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 News Talks, EDB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:18,267 Speaker 2: Finald Play Tendrith, Take It In and the Penrith Panthers 4 00:00:19,307 --> 00:00:22,707 Speaker 2: cap chu to Auckland and have troven why they are 5 00:00:22,747 --> 00:00:28,507 Speaker 2: the back to back to back to back champions. They 6 00:00:28,587 --> 00:00:32,467 Speaker 2: have won the elimination final, they have beaten the Warriors. 7 00:00:32,507 --> 00:00:35,707 Speaker 2: Hair in Auckland twenty four points to. 8 00:00:35,747 --> 00:00:38,307 Speaker 3: Wait as the Warriors beaten by the Penrith Panthers in 9 00:00:38,347 --> 00:00:40,867 Speaker 3: the first round of the NRL Finals at go Media 10 00:00:40,907 --> 00:00:44,187 Speaker 3: Stadium last night. They trailed just six two at halftime. 11 00:00:44,627 --> 00:00:46,667 Speaker 3: Leka Halasima gave them hope with a try on the 12 00:00:46,667 --> 00:00:49,347 Speaker 3: second half to bring it back to twelve eight before 13 00:00:49,427 --> 00:00:52,467 Speaker 3: two late tries to the Panthers sealed the win and 14 00:00:52,587 --> 00:00:55,187 Speaker 3: sent them through to the next round of the finals. 15 00:00:55,387 --> 00:00:59,427 Speaker 3: For the Warriors, it is season over. Warriors assistant coach 16 00:00:59,547 --> 00:01:02,387 Speaker 3: Slade Griffin is with a slade twenty four to eight 17 00:01:02,947 --> 00:01:06,027 Speaker 3: doesn't actually feel like it reflects the game that well, 18 00:01:06,507 --> 00:01:07,267 Speaker 3: how it feels to you. 19 00:01:08,587 --> 00:01:13,027 Speaker 4: Yeah, look, we felt like, you know, we're in the 20 00:01:13,147 --> 00:01:15,027 Speaker 4: arm wrestle with them. We felt we were doing a 21 00:01:15,107 --> 00:01:18,867 Speaker 4: really good job and then obviously when you're chasing the 22 00:01:18,867 --> 00:01:20,507 Speaker 4: game a little bit late. We had that drop ball 23 00:01:20,587 --> 00:01:22,827 Speaker 4: for a try and they had that bounce to the ball, 24 00:01:22,827 --> 00:01:25,027 Speaker 4: which we still we know there's things we can do better, 25 00:01:25,707 --> 00:01:27,227 Speaker 4: but at that point in the game, it was a 26 00:01:27,227 --> 00:01:29,547 Speaker 4: big moment because it was probably our best defensive set 27 00:01:29,587 --> 00:01:32,787 Speaker 4: of the night, and you know, it was just tough 28 00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:35,827 Speaker 4: conditions with the wind. The ball probably didn't go as 29 00:01:35,827 --> 00:01:38,547 Speaker 4: far as as some guys are anticipating. They got the balance, 30 00:01:38,627 --> 00:01:42,267 Speaker 4: and to their credit, they icd their moment. So yeah, 31 00:01:42,307 --> 00:01:46,187 Speaker 4: it's frustrating. I mean, you know, probably if you come 32 00:01:46,187 --> 00:01:48,547 Speaker 4: off with the field knowing you couldn't keep up with them, 33 00:01:48,627 --> 00:01:51,947 Speaker 4: you'd be a bit more disappointed. But no one that 34 00:01:51,987 --> 00:01:53,947 Speaker 4: we can un wrestle for a team like Penrith, like 35 00:01:53,987 --> 00:01:56,227 Speaker 4: a lot of teams can't. So you know, we fit 36 00:01:56,347 --> 00:01:58,187 Speaker 4: enough and we could handle their power game. 37 00:01:58,947 --> 00:02:02,227 Speaker 5: But it was just moments and that's exactly it. 38 00:02:02,307 --> 00:02:04,667 Speaker 3: And the moment that you've alluded to there the sixty 39 00:02:04,707 --> 00:02:06,707 Speaker 3: fifth minute, twelve eight to them, you kicked the corner. 40 00:02:06,747 --> 00:02:09,147 Speaker 3: Paul Animalty has a freak player to keep it in. 41 00:02:09,587 --> 00:02:12,147 Speaker 3: You pin them down that end. Nathan Clary kicks from 42 00:02:12,147 --> 00:02:14,667 Speaker 3: his own twenty. It's a freakish bounce, they pick it 43 00:02:14,747 --> 00:02:15,667 Speaker 3: up for a forward pass. 44 00:02:15,667 --> 00:02:18,027 Speaker 5: Score one. It's eighteen eight. Is that the turning point? 45 00:02:19,067 --> 00:02:21,587 Speaker 4: Oh? Yeah, Like the in the context of the game 46 00:02:21,707 --> 00:02:24,107 Speaker 4: is a big playing. Look. They come up some huge players, 47 00:02:24,107 --> 00:02:26,747 Speaker 4: like Clary's kicking game. He got a lot of repeats it. 48 00:02:26,947 --> 00:02:29,067 Speaker 4: Dylan Edwards keep the ball in on a forty twenty 49 00:02:29,067 --> 00:02:33,267 Speaker 4: a tent he gets out of his n goal. Yeah, 50 00:02:33,347 --> 00:02:36,267 Speaker 4: the crowd was really getting behind us at that period though. 51 00:02:36,267 --> 00:02:38,267 Speaker 4: It was like the roof would have come off the place. 52 00:02:38,307 --> 00:02:40,507 Speaker 4: It was just, you know, the bummer. We didn't get 53 00:02:40,507 --> 00:02:43,907 Speaker 4: that ball back because yeah, I just like the crowd 54 00:02:43,947 --> 00:02:45,667 Speaker 4: would give us that ford X man on the field 55 00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:46,187 Speaker 4: at that point. 56 00:02:46,507 --> 00:02:48,627 Speaker 5: I know it doesn't matter now, but that passes forward? 57 00:02:48,987 --> 00:02:49,747 Speaker 5: How gutting is that? 58 00:02:51,067 --> 00:02:54,107 Speaker 4: Ah? Yeah, look, I know it's hard on the rests, 59 00:02:54,387 --> 00:02:57,227 Speaker 4: like we'd our position kind of feels like we've got 60 00:02:57,267 --> 00:02:59,467 Speaker 4: a couple of in ones. But they could probably say 61 00:02:59,467 --> 00:03:02,427 Speaker 4: the same. It's just, yeah, it's a tough one. 62 00:03:02,947 --> 00:03:03,587 Speaker 5: Why don't you reckon? 63 00:03:03,627 --> 00:03:06,307 Speaker 3: You could capitalize on your first half showing with more points, 64 00:03:10,147 --> 00:03:10,707 Speaker 3: like we got it. 65 00:03:10,707 --> 00:03:13,667 Speaker 4: We got a lot of chunk early. We are fish, 66 00:03:13,787 --> 00:03:16,747 Speaker 4: so they didn't have much fatigue into them, so they 67 00:03:16,787 --> 00:03:19,747 Speaker 4: turned up at that period as well. It was raining, 68 00:03:19,787 --> 00:03:21,587 Speaker 4: so it was probably a bit harder to come away with, 69 00:03:21,867 --> 00:03:24,067 Speaker 4: you know, some really clean catch pass and we're still 70 00:03:24,067 --> 00:03:27,867 Speaker 4: building the game. But yeah, like they're a really good 71 00:03:27,907 --> 00:03:31,547 Speaker 4: defensive team, especially down on their try line, So it 72 00:03:31,627 --> 00:03:33,707 Speaker 4: probably was going to be a really low scoring game. 73 00:03:33,787 --> 00:03:35,467 Speaker 4: Like two tries might have been enough to win it. 74 00:03:35,467 --> 00:03:38,187 Speaker 4: Two or three tries and unfortunately, like you said, we 75 00:03:38,267 --> 00:03:40,707 Speaker 4: let the score blow out because we had you know, 76 00:03:40,747 --> 00:03:44,587 Speaker 4: two tries against the runner play. But and those conditions, 77 00:03:44,587 --> 00:03:46,507 Speaker 4: there's probably always going to be a low scoring game. 78 00:03:47,027 --> 00:03:50,867 Speaker 3: Andrew Whipster talked afterwards about the missing piece. It's probably 79 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:53,067 Speaker 3: a little bit loosive and hard to define that will 80 00:03:53,107 --> 00:03:54,187 Speaker 3: take it to the next level. 81 00:03:54,907 --> 00:03:56,347 Speaker 5: What do you reckon that that piece? 82 00:03:56,667 --> 00:03:56,787 Speaker 3: Is? 83 00:03:58,587 --> 00:04:03,587 Speaker 4: It just probably consistency or just detail. Some games of 84 00:04:03,707 --> 00:04:07,227 Speaker 4: just miss like whether it's execution and attack or just 85 00:04:07,227 --> 00:04:10,547 Speaker 4: just nailing our role and getting the detail right. Sometimes 86 00:04:10,907 --> 00:04:14,987 Speaker 4: those real small things create the moments we're talking about. 