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 Newstalks EDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:16,827 Speaker 2: The mouth watering NRL Grand Final and prospect Tonight Minor 4 00:00:16,867 --> 00:00:19,147 Speaker 2: Premier is the Melbourne Storm forty two. 5 00:00:19,027 --> 00:00:25,987 Speaker 3: And await is a bold stutt Ballots again, Novots Testud 6 00:00:26,067 --> 00:00:36,027 Speaker 3: another Melbourn Red finalists Melbourne are they premiership favorites based 7 00:00:36,067 --> 00:00:36,347 Speaker 3: on this? 8 00:00:37,027 --> 00:00:39,667 Speaker 2: And I'll take on three time defending champions the Penrith 9 00:00:39,707 --> 00:00:40,787 Speaker 2: Panthers Israeli. 10 00:00:40,947 --> 00:00:45,867 Speaker 1: The right foot kick Martinius an exclamation mark for the 11 00:00:45,867 --> 00:00:47,147 Speaker 1: Pethers as. 12 00:00:46,987 --> 00:00:51,027 Speaker 2: They march on to the first Sunday in October. What 13 00:00:51,147 --> 00:00:53,787 Speaker 2: a game in prospect. Tawan Anko was one of our 14 00:00:53,827 --> 00:00:57,827 Speaker 2: best ever rugby league players. After time with Canterbury Bankstown, 15 00:00:57,867 --> 00:01:00,707 Speaker 2: he spent several years in the UK before coming back 16 00:01:00,707 --> 00:01:03,787 Speaker 2: to the NRL with Cronulla in nineteen ninety eight. He 17 00:01:03,867 --> 00:01:06,867 Speaker 2: joined the Melbourne Storm in the club's inorgur all year, 18 00:01:07,227 --> 00:01:09,307 Speaker 2: helping them to a third place finish in the Minor 19 00:01:09,347 --> 00:01:12,227 Speaker 2: Premiership and a place in the finals before they lost 20 00:01:12,227 --> 00:01:16,787 Speaker 2: eventually to the premiers Brisbane Broncos. The following year, nineteen 21 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:19,747 Speaker 2: ninety nine, the Storm finished third again, this time went 22 00:01:19,787 --> 00:01:23,027 Speaker 2: on to win the Grand Final twenty eighteen over the 23 00:01:23,027 --> 00:01:27,147 Speaker 2: Saint George Ellawarra Dragons to claim their first championship. Among 24 00:01:27,227 --> 00:01:29,827 Speaker 2: his many other awards and accolades, tawar and Nico was 25 00:01:29,907 --> 00:01:33,587 Speaker 2: last year inducted as a life member of the Melbourne Storm. 26 00:01:33,587 --> 00:01:37,027 Speaker 2: He joins us, Now, let's let's go back to nineteen 27 00:01:37,107 --> 00:01:40,107 Speaker 2: ninety eight. How finally do you remember your time with 28 00:01:40,147 --> 00:01:40,747 Speaker 2: the Storm. 29 00:01:41,547 --> 00:01:45,067 Speaker 3: Oh, it was a great time. They really enjoyed being 30 00:01:45,107 --> 00:01:47,427 Speaker 3: part of the Storm and the inaugurals team going down 31 00:01:47,507 --> 00:01:50,307 Speaker 3: Newaypak in twenty five years ago in now pinting. So 32 00:01:50,387 --> 00:01:52,067 Speaker 3: it's a long time mate, so still living off the 33 00:01:53,147 --> 00:01:57,427 Speaker 3: final bosh. It was a great time in regular league 34 00:01:57,427 --> 00:01:59,907 Speaker 3: and a great opportunity so you know, going over the 35 00:02:00,747 --> 00:02:04,627 Speaker 3: going down to Melbourne, you know the new frontier I suppose, 36 00:02:04,667 --> 00:02:07,747 Speaker 3: and being very successful short amount of time. So it 37 00:02:07,787 --> 00:02:08,907 Speaker 3: was absolutely fantastic. 38 00:02:09,067 --> 00:02:11,347 Speaker 2: What was it like at the very start of this 39 00:02:11,467 --> 00:02:13,547 Speaker 2: club that has become something pretty special. 40 00:02:14,827 --> 00:02:17,547 Speaker 3: Oh, we were very lucky, Tony. We had you know, 41 00:02:17,987 --> 00:02:21,027 Speaker 3: a CEO guy called John Rebo Reeps. You know, it 42 00:02:21,107 --> 00:02:24,067 Speaker 3: was really instrumental in setting up the club in a 43 00:02:24,107 --> 00:02:27,627 Speaker 3: great fashion. You know, Chris Anderson the coach, you know, 44 00:02:27,787 --> 00:02:32,547 Speaker 3: really really strong coach, really family orientated coach, and we're 45 00:02:32,667 --> 00:02:34,347 Speaker 3: very proud of the history and the culture that we 46 00:02:34,467 --> 00:02:37,227 Speaker 3: initiated in those early days and it's something that's under 47 00:02:37,227 --> 00:02:39,947 Speaker 3: Craig Bellamy's gone to a whole new level. So, you know, 48 00:02:40,107 --> 00:02:44,347 Speaker 3: really outstanding, but great with the administrators, but also the 49 00:02:44,387 --> 00:02:47,467 Speaker 3: players and the end players that came for an opportunity 50 00:02:47,507 --> 00:02:50,947 Speaker 3: and really made a great effort over those first couple 51 00:02:50,987 --> 00:02:51,547 Speaker 3: of seasons. 52 00:02:51,947 --> 00:02:55,467 Speaker 2: That ninety nine Grand Final. What stands out most vividly 53 00:02:55,507 --> 00:02:57,827 Speaker 2: when you think back, Why did you say twenty five 54 00:02:57,907 --> 00:02:58,307 Speaker 2: years now? 55 00:02:58,347 --> 00:03:02,907 Speaker 3: Goodnessman, Well, I think finally one of the main things 56 00:03:02,907 --> 00:03:07,107 Speaker 3: about that was, you know, the crowd. I think that 57 00:03:07,227 --> 00:03:09,027 Speaker 3: was the biggest rugby league crowd because it was just 58 00:03:09,067 --> 00:03:12,427 Speaker 3: before the Olympics. We played nineteen ninety nine at the 59 00:03:12,547 --> 00:03:15,507 Speaker 3: Away Coll Stadium and now, but it was I think 60 00:03:15,507 --> 00:03:18,227 Speaker 3: it was one hundred and seven thousand people did and 61 00:03:18,507 --> 00:03:20,427 Speaker 3: I played at Wembley earlier in my career, but it 62 00:03:20,547 --> 00:03:24,307 Speaker 3: was about ninety ninety nine thousand there. But just the noise, 63 00:03:24,947 --> 00:03:28,067 Speaker 3: the crowd, but the real camaraderie that the boys built 64 00:03:28,107 --> 00:03:30,787 Speaker 3: up in those first couple of seasons was fantastic, you know, 65 00:03:30,827 --> 00:03:33,507 Speaker 3: the second year nineteen ninety nine, we had Steve Kearney 66 00:03:33,507 --> 00:03:36,187 Speaker 3: came from the Warriors, really added some five power to 67 00:03:36,227 --> 00:03:38,547 Speaker 3: our forward pack and then you know that sort of 68 00:03:38,547 --> 00:03:40,667 Speaker 3: gave us a lot of impetus and momentum into that 69 00:03:40,787 --> 00:03:42,747 Speaker 3: first Grand Final win against Saint George. 70 00:03:43,027 --> 00:03:45,227 Speaker 2: You were down the way fourteen mil at halftime, you 71 00:03:45,267 --> 00:03:48,147 Speaker 2: were down. You are widely credited along with a couple 72 00:03:48,227 --> 00:03:51,107 Speaker 2: of others for sparking the second half comeback. What was 73 00:03:51,147 --> 00:03:53,507 Speaker 2: it at half time and what changed in the second half? 74 00:03:54,787 --> 00:03:56,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, we had. The funny thing is we hadn't beaten 75 00:03:56,867 --> 00:03:59,387 Speaker 3: Sat George all year. You know, they were one of 76 00:03:59,427 --> 00:04:03,027 Speaker 3: those teams. They had some amazing players, Nathan Baclock, you know, 77 00:04:03,067 --> 00:04:06,867 Speaker 3: Anthony Mundine, Jamie ayins Co. They just had this realist 78 00:04:06,947 --> 00:04:09,747 Speaker 3: strike and we struggled to play them because they used 79 00:04:09,787 --> 00:04:11,027 Speaker 3: to come down the middle of the rock and we 80 00:04:11,027 --> 00:04:12,947 Speaker 3: had a big forward pack. But I think one of 81 00:04:12,947 --> 00:04:14,987 Speaker 3: the good things about you know, just having that self 82 00:04:14,987 --> 00:04:17,147 Speaker 3: belief that we had in ourselves because nobody gave us 83 00:04:17,147 --> 00:04:19,907 Speaker 3: a chance in the first couple of years. They said 84 00:04:19,907 --> 00:04:21,587 Speaker 3: we're going to fail, we weren't going to be any good. 85 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:24,187 Speaker 3: And even when we got to the finals. They were 86 00:04:24,187 --> 00:04:26,347 Speaker 3: writing us off anyway, so you know, we had nothing 87 00:04:26,387 --> 00:04:28,947 Speaker 3: to lose. We just said we had some great leadership 88 00:04:28,987 --> 00:04:31,587 Speaker 3: in the organization from our coach Chris Anderson and our 89 00:04:31,587 --> 00:04:35,307 Speaker 3: captain Glen Lazarus. You know, it was outstanding leadership and 90 00:04:35,387 --> 00:04:38,387 Speaker 3: part of that. But I think in the second half, 91 00:04:38,387 --> 00:04:41,187 Speaker 3: I remember going into the changing sheds at halftime and 92 00:04:41,307 --> 00:04:45,307 Speaker 3: me and Steve Kearney and I said, Steve, mate, we've 93 00:04:45,347 --> 00:04:47,227 Speaker 3: got forty minutes left. Let's just get out there and 94 00:04:47,307 --> 00:04:49,387 Speaker 3: rip into these guys. And we sort of came out 95 00:04:49,467 --> 00:04:51,787 Speaker 3: changed the momentum, we got on a bit of a role, 96 00:04:51,787 --> 00:04:53,667 Speaker 3: we scored a couple of tries and then you know, 97 00:04:53,747 --> 00:04:55,787 Speaker 3: we came home with it. We at Sales. So you 98 00:04:55,827 --> 00:04:58,707 Speaker 3: know that's all folklore and history now ponting. But you 99 00:04:58,747 --> 00:05:02,147 Speaker 3: know it stands as the first ever premiership premiership for 100 00:05:02,187 --> 00:05:06,587 Speaker 3: the Melbourne Sand Final. So yeah, that's inched in folk law. 101 00:05:07,427 --> 00:05:09,627 Speaker 2: Indeed it is even now and will be for many 102 00:05:09,627 --> 00:05:11,627 Speaker 2: many more years. But let's fast forward to now to 103 00:05:11,667 --> 00:05:14,427 Speaker 2: the present day. The Storm won the minor premiership this year, 104 00:05:14,547 --> 00:05:16,747 Speaker 2: nineteen wins from their twenty four games. They got rid 105 00:05:16,787 --> 00:05:19,747 Speaker 2: of the Sharks and the Roosters fairly comfortably in their 106 00:05:19,787 --> 00:05:23,307 Speaker 2: finals matches. Would you have them as favorites against the 107 00:05:23,347 --> 00:05:24,307 Speaker 2: Panthers tonight the. 108 00:05:24,267 --> 00:05:28,267 Speaker 3: Storm, Well, it's a tough one. You know. The last 109 00:05:28,907 --> 00:05:30,987 Speaker 3: the Panthers have been in the last five Grand Finals, 110 00:05:31,027 --> 00:05:32,707 Speaker 3: the last team to beat them in the Grand Final 111 00:05:32,787 --> 00:05:35,147 Speaker 3: is the Melbourne Stare so it all aug as well. 112 00:05:35,187 --> 00:05:39,067 Speaker 3: But if you look back, you know this year they've 113 00:05:39,067 --> 00:05:41,347 Speaker 3: been the best two teams. I think the Storm has 114 00:05:42,027 --> 00:05:44,707 Speaker 3: probably gone to you know, and it's a tough one 115 00:05:44,747 --> 00:05:48,467 Speaker 3: because Nathan Cleary hasn't played too much of them. I 116 00:05:48,547 --> 00:05:50,427 Speaker 3: watched the game last week with the Sharks and there 117 00:05:50,507 --> 00:05:54,307 Speaker 3: was a couple of little crazy for Penrith, which you know, 118 00:05:54,427 --> 00:05:57,067 Speaker 3: usually that's very very clinical. They don't make too many years, 119 00:05:57,067 --> 00:05:59,147 Speaker 3: but they made a few years. So you know, it's 120 00:05:59,147 --> 00:06:00,947 Speaker 3: going to be a tough game. But I just think 121 00:06:00,947 --> 00:06:03,547 Speaker 3: with the spine that the Melbourne Storm have in the 122 00:06:03,627 --> 00:06:08,147 Speaker 3: form that Jerome Hughes, Harry Grant, Ryan Pepperinowsen and also 123 00:06:08,227 --> 00:06:12,267 Speaker 3: Karen munster in It's going to be a tough game. 124 00:06:12,307 --> 00:06:14,467 Speaker 3: Could go anyway, but I'm tipping the Storm to win 125 00:06:14,547 --> 00:06:15,267 Speaker 3: this one tonight. 126 00:06:15,507 --> 00:06:19,547 Speaker 2: Yeah. Jerome Hughes delim won a popular winner too during 127 00:06:19,587 --> 00:06:23,107 Speaker 2: the week. How important, how integral is he to the 128 00:06:23,227 --> 00:06:24,107 Speaker 2: storm side. 129 00:06:24,907 --> 00:06:26,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's really interesting And I don't know if you 130 00:06:26,907 --> 00:06:29,667 Speaker 3: saw the Daily In speech and he talked about, you 131 00:06:29,707 --> 00:06:32,027 Speaker 3: know how he's sort of grown into their role and 132 00:06:32,067 --> 00:06:35,307 Speaker 3: done really well. But he credits Craig Bellamy's given him 133 00:06:35,307 --> 00:06:37,467 Speaker 3: some confidence. He credits been part of the New Zealand 134 00:06:37,507 --> 00:06:40,147 Speaker 3: Kiwi team last year. You know, he's really grown into 135 00:06:40,147 --> 00:06:43,067 Speaker 3: this role as a leader and he's really got their 136 00:06:43,067 --> 00:06:45,227 Speaker 3: confidence now to lead from the front. So I think, 137 00:06:45,467 --> 00:06:47,547 Speaker 3: you know, with Monster the over the last couple of years, 138 00:06:47,587 --> 00:06:50,867 Speaker 3: he was just sitting back. He's quite shy Jerome in 139 00:06:50,947 --> 00:06:52,947 Speaker 3: terms of that, but you know he's really stepped that 140 00:06:53,067 --> 00:06:55,507 Speaker 3: up and I think and I heard Craig Bellamy talked 141 00:06:55,507 --> 00:06:57,227 Speaker 3: to him earlier in the year about you know, him 142 00:06:57,227 --> 00:07:00,267 Speaker 3: taking that leadership role, on him owning the games, and 143 00:07:00,427 --> 00:07:02,747 Speaker 3: you know he's just thrived in that this year and 144 00:07:02,827 --> 00:07:05,587 Speaker 3: gone to another level. So when you think about you know, 145 00:07:05,627 --> 00:07:09,267 Speaker 3: Ivan Cleary's probably the best players, I mean, Nathan Carey 146 00:07:09,307 --> 00:07:11,907 Speaker 3: the last two or three seasons. You know, Jerome's on 147 00:07:11,987 --> 00:07:15,667 Speaker 3: a part probably this season has probably you know edged 148 00:07:15,667 --> 00:07:18,467 Speaker 3: out in front of them. But it's hard to beat Penriff. 149 00:07:18,507 --> 00:07:20,587 Speaker 3: You know, they've been there the last there's their fifth 150 00:07:20,587 --> 00:07:22,427 Speaker 3: Greend final in the row, so you know, I've got 151 00:07:22,467 --> 00:07:24,707 Speaker 3: some experience, but they've lost a bit of experience too, 152 00:07:24,747 --> 00:07:26,867 Speaker 3: So you know, these things catch up with you when 153 00:07:26,867 --> 00:07:29,467 Speaker 3: you're playing finals when the pressure comes on. You know, 154 00:07:29,547 --> 00:07:31,827 Speaker 3: you've just got to keep in the grind. And I 155 00:07:31,867 --> 00:07:34,347 Speaker 3: think with Melbourne and you've seen that over the last 156 00:07:34,347 --> 00:07:36,827 Speaker 3: two you know, the final series, they've gone about their 157 00:07:36,867 --> 00:07:40,027 Speaker 3: business very very well. Melbourn don't really beat themselves. You've 158 00:07:40,027 --> 00:07:42,267 Speaker 3: got to do something extraordinary to beat them because they're 159 00:07:42,267 --> 00:07:45,347 Speaker 3: defensively they're really good and they're fit. They're very fit, 160 00:07:45,427 --> 00:07:47,427 Speaker 3: so they can manage that hang in the contest for 161 00:07:47,907 --> 00:07:50,747 Speaker 3: big minutes. I think the game against the Sharks they 162 00:07:50,787 --> 00:07:54,227 Speaker 3: completed was it fifty six out of fifty eight cents 163 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:57,067 Speaker 3: or something ninety five percent something like that account It 164 00:07:57,227 --> 00:08:00,267 Speaker 3: was something some astronomical number in terms of that. So 165 00:08:01,147 --> 00:08:03,587 Speaker 3: and now they expect that they have as Craig Bellamy, 166 00:08:03,827 --> 00:08:07,387 Speaker 3: you know, he just continues to in the depth and 167 00:08:08,107 --> 00:08:12,307 Speaker 3: you know, give these players and I think Piney if 168 00:08:12,347 --> 00:08:14,667 Speaker 3: you look at a couple of their best crows, Sean 169 00:08:14,787 --> 00:08:17,707 Speaker 3: Law played two years at the Tigers and was a 170 00:08:17,707 --> 00:08:20,787 Speaker 3: wooden spoon. Elie Kator now the last couple of years 171 00:08:20,827 --> 00:08:22,787 Speaker 3: came from the Warriors. Yeah he had a bit of talent, 172 00:08:22,827 --> 00:08:25,627 Speaker 3: but they'd both gone to another level. So you know, 173 00:08:25,667 --> 00:08:28,587 Speaker 3: when you think about players in what they can do 174 00:08:28,747 --> 00:08:32,067 Speaker 3: in the environment that they create, you know, Craig Bellamy's 175 00:08:32,107 --> 00:08:34,027 Speaker 3: and master at doing it. 176 00:08:34,307 --> 00:08:36,747 Speaker 2: Yeah, fascinating grand final and prospect and I could be 177 00:08:36,747 --> 00:08:38,307 Speaker 2: one of the best ever to What a great chatting 178 00:08:38,347 --> 00:08:40,147 Speaker 2: Raby league with you mate. Thanks for taking the time. 179 00:08:40,907 --> 00:08:42,667 Speaker 3: Why is it privileged piny? No worries and go the 180 00:08:42,747 --> 00:08:43,347 Speaker 3: Mighty Storms. 181 00:08:43,427 --> 00:08:45,347 Speaker 2: We go the storm are right you? I suppose there's 182 00:08:45,347 --> 00:08:46,907 Speaker 2: your old team, Isn't that That's fair enough? Good on 183 00:08:46,907 --> 00:08:48,987 Speaker 2: your thanks indeed, Tonic. 184 00:08:49,787 --> 00:08:52,947 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 185 00:08:53,067 --> 00:08:56,347 Speaker 1: to news Talks the'd be weekends from midday or follow 186 00:08:56,387 --> 00:08:57,947 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.