1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,827 Speaker 1: from News Talks, it'd be show. 3 00:00:12,987 --> 00:00:16,467 Speaker 2: Is this your first trip to New Zealand, Steven. 4 00:00:16,707 --> 00:00:18,307 Speaker 3: No, No, I was there ten years ago. 5 00:00:18,427 --> 00:00:20,907 Speaker 4: I did the the Auckland Arts Masters ten years ago, 6 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:22,827 Speaker 4: so it's nice to be to be coming back to 7 00:00:22,867 --> 00:00:25,507 Speaker 4: New Zealand, to Auckland and I'm really looking forward to me. 8 00:00:26,027 --> 00:00:29,067 Speaker 2: You are coming in great form. Four World Series finals 9 00:00:29,067 --> 00:00:31,707 Speaker 2: this year, two wins. Only Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor 10 00:00:31,747 --> 00:00:33,947 Speaker 2: have ever won three in a year. What are you 11 00:00:33,987 --> 00:00:34,947 Speaker 2: doing so well right now? 12 00:00:35,987 --> 00:00:37,667 Speaker 3: I think just believing in me on ability. 13 00:00:37,827 --> 00:00:41,867 Speaker 4: Obviously, playing against the best players in the world every 14 00:00:41,907 --> 00:00:45,827 Speaker 4: week now is really improving my game, going in sharp 15 00:00:45,947 --> 00:00:49,467 Speaker 4: and feeling good. So it's all about turning up here 16 00:00:49,627 --> 00:00:51,427 Speaker 4: once showing my best arts on the other side of 17 00:00:51,467 --> 00:00:54,707 Speaker 4: the world, and yeah, I'll keep them trying to improve. 18 00:00:54,947 --> 00:00:57,267 Speaker 2: Have you always though, believed in your own ability? That's 19 00:00:57,307 --> 00:00:59,347 Speaker 2: not something that's just happened in the last little while, 20 00:00:59,427 --> 00:00:59,667 Speaker 2: is it. 21 00:01:00,467 --> 00:01:00,707 Speaker 3: No? 22 00:01:00,707 --> 00:01:04,427 Speaker 4: No, There's been obviously times over the last probably four 23 00:01:04,467 --> 00:01:06,667 Speaker 4: or five years where felt down and the dumb and 24 00:01:07,267 --> 00:01:09,507 Speaker 4: ready to walk away from the game. But I'm in 25 00:01:09,547 --> 00:01:12,107 Speaker 4: the best possible mind state of the mina. I feel 26 00:01:12,387 --> 00:01:15,547 Speaker 4: unbelievable with me dart. I'm enjoying it and walking around 27 00:01:15,547 --> 00:01:17,507 Speaker 4: with a smile on my face, and to get to 28 00:01:17,507 --> 00:01:20,467 Speaker 4: come to these countries who can enjoy darts and I'm 29 00:01:20,507 --> 00:01:21,067 Speaker 4: so happy. 30 00:01:21,307 --> 00:01:24,307 Speaker 2: What keeps you going in the more challenging times. 31 00:01:25,027 --> 00:01:27,587 Speaker 4: I think obviously it was well documented to seeing a 32 00:01:27,627 --> 00:01:31,427 Speaker 4: sports psychologists and a hypnotist and they rarely changed my 33 00:01:31,467 --> 00:01:34,027 Speaker 4: mindset the way I thought about the game and stuff. 34 00:01:34,067 --> 00:01:36,707 Speaker 4: And obviously seeing the fans over the last few years 35 00:01:37,347 --> 00:01:40,267 Speaker 4: it has been a massive help. Tearing up to tournaments 36 00:01:40,307 --> 00:01:43,827 Speaker 4: and people shouting and chanting me name now being well 37 00:01:43,907 --> 00:01:46,387 Speaker 4: number four, getting up to the high in the rankings, 38 00:01:46,387 --> 00:01:50,827 Speaker 4: and keeping to improve, seeing that improvement in the backstages 39 00:01:50,907 --> 00:01:53,747 Speaker 4: and on the biggest stages of the world, and yeah, 40 00:01:53,747 --> 00:01:57,027 Speaker 4: I think that's really really helped. And obviously the darts 41 00:01:57,147 --> 00:01:59,147 Speaker 4: is just getting bigger and bigger, and I'm one of 42 00:01:59,147 --> 00:02:01,907 Speaker 4: the biggest names of the minute, well number four and 43 00:02:02,067 --> 00:02:02,827 Speaker 4: just enjoying life. 44 00:02:02,867 --> 00:02:06,227 Speaker 2: To be fair, how much of the sport is confidence? 45 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:07,907 Speaker 2: How important is that? 46 00:02:09,307 --> 00:02:10,827 Speaker 3: I think it's the most important thing. 47 00:02:11,547 --> 00:02:14,947 Speaker 4: Going in with any confidence, especially when it's high, you 48 00:02:14,987 --> 00:02:16,147 Speaker 4: can win any single title. 49 00:02:16,187 --> 00:02:18,707 Speaker 3: You want. Obviously the players. 50 00:02:18,947 --> 00:02:22,827 Speaker 4: The standard of playing now is increasing every year, so 51 00:02:22,867 --> 00:02:24,507 Speaker 4: to keep up with that, we've got to work hard 52 00:02:24,547 --> 00:02:27,267 Speaker 4: behind the scenes, do all the tournaments we can and 53 00:02:27,307 --> 00:02:29,267 Speaker 4: make sure that we keep ourselves to the top of 54 00:02:29,267 --> 00:02:32,747 Speaker 4: our game, and obviously winning breeds confidence. So I've won 55 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:35,227 Speaker 4: a few tournaments this year as well, which has rarely helped, 56 00:02:35,267 --> 00:02:38,547 Speaker 4: and confidence sky high. Like I said, I'm coming into 57 00:02:38,587 --> 00:02:41,627 Speaker 4: to Australia and New Zealand on great form and long 58 00:02:41,667 --> 00:02:42,787 Speaker 4: way that continue. 59 00:02:42,507 --> 00:02:46,107 Speaker 2: Absolutely right in Poland recently ran a rap to Goobin 60 00:02:46,147 --> 00:02:47,987 Speaker 2: price but eight seven in the finals, so it could 61 00:02:47,987 --> 00:02:49,947 Speaker 2: have gone either way. But on the way you beat 62 00:02:50,067 --> 00:02:52,347 Speaker 2: Luke Littler and the semi's everything one hundred and four 63 00:02:52,347 --> 00:02:55,307 Speaker 2: point one two terrific semi final. Tell us a bit 64 00:02:55,307 --> 00:02:55,947 Speaker 2: about that match. 65 00:02:56,987 --> 00:02:59,547 Speaker 4: Yeah, obviously, anytime you play Luke you know you need 66 00:02:59,587 --> 00:03:02,987 Speaker 4: to play to your best ability. He's such a fantastic 67 00:03:03,027 --> 00:03:05,667 Speaker 4: player and he's the reason why darts are so popular 68 00:03:05,707 --> 00:03:08,147 Speaker 4: now At the minute, everyone speaks about Luke little and 69 00:03:08,187 --> 00:03:11,627 Speaker 4: no matter watch sport you watch, so it was really 70 00:03:11,627 --> 00:03:14,147 Speaker 4: important to get that win over him. I know I 71 00:03:14,227 --> 00:03:17,307 Speaker 4: gave everything to that game, but he never went away 72 00:03:17,427 --> 00:03:19,067 Speaker 4: even when I got on top of him. He was 73 00:03:19,107 --> 00:03:21,947 Speaker 4: still clawing back law and back, and yeah, it's so 74 00:03:22,067 --> 00:03:25,347 Speaker 4: important that when you get so far ahead of an opponent, 75 00:03:25,467 --> 00:03:26,947 Speaker 4: you've got to finish them off and that's what I 76 00:03:26,987 --> 00:03:27,587 Speaker 4: was able to do. 77 00:03:27,667 --> 00:03:29,347 Speaker 3: But he's such a great character. 78 00:03:29,507 --> 00:03:32,427 Speaker 4: He's brilliant for our sports and we're going to have 79 00:03:32,427 --> 00:03:34,227 Speaker 4: many more battles over the coming years. 80 00:03:34,307 --> 00:03:34,787 Speaker 2: Absolutely. 81 00:03:34,907 --> 00:03:35,027 Speaker 1: Well. 82 00:03:35,067 --> 00:03:37,387 Speaker 2: Of course you had one at the World Champs at 83 00:03:37,427 --> 00:03:39,587 Speaker 2: the start of the year in the in the semi finals. 84 00:03:39,627 --> 00:03:41,267 Speaker 2: How do you reflect back on your on your most 85 00:03:41,267 --> 00:03:43,907 Speaker 2: recent appearance at La Pelly in the World Champs right 86 00:03:43,947 --> 00:03:45,187 Speaker 2: at the start of twenty twenty five. 87 00:03:46,147 --> 00:03:48,467 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think that's been a catalyst, to be honest, 88 00:03:48,507 --> 00:03:50,827 Speaker 4: to be able to move forward this season. I think 89 00:03:50,867 --> 00:03:54,627 Speaker 4: obviously getting to the semifinals was a massive achievement for me, 90 00:03:55,467 --> 00:03:58,627 Speaker 4: obviously pushing myself up the rankings back up to well 91 00:03:58,707 --> 00:04:00,827 Speaker 4: up to a world high of well on before now. 92 00:04:00,867 --> 00:04:03,947 Speaker 4: So it's been really great, to be honest, it's been 93 00:04:04,547 --> 00:04:07,107 Speaker 4: It's helped me on the World saidies, getting back into 94 00:04:07,107 --> 00:04:09,827 Speaker 4: that playing Premier League as well, which has been amazing. 95 00:04:10,347 --> 00:04:12,547 Speaker 3: And obviously I know that I still need to. 96 00:04:12,467 --> 00:04:14,387 Speaker 4: Work hard to be able to do this for the 97 00:04:14,547 --> 00:04:17,587 Speaker 4: for the seeable future, and I'm trying to do that. 98 00:04:17,667 --> 00:04:20,787 Speaker 4: And yeah, I'm sure PDCC how well I'm doing. And 99 00:04:20,827 --> 00:04:24,467 Speaker 4: they they obviously looking after next year's already, so I 100 00:04:24,507 --> 00:04:25,867 Speaker 4: want to be back in them. I want to be 101 00:04:25,867 --> 00:04:28,867 Speaker 4: doing these well said the year after year, and I 102 00:04:28,907 --> 00:04:31,307 Speaker 4: want to be competing at a daughter at the highest level. 103 00:04:31,307 --> 00:04:32,507 Speaker 3: And that's what I'm going to try and do. 104 00:04:32,587 --> 00:04:36,547 Speaker 4: And especially against these these young whipper snappers like Luke 105 00:04:36,587 --> 00:04:38,947 Speaker 4: Little and who are coming through and other players who 106 00:04:38,987 --> 00:04:42,107 Speaker 4: are there, It's going to be difficult. But yeah, I'm 107 00:04:42,147 --> 00:04:45,467 Speaker 4: not getting any younger, but I'm getting more hungry to win. 108 00:04:45,467 --> 00:04:49,147 Speaker 2: Titles that simmy, are you average to hundred? And that's simmy. 109 00:04:50,067 --> 00:04:52,147 Speaker 2: How does it feel when you throw so well but 110 00:04:52,147 --> 00:04:53,347 Speaker 2: but you still don't win. 111 00:04:54,387 --> 00:04:56,147 Speaker 3: You've just got to take your hat off, to be honest. 112 00:04:57,147 --> 00:04:59,707 Speaker 4: Obviously, when when I know that I'm playing well, I 113 00:04:59,707 --> 00:05:01,507 Speaker 4: can't get up too upset in the game. I can 114 00:05:01,867 --> 00:05:03,867 Speaker 4: I come away from that game, to be honest, I was. 115 00:05:03,907 --> 00:05:06,027 Speaker 4: I was upset that a loss, but I think the 116 00:05:06,067 --> 00:05:08,787 Speaker 4: before Morman's levels, I took a lot of confidence away 117 00:05:08,787 --> 00:05:11,627 Speaker 4: from that, which helped me build towards the rest of 118 00:05:11,667 --> 00:05:14,107 Speaker 4: the season. As you've seen, I've won a few titles 119 00:05:14,107 --> 00:05:16,307 Speaker 4: this year as well, the World series titles and stuff. 120 00:05:16,347 --> 00:05:18,667 Speaker 4: So yeah, I'm really happy with the way we form 121 00:05:18,867 --> 00:05:21,907 Speaker 4: is consistent wise as well. I'm one of the most 122 00:05:21,947 --> 00:05:24,787 Speaker 4: consistent on the on the on the tour at the minute, 123 00:05:25,187 --> 00:05:28,027 Speaker 4: and that makes me dangerous and yeah, I just I 124 00:05:28,107 --> 00:05:29,987 Speaker 4: just feel like I'm part of the part of the 125 00:05:30,027 --> 00:05:33,507 Speaker 4: PDC now top four, playing with Premier League, all the 126 00:05:33,507 --> 00:05:36,507 Speaker 4: well sadies, and yeah, it's a great time to be 127 00:05:36,547 --> 00:05:38,867 Speaker 4: a dark player as well, and I'm just reaping the 128 00:05:38,907 --> 00:05:40,347 Speaker 4: rewards and enjoying every little bit. 129 00:05:40,587 --> 00:05:43,947 Speaker 2: You'll walk on song one of the Beast Titanian, How 130 00:05:43,947 --> 00:05:45,027 Speaker 2: did you land on that song? 131 00:05:46,387 --> 00:05:51,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's my son's favorite song, so obviously the bulletproof 132 00:05:51,187 --> 00:05:54,787 Speaker 4: tagline and nothing to Lose it sort of fits really 133 00:05:54,827 --> 00:05:57,707 Speaker 4: really well. And yeah, that was that was a big 134 00:05:57,747 --> 00:06:01,787 Speaker 4: part of moving forward, trying to rebrand myself. I've gained 135 00:06:01,827 --> 00:06:03,827 Speaker 4: a lot of fans with the walk on and stuff, 136 00:06:03,867 --> 00:06:07,067 Speaker 4: and yeah, lots of people knowing now just for the 137 00:06:07,107 --> 00:06:09,387 Speaker 4: walk on, I think I needed to get away from 138 00:06:09,387 --> 00:06:10,787 Speaker 4: the family I walk on as well. 139 00:06:10,867 --> 00:06:12,667 Speaker 3: It was a bit too gimmicky and stuff. 140 00:06:12,707 --> 00:06:15,987 Speaker 4: So I'm glad I've done that, and I've got a 141 00:06:15,987 --> 00:06:19,347 Speaker 4: proper song now that everyone can relate to. When everyone 142 00:06:19,387 --> 00:06:22,107 Speaker 4: hears it now they know it's my song, and yeah, 143 00:06:22,107 --> 00:06:22,707 Speaker 4: it's amazing. 144 00:06:22,907 --> 00:06:25,867 Speaker 2: You talk about a rebrand there, and look, you've become 145 00:06:26,187 --> 00:06:29,107 Speaker 2: a viral sensation on social media, TikTok and all of 146 00:06:29,107 --> 00:06:31,667 Speaker 2: the others as well. How important is that, you know, 147 00:06:31,787 --> 00:06:34,867 Speaker 2: to increase your own profile but also the profile of 148 00:06:34,907 --> 00:06:35,787 Speaker 2: the sport itself. 149 00:06:36,827 --> 00:06:39,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, I know it's massive, and it's about showing you 150 00:06:39,707 --> 00:06:44,667 Speaker 4: personality as well. It's nothing's feet, everything's theirs real. I'm 151 00:06:44,707 --> 00:06:47,147 Speaker 4: just a normal lad who's living his dream to be honest, 152 00:06:47,187 --> 00:06:50,107 Speaker 4: and it's nice to be able to show everyone, especially. 153 00:06:49,787 --> 00:06:50,907 Speaker 3: On like TikTok is. 154 00:06:51,267 --> 00:06:53,947 Speaker 4: It's all a bit of fun, but it's my personality 155 00:06:53,987 --> 00:06:56,507 Speaker 4: and it's showing people a different side to the darts 156 00:06:56,547 --> 00:06:59,147 Speaker 4: as well. I'm not just a dark player. I'm a 157 00:06:59,187 --> 00:07:01,787 Speaker 4: normal person and it's nice to show people what we 158 00:07:01,827 --> 00:07:04,187 Speaker 4: can do as well. There'll be some funny stuff coming 159 00:07:04,227 --> 00:07:07,787 Speaker 4: on me YouTube over the next next year, so there's 160 00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:10,107 Speaker 4: We've got a lot of things planned, but obviously i'm 161 00:07:10,467 --> 00:07:12,547 Speaker 4: first and foremost. I want to do well on the 162 00:07:12,627 --> 00:07:14,467 Speaker 4: darts as well and keep you profile high on that. 163 00:07:14,947 --> 00:07:19,027 Speaker 2: What's the camaraderie like among the world's top players as 164 00:07:19,027 --> 00:07:22,467 Speaker 2: you move around all over the globe now to play, Yeah. 165 00:07:22,587 --> 00:07:26,107 Speaker 4: All the players are rarely friendly, to be honest, we 166 00:07:26,147 --> 00:07:29,347 Speaker 4: see each other more than family, so we are pretty 167 00:07:29,387 --> 00:07:32,987 Speaker 4: much one big family, to be fair, and we play 168 00:07:33,067 --> 00:07:36,507 Speaker 4: that much darts together. We know each other's dietary requirements, 169 00:07:36,547 --> 00:07:39,107 Speaker 4: to be honest, so yeah, we get along really well. 170 00:07:39,107 --> 00:07:42,467 Speaker 4: It's great, great camaradi we have. But obviously when we 171 00:07:42,507 --> 00:07:44,427 Speaker 4: get up on them stages, we want to beat each other. 172 00:07:44,507 --> 00:07:46,587 Speaker 4: So we can't get too palid when we're up on 173 00:07:46,627 --> 00:07:49,627 Speaker 4: the stages because yeah, they're taking the money out of 174 00:07:49,627 --> 00:07:50,147 Speaker 4: my pocket. 175 00:07:51,907 --> 00:07:54,547 Speaker 2: Here's your favorite double? Changed much over the. 176 00:07:54,587 --> 00:07:57,987 Speaker 4: Years, And yeah, I would say so because I keep 177 00:07:57,987 --> 00:08:02,387 Speaker 4: missing double sixteen, So double top and double sixteen, I 178 00:08:02,387 --> 00:08:05,547 Speaker 4: mean me too my favorite? But yeah, I think any 179 00:08:05,547 --> 00:08:07,467 Speaker 4: double I can hit is my favorite, to be honest, 180 00:08:07,467 --> 00:08:08,027 Speaker 4: at the minute. 181 00:08:08,067 --> 00:08:10,267 Speaker 2: Is there any double that that not just you but 182 00:08:10,307 --> 00:08:11,947 Speaker 2: players don't like it? On a double three or har 183 00:08:11,947 --> 00:08:14,467 Speaker 2: I don't know. Is there any double that you really 184 00:08:14,507 --> 00:08:14,907 Speaker 2: don't like? 185 00:08:15,547 --> 00:08:17,267 Speaker 4: I think double one's got to be one of them, 186 00:08:17,547 --> 00:08:19,747 Speaker 4: although sometimes we do end up on double one quite 187 00:08:19,787 --> 00:08:22,907 Speaker 4: a lot. But yeah, it's a bit of a scary double. 188 00:08:22,947 --> 00:08:24,707 Speaker 4: If you come inside you bust and there's no other 189 00:08:25,027 --> 00:08:28,547 Speaker 4: other goal. So yeah, i'd say double one or double three. 190 00:08:28,587 --> 00:08:31,707 Speaker 4: As you said, you come inside you've left three. It's 191 00:08:31,747 --> 00:08:34,027 Speaker 4: a bit more awkward, so yeah, double three or double one. 192 00:08:34,027 --> 00:08:36,027 Speaker 2: I would say, can't wait to see you here in 193 00:08:36,107 --> 00:08:40,067 Speaker 2: Auckland for the New Zealand Darts Masters Stephen A delight 194 00:08:40,107 --> 00:08:41,707 Speaker 2: to check to you mate, all the beast in Australia 195 00:08:41,747 --> 00:08:43,707 Speaker 2: first and can't wait to see you when you get here. 196 00:08:43,747 --> 00:08:44,467 Speaker 3: Thank you anymore. 197 00:08:44,987 --> 00:08:48,187 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 198 00:08:48,267 --> 00:08:51,547 Speaker 1: to news Talks it'd be weekends from midday, or follow 199 00:08:51,587 --> 00:08:53,227 Speaker 1: the podcast on I Hard Radio