87 00:04:15,347 --> 00:04:17,387 Speaker 4: Like I said, even on that kick, they got the balance, 88 00:04:17,467 --> 00:04:20,267 Speaker 4: but we still know that if we've got guys who's 89 00:04:20,267 --> 00:04:21,987 Speaker 4: moving towards the ball, or we make a tackle here 90 00:04:22,027 --> 00:04:24,707 Speaker 4: or there, we can still stop it. So there's always 91 00:04:24,707 --> 00:04:27,027 Speaker 4: little things that you can control. So yeah, we're just 92 00:04:27,107 --> 00:04:29,867 Speaker 4: we're really hunting that part because we feel like the 93 00:04:29,907 --> 00:04:32,507 Speaker 4: boys have played with for a lot of effort, and 94 00:04:32,547 --> 00:04:35,627 Speaker 4: they've played tough for each other, and they trained really 95 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:38,427 Speaker 4: hard all year, had a really tough preseason, which a 96 00:04:38,467 --> 00:04:40,747 Speaker 4: lot of people don't see, and that's why, you know, 97 00:04:41,347 --> 00:04:43,467 Speaker 4: we felt we built a game that could hold up 98 00:04:43,467 --> 00:04:46,507 Speaker 4: in finals games, like we could arm wrestle with a 99 00:04:46,547 --> 00:04:50,667 Speaker 4: team at Penriff. And yeah, unfortunately, just those little details 100 00:04:51,387 --> 00:04:52,747 Speaker 4: turn into big moments. 101 00:04:53,227 --> 00:04:56,427 Speaker 3: Lecqua Helosima into the centers last night are late change 102 00:04:56,467 --> 00:04:58,667 Speaker 3: there with Kirk Capall going back to the second row, 103 00:04:59,027 --> 00:05:01,387 Speaker 3: another try for Leka. I think that has some as 104 00:05:01,427 --> 00:05:05,067 Speaker 3: your leading triscorer of the season. He goes, all right, 105 00:05:05,107 --> 00:05:06,027 Speaker 3: doesn't he lack a hello? 106 00:05:06,067 --> 00:05:06,307 Speaker 5: Sema? 107 00:05:07,507 --> 00:05:13,627 Speaker 4: Wow, Yeah that's that's well, Yeah, who knows that center? 108 00:05:14,667 --> 00:05:16,627 Speaker 4: Is that not awesome? Here? I think he's played nearly 109 00:05:16,627 --> 00:05:20,667 Speaker 4: every game for how far he's come within the year 110 00:05:21,147 --> 00:05:23,787 Speaker 4: and he's still only nineteen, Like, yeah, it's really exciting. 111 00:05:23,827 --> 00:05:27,187 Speaker 4: Another good preseason to build on what he's done already 112 00:05:27,187 --> 00:05:28,507 Speaker 4: this year is really exciting. 113 00:05:29,307 --> 00:05:31,987 Speaker 3: You lost Adam Vanua, Blake Tahu how As, Shan Johnson 114 00:05:31,987 --> 00:05:34,507 Speaker 3: and Dylan Walker from last season, then Mitch Barnett and 115 00:05:34,587 --> 00:05:37,627 Speaker 3: Luke Metcalf. At the midway point of this season, many 116 00:05:37,667 --> 00:05:40,707 Speaker 3: people thought you'd missed the eight and yet you hosted 117 00:05:40,707 --> 00:05:44,067 Speaker 3: a finals match. Can you take some degree of satisfaction 118 00:05:44,227 --> 00:05:44,547 Speaker 3: from that? 119 00:05:45,747 --> 00:05:50,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, oh, look, it was probably early on, like that 120 00:05:50,187 --> 00:05:52,987 Speaker 4: Vegas game. We probably you know, we're a huge team, 121 00:05:53,027 --> 00:05:55,827 Speaker 4: and we had a good lesson over there with the 122 00:05:55,907 --> 00:06:00,187 Speaker 4: new guys coming in after you take year seven and yeah, 123 00:06:00,307 --> 00:06:02,187 Speaker 4: your captain out, any team, I think it will take 124 00:06:02,187 --> 00:06:04,667 Speaker 4: the little older to get going and build those combinations again, 125 00:06:04,707 --> 00:06:07,227 Speaker 4: because you dismiss all those reps that the Harves get 126 00:06:07,227 --> 00:06:10,827 Speaker 4: in the preseason. In the combination they build just know 127 00:06:10,907 --> 00:06:13,907 Speaker 4: one kind of what each other's thinking. But there's never 128 00:06:13,947 --> 00:06:16,787 Speaker 4: an excuse for us that we feel Tanner did a 129 00:06:16,787 --> 00:06:23,107 Speaker 4: really good job and all season, like him and Tom 130 00:06:23,427 --> 00:06:25,707 Speaker 4: from the other team given us really good practice. So 131 00:06:26,027 --> 00:06:29,187 Speaker 4: it's been great competition in that spot, and we've just 132 00:06:29,227 --> 00:06:32,387 Speaker 4: always had that next man up mentality. But yeah, obviously 133 00:06:32,427 --> 00:06:35,907 Speaker 4: Mitch Barnett's leadership and just his aggression through the middle, 134 00:06:36,027 --> 00:06:38,307 Speaker 4: what he kind of does for the other younger Fords 135 00:06:38,787 --> 00:06:39,947 Speaker 4: is always hard to replace. 136 00:06:40,267 --> 00:06:42,187 Speaker 3: All right, So Penrith go on to play the Bulldogs 137 00:06:42,187 --> 00:06:44,747 Speaker 3: next week now in an elimination semi final. This isn't 138 00:06:45,027 --> 00:06:46,947 Speaker 3: something they're used to having to come from so far 139 00:06:46,987 --> 00:06:49,147 Speaker 3: down the table, but you reckon they could win it 140 00:06:49,187 --> 00:06:50,587 Speaker 3: from seventh place again. 141 00:06:51,987 --> 00:06:55,587 Speaker 4: Yeah, why not. I've done it four times. Our big 142 00:06:55,627 --> 00:07:00,907 Speaker 4: game players, origin players. I know they love a challenge, 143 00:07:00,947 --> 00:07:04,667 Speaker 4: so they've already framed it that way never before, so 144 00:07:05,187 --> 00:07:09,387 Speaker 4: that's a trademark I think. Look, yeah, obviously Cleary Edwards 145 00:07:09,427 --> 00:07:11,907 Speaker 4: like they just got such a potent team who were 146 00:07:11,947 --> 00:07:14,747 Speaker 4: ready for the moment. So I think it's gonna be 147 00:07:14,747 --> 00:07:17,107 Speaker 4: a really good game between them and the Bulldogs. That'd 148 00:07:17,107 --> 00:07:21,147 Speaker 4: be great. Top eight, I think it's Yeah, every teams 149 00:07:21,667 --> 00:07:22,747 Speaker 4: got their number in the head. 150 00:07:23,307 --> 00:07:23,587 Speaker 5: Slade. 151 00:07:23,627 --> 00:07:26,547 Speaker 3: Appreciate your accessibility and honesty across the season. It's been 152 00:07:26,667 --> 00:07:28,787 Speaker 3: great to get the chance to regularly chat with you 153 00:07:28,827 --> 00:07:29,347 Speaker 3: on the radio. 154 00:07:29,387 --> 00:07:30,947 Speaker 5: Mate. Enjoy the offseason. 155 00:07:30,947 --> 00:07:33,587 Speaker 3: If that's the writer, write phrase useless for fuel for 156 00:07:33,587 --> 00:07:35,907 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six and look forward to catching up again 157 00:07:35,947 --> 00:07:36,947 Speaker 3: in the new year. 158 00:07:37,907 --> 00:07:39,627 Speaker 4: Yeah. No, I thanks to the support all Yeah, it's 159 00:07:39,627 --> 00:07:40,107 Speaker 4: been awesome. 160 00:07:40,227 --> 00:07:41,987 Speaker 3: No, thank you for joining US slate Slake Griffin there, 161 00:07:41,987 --> 00:07:46,067 Speaker 3: assistant coach of the Warriors or one of the assistant coaches. 162 00:07:46,707 --> 00:07:50,267 Speaker 3: They can now start thinking about next season. Week one 163 00:07:50,307 --> 00:07:51,787 Speaker 3: of the finals is as far as the I'll go 164 00:07:51,867 --> 00:07:55,307 Speaker 3: twenty four to eight, the margin of defeat last night 165 00:07:55,307 --> 00:07:56,347 Speaker 3: to the Penrith Panthers. 166 00:07:56,747 --> 00:07:59,947 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 167 00:08:00,067 --> 00:08:03,467 Speaker 1: to News Talk Z'B weekends from midday or follow the 168 00:08:03,467 --> 00:08:04,947 Speaker 1: podcast on Iheard Radio.