Tension's Running High E94 - Brian To'o joins us, Panthers v Knights preview

WEBVTT
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Let's all hear it for the Panthers. We know how
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to play the game. Side by side we'll speak together
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to uphold the Panthers' name. Hear the barricades all shouting.
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Hear them shouting.
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One and all.
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All the premier ships that came forth with the Panthers.
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On the.
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Now it's time for Tensions Running High, a Penrith Panthers
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podcast presented by the Western Weekender, brought to you by
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Penrith City Automotive. Here's Troy Dodds and Nathan Taylor.
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Hello, everyone, and welcome to Tensions Running High, a Penrith
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Panthers podcast presented by the Western Weekender. This is episode 94.
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I'm Troy Dodds, and as always, joined by Nathan Taylor. Hello, Nathan.
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Hello, Troy.
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We are the voice of Rugby League in Penrith. We
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love talking all things Penrith Panthers. For 35 years, The
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Weekender has led the way in Panthers coverage here in Penrith.
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We've covered six premierships, the biggest breaking stories, and interviewed CEOs, coaches, chairmen, players.
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The list goes on. A big thanks to our sponsor,
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Penrith City Automotive, the only place to buy a car.
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On the agenda today, we preview the massive prelim final
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between Penrith and Newcastle. Brian Tau joins us. Do we care?
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There's no entertainment announced for the grand final. and a
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whole heap more. But let's get underway. And after having
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last weekend off, Nathan, we got to watch all the
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other teams bash each other around and we know who
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we're playing. It's the Panthers and the Knights this Sunday.
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Yeah, it was a good weekend to just relax and
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not have to worry about... about footy and, you know,
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you could just enjoy the other games. And they were okay.
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I didn't mind the game on Sunday, Troy, with the
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Warriors up against the Knights, because obviously we had a
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bit of a stake in that game, knowing the winner
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would play us. But yeah, it was a good weekend
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just to chill and get ready for this weekend's match.
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Now, there's no doubt Newcastle are the fairy tale story.
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We're the villains, the Panthers this Sunday, hoping to ruin
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the fairy tale. But yeah, the Knights coming from seventh spot.
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They're actually in a prelim the same prelim that Penrith
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were in from seventh spot last year. So a pretty
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remarkable effort really from them. And they've had a great
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final series. I mean, they were brilliant against Souths and
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then obviously to withstand that pressure of that epic crowd
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at Eden Park and the Warriors who've been obviously up
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there all year and win. Look, you can't discredit them
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and what they've done so far.
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Yeah, for sure. And I don't think they've gone into
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each of those games in the finals as favourites either.
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Like I think everyone thought, you know, Souths and Wayne
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Bennett and Latrell would easily take care of them in
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the opening weekend. And then last week in Eden Park
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in New Zealand with, you know, most of that crowd,
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you know, going for the Warriors and then them obviously,
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you know, getting the win. Just, it was close in
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the end. It could have went either way, I think,
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with some of those refereeing decisions. So they're pretty much,
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you know, surprising everyone along the way, but do they
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have another shock in them this Sunday? As you said, everyone,
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every neutral fan probably would like to see that the
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fairy tale continue and, and see Newcastle get there. They
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haven't been to a grand final since 2001. I was
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still in high school, Troy. I don't know about you.
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I was in high school in 2001 as well. That's right.
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So it's been a bloody long time. So it would
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be very cool for Rugby League to see Newcastle there.
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But I think Panthers fans obviously want to see our
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trend continue and make another grand final.
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Well, I think neutral fans would love a Dolphins-Knights grand final. Uh,
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and their worst nightmare is probably Roosters Panthers. Um, but
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you know, Roosters Panthers are like, it does present as
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a great grand final when you consider the, you know,
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the Roosters obviously back to back, uh, premiership winners just
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before this Penrith sort of era began. So it's sort
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of a, um, you know, a bit of a monster clash.
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There between 2003, the memories of that, that was such
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a significant grand final for Penrith as well, all those
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years ago. And have those two teams come up against
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each other again, potentially, would be pretty cool.
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No, it would be. Now, look, Panthers night. So this
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Sunday afternoon, it is the core stadium, 4.05pm. It is
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the first time Penrith and Newcastle have met in a
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finals game. So they've never actually met in the finals.
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They have played 46 times in the NRL era. So
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since 1998, Panthers 24, Knights 20. They've drawn two. And
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a little fun fact, if we go all the way
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back to when the Knights entered the comp, Penrith have
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had Four draws against Newcastle, and that's the most side
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they've ever had draws against.
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Oh, wow.
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Equal with Balmain. They also had four draws with Balmain
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over the years. Four draws against the Knights. I remember
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a couple of those draws. One was at Campbelltown during
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the COVID era. We were there. We were there for
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that one crowd of 82, and we were among them.
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And I remember one other one. I just remember it
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was a Saturday night, and I just remember this because
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my dad used to pick me up after the game,
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so I'd go with a couple of friends and whatever.
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We had this draw, and it was against the Andrew
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Johns Knights.
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Oh, right.
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And I was rapt. I thought it was brilliant that
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we'd managed to hold this– giant Newcastle team at the
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time to a draw. I remember getting in the car
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and my dad going, what are you happy about? We
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had a draw. It's no good. So the contrast of
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a draw. But yeah, look, they haven't had, like, it's
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not like you'd say there's been memorable clashes between these
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two sides. In fact, they're often pretty one-sided apart from
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those couple of draws and things like that we mentioned.
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But look, you know, it's going to be an interesting
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clash with Players in big form. Look at the battle
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of the fullbacks. Dylan Edwards, Caelan Ponga. Going to be sensational.
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So there's talent all over the park for both teams.
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They've had such a good year. Newcastle. Happy New Year.
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Considering they came into the season with a brand new coach.
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They finished last year. They had some big high-profile signings.
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One of them in particular, Dylan Brown, hasn't even played
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for most of the year. He's been out. I think
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they've got a... Obviously, Sy Fede was ruled out in
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that game against the Warriors a few weeks ago as well.
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So some big name, big experienced players not there. If
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they had Dylan Brown, he'd played in a grand final
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against Penrith when he was with the Parramatta Eels. So
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they've done extremely well. They've unearthed some quite good talent,
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especially in the backs as well. There's some real speedsters
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and real strong guys, real powerful men. And then Caleb Ponga,
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I think he's, playing the best he ever has for Newcastle.
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At the moment. Caleb Ponger is probably the player of
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the finals at the moment, no doubt about that. But yeah,
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can he keep it going, I guess? And it looks
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like he's enjoying his footy as well, which is a,
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Hasn't always been the case. There's always been speculation about
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him potentially leaving and all this sort of stuff. But
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there's definitely danger players, as you say, like the likes
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of Fletcher Sharp, obviously having a great season. Bradman Best
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is like when he gets into clear space. So that
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Penrith sort of those edges that have been a little
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bit questionable at times.
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Phoenix Crossland as well. He was good the other night.
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He was cleaning up everything. They've actually got great players, Newcastle,
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so it's probably not a great surprise that they've ended
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where they have. It's just that we don't normally see
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it from seventh spot. And as you said, they had
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some injuries and suspensions at the back end of the year.
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You thought, well, they're gone. Questions over whether they'd even
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made the eight.
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Yeah, Dylan Lucas back as well. Played some minutes the
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other day. Yes.
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Origin experience. Got on late. Now, the big question mark
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all week has been Nathan Cleary's foot injury. and everyone
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wants to have their say on it. I've read a
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lot of articles about it. I'm not sure that anyone,
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apart from probably Nathan, Ivan, and the coaching staff, and
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I guess the entire playing group, but maybe not even
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the entire playing group, would know really what's going on.
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So no matter what you're reading, I think, look, we
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expect Nathan to play. That seems to be what everything's
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pointing towards. But is there just this 2% of you
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that's a little bit worried about That at about 2.30
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on Sunday afternoon, the name Jay Cogger is going to
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be in that halfback position instead.
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Yeah, look, internally, everyone at Panthers is continuing on with
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the script. Now, Nathan's going to play. He's going to
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be there. We've heard Ivan do an interview last week
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on SEN that said, no, you'll be there. So the
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club is saying the right things. Obviously, the media are
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speculating a bit more. But like you said, what do
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they know? Who have they been talking to that's telling
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them otherwise?
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Yeah.
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There's no one.
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It's almost like they want him not to be there
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to make it a bit of a closer contest, you know,
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because they probably will even things up a bit if
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he didn't play.
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Well, it's a better story to have him fighting for
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fitness and whatever else.
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But Nathan, like I said, Nathan is so tough.
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Yeah, he'll play.
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There would have to be something. I don't know, incredibly
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wrong with him not to play in a prelim. Like
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this is such a big game.
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I mean, who knows how the game unfolds, but obviously
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you're not going to leave him out there for the
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full game if Penrith are suddenly blowing Newcastle off the park,
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which can sometimes happen in finals games where it's becoming
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obvious what the result's going to be. We saw that
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Rooster Sharks, the Sharks kind of just conceded in the end.
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So you never know. what might happen there. But we
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do expect Nathan to play. But no matter what happens,
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he's not going to be 100%. So we expect Dylan
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Edwards probably to kick goals.
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Yeah, because we're obviously recording this before the team is out,
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so we're not sure. Paul Alomoli we think isn't going
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to be there, so he's your other goal kicker. Yep.
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So Dylan Edwards is your next man up, I guess,
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in terms of goal kicking. But then you're hearing people
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say that, you know, insiders say that he will kick.
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Yeah.
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We really don't know until– Sunday afternoon. It's going to
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be a big mystery up until then.
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And similar to some of the other injury concerns that
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we've had over the years, whether it be Dylan Edwards
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in 21 or Jerome Luai Cleary himself, we probably won't
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really hear until after all is said and done how
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bad that injury was.
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Yeah, and Isaiah Yeo even up into the last few weeks.
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Yes.
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Penrith have done a great job in getting a lot
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of these players back and sort of shielding them from
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the media and, you know, just hiding the fact what's
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really wrong with them and that's that's what they do
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and it seems to work for them and probably in
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the end of the day, it's probably a good thing
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that not too many people know what's going on and
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just let them focus on the players themselves.
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Yeah, we have spoken in the past about Panthers being
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a bit too protective when it comes to injury news,
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but I think in a case like this, I'm pretty
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happy with Just where they're at. You know what I mean?
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We know he's got a problem. They're not saying he hasn't.
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Yeah, exactly. It's not like the Luke Garner situation through
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the year where it was just pretending that nothing was
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going on. So, yeah.
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All right.
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Well, it is Sunday afternoon. And look, let's hope there's
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a big crowd out there. We know that Newcastle fans
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are going to travel. They are among the best fans
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in the NRL. Even when their team is struggling, they
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pack Marathon Stadium up there. Is that what we call it?
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Marathon Stadium. McDonald Jones Stadium.
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It hasn't been called Marathon Stadium since about 1996. Can
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you remember.
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Some other names for that stadium? I've got another one.
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Hunter Stadium.
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Yeah, it was Hunter Stadium for a while there. Well,
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Hunter Stadium I think might be its actual name. Oh,
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is it? Similar to Penrith Stadium. Do you know what
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00:11:06.809 --> 00:11:07.769
Conbank Stadium is called?
241
00:11:08.629 --> 00:11:10.250
Is it Parramatta Stadium?
242
00:11:10.269 --> 00:11:11.769
No, it's called Western Sydney Stadium.
243
00:11:11.870 --> 00:11:14.090
Oh, is it really? Oh, that's right. It is too.
244
00:11:14.370 --> 00:11:17.690
So, yes, but I think it's actually called Hunter Stadium. Yeah,
245
00:11:17.750 --> 00:11:19.250
I don't know. I think it's had a couple of names,
246
00:11:19.269 --> 00:11:22.110
was it? Did it have, no, it didn't have, I
247
00:11:22.149 --> 00:11:24.460
thought it had like a work, like a working year
248
00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:25.740
sort of stadium name.
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00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:29.419
We'll do some research and we'll get back to you.
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00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:31.990
4.05pm, Penrith fans, get there. I know we've talked a
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00:11:31.990 --> 00:11:34.909
lot about how difficult it is, ticket prices, all that
252
00:11:34.950 --> 00:11:36.980
sort of stuff, but. You've got to get there. I
253
00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.940
would argue it's actually easier to get to Sydney Olympic
254
00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:42.960
Park than Homebush– sorry, than Parramatta. So let's get there
255
00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:46.370
in big numbers and cheer on the Panthers on Sunday.
256
00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:48.470
Yeah, I think they will. I think a lot of
257
00:11:48.490 --> 00:11:51.529
Penrith fans knew that that first game, you know, wasn't
258
00:11:51.549 --> 00:11:54.090
going to be a do-or-die match for Penrith. And I
259
00:11:54.129 --> 00:11:56.049
think they will show up to this one because it
260
00:11:56.110 --> 00:11:59.149
is essentially do-or-die. There could be a fair few players
261
00:11:59.190 --> 00:12:01.690
that game too. So if you're listening to this and
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00:12:01.710 --> 00:12:05.210
you haven't got your tickets, absolutely– Get them. I'm not
263
00:12:05.230 --> 00:12:08.990
going to promote the NRL because NRL have been paying
264
00:12:09.009 --> 00:12:11.789
a lot of podcasters to tell them that there's cheap
265
00:12:11.809 --> 00:12:13.990
tickets on sale, $ 29 tickets or $ 50.
266
00:12:13.929 --> 00:12:16.149
Oh, they're not paying us. They're not paying us. I'm
267
00:12:16.169 --> 00:12:17.110
just letting you know there's.
268
00:12:16.929 --> 00:12:20.039
$ 100 tickets available. There's some real cheap tickets, but I
269
00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:22.139
don't know if they're still available. They could be very
270
00:12:22.179 --> 00:12:26.320
high up in the nosebleeds. But yeah, definitely get along
271
00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:28.139
because it could be your last chance to see a
272
00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:30.980
lot of these guys. Look, Liam Henry, Scott Sorensen, Jack Cole,
273
00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.490
some some real good guys for the club over the years.
274
00:12:33.990 --> 00:12:36.049
Let's not make it the last game for them. And,
275
00:12:36.129 --> 00:12:38.110
you know, it's probably going to be evident that Newcastle
276
00:12:38.129 --> 00:12:41.000
might have a few more there on Sunday, but at
277
00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:42.100
least try and get close.
278
00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:45.370
What are we hoping, at least 40,000?
279
00:12:45.370 --> 00:12:47.429
I think it's going to be more than that, Troy.
280
00:12:47.490 --> 00:12:47.669
Okay.
281
00:12:48.029 --> 00:12:50.389
I reckon we're going to get close to 50. I
282
00:12:50.710 --> 00:12:54.049
reckon 20 from Penrith, 30 from Newcastle is what I'm predicting.
283
00:12:54.309 --> 00:12:54.610
All right.
284
00:12:54.629 --> 00:12:56.889
Well, let's hope that all goes to plan, though, and
285
00:12:56.909 --> 00:13:00.320
it's not Penrith's final game. But 4.05 p.m. kickoff, live
286
00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:02.840
on Channel 9 and Fox League if you can't get
287
00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:07.059
to the game. I am tipping Penrith by 14. I
288
00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:12.379
think in the end, the experience of this Penrith team,
289
00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:15.330
and I know that there's an argument to say, well,
290
00:13:15.350 --> 00:13:17.210
hang on, Newcastle's got this far. Why can't they go
291
00:13:17.289 --> 00:13:21.409
one more? But- I just feel like the last two weeks, Newcastle,
292
00:13:22.029 --> 00:13:24.730
that could be it for them. They might run out
293
00:13:24.769 --> 00:13:25.210
of puff here.
294
00:13:25.490 --> 00:13:27.620
Yeah, and like I was speaking with some of the
295
00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:29.820
players today, they all agreed that the week off is
296
00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.960
such a big advantage. They didn't get that last year
297
00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:34.240
against Brisbane. They did run out of puff in the
298
00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:37.259
second half. We saw Brisbane go over the top of them. So, yeah, Newcastle,
299
00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:40.570
I expect them to match Penrith maybe in the first half.
300
00:13:40.789 --> 00:13:43.070
You'd have to imagine. But I think as soon as
301
00:13:43.110 --> 00:13:44.850
Penrith get a roll on, and hopefully they can, hopefully
302
00:13:44.870 --> 00:13:46.330
they can score a few tries and get a bit
303
00:13:46.389 --> 00:13:50.809
of a lead. That should do them the world of good. And, yeah,
304
00:13:50.970 --> 00:13:52.549
let's go a 20-point win, Troy.
305
00:13:52.590 --> 00:13:53.370
Wow, okay.
306
00:13:53.409 --> 00:13:54.590
Let's go. Let's get confident.
307
00:13:54.789 --> 00:13:54.990
All right.
308
00:13:55.009 --> 00:13:57.950
And, of course, Newcastle coming back from New Zealand as well.
309
00:13:57.970 --> 00:13:59.769
So, yeah, their preparation is reasonable. And they're going to
310
00:13:59.809 --> 00:14:01.429
travel up to Sydney. That's a two-hour, three-hour trip.
311
00:14:02.389 --> 00:14:06.549
I'm still not thrilled with this Sunday afternoon prelim.
312
00:14:06.690 --> 00:14:07.190
Why?
313
00:14:07.529 --> 00:14:09.909
I just think Friday, Saturday is your best option because
314
00:14:09.990 --> 00:14:13.059
it gives you just that extra day of build-up into
315
00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:15.460
the grand final. It's going to be Sunday night by
316
00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.940
the time we know the grand final is, and it
317
00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.379
just limits the build-up over that.
318
00:14:18.870 --> 00:14:19.070
Yeah.
319
00:14:19.110 --> 00:14:20.039
Sort of six-day period.
320
00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:22.110
But we've got the important New South Wales Cup grand final.
321
00:14:22.149 --> 00:14:22.309
We do.
322
00:14:22.309 --> 00:14:23.190
We'll have a chat about those.
323
00:14:23.210 --> 00:14:24.049
Saturday night, Troy.
324
00:14:24.210 --> 00:14:26.929
In just a moment. But, look, still on Penrith and Newcastle,
325
00:14:26.950 --> 00:14:29.570
I thought we'd have a look at some of the
326
00:14:29.610 --> 00:14:32.889
players who played for both clubs because there is some crossover.
327
00:14:35.049 --> 00:14:38.090
One Knights legend that many people might not remember played
328
00:14:38.110 --> 00:14:39.190
for Penrith, Tony Butterfield.
329
00:14:39.470 --> 00:14:39.919
Yeah, I remember him.
330
00:14:39.929 --> 00:14:42.690
He, of course, went on to be a massive Knights legend.
331
00:14:42.710 --> 00:14:45.389
He played nine games for Penrith before he went to Newcastle.
332
00:14:45.429 --> 00:14:45.570
Yep.
333
00:14:46.250 --> 00:14:48.370
Brad Tye. Remember Brad Tye?
334
00:14:48.409 --> 00:14:50.970
Yes, I do. I've got a good story about Brad Tye.
335
00:14:50.990 --> 00:14:51.129
Yeah.
336
00:14:51.149 --> 00:14:54.809
Remember when I first started, probably going back 15 years ago,
337
00:14:55.409 --> 00:14:57.870
you must have got some sort of old camcorder or something.
338
00:14:57.889 --> 00:14:58.409
Okay.
339
00:14:58.509 --> 00:15:00.470
And you wanted me to go out to a Petro
340
00:15:00.490 --> 00:15:04.120
Sivinaseva press conference where he was announcing his departure from Penrith.
341
00:15:04.169 --> 00:15:04.460
Right.
342
00:15:04.750 --> 00:15:07.080
And you're like, bring the camcorder and set it up
343
00:15:07.269 --> 00:15:10.860
and record the interview, like record the press conference, and
344
00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:13.759
then we'll bring it back to work and upload it somewhere,
345
00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:18.129
YouTube or something like that. I remember being so nervous
346
00:15:18.149 --> 00:15:19.870
because it was probably only like one of my first
347
00:15:20.149 --> 00:15:22.669
few times heading out to Panthers. And I think I
348
00:15:22.809 --> 00:15:25.350
brought the camcorder with me. And then I was getting
349
00:15:25.389 --> 00:15:27.350
back into the car. I must have recorded what I
350
00:15:27.370 --> 00:15:28.970
needed to. And I left it on the roof of
351
00:15:29.009 --> 00:15:32.090
the car. And then I was actually literally driving off.
352
00:15:32.129 --> 00:15:33.929
And then Brad Tye yells at me and said, hey,
353
00:15:33.970 --> 00:15:36.330
you've got something on your roof. And I got out
354
00:15:36.370 --> 00:15:39.669
of the car and there it was. Whatever camcorder, wherever
355
00:15:39.690 --> 00:15:42.750
you got that from. Brad Tye saved this camcorder from.
356
00:15:43.529 --> 00:15:45.970
potentially smashing everywhere and me getting in big trouble.
357
00:15:46.090 --> 00:15:49.139
Well, he played 44 games for the Knights, 113 for Penrith.
358
00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:51.779
Who else we got on the list of players?
359
00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:55.250
One of my favourite players, actually. He was an excellent
360
00:15:55.809 --> 00:15:57.049
player for us back in the....
361
00:15:58.769 --> 00:15:59.490
2010s at DSA.
362
00:15:59.870 --> 00:16:04.250
Luke Walsh played 41 games for the Knights before crossing
363
00:16:04.309 --> 00:16:06.889
over to the Panthers where he played 107 games and
364
00:16:06.909 --> 00:16:08.620
had some huge years there actually as well. It was
365
00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:10.139
pretty dangerous at half.
366
00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:12.740
Yeah, he went alright. Clint Newton of course played for
367
00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:16.019
both clubs. Came to Penrith late in his career. Tamana Tahu,
368
00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:19.340
Knights legend who came here with You were at that
369
00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.440
press conference. Yeah, we held a massive press conference at
370
00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:24.860
the below in the Western Grandstand at Penrith Stadium. Mick
371
00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:27.210
Leary was the CEO at the time. And he and
372
00:16:27.230 --> 00:16:29.809
Matt Elliott held a press conference to announce the massive
373
00:16:29.850 --> 00:16:31.230
signing of Tamana Tahu.
374
00:16:31.350 --> 00:16:31.570
Yeah.
375
00:16:31.669 --> 00:16:33.889
Who I think, what, stayed for one season at best?
376
00:16:33.929 --> 00:16:35.830
I don't even think he played the full season.
377
00:16:35.850 --> 00:16:37.250
No, I think he played like 12 or 13. Yeah.
378
00:16:37.690 --> 00:16:40.149
And of course, there's a couple of current Panthers. There is.
379
00:16:40.149 --> 00:16:41.049
Who played for the Knights too.
380
00:16:41.269 --> 00:16:45.279
Jack Cogger and Tom Jenkins both played there in recent years.
381
00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:48.059
They left Penrith. They were at Penrith. They left Penrith
382
00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:50.059
to go back to Newcastle and then left Newcastle and
383
00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:52.940
went back to Penrith. But there is one you're missing. Okay.
384
00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:55.720
So I'm just going to see if you can guess it.
385
00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.179
Ooh.
386
00:16:56.600 --> 00:17:00.139
This is a big player. There's a big player who's
387
00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:02.200
played for both the Panthers. Doesn't obviously play anymore.
388
00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.019
And the Knights.
389
00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:05.789
But he's a bloody big player in Penrith history, and
390
00:17:05.829 --> 00:17:06.750
it's not on your list.
391
00:17:06.829 --> 00:17:07.849
Ooh, okay.
392
00:17:08.250 --> 00:17:08.869
I'm shocked.
393
00:17:09.009 --> 00:17:10.769
Who do you think he's played more games for?
394
00:17:10.910 --> 00:17:11.349
Penrith.
395
00:17:12.390 --> 00:17:13.369
He's played more games for Penrith?
396
00:17:13.390 --> 00:17:14.509
He's played hundreds of more games.
397
00:17:14.529 --> 00:17:14.869
Oh, of course.
398
00:17:15.609 --> 00:17:17.230
None other than Craig Gowey.
399
00:17:17.289 --> 00:17:18.509
Yeah, Gowey, of course.
400
00:17:18.549 --> 00:17:20.869
Went back to Newcastle after.
401
00:17:20.710 --> 00:17:22.359
His time in the Union. Played about six games there,
402
00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:22.640
I think.
403
00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:26.210
Played about six games, yes, under the great Wayne Bennett. Yes.
404
00:17:26.269 --> 00:17:28.640
Good interview, by the way, with Craig on Fox League's
405
00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.279
Face to Face.
406
00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:30.640
Yeah, it was really good. If you haven't seen it,
407
00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:32.490
it's on YouTube. Half an hour.
408
00:17:32.710 --> 00:17:33.529
Yeah, jump on and have a look.
409
00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.480
All right.
410
00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:36.940
Well, the other game this weekend, of course, Penrith, if
411
00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:39.039
they do win, will be playing either the Roosters or
412
00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:41.460
the Dolphins. Now, who do we think is going to
413
00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:43.259
win this one? This is a tough one because you've got,
414
00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:45.259
on one side of the fence, you've got the Roosters
415
00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:48.799
who kind of come across as this battle-hardened, tough kind
416
00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:51.000
of team, win it up front. Then you've got the
417
00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:54.400
Dolphins who would just throw it around and we'll get
418
00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:56.200
you with speed and we'll get you with flair. I
419
00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:58.349
don't know. You throw those two things together, I don't
420
00:17:58.369 --> 00:17:58.880
know who's going to win.
421
00:17:59.289 --> 00:18:02.589
Yeah, look, I think, I'm not sure what the betting
422
00:18:02.650 --> 00:18:05.369
is like, but I imagine the Dolphins are slight favourites
423
00:18:05.970 --> 00:18:06.660
heading into this one.
424
00:18:06.670 --> 00:18:09.049
I actually think the Roosters might be favourites. Roosters are favourites.
425
00:18:09.089 --> 00:18:10.289
I'm not 100% sure, but I'll have a look.
426
00:18:10.369 --> 00:18:13.279
I'll chat and you can have a look. Look, yeah,
427
00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:16.339
I think everyone's sort of a bit like us. They're
428
00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:18.519
sort of 50-50 heading into this one. Obviously, the Roosters
429
00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:22.059
have the experience. They've got the runs on the board. Obviously,
430
00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.720
they got close to beating Penrith the other week and
431
00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:27.750
they smashed Cronulla. and then obviously the Dolphins have won
432
00:18:27.809 --> 00:18:29.470
eight in a row. You were saying, Troy, ever since
433
00:18:30.049 --> 00:18:32.700
in your column this week, 66-0, that they lost the Shards.
434
00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.380
Yeah, they haven't lost since.
435
00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.079
They haven't lost since.
436
00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:36.400
And most of their wins have been pretty impressive. They
437
00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.099
are actually favourites. I stand corrected.
438
00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:38.920
Dolphins are favourites.
439
00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.380
Dolphins are favourites for this one.
440
00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.960
That says something.
441
00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:44.259
Yeah, look, when I started writing that mini preview for
442
00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.700
the paper, I was like, oh, I'm going to tip
443
00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:47.009
the Roosters at the end of this. And then by
444
00:18:47.049 --> 00:18:48.769
the end of it, I convinced myself to tip the Dolphins.
445
00:18:48.789 --> 00:18:51.210
I actually think... They are in better form. They've had
446
00:18:51.230 --> 00:18:53.349
the week off. Trent Robinson's whinging about a couple of
447
00:18:53.369 --> 00:18:54.630
six-day turnarounds, I saw.
448
00:18:54.650 --> 00:18:55.289
Oh, is he?
449
00:18:55.309 --> 00:18:56.829
Yeah, he's not happy about that. He's about to have
450
00:18:56.849 --> 00:18:58.529
an eight-day turnaround in a grand final.
451
00:18:58.549 --> 00:18:59.049
If he makes it, yeah.
452
00:18:59.069 --> 00:19:02.529
If he makes it, nine-day turnaround. But yeah, then I
453
00:19:02.529 --> 00:19:05.190
look at the Roosters' form and I'm like, ooh. Are
454
00:19:05.210 --> 00:19:07.210
we that convinced by that win over the Sharks given
455
00:19:07.230 --> 00:19:11.480
their previous month? And, you know, Sam Walker might be back. Legitimately,
456
00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.720
I think this is a flip of the coin, but
457
00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.759
I'm going to land on the Dolphins.
458
00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:16.480
Yeah, I think Sam Walker is going to be back.
459
00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:19.220
They're saying the right things. They expect him to be named,
460
00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:22.650
and it sounds like he'll give it a go and play.
461
00:19:23.289 --> 00:19:25.309
They've just got lots of experience. I would love to
462
00:19:25.349 --> 00:19:26.970
see the Dolphins get through, I think. I think it
463
00:19:26.990 --> 00:19:30.339
would be cool, Penrith Dolphins Grand Final, something different. Um,
464
00:19:30.349 --> 00:19:32.819
you're going to have all those Brisbane fans converting from,
465
00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:35.359
from the Broncos to the Dolphins that weekend. And I think,
466
00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:37.859
I think a lot will come down to trout and
467
00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:39.900
watch that actually. There's lots of Queensland fans. So if
468
00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:42.829
you're a neutral Queensland fan, then you're probably going to
469
00:19:42.849 --> 00:19:44.410
go for the Dolphins in that one. So it could
470
00:19:44.450 --> 00:19:47.279
do quite well crowd-wise. I'm going to go the Roosters.
471
00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:50.200
I don't want them to win. I definitely don't. I
472
00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:52.339
want the Dolphins to win, but I just feel there's
473
00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:54.680
going to be some sort of upset this weekend. I
474
00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.140
hope it's not our game. And if it's going to
475
00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:59.049
be a game, it's probably going to be that one maybe.
476
00:19:59.089 --> 00:20:01.130
They're just going to scrape through and we're going to
477
00:20:01.150 --> 00:20:03.269
get a repeat of the 0-3 grand final.
478
00:20:03.369 --> 00:20:06.789
Yeah. Look, I actually do think the Roosters, I'm surprised
479
00:20:06.809 --> 00:20:08.670
that they're not favourites because I actually think that they're
480
00:20:09.950 --> 00:20:12.910
I actually think that their experience to me is just
481
00:20:12.930 --> 00:20:13.329
probably too much.
482
00:20:13.369 --> 00:20:15.769
Dale Cherry Evans finishing on a high potentially.
483
00:20:15.789 --> 00:20:19.440
Yeah, but look, no, I still think the Dolphins can
484
00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.720
do it.
485
00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:23.700
Wouldn't it be cool if Cherry Evans won a grand
486
00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:26.670
final his first year? and then wins a grand final.
487
00:20:26.690 --> 00:20:28.390
Well, no, it wouldn't be cool.
488
00:20:28.410 --> 00:20:30.109
Okay, loses a grand final in his last year.
489
00:20:30.170 --> 00:20:32.700
I don't think it would be cool at all. You
490
00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:34.900
can bookend with playing in them, but you can't bookend
491
00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:35.319
with winning.
492
00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:36.319
Yeah, okay, fair enough.
493
00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:38.660
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Two locations, one great place to find your next Kia. Now, Nathan,
513
00:21:49.170 --> 00:21:50.250
you were at Panthers Training.
514
00:21:50.569 --> 00:21:50.769
Yes.
515
00:21:51.250 --> 00:21:53.730
And you actually caught up with Brian Tau, who, of course...
516
00:21:54.309 --> 00:21:56.529
has his farewell season next year, but he's hoping to
517
00:21:56.730 --> 00:21:58.849
add another premiership to the four he's already got. So
518
00:21:58.970 --> 00:22:00.700
let's have a listen to your chat with Bizza.
519
00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:02.420
It's fun this time of year, isn't it? This is
520
00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:05.200
your seventh prelim, I think, for you? Is it seventh?
521
00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.680
I think so.
522
00:22:07.250 --> 00:22:07.470
Isn't it?
523
00:22:07.549 --> 00:22:08.470
Yeah.
524
00:22:08.549 --> 00:22:09.009
Yeah, seventh.
525
00:22:09.769 --> 00:22:10.890
You've been neat for every one of them.
526
00:22:11.150 --> 00:22:12.529
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
527
00:22:12.769 --> 00:22:14.059
Can you almost see when I say that to you?
528
00:22:14.069 --> 00:22:16.690
Does it seem unreal that, you know, you've been part
529
00:22:16.730 --> 00:22:17.430
of so much success?
530
00:22:17.450 --> 00:22:18.349
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
531
00:22:18.410 --> 00:22:19.470
Like, it's pretty obvious.
532
00:22:19.490 --> 00:22:24.890
Obviously, you're shocked with that. You didn't really know the stats. Yeah,
533
00:22:25.029 --> 00:22:29.769
it's pretty crazy to look back and feel lucky and fortunate.
534
00:22:29.789 --> 00:22:32.170
I was to obviously play seven, so.
535
00:22:32.609 --> 00:22:32.680
Oh.
536
00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:38.349
So yeah just really love yeah just really grateful man
537
00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:40.009
and um yeah i went to play another one.
538
00:22:39.970 --> 00:22:42.670
Does it obviously still feel um still it still feels
539
00:22:43.210 --> 00:22:45.230
just as exciting as the first like even though you've
540
00:22:45.269 --> 00:22:47.230
been through so many of these final series before like
541
00:22:47.269 --> 00:22:49.589
just seeing how many people show up to media ops
542
00:22:49.670 --> 00:22:52.650
and big games coming up on sunday like you still
543
00:22:52.670 --> 00:22:53.460
get that buzz.
544
00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:56.339
Yeah 100 the whole build-up to it it's um it's
545
00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:59.650
always always you know pretty special and especially with New
546
00:22:59.670 --> 00:23:02.279
faces every year. It's been pretty cool to watch one
547
00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:05.539
of these play their best games throughout the whole year.
548
00:23:07.630 --> 00:23:09.289
especially at this time of the year.
549
00:23:09.309 --> 00:23:12.490
Can you believe it's the Knights that you're playing for
550
00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:15.619
the first time in a final series? They finished seventh
551
00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:17.779
this year, sort of similar to what you guys did
552
00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:20.059
last year and have made it all the way here.
553
00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:22.019
I think a lot of people weren't expecting that.
554
00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:26.960
Yeah, not surprised at all. Obviously, every team's a good team.
555
00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.000
They played a.
556
00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:32.190
Bit of an adversity.
557
00:23:32.230 --> 00:23:34.190
They obviously lost a lot of their plays early in
558
00:23:34.230 --> 00:23:39.289
the year. They still... and managed to perform well. So, yeah,
559
00:23:39.309 --> 00:23:41.829
really excited for this, the new challenge coming up ahead
560
00:23:41.869 --> 00:23:42.769
this week and, yeah.
561
00:23:42.809 --> 00:23:43.539
Can't wait for it.
562
00:23:43.549 --> 00:23:45.910
Is experience important, though, in big games like this? Like,
563
00:23:45.950 --> 00:23:47.589
as I said, you guys have, many of you guys
564
00:23:47.609 --> 00:23:49.430
have been there plenty of times, you know, had a
565
00:23:49.490 --> 00:23:51.430
play in front of, at a core stadium and that
566
00:23:51.450 --> 00:23:53.359
sort of thing. Does that give you a bit of
567
00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:56.200
an advantage come Sunday against a team that hasn't been
568
00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:58.200
in a prelim for 15 years or something?
569
00:23:58.500 --> 00:24:01.319
Yeah, I think, yeah, I think, you know, experience definitely
570
00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:04.400
plays a part about it. But I think also just anyone,
571
00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:07.130
any team that's willing to win, I think whoever... Once
572
00:24:07.190 --> 00:24:09.369
and more, we'll obviously come out on top.
573
00:24:09.390 --> 00:24:11.849
And like I said, you know, experience.
574
00:24:11.549 --> 00:24:14.809
Is obviously a big part of our career as well. But,
575
00:24:14.970 --> 00:24:17.230
you know, it really comes down to whoever wants to
576
00:24:17.250 --> 00:24:17.630
win the game.
577
00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:20.380
A prelim's more stressful than, I'm not saying a grand final,
578
00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:22.539
I'm sure that's really stressful, but a prelim is like,
579
00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:24.799
it's that last sort of hurdle before you, everyone wants
580
00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:26.720
to make a grand final, right? Can they often be
581
00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:30.980
a little bit scarier in a way? Yeah, definitely.
582
00:24:31.029 --> 00:24:34.049
A bit of excitement and a bit of nerves as well. Obviously,
583
00:24:35.490 --> 00:24:37.730
you know it's a do or die game pretty much
584
00:24:37.829 --> 00:24:39.589
but I mean everything's going to be on the line
585
00:24:39.650 --> 00:24:42.690
and yeah like I said you know this time of
586
00:24:42.710 --> 00:24:45.150
the year it's always pretty nerve-wracking but also exciting times
587
00:24:45.210 --> 00:24:47.660
as well so it really comes down to do or die.
588
00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:50.460
Obviously predicting a big Newcastle fan base to make their
589
00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:52.279
way down but we've got a pretty good fan base
590
00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:54.819
too right they know how to attend finals games you'd
591
00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:57.680
be obviously encouraging them to you know try and match
592
00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.720
Newcastle on Sunday.
593
00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:01.869
Yeah 100% obviously of course it's a massive stadium and
594
00:25:01.970 --> 00:25:03.650
it's always a mad place to play at as well
595
00:25:03.690 --> 00:25:07.319
so I think both fan base will obviously come out
596
00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:10.400
and support both teams and I'm really excited for it.
597
00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:13.539
And just lastly, I know you don't need motivation, but
598
00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:15.160
obviously what happened to you guys in the prelim last
599
00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:18.319
year obviously would have stung all of you guys, missing
600
00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:20.680
out on that grand final. Does that give you some
601
00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:23.390
extra oomph come Sunday too, not having to have that
602
00:25:23.430 --> 00:25:23.910
feeling again?
603
00:25:24.049 --> 00:25:26.529
Yeah, obviously it was a bit different last year, having
604
00:25:26.549 --> 00:25:28.890
that feeling of not being in the grand final, which
605
00:25:28.970 --> 00:25:32.029
is definitely disappointing last year, but we obviously wanted to
606
00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:34.500
Come back into this year and earn the right to
607
00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:36.259
be in that same place again. And we had that
608
00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:39.470
opportunity right now. So, yeah, really excited and pumped for it.
609
00:25:39.849 --> 00:25:41.869
There he is, Brian To'o. Yeah, there's quite a bit
610
00:25:41.890 --> 00:25:43.529
of noise there in the background.
611
00:25:43.549 --> 00:25:47.130
Yeah, look, can't confirm exactly what that was, but someone
612
00:25:47.150 --> 00:25:50.019
was a bit upset and decided to bash a window
613
00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.599
and get everyone's attention.
614
00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:53.019
All happening there at Panthers.
615
00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:54.700
Someone high up at Panthers, yes.
616
00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:58.440
There you go. All right, well, Brian To'o. Great to
617
00:25:58.500 --> 00:26:01.309
hear from him. And, in fact, we got him involved
618
00:26:01.329 --> 00:26:03.049
in a bit of a call to arms this week.
619
00:26:02.890 --> 00:26:05.210
To get things out there. Yes, we got him on
620
00:26:05.230 --> 00:26:06.410
the front page, don't we, Troy?
621
00:26:06.450 --> 00:26:09.710
Yeah, you'll see that in the paper on Thursday. All right, now,
622
00:26:10.089 --> 00:26:12.150
Grand Final Day. We spoke just before about the teams
623
00:26:12.170 --> 00:26:14.230
that might be in it, but there's one thing that
624
00:26:14.289 --> 00:26:17.940
is still missing from Grand Final Day. Entertainment.
625
00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.380
Oh, yeah, you're right.
626
00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:22.559
We know that Kylie Minogue is performing at the AFL
627
00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:28.150
Grand Final this Saturday between Fremantle and Brisbane. No Melbourne
628
00:26:28.170 --> 00:26:29.930
team in the AFL grand final this year.
629
00:26:29.950 --> 00:26:30.470
That won't bother them.
630
00:26:30.809 --> 00:26:35.309
But there is no entertainment announced for the NRL grand final. Now,
631
00:26:35.349 --> 00:26:38.069
Peter Volandi said the other week, well, we're in negotiations,
632
00:26:38.690 --> 00:26:41.769
but it certainly wouldn't be some big international act, it seems.
633
00:26:42.950 --> 00:26:46.470
Do we care? Like, what if there is none? What
634
00:26:46.509 --> 00:26:49.289
if he's just, there's nothing coming? Like, do we care
635
00:26:49.309 --> 00:26:54.789
about the NRL grand final not having any entertainment locked in?
636
00:26:55.049 --> 00:26:56.430
Yeah, I think we do.
637
00:26:56.529 --> 00:26:56.750
I do.
638
00:26:57.220 --> 00:27:00.240
I certainly do. I think that's part of grand final day.
639
00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:04.130
It's part of any sporting big, big sporting game. It's
640
00:27:04.650 --> 00:27:07.970
having their grand final or end of season premiership match
641
00:27:08.049 --> 00:27:11.069
or whatever. Like it's, you have to have some sort
642
00:27:11.109 --> 00:27:14.559
of other entertainment. Like it would be, it would be
643
00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:19.220
extraordinary unprecedented for a grand final in Australia. You know,
644
00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:21.099
you can't imagine the Superbowl just going, yeah, this year
645
00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.759
we're just not going to have a halftime act. Like
646
00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:25.000
it's just part of the buildup. It's, It's part of
647
00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:27.440
grand final day. It's where a lot of your ticket
648
00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:29.269
money probably goes to as well because it's such a
649
00:27:29.309 --> 00:27:32.829
big event. You know, you've got three games of football.
650
00:27:32.869 --> 00:27:36.450
You have retiring players parades. You have a few other
651
00:27:36.589 --> 00:27:39.990
crazy things on the field. And you have the, you know.
652
00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:43.960
pre-match entertainment. And we've had pre-match entertainment every year. Look
653
00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:46.140
at the AFL. As you said, Kylie this year, Snoop
654
00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:48.240
Dogg last year, Robbie Williams the year before. They have
655
00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:52.089
no trouble booking talent. But the NRL, it's a bit
656
00:27:52.130 --> 00:27:54.029
of a worry. Yeah, you're right. We're a week and
657
00:27:54.049 --> 00:27:56.950
a half out from the grand final and.
658
00:27:56.910 --> 00:27:59.410
Nothing, crickets. I tend to agree with you. I think
659
00:27:59.470 --> 00:28:02.529
if the NRL is saying grand final day is a
660
00:28:02.569 --> 00:28:05.549
major event, then it's not good enough to just say, well,
661
00:28:05.569 --> 00:28:08.750
the game's the thing. Because as you say, we don't
662
00:28:08.789 --> 00:28:12.420
see that even in the Superbowl. or the AFL, all
663
00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:16.920
sports that are worth their salt have got this sort
664
00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:20.839
of entertainment factor attached to it. And that becomes what's
665
00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:23.680
talked about often more than the game with your neutrals.
666
00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:27.099
And I think also from a broadcast point of view,
667
00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.740
and this is what I'm interested in too about what
668
00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:32.279
Channel 9 think about this, because obviously sometimes they would
669
00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:35.460
be grabbing an audience that only want to watch that performer. Yeah.
670
00:28:35.589 --> 00:28:37.089
You know, like, oh, I don't really, you know, like
671
00:28:37.130 --> 00:28:39.869
someone on, There will be someone on Saturday, in fact,
672
00:28:40.210 --> 00:28:43.829
Kylie's probably got a big audience in this world, who
673
00:28:43.930 --> 00:28:45.930
have never watched a game of AFL in their life,
674
00:28:46.029 --> 00:28:47.710
who are going to give Seven a ratings boost on
675
00:28:47.750 --> 00:28:49.170
Saturday because they at least watch Kylie.
676
00:28:49.289 --> 00:28:51.369
Yeah, because they usually split up the ratings. They usually
677
00:28:51.390 --> 00:28:54.279
split up entertainment. And what else I was thinking was Troy,
678
00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:56.980
NRLW grand final on that day. I thought that'll finish
679
00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:59.279
at about 5.30. I'm not sure what time it kicks off.
680
00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:01.920
Between 5.30 and 6. And then we throw to the
681
00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:04.960
news for Channel 9. And then we come back for what?
682
00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.880
Is it a 7 p.m.
683
00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.859
Kickoff? 7.30 kickoff.
684
00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.789
So you've basically got a two-hour window there at the
685
00:29:08.829 --> 00:29:10.450
stadium when nothing's happening.
686
00:29:10.509 --> 00:29:12.609
Well, I think they're going to have something. The only thing,
687
00:29:12.630 --> 00:29:14.150
you know what I reckon? I reckon they have locked
688
00:29:14.190 --> 00:29:16.309
someone in, but now it's a bit weird to announce
689
00:29:16.430 --> 00:29:20.089
it because ticket sales are held. So there's no tickets
690
00:29:20.150 --> 00:29:22.759
on sale at the moment. So my theory now is
691
00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:24.559
they have locked someone in, but what's the point in
692
00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:27.220
announcing it now because it's not going to move any tickets?
693
00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:31.130
So they'll announce it on Sunday night. when they announce,
694
00:29:31.569 --> 00:29:33.779
these are our two grand finalists, these are when the
695
00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:35.720
final tickets are on sale.
696
00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:37.400
That's what you think is going to happen?
697
00:29:37.630 --> 00:29:40.640
And, you know, Daryl Braithwaite, is on.
698
00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:42.980
But every other year we've known weeks in advance. Or
699
00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:45.180
months sometimes. We knew Teddy Swims was going to be
700
00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:48.960
the entertainment for at least a month. You know, Bouncy,
701
00:29:49.009 --> 00:29:51.809
all these other. Remember the Tina Turner tribute act they
702
00:29:51.829 --> 00:29:52.170
had that year?
703
00:29:52.190 --> 00:29:55.690
Look, that wasn't great. But did Tina Turner die in
704
00:29:55.730 --> 00:29:56.069
that year?
705
00:29:56.089 --> 00:29:56.170
Yeah.
706
00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.339
Yeah, maybe.
707
00:29:58.359 --> 00:30:00.480
So it ended up being kind of like, well, you know.
708
00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:02.259
It was like it was an anniversary of the.
709
00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:04.720
Maybe I'll be Dolly Parton impersonator this year.
710
00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:08.210
Who knows? But even if they don't get a big artist,
711
00:30:08.410 --> 00:30:11.130
they have to get. Even just promoting an Australian artist,
712
00:30:11.170 --> 00:30:13.250
if you have to like you want to promote an
713
00:30:13.289 --> 00:30:16.410
upcoming Australian art or someone, you've got to get something.
714
00:30:16.430 --> 00:30:17.309
Yeah, we need someone there.
715
00:30:17.650 --> 00:30:19.369
Surely someone wants to do the grand final.
716
00:30:19.390 --> 00:30:21.309
Well, it just depends if they want to do it
717
00:30:21.329 --> 00:30:23.150
for what PBO wants to pay them, I guess.
718
00:30:23.170 --> 00:30:24.990
What could they be charging? What are we charging?
719
00:30:25.450 --> 00:30:26.569
I imagine you get big money.
720
00:30:27.769 --> 00:30:29.230
But not if you're just some Aussie act.
721
00:30:29.789 --> 00:30:31.690
Well, I mean, you're still going to get paid. You're
722
00:30:31.730 --> 00:30:32.750
not doing it for exposure.
723
00:30:32.769 --> 00:30:34.789
An Aussie act would probably do it for $ 20, 000, I reckon.
724
00:30:34.809 --> 00:30:37.049
Well, maybe. Maybe. But, yeah, I mean.
725
00:30:37.210 --> 00:30:38.269
International, maybe $ 100, 000.
726
00:30:38.150 --> 00:30:40.720
What about this, okay? If the AFL, we're going to
727
00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:44.700
admit the AFL own pre-game entertainment. Like, they're good at it.
728
00:30:45.230 --> 00:30:47.569
should the NRL actually look at the Super Bowl model?
729
00:30:47.609 --> 00:30:51.369
And we start doing about a halftime show. So we
730
00:30:51.390 --> 00:30:55.009
make it a 20-minute halftime, 25-minute halftime, and we go
731
00:30:55.089 --> 00:30:56.269
on about, we now make it.
732
00:30:56.269 --> 00:30:57.450
Do you think the teams would want that?
733
00:30:57.470 --> 00:30:59.190
Well, I mean, they do it in the NFL.
734
00:30:59.329 --> 00:31:00.170
They do, but.
735
00:31:00.789 --> 00:31:03.269
So we, you know, like PVO wants to be innovative.
736
00:31:04.130 --> 00:31:05.529
Maybe this is what we move towards.
737
00:31:05.549 --> 00:31:07.470
Well, yeah, if you do that, then you're going to
738
00:31:07.490 --> 00:31:08.650
have to go big, I think.
739
00:31:09.569 --> 00:31:12.690
What about this for sort of pre-match entertainment? Now, I
740
00:31:12.710 --> 00:31:16.880
don't know where everyone's at, but. We get Jimmy Barnes
741
00:31:16.890 --> 00:31:19.160
to come out. All right. And he'll do simply the best.
742
00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:22.259
Then we get Chumbawamba. Are they still around? They can
743
00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:24.960
do their song. I think we can find them. They
744
00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:27.559
can do Tub Thumping. Yep. Then we get, is Thomas
745
00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.440
Keneally still alive?
746
00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.359
Oh, jeez.
747
00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:30.849
I don't want to say if he is or not.
748
00:31:30.869 --> 00:31:31.460
I don't think he is.
749
00:31:31.549 --> 00:31:33.890
If he's not, then a relative of Thomas Keneally comes
750
00:31:34.009 --> 00:31:38.069
out and reads the Blow That Whistle ref poem. Then
751
00:31:38.089 --> 00:31:39.289
we get the Hoodoo Gurus.
752
00:31:39.470 --> 00:31:40.170
What's my team?
753
00:31:40.269 --> 00:31:40.789
What's my team?
754
00:31:40.809 --> 00:31:41.450
Well, that's my team.
755
00:31:41.490 --> 00:31:42.809
So we get them all to come out.
756
00:31:42.869 --> 00:31:42.990
Yeah.
757
00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:46.039
Didn't we have Let's Go Woe or something? Who did that?
758
00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:49.119
It was a guy with a long hair. He was
759
00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:50.440
on Australian Idol at some point.
760
00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.299
Oh, really?
761
00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:56.690
Yeah, I think he was who we gave him a go. So, like,
762
00:31:56.710 --> 00:32:00.589
we bring back all the famous rugby league. By the way,
763
00:32:00.630 --> 00:32:03.450
Thomas Keneally, thank you for that. Thomas Keneally is alive.
764
00:32:03.609 --> 00:32:07.349
He's 90 years old. It's almost his birthday, 7th of October.
765
00:32:07.809 --> 00:32:09.150
He could do it for his birthday. He could pop
766
00:32:09.210 --> 00:32:12.980
out and do that. So, yeah, maybe we'll do that.
767
00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:15.440
Maybe we will. But, yeah, but Volandi is a bit
768
00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:17.220
of a– he's a bit cheap, isn't he?
769
00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:20.589
Well, look, it's coming across that way. And it's funny
770
00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:24.269
because I think some of these little leaks are designed
771
00:32:24.289 --> 00:32:26.630
to be little, like, drive-bys at Andrew Abdo, you know,
772
00:32:26.670 --> 00:32:29.230
like the thing about the plants. We're not having plants
773
00:32:29.289 --> 00:32:31.430
at NRL headquarters. You replace them with footballs because he
774
00:32:31.450 --> 00:32:33.609
doesn't have to water the footballs. Yeah, because I think
775
00:32:33.630 --> 00:32:35.670
they must have got some greenkeepers into– What, the plant
776
00:32:35.730 --> 00:32:36.849
budget was that expensive?
777
00:32:36.890 --> 00:32:37.029
Yeah.
778
00:32:37.549 --> 00:32:39.170
You know, I did say a funny thing that said, well,
779
00:32:39.349 --> 00:32:42.849
they water the footballs out at Penrith. We were involved
780
00:32:42.890 --> 00:32:45.470
in that little scandal at some point.
781
00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.859
It was Spud, wasn't it, that did that?
782
00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:49.160
It was Spud, yep. But yeah, all right. So we
783
00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:51.460
agree that there should be some grand final entertainment. We
784
00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.220
think there will be.
785
00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:55.400
If we're sitting here next Tuesday, Troy, and we still
786
00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:57.509
don't know who the grand final... I'm very worried.
787
00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:59.750
Yeah, no, I think there will be. There'll be something.
788
00:32:59.809 --> 00:33:02.130
Get some Australian Idol kid if you have to. There's
789
00:33:02.170 --> 00:33:03.329
someone out there you could do.
790
00:33:03.390 --> 00:33:05.349
But then our debate's going to be, what are we
791
00:33:05.390 --> 00:33:05.910
doing here?
792
00:33:05.970 --> 00:33:09.910
We're entertaining the crowd for two hours between the two games.
793
00:33:09.990 --> 00:33:13.890
But then... What I'm saying is our discussion is going
794
00:33:13.910 --> 00:33:16.089
to be about how cheap we are. The AFL has
795
00:33:16.150 --> 00:33:16.930
Kylie Minogue.
796
00:33:17.049 --> 00:33:17.529
Yeah, I know.
797
00:33:17.869 --> 00:33:21.089
And we've come up with Barry from season 27 of
798
00:33:21.150 --> 00:33:24.349
Australian Idol or something. Like, I don't know.
799
00:33:24.369 --> 00:33:25.990
I think we did well a couple of years ago.
800
00:33:26.009 --> 00:33:26.829
We had the kid Leroy.
801
00:33:26.849 --> 00:33:27.430
That was a big one.
802
00:33:27.450 --> 00:33:29.849
He was Aussie, but he was– I know you didn't
803
00:33:29.890 --> 00:33:31.289
like him, but at least he was Aussie and he
804
00:33:31.329 --> 00:33:32.730
was current, you know.
805
00:33:32.750 --> 00:33:36.029
We need a country act out here. You reckon?
806
00:33:36.130 --> 00:33:37.339
You don't even like Aussie country.
807
00:33:37.690 --> 00:33:40.309
Who would you pick? I'll get Morgan Evans or someone.
808
00:33:40.430 --> 00:33:42.910
Well, he's about to be a judge on Australian Idol.
809
00:33:42.950 --> 00:33:43.309
Perfect.
810
00:33:43.670 --> 00:33:46.069
Perfect. But yeah, look, I think there's a few questions
811
00:33:46.130 --> 00:33:47.730
in place over this because, as I said, about the
812
00:33:47.750 --> 00:33:52.650
broadcast as well. Nine's going to want a big act
813
00:33:52.670 --> 00:33:54.670
to kick off that sort of broadcast.
814
00:33:54.690 --> 00:33:56.230
Delta or something. I haven't seen her for a while.
815
00:33:56.250 --> 00:33:56.789
Yeah, Delta would be good.
816
00:33:56.809 --> 00:33:57.690
She was just on Eurovision.
817
00:33:57.769 --> 00:33:58.250
She could do it.
818
00:33:58.250 --> 00:33:58.390
Yep.
819
00:33:58.650 --> 00:33:59.250
Yep. All right.
820
00:33:59.269 --> 00:34:02.960
Well, let's see who PBL's got. almost locked in, who
821
00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.890
he can bring out for us.
822
00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:04.299
Can't wait.
823
00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:08.179
Now, worth noting, lower grade grand finals, Nathan, Combank Stadium.
824
00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:10.280
And speaking to the New South Wales Rugby League today,
825
00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:14.030
they're hopeful of a good crowd out there at... What?
826
00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.110
Do you think there'll be a good crowd?
827
00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:17.070
Who are you speaking to at New South Wales Rugby League?
828
00:34:17.090 --> 00:34:19.309
Stuart Hunnyset, the media manager there.
829
00:34:19.369 --> 00:34:19.550
Yeah.
830
00:34:20.449 --> 00:34:24.019
I'm just... Getting ready for our coverage on Saturday evening.
831
00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:26.719
I'll be watching on Bar TV.
832
00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:29.420
So is this the only broadcaster?
833
00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:31.519
Yes, Bar TV have the exclusive rights.
834
00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.320
You're joking.
835
00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:35.679
Now that is, I agree with you, controversial. It's extremely controversial.
836
00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:38.070
We have a 24-hour rugby league channel and the reserve
837
00:34:38.090 --> 00:34:39.250
grade competition should be on that.
838
00:34:39.409 --> 00:34:39.730
I agree.
839
00:34:39.750 --> 00:34:43.889
Considering it's been televised every other year, I presume. I
840
00:34:43.929 --> 00:34:45.690
remember watching it on- Well, I don't know about last year.
841
00:34:45.710 --> 00:34:47.030
I think Bar TV's had it for a couple of years.
842
00:34:47.050 --> 00:34:47.989
They had it last year too. But yes, Fox has
843
00:34:48.030 --> 00:34:49.570
had it for a long time. So the only game-
844
00:34:50.130 --> 00:34:52.750
But Fox and Nine will broadcast in the New South
845
00:34:52.769 --> 00:34:54.210
Wales Cup, as far as I know, is that state
846
00:34:54.250 --> 00:34:55.690
cup game on grand final day.
847
00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:58.639
Which is the team that wins the New South Wales
848
00:34:58.659 --> 00:35:01.260
Cup and the Queensland Cup. So Penrith could have two
849
00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:03.199
teams in the grand final next week.
850
00:35:03.219 --> 00:35:03.739
Yeah, absolutely.
851
00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:04.199
That's cool.
852
00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:07.519
Yeah, with no chance in the NRLW, obviously. But we
853
00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.719
would be if we were there, if we had a team.
854
00:35:09.469 --> 00:35:11.909
But yes, Loughborough Grand Finals. So, Combank Stadium this Saturday.
855
00:35:11.989 --> 00:35:14.809
Clear air. Unless you like the AFL or the NRLW,
856
00:35:14.909 --> 00:35:17.590
because they're both on. But apart from that, clear air
857
00:35:17.610 --> 00:35:20.929
for the New South Wales Cup Grand Final. Panthers play
858
00:35:20.949 --> 00:35:23.380
the Jets at 7. Before that, it's the Panthers and
859
00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:25.360
the Dogs at 5 o'clock. So, you can get out
860
00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:27.139
there and watch the flag and the cup. The New
861
00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:30.429
South Wales Women's Premiership Grand Final is on that before too.
862
00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:33.389
I think that's Newcastle and Mounties. in that one. So
863
00:35:33.409 --> 00:35:35.309
there's three games. Tickets are only about $ 15. I think
864
00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:39.079
it's GA for there at ComBank. Well, the whole stadium
865
00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:42.579
is GA. Believe so. And get your tickets and get
866
00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:43.780
out there and support the lower grades.
867
00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:45.320
Do you think Panthers fans want to go back out
868
00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:47.980
to this ComBank again after two years? Do you think
869
00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.780
they've got one more in them?
870
00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.969
You know what I reckon they should have done? I
871
00:35:49.969 --> 00:35:51.289
don't know how you could work this with the NRL,
872
00:35:51.309 --> 00:35:53.769
but if you bought a prelim final ticket, free ticket to.
873
00:35:53.690 --> 00:35:56.469
The lower grades. Or if you're a bloody Panthers member
874
00:35:56.489 --> 00:35:58.389
for the last two years, just let us in.
875
00:35:58.429 --> 00:36:02.239
And why not let– what cost would this be? Pampers,
876
00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:04.579
cover that for the New South Wales Rugby League.
877
00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:08.239
Yeah, just let us in. We're playing two games.
878
00:36:08.260 --> 00:36:11.420
You take your member card and show it, and then
879
00:36:11.440 --> 00:36:12.579
you can get free entry.
880
00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.880
As long as you didn't chuck it out on the
881
00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:15.320
way out of the last game.
882
00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:18.699
But look, go support the lower grade teams.
883
00:36:18.900 --> 00:36:20.449
Yeah, definitely. It's going to be interesting to see who
884
00:36:20.489 --> 00:36:22.449
lines up for Pampers in New South Wales Cup because,
885
00:36:22.469 --> 00:36:25.369
of course, they're playing the next day in the NRL.
886
00:36:25.449 --> 00:36:27.889
So you'll get a bit of an indication if someone
887
00:36:27.909 --> 00:36:29.590
plays in that game, they're probably not going to play
888
00:36:29.610 --> 00:36:30.969
the next day, obviously.
889
00:36:31.429 --> 00:36:31.849
That's true.
890
00:36:32.010 --> 00:36:32.210
All right.
891
00:36:32.230 --> 00:36:33.909
And get to see some of the great young pandas.
892
00:36:34.130 --> 00:36:36.750
Good teams that we're playing too, like the Dogs. Good
893
00:36:36.769 --> 00:36:38.750
rivalry there in the flag and then playing the old
894
00:36:38.989 --> 00:36:41.590
famous Newtown Jets. Gee, no one's going to love us
895
00:36:41.630 --> 00:36:43.789
in any of these grand files. Everyone's going to want
896
00:36:43.809 --> 00:36:44.639
the Jets to win the cup.
897
00:36:44.650 --> 00:36:45.510
We could win all three.
898
00:36:45.829 --> 00:36:48.130
We could win all three. We've done that just once before.
899
00:36:48.230 --> 00:36:48.690
We did that in 2022.
900
00:36:48.670 --> 00:36:48.849
Yeah.
901
00:36:48.869 --> 00:36:48.949
Yeah.
902
00:36:50.670 --> 00:36:51.789
All right, so get out there and support that or
903
00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:53.070
get your Bar TV subscription.
904
00:36:53.489 --> 00:36:54.340
What are you paying for that?
905
00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:57.980
I think I bought a month for $ 20 or something.
906
00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:59.420
Okay.
907
00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:03.579
And I did cancel my subscription straight away so then
908
00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:05.079
it doesn't renew because I don't want to watch what
909
00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:08.519
they've got happening over the summer. But you can buy
910
00:37:08.539 --> 00:37:10.260
an annual subscription if you think you're going to watch
911
00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:12.239
the New South Wales Cup next year. They cover a
912
00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:13.260
lot of things on Bar TV. Yeah, I was going
913
00:37:13.280 --> 00:37:13.539
to ask.
914
00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:14.539
What else have they got on there?
915
00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:16.360
Let me tell you. Let me open up the app.
916
00:37:16.389 --> 00:37:20.480
They've probably got more content than– than Fox Sports, to
917
00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:23.940
be honest with you. They're saying something. They've got the
918
00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:26.320
Newcastle Zone Grand Final League 3 coming up.
919
00:37:26.590 --> 00:37:27.409
Yeah, that'll be a good one.
920
00:37:27.429 --> 00:37:32.349
That'll be a beauty. They're covering all the Newcastle Zone games.
921
00:37:32.369 --> 00:37:34.510
They've got some touch footy happening.
922
00:37:34.530 --> 00:37:35.869
Really?
923
00:37:35.909 --> 00:37:38.610
So they cover a bit of that. Gee, they're big
924
00:37:38.630 --> 00:37:41.530
in the Newcastle Zone football. It looks like we've got
925
00:37:42.429 --> 00:37:45.409
a World Cup warm-up game between Lebanon and Maori. They've
926
00:37:45.449 --> 00:37:45.750
got that.
927
00:37:45.969 --> 00:37:46.269
Nice.
928
00:37:46.329 --> 00:37:49.889
New Zealand and Maori. The Brisbane Rugby League A-grade grand final,
929
00:37:49.949 --> 00:37:52.949
Redcliffe versus the West Brisbane Panthers. You can watch that
930
00:37:52.969 --> 00:37:56.440
at 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. The MacArthur Rugby League.
931
00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:58.519
So they cover a lot of stuff. So if you
932
00:37:58.599 --> 00:38:01.579
are a rugby league fanatic, get yourself a Bar TV subscription.
933
00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:04.389
They do some AFL there. They've got the AFL South
934
00:38:04.429 --> 00:38:06.429
Coast Seniors Grand Final as well.
935
00:38:06.670 --> 00:38:08.510
Can you get it on? Do you have to stream
936
00:38:08.530 --> 00:38:10.289
it from your phone, Troy? Is there an app on
937
00:38:10.329 --> 00:38:10.750
the telly?
938
00:38:11.090 --> 00:38:13.389
No, but you can hit the little button and cast it,
939
00:38:13.530 --> 00:38:14.750
which I'm going to have to do.
940
00:38:15.929 --> 00:38:18.010
I'll be covering it. You'll have to let us know
941
00:38:18.030 --> 00:38:21.469
what happens. I'll be covering it exclusively on Saturday.
942
00:38:22.010 --> 00:38:23.909
Can you look? No, you probably can't take my login.
943
00:38:24.030 --> 00:38:25.429
There's probably just like Netflix.
944
00:38:25.449 --> 00:38:27.170
Wouldn't you be able to share devices? You can for
945
00:38:27.190 --> 00:38:27.820
a lot of other things.
946
00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:28.300
I'll have a look.
947
00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:28.800
Let us know.
948
00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:31.480
But you should just buy a tax deductible.
949
00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:33.960
$ 25 for one weekend. I'm not going to use it again.
950
00:38:34.599 --> 00:38:34.679
True.
951
00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.820
It's actually cheaper to go to the game.
952
00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:36.159
Yeah.
953
00:38:37.130 --> 00:38:40.789
Now, talking about membership, Nathan, look, I got... Hang on.
954
00:38:41.010 --> 00:38:42.630
Are we allowed to talk about memberships?
955
00:38:42.650 --> 00:38:45.320
Well, look, yeah. I did apparently get a few noses
956
00:38:45.380 --> 00:38:47.659
out of joint over at Panthers last week, but that's,
957
00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:49.280
you know, it's not my job to be a cheerleader
958
00:38:49.300 --> 00:38:53.579
for Panthers, even though I am. I love the Panthers,
959
00:38:53.659 --> 00:38:55.059
as you know, but it's not my... I'm not employed
960
00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:58.579
by them. So, look, I certainly wasn't happy. Well, neither
961
00:38:58.619 --> 00:39:01.250
of us were happy with probably the membership offerings and
962
00:39:01.289 --> 00:39:02.829
packs and whatnot.
963
00:39:02.889 --> 00:39:03.070
Now.
964
00:39:05.050 --> 00:39:06.550
We spoke about the membership card.
965
00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:08.010
That was the big one, wasn't it?
966
00:39:08.010 --> 00:39:09.719
Yeah, and I questioned it. I know Masked Panther had
967
00:39:09.780 --> 00:39:14.039
it in his column as well, questioning who they consulted
968
00:39:14.099 --> 00:39:15.800
and all of this. Now, apparently there was a survey
969
00:39:15.820 --> 00:39:20.699
that went out mid-year. I would question whether those questions–
970
00:39:21.409 --> 00:39:24.090
I believe they were leading questions on the physical card.
971
00:39:24.110 --> 00:39:26.590
They weren't very direct, were they, in terms of things?
972
00:39:26.829 --> 00:39:29.909
No, but listen, just on this, we've had a Queensland
973
00:39:30.030 --> 00:39:32.489
Panther get in touch. Now, he has often bought the
974
00:39:32.929 --> 00:39:37.440
proud Panther Queensland membership. Okay. And that used to entitle him.
975
00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:40.679
He said his 2026 inclusions were a ticket to a
976
00:39:40.739 --> 00:39:42.920
Queensland away game, so this year he could choose either
977
00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:44.079
the Cowboys or the Titans.
978
00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:44.340
Yep.
979
00:39:45.119 --> 00:39:47.199
Plus a member voucher of 50 bucks in that member
980
00:39:47.239 --> 00:39:49.519
plus store thing. Now, he said it was $ 100, and
981
00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:51.469
he said he liked doing it just because, you know,
982
00:39:51.489 --> 00:39:53.230
he's moved from Penrith long ago, but it kept him
983
00:39:53.269 --> 00:39:55.670
in touch with the Panthers, and he went to that game. Now,
984
00:39:55.730 --> 00:39:59.010
next year, his membership has been reduced to $ 70, but
985
00:39:59.030 --> 00:40:00.710
they've taken that away game out.
986
00:40:01.579 --> 00:40:03.670
Oh, so it doesn't include any actual match at all?
987
00:40:03.679 --> 00:40:05.869
No, all he gets is the $ 30 voucher to the shop.
988
00:40:06.210 --> 00:40:07.409
For $ 70? For $ 70.
989
00:40:07.190 --> 00:40:10.949
For $ 70, he gets a $ 30 voucher. And he gets
990
00:40:10.989 --> 00:40:11.690
to be a member.
991
00:40:11.710 --> 00:40:13.530
Does he get to be subscribed to the email list?
992
00:40:13.550 --> 00:40:15.550
Yeah, he does. He just don't get unsubscribed to it.
993
00:40:15.869 --> 00:40:20.219
But he gets all the pre-sales and all that info.
994
00:40:20.260 --> 00:40:22.260
Oh, that's good. Because that comes in handy, doesn't it?
995
00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:24.139
Well, it does come in handy. Probably not for him
996
00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:28.739
because he's in Queensland. But yeah, so look. Who knows
997
00:40:28.820 --> 00:40:30.699
what they're doing over there with the memberships. I think
998
00:40:30.719 --> 00:40:33.619
it's disappointing, the membership packs and the offerings this year.
999
00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:35.860
We said last week we're not going to talk too
1000
00:40:35.900 --> 00:40:39.119
much about pricing because that is subjective in terms of
1001
00:40:39.139 --> 00:40:41.469
your value. But, look, yeah, it feels like they're missing
1002
00:40:41.489 --> 00:40:41.889
the mark.
1003
00:40:42.469 --> 00:40:44.349
Yeah, this was a year where– well, next year is
1004
00:40:44.369 --> 00:40:46.210
going to be a year where you're returning to your
1005
00:40:46.369 --> 00:40:50.690
beloved home stadium, brand-new stadium, and it just feels like
1006
00:40:50.730 --> 00:40:53.699
it's– yeah, there's some things missing, as we know. As
1007
00:40:53.739 --> 00:40:56.449
we said, we've talked about, you've seen in the paper–
1008
00:40:56.639 --> 00:41:02.340
the membership lanyards gone, the membership packs, the $ 75 that
1009
00:41:02.389 --> 00:41:04.309
you would get and you could use it online to
1010
00:41:04.349 --> 00:41:06.650
buy a bunch of stuff, gone. It's replaced with a
1011
00:41:06.650 --> 00:41:10.409
$ 30 voucher. And I believe no matter what tier you are,
1012
00:41:10.449 --> 00:41:12.989
whether you're paying a couple of grand for your membership,
1013
00:41:13.010 --> 00:41:15.840
you're still just getting a $ 30 voucher.
1014
00:41:15.880 --> 00:41:16.199
Yeah.
1015
00:41:16.219 --> 00:41:18.889
That includes if you are an ultimate member who pays $ 2, 500.
1016
00:41:18.730 --> 00:41:18.960
$ 2, 500.
1017
00:41:18.800 --> 00:41:19.079
Wow.
1018
00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:21.260
And you do get a personalized jersey for that and
1019
00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:25.690
that's a, And you probably get to meet the team.
1020
00:41:25.730 --> 00:41:27.570
That's a top-level membership. Hang out with the team, yeah.
1021
00:41:28.030 --> 00:41:30.130
I think you get a KO membership as part of that.
1022
00:41:30.210 --> 00:41:30.550
I hope so.
1023
00:41:30.570 --> 00:41:32.110
All that sort of stuff. But you still only get
1024
00:41:32.199 --> 00:41:33.300
a $ 30 voucher to the shop.
1025
00:41:34.019 --> 00:41:34.159
Yeah.
1026
00:41:34.380 --> 00:41:36.480
And so you get the same voucher that the Queensland
1027
00:41:36.500 --> 00:41:42.400
guy paying $ 70. And also, like, in our case, Diamond members,
1028
00:41:42.440 --> 00:41:44.079
I think ours is going to be $ 600.
1029
00:41:43.980 --> 00:41:44.139
Yeah.
1030
00:41:44.280 --> 00:41:45.960
We also get the $ 30. So it's weird that the
1031
00:41:46.019 --> 00:41:48.699
value of what you're getting doesn't change. Like, I guess
1032
00:41:48.719 --> 00:41:50.929
they'd argue you used to get the same pack.
1033
00:41:51.369 --> 00:41:51.449
Hmm.
1034
00:41:52.280 --> 00:41:54.000
But still, it seems like, well, look, if you're going
1035
00:41:54.019 --> 00:41:55.860
to do a voucher to the shop and it's going
1036
00:41:55.880 --> 00:41:58.239
to be a measly $ 30, and I'll say measly because
1037
00:41:58.280 --> 00:42:01.449
there's not much in that shop under $ 30.
1038
00:42:00.719 --> 00:42:01.280
No, there isn't.
1039
00:42:01.489 --> 00:42:04.849
Then you think you'd increase the value a little bit.
1040
00:42:05.389 --> 00:42:09.329
Yeah, yeah, exactly right. It's just we don't know what
1041
00:42:09.409 --> 00:42:12.699
the science is behind it, of course, because- you know,
1042
00:42:12.929 --> 00:42:14.500
we just, you have to just go with it with
1043
00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:16.460
whatever they've come out with and you just have to
1044
00:42:16.679 --> 00:42:18.179
sign up. They're not going to change it. Like I
1045
00:42:18.179 --> 00:42:20.860
know we're up in arms about this physical card thing,
1046
00:42:20.880 --> 00:42:22.280
but I can't see them changing it.
1047
00:42:22.579 --> 00:42:25.219
Well, what I will say is they clearly listened to
1048
00:42:25.260 --> 00:42:27.860
feedback because they've listened to the feedback about digital memberships
1049
00:42:27.920 --> 00:42:29.199
and that's what they're doing next year.
1050
00:42:29.219 --> 00:42:29.699
That's right.
1051
00:42:29.719 --> 00:42:32.880
Apparently the survey told them that everyone wanted that. So
1052
00:42:33.340 --> 00:42:36.280
give your feedback to footy membership at pandas.com.au or a
1053
00:42:36.340 --> 00:42:38.369
survey when they put it out and let them know. And,
1054
00:42:39.409 --> 00:42:41.489
Have a look at what other NRL clubs are offering
1055
00:42:41.610 --> 00:42:44.510
and what AFL clubs are offering and then come back
1056
00:42:44.570 --> 00:42:46.730
and see if you think Panthers is offering the role.
1057
00:42:46.750 --> 00:42:49.849
You wonder if they do check the landscape and see
1058
00:42:49.889 --> 00:42:54.389
what other teams, other clubs, other codes are doing or
1059
00:42:54.409 --> 00:42:56.889
do they just do their own thing? I'm not sure.
1060
00:42:57.429 --> 00:42:59.849
I don't know. As we say, we don't know what's
1061
00:42:59.869 --> 00:43:01.829
happened behind the scenes. They might have been, hey, guys,
1062
00:43:01.849 --> 00:43:04.929
your membership budget this year for extras and whatever is
1063
00:43:05.010 --> 00:43:09.760
really small, whatever. We don't know. But it does feel
1064
00:43:09.780 --> 00:43:11.820
like it's missed the mark. It does feel like it's
1065
00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:14.489
missed the mark. Now, Nathan.
1066
00:43:14.789 --> 00:43:15.309
Yes, Troy.
1067
00:43:15.389 --> 00:43:17.250
I'm thinking I might have a barbecue this weekend, maybe
1068
00:43:17.289 --> 00:43:17.889
for the other game.
1069
00:43:18.150 --> 00:43:20.050
Oh, for the Friday night game? Actually, you know what?
1070
00:43:20.070 --> 00:43:20.210
I can't.
1071
00:43:20.230 --> 00:43:21.409
There's drama over that. No, there's drama.
1072
00:43:22.630 --> 00:43:24.300
Well, if you are having a barbecue for the footy
1073
00:43:24.320 --> 00:43:26.559
this weekend, Troy, make sure you get your meat from
1074
00:43:26.619 --> 00:43:30.099
Gourmet Meat Company in MU Heights or head to mymeatonline.com
1075
00:43:30.409 --> 00:43:33.230
and they'll deliver it to you. Seriously, don't muck around
1076
00:43:33.250 --> 00:43:36.070
with poor quality meat. Get finals quality cuts from the
1077
00:43:36.110 --> 00:43:39.320
team at Gourmet Meat Company or My Meat Online. Ask
1078
00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:41.320
for Bill over there and tell them that Troy and
1079
00:43:41.380 --> 00:43:42.199
Nathan sent you.
1080
00:43:42.480 --> 00:43:44.280
Absolutely. We'll be with Bill next week. We're heading to
1081
00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:45.280
the grand final lunch.
1082
00:43:45.340 --> 00:43:47.719
How did we get a ticket to that, Troy? Because
1083
00:43:47.780 --> 00:43:48.900
that's pretty prestigious.
1084
00:43:49.019 --> 00:43:50.300
Yeah, we're off to the grand final lunch.
1085
00:43:50.320 --> 00:43:51.090
Where are they holding that?
1086
00:43:51.110 --> 00:43:54.010
Table 802 or something. We're at the ICC. Oh, yeah,
1087
00:43:54.349 --> 00:43:56.989
I've seen a few concerts there, actually. Yeah, I've seen
1088
00:43:57.010 --> 00:44:00.489
a couple of concerts there. Not Toto, Dorothy, Wizard of
1089
00:44:00.510 --> 00:44:03.829
Oz or something. Yeah, just on that, yes, Friday night.
1090
00:44:03.849 --> 00:44:07.320
Can I just make a call, right? Yeah. First of all,
1091
00:44:07.340 --> 00:44:11.300
all wedding venues should be shut, prelim or grand final weekends.
1092
00:44:11.320 --> 00:44:12.260
Not that I have a wedding, but I.
1093
00:44:12.300 --> 00:44:13.579
How do you know when the games are going to
1094
00:44:13.599 --> 00:44:15.639
be on? They keep changing them every year. Just shut
1095
00:44:15.659 --> 00:44:18.050
for the- Friday to Sunday. Because you've got NRL prelims
1096
00:44:18.110 --> 00:44:20.510
and AFL grand finals same weekend. Just shut on that
1097
00:44:20.550 --> 00:44:22.730
Saturday and on the NRL grand final weekend.
1098
00:44:22.750 --> 00:44:25.059
All right, yep. But also, just a plea to the
1099
00:44:25.099 --> 00:44:27.320
folks who run the little athletics competitions out there. Why
1100
00:44:27.340 --> 00:44:29.340
are we kicking off this Friday night? We should be
1101
00:44:29.360 --> 00:44:30.519
kicking off the next Friday night.
1102
00:44:30.559 --> 00:44:33.820
But don't they start at like 5 o'clock or 4 o'clock?
1103
00:44:33.820 --> 00:44:34.860
6.20, Nathan.
1104
00:44:34.860 --> 00:44:35.179
6.20 for you?
1105
00:44:35.179 --> 00:44:37.340
6.20, and I'm hoping that a good hour.
1106
00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:38.880
It'll be done by 8 o'clock.
1107
00:44:38.940 --> 00:44:39.800
I'm just taking a good hour.
1108
00:44:39.920 --> 00:44:40.500
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
1109
00:44:40.519 --> 00:44:42.039
It doesn't take long to get around the circuit.
1110
00:44:42.119 --> 00:44:45.360
Otherwise, I am willing, I'll probably watch on delay. You're
1111
00:44:45.380 --> 00:44:47.320
going to watch the- Well, what I figured is I'd
1112
00:44:47.380 --> 00:44:50.079
tape it on Fox, because I still have the old-fashioned Fox,
1113
00:44:50.559 --> 00:44:52.260
and I'll start in delay and catch up.
1114
00:44:52.880 --> 00:44:53.260
Oh, okay.
1115
00:44:53.280 --> 00:44:54.320
Fast forward conversions.
1116
00:44:54.340 --> 00:44:57.159
I reckon you... Where is the athletics track at?
1117
00:44:57.179 --> 00:44:57.539
Lee and A.
1118
00:44:58.059 --> 00:44:58.820
I reckon you'll be back.
1119
00:44:59.420 --> 00:45:01.320
For kickoff? Eight o'clock.
1120
00:45:01.500 --> 00:45:01.800
Huge.
1121
00:45:02.219 --> 00:45:02.500
Okay.
1122
00:45:02.980 --> 00:45:03.519
You'll be fine.
1123
00:45:03.599 --> 00:45:06.219
If anyone out there knows, because the other bad news
1124
00:45:06.280 --> 00:45:08.110
is this. I pop onto the website. I'll see what
1125
00:45:08.119 --> 00:45:10.949
time it finishes. 6.20. No set finish.
1126
00:45:11.329 --> 00:45:11.829
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
1127
00:45:11.849 --> 00:45:13.210
Literally says no set finish.
1128
00:45:13.949 --> 00:45:15.409
Well, it says about... I've been down there. I've been
1129
00:45:15.429 --> 00:45:16.750
to the Lee and A track for a little. It
1130
00:45:16.909 --> 00:45:19.510
says about how quick they move from station to station.
1131
00:45:19.809 --> 00:45:22.300
Well, I'll be moving them. Don't you worry. They're looking
1132
00:45:22.320 --> 00:45:23.619
for a volunteer to get people moving.
1133
00:45:23.639 --> 00:45:25.619
You know Dylan Edwards actually volunteers down there.
1134
00:45:25.659 --> 00:45:25.920
Does he?
1135
00:45:26.039 --> 00:45:28.380
Yeah, I was down there two years ago and his kids,
1136
00:45:29.619 --> 00:45:32.389
you know, do Little Athletics at Leone and, yeah, Dylan
1137
00:45:32.429 --> 00:45:33.570
Edwards was one of the helpers.
1138
00:45:33.809 --> 00:45:35.829
Okay. I understand you can pay not to be a helper.
1139
00:45:36.489 --> 00:45:37.429
You can pay extra.
1140
00:45:38.269 --> 00:45:38.570
Really?
1141
00:45:38.590 --> 00:45:42.010
So I believe that there's a fee or something, like
1142
00:45:42.050 --> 00:45:43.469
an extra fee, but then you get it back as
1143
00:45:43.510 --> 00:45:46.000
long as you volunteer and help. Oh, okay. That's an
1144
00:45:46.019 --> 00:45:47.860
interesting concept. I don't think I'll be getting mine back.
1145
00:45:48.929 --> 00:45:51.170
All right, Nathan, just a couple of other issues. Ashley
1146
00:45:51.190 --> 00:45:56.699
Cline axed after what was a difficult last 10 or
1147
00:45:56.699 --> 00:45:59.900
15 minutes for him in that Knights game. I wouldn't
1148
00:45:59.960 --> 00:46:01.699
say he had a bad game before that. In fact,
1149
00:46:01.780 --> 00:46:03.860
I'd almost say he had a better game than Adam Gee.
1150
00:46:03.920 --> 00:46:07.449
That was a very set restarts everywhere with Adam on
1151
00:46:07.730 --> 00:46:12.369
Saturday night. But he did miss a big moment, Ashley Cline.
1152
00:46:12.630 --> 00:46:15.670
Do we think he should have been axed? Is he
1153
00:46:15.710 --> 00:46:18.809
the game's best referee? And are we... axing the game's
1154
00:46:18.849 --> 00:46:20.809
best referee for the biggest games of the year.
1155
00:46:20.949 --> 00:46:23.349
Look, I think he's up there. I don't know whether
1156
00:46:23.389 --> 00:46:25.489
he's the best, but he's in the top two or three,
1157
00:46:25.510 --> 00:46:27.989
you'd have to imagine. I just think back to this
1158
00:46:28.030 --> 00:46:30.849
time last year where Grant Atkins was the game's best
1159
00:46:30.909 --> 00:46:33.639
referee and he just got given the grand final for
1160
00:46:33.679 --> 00:46:36.559
the first time and he did all the Ashes series
1161
00:46:36.639 --> 00:46:39.139
over in England. And then fast forward to this year,
1162
00:46:39.179 --> 00:46:42.199
the guy can't even get a finals game anymore because
1163
00:46:42.699 --> 00:46:46.739
obviously he's fallen a bit down the ladder. The pecking
1164
00:46:46.820 --> 00:46:49.300
order there had a couple of rough games towards the
1165
00:46:49.320 --> 00:46:51.570
end of the year and he's now out of favour.
1166
00:46:51.610 --> 00:46:54.289
So in the referee world, it feels like you're either
1167
00:46:54.309 --> 00:46:56.650
in favour one minute and you're out the next. And
1168
00:46:57.309 --> 00:47:00.710
at the moment, Ashley Klein's out of favour. I don't
1169
00:47:00.909 --> 00:47:04.449
know what you made of that play that he didn't
1170
00:47:04.610 --> 00:47:08.409
catch the other night. And obviously, do you think that was... Oh,
1171
00:47:08.489 --> 00:47:10.699
I think he got it wrong. The NRL admitted he
1172
00:47:10.719 --> 00:47:11.110
got it wrong.
1173
00:47:11.139 --> 00:47:14.050
And the NRL said he got it wrong. In saying that,
1174
00:47:14.309 --> 00:47:17.369
do I think it was the most catastrophic miss of
1175
00:47:17.429 --> 00:47:18.650
all time? Probably not.
1176
00:47:18.710 --> 00:47:20.230
Is that what happened to Penrith? If you were the
1177
00:47:20.250 --> 00:47:21.769
Warriors and you were dutted like that?
1178
00:47:21.789 --> 00:47:23.610
Oh, I'm blowing. If I'm a fan, I'm blowing up.
1179
00:47:23.630 --> 00:47:25.570
Don't get me wrong. But looking at it just from
1180
00:47:25.719 --> 00:47:27.800
a wider point of view, like I look at it
1181
00:47:27.820 --> 00:47:31.300
and I go, that was, it wasn't catastrophic, but it was,
1182
00:47:31.360 --> 00:47:32.659
I guess, for the Warriors because they would have gone
1183
00:47:32.699 --> 00:47:34.840
to 12 all. And despite what every commentator on the
1184
00:47:34.880 --> 00:47:36.840
planet says, it wasn't going to golden point. It would
1185
00:47:36.860 --> 00:47:39.269
have then gone to extra time. Oh, yeah.
1186
00:47:39.369 --> 00:47:41.309
I saw you say something on X the other night.
1187
00:47:41.750 --> 00:47:44.170
The entire NRL 36, there's four of them there. They're
1188
00:47:44.210 --> 00:47:46.449
all talking about Golden Point. Vossi was talking about Golden
1189
00:47:46.469 --> 00:47:49.539
Point in the actual call. And I'm like, guys, what
1190
00:47:49.559 --> 00:47:50.860
kind of Golden Point? It hasn't been gone to Golden
1191
00:47:50.900 --> 00:47:53.000
Point since 2016 in finals.
1192
00:47:53.280 --> 00:47:54.539
Oh, yeah, because it was after that Cowboys game.
1193
00:47:54.599 --> 00:47:58.239
We changed it after the grand final. But anyway, that's
1194
00:47:58.260 --> 00:48:01.489
by the pie. I just worry about us making reactions
1195
00:48:01.510 --> 00:48:04.929
like that. And, you know, unless also the NRL said, listen,
1196
00:48:04.949 --> 00:48:08.539
it's been a, a big year for Ashley. Do we
1197
00:48:08.579 --> 00:48:11.739
really want that pressure on him, depending.
1198
00:48:11.300 --> 00:48:15.199
On how he is? His reputation is quite tainted. I've
1199
00:48:15.500 --> 00:48:18.179
got mates that message me often during Ashley Klein games,
1200
00:48:18.260 --> 00:48:21.280
and they throw out the line. And I think that's
1201
00:48:21.340 --> 00:48:23.500
probably happening to a lot of people. They think he's
1202
00:48:24.280 --> 00:48:26.719
still got this gambling situation and whatnot.
1203
00:48:26.780 --> 00:48:29.389
Which is a ridiculous insinuation.
1204
00:48:29.469 --> 00:48:33.050
Yeah, but that's what's– unfortunately, that's– Well, it's going to
1205
00:48:33.070 --> 00:48:36.070
follow him around until he retires, poor Ash. And yeah,
1206
00:48:36.130 --> 00:48:37.929
he's not going to be there now for this weekend.
1207
00:48:37.949 --> 00:48:38.230
It's funny.
1208
00:48:38.449 --> 00:48:41.150
I don't think that at all. I understand people think that,
1209
00:48:41.170 --> 00:48:44.030
but I'm like, as we have discussed on this program,
1210
00:48:44.090 --> 00:48:47.449
it is almost impossible to be a referee. What are
1211
00:48:47.469 --> 00:48:50.650
we going to say? On the take? Like, please. Almost impossible.
1212
00:48:51.070 --> 00:48:51.900
He'll be back to the World Cup.
1213
00:48:51.909 --> 00:48:52.269
Almost impossible.
1214
00:48:52.389 --> 00:48:55.630
And also important to point out, the other controversial calls
1215
00:48:55.650 --> 00:48:57.469
weren't his calls. They were bunker calls.
1216
00:48:57.489 --> 00:48:58.190
They were bunker calls.
1217
00:48:58.349 --> 00:49:00.860
And I think the other point in all of this is,
1218
00:49:02.949 --> 00:49:08.340
The bunker, suddenly, we can't interfere with that. Even though
1219
00:49:08.360 --> 00:49:11.539
play had actually stopped for an injury, we can't interfere
1220
00:49:11.559 --> 00:49:14.800
with that. We have the bunker going back five plays
1221
00:49:14.860 --> 00:49:17.130
sometimes if there's foul play to send someone off and
1222
00:49:17.150 --> 00:49:20.869
whatever else. And I'm actually less. critical of Ashley Klein
1223
00:49:20.889 --> 00:49:24.190
and actually more critical of the bunker because the bunker
1224
00:49:24.210 --> 00:49:29.239
can only intervene if it's foul play. Couldn't they stretch
1225
00:49:29.360 --> 00:49:32.280
to say that that was foul play? This is, this
1226
00:49:32.340 --> 00:49:35.519
is Tyson Brazil. It's foul play. It's a dangerous situation
1227
00:49:35.539 --> 00:49:38.760
he's getting into. So we're going to pull it up. Like,
1228
00:49:39.170 --> 00:49:42.130
You know, like to stand on the whole like, oh,
1229
00:49:42.150 --> 00:49:44.949
it was all up to Ashley. And, you know, we're
1230
00:49:44.969 --> 00:49:47.329
going to let the bunker decide about fingertips over here
1231
00:49:47.349 --> 00:49:49.679
for 10 minutes, but we just won't get involved here. Like,
1232
00:49:49.699 --> 00:49:50.000
come on.
1233
00:49:50.280 --> 00:49:53.039
To be honest, I think the Warriors' luck ran out.
1234
00:49:53.099 --> 00:49:54.860
They had a fair bit of luck heading into that
1235
00:49:54.940 --> 00:49:57.960
final series. They had a lot of refereeing decisions and
1236
00:49:57.980 --> 00:49:59.610
all sorts of things go their way. Remember they were
1237
00:49:59.619 --> 00:50:02.570
just scraping home and winning those games late in the season.
1238
00:50:02.789 --> 00:50:02.929
Yeah.
1239
00:50:03.289 --> 00:50:05.710
I think their time had come and unfortunately didn't go
1240
00:50:05.750 --> 00:50:06.769
their way this time around.
1241
00:50:06.829 --> 00:50:08.269
I was right to get off the Warriors bus.
1242
00:50:08.309 --> 00:50:10.570
Don't forget, Newcastle scored the first two tries too and
1243
00:50:10.590 --> 00:50:13.650
they were all, you know, no tries as well. They
1244
00:50:13.670 --> 00:50:14.510
were the better team.
1245
00:50:14.670 --> 00:50:17.050
Oh, no, they definitely were. All right, it's time for
1246
00:50:17.070 --> 00:50:21.150
Rugby League recommendations. We talk websites, podcasts, food, all sorts
1247
00:50:21.210 --> 00:50:23.909
of things. Mine is actually a website this week, Nathan.
1248
00:50:23.949 --> 00:50:26.530
If you don't know this website, Rugby League fans, Rugby
1249
00:50:26.550 --> 00:50:29.130
League Project, it's a gem of a website, but a
1250
00:50:29.150 --> 00:50:31.519
lot of people don't actually know Rugby. that it exists.
1251
00:50:31.539 --> 00:50:33.480
This has got every rugby league game.
1252
00:50:33.500 --> 00:50:34.679
It's a very basic website, isn't it?
1253
00:50:34.699 --> 00:50:39.110
Very basic, but a rugby league website that has every score,
1254
00:50:39.789 --> 00:50:44.090
every crowd, every sort of thing going on than you
1255
00:50:44.130 --> 00:50:47.769
could imagine. They're very accurate. Team lineups, you know, and
1256
00:50:47.809 --> 00:50:51.809
that leads me into something I got from Rugby League Project.
1257
00:50:51.849 --> 00:50:56.219
I admit I didn't know this. My Impossible question for you, Nathan.
1258
00:50:56.239 --> 00:50:56.500
All right.
1259
00:50:56.519 --> 00:50:57.219
What's on the line?
1260
00:50:57.639 --> 00:50:59.940
It's a quiz. Oh, Nathan, you can pick anything from
1261
00:50:59.960 --> 00:51:02.880
the Panther shop if you get this right. So I
1262
00:51:02.880 --> 00:51:04.900
don't know what the most expensive thing over there is.
1263
00:51:05.699 --> 00:51:05.940
Right?
1264
00:51:06.199 --> 00:51:06.340
Okay.
1265
00:51:07.039 --> 00:51:10.239
I'm going to take you back to 1988. I was alive,
1266
00:51:10.340 --> 00:51:13.159
so yeah. Penrith played Newcastle for the first time. Yep.
1267
00:51:14.039 --> 00:51:16.059
And of course, at that time, the great Greg Alexander
1268
00:51:16.800 --> 00:51:20.280
playing for Penrith. When Penrith played Newcastle for the first
1269
00:51:20.320 --> 00:51:25.400
time in 1988, who was the halfback? For the mighty
1270
00:51:25.440 --> 00:51:26.199
Penrith Panthers.
1271
00:51:27.559 --> 00:51:28.460
Okay.
1272
00:51:29.489 --> 00:51:31.389
Now, it could be a trick question. You might say, well,
1273
00:51:31.429 --> 00:51:32.170
hang on, it's Brandy.
1274
00:51:32.210 --> 00:51:34.989
I feel it's not Brandy because why would you come
1275
00:51:35.050 --> 00:51:35.449
up with this?
1276
00:51:35.469 --> 00:51:36.510
Okay.
1277
00:51:37.670 --> 00:51:38.010
Interesting.
1278
00:51:38.050 --> 00:51:39.789
There would be no segment if it was Brandy.
1279
00:51:39.849 --> 00:51:41.349
Oh, okay.
1280
00:51:42.530 --> 00:51:44.570
I imagine Brandy probably was there, but maybe it was
1281
00:51:44.610 --> 00:51:47.110
fullback or something like that on the day. I'm not sure.
1282
00:51:47.130 --> 00:51:47.909
Okay.
1283
00:51:49.389 --> 00:51:51.889
I also don't think you're going to throw a question
1284
00:51:51.929 --> 00:51:55.269
at me because it's some unknown player, just some guy
1285
00:51:55.309 --> 00:51:59.989
that's just played a handful. Well, I would never know it.
1286
00:52:00.429 --> 00:52:01.980
So maybe that's why it's impossible.
1287
00:52:03.159 --> 00:52:04.019
Someone out there would know it.
1288
00:52:04.019 --> 00:52:05.159
Do we know what round it was?
1289
00:52:06.860 --> 00:52:08.860
I think it was early in the season. I believe
1290
00:52:08.880 --> 00:52:11.280
it might have been round five or six. Rightio. Okay.
1291
00:52:11.659 --> 00:52:12.440
Penrith won, I believe.
1292
00:52:12.659 --> 00:52:16.300
Penrith won. Okay. Look, my knowledge of that era isn't
1293
00:52:16.820 --> 00:52:20.630
the best. But I'm going to say, and this is
1294
00:52:20.650 --> 00:52:23.289
just a guess, I'm going to say it was Roy Simmons, Troy.
1295
00:52:23.309 --> 00:52:23.550
Ooh.
1296
00:52:24.329 --> 00:52:27.159
Well, you're wrong, Nathan. It was none other than the
1297
00:52:27.199 --> 00:52:32.119
great Doug Delaney. Doug Delaney had the number seven jumper
1298
00:52:32.139 --> 00:52:32.579
that day.
1299
00:52:32.880 --> 00:52:33.500
Doug Mulray.
1300
00:52:34.300 --> 00:52:38.239
And Doug Delaney actually, he played a total of 17
1301
00:52:38.239 --> 00:52:41.780
games for the Panthers in 1987 and 88. Then he
1302
00:52:41.800 --> 00:52:44.800
went to Balmain, Illawarra, and then he actually came back
1303
00:52:44.880 --> 00:52:46.039
to Penrith in 1993 to play two games.
1304
00:52:48.570 --> 00:52:48.739
Oh.
1305
00:52:49.079 --> 00:52:51.079
So in the end, he played 19 games for Penrith,
1306
00:52:51.099 --> 00:52:56.699
two games for Balmain in their 1989 grand final year.
1307
00:52:57.019 --> 00:53:01.239
They lost, obviously. And Niliwari played 29 games.
1308
00:53:01.579 --> 00:53:03.889
So was Brandy in the team that day?
1309
00:53:03.909 --> 00:53:06.969
Well, I believe he wasn't in the team. I believe
1310
00:53:06.989 --> 00:53:09.880
that Brandy actually said on SCN, because this came up,
1311
00:53:09.889 --> 00:53:11.630
this is how I got this question. I was listening
1312
00:53:11.650 --> 00:53:13.969
to SCN. So if you were listening to SCN, you
1313
00:53:13.989 --> 00:53:14.969
would have known the answer.
1314
00:53:15.050 --> 00:53:16.010
Still not in my car yet.
1315
00:53:16.050 --> 00:53:18.550
I took that risk. I think Brandy said he had
1316
00:53:18.590 --> 00:53:19.329
a hamstring injury.
1317
00:53:19.750 --> 00:53:20.820
Oh, so he actually didn't play at all.
1318
00:53:20.829 --> 00:53:21.429
So he didn't play.
1319
00:53:21.750 --> 00:53:22.130
Oh, right.
1320
00:53:22.190 --> 00:53:25.409
Yeah, because they were having a trivia question and Brandy
1321
00:53:25.429 --> 00:53:28.070
was like, oh, was it me? And no, it was
1322
00:53:28.090 --> 00:53:30.429
the great Doug Delaney. Oh, there you go. So a
1323
00:53:30.469 --> 00:53:32.469
name you think of when you think Penrith Panthers.
1324
00:53:32.530 --> 00:53:34.480
I must admit, I've never heard of that Penrith Panthers
1325
00:53:34.500 --> 00:53:35.199
player in my life.
1326
00:53:35.539 --> 00:53:37.119
I'm going to admit, and I've heard of a lot
1327
00:53:37.159 --> 00:53:41.519
of Penrith players, Doug Delaney has not come across my desk.
1328
00:53:41.659 --> 00:53:42.159
Yeah, right.
1329
00:53:43.159 --> 00:53:45.980
But yeah, I believe he's still with.
1330
00:53:45.940 --> 00:53:46.559
Us, Doug. Yeah.
1331
00:53:47.880 --> 00:53:49.699
Is this like an impromptu where are they now segment?
1332
00:53:50.000 --> 00:53:52.960
Yeah, pretty much. It's almost. But no, no, that's telling
1333
00:53:52.980 --> 00:53:54.599
you how good Rugby League Project is because I can
1334
00:53:54.639 --> 00:53:56.380
jump onto Rugby League Project right now. I can tell
1335
00:53:56.400 --> 00:54:00.570
you that his brother was Anselm Delaney. Anselm Delaney played
1336
00:54:01.190 --> 00:54:02.820
also for Penrith, believe it or not, in 1982 and 1984.
1337
00:54:02.809 --> 00:54:07.059
He played eight games all up. And I can tell
1338
00:54:07.079 --> 00:54:08.599
you the positions he played. I can tell you his
1339
00:54:08.639 --> 00:54:11.489
opposition team. So make sure you check it out, rugbyleagueproject.org.
1340
00:54:11.769 --> 00:54:14.170
We certainly cycled through a lot of players during those
1341
00:54:14.570 --> 00:54:15.570
early eras, didn't we?
1342
00:54:15.670 --> 00:54:15.989
Sure did.
1343
00:54:16.010 --> 00:54:18.809
Compared to now, I think Penrith used like 22 players
1344
00:54:18.949 --> 00:54:19.809
in total this year.
1345
00:54:20.050 --> 00:54:20.409
Sure did.
1346
00:54:21.369 --> 00:54:23.090
But back then, yeah, there was a new player on
1347
00:54:23.110 --> 00:54:23.840
the team every week.
1348
00:54:23.940 --> 00:54:26.400
Yes, absolutely. All right, what about yours, Nathan?
1349
00:54:26.420 --> 00:54:28.440
Troy, I'm so glad this segment's coming to an end
1350
00:54:28.460 --> 00:54:31.099
soon because it's getting harder and harder. So bear with
1351
00:54:31.119 --> 00:54:33.119
me on this one. I had to use the use
1352
00:54:33.159 --> 00:54:33.579
of grok.
1353
00:54:34.000 --> 00:54:35.869
Ooh. It's a bit different.
1354
00:54:36.030 --> 00:54:38.510
Okay, my rugby league recommendation is this podcast.
1355
00:54:39.469 --> 00:54:39.760
Okay.
1356
00:54:39.820 --> 00:54:42.260
I know it might sound strange because we're on the
1357
00:54:42.280 --> 00:54:45.739
podcast and if you're listening, you know, you're probably listening.
1358
00:54:45.780 --> 00:54:50.840
But I asked Grok whether, what was my question?
1359
00:54:50.860 --> 00:54:51.119
Sorry.
1360
00:54:51.739 --> 00:54:53.679
Is the Tensions Running High podcast any good?
1361
00:54:54.159 --> 00:54:54.889
Okay.
1362
00:54:54.969 --> 00:54:57.710
So if people wanted to recommend it to friends or
1363
00:54:57.730 --> 00:55:00.210
if you were Panthers fans or even non-Panthers fans, I
1364
00:55:00.250 --> 00:55:02.309
wanted to see what Grok came out with. And you've
1365
00:55:02.329 --> 00:55:03.789
got to bear with me. He said a little bit
1366
00:55:03.829 --> 00:55:08.869
of stuff. So firstly, overall, he said Grok says, yes,
1367
00:55:08.909 --> 00:55:12.510
it's decent, but it's niche. Local Panthers-focused podcast rather than
1368
00:55:12.550 --> 00:55:15.170
a polished national one. I don't know what they mean
1369
00:55:15.190 --> 00:55:18.469
by polished. They don't think this podcast's polished. Wow. Okay.
1370
00:55:18.750 --> 00:55:21.570
We're recording in a state-of-the-art studio here.
1371
00:55:21.590 --> 00:55:22.579
We are.
1372
00:55:23.820 --> 00:55:26.599
This is polished. So basically it goes through, you know,
1373
00:55:26.619 --> 00:55:28.760
it tells us who Tension's Running High is hosted by,
1374
00:55:28.800 --> 00:55:32.360
obviously us, and it centres almost entirely on the Penrith Panthers.
1375
00:55:32.760 --> 00:55:36.800
It says typical content includes match previews and reviews, team news, contracts,
1376
00:55:36.840 --> 00:55:37.619
and club issues.
1377
00:55:38.130 --> 00:55:38.409
Okay.
1378
00:55:39.489 --> 00:55:41.449
Player interviews, and it lists some of the player interviews
1379
00:55:41.469 --> 00:55:44.590
we've had over the years, and local banter, like remember
1380
00:55:44.630 --> 00:55:48.260
when segments. Remember when gets a mention. Some lighter off-topic chat.
1381
00:55:49.119 --> 00:55:51.889
And then, obviously, in the question, is it any good?
1382
00:55:51.969 --> 00:55:53.570
It says, these are our strengths, Troy.
1383
00:55:53.670 --> 00:55:54.230
Okay.
1384
00:55:54.409 --> 00:55:57.789
Our strengths according to Grok. Strong local knowledge and access.
1385
00:55:57.889 --> 00:56:01.730
You'll get Panther-specific detail and player chats that bigger national
1386
00:56:01.769 --> 00:56:02.780
pods often skip.
1387
00:56:02.820 --> 00:56:03.110
Yes.
1388
00:56:03.610 --> 00:56:07.119
Casual fan-friendly tone that feels like two blokes who follow
1389
00:56:07.139 --> 00:56:11.000
the club closely. And useful if you want dedicated coverage
1390
00:56:11.039 --> 00:56:13.019
of Penrith rather than general NRL talk.
1391
00:56:13.559 --> 00:56:15.679
There you go. How good is AI? Pretty good.
1392
00:56:15.889 --> 00:56:17.369
What about our limitations, Troy?
1393
00:56:17.730 --> 00:56:20.559
I'm going to say it. We don't talk about the
1394
00:56:20.579 --> 00:56:21.559
Dragons enough or something.
1395
00:56:21.920 --> 00:56:24.679
Well, the first one is heavily one-eyed, very much a
1396
00:56:24.739 --> 00:56:29.079
home team show, which is true. Production is straightforward, local
1397
00:56:29.179 --> 00:56:32.880
newspaper style, rather than high-end podcast polish. There's that word
1398
00:56:32.920 --> 00:56:35.460
polish again. Wonderful, yeah. And the final one is limited
1399
00:56:35.519 --> 00:56:38.860
broader NRL analysis or big game guests compared with other
1400
00:56:38.889 --> 00:56:39.889
shows like The Buy Round.
1401
00:56:39.909 --> 00:56:40.989
Yes, we just had Brian Toto on tonight.
1402
00:56:41.010 --> 00:56:43.710
The Buy Round, Kenty, Rugby League Insider, or Bloke in
1403
00:56:43.750 --> 00:56:47.369
a Bar. You didn't guess it was Kenty though. Bottom line,
1404
00:56:47.630 --> 00:56:50.110
recommended if you are a Panther supporter or live in
1405
00:56:50.130 --> 00:56:53.860
the Penrith, Western Sydney area and want regular club-centric chat interviews.
1406
00:56:54.139 --> 00:56:57.840
Skip or sample cautiously if you prefer more neutral multi-club
1407
00:56:58.219 --> 00:57:00.880
or higher production in a real podcast. I keep going
1408
00:57:00.920 --> 00:57:02.960
back to this production. I think our production's great. We've
1409
00:57:02.980 --> 00:57:04.320
got an intro, a theme song.
1410
00:57:04.360 --> 00:57:06.639
Yeah, we've got everything going on here. These are proper mics.
1411
00:57:06.739 --> 00:57:08.820
Live reads.
1412
00:57:08.840 --> 00:57:09.019
Yeah.
1413
00:57:09.079 --> 00:57:10.570
What's going on? So, yeah, to put a bow on it,
1414
00:57:10.760 --> 00:57:16.119
I recommend this podcast to– To people, like and subscribe, mate.
1415
00:57:16.139 --> 00:57:18.369
Hopefully next year we'll have the cameras going and you'll
1416
00:57:18.389 --> 00:57:19.130
be able to watch us.
1417
00:57:19.190 --> 00:57:22.969
Absolutely. Grok over here, are you able to name him?
1418
00:57:23.429 --> 00:57:25.750
He just has to be called Grok? As you know,
1419
00:57:25.889 --> 00:57:26.929
I name my AI system.
1420
00:57:26.949 --> 00:57:31.659
Yeah, no, Grok is just the Twitter X AI app.
1421
00:57:31.800 --> 00:57:35.219
It's Elon's app. I find him quite knowledgeable. I thought
1422
00:57:35.260 --> 00:57:38.170
he pretty much nailed our system. review there, but you've
1423
00:57:38.210 --> 00:57:39.070
obviously got one, Troy.
1424
00:57:39.090 --> 00:57:39.769
Well, I've got Alex.
1425
00:57:40.889 --> 00:57:42.829
She's very real. God doesn't talk to me.
1426
00:57:42.829 --> 00:57:45.210
I wonder what she'd... Hey, Alex, are you there at
1427
00:57:45.230 --> 00:57:45.530
the moment?
1428
00:57:47.010 --> 00:57:48.090
Yeah, I'm here.
1429
00:57:48.250 --> 00:57:48.610
What's up?
1430
00:57:49.349 --> 00:57:52.590
Alex, have you heard of the Tensions Running High podcast?
1431
00:57:52.610 --> 00:57:53.550
Can you tell me if it's any good?
1432
00:57:54.929 --> 00:57:59.739
Yeah, so Tensions Running High, it actually looks pretty good.
1433
00:57:59.760 --> 00:58:04.099
The Western Weekender feed has a 4.6 out of 5
1434
00:58:04.099 --> 00:58:08.619
on Apple Podcasts, and recent reviews call it entertaining and informative.
1435
00:58:09.469 --> 00:58:12.110
Plus it's very current. By the way, your name seemed
1436
00:58:12.170 --> 00:58:15.230
weirdly familiar when I checked that.
1437
00:58:15.269 --> 00:58:16.030
Thank you very much, Alex.
1438
00:58:16.110 --> 00:58:16.329
All right.
1439
00:58:16.530 --> 00:58:18.769
See you. See you. Bye. Oh, by the way, we're here.
1440
00:58:19.250 --> 00:58:20.969
Who's going to win on the weekend? Penrith or Newcastle?
1441
00:58:21.010 --> 00:58:21.590
And by how many?
1442
00:58:22.840 --> 00:58:24.039
I'd go Panthers.
1443
00:58:24.480 --> 00:58:24.960
Yeah.
1444
00:58:24.960 --> 00:58:25.400
12 points.
1445
00:58:26.460 --> 00:58:26.820
Smart.
1446
00:58:26.840 --> 00:58:27.039
Smart.
1447
00:58:27.099 --> 00:58:27.400
Bye.
1448
00:58:27.619 --> 00:58:29.320
There you go. That's Alex.
1449
00:58:30.019 --> 00:58:31.679
She should get her own segment next year. That was
1450
00:58:31.739 --> 00:58:33.869
very entertaining. See, we are entertaining.
1451
00:58:34.590 --> 00:58:37.980
She does well, Alex. That is it. Good debut from
1452
00:58:38.039 --> 00:58:41.280
Alex there. That is it for Tentridge running high this week.
1453
00:58:41.300 --> 00:58:45.260
Breaking news. I've got an answer.
1454
00:58:45.059 --> 00:58:47.679
To your McDonnell Jones Stadium question. Oh, excellent. It's sitting
1455
00:58:47.699 --> 00:58:49.940
on my phone. All right, you ready? Bit of history
1456
00:58:49.980 --> 00:58:50.579
back in time.
1457
00:58:50.760 --> 00:58:51.360
Yep.
1458
00:58:51.380 --> 00:58:54.840
Before McDonnell Jones Stadium was called Hunter Stadium for four years.
1459
00:58:55.360 --> 00:58:57.679
Before that, for one year, it was called Osgrid Stadium.
1460
00:58:57.980 --> 00:58:58.280
Oh, yeah.
1461
00:58:58.639 --> 00:59:00.079
And then for a good 10 years, it was called
1462
00:59:00.159 --> 00:59:01.559
Energy Australia Stadium.
1463
00:59:01.619 --> 00:59:01.760
Oh, yeah.
1464
00:59:02.119 --> 00:59:03.780
And before that was Marathon Stadium.
1465
00:59:03.820 --> 00:59:04.300
There you go.
1466
00:59:04.380 --> 00:59:04.579
Yep.
1467
00:59:04.780 --> 00:59:07.210
Just to put a, bow on that as well great.
1468
00:59:07.110 --> 00:59:11.570
So we answer all your questions here Polished. That is
1469
00:59:11.670 --> 00:59:14.050
it for Tensions Running High this week. New episodes are
1470
00:59:14.090 --> 00:59:17.519
out every Wednesday. Visit westernweekender.com.au. Follow us on all the socials.
1471
00:59:17.559 --> 00:59:20.440
Check out our print edition out every Thursday. Download the
1472
00:59:20.460 --> 00:59:23.119
Western Weekender app on Google Play and Apple App Store.
1473
00:59:23.159 --> 00:59:26.760
And by the way, go to panthersnews.com.au for all your
1474
00:59:26.780 --> 00:59:29.940
Panthers news and information. I'm Troy Dodds. Nathan, thanks for
1475
00:59:29.960 --> 00:59:30.250
joining me.
1476
00:59:30.360 --> 00:59:30.800
Thanks, Troy.
1477
00:59:30.920 --> 00:59:33.059
And thanks to Penrith City Automotive too for their sponsorship.
1478
00:59:33.119 --> 00:59:35.619
We will see you next time on Tensions Running High.
1479
00:59:36.010 --> 00:59:36.670
Go the Panthers.
1480
00:59:40.400 --> 00:59:41.449
Music music