August 11, 2024 • 30 mins
This week on The Big League Podcast - Lewis Brown reflects on the career of former teammate Shaun Johnson, predicts what he'll do next and theorises what the Warriors will look like without him.
Nathan Limm and Alex Powell give a post-mortem on the Warriors' now-extinguished top eight hopes after a golden point loss to the Dolphins - why have they consistently fallen just short in 2024?
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from Newstalks EDB. Follow this
and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio, The Big
League Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
League Podcast, Poet Played, News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Lewis Brown reflects
on the career of former teammate Sean Johnson, predicts what
he'll do next, and theorizes what the Warriors will.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Look like without him.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Alex Powell and I will give a post mortem on
the Warriors now extinguished top eight hopes after a golden
point loss to the Dolphins. Why have they consistently fallen
just short? In twenty twenty four? My name is Nathan Limb.
Let's go b l B. Shawn Johnson's retirement marks both
the end of an era and the start of a
(00:56):
new dawn at Mount Smart. The veteran halfback is probably
the third best Warrior of all time, behind Stacy Jones
and Simon Mannering. His best season was probably last year,
when he went to within a whisker of being the
dally M Player of the Year, and yet throughout his career,
Johnson has been one of the most polarizing players at
the club. Despite all the admiration fans have been divided.
(01:20):
My absent co host Michael Burgess described it best when
he said, Johnson probably gets too much of the credit
when the Warriors do well, and he definitely cops too
much of the blame when they perform poorly. But that
just goes to show how influential Johnson is. His retirements
come as somewhat of surprise, but I feel it is
the right time. Johnson ruled out of the Dolphins game
(01:43):
late with another injury, but with Luke Metcalf to Mighty Martin, Chanelle,
Harris Tavita and Jet Cleary on the way, the Warriors
are well set. The future is bright. Alex Powell, New
Zealand Herald, Right up, what does the club's future without
Sean Johnson look like?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
I mean, I guess we've had enough of a look
this season of what it looks like. The Warriors without
Sean Johnson have looked fine. To Mighty Martin and Harris
Devita look great as a combination. Like you say, Luke
Metcalff's going to come back, Jet Claire, we don't know
what role he's going to play next season, but all
the hype around him will hopefully be justified. So I
wouldn't worry too much about what the future looks like.
(02:22):
It's just about saying goodbye to like you said, one
of the great.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Yeah, I mean, I think the combination with Tomato Martins
now Harris to beat has been the best Tards combination
of the year. Obviously, they were missing Luke Metcalf and
Luke Metcalff looked great with Johnson, so we're not going
to see that again. Probably a sort of question mark
over both Metcalf and Johnson with injury at the moment.
But the thing for me that I suppose the Warriors
(02:47):
will miss will be that cool head, that player who
is the one you go to in the high pressure situations,
in a golden point situation is there's a few times
this year, well we the Warriors have been in that
situation and it's like, if only we had Sean Johnson
to pass the ball to to ice the field goal
(03:07):
and obviously coming up short again a couple of times
on the weekend. I feel like that is what they're
going to miss.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
I think every team needs that that guy you go to,
like say to take a drop goal or to just
you know, calm things down. I think they've been to
Golden Point, what three times a season?
Speaker 5 (03:22):
One?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
None of them.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Yeah, it's been it's been pretty grim and we're going
to go through that. But what is the situation with
Shawn Johnson at the moment because names to face the
Dolphins after his retirement announcement and then ruled out late.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Well, I mean quad strain is listed. Yeah, it was
quad strained, which he's had all season. He had quad
at the end of last year as well, so it's
not anything new. And I mean, you get older and
you have to know someone who's in his thirties now
you do have to manage these things. But you just
you know, there is a sort of a whisper going around.
It might be more serious than that. We might have
already seen Shawn johnson players last game, which I hope
(03:58):
isn't true.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
Yeah, I've heard that as well, but still the Bulldog's
home game to go. This is his last home game,
so fingers crossed he will be okay for that. Where
does Johnson list in all time for Warriors players for you,
Alex Powerker, I had had him, as I mentioned to
my intro, at number three, behind Stacy Jones and Simon Manorin.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
I think those two are locked in as one and two,
aren't they? I don't know, because I mean, just to
go behind the curtain here where he had this conversation
at the offices, we came in about to record this podcast,
and I a couple of years ago had Roger as
third because Shawn had just come back or hadn't even
come back yet from from Crinulla and Roger was obviously
the captain at the time. But now looking back at
(04:37):
what they've done since that moment, I probably would Shawan's
definitely in the top five without a doubt, without a doubt.
I mean, he's the record points scorer two hundred appearances,
so I mean I think it probably is safe to
put him at three.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Why has he been so polarizing?
