1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:17,347 Speaker 1: from News Talks, EDB, Bring. 3 00:00:17,027 --> 00:00:24,867 Speaker 2: Out the Pikes and Lenda's Celebrations. Figgins OFFC are a 4 00:00:25,147 --> 00:00:30,187 Speaker 2: league premius, emulating the Western Sydney Wanderer side of twenty 5 00:00:30,227 --> 00:00:33,907 Speaker 2: twelve to thirty by winning the regular season silver out 6 00:00:34,427 --> 00:00:38,107 Speaker 2: as an expansion club in their very first season. And 7 00:00:38,267 --> 00:00:39,747 Speaker 2: they are not done yet. 8 00:00:40,387 --> 00:00:44,307 Speaker 3: Unfortunately they didn't go on to win the title, of course, 9 00:00:44,387 --> 00:00:48,907 Speaker 3: losing to Melbourne victory in the semifinals last season. So 10 00:00:48,987 --> 00:00:53,027 Speaker 3: can they go one better and advance to the final 11 00:00:53,107 --> 00:00:56,147 Speaker 3: and lift the trophy itself this year? Joining us now 12 00:00:56,187 --> 00:00:59,547 Speaker 3: as the Chief executive of Auckland f C, Nick Becker 13 00:00:59,667 --> 00:01:03,027 Speaker 3: on Weekend Sport Afternoon Neck thinks, sir for your time. 14 00:01:02,947 --> 00:01:03,827 Speaker 4: Yeah, please having me? 15 00:01:04,227 --> 00:01:06,867 Speaker 3: How ready are you for the Second Sea at least 16 00:01:07,067 --> 00:01:08,867 Speaker 3: when it comes to the home games and I'll get 17 00:01:08,907 --> 00:01:12,307 Speaker 3: underway last week. But home game starting the season this afternoon, 18 00:01:12,347 --> 00:01:12,787 Speaker 3: How ready? 19 00:01:13,707 --> 00:01:13,907 Speaker 1: Yeah? 20 00:01:13,987 --> 00:01:16,507 Speaker 4: They we're really excited to be about go media. Of course, 21 00:01:16,587 --> 00:01:20,627 Speaker 4: it's our spiritual home, it's our fortress Fatima. 22 00:01:20,707 --> 00:01:21,107 Speaker 5: Fired up. 23 00:01:21,147 --> 00:01:23,027 Speaker 4: I think we're pretty we're looking good in terms of 24 00:01:24,147 --> 00:01:26,507 Speaker 4: fitness for all the players. We should have a full 25 00:01:26,547 --> 00:01:30,467 Speaker 4: squad available. Other than I think Pionakerer Nando's out for 26 00:01:30,507 --> 00:01:34,827 Speaker 4: a little bit. We're very It is a good kind 27 00:01:34,867 --> 00:01:39,027 Speaker 4: of labor weekend crowd. I think half of Aalgan's gone 28 00:01:39,027 --> 00:01:41,387 Speaker 4: away at the other half are here hopefully going to 29 00:01:41,427 --> 00:01:42,507 Speaker 4: make along to the game today. 30 00:01:42,827 --> 00:01:44,387 Speaker 5: So the ticket sales are pretty well healthy. 31 00:01:45,427 --> 00:01:47,747 Speaker 4: Yeah, they're not bad. They're not bad for especially given 32 00:01:47,787 --> 00:01:52,147 Speaker 4: it's the first long weekend for people, so understandably a 33 00:01:52,147 --> 00:01:55,027 Speaker 4: few of a few have hited out, but really kind 34 00:01:55,027 --> 00:01:58,147 Speaker 4: of positive response from Emery who's been here. The ports 35 00:01:58,147 --> 00:02:00,347 Speaker 4: sold out, so there'll be full voice in there, so 36 00:02:00,427 --> 00:02:02,067 Speaker 4: you really looking forward to being back. 37 00:02:02,347 --> 00:02:04,747 Speaker 3: How much did you at the end of last season 38 00:02:04,867 --> 00:02:07,547 Speaker 3: sit back, take a deep race and look back and 39 00:02:07,747 --> 00:02:09,987 Speaker 3: what lissens did you take out of that first campaign? 40 00:02:11,067 --> 00:02:12,747 Speaker 4: Well, when we to be honest, when we lost the 41 00:02:12,787 --> 00:02:15,507 Speaker 4: Simpy finals, absolutely gutted and it's kind of a really 42 00:02:15,507 --> 00:02:17,547 Speaker 4: weird feeling because you've got all these plans on about 43 00:02:17,547 --> 00:02:20,307 Speaker 4: a Grand Final and then suddenly you know you've got 44 00:02:20,307 --> 00:02:23,147 Speaker 4: nothing to do and no one's calling you. But after that, 45 00:02:23,227 --> 00:02:25,387 Speaker 4: we got over that. You sort of took a bit 46 00:02:25,427 --> 00:02:28,547 Speaker 4: of time to step back and reflect and We're all 47 00:02:28,587 --> 00:02:32,987 Speaker 4: super proud of what we achieved last season. I think 48 00:02:32,987 --> 00:02:34,667 Speaker 4: the fact that we didn't go all the way through 49 00:02:34,667 --> 00:02:38,147 Speaker 4: to a Grand Final and when that was was sort 50 00:02:38,147 --> 00:02:41,267 Speaker 4: of motivation for us this season. And I think, you know, 51 00:02:41,387 --> 00:02:45,067 Speaker 4: also the way that Auckland responded to us, and you know, 52 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:46,787 Speaker 4: we said right from the start we wanted to make 53 00:02:47,387 --> 00:02:49,667 Speaker 4: Auckland proud as a club, both of what we did 54 00:02:49,707 --> 00:02:51,987 Speaker 4: on the pitch and off it, and the fact that 55 00:02:51,987 --> 00:02:54,467 Speaker 4: we got that response from from Auckland's turning up at 56 00:02:54,467 --> 00:02:56,467 Speaker 4: our games, you know, two hundred and forty thousand people 57 00:02:56,507 --> 00:02:59,747 Speaker 4: through our gates last season. We just want to really 58 00:02:59,827 --> 00:03:02,587 Speaker 4: repay that support and that faith and kind of just 59 00:03:02,667 --> 00:03:05,187 Speaker 4: go again this season and kind of go for the 60 00:03:05,667 --> 00:03:08,587 Speaker 4: go for the double if we can, but just tried 61 00:03:08,707 --> 00:03:10,387 Speaker 4: try and do everything that we can on and off 62 00:03:10,467 --> 00:03:10,787 Speaker 4: the pitch. 63 00:03:11,067 --> 00:03:14,107 Speaker 3: Was there anything that surprised you last season about the 64 00:03:14,147 --> 00:03:19,187 Speaker 3: competition or the way that maybe Aucklanders embraced this team. 65 00:03:19,667 --> 00:03:24,627 Speaker 4: I think, you know, we're really happy with the fact 66 00:03:24,667 --> 00:03:28,267 Speaker 4: that we you know, we play on a Saturday at 67 00:03:28,267 --> 00:03:30,827 Speaker 4: five pm or a Sunday at three pm, so you 68 00:03:30,867 --> 00:03:32,667 Speaker 4: get that kind of like weekend where a whole family 69 00:03:32,707 --> 00:03:35,787 Speaker 4: can come along, the sun shining and playing across summer, 70 00:03:36,107 --> 00:03:38,467 Speaker 4: and it was just offering something different to Auklands and 71 00:03:38,507 --> 00:03:40,227 Speaker 4: they sort of, you know, they came along and tried 72 00:03:40,267 --> 00:03:42,507 Speaker 4: it and saw what we were all about and kind 73 00:03:42,547 --> 00:03:44,387 Speaker 4: of loved the match that experience and came back. And 74 00:03:44,427 --> 00:03:46,427 Speaker 4: I think that was a really you know, big thing 75 00:03:46,467 --> 00:03:48,867 Speaker 4: for us was just to do something differently, to be 76 00:03:48,987 --> 00:03:51,987 Speaker 4: bold and to be creative with what we did at 77 00:03:52,027 --> 00:03:54,267 Speaker 4: go Media, and I think Orklanders loved it when they 78 00:03:54,307 --> 00:03:56,227 Speaker 4: came along and saw it. And you know, I was 79 00:03:56,227 --> 00:03:58,107 Speaker 4: just absolutely bying away with the number of families and 80 00:03:58,187 --> 00:04:01,227 Speaker 4: kids that were in our games, and then suddenly blown 81 00:04:01,267 --> 00:04:03,867 Speaker 4: away with the fact that we saw our shirt on 82 00:04:03,987 --> 00:04:06,867 Speaker 4: kids all across Auckland and you saw the me you know, 83 00:04:06,947 --> 00:04:09,347 Speaker 4: it's it's it's really impressive. 84 00:04:09,507 --> 00:04:10,587 Speaker 5: Well, I came back last year. 85 00:04:10,587 --> 00:04:11,827 Speaker 3: I was I was away with the covering the All 86 00:04:11,867 --> 00:04:13,267 Speaker 3: Blacks and the end of year tour and that was 87 00:04:13,307 --> 00:04:17,827 Speaker 3: what late October early to late November came back and 88 00:04:17,867 --> 00:04:19,387 Speaker 3: they were everywhere when I got back, and it was 89 00:04:19,387 --> 00:04:21,027 Speaker 3: the something I really noticed is that in the month 90 00:04:21,027 --> 00:04:22,667 Speaker 3: I had been gone, the season had ready started by 91 00:04:22,827 --> 00:04:25,307 Speaker 3: before I left, but Auckland had picked up this team 92 00:04:25,347 --> 00:04:27,947 Speaker 3: that embraced it. The jerseys were selling, people were wearing 93 00:04:27,987 --> 00:04:29,987 Speaker 3: them out and about, and very quickly caught on. 94 00:04:30,747 --> 00:04:32,547 Speaker 4: Yeah it did, It did, And I think that was 95 00:04:32,547 --> 00:04:34,307 Speaker 4: the thing. And I think what we did is, you know, 96 00:04:34,307 --> 00:04:36,587 Speaker 4: there was a real energy on the pitch. We're playing 97 00:04:36,907 --> 00:04:39,387 Speaker 4: exciting football. We were winning games in the last minute. 98 00:04:39,507 --> 00:04:41,387 Speaker 4: You know, the team's made up with a lot of 99 00:04:41,427 --> 00:04:43,987 Speaker 4: Kiwis and a lot of Aucklanders in the squad and 100 00:04:43,987 --> 00:04:46,627 Speaker 4: in a bit of exciting you know, international flare on 101 00:04:46,667 --> 00:04:48,747 Speaker 4: there too. And then you get along to the match 102 00:04:48,827 --> 00:04:51,467 Speaker 4: day experience you go think, well, that's interesting. I'm seeing 103 00:04:51,467 --> 00:04:53,147 Speaker 4: the shirt everywhere. I'll go along to a game. You 104 00:04:53,187 --> 00:04:54,547 Speaker 4: go to the game and you say, there's a big 105 00:04:54,747 --> 00:04:58,627 Speaker 4: inflatable slide down the hill. You've got this hardcore fan 106 00:04:58,747 --> 00:05:01,707 Speaker 4: group who are who have that kind of bring that atmosphere, 107 00:05:01,747 --> 00:05:03,867 Speaker 4: the color and the noise, and they're chanting and singing 108 00:05:03,947 --> 00:05:06,267 Speaker 4: the whole game. And it's not anything like what you 109 00:05:06,387 --> 00:05:09,587 Speaker 4: see in New Zealand sport. It's completely different. And that's 110 00:05:09,587 --> 00:05:11,747 Speaker 4: what we set out to do and we delivered that 111 00:05:12,147 --> 00:05:13,867 Speaker 4: last season and we're just going to keep on doing 112 00:05:13,867 --> 00:05:16,667 Speaker 4: it this season. You know, we're constantly looking to tweak it. 113 00:05:17,547 --> 00:05:20,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean people talk about the second season syndrome 114 00:05:20,267 --> 00:05:22,307 Speaker 3: or the second album. When it comes to musicians and 115 00:05:22,307 --> 00:05:24,187 Speaker 3: that sort of thing, backing it up can be difficult. 116 00:05:24,667 --> 00:05:26,547 Speaker 3: How have you approached that this season? How have you 117 00:05:26,587 --> 00:05:28,267 Speaker 3: built on what you did last season? I guess from 118 00:05:28,307 --> 00:05:29,627 Speaker 3: a fan experience. 119 00:05:29,747 --> 00:05:32,227 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know what, that's also a real key we 120 00:05:32,307 --> 00:05:34,227 Speaker 4: thing to do, isn't it is? It's kind of go all, well, 121 00:05:34,467 --> 00:05:36,307 Speaker 4: it's going to be hard to do that again. But 122 00:05:36,387 --> 00:05:39,467 Speaker 4: you know, for us, I think it's actually like it's 123 00:05:39,507 --> 00:05:41,307 Speaker 4: a bit of a challenge. It's a bit of an opportunity, 124 00:05:41,387 --> 00:05:44,187 Speaker 4: like we are gonna, yeah, we may not go as 125 00:05:44,187 --> 00:05:45,587 Speaker 4: well as we did last season, but we're going to 126 00:05:45,627 --> 00:05:47,267 Speaker 4: try as hard as we did. Are we going to 127 00:05:47,347 --> 00:05:48,627 Speaker 4: work as hard as we did? And we're going to 128 00:05:48,827 --> 00:05:51,187 Speaker 4: We're going to continue to do things differently and continue 129 00:05:51,227 --> 00:05:53,787 Speaker 4: to kind of like look at challenge, what is just 130 00:05:53,827 --> 00:05:56,107 Speaker 4: the normal? I think that's all that we can do 131 00:05:56,467 --> 00:05:58,547 Speaker 4: as long as we can sit back and go, yeah, 132 00:05:58,547 --> 00:06:00,027 Speaker 4: what at the end of the season, we gave that 133 00:06:00,147 --> 00:06:03,027 Speaker 4: absolutely everything. I think the fans will respond really well. 134 00:06:03,267 --> 00:06:06,227 Speaker 4: I think football fans are a bit different today. That's 135 00:06:07,427 --> 00:06:09,147 Speaker 4: and they and they, you know, they pick their team 136 00:06:09,187 --> 00:06:12,347 Speaker 4: and they stick with it through you know, Sickenson, rain 137 00:06:12,467 --> 00:06:15,227 Speaker 4: or sun, whatever it may be, and so you kind 138 00:06:15,227 --> 00:06:17,227 Speaker 4: of have that that hopefully we will have that hardcore 139 00:06:17,267 --> 00:06:20,027 Speaker 4: attitude which is like Awk of the Sea is my team, 140 00:06:20,547 --> 00:06:23,027 Speaker 4: and hopefully that just seeps out and resonates across the 141 00:06:23,067 --> 00:06:24,667 Speaker 4: whole the whole fan base as well. 142 00:06:24,827 --> 00:06:26,427 Speaker 5: Do you think you've got the squad capin will of 143 00:06:26,467 --> 00:06:27,587 Speaker 5: going all the way this year? 144 00:06:28,587 --> 00:06:30,347 Speaker 4: I do? I do? You know? We made it. We 145 00:06:30,427 --> 00:06:34,147 Speaker 4: brought in five players left, so we lost Alex Poulsen. 146 00:06:34,507 --> 00:06:37,227 Speaker 4: He was probably our biggest loss in terms of a 147 00:06:37,307 --> 00:06:38,867 Speaker 4: keeper of it. But then we brought in Olie Sale. 148 00:06:38,867 --> 00:06:41,267 Speaker 4: We've got two great keepers with Michael Food who's at 149 00:06:41,347 --> 00:06:43,867 Speaker 4: number one, and Olly Sale, who's going to constantly challenge 150 00:06:43,907 --> 00:06:47,667 Speaker 4: him all season. We brought a new so Max Madda 151 00:06:47,747 --> 00:06:51,387 Speaker 4: left and we've he went back on loan to Shrewsby, 152 00:06:51,427 --> 00:06:54,467 Speaker 4: and we brought in a guy called Sam Cosgrove because 153 00:06:54,507 --> 00:06:57,747 Speaker 4: he is a classic big point man, you know sort 154 00:06:57,787 --> 00:07:01,387 Speaker 4: of he's he's about six foot five. He'll be in 155 00:07:01,467 --> 00:07:03,387 Speaker 4: and around the box if he if he gets on 156 00:07:03,427 --> 00:07:06,507 Speaker 4: it and starts scoring goals. I mean look out, look 157 00:07:06,507 --> 00:07:09,067 Speaker 4: out to all the other team's defenses and we brought 158 00:07:09,067 --> 00:07:11,707 Speaker 4: it exciting you winger and two a guy called lockey 159 00:07:11,787 --> 00:07:15,827 Speaker 4: Brook and Lockie has been you know, he set the 160 00:07:15,947 --> 00:07:18,827 Speaker 4: A League alight a few seasons ago when over the MLS. 161 00:07:19,107 --> 00:07:21,227 Speaker 4: He's come back to do the same again here with us. 162 00:07:21,267 --> 00:07:24,587 Speaker 4: So I think we brought in some young and attacking 163 00:07:24,907 --> 00:07:27,387 Speaker 4: quality into the side, and then the rest of the team. 164 00:07:27,507 --> 00:07:29,267 Speaker 4: You know that was a team around last season. They 165 00:07:29,267 --> 00:07:32,067 Speaker 4: already know what it's like to win silverware and they 166 00:07:32,107 --> 00:07:34,947 Speaker 4: also which just importantly is they know what it's like 167 00:07:35,027 --> 00:07:37,027 Speaker 4: to lose in the semi final and they're going to 168 00:07:37,067 --> 00:07:39,627 Speaker 4: have to they're going to want to kind of come 169 00:07:39,627 --> 00:07:40,987 Speaker 4: back and go one better this year. 170 00:07:41,227 --> 00:07:43,627 Speaker 3: The first derby a couple of weeks away in November 171 00:07:43,747 --> 00:07:47,547 Speaker 3: down in Wellington. How important are they as the centerpiece 172 00:07:48,067 --> 00:07:50,307 Speaker 3: of the season, having that three times a campaign. 173 00:07:51,387 --> 00:07:55,427 Speaker 4: Yeah, look, everyone loves a derby, right, we certainly do, 174 00:07:55,667 --> 00:07:58,147 Speaker 4: and it's also good to see that that kind of 175 00:07:58,147 --> 00:08:00,347 Speaker 4: New Zealand sports fans have embraced it as well. You know, 176 00:08:00,427 --> 00:08:04,307 Speaker 4: we had two sold out derbies at go Media last season. 177 00:08:04,387 --> 00:08:07,107 Speaker 4: I'm sure they'd be great that suits. We only get 178 00:08:07,107 --> 00:08:09,107 Speaker 4: one this season, but there'll be two down in Wellington 179 00:08:09,467 --> 00:08:11,267 Speaker 4: and I'm sure the Wellington fans will turn out. I've 180 00:08:11,267 --> 00:08:13,347 Speaker 4: got no doubt we'll sell odd hours up here and 181 00:08:13,427 --> 00:08:15,787 Speaker 4: it shows that the fans want that. There was a 182 00:08:15,827 --> 00:08:20,627 Speaker 4: great level of kind of i'd call it respectable band 183 00:08:20,947 --> 00:08:24,027 Speaker 4: if that's not Noxy Warren and and well, you know, 184 00:08:24,027 --> 00:08:25,947 Speaker 4: we had we had a good dig at each other, 185 00:08:26,667 --> 00:08:28,707 Speaker 4: but there was a line and nobody crossed it and 186 00:08:29,187 --> 00:08:30,627 Speaker 4: it was kind of it was a lot of fun 187 00:08:30,747 --> 00:08:32,507 Speaker 4: and it kind of, you know, it kind of got 188 00:08:32,547 --> 00:08:35,147 Speaker 4: back into that good old rivalries that New Zealand sport 189 00:08:35,267 --> 00:08:36,507 Speaker 4: probably hasn't seen for a while. 190 00:08:37,307 --> 00:08:41,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, certainly, and yeah pretty rarey rare at other sports 191 00:08:41,587 --> 00:08:44,747 Speaker 3: levels obviously as well. Just finally, Nick Becker with us 192 00:08:44,747 --> 00:08:47,267 Speaker 3: on news Talk ZIB. But you mentioned the Port earlier. 193 00:08:47,467 --> 00:08:49,907 Speaker 3: How important to have them as a sort of focal point. 194 00:08:49,947 --> 00:08:51,667 Speaker 3: I know you have families that come along as well, 195 00:08:51,707 --> 00:08:53,867 Speaker 3: but knowing the Port are going to be there week 196 00:08:53,907 --> 00:08:56,467 Speaker 3: in week out, as you said, Rain Haill Shine. 197 00:08:56,867 --> 00:09:00,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, no, no, we all love the port. The Port 198 00:09:00,067 --> 00:09:03,187 Speaker 4: have built up an amazing connection with our with our players, 199 00:09:03,507 --> 00:09:04,987 Speaker 4: but also with the rest of the fan base, right 200 00:09:05,027 --> 00:09:07,987 Speaker 4: and they do bring that they do something that's hostally 201 00:09:08,107 --> 00:09:11,067 Speaker 4: unique to New Zealand sport, and they sing and they 202 00:09:11,107 --> 00:09:12,667 Speaker 4: make noise and they bring the atmosphere and they just 203 00:09:12,827 --> 00:09:16,587 Speaker 4: really add to the whole match they experienced absolutely well. 204 00:09:16,587 --> 00:09:18,267 Speaker 3: Next question you the best of this afternoon as you 205 00:09:18,467 --> 00:09:20,587 Speaker 3: kick off your home campaign and indeed for the rest 206 00:09:20,627 --> 00:09:21,387 Speaker 3: of the season as well. 207 00:09:21,427 --> 00:09:22,867 Speaker 5: Great to catch up, Thank you very much. 208 00:09:22,987 --> 00:09:26,267 Speaker 3: Nick Becket joining us five o'clock kickoff this afternoon for 209 00:09:26,707 --> 00:09:29,907 Speaker 3: that game against Western Sydney Wanderers. I think they're expecting 210 00:09:29,947 --> 00:09:33,187 Speaker 3: a pretty decent crowd, is he mentioned at the top, 211 00:09:33,707 --> 00:09:38,667 Speaker 3: hard and a long weekend in Auckland to see how 212 00:09:38,707 --> 00:09:41,227 Speaker 3: many people are actually in the city, but decent old 213 00:09:41,227 --> 00:09:44,227 Speaker 3: crowd for this opening game at five o'clock. Of course 214 00:09:44,267 --> 00:09:48,267 Speaker 3: to Wellington Phoenix played tomorrow against the Brisbane Raw Phoenix fans, 215 00:09:48,267 --> 00:09:50,387 Speaker 3: we haven't forgotten you. Alex Rufe is going to join 216 00:09:50,467 --> 00:09:53,147 Speaker 3: us tomorrow on the program to give us their perspective. 217 00:09:53,187 --> 00:09:56,147 Speaker 3: They come off, of course to all draw against Perth 218 00:09:56,187 --> 00:09:59,067 Speaker 3: Glory in their away trip last week, so we'll get 219 00:09:59,467 --> 00:10:02,507 Speaker 3: the Phoenix side of things tomorrow afternoon here on us 220 00:10:02,547 --> 00:10:06,107 Speaker 3: Talk zeb Be. Their first home game of twenty twenty five, 221 00:10:06,347 --> 00:10:07,827 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six. 222 00:10:08,267 --> 00:10:11,427 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 223 00:10:11,547 --> 00:10:14,827 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B Weekends from midday, or follow 224 00:10:14,867 --> 00:10:16,427 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio