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 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:15,547 Speaker 2: We'll stay at go Media Stadium rather than move to 4 00:00:15,667 --> 00:00:19,587 Speaker 2: Eden Park for the A League Men's Final series. Discussions 5 00:00:19,627 --> 00:00:24,547 Speaker 2: were ongoing over whether Auckland f C would shift to 6 00:00:24,627 --> 00:00:27,947 Speaker 2: a bigger venue, but the governing body, the APL, which 7 00:00:27,987 --> 00:00:31,467 Speaker 2: takes the gate, has opted to put in extra seating 8 00:00:31,547 --> 00:00:34,987 Speaker 2: at go Media. So an additional two thousand, seven hundred 9 00:00:34,987 --> 00:00:36,827 Speaker 2: seats are going to be added to the north end 10 00:00:37,387 --> 00:00:39,987 Speaker 2: for the home semi final, which is a fortnight tonight, 11 00:00:40,587 --> 00:00:43,387 Speaker 2: and a further eight hundred seats will be added if 12 00:00:43,387 --> 00:00:47,107 Speaker 2: the club qualifies for the Grand Final. But Eden Park 13 00:00:47,267 --> 00:00:50,227 Speaker 2: is off the table. Now all remaining Auckland f C 14 00:00:50,387 --> 00:00:53,347 Speaker 2: games at home, the home semi final and if they 15 00:00:53,387 --> 00:00:57,187 Speaker 2: make it, the Grand final will be at go Media Stadium. 16 00:00:57,907 --> 00:01:00,707 Speaker 2: Auckland f C CEO Nick Becker is with us. First 17 00:01:00,707 --> 00:01:03,187 Speaker 2: of all, Nick, good to Chaty. It was always how 18 00:01:03,187 --> 00:01:04,667 Speaker 2: pleased are you with this outcome? 19 00:01:05,467 --> 00:01:08,067 Speaker 3: Oh, it's a great result from us, Piney. It's what 20 00:01:08,107 --> 00:01:10,067 Speaker 3: we were pushing for. It's where we want to play, 21 00:01:10,107 --> 00:01:13,307 Speaker 3: it's our home ground. We've had a great first season 22 00:01:13,827 --> 00:01:16,267 Speaker 3: at go Media. The fans love it, the players love it, 23 00:01:16,347 --> 00:01:18,987 Speaker 3: and we really didn't want to give up that homegrown 24 00:01:19,027 --> 00:01:20,787 Speaker 3: advantage if we'd moved to Eden Park. 25 00:01:20,827 --> 00:01:22,627 Speaker 4: So yeah, for us, it's a fantastic result. 26 00:01:22,907 --> 00:01:26,587 Speaker 2: How did you convince the APL to forego the extra 27 00:01:26,707 --> 00:01:29,387 Speaker 2: revenue they would have got from having the Grand Final 28 00:01:29,427 --> 00:01:31,347 Speaker 2: if you were to make it at Eden Park. 29 00:01:32,667 --> 00:01:34,707 Speaker 3: I'd like to think it was solely down to my 30 00:01:34,787 --> 00:01:37,387 Speaker 3: negotiation skills, but there's a few things that at play. 31 00:01:38,307 --> 00:01:41,547 Speaker 3: We obviously, I mean, the Aleague were really good in 32 00:01:41,627 --> 00:01:44,387 Speaker 3: terms of working with us to kind of take on 33 00:01:44,427 --> 00:01:47,267 Speaker 3: our preference and listen to our where we put our 34 00:01:47,307 --> 00:01:53,027 Speaker 3: case forward. It was also helpful that the eden Park 35 00:01:53,107 --> 00:01:56,987 Speaker 3: wasn't available on Saturday thirty first, so Eden Park had 36 00:01:58,187 --> 00:01:59,587 Speaker 3: I think they've got a Blues game on and so 37 00:01:59,827 --> 00:02:02,187 Speaker 3: they could only offer the Sunday the first, So I 38 00:02:02,187 --> 00:02:05,227 Speaker 3: think broadcast, you know, sort of preference and that type 39 00:02:05,227 --> 00:02:06,307 Speaker 3: of thing play the factor as well. 40 00:02:07,307 --> 00:02:08,267 Speaker 4: But fair place. 41 00:02:09,027 --> 00:02:10,467 Speaker 3: They came to us right at the start and said 42 00:02:10,507 --> 00:02:13,267 Speaker 3: for your semi final, you know, what is your preference 43 00:02:13,307 --> 00:02:13,907 Speaker 3: in stadium? 44 00:02:14,307 --> 00:02:16,227 Speaker 4: We said it was definitely Govida and they agreed to 45 00:02:16,267 --> 00:02:16,747 Speaker 4: that from. 46 00:02:16,587 --> 00:02:18,827 Speaker 3: The start, So it was really only a conversation around 47 00:02:19,307 --> 00:02:21,147 Speaker 3: the Grand Final if it takes place in Auckland. 48 00:02:21,587 --> 00:02:23,867 Speaker 2: They could have gone for the Sunday, couldn't they. There's 49 00:02:23,907 --> 00:02:26,267 Speaker 2: nothing to stop them. The Grand Final has been on 50 00:02:26,387 --> 00:02:29,267 Speaker 2: a Sunday in the past due to the Grand availability 51 00:02:29,347 --> 00:02:32,507 Speaker 2: whatever it is. Did it ever feel during your discussions 52 00:02:32,907 --> 00:02:35,067 Speaker 2: as though they were leaning that way that they really 53 00:02:35,147 --> 00:02:36,827 Speaker 2: wanted to get to a bigger venue. 54 00:02:38,267 --> 00:02:40,547 Speaker 3: I mean, they definitely did their judlisms on both and 55 00:02:40,587 --> 00:02:41,827 Speaker 3: I think at the end it was a bit of 56 00:02:41,867 --> 00:02:46,027 Speaker 3: a captain's call from the chairman of the APL who 57 00:02:46,107 --> 00:02:49,947 Speaker 3: sort of, you know, knows how important it was to us, 58 00:02:49,947 --> 00:02:53,627 Speaker 3: but also knows how much of a fantastic football ground 59 00:02:53,827 --> 00:02:56,227 Speaker 3: Go Media is. You know, like sort of every seat 60 00:02:56,227 --> 00:02:58,307 Speaker 3: in that stadium is right on top of the pitch. 61 00:02:58,347 --> 00:02:59,387 Speaker 4: It really does feel like a. 62 00:02:59,867 --> 00:03:01,987 Speaker 3: Football ground where it's a little bit of a different 63 00:03:02,067 --> 00:03:04,867 Speaker 3: I mean, In Park's a great stadium and you know, 64 00:03:04,907 --> 00:03:08,147 Speaker 3: a fantastic plays and many great sporting matches have taken 65 00:03:08,147 --> 00:03:10,587 Speaker 3: place there, but it's got a different vibe to what 66 00:03:10,587 --> 00:03:11,227 Speaker 3: Go Media is. 67 00:03:11,627 --> 00:03:13,707 Speaker 2: And how much do you think what you've created at 68 00:03:13,707 --> 00:03:16,667 Speaker 2: go Media this season with average crowds of over eighteen 69 00:03:16,787 --> 00:03:19,827 Speaker 2: thousand the scenes on television, which of course get beamed 70 00:03:19,827 --> 00:03:22,187 Speaker 2: across the task and to the powers that they see 71 00:03:22,427 --> 00:03:25,347 Speaker 2: the occasion that's created. How much do you think that 72 00:03:25,427 --> 00:03:27,827 Speaker 2: played into this whole discussion as well, what they've already 73 00:03:27,867 --> 00:03:29,987 Speaker 2: seen and what they are going to see over the 74 00:03:30,027 --> 00:03:30,707 Speaker 2: next month or so. 75 00:03:31,667 --> 00:03:33,747 Speaker 3: Oh, that was a huge part of it, and that 76 00:03:33,787 --> 00:03:35,867 Speaker 3: was very much at the core of our argument as well. 77 00:03:35,907 --> 00:03:37,627 Speaker 4: We kind of talked to them about two things. 78 00:03:37,667 --> 00:03:39,907 Speaker 3: One of the players and how they wanted to have 79 00:03:40,187 --> 00:03:43,987 Speaker 3: their home ground advantage. But more importantly, or just as importantly, 80 00:03:45,027 --> 00:03:47,027 Speaker 3: you know the fact that the fans have just taken 81 00:03:47,067 --> 00:03:49,547 Speaker 3: to it in our first season so quickly, with such 82 00:03:49,587 --> 00:03:51,467 Speaker 3: you know, sort of fantastic support. 83 00:03:51,547 --> 00:03:53,187 Speaker 4: You know, we'll have by the time. 84 00:03:53,107 --> 00:03:55,667 Speaker 3: The final series is finished to be over three hundred 85 00:03:55,707 --> 00:03:59,867 Speaker 3: thousand ORKANDFC fans have come through the gates, so an 86 00:03:59,907 --> 00:04:03,867 Speaker 3: amazing response from all of Auckland and the football community here, 87 00:04:03,907 --> 00:04:05,427 Speaker 3: but just the wider city as well. 88 00:04:05,427 --> 00:04:06,387 Speaker 4: I've already got behind. 89 00:04:06,227 --> 00:04:08,067 Speaker 3: It, and it was sort of like, you know, go 90 00:04:08,227 --> 00:04:11,027 Speaker 3: media has been that the place all season. It felt 91 00:04:11,067 --> 00:04:13,827 Speaker 3: like change it last minute would kind of create a 92 00:04:13,867 --> 00:04:16,627 Speaker 3: whole different, a whole different feeling to the game and 93 00:04:16,667 --> 00:04:17,147 Speaker 3: the series. 94 00:04:17,147 --> 00:04:19,907 Speaker 4: And the apl daily they understood that. 95 00:04:20,227 --> 00:04:22,747 Speaker 2: So you're adding an extra twenty seven hundred seats to 96 00:04:22,787 --> 00:04:26,147 Speaker 2: the north end. That's the giant slide end for your 97 00:04:26,187 --> 00:04:29,707 Speaker 2: home semi vinyl. How big are logistical exercise is that. 98 00:04:31,107 --> 00:04:34,467 Speaker 3: They've started building them already, so they've gone and it 99 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:37,347 Speaker 3: does mean that the only I guess the opportunity cost 100 00:04:37,467 --> 00:04:40,587 Speaker 3: is we won't have our family fans owned. But the 101 00:04:40,627 --> 00:04:43,787 Speaker 3: game on Saturday, the twenty fourth, our home semi final. 102 00:04:43,547 --> 00:04:45,667 Speaker 4: Does actually kick off a little bit later, and I. 103 00:04:45,587 --> 00:04:48,947 Speaker 3: Think the sense of occasion of hosting a semi final 104 00:04:48,947 --> 00:04:50,107 Speaker 3: makes up for the fact that we lose. 105 00:04:50,747 --> 00:04:51,467 Speaker 4: As you say, our. 106 00:04:51,347 --> 00:04:53,627 Speaker 3: Giants slide down the hill and anything else that's been 107 00:04:53,867 --> 00:04:55,067 Speaker 3: such a success at that end. 108 00:04:55,947 --> 00:04:57,347 Speaker 4: And then I think, so it goes in. 109 00:04:57,947 --> 00:05:00,387 Speaker 3: I think it's around about it brings the capacity to 110 00:05:00,467 --> 00:05:02,267 Speaker 3: about nearly twenty eight thousand. 111 00:05:01,947 --> 00:05:03,987 Speaker 4: And then, as you said earlier in your. 112 00:05:03,907 --> 00:05:06,827 Speaker 3: Intro, if we go through the grand final, or when 113 00:05:06,827 --> 00:05:09,067 Speaker 3: we go through your grand final, it'll be up to 114 00:05:09,187 --> 00:05:10,387 Speaker 3: close to twenty nine thousand. 115 00:05:10,707 --> 00:05:13,627 Speaker 2: Amazing. So the semi final, will you find out tonight 116 00:05:13,747 --> 00:05:16,827 Speaker 2: who you're going to be playing home and away? Are 117 00:05:16,867 --> 00:05:19,707 Speaker 2: you expecting a sellout for your semi final, your home 118 00:05:19,747 --> 00:05:21,187 Speaker 2: semi two weeks tonight. 119 00:05:22,067 --> 00:05:24,507 Speaker 4: Absolutely, yeah, yeah, yeah. So we've gone on sale. 120 00:05:24,667 --> 00:05:27,307 Speaker 3: There's been an exclusive window for Orkan the CE members 121 00:05:27,347 --> 00:05:29,467 Speaker 3: this week and we've sold you know sort of I 122 00:05:29,467 --> 00:05:32,987 Speaker 3: think north of six thousand tickets already. So it goes 123 00:05:33,027 --> 00:05:35,387 Speaker 3: on general sale early next week. I believe it's Tuesday, 124 00:05:36,147 --> 00:05:38,667 Speaker 3: and I would say that's going to sell out pretty quickly. 125 00:05:38,867 --> 00:05:40,907 Speaker 3: I'd be amazed if a week later there were still 126 00:05:40,907 --> 00:05:43,467 Speaker 3: tickets left. So we're expecting a full house at the 127 00:05:43,467 --> 00:05:47,987 Speaker 3: semi final. And you know, whether it's Western Sydney or Melvin, 128 00:05:48,067 --> 00:05:49,587 Speaker 3: Victory will be ready for either team. 129 00:05:49,827 --> 00:05:50,827 Speaker 2: Do you have a preference? 130 00:05:52,667 --> 00:05:56,027 Speaker 3: Well, we we played I mean out of if you 131 00:05:56,107 --> 00:05:58,467 Speaker 3: just go on recent results, you know we had already 132 00:05:58,907 --> 00:06:00,987 Speaker 3: I think one of our best performance of. 133 00:06:00,907 --> 00:06:02,627 Speaker 4: The season over in Melbourne. 134 00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:05,027 Speaker 3: We would beat them to there and that pretty much 135 00:06:05,027 --> 00:06:07,227 Speaker 3: secured us to the premiership. 136 00:06:07,307 --> 00:06:09,387 Speaker 4: So you know, they kind of we've definitely got. 137 00:06:09,347 --> 00:06:12,307 Speaker 3: A bit of a psychological advantage there from that game. 138 00:06:12,387 --> 00:06:15,587 Speaker 3: But you know, you know the old the old cliche 139 00:06:15,667 --> 00:06:18,747 Speaker 3: of you've got to beat every team, right, and we 140 00:06:18,747 --> 00:06:20,947 Speaker 3: we we know that we've done the preparation this season. 141 00:06:20,987 --> 00:06:23,787 Speaker 3: We know that we can beat anyone in the who's 142 00:06:23,827 --> 00:06:25,067 Speaker 3: who's remaining in the competition. 143 00:06:25,107 --> 00:06:27,027 Speaker 4: We've beatn every team. That's the only. 144 00:06:26,907 --> 00:06:29,227 Speaker 3: Adelaide who went out last night who we hadn't notched 145 00:06:29,307 --> 00:06:31,867 Speaker 3: up a victory against this season. So you know we've 146 00:06:31,867 --> 00:06:35,027 Speaker 3: been the wanderers. We've bet in victory. We know we 147 00:06:35,027 --> 00:06:36,667 Speaker 3: can do it and it's just up to the boys now. 148 00:06:36,827 --> 00:06:40,187 Speaker 2: Indeed it as well, you'll know that regardless of who 149 00:06:40,227 --> 00:06:43,267 Speaker 2: you play, it'll be at your at your physical home, 150 00:06:43,307 --> 00:06:46,227 Speaker 2: your spiritual home of go Media Stadium. So two weeks 151 00:06:46,227 --> 00:06:49,587 Speaker 2: tonight the home part of the semi final, negotiate that 152 00:06:50,067 --> 00:06:51,947 Speaker 2: and through to the grand final on the Saturday night 153 00:06:51,987 --> 00:06:54,067 Speaker 2: of King's Birthday weekend. Nick, I think you underplayed it. 154 00:06:54,107 --> 00:06:56,987 Speaker 2: I think your negotiation skills would have played a big 155 00:06:57,027 --> 00:06:59,267 Speaker 2: part here. You're probably being a bit humble. 156 00:07:01,227 --> 00:07:03,627 Speaker 4: Well yeah, well, Litz, I'll go with you on that one. 157 00:07:03,627 --> 00:07:06,667 Speaker 2: Pinty Nicon all right, that great to Cheder is all always. 158 00:07:06,867 --> 00:07:07,547 Speaker 2: We'll see you soon. 159 00:07:09,907 --> 00:07:10,067 Speaker 4: Thanks. 160 00:07:10,467 --> 00:07:13,147 Speaker 2: Nick Picker, the CEO of Auckland f C. Yeah, that's 161 00:07:13,187 --> 00:07:15,707 Speaker 2: by far the best result. You know, moving it to 162 00:07:15,827 --> 00:07:17,827 Speaker 2: Eden Park would have been you know, well, first of all, 163 00:07:17,827 --> 00:07:21,187 Speaker 2: it would have taken away any real semblance of home 164 00:07:21,267 --> 00:07:25,667 Speaker 2: advantage for Auckland f C. And second of all, it's 165 00:07:25,947 --> 00:07:28,627 Speaker 2: I mean, go Media is such a much better stadium 166 00:07:28,627 --> 00:07:33,107 Speaker 2: to watch a game of rectangular field sport, isn't it? 167 00:07:33,427 --> 00:07:34,867 Speaker 2: Ton Park look I like Eden Park And I was 168 00:07:34,867 --> 00:07:36,467 Speaker 2: mentioned before. You know that all Black stests against that 169 00:07:36,747 --> 00:07:39,947 Speaker 2: is gonna be magnificent. But you're so far back. You're 170 00:07:39,947 --> 00:07:42,787 Speaker 2: so far back it's the right decision. Good to know 171 00:07:42,827 --> 00:07:44,427 Speaker 2: that it's going to be made. We'll find out tonight 172 00:07:44,667 --> 00:07:48,667 Speaker 2: who Auckland f C will play when the Western Sydney 173 00:07:48,707 --> 00:07:52,027 Speaker 2: Wanderers host Melbourne victory. Winner of that goes into the 174 00:07:52,067 --> 00:07:54,267 Speaker 2: semi final home and away against Auckland f C. Vicky 175 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:57,947 Speaker 2: says Jason. I'd be interested to know who you think 176 00:07:58,267 --> 00:08:00,067 Speaker 2: or who would prefer Auckland f CE to play if 177 00:08:00,067 --> 00:08:04,147 Speaker 2: they make the finals. I'm thrilled we won't meet Western United, 178 00:08:04,227 --> 00:08:06,827 Speaker 2: says Vicky until we meet in the Grand final, because 179 00:08:06,827 --> 00:08:08,227 Speaker 2: they seem to have got the measure of us. What 180 00:08:08,267 --> 00:08:10,947 Speaker 2: are your thoughts are Vicky? Yep, good point. Western United 181 00:08:10,987 --> 00:08:14,667 Speaker 2: have beaten Auckland f C twice home and away of 182 00:08:14,707 --> 00:08:19,907 Speaker 2: the two tonight Western Sydney and Melbourne victory I think 183 00:08:19,947 --> 00:08:21,947 Speaker 2: I would If I was Auckland f C and I 184 00:08:21,987 --> 00:08:24,307 Speaker 2: had my choice, I think I would prefer to play 185 00:08:24,627 --> 00:08:30,787 Speaker 2: Melbourne victory. Wasn't that long ago middle of April that 186 00:08:30,867 --> 00:08:33,587 Speaker 2: they went to Melbourne and won two nil over there. 187 00:08:33,787 --> 00:08:35,427 Speaker 2: Now the semi final is a home and away. It's 188 00:08:35,467 --> 00:08:37,627 Speaker 2: a two legged proposition. So if they could go to 189 00:08:37,667 --> 00:08:40,547 Speaker 2: Melbourne and went over there, even a drawer over there, 190 00:08:40,547 --> 00:08:42,947 Speaker 2: they'd backed themselves to come home and complete the job 191 00:08:42,987 --> 00:08:45,347 Speaker 2: at home. Western Sydney just seemed to me to have 192 00:08:46,147 --> 00:08:50,827 Speaker 2: more game breakers, more dangerous players. Yes, Auckland FC have 193 00:08:50,947 --> 00:08:54,267 Speaker 2: beaten them as well over there, but I think if 194 00:08:54,307 --> 00:08:56,667 Speaker 2: I had my choice, I'd go for the I'd go 195 00:08:56,667 --> 00:08:59,187 Speaker 2: for Melbourne victory. Western Sydney just seem a much more 196 00:08:59,267 --> 00:09:02,587 Speaker 2: dangerous proposition at the moment. We can talk more about 197 00:09:02,587 --> 00:09:05,187 Speaker 2: this tomorrow. Once we know who Auckland f C Are playing, 198 00:09:05,667 --> 00:09:07,587 Speaker 2: we will We'll have it chat about it tomorrow to 199 00:09:07,627 --> 00:09:10,347 Speaker 2: see how they match up against. By then we will 200 00:09:10,387 --> 00:09:11,827 Speaker 2: know who they are playing. 201 00:09:12,427 --> 00:09:15,627 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 202 00:09:15,707 --> 00:09:19,027 Speaker 1: to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow 203 00:09:19,067 --> 00:09:20,667 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio