WEBVTT - Episode 58: Bunker blunder mars Mount Smart farewell 0:00:09.133 --> 0:00:12.013 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B. 0:00:12.413 --> 0:00:15.253 Follow this and our wide range of podcast now on 0:00:15.333 --> 0:00:22.733 iHeartRadio The Big League Podcast podcast play News TALKSB. 0:00:23.453 --> 0:00:26.573 This week on The Big League Podcast, What on Earth 0:00:26.653 --> 0:00:29.053 is going on in the Bunker? We take a look 0:00:29.093 --> 0:00:31.773 at the weekend that was for our officials, human era 0:00:32.173 --> 0:00:35.613 or system failure, the Warriors performance we've become accustomed to 0:00:35.733 --> 0:00:38.253 this season. We get the lowdown from Adam Fanua, Blaker's 0:00:38.253 --> 0:00:41.493 he bits fearwell to Mount Smart and International Rugby League 0:00:41.533 --> 0:00:43.293 lockdown for the back end of the year, and what 0:00:43.333 --> 0:00:46.013 do you know, another eligibility yarn surfaces. 0:00:46.213 --> 0:00:50.333 My name is Nick Beauley. Let's go b LB. I 0:00:50.453 --> 0:00:52.773 was going to take something rather significant, wasn't it? 0:00:52.853 --> 0:00:55.693 To steal the limelight away from Sean Johnson in his 0:00:55.733 --> 0:00:59.293 farewell home game? And we got that hold my beer moment. 0:00:59.413 --> 0:01:03.773 In approximately the forty sixth minute, Stephen Crichton shoulder loaded 0:01:03.813 --> 0:01:07.333 third man into the tackle, strikes Roger to evasishek flush 0:01:07.453 --> 0:01:09.853 on the face, left wobbling as he gets back to 0:01:09.893 --> 0:01:12.013 his feet to try and play the ball up, it 0:01:12.093 --> 0:01:15.493 goes to the bunker. The slow mo vision damning feels 0:01:15.533 --> 0:01:19.893 obvious to everyone except Liam Kennedy the Bunker official a 0:01:19.973 --> 0:01:23.373 high level of mitigation apparently, and Cridon is placed on 0:01:23.453 --> 0:01:27.573 report no further explanation regarding seaid mitigation and cue the 0:01:27.573 --> 0:01:31.573 bewilderments and booing from the Warriors faithful. Twenty four hours earlier, 0:01:32.013 --> 0:01:34.653 Manly had two players been for high tackles. 0:01:34.653 --> 0:01:35.333 But nothing here. 0:01:35.973 --> 0:01:40.093 Where is the consistency that's all followers of the game want. 0:01:40.213 --> 0:01:43.893 The Warrior season has done. The incident didn't cost them 0:01:43.933 --> 0:01:46.693 the game against the Bulldogs, but marred the spectacle. The 0:01:46.733 --> 0:01:49.813 game and the competition, which is one of the toughest 0:01:50.053 --> 0:01:53.253 of any sports in the Southern Hemisphere, deserves better. And look, 0:01:53.293 --> 0:01:56.413 I'm not finger pointing at individuals. For me, it's the 0:01:56.453 --> 0:02:00.253 system and the rules that clearly leaves too many shades 0:02:00.293 --> 0:02:03.573 of gray. It's time for what we call in rugby league, 0:02:03.693 --> 0:02:08.213 a crackdown before a final is decided by a call. 0:02:08.413 --> 0:02:10.813 Alex Powell of the New Zealand Hera joins me here 0:02:10.933 --> 0:02:13.213 on the Big League podcast Greeting X. Alex taught me 0:02:13.213 --> 0:02:18.173 through your thoughts on that hits on TILLIVASISHEK So. 0:02:18.573 --> 0:02:21.293 I've done a bit of work this year around CTE 0:02:21.733 --> 0:02:24.853 and concussions and the role that head knocks play in sport. 0:02:25.013 --> 0:02:27.453 And when you saw Roger get to his feet and 0:02:27.493 --> 0:02:30.973 then wobble straightaway, you knew something is seriously wrong here, 0:02:31.013 --> 0:02:32.653 and I think that was proven by the fact that 0:02:33.133 --> 0:02:36.453 Roger didn't come back. But the issue there is that 0:02:36.453 --> 0:02:39.733 that was very clearly dangerous play and foul play, and 0:02:39.773 --> 0:02:42.813 it should have meant, you know, Stephen Crichton at least 0:02:42.813 --> 0:02:44.853 goes to them for ten minutes, and yet, like you've said, 0:02:45.613 --> 0:02:48.413 he's still there and it's a penalty with him on report. 0:02:48.693 --> 0:02:50.813 It's not good enough because people are going to turn 0:02:50.853 --> 0:02:52.093 away from the game for things like this. 0:02:53.493 --> 0:02:56.013 Yeah, I tend to agree, and you know, you can 0:02:56.053 --> 0:02:59.733 say what you like about rugby union, but it's actually 0:02:59.773 --> 0:03:03.533 become a bit more clearer in rugby around head contact. 0:03:03.533 --> 0:03:07.533 They're respective of it's malicious or intent. Of there's hit contact, 0:03:07.733 --> 0:03:10.013 you're gone at least having a seat and they'll review 0:03:10.053 --> 0:03:12.533 it to upgrade it to a red card. And rugby 0:03:12.613 --> 0:03:15.733 league now it's an absolute lottery depending on which on 0:03:15.893 --> 0:03:19.853 field official and which bunker official you have. And that's 0:03:19.893 --> 0:03:22.773 the bit that I struggle with the most, is that 0:03:23.373 --> 0:03:25.853 there seems in the last couple of weeks. I know 0:03:25.893 --> 0:03:28.093 we saw a fair few sinbinnings on the weekend, but 0:03:28.293 --> 0:03:31.773 just a tendency to go with the I will deal 0:03:31.853 --> 0:03:33.813 with it over the weekend, We'll deal with it on Monday. 0:03:33.853 --> 0:03:37.173 We'll put the chap On report and the consequences will 0:03:37.173 --> 0:03:37.773 follow there. 0:03:37.773 --> 0:03:40.413 But the worry is where they what do they get 0:03:40.413 --> 0:03:40.773 out of that? 0:03:40.813 --> 0:03:43.693 They lose their center, that already lost the center earlier 0:03:43.693 --> 0:03:46.493 in the game. There's a full back line reshuffle required 0:03:47.093 --> 0:03:51.413 and Stephen Crichton plays on and there's a rather significant 0:03:51.453 --> 0:03:53.573 say in the game as well. It a line break 0:03:53.613 --> 0:03:55.653 to set up Jacob Kraz for the final try for 0:03:55.693 --> 0:03:56.213 the Bulldogs. 0:03:56.253 --> 0:03:58.653 It just it's head scratching for mine. 0:03:58.653 --> 0:04:01.493 And before we go into you know, someone might be 0:04:01.533 --> 0:04:03.813 listening right now and going, oh boohoo, the couple of 0:04:03.853 --> 0:04:06.893 Warriors guys here. You know that the club always gets 0:04:06.933 --> 0:04:09.933 the rough end of the stick. There was other calls 0:04:09.933 --> 0:04:12.453 on the weekend, two which which were just as crazy. 0:04:12.573 --> 0:04:16.613 I mentioned in the intro. The Manly ones were nowhere 0:04:16.613 --> 0:04:19.493 near that the same ballpark as Stephen Crichton, yet they 0:04:20.013 --> 0:04:23.693 Olakuatu he was sent for ten in the bin. Just yeah, 0:04:24.093 --> 0:04:27.093 like coming into finals too. I just I've got some 0:04:27.133 --> 0:04:30.693 serious questions and I'm hoping obviously we're recording Monday morning, 0:04:30.733 --> 0:04:33.773 New Zealand time. By this afternoon Graham and Isley will 0:04:33.773 --> 0:04:36.653 front as he normally does. He'll really put the foot 0:04:36.653 --> 0:04:40.253 down rather than defending his officials. He needs to say 0:04:40.293 --> 0:04:44.373 what is a ten in the bin? What is ascend off? 0:04:44.573 --> 0:04:47.373 And what is on report? Because at the moment I 0:04:47.453 --> 0:04:49.013 think it's it's just a guessing game. 0:04:49.253 --> 0:04:51.573 No, it can't be up to the interpretation of each 0:04:51.973 --> 0:04:55.453 referee and each bunker coordinator to work out what is what. 0:04:55.693 --> 0:04:58.293 You know, the consistency is all that we ask for. 0:04:58.773 --> 0:05:00.933 Interesting point made in the Sydney Morning Herald as well 0:05:00.933 --> 0:05:05.653 across the weekend Alex there's a different bunker official for 0:05:05.773 --> 0:05:09.053 all eight of the games. I think it's quite special work, 0:05:09.133 --> 0:05:13.293 isn't it compared to being an on field referee or 0:05:13.413 --> 0:05:16.933 a touch judge. I mean, then they're not really suffering 0:05:16.973 --> 0:05:19.453 from fatigua. They're looking at all these screens. Do you 0:05:19.453 --> 0:05:22.333 think there's an argument to be made that a specialist 0:05:22.373 --> 0:05:25.533 bunker official. You know, if there's eight games, perhaps we 0:05:25.653 --> 0:05:28.053 just have timber three as opposed to eight. 0:05:28.613 --> 0:05:30.533 I was worried you're going to say one across of 0:05:30.573 --> 0:05:33.573 the whole week. No, I think that's a very sound bad. 0:05:34.013 --> 0:05:35.773 It's very good to recognize as well that it is 0:05:35.813 --> 0:05:37.933 a specialist job. You know, there's talk of well it 0:05:37.933 --> 0:05:40.013 should be some of the refereeing experience, or there should 0:05:40.013 --> 0:05:43.533 be someone worth playing experience. You know, would there be 0:05:43.573 --> 0:05:46.853 a situation where it's not one there's a panel, you know, 0:05:46.973 --> 0:05:48.773 and they have to go out and then obviously that'll 0:05:48.813 --> 0:05:51.413 just take longer and games will be slowed down. And 0:05:51.813 --> 0:05:54.373 these conversations have been had as to what is the 0:05:54.373 --> 0:05:56.693 best way to do these things. But it's very clear 0:05:56.773 --> 0:05:59.053 something has to change because what we're getting now going 0:05:59.053 --> 0:06:02.453 into finance. You spoke you know earlier, we can't see 0:06:02.493 --> 0:06:04.893 a big game decided off, you know it. This isn't 0:06:04.893 --> 0:06:06.413 like this. We saw it at the Rugby World Cup 0:06:06.533 --> 0:06:09.333 last year where Sam came was shown a red card 0:06:09.573 --> 0:06:12.653 and then see a Kalisi was more did the same 0:06:12.693 --> 0:06:15.213 thing and got a yellow. You know, you cannot have 0:06:16.133 --> 0:06:18.533 you can't have the game presented as a show piece 0:06:18.933 --> 0:06:21.733 with this sort of indecision and this sort of inconsistency. 0:06:22.333 --> 0:06:25.613 Well, you know it's bad. When Andrew Webster, who we've 0:06:25.653 --> 0:06:29.453 got to know relatively well over the last two seasons, 0:06:29.853 --> 0:06:32.573 finally fires up, I think for the first if a 0:06:32.693 --> 0:06:35.693 time in a postmatch media conference. Let's take a listen. 0:06:35.933 --> 0:06:40.093 I'm struggling to understand how like a shoulder can go 0:06:40.133 --> 0:06:44.533 into Roger's head and the bunker it's got ages to 0:06:44.573 --> 0:06:48.493 see a critical time of the game, and then we 0:06:48.533 --> 0:06:50.853 lose Roger for the for the game, and then we're 0:06:50.853 --> 0:06:54.413 going to reshuffle out and you've got to reshuffle anyway, 0:06:54.613 --> 0:06:57.653 that's football. But if it happens, because it's just happens, 0:06:58.373 --> 0:07:03.973 what happens like that, and then nothing gets done to them, 0:07:02.413 --> 0:07:07.333 it's you're going to protect our players, And I just 0:07:07.333 --> 0:07:12.493 don't see the consistent see one little bit around around that, 0:07:13.333 --> 0:07:17.413 like Roger will miss next week now, couldn't come back, 0:07:18.013 --> 0:07:19.293 and their play goes on. 0:07:20.333 --> 0:07:21.133 That's all that happened. 0:07:21.733 --> 0:07:23.973 And yeah, there's. 0:07:23.813 --> 0:07:26.133 So many parts in that weeker to control better tonight 0:07:27.453 --> 0:07:32.733 and the boys know that, but just frustrated that how 0:07:32.733 --> 0:07:33.453 that just happened. 0:07:33.733 --> 0:07:36.653 So there's the thoughts there of Andrew Webster talking about, 0:07:36.973 --> 0:07:40.053 you know, protecting the player, making sure that is paramounts, 0:07:40.053 --> 0:07:43.373 making some real salient points and just before we get 0:07:43.413 --> 0:07:47.093 to Webster's comments there Alex Let's ever listen to I 0:07:47.133 --> 0:07:48.893 alluded to it before in terms, it was just a 0:07:48.933 --> 0:07:53.413 wild weekend of inconsistencies around hid high contact. In particular, 0:07:53.453 --> 0:07:55.773 we had a couple of simbinnings in the Manly Tigers game. 0:07:55.813 --> 0:07:58.053 We didn't have one for the Crichton head on toy basis. 0:07:58.093 --> 0:08:00.853 Check Cam Murray comes in with a swinging arm on 0:08:00.933 --> 0:08:04.173 Tyson Frazzelle and the rabbit Oz Night's game. It takes 0:08:04.173 --> 0:08:05.813 the best part of two or three minutes before the 0:08:05.853 --> 0:08:10.613 Bunker finally sends Murray for ten. Similar in Away yesterday 0:08:10.853 --> 0:08:15.013 Roosters Titans. Eventually they made the right call, Jared, while 0:08:15.013 --> 0:08:18.533 we are Hargraves no stranger to the judiciary. A swinging 0:08:18.653 --> 0:08:21.213 arm on Sam Virils wasn't picked up at the time 0:08:21.253 --> 0:08:24.373 of the on field referee, was only eventually found out 0:08:24.573 --> 0:08:27.733 after a try was scored some moments later. But here's 0:08:28.013 --> 0:08:31.933 Gold Coast Titans coach Dez Hazlet. This was unprompted, no 0:08:32.093 --> 0:08:36.773 question by a journalist about the judiciary or inconsistency with 0:08:36.813 --> 0:08:39.213 the Bunker. This is Dees Hazler just finding a moment 0:08:39.333 --> 0:08:40.693 and having a rant, there. 0:08:40.453 --> 0:08:43.413 Was something like eighteen penalties today. This is just to 0:08:43.493 --> 0:08:46.453 view there's not a lot of confidence at the moment. 0:08:46.733 --> 0:08:51.813 I think with players interpretation around what's a high shot, 0:08:51.813 --> 0:08:54.213 what is in the high shot, what's deemed, what's coming back. 0:08:54.933 --> 0:08:58.613 There's a lot of nervous individuals on both sides at 0:08:58.613 --> 0:09:00.853 the moment. You can kind of see it both with 0:09:00.893 --> 0:09:05.293 the official them who's running the officials. The officials seem 0:09:05.413 --> 0:09:09.893 to be Yeah, they're down on confidence a little bit 0:09:09.933 --> 0:09:12.613 there at the moment, and it's probably something that we 0:09:12.733 --> 0:09:16.973 have to address pretty quickly going into finals. 0:09:17.413 --> 0:09:20.293 So a couple of coaches there, Alex having their say, 0:09:20.613 --> 0:09:24.133 we've all had our say, let's play a bit of 0:09:24.253 --> 0:09:28.773 Monday bingo, but a Graham Ansley bingo. What's your expectation 0:09:29.133 --> 0:09:31.213 for most people when they're listening to this podcast, we 0:09:31.253 --> 0:09:33.853 probably would have heard from Graham Annersley by now, are 0:09:33.893 --> 0:09:37.053 we going to get a defense of the officials? Are 0:09:37.093 --> 0:09:42.013 we going to see some change, some meaningful change? 0:09:42.493 --> 0:09:43.213 Where are you leaning? 0:09:43.493 --> 0:09:45.933 I think if you're a betting man an apology, it's 0:09:45.933 --> 0:09:50.053 paying about a dollar's head. I don't think we'll get 0:09:50.093 --> 0:09:52.813 any sort of meaningful change because it's very hard to 0:09:52.853 --> 0:09:55.573 bring that stuff in week to week. But you understand 0:09:55.653 --> 0:09:58.053 Graham Ansley's possession as referees bosses. He will back the 0:09:58.133 --> 0:10:00.613 referees in public. You know, what he says behind closed 0:10:00.613 --> 0:10:03.173 doors might be GiB of a completely different thing. But 0:10:03.293 --> 0:10:04.853 just to go back to what he said about protecting 0:10:04.853 --> 0:10:08.773 the player from Andrew Webster, Yes, absolutely protect play, but 0:10:08.853 --> 0:10:11.093 this is a contact sport. We accept that there is 0:10:11.133 --> 0:10:14.573 a say wee players accept there is a risk of 0:10:14.613 --> 0:10:16.893 that they're going to be protect the game, protect the 0:10:16.933 --> 0:10:19.533 integrity of the sport. Make sure it's a contest and 0:10:19.573 --> 0:10:22.853 a fair contest. You know, if you're getting guys getting 0:10:22.933 --> 0:10:26.693 knocked out, there absolutely has to be fair consequence for that. 0:10:27.133 --> 0:10:29.053 And if you're going to say, and if I do 0:10:29.653 --> 0:10:32.173 enjoy the fact that we can hear some of those 0:10:32.213 --> 0:10:36.493 conversations that the bunker has with the on field referee, 0:10:36.533 --> 0:10:39.413 but if you're going to say higher level of mitigation, 0:10:39.813 --> 0:10:42.893 I think the fan and the follower of the game 0:10:43.053 --> 0:10:47.013 deserves a greater explanation as to what that mitigation was. 0:10:47.053 --> 0:10:49.733 I personally couldn't see it. Third man into a tackle, 0:10:49.853 --> 0:10:53.613 no attempt to wrap the arms, shoulder locked in place, 0:10:54.133 --> 0:10:57.853 clocks currentk clocks artis flush on the face and just 0:10:57.893 --> 0:10:59.773 going back to my other point. So I just feel 0:10:59.813 --> 0:11:02.973 like putting someone on report is it's just a safe out. 0:11:02.973 --> 0:11:07.173 There's no meaningful consequence when the game takes place. We've 0:11:07.173 --> 0:11:11.053 talked a lot about the officials. Let's get into the 0:11:11.093 --> 0:11:16.893 game itself, starting with the highlights. Warriors eighteen, Bulldogs thirty four. 0:11:16.933 --> 0:11:18.453 This audio courtesy of sky Sport. 0:11:22.293 --> 0:11:24.973 And we're underway or the Warriors. 0:11:26.693 --> 0:11:32.013 I mean, the first carry is Nphidel Blake Johnson, Mica 0:11:32.333 --> 0:11:34.893 de Lace, the PASSI Padley and there's. 0:11:34.693 --> 0:11:35.853 No doubt about that one. 0:11:35.973 --> 0:11:37.373 The one whatever. 0:11:37.333 --> 0:11:43.493 Singing lunch oil. He getting out to Tobacco. Nice answer 0:11:43.493 --> 0:11:49.213 from him. Kake ball, Oh that's too easy. Kick Capbell 0:11:49.213 --> 0:11:54.253 over for another try. Money, let's get it. Bring away 0:11:54.333 --> 0:12:00.533 here Sixton, This is looking good. Sherry Cherry slices through 0:12:01.173 --> 0:12:03.493 and there is the trife of the buildings. 0:12:04.213 --> 0:12:10.693 Let's play now, Sixton, he whoa, it's. 0:12:10.533 --> 0:12:15.493 Been preached by Clon Stephen Crichton, a gift four pointer. 0:12:16.253 --> 0:12:19.413 He's out to Britain. He comes kick out kick, How 0:12:19.693 --> 0:12:20.773 hows up for. 0:12:20.893 --> 0:12:21.613 The ubby kick? 0:12:21.653 --> 0:12:26.413 How I want to pass? That's a try to Kurs Warren. 0:12:28.773 --> 0:12:33.173 Excellent execution by the Bulldogs. Look up in the shadows 0:12:33.213 --> 0:12:37.453 off the posts. He gains a crack from Toby Half 0:12:37.493 --> 0:12:39.133 he's there, who are you aging? 0:12:41.293 --> 0:12:41.453 Well? 0:12:41.613 --> 0:12:44.333 Much mo than a four pointer for the home team's 0:12:44.493 --> 0:12:46.933 sixt and kicking it gain earlier in the camp taking 0:12:46.973 --> 0:12:51.253 a wicked the fiction and there's a score for Harry Hayes. 0:12:52.013 --> 0:12:56.013 The Bulldogs hit the front again, money big playing the 0:12:56.013 --> 0:12:59.933 protects of the game here Britain there, I think let's 0:12:59.933 --> 0:13:08.013 a try sus shadow CAUs gets there to score a 0:13:08.053 --> 0:13:11.373 four points crick head criton powering up. 0:13:11.973 --> 0:13:16.813 Wow, what a bust this your seal? It ain't carez. 0:13:18.333 --> 0:13:25.413 Cuts the Warriors wide open end up col Dance roll forward. 0:13:25.813 --> 0:13:29.773 In twenty twenty four Big Time, Big League Podcast. 0:13:30.053 --> 0:13:32.733 Actually, before we get our thoughts on the contest, Nick 0:13:32.773 --> 0:13:34.813 Buley and Alex Belle here on the Big League Podcast, 0:13:34.973 --> 0:13:36.933 our man on the ground at Mount Smart or Sean 0:13:37.013 --> 0:13:39.613 Johnson Stadium, I should say Chris Reeve had a chat 0:13:39.733 --> 0:13:43.133 to one of the other departing stars, of course, Jazz Devang. 0:13:43.213 --> 0:13:45.413 It was his last home game, last home game for 0:13:45.493 --> 0:13:49.053 Sean Johnson, last home game in a Warriors jersey as 0:13:49.133 --> 0:13:51.573 well for Adam Fana Black Hairs. 0:13:51.653 --> 0:13:54.253 Chris chatting to AFB, what was. 0:13:54.333 --> 0:13:57.013 The emotion like coming out last game at home for 0:13:57.093 --> 0:13:57.573 the Warriors. 0:13:57.933 --> 0:14:02.613 Yeah, it was pretty emotional. Yeah, burlocks highs and lose 0:14:02.693 --> 0:14:07.733 men's sw Yeah, pretting lost with it that this is 0:14:07.733 --> 0:14:09.853 the last one I want to have here, but just 0:14:09.973 --> 0:14:11.853 enjoyed every every step of the way. 0:14:12.973 --> 0:14:14.453 What do you make of the game out there tonight? 0:14:14.493 --> 0:14:17.173 Obviously we've always started very well and got away from 0:14:17.173 --> 0:14:18.093 me a little bit at the end. 0:14:18.253 --> 0:14:20.293 Yeah, disappointing that we didn't come out in the second enough. 0:14:21.813 --> 0:14:25.573 You know, we lost Roger, you know, we lost Wet early. 0:14:25.653 --> 0:14:28.773 But then again, yeah, we just didn't handle it the 0:14:28.853 --> 0:14:31.413 second enough as well as we should have. Yea, And 0:14:31.453 --> 0:14:32.613 I feel like we've got what we deserved. 0:14:33.013 --> 0:14:35.293 For yourself as a player, seeing a shot like that 0:14:35.413 --> 0:14:38.133 on Roger, not get you know, it's like no, not 0:14:38.333 --> 0:14:40.533 chin in the bend, Like, how do you respond to that? 0:14:41.733 --> 0:14:43.973 You can't really respond to him, man, because say something 0:14:44.013 --> 0:14:46.213 and you get fine. You know, they sort of cause 0:14:46.213 --> 0:14:47.733 a bit of a lottery at the moment in the game. 0:14:48.973 --> 0:14:50.653 You know, he gets, someone gets smacked in the face, 0:14:50.733 --> 0:14:52.733 they get you know, we're losing for the game and 0:14:52.853 --> 0:14:55.413 someone that you just put them report, So I don't know, 0:14:55.613 --> 0:14:59.093 it's it's above me who controls that and and you 0:14:59.173 --> 0:15:00.493 know what their comes. 0:15:00.333 --> 0:15:00.573 Off of that. 0:15:00.693 --> 0:15:03.853 But yeah, very like it's just gotta I just got 0:15:03.973 --> 0:15:05.253 to get on with it, I guess, and I'm yere. 0:15:05.653 --> 0:15:05.813 You know. 0:15:05.933 --> 0:15:08.173 I felt like we did, but we didn't as well. 0:15:08.493 --> 0:15:11.453 Yeah, for next week, obviously you're heading to Sydney next year, 0:15:11.573 --> 0:15:15.213 do you feel I guess, any excitements going into that 0:15:15.293 --> 0:15:16.933 one thing? You know, that's where you're going to be 0:15:16.933 --> 0:15:18.453 playing your footy for the next couple of years. 0:15:18.813 --> 0:15:20.293 No, not really meant I was gonna take it as 0:15:20.293 --> 0:15:22.973 another game, you know. My LORTI at the moment still 0:15:22.973 --> 0:15:26.733 to the little Warriors. I can't get excited about going 0:15:27.013 --> 0:15:27.493 over there. 0:15:27.533 --> 0:15:27.693 You know. 0:15:27.773 --> 0:15:31.293 It's I don't want to be just sprateful to the Warriors. 0:15:31.333 --> 0:15:33.533 You know, I've got another another game to go here 0:15:33.773 --> 0:15:36.013 in these colors, and plus we've got another week after 0:15:36.053 --> 0:15:39.053 that with the White you know. So my duty is 0:15:39.213 --> 0:15:41.453 my judies here aren't done and I'm not going to 0:15:41.493 --> 0:15:43.973 clock off just because you know in finals or stuff 0:15:43.973 --> 0:15:45.573 like that. Like I'm still going to turn up on 0:15:45.693 --> 0:15:46.693 Monday and try and get better. 0:15:46.813 --> 0:15:49.573 So, yeah, what do you I guess want to put 0:15:49.613 --> 0:15:52.213 out for the Warriors over there obviously next week and 0:15:52.293 --> 0:15:53.053 then when you get. 0:15:52.973 --> 0:15:54.853 Back from the buy. We just a hard game, mat 0:15:54.893 --> 0:15:57.013 I just want us to go back to that sort 0:15:57.013 --> 0:15:58.653 of how we how we started in that first half. 0:15:58.693 --> 0:15:59.933 I know, we spent a lot of time on our 0:15:59.973 --> 0:16:03.093 line and turning turning them away, and I just want 0:16:03.173 --> 0:16:04.813 us to, you know, sort of try and find out 0:16:04.893 --> 0:16:06.973 the identity again and you know, for the boys moving 0:16:07.013 --> 0:16:10.453 forward next year, hopefully they can yeah, you know, rediscovered 0:16:10.453 --> 0:16:11.853 that sort of the sort of form again. 0:16:12.573 --> 0:16:14.693 Just lastly, seeing the support you guys been over the 0:16:14.773 --> 0:16:16.893 last couple of years here, I guess, how will you 0:16:16.973 --> 0:16:18.413 reflect on your time other Warriors? 0:16:18.893 --> 0:16:21.053 Yeah, man, I'm like I said, man, I'm definitely be 0:16:21.133 --> 0:16:24.413 sad that I'm leaving and that luck, you know, but 0:16:24.933 --> 0:16:26.653 I feel like I'm a traded at home here. Had 0:16:26.693 --> 0:16:31.413 the worries, yeah man, but those cheers and uh, you 0:16:31.533 --> 0:16:34.773 know there's chimes that I heard running out today. Yeah, man, 0:16:34.853 --> 0:16:40.253 like it's it definitely hit hit me in the chest. Yeah, man, 0:16:40.293 --> 0:16:43.013 I'm very grateful for the support that the club showed me, 0:16:43.853 --> 0:16:45.693 you know, from from from the CEO all the way 0:16:45.733 --> 0:16:48.373 down to you know, the boys that working in the 0:16:48.413 --> 0:16:50.093 front desk. You know, it's it's just been a hell 0:16:50.133 --> 0:16:52.973 of a ride. And yeah, I'm just very grateful for 0:16:53.053 --> 0:16:55.333 the club and and what they've given me, the opportunity 0:16:55.413 --> 0:16:58.253 that have helped me grow and also given my family. 0:16:59.013 --> 0:17:02.973 This is the Big League podcast, right, Alex a few 0:17:03.053 --> 0:17:03.733 days removed. 0:17:03.933 --> 0:17:06.693 But the game itself a hot start. 0:17:06.773 --> 0:17:09.053 I think I said that that's probably what was going 0:17:09.093 --> 0:17:13.053 to happen on the previous podcast, and then faded rather 0:17:13.173 --> 0:17:18.373 dramatically and again once the rain arrived. The Warriors don't 0:17:18.573 --> 0:17:21.133 really know what to do or on attack, or certainly 0:17:21.133 --> 0:17:22.413 aren't his clinical on attack. 0:17:22.453 --> 0:17:25.613 It all sounds a bit familiar, right, I mean last. 0:17:25.493 --> 0:17:27.613 Week were saying we wanted a fast start because they 0:17:27.733 --> 0:17:30.773 kept starting quite slowly. No, I mean, you've got to 0:17:30.813 --> 0:17:32.613 give credit to the Bulldogs. They are, Like we said 0:17:32.693 --> 0:17:34.413 last week, I think they're a top four side, even 0:17:34.453 --> 0:17:37.693 if the table won't show it come final. His time, geez, 0:17:37.733 --> 0:17:40.413 how emotional was that intro? You know, Shawn Johnson coming 0:17:40.453 --> 0:17:42.773 out last out of the tunnel with his kids and 0:17:42.853 --> 0:17:45.853 with his wife. You know, we spoke last week, but 0:17:46.173 --> 0:17:48.333 it really was there for us all to see how 0:17:48.413 --> 0:17:50.773 much the Warriors and the club means to him. You know, 0:17:51.173 --> 0:17:53.173 this is a guy that you know, Shawn's a year 0:17:53.213 --> 0:17:55.213 or two older than me, And I think I realized 0:17:55.293 --> 0:17:58.453 last year because also against the Bulldogs when he bought 0:17:58.693 --> 0:18:01.093 his youngest his oldest daughter, Miller, onto the field after 0:18:01.133 --> 0:18:03.413 he scored the game winning try, Like, this is just 0:18:03.493 --> 0:18:05.733 a bloke, you know, this is just a normal guy 0:18:06.293 --> 0:18:09.133 doing his job. And I think we read don't take 0:18:09.253 --> 0:18:12.053 notice of that of the human side of sport enough. 0:18:12.893 --> 0:18:16.533 Yeah, well said, I mean, he grew up actually not 0:18:16.653 --> 0:18:18.733 too far from me on the HIBERSUS Coast, went to 0:18:18.813 --> 0:18:22.133 Oriel College's few years a here to me and just 0:18:22.293 --> 0:18:26.013 love the Warriors, love Hibusis Coast Raiders, love rugby league. 0:18:26.293 --> 0:18:29.253 Dabbled in our first fifteen for a little bit, pretty 0:18:29.333 --> 0:18:32.213 much hated it. Can understand that his mates put together 0:18:32.253 --> 0:18:35.053 a YouTube highlight reel of his touch highlights, which is 0:18:35.173 --> 0:18:38.653 still I think has crazy amount of views, And still 0:18:38.653 --> 0:18:41.253 find myself at a quiet moment having a wee look 0:18:41.253 --> 0:18:43.613 at that and then from there Toyota Cup Under Twenties 0:18:44.093 --> 0:18:47.173 twenty eleven Grand Final. Just a remarkable crew and just 0:18:47.253 --> 0:18:49.733 a guy who loves like he lived out his dream. 0:18:49.773 --> 0:18:51.613 He got to play for the Warriors so many times. 0:18:52.253 --> 0:18:53.573 And I'll tell you what you can say what you 0:18:53.693 --> 0:18:55.733 like about the Warriors in terms of the season they've been, 0:18:55.813 --> 0:18:59.213 but they are a top four club, if not a 0:18:59.293 --> 0:19:02.413 Grand Final club. And when it comes to that entertainment 0:19:02.533 --> 0:19:06.653 wrapping around knowing how to celebrate an occasion, that the 0:19:06.773 --> 0:19:09.173 off field stuff that the Warriors to around, you know, 0:19:09.253 --> 0:19:12.733 whether it be with their jerseys to remember an occasion 0:19:12.933 --> 0:19:15.693 like that or or the light shows, et cetera. And 0:19:15.933 --> 0:19:18.813 I thought that was that was spectacular on the one 0:19:18.853 --> 0:19:21.133 of the other positive things. If we can be positive 0:19:21.173 --> 0:19:23.413 for a time here after that, Warriors to for Alex, 0:19:23.653 --> 0:19:25.373 I know you want to get into as well as 0:19:25.813 --> 0:19:27.373 I've got a lot of young guys coming through the 0:19:27.413 --> 0:19:29.373 system that we've seen in sort of drips and drabs 0:19:29.413 --> 0:19:32.853 this year. I really like what Lequahala Seema had done. 0:19:33.733 --> 0:19:38.093 And Dimitric Sepher Cooler has caught your eye. He's come 0:19:38.213 --> 0:19:42.213 back from a pretty nasty knee reconstruction some nice touches 0:19:42.253 --> 0:19:44.173 on the weekend. That breathes a bit of hope looking 0:19:44.213 --> 0:19:44.973 ahead to next year. 0:19:45.693 --> 0:19:48.213 So I mean being in and around the Warriors youth 0:19:48.253 --> 0:19:51.053 set up, you know, and the circles that you operated 0:19:51.093 --> 0:19:53.573 as a journalist all you know, like you say, the 0:19:53.693 --> 0:19:56.333 young Ford's coming through, You've got Lequa Hala Sema Jacob 0:19:56.413 --> 0:20:00.053 labur Zimo. The talk within the Warriors is that dimetrics 0:20:00.093 --> 0:20:01.893 of Cooler is the best of them, you know. I 0:20:01.973 --> 0:20:03.773 think we saw a bit of that. I went through 0:20:03.813 --> 0:20:07.253 the numbers earlier, only add infanel Blake had more post 0:20:07.333 --> 0:20:11.373 contact meters than Black played seventy meters for c for 0:20:11.413 --> 0:20:14.213 Coal played thirty. This kid, I feel like, is going 0:20:14.293 --> 0:20:16.053 to If that's any sort of indication of how good 0:20:16.053 --> 0:20:17.853 he's going to be, we're going to have a special 0:20:17.893 --> 0:20:18.733 one on our hands here. 0:20:19.013 --> 0:20:21.213 Yeah, he's got that similar to fanol Blake. 0:20:21.213 --> 0:20:23.813 He's got that sort of late footwork and that that 0:20:23.933 --> 0:20:26.493 sort of hit movement for a big lad, which I 0:20:26.573 --> 0:20:29.453