This week on The Big League Podcast - Warriors chief executive Cameron George reacts to the season-ending injury for Mitch Barnett - how big of a loss is this and will it change whether they ask State of Origin players to back up?
Newstalk ZB's Nathan Limm and NZ Herald's Michael Burgess and survey another heart-stopping win against the Rabbitohs and look ahead to the heavyweight bout with the Sharks.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio The.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Big League Podcast by News TALKSB.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Warriors chief executive
Cameron George reacts to the season ending injury for Mitch Barnett.
How big of a loss is this and will it
change whether they ask state of origin players to back
up Michael Burgess and I will survey another heart stopping
win against the Rabbit o's and look ahead to the
heavyweight bout with the Sharks.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
My name is Nathan Limb. Let's go lv oh dear.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Just when our blood pressure had barely returned to normal
after that pulsating and let's be frank taxing victory over
the Bunnies in Sydney, Warriors fans are hit with perhaps
the worst possible news, Mitch Barnett out for the season
aclknee injury. Bunnette's been easily the club's best player over
(01:12):
the last three seasons. The sight of blood pouring from
his head, legs and arms taped up was fairly frequent,
but he always just seemed impenetrable the terminator. I didn't
think he could even get injured. We talked so much
about injuries and the spine, the halves hooker, but the
loss of Prop Barnett, the talismanic workhorse of a co captain,
(01:34):
is a bitter blow. Michael Burgess, Senior New Zealand Herald Ryder,
we're back together. Dry your eyes. That's okay.
Speaker 5 (01:46):
We are back together, Nathan. It's great to be back here.
That's been too long, but you know it could have
been under better circumstances. Well overused, We all overuse the
word devastating, you know, but this is actually devastating, Like
it's devastating on so many levels. First of all, for
Mitch Bunnett, he has been playing amazing the last the
(02:09):
last year and a half, especially last year I thought
he really came into his own when he got the
standing captain and went to another level origin da day.
He's just at an absolute peak mentally, physically, everything, and
so for this to happen to him, he just be
You saw him and when it happened and he the
cameras went to his face and he did something oh shit,
(02:31):
you know, so I think he might have known that
it's quite serious if it happened to him and then
the second blow is to the team because the team
is traveling so well, and this is actually this makes
a massive difference. We'll get into it a bit later,
but this is one of the biggest injuries setbacks to
Worriors have had in about ten years.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
That's a big call.
Speaker 5 (02:54):
And I'll explain that later. I'll explain that later, and
I'll explain that later to you, and then you'll be like, oh, jeez, Booz,
that's actually a good point, but you just briefly say now, yeah,
to briefly say now, he's in. He's in what I
consider the Big four right him, Fisher, Harris, probably Luke
metcalf now and Wade Egan. I'm not sure what all
(03:17):
they be in, but but Barnett is probably one or
two in terms of so hard to replace. There are
other forwards there and they'll do a good job, but
he's in the Big four, and he's probably at the
top of that list so far out. It's just it's
a cool game sometimes.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
It is, and especially it comes off the backdrop of
another win, albeit very very stressful, and we're going to
talk about that obviously. But the Mitch Barnett knee injury
massive blow Andrew Webster. He's his reaction after the game
before we knew it was an a c L injury.
He has faith and his team's depth to fill the voice.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
We lost fish for four weeks.
Speaker 6 (03:52):
Is one of the best friend roles in the world,
and we know how to do next manner with certainly
something that we preach and we talk about. Life goes
on all the time. That you rather your best players
on the field, but when they're not, this game doesn't
wait for anyone.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Now, we're going to hear the thoughts of Warrior's Chief
executive Cameron George in just a moment, but first let's
review the highlights from Sydney Warriors thirty six Bunnies thirty.
Speaker 7 (04:16):
The first of three games in the Harbour City. Aaron
Clark now the kid from Midcalf looking.
Speaker 5 (04:22):
For leaping Dvin not Terry's lesbian.
Speaker 7 (04:26):
Execution perfect for the right winger at the Warriors.
Speaker 5 (04:30):
Is the trigger close to the.
Speaker 7 (04:31):
Line there driving these the Indoa castop konkla tag He's
Midcalf affected Awvix Copton is away. Take the Eastern Sideline
the sun shining broth for the lot of South Sydney's
favorite sons who're goes in n our all try run
(04:52):
the patland and ninety eight. Now it's Ford who spots
a whole grubbers and Chason's hard. Oh Jackson fought didn't
get there, Barry did. He's Midcalf now Nikol Crookstar Strangers
and twelve his way over. He's Nika Mala Sema liquor
ham Sema.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Lika here leading him a love bringing.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
Has we turn races away behind Caper to Midta on
the Harris Divator.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
He ja turn a chick. Now the turn it to
the lead again.
Speaker 7 (05:29):
It's taken by his next constant, taken by Slidon quickly
kicked down.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Now opens up we at turn it to again.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
Biggles jundawn As has that trick.
Speaker 7 (05:40):
He has two hundred Lemiership tries again bringing Campbell, Graham,
Ford lock a Hammercena, lot of tame, Master hick Haw's
He's second.
Speaker 5 (05:52):
And that might be enough for the Warriors.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Audio Curtesy of Fox Sports.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
The Big League Podcast podcast, It is my.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Pleasure to welcome into the Big League Podcast Warriors Chief
executive Cameron. George Cameron, thank you so much for your time.
First of all, just your your overall real action much
by net acl knee injury out for the season.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
It's obviously really sad news for much, very sad may.
Speaker 8 (06:16):
He's just a guy that means so much to our
club and our foota team and our fans, and you know,
these injuries are part of the game, but you know,
it's really devastating to see you Mitch suffer one. He's
at the peak of his powers, he's playing Origin, he's
leading that club. But look that said, our focus now
is getting around him and supporting him and his family
(06:38):
and just going through the process, and that's really important
we reddo that.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
And obviously this is a massive blow for the Warriors
in terms of the leadership team as well.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Well.
Speaker 8 (06:48):
It is, yeah, absolutely, but you know, we've got so
many good people in our squad and we've seen it
from time and time again with injuries and the likes
that other people just step up and in the roles
and that's you know what's required now. So that'll happen,
and you know, all the players will get together and
make they'll find a way forward. That's that's really important
(07:09):
for us, and we've seen that happen, you know, throughout
many games this year. So onwards and upwards in that regard.
But you know he is a great leader of our
footay team, but our young guys and everyone else will step.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
Up for sure, Bunny.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
It's been so influential for you guys in the NRL,
but obviously he's also a big part of New South
Wales and the State of Origin team. Have you been
in touch with Blues coach A Laurie Daily.
Speaker 8 (07:33):
No, I haven't spoken to Lorry about it. My focus
is Mitch and his family. That's all that matters in
our footy club and footy tame and look, you know,
we get back to work tomorrow and as I said,
my focus personally is to make sure Mitch and his
family are very well supported through this process and where
we look after the players and they'll get back to training.
We just got to move on. We've got a game
(07:54):
in four days five days time and that's a really important,
really important game for us now.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Barnett obviously played for the Blues and State of Origin
Game one and then backed up against the rabbit Os
a few days later. Does this injury make you look
at whether you continue to get your State of Origin
players to back up on the weekend and play with
it you know, it could be three games in eight
nine days. Does it make you look about whether or
(08:21):
not you continue doing that.
Speaker 8 (08:23):
I wouldn't for one second think this is a state
of origin issue. Absolutely not. You know, there's been out
of the thirty four players that played on Wednesday night,
I think you know, thirty odd have are backed up.
So we take a lot of care, We take a
lot of responsibility with the preparation and recovery, and we
have a lot of people around both the state of
origin and the club that are very responsible and very
(08:48):
very professional in.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
What they do.
Speaker 8 (08:50):
So you know, at the end of the day, this
is this is something that just happens in rugby league.
We understand that I wouldn't put state of origin anywhere
near what happened on Sunday, and.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Just overall on the Warriors team as a whole now
won four games in a row. Away, you must be
stoked with the way the team's performing.
Speaker 8 (09:10):
Yeah, we're very happy. We're a long way to go,
but we're just you know, every week's a new week
for us, Every week's a new challenge, and every week's
a goal setting scenario. And you know, we've got a
tremendous bunch of players young and experience, and you know
they're all aiming up and we're making our travel fun
and you know, when we get there, we've got a
task to complete and we've got wonderful support in Australia
(09:33):
and that's you know, really helped our team perform. So
extremely happy we're right now. We've got a long way
to go from here, and just.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Last year, you must be really really pleased with the
amount of support you guys are getting in Australia. I
mean in Brisbane at sun Court Stadium, it sounded like
a home game and that looks to have continued in Sydney.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (09:53):
Look, our supports global and you know in Australia, it's
amazing when you walk down the streets, you know, to
see and hear everyone at the games, it's just mind blowing.
So it's just really proud of our club, our fans
and what they stand for. And you know, I'm just
so happy for our players that are responding to that.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
This is the Big League Podcast.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
This is going Yeah, the Big League Podcast on the
Warriors Bandwagons.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
It's day one. Great to hear from Cameron George.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
He's so accessible as a chief executive in New Zealand Sport.
Cameron George is fantastic because you can just call them
and have a yarn to em Burde. But obviously that
the news of of Mitch Barnett is a devastating blow.
Seem pretty calm, well, I guess for for for the club.
You know, they can't they can't do what we're gonna do.
We're gonna dwell on this for quite a while. You know,
(10:47):
we're going on a dress. We're dwelling on this today
will be dwelling well. But the club actually have to
move on. That's what Andrew Webs will say this week.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
They've got to move on because they can't change it,
which is which is the reality. But man, it is
a it is a massive blow. I mean to take firstly,
to take up the point that Cameron George made an
interview about Origin. I think it's kind of the other
way around. The club. No issue with the club here
because players are expected to back up. Mitch wanted to play,
(11:15):
that's fine, But the issues with the NRL. You know,
there aren't any other competitions in the world I can
think of with collision sports where you play on a
Wednesday and then you have to play again on the Friday,
Sat there Sunday, Like, can you imagine the the All
Blacks having a game this Wednesday and then the Blues
playing there. It's Chiefs on Sunday. It would never happened,
(11:39):
never happened, right, But we've got so used to it
in the league, and it's all of it being the
tough man and backing up. And I've got no doubt
that it's related that you know, you're still your body
goes through a lot and then you're playing on the
Sunday and you feel good, but there's just little moments,
little way you move, and next thing he's done something
like this. So it's just it's just awful. And to
(11:59):
go back to my point about the worst in a decade,
which probably you're thinking, what are you thinking, that's a
big overreaction or.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
It's a massive court. I mean had some big players.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
We had Sean Johnson with an injury right before the
playoffs a couple of years ago. Yeah, so but to me,
it's all about the key to a season is getting
to the end of the season with your best team.
And so in twenty twenty three, you're right, Johnson injury
but he was back for the Newcastle game in the
Broncos game, So they basically had their best team. And
the other year was at twenty eighteen where they made
(12:31):
the playoffs and had their full team.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Basically all those other years during.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
COVID twenty twenty one, twenty two nineteen, they never had
a team that was going to make the playoffs. It
was never just never going to happen. So that's the
why when I say worse than the decade, because I
go back to what I remember is twenty sixteen and
twenty fifteen. In twenty sixteen, they had a team that
had a good team and Roger was the big new
(12:56):
signing and he got injured season ending, the injury in
I think round five some of that round five, round six,
and he was out for the season. Massive blow. And
there was a team that had a lot of potential.
And the other one twenty fifteen. When you were you
were school somewhere.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
I was fourteen. I would have been in year ten. Yeah,
there you go.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
Warriors were flying. They just beat the Storm at home.
They're in the top four. Everyone's talking about, Wow, this
team's amazing. They had a lot of good players, a
lot of good attack and Sean Johnson does his ankle,
breaks his ankle against Manly I think a week or
two after they beat the Storm, and they never never
were the same again, barely won a game. I think
that season it didn't even make the eight. So to me,
(13:38):
it's on that scale, if you know what I mean.
It's a seasoning ending injury to a player that makes
a massive difference, you know. And the question is now,
which we'll see over the next twelve weeks, is can
they win the big games without one of their best
big game players. That's the test.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
Yeah, And I suppose speaking of big name players, let's
go through this game against the Bunnies, because it was
a good win, albeit extremely extremely stressful chance. Nickelcrook start
one try, three hundred and forty two run meters. He
was in everything, he had the ball in his hands
all the time. Roger to I Vasischik as well impressive
(14:18):
with two tries. Both just had outstanding work rates for money.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
Obviously, Yeah, I mean I liked. What I did like
about Roger was it felt like he was getting more involved.
He was able to come off his winger bit more.
And because he can create, he can create real havoc
and so I think that's a key for this team
in the next few weeks is trying to work out
a way to get Roger more involved, not just kick
returns and everything else, because when he does. I think
(14:42):
he had a couple of line breaks and I just
loved the X fact thing of Roger as he does
things that you don't expect, and the way he out
jumped Mitchell leading up to their third try, gets the
ball back and then just rolls it back on the ground,
ends up with Jackson Ford and he does the chip
through for Rock and Berry. But that play doesn't happen
without Rogers, you know, not just not just jumping for
(15:02):
the ball, but having the awareness on the fifth tackle
to roll it back, so that so play on a
non chance. It's just interesting, isn't it, Mate? Because a
few weeks ago, a month ago or so, there was
questions would he go to England?
Speaker 4 (15:15):
Would he not?
Speaker 5 (15:17):
And there was a bit of a sentiment out there
among the fan base are that's okay, well we'll be
We'll be okay without him if he wants to go
to England. Da da da da da take up it
off with a Super League. But I think he underlined
his value that he is just such a he's just
such an important cog for the Warriors and Luke Metcalf.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
You know, we've talked a lot about the fifth tackle players.
I know, even what last week you and Neck were
talking about. It's still looking a little bit unimaginative. But
in terms of his kicking in game, I think it's
come such a long way so far this year squire scoring.
I think at least two tries off bombs he was
able to put in the corner his kicking I suppose
(15:56):
in the twenty able to position those kicks to land
just outside the tryline and put real pressure on the
rabbit O's defense.
Speaker 5 (16:02):
Yeah, I mean he forced a couple of those late,
trapping them in goal for the life and dropouts that
actually led to two of us chicks try right at
the end the seventh try. He did some good things.
I mean, we have to also bring up the intercept,
which at the time felt at the time felt massive
and thankfully they had that great spell in the early
(16:25):
in the second half of three tries and about eight
minutes or something from memory, but at the time itself
felt like when those twelve point plays because it was
a it was a risky pass and and kind of telegraphed,
and those are things that he's got to work on.
But I like the fact that he strikes you as
the kind of guy that doesn't let that bother him
too much. Like he's quite confident, so he he rebounds
(16:47):
quite quickly, because that's a big thing in a game.
The same with he missed a couple of kexx earlier
in that.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Conversion just to the right of the postal.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Just to the left of the postal reminded me of
that she now has Tavita one from last year and
he just put it wide.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Everyone's saying, oh my goodness. Meet. But then later in
the game he was nailing them from the sideline.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
He's nailing them and he sort of keeps and he
of course had this spectacular eighty five minute try from
dummy half when he goes in and show and goes
so is the real talent.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
Let's talk about the flow of the game.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
I suppose at the moment, because in six games in
a row now the Warriors have scored the first try.
You're right, you're dying there, burd It's six games in
a row the Warriors have scored the first try. They
start games so well and then in the second half
they keep doing this to us. They hate winning comfortably.
Ah yeah, I mean yeah, they just hate it. Well, no,
(17:41):
they love it.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
Actually they'd loved to be able to do it, like
they all said how they loved it against Newcastle. There's
probably two things here in number one, these second half fades.
It fades a bit strong, but these second half issues.
A lot of clubs are killed to have these issues
because they're having these issues. But they build a lead
and then they hang on. You know, other clubs are
having fades in the first half or whatever. So that's
(18:03):
one thing. Momentum does kind of swing in then RL.
It's the way they've designed it. They seem to love.
I don't know the rules in that where its swings
and it's hard to get it back. But if there
was a bit of a concern, because you're exactly right,
like thirty twelve up with about what was it, twenty
minutes to go, you should be able to see that
(18:24):
game out, and you know, they just maybe I think
there are a couple of lapses in concentration and suddenly
the rabbit o's are back into it and it got
way more tense than it should have.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Well, Latrell Mitchell, who in my opinion, was the best
player on the field that day, he just grabbed the
game by the kahunas and combined twice on the left
wing with Alex Johnston, who obviously scored a hat trick,
but I think was the beneficiary of Latrell Mitchell just
absolutely taking the game by the horns.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
And that's the thing Goyle at Mitchell, that's what he
can do. So we have to give, you know, a
lot of credit to Sous for the way they came back.
But the good sign is the Warriors took the lead.
When they take the lead in about the thirty fifth
minute or something, it's just before half time, before halftime,
and they you know, never surrendered that lead obviously, and
(19:16):
the clock was always against the Rabbits even though it
was getting dicey. So they're still on the learning curve.
So it's very encouraging. But yeah, I mean, Andrew Webster
particularly must be getting sick of because it's happened against
the Cowboys, that happened a little bit to a degree
against the against the Dolphins. But overall, as we've seen
quite a few times, Naith. It's massive for their for
(19:38):
their belief, their confidence and their resilience that they keep
finding a way to do this.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Well, it's a good problem to have, isn't it. We've
still see as it was, like you said, a game
full of momentum swings.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
I just thought we always found a way to wrestle
it back.
Speaker 6 (19:51):
We didn't at the momentum carry for too long, but
we allowed that that momentum of ours to stop too often.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Eighten points up.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
I think we prefer to manage that better.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Just one potential issue that I sort of picked up
on during the game, Latrell Mitchell and co. They were
putting up some massive bombs and there were a few
occasions where the Warriors back through allowed those bombs to bounce.
And I'm not sure It's mid afternoon in Sydney, so
potentially there was an issue there with the sun. But
one of those did lead to a rabbit O's try.
(20:22):
And you know, obviously we talked about the great game
that Chance had, but for me, that looked like it
was a bit of a vulnerability for the Warriors. Did
you notice the same thing.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Yeah, it's not the first. I mean they have been
doing it here and there over the last six or
seven games. I mean, it's a tricky one because there
is that school of thoughts sometimes it's actually wise to
let it bounce because if it is just crazily spiraling
and you try and catch it and drop it, that
was obviously is not a good outcome either. So it's risky.
I can see both sides of it. It's something you've
(20:52):
got to be careful with. But can I think one
thing we do We do need to mention two things actually, Nathan.
Actually one is the bench impact, which I thought again
was just outstanding. They're just getting so much value at
their bench and we saw was saw I thought the
way that Leka Hallie Seema what he can do from
(21:13):
the bench, Like he's been really good starting, but the
added explosion this he comes from the bench when he
hasn't used all his juice tackling for twenty minutes. I mean,
he had another brilliant game and dimitric Varmager far out.
I mean it felt like he was popping it with
offloads all the time. A couple of those offloads either
led to tries or they led to a tribe being scored.
In the following couple of plays. So between those two guys,
(21:36):
I just think that bench is brilliant, and then the
other thing is Dollan. It'd be very interesting to me
what happens with Dollan over the next few weeks, because
he still looks down on confidence. Since he's returned from injury,
he's been such a great playoff Andrew Webster, but it
feels like teams know they can attack his edge and
(21:57):
it's not all on him because the wingers got the
harder job on the end of that line. But he
is making some misreads. Has been a few misreads the
last few weeks, so I'm not sure what you do there,
all right.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
The Warriors visit the Sharks in Cronella on Saturday nights.
Sharks been one of the form teams in the NRAL.
Remember they pushed the Panthers right to the finish that
and Vegas right at the start of the year, and
they sit fifth on the ladder with seven wins five losses.
They're coming off the bye. Most recently, and this is
the weird thing about the NRL. Most recently, they copped
(22:33):
to forty two to sixteen, hiding at the hands of
the Roosters. Don't know how much we read into that.
They've got former Warrior Adam vanua Blake with them, remember
all that drama from last year, plus obviously Nicko Hines,
Braden Trindle and the Harves. They are missing Ronaldo Mullitalo,
the winger who loves to play against the Warriors, loves
to get stuck in. He is suspended so he will
not be there. But what have you made of the
(22:55):
Sharks this year? What potential threats are they going to post? Oh,
they're just a really good team.
Speaker 5 (22:59):
I mean they've been the top four team the last
couple of seasons without being able to make the next step,
So that was the big challenge this year. Who must
talks about can they make the next step to a
grand file, et cetera. But they've got they've got all
the ingredients, the coaches getting more and more experienced, really
tough Ford pack, Van Blake's improve them. They're not a
spectacular team to watch, but so good defensively and so
(23:23):
hard to stop close to the line, so that'll be tough.
I don't know why they're I thought they'd be a
bit higher on the ladder, but they have as you
as you say, they had five losses and a couple
of probably upsets, but yeah, they're they're a really good
team and particularly you imagine added Van Blake will be
wanting to have the match of his season so far,
won't he.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
Yeah, And well, I mean if you think about the Warriors,
they're not going to have Mitch Barnett as well, so
potentially in the middle they're a little bit less potent
than normal. But I imagine if we look at the
Warriors team to play this week with Mitch Barnett obviously
not there, Jackson Ford go and to start at prop,
who do you reshuffle the int just Jacob Laban just
come into the interchange?
Speaker 4 (24:02):
How do you work that?
Speaker 5 (24:03):
Yeah, I'd say labor will come in, But I don't
know if Jackson will start. I mean, he's doing really
well season and some of the numbers he's putting up
and just as another classic work, great guy. I know
Webster loves him, but I don't know if you'll start
or they might be tempted to start with n Corde
at PROP just because he's a bigger body. I know
at the start of the season, Webster's plan was for
(24:25):
the Cord to play most of the season at prop
that's sort of what they were thinking him as a
middle But he's done really well back in the second row.
I think he's doing some of his best stuff since
twenty three. Maybe you know, do you just I love
him on the edge, so let's see what happens there.
But there might be a sort of Fisher. Harris n
Corde could be another option. But it's you're right, it's
(24:45):
a challenge. Shark's got some big boppers.
Speaker 8 (24:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
The other thing was Rockerberry, who picked up a hamstring injury,
I believe in the game against the Bunnies. We don't
know the severity of that, but imagine if he is
how Ali lad Tawa comes.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
Back and do you know what's with Berry?
Speaker 5 (25:01):
No, we don't yet, expecting to find out pretty soon.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
I mean.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
He was inter after the game by Sky Sport. He
was absolutely despondent. He mentioned in that interview.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
Look, you never know.
Speaker 5 (25:11):
I could be right for the weekend, but it seems
unlikely because of the fact he's already had a couple
of hamstrings. You know, hamstrings are pretty negli things.
Speaker 4 (25:20):
Once it's done.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
Once I just feel so sorry for the guy because
I think he's only played where are we we're coming
up to the thirteenth game of the season. I think
he's only played four or five games this season, you know,
and what I saw from him on Sunday reminded me
why he probably is a first choice center and then
the other center spot would be between Adam Pompey and
(25:44):
Alilatawa because it's just as defensive workers Kickchase. All those
one percent is He's a very smart player. He just
wanted to get a a run of games. But I
can't see him being available for selection this Saturday.
Speaker 4 (26:01):
The Big League.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
On the Warriors Bad Wagon since day one, the Big
Lead podcast for the Biggest League fans.
Speaker 4 (26:11):
Right Berge, we'll get back into quick fire predictions. The
ding and buzzer are back.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
I know Billy was saying I didn't leave him the
tech sound and the buzzer sound in the handover notes.
I apologize, Billy, but actually every time Nick host this podcast,
the Worries loose to the Raiders, so I might need
to find a replacement replacement.
Speaker 5 (26:32):
The other issue is Nick and I we went zero
for five I think during that origin period with all
those players out, so we both considered well, there was
feedback as well that we should actually forget about this
expert tipping because there's a lack of experts obviously, lack
of expertise. And you haven't been great either, Like I
(26:55):
was always better than you. So I think if I'm zero,
what does that make you? You sort of negative too?
Speaker 4 (27:02):
I don't know.
Speaker 5 (27:02):
So let's see, let's see if we can regenerate.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
I'm going eight for eight this week. Yeah, yeah, eight
by eight more like eight Knights Sea Eagles.
Speaker 5 (27:16):
Man, I feel so sorry for Newcastle fans. They're just
amazing fans, brilliant club.
Speaker 4 (27:21):
But they're in a real we need to start to
go fund me. They're in a real hole. You never know.
Speaker 5 (27:27):
At home, they could bounce back, but I think Manly
will be will be too good.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
You never know, but they won't bounce back. Manly Storm
versus the Cowboys.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Storm for me, although the Cowboys that I do like
what the Cowboys are doing. They're a good team this
year and they're going to be riding the mix in September.
I love their attacking play, so they're the kind of
team that can really threaten the Storm because they have
got a lot of weapons. But I normally don't tip
against the Storm at home unless there's some crazy circumstances
(28:01):
or they're playing a team that's really on fire. So
I'll go with the Storm.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
Dolphins versus the Dragons. And Dragons haven't done too badly
although they were only playing the nights.
Speaker 5 (28:11):
Yeah, but they also beat the Broncos the week before
that in Brisbane, so yeah, that Dragon's going well. This
is a real fifty to fifty, I would think, So
in that case, I'll go with I'll go with the
home team.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
I'm going to go with the Dragons Sharks versus the
Warriors Burge.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Yeah, this is one of the harder ones of the
season to predict. It really is. You've got a Warrior's
team on a roll, going so well suddenly without Mitch Bunnette.
I mean, the Mitch Bunnett impact will be felt in
the coming months rather than rather than this Saturday. Because
these kind of injuries, the team is always you know,
there's a sort of an emotional bounce back and they'll
get through this one. Okay, it's more how they cope
(28:51):
in July, August, September without them. But yeah, really tough
to cause be close night game over there. I'm going
to lean towards the Sydney team here. I just wonder
if they'll have the edge.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
I am backing the wires, like you said, an emotional
response to their captain going down, and that means James
Fisher Harris is going to be an absolute beast Broncos
versus the Titans.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
What's happening at the Broncos, burge, what is wrong with them?
Speaker 5 (29:23):
I mean, this is why it's so great to be
following and reporting on the Warriors at the moment, because
you've got a Warriors team that the culture is so good,
everything's clicking, everything's working working hard for each other. And
then the opposite corner, you've got the Broncos where things
are just going so wrong. And you know, the Broncos
when they do getting these runner losses, you know, the
(29:43):
media just piles on. I feel quite sorry for Michael
maguire because the Broncos were a mess last season. People
forget that as well, and he's had a lot to fix.
Maybe he hasn't quite gone about things perfectly with what
he's trying to do, But I.
Speaker 4 (29:59):
Don't know, Nathan.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
I mean, they're your team, one of your teams, but
I was waiting for you to bring this up. Well, no,
I'm just saying that they've got so many big names
on paper, but it's the old story. They don't look connected,
they don't look like a team. They don't look that
unified the way they're playing. But yeah, they have to
win this one Queensland Derby at home against the Titans.
(30:21):
They have to and I think they will.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
Yeah, they've lost four in a row and if you
look at their team on paper, you're like, right, that
is the top four team. I thought Michael McGuire coming in,
who I rate. I love Michael McGuire. I thought he'd
really create that culture that they needed and that star
power would start to show through.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
And it just hasn't. It hasn't at all.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
Having said that, I never like picking the Titans, So
we're picking the Broncos Raiders versus the Rabbidos.
Speaker 5 (30:48):
Either Raiders looking really good. This is turning into another
This is sort of the second great Raiders team that
Ricky Stewart's put together, after that team he had in
twenty eighteen nineteen when they made the Grand Final nineteen,
et cetera, et cetera. This is the sort of second
wave of his team He's got all these young players,
a bit of a sort of moneyball approach to how
(31:10):
they've recruited, and it's just paying off in spades. And
then Joe Tappany the most underrated and won the best
props in the game. So far out they're looking good.
They'll they'll be too good for the Rabbit as the
Rabbits are courageous against the Warriors. But if you think
about the Rabbits, they're still missing Cody Walker, who is
their absolute key playmaker, and they're still missing Cameron Murray,
who's one of the best forwards in the game, and
(31:31):
he's their captain. So it's it's hard to see the Rabbits,
you know, getting close to the.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
Raiders down in camera, Tigers, Panthers, speaking of teams who
on paper should be good and aren't, but they did
have a win the Panthers.
Speaker 5 (31:47):
Are you talking with Panthers? Yeah, I mean, I mean, yeah,
I mean, to be fair, they think they've won four
Premierships in a row, so you know they're allowed to
have a little No one, no.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
One, no one was picking that. I mean far out.
They're off the bottom of the table now at least.
Speaker 5 (32:04):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, I was talking about we're talking
about this Nico last week and he was saying he
thinks they still can make the eight, and I kind
of agree with them. The kind of team that can
go on a that can go on a run like
there was a really important win against Paramatta and then
they've got another West Sydney Darby, haven't they against the Tigers.
You know, once they get rolling, they'll be good again.
(32:24):
They've got Nathan Cleary, I mean, with him, they've still
got some good forwards. I know they're missing Fisher Harris,
They're really missing Fisher Harris, really missing Jerome Leuie. But
I think they'll be too good for the for the Tigers.
The Tigers are one those teams that, unfortunately they're going
to run out of steam as the season goes on.
Where they start, you know what, I mean, they start
well the first two months, but the squad is just
(32:47):
a bit thin, and they've had all the Bloody Lucky
Galvin upheaval as well.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
Yeah, stuff going on off the field during Calvin. Yeah,
for that reason, you're picking the Panthers. Yes, Sorry, they
took a took age to get this.
Speaker 4 (33:01):
I agree with you.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
Just make a decision.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Burgers and Burgers Bulldogs versus the Eels.
Speaker 5 (33:07):
Well, you'll be going for the as I imagine, because you.
Speaker 4 (33:09):
Why, your als, your team Bird, you love them.
Speaker 5 (33:13):
I do, sentimentally I do. But now the Bulldogs will
be too good. But I'm really interested to see this
where Galvin plays, when he plays what impacted has I
don't like these mid season moves like this. They're going
so well, and let's say this right here and see
what see if we're right towards the end. But I
really think it could be a mistake what they've done.
(33:36):
And this is all about Phil Gold's ego. It's all
about foh, it's all about Phil Gold getting the move shit.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
Whereas. But let's see. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he's going
to be a sensation.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
But the fact they're losing, they're going to lose sex
and he's been going well, I don't know, let's see
what happens.
Speaker 4 (33:56):
I'm becking the Bulldogs.
Speaker 3 (33:57):
Thank you, Michael Butter just for your time, your wisdom,
and thank you Nick Bewley as well for hosting the
podcast over the last couple of weeks. Thank you for
making us a part of your week. Please follow and
rate the podcast. My name is eight than when. We
will be back on Monday next week. Have a fantastic week.
Speaker 1 (34:16):
For more from News Talk st B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio The.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Big League Podcast by News TALKSB.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Warriors chief executive
Cameron George reacts to the season ending injury for Mitch Barnett.
How big of a loss is this and will it
change whether they ask state of origin players to back
up Michael Burgess and I will survey another heart stopping
win against the Rabbit o's and look ahead to the
heavyweight bout with the Sharks.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
My name is Nathan Limb. Let's go lv oh dear.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Just when our blood pressure had barely returned to normal
after that pulsating and let's be frank taxing victory over
the Bunnies in Sydney, Warriors fans are hit with perhaps
the worst possible news, Mitch Barnett out for the season
aclknee injury. Bunnette's been easily the club's best player over
(01:12):
the last three seasons. The sight of blood pouring from
his head, legs and arms taped up was fairly frequent,
but he always just seemed impenetrable the terminator. I didn't
think he could even get injured. We talked so much
about injuries and the spine, the halves hooker, but the
loss of Prop Barnett, the talismanic workhorse of a co captain,
(01:34):
is a bitter blow. Michael Burgess, Senior New Zealand Herald Ryder,
we're back together. Dry your eyes. That's okay.
Speaker 5 (01:46):
We are back together, Nathan. It's great to be back here.
That's been too long, but you know it could have
been under better circumstances. Well overused, We all overuse the
word devastating, you know, but this is actually devastating, Like
it's devastating on so many levels. First of all, for
Mitch Bunnett, he has been playing amazing the last the
(02:09):
last year and a half, especially last year I thought
he really came into his own when he got the
standing captain and went to another level origin da day.
He's just at an absolute peak mentally, physically, everything, and
so for this to happen to him, he just be
You saw him and when it happened and he the
cameras went to his face and he did something oh shit,
(02:31):
you know, so I think he might have known that
it's quite serious if it happened to him and then
the second blow is to the team because the team
is traveling so well, and this is actually this makes
a massive difference. We'll get into it a bit later,
but this is one of the biggest injuries setbacks to
Worriors have had in about ten years.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
That's a big call.
Speaker 5 (02:54):
And I'll explain that later. I'll explain that later, and
I'll explain that later to you, and then you'll be like, oh, jeez, Booz,
that's actually a good point, but you just briefly say now, yeah,
to briefly say now, he's in. He's in what I
consider the Big four right him, Fisher, Harris, probably Luke
metcalf now and Wade Egan. I'm not sure what all
(03:17):
they be in, but but Barnett is probably one or
two in terms of so hard to replace. There are
other forwards there and they'll do a good job, but
he's in the Big four, and he's probably at the
top of that list so far out. It's just it's
a cool game sometimes.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
It is, and especially it comes off the backdrop of
another win, albeit very very stressful, and we're going to
talk about that obviously. But the Mitch Barnett knee injury
massive blow Andrew Webster. He's his reaction after the game
before we knew it was an a c L injury.
He has faith and his team's depth to fill the voice.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
We lost fish for four weeks.
Speaker 6 (03:52):
Is one of the best friend roles in the world,
and we know how to do next manner with certainly
something that we preach and we talk about. Life goes
on all the time. That you rather your best players
on the field, but when they're not, this game doesn't
wait for anyone.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Now, we're going to hear the thoughts of Warrior's Chief
executive Cameron George in just a moment, but first let's
review the highlights from Sydney Warriors thirty six Bunnies thirty.
Speaker 7 (04:16):
The first of three games in the Harbour City. Aaron
Clark now the kid from Midcalf looking.
Speaker 5 (04:22):
For leaping Dvin not Terry's lesbian.
Speaker 7 (04:26):
Execution perfect for the right winger at the Warriors.
Speaker 5 (04:30):
Is the trigger close to the.
Speaker 7 (04:31):
Line there driving these the Indoa castop konkla tag He's
Midcalf affected Awvix Copton is away. Take the Eastern Sideline
the sun shining broth for the lot of South Sydney's
favorite sons who're goes in n our all try run
(04:52):
the patland and ninety eight. Now it's Ford who spots
a whole grubbers and Chason's hard. Oh Jackson fought didn't
get there, Barry did. He's Midcalf now Nikol Crookstar Strangers
and twelve his way over. He's Nika Mala Sema liquor
ham Sema.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Lika here leading him a love bringing.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
Has we turn races away behind Caper to Midta on
the Harris Divator.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
He ja turn a chick. Now the turn it to
the lead again.
Speaker 7 (05:29):
It's taken by his next constant, taken by Slidon quickly
kicked down.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Now opens up we at turn it to again.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
Biggles jundawn As has that trick.
Speaker 7 (05:40):
He has two hundred Lemiership tries again bringing Campbell, Graham,
Ford lock a Hammercena, lot of tame, Master hick Haw's
He's second.
Speaker 5 (05:52):
And that might be enough for the Warriors.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Audio Curtesy of Fox Sports.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
The Big League Podcast podcast, It is my.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Pleasure to welcome into the Big League Podcast Warriors Chief
executive Cameron. George Cameron, thank you so much for your time.
First of all, just your your overall real action much
by net acl knee injury out for the season.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
It's obviously really sad news for much, very sad may.
Speaker 8 (06:16):
He's just a guy that means so much to our
club and our foota team and our fans, and you know,
these injuries are part of the game, but you know,
it's really devastating to see you Mitch suffer one. He's
at the peak of his powers, he's playing Origin, he's
leading that club. But look that said, our focus now
is getting around him and supporting him and his family
(06:38):
and just going through the process, and that's really important
we reddo that.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
And obviously this is a massive blow for the Warriors
in terms of the leadership team as well.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Well.
Speaker 8 (06:48):
It is, yeah, absolutely, but you know, we've got so
many good people in our squad and we've seen it
from time and time again with injuries and the likes
that other people just step up and in the roles
and that's you know what's required now. So that'll happen,
and you know, all the players will get together and
make they'll find a way forward. That's that's really important
(07:09):
for us, and we've seen that happen, you know, throughout
many games this year. So onwards and upwards in that regard.
But you know he is a great leader of our
footay team, but our young guys and everyone else will step.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
Up for sure, Bunny.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
It's been so influential for you guys in the NRL,
but obviously he's also a big part of New South
Wales and the State of Origin team. Have you been
in touch with Blues coach A Laurie Daily.
Speaker 8 (07:33):
No, I haven't spoken to Lorry about it. My focus
is Mitch and his family. That's all that matters in
our footy club and footy tame and look, you know,
we get back to work tomorrow and as I said,
my focus personally is to make sure Mitch and his
family are very well supported through this process and where
we look after the players and they'll get back to training.
We just got to move on. We've got a game
(07:54):
in four days five days time and that's a really important,
really important game for us now.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Barnett obviously played for the Blues and State of Origin
Game one and then backed up against the rabbit Os
a few days later. Does this injury make you look
at whether you continue to get your State of Origin
players to back up on the weekend and play with
it you know, it could be three games in eight
nine days. Does it make you look about whether or
(08:21):
not you continue doing that.
Speaker 8 (08:23):
I wouldn't for one second think this is a state
of origin issue. Absolutely not. You know, there's been out
of the thirty four players that played on Wednesday night,
I think you know, thirty odd have are backed up.
So we take a lot of care, We take a
lot of responsibility with the preparation and recovery, and we
have a lot of people around both the state of
origin and the club that are very responsible and very
(08:48):
very professional in.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
What they do.
Speaker 8 (08:50):
So you know, at the end of the day, this
is this is something that just happens in rugby league.
We understand that I wouldn't put state of origin anywhere
near what happened on Sunday, and.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Just overall on the Warriors team as a whole now
won four games in a row. Away, you must be
stoked with the way the team's performing.
Speaker 8 (09:10):
Yeah, we're very happy. We're a long way to go,
but we're just you know, every week's a new week
for us, Every week's a new challenge, and every week's
a goal setting scenario. And you know, we've got a
tremendous bunch of players young and experience, and you know
they're all aiming up and we're making our travel fun
and you know, when we get there, we've got a
task to complete and we've got wonderful support in Australia
(09:33):
and that's you know, really helped our team perform. So
extremely happy we're right now. We've got a long way
to go from here, and just.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Last year, you must be really really pleased with the
amount of support you guys are getting in Australia. I
mean in Brisbane at sun Court Stadium, it sounded like
a home game and that looks to have continued in Sydney.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (09:53):
Look, our supports global and you know in Australia, it's
amazing when you walk down the streets, you know, to
see and hear everyone at the games, it's just mind blowing.
So it's just really proud of our club, our fans
and what they stand for. And you know, I'm just
so happy for our players that are responding to that.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
This is the Big League Podcast.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
This is going Yeah, the Big League Podcast on the
Warriors Bandwagons.
Speaker 4 (10:23):
It's day one. Great to hear from Cameron George.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
He's so accessible as a chief executive in New Zealand Sport.
Cameron George is fantastic because you can just call them
and have a yarn to em Burde. But obviously that
the news of of Mitch Barnett is a devastating blow.
Seem pretty calm, well, I guess for for for the club.
You know, they can't they can't do what we're gonna do.
We're gonna dwell on this for quite a while. You know,
(10:47):
we're going on a dress. We're dwelling on this today
will be dwelling well. But the club actually have to
move on. That's what Andrew Webs will say this week.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
They've got to move on because they can't change it,
which is which is the reality. But man, it is
a it is a massive blow. I mean to take firstly,
to take up the point that Cameron George made an
interview about Origin. I think it's kind of the other
way around. The club. No issue with the club here
because players are expected to back up. Mitch wanted to play,
(11:15):
that's fine, But the issues with the NRL. You know,
there aren't any other competitions in the world I can
think of with collision sports where you play on a
Wednesday and then you have to play again on the Friday,
Sat there Sunday, Like, can you imagine the the All
Blacks having a game this Wednesday and then the Blues
playing there. It's Chiefs on Sunday. It would never happened,
(11:39):
never happened, right, But we've got so used to it
in the league, and it's all of it being the
tough man and backing up. And I've got no doubt
that it's related that you know, you're still your body
goes through a lot and then you're playing on the
Sunday and you feel good, but there's just little moments,
little way you move, and next thing he's done something
like this. So it's just it's just awful. And to
(11:59):
go back to my point about the worst in a decade,
which probably you're thinking, what are you thinking, that's a
big overreaction or.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
It's a massive court. I mean had some big players.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
We had Sean Johnson with an injury right before the
playoffs a couple of years ago. Yeah, so but to me,
it's all about the key to a season is getting
to the end of the season with your best team.
And so in twenty twenty three, you're right, Johnson injury
but he was back for the Newcastle game in the
Broncos game, So they basically had their best team. And
the other year was at twenty eighteen where they made
(12:31):
the playoffs and had their full team.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Basically all those other years during.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
COVID twenty twenty one, twenty two nineteen, they never had
a team that was going to make the playoffs. It
was never just never going to happen. So that's the
why when I say worse than the decade, because I
go back to what I remember is twenty sixteen and
twenty fifteen. In twenty sixteen, they had a team that
had a good team and Roger was the big new
(12:56):
signing and he got injured season ending, the injury in
I think round five some of that round five, round six,
and he was out for the season. Massive blow. And
there was a team that had a lot of potential.
And the other one twenty fifteen. When you were you
were school somewhere.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
I was fourteen. I would have been in year ten. Yeah,
there you go.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
Warriors were flying. They just beat the Storm at home.
They're in the top four. Everyone's talking about, Wow, this
team's amazing. They had a lot of good players, a
lot of good attack and Sean Johnson does his ankle,
breaks his ankle against Manly I think a week or
two after they beat the Storm, and they never never
were the same again, barely won a game. I think
that season it didn't even make the eight. So to me,
(13:38):
it's on that scale, if you know what I mean.
It's a seasoning ending injury to a player that makes
a massive difference, you know. And the question is now,
which we'll see over the next twelve weeks, is can
they win the big games without one of their best
big game players. That's the test.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
Yeah, And I suppose speaking of big name players, let's
go through this game against the Bunnies, because it was
a good win, albeit extremely extremely stressful chance. Nickelcrook start
one try, three hundred and forty two run meters. He
was in everything, he had the ball in his hands
all the time. Roger to I Vasischik as well impressive
(14:18):
with two tries. Both just had outstanding work rates for money.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
Obviously, Yeah, I mean I liked. What I did like
about Roger was it felt like he was getting more involved.
He was able to come off his winger bit more.
And because he can create, he can create real havoc
and so I think that's a key for this team
in the next few weeks is trying to work out
a way to get Roger more involved, not just kick
returns and everything else, because when he does. I think
(14:42):
he had a couple of line breaks and I just
loved the X fact thing of Roger as he does
things that you don't expect, and the way he out
jumped Mitchell leading up to their third try, gets the
ball back and then just rolls it back on the ground,
ends up with Jackson Ford and he does the chip
through for Rock and Berry. But that play doesn't happen
without Rogers, you know, not just not just jumping for
(15:02):
the ball, but having the awareness on the fifth tackle
to roll it back, so that so play on a
non chance. It's just interesting, isn't it, Mate? Because a
few weeks ago, a month ago or so, there was
questions would he go to England?
Speaker 4 (15:15):
Would he not?
Speaker 5 (15:17):
And there was a bit of a sentiment out there
among the fan base are that's okay, well we'll be
We'll be okay without him if he wants to go
to England. Da da da da da take up it
off with a Super League. But I think he underlined
his value that he is just such a he's just
such an important cog for the Warriors and Luke Metcalf.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
You know, we've talked a lot about the fifth tackle players.
I know, even what last week you and Neck were
talking about. It's still looking a little bit unimaginative. But
in terms of his kicking in game, I think it's
come such a long way so far this year squire scoring.
I think at least two tries off bombs he was
able to put in the corner his kicking I suppose
(15:56):
in the twenty able to position those kicks to land
just outside the tryline and put real pressure on the
rabbit O's defense.
Speaker 5 (16:02):
Yeah, I mean he forced a couple of those late,
trapping them in goal for the life and dropouts that
actually led to two of us chicks try right at
the end the seventh try. He did some good things.
I mean, we have to also bring up the intercept,
which at the time felt at the time felt massive
and thankfully they had that great spell in the early
(16:25):
in the second half of three tries and about eight
minutes or something from memory, but at the time itself
felt like when those twelve point plays because it was
a it was a risky pass and and kind of telegraphed,
and those are things that he's got to work on.
But I like the fact that he strikes you as
the kind of guy that doesn't let that bother him
too much. Like he's quite confident, so he he rebounds
(16:47):
quite quickly, because that's a big thing in a game.
The same with he missed a couple of kexx earlier
in that.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
Conversion just to the right of the postal.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Just to the left of the postal reminded me of
that she now has Tavita one from last year and
he just put it wide.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Everyone's saying, oh my goodness. Meet. But then later in
the game he was nailing them from the sideline.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
He's nailing them and he sort of keeps and he
of course had this spectacular eighty five minute try from
dummy half when he goes in and show and goes
so is the real talent.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
Let's talk about the flow of the game.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
I suppose at the moment, because in six games in
a row now the Warriors have scored the first try.
You're right, you're dying there, burd It's six games in
a row the Warriors have scored the first try. They
start games so well and then in the second half
they keep doing this to us. They hate winning comfortably.
Ah yeah, I mean yeah, they just hate it. Well, no,
(17:41):
they love it.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
Actually they'd loved to be able to do it, like
they all said how they loved it against Newcastle. There's
probably two things here in number one, these second half fades.
It fades a bit strong, but these second half issues.
A lot of clubs are killed to have these issues
because they're having these issues. But they build a lead
and then they hang on. You know, other clubs are
having fades in the first half or whatever. So that's
(18:03):
one thing. Momentum does kind of swing in then RL.
It's the way they've designed it. They seem to love.
I don't know the rules in that where its swings
and it's hard to get it back. But if there
was a bit of a concern, because you're exactly right,
like thirty twelve up with about what was it, twenty
minutes to go, you should be able to see that
(18:24):
game out, and you know, they just maybe I think
there are a couple of lapses in concentration and suddenly
the rabbit o's are back into it and it got
way more tense than it should have.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Well, Latrell Mitchell, who in my opinion, was the best
player on the field that day, he just grabbed the
game by the kahunas and combined twice on the left
wing with Alex Johnston, who obviously scored a hat trick,
but I think was the beneficiary of Latrell Mitchell just
absolutely taking the game by the horns.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
And that's the thing Goyle at Mitchell, that's what he
can do. So we have to give, you know, a
lot of credit to Sous for the way they came back.
But the good sign is the Warriors took the lead.
When they take the lead in about the thirty fifth
minute or something, it's just before half time, before halftime,
and they you know, never surrendered that lead obviously, and
(19:16):
the clock was always against the Rabbits even though it
was getting dicey. So they're still on the learning curve.
So it's very encouraging. But yeah, I mean, Andrew Webster
particularly must be getting sick of because it's happened against
the Cowboys, that happened a little bit to a degree
against the against the Dolphins. But overall, as we've seen
quite a few times, Naith. It's massive for their for
(19:38):
their belief, their confidence and their resilience that they keep
finding a way to do this.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Well, it's a good problem to have, isn't it. We've
still see as it was, like you said, a game
full of momentum swings.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
I just thought we always found a way to wrestle
it back.
Speaker 6 (19:51):
We didn't at the momentum carry for too long, but
we allowed that that momentum of ours to stop too often.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Eighten points up.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
I think we prefer to manage that better.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Just one potential issue that I sort of picked up
on during the game, Latrell Mitchell and co. They were
putting up some massive bombs and there were a few
occasions where the Warriors back through allowed those bombs to bounce.
And I'm not sure It's mid afternoon in Sydney, so
potentially there was an issue there with the sun. But
one of those did lead to a rabbit O's try.
(20:22):
And you know, obviously we talked about the great game
that Chance had, but for me, that looked like it
was a bit of a vulnerability for the Warriors. Did
you notice the same thing.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Yeah, it's not the first. I mean they have been
doing it here and there over the last six or
seven games. I mean, it's a tricky one because there
is that school of thoughts sometimes it's actually wise to
let it bounce because if it is just crazily spiraling
and you try and catch it and drop it, that
was obviously is not a good outcome either. So it's risky.
I can see both sides of it. It's something you've
(20:52):
got to be careful with. But can I think one
thing we do We do need to mention two things actually, Nathan.
Actually one is the bench impact, which I thought again
was just outstanding. They're just getting so much value at
their bench and we saw was saw I thought the
way that Leka Hallie Seema what he can do from
(21:13):
the bench, Like he's been really good starting, but the
added explosion this he comes from the bench when he
hasn't used all his juice tackling for twenty minutes. I mean,
he had another brilliant game and dimitric Varmager far out.
I mean it felt like he was popping it with
offloads all the time. A couple of those offloads either
led to tries or they led to a tribe being scored.
In the following couple of plays. So between those two guys,
(21:36):
I just think that bench is brilliant, and then the
other thing is Dollan. It'd be very interesting to me
what happens with Dollan over the next few weeks, because
he still looks down on confidence. Since he's returned from injury,
he's been such a great playoff Andrew Webster, but it
feels like teams know they can attack his edge and
(21:57):
it's not all on him because the wingers got the
harder job on the end of that line. But he
is making some misreads. Has been a few misreads the
last few weeks, so I'm not sure what you do there,
all right.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
The Warriors visit the Sharks in Cronella on Saturday nights.
Sharks been one of the form teams in the NRAL.
Remember they pushed the Panthers right to the finish that
and Vegas right at the start of the year, and
they sit fifth on the ladder with seven wins five losses.
They're coming off the bye. Most recently, and this is
the weird thing about the NRL. Most recently, they copped
(22:33):
to forty two to sixteen, hiding at the hands of
the Roosters. Don't know how much we read into that.
They've got former Warrior Adam vanua Blake with them, remember
all that drama from last year, plus obviously Nicko Hines,
Braden Trindle and the Harves. They are missing Ronaldo Mullitalo,
the winger who loves to play against the Warriors, loves
to get stuck in. He is suspended so he will
not be there. But what have you made of the
(22:55):
Sharks this year? What potential threats are they going to post? Oh,
they're just a really good team.
Speaker 5 (22:59):
I mean they've been the top four team the last
couple of seasons without being able to make the next step,
So that was the big challenge this year. Who must
talks about can they make the next step to a
grand file, et cetera. But they've got they've got all
the ingredients, the coaches getting more and more experienced, really
tough Ford pack, Van Blake's improve them. They're not a
spectacular team to watch, but so good defensively and so
(23:23):
hard to stop close to the line, so that'll be tough.
I don't know why they're I thought they'd be a
bit higher on the ladder, but they have as you
as you say, they had five losses and a couple
of probably upsets, but yeah, they're they're a really good
team and particularly you imagine added Van Blake will be
wanting to have the match of his season so far,
won't he.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
Yeah, And well, I mean if you think about the Warriors,
they're not going to have Mitch Barnett as well, so
potentially in the middle they're a little bit less potent
than normal. But I imagine if we look at the
Warriors team to play this week with Mitch Barnett obviously
not there, Jackson Ford go and to start at prop,
who do you reshuffle the int just Jacob Laban just
come into the interchange?
Speaker 4 (24:02):
How do you work that?
Speaker 5 (24:03):
Yeah, I'd say labor will come in, But I don't
know if Jackson will start. I mean, he's doing really
well season and some of the numbers he's putting up
and just as another classic work, great guy. I know
Webster loves him, but I don't know if you'll start
or they might be tempted to start with n Corde
at PROP just because he's a bigger body. I know
at the start of the season, Webster's plan was for
(24:25):
the Cord to play most of the season at prop
that's sort of what they were thinking him as a
middle But he's done really well back in the second row.
I think he's doing some of his best stuff since
twenty three. Maybe you know, do you just I love
him on the edge, so let's see what happens there.
But there might be a sort of Fisher. Harris n
Corde could be another option. But it's you're right, it's
(24:45):
a challenge. Shark's got some big boppers.
Speaker 8 (24:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
The other thing was Rockerberry, who picked up a hamstring injury,
I believe in the game against the Bunnies. We don't
know the severity of that, but imagine if he is
how Ali lad Tawa comes.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
Back and do you know what's with Berry?
Speaker 5 (25:01):
No, we don't yet, expecting to find out pretty soon.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
I mean.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
He was inter after the game by Sky Sport. He
was absolutely despondent. He mentioned in that interview.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
Look, you never know.
Speaker 5 (25:11):
I could be right for the weekend, but it seems
unlikely because of the fact he's already had a couple
of hamstrings. You know, hamstrings are pretty negli things.
Speaker 4 (25:20):
Once it's done.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
Once I just feel so sorry for the guy because
I think he's only played where are we we're coming
up to the thirteenth game of the season. I think
he's only played four or five games this season, you know,
and what I saw from him on Sunday reminded me
why he probably is a first choice center and then
the other center spot would be between Adam Pompey and
(25:44):
Alilatawa because it's just as defensive workers Kickchase. All those
one percent is He's a very smart player. He just
wanted to get a a run of games. But I
can't see him being available for selection this Saturday.
Speaker 4 (26:01):
The Big League.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
On the Warriors Bad Wagon since day one, the Big
Lead podcast for the Biggest League fans.
Speaker 4 (26:11):
Right Berge, we'll get back into quick fire predictions. The
ding and buzzer are back.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
I know Billy was saying I didn't leave him the
tech sound and the buzzer sound in the handover notes.
I apologize, Billy, but actually every time Nick host this podcast,
the Worries loose to the Raiders, so I might need
to find a replacement replacement.
Speaker 5 (26:32):
The other issue is Nick and I we went zero
for five I think during that origin period with all
those players out, so we both considered well, there was
feedback as well that we should actually forget about this
expert tipping because there's a lack of experts obviously, lack
of expertise. And you haven't been great either, Like I
(26:55):
was always better than you. So I think if I'm zero,
what does that make you? You sort of negative too?
Speaker 4 (27:02):
I don't know.
Speaker 5 (27:02):
So let's see, let's see if we can regenerate.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
I'm going eight for eight this week. Yeah, yeah, eight
by eight more like eight Knights Sea Eagles.
Speaker 5 (27:16):
Man, I feel so sorry for Newcastle fans. They're just
amazing fans, brilliant club.
Speaker 4 (27:21):
But they're in a real we need to start to
go fund me. They're in a real hole. You never know.
Speaker 5 (27:27):
At home, they could bounce back, but I think Manly
will be will be too good.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
You never know, but they won't bounce back. Manly Storm
versus the Cowboys.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Storm for me, although the Cowboys that I do like
what the Cowboys are doing. They're a good team this
year and they're going to be riding the mix in September.
I love their attacking play, so they're the kind of
team that can really threaten the Storm because they have
got a lot of weapons. But I normally don't tip
against the Storm at home unless there's some crazy circumstances
(28:01):
or they're playing a team that's really on fire. So
I'll go with the Storm.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
Dolphins versus the Dragons. And Dragons haven't done too badly
although they were only playing the nights.
Speaker 5 (28:11):
Yeah, but they also beat the Broncos the week before
that in Brisbane, so yeah, that Dragon's going well. This
is a real fifty to fifty, I would think, So
in that case, I'll go with I'll go with the
home team.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
I'm going to go with the Dragons Sharks versus the
Warriors Burge.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Yeah, this is one of the harder ones of the
season to predict. It really is. You've got a Warrior's
team on a roll, going so well suddenly without Mitch Bunnette.
I mean, the Mitch Bunnett impact will be felt in
the coming months rather than rather than this Saturday. Because
these kind of injuries, the team is always you know,
there's a sort of an emotional bounce back and they'll
get through this one. Okay, it's more how they cope
(28:51):
in July, August, September without them. But yeah, really tough
to cause be close night game over there. I'm going
to lean towards the Sydney team here. I just wonder
if they'll have the edge.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
I am backing the wires, like you said, an emotional
response to their captain going down, and that means James
Fisher Harris is going to be an absolute beast Broncos
versus the Titans.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
What's happening at the Broncos, burge, what is wrong with them?
Speaker 5 (29:23):
I mean, this is why it's so great to be
following and reporting on the Warriors at the moment, because
you've got a Warriors team that the culture is so good,
everything's clicking, everything's working working hard for each other. And
then the opposite corner, you've got the Broncos where things
are just going so wrong. And you know, the Broncos
when they do getting these runner losses, you know, the
(29:43):
media just piles on. I feel quite sorry for Michael
maguire because the Broncos were a mess last season. People
forget that as well, and he's had a lot to fix.
Maybe he hasn't quite gone about things perfectly with what
he's trying to do, But I.
Speaker 4 (29:59):
Don't know, Nathan.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
I mean, they're your team, one of your teams, but
I was waiting for you to bring this up. Well, no,
I'm just saying that they've got so many big names
on paper, but it's the old story. They don't look connected,
they don't look like a team. They don't look that
unified the way they're playing. But yeah, they have to
win this one Queensland Derby at home against the Titans.
(30:21):
They have to and I think they will.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
Yeah, they've lost four in a row and if you
look at their team on paper, you're like, right, that
is the top four team. I thought Michael McGuire coming in,
who I rate. I love Michael McGuire. I thought he'd
really create that culture that they needed and that star
power would start to show through.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
And it just hasn't. It hasn't at all.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
Having said that, I never like picking the Titans, So
we're picking the Broncos Raiders versus the Rabbidos.
Speaker 5 (30:48):
Either Raiders looking really good. This is turning into another
This is sort of the second great Raiders team that
Ricky Stewart's put together, after that team he had in
twenty eighteen nineteen when they made the Grand Final nineteen,
et cetera, et cetera. This is the sort of second
wave of his team He's got all these young players,
a bit of a sort of moneyball approach to how
(31:10):
they've recruited, and it's just paying off in spades. And
then Joe Tappany the most underrated and won the best
props in the game. So far out they're looking good.
They'll they'll be too good for the Rabbit as the
Rabbits are courageous against the Warriors. But if you think
about the Rabbits, they're still missing Cody Walker, who is
their absolute key playmaker, and they're still missing Cameron Murray,
who's one of the best forwards in the game, and
(31:31):
he's their captain. So it's it's hard to see the Rabbits,
you know, getting close to the.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
Raiders down in camera, Tigers, Panthers, speaking of teams who
on paper should be good and aren't, but they did
have a win the Panthers.
Speaker 5 (31:47):
Are you talking with Panthers? Yeah, I mean, I mean, yeah,
I mean, to be fair, they think they've won four
Premierships in a row, so you know they're allowed to
have a little No one, no.
Speaker 4 (31:57):
One, no one was picking that. I mean far out.
They're off the bottom of the table now at least.
Speaker 5 (32:04):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, I was talking about we're talking
about this Nico last week and he was saying he
thinks they still can make the eight, and I kind
of agree with them. The kind of team that can
go on a that can go on a run like
there was a really important win against Paramatta and then
they've got another West Sydney Darby, haven't they against the Tigers.
You know, once they get rolling, they'll be good again.
(32:24):
They've got Nathan Cleary, I mean, with him, they've still
got some good forwards. I know they're missing Fisher Harris,
They're really missing Fisher Harris, really missing Jerome Leuie. But
I think they'll be too good for the for the Tigers.
The Tigers are one those teams that, unfortunately they're going
to run out of steam as the season goes on.
Where they start, you know what, I mean, they start
well the first two months, but the squad is just
(32:47):
a bit thin, and they've had all the Bloody Lucky
Galvin upheaval as well.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
Yeah, stuff going on off the field during Calvin. Yeah,
for that reason, you're picking the Panthers. Yes, Sorry, they
took a took age to get this.
Speaker 4 (33:01):
I agree with you.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
Just make a decision.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
Burgers and Burgers Bulldogs versus the Eels.
Speaker 5 (33:07):
Well, you'll be going for the as I imagine, because you.
Speaker 4 (33:09):
Why, your als, your team Bird, you love them.
Speaker 5 (33:13):
I do, sentimentally I do. But now the Bulldogs will
be too good. But I'm really interested to see this
where Galvin plays, when he plays what impacted has I
don't like these mid season moves like this. They're going
so well, and let's say this right here and see
what see if we're right towards the end. But I
really think it could be a mistake what they've done.
(33:36):
And this is all about Phil Gold's ego. It's all
about foh, it's all about Phil Gold getting the move shit.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
Whereas. But let's see. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he's going
to be a sensation.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
But the fact they're losing, they're going to lose sex
and he's been going well, I don't know, let's see
what happens.
Speaker 4 (33:56):
I'm becking the Bulldogs.
Speaker 3 (33:57):
Thank you, Michael Butter just for your time, your wisdom,
and thank you Nick Bewley as well for hosting the
podcast over the last couple of weeks. Thank you for
making us a part of your week. Please follow and
rate the podcast. My name is eight than when. We
will be back on Monday next week. Have a fantastic week.
Speaker 1 (34:16):
For more from News Talk st B, listen live on
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