1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fyne 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,867 Speaker 1: from News Talks, it'd be. 3 00:00:13,547 --> 00:00:16,427 Speaker 2: Yeah, one hundred percent. It comes back to me really quickly. Actually. 4 00:00:17,347 --> 00:00:19,187 Speaker 2: I remember it was a bit of a whill wind 5 00:00:19,187 --> 00:00:19,507 Speaker 2: that came in. 6 00:00:19,787 --> 00:00:22,347 Speaker 3: Came in on the plane on a wet, windy well 7 00:00:22,387 --> 00:00:25,467 Speaker 3: into night, looked at that, looked across and the houses 8 00:00:25,507 --> 00:00:27,907 Speaker 3: a bit different to the UK, and it was a 9 00:00:27,907 --> 00:00:30,787 Speaker 3: bit all strange. Went to the hotel in the dark, 10 00:00:30,867 --> 00:00:33,267 Speaker 3: so I didn't really see anything. And then I woke 11 00:00:33,347 --> 00:00:37,507 Speaker 3: up that morning really early jet lag. I think like 12 00:00:38,227 --> 00:00:40,987 Speaker 3: six o'clock in the morning. I wouldn't sleep all night 13 00:00:42,067 --> 00:00:44,107 Speaker 3: and I walked out and it was just the crisp 14 00:00:44,427 --> 00:00:47,627 Speaker 3: well into day, flat as anything. And I remember going 15 00:00:47,667 --> 00:00:52,427 Speaker 3: out walking onto the waterfront and thinking, I think we'll 16 00:00:52,467 --> 00:00:53,067 Speaker 3: be all right here. 17 00:00:53,307 --> 00:00:54,107 Speaker 2: I like it, you know. 18 00:00:54,187 --> 00:00:57,947 Speaker 3: I just had this really weird sensation, and especially coming 19 00:00:57,947 --> 00:00:58,867 Speaker 3: all the way from the UK. 20 00:00:58,707 --> 00:00:59,787 Speaker 2: And I didn't what to expect. 21 00:00:59,867 --> 00:01:04,747 Speaker 3: But and then you know, here I am five and 22 00:01:04,747 --> 00:01:05,547 Speaker 3: a half years later. 23 00:01:05,707 --> 00:01:10,747 Speaker 4: Yeah, and I want to talk specifics with you as well, 24 00:01:10,747 --> 00:01:13,667 Speaker 4: but then general terms, how do you reflect on your 25 00:01:13,667 --> 00:01:15,227 Speaker 4: time as a Wellington Phoenix player. 26 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:21,147 Speaker 3: I feel like considering everything the club's actually been through 27 00:01:21,187 --> 00:01:23,427 Speaker 3: through the five and a half year period, the two 28 00:01:23,507 --> 00:01:29,147 Speaker 3: years through COVID, I've lived in five different houses. You know, 29 00:01:30,347 --> 00:01:33,587 Speaker 3: my wife wasn't very happy about that, but we we 30 00:01:33,707 --> 00:01:35,747 Speaker 3: dug in through that time. You know, there were times 31 00:01:35,787 --> 00:01:38,667 Speaker 3: where we were a bit vulnerable as a family, but 32 00:01:38,747 --> 00:01:42,347 Speaker 3: we were stuck in because you know, I enjoyed playing 33 00:01:42,387 --> 00:01:42,987 Speaker 3: football here. 34 00:01:44,587 --> 00:01:48,027 Speaker 2: But a look at it as through all that. 35 00:01:48,427 --> 00:01:53,307 Speaker 3: To be able to finish in the top six four 36 00:01:53,347 --> 00:01:57,067 Speaker 3: out of us five years, two of those years being 37 00:01:57,067 --> 00:02:01,107 Speaker 3: a second finish and a third finish, and the year 38 00:02:01,107 --> 00:02:02,787 Speaker 3: that we actually missed out, we were playing some of 39 00:02:02,787 --> 00:02:05,787 Speaker 3: our best stuff and we just with all this. Obviously 40 00:02:05,867 --> 00:02:10,147 Speaker 3: we missed that penalty up at against Perth. We the 41 00:02:10,227 --> 00:02:12,027 Speaker 3: way we were playing at that moment in time, we 42 00:02:12,027 --> 00:02:14,387 Speaker 3: were good. We were good to go into the into 43 00:02:14,427 --> 00:02:18,907 Speaker 3: the playoffs. So I've also played with amazing some amazing 44 00:02:18,987 --> 00:02:21,067 Speaker 3: lads that have gone on. The young ones have gone 45 00:02:21,107 --> 00:02:23,427 Speaker 3: on to great things. I've played with some older ones 46 00:02:23,467 --> 00:02:26,947 Speaker 3: that have been on to great things. And I feel 47 00:02:26,987 --> 00:02:31,307 Speaker 3: like I've always been consistent with any role that I 48 00:02:31,307 --> 00:02:33,587 Speaker 3: have been asked in the football club to play, I've 49 00:02:33,587 --> 00:02:35,587 Speaker 3: played it and been consistent with the way I am 50 00:02:35,627 --> 00:02:40,667 Speaker 3: as a person. And I've always given everything I can 51 00:02:40,787 --> 00:02:44,387 Speaker 3: to each player and that I've played with, given life 52 00:02:44,427 --> 00:02:48,347 Speaker 3: and energy to them. And also then I've tried to 53 00:02:48,347 --> 00:02:50,507 Speaker 3: be the best, the best version of what I can 54 00:02:50,587 --> 00:02:52,907 Speaker 3: be in those positions and what's best for the team 55 00:02:53,547 --> 00:02:55,067 Speaker 3: to be successful. 56 00:02:55,067 --> 00:03:00,747 Speaker 2: And I feel like walking away with all those. 57 00:03:01,027 --> 00:03:03,667 Speaker 3: Parts of history that the club had before I left 58 00:03:03,667 --> 00:03:06,107 Speaker 3: and being part of the new bit. I think that 59 00:03:06,187 --> 00:03:09,307 Speaker 3: the lot of strength in that, and you know, someone else, 60 00:03:09,387 --> 00:03:11,347 Speaker 3: another player and another team. Now I've got to go 61 00:03:11,427 --> 00:03:13,387 Speaker 3: on to to to. 62 00:03:13,307 --> 00:03:14,147 Speaker 2: Do all those things. 63 00:03:14,387 --> 00:03:19,227 Speaker 3: So I'm very proud. The club looks very different now 64 00:03:19,267 --> 00:03:21,347 Speaker 3: than it did when I first game, and. 65 00:03:21,587 --> 00:03:25,307 Speaker 4: It looks bitter. Well, well, I think you've you living 66 00:03:25,307 --> 00:03:26,947 Speaker 4: on a bit of place. Yeah, then you feel it, 67 00:03:26,987 --> 00:03:28,147 Speaker 4: and that's all anybody can ask. 68 00:03:28,827 --> 00:03:30,987 Speaker 3: My last game, for instance, is was a packed out 69 00:03:31,027 --> 00:03:36,147 Speaker 3: sky Stadium thirty five thousand one and Atosphere to see 70 00:03:37,027 --> 00:03:39,627 Speaker 3: see parents there that I know as well from Wellington 71 00:03:39,627 --> 00:03:41,747 Speaker 3: that didn't even like football when I first came to Wellington. 72 00:03:42,067 --> 00:03:44,107 Speaker 3: You know, I've got so many friends who fell in 73 00:03:44,107 --> 00:03:47,547 Speaker 3: love with football because their kids were kids friends of 74 00:03:47,587 --> 00:03:50,667 Speaker 3: mine that now they play football all the time, you know, 75 00:03:50,707 --> 00:03:54,907 Speaker 3: I've had been able to touch some some of the 76 00:03:54,947 --> 00:03:59,467 Speaker 3: hearts of the parents to actually come and come come 77 00:03:59,507 --> 00:04:01,707 Speaker 3: to the games and be part of Wellington Phoenix and 78 00:04:01,707 --> 00:04:04,587 Speaker 3: see all them just going crazy in the crowd, and 79 00:04:04,747 --> 00:04:08,107 Speaker 3: to create that moment to finish that has me my 80 00:04:08,187 --> 00:04:11,027 Speaker 3: last moment is pretty pretty insane. 81 00:04:11,707 --> 00:04:13,547 Speaker 4: Are you? Are you willing to share with that's what's 82 00:04:13,547 --> 00:04:14,867 Speaker 4: happened in the last few months. 83 00:04:15,987 --> 00:04:18,347 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think ultimately. 84 00:04:20,067 --> 00:04:22,347 Speaker 3: It's you know, a discussion was had at the start 85 00:04:22,347 --> 00:04:27,347 Speaker 3: of the season that you know beyond I think, chee. 86 00:04:27,347 --> 00:04:30,427 Speaker 3: If you knew that I wanted to play beyond the 87 00:04:30,627 --> 00:04:32,907 Speaker 3: year of my contract, you know, and I've made that 88 00:04:32,947 --> 00:04:35,707 Speaker 3: pretty clear and you know over the past few years, 89 00:04:36,707 --> 00:04:38,227 Speaker 3: then I want to try to get to thirty seven 90 00:04:38,267 --> 00:04:40,467 Speaker 3: playing professional football because that's twenty years in the game. 91 00:04:41,387 --> 00:04:44,827 Speaker 3: And then he had a discussion with me that, you know, 92 00:04:45,027 --> 00:04:48,547 Speaker 3: the way he's going forward in his planning past that 93 00:04:48,667 --> 00:04:50,627 Speaker 3: year probably wouldn't have me involved in it. 94 00:04:52,267 --> 00:04:56,827 Speaker 2: I was, you know, obviously ultimately quite upset. 95 00:04:56,907 --> 00:05:01,067 Speaker 3: But when I mean upset, I mean upset is in 96 00:05:01,107 --> 00:05:03,587 Speaker 3: the fact that I knew that my time at the 97 00:05:03,627 --> 00:05:05,827 Speaker 3: Phoenix will probably end at the end of the season. 98 00:05:05,747 --> 00:05:08,747 Speaker 4: Right, So he was to about nips beyond this current season. 99 00:05:08,867 --> 00:05:13,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, so you know, but the football in me said, look, 100 00:05:13,747 --> 00:05:14,427 Speaker 3: he's the boss. 101 00:05:16,107 --> 00:05:16,947 Speaker 2: He makes the decisions. 102 00:05:16,947 --> 00:05:18,867 Speaker 3: I can't change that, and ultimately he's going to do 103 00:05:18,907 --> 00:05:21,267 Speaker 3: what's best for for him moving forward as well. 104 00:05:21,267 --> 00:05:22,747 Speaker 2: And you know I respected that. 105 00:05:25,147 --> 00:05:28,667 Speaker 3: So from on that that from that position, you know, 106 00:05:28,707 --> 00:05:31,427 Speaker 3: I had I had a hernie operation in the summer. 107 00:05:31,627 --> 00:05:33,387 Speaker 3: I was playing with a hernie for probably the last 108 00:05:33,387 --> 00:05:35,987 Speaker 3: two or three months of last season that I thought 109 00:05:36,027 --> 00:05:41,747 Speaker 3: was os pubis. So I was when I came back 110 00:05:41,747 --> 00:05:44,667 Speaker 3: into preseason, I just wasn't. I wasn't right physically. My 111 00:05:44,667 --> 00:05:47,787 Speaker 3: body wasn't wasn't right, and I was when I was 112 00:05:47,987 --> 00:05:50,027 Speaker 3: shooting the ball or running, I was wincing. 113 00:05:50,387 --> 00:05:51,307 Speaker 2: It was really bad. 114 00:05:52,747 --> 00:05:55,547 Speaker 3: So when seeing the doctor got that done, got the 115 00:05:55,547 --> 00:05:58,467 Speaker 3: herne operation, which and then I thought on new lease 116 00:05:58,507 --> 00:05:58,787 Speaker 3: of life. 117 00:05:58,787 --> 00:06:00,587 Speaker 2: To be honest with you, my body, for all of 118 00:06:00,587 --> 00:06:05,507 Speaker 2: a sudden felt felt really good again. I knew that. 119 00:06:06,067 --> 00:06:09,267 Speaker 3: I don't only played I think sixty minutes against Newcastle 120 00:06:09,347 --> 00:06:11,867 Speaker 3: Jets and the twenty minutes against Central Coast that was 121 00:06:11,907 --> 00:06:13,907 Speaker 3: eighteen minutes. Going into the season, it was nowhere near 122 00:06:14,027 --> 00:06:15,947 Speaker 3: enough for the way I like to play in the 123 00:06:16,427 --> 00:06:17,627 Speaker 3: and the loads that I need. 124 00:06:17,667 --> 00:06:19,547 Speaker 2: So we had a discussion. 125 00:06:19,587 --> 00:06:23,827 Speaker 3: He rang me up after the Western United game and 126 00:06:23,387 --> 00:06:25,787 Speaker 3: we decided that it would be best for me to 127 00:06:25,787 --> 00:06:27,547 Speaker 3: go and play some games in the reserves. I was 128 00:06:27,667 --> 00:06:34,147 Speaker 3: totally understanding of that, and he then I went and 129 00:06:34,187 --> 00:06:37,267 Speaker 3: did that. I enjoyed that time going down now playing 130 00:06:37,307 --> 00:06:39,667 Speaker 3: with the young lads as well and bringing me experience, 131 00:06:39,667 --> 00:06:41,347 Speaker 3: but also knew I had to get up to the 132 00:06:41,347 --> 00:06:44,067 Speaker 3: minutes and then and the loads, so I did as 133 00:06:44,107 --> 00:06:46,467 Speaker 3: many as I could to get the ninety minutes because 134 00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:48,747 Speaker 3: I knew that I wanted to come into the team 135 00:06:48,747 --> 00:06:50,307 Speaker 3: if I was going to come into the team and 136 00:06:50,307 --> 00:06:51,027 Speaker 3: make an impact. 137 00:06:52,027 --> 00:06:54,187 Speaker 2: Unfortunately, that was that was, that was it. 138 00:06:55,107 --> 00:06:58,867 Speaker 3: You know, I trained every day. I was a good professional. 139 00:07:01,587 --> 00:07:03,867 Speaker 3: The manager, you know, chief heir, picks the team at 140 00:07:03,907 --> 00:07:05,267 Speaker 3: the end of the day, does what's best for him. 141 00:07:05,307 --> 00:07:08,467 Speaker 3: And you know, I have to you respect that as 142 00:07:08,507 --> 00:07:10,867 Speaker 3: a player when you've played for so many time and 143 00:07:10,907 --> 00:07:13,027 Speaker 3: if you're not if you're not in his plans, you're 144 00:07:13,027 --> 00:07:16,747 Speaker 3: just not in his plans. And you know, I've not 145 00:07:16,787 --> 00:07:20,027 Speaker 3: missed a training session for four months now and working 146 00:07:20,067 --> 00:07:23,147 Speaker 3: really hard to and just I've been the same person. 147 00:07:23,827 --> 00:07:26,467 Speaker 3: I've been trying to help and in the background and 148 00:07:26,707 --> 00:07:28,667 Speaker 3: with a young lads and have been, but ultimately it's 149 00:07:28,707 --> 00:07:33,267 Speaker 3: just they didn't materialize into trying to help the team. 150 00:07:34,427 --> 00:07:35,467 Speaker 2: And and that's where we're at. 151 00:07:35,587 --> 00:07:37,747 Speaker 3: I'm sure we'll me, me and Chief of go and 152 00:07:37,787 --> 00:07:40,387 Speaker 3: have a conversation and see where the breakdown was. 153 00:07:40,427 --> 00:07:45,067 Speaker 2: But he I do respect Chief he as a person. 154 00:07:45,107 --> 00:07:46,507 Speaker 2: I've been with him for five years. 155 00:07:46,947 --> 00:07:50,867 Speaker 3: He's a he's. 156 00:07:49,827 --> 00:07:51,547 Speaker 2: A good guy. He's done. 157 00:07:53,227 --> 00:07:55,827 Speaker 3: He's done some good, amazing things last season as well 158 00:07:55,867 --> 00:07:59,067 Speaker 3: with with a squad and stuff like that. So you know, 159 00:07:59,147 --> 00:08:03,187 Speaker 3: ultimately have to respect the manager. And you know, I 160 00:08:03,187 --> 00:08:05,347 Speaker 3: always say that the manager and the clubs are two 161 00:08:05,387 --> 00:08:09,947 Speaker 3: different things, and they picked the team ultimately, and as 162 00:08:09,987 --> 00:08:12,507 Speaker 3: a player you've got to respect that and do everything 163 00:08:12,507 --> 00:08:14,747 Speaker 3: you can possibly to get yourself back in. 164 00:08:14,787 --> 00:08:16,667 Speaker 2: And I can say I did that. 165 00:08:18,187 --> 00:08:21,267 Speaker 3: And you know, the club's been fantastic women from day once, 166 00:08:21,787 --> 00:08:25,267 Speaker 3: what food the door, they've been, They've been really open, honest, 167 00:08:25,307 --> 00:08:28,547 Speaker 3: and you know, I couldn't fank them enough as well 168 00:08:28,547 --> 00:08:31,827 Speaker 3: with the the the way they've they've parted my ways 169 00:08:31,867 --> 00:08:33,027 Speaker 3: with me, They've been fantastic. 170 00:08:33,907 --> 00:08:37,107 Speaker 4: You could easily have dropped your lip. I'm sure other 171 00:08:37,147 --> 00:08:39,707 Speaker 4: players and as similar as a position have done so, 172 00:08:40,147 --> 00:08:41,987 Speaker 4: but you keept on turning up. You're trained every day 173 00:08:42,067 --> 00:08:44,587 Speaker 4: and on top of that, you continue to help the 174 00:08:44,627 --> 00:08:47,027 Speaker 4: younger players and the team who work it in games. Now, 175 00:08:47,027 --> 00:08:49,227 Speaker 4: there's a famous photo of the Luke Brooksmith coming out 176 00:08:49,227 --> 00:08:52,187 Speaker 4: for his home debowen and in the first guy he 177 00:08:52,227 --> 00:08:55,227 Speaker 4: comes over to, you know, to get reassurance from before 178 00:08:55,467 --> 00:08:59,387 Speaker 4: the game starts. As you what is it you know 179 00:08:59,467 --> 00:09:02,747 Speaker 4: that drives you to continue to want to help the 180 00:09:02,787 --> 00:09:05,147 Speaker 4: others and the football team even when things aren't going 181 00:09:05,667 --> 00:09:07,267 Speaker 4: your way in this serially. 182 00:09:07,827 --> 00:09:09,987 Speaker 3: You've just got to you've got to look at it 183 00:09:10,067 --> 00:09:13,067 Speaker 3: the way like I said before, if if you you've 184 00:09:13,067 --> 00:09:15,067 Speaker 3: got to show those young lads that this is how 185 00:09:15,107 --> 00:09:18,627 Speaker 3: it is to be professional footballer. No matter the position 186 00:09:18,707 --> 00:09:21,467 Speaker 3: you are in or the vulnerability that you're in and 187 00:09:21,587 --> 00:09:26,147 Speaker 3: feeling and you know sort of that helpless position, you 188 00:09:26,147 --> 00:09:30,147 Speaker 3: can always use your energy differently and I felt using 189 00:09:30,147 --> 00:09:33,267 Speaker 3: my energy to guide myself through the process of this 190 00:09:33,947 --> 00:09:36,307 Speaker 3: was to continue to do what I love doing, and 191 00:09:36,347 --> 00:09:39,267 Speaker 3: that's helping the young ones. And Luke's no different. You know, 192 00:09:39,347 --> 00:09:43,027 Speaker 3: we stay out, we do finishing after after after some 193 00:09:43,107 --> 00:09:45,827 Speaker 3: of the sessions, we go through stuff that it can improve. 194 00:09:46,267 --> 00:09:47,947 Speaker 2: Same with luke'suppick. 195 00:09:50,147 --> 00:09:53,147 Speaker 3: Saying with Gabby, you know, these are all lads of 196 00:09:53,187 --> 00:09:56,987 Speaker 3: trying to to help. I think saying goodbye to them 197 00:09:57,027 --> 00:09:59,587 Speaker 3: the other day was actually the hardest thing. I got 198 00:09:59,587 --> 00:10:01,867 Speaker 3: a bit upset saying goodbye to those lads. They've got 199 00:10:01,867 --> 00:10:04,387 Speaker 3: a bit upset as well. You know, I've spent a 200 00:10:04,427 --> 00:10:08,787 Speaker 3: lot of time with trying to to use my time 201 00:10:09,667 --> 00:10:13,587 Speaker 3: of not being playing on a pitch in a better way, 202 00:10:13,707 --> 00:10:15,387 Speaker 3: and I felt like the best way to do that 203 00:10:15,467 --> 00:10:19,187 Speaker 3: was was to help those lads, because ultimately I want, 204 00:10:19,587 --> 00:10:21,307 Speaker 3: no matter what, I want the team to do well. 205 00:10:21,547 --> 00:10:25,507 Speaker 3: I'm a I'll be a Phoenix fan. Now my kids 206 00:10:25,547 --> 00:10:27,907 Speaker 3: are Phoenix fans. I want the team to do well, 207 00:10:28,307 --> 00:10:30,307 Speaker 3: and I'll be celebrating the goals just like a fan. 208 00:10:30,387 --> 00:10:35,427 Speaker 3: So yeah, that's that's the best I can put it 209 00:10:35,467 --> 00:10:36,307 Speaker 3: by here. 210 00:10:36,427 --> 00:10:40,387 Speaker 4: On the field. You were from my recollection anyway, the 211 00:10:40,467 --> 00:10:43,027 Speaker 4: quickest to one hundred games for the team, in terms 212 00:10:43,027 --> 00:10:45,387 Speaker 4: of from the moment you walked in the door until 213 00:10:45,427 --> 00:10:49,187 Speaker 4: you walked out for your hundred game, ultra consistent. I 214 00:10:49,187 --> 00:10:51,587 Speaker 4: think ninety five of your first one hundred games were 215 00:10:51,627 --> 00:10:56,787 Speaker 4: starts and then you look at the numbers and apart 216 00:10:56,787 --> 00:10:59,867 Speaker 4: from your goals, the assists are the thing that stands 217 00:10:59,907 --> 00:11:02,467 Speaker 4: out most to me the way you linked that play. 218 00:11:02,547 --> 00:11:04,507 Speaker 4: And it might not have even been the assist, but 219 00:11:04,667 --> 00:11:07,507 Speaker 4: sometimes you talk about the assist the assess and Vinnie 220 00:11:07,547 --> 00:11:10,347 Speaker 4: Lea I used to get used to never get steps 221 00:11:10,387 --> 00:11:12,107 Speaker 4: in his favor, but he was often the guy who 222 00:11:12,107 --> 00:11:13,427 Speaker 4: gave the board of the guy who hit the goal 223 00:11:13,467 --> 00:11:18,387 Speaker 4: on how much of your game is about making other 224 00:11:18,427 --> 00:11:19,427 Speaker 4: players around you bidder? 225 00:11:20,107 --> 00:11:22,067 Speaker 3: Oh that's If you speak to anyone who played with 226 00:11:22,067 --> 00:11:24,067 Speaker 3: me in England, they did say the same thing. You know, 227 00:11:24,107 --> 00:11:27,907 Speaker 3: I was always a pretty consistent eight nine goals a 228 00:11:27,947 --> 00:11:30,867 Speaker 3: season in the UK and then maybe twelve in assists 229 00:11:30,867 --> 00:11:31,667 Speaker 3: have got more system. 230 00:11:31,707 --> 00:11:34,147 Speaker 2: I would goals to a certain extent. 231 00:11:34,747 --> 00:11:36,867 Speaker 3: I feel like that's you know, I think Whenough he 232 00:11:36,907 --> 00:11:38,267 Speaker 3: signed me, I think that's what he brought me in 233 00:11:38,267 --> 00:11:40,107 Speaker 3: for because he said to me. I remember him saying 234 00:11:40,147 --> 00:11:42,907 Speaker 3: to me, don't worry, I'm bringing in number nine with you. 235 00:11:42,907 --> 00:11:44,507 Speaker 2: You know what I mean? And that was hoops. 236 00:11:44,987 --> 00:11:48,427 Speaker 3: So so he knew my game, he knew my versatility 237 00:11:49,067 --> 00:11:51,547 Speaker 3: to be able to play across that front. Four in 238 00:11:51,587 --> 00:11:55,787 Speaker 3: different systems deeper up the front, and I think that's 239 00:11:55,827 --> 00:11:58,827 Speaker 3: why we worked so well together with Wuffy as well. 240 00:12:00,747 --> 00:12:03,907 Speaker 3: And the part of my game has always been that 241 00:12:04,027 --> 00:12:06,867 Speaker 3: I think every lad who's probably play up front with 242 00:12:06,907 --> 00:12:09,067 Speaker 3: me has always scored loads of goals. You look at 243 00:12:09,067 --> 00:12:11,827 Speaker 3: Hoop scored double figures, Thomas scored double figures as a 244 00:12:11,867 --> 00:12:16,427 Speaker 3: wider scored double figures. Costa only to an extent played 245 00:12:16,467 --> 00:12:18,827 Speaker 3: up front with me, And you know, I've always been 246 00:12:18,827 --> 00:12:22,227 Speaker 3: a good foil and there's nothing wrong with that. I 247 00:12:22,667 --> 00:12:25,107 Speaker 3: get a lot out of bringing people into the game, 248 00:12:25,747 --> 00:12:29,387 Speaker 3: connecting the play, looking forward, looking forward to them forward 249 00:12:29,387 --> 00:12:31,467 Speaker 3: passes like you said, they'll probably if I if we 250 00:12:31,547 --> 00:12:33,667 Speaker 3: did we did the past of the past, I'd probably 251 00:12:33,667 --> 00:12:36,387 Speaker 3: be on probably fifty sixty, do you know what I mean? 252 00:12:36,467 --> 00:12:40,107 Speaker 3: So I never came as an out and out goal scorer. 253 00:12:40,907 --> 00:12:44,867 Speaker 3: I can pretty be honest and say that. And all 254 00:12:44,947 --> 00:12:47,027 Speaker 3: my stuff's been from open play as well. You know, 255 00:12:47,107 --> 00:12:48,987 Speaker 3: it's not been from set players or anything like that. 256 00:12:48,987 --> 00:12:51,067 Speaker 3: It's all been from open play. So you know, I 257 00:12:51,147 --> 00:12:54,667 Speaker 3: walk away happy with the fact that, yeah, yeah, you know, 258 00:12:54,707 --> 00:12:56,867 Speaker 3: I probably got more. I got more assistant goals, and 259 00:12:56,947 --> 00:13:00,667 Speaker 3: that is me as a player, So yeah. 260 00:13:00,187 --> 00:13:02,027 Speaker 4: So what now, what what is next? 261 00:13:02,427 --> 00:13:06,027 Speaker 3: Look, I feel really good, really really fit. Like I said, 262 00:13:06,027 --> 00:13:08,827 Speaker 3: I've been working working really hard. I've not I've not 263 00:13:08,867 --> 00:13:13,027 Speaker 3: put my foot off the gas. So you know, I'm 264 00:13:13,027 --> 00:13:15,547 Speaker 3: a fit player who thinks that there's you know, I'm 265 00:13:15,547 --> 00:13:17,867 Speaker 3: an asset to someone at this moment in time to 266 00:13:17,907 --> 00:13:19,547 Speaker 3: the end of the season or whatever that may be. 267 00:13:19,707 --> 00:13:22,907 Speaker 2: So I'm gonna you know, my wife's been through. 268 00:13:24,587 --> 00:13:26,867 Speaker 3: A lot, We've been through a lot at the moment 269 00:13:26,907 --> 00:13:29,147 Speaker 3: with with a family member who's who's not been well 270 00:13:29,187 --> 00:13:32,667 Speaker 3: back in the UK, so we've we might look to 271 00:13:32,267 --> 00:13:34,507 Speaker 3: to go home to to see him. 272 00:13:34,547 --> 00:13:37,747 Speaker 2: So you know, this process has been. 273 00:13:39,547 --> 00:13:42,347 Speaker 3: It's been a tough, tough decision and one that's not 274 00:13:42,467 --> 00:13:46,027 Speaker 3: been made lightly at all. 275 00:13:46,147 --> 00:13:48,827 Speaker 2: But ultimately I think it's the best for both parties. 276 00:13:49,427 --> 00:13:54,467 Speaker 3: And you know, it's just it's just it's you know, 277 00:13:54,467 --> 00:13:56,627 Speaker 3: I'm very sad, just a sad, sad time and sad 278 00:13:57,107 --> 00:13:58,707 Speaker 3: sad day to two. 279 00:13:59,187 --> 00:13:59,947 Speaker 2: To end like this. 280 00:14:00,067 --> 00:14:02,547 Speaker 3: You know, everyone will say they have different in visions 281 00:14:02,587 --> 00:14:04,587 Speaker 3: of where you finish your time at the club, and 282 00:14:04,867 --> 00:14:06,787 Speaker 3: you know, I wish that I was walking out with 283 00:14:06,787 --> 00:14:08,187 Speaker 3: my boys on the last day and way of giving 284 00:14:08,187 --> 00:14:10,867 Speaker 3: a way to everyone. But you know, football is a 285 00:14:10,907 --> 00:14:14,747 Speaker 3: football is a different injuries industry. Things changed very quickly 286 00:14:14,747 --> 00:14:16,827 Speaker 3: and and I think that's this is one of them, 287 00:14:17,027 --> 00:14:18,427 Speaker 3: one of them situations. 288 00:14:19,027 --> 00:14:21,227 Speaker 4: And just to financial I asked you this question at 289 00:14:21,227 --> 00:14:24,307 Speaker 4: the Proofs conference, but I'll ask it again. How would 290 00:14:24,347 --> 00:14:27,667 Speaker 4: you like to be remembered by Wellington Phoenix fans? 291 00:14:28,267 --> 00:14:38,107 Speaker 3: Oh energetic, good person, someone who always who always stayed 292 00:14:38,107 --> 00:14:42,827 Speaker 3: behind to sign an autograph, have a minute with people, 293 00:14:44,307 --> 00:14:48,307 Speaker 3: someone who left the club and in a better way 294 00:14:48,307 --> 00:14:50,987 Speaker 3: in someone that they enjoyed watching and being part of 295 00:14:50,987 --> 00:14:55,347 Speaker 3: their football club. Because there's been so many good people 296 00:14:55,387 --> 00:14:58,747 Speaker 3: I've met in this country and met this football club, volunteers, 297 00:14:58,867 --> 00:15:04,947 Speaker 3: staff players. I just want to be remembered as a 298 00:15:04,987 --> 00:15:07,027 Speaker 3: good football and a good on a good person. 299 00:15:08,067 --> 00:15:10,107 Speaker 4: I've been watching this team since two thousand and seven. 300 00:15:10,147 --> 00:15:11,347 Speaker 4: I've seen a lot of games and a lot of 301 00:15:11,347 --> 00:15:15,347 Speaker 4: Phoenix footballers and your legacy is as well and truly 302 00:15:15,667 --> 00:15:20,707 Speaker 4: secure balling. Congratulations on a tremendous career at this football club. 303 00:15:21,427 --> 00:15:23,147 Speaker 4: Thank you for all the joy that you gave to 304 00:15:23,707 --> 00:15:25,827 Speaker 4: fans over the last five and a half years. Wish 305 00:15:25,827 --> 00:15:27,827 Speaker 4: you and the family all the best for whatever the 306 00:15:27,867 --> 00:15:28,587 Speaker 4: future might hold. 307 00:15:28,787 --> 00:15:29,907 Speaker 2: Thanks by Thanks mate. 308 00:15:30,947 --> 00:15:34,147 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 309 00:15:34,267 --> 00:15:37,547 Speaker 1: to News Talk Said Be weekends from midday, or follow 310 00:15:37,587 --> 00:15:39,187 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio