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 --> 00:00:12,987 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB to. 3 00:00:12,947 --> 00:00:16,547 Speaker 2: Their tenth NRL Grand Final tonight. U toy Kamad who's 4 00:00:16,547 --> 00:00:20,187 Speaker 2: splashing off the defense there and here's goes through Jeers 5 00:00:20,267 --> 00:00:23,867 Speaker 2: in the cliff, Hews goes for it. Tive years makes sense. 6 00:00:25,587 --> 00:00:30,227 Speaker 2: I could rest it all drive Jews. There's such a 7 00:00:30,267 --> 00:00:32,947 Speaker 2: good try store. Yeah, that was Friday night, the Storm 8 00:00:32,947 --> 00:00:35,467 Speaker 2: beating the Sharks twenty two to fourteen in their preliminary 9 00:00:35,467 --> 00:00:38,627 Speaker 2: final in Melbourne. Kiwis, Will Warbrick and Jerome Hughes. As 10 00:00:38,667 --> 00:00:41,427 Speaker 2: you heard, they're crossing for first half tries for the Storm. 11 00:00:41,467 --> 00:00:45,187 Speaker 2: They'll face the winner of tonight's second preliminary final between 12 00:00:45,187 --> 00:00:48,347 Speaker 2: the Broncos and Panthers at sun Corp Stadium and Brisbane, 13 00:00:48,347 --> 00:00:50,827 Speaker 2: a repeat of the twenty twenty three Grand Final. The 14 00:00:50,867 --> 00:00:54,627 Speaker 2: Panthers just eighty minutes away from a sixth consecutive Grand 15 00:00:54,667 --> 00:00:58,227 Speaker 2: Final appearance and a chance at a remarkable five peat. 16 00:00:58,547 --> 00:01:01,107 Speaker 2: The Broncos, though, have won nine of their past ten 17 00:01:01,227 --> 00:01:04,187 Speaker 2: finals matches at sun Corp and have scored one hundred 18 00:01:04,227 --> 00:01:06,467 Speaker 2: and twenty eight points in their last three home games. 19 00:01:06,907 --> 00:01:10,587 Speaker 2: Vastly experienced NURL journalist Brad Walter is whether u's bread 20 00:01:10,827 --> 00:01:13,627 Speaker 2: Let's look at Friday first. Did it always feel like 21 00:01:13,667 --> 00:01:16,107 Speaker 2: the Storm were in control of that game? 22 00:01:16,987 --> 00:01:17,187 Speaker 3: Look? 23 00:01:17,587 --> 00:01:20,347 Speaker 4: Yeah, Jesson, it felt like the Storm were. It felt 24 00:01:20,387 --> 00:01:22,147 Speaker 4: like they were in control and they were on top. 25 00:01:22,227 --> 00:01:25,627 Speaker 4: But but they but they weren't. Sort of they didn't 26 00:01:25,667 --> 00:01:27,427 Speaker 4: have it within their grasp, if you know what I mean. 27 00:01:27,467 --> 00:01:29,987 Speaker 4: It was the Sharks were like they were. They always 28 00:01:30,067 --> 00:01:33,027 Speaker 4: kept with it, you know, kept close enough to to 29 00:01:33,187 --> 00:01:36,107 Speaker 4: make you think, oh, you know, this game could turn. 30 00:01:36,107 --> 00:01:38,827 Speaker 4: And I have to say that probably about midway through 31 00:01:38,867 --> 00:01:41,307 Speaker 4: the second half, I started to think that the Sharks 32 00:01:41,307 --> 00:01:44,027 Speaker 4: had the momentum that they that they they were getting 33 00:01:44,027 --> 00:01:45,867 Speaker 4: on top and that and that had happened to the 34 00:01:45,907 --> 00:01:48,867 Speaker 4: Storm when they played the Broncos a couple of weeks ago. 35 00:01:54,987 --> 00:01:57,707 Speaker 2: Oh, we seem to have just lost you there, Mauly shread. 36 00:01:58,347 --> 00:02:01,107 Speaker 2: Let's see if we can get Brad back on online. There. Andy, 37 00:02:01,307 --> 00:02:02,667 Speaker 2: we don't want to, I don't want to cut the 38 00:02:02,787 --> 00:02:07,187 Speaker 2: short after just the one question, and so we can 39 00:02:07,187 --> 00:02:09,707 Speaker 2: get Brad back on the line. Fourteen to five Counties 40 00:02:09,747 --> 00:02:12,587 Speaker 2: lead Munawoard two. I can tell you after twenty five 41 00:02:12,587 --> 00:02:15,067 Speaker 2: minutes of their game and poker Koe ten nil to 42 00:02:15,147 --> 00:02:20,627 Speaker 2: Bay of Plenty over wait cuttle at podong a domain 43 00:02:20,867 --> 00:02:23,467 Speaker 2: in their game. Just hoping to get Brad Walter back 44 00:02:23,547 --> 00:02:26,547 Speaker 2: up here to give us some more insight into this 45 00:02:27,427 --> 00:02:33,467 Speaker 2: NRL preliminary final. I wonder whether we can get Brad back, 46 00:02:33,907 --> 00:02:36,067 Speaker 2: and he's just trying furiously. It looks like we've got 47 00:02:36,107 --> 00:02:37,827 Speaker 2: him back. You were talking about the Sharks. I think 48 00:02:37,827 --> 00:02:40,347 Speaker 2: when we lost you their Brad and how you thought 49 00:02:40,347 --> 00:02:42,187 Speaker 2: it at one stage in the second half they might 50 00:02:42,227 --> 00:02:43,347 Speaker 2: be might be good for the win. 51 00:02:43,987 --> 00:02:46,307 Speaker 4: Yeah, and I just thought the Storm might be underdone. 52 00:02:46,347 --> 00:02:48,347 Speaker 4: They had I think they had five players who hadn't 53 00:02:48,347 --> 00:02:51,147 Speaker 4: played a lot of football for a long time, including Hughes. 54 00:02:51,187 --> 00:02:54,427 Speaker 4: But he was magnificent, wasn't he, Jerome Hus It's incredible 55 00:02:54,427 --> 00:02:57,147 Speaker 4: to think that he broke his wrist three weeks, three 56 00:02:57,187 --> 00:02:59,507 Speaker 4: weeks ago, and here he was coming back. And I 57 00:02:59,547 --> 00:03:03,187 Speaker 4: saw the Roosters doctor on social media saying, you know, 58 00:03:03,587 --> 00:03:05,467 Speaker 4: basically what Jerome Hughs has done is going to make 59 00:03:05,507 --> 00:03:07,547 Speaker 4: every coach now. I think that three weeks as the 60 00:03:07,627 --> 00:03:12,307 Speaker 4: standard for returning from a broken arm. So he was incredible. 61 00:03:13,067 --> 00:03:15,747 Speaker 4: The storm that, I mean, what can you say about them, 62 00:03:15,747 --> 00:03:19,027 Speaker 4: to be honest, they you know, their record is phenomenal. 63 00:03:19,667 --> 00:03:22,107 Speaker 4: They know how to win, win the big games. 64 00:03:24,067 --> 00:03:24,267 Speaker 3: You know. 65 00:03:24,347 --> 00:03:28,627 Speaker 4: Craig Bellamy is a coach, is just like it's it's 66 00:03:28,707 --> 00:03:31,787 Speaker 4: just amazing. You know, they're absolute phenomenon. But like Penrith 67 00:03:31,787 --> 00:03:35,307 Speaker 4: have actually got the better record or the more recent 68 00:03:35,987 --> 00:03:38,627 Speaker 4: record as well. So we're witnessing a couple of clubs 69 00:03:38,667 --> 00:03:42,107 Speaker 4: that are, you know, probably as good as has. 70 00:03:41,987 --> 00:03:43,627 Speaker 3: Ever been in the history of rugby league. 71 00:03:44,347 --> 00:03:46,827 Speaker 4: And you know we're eighty minutes away from finding out 72 00:03:46,827 --> 00:03:49,427 Speaker 4: whether we've got another Panthers storm Grand Final. 73 00:03:49,427 --> 00:03:51,507 Speaker 2: Well let's talk about that eighty minutes because the second 74 00:03:51,547 --> 00:03:55,507 Speaker 2: preliminary final isn't a few hours time, Brisbane against the Panthers. 75 00:03:56,187 --> 00:03:58,067 Speaker 2: I mean, you just feel as though the Panthers are 76 00:03:58,067 --> 00:03:59,947 Speaker 2: going to win this one, don't you. But the Broncos, 77 00:04:00,027 --> 00:04:03,027 Speaker 2: I mean they are a good team, aren't they. Brad 78 00:04:03,027 --> 00:04:06,027 Speaker 2: They're getting there, Adam Reynolds back, Reese Walsh, they could 79 00:04:06,067 --> 00:04:08,467 Speaker 2: win the game. Good made the Broncos for sure, they 80 00:04:08,467 --> 00:04:09,227 Speaker 2: can win the whole thing. 81 00:04:09,347 --> 00:04:10,467 Speaker 3: Like they are. 82 00:04:12,227 --> 00:04:14,547 Speaker 4: They've got incredible momentum at the moment they're going to 83 00:04:14,587 --> 00:04:18,387 Speaker 4: be playing before absolutely packed Sun Corps stadium that it 84 00:04:18,427 --> 00:04:20,987 Speaker 4: will be, you know, chock full of Broncos fans who 85 00:04:20,987 --> 00:04:23,387 Speaker 4: will be churing them. It's caught up there. It's about 86 00:04:23,387 --> 00:04:27,747 Speaker 4: thirty degrees at the moment so in Brisbane, so you 87 00:04:27,747 --> 00:04:30,467 Speaker 4: know it's still going to be really quite up there 88 00:04:30,507 --> 00:04:33,827 Speaker 4: at kickoff time. They've got I said, they've got momentum. 89 00:04:33,867 --> 00:04:36,747 Speaker 4: Reee Walsh is in like unbelievable for me. 90 00:04:36,827 --> 00:04:38,587 Speaker 3: Can you know the. 91 00:04:38,547 --> 00:04:40,707 Speaker 4: Game's never done? I mean what were they down sixteen 92 00:04:40,747 --> 00:04:43,707 Speaker 4: points against the Raiders and they came back? You know, 93 00:04:43,787 --> 00:04:47,307 Speaker 4: Reechbalks after being sin bid, came back and instigated that 94 00:04:47,427 --> 00:04:50,787 Speaker 4: incredible comeback. Adam Reynolds, their captain and spiritual leader and 95 00:04:50,827 --> 00:04:52,387 Speaker 4: like one of the best kickers in the game is 96 00:04:52,427 --> 00:04:55,427 Speaker 4: in returning after a long layoff with it with a 97 00:04:55,427 --> 00:04:59,547 Speaker 4: hamstring injury. Ezra Man, who you know also was injured 98 00:05:00,107 --> 00:05:01,987 Speaker 4: before the finals series. 99 00:05:02,627 --> 00:05:03,907 Speaker 3: He's back and he's going to be on the bench. 100 00:05:03,947 --> 00:05:05,467 Speaker 3: Will hit. There's no doubt he'll come on and make 101 00:05:05,547 --> 00:05:05,907 Speaker 3: some impact. 102 00:05:05,907 --> 00:05:08,947 Speaker 4: If you remember the twenty twenty three Grand Final between 103 00:05:08,947 --> 00:05:11,067 Speaker 4: these two teams, that looked like Ezra Men was basically 104 00:05:11,107 --> 00:05:13,667 Speaker 4: give him the Clive Churchill Medal. He'd won the Grand 105 00:05:13,747 --> 00:05:17,707 Speaker 4: Final for the Broncos before Nathan Cleary's you know, absolute 106 00:05:17,867 --> 00:05:20,187 Speaker 4: master class in the last twenty minutes. So yeah, there's 107 00:05:20,027 --> 00:05:22,707 Speaker 4: there's a lot of reasons why the Broncos can win 108 00:05:23,787 --> 00:05:25,867 Speaker 4: and they're they're up against and they've had a week's 109 00:05:25,867 --> 00:05:28,387 Speaker 4: break as well, they're freshing up. The only thing I 110 00:05:28,427 --> 00:05:30,747 Speaker 4: think going against him is that Pat Carrigan's out suspended, 111 00:05:30,787 --> 00:05:33,547 Speaker 4: but like paid halfs best best front rower in the game. 112 00:05:34,947 --> 00:05:37,427 Speaker 4: You know, there's Michael mcguy will have them absolutely primed. 113 00:05:37,427 --> 00:05:41,427 Speaker 4: There's there's so many reasons why why the Broncos will win. 114 00:05:42,387 --> 00:05:44,747 Speaker 4: But they're up against the panther side that they that 115 00:05:44,827 --> 00:05:47,507 Speaker 4: was running last in round twelve, like halfway through the competition, 116 00:05:47,547 --> 00:05:50,787 Speaker 4: they were last, and they've and they managed to get 117 00:05:50,787 --> 00:05:53,947 Speaker 4: their way into seventh spot. And like nobody wants to 118 00:05:53,947 --> 00:05:55,387 Speaker 4: play them, you would there's no way you'd want to 119 00:05:55,387 --> 00:06:00,067 Speaker 4: play them. You wouldn't back against them winning a fisconsecutive premiership. 120 00:06:00,147 --> 00:06:02,067 Speaker 4: You know, they've had a turnover of players, It's been 121 00:06:02,107 --> 00:06:07,667 Speaker 4: really well documented Jerome Lewy, James Fisher Harris in particular. 122 00:06:07,867 --> 00:06:10,867 Speaker 4: But mate, they're there again. They're there again, in about 123 00:06:11,067 --> 00:06:15,467 Speaker 4: eighty minutes away from another Grand Final. Nathan Cleary, there's 124 00:06:15,467 --> 00:06:18,187 Speaker 4: some incredible stats. You know, Nathan Cleary hasn't lost a 125 00:06:18,267 --> 00:06:21,187 Speaker 4: game in daytime football. I think it's twenty six games 126 00:06:21,227 --> 00:06:25,667 Speaker 4: in a row since twenty ninety. You know, Reece Walsh 127 00:06:25,747 --> 00:06:27,787 Speaker 4: has never won a game against the Panthers, so he's 128 00:06:27,827 --> 00:06:30,707 Speaker 4: none from seven, you know. So I don't know if 129 00:06:30,707 --> 00:06:34,587 Speaker 4: those stats will mean anything after today, but yeah, Doc, yeah, 130 00:06:34,587 --> 00:06:35,667 Speaker 4: there's going to be a hell of a game. I 131 00:06:35,667 --> 00:06:37,027 Speaker 4: suppose that's what we know. It's going to be a 132 00:06:37,027 --> 00:06:39,947 Speaker 4: cracking game. We've seen some great games of rugby league 133 00:06:39,987 --> 00:06:42,347 Speaker 4: this year and during the finals that Broncos Raiders game 134 00:06:42,387 --> 00:06:47,027 Speaker 4: was as good as it gets. And yeah, here we 135 00:06:47,027 --> 00:06:47,907 Speaker 4: are this afternoon. 136 00:06:48,067 --> 00:06:48,387 Speaker 3: I don't know. 137 00:06:48,507 --> 00:06:50,027 Speaker 4: I don't know who wins bored. I do know is 138 00:06:50,827 --> 00:06:52,387 Speaker 4: it's going to be a great Grand Final. That's the 139 00:06:52,387 --> 00:06:55,387 Speaker 4: other thing. Broncos v Storm or Panthers v Storm. It's 140 00:06:55,427 --> 00:06:57,507 Speaker 4: going to be an absolute cracking Grand Final. 141 00:06:57,667 --> 00:07:00,427 Speaker 2: But if Penrith were to go on and win today 142 00:07:00,507 --> 00:07:04,267 Speaker 2: and then win the Grand Final from seventh, where would 143 00:07:04,307 --> 00:07:06,667 Speaker 2: that sit among their recent champion. 144 00:07:06,907 --> 00:07:09,187 Speaker 3: That would be their greatest achievement. I've got no doubt 145 00:07:09,187 --> 00:07:09,587 Speaker 3: about that. 146 00:07:09,627 --> 00:07:11,347 Speaker 4: The players that they've lost and I mean the players 147 00:07:11,387 --> 00:07:14,787 Speaker 4: they've lost over you know, over over recent years. You know, 148 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:16,987 Speaker 4: each year they lose players and they replenish them. But 149 00:07:17,027 --> 00:07:20,627 Speaker 4: they lost like two absolute leaders in Fisher Harris and 150 00:07:20,827 --> 00:07:24,387 Speaker 4: Lui this year, like the guys that you can't really 151 00:07:24,467 --> 00:07:27,547 Speaker 4: replace and I'm not saying they have replaced, but replace them. 152 00:07:27,547 --> 00:07:30,707 Speaker 4: But other guys have stepped up and like Casey McLain 153 00:07:30,747 --> 00:07:34,067 Speaker 4: for example. You know, young kiwe Center, he's been outstanding 154 00:07:34,067 --> 00:07:35,907 Speaker 4: this year, Like he wasn't even a regular first grader, 155 00:07:35,947 --> 00:07:39,267 Speaker 4: but he's got his chance. Based Halongi, who they recruited 156 00:07:39,267 --> 00:07:41,867 Speaker 4: from Paramatta, I think everyone knew he was going to 157 00:07:41,907 --> 00:07:44,307 Speaker 4: be a good footballer, but but at the beginning of 158 00:07:44,307 --> 00:07:45,387 Speaker 4: the year it was sort of there was a lot 159 00:07:45,387 --> 00:07:47,067 Speaker 4: of a lot of question marks about whether he was 160 00:07:47,107 --> 00:07:49,987 Speaker 4: the guy and obviously big shoes to feel and he's 161 00:07:49,987 --> 00:07:52,827 Speaker 4: done the job. And Moses Leota, I think he's probably 162 00:07:52,867 --> 00:07:55,347 Speaker 4: really you know, gone to another level this year in 163 00:07:55,387 --> 00:07:58,147 Speaker 4: the absence of Fisher Harris because he's had to so. 164 00:07:59,267 --> 00:08:01,027 Speaker 4: But yeah, like I would say, it'd be their greatest 165 00:08:01,027 --> 00:08:04,907 Speaker 4: achievement to come from last midway through the competition, to 166 00:08:04,987 --> 00:08:06,827 Speaker 4: have lost those players. And you know there are a 167 00:08:06,827 --> 00:08:09,907 Speaker 4: lot of question marks. Basically everyone was saying they couldn't 168 00:08:09,907 --> 00:08:13,427 Speaker 4: do it, and here they are, you know, and they 169 00:08:13,587 --> 00:08:19,987 Speaker 4: have but just unbelievable confidence and self belief. Ivan Cleary, 170 00:08:20,107 --> 00:08:21,787 Speaker 4: You've got to say he's one of the greatest coaches 171 00:08:21,787 --> 00:08:25,587 Speaker 4: of all time. What he's done to turn to to 172 00:08:26,027 --> 00:08:29,627 Speaker 4: you know, turn this Panthers team into well, you know, 173 00:08:29,747 --> 00:08:33,627 Speaker 4: the greatest team of my lifetime, greatest achievement of my lifetime, 174 00:08:33,667 --> 00:08:36,107 Speaker 4: to win four in a row, playing five Grand Finals 175 00:08:36,147 --> 00:08:38,867 Speaker 4: and possibly you know, possibly that runs not over. 176 00:08:40,347 --> 00:08:40,947 Speaker 3: And he's done it. 177 00:08:41,027 --> 00:08:43,347 Speaker 4: And they've done it mainly with like if you go 178 00:08:43,427 --> 00:08:45,787 Speaker 4: back to the beginning of their run six years ago, 179 00:08:46,947 --> 00:08:49,547 Speaker 4: a lot of those players weren't they weren't superstars there, 180 00:08:49,547 --> 00:08:51,547 Speaker 4: and they were they were mainly kids that had come 181 00:08:51,587 --> 00:08:55,467 Speaker 4: out of the Panthers area or players like Fisher Harris 182 00:08:55,507 --> 00:08:58,307 Speaker 4: had been been spotted at a young age and brought 183 00:08:58,307 --> 00:09:01,187 Speaker 4: over and put in the Penrift system. And now they're 184 00:09:01,187 --> 00:09:03,427 Speaker 4: just a well, a machine. And as I said, they 185 00:09:03,827 --> 00:09:07,827 Speaker 4: lose superstars like Stephen Crichton and Philly Army Kickour and 186 00:09:08,587 --> 00:09:12,787 Speaker 4: Uppy corros Our every year and and they and they 187 00:09:12,827 --> 00:09:16,187 Speaker 4: just keep replacing and replacing them with usually with with 188 00:09:16,307 --> 00:09:19,067 Speaker 4: local talent, just someone else filling the filling, the jumping 189 00:09:19,067 --> 00:09:22,027 Speaker 4: in and filling, filling the spot and becoming a star 190 00:09:22,107 --> 00:09:26,867 Speaker 4: player themselves. So they're an incredible, incredible, incredible club, incredible team. 191 00:09:26,947 --> 00:09:30,227 Speaker 2: Yeah, just a triumph of regeneration and development as well. 192 00:09:30,227 --> 00:09:30,347 Speaker 3: Well. 193 00:09:30,387 --> 00:09:32,227 Speaker 2: As you say, Brad, we're going to get a cracking 194 00:09:32,267 --> 00:09:34,627 Speaker 2: game today and regardless who wins it, we're going to 195 00:09:34,667 --> 00:09:36,867 Speaker 2: get a cracking Grand final as well. So thanks for 196 00:09:37,067 --> 00:09:39,147 Speaker 2: joining us across New Zealanders always. Yeah. 197 00:09:39,187 --> 00:09:40,747 Speaker 4: And look, I Worries are in the New South Welest 198 00:09:40,747 --> 00:09:42,427 Speaker 4: Cup Grand Final as well today. If they win that, 199 00:09:42,427 --> 00:09:46,027 Speaker 4: they'll be playing the Burly Bears next Sunday before the 200 00:09:46,067 --> 00:09:48,307 Speaker 4: in r L W and inn RL Grand finals. So 201 00:09:49,667 --> 00:09:51,667 Speaker 4: and so there's a a Cleary connection there too with 202 00:09:51,747 --> 00:09:54,627 Speaker 4: Jack Cleary in the in the Warrior's side, so you'll 203 00:09:54,667 --> 00:09:56,027 Speaker 4: see what happens there. I think there are a very 204 00:09:56,027 --> 00:09:58,147 Speaker 4: good chance of winning, so it could be some Warriors 205 00:09:58,147 --> 00:09:59,587 Speaker 4: representation on Grand Final day. 206 00:09:59,587 --> 00:10:02,587 Speaker 2: Fantastic Always good chatting Brad. Thanks indeed, Brad Walter there, 207 00:10:02,907 --> 00:10:05,987 Speaker 2: longtime NRAL journalist and a familiar voice on weekend sport 208 00:10:06,067 --> 00:10:09,787 Speaker 2: as well. Broncos against the Panthers seven o five tonight 209 00:10:09,867 --> 00:10:12,907 Speaker 2: New Zealand Time and the winner to go through to 210 00:10:12,947 --> 00:10:16,387 Speaker 2: the Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm next Sunday evening. 211 00:10:17,307 --> 00:10:20,467 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 212 00:10:20,587 --> 00:10:23,867 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday or follow 213 00:10:23,907 --> 00:10:25,467 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio