 --> 00:10:30,627 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 213 00:10:30,707 --> 00:10:34,027 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 214 00:10:34,067 --> 00:10:35,667 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio