00:00:02
Speaker 1: Welcome to the Code NRL Show. Dave Riccio, Michael Carialis, Brent Reid with you as always. Finals footy is here.
00:00:08
Speaker 2: And look at this. I'm reading off my notes. I can't see it.
00:00:11
Speaker 1: From my Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
00:00:15
Speaker 2: Built with an incredible camera, Mick. I was taking photos of Reid before. Reid, man, you know all about the powerful battery.
00:00:21
Speaker 3: Mate, I took this thing out to, this phone out to Penrith on Monday.
00:00:26
Speaker 4: Photos, video.
00:00:27
Speaker 3: And had loads of battery left at the end of the day.
00:00:29
Speaker 4: It was unbelievable. I was stunned.
00:00:31
Speaker 2: I'm a big fan of battery life. Get onto it.
00:00:33
Speaker 1: Available now at Samsung.com. Ripping straight into it, fellas. Spencer Lenyu. Right?
00:00:38
Speaker 2: He's going to be a.
00:00:39
Speaker 1: Must-see player over this final series. And I'm just thinking about the story in today's paper, both on the Code Sports platforms and Daily Telly as well, off to the Parramatta Reels.
00:00:53
Speaker 2: How quickly is this going to happen? Yeah, well, it's sort of something that's been... mooted for months now. I think the move from Spencer Lenu to the Parramatta Eels, I think it's our understanding, really, that once the Roosters' commitments are done and dusted, we expect Spencer to end up at Parramatta next year.
00:01:10
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's a good move both sides, right? I mean, Parramatta need middles, they need enforcers, and he is that. And for the Roosters, I mean, he's playing 30 minutes a week, right? He's averaged 30 minutes a week this season.
00:01:20
Speaker 2: Has he got more game time in him?
00:01:22
Speaker 3: Yeah, he does.
00:01:22
Speaker 4: Potentially, yeah.
00:01:23
Speaker 2: He does.
00:01:24
Speaker 3: But he's on huge money, Dave. He's on about $ 850 a year. And you can't pay a guy that sort of money if he's only paying 30 minutes a week. So it's logical for the Roosters to move on. And it's a logical move for Parramatta because they need, as I said, they need middles, right? Junior Polo still hasn't agreed to that new deal.
00:01:41
Speaker 4: So he'll be good.
00:01:42
Speaker 3: Signing for Parra. I think he will, as long as he can keep his discipline in check. Because he is a bit mad. He's a bit zany.
00:01:48
Speaker 1: So this is a one-year, it's an early release. He's still got one year left on his deal at the Chalks. Yep.
00:01:53
Speaker 2: Are the Chooks chipping in or what's the go? It's just a straight release? No, given his price tag, they'll have to chip in something, I'd imagine, to get that across the line.
00:02:02
Speaker 4: Not a lot, though, Mick, I reckon.
00:02:03
Speaker 3: I mean, I don't have to chip in a lot, but they'll have to put some money in towards his salary. But it frees up money for other moves. Obviously, as part of that, Braden Ueli will go to the Roosters next season. So they'll come out of that with some more money in their kit bag, right?
00:02:21
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:02:22
Speaker 3: The trade-off between the two doesn't match up. So, yeah, Parra will pay the majority of that contract and he'll help them. They need help in the middle, as I said.
00:02:31
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:02:32
Speaker 2: Does Barlow get done, Junior Barlow? I think we're all assuming he gets done. He finished really strong the last couple of games of the season. But it's weird that it's gone quiet. It's weird that it hasn't been done yet because, obviously, there was the interest from Perth, which he knocked back. And we all assume that he would just ink a one-year extension with Parramatta. But- Even, I haven't checked in with Parramatta this week, but leading up to it, it was, they were surprised how quiet it had been as well. Because they had had that offer. They withdrew the offer, Reedy, I think you said.
00:03:02
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:03:02
Speaker 2: And they hadn't heard back.
00:03:04
Speaker 3: It feels like his agent's trying to get some more leverage from somewhere. That's what it feels like. Why else would you take this long?
00:03:11
Speaker 2: Just get the deal done.
00:03:11
Speaker 3: You just signed the deal, right? I mean, obviously, he wasn't happy with the deal initially. His agent wasn't. And that's why he was negotiating with Perth.
00:03:18
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:03:19
Speaker 3: It feels like he's trying to stir up some interest from elsewhere maybe to try and drive that Parramatta prize tag up. But, you know, if they don't get him done, then that makes the signing of Spencer even more important for Parramatta.
00:03:31
Speaker 2: There's still 12 months in him at least. Like there's 12 months of footy in him.
00:03:34
Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, I agree with that.
00:03:35
Speaker 2: The way he finished the year off the back of the injury, I feel like there's still.
00:03:38
Speaker 4: Well, they've got.
00:03:38
Speaker 2: Some young forwards in him and he's a genuine leader for them.
00:03:41
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:03:41
Speaker 2: To show them standards and the way forward. And someone that, as Reedy says, when Spencer... gets to that red line where Junior is such a senior authority figure, he might be able to pull him back a little bit.
00:03:54
Speaker 1: Mick, you talk about Spencer's red line. He's up against Penrith, his former club on Sunday.
00:04:00
Speaker 2: Is he a liability? I don't see him as a liability at all. I just feel like he can't give away the ball when you're in possession, right? That was a brain snap. You can't do that, right? But they're going to need something. different to beat the Panthers, the Roosters, and he offers that. He's an all or nothing sort of player and he can come off, he can be spectacular, he can crash and burn, but for the Roosters to win, they're going to need a point of difference and Spencer can offer that.
00:04:31
Speaker 1: If the Panthers beat the Roosters, Reedy, they then are in a do or die second week semifinal. Is that too much for them to ask? Could you imagine that pressure on Hugo Savala, an elimination final in the second week? DCE trying to finish with a legacy. I've said, Dave, it would not shock me if they lose to Penrith if they go out in straight sets. Because they've had a shocking end of the year. Whilst their last three games got pumped in the last round. I know the rested players. They got pumped in the last round. They're going into the finals in bad form. They've got no Sam Walker. And I think all the pressure for me is on Daly Cherry Evans. He's got to weigh him up. This is what they bought him for. He's got no Sam Walker alongside him now. And if they lose this weekend, I expect them to lose on Sunday. It would not shock me at all if they went out in straight sets because they'll likely play Cronulla. And I think Cronulla's– I know Cronulla's in bad form as well, but Trindle's back. They're a dangerous footy team. And on Spencer, I'd say– We're saying Spencer's not a liability, but he can be. We saw it the other night, and that's the worry. And that's part of the reason I imagine the Roosters have made this decision with him as well.
00:05:41
Speaker 3: He can be a liability for you. He has brain snaps. He's prone to it. We've seen it constantly, and that's the worry with him.
00:05:47
Speaker 1: You reckon there's an energy thing, right? Stay with me here. We're talking about the Roosters getting beat week one. The energy of picking yourself back up again compared to then coming up against, i.e., a Cronulla or Cowboys that have won week one who are high on energy.
00:06:06
Speaker 2: I don't think playing Cronulla or the Cowboys would worry the Roosters.
00:06:10
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:06:10
Speaker 2: I think they win that game. You know where I'm coming from?
00:06:12
Speaker 4: I do.
00:06:13
Speaker 2: One team's got to lift themselves back up. I get it. But it's still like 40. And one's won and on a bit of a ride. I think the best, it depends on how the game plays out. You look at the Raiders last year.
00:06:21
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:06:22
Speaker 2: And the Raiders were like, you're not going to get a more dramatic finish and you could sense and feel the letdown.
00:06:28
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:06:28
Speaker 1: Right?
00:06:29
Speaker 2: So if it ends up like that.
00:06:30
Speaker 1: And then the flip side, Canola beat the Roosters in week one. Went down to Canberra and dusted the Raiders.
00:06:36
Speaker 2: Yeah. So it can work out like that. It just depends on. how the game unfolds, right? But I think in week two, the Roosters, if they do lose, they'd fancy themselves against Cronulla or North Queensland. Yeah, I agree with that.
00:06:46
Speaker 3: I reckon Cronulla or North Queensland would fancy themselves against.
00:06:49
Speaker 4: The Roosters as well. I agree with that too.
00:06:51
Speaker 3: I think they'd fancy their chances, particularly if they win well. And I reckon Cronulla will win well.
00:06:56
Speaker 2: Just Panthers. For me, they're in my grand final.
00:07:02
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:07:02
Speaker 2: It's not a shock.
00:07:03
Speaker 1: I go through the teams and it's all about experience and know-how.
00:07:06
Speaker 4: Big calls by Dave.
00:07:09
Speaker 2: I get that. I get that. Yeah.
00:07:12
Speaker 4: Wow.
00:07:12
Speaker 1: I just feel you go through the teams and it's about know-how. The Panthers, they know exactly what to do.
00:07:18
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:07:18
Speaker 2: They're in the box seat. Definitely. They went on Sunday for me. Me too.
00:07:22
Speaker 4: Me too.
00:07:23
Speaker 2: Reedy, you brought some West Tigers news to the table.
00:07:26
Speaker 1: At the end of this week, and it was in relation to the departure of assistant coach John Morris.
00:07:30
Speaker 2: Bring us up to speed on what happened there.
00:07:32
Speaker 3: Yeah, look, obviously there's been a bit of pressure on that club because of the way they finished the season. I think Benji Marshall and senior officials there felt like they needed to take a look at the coaching staff.
00:07:43
Speaker 4: They've done that now.
00:07:44
Speaker 3: John Morris has left. And they're on the lookout for a new senior assistant, Dave.
00:07:48
Speaker 4: And they'll do a wide-ranging... Deep dive?
00:07:53
Speaker 3: Deep dive.
00:07:54
Speaker 2: Deep dive.
00:07:54
Speaker 4: Root and branch.
00:07:55
Speaker 3: Root and branch.
00:07:56
Speaker 2: Exhausting?
00:07:56
Speaker 4: Yes, exhausting process to.
00:07:59
Speaker 3: Find a new assistant coach for Benji Marshall. Look, a lot of people have been saying that he needs to freshen up his coaching staff. He's doing that. And, you know, I don't blame him. They've had a difficult season.
00:08:09
Speaker 1: It's interesting because I did– remember the infamous, famous press conference with Adam Dewey and Benji?
00:08:16
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:08:16
Speaker 2: I asked. He's– will you change your staff?
00:08:19
Speaker 1: And he actually gave them all a rap as far as, the question was, do you need more experience around you to help you? Because he'd hit another landmine at the time.
00:08:27
Speaker 3: That whole argument that he needs experience around him, I find ridiculous. John Morris has been, he was an NRL head coach, right? He's been a coach for a long time in this game, experience. Brett Hodgson's coached his own team in Super League, been in this game a long time, experienced, right? And on his coaching staff, He doesn't need more experience.
00:08:49
Speaker 4: He had plenty.
00:08:50
Speaker 3: That's not the issue for me.
00:08:52
Speaker 2: What's the issue?
00:08:53
Speaker 3: Why has he been- He's obviously decided he needs to freshen up.
00:08:57
Speaker 4: I wouldn't say it's- Not to get more experience.
00:08:58
Speaker 2: I don't think it's plentiful of experience.
00:09:01
Speaker 3: John Morris and Brett Hodgson.
00:09:02
Speaker 2: That's not a lot. It's a little bit.
00:09:04
Speaker 4: It's not a lot.
00:09:04
Speaker 2: It's a little bit.
00:09:05
Speaker 4: A little bit?
00:09:06
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:09:07
Speaker 4: Okay.
00:09:08
Speaker 3: Well, John Morris- Let me look up how many games have coached those two blokes.
00:09:11
Speaker 1: Do it.
00:09:11
Speaker 4: Do you want me to look them up?
00:09:12
Speaker 2: Do it.
00:09:12
Speaker 4: Okay.
00:09:13
Speaker 2: It would be combined less than 100 head coaches.
00:09:15
Speaker 3: Okay.
00:09:17
Speaker 2: No, no.
00:09:18
Speaker 3: They've been assistant coaches for a long time, Mick. It's not just head coaching.
00:09:21
Speaker 2: They've been assistant coaches for a long time. And then you look at the entire West Tigers organization. Head coach, first-time job. CEO, first-time job. Head of football, first-time job.
00:09:29
Speaker 3: Sean Milliken, his first time as a CEO, he's been in the game a long time. He's been a CEO of Central Coast Mariners.
00:09:34
Speaker 2: In reference to Mick.
00:09:35
Speaker 4: He's been in the game a long time.
00:09:36
Speaker 2: Pat Richards is the GM of football that you're referring to. They do need some experience in that joint. They had it. John Morris and.
00:09:42
Speaker 3: Brett Hodgson have been extremely experienced.
00:09:45
Speaker 2: Not sure. They're not extremely experienced. No, they're not.
00:09:48
Speaker 3: How long has John Norris been in the system for as a coach?
00:09:51
Speaker 2: And then they got rid of the bloke that's the most experienced.
00:09:54
Speaker 3: And how long has Brett Hodgson been a coach for? Those blokes have been coaches for an eternity since their careers finished.
00:09:58
Speaker 4: How can you say they're not experienced?
00:10:00
Speaker 2: Well, they're arguably more experienced. Well, they are more experienced than Benji.
00:10:05
Speaker 3: They're more experienced than a lot of assistant coaches in this game.
00:10:08
Speaker 2: Are they moving the deck chairs while moving John Morris on? Well, something had to be done. They needed to do something. They needed to move the deck some way because- The chairs, not the deck.
00:10:21
Speaker 4: Move the chairs. Deck chairs.
00:10:22
Speaker 2: Whatever's happened the last few seasons hasn't worked. So something needed to shift.
00:10:28
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:10:29
Speaker 2: So things needed to change there.
00:10:31
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:10:31
Speaker 3: I don't mind the idea of freshening up your staff. There's nothing wrong with that. I think smart move by Ben. I mean, there's obviously some experienced assistant coaches out there or some smart guys who've had success. who he can talk to.
00:10:44
Speaker 2: The field's pretty small.
00:10:45
Speaker 3: Shane Flanagan.
00:10:46
Speaker 2: It's a pretty small field.
00:10:47
Speaker 3: Ben Teo. There are a couple that come instantly to mind. Now, Ben's probably going to be at South, we imagine. Flano, let's see what happens with Flano. I'm sure Flano would love to go there and help out, whether Benji decides to go down that path.
00:10:59
Speaker 1: So roster-wise, we're seeing Jake Averillo come in, Jaden Braley come in, and then there's very, very strong mail around Tyson Frizzell. And it's only through respect, as Tyson navigates his final series, that I anticipate a deal will get done for Tyson to head to the West Tigers?
00:11:16
Speaker 2: Are these the moves that can help them next year?
00:11:21
Speaker 1: Clearly, they're looking for leadership and experience both on and off the field. Now, that is what Jerome Lui was.
00:11:28
Speaker 2: Brought to the top for.
00:11:29
Speaker 4: Tyson will be 35 at the end of this year, right?
00:11:30
Speaker 3: But if we go in there the year he turns 36, maybe he's got a year left.
00:11:36
Speaker 4: In him, maybe.
00:11:37
Speaker 3: Benji's been chasing him for a long time. They've got a very close relationship. They've known each other for a long time. So, It's an ally in the dressing room, and I imagine that will help Benji, right? Jadon Braley, great trainer, going to be a great leader at that joint. He needs leadership, right? And you talk about experience. He's an experienced guy. And Averillo's got talent. So I think they're all, particularly Jadon and Jake Averillo, I think are going to be great improvements in terms of maybe on the field. I think Tyson Frizzell is going to be an amazing voice for Benji in that dressing room. That's the way I see it playing out.
00:12:12
Speaker 2: They became close when they played together at the Dragons all those years ago. And as Reedy said, I think the Tigers have been trying to sign for the last three or four years, really trying to get that deal done. So eventually they'll land their man. And if you listen to Benji's press conference after their last game, he said that we need experience. And, you know, that's- He's experienced, Mick. Very experienced, Tyson Frizzell. So it's, yeah, it's really, and it helps with, Their depth as well, because you look at the West Tigers and they're 1-13, 1-14 has been pretty good, but it falls away significantly.
00:12:44
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:12:44
Speaker 2: Under that, Jadon Bradley provides great foil for Abhi Korosau.
00:12:47
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:12:48
Speaker 2: And then Tyson Frizzell will be in year 17 every week, but you're hoping that he's only playing 25, 30 minutes as that last sort of bench rotation. And Jack Averello is a walk-up start into the side.
00:12:57
Speaker 3: It also depends what they're paying Tyson Frizzell.
00:12:58
Speaker 2: Of course. It won't be much.
00:13:00
Speaker 4: Like, it would be- You don't want to be paying him a mozza.
00:13:02
Speaker 2: No, they wouldn't be. Surely they wouldn't be.
00:13:03
Speaker 3: Like, it's- They have made some- Bad decisions in recent years.
00:13:06
Speaker 2: I don't know what. I wouldn't have expected. I don't mind the sign. And as you said, really, provided it's at a decent price.
00:13:12
Speaker 4: I think it'd be great in the dressing room. It'll be great for Benji. Yeah.
00:13:15
Speaker 3: Because of their close relationship.
00:13:17
Speaker 1: Fellas, it's finals footy time. So one of the best things to do at this time of the year is to look back at the highlights. Thanks to the all-new Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, we are showcasing the best of the NRL 2026 season.
00:13:33
Speaker 2: What's some of your favourite moments? From this season, fellas, I'm going to give you mine.
00:13:37
Speaker 4: Here you go.
00:13:38
Speaker 1: On the Gold Coast, Seabus Super Stadium, only a couple of weeks ago. Tioni Katoa, that put-down try, that was like a triple pike, quadruple backflip.
00:13:50
Speaker 2: Extraordinary.
00:13:51
Speaker 1: I mean, I could pick 100 wingers tries this year, but that one stands out for me.
00:13:57
Speaker 2: Mine's the return of Cody Ramsey.
00:13:59
Speaker 4: Love it.
00:14:00
Speaker 2: Just returning back and playing first grade, the fact that his career– Forget his career. He was in a significant health battle and playing footy was the last thing from his mind. But to come back and play so well for the Roosters and be a perfect foil for James Tedesco, I think it's one of the stories of the year.
00:14:18
Speaker 3: Well, Jairo is the obvious one, right, and what's happened the past couple of weeks. But I'm going to go way back. the start of the season, Alex Johnston.
00:14:25
Speaker 4: Of course, yeah.
00:14:26
Speaker 3: I was sidelined for that, Dave.
00:14:27
Speaker 2: If only you had the Samsung Galaxy.
00:14:30
Speaker 3: If I had my Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, I would have recorded the whole moment.
00:14:35
Speaker 2: Because what happened? What did you do when you were trying to record it?
00:14:38
Speaker 3: I forgot to press record. But I was literally this far away from it.
00:14:42
Speaker 4: But damn it. There you go.
00:14:44
Speaker 3: I didn't have the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE. Was the highlight.
00:14:47
Speaker 2: Alex Johnston breaking the record or the highlight was you being there?
00:14:50
Speaker 3: Well, being there to see him break the record was a highlight.
00:14:53
Speaker 4: It was a great moment.
00:14:53
Speaker 3: The field got flooded. Anthony Albanese was out there high-fiving people.
00:14:57
Speaker 4: What the hell?
00:14:58
Speaker 2: That was so bizarre.
00:14:59
Speaker 3: Anyway, it was a great moment. And it feels like it was a lifetime ago.
00:15:01
Speaker 2: It does. It does. It does in a way.
00:15:03
Speaker 4: Crazy good. But the Joy Arrow.
00:15:04
Speaker 2: Well, you mentioned Joy Arrow, Reedy.
00:15:06
Speaker 1: And we've had some of our Code Sports readers submit their best fan moments of 26. So let's take a look. This was taken last Friday. celebrating the great man's 100th game for the Bunnies using the super steady video feature. Absolutely amazing scenes. Fellas, tomorrow night at Allianz Stadium, I'm smelling a little upset.
00:15:26
Speaker 2: Oh, really? Now, I feel so fence city on this. Fence city?
00:15:31
Speaker 1: Because if you only gave me one more Knights player back from injury, I'd probably just go bang.
00:15:37
Speaker 4: I'm all in.
00:15:37
Speaker 1: Really?
00:15:38
Speaker 2: But they're hurting, injury-wise. So many out.
00:15:43
Speaker 1: If I had maybe Saifidi or a Lucas, I'd be on.
00:15:48
Speaker 2: I'd be on.
00:15:49
Speaker 1: So what I'm saying is I don't think this is one-way traffic for South. I love Newcastle this season. They don't go.
00:15:56
Speaker 2: Away from the fight.
00:15:57
Speaker 1: They've been in so many games this year where they've lost players during game to injury. And certainly over the past four weeks, they've been playing short of their best players. Over in New Zealand last week, 12 men.
00:16:10
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:16:10
Speaker 1: They don't go away. There was a game a couple of months ago against the Roosters. It took a Cherry Evans field goal, and in that game, Tedesco scored three tries. It was like give it to the best under-sixes kid to.
00:16:25
Speaker 2: Get them out of jail.
00:16:26
Speaker 1: The Knights don't go away, and they're not going to go away against South. It might be a bridge too far, but I think it's going to be close.
00:16:32
Speaker 2: I get your point. I'm tipping South, so I think South will win, but they are the sort of side that will trouble the Rabbitohs, the Knights, because of the way Newcastle, as you said, they've competed on every play. Won't switch off. And we know how prone South Sydney are to having these 10 or 15-minute lapses.
00:16:47
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:16:48
Speaker 2: That's the concern. But you look at that South Sydney four-pack, and for the first time in a long time, you can say they're almost at full strength, the Rabideaus. Obviously, no Ashton Ward still hurts them, and Ewan Aitken picked up an injury last week. But Talis Duncan back, David Feeder for firing. I think Cam Murray's last two or three games has been understated, like how well he's played. Keon's still there. Oh, just... I just love the look of this South Sydney side. And, you know, whilst I think the Knights can and will compete and they've had an amazing season, South's for mine.
00:17:18
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think South's a win as well, Dave. But, you know, in his side.
00:17:23
Speaker 2: Do you like what I'm putting down or not? I understand what you're saying.
00:17:25
Speaker 3: In his side, with my man KP involved, they are a danger. Like, he can... He could inspire an upset. He's that good a footballer.
00:17:33
Speaker 2: The back five of the Knights.
00:17:35
Speaker 3: Mate, it's outstanding.
00:17:36
Speaker 2: Outstanding.
00:17:36
Speaker 4: Very good.
00:17:37
Speaker 3: Very good.
00:17:37
Speaker 2: Marzu.
00:17:38
Speaker 4: They can score points.
00:17:39
Speaker 2: Domian. KP. Gagai.
00:17:42
Speaker 1: Best.
00:17:42
Speaker 3: Mate, the sixth is a handy player.
00:17:44
Speaker 4: Fletcher Sharp. I mean, they can score points.
00:17:47
Speaker 2: He will score a try.
00:17:48
Speaker 3: That's the worry for South.
00:17:49
Speaker 4: He will score a try.
00:17:49
Speaker 3: Because as Mick said, they've had defensive lapses this season. They can concede points. And if they shut off, the Knights will put points on them because KP and Fletcher Sharp and those blokes will go to work. So- That's the danger.
00:18:01
Speaker 4: But I expect South to win.
00:18:03
Speaker 3: And they just seem to be hitting their straps.
00:18:08
Speaker 4: At the right time.
00:18:09
Speaker 2: So they can cause damage. I'm on genuine belief South can go on a run. So the listeners are always going, okay, so how does it work? Who do they play?
00:18:16
Speaker 4: You don't think they can win it, do you?
00:18:18
Speaker 2: South? I don't think they can win the comp.
00:18:19
Speaker 4: You think they can win the comp?
00:18:20
Speaker 1: Okay.
00:18:21
Speaker 4: Bud Sullivan?
00:18:22
Speaker 2: That's an issue. Dufty? Hot and cold. Look, I don't think they will win the comp, but I think they can win this week, and I think They'd fancy themselves whoever they play next. That's where I want to go to. Warriors or Dolphins next week?
00:18:34
Speaker 1: Yeah. So fans always want to know who do we play next if we win.
00:18:39
Speaker 2: They can beat. It's the loser of Warriors, Dolphins. Imagine the game of Touch 40 against the Dolphins.
00:18:43
Speaker 1: So if it's the Dolphins, that'll be at Suncorp.
00:18:46
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:18:46
Speaker 2: And if it's the Waz. They can't beat the Warriors. I don't think they can beat the Warriors, but I feel like they could beat the Dolphins. And then the other game. is the loser of Penrith Roosters play as the winner of Sharks Cowboys.
00:19:00
Speaker 1: Cowboys, yeah.
00:19:01
Speaker 2: Look, you know what? I'm tipping the Knights.
00:19:04
Speaker 4: Wow, Davey.
00:19:05
Speaker 2: No, I'm south.
00:19:06
Speaker 4: South.
00:19:07
Speaker 2: Fellas, Sharks Cowboys.
00:19:08
Speaker 3: Yes.
00:19:09
Speaker 2: Saturday night. Well, you said it, Rudy.
00:19:13
Speaker 1: If the Sharks get their mojo. I was down at Sharks training yesterday.
00:19:16
Speaker 2: I saw you were very glowing over there, half an hour session together.
00:19:19
Speaker 4: Boys?
00:19:19
Speaker 2: 90 minutes. 90 minutes, sorry.
00:19:22
Speaker 4: No, I wasn't.
00:19:23
Speaker 2: Hines and Trindle were. I was quoting them, Michael.
00:19:25
Speaker 4: I saw Adam Fennel Blake kicking goals.
00:19:27
Speaker 2: Yeah, what about that?
00:19:28
Speaker 4: Yeah, unbelievable.
00:19:29
Speaker 2: You know what?
00:19:30
Speaker 1: Had I had my Samsung Galaxy, right?
00:19:35
Speaker 2: S26FE.
00:19:36
Speaker 4: 100%.
00:19:38
Speaker 1: Because he actually kicked two consecutively, and I missed the first one, but I got the second one. Anyway, yeah, so that was Hines and Trindle's first. session together in four weeks.
00:19:51
Speaker 2: Yep. First significant major ball work session. I'm picking North Queensland.
00:19:55
Speaker 4: You're picking North Queensland? Yep.
00:19:59
Speaker 2: This is the bloke that said the Sharks wouldn't lose a game. I know. The Sharks should be very happy. What about your reverse button?
00:20:04
Speaker 4: What's happened?
00:20:05
Speaker 2: Oh, this is a great result for Cronulla. I know. Have you seen them play?
00:20:09
Speaker 4: Have you seen the Cowboys? Yeah, I know.
00:20:10
Speaker 2: They are too. But I just think.
00:20:12
Speaker 4: I like what I saw.
00:20:13
Speaker 2: I actually like what I saw from the Sharks against Melbourne. I do too, but half the team weren't playing. So it's irrelevant. That were better. He said that's not consistent to the Roosters getting stumped. Don't worry about him. Don't worry about him.
00:20:25
Speaker 4: No, no.
00:20:25
Speaker 2: They had a crack against Melbourne, right? But I cannot erase the 40 minutes I saw against the Parramatta Eels.
00:20:31
Speaker 1: Terrible.
00:20:32
Speaker 2: In my mind, where it was one of the worst 40 minutes of football I've seen. One of the worst 40 minutes of football I've seen from a side that was competing for the top four.
00:20:40
Speaker 4: Top four.
00:20:40
Speaker 2: I'm off them.
00:20:41
Speaker 3: I think Trindle's back. I think they're a different team. And I think they could actually put the cleaners through the Cowboys.
00:20:47
Speaker 4: Cleaners.
00:20:48
Speaker 3: Could be an absolute dust-up. That's my feeling.
00:20:52
Speaker 2: I'm tipping Cowboys.
00:20:52
Speaker 1: Defensively, the Cowboys rank 12th to 13th in the NRL.
00:20:56
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:20:56
Speaker 2: Right?
00:20:57
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:20:57
Speaker 4: However- How can you trust the Cowboys? They can score points.
00:21:00
Speaker 2: I'm not trusting them.
00:21:01
Speaker 4: They can sit at 80 points a week this year.
00:21:04
Speaker 2: They want Cronulla at 80 points. They want Cronulla. They want to beat Cronulla 34-32. They want to shoot out. Cronulla don't have 30 points in them.
00:21:14
Speaker 1: So what Cronulla need to do- I think against the Cowboys, they might.
00:21:17
Speaker 2: Have 50 points.
00:21:19
Speaker 4: I think against the Cowboys, they might have 50 points. They could.
00:21:22
Speaker 2: They could. Look, I'm not sitting here confidently saying North Queensland are going to win the game, right? Hang on a second.
00:21:30
Speaker 4: I'm tipping them.
00:21:31
Speaker 2: You declared the morals.
00:21:33
Speaker 4: I'm not sitting.
00:21:33
Speaker 2: I didn't call them morals because you could never, ever, ever. You said the Cowboys will win. I'm tipping North Queensland. Yeah, I'm not backflipping from that. But you can never sit here and say, oh, yeah, North Queensland, they're going to be a. Because North Queensland are so erratic, right? So you're not sitting here saying my confidence is in North Queensland. About 40 minutes against... How does Ruben.
00:21:52
Speaker 1: Cotter get a two-match ban, then half an hour later get a fine?
00:21:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, I would have... What the heck?
00:21:56
Speaker 4: I think they got that right that day.
00:21:57
Speaker 2: What is going on with that process? That's a big moment. Because you talk around their defensive resolve and their lack thereof. They miss him. I don't tip them.
00:22:05
Speaker 3: Well, I think judiciary is spot on there.
00:22:08
Speaker 4: I think they made the right call.
00:22:09
Speaker 2: I thought it was a match.
00:22:11
Speaker 1: I haven't seen Josh Papali dropped.
00:22:15
Speaker 4: Yeah, but he got bumped by Cohen Hess.
00:22:17
Speaker 1: And let's all be honest, the only reason he came back on and wasn't a cat one because it was his final game.
00:22:22
Speaker 2: I'm trying to remember the situation, and I couldn't quite think of it last night. Anzac Day game, Moses Sully got knocked down by a collision of a player.
00:22:34
Speaker 1: Oh, yeah.
00:22:35
Speaker 2: Remember? It was a similar thing. Yeah, Flano mentioned this. I don't think anything happened there. Anyway, we're getting away.
00:22:41
Speaker 4: That's not in or there now.
00:22:42
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:22:43
Speaker 4: You keep working on your memory then.
00:22:44
Speaker 1: I think if this one is all, everything you're saying about Parramatta, the Parramatta game, that's attitudal.
00:22:51
Speaker 2: That's a mentality.
00:22:52
Speaker 1: And if Cronulla bring the right attitude and mentality with Trindle back into the team, they win.
00:22:58
Speaker 2: I think I'm just cranky because I said they wouldn't lose another regular season game.
00:23:00
Speaker 4: I think you are.
00:23:01
Speaker 2: Now you're holding a grudge against them. And they burnt me badly. Because I just thought at that time it was safe to speak glowingly of Cronulla. Yeah. And they did that to me? You're never safe.
00:23:11
Speaker 4: No.
00:23:11
Speaker 2: Dead to me.
00:23:12
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:23:13
Speaker 2: Sharks, Rudy?
00:23:14
Speaker 3: Sharks.
00:23:15
Speaker 4: In a canter.
00:23:16
Speaker 1: Sharks. Cowboys.
00:23:19
Speaker 4: Oh, that quickly changed. I was tipping the Cowboys.
00:23:24
Speaker 2: As I said before, Reedy, you cannot have faith in North Queensland.
00:23:27
Speaker 4: No, you can't.
00:23:28
Speaker 2: You're tipping them, not us.
00:23:29
Speaker 4: That's exactly right. You can't.
00:23:30
Speaker 2: You're tipping them. Write them, Cowboys.
00:23:33
Speaker 1: Fellas, Go Media Stadium, otherwise known as Mount Smart Stadium. Yep. As Reedy plays with his new Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
00:23:41
Speaker 4: That's such a good looking phone. Anyway.
00:23:44
Speaker 1: The big thing for me is the powerful battery, because seriously, I'm a big battery.
00:23:48
Speaker 2: Yeah, you need battery, Dave.
00:23:50
Speaker 4: I'm constantly charging.
00:23:51
Speaker 1: This sucker's got plenty of battery life.
00:23:53
Speaker 2: I'm the panic guy.
00:23:54
Speaker 1: So if my phone gets to 49% battery left.
00:23:57
Speaker 4: You panic at 49%?
00:23:58
Speaker 2: Yes. I need to find a charging cable. You know how many times this bloke's called me and his phone's dead? He rings them up.
00:24:06
Speaker 4: Not anymore, baby. Not with the Samsung Galaxy S26. Yeah, 100%, 100%. Battery to the end of the day.
00:24:11
Speaker 1: So these tickets at GoMedia, they sold out in 17 minutes. Wow. Now, I've since seen, and I've been inundated by Waz fans.
00:24:22
Speaker 3: You are the Waz correspondent.
00:24:23
Speaker 1: Screenshotting tickets being resold on eBay, et cetera, and Trade Me.
00:24:30
Speaker 2: That's cool. Trade Me. Trade Me for exorbitant prices.
00:24:34
Speaker 1: Really? Really. Now, for me, I think this is stacking up for all roads to Eden Park.
00:24:40
Speaker 2: It has to be. Bad luck. Warriors' next finals game has to be at Eden Park. They deserve to play at Mount Smart this week, but their next final, whether it's in week two or week three, has to be at Eden Park.
00:24:51
Speaker 4: The decision's already been made, hasn't it? Surely.
00:24:53
Speaker 2: Oh, I think it would be.
00:24:54
Speaker 4: Privately, I think it'll be at Eden Park. It should be. What's that whole $ 50, 000 or something?
00:24:58
Speaker 2: I actually love going to Eden Park.
00:25:00
Speaker 3: They'll sell it out in a heartbeat.
00:25:02
Speaker 2: I love that stadium.
00:25:03
Speaker 5: Yeah.
00:25:03
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:25:03
Speaker 2: It was always important.
00:25:05
Speaker 4: Remember we played on it, Dave and I. Yeah, we did play.
00:25:08
Speaker 2: It was on at Eden.
00:25:09
Speaker 3: Yeah, the inaugural Auckland Nines, we played in a celebrity touch football game.
00:25:13
Speaker 1: We did.
00:25:14
Speaker 3: Against Andrew Johns.
00:25:15
Speaker 4: No, Andrew Johns was on our team.
00:25:16
Speaker 2: No, he was on our team.
00:25:17
Speaker 4: Wendell. Wendell was on our team.
00:25:19
Speaker 2: Joey was on our team.
00:25:20
Speaker 3: We carved up.
00:25:22
Speaker 2: Waz Dolphins.
00:25:23
Speaker 3: Wow.
00:25:24
Speaker 2: What a game.
00:25:25
Speaker 3: Cracking game.
00:25:25
Speaker 4: This will be touch footy as well.
00:25:27
Speaker 3: No, it won't.
00:25:27
Speaker 4: Well, it could be with the Dolphins.
00:25:28
Speaker 3: You never know.
00:25:29
Speaker 1: So surely the Finns on the Herbie farm with Selwyn Cobb, so I'd just send everything down.
00:25:35
Speaker 2: That's the concern. That is the one area. Warriors right side defense. That is the concern for the Warriors. When you sit there and you try and find a weakness, which is hard to find, it's the edge, the defensively. So that's a concern for them, but I just love the Warriors. Like, we're not allowed to cheat team. I don't cheat. But I want the Warriors. I'd love the Warriors to win the call.
00:25:56
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:25:58
Speaker 3: Very good team. Had a great season, right? And what they've done across the ditch has been ridiculous. And I think they're going to be very hard to beat. Very hard to beat. I think it's going to be a Penrith Warriors grand final.
00:26:10
Speaker 2: I don't think we're heading that way. It's a pretty cool grand final.
00:26:16
Speaker 3: And I think the Warriors will get them. But I reckon the Dolphins.
00:26:18
Speaker 2: Get Penrith.
00:26:19
Speaker 4: The Dolphins.
00:26:20
Speaker 1: Sorry.
00:26:20
Speaker 4: This weekend.
00:26:21
Speaker 3: I reckon the Dolphins will have a red hot go.
00:26:24
Speaker 2: Have you got trust in the Finns? No. I don't have trust in the Dolphins. No.
00:26:29
Speaker 3: I think they've built some trust up the last few weeks, right? At stages this season, again, it's been a bit like South, right? Defensively, they've been found wanting. But I reckon the past month or so, we've seen a bit more resolve.
00:26:45
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:26:45
Speaker 3: And that's the key for them because we know they can score points. Their back line's just stacked, man. You mentioned Herbie and Hammer. Obviously, Katoa's a gun. Nick Arima's a gun. Their back line's just out of this world. If they're defensively solid, they can cause an upset. I don't expect it'll happen, but they can.
00:27:03
Speaker 2: That win against the Roosters a couple of weeks ago built me some trust with the Dolphins just because they're on the back four. They can set the first points. They defended their way to victory. And if they can defend... Obviously, if they defend well, they'll win. They'll beat anyone on their day, right? But I just love what I've seen from this Warriors team. Yeah. And so much power through the middle of the field.
00:27:27
Speaker 1: That's going to be– it's a battle of the middle of the field for the Wars, dominating the Finns and then outside backs.
00:27:34
Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely.
00:27:35
Speaker 2: Dolphins probably have the advantage over the Warriors. Look, I'm tipping the Wars. Me too.
00:27:39
Speaker 3: Warriors.
00:27:40
Speaker 1: Boys, this is my favourite time of the week. BS messages of the week from the fans, from the readers. Codesports.com.au. Just drop your BS message. It's that message, Reed, man, that fans are cranky about, and they want answers.
00:27:55
Speaker 4: Yeah, I sent a shout-out out, Dave.
00:27:56
Speaker 3: I got some responses on my Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
00:28:00
Speaker 2: Yeah, nice.
00:28:01
Speaker 4: Very clear. Bachelor of Life, amazing.
00:28:04
Speaker 3: This one, it's a question from Marky Thompson, and Marky's saying, how many players who are going to PNG do you think will actually last out their contracts? That's a good question. When living in, he says compound, I call it resort. How many players do you think will go the distance?
00:28:21
Speaker 2: You know what I've been tipped? None of the players are allowed to drive anywhere. They won't be permitted to drive.
00:28:28
Speaker 3: They'll have a driver. Yeah, they've got a driving service, I think.
00:28:31
Speaker 2: That'd be a weird thing for three years, not driving a car.
00:28:33
Speaker 4: That's pretty cool, though. Sit in the back.
00:28:36
Speaker 2: That's all right for you, Tesla. Yeah. It's up in the air that way. It's hard to know.
00:28:42
Speaker 4: They are signing them to short contracts.
00:28:44
Speaker 2: They're going to be such a transient side, right? They're not going to be a team that's going to get, I wouldn't sign anyone four or five years, right? They're going to be one, two, three year contracts where you're just continually having to enter the marketplace. But there'll be players that don't last because it's going to be, if you're not playing first grade, I think it's going to be a really tough existence there.
00:29:02
Speaker 4: I think that'll be the minority though, Mick.
00:29:04
Speaker 2: Minority won't be playing first grade, yeah.
00:29:06
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:29:06
Speaker 3: I think the minority, you might have one or two that potentially don't like it, but they're getting a lot of money.
00:29:12
Speaker 2: I think there'll be more than that. We've seen it with the Warriors, right, who have got an amazing– way of life and support system and things like that. They do turn over their roster. Well, in terms of players that have wanted to leave to come home. I saw it this year with Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf in a way, like two players that are senior players.
00:29:28
Speaker 3: I reckon there's a distinct difference here though. Those players leave New Zealand, come to Australia and they're on equitable money. You leave PNG, come to Australia.
00:29:36
Speaker 2: No doubt.
00:29:36
Speaker 4: You're going to have.
00:29:37
Speaker 3: To give up a lot of cash.
00:29:38
Speaker 4: No doubt.
00:29:39
Speaker 2: There will be some players There will be some So I think In the first year We'll have one or two Yeah You?
00:29:49
Speaker 5: I think one at most In that first season Yeah We have one or two Yeah Hey good show boys We're going to catch you Next week After all the finals Looking forward to it.
00:30:00
Speaker 2: 40 is done. We'll have two teams eliminated. Yeah. And two teams through to a prelim. See you next week.
Speaker 1: Welcome to the Code NRL Show. Dave Riccio, Michael Carialis, Brent Reid with you as always. Finals footy is here.
00:00:08
Speaker 2: And look at this. I'm reading off my notes. I can't see it.
00:00:11
Speaker 1: From my Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
00:00:15
Speaker 2: Built with an incredible camera, Mick. I was taking photos of Reid before. Reid, man, you know all about the powerful battery.
00:00:21
Speaker 3: Mate, I took this thing out to, this phone out to Penrith on Monday.
00:00:26
Speaker 4: Photos, video.
00:00:27
Speaker 3: And had loads of battery left at the end of the day.
00:00:29
Speaker 4: It was unbelievable. I was stunned.
00:00:31
Speaker 2: I'm a big fan of battery life. Get onto it.
00:00:33
Speaker 1: Available now at Samsung.com. Ripping straight into it, fellas. Spencer Lenyu. Right?
00:00:38
Speaker 2: He's going to be a.
00:00:39
Speaker 1: Must-see player over this final series. And I'm just thinking about the story in today's paper, both on the Code Sports platforms and Daily Telly as well, off to the Parramatta Reels.
00:00:53
Speaker 2: How quickly is this going to happen? Yeah, well, it's sort of something that's been... mooted for months now. I think the move from Spencer Lenu to the Parramatta Eels, I think it's our understanding, really, that once the Roosters' commitments are done and dusted, we expect Spencer to end up at Parramatta next year.
00:01:10
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's a good move both sides, right? I mean, Parramatta need middles, they need enforcers, and he is that. And for the Roosters, I mean, he's playing 30 minutes a week, right? He's averaged 30 minutes a week this season.
00:01:20
Speaker 2: Has he got more game time in him?
00:01:22
Speaker 3: Yeah, he does.
00:01:22
Speaker 4: Potentially, yeah.
00:01:23
Speaker 2: He does.
00:01:24
Speaker 3: But he's on huge money, Dave. He's on about $ 850 a year. And you can't pay a guy that sort of money if he's only paying 30 minutes a week. So it's logical for the Roosters to move on. And it's a logical move for Parramatta because they need, as I said, they need middles, right? Junior Polo still hasn't agreed to that new deal.
00:01:41
Speaker 4: So he'll be good.
00:01:42
Speaker 3: Signing for Parra. I think he will, as long as he can keep his discipline in check. Because he is a bit mad. He's a bit zany.
00:01:48
Speaker 1: So this is a one-year, it's an early release. He's still got one year left on his deal at the Chalks. Yep.
00:01:53
Speaker 2: Are the Chooks chipping in or what's the go? It's just a straight release? No, given his price tag, they'll have to chip in something, I'd imagine, to get that across the line.
00:02:02
Speaker 4: Not a lot, though, Mick, I reckon.
00:02:03
Speaker 3: I mean, I don't have to chip in a lot, but they'll have to put some money in towards his salary. But it frees up money for other moves. Obviously, as part of that, Braden Ueli will go to the Roosters next season. So they'll come out of that with some more money in their kit bag, right?
00:02:21
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:02:22
Speaker 3: The trade-off between the two doesn't match up. So, yeah, Parra will pay the majority of that contract and he'll help them. They need help in the middle, as I said.
00:02:31
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:02:32
Speaker 2: Does Barlow get done, Junior Barlow? I think we're all assuming he gets done. He finished really strong the last couple of games of the season. But it's weird that it's gone quiet. It's weird that it hasn't been done yet because, obviously, there was the interest from Perth, which he knocked back. And we all assume that he would just ink a one-year extension with Parramatta. But- Even, I haven't checked in with Parramatta this week, but leading up to it, it was, they were surprised how quiet it had been as well. Because they had had that offer. They withdrew the offer, Reedy, I think you said.
00:03:02
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:03:02
Speaker 2: And they hadn't heard back.
00:03:04
Speaker 3: It feels like his agent's trying to get some more leverage from somewhere. That's what it feels like. Why else would you take this long?
00:03:11
Speaker 2: Just get the deal done.
00:03:11
Speaker 3: You just signed the deal, right? I mean, obviously, he wasn't happy with the deal initially. His agent wasn't. And that's why he was negotiating with Perth.
00:03:18
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:03:19
Speaker 3: It feels like he's trying to stir up some interest from elsewhere maybe to try and drive that Parramatta prize tag up. But, you know, if they don't get him done, then that makes the signing of Spencer even more important for Parramatta.
00:03:31
Speaker 2: There's still 12 months in him at least. Like there's 12 months of footy in him.
00:03:34
Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, I agree with that.
00:03:35
Speaker 2: The way he finished the year off the back of the injury, I feel like there's still.
00:03:38
Speaker 4: Well, they've got.
00:03:38
Speaker 2: Some young forwards in him and he's a genuine leader for them.
00:03:41
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:03:41
Speaker 2: To show them standards and the way forward. And someone that, as Reedy says, when Spencer... gets to that red line where Junior is such a senior authority figure, he might be able to pull him back a little bit.
00:03:54
Speaker 1: Mick, you talk about Spencer's red line. He's up against Penrith, his former club on Sunday.
00:04:00
Speaker 2: Is he a liability? I don't see him as a liability at all. I just feel like he can't give away the ball when you're in possession, right? That was a brain snap. You can't do that, right? But they're going to need something. different to beat the Panthers, the Roosters, and he offers that. He's an all or nothing sort of player and he can come off, he can be spectacular, he can crash and burn, but for the Roosters to win, they're going to need a point of difference and Spencer can offer that.
00:04:31
Speaker 1: If the Panthers beat the Roosters, Reedy, they then are in a do or die second week semifinal. Is that too much for them to ask? Could you imagine that pressure on Hugo Savala, an elimination final in the second week? DCE trying to finish with a legacy. I've said, Dave, it would not shock me if they lose to Penrith if they go out in straight sets. Because they've had a shocking end of the year. Whilst their last three games got pumped in the last round. I know the rested players. They got pumped in the last round. They're going into the finals in bad form. They've got no Sam Walker. And I think all the pressure for me is on Daly Cherry Evans. He's got to weigh him up. This is what they bought him for. He's got no Sam Walker alongside him now. And if they lose this weekend, I expect them to lose on Sunday. It would not shock me at all if they went out in straight sets because they'll likely play Cronulla. And I think Cronulla's– I know Cronulla's in bad form as well, but Trindle's back. They're a dangerous footy team. And on Spencer, I'd say– We're saying Spencer's not a liability, but he can be. We saw it the other night, and that's the worry. And that's part of the reason I imagine the Roosters have made this decision with him as well.
00:05:41
Speaker 3: He can be a liability for you. He has brain snaps. He's prone to it. We've seen it constantly, and that's the worry with him.
00:05:47
Speaker 1: You reckon there's an energy thing, right? Stay with me here. We're talking about the Roosters getting beat week one. The energy of picking yourself back up again compared to then coming up against, i.e., a Cronulla or Cowboys that have won week one who are high on energy.
00:06:06
Speaker 2: I don't think playing Cronulla or the Cowboys would worry the Roosters.
00:06:10
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:06:10
Speaker 2: I think they win that game. You know where I'm coming from?
00:06:12
Speaker 4: I do.
00:06:13
Speaker 2: One team's got to lift themselves back up. I get it. But it's still like 40. And one's won and on a bit of a ride. I think the best, it depends on how the game plays out. You look at the Raiders last year.
00:06:21
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:06:22
Speaker 2: And the Raiders were like, you're not going to get a more dramatic finish and you could sense and feel the letdown.
00:06:28
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:06:28
Speaker 1: Right?
00:06:29
Speaker 2: So if it ends up like that.
00:06:30
Speaker 1: And then the flip side, Canola beat the Roosters in week one. Went down to Canberra and dusted the Raiders.
00:06:36
Speaker 2: Yeah. So it can work out like that. It just depends on. how the game unfolds, right? But I think in week two, the Roosters, if they do lose, they'd fancy themselves against Cronulla or North Queensland. Yeah, I agree with that.
00:06:46
Speaker 3: I reckon Cronulla or North Queensland would fancy themselves against.
00:06:49
Speaker 4: The Roosters as well. I agree with that too.
00:06:51
Speaker 3: I think they'd fancy their chances, particularly if they win well. And I reckon Cronulla will win well.
00:06:56
Speaker 2: Just Panthers. For me, they're in my grand final.
00:07:02
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:07:02
Speaker 2: It's not a shock.
00:07:03
Speaker 1: I go through the teams and it's all about experience and know-how.
00:07:06
Speaker 4: Big calls by Dave.
00:07:09
Speaker 2: I get that. I get that. Yeah.
00:07:12
Speaker 4: Wow.
00:07:12
Speaker 1: I just feel you go through the teams and it's about know-how. The Panthers, they know exactly what to do.
00:07:18
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:07:18
Speaker 2: They're in the box seat. Definitely. They went on Sunday for me. Me too.
00:07:22
Speaker 4: Me too.
00:07:23
Speaker 2: Reedy, you brought some West Tigers news to the table.
00:07:26
Speaker 1: At the end of this week, and it was in relation to the departure of assistant coach John Morris.
00:07:30
Speaker 2: Bring us up to speed on what happened there.
00:07:32
Speaker 3: Yeah, look, obviously there's been a bit of pressure on that club because of the way they finished the season. I think Benji Marshall and senior officials there felt like they needed to take a look at the coaching staff.
00:07:43
Speaker 4: They've done that now.
00:07:44
Speaker 3: John Morris has left. And they're on the lookout for a new senior assistant, Dave.
00:07:48
Speaker 4: And they'll do a wide-ranging... Deep dive?
00:07:53
Speaker 3: Deep dive.
00:07:54
Speaker 2: Deep dive.
00:07:54
Speaker 4: Root and branch.
00:07:55
Speaker 3: Root and branch.
00:07:56
Speaker 2: Exhausting?
00:07:56
Speaker 4: Yes, exhausting process to.
00:07:59
Speaker 3: Find a new assistant coach for Benji Marshall. Look, a lot of people have been saying that he needs to freshen up his coaching staff. He's doing that. And, you know, I don't blame him. They've had a difficult season.
00:08:09
Speaker 1: It's interesting because I did– remember the infamous, famous press conference with Adam Dewey and Benji?
00:08:16
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:08:16
Speaker 2: I asked. He's– will you change your staff?
00:08:19
Speaker 1: And he actually gave them all a rap as far as, the question was, do you need more experience around you to help you? Because he'd hit another landmine at the time.
00:08:27
Speaker 3: That whole argument that he needs experience around him, I find ridiculous. John Morris has been, he was an NRL head coach, right? He's been a coach for a long time in this game, experience. Brett Hodgson's coached his own team in Super League, been in this game a long time, experienced, right? And on his coaching staff, He doesn't need more experience.
00:08:49
Speaker 4: He had plenty.
00:08:50
Speaker 3: That's not the issue for me.
00:08:52
Speaker 2: What's the issue?
00:08:53
Speaker 3: Why has he been- He's obviously decided he needs to freshen up.
00:08:57
Speaker 4: I wouldn't say it's- Not to get more experience.
00:08:58
Speaker 2: I don't think it's plentiful of experience.
00:09:01
Speaker 3: John Morris and Brett Hodgson.
00:09:02
Speaker 2: That's not a lot. It's a little bit.
00:09:04
Speaker 4: It's not a lot.
00:09:04
Speaker 2: It's a little bit.
00:09:05
Speaker 4: A little bit?
00:09:06
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:09:07
Speaker 4: Okay.
00:09:08
Speaker 3: Well, John Morris- Let me look up how many games have coached those two blokes.
00:09:11
Speaker 1: Do it.
00:09:11
Speaker 4: Do you want me to look them up?
00:09:12
Speaker 2: Do it.
00:09:12
Speaker 4: Okay.
00:09:13
Speaker 2: It would be combined less than 100 head coaches.
00:09:15
Speaker 3: Okay.
00:09:17
Speaker 2: No, no.
00:09:18
Speaker 3: They've been assistant coaches for a long time, Mick. It's not just head coaching.
00:09:21
Speaker 2: They've been assistant coaches for a long time. And then you look at the entire West Tigers organization. Head coach, first-time job. CEO, first-time job. Head of football, first-time job.
00:09:29
Speaker 3: Sean Milliken, his first time as a CEO, he's been in the game a long time. He's been a CEO of Central Coast Mariners.
00:09:34
Speaker 2: In reference to Mick.
00:09:35
Speaker 4: He's been in the game a long time.
00:09:36
Speaker 2: Pat Richards is the GM of football that you're referring to. They do need some experience in that joint. They had it. John Morris and.
00:09:42
Speaker 3: Brett Hodgson have been extremely experienced.
00:09:45
Speaker 2: Not sure. They're not extremely experienced. No, they're not.
00:09:48
Speaker 3: How long has John Norris been in the system for as a coach?
00:09:51
Speaker 2: And then they got rid of the bloke that's the most experienced.
00:09:54
Speaker 3: And how long has Brett Hodgson been a coach for? Those blokes have been coaches for an eternity since their careers finished.
00:09:58
Speaker 4: How can you say they're not experienced?
00:10:00
Speaker 2: Well, they're arguably more experienced. Well, they are more experienced than Benji.
00:10:05
Speaker 3: They're more experienced than a lot of assistant coaches in this game.
00:10:08
Speaker 2: Are they moving the deck chairs while moving John Morris on? Well, something had to be done. They needed to do something. They needed to move the deck some way because- The chairs, not the deck.
00:10:21
Speaker 4: Move the chairs. Deck chairs.
00:10:22
Speaker 2: Whatever's happened the last few seasons hasn't worked. So something needed to shift.
00:10:28
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:10:29
Speaker 2: So things needed to change there.
00:10:31
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:10:31
Speaker 3: I don't mind the idea of freshening up your staff. There's nothing wrong with that. I think smart move by Ben. I mean, there's obviously some experienced assistant coaches out there or some smart guys who've had success. who he can talk to.
00:10:44
Speaker 2: The field's pretty small.
00:10:45
Speaker 3: Shane Flanagan.
00:10:46
Speaker 2: It's a pretty small field.
00:10:47
Speaker 3: Ben Teo. There are a couple that come instantly to mind. Now, Ben's probably going to be at South, we imagine. Flano, let's see what happens with Flano. I'm sure Flano would love to go there and help out, whether Benji decides to go down that path.
00:10:59
Speaker 1: So roster-wise, we're seeing Jake Averillo come in, Jaden Braley come in, and then there's very, very strong mail around Tyson Frizzell. And it's only through respect, as Tyson navigates his final series, that I anticipate a deal will get done for Tyson to head to the West Tigers?
00:11:16
Speaker 2: Are these the moves that can help them next year?
00:11:21
Speaker 1: Clearly, they're looking for leadership and experience both on and off the field. Now, that is what Jerome Lui was.
00:11:28
Speaker 2: Brought to the top for.
00:11:29
Speaker 4: Tyson will be 35 at the end of this year, right?
00:11:30
Speaker 3: But if we go in there the year he turns 36, maybe he's got a year left.
00:11:36
Speaker 4: In him, maybe.
00:11:37
Speaker 3: Benji's been chasing him for a long time. They've got a very close relationship. They've known each other for a long time. So, It's an ally in the dressing room, and I imagine that will help Benji, right? Jadon Braley, great trainer, going to be a great leader at that joint. He needs leadership, right? And you talk about experience. He's an experienced guy. And Averillo's got talent. So I think they're all, particularly Jadon and Jake Averillo, I think are going to be great improvements in terms of maybe on the field. I think Tyson Frizzell is going to be an amazing voice for Benji in that dressing room. That's the way I see it playing out.
00:12:12
Speaker 2: They became close when they played together at the Dragons all those years ago. And as Reedy said, I think the Tigers have been trying to sign for the last three or four years, really trying to get that deal done. So eventually they'll land their man. And if you listen to Benji's press conference after their last game, he said that we need experience. And, you know, that's- He's experienced, Mick. Very experienced, Tyson Frizzell. So it's, yeah, it's really, and it helps with, Their depth as well, because you look at the West Tigers and they're 1-13, 1-14 has been pretty good, but it falls away significantly.
00:12:44
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:12:44
Speaker 2: Under that, Jadon Bradley provides great foil for Abhi Korosau.
00:12:47
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:12:48
Speaker 2: And then Tyson Frizzell will be in year 17 every week, but you're hoping that he's only playing 25, 30 minutes as that last sort of bench rotation. And Jack Averello is a walk-up start into the side.
00:12:57
Speaker 3: It also depends what they're paying Tyson Frizzell.
00:12:58
Speaker 2: Of course. It won't be much.
00:13:00
Speaker 4: Like, it would be- You don't want to be paying him a mozza.
00:13:02
Speaker 2: No, they wouldn't be. Surely they wouldn't be.
00:13:03
Speaker 3: Like, it's- They have made some- Bad decisions in recent years.
00:13:06
Speaker 2: I don't know what. I wouldn't have expected. I don't mind the sign. And as you said, really, provided it's at a decent price.
00:13:12
Speaker 4: I think it'd be great in the dressing room. It'll be great for Benji. Yeah.
00:13:15
Speaker 3: Because of their close relationship.
00:13:17
Speaker 1: Fellas, it's finals footy time. So one of the best things to do at this time of the year is to look back at the highlights. Thanks to the all-new Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, we are showcasing the best of the NRL 2026 season.
00:13:33
Speaker 2: What's some of your favourite moments? From this season, fellas, I'm going to give you mine.
00:13:37
Speaker 4: Here you go.
00:13:38
Speaker 1: On the Gold Coast, Seabus Super Stadium, only a couple of weeks ago. Tioni Katoa, that put-down try, that was like a triple pike, quadruple backflip.
00:13:50
Speaker 2: Extraordinary.
00:13:51
Speaker 1: I mean, I could pick 100 wingers tries this year, but that one stands out for me.
00:13:57
Speaker 2: Mine's the return of Cody Ramsey.
00:13:59
Speaker 4: Love it.
00:14:00
Speaker 2: Just returning back and playing first grade, the fact that his career– Forget his career. He was in a significant health battle and playing footy was the last thing from his mind. But to come back and play so well for the Roosters and be a perfect foil for James Tedesco, I think it's one of the stories of the year.
00:14:18
Speaker 3: Well, Jairo is the obvious one, right, and what's happened the past couple of weeks. But I'm going to go way back. the start of the season, Alex Johnston.
00:14:25
Speaker 4: Of course, yeah.
00:14:26
Speaker 3: I was sidelined for that, Dave.
00:14:27
Speaker 2: If only you had the Samsung Galaxy.
00:14:30
Speaker 3: If I had my Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, I would have recorded the whole moment.
00:14:35
Speaker 2: Because what happened? What did you do when you were trying to record it?
00:14:38
Speaker 3: I forgot to press record. But I was literally this far away from it.
00:14:42
Speaker 4: But damn it. There you go.
00:14:44
Speaker 3: I didn't have the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE. Was the highlight.
00:14:47
Speaker 2: Alex Johnston breaking the record or the highlight was you being there?
00:14:50
Speaker 3: Well, being there to see him break the record was a highlight.
00:14:53
Speaker 4: It was a great moment.
00:14:53
Speaker 3: The field got flooded. Anthony Albanese was out there high-fiving people.
00:14:57
Speaker 4: What the hell?
00:14:58
Speaker 2: That was so bizarre.
00:14:59
Speaker 3: Anyway, it was a great moment. And it feels like it was a lifetime ago.
00:15:01
Speaker 2: It does. It does. It does in a way.
00:15:03
Speaker 4: Crazy good. But the Joy Arrow.
00:15:04
Speaker 2: Well, you mentioned Joy Arrow, Reedy.
00:15:06
Speaker 1: And we've had some of our Code Sports readers submit their best fan moments of 26. So let's take a look. This was taken last Friday. celebrating the great man's 100th game for the Bunnies using the super steady video feature. Absolutely amazing scenes. Fellas, tomorrow night at Allianz Stadium, I'm smelling a little upset.
00:15:26
Speaker 2: Oh, really? Now, I feel so fence city on this. Fence city?
00:15:31
Speaker 1: Because if you only gave me one more Knights player back from injury, I'd probably just go bang.
00:15:37
Speaker 4: I'm all in.
00:15:37
Speaker 1: Really?
00:15:38
Speaker 2: But they're hurting, injury-wise. So many out.
00:15:43
Speaker 1: If I had maybe Saifidi or a Lucas, I'd be on.
00:15:48
Speaker 2: I'd be on.
00:15:49
Speaker 1: So what I'm saying is I don't think this is one-way traffic for South. I love Newcastle this season. They don't go.
00:15:56
Speaker 2: Away from the fight.
00:15:57
Speaker 1: They've been in so many games this year where they've lost players during game to injury. And certainly over the past four weeks, they've been playing short of their best players. Over in New Zealand last week, 12 men.
00:16:10
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:16:10
Speaker 1: They don't go away. There was a game a couple of months ago against the Roosters. It took a Cherry Evans field goal, and in that game, Tedesco scored three tries. It was like give it to the best under-sixes kid to.
00:16:25
Speaker 2: Get them out of jail.
00:16:26
Speaker 1: The Knights don't go away, and they're not going to go away against South. It might be a bridge too far, but I think it's going to be close.
00:16:32
Speaker 2: I get your point. I'm tipping South, so I think South will win, but they are the sort of side that will trouble the Rabbitohs, the Knights, because of the way Newcastle, as you said, they've competed on every play. Won't switch off. And we know how prone South Sydney are to having these 10 or 15-minute lapses.
00:16:47
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:16:48
Speaker 2: That's the concern. But you look at that South Sydney four-pack, and for the first time in a long time, you can say they're almost at full strength, the Rabideaus. Obviously, no Ashton Ward still hurts them, and Ewan Aitken picked up an injury last week. But Talis Duncan back, David Feeder for firing. I think Cam Murray's last two or three games has been understated, like how well he's played. Keon's still there. Oh, just... I just love the look of this South Sydney side. And, you know, whilst I think the Knights can and will compete and they've had an amazing season, South's for mine.
00:17:18
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think South's a win as well, Dave. But, you know, in his side.
00:17:23
Speaker 2: Do you like what I'm putting down or not? I understand what you're saying.
00:17:25
Speaker 3: In his side, with my man KP involved, they are a danger. Like, he can... He could inspire an upset. He's that good a footballer.
00:17:33
Speaker 2: The back five of the Knights.
00:17:35
Speaker 3: Mate, it's outstanding.
00:17:36
Speaker 2: Outstanding.
00:17:36
Speaker 4: Very good.
00:17:37
Speaker 3: Very good.
00:17:37
Speaker 2: Marzu.
00:17:38
Speaker 4: They can score points.
00:17:39
Speaker 2: Domian. KP. Gagai.
00:17:42
Speaker 1: Best.
00:17:42
Speaker 3: Mate, the sixth is a handy player.
00:17:44
Speaker 4: Fletcher Sharp. I mean, they can score points.
00:17:47
Speaker 2: He will score a try.
00:17:48
Speaker 3: That's the worry for South.
00:17:49
Speaker 4: He will score a try.
00:17:49
Speaker 3: Because as Mick said, they've had defensive lapses this season. They can concede points. And if they shut off, the Knights will put points on them because KP and Fletcher Sharp and those blokes will go to work. So- That's the danger.
00:18:01
Speaker 4: But I expect South to win.
00:18:03
Speaker 3: And they just seem to be hitting their straps.
00:18:08
Speaker 4: At the right time.
00:18:09
Speaker 2: So they can cause damage. I'm on genuine belief South can go on a run. So the listeners are always going, okay, so how does it work? Who do they play?
00:18:16
Speaker 4: You don't think they can win it, do you?
00:18:18
Speaker 2: South? I don't think they can win the comp.
00:18:19
Speaker 4: You think they can win the comp?
00:18:20
Speaker 1: Okay.
00:18:21
Speaker 4: Bud Sullivan?
00:18:22
Speaker 2: That's an issue. Dufty? Hot and cold. Look, I don't think they will win the comp, but I think they can win this week, and I think They'd fancy themselves whoever they play next. That's where I want to go to. Warriors or Dolphins next week?
00:18:34
Speaker 1: Yeah. So fans always want to know who do we play next if we win.
00:18:39
Speaker 2: They can beat. It's the loser of Warriors, Dolphins. Imagine the game of Touch 40 against the Dolphins.
00:18:43
Speaker 1: So if it's the Dolphins, that'll be at Suncorp.
00:18:46
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:18:46
Speaker 2: And if it's the Waz. They can't beat the Warriors. I don't think they can beat the Warriors, but I feel like they could beat the Dolphins. And then the other game. is the loser of Penrith Roosters play as the winner of Sharks Cowboys.
00:19:00
Speaker 1: Cowboys, yeah.
00:19:01
Speaker 2: Look, you know what? I'm tipping the Knights.
00:19:04
Speaker 4: Wow, Davey.
00:19:05
Speaker 2: No, I'm south.
00:19:06
Speaker 4: South.
00:19:07
Speaker 2: Fellas, Sharks Cowboys.
00:19:08
Speaker 3: Yes.
00:19:09
Speaker 2: Saturday night. Well, you said it, Rudy.
00:19:13
Speaker 1: If the Sharks get their mojo. I was down at Sharks training yesterday.
00:19:16
Speaker 2: I saw you were very glowing over there, half an hour session together.
00:19:19
Speaker 4: Boys?
00:19:19
Speaker 2: 90 minutes. 90 minutes, sorry.
00:19:22
Speaker 4: No, I wasn't.
00:19:23
Speaker 2: Hines and Trindle were. I was quoting them, Michael.
00:19:25
Speaker 4: I saw Adam Fennel Blake kicking goals.
00:19:27
Speaker 2: Yeah, what about that?
00:19:28
Speaker 4: Yeah, unbelievable.
00:19:29
Speaker 2: You know what?
00:19:30
Speaker 1: Had I had my Samsung Galaxy, right?
00:19:35
Speaker 2: S26FE.
00:19:36
Speaker 4: 100%.
00:19:38
Speaker 1: Because he actually kicked two consecutively, and I missed the first one, but I got the second one. Anyway, yeah, so that was Hines and Trindle's first. session together in four weeks.
00:19:51
Speaker 2: Yep. First significant major ball work session. I'm picking North Queensland.
00:19:55
Speaker 4: You're picking North Queensland? Yep.
00:19:59
Speaker 2: This is the bloke that said the Sharks wouldn't lose a game. I know. The Sharks should be very happy. What about your reverse button?
00:20:04
Speaker 4: What's happened?
00:20:05
Speaker 2: Oh, this is a great result for Cronulla. I know. Have you seen them play?
00:20:09
Speaker 4: Have you seen the Cowboys? Yeah, I know.
00:20:10
Speaker 2: They are too. But I just think.
00:20:12
Speaker 4: I like what I saw.
00:20:13
Speaker 2: I actually like what I saw from the Sharks against Melbourne. I do too, but half the team weren't playing. So it's irrelevant. That were better. He said that's not consistent to the Roosters getting stumped. Don't worry about him. Don't worry about him.
00:20:25
Speaker 4: No, no.
00:20:25
Speaker 2: They had a crack against Melbourne, right? But I cannot erase the 40 minutes I saw against the Parramatta Eels.
00:20:31
Speaker 1: Terrible.
00:20:32
Speaker 2: In my mind, where it was one of the worst 40 minutes of football I've seen. One of the worst 40 minutes of football I've seen from a side that was competing for the top four.
00:20:40
Speaker 4: Top four.
00:20:40
Speaker 2: I'm off them.
00:20:41
Speaker 3: I think Trindle's back. I think they're a different team. And I think they could actually put the cleaners through the Cowboys.
00:20:47
Speaker 4: Cleaners.
00:20:48
Speaker 3: Could be an absolute dust-up. That's my feeling.
00:20:52
Speaker 2: I'm tipping Cowboys.
00:20:52
Speaker 1: Defensively, the Cowboys rank 12th to 13th in the NRL.
00:20:56
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:20:56
Speaker 2: Right?
00:20:57
Speaker 1: Yeah.
00:20:57
Speaker 4: However- How can you trust the Cowboys? They can score points.
00:21:00
Speaker 2: I'm not trusting them.
00:21:01
Speaker 4: They can sit at 80 points a week this year.
00:21:04
Speaker 2: They want Cronulla at 80 points. They want Cronulla. They want to beat Cronulla 34-32. They want to shoot out. Cronulla don't have 30 points in them.
00:21:14
Speaker 1: So what Cronulla need to do- I think against the Cowboys, they might.
00:21:17
Speaker 2: Have 50 points.
00:21:19
Speaker 4: I think against the Cowboys, they might have 50 points. They could.
00:21:22
Speaker 2: They could. Look, I'm not sitting here confidently saying North Queensland are going to win the game, right? Hang on a second.
00:21:30
Speaker 4: I'm tipping them.
00:21:31
Speaker 2: You declared the morals.
00:21:33
Speaker 4: I'm not sitting.
00:21:33
Speaker 2: I didn't call them morals because you could never, ever, ever. You said the Cowboys will win. I'm tipping North Queensland. Yeah, I'm not backflipping from that. But you can never sit here and say, oh, yeah, North Queensland, they're going to be a. Because North Queensland are so erratic, right? So you're not sitting here saying my confidence is in North Queensland. About 40 minutes against... How does Ruben.
00:21:52
Speaker 1: Cotter get a two-match ban, then half an hour later get a fine?
00:21:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, I would have... What the heck?
00:21:56
Speaker 4: I think they got that right that day.
00:21:57
Speaker 2: What is going on with that process? That's a big moment. Because you talk around their defensive resolve and their lack thereof. They miss him. I don't tip them.
00:22:05
Speaker 3: Well, I think judiciary is spot on there.
00:22:08
Speaker 4: I think they made the right call.
00:22:09
Speaker 2: I thought it was a match.
00:22:11
Speaker 1: I haven't seen Josh Papali dropped.
00:22:15
Speaker 4: Yeah, but he got bumped by Cohen Hess.
00:22:17
Speaker 1: And let's all be honest, the only reason he came back on and wasn't a cat one because it was his final game.
00:22:22
Speaker 2: I'm trying to remember the situation, and I couldn't quite think of it last night. Anzac Day game, Moses Sully got knocked down by a collision of a player.
00:22:34
Speaker 1: Oh, yeah.
00:22:35
Speaker 2: Remember? It was a similar thing. Yeah, Flano mentioned this. I don't think anything happened there. Anyway, we're getting away.
00:22:41
Speaker 4: That's not in or there now.
00:22:42
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:22:43
Speaker 4: You keep working on your memory then.
00:22:44
Speaker 1: I think if this one is all, everything you're saying about Parramatta, the Parramatta game, that's attitudal.
00:22:51
Speaker 2: That's a mentality.
00:22:52
Speaker 1: And if Cronulla bring the right attitude and mentality with Trindle back into the team, they win.
00:22:58
Speaker 2: I think I'm just cranky because I said they wouldn't lose another regular season game.
00:23:00
Speaker 4: I think you are.
00:23:01
Speaker 2: Now you're holding a grudge against them. And they burnt me badly. Because I just thought at that time it was safe to speak glowingly of Cronulla. Yeah. And they did that to me? You're never safe.
00:23:11
Speaker 4: No.
00:23:11
Speaker 2: Dead to me.
00:23:12
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:23:13
Speaker 2: Sharks, Rudy?
00:23:14
Speaker 3: Sharks.
00:23:15
Speaker 4: In a canter.
00:23:16
Speaker 1: Sharks. Cowboys.
00:23:19
Speaker 4: Oh, that quickly changed. I was tipping the Cowboys.
00:23:24
Speaker 2: As I said before, Reedy, you cannot have faith in North Queensland.
00:23:27
Speaker 4: No, you can't.
00:23:28
Speaker 2: You're tipping them, not us.
00:23:29
Speaker 4: That's exactly right. You can't.
00:23:30
Speaker 2: You're tipping them. Write them, Cowboys.
00:23:33
Speaker 1: Fellas, Go Media Stadium, otherwise known as Mount Smart Stadium. Yep. As Reedy plays with his new Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
00:23:41
Speaker 4: That's such a good looking phone. Anyway.
00:23:44
Speaker 1: The big thing for me is the powerful battery, because seriously, I'm a big battery.
00:23:48
Speaker 2: Yeah, you need battery, Dave.
00:23:50
Speaker 4: I'm constantly charging.
00:23:51
Speaker 1: This sucker's got plenty of battery life.
00:23:53
Speaker 2: I'm the panic guy.
00:23:54
Speaker 1: So if my phone gets to 49% battery left.
00:23:57
Speaker 4: You panic at 49%?
00:23:58
Speaker 2: Yes. I need to find a charging cable. You know how many times this bloke's called me and his phone's dead? He rings them up.
00:24:06
Speaker 4: Not anymore, baby. Not with the Samsung Galaxy S26. Yeah, 100%, 100%. Battery to the end of the day.
00:24:11
Speaker 1: So these tickets at GoMedia, they sold out in 17 minutes. Wow. Now, I've since seen, and I've been inundated by Waz fans.
00:24:22
Speaker 3: You are the Waz correspondent.
00:24:23
Speaker 1: Screenshotting tickets being resold on eBay, et cetera, and Trade Me.
00:24:30
Speaker 2: That's cool. Trade Me. Trade Me for exorbitant prices.
00:24:34
Speaker 1: Really? Really. Now, for me, I think this is stacking up for all roads to Eden Park.
00:24:40
Speaker 2: It has to be. Bad luck. Warriors' next finals game has to be at Eden Park. They deserve to play at Mount Smart this week, but their next final, whether it's in week two or week three, has to be at Eden Park.
00:24:51
Speaker 4: The decision's already been made, hasn't it? Surely.
00:24:53
Speaker 2: Oh, I think it would be.
00:24:54
Speaker 4: Privately, I think it'll be at Eden Park. It should be. What's that whole $ 50, 000 or something?
00:24:58
Speaker 2: I actually love going to Eden Park.
00:25:00
Speaker 3: They'll sell it out in a heartbeat.
00:25:02
Speaker 2: I love that stadium.
00:25:03
Speaker 5: Yeah.
00:25:03
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:25:03
Speaker 2: It was always important.
00:25:05
Speaker 4: Remember we played on it, Dave and I. Yeah, we did play.
00:25:08
Speaker 2: It was on at Eden.
00:25:09
Speaker 3: Yeah, the inaugural Auckland Nines, we played in a celebrity touch football game.
00:25:13
Speaker 1: We did.
00:25:14
Speaker 3: Against Andrew Johns.
00:25:15
Speaker 4: No, Andrew Johns was on our team.
00:25:16
Speaker 2: No, he was on our team.
00:25:17
Speaker 4: Wendell. Wendell was on our team.
00:25:19
Speaker 2: Joey was on our team.
00:25:20
Speaker 3: We carved up.
00:25:22
Speaker 2: Waz Dolphins.
00:25:23
Speaker 3: Wow.
00:25:24
Speaker 2: What a game.
00:25:25
Speaker 3: Cracking game.
00:25:25
Speaker 4: This will be touch footy as well.
00:25:27
Speaker 3: No, it won't.
00:25:27
Speaker 4: Well, it could be with the Dolphins.
00:25:28
Speaker 3: You never know.
00:25:29
Speaker 1: So surely the Finns on the Herbie farm with Selwyn Cobb, so I'd just send everything down.
00:25:35
Speaker 2: That's the concern. That is the one area. Warriors right side defense. That is the concern for the Warriors. When you sit there and you try and find a weakness, which is hard to find, it's the edge, the defensively. So that's a concern for them, but I just love the Warriors. Like, we're not allowed to cheat team. I don't cheat. But I want the Warriors. I'd love the Warriors to win the call.
00:25:56
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:25:58
Speaker 3: Very good team. Had a great season, right? And what they've done across the ditch has been ridiculous. And I think they're going to be very hard to beat. Very hard to beat. I think it's going to be a Penrith Warriors grand final.
00:26:10
Speaker 2: I don't think we're heading that way. It's a pretty cool grand final.
00:26:16
Speaker 3: And I think the Warriors will get them. But I reckon the Dolphins.
00:26:18
Speaker 2: Get Penrith.
00:26:19
Speaker 4: The Dolphins.
00:26:20
Speaker 1: Sorry.
00:26:20
Speaker 4: This weekend.
00:26:21
Speaker 3: I reckon the Dolphins will have a red hot go.
00:26:24
Speaker 2: Have you got trust in the Finns? No. I don't have trust in the Dolphins. No.
00:26:29
Speaker 3: I think they've built some trust up the last few weeks, right? At stages this season, again, it's been a bit like South, right? Defensively, they've been found wanting. But I reckon the past month or so, we've seen a bit more resolve.
00:26:45
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:26:45
Speaker 3: And that's the key for them because we know they can score points. Their back line's just stacked, man. You mentioned Herbie and Hammer. Obviously, Katoa's a gun. Nick Arima's a gun. Their back line's just out of this world. If they're defensively solid, they can cause an upset. I don't expect it'll happen, but they can.
00:27:03
Speaker 2: That win against the Roosters a couple of weeks ago built me some trust with the Dolphins just because they're on the back four. They can set the first points. They defended their way to victory. And if they can defend... Obviously, if they defend well, they'll win. They'll beat anyone on their day, right? But I just love what I've seen from this Warriors team. Yeah. And so much power through the middle of the field.
00:27:27
Speaker 1: That's going to be– it's a battle of the middle of the field for the Wars, dominating the Finns and then outside backs.
00:27:34
Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely.
00:27:35
Speaker 2: Dolphins probably have the advantage over the Warriors. Look, I'm tipping the Wars. Me too.
00:27:39
Speaker 3: Warriors.
00:27:40
Speaker 1: Boys, this is my favourite time of the week. BS messages of the week from the fans, from the readers. Codesports.com.au. Just drop your BS message. It's that message, Reed, man, that fans are cranky about, and they want answers.
00:27:55
Speaker 4: Yeah, I sent a shout-out out, Dave.
00:27:56
Speaker 3: I got some responses on my Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
00:28:00
Speaker 2: Yeah, nice.
00:28:01
Speaker 4: Very clear. Bachelor of Life, amazing.
00:28:04
Speaker 3: This one, it's a question from Marky Thompson, and Marky's saying, how many players who are going to PNG do you think will actually last out their contracts? That's a good question. When living in, he says compound, I call it resort. How many players do you think will go the distance?
00:28:21
Speaker 2: You know what I've been tipped? None of the players are allowed to drive anywhere. They won't be permitted to drive.
00:28:28
Speaker 3: They'll have a driver. Yeah, they've got a driving service, I think.
00:28:31
Speaker 2: That'd be a weird thing for three years, not driving a car.
00:28:33
Speaker 4: That's pretty cool, though. Sit in the back.
00:28:36
Speaker 2: That's all right for you, Tesla. Yeah. It's up in the air that way. It's hard to know.
00:28:42
Speaker 4: They are signing them to short contracts.
00:28:44
Speaker 2: They're going to be such a transient side, right? They're not going to be a team that's going to get, I wouldn't sign anyone four or five years, right? They're going to be one, two, three year contracts where you're just continually having to enter the marketplace. But there'll be players that don't last because it's going to be, if you're not playing first grade, I think it's going to be a really tough existence there.
00:29:02
Speaker 4: I think that'll be the minority though, Mick.
00:29:04
Speaker 2: Minority won't be playing first grade, yeah.
00:29:06
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:29:06
Speaker 3: I think the minority, you might have one or two that potentially don't like it, but they're getting a lot of money.
00:29:12
Speaker 2: I think there'll be more than that. We've seen it with the Warriors, right, who have got an amazing– way of life and support system and things like that. They do turn over their roster. Well, in terms of players that have wanted to leave to come home. I saw it this year with Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf in a way, like two players that are senior players.
00:29:28
Speaker 3: I reckon there's a distinct difference here though. Those players leave New Zealand, come to Australia and they're on equitable money. You leave PNG, come to Australia.
00:29:36
Speaker 2: No doubt.
00:29:36
Speaker 4: You're going to have.
00:29:37
Speaker 3: To give up a lot of cash.
00:29:38
Speaker 4: No doubt.
00:29:39
Speaker 2: There will be some players There will be some So I think In the first year We'll have one or two Yeah You?
00:29:49
Speaker 5: I think one at most In that first season Yeah We have one or two Yeah Hey good show boys We're going to catch you Next week After all the finals Looking forward to it.
00:30:00
Speaker 2: 40 is done. We'll have two teams eliminated. Yeah. And two teams through to a prelim. See you next week.
