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 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:15,587 Speaker 2: Warriors top eight hopes in the NRL starting to slip 4 00:00:15,627 --> 00:00:20,027 Speaker 2: away after a thirty twenty loss to the Eels at 5 00:00:20,027 --> 00:00:23,107 Speaker 2: Mount Smart last night. The Eels led eighteen to four 6 00:00:23,227 --> 00:00:26,707 Speaker 2: at halftime. They extended that out to thirty points to 7 00:00:26,787 --> 00:00:29,627 Speaker 2: four with fifteen minutes to go. It was only three 8 00:00:29,907 --> 00:00:33,347 Speaker 2: late tries to the Warriors that closed the score line 9 00:00:33,507 --> 00:00:37,707 Speaker 2: up experienced a Rugbia league journo for NRL dot Com, 10 00:00:37,707 --> 00:00:42,507 Speaker 2: Brad Walter joins us Brad, what's happened to the Warriors? 11 00:00:44,067 --> 00:00:48,587 Speaker 3: Look, Jason, are just being inconsistent all season. Unfortunately, when 12 00:00:48,587 --> 00:00:51,307 Speaker 3: you think they're going to win, they don't, And when 13 00:00:51,347 --> 00:00:53,867 Speaker 3: you maybe think that they're up against it, they managed 14 00:00:53,907 --> 00:00:57,267 Speaker 3: to dig deep and pull something out of the fire 15 00:00:59,507 --> 00:01:01,427 Speaker 3: last night. A wind would have put them in a 16 00:01:01,587 --> 00:01:05,827 Speaker 3: reasonably comfortable position they to buy in hand, but they're 17 00:01:05,827 --> 00:01:10,747 Speaker 3: probably now they're probably now facing the situation where they 18 00:01:10,787 --> 00:01:13,947 Speaker 3: need to win their four remaining games, and with the 19 00:01:13,987 --> 00:01:17,667 Speaker 3: buy that they're they're still in top eight contention, but 20 00:01:17,707 --> 00:01:20,867 Speaker 3: if they don't win those four remaining games, their fate 21 00:01:21,107 --> 00:01:24,227 Speaker 3: is likely to be in the hands of other teams 22 00:01:24,267 --> 00:01:27,987 Speaker 3: and it's pretty congested in that sort of in that 23 00:01:28,107 --> 00:01:30,467 Speaker 3: middle of the table where where where they're they're sitting 24 00:01:30,507 --> 00:01:33,667 Speaker 3: at the moment. So that's to lose to the Eels, 25 00:01:34,347 --> 00:01:36,827 Speaker 3: you know, the Eels are basically in a wooden spoon 26 00:01:36,867 --> 00:01:39,587 Speaker 3: battle with the West Tigers. That may have may have 27 00:01:39,667 --> 00:01:43,667 Speaker 3: saved the Eels from from winning the wooden Spoon. But 28 00:01:43,667 --> 00:01:45,787 Speaker 3: but yeh, it's it's certainly put a bent into the 29 00:01:45,827 --> 00:01:47,027 Speaker 3: Warriors finals hopes. 30 00:01:47,467 --> 00:01:50,507 Speaker 2: What is causing this inconsistency? Is there anything you can 31 00:01:50,587 --> 00:01:54,627 Speaker 2: put your finger on that isn't going as it should? Not? 32 00:01:54,667 --> 00:01:57,187 Speaker 3: Really? I mean I look at the side and it's 33 00:01:57,187 --> 00:01:59,347 Speaker 3: a it's a it's a great team that the Warriors 34 00:01:59,387 --> 00:02:03,067 Speaker 3: have gotten. You know, there's a lot of individual players 35 00:02:03,107 --> 00:02:09,187 Speaker 3: that put their hands up, you know, perform well weeks. Yeah, 36 00:02:09,987 --> 00:02:12,027 Speaker 3: it is, I'm not know, it's hard to put your 37 00:02:12,027 --> 00:02:14,307 Speaker 3: finger on. And look, there's been a lot of chopping 38 00:02:14,307 --> 00:02:17,467 Speaker 3: and changing for various reasons, but you know, mainly due 39 00:02:17,507 --> 00:02:19,467 Speaker 3: to injury. It's been a lot of chopping and changing, 40 00:02:20,267 --> 00:02:22,107 Speaker 3: you know, in the in the key positions, in the 41 00:02:22,147 --> 00:02:27,667 Speaker 3: halves at fallback as well. You know. So look, I 42 00:02:27,667 --> 00:02:30,587 Speaker 3: don't know if that's a factor. You know. Seawan Johnson 43 00:02:30,667 --> 00:02:34,547 Speaker 3: was back last night after a layoff. He's he's had 44 00:02:34,587 --> 00:02:39,267 Speaker 3: an injury prone season. I think it's really it's sort 45 00:02:39,267 --> 00:02:41,707 Speaker 3: of you know, I feel unfair, I suppose for one 46 00:02:41,747 --> 00:02:43,627 Speaker 3: of a better word, but it seems like every time 47 00:02:43,667 --> 00:02:45,547 Speaker 3: Sean comes back into the team now, because he's been 48 00:02:45,587 --> 00:02:47,387 Speaker 3: out for a while, he doesn't have any time to 49 00:02:47,387 --> 00:02:49,267 Speaker 3: find his feet. He's got to be straight in and 50 00:02:49,387 --> 00:02:52,147 Speaker 3: you know, he's playing in these games where you know 51 00:02:52,187 --> 00:02:55,187 Speaker 3: they're expected to win, they need to win. He's obviously 52 00:02:55,187 --> 00:02:58,827 Speaker 3: the club's first choice half back. But yeah, you know, 53 00:02:58,907 --> 00:03:00,947 Speaker 3: like he said, he just came straight back into the 54 00:03:00,947 --> 00:03:03,027 Speaker 3: team last night, and they're on the they're on the 55 00:03:03,027 --> 00:03:07,187 Speaker 3: back foot. It's and now they're in situation where they're 56 00:03:07,187 --> 00:03:09,627 Speaker 3: going to win win all of their remaining games. It's 57 00:03:09,667 --> 00:03:12,707 Speaker 3: it's pretty tough, I think when when you're a key playmaker, 58 00:03:13,627 --> 00:03:15,787 Speaker 3: you know, and the key playmakers in the team have 59 00:03:15,907 --> 00:03:19,307 Speaker 3: been you know, in and out on a regular basis, 60 00:03:19,307 --> 00:03:22,787 Speaker 3: it's just really hard to get that consistency amongst amongst 61 00:03:22,787 --> 00:03:23,427 Speaker 3: the playing squad. 62 00:03:24,027 --> 00:03:28,587 Speaker 2: Do you believe in second season syndrome for coaches? And 63 00:03:28,707 --> 00:03:30,547 Speaker 2: is that what this is for Andrew Webster. 64 00:03:32,147 --> 00:03:34,347 Speaker 3: Oh look, I don't know if I believe in it, 65 00:03:34,427 --> 00:03:37,787 Speaker 3: but you know, like we have seen do with teams 66 00:03:37,787 --> 00:03:40,867 Speaker 3: with players, you know, so I suppose it can happen 67 00:03:40,907 --> 00:03:43,427 Speaker 3: with coaches as well. But look, Andrew Webster is a 68 00:03:43,507 --> 00:03:48,867 Speaker 3: very you know, meticulous coach. He's very well, highly regarded. 69 00:03:49,027 --> 00:03:50,947 Speaker 3: He's been coaching for a long time. He might not 70 00:03:50,987 --> 00:03:54,827 Speaker 3: have been a head coach until last year. Like, you know, 71 00:03:54,947 --> 00:04:00,427 Speaker 3: things worked well, the Warriors performed exceeded expectations last year. 72 00:04:00,467 --> 00:04:04,547 Speaker 3: Then the expectations have obviously risen this year, and maybe 73 00:04:04,587 --> 00:04:09,267 Speaker 3: they haven't lived up to them as well. I don't know. Look, 74 00:04:09,307 --> 00:04:12,067 Speaker 3: I think Andrew Webster's doing doing a terrific job there. 75 00:04:12,067 --> 00:04:14,267 Speaker 3: I don't think he's got complacent or I don't think 76 00:04:14,307 --> 00:04:17,667 Speaker 3: he's you know, I think he's still reading the game. 77 00:04:18,307 --> 00:04:21,227 Speaker 3: I heard his comments afterwards. He was obviously disappointed with 78 00:04:21,267 --> 00:04:24,787 Speaker 3: the way they played. And let's let's not gloss over it. 79 00:04:24,787 --> 00:04:27,787 Speaker 3: It was thirty to four with you know, about ten 80 00:04:27,827 --> 00:04:29,547 Speaker 3: minutes to go, and the Eel's got a player set 81 00:04:29,587 --> 00:04:31,667 Speaker 3: in the sin to the sin bin, and the Warriors 82 00:04:31,667 --> 00:04:34,667 Speaker 3: scored some late tries to make the score look respectable. 83 00:04:35,307 --> 00:04:38,227 Speaker 3: They were like clearly they were outplayed and as their 84 00:04:38,227 --> 00:04:41,667 Speaker 3: defense was their issue obviously when you conceived thirty points, 85 00:04:41,667 --> 00:04:43,827 Speaker 3: defense is the issue. But the Eels were punching holes 86 00:04:43,827 --> 00:04:47,307 Speaker 3: in them on the on the edges, you know, consistently 87 00:04:47,347 --> 00:04:50,867 Speaker 3: all night long, blazed a lungey. Dylan Brown had a 88 00:04:50,907 --> 00:04:54,467 Speaker 3: great game. Yeah it was. You know, they've got some 89 00:04:55,147 --> 00:04:57,707 Speaker 3: defensive issues that they really need to sort out, and 90 00:04:57,747 --> 00:05:00,307 Speaker 3: I suppose some of that comes down to attitude as well. 91 00:05:00,347 --> 00:05:02,267 Speaker 3: And you know, look at what I thought was good. 92 00:05:02,267 --> 00:05:05,747 Speaker 3: What Andrews said was that he's looking forward to the 93 00:05:05,747 --> 00:05:08,667 Speaker 3: next He's looking forward to the response of the players 94 00:05:09,307 --> 00:05:12,067 Speaker 3: and how they respond. You know, they're still in the 95 00:05:12,107 --> 00:05:14,027 Speaker 3: season is not over. They're still in with a chance. 96 00:05:14,067 --> 00:05:16,627 Speaker 3: It's really down to them now, and that's probably going 97 00:05:16,667 --> 00:05:19,947 Speaker 3: to determine not just whether the Warriors make the top eight, 98 00:05:19,987 --> 00:05:23,867 Speaker 3: but probably the futures of some players at the club. 99 00:05:23,907 --> 00:05:25,987 Speaker 3: You would think, because you know, this is a test 100 00:05:26,027 --> 00:05:26,947 Speaker 3: of character, Now. 101 00:05:27,227 --> 00:05:30,547 Speaker 2: Should an attitude be a non negotiable for a professional 102 00:05:30,547 --> 00:05:31,227 Speaker 2: sports person? 103 00:05:31,827 --> 00:05:33,347 Speaker 3: Well, look it is, But I mean this is such 104 00:05:33,387 --> 00:05:39,827 Speaker 3: an even competition. You know, we see upsets every week, 105 00:05:39,867 --> 00:05:44,747 Speaker 3: we see close games, we see unexpected results. You know, 106 00:05:44,827 --> 00:05:47,227 Speaker 3: teams that are down to twelve men, as the West 107 00:05:47,227 --> 00:05:49,947 Speaker 3: Tigers were against the Cowboys the other night. Really, you know, 108 00:05:50,067 --> 00:05:53,787 Speaker 3: have a dig and almost snatch a win. I think, 109 00:05:53,947 --> 00:05:56,467 Speaker 3: you know, like in such a you know, in such 110 00:05:56,507 --> 00:06:01,387 Speaker 3: a I suppose elite and highly competitive competition where you know, 111 00:06:01,707 --> 00:06:03,867 Speaker 3: basically every team is a chance of beating the other 112 00:06:04,507 --> 00:06:08,147 Speaker 3: on their day. Then only we're only talking like you know, 113 00:06:08,787 --> 00:06:12,227 Speaker 3: one or two percent, you know, drop off or lift 114 00:06:12,347 --> 00:06:16,187 Speaker 3: or you know, even things maybe not going people's go 115 00:06:16,307 --> 00:06:18,507 Speaker 3: on the you know, the way that the bounce of 116 00:06:18,507 --> 00:06:21,667 Speaker 3: the ball basically, but when we're not talking about a 117 00:06:21,667 --> 00:06:25,907 Speaker 3: massive shift in attitude or or intensity or whatever. We're 118 00:06:25,907 --> 00:06:29,227 Speaker 3: talking about small degrees. But those small degrees can make 119 00:06:29,267 --> 00:06:31,907 Speaker 3: the difference, you know. And if one team's up and 120 00:06:31,907 --> 00:06:34,587 Speaker 3: and the other team's not as not completely on their game, 121 00:06:34,907 --> 00:06:38,187 Speaker 3: you know, the team that's up will usually will win. 122 00:06:38,347 --> 00:06:38,547 Speaker 1: You know. 123 00:06:38,627 --> 00:06:40,987 Speaker 3: When it can vary from week to week. It can 124 00:06:41,067 --> 00:06:43,387 Speaker 3: be down to travel, it can be playing at home, 125 00:06:43,467 --> 00:06:45,827 Speaker 3: it can be there can be a you know, a 126 00:06:45,947 --> 00:06:48,467 Speaker 3: variety of reasons. It can be playing the bottom of 127 00:06:48,467 --> 00:06:50,747 Speaker 3: the table team that I mean, maybe somebody is a 128 00:06:50,787 --> 00:06:53,547 Speaker 3: little bit complacent or do you think they're going to 129 00:06:53,627 --> 00:06:56,867 Speaker 3: win or you know they're thinking ahead, or I don't know, 130 00:06:56,907 --> 00:06:58,827 Speaker 3: but there's you know, there's a lot of factors. But 131 00:06:58,987 --> 00:07:01,947 Speaker 3: all I'm saying is it doesn't it doesn't take much 132 00:07:02,027 --> 00:07:04,467 Speaker 3: to swing a game one way or another, and it 133 00:07:04,507 --> 00:07:07,187 Speaker 3: doesn't mean that people got bad attitudes or it just 134 00:07:07,227 --> 00:07:09,947 Speaker 3: means that you know, maybe I don't know, they just weren't. 135 00:07:11,147 --> 00:07:14,307 Speaker 3: You know, sometimes when the teams are desperately, you know, 136 00:07:14,627 --> 00:07:17,787 Speaker 3: they can lift that a little bit, a little bit more, 137 00:07:17,867 --> 00:07:20,107 Speaker 3: and you know, maybe that was one of those games 138 00:07:20,147 --> 00:07:22,427 Speaker 3: last night. And maybe what we're going to see going 139 00:07:22,467 --> 00:07:25,667 Speaker 3: forward is the Warriors and our position where they just 140 00:07:25,747 --> 00:07:28,107 Speaker 3: have to turn up at their best every week. 141 00:07:28,547 --> 00:07:30,827 Speaker 2: So four games to go, all four of them against 142 00:07:30,867 --> 00:07:34,347 Speaker 2: teams currently inside the top eight, only one of those 143 00:07:34,387 --> 00:07:36,587 Speaker 2: games against the Bulldogs and a round twenty five is 144 00:07:36,627 --> 00:07:40,027 Speaker 2: at home. Can you see them winning all four? 145 00:07:40,747 --> 00:07:42,387 Speaker 3: Well, what I can see is if they do win 146 00:07:42,427 --> 00:07:43,947 Speaker 3: all four, they're going to go into the finals in 147 00:07:43,987 --> 00:07:46,827 Speaker 3: a really strong position because the opposition that they're playing 148 00:07:46,907 --> 00:07:51,267 Speaker 3: is a finals contenders as well. And if they win 149 00:07:51,307 --> 00:07:53,267 Speaker 3: those four games, then they're going to hit the finals 150 00:07:53,267 --> 00:07:56,907 Speaker 3: in firstly in good form and obviously full of confidence 151 00:07:56,947 --> 00:08:00,867 Speaker 3: as well. But can I see, Look, it's going to 152 00:08:00,907 --> 00:08:02,627 Speaker 3: be a tough ask, isn't it. I Winning four games 153 00:08:02,627 --> 00:08:05,027 Speaker 3: in a row in the NRL doesn't happen that often. 154 00:08:05,867 --> 00:08:08,907 Speaker 3: You know, can they afford to maybe not win four? Possibly? 155 00:08:09,027 --> 00:08:11,107 Speaker 3: You know they're going to buy, as said, so there's 156 00:08:11,147 --> 00:08:12,907 Speaker 3: really five games to go, but they've got to buy. 157 00:08:12,987 --> 00:08:16,027 Speaker 3: So that's guarantee two points. So you put that down 158 00:08:16,067 --> 00:08:18,067 Speaker 3: to win. I imagine if the three out of four, 159 00:08:18,107 --> 00:08:21,027 Speaker 3: they might be all right. You know, I think they've 160 00:08:21,027 --> 00:08:23,907 Speaker 3: got to I think that's going to be the you know, 161 00:08:24,107 --> 00:08:26,467 Speaker 3: the minimum that they're going to need to win. But 162 00:08:26,467 --> 00:08:27,747 Speaker 3: but I think the main thing is they're just going 163 00:08:27,787 --> 00:08:29,667 Speaker 3: to get out there and win next week and then 164 00:08:30,267 --> 00:08:33,267 Speaker 3: and try and and and as Yeah, like if they can, 165 00:08:33,467 --> 00:08:35,347 Speaker 3: if they can win, there's no reason they can't. They've 166 00:08:35,347 --> 00:08:39,427 Speaker 3: definitely got the roster, got the playing talent to be 167 00:08:39,467 --> 00:08:41,907 Speaker 3: able to do that. They're you know, they've got great 168 00:08:41,907 --> 00:08:44,587 Speaker 3: support on both sides of the TASMU. So I don't 169 00:08:44,587 --> 00:08:46,027 Speaker 3: think it's going to matter. I think it might actually 170 00:08:46,067 --> 00:08:48,307 Speaker 3: help them to be playing those games away. You know, 171 00:08:48,427 --> 00:08:51,307 Speaker 3: they'll come across, their focus will be one hundred percent 172 00:08:51,387 --> 00:08:55,027 Speaker 3: on the task at hand. You know, they'll go into 173 00:08:55,627 --> 00:08:59,467 Speaker 3: the travel can can help sometimes, so yeah, look, there's 174 00:08:59,467 --> 00:09:02,147 Speaker 3: no doubt they can do it. I think they're better 175 00:09:02,147 --> 00:09:04,587 Speaker 3: than some of the teams that are pet that. You know, 176 00:09:04,627 --> 00:09:07,827 Speaker 3: they're potentially vuying with the spots in the in the 177 00:09:07,867 --> 00:09:10,747 Speaker 3: broom half of the top eight. So here, if they 178 00:09:10,827 --> 00:09:12,227 Speaker 3: turn up and they play to the best of their 179 00:09:12,227 --> 00:09:15,147 Speaker 3: ability and you know, get luck goes your way as well, 180 00:09:15,787 --> 00:09:17,547 Speaker 3: I've got no doubt they'll be there. And if they 181 00:09:17,547 --> 00:09:18,587 Speaker 3: are there, they're going to be. 182 00:09:18,587 --> 00:09:20,907 Speaker 2: Changerous, all right. And just to finish bred, if we 183 00:09:20,987 --> 00:09:23,147 Speaker 2: zoom out from this and head to the top of 184 00:09:23,187 --> 00:09:26,107 Speaker 2: the table and see Melbourne Storm sitting there, which is 185 00:09:26,147 --> 00:09:28,547 Speaker 2: not an unusual thing to see, of course, is everybody 186 00:09:28,587 --> 00:09:30,147 Speaker 2: chasing the storm in twenty twenty four? 187 00:09:31,307 --> 00:09:34,787 Speaker 3: Oh, I think I think the storm and the Panthers, 188 00:09:34,867 --> 00:09:38,467 Speaker 3: I mean the storm. The storm has just been consistent 189 00:09:38,507 --> 00:09:43,267 Speaker 3: all year long. You know, look, they're probably they're remarkable, 190 00:09:43,267 --> 00:09:45,947 Speaker 3: aren't they. There they've had you know, Munster's been out 191 00:09:45,987 --> 00:09:48,827 Speaker 3: for a long period. Jerome Hughes has missed a lot 192 00:09:48,827 --> 00:09:50,987 Speaker 3: of football as well, so they've often played without there. 193 00:09:51,387 --> 00:09:55,947 Speaker 3: They're they're leading playmakers with either both of them out 194 00:09:56,227 --> 00:10:00,147 Speaker 3: Pappenhausen's missed a lot of football. Forwards don't seem to 195 00:10:00,147 --> 00:10:02,547 Speaker 3: be you know, on paper, aren't the sort of team 196 00:10:02,587 --> 00:10:05,747 Speaker 3: that were packed that they've had in previous seasons. But 197 00:10:07,387 --> 00:10:10,387 Speaker 3: consistently they just turn up, you know, ready to play. 198 00:10:10,387 --> 00:10:12,427 Speaker 3: I suppose it is that mental attitude that we were 199 00:10:12,427 --> 00:10:14,827 Speaker 3: talking about before. But every week turn up and no 200 00:10:14,907 --> 00:10:17,867 Speaker 3: matter who's in their team, have a crack and they 201 00:10:17,947 --> 00:10:20,107 Speaker 3: know how to win. They win the they win the 202 00:10:20,147 --> 00:10:23,947 Speaker 3: close games more often than not. There's no doubt that 203 00:10:25,027 --> 00:10:28,667 Speaker 3: in finals footy, it's going to take a really good 204 00:10:28,707 --> 00:10:30,747 Speaker 3: performance to beat them. It's going to take a good 205 00:10:30,827 --> 00:10:33,707 Speaker 3: team to beat them. But I still think the Penrith Panthers, 206 00:10:34,547 --> 00:10:37,387 Speaker 3: you know, they're they Yeah, I think they're the best 207 00:10:37,387 --> 00:10:39,467 Speaker 3: team in the competition and they know how to win 208 00:10:39,507 --> 00:10:43,067 Speaker 3: as well, as it's been proven by three three premierships. 209 00:10:43,107 --> 00:10:44,467 Speaker 3: They've got a lot to play for. They get the 210 00:10:44,507 --> 00:10:47,427 Speaker 3: players leaving at the end of the season, but they 211 00:10:47,467 --> 00:10:49,827 Speaker 3: also they've sort of got to where they are without 212 00:10:49,867 --> 00:10:52,107 Speaker 3: having you know, Nathan Cleary has missed a lot of 213 00:10:52,107 --> 00:10:55,067 Speaker 3: football and and other players have been out injured as 214 00:10:55,107 --> 00:10:57,347 Speaker 3: well throughout the season. But you know, when they're all 215 00:10:57,387 --> 00:10:59,747 Speaker 3: back in the finals. I think they're going to be 216 00:10:59,747 --> 00:11:00,347 Speaker 3: the team to beat. 217 00:11:00,547 --> 00:11:02,827 Speaker 2: All right there, running as well and truly on let's 218 00:11:02,947 --> 00:11:05,587 Speaker 2: the Warrior is going to move on and find themselves 219 00:11:05,747 --> 00:11:08,787 Speaker 2: somewhere near the brand. Always enjoy your analysis. Thanks for 220 00:11:08,827 --> 00:11:09,747 Speaker 2: taking the time. 221 00:11:10,067 --> 00:11:11,427 Speaker 3: Hey, great chatting Jason. 222 00:11:11,907 --> 00:11:15,067 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 223 00:11:15,187 --> 00:11:18,467 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 224 00:11:18,507 --> 00:11:20,147 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.