1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 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 Newstalk SEDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:17,187 Speaker 2: Biggest day on the Australian sporting calendar Australian Rules Football, 4 00:00:17,227 --> 00:00:22,747 Speaker 2: the AFL Grand Final between these two. 5 00:00:25,427 --> 00:00:28,907 Speaker 3: They're true to the Grand Final in a show. 6 00:00:30,267 --> 00:00:33,147 Speaker 2: At their six o'clave all the season. 7 00:00:33,187 --> 00:00:34,667 Speaker 1: This is beamed for the Sydney Swans. 8 00:00:35,027 --> 00:00:38,027 Speaker 2: Those that were here will never forget what they saw. 9 00:00:39,667 --> 00:00:41,147 Speaker 1: Brisbane just had. 10 00:00:41,147 --> 00:00:45,627 Speaker 2: Unfinished business to attend to at the MC two and 11 00:00:45,787 --> 00:00:50,227 Speaker 2: they will get their chance next week against the sydneys Es. 12 00:00:50,827 --> 00:00:54,107 Speaker 2: And next week is today. It is the Sydney Swans 13 00:00:54,227 --> 00:00:56,587 Speaker 2: and the Brisbane line set to do battle at the 14 00:00:56,827 --> 00:00:59,627 Speaker 2: iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground four point thirty this afternoon New 15 00:00:59,747 --> 00:01:03,867 Speaker 2: Zealand time, two thirty local time in Victoria. It's a 16 00:01:03,907 --> 00:01:07,347 Speaker 2: massive pleasure to welcome in a man's synonymous with AFL 17 00:01:07,667 --> 00:01:11,267 Speaker 2: and its broadcast coverage in so many different capacities and 18 00:01:11,307 --> 00:01:14,267 Speaker 2: a very familiar voice on both sides of the Tasman, 19 00:01:14,667 --> 00:01:17,227 Speaker 2: Eddie McGuire. Of course, Eddie, welcome to Weekend Sport on 20 00:01:17,267 --> 00:01:20,147 Speaker 2: News Talks. He'd be first of all, how unusual is 21 00:01:20,187 --> 00:01:23,587 Speaker 2: it to have two non Victorian teams in the Grand Final. 22 00:01:24,547 --> 00:01:27,267 Speaker 3: Well, it's been something that's building over the years. You know, 23 00:01:27,587 --> 00:01:30,227 Speaker 3: you go back to nineteen ninety when the Victorian Football 24 00:01:30,267 --> 00:01:34,547 Speaker 3: League became the Australian Football League, and you know within 25 00:01:34,627 --> 00:01:36,827 Speaker 3: two years the West Coast Eagles from Perth had won it. 26 00:01:37,107 --> 00:01:39,507 Speaker 3: They wanted again two years later and Adelaide won it 27 00:01:39,547 --> 00:01:42,427 Speaker 3: twice within the first nine years, so that all built up, 28 00:01:42,467 --> 00:01:44,667 Speaker 3: and then the two thousands you had the prism of 29 00:01:44,667 --> 00:01:46,787 Speaker 3: Lines winning three in a row and I think there 30 00:01:46,787 --> 00:01:48,387 Speaker 3: was about five years in a row where there were 31 00:01:48,387 --> 00:01:50,827 Speaker 3: two non Victorian teams in it, but it's been about 32 00:01:50,827 --> 00:01:53,627 Speaker 3: sixteen years since that happened. But look at the national 33 00:01:53,627 --> 00:01:57,107 Speaker 3: competition these days and there's two teams in Queensland, New 34 00:01:57,227 --> 00:02:00,827 Speaker 3: South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia. So there's chances that 35 00:02:00,867 --> 00:02:02,547 Speaker 3: these teams are going to get there eventually. But look 36 00:02:02,587 --> 00:02:05,267 Speaker 3: there there are two great teams that both been last 37 00:02:05,347 --> 00:02:08,107 Speaker 3: year brisonan run lucky against my boys Collingwood in the 38 00:02:08,107 --> 00:02:10,947 Speaker 3: Grand Final, missed by a kick and the Cydny's one's 39 00:02:10,987 --> 00:02:12,907 Speaker 3: been on top of all later basically all year and 40 00:02:12,907 --> 00:02:16,107 Speaker 3: have played their final series perfectly, so all set for 41 00:02:16,147 --> 00:02:16,667 Speaker 3: a big day. 42 00:02:16,827 --> 00:02:18,907 Speaker 2: Indeed, from what I can see, any of the bookies 43 00:02:18,947 --> 00:02:22,027 Speaker 2: have the Swan's slight favorites top after the twenty three 44 00:02:22,027 --> 00:02:25,027 Speaker 2: game regular season. As you say, how heavily favored would 45 00:02:25,067 --> 00:02:27,987 Speaker 2: they be to win the flag this afternoon, I look at. 46 00:02:27,867 --> 00:02:31,027 Speaker 3: Don't think it's they're heavily favored. As I said, look, 47 00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:33,187 Speaker 3: they had a hard hit at and we just got 48 00:02:33,227 --> 00:02:35,907 Speaker 3: up in the last second against Greater Western Sydney in 49 00:02:35,947 --> 00:02:38,547 Speaker 3: the first qualifying final. But it turns out that was 50 00:02:38,907 --> 00:02:41,387 Speaker 3: a great result for them in that good hit out, 51 00:02:41,587 --> 00:02:44,147 Speaker 3: had a week's break, then had a pretty easy puliminary 52 00:02:44,187 --> 00:02:46,867 Speaker 3: final win against Port Adelaide, which just tuned them up nicely. 53 00:02:47,307 --> 00:02:49,667 Speaker 3: Apart from that captain calm Mills who's missing with a 54 00:02:49,667 --> 00:02:52,547 Speaker 3: hamstring injury but has missed a lot of football this year. 55 00:02:52,707 --> 00:02:54,867 Speaker 3: They've pretty much got everybody in the side that they want. 56 00:02:54,907 --> 00:02:58,027 Speaker 3: They're playing well, they're confident, they're running on top of 57 00:02:58,027 --> 00:03:01,107 Speaker 3: the ground. Whereas Brisbane have had a horror year in 58 00:03:01,147 --> 00:03:04,227 Speaker 3: many ways. They started badly, they had a number of 59 00:03:04,307 --> 00:03:07,067 Speaker 3: massive injuries early in the year year they look like 60 00:03:07,107 --> 00:03:10,787 Speaker 3: they're completely done cooked and Chris Fagan has done a 61 00:03:10,827 --> 00:03:13,907 Speaker 3: miraculous job in getting together re calibrating their side, but 62 00:03:13,947 --> 00:03:16,107 Speaker 3: they've had to come from behind and they're two big 63 00:03:16,467 --> 00:03:21,107 Speaker 3: wins this final series, massive comebacks, so they either feel 64 00:03:21,107 --> 00:03:23,907 Speaker 3: like they're invincible and they can beat anyone, or they 65 00:03:23,987 --> 00:03:26,387 Speaker 3: might have played their race. So that's why Sidney, all 66 00:03:26,387 --> 00:03:28,307 Speaker 3: things being equal, going as favorite. 67 00:03:27,987 --> 00:03:30,307 Speaker 2: Just on the lines finishing fifth, so they'd become what 68 00:03:30,467 --> 00:03:32,667 Speaker 2: just the second team after the Western Bulldogs in twenty 69 00:03:32,667 --> 00:03:35,387 Speaker 2: sixteen to win the flag from outside the top four. 70 00:03:35,427 --> 00:03:37,827 Speaker 2: But I guess ade that basically been playing knockout footy 71 00:03:38,067 --> 00:03:40,387 Speaker 2: for the last three weeks. So will that have them 72 00:03:40,507 --> 00:03:41,907 Speaker 2: in part a bit match hardened? 73 00:03:42,547 --> 00:03:44,747 Speaker 3: Well, it depends which way you're to look at it, 74 00:03:44,827 --> 00:03:47,467 Speaker 3: isn't it. You know, it's either match hardened or they're 75 00:03:47,507 --> 00:03:52,027 Speaker 3: cooked one or the other. And they've got through relatively unscathed. 76 00:03:52,187 --> 00:03:54,427 Speaker 3: They said that they've lost a number of star players 77 00:03:54,427 --> 00:03:58,307 Speaker 3: to knee reconstructions and debilitating injuries earlier in the year, 78 00:03:58,387 --> 00:04:02,187 Speaker 3: but subsequently they've been a really good form and you know, 79 00:04:02,187 --> 00:04:04,507 Speaker 3: it's those things that they when they take the game 80 00:04:04,547 --> 00:04:07,267 Speaker 3: on and they run hard and they believe in themselves. 81 00:04:07,667 --> 00:04:12,147 Speaker 3: So yeah, you've got both teams going in naturally if 82 00:04:11,987 --> 00:04:14,427 Speaker 3: you get through the Grand Final. You're in pretty good form. 83 00:04:14,547 --> 00:04:17,347 Speaker 2: The Swan's humbled by Geelong in the twenty twenty two 84 00:04:17,427 --> 00:04:20,347 Speaker 2: final one thirty three fifty two. Goodness, mean, will those 85 00:04:20,347 --> 00:04:22,827 Speaker 2: scars still be relevant or will they instead be deeply 86 00:04:22,867 --> 00:04:24,027 Speaker 2: motivated to put that right? 87 00:04:24,667 --> 00:04:27,387 Speaker 3: I think it quite to be honest that they were 88 00:04:28,707 --> 00:04:31,827 Speaker 3: the team in the Grand Final was young and they 89 00:04:31,907 --> 00:04:34,307 Speaker 3: probably got to a Grand Final ahead of time. So 90 00:04:34,627 --> 00:04:37,587 Speaker 3: they've had their humiliation, They've had an extra couple of 91 00:04:37,667 --> 00:04:40,427 Speaker 3: years of pre season, they've built up and now all 92 00:04:40,467 --> 00:04:42,707 Speaker 3: those twenty two year olds are twenty four years of 93 00:04:42,747 --> 00:04:46,867 Speaker 3: age but one hundred and fifty games and their profile, 94 00:04:46,907 --> 00:04:50,107 Speaker 3: their demographic is perfect at the moment. So you know 95 00:04:50,147 --> 00:04:52,987 Speaker 3: whether it's a motivation or whether it's system growing and 96 00:04:53,027 --> 00:04:55,747 Speaker 3: realizing how much they had to do to get themselves 97 00:04:55,827 --> 00:04:59,067 Speaker 3: right to play premiership football. They've been able to do it. 98 00:04:59,147 --> 00:05:02,267 Speaker 3: So yeah, there is prepared as you could possibly get. 99 00:05:02,867 --> 00:05:06,347 Speaker 3: They're playing great football. They're run and carry, their kicking, 100 00:05:06,427 --> 00:05:09,867 Speaker 3: their skill, their aggression. Now they're a really good side 101 00:05:09,867 --> 00:05:11,707 Speaker 3: and finished on top of the ladder of the inn 102 00:05:11,707 --> 00:05:14,107 Speaker 3: of the Home and I series. You with good reason. 103 00:05:14,227 --> 00:05:17,187 Speaker 3: So it's these to lose to be perfect. Illness and 104 00:05:17,227 --> 00:05:19,067 Speaker 3: more we think about it, who are. 105 00:05:18,987 --> 00:05:21,227 Speaker 2: The most important players for each of these two sides. 106 00:05:21,227 --> 00:05:23,307 Speaker 2: Maybe the favorites for the Norm Smith Medal for beast 107 00:05:23,387 --> 00:05:24,187 Speaker 2: on Field. 108 00:05:24,627 --> 00:05:27,987 Speaker 3: Well, the Macannonie, the big ruckman, Dissile cutting his shower 109 00:05:28,067 --> 00:05:30,467 Speaker 3: for Brisbane. It opens the door for Brodie Grundy, who's 110 00:05:30,827 --> 00:05:32,907 Speaker 3: you know, one of my great friends. He played with 111 00:05:32,987 --> 00:05:35,587 Speaker 3: Collingwood and then he had this hiccup where he went 112 00:05:35,587 --> 00:05:38,267 Speaker 3: from being the All Australian ruckman two times best and 113 00:05:38,307 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 3: first of Collingwood. So after I'd left as president, he 114 00:05:41,667 --> 00:05:44,227 Speaker 3: was moved on and then he went to Melbourne and 115 00:05:44,307 --> 00:05:46,427 Speaker 3: it was going to be the big story of him 116 00:05:46,427 --> 00:05:48,267 Speaker 3: and Mexican were going to donate things and he got 117 00:05:48,307 --> 00:05:51,987 Speaker 3: moved on again and it was circumstances more than anything. 118 00:05:52,387 --> 00:05:56,587 Speaker 3: He's a wonderful, very highly intelligent, big ruckman who plays 119 00:05:56,627 --> 00:05:59,667 Speaker 3: really hard football. Anyway, he's had a great season at 120 00:05:59,667 --> 00:06:02,707 Speaker 3: the Sydney Swans, so he'll hit the mcg and know 121 00:06:02,867 --> 00:06:04,827 Speaker 3: all about it. He played in the losing Grand Final 122 00:06:04,867 --> 00:06:07,787 Speaker 3: side in twenty eight en for Collingwood and you know 123 00:06:07,867 --> 00:06:09,827 Speaker 3: he's at the peak of his power, so you know 124 00:06:09,827 --> 00:06:11,987 Speaker 3: it could be a Grundy production. As they say that 125 00:06:12,067 --> 00:06:14,547 Speaker 3: wins the Norm Smith Medal. But you know they've got 126 00:06:14,547 --> 00:06:17,187 Speaker 3: that great midfield. The Sydney Swans as well, and Isaac 127 00:06:17,267 --> 00:06:20,107 Speaker 3: Heeney has been just an enormous player all year, and 128 00:06:20,427 --> 00:06:22,627 Speaker 3: Warner and gold and Golding and all these sorts of 129 00:06:22,667 --> 00:06:26,027 Speaker 3: players are great. Similarly for the Brisbane Lions, if Joe 130 00:06:26,107 --> 00:06:28,587 Speaker 3: Danaher up forward, who you get good Joe and bad 131 00:06:28,627 --> 00:06:31,347 Speaker 3: Joe sometimes within five minutes in a game. But if 132 00:06:31,387 --> 00:06:34,027 Speaker 3: he can put it together and make the difference, you 133 00:06:34,027 --> 00:06:36,987 Speaker 3: know he'll be a huge component to the outcome of 134 00:06:36,987 --> 00:06:40,147 Speaker 3: the match. And Eric hit what's his sort of second 135 00:06:40,147 --> 00:06:42,947 Speaker 3: tier forward up there. And Harris Andrews the captain of 136 00:06:42,947 --> 00:06:46,507 Speaker 3: the side across halfback, who's a beautiful intercepting mark. So 137 00:06:46,867 --> 00:06:49,067 Speaker 3: you know they've got they've got winners all through the place. 138 00:06:49,227 --> 00:06:52,187 Speaker 3: The midfield generally sets the tone in the Grand Final, 139 00:06:52,227 --> 00:06:54,667 Speaker 3: but of a big forward or a big ruckman can dominate, 140 00:06:54,747 --> 00:06:56,307 Speaker 3: it goes a long way to winning the premiership. 141 00:06:56,387 --> 00:06:58,467 Speaker 2: All right, Just before I get your top for our 142 00:06:58,507 --> 00:07:00,307 Speaker 2: listeners here in New Zealand, Diddy, can you just put 143 00:07:00,347 --> 00:07:03,147 Speaker 2: into context for us how big a sporting day this 144 00:07:03,387 --> 00:07:04,427 Speaker 2: is in Australia. 145 00:07:05,187 --> 00:07:07,067 Speaker 3: Well, when you look at it on a World's card. 146 00:07:07,187 --> 00:07:11,587 Speaker 3: It's one hundred thousand, and if mcg held three hundred thousand, 147 00:07:11,627 --> 00:07:14,147 Speaker 3: they would have sold every ticket as well. So it's massive. 148 00:07:14,187 --> 00:07:17,707 Speaker 3: Three hundred thousand. Literally people line the parade route. It's 149 00:07:17,747 --> 00:07:20,387 Speaker 3: the biggest television event in the country. I've just left 150 00:07:20,427 --> 00:07:23,787 Speaker 3: another once here today with twelve hundred people at the Crown. 151 00:07:24,507 --> 00:07:26,947 Speaker 3: I hosted the show last night in the telethon which 152 00:07:26,987 --> 00:07:29,747 Speaker 3: raised five and a half million dollars around the football. 153 00:07:30,467 --> 00:07:33,787 Speaker 3: You know, the opposition, Channel seven had their TV show 154 00:07:33,787 --> 00:07:35,427 Speaker 3: on the night before. We had another show the night 155 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:38,307 Speaker 3: before that, we had another show, and so it's just dominating. 156 00:07:38,467 --> 00:07:41,067 Speaker 3: So and we don't have the rights. They meagine all 157 00:07:41,067 --> 00:07:43,467 Speaker 3: would happen if we had the rights, but no, it's 158 00:07:43,747 --> 00:07:46,107 Speaker 3: all consuming, it is. And I got to the Super 159 00:07:46,147 --> 00:07:49,027 Speaker 3: Bowl every year. You know the key weason know what 160 00:07:49,107 --> 00:07:50,707 Speaker 3: it's like when the All Blacks are playing and it's 161 00:07:50,747 --> 00:07:53,267 Speaker 3: a big game or platters like cup or a World 162 00:07:53,267 --> 00:07:55,627 Speaker 3: Cup in these days, that's what it's like, and it's 163 00:07:56,147 --> 00:07:59,387 Speaker 3: it's just enormous. Katie Perry's singing before the game, so 164 00:07:59,427 --> 00:08:02,107 Speaker 3: I think she's getting paid five million dollars and soon 165 00:08:02,227 --> 00:08:05,867 Speaker 3: million bucks. So bad is it? She actually getting paid 166 00:08:05,867 --> 00:08:09,587 Speaker 3: more than a play. But it's going to be it's 167 00:08:09,627 --> 00:08:11,987 Speaker 3: going to be a huge game. And because they're from 168 00:08:12,547 --> 00:08:14,867 Speaker 3: the Queensland and New South Wales, the whole of Victoria, 169 00:08:14,907 --> 00:08:18,187 Speaker 3: South astral and West Australian, Tasmania Northern Territory watching, so 170 00:08:18,267 --> 00:08:20,787 Speaker 3: now the other two popular states in Australia will be 171 00:08:20,987 --> 00:08:23,627 Speaker 3: all over it. So it'll probably be the highest running 172 00:08:23,627 --> 00:08:24,947 Speaker 3: Grand Final in history. 173 00:08:25,267 --> 00:08:27,387 Speaker 2: Okay, who's your pick and by what sort of margin? 174 00:08:27,907 --> 00:08:30,067 Speaker 3: Well, I'll say Sydney for all the reasons I gave 175 00:08:30,107 --> 00:08:33,267 Speaker 3: you before. I'd really like to see Brisbane window. Their 176 00:08:33,307 --> 00:08:37,027 Speaker 3: coach Chris Fagan is a wonderful man and he is 177 00:08:37,147 --> 00:08:40,387 Speaker 3: just absolutely sensational and he's had a lot of things, 178 00:08:40,387 --> 00:08:43,347 Speaker 3: a lot of pressure on him this year and he 179 00:08:43,467 --> 00:08:46,107 Speaker 3: deserves He deserves it more than anyone. His eldest coach 180 00:08:46,147 --> 00:08:48,267 Speaker 3: and in a I think he's one of the oldest 181 00:08:48,267 --> 00:08:50,307 Speaker 3: coaches to get to a Grand Final and he's a 182 00:08:50,307 --> 00:08:52,147 Speaker 3: wonderful person. I'd love him to whenever I think the 183 00:08:52,187 --> 00:08:54,067 Speaker 3: Sydney's ones might just have too much. 184 00:08:54,227 --> 00:08:56,267 Speaker 2: Hidi, thanks so much for leading us your expertise. That's 185 00:08:56,307 --> 00:08:57,667 Speaker 2: been a great pleasure to jet to you. Thanks for 186 00:08:57,667 --> 00:09:01,227 Speaker 2: taking the time made by well, that is Idy Maguire 187 00:09:01,307 --> 00:09:05,827 Speaker 2: of course, unmistakable voice across so many different platforms as 188 00:09:05,827 --> 00:09:08,347 Speaker 2: far as I have concerned. Who wants to be a millionaire? 189 00:09:08,387 --> 00:09:12,747 Speaker 2: Of course he was formerly president of Collingwood, Head of 190 00:09:12,787 --> 00:09:15,947 Speaker 2: Collingwood for a while. They're not in it obviously, as 191 00:09:15,947 --> 00:09:19,907 Speaker 2: you heard Eddie mentioned, it's the the Sydney Swans and 192 00:09:19,947 --> 00:09:22,867 Speaker 2: the Brisbane Lines, both of who of course used to 193 00:09:22,867 --> 00:09:27,707 Speaker 2: be based in Victoria. The Swans were formerly South Melbourne 194 00:09:27,827 --> 00:09:31,067 Speaker 2: and the Brisbane Lines ill throwback to the Fitzroy Lions. 195 00:09:31,107 --> 00:09:34,627 Speaker 2: So I guess effectively it's something of a home game 196 00:09:35,027 --> 00:09:37,267 Speaker 2: for the older fans of these two teams. It just 197 00:09:37,267 --> 00:09:40,027 Speaker 2: seems so odded to us, doesn't it, relocation of teams 198 00:09:40,827 --> 00:09:44,627 Speaker 2: to different states. But yeah, no Victorian side in the 199 00:09:44,627 --> 00:09:46,867 Speaker 2: Grand Final, but that one stop at being an absolute 200 00:09:46,907 --> 00:09:51,147 Speaker 2: sellout as Eddi mentioned, and the ratings on television are 201 00:09:51,147 --> 00:09:53,907 Speaker 2: set to be absolutely huge when the Grand Final gets 202 00:09:53,947 --> 00:09:57,547 Speaker 2: underway in just over two hours. Actually, Sidney Swan's Brisbane 203 00:09:57,587 --> 00:10:01,067 Speaker 2: Lines latest tab odds. I've seen Swan's won seventy five, 204 00:10:01,467 --> 00:10:05,587 Speaker 2: Brisbane Lines two dollars ten, So that's the thinking, and 205 00:10:05,587 --> 00:10:07,387 Speaker 2: I've looked around some of the bookies as well around 206 00:10:07,427 --> 00:10:11,307 Speaker 2: the Australian betting scene and it's pretty much the same 207 00:10:11,347 --> 00:10:13,667 Speaker 2: as you will probably speak. So the Swan's the best 208 00:10:13,667 --> 00:10:16,227 Speaker 2: team right throughout the season and the regular season. The 209 00:10:16,227 --> 00:10:19,987 Speaker 2: Brisbane Lions finished fifth but have made their way all 210 00:10:20,027 --> 00:10:24,107 Speaker 2: the way through to the Grand Final and maywell way 211 00:10:24,147 --> 00:10:26,467 Speaker 2: well win the whole thing. Who Knows four point thirty 212 00:10:26,507 --> 00:10:30,107 Speaker 2: this afternoon two thirty in Victoria. 213 00:10:31,067 --> 00:10:34,227 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 214 00:10:34,347 --> 00:10:37,747 Speaker 1: to News Talks b weekends from midday or follow the 215 00:10:37,787 --> 00:10:39,267 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.