WEBVTT - Episode 59: Unpacking Johnson's final outing 0:00:09.133 --> 0:00:12.693 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow 0:00:12.773 --> 0:00:17.173 this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio 0:00:18.413 --> 0:00:22.853 The Big League Podcast League podcast News TALKSB. 0:00:23.333 --> 0:00:26.733 This week on The Big League Podcast, The Prince of 0:00:26.853 --> 0:00:30.453 Pinrose gets a walk off when we unpacked Sean Johnson's 0:00:30.453 --> 0:00:34.333 spellbinding final outing and the NRAL as the Warriors stunned 0:00:34.413 --> 0:00:36.853 Cronulla and it's time to pick off the scam that 0:00:36.973 --> 0:00:40.173 is the twenty twenty four season Highlights, low lights and 0:00:40.213 --> 0:00:43.293 fearless predictions for next year. My name is Nick Bewley. 0:00:43.573 --> 0:00:47.773 Let's go b LB. Never have we been more happy 0:00:47.813 --> 0:00:51.333 to admit we were wrong. After four straight defeats and 0:00:51.413 --> 0:00:54.733 a final match against the top four side on their turf, 0:00:54.733 --> 0:00:57.293 it defied logic to see this going any other way, 0:00:57.293 --> 0:01:01.013 but Sean Johnson and his final NURL appearance, along with 0:01:01.053 --> 0:01:04.693 a cast of co stars, had other ideas. To be honest, 0:01:05.093 --> 0:01:07.853 I was just tough to see one last SJ line 0:01:07.853 --> 0:01:10.573 break in the assists for Luke Metcalf to score the 0:01:10.613 --> 0:01:13.813 warriors first try. Little did we know then we'd get 0:01:13.813 --> 0:01:17.173 a second half master class, two more assists, including that 0:01:17.333 --> 0:01:21.733 final pass for dw Z's third, and a memorable comeback 0:01:21.813 --> 0:01:25.773 when it seems scarcely believable, but that is sewn Johnson right, 0:01:25.813 --> 0:01:30.253 he could make the ridiculous look routine. One final entry 0:01:30.533 --> 0:01:33.613 into the catalog of clutch moments, a fitting finish to 0:01:33.653 --> 0:01:37.333 a career that's been a thrill to witness. Alex Powell 0:01:37.733 --> 0:01:41.933 from The New Zealand Herald unpacked that one for me, mate, 0:01:41.973 --> 0:01:44.733 I mean, not the fairy tale season, of course, but 0:01:45.013 --> 0:01:47.933 a fairy tale finish for Sean Johnson. How good was that? 0:01:48.773 --> 0:01:51.773 Mate? Thanks for having me? First off? It was great. 0:01:51.813 --> 0:01:54.133 You know, it was everything that we could have wanted 0:01:54.173 --> 0:01:57.373 at this point of the year, with everything basically with 0:01:57.373 --> 0:02:00.653 nothing on the line. I thought it was great. I had. 0:02:00.733 --> 0:02:03.773 I loved that little passing the torch moment between Johnson Metcalf. 0:02:03.853 --> 0:02:07.133 I think that was basically I'm trying to even think. 0:02:07.133 --> 0:02:09.093 I'm trying to think, how are we actually say it up? Because, 0:02:09.173 --> 0:02:11.333 like you say, the season was gone, there's nothing to 0:02:11.333 --> 0:02:13.053 play for, but we all got what we wanted. That's 0:02:13.053 --> 0:02:13.813 how I sum it up. 0:02:14.373 --> 0:02:17.973 Yeah, I just I kept catching myself throughout the contest, 0:02:18.253 --> 0:02:21.493 especially in that second half. Obviously we're unpacking in greater detail, 0:02:21.493 --> 0:02:24.253 but you know, they're twenty two to four down. It 0:02:24.373 --> 0:02:26.973 followed a script that we've talked about so many times, 0:02:27.013 --> 0:02:29.413 where they they've started well, they've scored the first points, 0:02:29.413 --> 0:02:32.133 they've dominated all the key metrics, they haven't been able 0:02:32.133 --> 0:02:35.293 to convert that into points. Then their opposition on this case, 0:02:35.373 --> 0:02:37.693 the Sharks get a sniff and it's just like a 0:02:37.733 --> 0:02:39.973 freight train towards the back end of that second half. 0:02:41.373 --> 0:02:44.493 At that point, Alex, how close were you to turning 0:02:44.493 --> 0:02:47.293 the TV off? I have to ask, I was very. 0:02:47.133 --> 0:02:49.093 Close, so just to sort of peel the curtain back. 0:02:49.133 --> 0:02:51.453 This was also in between me trying to get Oasis tickets, 0:02:51.453 --> 0:02:53.253 so I was just down on more than one front. 0:02:55.253 --> 0:02:56.893 I think if you'd said you can have one of 0:02:56.893 --> 0:02:58.933 two at the moment, you can have tickets or a 0:02:58.973 --> 0:03:00.573 Warrior's win, I would have not have gone for the 0:03:00.573 --> 0:03:02.893 Warriors win. But in a way, I'm sort of glad 0:03:02.933 --> 0:03:04.013 that's the one I got. 0:03:04.413 --> 0:03:07.693 Nice, nice, and then so obviously the Sharks have denied 0:03:07.693 --> 0:03:10.493 those last couple try a couple of tries to start 0:03:10.533 --> 0:03:13.453 the second half, which were big moments I don't disagree 0:03:13.453 --> 0:03:16.293 with either. Court was one of those sort of subjective 0:03:16.333 --> 0:03:21.933 I suppose obstruction calls with Niko Heinz denied. But then 0:03:21.973 --> 0:03:25.133 the Warriors, you know, they just started to chance their arm, 0:03:25.133 --> 0:03:27.773 which is all we've kind of wanted since the season 0:03:27.813 --> 0:03:30.173 has been over in terms of playing to get into 0:03:30.213 --> 0:03:33.853 the finals, rather the sort of conservative get to your 0:03:33.933 --> 0:03:36.893 kick approach. We had a try on one of what's 0:03:36.933 --> 0:03:39.213 Ennis Lesnicks tries. I think the kick through was on 0:03:39.293 --> 0:03:43.173 tackle three. We had willingness to run from an urn 0:03:43.373 --> 0:03:46.973 end that it was great footy to watch and you 0:03:47.053 --> 0:03:49.693 couldn't help but feel as much as you bast and 0:03:49.693 --> 0:03:51.493 the enjoyment of the moment, you're kind of going like, 0:03:51.573 --> 0:03:52.613 where has that been? 0:03:53.653 --> 0:03:56.013 It's a phrase that Stephen Kerney actually used when he 0:03:56.053 --> 0:03:59.173 first became coach of the Warriors, warriorball, you know, where 0:03:59.213 --> 0:04:01.533 you do stuff that's about outside the box. You'd like 0:04:01.613 --> 0:04:04.413 to chance your arm. And I'm glad that we've seen 0:04:04.453 --> 0:04:06.253 the Warriors can do it. We know that this is 0:04:06.293 --> 0:04:08.013 in their locker. We saw it, you know, on a 0:04:08.093 --> 0:04:10.053 ca last year. But this year has been a bit 0:04:10.093 --> 0:04:13.573 more methodical and we've seen that they're just up against 0:04:13.613 --> 0:04:16.693 clubs who maybe know how to do the ordinary a 0:04:16.693 --> 0:04:20.253 bit better. But when the Warriors are playing like that 0:04:20.293 --> 0:04:22.893 they're playing with freedom and they're playing with unpredictability. I 0:04:22.893 --> 0:04:24.893 think that's when they're really going to catch teams out. 0:04:25.053 --> 0:04:27.573 Yeah, bang on, let's go to the last minute. 0:04:27.613 --> 0:04:27.773 Then. 0:04:27.933 --> 0:04:30.733 Obviously Kronulla did well. They were down a man and 0:04:30.893 --> 0:04:34.893 we'll touch on that too, but they scored while having 0:04:34.933 --> 0:04:37.333 Kayle in the bench to retake the lead. After the 0:04:37.493 --> 0:04:40.453 Warriors had scored three tries on the trot Jack Williams 0:04:40.453 --> 0:04:44.093 there interchange prop drop the ball with about ninety seconds 0:04:44.133 --> 0:04:47.293 to go. Let's have a listen to Sean Johnson. I'm 0:04:47.293 --> 0:04:49.053 sure if you're listening to the Big League podcast you 0:04:49.093 --> 0:04:51.573 all know what happened from there. But let's hear from 0:04:51.573 --> 0:04:55.293 the man himself unpack that final set, which of course 0:04:55.333 --> 0:04:58.413 culminated in DWZ going over in the corner for the 0:04:58.453 --> 0:04:58.933 match winner. 0:04:59.093 --> 0:05:00.893 Do I see to walk slid get us in the 0:05:00.973 --> 0:05:05.573 right strip, don't deliveryone? Now I'm done, Lad, I'm done. 0:05:05.773 --> 0:05:08.333 He's going now, so pretty mu. 0:05:08.333 --> 0:05:10.373 Which was a three play sequence where I wanted just 0:05:10.413 --> 0:05:12.133 to give my menument around the spots I knew we 0:05:12.133 --> 0:05:13.093 could walks. 0:05:13.093 --> 0:05:14.173 He took control of the footy. 0:05:14.733 --> 0:05:18.533 We spoke about fading and certain spots Barney got a 0:05:18.573 --> 0:05:20.613 quick play the book and then we just doubled up 0:05:20.613 --> 0:05:24.933 on it. And I think that feeling of being in 0:05:24.973 --> 0:05:28.573 the zone where you know why you're doing something and 0:05:28.653 --> 0:05:30.893 the look you want to create for me to be 0:05:30.893 --> 0:05:32.813 able to finish my career on that moment is probably 0:05:32.813 --> 0:05:35.573 what I'm so content about. There's probably actually a bit 0:05:35.613 --> 0:05:39.813 of talking to like, it wasn't just a one cutout ball. 0:05:40.093 --> 0:05:42.173 There's things that lead led into that play to create 0:05:42.213 --> 0:05:44.773 that look, and it's just the truth. You know me 0:05:44.813 --> 0:05:46.853 and walks ahead embraced before because it was like he 0:05:46.933 --> 0:05:50.613 was like, you're crazy man, because he knows exactly what 0:05:50.653 --> 0:05:52.533 I said to him, and he went and executed it 0:05:52.573 --> 0:05:53.893 and put me in a good spot to come up 0:05:53.893 --> 0:05:54.693 about last Pass. 0:05:54.853 --> 0:05:56.933 I just love him unpacking the game like that. I 0:05:56.933 --> 0:05:59.573 think we can all agree. He's obviously already started his 0:05:59.613 --> 0:06:01.773 own podcast, but he's going to have a big future 0:06:01.773 --> 0:06:03.293 in the game and great to hear from him to 0:06:03.453 --> 0:06:05.373 post match to say he's real keen to work with 0:06:05.413 --> 0:06:10.613 the future Spine players and the key positional areas around 0:06:10.653 --> 0:06:12.973 the halves going forward as a sort of a mental 0:06:13.653 --> 0:06:18.173 or a coach. That last pass, it's just right on 0:06:18.533 --> 0:06:20.533 the money, isn't it. And you think it's you know, 0:06:20.853 --> 0:06:23.493 it's corny, it's sort of fairy tale stuff, call it 0:06:23.493 --> 0:06:26.253 what you like. But for thirteen seasons and then for 0:06:26.293 --> 0:06:28.613 it to come down to that game on the line, 0:06:29.253 --> 0:06:34.093 to have that clutch moment, it's just it's so hard 0:06:34.093 --> 0:06:36.533 to fathom for me that you know that the NRL 0:06:36.613 --> 0:06:39.013 gods or the Rugby League god someone was smiling down 0:06:39.053 --> 0:06:41.093 and said, you know what, for your service mate, We're 0:06:41.093 --> 0:06:41.893 going to give you this one. 0:06:42.613 --> 0:06:45.053 I don't think Sean Johnson were remembered for that one play. 0:06:45.093 --> 0:06:47.573 It'll be you know, it'll be the line breaks, it'll 0:06:47.613 --> 0:06:50.693 be the steps, it'll be you know, some of the kickses, 0:06:50.733 --> 0:06:52.453 you know, just just all the stuff like that. It 0:06:52.493 --> 0:06:55.693 just adds into what Sean Johnson is and that's been 0:06:55.733 --> 0:06:58.053 the guy who has been the talisman of this team 0:06:58.413 --> 0:07:01.533 for most of those thirteen years. Will forget those years 0:07:01.533 --> 0:07:05.093 at the Sharks, but you're right, I'm glad that he 0:07:05.173 --> 0:07:07.573 got to end it on a way where he was 0:07:07.613 --> 0:07:08.173 the main man. 0:07:08.413 --> 0:07:10.653 Yeah. As I said in the top, a catalog of 0:07:11.173 --> 0:07:13.573 clutch moments just before we get to the highlights, courtesy 0:07:13.573 --> 0:07:15.093 of our friends at Fox Sports. I did want to 0:07:15.093 --> 0:07:16.613 touch on a couple of other players because as I 0:07:16.653 --> 0:07:19.453 mentioned so Sean Johnson was front and center, but there 0:07:19.533 --> 0:07:24.133 was some really strong co stars, if you will. For me, 0:07:24.413 --> 0:07:26.253 the guy who jumped out and I've been a big 0:07:26.293 --> 0:07:28.253 fan of him ever since he made his first great 0:07:28.253 --> 0:07:30.293 debut last year was tamed to a picky at the 0:07:30.333 --> 0:07:34.093 back himself. He had two tryass just super busy. You know, 0:07:35.173 --> 0:07:37.533 he's a small guy, but he puts his body on 0:07:37.573 --> 0:07:41.293 the line, you know, twenty plus runs and you know 0:07:41.333 --> 0:07:44.733 that's his sixth game this season. Unfortunately for me, he's 0:07:44.733 --> 0:07:46.773 had a couple of hia's where he's had to go off. 0:07:46.773 --> 0:07:51.173 But he's been now involved in the Penrith win earlier 0:07:51.173 --> 0:07:54.493 in the campaign, the Cronulla win at the weekend and 0:07:54.693 --> 0:07:56.973 way back in Round three when the Warriors hosted the 0:07:57.013 --> 0:07:59.213 Raiders down in my neck of the woods in christ Church. 0:07:59.253 --> 0:08:01.453 He was the fullback then. So what did you make 0:08:01.533 --> 0:08:04.053 a taine? And I guess, more broadly speaking, has he 0:08:04.693 --> 0:08:07.813 shown how valuable he could be going forward into twenty 0:08:07.813 --> 0:08:08.253 twenty five. 0:08:09.453 --> 0:08:11.293 I like you, I'm a huge entertained to a picky. 0:08:11.373 --> 0:08:13.413 That's such a hard job when you know you're not 0:08:13.493 --> 0:08:16.133 the main guy, and he still comes in every week 0:08:16.373 --> 0:08:18.893 and plays his hard out there, leaves nothing out there. 0:08:19.333 --> 0:08:21.293 You mentioned the games he came in full. Let's also 0:08:21.693 --> 0:08:23.853 not forget he was going to play that Dolphins game 0:08:23.853 --> 0:08:25.733 at Mount Smart as well, but then was withdrawn at 0:08:25.733 --> 0:08:28.053 the last minute because his partner went into labor. So 0:08:28.093 --> 0:08:32.453 he could have played another one there but didn't. I 0:08:32.493 --> 0:08:34.133 don't know what I want for tain to a picky. 0:08:34.253 --> 0:08:36.733 I love the fact that the Warriors can call on 0:08:36.853 --> 0:08:39.693 a guy like that to step in when they need him, 0:08:40.093 --> 0:08:42.293 and there's so much of that of being a guy 0:08:42.413 --> 0:08:45.773 who isn't going to play every week, but he's just 0:08:45.813 --> 0:08:48.413 so safe when he does. Do you I'll put back 0:08:48.413 --> 0:08:50.053 to you, do you think he should stay. 0:08:50.813 --> 0:08:53.213 Stay at the club? Well, I hope he stays at 0:08:53.253 --> 0:08:55.453 the club. I think he's got a big part to 0:08:55.453 --> 0:08:57.413 play next year. To be perfectly honest, I know you're 0:08:57.413 --> 0:08:59.813 probably more on the camp that going into twenty twenty 0:08:59.813 --> 0:09:03.413 five they look at Roger at fullback. I'm sort of 0:09:03.573 --> 0:09:07.053 the view and I'm probably, you know, perhaps reaching here 0:09:07.133 --> 0:09:10.253 after one performance, but I wouldn't mind first round next 0:09:10.333 --> 0:09:12.813 year seeing to a picky at one charms in the 0:09:12.853 --> 0:09:16.013 centers and Roger on the wing, and that would then 0:09:16.773 --> 0:09:19.613 mean Montoya, as much as I love his effort and 0:09:19.653 --> 0:09:23.973 hard carries, would make way. But that's a discussion for 0:09:23.973 --> 0:09:27.013 another day. But I get the sense that tame to 0:09:27.093 --> 0:09:31.453 a picky he is a first grader and for him 0:09:31.493 --> 0:09:34.133 to just have to settle for New South Wales Cup 0:09:35.053 --> 0:09:37.813 at his age, at twenty five, I think there'll be 0:09:37.813 --> 0:09:39.853 another club sniffling in and around if he can't get 0:09:39.853 --> 0:09:44.173 regular opportunities. Let's get to the highlights then, courtesy of 0:09:44.293 --> 0:09:46.533 Fox Sports. It was a brilliant call, I have to 0:09:46.533 --> 0:09:49.333 say from Andrew Voss. It was quite fitting. I thought 0:09:49.333 --> 0:09:52.493 that that VOSSI got the final Seawn Johnson game. Here 0:09:52.533 --> 0:09:56.293 it is Warrior is thirty Kranulla twenty eight Saturday. 0:09:56.293 --> 0:10:00.893 Super Saturday Night in Cranella and the Warriors first use 0:10:02.213 --> 0:10:05.213 Johnson on the flat foot john set it so back 0:10:05.293 --> 0:10:05.933 to Mecca. 0:10:06.133 --> 0:10:07.453 That is so good. 0:10:08.613 --> 0:10:11.613 The seven of the six r Johnson. 0:10:12.493 --> 0:10:15.013 It's a good a passing of the bed, a. 0:10:15.053 --> 0:10:22.693 Woman, Trindleby's shop to Ronson render for play, then number 0:10:22.773 --> 0:10:27.653 seven for Granilla last play swingle. 0:10:27.293 --> 0:10:29.413 Women so cling round. 0:10:30.173 --> 0:10:33.013 And a great fame in New Zealand. Let be leading 0:10:33.133 --> 0:10:34.893 scores against the Lais. 0:10:35.893 --> 0:10:37.133 The first one was Wilton. 0:10:37.413 --> 0:10:40.893 This time he goes to the outside and plays the 0:10:40.933 --> 0:10:43.053 hero who is just so powerful. 0:10:43.173 --> 0:10:46.853 Eighty four games before the final our last a ruck 0:10:46.933 --> 0:10:51.893 Belod broadly passes to stop straight the Londal. 0:10:51.693 --> 0:10:55.173 Juna is on his way, the kid. 0:10:55.413 --> 0:11:01.013 Living his drone in the Cronulla Sharks jersey. He's promptly 0:11:01.253 --> 0:11:03.933 dreaded that heine's calling for it. 0:11:04.213 --> 0:11:07.973 He's with it, not for the line, says, but. 0:11:13.053 --> 0:11:15.973 What a hardlight really is getting a four pointers if 0:11:16.013 --> 0:11:21.013 you will? Tobby boy deff Reagan now the right side. 0:11:21.093 --> 0:11:28.373 Johnson turpicky a tote zalazni Ark to score the nineteen 0:11:28.493 --> 0:11:33.373 ninth trime of his career and the fiftieth for the Warriors. 0:11:35.613 --> 0:11:39.533 Still a chance with the Warriors midcalv little show chops, 0:11:39.573 --> 0:11:41.733 all kicks any here comes down. 0:11:42.253 --> 0:11:44.533 He wins the race and down the. 0:11:44.653 --> 0:11:50.413 Tri Sister Johnson and Delan with Tennis Alesia. 0:11:50.133 --> 0:11:51.733 Brings up the tone. 0:11:52.573 --> 0:11:54.253 One hundred career tries. 0:11:55.413 --> 0:11:57.053 What a special moment. 0:11:57.453 --> 0:12:03.453 Mogan, you walk up, double put Johnson, tour Picky rock down. 0:12:03.693 --> 0:12:04.693 It clicks up. 0:12:05.653 --> 0:12:10.413 Tenny's Alesiac was it over the He is such a 0:12:10.493 --> 0:12:14.893 physical player here and just hits the lesbiack as he's 0:12:14.893 --> 0:12:17.973 slipping from the inside. Had to be made great desperation 0:12:18.093 --> 0:12:19.933 from Kennedy, or if some of the others have been 0:12:20.013 --> 0:12:23.293 high contact. Oh thoughts on here now we're going, here 0:12:23.333 --> 0:12:23.573 we go. 0:12:24.253 --> 0:12:25.333 He's in the middle of that. 0:12:25.533 --> 0:12:29.413 It's drindle drindles throwing the little the little shop pis 0:12:29.813 --> 0:12:33.293 Wilton Stone Street, go back to back, So you aren't 0:12:33.293 --> 0:12:34.013 into the brief. 0:12:33.813 --> 0:12:36.373 Gone, Kyl, you're right. It pays the. 0:12:36.413 --> 0:12:37.933 Penalty you to slip. 0:12:39.173 --> 0:12:41.013 Eagan Johnson to a. 0:12:41.053 --> 0:12:43.373 Picky said, you got a Nickel Club. 0:12:43.253 --> 0:12:47.333 Star going for the line. The Warriors have got another. 0:12:48.293 --> 0:12:52.613 The Warriors maybe riding in a headline. Here hold the 0:12:52.733 --> 0:12:57.893 front page. Look MEPCD, look. 0:13:01.293 --> 0:13:01.733 The front. 0:13:03.213 --> 0:13:05.893 This is a stradry front. 0:13:05.973 --> 0:13:11.813 The Warriors plaily fires it across Treadll to Kennedy. They're 0:13:11.853 --> 0:13:18.653 playing return and Stone's trade is over. The scores are level, 0:13:20.933 --> 0:13:33.093 possibly their last checks. Hagan Newalker Johnson Clutside outside runs 0:13:33.213 --> 0:13:39.373 his own screen Riddled, produced directed by Sean Johnson, the 0:13:39.533 --> 0:13:44.973 movie His Last Game Wins It for the Warriors. 0:13:46.973 --> 0:13:48.093 Big League Podcast. 0:13:48.573 --> 0:13:52.573 Right, let's get into our season review, and of course 0:13:52.573 --> 0:13:55.093 I know Nathan Lemon and Michael Burgess. They started this 0:13:55.213 --> 0:13:58.773 podcast last year and they had the you know, the 0:13:59.133 --> 0:14:02.053 wonderful year that was where in terms of it sort 0:14:02.053 --> 0:14:05.093 of season review that they couldn't They had a top 0:14:05.253 --> 0:14:08.013 five each of their moments of the years. Bit of 0:14:08.013 --> 0:14:11.013 a to get through five. I think in season twenty 0:14:11.053 --> 0:14:13.653 twenty four we've taken the liberty to change it up 0:14:13.693 --> 0:14:18.773 a touch and hand out some awards, highlights, low lights, etc. 0:14:19.093 --> 0:14:22.173 I mean, if we completely unpacked the season, we'll be 0:14:22.293 --> 0:14:24.733 here all day, but where we're going to look at 0:14:24.773 --> 0:14:26.773 some of the key parts that stood out for us 0:14:27.013 --> 0:14:30.893 in season twenty twenty four. Of course, the Warriors don't 0:14:30.893 --> 0:14:33.333 play this week due to a buye, and irrespective of 0:14:33.413 --> 0:14:36.693 what happens this weekend, they'll finish thirteenth with a record 0:14:36.813 --> 0:14:42.693 of nine wins, a draw and fourteen losses, this of course, 0:14:42.773 --> 0:14:46.053 coming after making the preliminary final last year. Let's start 0:14:46.093 --> 0:14:49.813 with a grading, Alex, what mark do you give the 0:14:49.893 --> 0:14:52.813 Warriors and why so? 0:14:53.133 --> 0:14:57.933 I would go with a D plus. I don't think 0:14:58.133 --> 0:15:00.853 other than the Titans away, there's not really been games 0:15:00.853 --> 0:15:05.253 where I've been embarrassed for the Warriors. But at the 0:15:05.333 --> 0:15:08.933 same time, there hasn't been enough good to overtake the 0:15:09.013 --> 0:15:11.973 bad I think they should absolutely finish higher than thirteenth 0:15:12.413 --> 0:15:14.293 from what we saw last year and from the players 0:15:14.293 --> 0:15:16.133 at their disposal, I think there's been a lot of 0:15:16.253 --> 0:15:19.053 mitigation and players being unavailable and some decisions that go 0:15:19.173 --> 0:15:21.333 against them, and just moments they were going against them. 0:15:21.813 --> 0:15:23.653 So I think a DED not quite a C minus, 0:15:24.213 --> 0:15:27.813 but not quite a D. Okay, Yeah, I'll just go 0:15:28.013 --> 0:15:29.533 with a firm D. 0:15:29.893 --> 0:15:32.653 And of course, you know, context is important, and we're 0:15:32.693 --> 0:15:36.413 measuring the warr is this iteration of the warr is 0:15:37.413 --> 0:15:39.813 on last year, because you know, if we look back 0:15:40.173 --> 0:15:43.053 to how we all felt twelve months ago about the 0:15:43.133 --> 0:15:46.493 team going into this season, you know, all the noise 0:15:46.773 --> 0:15:51.573 was getting back to a preliminary final, getting inside and 0:15:51.773 --> 0:15:55.573 ensconced into the top four, let alone the top eight, 0:15:56.453 --> 0:15:58.573 and for the season to fall away as it did 0:15:58.733 --> 0:16:03.253 was incredibly disappointing. As you mentioned, injury issues, Tauhu, Harris 0:16:03.533 --> 0:16:06.773 Sean Johnson barely fit throughout the course of the season. 0:16:07.693 --> 0:16:10.893 I thought way Egan looked pretty banged up from about 0:16:11.173 --> 0:16:13.973 round ten or eleven. He had a really strong start 0:16:14.053 --> 0:16:17.533 to the year but faded away and hopefully some rest 0:16:17.573 --> 0:16:19.933 will be good for him. Heading into season twenty twenty five, 0:16:20.053 --> 0:16:23.373 but just the nature of some of the defeats as well. 0:16:23.453 --> 0:16:27.293 I know we'll get into low lights shortly, but yeah, 0:16:27.533 --> 0:16:31.253 just a lack of evolution to I just felt like 0:16:31.333 --> 0:16:34.173 they rested a little bit. I'm hoping things would just 0:16:34.293 --> 0:16:36.573 click as it did last year, and as we know 0:16:36.693 --> 0:16:39.573 in the NRL being one of the toughest competitions and 0:16:40.093 --> 0:16:43.453 sport in the Southern Hemisphere, you just have to continue 0:16:43.773 --> 0:16:46.173 to get better. It felt like that sort of second 0:16:46.253 --> 0:16:49.893 year syndrome and away, and unfortunately for the Warriors, they'll 0:16:50.133 --> 0:16:55.013 look on with envy as a season of what ifs 0:16:55.813 --> 0:16:59.813 has gone by. What was your highlight? Then Alex Lea's 0:16:59.813 --> 0:17:00.813 get onto a positive note. 0:17:01.613 --> 0:17:04.773 So initially, Nick, you and I talked this morning about 0:17:04.773 --> 0:17:06.253 what would do here, and I've had a late change 0:17:06.253 --> 0:17:09.293 from my heart of the year. Okay, initially I'd put 0:17:09.373 --> 0:17:11.493 Mitch Barnett's origin call up just for what it meant 0:17:11.493 --> 0:17:13.453 for him and the way the clubs read that. I've 0:17:13.533 --> 0:17:15.773 since changed that to the signing of James Fisher Harris. 0:17:15.853 --> 0:17:18.293 That is by far the best I felt this year 0:17:18.533 --> 0:17:19.533 in terms of the Warriors. 0:17:20.973 --> 0:17:25.973 I think in many ways, highlighting two individual moments kind 0:17:26.013 --> 0:17:30.373 of sums up the collective, you know. I agree those 0:17:30.413 --> 0:17:34.413 are both great moments, and the Barnet elevation and eventual 0:17:34.493 --> 0:17:37.933 debut for New South Wales was thoroughly deserved. And the 0:17:37.973 --> 0:17:40.293 excitement around James Fisher Harris. I remember at the time 0:17:40.373 --> 0:17:44.053 thinking when Fish signed for the Warriors, I was like, oh, okay, 0:17:44.253 --> 0:17:48.173 the premiership win though for mine is open still and 0:17:48.493 --> 0:17:52.453 I felt it was closing on this group losing not 0:17:52.573 --> 0:17:54.813 only Sean. We didn't know we were losing Sean at 0:17:54.853 --> 0:17:57.133 that point, but we certainly knew that Adam fanoor Blake 0:17:57.293 --> 0:18:01.133 was off. Now I'm still excited about Fisher Harris coming 0:18:01.373 --> 0:18:04.173 and filling in those shoes from Adam fanol Blake, but 0:18:04.213 --> 0:18:07.213 I do have my concerns with Johnson making way around 0:18:07.893 --> 0:18:10.373 that half back position. My highlight of the year, I'm 0:18:10.373 --> 0:18:13.253 going to go with the game, and I don't even 0:18:13.293 --> 0:18:15.253 care if you call it recency bias, but I just 0:18:15.373 --> 0:18:19.613 loved Saturday. I loved Sean getting his moment and getting 0:18:19.653 --> 0:18:22.133 that comeback went over Cronal something like. I just never 0:18:22.213 --> 0:18:25.133 really liked them, and we had that last year, of course, 0:18:25.253 --> 0:18:27.573 and we've had it again this year. A shout out 0:18:27.613 --> 0:18:30.653 to tell the young guys that came in and topped 0:18:30.733 --> 0:18:33.653 Penrith that was bloody cool and magic round. I think 0:18:33.693 --> 0:18:38.533 that deserves an honorable mention. But yeah, that that final game. 0:18:38.893 --> 0:18:41.213 I know you mentioned before, Alex. You know Sean won't 0:18:41.213 --> 0:18:44.133 be remembered just on that, but I think of, you know, 0:18:44.373 --> 0:18:47.253 if he was putting together a Greatest Hits album and 0:18:47.333 --> 0:18:49.733 it had his first try at Mount Smart and it 0:18:49.813 --> 0:18:52.053 had that runaway against the Broncos, and it had that 0:18:53.133 --> 0:18:55.133 you know that trice just for Lewis Brown against some 0:18:55.173 --> 0:18:57.013 album storm, I think I think there would be somewhere 0:18:57.053 --> 0:19:00.453 there in the in the Greatest Hits. So that was 0:19:00.533 --> 0:19:05.493 my highlight of the year, right low lights, sadly a 0:19:05.533 --> 0:19:09.333 few to pick from. I might go, that's OK, just 0:19:09.413 --> 0:19:11.653 to change things up, and you did you did mention 0:19:12.813 --> 0:19:16.093 Gold Coast before and feeling embarrassed. This is cheating slightly, 0:19:16.213 --> 0:19:18.973 but it's it's a combination of the two games against 0:19:18.973 --> 0:19:21.053 the titles. What is it about this bloody Gold Coast 0:19:21.093 --> 0:19:23.533 team We just I don't know we take lightly or 0:19:23.533 --> 0:19:27.013 what's going on. But if we cast our minds right 0:19:27.133 --> 0:19:29.973 back to even when the game was announced, I was 0:19:30.053 --> 0:19:34.133 so excited to finally get an Anzac Day game at 0:19:34.213 --> 0:19:36.413 Mount Smart. Of course it's become a or it had 0:19:36.453 --> 0:19:40.053 become a tradition. The Warriors would face the Melbourne Storm 0:19:40.333 --> 0:19:45.093 and pretty much exclusively was held in Melbourne. We finally, 0:19:45.293 --> 0:19:49.773 after groundswellow momentum after last season, get a ans auct 0:19:49.813 --> 0:19:51.933 Day fixture. It had been a bit of a middling 0:19:52.013 --> 0:19:54.613 start of the season by this point. Round eight was 0:19:54.613 --> 0:19:58.853 the Anzac Day fixture that they look good. They almost 0:19:58.973 --> 0:20:03.053 beat Melbourne Storm. Round two a good one down here 0:20:03.093 --> 0:20:06.133 against the Raiders, sort of up and down, but for 0:20:06.253 --> 0:20:10.213 them to lose that game on Anzact was just as 0:20:10.213 --> 0:20:13.253 a real flat moment. Yes, they had some moments not 0:20:13.413 --> 0:20:16.733 long after that that turned things around, but then to 0:20:16.893 --> 0:20:20.933 roll and face them again eight weeks later over there 0:20:21.133 --> 0:20:23.333 at a point of the season where their campaign was 0:20:23.373 --> 0:20:26.893 still very much alive, and for the Warriors to be 0:20:27.013 --> 0:20:31.253 beaten sixty six points to six against any opposition, let 0:20:31.293 --> 0:20:34.213 alone the Gold Coast Titans, with all due respect, was 0:20:34.653 --> 0:20:38.013 deeply embarrassing and upsetting for the Warriors fan base and 0:20:38.213 --> 0:20:41.813 just frankly unacceptable. And from there it really felt like 0:20:42.493 --> 0:20:44.453 the wheels started to fall off. Yes, they won the 0:20:44.493 --> 0:20:47.173 following week, against Brisbane, but it never really felt the 0:20:47.213 --> 0:20:49.893 same from there, so that was my low light. It 0:20:50.013 --> 0:20:52.293 was the closest. In fact, I think I did walk 0:20:52.333 --> 0:20:54.173 away in the seventieth minute of that game and just 0:20:54.213 --> 0:20:58.333 said I can't cop this anymore. So yeah, how about you. 0:20:59.413 --> 0:21:01.493 I agree with everything you said on that Titans game. 0:21:01.573 --> 0:21:04.493 The record lost as well. Something that was never picked 0:21:04.573 --> 0:21:06.973 up by the media was that I also orted Chinese 0:21:07.053 --> 0:21:08.653 that night and it took ages to get to livid 0:21:09.253 --> 0:21:11.253 and I was just watching as the Warriors they didn't 0:21:11.253 --> 0:21:12.493 try out to try So that was a bad night 0:21:12.533 --> 0:21:12.933