1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:01,800 Speaker 1: So here we go. The Warriors are beck this is 2 00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:04,440 Speaker 1: our year twenty twenty six. Styles Tomorrow the opener against 3 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:07,600 Speaker 1: the Roosters, Lup Metcalf, tomorraw Martin still out, Mitch Barnett 4 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: is there, but of course going Coach Andrew Webster's back 5 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:11,960 Speaker 1: with this morning. 6 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:12,400 Speaker 2: Morning to you. 7 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:16,440 Speaker 1: Andrew. You enter the season with what level of optimism. 8 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 2: Twenty I'm laughing because identally like every year, I've got optimism. 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 2: I'm an optimistic person, and yeah, I'm excited. If we 10 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:32,480 Speaker 2: improve on last year and we stay healthy, I think 11 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 2: we can definitely improve in the competition. 12 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: Let's stay healthy thing? I mean, is there anything a coach, 13 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 1: any organization can do about things that you just can't 14 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 1: see happening or coming? 15 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 2: Well, Like, a lot of clubs put a lot of 16 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 2: time and effort and resources into preventing injuries, and we 17 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 2: do that. We're very good at it. Also a lot 18 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 2: of time in once the player returns, putting a lot 19 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:02,000 Speaker 2: of effort in that doesn't reoccur the same injury, particularly 20 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 2: around soft tissue. But broken barones, acls, big ones like that. 21 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 2: The only thing you could stop them from her themselves 22 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 2: is put them in the garage and don't let them out. 23 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 2: But the big thing you can do to have a 24 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:21,520 Speaker 2: successful years have real depth in your squad, which in 25 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:23,279 Speaker 2: certain positions. I certainly think we've. 26 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 1: Got the preseason and what we've seen, what have you 27 00:01:25,680 --> 00:01:26,960 Speaker 1: got out of it? And no, are you happy? 28 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:32,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, we're fit and well. I think every year probably 29 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 2: said that, but the boys took it upon themselves this year. 30 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 2: They definitely came came back from their breaks fitter. We 31 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 2: obviously send them away. They have strong player union represent representation, 32 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 2: so they get good time off, but they came back 33 00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 2: in a real professional standard and they're fit and ready 34 00:01:55,920 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 2: to go, so that's that's good. I'm definitely I'm definitely happy. 35 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 2: The thing I compare it to previous pre seasons and 36 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 2: I think it's certainly one of the better ones. We're not. 37 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 2: The thing I'd say is we're not completely healthy is 38 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:13,080 Speaker 2: in we've got some players to return early rounds, but 39 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:19,640 Speaker 2: we pride ourselves on next man up and yeah, I'm 40 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 2: completely comfortable where we are. But until you get punished 41 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 2: in the face round one, which we experienced last year 42 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:27,239 Speaker 2: in Vegas, you kind of don't know where you're at. 43 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 1: And what do you make of the draw I mean 44 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 1: does the draw matter. It is what it is. 45 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,679 Speaker 2: I think there's I think there's different things that can 46 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 2: event be an advantage, but it is what it is. 47 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 2: Like I don't put time or energy wasting. I don't 48 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 2: get an opportunity to control it myself as the head coach. 49 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:47,640 Speaker 2: So we go on the road in New Zealand twice, 50 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 2: which is awesome, go to Wellington and christ Church which 51 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 2: we'd expand our network outside of Auckland, which is awesome. 52 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 2: I haven't gotten in too much detail. If you looked 53 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:02,119 Speaker 2: at last he's a top eight team. How often we play. 54 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:04,959 Speaker 2: I just worry about the first block of games and 55 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:09,359 Speaker 2: it's a tough run. But if we want to be successful, 56 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 2: going to have to beat those teams. 57 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,360 Speaker 1: Those that you've signed off season, they settled, they look good, 58 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 1: you feel good about them. 59 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, they're all definitely, there are all different stages of 60 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 2: their career. Hates Meloge is a young guy who's you know, 61 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 2: on his way up. He's got a basketball background, he's 62 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 2: learning the game. He's come to us really professional state. 63 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 2: He hasn't debut yet, but he's progressing well. Morgan gann 64 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 2: and he's come from the UK. He's played a lot 65 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 2: of football for a young guy, but he obviously hasn't 66 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 2: played in the NRL, and I think he's done a 67 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 2: really good job to get close to a Round one 68 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 2: and to see where he's at. And we'll know that 69 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 2: in the next sort of a week or so, So 70 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 2: Ye're really happy there. And Lofty Camperera like he's he's 71 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 2: done any exceptional job to fit in as a person. 72 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 2: He shows his how athletic and how fast he is, 73 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 2: So yeah, they've all done a good job at different 74 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 2: stages of the development. I mean, Loft's played a lot 75 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 2: of first grade so Roger, him and Dallan are finding 76 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 2: it out for Round one right now. 77 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 1: Mitch Bunnett, did that for you? Come out of nowhere 78 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 1: or not? 79 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 2: I felt like, but Mitch and I have opened dialogue 80 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 2: all the time. We have a really good relationship. Obviously 81 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 2: he's the captain. We've been through a fair journey together 82 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 2: since twenty twenty three, and he could tell that he 83 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:39,440 Speaker 2: was obviously going through a lot, and it didn't shock 84 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 2: me in the end because I felt like he was 85 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 2: just over time. Him and I were discussing it and 86 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 2: was what needed to happen for him and his family, 87 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 2: and we supported that, so it wasn't like a shock 88 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 2: thing in the last week that this is what's going 89 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 2: to happen. I hoped for big periods of time that 90 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 2: he could he could stay, but in the end, I knew, 91 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:05,720 Speaker 2: I knew that it definitely needed to happen, and I 92 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 2: supported it. 93 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: And you've got no doubt in your mind that a 94 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 1: guy who's leaving is still good for the season. 95 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 2: Mentally, not every person, but with Mitch Barnett, I've got 96 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:20,279 Speaker 2: no doubt. He's our captain. He plays origin. He cares 97 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:23,680 Speaker 2: so much about this place to the point where I 98 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 2: think the decision was so hard for him. If he 99 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 2: didn't care, he would have come to it that decision easily. 100 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 2: And I think people are going to have to trust 101 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,479 Speaker 2: myself that I've been a part of this conversation for 102 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 2: a while with him, and I just know much how 103 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 2: much he cares. So if anything, I think it could 104 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:43,599 Speaker 2: galvanize us for this season. And I think, if you know, 105 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 2: Mitch's the guy that wants to repay people, He really 106 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:51,719 Speaker 2: cares about people showing him loyalty. So I think the 107 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 2: way he will repay that this year and is the 108 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 2: way he plays on the field. 109 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: Listen, just broader questions on league. I'm reading a lot 110 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: at the moment about Landy's and the broadcasting deal that 111 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,280 Speaker 1: may or may not happen soon Vegas, all that sort 112 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:06,920 Speaker 1: of stuff. Rugby league seems to be as hot as 113 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 1: it gets. I mean, is that how it feels to you? 114 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 2: It is, mate, it really is. Like honestly, it's in 115 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 2: the in the twilight of its of its time that 116 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,479 Speaker 2: I can remember, probably the laid eighties of your team, 117 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,360 Speaker 2: the Turner and things like that. I've been moments when 118 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 2: the Warriors came in that was a cool time for 119 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 2: rugby league. But honestly, as a as a game across 120 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:34,599 Speaker 2: both countries Australia and New Zealand, it couldn't be going better. 121 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 2: And the NRL is so huge, I mean, they've put 122 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 2: a lot of time into the product, like around ball 123 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 2: and play, what does the what does the fan get 124 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 2: in the grand stand? What does the fan get home? 125 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 2: At television level? And they're done an amazing job, honestly, 126 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 2: the players, the NRL, it's a great product and it's 127 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 2: it's absolutely flying at the moment. 128 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 1: And also more broadly speaking, yeah, the g and Carlos 129 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 1: thing that the Phoenix the other day. When you look 130 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 1: at a thing like that, how much is on the 131 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: coach at. 132 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 2: The end of the day, where it's our job to 133 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 2: be responsible for the outcome. Now, I think a lot 134 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 2: of fans can say, I can say, well, you're not 135 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 2: out there playing, and you know it's not up to a 136 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 2: year ago out there. The players have got to take 137 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 2: responsibility at some stage, and I definitely agree with that, 138 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 2: But it's our job to get the best out of it, 139 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 2: and the buck stops of us and then the day 140 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 2: and that's why they hire and fire coaches because it's 141 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 2: hard to replace the whole team. Now, I think in 142 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:45,080 Speaker 2: every situation, it's obviously should be measured in its own right. 143 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 2: Is it the right roster? Did that coach inherit that 144 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 2: you know? I mean, is he trying to change things? 145 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 2: Often this pain before success. So I think you've got 146 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 2: to look at it at an individual basis. And I 147 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 2: don't know enough about the A League if I'm being 148 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 2: brought honest, and I don't know enough about that situation 149 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 2: that you mentioned. I just know the scoreline. But he 150 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 2: obviously felt like someone else neanted to take him in 151 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 2: addition direction, and that's fair, so. 152 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:14,640 Speaker 1: Stop me if I'm getting a hit of myself of 153 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 1: the season. Are you ready? Top eight, top four, final two. 154 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 2: Well, we're shooting for all of it, or shooting for 155 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 2: the highest point we can. When I talk about it 156 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 2: on a weekly basis, our goal every years to win 157 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 2: the camp. Is it easy though, Like we don't think 158 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:35,719 Speaker 2: it is. We're not taking that for granted. But you've 159 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 2: got to believe in yourselves. If it wasn't realistic, I'd 160 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 2: be very disappointed. You asked me what I thought of 161 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 2: the way where we are and then my optimistic about 162 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 2: the season. Yeah, I am. We've got a great bunch 163 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 2: of guys, like I, got a lot of beliefs in them, 164 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 2: got a great staff. It's a great club. But we're 165 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 2: really going to have to improve and I think we 166 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:57,680 Speaker 2: can good stuff. 167 00:08:57,760 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: All right, mate, Go well, we'll catch up during the season. 168 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 1: Andrew who Webster, coach of the Warriors, And yes, indeed 169 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: we believe that this. For more from the Mic Asking Breakfast, 170 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 1: listen live to news Talks at b from six am weekdays, 171 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.