00:00:00
Speaker 1: I'm going to declare it now what there we go, what what we're in November? Yeah, here we go to November twenty five. I'm going to say right now, based on this draw, pendth can't win the cop next year.
00:00:18
Speaker 2: Welcome to the Code NRL Show. I'm Dave Ricky. Oh and with me as always with Brent Reid, who's checking his clock because why well, the countdown's.
00:00:26
Speaker 1: Overread man draws out day, the draw is out, and it's like Christmas for rugby league fans across the country. Yeah, because we had little morsels, little drip feeding drip feeds of games and grudge matches and all that sort of stuff. But we've got the full, the whole Kicken kaboodle, so every every club knows that they're playing, who've got good draws, who've got bad draws and punders. I imagine we've already got the calendar out, got the what's that webjeed or whatever you're going to take your flights? Yeah, webjit yeah, yeah, booking dot com or something wants to.
00:01:00
Speaker 2: Turn around times they turn around five dayssship web jit, booking dot.
00:01:06
Speaker 1: Com, booking out there doing all the juggling calendars and.
00:01:11
Speaker 2: I've got to say ready. Usually by now the phone's going nuts with coaches blowing up about ay, if Stiff is here, this is a bit of ordinary. We've got to fly here, then we've got to go to there. The phone hasn't done that this time.
00:01:25
Speaker 1: Right, No, you know what, Dave, it's the er probably deserves a rap actually, because they've used a this year. Wellsp not Shane Richardson's eyes, of course, because he had shot yesterday the opening Tigers getting the by getting the opening around second Tome in three years a bit of an oversight. But as a general rule today there hasn't been a lot of complaining because it looks like the NLS basically got the drawer pretty good. It's pretty good the mailed it.
00:01:54
Speaker 2: So let's rip right into it, right, and we'll just break it up easily. And it is the winners of the drawer and the losers of the draw, and let's start with the losers. Really, Yeah, can you believe we're about to say this about this team? We don't call them losers very often.
00:02:08
Speaker 1: Tough draw, real tough draw day. They play a lot of the top eight teams from this season twice, so it shows the difficulty of their draw, and obviously this year's next year is not going to play it like this year. But as a general guide, if you if you take this year's top eight teams as the elite teams of the comp, Penri's got a hell of a run which they play I think seven of those top eight teams or six because they were one of them, yeah, twice. So it's a challenging draw for them.
00:02:39
Speaker 2: Don't worry about the draw. Let's worry about the first month. Ugly right, Broncos, Sharks, Roosters, Paramatter Storm Bulldogs. Hello.
00:02:50
Speaker 1: Wow, Well it's funny right because they had such a shocking start of the year this year they running lasted after what round twelve rounds or something. We're on this huge roll and made the finals and obviously got knocked out in the pre limb. But man, it's just it's a really tough drule for them, Dave. And look, I'm not I would never put it. Well, I never put a line through pen So I've done it about three times in recent years and they've left me with the egg in my face. So I'm not going to say it's too difficult for him, but I will say every year they lose a little bit of quality and the drawers gets more difficult. It's like these two worlds are colliding and I'm going to declare it now. What we go what we're in November? Yeah, here we go to November twenty five. I'm going to say, right now, based on this draw, Penwith can't win the comp next year. Based on this.
00:03:44
Speaker 2: Draw, you you've done it again.
00:03:48
Speaker 1: It's Ivan and they think I look far be from me. The second guess the clearies because Ivan's Shaney's genius. And Nathan. We all know that Nathan is the best player in the game. He's as good as it gets in regular league. But there's only so much you can do when you are faced with a draw like this.
00:04:10
Speaker 2: This we're recording this and replaying it in May next year. The red Man rights it's tough. It's a tough draw, granted, but they're class players, class club.
00:04:20
Speaker 1: Quality quality and better next year. They always have an ability to po case in mcclaim. We've seen these. They find a way to get a done. Penrith and Nathan. As I said, Nathan is a genius, Yeah right, but this is man. It's tough.
00:04:37
Speaker 2: You know what I mean? You know what I still I bring in the factor as well. Is there still not playing out of Panthers Stadium? That's big and it's a combank and that with that list of draw that that I was opening weeks. If that was the case and a few of those were at Panthers Stadium, I would be would be much more confident.
00:04:56
Speaker 1: But are you with me.
00:04:59
Speaker 2: The day? I with you? Seriously, no way in the world to after all penrith he read man, what do you you do love merchandise?
00:05:07
Speaker 1: Oh? Man, I love it. I just love spending money.
00:05:10
Speaker 2: So we're we're in Paris for the Olympics, and we're on the line bikes and all of a sudden you see a market stall selling soccer jerseys. You nearly have, You nearly took out five cars. You swerve that quickly towards the markets to get your hands on a jersey. I'll say this for becaus, this is cheaper than that jersey you bought in Paris. Forty nine barks code subscription for twelve months.
00:05:36
Speaker 1: You're right, that is cheaper than well, maybe not the jersey on the street of Paris. That's they're pretty cheap. It has fallen apart that jersey too, so it was probably a bad investment. But Code Sports that's not a bad investment.
00:05:49
Speaker 2: Code Sports does doesn't fall apart either. Forty nine bucks for twelve months. Give me some of that get amongst it. Click the link in the description.
00:05:58
Speaker 1: Next one, meln Lburn Storm again play a lot of the top teams, which makes it really difficult. Play all the top four, the other top four sides twice, so they are obviously one of them, but play the other three twice. And they've got a lot of six day turnarounds as well, which is not a lot of five day turnarounds in the draw this year. That's one thing. Excuse me, the end of I has done really well.
00:06:18
Speaker 2: But let me say quickly, it is the least amount of five day turnarounds in the one hundred and eighteen year history.
00:06:28
Speaker 1: You've done your research of the game as.
00:06:31
Speaker 2: Long as one hundred and right, that's the case, least amount of five days for every club. However, to your point, the Storm a right on that precipice of six days.
00:06:41
Speaker 1: A lot of six days, eighty eight of them. Yeah, and I mean we all know they've gone through up evil in the off season. And again Melbourne find a way to get it done every year. Craig Bellamy argue, with the greatest coach of the modern era. They've still got Jeraime News, They've still got cam Master, they've still got Harry Grant. They've lost perhaps of it so far long ago. They've still got the big Stefane, so they'll be there. But i'd like, yeah, a lot of people call me Stormman, so I'd never put a line through the Melbourne Storm, right, but jeez, it's gonna be tough, Yeah, real tough for.
00:07:18
Speaker 2: Them, Stormman. What about what about let's go to some winners the are you Sharkys? Yeah, Sharks have done well. They've done really well. Coronella, what to everything you've just said about Penrith and Melbourne. Cronella only played top four sides from last season, once being the Broncos, being the Storm and of course the Raiders as well, So look, they've done well in that regard. But the key one there for Carneller is as far as a flip side to all that is, from round nineteen onwards they do not have another buy or break in the season, so effectively they have to go fourteen weeks straight from round nine een out of origin four to one weeks straight to win the premiership. It's going to be a big ask for Cronulla and really places even more importance on their start to the season, of which is it's pretty good as well, opening at home against the Titans. They get to play Penrith in round two at Bathurst and that's I reckon, that's a win because it's virtually a neutral ground for the Sharks taking on.
00:08:25
Speaker 1: Can I ask you this about the Sharks Dave, and you are Shark man. Over the years recent year has been a bit of criticism about maybe they've benefited from soft draws at times. Now we're talking about them having a soft draw again, right, do you think that hurts them in the long run towards the end of the season either haven't had the difficult draw that other teams have had. But b people go, well, you know it's been a soft draw again for them. You know what I'm saying.
00:08:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, I do understand what you're saying. In fact, I take no credence whatsoever to what you're saying, because, Okay, what was the draw like of the premiership winners of twenty eighteen. I don't know exactly. You don't know it means absolutely nothing when you were holding the trophy up at the end of the season. And for anyone that has a softer draw this year, do your best with that draw and go and win it. And that's the job of the Sharks. They have to go and win it with the draw that they've been given. At the end of the day. As I said, you win the comp no one remembers it.
00:09:28
Speaker 1: Can I before we go to a team that I think speak winter, can I touched on another team that I think has got an ugly draw, okay for it, and it's a team that needs I believe they're in a wind well, there might be in a window anymore. Souse they have. They play three of the top four sides twice. First two weeks are on the road and if you look at their draw, it's a really tough drawer. They play the Dogs, have storm the Raiders twice. Yeah, and South is coming off a year of disappointment. They've had a lot of injuries, still looking for their nail down number seven and I think that it's a really tough draw for Wayne Bennett in South Sydney. And you know, if Latrelle suffers injury, you know Dave for feeder's gone there. I believe he's already training, Yeah, working his way back to full fitness. I think we graded a D the Rabbit Straws, so it's a tough one for them.
00:10:21
Speaker 2: Yeah. I think the start the start. Like with every team, clearly it's all about how you start the year, but for a team like South needing to rebound to your point a tough draw through the middle period, they want to be starting fast.
00:10:33
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:10:34
Speaker 2: The St George la Warre Dragons, I think they've done really really well. They've been rated a A as far as the Telegraph and Code Sports ratings are concerned, and it is put down to playing the top four teams and top eight teams from last season largely playing them once once only this year. And the key one here, readmen, is in the run home for Saint George Llawara. They do not leave Sydney after round nineteen, so that's huge for Saints Saints fans as well. You'll be able to get to every game, but you do not leave Sydney, so all your travels done in the run home to the finals. It provides a much better preparation and training pattern when it matters. Most at the back end of the season. The Dragons have done well, they'll need to start well clearly. They play the Dogs in Las Vegas and then come home to the Melbourne Storm in Woollongong. Haven't played the Storm in Wollongong ready since twenty eighteen, so it's a big opportunity for the Dragons. They got a good draw.
00:11:36
Speaker 1: Can I give you another good rule, manly? Unbelievable draw, Manly. They'll need it, so they play in the first twelve rounds. The only play four teams in this year's top eight, and they're opening for their opening month of the year, three games at home and a bye.
00:11:56
Speaker 2: Wow.
00:11:56
Speaker 1: So they could just explode out manly. And they only played. They played ten games all year from the sides that made the top eight this year, they have an unbelievable draw.
00:12:07
Speaker 2: Me talk about soft draws. That's right up there.
00:12:09
Speaker 1: That is right up there. So there's no excuses to manly. Yeah, and then you know I've Karan Force back on the coaching staff back where he went straight back to training Kieran after finishing the Pack champs. Obviously, you know they've got Tommy's extended extended his contract to some of that uncertain he's been taken away away from that playing squad. They're still looking to sort of massage it a bit. We expect Lochlin Croaker to retire at some point. But you know what, they've got an outstanding draw Manly and for a club that's got a new CEO coming in Jason King. A lot of talk about sieves in the future there. You know, there's no excuses now that is that is a draw that should guarantee they finished in.
00:12:49
Speaker 2: The top all. There's two major factors for that draw, and it is Tom Travoyvich. If Tom can launch out of the blocks with that draw, and then how quickly does Jim Foggy settling in with Luke Brooks. That's They're the two biggest factors for Manly to capitalize on what is arguably the best start to the season, first half to the twenty twenty sixth season as far as the drawer is concerned, and as I said, it all comes down to the fitness of Turbo absolutely launching and how quickly Foggedy Gels.
00:13:20
Speaker 1: We should touch on the Qus inside too, because the Broncos defending Premiers fourteen games at sun Court, which is all Friday night all and three and obviously they get the three Origin the three buyers for in Origin, so I mean they're in a pretty good position to go back to back the Broncos and look at the drawer of the Dolphins and Gold Coast Josh Hannay, he's got a dream run yep. And the Dolphins, who I think is going to be right there with the Whips are cracking at the end of next year. Great draw as well. It would surprise me if we have well I was going to say three teams in the eighth from Queen's end, but might be a bit early for the Titans, but based on the draw and we all know Brisbane's quality, they'll be there. And based on the drawer, I think the Dolphins will be top eight pushing for top four next year. I think I think I've now got twelve teams in the top eight.
00:14:10
Speaker 2: Yeah you're going well. Yeah, the West Tigers, they Richie is not happy they're starting with the buy.
00:14:18
Speaker 1: Yeah, he wasn't happy about that. I mean, I think he's reasonably happy with their overalls rule, but it was just a bit and I understand right, because for the second time in three years they've got the buying round one.
00:14:27
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's disappointed.
00:14:28
Speaker 1: How does that happen? Because players flog themselves all summer to get ready for game one. You have that build up, the fans build up to be ready for game one. And the other thing, Dave that's frustrated frustrating about is a lot of teams in Sydney. We spoke about Penrith South Canterbury have all been forced they can't play at home in the opening week three weeks of the season because their grounds are out of action because of the Women's Asian Soccer Cup. The Toyers have got three grounds. I mean they could have hosted a home game absolutely, so I understand the Tiger's frustration because Ai dropped the ball there. Well, Rich I declared that Ai need have a good hard look at himself. A responded and said, don't look at me, I just work on the So but yeah, they've got a reasonable draw. I think I've tipped then, and like the ad as well. And nothing I saw in the drawer would suggest suggest to me the draw is going to act against them then making the finals. So they've got a pretty good draw as well. A lot of those teams who struggled that I noticed we gave the Knights like an A or something. Yeah, the Knights have got an unbelievably good draw So a lot of the strugglers from this year, and I reckon you find this in American sport in particular, that where if you struggle one year, that the drawers fable favorable for you the next way of obviously bringing some parody about the comp and I think the NRL, I assume they've done it deliberately. But the Knights have got a reasonable draw So a lot of those teams you battled and they won spoon. Remember they've got a bet they've got better drawer for next season, so there should be improvements. And we saw Dylan Brown at the pack.
00:16:03
Speaker 2: Champis absolutely outstanding. Bredy. Just the most concerning issue outside of the NFL season is the ongoing condition of Melbourne Storm and Tom and Ford Eli katoa. I can tell you that there's been an update and it's a significant update from Storm CEO Justin Rodskey. Now. Justin spoke to the press in Melbourne on Friday and gave an update that suggested that Eli Kato is expected, or at least annticipating, to be released from hospital within the next twenty four to forty eight hours of Friday from Auckland and then the process begins of traveling back to Melbourne. Now the key there is he's not home and host just yet. When he gets back to Melbourne, he then needs to go back into hospital and that's the element of concern for the Melbourne Storm that it's all about his recovery and ongoing medical needs once he actually does get back to Melbourne. Justin spoke about and was asked whether Ellie would play again at all and so too next season, both of which he said, it's simply too early to tell and it's not at the forefront of our minds. Only his recovery is at this point in time. Personally and understanding the situation, I would find it highly unlikely that Ellie Catoo runs out in Round one next year and is and is certainly his career is in is in question as far as playing on. But at the same time you can only focus on what is important for him, and that is his health and recovery. Getting him back to Australia and in Melbourne with the doctors that know him best around.
00:17:40
Speaker 1: Him, well, that's huge, isn't it, David. That's good news because obviously the reports and early in the week that he had a bit of a setback. But to hear here that he's close to checking out of hospital in New Zealand getting out of play and getting getting home and getting back to Melbourne, I mean that's massive for really, it's massive for that footy club, because that footy club, as we've spoken about, how to really tumultuous soft season and everything that's happened their parals in comparison what's happened to Ellie and the concerns around Alley's future and his health. So to hear that he's on the road that was making headway and could be back in Melbourne great news.
00:18:15
Speaker 2: Something you touched on a couple of weeks ago, Ready and Justin Rodsky was asked about was whether the Melbourne Storm would reluctantly or at least deny their Storm players playing for tong Are in the future. Rodsky said that they would never consider that, understanding the power of the Pacific Nations, the power of which these players want to represent, their heritage, their family and where they have been been brought up. And that's an interesting take and as much as much pain as this footy club is in, as much pain the Kattowa family are in. It's an interesting take from the CEO to suggest that they won't be standing in their players.
00:18:56
Speaker 1: Well, it's good to hear, Dave, because we all know the headway in the national foot is made, particularly in the Pacific. We've made some real strides in the last couple of years. And to think the club clubs would prevent or ask their players not to play in the national foot he would be real setback for the game. And for you know, it was a World Cup next year. It is and it's in Australia, so we need Samara and Tomma and England and New Zealand and P and G to be strong. So we've got a competitive torn to moment that gets you know, eyeballs eyeballs on the game of rugby league. And you know, I'm glad to hear that Melbourne won't take that that step.
00:19:33
Speaker 2: Yep. And of course everyone here at CODE Sports wishes Elie Guitar with the speediest of recoveries. And he's past November one ready, So there is a little bit of what do we say haggling back and forth negotiation going.
00:19:48
Speaker 1: On, they did before we touched on it. Can I mention Jerome Lewill I want to give Hi a little rat. I spoke to him last week. I only put the story up yesterday. Jerame's not even not even to bother going. He's in November. One guy, you can go to market if he wants see what's out there, not even bothering.
00:20:05
Speaker 2: Oh that's fantastic.
00:20:06
Speaker 1: I've got no great use for.
00:20:08
Speaker 2: Tigers, no intention of sporting exploring.
00:20:10
Speaker 1: The open market. Did a lot of talk about Jerome and Jerene Buller what they might do. Jerome said no, no interest, commuted to the clubs, shown that with my intentions, not even not even going to explore his options.
00:20:20
Speaker 2: Well, hopefully that becomes a fight of completely and rubber stamped as soon as possible.
00:20:24
Speaker 1: Some meetings next week, I believe, So see it goes hey.
00:20:27
Speaker 2: One name that he's doing the rounds feverishly is South Sydney forward Keon Kalom Tungy. Yeah, now big keyon what a power forward.
00:20:38
Speaker 1: He is and great was great this year.
00:20:40
Speaker 2: It's the Raiders, Paramatta and South Sydney. There are three clubs that I've been hipped that are in the race for him. There was strong mail. The Paramatta were like out in front in the last forty eight hours. Look the Eels have said cool your jets where you know, we're giving key on some space. He said, he's been on two, he's coming back. He'll take his time and don't go too hard on saying that we're in the box seat. They don't. They certainly think they're in the race, but not as probably dominant as what we thought.
00:21:12
Speaker 1: We's on a huge money at the moment, David that he's on over nine hundred thousand dollars a year. Now he'll get a pay rise because middle forwards and I think he now acknowledges he's probably a middle forward rather than edge forward. If you look at the benchmark in the end rol does middle forwards, the elite middle forwards, the average plays about nine point fifty right. That's now this year, so that's only going to go up next year and then the year after when the salary cap changes. So he's a million dollar player for me and I reckon he'll get that in the open market. I don't think Camber will go that high because they've got Joey Tarpenhay. He's on huge money and you can't afford to carry two million dollar props and you're selling well maybe in twenty twenty eight, en, but I don't think.
00:21:52
Speaker 2: That's not with Ethan Strange and k Weeks.
00:21:56
Speaker 1: So I reckon it's almost a Paramatta South in his shootout and as you said, there's a lot of male power. Yeah, we're very close to getting something out of line, so look souse. I don't think South said blinket that the cost of Keyon because as I said, he's on big money now.
00:22:17
Speaker 2: But it may come down to the terms really lent.
00:22:20
Speaker 1: Yeah, well he's a bit to talk about a five year deal. Yeah, little power have denied that. Yeah, yeah, I means was on twenty seven. I can't remember. Do you want to filibuster? While I look it up. He's got the right word filibuster.
00:22:35
Speaker 2: I've never heard of it. Did you say Philip buster? I don't know.
00:22:39
Speaker 1: Philip's seven, so he's got probably got five years at least left him Keyon. Yeah, so i'd probably give him four or five year deal. I feel pretty comfortable. And he's had a huge year this year, absolutely probably knowing November one was around the corner and wanting to play well, Yeah, get his price up. I think he's got his As I said, I think he's got his head around now that he's the middle, and I think that's huge because I think for a time he was obviously we've known him really as an edge forward, but he got pushed in the middle and I think maybe for a time he didn't exactly grasp that. But I think he has now and he can see the the dollar signs in the eyes because middles get a lot of money.
00:23:19
Speaker 2: You do that all a lot of.
00:23:21
Speaker 1: Money, made a lot of money. So yeah, he's going to get well paid for every goes be really interesting.
00:23:27
Speaker 2: He'd be good for Power Outstanding.
00:23:29
Speaker 1: Imagine him in Junior Paul because I think they're on talks about extending Junior Paul.
00:23:33
Speaker 2: They are, they are. So it's been terrific of late. Great look another one Titans fans get excited. Jaden Campbell is staying at your footy club. He will stay.
00:23:45
Speaker 1: Declaring it.
00:23:45
Speaker 2: I'm declaring it, and I think it will be in the vicinity of a five year deal, which is a huge investment for a star player, but probably worthwhile.
00:23:55
Speaker 1: He's a good player.
00:23:56
Speaker 2: It was the Dragons and the Perth Bears that were doing their best to try and get Jaden Campbell. I understand more so the Bears. But my male is he stays, which would be a great get. Well that's a huge and you know what a huge cue as the Titans then show Tino for Sulmula, are we hey, there's a future here because if Jaden stays, if he went vastly different cell to Tina.
00:24:23
Speaker 1: Where does do they view Jaden Campbell's the long term six or seven? What are we thinking?
00:24:29
Speaker 2: I would think in the halfs I would yeah.
00:24:32
Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a very good player, very good player, and he won't to come cheap. I mean the game.
00:24:37
Speaker 2: No, he's upwards a night fifty nine round.
00:24:40
Speaker 1: Well you've got to pay that now for good halves. So it's going to be in the halves. And as you said, Dave, crucial, they keep him because we saw how Keanu Kenney played at the Pack Champs. He's such such a good player. So have you got keanu' kenney your fallback? Jadan Campbell at six or seven? They've got Locky Ilios up and now inflating around. It's the makings of a class bot
Speaker 1: I'm going to declare it now what there we go, what what we're in November? Yeah, here we go to November twenty five. I'm going to say right now, based on this draw, pendth can't win the cop next year.
00:00:18
Speaker 2: Welcome to the Code NRL Show. I'm Dave Ricky. Oh and with me as always with Brent Reid, who's checking his clock because why well, the countdown's.
00:00:26
Speaker 1: Overread man draws out day, the draw is out, and it's like Christmas for rugby league fans across the country. Yeah, because we had little morsels, little drip feeding drip feeds of games and grudge matches and all that sort of stuff. But we've got the full, the whole Kicken kaboodle, so every every club knows that they're playing, who've got good draws, who've got bad draws and punders. I imagine we've already got the calendar out, got the what's that webjeed or whatever you're going to take your flights? Yeah, webjit yeah, yeah, booking dot com or something wants to.
00:01:00
Speaker 2: Turn around times they turn around five dayssship web jit, booking dot.
00:01:06
Speaker 1: Com, booking out there doing all the juggling calendars and.
00:01:11
Speaker 2: I've got to say ready. Usually by now the phone's going nuts with coaches blowing up about ay, if Stiff is here, this is a bit of ordinary. We've got to fly here, then we've got to go to there. The phone hasn't done that this time.
00:01:25
Speaker 1: Right, No, you know what, Dave, it's the er probably deserves a rap actually, because they've used a this year. Wellsp not Shane Richardson's eyes, of course, because he had shot yesterday the opening Tigers getting the by getting the opening around second Tome in three years a bit of an oversight. But as a general rule today there hasn't been a lot of complaining because it looks like the NLS basically got the drawer pretty good. It's pretty good the mailed it.
00:01:54
Speaker 2: So let's rip right into it, right, and we'll just break it up easily. And it is the winners of the drawer and the losers of the draw, and let's start with the losers. Really, Yeah, can you believe we're about to say this about this team? We don't call them losers very often.
00:02:08
Speaker 1: Tough draw, real tough draw day. They play a lot of the top eight teams from this season twice, so it shows the difficulty of their draw, and obviously this year's next year is not going to play it like this year. But as a general guide, if you if you take this year's top eight teams as the elite teams of the comp, Penri's got a hell of a run which they play I think seven of those top eight teams or six because they were one of them, yeah, twice. So it's a challenging draw for them.
00:02:39
Speaker 2: Don't worry about the draw. Let's worry about the first month. Ugly right, Broncos, Sharks, Roosters, Paramatter Storm Bulldogs. Hello.
00:02:50
Speaker 1: Wow, Well it's funny right because they had such a shocking start of the year this year they running lasted after what round twelve rounds or something. We're on this huge roll and made the finals and obviously got knocked out in the pre limb. But man, it's just it's a really tough drule for them, Dave. And look, I'm not I would never put it. Well, I never put a line through pen So I've done it about three times in recent years and they've left me with the egg in my face. So I'm not going to say it's too difficult for him, but I will say every year they lose a little bit of quality and the drawers gets more difficult. It's like these two worlds are colliding and I'm going to declare it now. What we go what we're in November? Yeah, here we go to November twenty five. I'm going to say, right now, based on this draw, Penwith can't win the comp next year. Based on this.
00:03:44
Speaker 2: Draw, you you've done it again.
00:03:48
Speaker 1: It's Ivan and they think I look far be from me. The second guess the clearies because Ivan's Shaney's genius. And Nathan. We all know that Nathan is the best player in the game. He's as good as it gets in regular league. But there's only so much you can do when you are faced with a draw like this.
00:04:10
Speaker 2: This we're recording this and replaying it in May next year. The red Man rights it's tough. It's a tough draw, granted, but they're class players, class club.
00:04:20
Speaker 1: Quality quality and better next year. They always have an ability to po case in mcclaim. We've seen these. They find a way to get a done. Penrith and Nathan. As I said, Nathan is a genius, Yeah right, but this is man. It's tough.
00:04:37
Speaker 2: You know what I mean? You know what I still I bring in the factor as well. Is there still not playing out of Panthers Stadium? That's big and it's a combank and that with that list of draw that that I was opening weeks. If that was the case and a few of those were at Panthers Stadium, I would be would be much more confident.
00:04:56
Speaker 1: But are you with me.
00:04:59
Speaker 2: The day? I with you? Seriously, no way in the world to after all penrith he read man, what do you you do love merchandise?
00:05:07
Speaker 1: Oh? Man, I love it. I just love spending money.
00:05:10
Speaker 2: So we're we're in Paris for the Olympics, and we're on the line bikes and all of a sudden you see a market stall selling soccer jerseys. You nearly have, You nearly took out five cars. You swerve that quickly towards the markets to get your hands on a jersey. I'll say this for becaus, this is cheaper than that jersey you bought in Paris. Forty nine barks code subscription for twelve months.
00:05:36
Speaker 1: You're right, that is cheaper than well, maybe not the jersey on the street of Paris. That's they're pretty cheap. It has fallen apart that jersey too, so it was probably a bad investment. But Code Sports that's not a bad investment.
00:05:49
Speaker 2: Code Sports does doesn't fall apart either. Forty nine bucks for twelve months. Give me some of that get amongst it. Click the link in the description.
00:05:58
Speaker 1: Next one, meln Lburn Storm again play a lot of the top teams, which makes it really difficult. Play all the top four, the other top four sides twice, so they are obviously one of them, but play the other three twice. And they've got a lot of six day turnarounds as well, which is not a lot of five day turnarounds in the draw this year. That's one thing. Excuse me, the end of I has done really well.
00:06:18
Speaker 2: But let me say quickly, it is the least amount of five day turnarounds in the one hundred and eighteen year history.
00:06:28
Speaker 1: You've done your research of the game as.
00:06:31
Speaker 2: Long as one hundred and right, that's the case, least amount of five days for every club. However, to your point, the Storm a right on that precipice of six days.
00:06:41
Speaker 1: A lot of six days, eighty eight of them. Yeah, and I mean we all know they've gone through up evil in the off season. And again Melbourne find a way to get it done every year. Craig Bellamy argue, with the greatest coach of the modern era. They've still got Jeraime News, They've still got cam Master, they've still got Harry Grant. They've lost perhaps of it so far long ago. They've still got the big Stefane, so they'll be there. But i'd like, yeah, a lot of people call me Stormman, so I'd never put a line through the Melbourne Storm, right, but jeez, it's gonna be tough, Yeah, real tough for.
00:07:18
Speaker 2: Them, Stormman. What about what about let's go to some winners the are you Sharkys? Yeah, Sharks have done well. They've done really well. Coronella, what to everything you've just said about Penrith and Melbourne. Cronella only played top four sides from last season, once being the Broncos, being the Storm and of course the Raiders as well, So look, they've done well in that regard. But the key one there for Carneller is as far as a flip side to all that is, from round nineteen onwards they do not have another buy or break in the season, so effectively they have to go fourteen weeks straight from round nine een out of origin four to one weeks straight to win the premiership. It's going to be a big ask for Cronulla and really places even more importance on their start to the season, of which is it's pretty good as well, opening at home against the Titans. They get to play Penrith in round two at Bathurst and that's I reckon, that's a win because it's virtually a neutral ground for the Sharks taking on.
00:08:25
Speaker 1: Can I ask you this about the Sharks Dave, and you are Shark man. Over the years recent year has been a bit of criticism about maybe they've benefited from soft draws at times. Now we're talking about them having a soft draw again, right, do you think that hurts them in the long run towards the end of the season either haven't had the difficult draw that other teams have had. But b people go, well, you know it's been a soft draw again for them. You know what I'm saying.
00:08:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, I do understand what you're saying. In fact, I take no credence whatsoever to what you're saying, because, Okay, what was the draw like of the premiership winners of twenty eighteen. I don't know exactly. You don't know it means absolutely nothing when you were holding the trophy up at the end of the season. And for anyone that has a softer draw this year, do your best with that draw and go and win it. And that's the job of the Sharks. They have to go and win it with the draw that they've been given. At the end of the day. As I said, you win the comp no one remembers it.
00:09:28
Speaker 1: Can I before we go to a team that I think speak winter, can I touched on another team that I think has got an ugly draw, okay for it, and it's a team that needs I believe they're in a wind well, there might be in a window anymore. Souse they have. They play three of the top four sides twice. First two weeks are on the road and if you look at their draw, it's a really tough drawer. They play the Dogs, have storm the Raiders twice. Yeah, and South is coming off a year of disappointment. They've had a lot of injuries, still looking for their nail down number seven and I think that it's a really tough draw for Wayne Bennett in South Sydney. And you know, if Latrelle suffers injury, you know Dave for feeder's gone there. I believe he's already training, Yeah, working his way back to full fitness. I think we graded a D the Rabbit Straws, so it's a tough one for them.
00:10:21
Speaker 2: Yeah. I think the start the start. Like with every team, clearly it's all about how you start the year, but for a team like South needing to rebound to your point a tough draw through the middle period, they want to be starting fast.
00:10:33
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:10:34
Speaker 2: The St George la Warre Dragons, I think they've done really really well. They've been rated a A as far as the Telegraph and Code Sports ratings are concerned, and it is put down to playing the top four teams and top eight teams from last season largely playing them once once only this year. And the key one here, readmen, is in the run home for Saint George Llawara. They do not leave Sydney after round nineteen, so that's huge for Saints Saints fans as well. You'll be able to get to every game, but you do not leave Sydney, so all your travels done in the run home to the finals. It provides a much better preparation and training pattern when it matters. Most at the back end of the season. The Dragons have done well, they'll need to start well clearly. They play the Dogs in Las Vegas and then come home to the Melbourne Storm in Woollongong. Haven't played the Storm in Wollongong ready since twenty eighteen, so it's a big opportunity for the Dragons. They got a good draw.
00:11:36
Speaker 1: Can I give you another good rule, manly? Unbelievable draw, Manly. They'll need it, so they play in the first twelve rounds. The only play four teams in this year's top eight, and they're opening for their opening month of the year, three games at home and a bye.
00:11:56
Speaker 2: Wow.
00:11:56
Speaker 1: So they could just explode out manly. And they only played. They played ten games all year from the sides that made the top eight this year, they have an unbelievable draw.
00:12:07
Speaker 2: Me talk about soft draws. That's right up there.
00:12:09
Speaker 1: That is right up there. So there's no excuses to manly. Yeah, and then you know I've Karan Force back on the coaching staff back where he went straight back to training Kieran after finishing the Pack champs. Obviously, you know they've got Tommy's extended extended his contract to some of that uncertain he's been taken away away from that playing squad. They're still looking to sort of massage it a bit. We expect Lochlin Croaker to retire at some point. But you know what, they've got an outstanding draw Manly and for a club that's got a new CEO coming in Jason King. A lot of talk about sieves in the future there. You know, there's no excuses now that is that is a draw that should guarantee they finished in.
00:12:49
Speaker 2: The top all. There's two major factors for that draw, and it is Tom Travoyvich. If Tom can launch out of the blocks with that draw, and then how quickly does Jim Foggy settling in with Luke Brooks. That's They're the two biggest factors for Manly to capitalize on what is arguably the best start to the season, first half to the twenty twenty sixth season as far as the drawer is concerned, and as I said, it all comes down to the fitness of Turbo absolutely launching and how quickly Foggedy Gels.
00:13:20
Speaker 1: We should touch on the Qus inside too, because the Broncos defending Premiers fourteen games at sun Court, which is all Friday night all and three and obviously they get the three Origin the three buyers for in Origin, so I mean they're in a pretty good position to go back to back the Broncos and look at the drawer of the Dolphins and Gold Coast Josh Hannay, he's got a dream run yep. And the Dolphins, who I think is going to be right there with the Whips are cracking at the end of next year. Great draw as well. It would surprise me if we have well I was going to say three teams in the eighth from Queen's end, but might be a bit early for the Titans, but based on the draw and we all know Brisbane's quality, they'll be there. And based on the drawer, I think the Dolphins will be top eight pushing for top four next year. I think I think I've now got twelve teams in the top eight.
00:14:10
Speaker 2: Yeah you're going well. Yeah, the West Tigers, they Richie is not happy they're starting with the buy.
00:14:18
Speaker 1: Yeah, he wasn't happy about that. I mean, I think he's reasonably happy with their overalls rule, but it was just a bit and I understand right, because for the second time in three years they've got the buying round one.
00:14:27
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's disappointed.
00:14:28
Speaker 1: How does that happen? Because players flog themselves all summer to get ready for game one. You have that build up, the fans build up to be ready for game one. And the other thing, Dave that's frustrated frustrating about is a lot of teams in Sydney. We spoke about Penrith South Canterbury have all been forced they can't play at home in the opening week three weeks of the season because their grounds are out of action because of the Women's Asian Soccer Cup. The Toyers have got three grounds. I mean they could have hosted a home game absolutely, so I understand the Tiger's frustration because Ai dropped the ball there. Well, Rich I declared that Ai need have a good hard look at himself. A responded and said, don't look at me, I just work on the So but yeah, they've got a reasonable draw. I think I've tipped then, and like the ad as well. And nothing I saw in the drawer would suggest suggest to me the draw is going to act against them then making the finals. So they've got a pretty good draw as well. A lot of those teams who struggled that I noticed we gave the Knights like an A or something. Yeah, the Knights have got an unbelievably good draw So a lot of the strugglers from this year, and I reckon you find this in American sport in particular, that where if you struggle one year, that the drawers fable favorable for you the next way of obviously bringing some parody about the comp and I think the NRL, I assume they've done it deliberately. But the Knights have got a reasonable draw So a lot of those teams you battled and they won spoon. Remember they've got a bet they've got better drawer for next season, so there should be improvements. And we saw Dylan Brown at the pack.
00:16:03
Speaker 2: Champis absolutely outstanding. Bredy. Just the most concerning issue outside of the NFL season is the ongoing condition of Melbourne Storm and Tom and Ford Eli katoa. I can tell you that there's been an update and it's a significant update from Storm CEO Justin Rodskey. Now. Justin spoke to the press in Melbourne on Friday and gave an update that suggested that Eli Kato is expected, or at least annticipating, to be released from hospital within the next twenty four to forty eight hours of Friday from Auckland and then the process begins of traveling back to Melbourne. Now the key there is he's not home and host just yet. When he gets back to Melbourne, he then needs to go back into hospital and that's the element of concern for the Melbourne Storm that it's all about his recovery and ongoing medical needs once he actually does get back to Melbourne. Justin spoke about and was asked whether Ellie would play again at all and so too next season, both of which he said, it's simply too early to tell and it's not at the forefront of our minds. Only his recovery is at this point in time. Personally and understanding the situation, I would find it highly unlikely that Ellie Catoo runs out in Round one next year and is and is certainly his career is in is in question as far as playing on. But at the same time you can only focus on what is important for him, and that is his health and recovery. Getting him back to Australia and in Melbourne with the doctors that know him best around.
00:17:40
Speaker 1: Him, well, that's huge, isn't it, David. That's good news because obviously the reports and early in the week that he had a bit of a setback. But to hear here that he's close to checking out of hospital in New Zealand getting out of play and getting getting home and getting back to Melbourne, I mean that's massive for really, it's massive for that footy club, because that footy club, as we've spoken about, how to really tumultuous soft season and everything that's happened their parals in comparison what's happened to Ellie and the concerns around Alley's future and his health. So to hear that he's on the road that was making headway and could be back in Melbourne great news.
00:18:15
Speaker 2: Something you touched on a couple of weeks ago, Ready and Justin Rodsky was asked about was whether the Melbourne Storm would reluctantly or at least deny their Storm players playing for tong Are in the future. Rodsky said that they would never consider that, understanding the power of the Pacific Nations, the power of which these players want to represent, their heritage, their family and where they have been been brought up. And that's an interesting take and as much as much pain as this footy club is in, as much pain the Kattowa family are in. It's an interesting take from the CEO to suggest that they won't be standing in their players.
00:18:56
Speaker 1: Well, it's good to hear, Dave, because we all know the headway in the national foot is made, particularly in the Pacific. We've made some real strides in the last couple of years. And to think the club clubs would prevent or ask their players not to play in the national foot he would be real setback for the game. And for you know, it was a World Cup next year. It is and it's in Australia, so we need Samara and Tomma and England and New Zealand and P and G to be strong. So we've got a competitive torn to moment that gets you know, eyeballs eyeballs on the game of rugby league. And you know, I'm glad to hear that Melbourne won't take that that step.
00:19:33
Speaker 2: Yep. And of course everyone here at CODE Sports wishes Elie Guitar with the speediest of recoveries. And he's past November one ready, So there is a little bit of what do we say haggling back and forth negotiation going.
00:19:48
Speaker 1: On, they did before we touched on it. Can I mention Jerome Lewill I want to give Hi a little rat. I spoke to him last week. I only put the story up yesterday. Jerame's not even not even to bother going. He's in November. One guy, you can go to market if he wants see what's out there, not even bothering.
00:20:05
Speaker 2: Oh that's fantastic.
00:20:06
Speaker 1: I've got no great use for.
00:20:08
Speaker 2: Tigers, no intention of sporting exploring.
00:20:10
Speaker 1: The open market. Did a lot of talk about Jerome and Jerene Buller what they might do. Jerome said no, no interest, commuted to the clubs, shown that with my intentions, not even not even going to explore his options.
00:20:20
Speaker 2: Well, hopefully that becomes a fight of completely and rubber stamped as soon as possible.
00:20:24
Speaker 1: Some meetings next week, I believe, So see it goes hey.
00:20:27
Speaker 2: One name that he's doing the rounds feverishly is South Sydney forward Keon Kalom Tungy. Yeah, now big keyon what a power forward.
00:20:38
Speaker 1: He is and great was great this year.
00:20:40
Speaker 2: It's the Raiders, Paramatta and South Sydney. There are three clubs that I've been hipped that are in the race for him. There was strong mail. The Paramatta were like out in front in the last forty eight hours. Look the Eels have said cool your jets where you know, we're giving key on some space. He said, he's been on two, he's coming back. He'll take his time and don't go too hard on saying that we're in the box seat. They don't. They certainly think they're in the race, but not as probably dominant as what we thought.
00:21:12
Speaker 1: We's on a huge money at the moment, David that he's on over nine hundred thousand dollars a year. Now he'll get a pay rise because middle forwards and I think he now acknowledges he's probably a middle forward rather than edge forward. If you look at the benchmark in the end rol does middle forwards, the elite middle forwards, the average plays about nine point fifty right. That's now this year, so that's only going to go up next year and then the year after when the salary cap changes. So he's a million dollar player for me and I reckon he'll get that in the open market. I don't think Camber will go that high because they've got Joey Tarpenhay. He's on huge money and you can't afford to carry two million dollar props and you're selling well maybe in twenty twenty eight, en, but I don't think.
00:21:52
Speaker 2: That's not with Ethan Strange and k Weeks.
00:21:56
Speaker 1: So I reckon it's almost a Paramatta South in his shootout and as you said, there's a lot of male power. Yeah, we're very close to getting something out of line, so look souse. I don't think South said blinket that the cost of Keyon because as I said, he's on big money now.
00:22:17
Speaker 2: But it may come down to the terms really lent.
00:22:20
Speaker 1: Yeah, well he's a bit to talk about a five year deal. Yeah, little power have denied that. Yeah, yeah, I means was on twenty seven. I can't remember. Do you want to filibuster? While I look it up. He's got the right word filibuster.
00:22:35
Speaker 2: I've never heard of it. Did you say Philip buster? I don't know.
00:22:39
Speaker 1: Philip's seven, so he's got probably got five years at least left him Keyon. Yeah, so i'd probably give him four or five year deal. I feel pretty comfortable. And he's had a huge year this year, absolutely probably knowing November one was around the corner and wanting to play well, Yeah, get his price up. I think he's got his As I said, I think he's got his head around now that he's the middle, and I think that's huge because I think for a time he was obviously we've known him really as an edge forward, but he got pushed in the middle and I think maybe for a time he didn't exactly grasp that. But I think he has now and he can see the the dollar signs in the eyes because middles get a lot of money.
00:23:19
Speaker 2: You do that all a lot of.
00:23:21
Speaker 1: Money, made a lot of money. So yeah, he's going to get well paid for every goes be really interesting.
00:23:27
Speaker 2: He'd be good for Power Outstanding.
00:23:29
Speaker 1: Imagine him in Junior Paul because I think they're on talks about extending Junior Paul.
00:23:33
Speaker 2: They are, they are. So it's been terrific of late. Great look another one Titans fans get excited. Jaden Campbell is staying at your footy club. He will stay.
00:23:45
Speaker 1: Declaring it.
00:23:45
Speaker 2: I'm declaring it, and I think it will be in the vicinity of a five year deal, which is a huge investment for a star player, but probably worthwhile.
00:23:55
Speaker 1: He's a good player.
00:23:56
Speaker 2: It was the Dragons and the Perth Bears that were doing their best to try and get Jaden Campbell. I understand more so the Bears. But my male is he stays, which would be a great get. Well that's a huge and you know what a huge cue as the Titans then show Tino for Sulmula, are we hey, there's a future here because if Jaden stays, if he went vastly different cell to Tina.
00:24:23
Speaker 1: Where does do they view Jaden Campbell's the long term six or seven? What are we thinking?
00:24:29
Speaker 2: I would think in the halfs I would yeah.
00:24:32
Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a very good player, very good player, and he won't to come cheap. I mean the game.
00:24:37
Speaker 2: No, he's upwards a night fifty nine round.
00:24:40
Speaker 1: Well you've got to pay that now for good halves. So it's going to be in the halves. And as you said, Dave, crucial, they keep him because we saw how Keanu Kenney played at the Pack Champs. He's such such a good player. So have you got keanu' kenney your fallback? Jadan Campbell at six or seven? They've got Locky Ilios up and now inflating around. It's the makings of a class bot
