1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,587 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:12,067 Speaker 1: from News Talk z'b. 3 00:00:12,947 --> 00:00:15,107 Speaker 2: Warriors back at home to face the Broncos at Mount 4 00:00:15,107 --> 00:00:18,307 Speaker 2: Smart this afternoon from five and what is shaping as 5 00:00:18,387 --> 00:00:21,587 Speaker 2: a key test of their ability to bounce back from 6 00:00:21,627 --> 00:00:24,347 Speaker 2: a defeat of that nature. Great pleasure to welcome into 7 00:00:24,387 --> 00:00:27,747 Speaker 2: Weekend Sport. NRL commentator out of Fox Sports Matt Russell, 8 00:00:27,947 --> 00:00:30,707 Speaker 2: who was behind the mic last weekend for the Warriors 9 00:00:30,747 --> 00:00:34,107 Speaker 2: Titans game. Matt, how big a surprise was the margin 10 00:00:34,227 --> 00:00:35,747 Speaker 2: of defeat for the Warriors. 11 00:00:35,827 --> 00:00:39,267 Speaker 3: First of all, I think surprise sells it short. Good 12 00:00:39,267 --> 00:00:41,427 Speaker 3: morning and hello to all your listeners. Yes, it was 13 00:00:41,507 --> 00:00:44,587 Speaker 3: sixty six to six. Now, if you told me pre 14 00:00:44,747 --> 00:00:47,707 Speaker 3: kickoff that one of the teams would win by sixty points, 15 00:00:47,907 --> 00:00:50,147 Speaker 3: I would have said in an instant, well that's where 16 00:00:50,147 --> 00:00:53,307 Speaker 3: the Warriors. They've got more attack there, got more promise 17 00:00:53,387 --> 00:00:56,907 Speaker 3: this season. But to see them go down sixty six 18 00:00:56,987 --> 00:01:00,147 Speaker 3: to six, it was not a surprise. It was stunning 19 00:01:00,187 --> 00:01:03,347 Speaker 3: and I'm still stunned by it. The lack of physicality 20 00:01:03,747 --> 00:01:08,147 Speaker 3: from the outset from the Warriors, who attracted a huge crowd, 21 00:01:08,227 --> 00:01:10,987 Speaker 3: a huge support base to the Gold Coast They've been 22 00:01:11,027 --> 00:01:14,227 Speaker 3: there for an extended period, feeding on the support that 23 00:01:14,307 --> 00:01:18,387 Speaker 3: exists in Southern Queensland. For them. Really everything pointed to 24 00:01:18,547 --> 00:01:21,707 Speaker 3: a Warrior's wi. Yet it was anything but, and by 25 00:01:21,747 --> 00:01:23,867 Speaker 3: a big margin. As I said off the top, I 26 00:01:23,987 --> 00:01:27,627 Speaker 3: was stunned by it. But equally I expect a response 27 00:01:27,947 --> 00:01:31,667 Speaker 3: this afternoon. So as stunning as that collapse was, I'm 28 00:01:31,667 --> 00:01:34,867 Speaker 3: actually tipping the Warriors to bounce back this evening and 29 00:01:34,987 --> 00:01:38,227 Speaker 3: beat Brisbane. Now that might seem strange. It sounds ludicrous, 30 00:01:38,227 --> 00:01:40,387 Speaker 3: doesn't it That you can be beaten by sixty points 31 00:01:40,707 --> 00:01:44,107 Speaker 3: one week, run into a top eight opponent the following 32 00:01:44,187 --> 00:01:47,387 Speaker 3: week and have you been tipped as the winners. They're 33 00:01:47,387 --> 00:01:50,387 Speaker 3: actually the favorites in the eyes of the Australian bookies. 34 00:01:50,587 --> 00:01:54,187 Speaker 3: And that's because I suppose that we all expect this 35 00:01:54,507 --> 00:01:58,587 Speaker 3: rebound from the Warriors. What about you, faithfully in New Zealand, 36 00:01:58,747 --> 00:02:01,547 Speaker 3: how are you seeing it? I love it. 37 00:02:01,587 --> 00:02:03,267 Speaker 2: With your two questions back on us, I can tell 38 00:02:03,267 --> 00:02:05,187 Speaker 2: you man, I think there's a I think what the 39 00:02:05,227 --> 00:02:07,707 Speaker 2: Warriors have done is build enough credit in the bank 40 00:02:07,987 --> 00:02:11,027 Speaker 2: as far as their fans are concerned. For Warriors fans 41 00:02:11,067 --> 00:02:13,107 Speaker 2: and others interested in the game of rugby league to 42 00:02:13,187 --> 00:02:15,387 Speaker 2: have that faith that you've talked about that they will 43 00:02:15,707 --> 00:02:18,787 Speaker 2: bounce back. What are the keys that you'll need to 44 00:02:18,787 --> 00:02:21,027 Speaker 2: see this afternoon if you're a Warriors fan or a 45 00:02:21,067 --> 00:02:24,067 Speaker 2: casual observer like you are, or a rugby league analyst, 46 00:02:24,347 --> 00:02:27,507 Speaker 2: to know that they have put that behind them and 47 00:02:27,547 --> 00:02:30,827 Speaker 2: they are now moving forward. You know without that, you 48 00:02:30,867 --> 00:02:33,547 Speaker 2: know as a I guess as a weight on their shoulders. 49 00:02:34,307 --> 00:02:38,147 Speaker 3: First, second, and third physicality. I want to see them 50 00:02:38,227 --> 00:02:41,627 Speaker 3: drilling the Broncos. I want to see them welcoming the contact, 51 00:02:41,707 --> 00:02:45,307 Speaker 3: really ready to roll up their sleeves figuratively speaking, and 52 00:02:45,347 --> 00:02:48,987 Speaker 3: getting stuck into the Broncos because they weren't there physically. 53 00:02:49,067 --> 00:02:51,707 Speaker 3: Last week. Their defense was the poorest I can remember 54 00:02:51,707 --> 00:02:54,347 Speaker 3: seeing from a Warriors team, in fact, an NRL team. 55 00:02:54,387 --> 00:02:57,427 Speaker 3: They were just letting the Gold Coast Titans run through them, 56 00:02:57,507 --> 00:03:01,547 Speaker 3: run around them, run over them. So physicality first, I 57 00:03:01,587 --> 00:03:04,387 Speaker 3: want to see Adam Vanua Blake get back to his 58 00:03:05,147 --> 00:03:08,187 Speaker 3: best where speed even blocker wrote. One of my colleagues 59 00:03:08,507 --> 00:03:10,867 Speaker 3: at Fox League, a three time dally In Prop of 60 00:03:10,867 --> 00:03:13,547 Speaker 3: the Year, says that Adam Panuel Blake at his best 61 00:03:13,787 --> 00:03:16,747 Speaker 3: is the best prop in the world. Will show us today, Adam. 62 00:03:17,067 --> 00:03:20,467 Speaker 3: I want to see tomorrow Martin Chanelle, Harris Tavita back 63 00:03:20,467 --> 00:03:23,547 Speaker 3: in the halves together, just control this team and direct 64 00:03:23,587 --> 00:03:26,467 Speaker 3: them around supremely. And I want to see that back 65 00:03:26,547 --> 00:03:29,627 Speaker 3: three that is so good starting the sets on the 66 00:03:29,667 --> 00:03:33,387 Speaker 3: front foot, racking up the meters, showing plenty of physicality 67 00:03:33,387 --> 00:03:36,427 Speaker 3: with ball in hand as they open the set with 68 00:03:36,507 --> 00:03:38,907 Speaker 3: the first few carries. So there are a few things 69 00:03:38,907 --> 00:03:41,027 Speaker 3: that I'm looking for. If I see all that and 70 00:03:41,067 --> 00:03:43,307 Speaker 3: they don't win today, and I think, okay, well, the 71 00:03:43,347 --> 00:03:45,947 Speaker 3: warror is that they've fixed it, that they're back in 72 00:03:45,987 --> 00:03:48,587 Speaker 3: the hunt. They've got some work to do, but at 73 00:03:48,667 --> 00:03:50,827 Speaker 3: least there were good signs there. I think if they 74 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:53,067 Speaker 3: do all that that I've just said, that they'll actually 75 00:03:53,067 --> 00:03:57,507 Speaker 3: beat Brisbane because Brisbane, controversially back here in Australia, are 76 00:03:57,587 --> 00:04:02,747 Speaker 3: resting their origin stars now they are equally desperate as 77 00:04:02,787 --> 00:04:06,267 Speaker 3: the Warriors at seven and seven after three straight losses. 78 00:04:06,507 --> 00:04:09,667 Speaker 3: If the Broncos are beaten by the Warriors, then they'll 79 00:04:09,707 --> 00:04:12,547 Speaker 3: slip outside the top eight. Now as a league powerhouse, 80 00:04:12,747 --> 00:04:14,867 Speaker 3: as a team that people just expect to be there 81 00:04:14,907 --> 00:04:17,467 Speaker 3: at the point end of the season, their fans don't 82 00:04:17,507 --> 00:04:20,147 Speaker 3: tolerate the Broncos not being inside the top eight. So 83 00:04:20,507 --> 00:04:22,667 Speaker 3: while it's a big game for the Warriors, equally so 84 00:04:22,947 --> 00:04:25,907 Speaker 3: for the Broncos. I think this is a captivating game 85 00:04:25,987 --> 00:04:28,267 Speaker 3: to start Super Saturday on Fox League at the Sky 86 00:04:28,347 --> 00:04:30,867 Speaker 3: Sport in New Zealand. I'm really looking forward to watching it. 87 00:04:31,267 --> 00:04:35,107 Speaker 2: So we saw Andrew Webster has resisted the temptation Matt 88 00:04:35,107 --> 00:04:38,347 Speaker 2: to make wholesale changes. In fact, thirteen of the seventeen 89 00:04:38,827 --> 00:04:40,947 Speaker 2: will back up again today. Did you expect them to 90 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:41,867 Speaker 2: make more changes? 91 00:04:42,587 --> 00:04:44,307 Speaker 3: No? I didn't because I think when you have a 92 00:04:44,347 --> 00:04:48,227 Speaker 3: loss like that, you give those players who you've had 93 00:04:48,267 --> 00:04:51,467 Speaker 3: faith in all season the chance to make good. You 94 00:04:51,547 --> 00:04:53,387 Speaker 3: put it back on them and say, okay, well I'm 95 00:04:53,427 --> 00:04:55,987 Speaker 3: keeping the faith in you. You return that to me 96 00:04:56,147 --> 00:05:00,067 Speaker 3: by improving dramatically after last week. As soon as the 97 00:05:00,067 --> 00:05:02,987 Speaker 3: game was done last week we went to the media conference, 98 00:05:03,187 --> 00:05:06,307 Speaker 3: I thought Taulhu Harris and Andrew Webster own the result. 99 00:05:06,387 --> 00:05:09,947 Speaker 3: They didn't look to make excuses. Andrew Webster called his 100 00:05:10,067 --> 00:05:14,507 Speaker 3: team soft, lacking physicality. He basically called it as he 101 00:05:14,507 --> 00:05:16,907 Speaker 3: saw it, straight shooter. But as soon as we left 102 00:05:16,907 --> 00:05:21,347 Speaker 3: the media conference, my commentary team, myself, Steve Roach, Lara 103 00:05:21,387 --> 00:05:24,547 Speaker 3: Pitt was sideline Corey Parker. We all said he'll stick 104 00:05:24,587 --> 00:05:27,027 Speaker 3: with the same seventeen as much as he can to 105 00:05:27,107 --> 00:05:31,547 Speaker 3: give them the chance to return the faith, you know, 106 00:05:31,947 --> 00:05:35,107 Speaker 3: to make good next week. So Sean Johnson's not there 107 00:05:35,107 --> 00:05:38,307 Speaker 3: because of that archilles injury. Obviously, I'll come back to 108 00:05:38,347 --> 00:05:41,507 Speaker 3: Sean in a moment. He finished with a tight hamstring anyway, 109 00:05:41,547 --> 00:05:44,187 Speaker 3: So there are a couple of concerns for Sean. We 110 00:05:44,267 --> 00:05:47,787 Speaker 3: know that cape Well and Barnett come back in after Origin, 111 00:05:47,907 --> 00:05:50,227 Speaker 3: so there are a couple of really good players who 112 00:05:50,267 --> 00:05:52,667 Speaker 3: should stiffen up the middle of the field for the Warriors. 113 00:05:52,787 --> 00:05:55,467 Speaker 3: So no, I wasn't expecting any more changes than that. 114 00:05:55,867 --> 00:05:58,947 Speaker 3: And you know there were individuals picked out last week 115 00:05:59,067 --> 00:06:02,027 Speaker 3: by the media in the conference, the likes of Adam, 116 00:06:02,107 --> 00:06:05,307 Speaker 3: the likes of Sean Johnson and Andrew Webster. I thought 117 00:06:05,307 --> 00:06:07,907 Speaker 3: handled it really well. He said we were all so 118 00:06:08,267 --> 00:06:12,987 Speaker 3: bad that no one could then play any sort of role, 119 00:06:13,147 --> 00:06:14,907 Speaker 3: that no one could get on the front foot because 120 00:06:14,947 --> 00:06:18,787 Speaker 3: everyone around them was equally bad. So they sort of 121 00:06:18,827 --> 00:06:21,827 Speaker 3: shared the blame. And I think as a group on 122 00:06:21,907 --> 00:06:24,107 Speaker 3: our look to bounce back. Of course, there's been the 123 00:06:24,107 --> 00:06:27,027 Speaker 3: obligatory crisis meeting during the week, we hear about where 124 00:06:27,227 --> 00:06:29,387 Speaker 3: they sit down and the only thing on the agenda 125 00:06:29,867 --> 00:06:32,507 Speaker 3: is what happened last week? How do we make good 126 00:06:32,547 --> 00:06:35,227 Speaker 3: this week? Is this a turning point in our season? 127 00:06:35,267 --> 00:06:37,507 Speaker 3: We either go two ways from here we crash and 128 00:06:37,547 --> 00:06:39,947 Speaker 3: burn and the critics in Australia who were saying our 129 00:06:39,987 --> 00:06:43,027 Speaker 3: success last year was just an aberration. The old Warriors 130 00:06:43,067 --> 00:06:46,387 Speaker 3: are back. We feed them, or else we win next 131 00:06:46,387 --> 00:06:50,067 Speaker 3: weekend against the Broncos, we start the upward trajectory and 132 00:06:50,107 --> 00:06:53,267 Speaker 3: we prove the powerhouse that is the war last season 133 00:06:53,347 --> 00:06:55,867 Speaker 3: can be again this year and can be for decades 134 00:06:55,907 --> 00:06:56,587 Speaker 3: going forward. 135 00:06:57,027 --> 00:07:00,387 Speaker 2: Let's talk about Sean Johnson, a powerhouse that helped to 136 00:07:00,467 --> 00:07:03,187 Speaker 2: drive the powerhouse last year in terms of the Warriors 137 00:07:03,507 --> 00:07:07,067 Speaker 2: excellent twenty twenty three. How do you assess has ability 138 00:07:07,187 --> 00:07:11,707 Speaker 2: to recapture that form once he is one hundred percent foot. 139 00:07:11,467 --> 00:07:14,787 Speaker 3: Well, Facts and physicality suggests it's going to be hard, 140 00:07:14,907 --> 00:07:17,387 Speaker 3: right because Sean is in the back end of his season. 141 00:07:17,667 --> 00:07:20,507 Speaker 3: He finished last year with a tight hamstring. Sorry, last 142 00:07:20,547 --> 00:07:22,907 Speaker 3: week with the tight hamstring, we had shots of the 143 00:07:22,907 --> 00:07:24,987 Speaker 3: ice on the hamstring. We hear this week he's picked 144 00:07:25,067 --> 00:07:27,587 Speaker 3: up in achilles problem which has been an ongoing issue 145 00:07:27,627 --> 00:07:30,587 Speaker 3: for him, and the years are ticking by. There's a 146 00:07:30,667 --> 00:07:33,347 Speaker 3: question mark is he going to play on next year? 147 00:07:33,427 --> 00:07:35,987 Speaker 3: Where is the end of the road for Sean. But 148 00:07:36,507 --> 00:07:38,387 Speaker 3: at the same time, if I'm being optimistic, and I 149 00:07:38,427 --> 00:07:41,307 Speaker 3: want to be optimistic about Sean because I've loved calling him, 150 00:07:41,467 --> 00:07:44,907 Speaker 3: I've loved watching him play. He hasn't been perfect all 151 00:07:44,907 --> 00:07:47,587 Speaker 3: the way in terms of consistency in form, but I 152 00:07:47,787 --> 00:07:51,667 Speaker 3: as a rugby league caller, consumer fan, I've enjoyed following 153 00:07:51,707 --> 00:07:54,947 Speaker 3: the career of Sean Johnson and last year a career 154 00:07:55,027 --> 00:07:58,387 Speaker 3: high thirty two trisis he was one point off Kalen 155 00:07:58,427 --> 00:08:01,547 Speaker 3: Ponger in winning the dally M Player of the Year. 156 00:08:01,627 --> 00:08:04,347 Speaker 3: Had he played that final round, maybe he picks up points, 157 00:08:04,427 --> 00:08:07,267 Speaker 3: maybe he wins the dali M. That's recently in the 158 00:08:07,307 --> 00:08:09,947 Speaker 3: rearview mirror that last year. So if he can do 159 00:08:09,987 --> 00:08:12,387 Speaker 3: it last year, why can't he do it this year 160 00:08:12,427 --> 00:08:14,947 Speaker 3: when he gets back. I'm not going to be one 161 00:08:14,947 --> 00:08:19,587 Speaker 3: of the people who piles on and joins the outrage. 162 00:08:19,787 --> 00:08:21,187 Speaker 3: I want to go the other way. I want to 163 00:08:21,227 --> 00:08:24,067 Speaker 3: Backshan to get back from injuries, back into a winning 164 00:08:24,107 --> 00:08:28,107 Speaker 3: team and drive this club towards finals. Because you know 165 00:08:28,187 --> 00:08:31,107 Speaker 3: he was there when you guys made the Grand final 166 00:08:31,187 --> 00:08:33,747 Speaker 3: last I want him to be there again when the 167 00:08:33,747 --> 00:08:36,427 Speaker 3: Warriors make a Grand final because it's good for rugby 168 00:08:36,507 --> 00:08:39,547 Speaker 3: league in New Zealand, it's good for rugby league in Australia. 169 00:08:39,627 --> 00:08:42,107 Speaker 3: If the Warriors are doing well, I really believe that 170 00:08:42,667 --> 00:08:44,987 Speaker 3: I want the New Zealand club to fire again. 171 00:08:45,587 --> 00:08:48,147 Speaker 2: Yeah, we all do. How big a teast does this 172 00:08:48,667 --> 00:08:51,507 Speaker 2: for Andrew Webster and his coaching ability? 173 00:08:52,267 --> 00:08:55,307 Speaker 3: Yeah? Big def He's had a long and decorated background 174 00:08:55,347 --> 00:09:00,187 Speaker 3: as an assistant coach in many roles at various clubs, 175 00:09:00,387 --> 00:09:02,627 Speaker 3: and last year he's the coach of the year in 176 00:09:02,667 --> 00:09:05,827 Speaker 3: a fairytale first year. But you know, they say you're 177 00:09:05,827 --> 00:09:09,347 Speaker 3: not really a head coach until you've lost four and 178 00:09:09,467 --> 00:09:12,107 Speaker 3: five games in a row. Now, the Warriors haven't done that, 179 00:09:12,147 --> 00:09:14,907 Speaker 3: but they are certainly in a hole after sixty six 180 00:09:14,947 --> 00:09:19,187 Speaker 3: to six, and he will I hope. I'm sure he does. 181 00:09:19,467 --> 00:09:21,787 Speaker 3: I don't know Andrew really well, but I've been lucky 182 00:09:21,827 --> 00:09:24,467 Speaker 3: enough to deal with him multiple times in my Fox 183 00:09:24,467 --> 00:09:28,547 Speaker 3: Sports capacity. I've enjoyed my interaction with him every time. 184 00:09:28,587 --> 00:09:30,667 Speaker 3: I'm a fan of Andrew Webster, so if I know 185 00:09:30,827 --> 00:09:34,107 Speaker 3: him in any way, I reckon that he is celebrating 186 00:09:34,147 --> 00:09:36,787 Speaker 3: the challenge that he's now presented with and saying, well, 187 00:09:36,827 --> 00:09:39,227 Speaker 3: this will help me be a better coach in the 188 00:09:39,267 --> 00:09:43,907 Speaker 3: long term and hopefully a long term successful coach at 189 00:09:43,907 --> 00:09:46,267 Speaker 3: the Warrior. So of course he's not happy at sixty 190 00:09:46,307 --> 00:09:49,107 Speaker 3: six Neil last week. He's not happy with the fact 191 00:09:49,147 --> 00:09:51,707 Speaker 3: that they are now six wins, one draw, eight losses 192 00:09:51,747 --> 00:09:54,827 Speaker 3: this season after the hype that came because of last year. 193 00:09:54,987 --> 00:09:58,067 Speaker 3: But at the same time, if he can handle the challenge, 194 00:09:58,107 --> 00:10:00,227 Speaker 3: if they can get over this, then he'll be a 195 00:10:00,267 --> 00:10:03,507 Speaker 3: better man, a better coach going forward. So yes, it's 196 00:10:03,507 --> 00:10:05,627 Speaker 3: a key moment, but I back him to handle it. 197 00:10:06,347 --> 00:10:08,867 Speaker 2: Word on the Broncos, you mentioned the players they've left behind. 198 00:10:08,867 --> 00:10:12,347 Speaker 2: They've lost their last three. Still a dangerous opponent though 199 00:10:12,387 --> 00:10:14,507 Speaker 2: they're the Brisbane Broncos after all, what do you expect 200 00:10:14,547 --> 00:10:15,547 Speaker 2: from them this afternoon. 201 00:10:16,027 --> 00:10:18,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, they're missing their origin stars, they're missing Jordan Ricky. 202 00:10:19,067 --> 00:10:22,307 Speaker 3: But with players out there are opportunities for others. So 203 00:10:22,747 --> 00:10:24,907 Speaker 3: you know there are blokes there who think, well, I 204 00:10:24,947 --> 00:10:29,667 Speaker 3: can stake acclaim here this afternoon, this evening for permanent 205 00:10:30,307 --> 00:10:33,267 Speaker 3: more game time at the Broncos. So while the big 206 00:10:33,307 --> 00:10:35,467 Speaker 3: guns are out, the next in line are going to 207 00:10:35,547 --> 00:10:38,227 Speaker 3: try and seize the opportunity. I told you off the outset, 208 00:10:38,267 --> 00:10:40,707 Speaker 3: I expect the Warriors to win. I'm tipping the Warriors 209 00:10:40,707 --> 00:10:43,867 Speaker 3: to bounce back and win against an undermanned Brisbane Broncos. 210 00:10:43,907 --> 00:10:48,187 Speaker 3: But unless the Warriors are one hundred percent dialed in, 211 00:10:48,307 --> 00:10:50,827 Speaker 3: then the Broncos are capable of causing an upset. There 212 00:10:50,867 --> 00:10:53,107 Speaker 3: have been a top eight team for the majority of 213 00:10:53,107 --> 00:10:56,307 Speaker 3: the season. They are equally desperate. They have critics like 214 00:10:56,347 --> 00:10:59,387 Speaker 3: the Warriors right now, sitting just on the edge of 215 00:10:59,387 --> 00:11:02,147 Speaker 3: the eight at seven and seven. If they wake up 216 00:11:02,147 --> 00:11:05,067 Speaker 3: on Monday morning haven't been beaten by the Warriors, maybe 217 00:11:05,107 --> 00:11:08,627 Speaker 3: even well beaten the Warriors, and all of a sudden 218 00:11:08,667 --> 00:11:10,227 Speaker 3: outside the top eight, then the critics are going to 219 00:11:10,227 --> 00:11:12,387 Speaker 3: come for them as well, from Kevin Walters down. So 220 00:11:12,987 --> 00:11:16,187 Speaker 3: be careful, Warriors, be very very careful because the Broncos. 221 00:11:16,427 --> 00:11:19,347 Speaker 3: The Broncos are in town. And if you think you're desperate, 222 00:11:19,587 --> 00:11:21,947 Speaker 3: well look at the opposition. You might see some anxious 223 00:11:21,947 --> 00:11:24,587 Speaker 3: faces on them as well. But be careful so you 224 00:11:24,667 --> 00:11:26,187 Speaker 3: get very careful, brilliant. 225 00:11:26,427 --> 00:11:29,427 Speaker 2: Just to finish, I know this might be a bit simplistic, 226 00:11:29,427 --> 00:11:31,787 Speaker 2: but are we here for a Storm Panthers Grand Final. 227 00:11:33,827 --> 00:11:37,107 Speaker 3: It looks that way, doesn't it. Because the Storm ultra 228 00:11:37,227 --> 00:11:40,467 Speaker 3: consistent under Craig Bellamy. I keep looking at their roster 229 00:11:41,067 --> 00:11:44,347 Speaker 3: and without Cameron Munster, thinking how are they continuing to 230 00:11:44,467 --> 00:11:46,547 Speaker 3: rack up these wins? How are they sitting on top 231 00:11:46,587 --> 00:11:50,067 Speaker 3: of the table. They just have this happy knack of 232 00:11:50,107 --> 00:11:52,987 Speaker 3: being able to stay in the hunt as other things 233 00:11:53,027 --> 00:11:55,747 Speaker 3: go against them. Now, I know that in the past 234 00:11:56,027 --> 00:11:58,907 Speaker 3: they've spilt their lollies in recent years during the finals, 235 00:11:58,907 --> 00:12:01,707 Speaker 3: which is a which is a burning motivator for them 236 00:12:01,787 --> 00:12:04,827 Speaker 3: under Craig Bellamy, Frank PERONICI the powers that be there. 