September 12, 2025 • 12 mins
The Warriors have limped their way into the NRL finals following back-to-back losses.
However, their 6th place standing has given them a home final, the team hosting the Penrith Panthers tonight at Mount Smart Stadium, where they aim to end the Panther’s bid at claiming a fifth consecutive title.
Warriors Assistant Coach Richard Agar joined Piney to discuss their plans and preparations in overcoming the odds and continuing their NRL season.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
I'm in the NRL as we've just heard the Melbourne
storm through to a preliminary final with a win over
the Cannery Bulldogs last night. The two elimination finals are tonight,
starting of course six o'clock Go Media Stadium as the
Warriors take on the Panthers. What a game in prospect
one we're very much looking forward to. Warriors assistant coach
(00:35):
rich A Garas with us riach. Thanks for taking the
time on match day. How's the week been? Have you
intentionally tried to keep the week the same as a
regular season week or is that really not possible with
a knockout game at the end of it.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yeah, good question, Jason, Thanks for having me on mate. Look,
I think there's no doubt we've kept the same structure
of the week if you like, but it certainly feels
different energy and a different intensity about it. Obviously do
our die football. We've had a couple of guys coming
(01:10):
back into training. We got all reviewed done pretty much
while we were in Manly. We worked through the night
so we could sort of put that game to bed
and as soon as we got on the bus out
of there. You know, all the focus for us has
been about this week, and yeah, we've looked pretty dialed
in training.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
There are guys in your team who have played finals football,
some quite a bit, none more so recently than of
course James Fisher Hara, who won the comp the last
four years with Pinroth. How big he has influence been
in your team as you prepare this.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Week, probably same as it has been all year. You know,
I think it's been widely I guess documented and said
in interviews about the type of leader that fishes. You know,
he doesn't get phased. He leads by his actions. I
think there's a great deal of comfort for the guys
around him that haven't played finals football to look around
(02:04):
and see him there and know that you know he's
been there, done it, warn the T shirt and said
nothing just nothing phasers James, And well he's been he's
been an outstanding leader for us this year. Uh. And
it's you know, we're in a position where we are
now that you know, he takes a lot of credit
(02:25):
for I guess the connection in the team. Uh, it's
quite ironic. I guess that we're coming up again again
Penn with and you know he's almost got the chance
and the opportunity, like we all have hopefully to try
and end that dynasty.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
So you come into the finals off the back of
consecutive losses, narrow losses, but losses none the less. How
do you make up for any lack of momentum as
you come into a must win match.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Probably that it's just a new competition that we're in
due or die football. I certainly think home advantage and
our fans can play a big part of that. I
think it's a game that you know, we we've got
to make sure that we start well and bring the
crowd into it. But yeah, I just think it's a
new competition. I think regardless of whether we would we
(03:11):
would have won all off at the weekend, it wouldn't
really have affected our league position. Of course, we would
have liked to win, but more importantly, I think we
would have liked to have come in on a little
bit better performance. But abviouly said that, I think, you know,
we've got a shot in the arm with a couple
of guys coming back into the team, important players in
important positions.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Yeah, and I'd like to ask about one of those
Jackson Ford, of course back from his three game suspension.
How big a boast to say to you, Well big, I.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Think, I think, you know, when you're talking about experience
and jack O can sort of go a little bit unherlded.
I think he's one of them players that people will
notice him when he makes mistakes, but people won't notice
him when he's doing sixteen sixty five minutes straight as
a front roller and you know, churning the work right
out that he does. But it's just that experience too.
(03:58):
I think when when obviously miss Barnett got injured, to
lose Fish like we have a couple of times, and
then to lose Jackson, it's tremendous experience for our young guys.
But at the same time, you know, you look at
our packs sometimes and it does lack you know, it
certainly does lack experience, Tettle standards in very good stead
(04:19):
moving forward down the track. You know, all our young
guys have had a fantastic learning curve this year, you know,
but at the end of a long season in the
playoffs like this, experience, you know, experience does does really
count for a lot. So getting jack O back apart
from his experience, but in particular you know, the game
(04:41):
time and the minutes that he can play in the middle.
You know, he's a big plus for us.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
We're also guarded to see Rock Obierry injured again. Geez
had terrible luck this season, hasn't he? After just two
or three games back, Kirk Caple has been named in
the senders. Why have you gone that way instead of
perhaps Chance Nichol Klukster who had a couple of games
there for you as well.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Look, we think we've had some good performances with KP
in the center this year, and experience is one that
in a game like this, I think moving Charms given
the fact with Tyne is always you know, he's always
a really good option for us. But we just like
the way that Charms organizes his defensive line and his
(05:25):
capabilities and making some strong tackles on the you know,
certainly in try line and try saving positions. He makes
a lot of tackles in the line, probably more than
any other fallback in the competition really and is a
really big body in that position. And in a game
that you know, we probably feel, you know, one of
Penris's spense is there. I guess arm wrestle ability and
(05:47):
their ability to back you up down your own ends.
You know, Charms is a guy that is generally good
for you know, a couple of hundred meters a game
and carries really strongly on the back end of our set.
So well, Cape's played you know, big games and high
level games in that position. We know he'll he'll lead
our kick chase. You know, he's is really comfortable having
(06:09):
played there you know, many times before and in some
good wins for us this year. So yeah, that that's
the way that we've gone.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
You mentioned the word unheralded before when actually had a
couple of guys who have played every game for you
this season. That's Marta near Cordy in the second row,
in Aaron Clark at Lock. They don't get a lot
of headlines, Rich, but how important are those two guys
in terms of the consistency they've brought to you this year.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Well, look, I think I've start with Erin. Really, I
think Erin's been a super signing for us. He's a
player that when when we actually came up again him,
obviously it has been through the club and its systems before.
I think everybody knew he was terrific for Fella Eron
and you know, by his own admission, it didn't work
out for him first time around. He'd probably had to
(06:54):
taxt a few steps backwards before he got the opportunity
to you know, become a you know, a genuine first grader,
and he did that via you know, via a couple
of clubs really, but I think it's one that'd come
up with against him, against he felt, you know, he
always a player that I had a lot of punch.
He could read a rook really well on him the
(07:14):
advantage line and knowing what sort of lines to run
a powerful little thing, and being a former half back,
you know, a guy that got good hands as well.
I think for us, you know, I think people forget this.
We lost Al Harrison and Dylan Locker right at the
start of the year. So the role that we envisaged
for Errand you know, expanded and expanded very quickly. But
(07:38):
I think his his home in New Zealand because his
family around him is very settled. He's really enjoyed his
at the club and his role at the club. I
think he's grown in confidence. I still think there's a
ceiling on his improvement. But yeah, he's he's been a
terrific guy. We've probably overplayed him at times. You know,
he played eighty minutes last week and that's just been
(08:01):
cost The situation has almost demanded it, and we've we've
had very a little, very little alternatives to spell him
like we would at some point. But yeah, I think
Erin's not stop growing yet and there's going to be
more of him to come in as worry his shirt. Look, Maratha,
I think there's been times this year where we just
(08:24):
need to get the ball in Maratha's hands a little
bit more. You know, he's he's an absolute sledge Jammo
when you give him an early ball, and in situations
where you know you need to create moment and some
just finding Marata down the short side or giving him
an early ball and letting him try and sort of
run over the opposing halfback. It's proven time and time again.
(08:46):
You know, he's very dangerous close to the opposition's line.
You know, he can run really strong inside shoulder lines
and he's really good at fading and changing his line
late as well. And Marat as a very low maintenance guy.
Know fuss about him, Just ask him to do something
and will do it. And you know, I think you
forget when Art is a vastly experienced player. Now he's
(09:08):
played in the Grand Pin and has played Test football.
He's becoming a very senior leading voice within our you know,
within our group as well. He's not one of the
guys that is your classic. When he speech, you best
listen to him. And yet we're we're a team that
always looks better than more reason the game.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Al Rich, what are you going to have to do
particularly well tonight to beat the Panthers.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Yeah, that's a really good question. I think you know,
watching the Panthers play that they're the masters of the
long game, if you like, and playing the r mescle football,
and I think that's an area that you know, we're
going to have to be really really good in. I
feel I field, there's enough that we've seen throughout the
(09:56):
year to suggest there's some little chinks in there, if
you like. But the important thing for us is that
we try and earn them. You know, we've we've got
earned the right to, I guess, to have a crack
in the right areas and that's where you know, that's
where the plankers really make work for it. I think
when it comes to big game football, they've probably got
(10:17):
two or three of the best big game players in
the competition, obviously Nathan Clear and Isaia Doing. Edwards is
a very very good player too. That's proven time and
time again on the big stage. You know, he can
put in magnificent performances. So I think I think that
ability to get in those arm wrestles and come out
(10:39):
the other side and earn the right. But I also
think a big part of it for us, given we
know they'll being a good one, is our kicking game,
you know, is where we turn the ball over and
how we turn the ball over. We know we're going
to have to be relatively mistake free, which is, you know,
something we're going to have to improve on the last
couple of weeks. But I think I think as we've
got to we've got a really clear plan. You know,
(11:02):
we've trained well around it this week. Going out there
and executing it to a you're not to a very
very high standard is what's going to you know, what's
going to get us this game.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Thanks so much for your terrific insight on matchday, Rich
all the best, and I've made everybody's behind.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
You, Jason, really appreciate you, mate.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
No good on your rich rich I are. They're assistant
coach of the Warriors. Just after six o'clock tonight, they'll
be underway against the Panthers, knockout football for the Warriors. Look,
I think I've said this a number of times on
the show. If you'd offered sixth place to Warriors fans
at the start of the season, they would have taken it.
After that disastrous start in Vegas, I think they would
(11:40):
have bitten your hand off for it. And here we are,
sixth spot off the back of thirteenth last season finals
football at go Media Stadium packed out this evening. I
really think we can do it. Well, I mean that's
obvious we can do it. I really think we will
do it. Yes, they coming off the back of two
losses to side to aren't even in the top eight
(12:03):
for this season. But this Warrior's side, we know what
they can do on their night. I just need tonight
to be that night.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks at b Weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
I'm in the NRL as we've just heard the Melbourne
storm through to a preliminary final with a win over
the Cannery Bulldogs last night. The two elimination finals are tonight,
starting of course six o'clock Go Media Stadium as the
Warriors take on the Panthers. What a game in prospect
one we're very much looking forward to. Warriors assistant coach
(00:35):
rich A Garas with us riach. Thanks for taking the
time on match day. How's the week been? Have you
intentionally tried to keep the week the same as a
regular season week or is that really not possible with
a knockout game at the end of it.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yeah, good question, Jason, Thanks for having me on mate. Look,
I think there's no doubt we've kept the same structure
of the week if you like, but it certainly feels
different energy and a different intensity about it. Obviously do
our die football. We've had a couple of guys coming
(01:10):
back into training. We got all reviewed done pretty much
while we were in Manly. We worked through the night
so we could sort of put that game to bed
and as soon as we got on the bus out
of there. You know, all the focus for us has
been about this week, and yeah, we've looked pretty dialed
in training.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
There are guys in your team who have played finals football,
some quite a bit, none more so recently than of
course James Fisher Hara, who won the comp the last
four years with Pinroth. How big he has influence been
in your team as you prepare this.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Week, probably same as it has been all year. You know,
I think it's been widely I guess documented and said
in interviews about the type of leader that fishes. You know,
he doesn't get phased. He leads by his actions. I
think there's a great deal of comfort for the guys
around him that haven't played finals football to look around
(02:04):
and see him there and know that you know he's
been there, done it, warn the T shirt and said
nothing just nothing phasers James, And well he's been he's
been an outstanding leader for us this year. Uh. And
it's you know, we're in a position where we are
now that you know, he takes a lot of credit
(02:25):
for I guess the connection in the team. Uh, it's
quite ironic. I guess that we're coming up again again
Penn with and you know he's almost got the chance
and the opportunity, like we all have hopefully to try
and end that dynasty.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
So you come into the finals off the back of
consecutive losses, narrow losses, but losses none the less. How
do you make up for any lack of momentum as
you come into a must win match.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Probably that it's just a new competition that we're in
due or die football. I certainly think home advantage and
our fans can play a big part of that. I
think it's a game that you know, we we've got
to make sure that we start well and bring the
crowd into it. But yeah, I just think it's a
new competition. I think regardless of whether we would we
(03:11):
would have won all off at the weekend, it wouldn't
really have affected our league position. Of course, we would
have liked to win, but more importantly, I think we
would have liked to have come in on a little
bit better performance. But abviouly said that, I think, you know,
we've got a shot in the arm with a couple
of guys coming back into the team, important players in
important positions.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Yeah, and I'd like to ask about one of those
Jackson Ford, of course back from his three game suspension.
How big a boast to say to you, Well big, I.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Think, I think, you know, when you're talking about experience
and jack O can sort of go a little bit unherlded.
I think he's one of them players that people will
notice him when he makes mistakes, but people won't notice
him when he's doing sixteen sixty five minutes straight as
a front roller and you know, churning the work right
out that he does. But it's just that experience too.
(03:58):
I think when when obviously miss Barnett got injured, to
lose Fish like we have a couple of times, and
then to lose Jackson, it's tremendous experience for our young guys.
But at the same time, you know, you look at
our packs sometimes and it does lack you know, it
certainly does lack experience, Tettle standards in very good stead
(04:19):
moving forward down the track. You know, all our young
guys have had a fantastic learning curve this year, you know,
but at the end of a long season in the
playoffs like this, experience, you know, experience does does really
count for a lot. So getting jack O back apart
from his experience, but in particular you know, the game
(04:41):
time and the minutes that he can play in the middle.
You know, he's a big plus for us.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
We're also guarded to see Rock Obierry injured again. Geez
had terrible luck this season, hasn't he? After just two
or three games back, Kirk Caple has been named in
the senders. Why have you gone that way instead of
perhaps Chance Nichol Klukster who had a couple of games
there for you as well.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Look, we think we've had some good performances with KP
in the center this year, and experience is one that
in a game like this, I think moving Charms given
the fact with Tyne is always you know, he's always
a really good option for us. But we just like
the way that Charms organizes his defensive line and his
(05:25):
capabilities and making some strong tackles on the you know,
certainly in try line and try saving positions. He makes
a lot of tackles in the line, probably more than
any other fallback in the competition really and is a
really big body in that position. And in a game
that you know, we probably feel, you know, one of
Penris's spense is there. I guess arm wrestle ability and
(05:47):
their ability to back you up down your own ends.
You know, Charms is a guy that is generally good
for you know, a couple of hundred meters a game
and carries really strongly on the back end of our set.
So well, Cape's played you know, big games and high
level games in that position. We know he'll he'll lead
our kick chase. You know, he's is really comfortable having
(06:09):
played there you know, many times before and in some
good wins for us this year. So yeah, that that's
the way that we've gone.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
You mentioned the word unheralded before when actually had a
couple of guys who have played every game for you
this season. That's Marta near Cordy in the second row,
in Aaron Clark at Lock. They don't get a lot
of headlines, Rich, but how important are those two guys
in terms of the consistency they've brought to you this year.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Well, look, I think I've start with Erin. Really, I
think Erin's been a super signing for us. He's a
player that when when we actually came up again him,
obviously it has been through the club and its systems before.
I think everybody knew he was terrific for Fella Eron
and you know, by his own admission, it didn't work
out for him first time around. He'd probably had to
(06:54):
taxt a few steps backwards before he got the opportunity
to you know, become a you know, a genuine first grader,
and he did that via you know, via a couple
of clubs really, but I think it's one that'd come
up with against him, against he felt, you know, he
always a player that I had a lot of punch.
He could read a rook really well on him the
(07:14):
advantage line and knowing what sort of lines to run
a powerful little thing, and being a former half back,
you know, a guy that got good hands as well.
I think for us, you know, I think people forget this.
We lost Al Harrison and Dylan Locker right at the
start of the year. So the role that we envisaged
for Errand you know, expanded and expanded very quickly. But
(07:38):
I think his his home in New Zealand because his
family around him is very settled. He's really enjoyed his
at the club and his role at the club. I
think he's grown in confidence. I still think there's a
ceiling on his improvement. But yeah, he's he's been a
terrific guy. We've probably overplayed him at times. You know,
he played eighty minutes last week and that's just been
(08:01):
cost The situation has almost demanded it, and we've we've
had very a little, very little alternatives to spell him
like we would at some point. But yeah, I think
Erin's not stop growing yet and there's going to be
more of him to come in as worry his shirt. Look, Maratha,
I think there's been times this year where we just
(08:24):
need to get the ball in Maratha's hands a little
bit more. You know, he's he's an absolute sledge Jammo
when you give him an early ball, and in situations
where you know you need to create moment and some
just finding Marata down the short side or giving him
an early ball and letting him try and sort of
run over the opposing halfback. It's proven time and time again.
(08:46):
You know, he's very dangerous close to the opposition's line.
You know, he can run really strong inside shoulder lines
and he's really good at fading and changing his line
late as well. And Marat as a very low maintenance guy.
Know fuss about him, Just ask him to do something
and will do it. And you know, I think you
forget when Art is a vastly experienced player. Now he's
(09:08):
played in the Grand Pin and has played Test football.
He's becoming a very senior leading voice within our you know,
within our group as well. He's not one of the
guys that is your classic. When he speech, you best
listen to him. And yet we're we're a team that
always looks better than more reason the game.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Al Rich, what are you going to have to do
particularly well tonight to beat the Panthers.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Yeah, that's a really good question. I think you know,
watching the Panthers play that they're the masters of the
long game, if you like, and playing the r mescle football,
and I think that's an area that you know, we're
going to have to be really really good in. I
feel I field, there's enough that we've seen throughout the
(09:56):
year to suggest there's some little chinks in there, if
you like. But the important thing for us is that
we try and earn them. You know, we've we've got
earned the right to, I guess, to have a crack
in the right areas and that's where you know, that's
where the plankers really make work for it. I think
when it comes to big game football, they've probably got
(10:17):
two or three of the best big game players in
the competition, obviously Nathan Clear and Isaia Doing. Edwards is
a very very good player too. That's proven time and
time again on the big stage. You know, he can
put in magnificent performances. So I think I think that
ability to get in those arm wrestles and come out
(10:39):
the other side and earn the right. But I also
think a big part of it for us, given we
know they'll being a good one, is our kicking game,
you know, is where we turn the ball over and
how we turn the ball over. We know we're going
to have to be relatively mistake free, which is, you know,
something we're going to have to improve on the last
couple of weeks. But I think I think as we've
got to we've got a really clear plan. You know,
(11:02):
we've trained well around it this week. Going out there
and executing it to a you're not to a very
very high standard is what's going to you know, what's
going to get us this game.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Thanks so much for your terrific insight on matchday, Rich
all the best, and I've made everybody's behind.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
You, Jason, really appreciate you, mate.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
No good on your rich rich I are. They're assistant
coach of the Warriors. Just after six o'clock tonight, they'll
be underway against the Panthers, knockout football for the Warriors. Look,
I think I've said this a number of times on
the show. If you'd offered sixth place to Warriors fans
at the start of the season, they would have taken it.
After that disastrous start in Vegas, I think they would
(11:40):
have bitten your hand off for it. And here we are,
sixth spot off the back of thirteenth last season finals
football at go Media Stadium packed out this evening. I
really think we can do it. Well, I mean that's
obvious we can do it. I really think we will
do it. Yes, they coming off the back of two
losses to side to aren't even in the top eight
(12:03):
for this season. But this Warrior's side, we know what
they can do on their night. I just need tonight
to be that night.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks at b Weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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