1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:20,107 Speaker 2: For alt Theodowa competition this afternoon. Fines on the final. 4 00:00:25,187 --> 00:00:34,707 Speaker 3: Division, the execution, Parky perfection, Jacobs almost soft the backboard, 5 00:00:35,467 --> 00:00:40,307 Speaker 3: Paul has it and that is it the mainland parkey 6 00:00:41,467 --> 00:00:45,427 Speaker 3: and see the Shy Grand Final and they'll host it. 7 00:00:46,427 --> 00:00:48,787 Speaker 4: Against the defending champion tit On a fight. 8 00:00:49,427 --> 00:00:51,187 Speaker 3: They've beaten the Southern high Hat. 9 00:00:51,387 --> 00:00:54,587 Speaker 2: Indeed, that was last weekend's semi final. So the Mainland 10 00:00:54,587 --> 00:00:56,867 Speaker 2: poor Kai, isn't it the only the commentators said. They're 11 00:00:56,867 --> 00:01:00,787 Speaker 2: hosting the defending champion todong A FI in christ Church 12 00:01:01,147 --> 00:01:03,947 Speaker 2: Carl Stadium and christ Church this afternoon tip off at three. 13 00:01:04,307 --> 00:01:08,227 Speaker 2: POECAI head coaches Alex story of it, She joins us. Now, Alex, 14 00:01:08,267 --> 00:01:09,827 Speaker 2: thanks for taking the time on game day to have 15 00:01:09,867 --> 00:01:11,467 Speaker 2: a chat to us. Can we start with that game? 16 00:01:11,667 --> 00:01:14,587 Speaker 2: How happy were you with your win over the Southern 17 00:01:14,627 --> 00:01:16,547 Speaker 2: hoy Hoo in the semis last weekend? 18 00:01:17,227 --> 00:01:20,547 Speaker 4: Oh? Super happy. I was a wooded for somewhere to 19 00:01:20,547 --> 00:01:23,947 Speaker 4: do it at home, and especially considering we've had a 20 00:01:23,947 --> 00:01:26,387 Speaker 4: few players out injured. I was super happy and exciting. 21 00:01:26,987 --> 00:01:29,827 Speaker 2: Have you managed to bring any of those injured players 22 00:01:29,827 --> 00:01:32,227 Speaker 2: back or will you still be slightly depleted today? 23 00:01:33,387 --> 00:01:36,067 Speaker 4: We're going to be depleted unfortunately. So Ezra mcgodreick was 24 00:01:36,107 --> 00:01:39,667 Speaker 4: the topph and captain. She's unfortunately out and at the 25 00:01:39,747 --> 00:01:42,947 Speaker 4: four cour and ployed centers also out injured. So you 26 00:01:42,947 --> 00:01:44,747 Speaker 4: know we're up against it a little bit. But I 27 00:01:44,747 --> 00:01:46,387 Speaker 4: think we've shown in the last month of the season 28 00:01:46,467 --> 00:01:48,267 Speaker 4: that we can manage even without those two. 29 00:01:48,667 --> 00:01:52,347 Speaker 2: Going into semi final weekend last weekend, I know your 30 00:01:52,387 --> 00:01:54,787 Speaker 2: semi final was the second of the two, but did 31 00:01:54,827 --> 00:01:57,427 Speaker 2: you think you might be heading to Wellington? In other words, 32 00:01:57,707 --> 00:02:00,307 Speaker 2: was the fives went over the Tokamanta with Queens? Are 33 00:02:00,347 --> 00:02:01,147 Speaker 2: surprised to you? 34 00:02:02,467 --> 00:02:04,707 Speaker 4: Not really? Like I thought the fight. We're actually the 35 00:02:04,707 --> 00:02:07,547 Speaker 4: best team during the regular season. They just had like 36 00:02:07,587 --> 00:02:09,747 Speaker 4: one injury to keep play at the last three regular 37 00:02:09,787 --> 00:02:12,827 Speaker 4: season games that made him drop down the table. 38 00:02:12,627 --> 00:02:13,107 Speaker 2: A little bit. 39 00:02:13,147 --> 00:02:15,747 Speaker 4: But like no, I think, I think they're really really 40 00:02:15,747 --> 00:02:17,707 Speaker 4: good team work coached and now that they're back at 41 00:02:17,747 --> 00:02:20,067 Speaker 4: fourth strengths, they're definitely going to be a handful today. 42 00:02:20,227 --> 00:02:22,107 Speaker 2: Well, you know a lot about that team, of course, 43 00:02:22,147 --> 00:02:25,667 Speaker 2: you coached them last season to a maiden title. Does 44 00:02:25,747 --> 00:02:29,507 Speaker 2: having coached the Fie help you today as you coach 45 00:02:29,547 --> 00:02:30,147 Speaker 2: against them? 46 00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:34,627 Speaker 4: Oh, yes and no. Like obviously Tana who's the head coach, 47 00:02:34,627 --> 00:02:36,507 Speaker 4: and I was my system last year and he's done 48 00:02:36,547 --> 00:02:39,867 Speaker 4: an incredible job as a team this year. There's some 49 00:02:39,987 --> 00:02:42,827 Speaker 4: familiarity between the two teams, but you know he's he's 50 00:02:43,507 --> 00:02:46,427 Speaker 4: involved their system a little bit and plays to their strengths. 51 00:02:46,467 --> 00:02:48,147 Speaker 4: So it helps a little bit, but I don't think 52 00:02:48,147 --> 00:02:49,507 Speaker 4: that's going to be the deciding factor. 53 00:02:50,027 --> 00:02:54,347 Speaker 2: What was the thinking behind your move south? Tell us 54 00:02:54,347 --> 00:02:56,547 Speaker 2: about the decision making that you went through to to 55 00:02:56,547 --> 00:02:57,987 Speaker 2: take up the role in christ Church. 56 00:02:59,907 --> 00:03:02,787 Speaker 4: Was probably mainly a lifestyle change. Like you know, I 57 00:03:02,867 --> 00:03:04,947 Speaker 4: was there to five from day one, having set up 58 00:03:04,987 --> 00:03:06,987 Speaker 4: the club, and to be fair, you know, like that 59 00:03:07,107 --> 00:03:09,307 Speaker 4: was a pretty intense three and a half four years, 60 00:03:09,387 --> 00:03:12,067 Speaker 4: and you know it's taking a bit of a toll. 61 00:03:12,187 --> 00:03:14,347 Speaker 4: So I was looking for maybe like a you know, 62 00:03:14,507 --> 00:03:18,507 Speaker 4: something bit fresh and and and yeah, christ Church came 63 00:03:18,587 --> 00:03:21,187 Speaker 4: up and and I thought it was a great opportunity. 64 00:03:21,227 --> 00:03:23,227 Speaker 4: So I'm so far glad that I moved down. 65 00:03:23,627 --> 00:03:26,587 Speaker 2: Have you brought the same basketball principles to the poor 66 00:03:26,667 --> 00:03:28,187 Speaker 2: Guy that you used at the Fire? 67 00:03:29,267 --> 00:03:29,747 Speaker 4: Very similar? 68 00:03:29,867 --> 00:03:30,067 Speaker 2: Yeah? 69 00:03:30,067 --> 00:03:32,187 Speaker 4: So like, I've got my style of play, my identity. 70 00:03:32,227 --> 00:03:34,027 Speaker 4: I think that was one of the things that that 71 00:03:34,307 --> 00:03:37,907 Speaker 4: the Porkui, you know, liked about my coaching. And yeah, 72 00:03:37,947 --> 00:03:40,227 Speaker 4: so trying trying to do the same or similar down 73 00:03:40,267 --> 00:03:40,907 Speaker 4: here for sure. 74 00:03:41,467 --> 00:03:43,347 Speaker 2: And just before we move on to your team the 75 00:03:43,427 --> 00:03:47,667 Speaker 2: FI of today, what are the specific threats that I 76 00:03:47,787 --> 00:03:50,347 Speaker 2: will present to you in the final Well. 77 00:03:50,267 --> 00:03:52,227 Speaker 4: I mean, for STARTUS, I've got obviously a couple of 78 00:03:52,307 --> 00:03:54,707 Speaker 4: key pieces back from last year, MICHAELA Cowling and then 79 00:03:54,747 --> 00:03:57,227 Speaker 4: A Snyders, so I've got that championship experience, and then 80 00:03:57,267 --> 00:04:01,587 Speaker 4: they've added a couple of great imports and Hannah Hank 81 00:04:01,627 --> 00:04:04,787 Speaker 4: and Jess McDonald white and they bought in Tolt for Emmyshira. 82 00:04:04,907 --> 00:04:07,707 Speaker 4: So they've got a very balance starting five that doesn't 83 00:04:07,707 --> 00:04:10,347 Speaker 4: really have a lot of weaknesses. So you know, that 84 00:04:10,427 --> 00:04:12,747 Speaker 4: makes it really difficult to game plan because you know, 85 00:04:12,787 --> 00:04:14,787 Speaker 4: normally when you play a team, you can maybe have 86 00:04:14,987 --> 00:04:18,347 Speaker 4: off someone, but they're very, very good, well balanced team. 87 00:04:18,427 --> 00:04:20,067 Speaker 4: So yeah, it's going to be a tough one for US. 88 00:04:20,347 --> 00:04:22,467 Speaker 2: I saw you on TV during the week and you 89 00:04:22,547 --> 00:04:24,507 Speaker 2: said something along the lines of what the team that 90 00:04:24,547 --> 00:04:27,187 Speaker 2: shoots better is probably going to win it. Sounds so obvious, 91 00:04:27,227 --> 00:04:29,147 Speaker 2: doesn't it, But is that a big part of today? 92 00:04:29,667 --> 00:04:32,027 Speaker 4: One hundred percent? And if you look at the semi final, 93 00:04:32,147 --> 00:04:34,307 Speaker 4: the Hoyo actually played pretty good. We just shot the 94 00:04:34,307 --> 00:04:36,507 Speaker 4: ball a little bit better. Ultimately, you know, we were 95 00:04:36,867 --> 00:04:39,867 Speaker 4: nearly fifty percent from three in the semi which is great, 96 00:04:39,907 --> 00:04:42,867 Speaker 4: and I think that's what ultimately made the difference. You know, 97 00:04:43,027 --> 00:04:45,947 Speaker 4: like you can, you can game plan and scout and 98 00:04:45,747 --> 00:04:48,027 Speaker 4: and be as prepared as you as you want to be, 99 00:04:48,107 --> 00:04:50,027 Speaker 4: but ultimately, the players have to have to make the 100 00:04:50,027 --> 00:04:52,387 Speaker 4: shots on the court. And I truly believe the team 101 00:04:52,427 --> 00:04:54,747 Speaker 4: that's going to convert better is going to win ultimately. 102 00:04:55,267 --> 00:04:57,627 Speaker 2: Looking back at the season as a whole, Alex, you 103 00:04:58,147 --> 00:05:00,747 Speaker 2: lost four of the first seven games, but you've won 104 00:05:00,827 --> 00:05:03,467 Speaker 2: five of your last six, including the semi. Was it 105 00:05:03,627 --> 00:05:06,307 Speaker 2: just a matter of the players getting used to you 106 00:05:06,387 --> 00:05:08,867 Speaker 2: early on or did something else change mid season? 107 00:05:10,307 --> 00:05:12,587 Speaker 4: You know, Like it's always so hard to tell, you know, 108 00:05:12,667 --> 00:05:15,387 Speaker 4: Like I'm honestly I'm not sure. You know, You've got 109 00:05:15,387 --> 00:05:17,387 Speaker 4: your ups and downs in the season. You know, sometimes 110 00:05:17,387 --> 00:05:19,587 Speaker 4: it takes a little bit longer to geil. You know 111 00:05:19,627 --> 00:05:23,067 Speaker 4: that you've got injuries to deal with, and sometimes sometimes 112 00:05:23,107 --> 00:05:25,227 Speaker 4: when players gop out, it actually gave vanizes the team 113 00:05:25,227 --> 00:05:27,587 Speaker 4: a little bit. So now when we lost two starters 114 00:05:27,627 --> 00:05:30,387 Speaker 4: about a month ago, that's obviously a tough situation. And 115 00:05:30,867 --> 00:05:33,507 Speaker 4: what I liked about the script shots some really real resilience, 116 00:05:33,507 --> 00:05:35,227 Speaker 4: you know, like every time, every time we had a 117 00:05:35,267 --> 00:05:37,987 Speaker 4: setback like that, we actually got closer together. So I 118 00:05:38,027 --> 00:05:41,307 Speaker 4: think it's just a natural progression of a season. And 119 00:05:41,467 --> 00:05:43,747 Speaker 4: because the season is so short, sometimes you've got a 120 00:05:43,747 --> 00:05:45,987 Speaker 4: bad start. It looks bad, but it kind of evens 121 00:05:45,987 --> 00:05:47,027 Speaker 4: itself out in the end. 122 00:05:47,267 --> 00:05:51,707 Speaker 2: Indeed, how different is your preparation for knockout games compared 123 00:05:51,707 --> 00:05:54,147 Speaker 2: to the way you prepare for a regular season game. 124 00:05:55,227 --> 00:05:58,067 Speaker 4: We actually tried to keep it very similar, just purely 125 00:05:58,067 --> 00:05:59,987 Speaker 4: because we want to take the pressure away from the group. 126 00:06:00,027 --> 00:06:02,627 Speaker 4: You know, like obviously everybody understands the magnitude of a 127 00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:05,467 Speaker 4: semi final or final, so the last thing I want 128 00:06:05,467 --> 00:06:08,427 Speaker 4: to do is more casher. So we've tried to go 129 00:06:08,507 --> 00:06:11,827 Speaker 4: business as usual. We've got on the preparation throughout the week. 130 00:06:12,307 --> 00:06:14,947 Speaker 4: You know, we're bringing we're bringing like a scout team 131 00:06:15,067 --> 00:06:18,107 Speaker 4: that that simulates your position, and then and then we're 132 00:06:18,147 --> 00:06:21,067 Speaker 4: just trying against again as much as we can and 133 00:06:21,907 --> 00:06:25,227 Speaker 4: I suppose, if anything, we tried to actually reduce the 134 00:06:25,267 --> 00:06:27,107 Speaker 4: lot a little bit in the semi final final because 135 00:06:27,107 --> 00:06:29,227 Speaker 4: we want to be fresh on game day. So you know, 136 00:06:29,267 --> 00:06:31,787 Speaker 4: like earlier in the season, you're always thinking long term, 137 00:06:31,827 --> 00:06:33,267 Speaker 4: you want to you want to push during the week, 138 00:06:33,267 --> 00:06:35,307 Speaker 4: even closer to a game because you're thinking, okay, we've 139 00:06:35,307 --> 00:06:37,587 Speaker 4: got to be ready in December. But now it's more 140 00:06:37,627 --> 00:06:40,627 Speaker 4: about tapering tappering down a little bit, so we're fresh, 141 00:06:40,747 --> 00:06:42,787 Speaker 4: fresh come come game time this afternoon. 142 00:06:43,067 --> 00:06:45,787 Speaker 2: And this will be the last game at Cal's Stadium, 143 00:06:46,067 --> 00:06:48,387 Speaker 2: which has been the home of basketball in christ Church 144 00:06:48,467 --> 00:06:52,187 Speaker 2: for goodness me decades. How driven is the team to 145 00:06:52,347 --> 00:06:54,707 Speaker 2: win in the last game at this venue to send 146 00:06:54,707 --> 00:06:55,507 Speaker 2: it off in style? 147 00:06:56,467 --> 00:07:00,387 Speaker 4: Yeah, of course that's that adds motivation. It's it's last 148 00:07:00,427 --> 00:07:03,627 Speaker 4: home game at Cows, it will be the first championship 149 00:07:03,667 --> 00:07:07,867 Speaker 4: for the club. Like there's there's a lot of motivating 150 00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:11,347 Speaker 4: factors and obviously Canterbury has got a very proud basketball tradition. 151 00:07:11,827 --> 00:07:14,027 Speaker 4: So yeah, now we definitely definitely want to send our 152 00:07:14,147 --> 00:07:16,387 Speaker 4: tens bent into Christmas break with the title. 153 00:07:16,707 --> 00:07:17,947 Speaker 2: And have you had the chance to look at the 154 00:07:17,947 --> 00:07:20,827 Speaker 2: new Patachiori Sports Center. I know the special Olympics have 155 00:07:20,867 --> 00:07:22,587 Speaker 2: been on there all this week. Have you had the 156 00:07:22,667 --> 00:07:25,547 Speaker 2: chance to look at where where the Poor Kui will 157 00:07:25,587 --> 00:07:26,707 Speaker 2: be playing next year? 158 00:07:27,467 --> 00:07:30,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, well I was invited for a tour. I think 159 00:07:30,067 --> 00:07:32,187 Speaker 4: it was maybe a couple of weeks ago. And yeah, 160 00:07:32,187 --> 00:07:34,187 Speaker 4: I mean it's a world class facility right at the 161 00:07:34,187 --> 00:07:37,067 Speaker 4: heart of the city, so you know, like I always say, 162 00:07:37,147 --> 00:07:40,067 Speaker 4: the best best stadiums are in the city, so you 163 00:07:40,107 --> 00:07:41,907 Speaker 4: can go watch a game and have a dinner before 164 00:07:42,027 --> 00:07:45,747 Speaker 4: after whatever to make it a complete, complete night. So 165 00:07:46,107 --> 00:07:48,667 Speaker 4: I think it's going to be amazing. I mean the 166 00:07:48,707 --> 00:07:51,707 Speaker 4: events events will start this soon, and I think it's 167 00:07:51,707 --> 00:07:53,987 Speaker 4: going to be exciting for the basketball community down't here. 168 00:07:54,107 --> 00:07:56,907 Speaker 2: Wonderful Alex, Well, all the best this afternoon. Congratulations on 169 00:07:56,947 --> 00:07:58,667 Speaker 2: getting the Poor Kye to the final. I hope you 170 00:07:58,707 --> 00:08:00,867 Speaker 2: can complete the job and go back to back with 171 00:08:01,067 --> 00:08:02,867 Speaker 2: different teams. Thanks for chatting to us today. 172 00:08:03,347 --> 00:08:04,187 Speaker 4: Thank you appreciate it. 173 00:08:04,267 --> 00:08:07,507 Speaker 2: No, I appreciate your time, Alex. Thanks. Indeed, Stoykovich, the 174 00:08:07,827 --> 00:08:10,947 Speaker 2: coach of the mainland Porkai, used to coach the Tonglan 175 00:08:11,027 --> 00:08:13,467 Speaker 2: on the fire. That'll be an interesting little dynamic from 176 00:08:13,547 --> 00:08:16,467 Speaker 2: this afternoon. Although they've played each other three times this season, 177 00:08:16,507 --> 00:08:18,067 Speaker 2: so it's not as that's the first time he's played 178 00:08:18,107 --> 00:08:20,987 Speaker 2: his former side, but he coached the fig to victory 179 00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:23,667 Speaker 2: last year. Can he go back to back, as I say, 180 00:08:23,747 --> 00:08:26,027 Speaker 2: with a different team the Mainland Porky three o'clock so 181 00:08:26,027 --> 00:08:28,587 Speaker 2: afternoon cal Stadium and christ Church. Gee, that's been the 182 00:08:28,627 --> 00:08:32,427 Speaker 2: scene of some pretty famous basketball encounteress, hasn't it? Cal 183 00:08:32,547 --> 00:08:36,027 Speaker 2: Stadium final game? There in an elite sense anyway with 184 00:08:36,067 --> 00:08:38,467 Speaker 2: the Porky and also the Canterbury Rams now moves moving 185 00:08:38,507 --> 00:08:43,507 Speaker 2: to the Partakorti Sports Center as of twenty twenty six. 186 00:08:44,307 --> 00:08:47,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 187 00:08:47,627 --> 00:08:50,907 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 188 00:08:50,947 --> 00:08:52,547 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio