WEBVTT
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Hey it's Dixie.
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Before we get started, a quick message about this episode sponsor.
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Now let's get into the episode.
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Welcome back to the next episode of My Creators Podcast.
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I'm your host, Dixie Crawford, and today I am joined with the other half of our coaching team for first grade, Aunt Egan, who looks very relaxed over there, very dirty on my lovely white chair for my podcast studio.
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But anyway, only you could do that, Aunt.
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But we are going today to talk about the last three rounds of the season.
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If you do recall, we spoke with Matt about the first third, 12 rounds of the season, and then we had four other games to play before the end of the season.
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So today we're going to talk about those last three games and then also, or four games, and then also talk about the final series which we are about to enter.
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So hopefully if I can edit this podcast quick enough and Aunt you don't be Harry Havachat, I can get it done really quickly and we can publish this on Friday before everyone starts travelling for the final.
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So Ant, for people who don't know you, give me a little bit of an introduction.
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Well uh I've been at Macquarie since I played juniors in 2008.
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I've played pretty much every year until I started coaching reserve grade with Timmy Allen in 2017 or 18.
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Coached reserve grade until up until 2022 when after losing a few grand finals, it got a bit too much for me and had a year or two off, and then yeah, me and Maddie have linked up and taken over this year.
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I do want to start this conversation just at the point where Maddie shared that you both had last season come on board as first grade coaches for the roommate for I think it was four or five games left of the season.
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Matt shared that he really enjoyed that experience of coaching for those last four games and you both had a conversation and there was a decision that was made that you would both make an application to be coaches for 2026.
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Matt shared his perspective.
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What did you see last year that inspired you to want to be a part of this from a coaching perspective in 2026?
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Well, I actually went for coach last year, but Jared didn't give it to me.
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So it was a no-brainer to take over.
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And I have a pretty good uh relationship with a lot of the players already, already played with nearly all of them or coached them before, and I just knew that we weren't quite getting enough out of the squad as well.
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And we just need to help them take the next step.
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Yeah, right.
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So a bit of a dig at the press there.
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Yeah, he should have given to me.
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That's alright.
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He serves and protects, you know.
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That's right.
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There we go.
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So look, let's talk a little bit about our season.
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I don't want to go into a lot more detail like I did with Matt, but how would you describe our season so far?
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It's been on par with where we we would have liked to be at the start of the year.
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We probably could have clicked a bit earlier, but in saying that we did have a lot of new players and and new systems in place, and I feel like we're really starting to come along and and find our identity a bit now.
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It's um the boys have just been so good all year.
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We've probably started going better since me and Maddie have stepped back a bit and let them run the show.
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There's so many older players there and good leaders.
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Like one to 17, all of them are leaders in their own right, so it makes it our job very easy.
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What have been some of the challenges that we've uh faced this season?
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Well, how good our depth is is a massive challenge.
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Trying to pick a 17 each week when there's probably 25 that can play.
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Other than that, we've we've had no challenges that we can control.
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Obviously, the suspensions have been a bit hard and few injuries like Tomeso early, but it's been an unreal season so far, and hopefully we can keep it going.
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It has been a very, very interesting season.
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Very lots of good energy around our club at the moment, I think, for all of our teams.
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Yeah, the energy's unreal.
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I think it's because everyone wants to be there.
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In the past, people have sort of come to Macquarie as a stop gap, or you know, they couldn't get a run somewhere else, or sort of use the club a bit, but at the minute I feel like all the players genuinely want to be there and just enjoy playing footy and being around each other.
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Yeah, it's very much a fun vibe at the moment, but also a vibe that is really focused on high performance and ultimately working our butts off to win the competition.
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And we've we're in a really good position to have a crack at it.
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Both seniors teams just really enjoy getting to training and ripping in together.
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Uh, enjoy being around each other.
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You know, they know when to have fun, they know when to switch on, and they want to be successful, which when we are winning makes it even funner.
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Yeah, do what do you call that session at the end of on Thursday night when you have it's Reggie's versus first grade?
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What do you call it?
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Yeah, our post sessions, they've been pretty intense all year.
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Yeah, they've they're a bit wild.
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I remember when I I first started, I would kind of film them, give you a little bit of insight, but then I started to realise it's a bit of niggle here.
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Move back, sis, you'll get run over.
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Yeah, the the boys are competitive against each other, and that's the way it should be.
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They're they're not there to take each other out by any means, but they also want to win everything, and that's the point, the whole point of playing rugby league.
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Yeah, it is is very, very interesting.
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Okay, so what I want to do is go back to round 13, 14, and 15 and just speak a little bit about those rounds because that's where I stopped that conversation with Matt.
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So I'd like to pick that up with you if that's okay.
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So we had a really big round, round 13 for us.
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We played the other Dubbo team and it was really interesting.
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It was a tough game, lots of emotion in it.
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It was also a day of Harry Meredith's 10-year anniversary.
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We had all the Meredith family there, and yeah, that was it was a big day.
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Talk to me about that day, but then also let's go into the game.
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Yeah, well, the day's massive.
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Pez is real close to a lot of our hearts, especially mine.
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I played with him from juniors up until he passed, and then so many of the boys with the Kempstons being his first cousin and Maddie playing with him.
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He everyone he ever spoke to, he sort of touched and made a connection.
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So it was good to see old Macquarie people come back and enjoy the day, and it was good that we put a decent show on and really stood up for him.
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The game itself was a it was a good game.
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We probably didn't attack as good as we should have, and we just let our guard down.
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Like Sim scored all their points in I think 14 or 15 minutes of us, just relaxing for a little bit.
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But there was just some huge individual efforts.
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Justin was massive again.
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Um, Kim making 45 tackles, and then all our outside backs running for over 150 metres, like everyone wanted to be involved, it was unbelievable.
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Everyone really did stand up, and I lost my voice that game.
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I don't know if you can I think a lot of people did it.
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Yeah, the crowd was crazy.
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Yeah, we're a small, but we are a mighty crowd.
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And yeah, it was a fantastic day.
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So then we went and played after that.
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We then went over and played Hawks.
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Hawks, Matt has said, is not really a team that you can underestimate and that they will bring it to you.
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So we were on the road, we went to to Orange, lovely day, probably anticipated it to be a bit colder than what it was, but they weren't far behind us on the ladder.
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Hawks were good.
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We um started the game unbelievable to be honest.
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I think that that was probably our best game of the season.
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We've our first 10 minutes were nearly perfect, and Hawks really wrestled their way back into it to their credit and started to win field position, but we were so clinical on the day.
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We just were we're in control the whole game, and we really we really sorted out who we actually are as a team and the way we're gonna play that day.
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And yeah, as I said, with Hawks, they were they really pushed back in, they impressed me.
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It was just that we were on.
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Yeah, went for it.
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Okay, all right, so then we played Parks down at number one overall.
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Obviously, there was a bit of footy that was played, but the most entertaining thing of that was Ladies' Day, and I think it's very important for us to acknowledge our fantastic organising committee for that.
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That was just a phenomenal day.
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Well, they did unreal.
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I like I know they have an organized committee, but Gabby did so much work for it, and it like the weather was terrible, but everyone had the best day, just ask more beautiful wolf.
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Yeah, how her day was because I don't think she can remember.
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It was just a good day, and hopefully next year we're bigger and better for Ladies' Day because they really do deserve it.
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It was fair.
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So next year we will no doubt be going bigger and better for Macquarie Fraters Ladies' Day.
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So stay tuned for that because we will be releasing dates for that very, very soon around what our 2027 events season looks like.
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Yeah, you you worry about the football, I worry about the events, okay?
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Alright, so look, we did play parks that day.
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It was raining, it was windy, we were playing on a cricket pitch.
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I don't know how the ruse do that week in, week out, but that was just diabolical.
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That crowd.
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The weather was shocking down there, and the cricket pitch was so muddy by the time we went on there that you couldn't really play much footy in it.
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But to the boys' credit, they still completed 75%, maybe a little bit under.
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And Park showed up, like Park's beat us in round three, I think.
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They got some good players in that team.
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They're a young squad, energetic, and much like uh against Hawks, we just went out and got the job done.
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The boys all know their roles at the minute, and they're also dialed in.
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We um just some massive efforts in that game as well.
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Like Tice knocked the ball on and Chuck come from the other wing to tackle someone, Chuck and Kaiwan.
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That's sort of the team we're building at the minute.
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Everything's expected all the time.
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Always like the easy option.
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Yeah, I do we were it was equal, right?
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Like the the points were equal at half time.
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Because I do remember just the comments.
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Six, it was definitely six all or six four.
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Yeah, I think it was.
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It was six all, right.
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Just after the break, Harry scored a try, just after the break.
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Yeah, and I do remember the the rev-up from Justin saying, We are not losing this game.
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You need to obviously I can't repeat the things that were said, but it was uh let we need to get out here and we need to do this properly, and we need to get this win here.
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Yeah, and our captain Cam Dennis put his big boy voice on as well and told the people how a few people how it is, which is good.
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But as I said, parks weren't terrible in that first half by any means it was a good game of footy, especially with the conditions, and then we just we've got the fitness and at the minute to kick on with it.
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Yeah, it was it was it was a good game.
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So look, we're in it now about to go into the final series of PNP or the entire competition, league tag, everyone.
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We have three out of our four teams from Mac Raiders in the final series.
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Unfortunately, LA teams are out for this year and they will sit back and support us and love us.
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But we I want to talk about first grade because we finish fourth on the ladder and now we will travel to Mudgy on the weekend who finished number one minor premiers, but they are a bit of a powerhouse in the PMP competition.
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Traveling over there against a strong team, Mudgy at home, they will come out firing.
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What do we need to do to prepare for that game?
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Well, what's been the focus of training this week for first grade?
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We can't wait to get over there to be honest, test ourselves against the best.
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Um personally, I see ours as one of the best teams, so I'm looking forward to it.
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This week we won't really change much.
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We'll keep doing the same thing.
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We're all year we haven't really been worried about who we're playing, it's just about getting us right.
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We do only have three hours a week to get organised, so we've really got to concentrate on ourselves and just get out there and play that footy that we know we can play and stick in and work for each other.
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That's what's getting us by.
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From a points perspective, Mudgy have scored this season 542 points and they've conceded 216 in comparison to our 447 that we've scored and we've had 266 against us.
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They are a solid team from an attacking point of view.
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What do we need to do defensively within our pack to I guess be in that arm wrestle with them, but to not be bedazzled by their attack?
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Uh Mudge are in a pretty good position to be honest.
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Like they've got roughly the same squad as last year, so they probably clicked into gear a bit better than everyone early.
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They're like a lot of familiar faces there.
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But for us, especially defensively, we've got to win the middle, like every game, but they have some real strong middles there and a good couple off the bench.
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But that little hooker, Jack Beasley, I think his name is, he's real creative.
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So if we're not on the ball there, he'll tear us to pieces.
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The main thing for us is just to keep working, like we have been, just make your one-on-one tackles and the middle clean up everything they can and communicate with each other.
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So we'll go over there and we are planning to get the win.
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Absolutely.
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Fingers crossed that that happens, and we'll do everything that we possibly can, and we'll be depending on Tyson's final three words before we run out to rev us up your favourite words.
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But if we lose this game, then we'll play the winner out of Orange Sims and Bathurst Panthers.
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Without getting too far ahead to week two, what are your thoughts on the first week of finals for all the teams?
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For all the teams.
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Well, the comps are strong this year.
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I know people say it all the time, but there really is.
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Like Orange Sims, they've got some big name players there.
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Furgo can turn it on, they've got a lot of experience, so you wouldn't want to come up against them.
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And then, you know, Panthers are they're battlers and they're tough as well.
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Every team in outside Wellington, even though they are doing their best with what they've got, and credit to them for showing up all year, but like every team's tough.
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It doesn't really matter who you play, that's why we haven't really worried about other teams as such.
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We know that they're going to be strong.
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We've just got to show up and play our footy.
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With Orange Sims, they do have a high ceiling, though.
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I think if they get their attack right and and switch on, then they will be hard to stop.
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We also know that one and two were playing here on Sunday, the same day that our Registry players were, which is and our league tag team as well.
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So Raiders, we've got footy Saturday and Sunday this weekend, so it'd be great to get to Ape, get over to Mudgie on Saturday, and then come back and grab your coffee on a Sunday morning and head up to Apex for those games.
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But again, we're gonna see Sims and Forbes play.
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They have obviously there's there's beef in that game.
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Sims have, I think, have won both games.
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Obviously, they've won the last three, right?
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The grand final, then they've won the two rounds that they've played this year.
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Why is that game so not complex?
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It's it's a hard game between those two teams.
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Yeah, it is.
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That I went and watched the grand final last year, and that's the best game of footy, I don't think I've ever watched live.
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I agree.
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It was unbelievable.
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Both teams were amazing.
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And me and Maddie actually said after the game, geez, but at the minute we're a long way behind them, which I don't think we are anymore.
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With Sims are just winners, as I said when we played them, like we took we relaxed for 14 minutes, they scored three tries.
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That's the sort of team they are, they never stop.
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But Forbes, they've had a disrupted season, like they've had a hard time losing 8-0, which I couldn't imagine what that's like, and then they just sort of haven't hit their straps yet.
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But they're the same as what I was saying about Orange Sims, they've got a massive seal and they've got some great players in there and some good attacking players where they can score points quick.
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So if Sims switch off, I think they'll be in big trouble.
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Where do you think that game will be won for Forbes?
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And where do you think it would be lost for Sims?
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In the middle.
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Forbes' front rollers and middle are just they're tough as.
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The more minutes they can get out of them starting boys and Gracie in the middle.
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That bloody Gracie.
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I'd never ever heard of that guy, and then all of a sudden he's just etched in my mind.
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He's really quite well.
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What is his first name, actually?
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Yeah, he's really well respected, too, but he's a tough footballer, is he?
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I think he's a winner as well.
00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:59.759
I think he won a couple comps at group nine when we finished juniors and then with Aubrey and then come back and won a couple with Forbes.
00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:00.559
Just all of me.
00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:03.600
Jake Porter, he's hooker but tackles like a front rower.
00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:09.440
They just got a real strong middle, and then with their edges, like Chadie Porter, I think, is probably close to the best attacking player in the comp.
00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:13.440
And Farron plus Mitch Andrews at the back, they're just yeah, they're stacked all over the park.
00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:15.120
And what about the other way around?
00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:19.759
So if it's to be lost by Forbes and won by Sims, where where in the park does that happen?
00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:22.080
For Sims, I think it's Bado and Jeremy.
00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.360
Like they're both big guns, and Baden's unbelievable.
00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.320
He's a good footballer.
00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:32.159
And Sean Jr., I suppose Sean's probably had a bit more of a quiet season this year, but if he fires, he's a hard man to handle.
00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:34.639
So their edges might be able to catch Forbes out.
00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:36.159
It'll be a great game to watch, to be honest.
00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.200
I'm looking forward to watching it.
00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:38.000
Yeah, same.
00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.480
So am I.
00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.759
I'm looking forward to getting up there.
00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:50.399
So, all right, so look, we're gonna come back and re- and do a recap of finals week one because we thankfully get another shot even if we do lose this weekend.
00:16:50.559 --> 00:17:01.919
But if that happened, then we'll come back and you know, review finals week number one and then look to what final week number two looks like for us as a team, as a club, but also more broadly across the competition.
00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:09.200
Just quickly, what's your take on our Regis team this season and how's their finals campaign looking?
00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.319
They're playing Sims.
00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.960
Yeah, Reggie's is pretty close to my heart as well.
00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.519
I coached four grand finals, I think, for four losses.
00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.880
That's why we had to give it up.
00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:19.039
But our Regis this year have been unbelievable.
00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:28.559
They and the preseason, our Reggie set the standard the way they train, like they train hard as any first grade team, and that's why they're in the position to go deep and give this comp a real good shake.
00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:31.440
It's sort of if we lose it again, it'll be on us.
00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.039
They've got the team to go all the way.
00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.759
Absolutely.
00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.680
They're a bloody good team, aren't they?
00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:38.720
They just do the simple things well and those simple things consistently.
00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:41.359
Yeah, and they play for each other and they just want it.
00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.079
Same thing.
00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:48.960
They're they're there to have fun, but they're there to get the job done and enjoy the hard work, which is really important in rugby leg, I reckon.
00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:49.920
Alrighty.
00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:54.079
Well, thanks very much, Ant, for coming up and doing this podcast.
00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.400
I've been asking you for a very long time.
00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:59.119
So I'm glad that I think you wanted to avoid work today, did you?
00:17:59.519 --> 00:17:59.759
Absolutely.
00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.200
I want to avoid work every day if I can.
00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.000
Yeah, of course.
00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.400
All right.
00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:07.359
So look, we'll be back for next week's episode to preview whether that's with you or with Matt.
00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:15.279
But to everyone that is traveling this weekend for football, please be safe, be careful on the road, look after your mate, and let's get into this final series.
00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.960
Go the Raiders.
00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:01.120
Hey it's Dixie.
00:00:01.280 --> 00:00:04.480
Before we get started, a quick message about this episode sponsor.
00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:11.679
This episode is proudly sponsored by Studio West, a Central West content creation studio specializing in branding and marketing.
00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:20.320
Studio West helps businesses intentionally position their brand and communicate what they do, why they do it, and why customers should choose them.
00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:30.719
From brand strategy to photography, video and digital content, everything that we create is designed with purpose to elevate your brand and support your business goals.
00:00:30.879 --> 00:00:35.039
To learn more, connect with Studio West at hello at studioest.au.
00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:37.359
Now let's get into the episode.
00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:43.759
Welcome back to the next episode of My Creators Podcast.
00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:58.240
I'm your host, Dixie Crawford, and today I am joined with the other half of our coaching team for first grade, Aunt Egan, who looks very relaxed over there, very dirty on my lovely white chair for my podcast studio.
00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:01.679
But anyway, only you could do that, Aunt.
00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:06.239
But we are going today to talk about the last three rounds of the season.
00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:16.079
If you do recall, we spoke with Matt about the first third, 12 rounds of the season, and then we had four other games to play before the end of the season.
00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:24.400
So today we're going to talk about those last three games and then also, or four games, and then also talk about the final series which we are about to enter.
00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:35.439
So hopefully if I can edit this podcast quick enough and Aunt you don't be Harry Havachat, I can get it done really quickly and we can publish this on Friday before everyone starts travelling for the final.
00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:39.519
So Ant, for people who don't know you, give me a little bit of an introduction.
00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:45.280
Well uh I've been at Macquarie since I played juniors in 2008.
00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:53.200
I've played pretty much every year until I started coaching reserve grade with Timmy Allen in 2017 or 18.
00:01:53.519 --> 00:02:04.159
Coached reserve grade until up until 2022 when after losing a few grand finals, it got a bit too much for me and had a year or two off, and then yeah, me and Maddie have linked up and taken over this year.
00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:16.960
I do want to start this conversation just at the point where Maddie shared that you both had last season come on board as first grade coaches for the roommate for I think it was four or five games left of the season.
00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:31.120
Matt shared that he really enjoyed that experience of coaching for those last four games and you both had a conversation and there was a decision that was made that you would both make an application to be coaches for 2026.
00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:33.360
Matt shared his perspective.
00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:40.800
What did you see last year that inspired you to want to be a part of this from a coaching perspective in 2026?
00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:45.039
Well, I actually went for coach last year, but Jared didn't give it to me.
00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:48.240
So it was a no-brainer to take over.
00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:57.919
And I have a pretty good uh relationship with a lot of the players already, already played with nearly all of them or coached them before, and I just knew that we weren't quite getting enough out of the squad as well.
00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:04.000
And we just need to help them take the next step.
00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:04.719
Yeah, right.
00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:06.319
So a bit of a dig at the press there.
00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:07.840
Yeah, he should have given to me.
00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:08.560
That's alright.
00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:10.319
He serves and protects, you know.
00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:10.960
That's right.
00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:11.840
There we go.
00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:15.199
So look, let's talk a little bit about our season.
00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:20.400
I don't want to go into a lot more detail like I did with Matt, but how would you describe our season so far?
00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:24.479
It's been on par with where we we would have liked to be at the start of the year.
00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:34.639
We probably could have clicked a bit earlier, but in saying that we did have a lot of new players and and new systems in place, and I feel like we're really starting to come along and and find our identity a bit now.
00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:37.759
It's um the boys have just been so good all year.
00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:42.400
We've probably started going better since me and Maddie have stepped back a bit and let them run the show.
00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:44.800
There's so many older players there and good leaders.
00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:49.919
Like one to 17, all of them are leaders in their own right, so it makes it our job very easy.
00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:54.639
What have been some of the challenges that we've uh faced this season?
00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:57.680
Well, how good our depth is is a massive challenge.
00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:01.520
Trying to pick a 17 each week when there's probably 25 that can play.
00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:04.960
Other than that, we've we've had no challenges that we can control.
00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:14.400
Obviously, the suspensions have been a bit hard and few injuries like Tomeso early, but it's been an unreal season so far, and hopefully we can keep it going.
00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:17.759
It has been a very, very interesting season.
00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:22.480
Very lots of good energy around our club at the moment, I think, for all of our teams.
00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:23.920
Yeah, the energy's unreal.
00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:25.600
I think it's because everyone wants to be there.
00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:37.600
In the past, people have sort of come to Macquarie as a stop gap, or you know, they couldn't get a run somewhere else, or sort of use the club a bit, but at the minute I feel like all the players genuinely want to be there and just enjoy playing footy and being around each other.
00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:48.720
Yeah, it's very much a fun vibe at the moment, but also a vibe that is really focused on high performance and ultimately working our butts off to win the competition.
00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:51.600
And we've we're in a really good position to have a crack at it.
00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:56.000
Both seniors teams just really enjoy getting to training and ripping in together.
00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:58.240
Uh, enjoy being around each other.
00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:04.639
You know, they know when to have fun, they know when to switch on, and they want to be successful, which when we are winning makes it even funner.
00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:10.879
Yeah, do what do you call that session at the end of on Thursday night when you have it's Reggie's versus first grade?
00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:11.439
What do you call it?
00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:13.839
Yeah, our post sessions, they've been pretty intense all year.
00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:15.199
Yeah, they've they're a bit wild.
00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:22.079
I remember when I I first started, I would kind of film them, give you a little bit of insight, but then I started to realise it's a bit of niggle here.
00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:23.920
Move back, sis, you'll get run over.
00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:27.279
Yeah, the the boys are competitive against each other, and that's the way it should be.
00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:34.639
They're they're not there to take each other out by any means, but they also want to win everything, and that's the point, the whole point of playing rugby league.
00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:36.959
Yeah, it is is very, very interesting.
00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:48.079
Okay, so what I want to do is go back to round 13, 14, and 15 and just speak a little bit about those rounds because that's where I stopped that conversation with Matt.
00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:50.480
So I'd like to pick that up with you if that's okay.
00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:53.839
So we had a really big round, round 13 for us.
00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:57.600
We played the other Dubbo team and it was really interesting.
00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:00.480
It was a tough game, lots of emotion in it.
00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:04.959
It was also a day of Harry Meredith's 10-year anniversary.
00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:09.839
We had all the Meredith family there, and yeah, that was it was a big day.
00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:12.399
Talk to me about that day, but then also let's go into the game.
00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:13.839
Yeah, well, the day's massive.
00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:16.480
Pez is real close to a lot of our hearts, especially mine.
00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:23.759
I played with him from juniors up until he passed, and then so many of the boys with the Kempstons being his first cousin and Maddie playing with him.
00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:27.199
He everyone he ever spoke to, he sort of touched and made a connection.
00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:35.040
So it was good to see old Macquarie people come back and enjoy the day, and it was good that we put a decent show on and really stood up for him.
00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:37.519
The game itself was a it was a good game.
00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:41.360
We probably didn't attack as good as we should have, and we just let our guard down.
00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:46.240
Like Sim scored all their points in I think 14 or 15 minutes of us, just relaxing for a little bit.
00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:48.240
But there was just some huge individual efforts.
00:06:48.399 --> 00:06:49.759
Justin was massive again.
00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:57.120
Um, Kim making 45 tackles, and then all our outside backs running for over 150 metres, like everyone wanted to be involved, it was unbelievable.
00:06:57.279 --> 00:07:01.120
Everyone really did stand up, and I lost my voice that game.
00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:03.439
I don't know if you can I think a lot of people did it.
00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:05.040
Yeah, the crowd was crazy.
00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:07.680
Yeah, we're a small, but we are a mighty crowd.
00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:09.920
And yeah, it was a fantastic day.
00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:12.879
So then we went and played after that.
00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:14.800
We then went over and played Hawks.
00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:21.839
Hawks, Matt has said, is not really a team that you can underestimate and that they will bring it to you.
00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:32.399
So we were on the road, we went to to Orange, lovely day, probably anticipated it to be a bit colder than what it was, but they weren't far behind us on the ladder.
00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:33.519
Hawks were good.
00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:36.000
We um started the game unbelievable to be honest.
00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:38.160
I think that that was probably our best game of the season.
00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:47.600
We've our first 10 minutes were nearly perfect, and Hawks really wrestled their way back into it to their credit and started to win field position, but we were so clinical on the day.
00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:56.480
We just were we're in control the whole game, and we really we really sorted out who we actually are as a team and the way we're gonna play that day.
00:07:56.639 --> 00:08:01.120
And yeah, as I said, with Hawks, they were they really pushed back in, they impressed me.
00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:02.399
It was just that we were on.
00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:03.759
Yeah, went for it.
00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:08.000
Okay, all right, so then we played Parks down at number one overall.
00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:17.680
Obviously, there was a bit of footy that was played, but the most entertaining thing of that was Ladies' Day, and I think it's very important for us to acknowledge our fantastic organising committee for that.
00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:19.120
That was just a phenomenal day.
00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:20.319
Well, they did unreal.
00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:29.360
I like I know they have an organized committee, but Gabby did so much work for it, and it like the weather was terrible, but everyone had the best day, just ask more beautiful wolf.
00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:33.919
Yeah, how her day was because I don't think she can remember.
00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:41.679
It was just a good day, and hopefully next year we're bigger and better for Ladies' Day because they really do deserve it.
00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:42.480
It was fair.
00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:48.399
So next year we will no doubt be going bigger and better for Macquarie Fraters Ladies' Day.
00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:56.559
So stay tuned for that because we will be releasing dates for that very, very soon around what our 2027 events season looks like.
00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:59.519
Yeah, you you worry about the football, I worry about the events, okay?
00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:02.240
Alright, so look, we did play parks that day.
00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:06.559
It was raining, it was windy, we were playing on a cricket pitch.
00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:10.879
I don't know how the ruse do that week in, week out, but that was just diabolical.
00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:11.840
That crowd.
00:09:12.320 --> 00:09:18.080
The weather was shocking down there, and the cricket pitch was so muddy by the time we went on there that you couldn't really play much footy in it.
00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:22.639
But to the boys' credit, they still completed 75%, maybe a little bit under.
00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:26.080
And Park showed up, like Park's beat us in round three, I think.
00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:27.759
They got some good players in that team.
00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:33.360
They're a young squad, energetic, and much like uh against Hawks, we just went out and got the job done.
00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:36.960
The boys all know their roles at the minute, and they're also dialed in.
00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:40.000
We um just some massive efforts in that game as well.
00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:44.799
Like Tice knocked the ball on and Chuck come from the other wing to tackle someone, Chuck and Kaiwan.
00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:46.960
That's sort of the team we're building at the minute.
00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:48.960
Everything's expected all the time.
00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.799
Always like the easy option.
00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:55.919
Yeah, I do we were it was equal, right?
00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.919
Like the the points were equal at half time.
00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:59.279
Because I do remember just the comments.
00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:01.759
Six, it was definitely six all or six four.
00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:02.639
Yeah, I think it was.
00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:03.840
It was six all, right.
00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.639
Just after the break, Harry scored a try, just after the break.
00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:12.000
Yeah, and I do remember the the rev-up from Justin saying, We are not losing this game.
00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:20.960
You need to obviously I can't repeat the things that were said, but it was uh let we need to get out here and we need to do this properly, and we need to get this win here.
00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:27.600
Yeah, and our captain Cam Dennis put his big boy voice on as well and told the people how a few people how it is, which is good.
00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:36.960
But as I said, parks weren't terrible in that first half by any means it was a good game of footy, especially with the conditions, and then we just we've got the fitness and at the minute to kick on with it.
00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:38.720
Yeah, it was it was it was a good game.
00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:46.240
So look, we're in it now about to go into the final series of PNP or the entire competition, league tag, everyone.
00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:51.279
We have three out of our four teams from Mac Raiders in the final series.
00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:57.039
Unfortunately, LA teams are out for this year and they will sit back and support us and love us.
00:10:57.200 --> 00:11:10.159
But we I want to talk about first grade because we finish fourth on the ladder and now we will travel to Mudgy on the weekend who finished number one minor premiers, but they are a bit of a powerhouse in the PMP competition.
00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:15.919
Traveling over there against a strong team, Mudgy at home, they will come out firing.
00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:19.200
What do we need to do to prepare for that game?
00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:22.720
Well, what's been the focus of training this week for first grade?
00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:26.879
We can't wait to get over there to be honest, test ourselves against the best.
00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:31.279
Um personally, I see ours as one of the best teams, so I'm looking forward to it.
00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:32.879
This week we won't really change much.
00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:34.399
We'll keep doing the same thing.
00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:37.919
We're all year we haven't really been worried about who we're playing, it's just about getting us right.
00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:47.200
We do only have three hours a week to get organised, so we've really got to concentrate on ourselves and just get out there and play that footy that we know we can play and stick in and work for each other.
00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:48.159
That's what's getting us by.
00:11:48.639 --> 00:12:03.919
From a points perspective, Mudgy have scored this season 542 points and they've conceded 216 in comparison to our 447 that we've scored and we've had 266 against us.
00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:07.840
They are a solid team from an attacking point of view.
00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:18.000
What do we need to do defensively within our pack to I guess be in that arm wrestle with them, but to not be bedazzled by their attack?
00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:20.399
Uh Mudge are in a pretty good position to be honest.
00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:25.759
Like they've got roughly the same squad as last year, so they probably clicked into gear a bit better than everyone early.
00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:27.919
They're like a lot of familiar faces there.
00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:35.679
But for us, especially defensively, we've got to win the middle, like every game, but they have some real strong middles there and a good couple off the bench.
00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:39.360
But that little hooker, Jack Beasley, I think his name is, he's real creative.
00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:42.080
So if we're not on the ball there, he'll tear us to pieces.
00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:50.799
The main thing for us is just to keep working, like we have been, just make your one-on-one tackles and the middle clean up everything they can and communicate with each other.
00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:55.279
So we'll go over there and we are planning to get the win.
00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.159
Absolutely.
00:12:56.399 --> 00:13:06.000
Fingers crossed that that happens, and we'll do everything that we possibly can, and we'll be depending on Tyson's final three words before we run out to rev us up your favourite words.
00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:14.159
But if we lose this game, then we'll play the winner out of Orange Sims and Bathurst Panthers.
00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:21.440
Without getting too far ahead to week two, what are your thoughts on the first week of finals for all the teams?
00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.399
For all the teams.
00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:24.399
Well, the comps are strong this year.
00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:26.639
I know people say it all the time, but there really is.
00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:29.120
Like Orange Sims, they've got some big name players there.
00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:33.440
Furgo can turn it on, they've got a lot of experience, so you wouldn't want to come up against them.
00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:38.720
And then, you know, Panthers are they're battlers and they're tough as well.
00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:46.960
Every team in outside Wellington, even though they are doing their best with what they've got, and credit to them for showing up all year, but like every team's tough.
00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:50.639
It doesn't really matter who you play, that's why we haven't really worried about other teams as such.
00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:52.399
We know that they're going to be strong.
00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:54.799
We've just got to show up and play our footy.
00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:58.240
With Orange Sims, they do have a high ceiling, though.
00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:03.120
I think if they get their attack right and and switch on, then they will be hard to stop.
00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:10.720
We also know that one and two were playing here on Sunday, the same day that our Registry players were, which is and our league tag team as well.
00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:22.639
So Raiders, we've got footy Saturday and Sunday this weekend, so it'd be great to get to Ape, get over to Mudgie on Saturday, and then come back and grab your coffee on a Sunday morning and head up to Apex for those games.
00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:27.200
But again, we're gonna see Sims and Forbes play.
00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:31.840
They have obviously there's there's beef in that game.
00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:34.799
Sims have, I think, have won both games.
00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:36.960
Obviously, they've won the last three, right?
00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:40.320
The grand final, then they've won the two rounds that they've played this year.
00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:44.240
Why is that game so not complex?
00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:46.080
It's it's a hard game between those two teams.
00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:46.720
Yeah, it is.
00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:50.720
That I went and watched the grand final last year, and that's the best game of footy, I don't think I've ever watched live.
00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.519
I agree.
00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.639
It was unbelievable.
00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.080
Both teams were amazing.
00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:59.120
And me and Maddie actually said after the game, geez, but at the minute we're a long way behind them, which I don't think we are anymore.
00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:05.200
With Sims are just winners, as I said when we played them, like we took we relaxed for 14 minutes, they scored three tries.
00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:07.279
That's the sort of team they are, they never stop.
00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:16.639
But Forbes, they've had a disrupted season, like they've had a hard time losing 8-0, which I couldn't imagine what that's like, and then they just sort of haven't hit their straps yet.
00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:24.080
But they're the same as what I was saying about Orange Sims, they've got a massive seal and they've got some great players in there and some good attacking players where they can score points quick.
00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:26.639
So if Sims switch off, I think they'll be in big trouble.
00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:30.000
Where do you think that game will be won for Forbes?
00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:33.679
And where do you think it would be lost for Sims?
00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.480
In the middle.
00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:37.840
Forbes' front rollers and middle are just they're tough as.
00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:41.120
The more minutes they can get out of them starting boys and Gracie in the middle.
00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.480
That bloody Gracie.
00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:47.120
I'd never ever heard of that guy, and then all of a sudden he's just etched in my mind.
00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.399
He's really quite well.
00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.320
What is his first name, actually?
00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:53.279
Yeah, he's really well respected, too, but he's a tough footballer, is he?
00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.159
I think he's a winner as well.
00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:59.759
I think he won a couple comps at group nine when we finished juniors and then with Aubrey and then come back and won a couple with Forbes.
00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:00.559
Just all of me.
00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:03.600
Jake Porter, he's hooker but tackles like a front rower.
00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:09.440
They just got a real strong middle, and then with their edges, like Chadie Porter, I think, is probably close to the best attacking player in the comp.
00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:13.440
And Farron plus Mitch Andrews at the back, they're just yeah, they're stacked all over the park.
00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:15.120
And what about the other way around?
00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:19.759
So if it's to be lost by Forbes and won by Sims, where where in the park does that happen?
00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:22.080
For Sims, I think it's Bado and Jeremy.
00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.360
Like they're both big guns, and Baden's unbelievable.
00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.320
He's a good footballer.
00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:32.159
And Sean Jr., I suppose Sean's probably had a bit more of a quiet season this year, but if he fires, he's a hard man to handle.
00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:34.639
So their edges might be able to catch Forbes out.
00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:36.159
It'll be a great game to watch, to be honest.
00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:37.200
I'm looking forward to watching it.
00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:38.000
Yeah, same.
00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.480
So am I.
00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.759
I'm looking forward to getting up there.
00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:50.399
So, all right, so look, we're gonna come back and re- and do a recap of finals week one because we thankfully get another shot even if we do lose this weekend.
00:16:50.559 --> 00:17:01.919
But if that happened, then we'll come back and you know, review finals week number one and then look to what final week number two looks like for us as a team, as a club, but also more broadly across the competition.
00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:09.200
Just quickly, what's your take on our Regis team this season and how's their finals campaign looking?
00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.319
They're playing Sims.
00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.960
Yeah, Reggie's is pretty close to my heart as well.
00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.519
I coached four grand finals, I think, for four losses.
00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.880
That's why we had to give it up.
00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:19.039
But our Regis this year have been unbelievable.
00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:28.559
They and the preseason, our Reggie set the standard the way they train, like they train hard as any first grade team, and that's why they're in the position to go deep and give this comp a real good shake.
00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:31.440
It's sort of if we lose it again, it'll be on us.
00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.039
They've got the team to go all the way.
00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.759
Absolutely.
00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.680
They're a bloody good team, aren't they?
00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:38.720
They just do the simple things well and those simple things consistently.
00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:41.359
Yeah, and they play for each other and they just want it.
00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.079
Same thing.
00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:48.960
They're they're there to have fun, but they're there to get the job done and enjoy the hard work, which is really important in rugby leg, I reckon.
00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:49.920
Alrighty.
00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:54.079
Well, thanks very much, Ant, for coming up and doing this podcast.
00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.400
I've been asking you for a very long time.
00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:59.119
So I'm glad that I think you wanted to avoid work today, did you?
00:17:59.519 --> 00:17:59.759
Absolutely.
00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.200
I want to avoid work every day if I can.
00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.000
Yeah, of course.
00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.400
All right.
00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:07.359
So look, we'll be back for next week's episode to preview whether that's with you or with Matt.
00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:15.279
But to everyone that is traveling this weekend for football, please be safe, be careful on the road, look after your mate, and let's get into this final series.
00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.960
Go the Raiders.