237 00:12:05,307 --> 00:12:07,467 Speaker 3: They're used to being at the point end of the 238 00:12:07,467 --> 00:12:10,267 Speaker 3: table during the season, they're not used to failing in 239 00:12:10,307 --> 00:12:14,227 Speaker 3: the finals. So I think their motivation and their focus 240 00:12:14,787 --> 00:12:17,467 Speaker 3: sharpens during the finals this year, and I think they're 241 00:12:17,467 --> 00:12:19,187 Speaker 3: going to be hard to toss Penrith. They're still to 242 00:12:19,227 --> 00:12:21,827 Speaker 3: get Nathan Cleary back. They're a club that's shown they've 243 00:12:21,827 --> 00:12:24,667 Speaker 3: got depth anyway, and they're still to get Nathan Cleary back. 244 00:12:24,787 --> 00:12:27,987 Speaker 3: And if they're welling Jerome Leu White into the season, 245 00:12:28,027 --> 00:12:31,027 Speaker 3: Sania taruber So, by then the bulk of the team 246 00:12:31,027 --> 00:12:33,707 Speaker 3: that has been there for all three premierships will have gone. 247 00:12:33,747 --> 00:12:37,107 Speaker 3: It's almost like the last dance, so there's a motivating factor. 248 00:12:37,107 --> 00:12:39,827 Speaker 3: But I will say to you that the Roosters are 249 00:12:39,867 --> 00:12:41,947 Speaker 3: into the top four for the first time this season. 250 00:12:41,987 --> 00:12:45,227 Speaker 3: They have a great roster, so who knows what they 251 00:12:45,267 --> 00:12:49,027 Speaker 3: can do. The Shark's disappointing last night, but another team 252 00:12:49,107 --> 00:12:51,747 Speaker 3: to play finals and fail there the last couple of years, 253 00:12:51,787 --> 00:12:54,187 Speaker 3: they'll be keen to get it right. So it looks 254 00:12:54,227 --> 00:12:56,627 Speaker 3: like Melbourne Penrith. But the good thing about the NRL 255 00:12:56,667 --> 00:12:58,147 Speaker 3: if you look at the ladder, see how close it 256 00:12:58,227 --> 00:13:02,187 Speaker 3: is regarding teams five down to fourteen. Well it's the 257 00:13:02,187 --> 00:13:04,147 Speaker 3: same with the sharp end of the table. It is 258 00:13:04,187 --> 00:13:06,787 Speaker 3: so close. So if you want to lock away your 259 00:13:06,787 --> 00:13:09,067 Speaker 3: grand finalists, now go and do it. But good luck 260 00:13:09,067 --> 00:13:11,627 Speaker 3: because it might not be right come September. It might 261 00:13:11,707 --> 00:13:12,347 Speaker 3: not be right. 262 00:13:13,507 --> 00:13:15,147 Speaker 2: Matt's such a pleasure to chat to you. Thanks for 263 00:13:15,187 --> 00:13:16,987 Speaker 2: taking the time to join us across New Yellow. Looking 264 00:13:16,987 --> 00:13:19,667 Speaker 2: forward to a bounce back performance from the Warriors this. 265 00:13:19,587 --> 00:13:22,987 Speaker 3: Afternoonn anytime, A pleasure to talk rugby league with you, 266 00:13:23,027 --> 00:13:24,907 Speaker 3: and good luck to the Warriors. I hope they are 267 00:13:24,987 --> 00:13:27,387 Speaker 3: much much better than last week, and hey, that won't 268 00:13:27,387 --> 00:13:28,387 Speaker 3: be hard, they won't. 269 00:13:28,947 --> 00:13:31,867 Speaker 2: You're right there, Matt. Thanks mate, Matt Russell there, brilliant 270 00:13:32,187 --> 00:13:34,027 Speaker 2: NRL commentator out of Fox Sports. You would I heard 271 00:13:34,067 --> 00:13:36,587 Speaker 2: him calling the game last weekend and as he said 272 00:13:36,667 --> 00:13:38,547 Speaker 2: right at the top of the chat, he couldn't believe 273 00:13:38,627 --> 00:13:39,747 Speaker 2: the sixty six to six. 274 00:13:40,627 --> 00:13:43,787 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 275 00:13:43,907 --> 00:13:47,187 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 276 00:13:47,227 --> 00:13:48,827 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.