1
00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507
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 'b.

3
00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:16,267
Speaker 2: The New A League men's football season is finally here,

4
00:00:16,627 --> 00:00:19,987
Speaker 2: Adelaide United and Brisbane Raw with home wins to start

5
00:00:20,027 --> 00:00:25,587
Speaker 2: their respective campaigns last night. Reigning Premier's Auckland FC take

6
00:00:25,627 --> 00:00:28,867
Speaker 2: on Melbourne Victory at Amy Park and their season opener

7
00:00:28,907 --> 00:00:31,947
Speaker 2: tonight from nine to thirty five. New Zealand time head

8
00:00:31,947 --> 00:00:35,067
Speaker 2: coach of the team of Steve Corriker. He's with us. Steve,

9
00:00:35,267 --> 00:00:38,067
Speaker 2: I'm not actually sure if there is such a thing

10
00:00:38,187 --> 00:00:41,667
Speaker 2: as second season syndrome, but if there is, how do

11
00:00:41,747 --> 00:00:42,387
Speaker 2: you avoid it?

12
00:00:44,427 --> 00:00:46,827
Speaker 3: Forget about the first year and just concentrate on the

13
00:00:46,867 --> 00:00:50,627
Speaker 3: second obviously, so yeah, obviously a lot of the teams

14
00:00:50,707 --> 00:00:55,307
Speaker 3: know us now. We're no surprise to anyone. But I'm

15
00:00:55,347 --> 00:00:59,467
Speaker 3: more excited because the second year it's whether we can

16
00:00:59,507 --> 00:01:02,027
Speaker 3: be as consistent as we were in the first year.

17
00:01:02,067 --> 00:01:03,987
Speaker 3: For me, if we could do that well, then we've

18
00:01:04,027 --> 00:01:06,467
Speaker 3: got a great chance of going back to back for

19
00:01:06,507 --> 00:01:09,427
Speaker 3: premierships and hopefully one better in the Grand Final.

20
00:01:09,827 --> 00:01:13,387
Speaker 2: How have you managed to retain the hunger in the

21
00:01:13,427 --> 00:01:19,267
Speaker 2: playing group that you instilled so successfully in season one?

22
00:01:20,187 --> 00:01:24,907
Speaker 3: I think we've put in four really good players. Competition

23
00:01:24,987 --> 00:01:29,467
Speaker 3: for places is always a good way. Fresh faces and

24
00:01:29,507 --> 00:01:32,627
Speaker 3: no uncertain really of their position, and you know with

25
00:01:32,707 --> 00:01:36,387
Speaker 3: new players coming in there's competition and it's been really good,

26
00:01:36,507 --> 00:01:41,667
Speaker 3: especially also you know, from the goalkeeper to the strikers. Yeah,

27
00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:45,827
Speaker 3: I'm looking forward to selecting my first team. We've had

28
00:01:45,867 --> 00:01:47,947
Speaker 3: a couple of injuries as well along the way in

29
00:01:48,027 --> 00:01:50,627
Speaker 3: pre season, so we're starting to get players back and

30
00:01:50,627 --> 00:01:52,667
Speaker 3: then starting to fit for the start of the season.

31
00:01:53,627 --> 00:01:55,587
Speaker 2: I want to ask about a couple of those new faces.

32
00:01:56,067 --> 00:01:59,467
Speaker 2: The first English striker Sam Cosgrove. Tell us about him

33
00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:01,667
Speaker 2: and what he will bring to your side.

34
00:02:03,747 --> 00:02:05,907
Speaker 3: Well, we looked at our squad last year. We get

35
00:02:05,907 --> 00:02:08,467
Speaker 3: a lot of into the box, so we wanted obviously

36
00:02:08,587 --> 00:02:10,387
Speaker 3: to go with a little bit of a bigger striker,

37
00:02:10,507 --> 00:02:12,347
Speaker 3: one that holds the ball up good in the air

38
00:02:12,387 --> 00:02:14,907
Speaker 3: that you know, when we do get deliveries into the

39
00:02:14,907 --> 00:02:17,827
Speaker 3: box that he can go and score his goals. He

40
00:02:17,907 --> 00:02:20,627
Speaker 3: links up well with player as well for you know,

41
00:02:20,667 --> 00:02:24,227
Speaker 3: getting other players into the game, So we looked at

42
00:02:24,227 --> 00:02:26,747
Speaker 3: that for him and you know, so far he's shown

43
00:02:26,827 --> 00:02:31,707
Speaker 3: what he can do and it's been a good preseason

44
00:02:31,707 --> 00:02:34,147
Speaker 3: for him. He's obviously starting to get a lot fitter

45
00:02:34,267 --> 00:02:37,467
Speaker 3: now to what we expect him to do because I

46
00:02:37,507 --> 00:02:40,707
Speaker 3: ask a lot from our strikers defensively, but he's looking

47
00:02:40,707 --> 00:02:42,427
Speaker 3: at a lot fitter and ready to go.

48
00:02:43,027 --> 00:02:46,547
Speaker 2: And Lachlan Brook also comes in. Is he kind of

49
00:02:46,547 --> 00:02:48,627
Speaker 2: a like for like for Nate Armadino or is he

50
00:02:48,867 --> 00:02:52,547
Speaker 2: a different type of player a little bit different.

51
00:02:52,587 --> 00:02:56,787
Speaker 3: I think he's you know, he's very comfortable on the ball,

52
00:02:56,907 --> 00:03:00,587
Speaker 3: very technical player, can score goals. He's got a good

53
00:03:00,627 --> 00:03:04,227
Speaker 3: cross as well, which we looked at for Sam as well,

54
00:03:04,227 --> 00:03:08,267
Speaker 3: which could could help him. He can play as a

55
00:03:08,307 --> 00:03:11,547
Speaker 3: ten or in the white areas as well, so it

56
00:03:11,547 --> 00:03:15,787
Speaker 3: gives us good flexibility with him as well. Obviously, Nada

57
00:03:15,907 --> 00:03:19,067
Speaker 3: scored you know, numerous amount of goals last year. I

58
00:03:19,067 --> 00:03:20,787
Speaker 3: think it was about nine I think he got, so

59
00:03:21,227 --> 00:03:23,227
Speaker 3: you know, he's got to try and chip in as

60
00:03:23,227 --> 00:03:25,347
Speaker 3: well with a lot of goals. The last time he

61
00:03:25,387 --> 00:03:27,467
Speaker 3: was in the A League he scored nine with Wonderers,

62
00:03:27,507 --> 00:03:30,067
Speaker 3: so we're hoping we get much of the same return

63
00:03:30,147 --> 00:03:30,547
Speaker 3: from him.

64
00:03:31,147 --> 00:03:33,107
Speaker 2: Who's going to play and goal for you in your

65
00:03:33,107 --> 00:03:33,627
Speaker 2: first game?

66
00:03:35,987 --> 00:03:39,187
Speaker 3: Well, at the moment of Michael Michael will be goals

67
00:03:39,227 --> 00:03:42,587
Speaker 3: for the first game, so you know he's waited a

68
00:03:42,627 --> 00:03:46,107
Speaker 3: long time, Michael, He's had obviously Alex in front of

69
00:03:46,147 --> 00:03:49,827
Speaker 3: him and didn't get a sniff last year. Obviously Alex

70
00:03:49,867 --> 00:03:53,827
Speaker 3: played every game and that's his opportunity. So the rest

71
00:03:53,867 --> 00:03:55,267
Speaker 3: is up to him. I can only give him the

72
00:03:55,267 --> 00:04:00,507
Speaker 3: opportunity to to do what we expect from him, and

73
00:04:00,547 --> 00:04:04,187
Speaker 3: then you know, that's it. I reckon he will, he

74
00:04:04,187 --> 00:04:07,067
Speaker 3: will take it with both hands, and obviously you know

75
00:04:07,067 --> 00:04:09,627
Speaker 3: Olie's there to push him along all the way. And

76
00:04:10,387 --> 00:04:12,587
Speaker 3: you know we're we're happy to have Olie and obviously

77
00:04:12,587 --> 00:04:16,107
Speaker 3: an Awkfland boy as well. It's great to have two

78
00:04:16,227 --> 00:04:18,347
Speaker 3: very good goalkeepers like we did last season.

79
00:04:18,827 --> 00:04:21,027
Speaker 2: Has your message to Olie similar to what your message

80
00:04:21,027 --> 00:04:23,707
Speaker 2: watched to Michael last season, Just just keep the pressure on,

81
00:04:24,027 --> 00:04:26,147
Speaker 2: wait for the opportunity if and when it comes along.

82
00:04:26,987 --> 00:04:29,307
Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly, you know that's all. And he knew that

83
00:04:29,507 --> 00:04:31,707
Speaker 3: from from the start. Oli did when he when he

84
00:04:31,747 --> 00:04:35,587
Speaker 3: came in, so you know, stow secret, he made it

85
00:04:35,627 --> 00:04:38,027
Speaker 3: clear at the moment he's number one, and then you

86
00:04:38,067 --> 00:04:40,387
Speaker 3: know it's up to you to either push him out

87
00:04:40,507 --> 00:04:44,947
Speaker 3: or do everything you can to you know, to keep

88
00:04:45,027 --> 00:04:48,187
Speaker 3: him on his toes. At least. So it's they get

89
00:04:48,187 --> 00:04:50,827
Speaker 3: on really well. They have a good combination. I think

90
00:04:50,827 --> 00:04:54,147
Speaker 3: they're the good banter. So I'm really pleased with both

91
00:04:54,147 --> 00:04:54,467
Speaker 3: of them.

92
00:04:54,947 --> 00:04:58,307
Speaker 2: Will you play in largely the same way as you

93
00:04:58,387 --> 00:04:59,227
Speaker 2: did last season?

94
00:05:01,307 --> 00:05:04,067
Speaker 3: Yeah? Possibly. I think we've got a few options, different options.

95
00:05:04,067 --> 00:05:05,467
Speaker 3: Like I said, we can play with the ten, we

96
00:05:05,467 --> 00:05:08,827
Speaker 3: can play with the two. When Cosmo plays, he's playing

97
00:05:08,907 --> 00:05:12,067
Speaker 3: like a ten anyway with now with Big Sam and

98
00:05:12,067 --> 00:05:14,267
Speaker 3: and Jesse's had a very good pre season as well,

99
00:05:14,387 --> 00:05:19,547
Speaker 3: Jesse Randall. So yeah, we've got a few different options

100
00:05:19,587 --> 00:05:21,947
Speaker 3: to choose from. We went with a back five also

101
00:05:22,147 --> 00:05:26,947
Speaker 3: last season when we needed to, and you know, that's

102
00:05:26,987 --> 00:05:29,587
Speaker 3: an option. I think at some stage I would say.

103
00:05:30,627 --> 00:05:32,547
Speaker 2: You have been around the league for a long time, Steve,

104
00:05:32,587 --> 00:05:34,867
Speaker 2: as we all know as a player and as a coach.

105
00:05:35,107 --> 00:05:38,707
Speaker 2: Did you learn anything new last season? Anything new about

106
00:05:38,747 --> 00:05:40,907
Speaker 2: the league? I guess from being in a startup club

107
00:05:40,987 --> 00:05:43,227
Speaker 2: or being in a different country that will be valuable

108
00:05:43,227 --> 00:05:44,107
Speaker 2: to you this time around.

109
00:05:45,747 --> 00:05:48,827
Speaker 3: I just, you know, I just enjoyed the experience of

110
00:05:49,427 --> 00:05:52,427
Speaker 3: you know, coaching, and obviously in New Zealand starting our

111
00:05:52,467 --> 00:05:57,907
Speaker 3: new club, that was really exciting for me. And obviously

112
00:05:58,067 --> 00:06:02,427
Speaker 3: you know, Terry Doug. We all we've all enjoyed, you know,

113
00:06:02,547 --> 00:06:07,627
Speaker 3: putting a good team together in the first season. Like

114
00:06:07,667 --> 00:06:10,627
Speaker 3: I said, for me, now it's about I think we've

115
00:06:10,627 --> 00:06:13,427
Speaker 3: done that. We showed we've got very good players, good

116
00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:17,107
Speaker 3: talented young locals as well, and now it's time to

117
00:06:17,507 --> 00:06:18,707
Speaker 3: show that we can do it again.

118
00:06:19,147 --> 00:06:20,867
Speaker 2: You mentioned a couple of injuries there. I think Nanda

119
00:06:20,907 --> 00:06:22,827
Speaker 2: Pinik is still a couple of weeks away, as need Phelipe,

120
00:06:22,947 --> 00:06:25,107
Speaker 2: Guy Goss. The other one, is it just those two

121
00:06:25,107 --> 00:06:27,667
Speaker 2: Steve anybody else not in contention week one?

122
00:06:29,587 --> 00:06:32,387
Speaker 3: No, I think it should be only them two. You know,

123
00:06:32,427 --> 00:06:35,107
Speaker 3: we hade Pushermo out for four to five weeks as

124
00:06:35,147 --> 00:06:39,267
Speaker 3: well as Dan Hall. But they both played last week

125
00:06:39,267 --> 00:06:44,547
Speaker 3: against Melbourn City and a friendly, so they've come through

126
00:06:45,747 --> 00:06:47,947
Speaker 3: and they should be fine for the weekend. But it

127
00:06:48,347 --> 00:06:51,307
Speaker 3: bit of the two that you mentioned there at the moment.

128
00:06:51,227 --> 00:06:55,067
Speaker 2: In Melbourne victory. First up, how much extra spice on

129
00:06:55,147 --> 00:06:57,947
Speaker 2: this one given they were the side to deny you

130
00:06:57,987 --> 00:06:59,747
Speaker 2: a spot on the Grand Final last season.

131
00:07:00,987 --> 00:07:05,067
Speaker 3: Yeah, obviously very spicy. We're looking forward to it. I

132
00:07:05,067 --> 00:07:07,467
Speaker 3: think being away from home also put a lot of

133
00:07:07,467 --> 00:07:10,427
Speaker 3: pressure on them. Being at home first game of season.

134
00:07:11,067 --> 00:07:13,067
Speaker 3: We want revenge, so I think it's going to be

135
00:07:13,347 --> 00:07:16,267
Speaker 3: a very good encounter. They're a good team. They've they've

136
00:07:16,307 --> 00:07:18,987
Speaker 3: strengthened I think as well. They've they've had a few

137
00:07:18,987 --> 00:07:21,707
Speaker 3: players leave and go overseas and I think they've brought

138
00:07:21,707 --> 00:07:24,747
Speaker 3: in some really good players as well. So Arthur Dillis

139
00:07:24,867 --> 00:07:27,707
Speaker 3: is doing a good job there. And yeah, yeah, I'm

140
00:07:27,707 --> 00:07:31,267
Speaker 3: looking forward to the first game. Obviously, you want to

141
00:07:31,307 --> 00:07:34,027
Speaker 3: get off to a winning start, so hopefully we can

142
00:07:34,467 --> 00:07:37,747
Speaker 3: do what we've done down in Melbourne in recent times

143
00:07:37,787 --> 00:07:39,987
Speaker 3: and get the three points to come home with them.

144
00:07:40,107 --> 00:07:41,467
Speaker 2: And I know you're very much a game at a

145
00:07:41,507 --> 00:07:45,267
Speaker 2: time kind of boss, but how keen are you to

146
00:07:45,347 --> 00:07:50,427
Speaker 2: continue your dominance and the Derby's against Wellington Phoenix this season, Well,

147
00:07:50,427 --> 00:07:51,107
Speaker 2: I'm looking.

148
00:07:50,907 --> 00:07:53,867
Speaker 3: Forward to them. They're very excited. The first thing you

149
00:07:53,947 --> 00:07:58,507
Speaker 3: look at when the fixtures come out. Yeah, that's that's

150
00:07:58,507 --> 00:08:00,787
Speaker 3: another thing. You know, we've got two away this year.

151
00:08:02,587 --> 00:08:06,227
Speaker 3: We want to continue winning and not you know, go

152
00:08:06,427 --> 00:08:10,707
Speaker 3: as long as possible without them beat us. So they're

153
00:08:10,707 --> 00:08:13,627
Speaker 3: obviously going to be tough again. Derby's are always tough,

154
00:08:13,747 --> 00:08:18,587
Speaker 3: especially the first one, so hopefully we get similar results

155
00:08:18,667 --> 00:08:20,507
Speaker 3: that we did last season against them.

156
00:08:20,347 --> 00:08:22,427
Speaker 2: All right, Steve, We'll leave it there mate, Thanks indeed

157
00:08:22,467 --> 00:08:24,827
Speaker 2: for joining us on game day, Steve Corriker, head coach

158
00:08:25,067 --> 00:08:26,627
Speaker 2: of Auckland FC.

159
00:08:27,347 --> 00:08:30,507
Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live

160
00:08:30,627 --> 00:08:33,907
Speaker 1: to news Talks ed B weekends from midday or follow

161
00:08:33,947 --> 00:08:35,547
Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio