1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,559 Speaker 1: Finals time for the Warriors. We finished six, We face 2 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:05,720 Speaker 1: the Panthers, we lose. The season, that's over upside, the 3 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:08,879 Speaker 1: game is at home. Andrew Webster's back with us. Good morning, 4 00:00:09,560 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: morning mate. Your satisfaction levels, Let's do a one to ten. 5 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 1: Ten You couldn't be happier one year? Depressed your satisfaction 6 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: levels with where we're at as of now and how. 7 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 2: We got here, I'd i'd say seven, seven and a 8 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 2: be a bit of context to it. I think it 9 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:31,319 Speaker 2: starting you. We would have taken been in the top 10 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 2: six and having a crack at finals, but I don't 11 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:37,839 Speaker 2: think where anyone's very happy with the back end of 12 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 2: that season. We could have played a lot better, certainly 13 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:44,599 Speaker 2: been circumstances, but yeah, we're in control of that and 14 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:48,160 Speaker 2: probably not playing our best footy. But new competition starts now. 15 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:52,159 Speaker 1: Okay, injuries and lessons from the injuries? Are we and 16 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 1: you you would be across the NRL better than I am. 17 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: Are we any more badly injured than any other top team? 18 00:00:58,320 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 1: Or are we unlucky? What's happened there? 19 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:08,040 Speaker 2: Well, I'd say we've had like big injuries, We've had 20 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 2: acl injuries, which means season ending for long periods of time. So, 21 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 2: but I think if you looked at say the Melbourne Storm, 22 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 2: what they're going through right this second, the jeromees Hues 23 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 2: he's now gone for the season, they're probably going through 24 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,759 Speaker 2: a bit of pain right now. But as far as 25 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 2: losing your origin front rower for the season with an 26 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 2: acl and your your number one half back at the 27 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:37,560 Speaker 2: time that metas that, they're they're pretty big blows. But 28 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:41,680 Speaker 2: I'd say we've got very good depth and it's allowed 29 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 2: us to play a lot of young players and bring 30 00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:45,759 Speaker 2: them along for the future as well. 31 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 1: Right was that ideal in the sense that several part 32 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: questions the injuries that come of it. Is there something 33 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 1: that can be done about that, you know, fitness, preparation, whatever, 34 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 1: or is that just bad luck? And in bringing young 35 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: players through is that is that a positive choice or 36 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: a choice made because you have to. 37 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 2: A bit of both. We've had, we've had options for 38 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 2: some more senior players to take people's spots, and we're 39 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 2: elected to go with the future. So that's one thing 40 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 2: we're much rather than the department on the field as round. 41 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:22,239 Speaker 2: Are we bad luck as a bad luck or poor management? 42 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 2: It's bad luck, particularly these as health there are certain 43 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 2: things you can do around a fel prevention, But if 44 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 2: you look at the mechanics of those two injuries the 45 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 2: way they happened, they're just they're just extremely unfortunate and 46 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:42,359 Speaker 2: put in a really unfortunate situation at the time. 47 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 1: What do you think? What was you thinking for a 48 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 1: better part of the season, the four where we sat 49 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 1: in the top four and we were there for a 50 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 1: sustained period of time. What were you thinking during that 51 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: period that we were better than we deserve to be, 52 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:57,519 Speaker 1: that this is about where we should be, and therefore 53 00:02:57,560 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 1: you now disappointed? What was you thinking? Then? 54 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:03,240 Speaker 2: We're there so long, So I thought different things at 55 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 2: different times, Like a week in rugby leagues a long time. 56 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:09,639 Speaker 2: I remember we were top four, we got to one 57 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 2: of the buyers who played the Sharks were extremely dominant. 58 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 2: We just lost lost Mitch Barnett actually, and we're extremely 59 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 2: dominant even though he wasn't playing. I thought, you know, 60 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 2: we're a real good squatty. We're tracking while we're playing 61 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 2: and sole football we want to play. And then obviously 62 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 2: he asked me two weeks ago, we're still in the 63 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 2: fall and it's like we're not actually playing at this 64 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 2: football here. We don't look and resemble what we did 65 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 2: when we played the Sharks. But I'm one of those 66 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 2: guys that timing everything and if we play our best 67 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 2: football for the next four weeks, we could all be 68 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 2: very happy. 69 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 1: Well, it's tip so top four. We talked about put 70 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 1: this into context if you can, what happened from the 71 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,680 Speaker 1: fall out of the top four and and you know, 72 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 1: so the last handful of games, what was the problem. 73 00:03:58,240 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: Is it just injuries or something else? 74 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 2: No, no injuries. Yeah, like I'm happy to always put 75 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 2: our journey into context with injuries, but I'm not happy 76 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 2: to use it as an excuse, that's for sure. No 77 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 2: injuries aren't the team. I mean, concentration level has been 78 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 2: a big one for us, and that sounds like, well, 79 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:22,039 Speaker 2: why they're concentrating, But we just we just had really 80 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,760 Speaker 2: big moments. For an example, we played Paramatter Little twelve 81 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:29,839 Speaker 2: all doubt, and they just scored real long range tries 82 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 2: when we nearly look to score. They were like, they're 83 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,280 Speaker 2: like big momentum swings and viral parts of the game, 84 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 2: and that's kind of what's killing on us. So we 85 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 2: completely dominant, not dominated field position, get to Paramatter, but 86 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 2: yet we're down by twelve points. So just moments like that, 87 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 2: mainly on the weekend, we've gone from the best completion 88 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 2: team of competition to one of the worst. Yeah, it's 89 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 2: something we can completely fix and it's in our control. 90 00:04:58,120 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: And do you feel that you can fix it by 91 00:04:59,600 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 1: this week? 92 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely, definitely. I mean I'd be a poor coach 93 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:06,640 Speaker 2: if I didn't believe it. And I may as well 94 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 2: tell the players, don't go out there this week. Let's 95 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:13,719 Speaker 2: go on a holiday. Now. We're motivated and we believe 96 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 2: in ourself. 97 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:18,159 Speaker 1: Once the scenario or your explanation behind well one of 98 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: my sort of observations. I mean it's everyone's observation. The Bulldogs, 99 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 1: the Storm, the Raiders. So we're sitting in the four 100 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: and they're the other three. We play them. We couldn't 101 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 1: beat them. We couldn't beat the sides we needed in 102 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:33,279 Speaker 1: some way, shape or form to eventually need to beat. 103 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 1: What was the issue there or what is the issue there? 104 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,919 Speaker 2: Well, it's one of them is different circumstances at different moments, 105 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 2: I'd say. But yeah, like I can't hide the fact 106 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 2: that they beat us all three times. I can't Raiders 107 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 2: beat us twice. I thought We were really good against 108 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 2: the Raiders at home in the fell away at the 109 00:05:57,040 --> 00:06:00,040 Speaker 2: end and they beat us. But I felt like a 110 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 2: little bit different to the Las Vegas experience. Round one. 111 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:05,039 Speaker 2: I thought we were a lot better. We're up for 112 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: the fight, we knew what we were doing. I thought 113 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 2: we'd come a long way at that point. But yeah, 114 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 2: we got done by the Bulldogs in the pouring rain. 115 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 2: Round five against Melbourne. They are absolutely conscious in the faith, 116 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 2: so I did set believe those four games against those 117 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 2: three teams have been great lessons for us. But you're right. 118 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 2: The only top four team we knocked off of Coronola, 119 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 2: and that's where they were in the top four at 120 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 2: the time. They're not there. They're obviously sick. Yeah, that's 121 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:39,960 Speaker 2: that's probably the only occasion. 122 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:44,239 Speaker 1: The observation for many was that, yes we're in the four, 123 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:46,480 Speaker 1: but the Dogs are storm in the Raiders, they were 124 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 1: in a league of their own, and somehow it was 125 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: it was a different competition. Is that fair or not? 126 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:56,680 Speaker 2: I don't believe so. No, I don't believe so. But 127 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 2: as a result we fell out of the eight out 128 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 2: of the fall. So you could say that those people 129 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 2: were correct you. I'm like It's a good question, but 130 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 2: a question that I'm not going to put too much 131 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 2: energy into because I really have to care about them now. 132 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 2: But if we're going to dig into our seat and 133 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 2: am I commenting on where people right? In hindsight, they 134 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 2: probably work because we don't come, we don't make the 135 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 2: top four. But I just want to be judged on 136 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 2: where we are now and what's about to happen ahead 137 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 2: of us, because I think everyone would love a ticket 138 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 2: to the finals and the eight teams get one and 139 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:38,960 Speaker 2: we're top six get our home final. So I just 140 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 2: want to be judged on how we are now. 141 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: If I like care about are you talking to the 142 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 1: side when it comes to playoffs now? So do you 143 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 1: talk to them differently because it's the Panthers or is 144 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: it just a playoff game no matter who it is. 145 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 2: No, we just take into consideration to the opponents every week, 146 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: like their strengths, that weakness is what we're good at. 147 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 2: Like we're not putting them like a pedestal. We respect them, 148 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:05,679 Speaker 2: so we're not beating before we get to the start 149 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 2: line because we think they're better than it we Our 150 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:14,280 Speaker 2: whole thing is that no matter who we play, let's 151 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 2: not beat ourselves. Let's play our best football and let's 152 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 2: see where it takes it as opposed to not playing 153 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 2: our football. And then everyone tells if Panthers are better 154 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 2: than you, but we don't want that leadt if they're 155 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 2: better than this. After this eighty minutes and we've played 156 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 2: our best football and I think we can all live 157 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 2: with that during our break and we've got to come 158 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 2: back and improve. So I just believe that we can 159 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 2: play our best football and we. 160 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,439 Speaker 1: I know you don't want to contemplate that. Nobody does. 161 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 1: But say the Panthers do win and they go on 162 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: to win the whole thing, where does that put them 163 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: new Reckon given where they were for a chunk of 164 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: the season at the back of the field, the reigning 165 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 1: champions who were nowhere and came back to win it 166 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 1: all again. I mean, that's that's surely one of the 167 00:08:58,400 --> 00:08:59,079 Speaker 1: great stories. 168 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 2: I think. Yeah, I don't even really want to contemplate 169 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 2: that because that means they beat us. But I manifest victory, 170 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 2: so they don't manifest West. But I will repeat this. 171 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 2: They're a great thing. I got a lot of respect 172 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 2: for them. I think each year they've had a different 173 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 2: journey on how they've achieved things, they've got to lose 174 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 2: one day, you know. I don't know when that's going 175 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,679 Speaker 2: to be, but hopefully it's just this Saturday night, and 176 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 2: that's a line manifesting right now. 177 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:34,880 Speaker 1: Is a victory fair enough. I thought Fisher Harris's comments 178 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 1: were interesting that he likes the fact that no one 179 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 1: across the Tasman backs you. Do you share on that view? 180 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I think it's I think it's great. 181 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:47,559 Speaker 2: There's no pressure on our side like not like if 182 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:49,679 Speaker 2: I'm being honest, I think our fans love us and 183 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 2: respect us and care about us. We've got their backing, 184 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 2: But over there they they just think we're making up 185 00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 2: the numbers. And I think it makes for a great 186 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 2: story when we prove them wrong. But it doesn't motivate 187 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 2: me like I just only the only time. The reason 188 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 2: why I turned up to be a coach is to 189 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:15,640 Speaker 2: give all the fans what they've been craving for so 190 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 2: long and to make sure our players can fill their drink. 191 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,839 Speaker 2: So if we can do that, that's my motivation and 192 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 2: they'd be the best day of the sun. 193 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:24,440 Speaker 1: Well, it's a home crowd. I'm assume it's going to 194 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 1: be sold out. Isn't it. 195 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:29,199 Speaker 2: Well, it was when I left yesterday. It was on 196 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:34,960 Speaker 2: that path and I haven't had any official official notification, 197 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 2: but i'd say it definitely. 198 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 1: Good on you well. We wish you all the best. 199 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:40,680 Speaker 1: As always, fabulous to catch up with you. Go well 200 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 1: this weekend. Yes, he's a good bloker, isn't he. Andrew Webster, 201 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: the Warriors coach. For more from the Mic Asking Breakfast, 202 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:51,599 Speaker 1: listen live to news talks. It'd be from six am weekdays, 203 00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 1: or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.