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 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:14,747 Speaker 2: What a spot to be on game day Tyler Street 4 00:00:14,787 --> 00:00:18,547 Speaker 2: Sport at Britomart in downtown Auckland. Great to welcome in 5 00:00:18,587 --> 00:00:22,267 Speaker 2: Auckland FC and All Whites. Goalkeeper Alex Paulson. Thirteen clean 6 00:00:22,347 --> 00:00:25,307 Speaker 2: sheets this season, more than any other goalkeeper and some 7 00:00:25,507 --> 00:00:31,507 Speaker 2: absolutely spectacular saves. It's not a safe for Dawson to 8 00:00:31,627 --> 00:00:32,867 Speaker 2: deny Nichols. 9 00:00:32,547 --> 00:00:34,347 Speaker 1: Fergus SAMs made. 10 00:00:38,587 --> 00:00:40,867 Speaker 3: Dall here are deol is through Dan Hall. 11 00:00:41,027 --> 00:00:43,387 Speaker 1: Great Saint Paulson to. 12 00:00:43,387 --> 00:00:45,587 Speaker 2: Chase the game Now on Ruth for Sam Sulon water 13 00:00:45,707 --> 00:00:49,067 Speaker 2: up by sound what a say, Thank Paulton and on 14 00:00:49,147 --> 00:00:53,227 Speaker 2: the far side Man Sheridan Contentan just a few of 15 00:00:53,267 --> 00:00:56,427 Speaker 2: the wonderful saves that Alex Paulson has made this season, 16 00:00:56,427 --> 00:00:58,507 Speaker 2: he joins us. Now, Alex, thanks for taking the time 17 00:00:58,547 --> 00:01:01,147 Speaker 2: on match day. How have you stayed focused this week 18 00:01:01,587 --> 00:01:03,827 Speaker 2: with such a massive game waiting at the. 19 00:01:03,827 --> 00:01:08,867 Speaker 3: End of it? Yeah, I mean it's obviously it's another 20 00:01:08,907 --> 00:01:11,507 Speaker 3: big game and you know, especially these playoff games, it 21 00:01:11,587 --> 00:01:14,987 Speaker 3: can be a bit difficult just to try your best 22 00:01:15,027 --> 00:01:17,667 Speaker 3: to focus on what you can control and focus on 23 00:01:17,867 --> 00:01:21,547 Speaker 3: your preparations leading into these games. But yeah, no, the 24 00:01:21,587 --> 00:01:24,187 Speaker 3: preparations are going well so far, and you know we're 25 00:01:24,227 --> 00:01:27,147 Speaker 3: just looking forward to, you know, hopefully getting a result 26 00:01:27,187 --> 00:01:27,747 Speaker 3: on the weekend. 27 00:01:28,267 --> 00:01:30,987 Speaker 2: Last weekend in the First League, you didn't have to 28 00:01:30,987 --> 00:01:32,947 Speaker 2: make a save. I know you were heavily involved in 29 00:01:33,627 --> 00:01:36,467 Speaker 2: Goldmuth incidents, but there wasn't a shot on target that 30 00:01:36,507 --> 00:01:40,427 Speaker 2: you had to save. So what made those in front 31 00:01:40,427 --> 00:01:42,987 Speaker 2: of you so effective in Melbourne last weekend? 32 00:01:45,067 --> 00:01:47,347 Speaker 3: I think personally for me, it's just a chemistry that 33 00:01:47,387 --> 00:01:50,027 Speaker 3: we have built over the cross of the whole season. 34 00:01:50,867 --> 00:01:53,587 Speaker 3: When you've got the likes of Dan Tommy and then 35 00:01:53,627 --> 00:01:57,747 Speaker 3: also Nando Pineker, they're the back line support it with 36 00:01:57,947 --> 00:02:01,027 Speaker 3: you know, Franny Scott Galloway and you know you got 37 00:02:01,107 --> 00:02:04,227 Speaker 3: Hierarchi and Colin Adiot as well. It's just amazing because 38 00:02:04,227 --> 00:02:06,267 Speaker 3: I think the chemistry that we've got across the whole 39 00:02:06,387 --> 00:02:09,547 Speaker 3: he's in that background. It's been pretty instrumental towards our 40 00:02:09,587 --> 00:02:12,187 Speaker 3: success as well, because you know, we have that that 41 00:02:12,347 --> 00:02:14,627 Speaker 3: passion and that hunger to really you know, put up 42 00:02:14,667 --> 00:02:17,387 Speaker 3: Bodi's on the line and you know, not just individually, 43 00:02:17,507 --> 00:02:19,187 Speaker 3: but do it for our teammates and do. 44 00:02:19,267 --> 00:02:21,987 Speaker 2: Off the sub as well, and it was your thirteenth 45 00:02:22,027 --> 00:02:24,627 Speaker 2: clean sheet of the season. I know you're going to 46 00:02:24,707 --> 00:02:27,547 Speaker 2: talk more about the team than yourself, but do you 47 00:02:27,627 --> 00:02:30,867 Speaker 2: take a high degree of personal pride from a stat 48 00:02:30,907 --> 00:02:31,107 Speaker 2: like that? 49 00:02:32,627 --> 00:02:36,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, First of in me, I think it's I think 50 00:02:36,987 --> 00:02:39,347 Speaker 3: it's an awesome achievement to have as well, and hopefully 51 00:02:39,387 --> 00:02:42,227 Speaker 3: I can get some more leading into the next couple 52 00:02:42,227 --> 00:02:45,507 Speaker 3: of games. But I think just on reflection, it's you know, 53 00:02:46,827 --> 00:02:50,187 Speaker 3: I think it's just a testament for you know, the 54 00:02:50,307 --> 00:02:52,387 Speaker 3: stuff that we have here as well to help and 55 00:02:52,387 --> 00:02:54,707 Speaker 3: support me all the way through. And I think also 56 00:02:54,747 --> 00:02:56,907 Speaker 3: coming off the backup last season, you know, I think 57 00:02:56,907 --> 00:02:59,067 Speaker 3: there's a lot of talk and a little bit of 58 00:02:59,067 --> 00:03:01,307 Speaker 3: white noise to see if you can do it again, 59 00:03:01,387 --> 00:03:03,427 Speaker 3: because I think I had like twelve clean sheet past 60 00:03:03,467 --> 00:03:06,027 Speaker 3: season as well. So it's just nice to, you know, 61 00:03:06,827 --> 00:03:09,667 Speaker 3: had that feeling that I can continue to do the 62 00:03:09,747 --> 00:03:11,667 Speaker 3: routines that come in a position where I got those 63 00:03:11,707 --> 00:03:13,907 Speaker 3: clean sheets last season, so then back it up again 64 00:03:13,987 --> 00:03:14,427 Speaker 3: this year. 65 00:03:14,907 --> 00:03:17,107 Speaker 2: Do you think you're a better goalkeeper now than you 66 00:03:17,147 --> 00:03:17,907 Speaker 2: were a year ago. 67 00:03:19,347 --> 00:03:22,507 Speaker 3: I'd sam a more mature goalkeeper than I was a 68 00:03:22,587 --> 00:03:25,747 Speaker 3: year ago, just because of the experiences that I had 69 00:03:26,347 --> 00:03:28,347 Speaker 3: from last season as well, you know, being top of 70 00:03:28,347 --> 00:03:30,947 Speaker 3: the table and then unfortunately not going all the way, 71 00:03:30,987 --> 00:03:33,227 Speaker 3: and then this season kind of mirroring that and then 72 00:03:33,347 --> 00:03:34,947 Speaker 3: you know that's been a Premiers played and then now 73 00:03:35,387 --> 00:03:37,627 Speaker 3: got a semi final thing Grand finals to look forward 74 00:03:37,707 --> 00:03:40,107 Speaker 3: to it as well. So I definitely say matured along 75 00:03:40,107 --> 00:03:40,387 Speaker 3: the way. 76 00:03:41,027 --> 00:03:43,347 Speaker 2: And we hear a lot about the goalkeepers union at 77 00:03:43,387 --> 00:03:48,387 Speaker 2: any club, it's not just a one man goalkeeping cohort. 78 00:03:48,467 --> 00:03:50,147 Speaker 2: There are others in there as well. How much help 79 00:03:50,187 --> 00:03:52,267 Speaker 2: have you got from the likes of the other keepers 80 00:03:52,307 --> 00:03:55,307 Speaker 2: Michael Vowed, Joe Knowles and also of course your goalkeeping 81 00:03:55,387 --> 00:03:57,347 Speaker 2: coach Jonathan Gould. 82 00:03:57,627 --> 00:04:00,227 Speaker 3: Yeah. I mean they've been huge as well, especially you know, 83 00:04:00,307 --> 00:04:04,627 Speaker 3: towards my mental health towards these games as well, because 84 00:04:05,067 --> 00:04:07,187 Speaker 3: you know, if you look at John and Gold, he's 85 00:04:07,387 --> 00:04:09,587 Speaker 3: you know, he's played at Celtic and he's you know, 86 00:04:09,667 --> 00:04:11,827 Speaker 3: won the Premiership a couple of times, and you know, 87 00:04:11,867 --> 00:04:15,067 Speaker 3: I think to kind of peck his brains a little 88 00:04:15,067 --> 00:04:19,627 Speaker 3: bit heading into you know, those last public games towards 89 00:04:19,707 --> 00:04:22,307 Speaker 3: last towards the season, trying to make sure they win 90 00:04:22,347 --> 00:04:24,267 Speaker 3: the Premius play. I was able to learn a lot 91 00:04:24,307 --> 00:04:27,227 Speaker 3: of him. And then you look at Michael vald who's 92 00:04:27,267 --> 00:04:29,427 Speaker 3: you know a little bit older than me, but you 93 00:04:29,467 --> 00:04:33,267 Speaker 3: know he's also had that experience, not only in in Europe, 94 00:04:33,267 --> 00:04:35,267 Speaker 3: but you know plaid a Ben Japan, and he's you know, 95 00:04:35,267 --> 00:04:37,827 Speaker 3: been supporting me all the way through, even if you 96 00:04:37,867 --> 00:04:39,907 Speaker 3: look at some of the games, like he's been, you know, 97 00:04:39,947 --> 00:04:42,667 Speaker 3: hanging around near my goal in just you know, give 98 00:04:42,747 --> 00:04:45,667 Speaker 3: me words of affirmation and encouragement and you know, supporting 99 00:04:45,667 --> 00:04:47,667 Speaker 3: me and their times just calming me down and sometimes 100 00:04:47,707 --> 00:04:50,147 Speaker 3: you can be a bit panicky, and you know he's 101 00:04:50,187 --> 00:04:52,547 Speaker 3: just been there to help me on those games. And 102 00:04:52,747 --> 00:04:55,267 Speaker 3: you know, you look at Nolsey and and also Blake 103 00:04:55,347 --> 00:04:59,147 Speaker 3: Allian and Eli as well, like they've during trainings have 104 00:04:59,267 --> 00:05:01,067 Speaker 3: helped me out a lot. And you know, if I've 105 00:05:01,387 --> 00:05:03,507 Speaker 3: needed to have a little bit of extra work and 106 00:05:03,547 --> 00:05:05,347 Speaker 3: a couple of things, I've always you know, Padana to 107 00:05:05,387 --> 00:05:08,107 Speaker 3: help me out. So I think it's a testament not 108 00:05:08,787 --> 00:05:11,627 Speaker 3: like for my success, it has been because of the 109 00:05:11,627 --> 00:05:14,267 Speaker 3: group in itself. And as you said that. 110 00:05:14,067 --> 00:05:16,947 Speaker 2: That Gold Coal re union last weekend, in the first leg, 111 00:05:17,827 --> 00:05:19,747 Speaker 2: obviously you came home with a you know, with a 112 00:05:19,747 --> 00:05:22,787 Speaker 2: clean sheet and and a one mill advantage in the tie, 113 00:05:22,987 --> 00:05:25,347 Speaker 2: so you know that if you don't concede in the 114 00:05:25,387 --> 00:05:28,107 Speaker 2: second league that you'll progress to the Grand Final. Is 115 00:05:28,107 --> 00:05:31,027 Speaker 2: there any temptation do you think to be a bit 116 00:05:31,067 --> 00:05:32,747 Speaker 2: more defensive in the second League or not? 117 00:05:34,787 --> 00:05:36,827 Speaker 3: No, I don't think so. I think our mentality is 118 00:05:36,867 --> 00:05:38,787 Speaker 3: just to win the game, you know, treated like any 119 00:05:38,827 --> 00:05:41,067 Speaker 3: other game, and we know that we need to raise 120 00:05:41,107 --> 00:05:42,907 Speaker 3: a level even higher than what we did last week 121 00:05:42,947 --> 00:05:45,707 Speaker 3: because we really want to you know, push awards, you know, 122 00:05:45,787 --> 00:05:48,467 Speaker 3: making that history, make it a restgram funnel, and you know, 123 00:05:48,587 --> 00:05:50,627 Speaker 3: go on and win it. So I think we want 124 00:05:50,667 --> 00:05:52,747 Speaker 3: to take this game and it comes and make sure 125 00:05:52,787 --> 00:05:54,747 Speaker 3: that we have that winning mentality to go out there 126 00:05:54,747 --> 00:05:57,627 Speaker 3: and you know, you know, put it on a performance 127 00:05:57,667 --> 00:06:01,227 Speaker 3: for not only ourselves and the test, but also for 128 00:06:01,347 --> 00:06:03,547 Speaker 3: the fans and the family and the porter as well. 129 00:06:03,587 --> 00:06:05,907 Speaker 3: They comes to support us each in every game. 130 00:06:06,747 --> 00:06:09,907 Speaker 2: You mentioned before about the rather unique situation you found 131 00:06:09,907 --> 00:06:12,947 Speaker 2: yourself in this season. Having played at the Phoenix for 132 00:06:12,987 --> 00:06:15,547 Speaker 2: several years, you ended up at Auckland FC. I thought 133 00:06:15,827 --> 00:06:19,387 Speaker 2: you handled yourself impeccably in what must have been a 134 00:06:19,467 --> 00:06:23,627 Speaker 2: challenging situation for you. With the benefit of looking back now, Ap, 135 00:06:23,947 --> 00:06:28,547 Speaker 2: how did you deal with that situation? So well, yeah, 136 00:06:28,627 --> 00:06:29,107 Speaker 2: I mean. 137 00:06:29,467 --> 00:06:31,707 Speaker 3: You kind of spot on there. It was a challenging period, 138 00:06:31,787 --> 00:06:35,467 Speaker 3: especially with the whole the cacra's cause and eligibility to 139 00:06:35,507 --> 00:06:38,387 Speaker 3: play for Auglandiccy and then also just you know, being 140 00:06:38,427 --> 00:06:41,027 Speaker 3: an ex Wontington Finex player coming over to the rivals, 141 00:06:41,987 --> 00:06:44,467 Speaker 3: to their rival club as well, it can be a 142 00:06:44,507 --> 00:06:46,427 Speaker 3: little bit challenging. And I think it was just a 143 00:06:46,507 --> 00:06:49,827 Speaker 3: very intense period of time and I think it was 144 00:06:50,787 --> 00:06:53,227 Speaker 3: very hard for me to mentally wrap up, you know, 145 00:06:53,267 --> 00:06:57,747 Speaker 3: what actually had happened. And I think just looking back 146 00:06:57,747 --> 00:07:00,187 Speaker 3: and and just reflecting, and I think if I didn't 147 00:07:00,187 --> 00:07:02,547 Speaker 3: have the support crew that I have with an orbit 148 00:07:02,627 --> 00:07:07,867 Speaker 3: and also I found me in Wantington, I don't think 149 00:07:07,907 --> 00:07:11,507 Speaker 3: I would have had the ability to kind of keep 150 00:07:11,547 --> 00:07:14,067 Speaker 3: my head screwed on and kind of focus on what 151 00:07:14,187 --> 00:07:17,627 Speaker 3: I can control. So yeah, it was a challenging period, 152 00:07:17,667 --> 00:07:20,067 Speaker 3: and you know, I'm kind of glad, you know, we've 153 00:07:20,267 --> 00:07:22,067 Speaker 3: we've kind of looked past it and now I can 154 00:07:22,067 --> 00:07:23,267 Speaker 3: just switch on of the semi. 155 00:07:22,987 --> 00:07:25,307 Speaker 2: Finals and well, yeah, like I said, I thought you 156 00:07:25,307 --> 00:07:29,707 Speaker 2: you handled yourself brilliantly during that that time, pretty well 157 00:07:29,747 --> 00:07:32,427 Speaker 2: publicized that you won't be at Auckland FC next season. 158 00:07:32,467 --> 00:07:34,067 Speaker 2: I don't expect you to tell us your next move, 159 00:07:34,067 --> 00:07:36,027 Speaker 2: but if you've got a fairly solid idea of where 160 00:07:36,067 --> 00:07:38,787 Speaker 2: you'll be next yeah, I mean. 161 00:07:38,787 --> 00:07:41,547 Speaker 3: It's still kind of uncertain. So I'm just looking for 162 00:07:41,667 --> 00:07:44,507 Speaker 3: to being back with formanth and pre season and just 163 00:07:44,507 --> 00:07:45,187 Speaker 3: going from there. 164 00:07:45,907 --> 00:07:47,507 Speaker 2: And before you even get the chance to do that, 165 00:07:47,547 --> 00:07:50,787 Speaker 2: you've obviously got the remaining game or games hopefully plural 166 00:07:50,827 --> 00:07:53,267 Speaker 2: this season. Then you've been named in the All Whites 167 00:07:53,307 --> 00:07:57,427 Speaker 2: to face Coat Deuvoir and Ukraine and Canada next month, 168 00:07:57,547 --> 00:07:59,227 Speaker 2: just over a year out from the World Cup. Now 169 00:07:59,347 --> 00:08:00,987 Speaker 2: how much you're looking forward to getting back into the 170 00:08:01,067 --> 00:08:01,867 Speaker 2: national team again. 171 00:08:02,867 --> 00:08:05,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm just grateful to be given the opportunity service 172 00:08:05,987 --> 00:08:09,947 Speaker 3: and always the privilege, and I'm just happy to be 173 00:08:09,987 --> 00:08:12,707 Speaker 3: reunouted with the sport again. So it'll be good fun 174 00:08:12,787 --> 00:08:15,387 Speaker 3: and you know, paying up against some some top quality 175 00:08:15,507 --> 00:08:18,227 Speaker 3: players and too hard to be good teams as well. 176 00:08:18,827 --> 00:08:21,307 Speaker 2: Well, that's all I hit you. The immediate point of 177 00:08:21,347 --> 00:08:23,947 Speaker 2: business is Leg two of the semi final against Melbourne 178 00:08:24,027 --> 00:08:27,867 Speaker 2: victory at go Media. It's going to be a fantastic occasion, Alex. 179 00:08:28,107 --> 00:08:30,787 Speaker 2: Congratulations on a terrific season so far. I hope there's 180 00:08:30,787 --> 00:08:32,427 Speaker 2: a couple more games to come. Thanks for taking the 181 00:08:32,467 --> 00:08:33,067 Speaker 2: time for a chat. 182 00:08:33,827 --> 00:08:35,467 Speaker 3: No worry, thanks Minie, thank you. 183 00:08:36,067 --> 00:08:37,747 Speaker 2: You take care too, Mete. We'll see it tonight. Alex 184 00:08:37,787 --> 00:08:40,507 Speaker 2: Paulson their goalkeeper for Auckland FC. 185 00:08:41,267 --> 00:08:44,427 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 186 00:08:44,547 --> 00:08:47,867 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 187 00:08:47,907 --> 00:08:49,507 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.