This week on The Big League Podcast - Former Warriors and Kiwis player Motu Tony questions Adam Gee's officiating, gives verdict on the side's top four hopes and reveals the key player who needs to perform if they're to turn things around against the Dragons.
NZ Herald's Michael Burgess has some exclusive news around the future of Te Maire Martin and Newstalk ZB's Nathan Limm attempts to quell rising hysteria.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
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
Big League Podcast Poet by News TALKSB.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, former Warriors and
Kiwis player Motsu Tony questions Adam G's officiating, gives verdict
on the side's top four hopes, and reveals the key
player who needs to perform if they're to turn things
around Against the Dragons. Michael Burgess has some exclusive news
around the future of Timmidim Martin, and I attempt to
(00:45):
quell rising hysteria. My name is Nathan Lin. Let's go
b LB. Warriors fans are panicking. It's all gone down
the toilet. Injuries, goalore, three losses in a row, the
Warriors crash out of the top four for the first
time since mid April. Sack the coach, Sack the players,
(01:05):
Sack the kids who run the ball onto the field.
And I'd admit the loss to the Bulldogs was harrowing
to watch, but let's keep everything in context. I've seen
some headlines blatantly stoking the flames. Top four hopes slipping away,
but let me put this to you if the Warriors
had followed up a poor start to the season with
a run of winds boosting up the ladder to now
(01:27):
with four rounds to go, set just one point outside
the top four, the headlines would instead be saying Warriors
surge into top four contention. In fact, who wrote this
doomsday rubbish? Oh it was Michael Burgess, seen you in
New Zealand Herald writer who joins me, now can you
lighten up?
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Well, I'm just glad you're reading, mate, I'm just glad
you're reading. That's always read your piece. Yeah, it's great.
I don't know if I did write that one. Actually
that's the headline at the top of your article.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Top four hopes the thought did I write that? Really?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
I mean, you make a good point in terms of
in any other season, we would be doing cartwheels about
the fact that the Warriors are in fifth and fifth
at this stage of the season, compared to many other
seasons where it's been like, well, if the Warriors win
six of their last seven games and five other teams
lose four games, they might you know, so I get it, mate,
But it's not about where they are, it's about where
(02:21):
they're going.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
That's what the panic is.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
You know, this isn't a photo, this is a video,
and the video isn't a great look because if we're honest,
since the Crneller game in June, which was the obvious peak,
they haven't been great. They weren't great against Penrith, they
lost of the times at home. They're unlucky against the Dolphins,
who weren't great against Newcastle, but they got lucky. They
beat the Tigers and the Broncos was the Metcalf injury.
(02:45):
So adding everything up, yeah, there is reason for I
guess hysteria. I'm sure you're seeing this on things like
those things like TikTok and Instagram that you hang around on.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
But those things like, yeah, those things.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
But to your point, I wasn't actually that concerned about
Saturday night because I didn't really expect anything else.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I was. I think we talked about this last week.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
I was figuring it to be about a twelve point
loss to the Bulldogs because they're playing better, they've got
their full strength team. The Warriors are missing three of
their top four players. Barnett metcalf Egan in that order.
I put for Sheriff's body number four. Plus they've got
no centers they've got. You know, there's all these issues
(03:34):
and they're down on confidence and they played in the
bloody in the slop and sliding. So yeah, I'm not
saying we should take positives from Saturday, but I'm saying
that for me, nothing's really changed. I think I was
talking to you last week about the fact that the
big game is the Dragons, not the Bulldogs, that I
didn't see them ever beating the Bulldogs.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
But they've got to beat the Dragons.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
But this Sue is now though, of course, their confidence
and the momentum has taken another knock.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
We are four rounds to go in the season, but
the Warrior is still very much in the middle of
that top eight now. Warriors coach Andrew Webster is keeping
faith in his players to turn things around. With four
games remaining before the finals.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Everyone wants to be a top fourteen and then gives
you a really good shot at the end of the season.
But we've got a lot of football to play at
the back end this year, and you know, we're going
to get back to playing Abbis football and.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
The rest of it will take care of itself. We're
going to hear from former Warriors and kiwis player mot
tou Tony next. But first, here are the highlights, or
rather the low lights. Bulldogs thirty two, Warriors fourteen pot.
Speaker 5 (04:35):
Atmosphere acurs stadium mat turned away.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
That's four tackles.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
Canterbory Lovely Stan sides d a second movement at the
finish to serve it over.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
The line across with man. Now there's runners.
Speaker 6 (04:55):
Parton on for see nic sting in for Canary second
try t cut.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Up b Tell.
Speaker 6 (05:08):
Joanna the pardup score again double show love it just that.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Sir can the captain followday, he's heally not its pair
to a second kick. Your as got there, next saying is.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
It oh no, Having scored a try, Fisher Harris has
now been picked that mother retory that ball as Caress
has done it again.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Tell us to Johanna, chuck a Caress in a sect.
Roger's on his way for the Warriors.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
Didn't see that coming, but it's a convincing wonder care Debury.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Beating the Warriors. Audio courtesy of Fox Sports The Big
League Podcast. We are very lucky to be joined on
the Big League Podcast for the very first time by
former Warrior and Kiwi's player Mottu, Tony Mottu, thank you
so much for your time. How are you?
Speaker 7 (06:10):
Yeah, very good, Thanks Nathan and good Yeah, good to
connect and have a chat about the worries.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Now about the Warriors. It kind of feels like it's doomsday.
I'm looking on social media and all the fans are
slagging the team off. Everyone's pressing the panic button, going
you know what, our top four hopes are gone? Are
you pressing the panic button? Motto?
Speaker 7 (06:30):
Not at all? Yeah, not at all. You know, obviously
as a former player and you know before you know,
I was fortunate to where you know, the jersey, I
was a fan, so as a as both, I'm not
you know, I'm not pressing the panic button at all.
You know. If anything, I think we're starting to see,
you know, just the injuries and you know, sort of
(06:51):
take its toll in terms of the quality it's missing.
But also you know, traveling to Australia, you know, every
second week or for large parts of the season, I
feel that's starting to creep in on the on the
players as well in the in the playing stuff. So
you know, I'm pressing the panic button law because there's
still some twists and turns you know, the last few
(07:12):
weeks of the season.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
What did you make of the game itself? Obviously the
Bulldogs played brilliant wet weather football, but the Warriors, they
were hardly on their game with the.
Speaker 7 (07:22):
Yeah, and I think you've got to give the Bulldogs
a lot of credit, you know. I think they've played
in the wet you know, a few times this year
and hadn't won the game, you know, hadn't won in
those conditions. And you know, when you've got a crowd
of twenty five thousand behind you, you've got questions be
asked of their own form. I thought the Bulldogs really,
you know, did a job on just limiting the Warriors
impact their meters and the defensive pressure of the Bulldogs
(07:45):
put the Warriors under was immense, So full credit to
you know, the Bulldogs were really turning the screws on
the Warriors in the weekend.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
There was a little bit of controversy in the build
up with Andrew Webster dropping Tanner Boyd to reserve Great
on game day to Mandy Martin goes into start at
half back. Webster cited before the game the desire to
have two hookers in the squad still get to mighty
in there somewhere. What did you make of the decision
to drop Tenor after they sort of picked him as
(08:15):
the halfback.
Speaker 7 (08:17):
Yeah, I thought, you know, probably focusing on Tim Monday.
I think he's you know, he's earned a start, and
you know, I think it was a case suggesting what
Timighta can do, you know when given I guess a
whole game to you know, to show his whe's. Unfortunately
for Tomorday, he you know took a head knock. But
you know, I wasn't sort of surprised, you know, I
think to Mady's really you know, shown when he's come on,
(08:39):
not only as a versatile but he can also you know,
change the game with his running his running game. So
you know, it wasn't too surprised. But obviously, you know,
to Mighta getting off the field during a Bulldogs game
means that you know there's a chance for Tenor to
come back into the fold against and a.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Few people were raising eyebrows at pretty lust it getting
to start at hooker over Sam Healey. Given Healey's been
the backup to Wade Egan this season, does that really
matter if you've got one on the interchange, you've got
one starting. Does it make a huge difference or what
do you make of that?
Speaker 7 (09:10):
No, I didn't read too much into that, you know,
I thought, you know, Andrew Webster, you know, and this
is just my opinion. I thought it was just, you know,
start lust it to, you know, take some heat out
of the game, and then when the game sort of
quiet is down, settles down, you bring on heally. But yeah,
so I didn't really read too much into it.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
I am not someone who likes to labor the referee
because I feel like referees get too much crap from
fans and it isn't fair. But there were a couple
of calls made by Adam G during that game. If
I think back to the obstruction call, sorry, what looked
to be a clear obstruction Shepherd and Kirk cape Well
penalized for tackling a player without the ball. Did you
(09:51):
raise your eyebrows as sort of any of the decisions
made by Adam G.
Speaker 7 (09:55):
Yeah, a couple of them were you know, questionable, you know,
questionable some of the decisions. But if you ask any
of those Warriors players, you know, they would say those
calls were christenable. But there's still got to be the
defensive town, you know, to become those calls and I
think that's where, you know, the Warriors are just not
quite there yet. You know. Over Andrew Webster's you know,
(10:15):
ten year as a head coach, the Warriors have managed
to you know, with us some adversity, some risk calls
that haven't gone their way. They haven't been able to
do that in recent weeks.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
And this week more to thank you so much for
your time again at Tanner Boyd presumably will come and
to start half back with tomight. It can cust potentially
Wade Egan comes back into the fall from a shoulder injury.
What do they need to get right on Friday against
the Dragons to get back on track.
Speaker 7 (10:43):
Yeah, I think Wade coming back into the team will
be massive. You know, Wade Egan is one of the
best attacking hookers in the game and certainly helps Warriors.
He he manages to straighten up the attack, which if
you think about when you've got a hooker or number
nine that can take the markers out of play and
then hopefully it gets one on ones you know, further
(11:06):
out wide in the in the attacking line for the Warriors,
and that's what they've missed you know, they've been a
little bit you know, going sideways and attacks. You know,
Wade come back will really help their attack. But the
thing the Warriors need to get back to is just
the defensive steel that they have. You know they had that.
You know Andrew Webster's taking over this team. They haven't
been quite there. But you're knowing the Warriors and knowing
(11:26):
how disappointed they have been after losses, I think, you know,
we should be expecting them to back this weekend. And
you know, no game in the end r others is easy,
is an easy one. But you know, the remaining games
the Warriors have against teams that are outside you know,
the top eight. So hopefully the Warriors can play to
the potential and you get some wins.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Are they making the top four?
Speaker 7 (11:49):
It's going to be tough, But if you look at
the running for the end of the round robin, I'd
rather have the Warriors running than any of the other
teams that are you know, that are sort of in
the top four at the moment or scraping around.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
You know the eight is the Big League podcast wise
they scar is no, Yeah, the Big League.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Podcast on the Warriors Bad Wagons.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
It's d one great to hear from Motu Toni first
time on the podcast. There, Burge, do you agree with
him that that Wade Egan is the key player that
the Warriors need in order to turn things around against
the Dragons squaring up that attack. He's very important.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
I don't know if we'll be back though, so I
wouldn't want to dwell on that because that shoulder. He
could be back, and Webster did tell us you were there.
He told us last week you could be back. But
if your shoulders not quite right, I mean, Egan is
the absolute key. Matus completely right, because since they've lost
Metcalf and they've got different halves, Egan's the quarterback. He's
the guy that actually directs the play. He does a
(12:48):
lot of the playmaking from Demihalf. So he's massive, But
there are other keys that Just what happened on Saturday
was there were so many players that played way below
their best, like.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
So many right, let's go through this game in a
little bit more detail. Firstly, coach Andrew Webster admits they
didn't help themselves.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
A lot of stuff was sort of self inflincting their
errors or like a concentration well going after we had
intent I think everyone could see our collisions all night,
but where we just weren't thinking correctly and the Dogs
suffocated us with great tactics right Bert.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
For me, Tomight and Martin's concussion category one in the
first half was absolutely killer. That is where the game
went away for the Warriors. I mean Chanell, Harris Tavita
went into half back, Charles could crook start, then moved
from center to five eighth Caprael went from the second
road to center. I mean, I had no idea who
(13:42):
was playing where for a lot of that game in
the back line for the Warriors, and everything just fell
on channel.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
When some of it that happens, it's really really really unlucky,
like of all the games to happen. To lose your
half back at that stage, at any stage is bad,
but when the Warriors are already down on troops, really
really unfortunate.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Massive turning point.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
Whether the Warriors are the one with Tomati debatable, but
they probably went from having a forty percent char to
a twenty percent chance. And to be honest, Chanelle, it
was a lot on Chanelle's shoulders, but he won't be
happy with her handle at either.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
His kicking was not great well, you talk about the
kicking game, and to be honest, I really feel that
the controversy before the game and the changing of the
lineup was also key. I did not rate the decision
to drop Tanner Boyd on game day to reserve grade.
They picked their half back, they pecked him. It was
(14:37):
Tanner Boyd, and you and I both said on this
podcast last week that we didn't think that there would
be any change to that. They've invested in Tanner Boyd,
They've said you're the man, and then Webster changed his mind.
They given the conditions, the wet ball to Mighty going off,
they really missed Tanner Boyd's kicking game, in my opinion,
(14:58):
because as soon as Martin went off, everything fell on
Harris Tavita and they were buggering.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
It was a bit like watching a Kiwi's game from
the eighties or nineties, quite off, and the Keiwis back
then didn't have great kicker, so they kicked the ball
thirty meters, kind of get stuck in their half and
then the Kangaroos would lump it back, you know, fifty
or sixty meters, especially they had Matt Burton mate.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
You see some of the kicks. He did oh outragear
abut forty twenty, so it was accentuated.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
But it depends when Webster made the decision, because if
you make a decision like that on Thursday, you can't
just change it because it's a bit of rain. That's
quite chaotic too, and that's unfair on Tomorday. But the
interesting thing was the reason Webster gave for making the decision.
I don't know if you heard him, but he said
that he wanted to keep two hookers in the team
(15:43):
fair enough because you need Healey and last it because
both of them aren't going to play eighty minutes, so
you need your two hookers. So he had two hookers,
and he thought it'd be unfair on for Tomato to
be dropped because once you've got two hookers, you can't
really carry.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
A fourteen as well.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Tomato as well, and the unfair of them to be
dropped because he'd been playing well and he did play
well against the Dolphins, So that was the that was
the thinking. But the thing that it didn't make sense
to me was, Okay, you want to keep to Marty
in there, that's fine, just don't bring Chanell back. He's
been out with an injury, hasn't been playing that great,
didn't play that great against the Titans in his last match,
(16:20):
So keep Tanner Boy. I know he wasn't happy with
how Danner Boy played, but keep Tanner Boyd, keep to
Marty and give Shanelle another week off because, as you say,
wet weather or not, they really missed Tanner Boy's kicking
game apart, the wet weather made it really painful, really costly.
But the Warriors have also got an un underpowered forward
pack at the moment. You know, the forward pack isn't
(16:41):
as big and strong as as it normally has been.
So you need those kicking meters, mate, You just need
them far out.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
We have to seize. The loss of Martin definitely stifled
the team's attack.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Chanelle was a one man band there for a little
bit as a playmaker, and he was pretty easy to
see where the ball was going.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Which Dog's a really good defensive team now with to
Marty Martin out next week due to that Grade one concussion,
the question is obvious. Who plays half back? Webster expects
expect Boyd to slot straight back in.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
He's been awesome, his attitude has been awesome, so I'd
tell the trade swamp he's pulled up.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Well, I don't see why anything would change it.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
We never select the team on game day, as we'd
like to say, but I think it's very much a
no brainer that one.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
He's been awesome, but I dropped him. That's the thing.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
Like the interesting thing for me was, I don't know
if you saw it in eighth, but they had a
shot in the tunnel. Was the Warriors players getting off
the bath bus arriving at the game. We're walking in
headphones on da da da da. Tanner Boyd walks past
the camera and the look on his face said it all.
You know, he was absolutely guarded. You could because he
was obviously still is he's still eighteenth nineteenth man or
(17:49):
he just they all come to the game, but he
was in his gear, you know, and yeah, it'd be
dropped like that must have happened pretty late, because it
wasn't in the Warriors release at a two pm on
the Saturday, so it must have happened on the Friday
or Saturday morning. He would not be happy be dent
to the confidence, but he'll be back and hopefully he
proves a point.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Now. The other aspect of this that you touched on. Obviously,
Freddy Lussick coming in Lusty actually started ahead of Heally,
and obviously I put this to Motu Tony and he said,
it doesn't really matter who starts and who's on the interchange.
Do you having to take on this bitch? I was
surprised I expected Heally to start.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
I wasn't that surprised, only because I think the theory
was that Lussick, he's a bit bigger, bit more physical,
he would absorb the traffic he would absorb or the
early punishment. You know, the first twenty is always full on,
plus the weather. So the idea was Lussick plays the
first half, then Heally comes on when things settle down
a bit and runs a muck because he's got the
(18:45):
great running game. They don't want Heley out there having
to make a zillion tackles and getting smashed.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
So I could see that reasoning.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
But like a lot of people, I was a bit
surprised that Lussick stayed on so long before Heale Heally
came on because Healley has obviously got the much higher
ceiling for me, I don't you think.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
But Heally is he's a he's a gun he really is.
I agree with you, Websters is working his way back.
She's getting better, He's improving all the time. So it's
one of those ones.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
He looks not far away all the time, but if
it improves the right amount, he'll be ready to go.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
So we might see him next week. We might not. Now,
let's talk about the refereeing verge. As I said before,
I'm not someone who generally likes to labor the refereeing,
and I don't think the refereeing is any excuse for
the loss at all, So we can't get too hung
up about it. But we have to be honest that
Adam g made some straight up bizarre decisions in that game.
Penalized Kirk kape Or for tackling a player without the ball,
(19:41):
even though that player was clearly shepherding and he was
in front of the ball runner at the time. The
Warriors challenge it and then they lose the challenge. Tanne
to Opeeke was penalized for kicking a goal line dropout
into touch on the full, but usually that's the restart
on the ten meter line, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
There are these decisions You're like, sorry, what's what's happening?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
There.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
It was really weird and Adam g was body language,
he was just he just had really negative body language
towards the Warriors when they were questioning these things.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
What the hell is that? When the one about the shepherd,
like regardless if you think of weather the ball, a
shepherd's a shepherd, the Bulldogs players stopped.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
They all knew they were guilty. There were a couple
other ones as well, just the way keek Ow's try
a suspicion of a double movement, the bunker looked at
it for about six seconds or maybe it was four seconds,
putting on the sea here rather than analyzing in a bit,
whereas their weight Eagan double movement against the Knights they
spent about three minutes. So, yeah, you don't want to
(20:41):
dwell on it because the Warriors are well and truly beaten.
The Bulldogs are a better team. But some of those
decisions in the first half, I think there were three
or four penalties in a row. There were six agains
out of nowhere compared to the Warriors didn't get a
single six again in the first half.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Yeah, Adam g was it was curious, mate. Yeah, we
don't want to miss the fact that the Bulldogs played
really well as well. You know that the Warriors were
kept at only thirty three possession. I think in that
first half matter Burton with an outrageous forty twenty that
sort of compounded the hardship for the Warriors. The defense
(21:17):
sort of let them down. Stephen Crichton shakes off a
weak attempt to tackle by Adam Pompey to score in
the corner. That try was really disappointing for me. But
there was also one other thing I just wanted to
touch on that really sort of I felt disappointed about,
and that was just after see them here the Heales try.
James Fisher Harris and this set immediately afterwards get penalized
for needlessly shoving one of the Bulldog's markers. He sort
(21:40):
of loses his head and then the Bulldogs get a
penalty straight back. They kick it like, if you're the
captain and your team's just scored a try, your team's
under the pump, you've got to display a cool head
for me. I can't agree, mate, can't agree. You don't agree.
Speaker 3 (21:54):
I agree, No, I'd love to see you say that
to James Fasher Harris. Unbelievable, unbelievable, no, look, mate, Seriously,
there was another example of Adam g just to being
a bit weird because if you look at it closely,
Crichton smashes Fisher Harris in the face around the neck
when he's on the ground. He's already been held by
two other players. So Fisherris gets up, he's a bit
(22:15):
pissed off. He shoves them. Okay, he shoves them. Crichton
can win an Academy Award for that dive. But because
he made a massive dive and suddenly to penalty. Any
other game that I've seen this year, Crichton gets penalos
for the facial. You know, they find something in the
tech or the facial or the country conduct because it
wasn't it was a bit ugly what he did, you know,
(22:35):
And the commentators are saying, oh, well, Fish Harris has
just got to wear that.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
You just got to get up and play the ball.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Well, I don't know, I mean far out when that happens,
you know, so I could see why he was provoked.
You're right, Captain should be able to just play it cool.
But ge whiz g, ge wiz g. I'd say that
to James, I'd run hard straight afterwards.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Bigot God Warriors host the Dragons on Friday night at
Mount Smart. The Dragons they set eleventh on the ladder
with eight wins and twelve losses, but they're coming off
a twenty two fourteen win over the Cronella Sharks and
the week before that they beat the league leading Raiders.
They're led by fullback Clint Guthison. They've got Damien cook
(23:19):
Att Hooker like in Kingtongia and Kyl Flanagan in the halves.
Tyrell Sloan, who scored sixteen tries this year, is on
the right wing. They're also managing a long injury list,
including Jaden Sewer, Moses Soonley picked up a knee injury
in the Sharks game, and obviously Valentine Holmes has already
gone for the season with a shoulder injury. Burge, What
(23:41):
do the Warriors have to do to turn this around?
They need to sort the halves out, settle on that
well they do. I mean they've it's pretty simple. They've
just got to start playing well again. You know, they
haven't actually played well for quite a while. Didn't play
well against the Titans, played pretty well in periods against
the Dolphins. But they've got to have a game where
(24:02):
you come off the field and you're thinking, gee, fifteen
or sixteen players had really good games tonight. So the
obvious ones cut out the mistakes, more discipline, kick better,
have a bit or zing about their attack. But in general,
they've just got to start playing like they can. But
two of those names really scare me, mate, to be honest,
Clint Gathereson, I've watched so many matches where he's been
(24:25):
the difference or really good against Paramatta playing the Warriors,
so that scares me. And Damien Cook far out the
amount of times he cut the Warriors open playing for
the Rabbit o's that's pretty scary. The other thing that's
scary is you reminded me how well the Dragons have
been doing. Like they've beaten the Sharks and the Raiders.
That's like a team that's not the eleventh place team.
They're playing like a team in third or fourth, and
(24:46):
the Warriors are playing like a team who's further down.
So doesn't that concern you? I mean, you wouldn't back
the Warriors to beat the Sharks and the Raiders in
consecutive weeks at the moment, would you.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Well, that's just spectacular form that's really really good form
because the Raiders, we know how good they're going. The
Sharks were coming off a really good win, so to
topple them. The Dragons look like a team that could
sneak into the eight. They're sort of coming right at
the right time. But if the Warriors play the way
they can, the crowd will be behind them. The crowd
or know how important this match is. This feels like
(25:18):
a real make or break match in the context of
the season. The crowd gets behind them, they start to
get some confidence, they'll be okay, it is only the Dragons.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
They're not playing like a big, big team.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
But if they give the Dragons a sniff at the start,
it could be another hard night, couldn't it.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
The Big League Podcast on the Warriors Bad Wagons since
day one, The Big League Podcast for the biggest league fans.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Well, before you get into quick fire predictions, there's a
few things, miscellaneous Warriors stories that we need to cover
off birds. Some good news as well. You've got some
breaking news exclusive can you reveal what it? Making news?
Speaker 7 (26:01):
Which?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Yeah, I have.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Yeah, good news for Tomati Martin and fans of tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Martin.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
He is staying He's going to stay for another season
at the Warriors. That deal is not too far away,
as I understand, it's it's been agreed. I think it's
just paperwork. So this is this is quite a big
turnaround nath because if you remember at the start of
the season when he was overlooked for Vegas and they
(26:29):
had Metcalfe and Chanelle, we were saying no. So a
few weeks we were saying, oh, well, that could be
it for Timarde. Then they signed that kid, Jalen Neen
from Newcastle, you know, promising five to eight half. They've
already got Jack Cleary, Tanner Boyd takes up his option.
Where's he going to fit in? And there were those
stories in April about him maybe going to Super League
(26:53):
or being snapped up by another club, and it really
looked unlikely he'd be here again.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
But he's just become really valuable as a utility.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
They've just loved what he's done as a guy can
come on and play, you know, a bit like you
and your how a college days. He can play anywhere.
He can play fullback, he can play, yeah, he could
play because look what he's done. Fullback, center, hooker, five
ad half back, obviously, I think he had a few
minutes at Lock, so he's he's become really valuable. So yeah,
(27:25):
nice to see him staying. But I don't know what
you think. It does make it tricky in terms of
if he's going to be the fourteen. The one question
I would ask, if he's going to be the fourteen,
where does Healey fit in? You know, when can they
start using Healey Because we have the fourteen on the bench,
you probably can't have Hilly as well, because that's then
you're only left for sort of two forwards. So does
(27:46):
Healy just wait for when Wade is injured. There's a
whole other topic, but what I'm trying to say is
if Wade's not playing any minutes all the time, who's
going to cover him? Heally's great, he needs more time,
so but I'm sure it balances out with injuries and stuff.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
I'm really pleased that they've resigned to Mato because regardless,
there are always going to be injuries and you need
player who can cover multiple positions. He's effectively like Dylan
Walker was coming off the bench in that fourteen Jersey,
not exactly the same, but just can cover a few
different positions. Really versatile, so I think the club will
do well with Martin. I'm really pleased that he gets
(28:23):
to stay here as well. Let's take a moment to
congratulate the Warriors women on a dominant thirty four six
demolition of the Bulldogs, their third NRLW win. Patricia Mallyeppol
and Tyra were scoring doubles. Peyton Tucky Mowana. I think
that is seventh try and seven games. The standout player
(28:44):
for me was Eminita Paki at center because she is
just everywhere she runs the ball, but in particular she
put in some major defensive players as well. Burge, what
did you take away from that crushing win? Two things
really or three? One brilliant effort in the conditions away
from home, but the two big things. One I really
like encouraged by the way the new players, new players
(29:07):
to the sport or to their LW are adapting and
they're learning. They're learning so fast they're really improving quickly,
which is exciting. And the second is just that it's
two wins away from home for a new team that
they don't even train full time because they all got jobs.
They've got to travel. It's not easy to.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Travel so the fact they've had two wins in Australia
that is bloody encouraging. They've got some games coming up
on this side of the Tasman. They're shaping it well,
they really are.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
And the new South Wales Cup side have secured their
first ever minor premiership that came from behind to beat
the Bulldogs thirty four point thirty with obviously tenor Boyd
at five eighth. Doesn't this just show how much deep
I mean, we keep saying it, but the fact that
they've had so many players go up to first grade.
The Warriors played with their new South Wales Cup spine
(29:58):
in the NRL game, so the new South Wales Cup
side has lost their spine bartender board coming back in
but they're still winning. Well, that's right.
Speaker 3 (30:05):
And to go back to the top of the show
with you and all your friends on TikTok and Instagram
a snapchat with all the doom and gloom, it's not
all doom and gloom because snapchat is that something or
my Space or whatever you're.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
Using my space? Oh my god, no, I was just
saying I don't use snapchat my Space. I never got
onto my that's well before my time.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
Anyway, the point I was trying to make was this
is really exciting, like for the future. I know we
always talk about the future of the Warriors, but to
have the reserve grade team top of the table and
so convincing doing it. There's gonna be some kids in
this team getting really good experience that will pay off
maybe next season or the season halfter after. But this
(30:49):
is a great base, a great base for the future
and really exciting, let alone the grades below that team
that are also going well. So well done to Andrew
mcfatten and everyone involved with that and good sign.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
Big Moments The Big League Podcast all right, quick Fire Predictions.
Birds just rattle them off round twenty four and it
starts with a bumper crash Panthers Storm in Penrith. The
Storm beat the Broncos by twenty points. The Panthers have
won something like nine in a row there unto the
top four since they beat the Warriors. Doesn't annoy you
(31:25):
these games on Thursday night? Why do they put their
best game of the weekend on Thursday night? I feel
like it's always the Storm. No one feels like watching
on a Thursday night. It doesn't.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
It feels too early. The players don't get a proper
build up. It's just so frustrating. This should be a
bloody Sunday or Saturday. I'm an old man complaining again,
but it should be far out. Panthers Panthers for me,
they're really on a roll. They're going to be hard
to stop, but it'll be close. The Storm always pushed
the Panthers. They're playing well as well, but the Panthers
at home.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
For me, I'm going to go for the storm yest
Panthers on a roll, but the Storm over the last
few years, I know they sort of conquered this, but
the Storm were always the team that would trip up
or had the tendency to trip up the Panthers. And yes,
they did to conquer them, but I'm going to think
the Storm when away from home. Here, Warriors, Dragons, here
we go.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
You actually spot on the the Storm. If you look back,
they would have beaten the Panthers a lot in the
regular season. You're completely right, well done.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
I'm always right. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:19):
Warriors here because they have to, they need to. They'll
be desperate and this will pay off. All they have
to do is start playing a bit more like themselves
with the crowd, with the with the occasion Tanner board
of something to prove that should be enough. But as
I said before, all hinges on the first twenty thirty minutes.
(32:39):
They've got to start well. They're not the kind of
team that can chase down deficits at the moment just
because their confidence is not where it should be and
the Dragons will strangle them.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
They've got to turn up Roosters versus the Bulldogs. Roosters
are coming good a so they're on a hot streak. Man,
this is a really tricky one. I quite like the
Roosters here. I still don't know how if the Bulldogs
are that good.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Maybe I'm just still annoyed a bit Saturday, but I
will go with the Roosters here because I think Bulldogs
come off that physical match against the Warriors.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
I'll go Roosters. I'm going to agree with you as well.
Sharks Titans. Titans coming off a tight loss to the
Bunnies and the Sharks are lost to the Dragons.
Speaker 3 (33:17):
Yeah, the Titans have been really good since they've beat
the Warriors. The Sharks will surely bounce back. They'll be hurting.
That's the local derby that lost to the Dragons, So
they hate losing to the med and Red and White
so Sharks.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
For me, Broncos Dolphins, this is a tough one.
Speaker 3 (33:32):
Actually, the Sattle of Brisbane Classic Brisbane Derby years is
really tough.
Speaker 2 (33:37):
Can we call it a classic yet?
Speaker 7 (33:39):
No?
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Probably not yet. You're right Dolphins. Dolphins got absolutely hounded
by the Roosters and the Broncos lost by twenty to
the storm.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
And the Broncos I think got some injuries out of
that match. They'll be painful, the Dolphins feeling the effects
of maybe the trip to Auckland. I'll go with the
Broncos though I think they're both playing at home, aren't
they shit? Okay, but I'll go Brisbane. Yep, I agree
with you there. Rabbit O's eels. Who cares rabbit Oo's
finally are really happy for them. They've had such hard seasons,
(34:07):
some of the injury. They don't deserve to be down
where they are. But this will be close, but you
think they might be boosted from their win, so I'll go.
I'll go South Sydney.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
I'm going to back the Eels here quite I like
tipping the bunnies, you like tipping the eels. We've actually
gone the reverse. Here at Eels with a late field
goal win over the Cowboys in the round just gone.
Another trainer got hit by a ball and as well
as contract trainer gate Tiger Seagulls.
Speaker 3 (34:33):
Eels are looking better and better there. Dilon Mork is
playing well too. You have to mention that Tigers Seagulls.
I'll go for the Tigers just because they're coming off
the by at the stage of the season.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
That's pretty invaluable. The Seagles, Cowboys, Knights. Yeah, this is
the big I don't care one. This really is. I
don't care.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
But the Cowboys at home in Townsville. Long trip for
the Knights. The Knights are still puddling around, got issues,
so Cowboys for mine.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
We've just agreed on nearly all of them. Let's keep it,
We'll keep it. Not We'll see who gets the mass
right next week. Thank you Michael Burgers for your time
your wisdom. Please follow and rate the podcast. We'll be
back next Monday to digest the Dragons game. My name
is Nathan Lamb. You have a fantastic week.
Speaker 1 (35:20):
For more from News Talk set 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
Big League Podcast Poet by News TALKSB.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, former Warriors and
Kiwis player Motsu Tony questions Adam G's officiating, gives verdict
on the side's top four hopes, and reveals the key
player who needs to perform if they're to turn things
around Against the Dragons. Michael Burgess has some exclusive news
around the future of Timmidim Martin, and I attempt to
(00:45):
quell rising hysteria. My name is Nathan Lin. Let's go
b LB. Warriors fans are panicking. It's all gone down
the toilet. Injuries, goalore, three losses in a row, the
Warriors crash out of the top four for the first
time since mid April. Sack the coach, Sack the players,
(01:05):
Sack the kids who run the ball onto the field.
And I'd admit the loss to the Bulldogs was harrowing
to watch, but let's keep everything in context. I've seen
some headlines blatantly stoking the flames. Top four hopes slipping away,
but let me put this to you if the Warriors
had followed up a poor start to the season with
a run of winds boosting up the ladder to now
(01:27):
with four rounds to go, set just one point outside
the top four, the headlines would instead be saying Warriors
surge into top four contention. In fact, who wrote this
doomsday rubbish? Oh it was Michael Burgess, seen you in
New Zealand Herald writer who joins me, now can you
lighten up?
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Well, I'm just glad you're reading, mate, I'm just glad
you're reading. That's always read your piece. Yeah, it's great.
I don't know if I did write that one. Actually
that's the headline at the top of your article.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Top four hopes the thought did I write that? Really?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
I mean, you make a good point in terms of
in any other season, we would be doing cartwheels about
the fact that the Warriors are in fifth and fifth
at this stage of the season, compared to many other
seasons where it's been like, well, if the Warriors win
six of their last seven games and five other teams
lose four games, they might you know, so I get it, mate,
But it's not about where they are, it's about where
(02:21):
they're going.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
That's what the panic is.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
You know, this isn't a photo, this is a video,
and the video isn't a great look because if we're honest,
since the Crneller game in June, which was the obvious peak,
they haven't been great. They weren't great against Penrith, they
lost of the times at home. They're unlucky against the Dolphins,
who weren't great against Newcastle, but they got lucky. They
beat the Tigers and the Broncos was the Metcalf injury.
(02:45):
So adding everything up, yeah, there is reason for I
guess hysteria. I'm sure you're seeing this on things like
those things like TikTok and Instagram that you hang around on.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
But those things like, yeah, those things.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
But to your point, I wasn't actually that concerned about
Saturday night because I didn't really expect anything else.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I was. I think we talked about this last week.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
I was figuring it to be about a twelve point
loss to the Bulldogs because they're playing better, they've got
their full strength team. The Warriors are missing three of
their top four players. Barnett metcalf Egan in that order.
I put for Sheriff's body number four. Plus they've got
no centers they've got. You know, there's all these issues
(03:34):
and they're down on confidence and they played in the
bloody in the slop and sliding. So yeah, I'm not
saying we should take positives from Saturday, but I'm saying
that for me, nothing's really changed. I think I was
talking to you last week about the fact that the
big game is the Dragons, not the Bulldogs, that I
didn't see them ever beating the Bulldogs.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
But they've got to beat the Dragons.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
But this Sue is now though, of course, their confidence
and the momentum has taken another knock.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
We are four rounds to go in the season, but
the Warrior is still very much in the middle of
that top eight now. Warriors coach Andrew Webster is keeping
faith in his players to turn things around. With four
games remaining before the finals.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Everyone wants to be a top fourteen and then gives
you a really good shot at the end of the season.
But we've got a lot of football to play at
the back end this year, and you know, we're going
to get back to playing Abbis football and.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
The rest of it will take care of itself. We're
going to hear from former Warriors and kiwis player mot
tou Tony next. But first, here are the highlights, or
rather the low lights. Bulldogs thirty two, Warriors fourteen pot.
Speaker 5 (04:35):
Atmosphere acurs stadium mat turned away.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
That's four tackles.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
Canterbory Lovely Stan sides d a second movement at the
finish to serve it over.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
The line across with man. Now there's runners.
Speaker 6 (04:55):
Parton on for see nic sting in for Canary second
try t cut.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Up b Tell.
Speaker 6 (05:08):
Joanna the pardup score again double show love it just that.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Sir can the captain followday, he's heally not its pair
to a second kick. Your as got there, next saying is.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
It oh no, Having scored a try, Fisher Harris has
now been picked that mother retory that ball as Caress
has done it again.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Tell us to Johanna, chuck a Caress in a sect.
Roger's on his way for the Warriors.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
Didn't see that coming, but it's a convincing wonder care Debury.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Beating the Warriors. Audio courtesy of Fox Sports The Big
League Podcast. We are very lucky to be joined on
the Big League Podcast for the very first time by
former Warrior and Kiwi's player Mottu, Tony Mottu, thank you
so much for your time. How are you?
Speaker 7 (06:10):
Yeah, very good, Thanks Nathan and good Yeah, good to
connect and have a chat about the worries.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Now about the Warriors. It kind of feels like it's doomsday.
I'm looking on social media and all the fans are
slagging the team off. Everyone's pressing the panic button, going
you know what, our top four hopes are gone? Are
you pressing the panic button? Motto?
Speaker 7 (06:30):
Not at all? Yeah, not at all. You know, obviously
as a former player and you know before you know,
I was fortunate to where you know, the jersey, I
was a fan, so as a as both, I'm not
you know, I'm not pressing the panic button at all.
You know. If anything, I think we're starting to see,
you know, just the injuries and you know, sort of
(06:51):
take its toll in terms of the quality it's missing.
But also you know, traveling to Australia, you know, every
second week or for large parts of the season, I
feel that's starting to creep in on the on the
players as well in the in the playing stuff. So
you know, I'm pressing the panic button law because there's
still some twists and turns you know, the last few
(07:12):
weeks of the season.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
What did you make of the game itself? Obviously the
Bulldogs played brilliant wet weather football, but the Warriors, they
were hardly on their game with the.
Speaker 7 (07:22):
Yeah, and I think you've got to give the Bulldogs
a lot of credit, you know. I think they've played
in the wet you know, a few times this year
and hadn't won the game, you know, hadn't won in
those conditions. And you know, when you've got a crowd
of twenty five thousand behind you, you've got questions be
asked of their own form. I thought the Bulldogs really,
you know, did a job on just limiting the Warriors
impact their meters and the defensive pressure of the Bulldogs
(07:45):
put the Warriors under was immense, So full credit to
you know, the Bulldogs were really turning the screws on
the Warriors in the weekend.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
There was a little bit of controversy in the build
up with Andrew Webster dropping Tanner Boyd to reserve Great
on game day to Mandy Martin goes into start at
half back. Webster cited before the game the desire to
have two hookers in the squad still get to mighty
in there somewhere. What did you make of the decision
to drop Tenor after they sort of picked him as
(08:15):
the halfback.
Speaker 7 (08:17):
Yeah, I thought, you know, probably focusing on Tim Monday.
I think he's you know, he's earned a start, and
you know, I think it was a case suggesting what
Timighta can do, you know when given I guess a
whole game to you know, to show his whe's. Unfortunately
for Tomorday, he you know took a head knock. But
you know, I wasn't sort of surprised, you know, I
think to Mady's really you know, shown when he's come on,
(08:39):
not only as a versatile but he can also you know,
change the game with his running his running game. So
you know, it wasn't too surprised. But obviously, you know,
to Mighta getting off the field during a Bulldogs game
means that you know there's a chance for Tenor to
come back into the fold against and a.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Few people were raising eyebrows at pretty lust it getting
to start at hooker over Sam Healey. Given Healey's been
the backup to Wade Egan this season, does that really
matter if you've got one on the interchange, you've got
one starting. Does it make a huge difference or what
do you make of that?
Speaker 7 (09:10):
No, I didn't read too much into that, you know,
I thought, you know, Andrew Webster, you know, and this
is just my opinion. I thought it was just, you know,
start lust it to, you know, take some heat out
of the game, and then when the game sort of
quiet is down, settles down, you bring on heally. But yeah,
so I didn't really read too much into it.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
I am not someone who likes to labor the referee
because I feel like referees get too much crap from
fans and it isn't fair. But there were a couple
of calls made by Adam G during that game. If
I think back to the obstruction call, sorry, what looked
to be a clear obstruction Shepherd and Kirk cape Well
penalized for tackling a player without the ball. Did you
(09:51):
raise your eyebrows as sort of any of the decisions
made by Adam G.
Speaker 7 (09:55):
Yeah, a couple of them were you know, questionable, you know,
questionable some of the decisions. But if you ask any
of those Warriors players, you know, they would say those
calls were christenable. But there's still got to be the
defensive town, you know, to become those calls and I
think that's where, you know, the Warriors are just not
quite there yet. You know. Over Andrew Webster's you know,
(10:15):
ten year as a head coach, the Warriors have managed
to you know, with us some adversity, some risk calls
that haven't gone their way. They haven't been able to
do that in recent weeks.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
And this week more to thank you so much for
your time again at Tanner Boyd presumably will come and
to start half back with tomight. It can cust potentially
Wade Egan comes back into the fall from a shoulder injury.
What do they need to get right on Friday against
the Dragons to get back on track.
Speaker 7 (10:43):
Yeah, I think Wade coming back into the team will
be massive. You know, Wade Egan is one of the
best attacking hookers in the game and certainly helps Warriors.
He he manages to straighten up the attack, which if
you think about when you've got a hooker or number
nine that can take the markers out of play and
then hopefully it gets one on ones you know, further
(11:06):
out wide in the in the attacking line for the Warriors,
and that's what they've missed you know, they've been a
little bit you know, going sideways and attacks. You know,
Wade come back will really help their attack. But the
thing the Warriors need to get back to is just
the defensive steel that they have. You know they had that.
You know Andrew Webster's taking over this team. They haven't
been quite there. But you're knowing the Warriors and knowing
(11:26):
how disappointed they have been after losses, I think, you know,
we should be expecting them to back this weekend. And
you know, no game in the end r others is easy,
is an easy one. But you know, the remaining games
the Warriors have against teams that are outside you know,
the top eight. So hopefully the Warriors can play to
the potential and you get some wins.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Are they making the top four?
Speaker 7 (11:49):
It's going to be tough, But if you look at
the running for the end of the round robin, I'd
rather have the Warriors running than any of the other
teams that are you know, that are sort of in
the top four at the moment or scraping around.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
You know the eight is the Big League podcast wise
they scar is no, Yeah, the Big League.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Podcast on the Warriors Bad Wagons.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
It's d one great to hear from Motu Toni first
time on the podcast. There, Burge, do you agree with
him that that Wade Egan is the key player that
the Warriors need in order to turn things around against
the Dragons squaring up that attack. He's very important.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
I don't know if we'll be back though, so I
wouldn't want to dwell on that because that shoulder. He
could be back, and Webster did tell us you were there.
He told us last week you could be back. But
if your shoulders not quite right, I mean, Egan is
the absolute key. Matus completely right, because since they've lost
Metcalf and they've got different halves, Egan's the quarterback. He's
the guy that actually directs the play. He does a
(12:48):
lot of the playmaking from Demihalf. So he's massive, But
there are other keys that Just what happened on Saturday
was there were so many players that played way below
their best, like.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
So many right, let's go through this game in a
little bit more detail. Firstly, coach Andrew Webster admits they
didn't help themselves.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
A lot of stuff was sort of self inflincting their
errors or like a concentration well going after we had
intent I think everyone could see our collisions all night,
but where we just weren't thinking correctly and the Dogs
suffocated us with great tactics right Bert.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
For me, Tomight and Martin's concussion category one in the
first half was absolutely killer. That is where the game
went away for the Warriors. I mean Chanell, Harris Tavita
went into half back, Charles could crook start, then moved
from center to five eighth Caprael went from the second
road to center. I mean, I had no idea who
(13:42):
was playing where for a lot of that game in
the back line for the Warriors, and everything just fell
on channel.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
When some of it that happens, it's really really really unlucky,
like of all the games to happen. To lose your
half back at that stage, at any stage is bad,
but when the Warriors are already down on troops, really
really unfortunate.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Massive turning point.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
Whether the Warriors are the one with Tomati debatable, but
they probably went from having a forty percent char to
a twenty percent chance. And to be honest, Chanelle, it
was a lot on Chanelle's shoulders, but he won't be
happy with her handle at either.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
His kicking was not great well, you talk about the
kicking game, and to be honest, I really feel that
the controversy before the game and the changing of the
lineup was also key. I did not rate the decision
to drop Tanner Boyd on game day to reserve grade.
They picked their half back, they pecked him. It was
(14:37):
Tanner Boyd, and you and I both said on this
podcast last week that we didn't think that there would
be any change to that. They've invested in Tanner Boyd,
They've said you're the man, and then Webster changed his mind.
They given the conditions, the wet ball to Mighty going off,
they really missed Tanner Boyd's kicking game, in my opinion,
(14:58):
because as soon as Martin went off, everything fell on
Harris Tavita and they were buggering.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
It was a bit like watching a Kiwi's game from
the eighties or nineties, quite off, and the Keiwis back
then didn't have great kicker, so they kicked the ball
thirty meters, kind of get stuck in their half and
then the Kangaroos would lump it back, you know, fifty
or sixty meters, especially they had Matt Burton mate.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
You see some of the kicks. He did oh outragear
abut forty twenty, so it was accentuated.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
But it depends when Webster made the decision, because if
you make a decision like that on Thursday, you can't
just change it because it's a bit of rain. That's
quite chaotic too, and that's unfair on Tomorday. But the
interesting thing was the reason Webster gave for making the decision.
I don't know if you heard him, but he said
that he wanted to keep two hookers in the team
(15:43):
fair enough because you need Healey and last it because
both of them aren't going to play eighty minutes, so
you need your two hookers. So he had two hookers,
and he thought it'd be unfair on for Tomato to
be dropped because once you've got two hookers, you can't
really carry.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
A fourteen as well.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Tomato as well, and the unfair of them to be
dropped because he'd been playing well and he did play
well against the Dolphins, So that was the that was
the thinking. But the thing that it didn't make sense
to me was, Okay, you want to keep to Marty
in there, that's fine, just don't bring Chanell back. He's
been out with an injury, hasn't been playing that great,
didn't play that great against the Titans in his last match,
(16:20):
So keep Tanner Boy. I know he wasn't happy with
how Danner Boy played, but keep Tanner Boyd, keep to
Marty and give Shanelle another week off because, as you say,
wet weather or not, they really missed Tanner Boy's kicking
game apart, the wet weather made it really painful, really costly.
But the Warriors have also got an un underpowered forward
pack at the moment. You know, the forward pack isn't
(16:41):
as big and strong as as it normally has been.
So you need those kicking meters, mate, You just need
them far out.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
We have to seize. The loss of Martin definitely stifled
the team's attack.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Chanelle was a one man band there for a little
bit as a playmaker, and he was pretty easy to
see where the ball was going.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Which Dog's a really good defensive team now with to
Marty Martin out next week due to that Grade one concussion,
the question is obvious. Who plays half back? Webster expects
expect Boyd to slot straight back in.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
He's been awesome, his attitude has been awesome, so I'd
tell the trade swamp he's pulled up.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Well, I don't see why anything would change it.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
We never select the team on game day, as we'd
like to say, but I think it's very much a
no brainer that one.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
He's been awesome, but I dropped him. That's the thing.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
Like the interesting thing for me was, I don't know
if you saw it in eighth, but they had a
shot in the tunnel. Was the Warriors players getting off
the bath bus arriving at the game. We're walking in
headphones on da da da da. Tanner Boyd walks past
the camera and the look on his face said it all.
You know, he was absolutely guarded. You could because he
was obviously still is he's still eighteenth nineteenth man or
(17:49):
he just they all come to the game, but he
was in his gear, you know, and yeah, it'd be
dropped like that must have happened pretty late, because it
wasn't in the Warriors release at a two pm on
the Saturday, so it must have happened on the Friday
or Saturday morning. He would not be happy be dent
to the confidence, but he'll be back and hopefully he
proves a point.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Now. The other aspect of this that you touched on. Obviously,
Freddy Lussick coming in Lusty actually started ahead of Heally,
and obviously I put this to Motu Tony and he said,
it doesn't really matter who starts and who's on the interchange.
Do you having to take on this bitch? I was
surprised I expected Heally to start.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
I wasn't that surprised, only because I think the theory
was that Lussick, he's a bit bigger, bit more physical,
he would absorb the traffic he would absorb or the
early punishment. You know, the first twenty is always full on,
plus the weather. So the idea was Lussick plays the
first half, then Heally comes on when things settle down
a bit and runs a muck because he's got the
(18:45):
great running game. They don't want Heley out there having
to make a zillion tackles and getting smashed.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
So I could see that reasoning.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
But like a lot of people, I was a bit
surprised that Lussick stayed on so long before Heale Heally
came on because Healley has obviously got the much higher
ceiling for me, I don't you think.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
But Heally is he's a he's a gun he really is.
I agree with you, Websters is working his way back.
She's getting better, He's improving all the time. So it's
one of those ones.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
He looks not far away all the time, but if
it improves the right amount, he'll be ready to go.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
So we might see him next week. We might not. Now,
let's talk about the refereeing verge. As I said before,
I'm not someone who generally likes to labor the refereeing,
and I don't think the refereeing is any excuse for
the loss at all, So we can't get too hung
up about it. But we have to be honest that
Adam g made some straight up bizarre decisions in that game.
Penalized Kirk kape Or for tackling a player without the ball,
(19:41):
even though that player was clearly shepherding and he was
in front of the ball runner at the time. The
Warriors challenge it and then they lose the challenge. Tanne
to Opeeke was penalized for kicking a goal line dropout
into touch on the full, but usually that's the restart
on the ten meter line, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
There are these decisions You're like, sorry, what's what's happening?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
There.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
It was really weird and Adam g was body language,
he was just he just had really negative body language
towards the Warriors when they were questioning these things.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
What the hell is that? When the one about the shepherd,
like regardless if you think of weather the ball, a
shepherd's a shepherd, the Bulldogs players stopped.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
They all knew they were guilty. There were a couple
other ones as well, just the way keek Ow's try
a suspicion of a double movement, the bunker looked at
it for about six seconds or maybe it was four seconds,
putting on the sea here rather than analyzing in a bit,
whereas their weight Eagan double movement against the Knights they
spent about three minutes. So, yeah, you don't want to
(20:41):
dwell on it because the Warriors are well and truly beaten.
The Bulldogs are a better team. But some of those
decisions in the first half, I think there were three
or four penalties in a row. There were six agains
out of nowhere compared to the Warriors didn't get a
single six again in the first half.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Yeah, Adam g was it was curious, mate. Yeah, we
don't want to miss the fact that the Bulldogs played
really well as well. You know that the Warriors were
kept at only thirty three possession. I think in that
first half matter Burton with an outrageous forty twenty that
sort of compounded the hardship for the Warriors. The defense
(21:17):
sort of let them down. Stephen Crichton shakes off a
weak attempt to tackle by Adam Pompey to score in
the corner. That try was really disappointing for me. But
there was also one other thing I just wanted to
touch on that really sort of I felt disappointed about,
and that was just after see them here the Heales try.
James Fisher Harris and this set immediately afterwards get penalized
for needlessly shoving one of the Bulldog's markers. He sort
(21:40):
of loses his head and then the Bulldogs get a
penalty straight back. They kick it like, if you're the
captain and your team's just scored a try, your team's
under the pump, you've got to display a cool head
for me. I can't agree, mate, can't agree. You don't agree.
Speaker 3 (21:54):
I agree, No, I'd love to see you say that
to James Fasher Harris. Unbelievable, unbelievable, no, look, mate, Seriously,
there was another example of Adam g just to being
a bit weird because if you look at it closely,
Crichton smashes Fisher Harris in the face around the neck
when he's on the ground. He's already been held by
two other players. So Fisherris gets up, he's a bit
(22:15):
pissed off. He shoves them. Okay, he shoves them. Crichton
can win an Academy Award for that dive. But because
he made a massive dive and suddenly to penalty. Any
other game that I've seen this year, Crichton gets penalos
for the facial. You know, they find something in the
tech or the facial or the country conduct because it
wasn't it was a bit ugly what he did, you know,
(22:35):
And the commentators are saying, oh, well, Fish Harris has
just got to wear that.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
You just got to get up and play the ball.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Well, I don't know, I mean far out when that happens,
you know, so I could see why he was provoked.
You're right, Captain should be able to just play it cool.
But ge whiz g, ge wiz g. I'd say that
to James, I'd run hard straight afterwards.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Bigot God Warriors host the Dragons on Friday night at
Mount Smart. The Dragons they set eleventh on the ladder
with eight wins and twelve losses, but they're coming off
a twenty two fourteen win over the Cronella Sharks and
the week before that they beat the league leading Raiders.
They're led by fullback Clint Guthison. They've got Damien cook
(23:19):
Att Hooker like in Kingtongia and Kyl Flanagan in the halves.
Tyrell Sloan, who scored sixteen tries this year, is on
the right wing. They're also managing a long injury list,
including Jaden Sewer, Moses Soonley picked up a knee injury
in the Sharks game, and obviously Valentine Holmes has already
gone for the season with a shoulder injury. Burge, What
(23:41):
do the Warriors have to do to turn this around?
They need to sort the halves out, settle on that
well they do. I mean they've it's pretty simple. They've
just got to start playing well again. You know, they
haven't actually played well for quite a while. Didn't play
well against the Titans, played pretty well in periods against
the Dolphins. But they've got to have a game where
(24:02):
you come off the field and you're thinking, gee, fifteen
or sixteen players had really good games tonight. So the
obvious ones cut out the mistakes, more discipline, kick better,
have a bit or zing about their attack. But in general,
they've just got to start playing like they can. But
two of those names really scare me, mate, to be honest,
Clint Gathereson, I've watched so many matches where he's been
(24:25):
the difference or really good against Paramatta playing the Warriors,
so that scares me. And Damien Cook far out the
amount of times he cut the Warriors open playing for
the Rabbit o's that's pretty scary. The other thing that's
scary is you reminded me how well the Dragons have
been doing. Like they've beaten the Sharks and the Raiders.
That's like a team that's not the eleventh place team.
They're playing like a team in third or fourth, and
(24:46):
the Warriors are playing like a team who's further down.
So doesn't that concern you? I mean, you wouldn't back
the Warriors to beat the Sharks and the Raiders in
consecutive weeks at the moment, would you.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Well, that's just spectacular form that's really really good form
because the Raiders, we know how good they're going. The
Sharks were coming off a really good win, so to
topple them. The Dragons look like a team that could
sneak into the eight. They're sort of coming right at
the right time. But if the Warriors play the way
they can, the crowd will be behind them. The crowd
or know how important this match is. This feels like
(25:18):
a real make or break match in the context of
the season. The crowd gets behind them, they start to
get some confidence, they'll be okay, it is only the Dragons.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
They're not playing like a big, big team.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
But if they give the Dragons a sniff at the start,
it could be another hard night, couldn't it.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
The Big League Podcast on the Warriors Bad Wagons since
day one, The Big League Podcast for the biggest league fans.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Well, before you get into quick fire predictions, there's a
few things, miscellaneous Warriors stories that we need to cover
off birds. Some good news as well. You've got some
breaking news exclusive can you reveal what it? Making news?
Speaker 7 (26:01):
Which?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Yeah, I have.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Yeah, good news for Tomati Martin and fans of tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Martin.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
He is staying He's going to stay for another season
at the Warriors. That deal is not too far away,
as I understand, it's it's been agreed. I think it's
just paperwork. So this is this is quite a big
turnaround nath because if you remember at the start of
the season when he was overlooked for Vegas and they
(26:29):
had Metcalfe and Chanelle, we were saying no. So a
few weeks we were saying, oh, well, that could be
it for Timarde. Then they signed that kid, Jalen Neen
from Newcastle, you know, promising five to eight half. They've
already got Jack Cleary, Tanner Boyd takes up his option.
Where's he going to fit in? And there were those
stories in April about him maybe going to Super League
(26:53):
or being snapped up by another club, and it really
looked unlikely he'd be here again.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
But he's just become really valuable as a utility.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
They've just loved what he's done as a guy can
come on and play, you know, a bit like you
and your how a college days. He can play anywhere.
He can play fullback, he can play, yeah, he could
play because look what he's done. Fullback, center, hooker, five
ad half back, obviously, I think he had a few
minutes at Lock, so he's he's become really valuable. So yeah,
(27:25):
nice to see him staying. But I don't know what
you think. It does make it tricky in terms of
if he's going to be the fourteen. The one question
I would ask, if he's going to be the fourteen,
where does Healey fit in? You know, when can they
start using Healey Because we have the fourteen on the bench,
you probably can't have Hilly as well, because that's then
you're only left for sort of two forwards. So does
(27:46):
Healy just wait for when Wade is injured. There's a
whole other topic, but what I'm trying to say is
if Wade's not playing any minutes all the time, who's
going to cover him? Heally's great, he needs more time,
so but I'm sure it balances out with injuries and stuff.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
I'm really pleased that they've resigned to Mato because regardless,
there are always going to be injuries and you need
player who can cover multiple positions. He's effectively like Dylan
Walker was coming off the bench in that fourteen Jersey,
not exactly the same, but just can cover a few
different positions. Really versatile, so I think the club will
do well with Martin. I'm really pleased that he gets
(28:23):
to stay here as well. Let's take a moment to
congratulate the Warriors women on a dominant thirty four six
demolition of the Bulldogs, their third NRLW win. Patricia Mallyeppol
and Tyra were scoring doubles. Peyton Tucky Mowana. I think
that is seventh try and seven games. The standout player
(28:44):
for me was Eminita Paki at center because she is
just everywhere she runs the ball, but in particular she
put in some major defensive players as well. Burge, what
did you take away from that crushing win? Two things
really or three? One brilliant effort in the conditions away
from home, but the two big things. One I really
like encouraged by the way the new players, new players
(29:07):
to the sport or to their LW are adapting and
they're learning. They're learning so fast they're really improving quickly,
which is exciting. And the second is just that it's
two wins away from home for a new team that
they don't even train full time because they all got jobs.
They've got to travel. It's not easy to.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Travel so the fact they've had two wins in Australia
that is bloody encouraging. They've got some games coming up
on this side of the Tasman. They're shaping it well,
they really are.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
And the new South Wales Cup side have secured their
first ever minor premiership that came from behind to beat
the Bulldogs thirty four point thirty with obviously tenor Boyd
at five eighth. Doesn't this just show how much deep
I mean, we keep saying it, but the fact that
they've had so many players go up to first grade.
The Warriors played with their new South Wales Cup spine
(29:58):
in the NRL game, so the new South Wales Cup
side has lost their spine bartender board coming back in
but they're still winning. Well, that's right.
Speaker 3 (30:05):
And to go back to the top of the show
with you and all your friends on TikTok and Instagram
a snapchat with all the doom and gloom, it's not
all doom and gloom because snapchat is that something or
my Space or whatever you're.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
Using my space? Oh my god, no, I was just
saying I don't use snapchat my Space. I never got
onto my that's well before my time.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
Anyway, the point I was trying to make was this
is really exciting, like for the future. I know we
always talk about the future of the Warriors, but to
have the reserve grade team top of the table and
so convincing doing it. There's gonna be some kids in
this team getting really good experience that will pay off
maybe next season or the season halfter after. But this
(30:49):
is a great base, a great base for the future
and really exciting, let alone the grades below that team
that are also going well. So well done to Andrew
mcfatten and everyone involved with that and good sign.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
Big Moments The Big League Podcast all right, quick Fire Predictions.
Birds just rattle them off round twenty four and it
starts with a bumper crash Panthers Storm in Penrith. The
Storm beat the Broncos by twenty points. The Panthers have
won something like nine in a row there unto the
top four since they beat the Warriors. Doesn't annoy you
(31:25):
these games on Thursday night? Why do they put their
best game of the weekend on Thursday night? I feel
like it's always the Storm. No one feels like watching
on a Thursday night. It doesn't.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
It feels too early. The players don't get a proper
build up. It's just so frustrating. This should be a
bloody Sunday or Saturday. I'm an old man complaining again,
but it should be far out. Panthers Panthers for me,
they're really on a roll. They're going to be hard
to stop, but it'll be close. The Storm always pushed
the Panthers. They're playing well as well, but the Panthers
at home.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
For me, I'm going to go for the storm yest
Panthers on a roll, but the Storm over the last
few years, I know they sort of conquered this, but
the Storm were always the team that would trip up
or had the tendency to trip up the Panthers. And yes,
they did to conquer them, but I'm going to think
the Storm when away from home. Here, Warriors, Dragons, here
we go.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
You actually spot on the the Storm. If you look back,
they would have beaten the Panthers a lot in the
regular season. You're completely right, well done.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
I'm always right. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:19):
Warriors here because they have to, they need to. They'll
be desperate and this will pay off. All they have
to do is start playing a bit more like themselves
with the crowd, with the with the occasion Tanner board
of something to prove that should be enough. But as
I said before, all hinges on the first twenty thirty minutes.
(32:39):
They've got to start well. They're not the kind of
team that can chase down deficits at the moment just
because their confidence is not where it should be and
the Dragons will strangle them.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
They've got to turn up Roosters versus the Bulldogs. Roosters
are coming good a so they're on a hot streak. Man,
this is a really tricky one. I quite like the
Roosters here. I still don't know how if the Bulldogs
are that good.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Maybe I'm just still annoyed a bit Saturday, but I
will go with the Roosters here because I think Bulldogs
come off that physical match against the Warriors.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
I'll go Roosters. I'm going to agree with you as well.
Sharks Titans. Titans coming off a tight loss to the
Bunnies and the Sharks are lost to the Dragons.
Speaker 3 (33:17):
Yeah, the Titans have been really good since they've beat
the Warriors. The Sharks will surely bounce back. They'll be hurting.
That's the local derby that lost to the Dragons, So
they hate losing to the med and Red and White
so Sharks.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
For me, Broncos Dolphins, this is a tough one.
Speaker 3 (33:32):
Actually, the Sattle of Brisbane Classic Brisbane Derby years is
really tough.
Speaker 2 (33:37):
Can we call it a classic yet?
Speaker 7 (33:39):
No?
Speaker 2 (33:40):
Probably not yet. You're right Dolphins. Dolphins got absolutely hounded
by the Roosters and the Broncos lost by twenty to
the storm.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
And the Broncos I think got some injuries out of
that match. They'll be painful, the Dolphins feeling the effects
of maybe the trip to Auckland. I'll go with the
Broncos though I think they're both playing at home, aren't
they shit? Okay, but I'll go Brisbane. Yep, I agree
with you there. Rabbit O's eels. Who cares rabbit Oo's
finally are really happy for them. They've had such hard seasons,
(34:07):
some of the injury. They don't deserve to be down
where they are. But this will be close, but you
think they might be boosted from their win, so I'll go.
I'll go South Sydney.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
I'm going to back the Eels here quite I like
tipping the bunnies, you like tipping the eels. We've actually
gone the reverse. Here at Eels with a late field
goal win over the Cowboys in the round just gone.
Another trainer got hit by a ball and as well
as contract trainer gate Tiger Seagulls.
Speaker 3 (34:33):
Eels are looking better and better there. Dilon Mork is
playing well too. You have to mention that Tigers Seagulls.
I'll go for the Tigers just because they're coming off
the by at the stage of the season.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
That's pretty invaluable. The Seagles, Cowboys, Knights. Yeah, this is
the big I don't care one. This really is. I
don't care.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
But the Cowboys at home in Townsville. Long trip for
the Knights. The Knights are still puddling around, got issues,
so Cowboys for mine.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
We've just agreed on nearly all of them. Let's keep it,
We'll keep it. Not We'll see who gets the mass
right next week. Thank you Michael Burgers for your time
your wisdom. Please follow and rate the podcast. We'll be
back next Monday to digest the Dragons game. My name
is Nathan Lamb. You have a fantastic week.
Speaker 1 (35:20):
For more from News Talk set B listen live on
air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
you go. With our podcasts on iHeartRadio,
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.