Speaker 4 (04:55):
I think every club wants that player. You want the
homegrown fan of the club who's going to come in
and be the star player. But the fact, you know,
he got into a Grand Final, that I say he
on his own. They got to a Grand Final that
first year in twenty eleven when Johnson came through, and
remember they did not have a halfback for a long
time before Johnson made his debut out of the reserves
(05:18):
and out of the junior's system, and then when he did,
he just never went away. But then since then it's
almost been asking him to do too much. You know.
I don't think there's as many clubs who are dependent
on the halfback as the Warriors are on Johnson. Remember
back to last year, in the way they do run
their attacking players, it'll be two pods of three either
side of the field and then Johnson in the middle
of deciding which way he goes. There's not too many
(05:39):
clubs that play like that.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
He is, without a doubt, one of the most dominant
halves in the NRL, and I suppose we've seen that
sort of you know, I say power struggle. It's not
a power struggle, but you know, the dynamic of Johnson
being used to doing everything and then Tim Mighty Martin
comes into such great form and suddenly the sharing the load,
the workload a lot more, and it just didn't click
between them this year.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
When I spoke about that point, I don't think that's
you know, a Sean Johnson that's unique to hundred. I
think that's just what Andrew Webster wants to do with
his halfback, and it's just that he's been so supportive
of Johnson from the second he got the Warrior's job.
He said to Johnson, you're my guy, you know, two
years ago, and he has largely held that for these
(06:21):
last two seasons, one of them twenty twenty three. It
worked really well and this year probably hasn't as much.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
We're going to examine the Dolphins game shortly, but up
next the thoughts and predictions of Johnson's a former teammate,
the man who scored the winning try in the twenty
eleven NRL Preliminary final, Lewis Brown.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
The Big League Podcast podcast.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
We now joined on The Big League Podcast by a
former Warrior NRL Grand finalist, Lewis Brown. Louis, thank you
so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
How are you good, mate?
Speaker 5 (06:53):
Not so bad? How are you?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
I'm well, thank you and obviously we're still I guess
processing as we have over the last week. Sewn Johnson
is retiring from NRL from rugby league after obviously so
many years with the Warriors, with Ston Cronella, all his
tests for the QII, so many memories. You obviously played
with Sean in the first few years of his career,
(07:16):
and I think you received the pass from him in
that semi final. Was it the preliminary final we scored
against Melbourne.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
Yeah, the pass that's keeping relevant for the last five
years since retirement. Come at the end of time, I'd
like to call it, but yeah, very very privileged to
have shared the field and shared a numerous jerseys with
Shawnee obviously played with the Keys with him as well,
one of four Nations with him in twenty fourteen, and
then went to the historical Grand Final appearance in twenty
(07:46):
eleven in his debut year. I think, you know, just
those accolades speak volumes about himself, but you know what
he's done on the field, not just for himself, but
you know the game of rugby league and the generation
of young kids going behind him. There's kids that picked
up a rugby league ball because of him. There's kids
that have trademarked a step because of him, and these
(08:06):
kids that have also picked up very great attributes because
of the way he carries himself. You know, so a
big loss to the game. It certainly makes me feel old.
He was one of the younger rookies coming through. Now
that he's retired, he's sort of the last of the
generation I got to play with and you know, obviously
Shawani knows his body better than anyone else. And you know,
he's a very successful man and you know on the field,
(08:27):
but he's also a lot of people don't understand, but
he's also really successful meant off the field. He's created
a beautiful family, him and Kaylor And you know, you know,
when you when your dreams does to become a job
or when you know when it's times of walk away,
you just get that feeling and you know it's the
hardest feeling. It's the hardest decision I had to make,
and I'm sure it would have been you know for
(08:48):
Sean as well. You could see the tears and the
emotion that came across him when he had to tell
the boys. And it's not an easy moment. You know,
it's time for you to start, you know, what life
looks like after footy. But he's got a great support
with Nick Look behind him. I'm sure the club will
help him. The media. He's got a great hit for
media as well, a great voice for me you know,
inside of the game, and a great IQ for media.
(09:11):
And also you know, I won't be surprised if when
we see him take that next step upon that phase
in his career.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yeah, well, you talked about playing with him, I guess
in the very early years of his career when he
was coming through. What can you tell us about what
he was like back then in twenty eleven in his
rookie season and the years that followed, and how you've
I just seen him grow alongside him and then sort
of from afar.
Speaker 5 (09:35):
Yeah, I guess you know, in your first year with
playing in an inn a row, you're just happy to
be there. And you know, I think you know that
first year in twenty eleven, the highlights that we've seen
of Sean that this this the happiness that he brought
to the game, been on that stage, and you know,
he was a big He was a big reason why
we ended up making a Grand Final of parents in
twenty eleven. You know, he brought that ex factor to
(09:55):
our side. He could he could break break open defenses
like no other could. He had the blueprint of how
to side step people. You had the blueprint how to
break down defenses. And you know, that's what Shawnee was
like in his first year and then you know, the
years got on, he built brick by bricks foundation of
his game. And then you know, obviously leaving the Warriors
and gone to Carnulla and then refinding himself. You know
(10:17):
what it was like to sort of go but to
Australian away from family, the real family guy and you know,
a great, humble, humble person that you know you want
to kind of be around. And the change she has
always got a smile on his face and even you know,
he's got so much resilience. I think that kind of
showed it. And the season he had last year, you know,
cut bouncing back from you know, a broken ankle, achilles
(10:38):
tendon snap. You know which is you know for for
a explosive player and expect a player like Sean. You
know that's you know, your power, your speed, your footwork,
that's what he brought to the game. And you know
those injuries can you help help pull that back. But
last year we've seen the IQ of the man, the
way that he reads the game and he as you
(10:59):
get older, you mature and you realize there's other ways
around the game that you can expose it. And I
think we really saw Sean last year. But I think
the biggest thing for me, man was like, you know,
he carried the weight of a mission on his shoulders
that carried the weight of a club on his shoulders
for numerous years from a young young age. And you know,
the resilience that he's built up with that just shows
(11:19):
what type of character is. He's such a strong man.
And you know the many a time he was exposed
out left the drive by the boyto media and you
know that's not easy. You know, he came into the
world I break the league when social media was first introduced,
and you know he left it as hide and peak
and you know, you know, for him, you know, he
was very scrutinized, but the way he carried himself made
(11:40):
sick of to none. You know, he's a great person.
He's someone that I call a friend and you know
he'd be very very dimmy miss. But you know, numerous
players around the NRL, ex players and current players are
you know, the messages they I've seen them them send him.
It just shows you what type of character and a
type of player that people want to be around.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
You talk about the scrutiny and that pressure, why do
you think Sean was so I guess I don't have
polarizings the right way between the fans and the media.
You're right, he handled so much pressure and so much scrutiny.
Why do you think he was the I guess, yeah, polarizing, Well.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
I guess at the end of the day, the man
came on the scene in twenty eleven. There's so much
X factor. He was the X factor that the Warriors
hadn't seen for a long long time. And you know
that twenty eleven season, he was just a kid, and
you know he he that became the standard of play.
So that's the standard of that people expect from him
each week. But we know, as you get on and
(12:38):
your role as a player, and the more experience you've become,
the more scrutinized you become, the more weight you carry,
and the more expectation you carry in. You know, a
lot of the time it was unjustified and scrutin that
he got because it's a team game. It's not it's
not an individual sport.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
But you know, a lot of.
Speaker 5 (12:55):
The times he took it on the chin himself, and
that's just that just shows what type of person Shorty is.
He's a he's a team first person. But you know,
he was always the first one to put his hand
up if we didn't get results. But I didn't think
that was really fair. I thought we're a team. You know,
A lot of the time the team would let him down,
you know what I mean. And you know he developed
that mindset, a positive mindset along the journey, and you know,
(13:18):
he he I think that was justified. The last few
weeks he did a post about you know, the cyber
bullying and stuff like the players received these pays and
you know, the people really digging into that, and you
know he was probably at the forefront of that for
a lot of his career. So I al really took
my hat to Shorty's the way he helped held the pressure,
held the scrutiny, and the way he did it in
(13:39):
such a passy way.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Is there a particular memory that you have of your
time with Sean bit on or off the field that
stands out or exemplifies him in a way.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
I just remember the young kid from high Business Coast
mate in the under twenties. He to be honest with you,
he's the main reason why a lot of us first
graders used to turn up early to watch the twenties
to see him actually develop and as a human that
was you know, as a player as well, and I'm
going to get in to announce smart early early, and
(14:10):
seeing this kid with his gear run around and you know,
doing stuff on the field that I've never seen done before.
Then obviously coming to full time training in twenty eleven,
you know what he could do in the training field
and then also what he could do on the playing field.
You know, I'm still memorized by it, you know, me
and me and me and Seawan also bonded over touch footy.
We both have a background in that and we were
fortunate enough to you know, join forces on a on
(14:33):
a Tuesday night down at Cox's Bay playing for Galaxy
if the great Peter Wolders and seeing him, seeing him
in his element on the touch footy field too, a
memory that I always carried. But It'll always be the
naive little Shawnee coming into first grade and and just
just being happy and really having that smile, that contagious
energy he has. But also you know that lethal X
(14:55):
fact there that he used to process process on the field.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
And when I spoke to Sean last week at the
press conference, he said that he would be keen to
return to the club. To the wires to the key
was in some sort of capacity role. The word coach
was thrown around, but I think he was meaning in
sort of a more of more of a sort of
mentoring way for young players coming up, young halfbacks and
the like, to have him there to guide them as
(15:21):
someone who's who's already been there and done that. Do
you think he has the potential to be a really
great mentor or coach?
Speaker 5 (15:29):
Oh, I think he's got all the attributes to be.
That's not more like you know what I mean. And
you know, Sean's a very very smart man. You know,
this is a decision that wouldn't have been made in
an instinct. He would have had time to think about it,
and you know, like you said, like Shawn's very in
touch with you know, the business side of things, and
he set himself up and you know, it's a decision
that I'm sure he would have made closer with Kaylor
(15:50):
his management, but more importantly his family, his mum and
his dad, his dad PJ, and his brothers, and I'm
sure that you know, he's got plenty of things up
his sleeve. And to have him back at the club,
or to have him in the Kiwi's mix, it's just
any strength to that side or in our nation, and
you know, I'm a little bit good at you know,
obviously designing a jumper for the Warriors career next year
(16:13):
that he won't be playing in it, but I'll be
certainly getting him and him and Stacy Jones probably the
two best Warriors and Simon Manoring probably my three best
Warriors I've ever had put on the jerseys. Make sure
they're in that photo shoot, mat for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
That sounds great, Laurien, just finally looking forward, I suppose
from a Warrior's perspective, what do you think about I
guess the future of the club without him, especially in
that Halves area.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
Oh listen, like you know, we saw Luke metcalf come
back in the weekend, and you know we saw the
glimpse of what Luke Metcalfe can do at the start
of the year. So he'll slot in there. Obviously, the
club hopefully have a bit of money now to free
up to to try and attract a young half to
come over. Obviously get Jack Clary coming over, who's been
in a great system, from a great family and you know,
(17:00):
has a tight relationship with Webby. But you know, it's
it's a hard man to replace. You know, he's a
he's a he's a once in a general player, Sean,
especially for our country, and he's someone that's not going
to be easy to replace, or if he can be replaced,
his his his his his toolbox, his X factor, his
skill set won't be replaced. There would never be another
(17:23):
Seawan Johnson. And you know it's going to be tough.
It's going to be tough to actually watch the NRL
without a Shawn Johnson in my honest opinion, because that's
all I've known him. But I'm really excited for Sean
to see what he does off the field, you know,
like you know someone that's transitioned to normal life, you know,
out with rugby league, with without rugby league in my life.
(17:43):
I'm excited about his skill set, what he can bring
to his normal life. And you know, I'm pretty sure
everyone else is excited for him as well, even though
it's such a sad, sad thing to see him hanging
up his boots. But no one knows that that feeling
much more than Sean. He knows it was the right time.
And you know, we saw the classic speech he gave.
That's just that just kind of describes what type of
(18:03):
person Sewan is and he puts the team first and
puts his family first. So I think for him that
the main point now would be being, you know, giving
back to his family, being a dad now and been
a loving husband that he has been with Pokla for
a long time.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Lewis Brown, thank you so much for your insight and
your time.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
Thank you so much, bro.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
This is the Big League podcast. This is our the
Big League podcast on the Warriors bad Wagons since day one.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
So the Warriors going down to the Dolphins and Golden Point,
agonizing fashion for the Warriors top eight playoff hopes to end,
but they went down swinging. Here are the highlights of
your Sunday night in RL action. Dolphins thirty four Warriors
thirty two.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Dolphins of Warriors. We're underway them, little kid.
Speaker 6 (18:54):
It comes to fas what was chancey? We'll cook start
doing dolphinsby It's time to helmy.
Speaker 7 (19:03):
To ride again.
Speaker 6 (19:05):
Far comes down to be is the Dolphins have their
second try on the last tackle. Can they complete it in?
They shot? Can can't see what I've done? A back
lots kit. They're chasing clun it sits up.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
They've got the.
Speaker 6 (19:22):
Dry cut cake Corts goes for the Warriors. Little chant
the Carima gets out to farm Worth. Lovely slot of
hair candy. The Carena now Meagan and Marta kicks any
nickle clots than the Gonza. The tomorrow buttins care comes
(19:42):
de veda brilliant stepping. He that Regan had seven Connor scars.
Here's the dog cuts cat fantasys.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Th club what rollo?
Speaker 6 (19:54):
The Corena started up Botakis the cap Bonnet's chasing.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Says that you've got there first. Anyway, he's a penalty.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
Dry thirty two it is, and some ca backetball girl has.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
To be that this time? Why again? Going to take
the shot? I'm selling them? Audio courtesy of Fox League.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Now, let's go through this game briefly, Alex powellin a
little bit more detail, because irrespective of the context of
the season, the game itself was really great. It was
a good game to watch, It was exciting, it was
messy as but I really enjoyed I suppose the fight
that the Warriors showed, and the biggest thing that stood
out to me was well, I actually felt really proud.
(20:48):
That was just a good, hard game and the Warriors
finished second best because they couldn't quite ice their opportunities,
which has been the story of their season. But you
could see that the players were trying the hardest. They
didn't have one foot on the plane. As we've seen
Warriors and seasons gone by, they get to this point
of the season and they stopped trying. They weren't thinking
about the off season. They were fired up and wanted
(21:09):
to win. And you can't ask for more than that.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
No, that's a very good point. We have seen Warriors
teams in the past at this at this point of
the year just fall away, and they didn't do that.
Like you said, disappointing to come that close. There's been
so many of those games this year where the Warriors
are just there for the whole time and just lose
it on one moment, you know. I mean, it sort
(21:33):
of sucks watching the Dolphins because they're all either X
Warriors or Kiwi's. It feels like, and you know, go,
why is he there not the Warriors?
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Nikoima Shana Sullivan. It's grating, But I suppose the consistent
theme this year. If I just read you three stats
from the game, Warriors ten errors, four penalties, forty six
miss tackles.
Speaker 4 (21:57):
Wow, I didn't know. The forty six miss tackles. That's yeah,
too many. That's twice as many as you want if
you want to sort of close out a game, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (22:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
And in all three of those areas the Dolphins had
head least. So the war is really they forough hard,
but they're doing it to themselves.
Speaker 4 (22:13):
It feels like, you know, you can be guilty of
trying too hard, and it really does feel like that's
just been the Warriors year.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Coach Andrew Webster admits they had their chances, So.
Speaker 7 (22:21):
I'm just really proud that they kept fighting and wanted
to get back in the game, and they give usselves
a chance to win and had time to look like
we were going to win. We were going to be
the team if we took a couple of moments and
would have been cool. But really frustrating for the boys
because they's put so much for their board in this week.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
Two missed feed field goal attempts for the win from
Chanelle Harris to Veta. But I do feel for him
because it is hard. It are so difficult to kick
a field goal under pressure when you are exhausted. You've
already played a game, You've got players running at you,
and you've got a slot of field goal from thirty
five to forty meters out for the win.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
That is so difficult.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
It's an underrated scale being able to take field goals,
you know. Seann Johnson, like we were saying, has made
it almost look like it's an easy thing to attempt.
But it is difficult.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
You know.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
You think how many field goals you see that you know,
don't even hit. Look like a getty. We're close to
the time and that's sort of what she now said.
He's not a regular kicker off the tea or in
the drop goal situation like we saw.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
Yeah, I mean I thought the Warriors attack, especially in
that second half, looked, you know, look good to Mindy
Martin linking up with Kirk Capewell little grubber through and
obviously scored it to try himself to Mardy Martin. So
I do think he is, you know, Luke Metcalf's there
as well. It's interesting actually thinking about next year, do
you go to Mardy Martin at half back Luke Mcalff
at five eighth?
Speaker 4 (23:34):
Yeah, you do what because, like like we've said on
this podcast before, it feels like the ideal combination with
Andrew Webster's halves, as you want one that sits and
managers and one that will take the game on. So
Luke Metcalf and Sean Johnson. With that, Luke Luke Mtcalff runs,
Johnson sits, and if it's just a straight swap of
Martin for Johnson, then Metcalf still your guy to run.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
I know Luke Metcalff wants to be the you know,
he is the half back for in future seasons and
I could see him being that interesting to see how
Jack Cleary comes in as well, could to Mighty Mattin
be sort of his mentor in that regard. But it's
really interesting situation for next year. But as I said,
the story of this season, so many times this year
they've let it slip. If you think all the way
(24:16):
back to the Melbourne Storm game in Round two when
all of our hopes were oh so high, they can
see the two tries in the last three minutes, and
that just ended up continuing throughout the year.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Webster sort of explains this fate.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
If I'm being really honest, I feel like we've created
our own destiny this year. We haven't last moments. We've
been close, but I'm close to no good enough in
the NRL, and not one person's in there fieling sorry
for ourselves and saying that we deserve better.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
You think back to, like you say, the Storm game,
but even the week before that against the Sharks in
round one when they came flying out of the blocks
and then just fell away in the second half. You
know this isn't a new thing. This has been happening
from the opening round.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
So the Warriors playoff hopes are over right?
Speaker 3 (24:58):
They are five points outside the eight with three games
to go, or are they?
Speaker 7 (25:04):
Laders don't know who plays who and if teams are
going to win enough points to get in anyway we
can finish is on twenty nine, and mathematically they can.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Get us set. We'll never forgive ourselves if.
Speaker 7 (25:13):
We weren't professional in the next three weeks and work
hard and give ourselves a chance.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
But silly made it harder. Now, what is it over
or not?
Speaker 5 (25:22):
Well?
Speaker 4 (25:23):
I mean I hate doing this, but mathematically no.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Was it?
Speaker 4 (25:26):
Well?
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Yeah no, because don't the teams who are like around
the top eight, they play each other, don't they?
Speaker 4 (25:31):
Yeah, yeah, it's gonna be one of these ones where
we just watched the table for the next few weeks,
isn't it. But I mean all the rhetoricas that it's over,
it's got to be.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
It's over.
Speaker 4 (25:42):
Last week he said we need four from four otherwise
we got no chance. And now it's all mathematically whistle and.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Now okay, I don't know, I'm caughe. Look, we can
do them.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
I'm pretty sure at this point it's over if they're
five points outside ninth.
Speaker 4 (25:54):
Yeah, I mean, look, this is probably the most congest
that I've ever seen the NRL table, you know, but
even then, we're talking three from three and that doesn't
really feel doable.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
Oh, it's so sad. But mainly see Eagles are up next.
Let's say they do get the win. The mainly have
won four of the last five. They're sitting six on
the table. I suppose a question at this point for
me in the season is what's motivating people to watch?
What is motivating people to watch? You know, the Warriors
go and play manly away. We know the Bulldogs game
has sold out, so hopefully people all come through, and
I'm sure they will. What's motivating people to watch this
(26:28):
Warriors team?
Speaker 4 (26:29):
I think I mean we said this a couple of weeks,
didn't we that It's not you know, this isn't entertainment now,
this is support your club, you know, and that means
through good and bad. This is bad, stick with them.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
It's loyalty. Yeah, it's loyal I'll be watching, of course,
but it is your job.
Speaker 3 (26:45):
Yeah, that's a good point, but I would watch anyway
out of out of loyalty.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
The Big League Podcast on the Warriors Bad Wagons since
day one, The Big League Podcast for the biggest league fans.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
Now Alex Powell, we've actually got a really good round
ahead of us of NRAL Action just incidentally, because I
feel like at this point, you know, you are watching
to see how the top eight shapes, and it's going
to be a great final series given how congested the
table is and how even a lot of these teams are.
And it starts off in brilliant fashion. Panthers versus the
Storm in Penrith. Can I get a prediction? Why you're
(27:27):
backing Storm? You're back in the Storm?
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Yeah, this close to the finals. The Storm normally get
everything right, don't they, But so to Penrith they do.
But Penrith that we've seen this year are very different
to the ones that have won three year thro around
the bounce. You know, Storm are largely settled, whereas Penrith
it doesn't feel like they've had everything fire at once yet,
although they did did do very well against the Eels
(27:51):
to come back.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
Yeah, what was the three tries in the last seven
minutes to beat the Eels?
Speaker 2 (27:56):
So you're going with a Storm, I am.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
I'm going to back the Panthers to come right at
this point in the season upset the Storm in they're
winning run Sea Eagles versus the Warriors in Manly.
Speaker 4 (28:10):
You know, and the Olympics and the polvar where you
can just skip one.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
I want to do that, just pass it.
Speaker 4 (28:16):
I look, I think probably the Seagals, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
Yeah, well we'll see. We will see on Sunday. But
I'm gonna agree with you there. Roosters versus the Eels,
races it was to surprise me against Penrith, but obviously
didn't quite get to win.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Bulldogs Dolphins Bulldogs.
Speaker 4 (28:36):
Yeah, I think I've tipped Bulldogs every time I've been
in here.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
I'm going to agree with you on that. Although the Dolphins.
The Dolphins do look good based on that performance. That's
going to be a really good game.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
Actually, yeah, both teams vying for I guess the Bulldogs
are really pushing for that top four, Dolphins to remain
in the eight. Cowboys versus the Raiders, it's got Cowboys.
Both teams lost on the weekend, but Cowboys with the
most recent win. I'm going to go for the Raiders. Tigers, Bunnies,
Bunnies Bunnies, Dragons, Titans.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
Let's got Dragons.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Dragons are level with the Dolphins. Dragons ninth, the Dolphins eighth.
I'm gonna go with the Dragons. Go with you your
result as well, Sharks Knights to finish round twenty four night.
So both of us last week predicted the Titans would
beat the Sharks, and the Sharks turn around and smack
the Titans forty four nil. You cannot predict anything and
(29:27):
that these I mean, I hate to, you know, pull
on my own podcast, but you cannot predict the season.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
It's just been out the gate. Yeah, that's awesome. You know,
we talk about the Sporting Link zero watch how predictible
they are. This is just completely opposite.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
You went with the Knights to you, I did.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
I'll go with the Sharks, seeing as that performance was great,
but who knows they could get thresh. Thank you Alex
Powell for your time, your wisdom, your insight. This is
my last podcast of the season.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
I'm going on a.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
Little trip overseas to have a few beerbies and explore
the Europe, but I will be back next season. I'm
gonna leave you with the capable voice Nick Beauley, who
will take the reins from here. But thank you so
much for making us a part of your week. Please
follow and rate the podcast. We'll be back with Nick
Buley next Monday. My name is Nathan Limb.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
Have a great week.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
For more from News Talk sed 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 Newstalks EDB. Follow this
and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio, The Big
League Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
League Podcast, Poet Played, News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Lewis Brown reflects
on the career of former teammate Sean Johnson, predicts what
he'll do next, and theorizes what the Warriors will.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Look like without him.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Alex Powell and I will give a post mortem on
the Warriors now extinguished top eight hopes after a golden
point loss to the Dolphins. Why have they consistently fallen
just short? In twenty twenty four? My name is Nathan Limb.
Let's go b l B. Shawn Johnson's retirement marks both
the end of an era and the start of a
(00:56):
new dawn at Mount Smart. The veteran halfback is probably
the third best Warrior of all time, behind Stacy Jones
and Simon Mannering. His best season was probably last year,
when he went to within a whisker of being the
dally M Player of the Year, and yet throughout his career,
Johnson has been one of the most polarizing players at
the club. Despite all the admiration fans have been divided.
(01:20):
My absent co host Michael Burgess described it best when
he said, Johnson probably gets too much of the credit
when the Warriors do well, and he definitely cops too
much of the blame when they perform poorly. But that
just goes to show how influential Johnson is. His retirements
come as somewhat of surprise, but I feel it is
the right time. Johnson ruled out of the Dolphins game
(01:43):
late with another injury, but with Luke Metcalf to Mighty Martin, Chanelle,
Harris Tavita and Jet Cleary on the way, the Warriors
are well set. The future is bright. Alex Powell, New
Zealand Herald, Right up, what does the club's future without
Sean Johnson look like?
Speaker 4 (02:01):
I mean, I guess we've had enough of a look
this season of what it looks like. The Warriors without
Sean Johnson have looked fine. To Mighty Martin and Harris
Devita look great as a combination. Like you say, Luke
Metcalff's going to come back, Jet Claire, we don't know
what role he's going to play next season, but all
the hype around him will hopefully be justified. So I
wouldn't worry too much about what the future looks like.
(02:22):
It's just about saying goodbye to like you said, one
of the great.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Yeah, I mean, I think the combination with Tomato Martins
now Harris to beat has been the best Tards combination
of the year. Obviously, they were missing Luke Metcalf and
Luke Metcalff looked great with Johnson, so we're not going
to see that again. Probably a sort of question mark
over both Metcalf and Johnson with injury at the moment.
But the thing for me that I suppose the Warriors
(02:47):
will miss will be that cool head, that player who
is the one you go to in the high pressure situations,
in a golden point situation is there's a few times
this year, well we the Warriors have been in that
situation and it's like, if only we had Sean Johnson
to pass the ball to to ice the field goal
(03:07):
and obviously coming up short again a couple of times
on the weekend. I feel like that is what they're
going to miss.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
I think every team needs that that guy you go to,
like say to take a drop goal or to just
you know, calm things down. I think they've been to
Golden Point, what three times a season?
Speaker 5 (03:22):
One?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
None of them.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Yeah, it's been it's been pretty grim and we're going
to go through that. But what is the situation with
Shawn Johnson at the moment because names to face the
Dolphins after his retirement announcement and then ruled out late.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Well, I mean quad strain is listed. Yeah, it was
quad strained, which he's had all season. He had quad
at the end of last year as well, so it's
not anything new. And I mean, you get older and
you have to know someone who's in his thirties now
you do have to manage these things. But you just
you know, there is a sort of a whisper going around.
It might be more serious than that. We might have
already seen Shawn johnson players last game, which I hope
(03:58):
isn't true.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
Yeah, I've heard that as well, but still the Bulldog's
home game to go. This is his last home game,
so fingers crossed he will be okay for that. Where
does Johnson list in all time for Warriors players for you,
Alex Powerker, I had had him, as I mentioned to
my intro, at number three, behind Stacy Jones and Simon Manorin.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
I think those two are locked in as one and two,
aren't they? I don't know, because I mean, just to
go behind the curtain here where he had this conversation
at the offices, we came in about to record this podcast,
and I a couple of years ago had Roger as
third because Shawn had just come back or hadn't even
come back yet from from Crinulla and Roger was obviously
the captain at the time. But now looking back at
(04:37):
what they've done since that moment, I probably would Shawan's
definitely in the top five without a doubt, without a doubt.
I mean, he's the record points scorer two hundred appearances,
so I mean I think it probably is safe to
put him at three.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Why has he been so polarizing?
Speaker 4 (04:55):
I think every club wants that player. You want the
homegrown fan of the club who's going to come in
and be the star player. But the fact, you know,
he got into a Grand Final, that I say he
on his own. They got to a Grand Final that
first year in twenty eleven when Johnson came through, and
remember they did not have a halfback for a long
time before Johnson made his debut out of the reserves
(05:18):
and out of the junior's system, and then when he did,
he just never went away. But then since then it's
almost been asking him to do too much. You know.
I don't think there's as many clubs who are dependent
on the halfback as the Warriors are on Johnson. Remember
back to last year, in the way they do run
their attacking players, it'll be two pods of three either
side of the field and then Johnson in the middle
of deciding which way he goes. There's not too many
(05:39):
clubs that play like that.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
He is, without a doubt, one of the most dominant
halves in the NRL, and I suppose we've seen that
sort of you know, I say power struggle. It's not
a power struggle, but you know, the dynamic of Johnson
being used to doing everything and then Tim Mighty Martin
comes into such great form and suddenly the sharing the load,
the workload a lot more, and it just didn't click
between them this year.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
When I spoke about that point, I don't think that's
you know, a Sean Johnson that's unique to hundred. I
think that's just what Andrew Webster wants to do with
his halfback, and it's just that he's been so supportive
of Johnson from the second he got the Warrior's job.
He said to Johnson, you're my guy, you know, two
years ago, and he has largely held that for these
(06:21):
last two seasons, one of them twenty twenty three. It
worked really well and this year probably hasn't as much.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
We're going to examine the Dolphins game shortly, but up
next the thoughts and predictions of Johnson's a former teammate,
the man who scored the winning try in the twenty
eleven NRL Preliminary final, Lewis Brown.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
The Big League Podcast podcast.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
We now joined on The Big League Podcast by a
former Warrior NRL Grand finalist, Lewis Brown. Louis, thank you
so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
How are you good, mate?
Speaker 5 (06:53):
Not so bad? How are you?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
I'm well, thank you and obviously we're still I guess
processing as we have over the last week. Sewn Johnson
is retiring from NRL from rugby league after obviously so
many years with the Warriors, with Ston Cronella, all his
tests for the QII, so many memories. You obviously played
with Sean in the first few years of his career,
(07:16):
and I think you received the pass from him in
that semi final. Was it the preliminary final we scored
against Melbourne.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
Yeah, the pass that's keeping relevant for the last five
years since retirement. Come at the end of time, I'd
like to call it, but yeah, very very privileged to
have shared the field and shared a numerous jerseys with
Shawnee obviously played with the Keys with him as well,
one of four Nations with him in twenty fourteen, and
then went to the historical Grand Final appearance in twenty
(07:46):
eleven in his debut year. I think, you know, just
those accolades speak volumes about himself, but you know what
he's done on the field, not just for himself, but
you know the game of rugby league and the generation
of young kids going behind him. There's kids that picked
up a rugby league ball because of him. There's kids
that have trademarked a step because of him, and these
(08:06):
kids that have also picked up very great attributes because
of the way he carries himself. You know, so a
big loss to the game. It certainly makes me feel old.
He was one of the younger rookies coming through. Now
that he's retired, he's sort of the last of the
generation I got to play with and you know, obviously
Shawani knows his body better than anyone else. And you know,
he's a very successful man and you know on the field,
(08:27):
but he's also a lot of people don't understand, but
he's also really successful meant off the field. He's created
a beautiful family, him and Kaylor And you know, you know,
when you when your dreams does to become a job
or when you know when it's times of walk away,
you just get that feeling and you know it's the
hardest feeling. It's the hardest decision I had to make,
and I'm sure it would have been you know for
(08:48):
Sean as well. You could see the tears and the
emotion that came across him when he had to tell
the boys. And it's not an easy moment. You know,
it's time for you to start, you know, what life
looks like after footy. But he's got a great support
with Nick Look behind him. I'm sure the club will
help him. The media. He's got a great hit for
media as well, a great voice for me you know,
inside of the game, and a great IQ for media.
(09:11):
And also you know, I won't be surprised if when
we see him take that next step upon that phase
in his career.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yeah, well, you talked about playing with him, I guess
in the very early years of his career when he
was coming through. What can you tell us about what
he was like back then in twenty eleven in his
rookie season and the years that followed, and how you've
I just seen him grow alongside him and then sort
of from afar.
Speaker 5 (09:35):
Yeah, I guess you know, in your first year with
playing in an inn a row, you're just happy to
be there. And you know, I think you know that
first year in twenty eleven, the highlights that we've seen
of Sean that this this the happiness that he brought
to the game, been on that stage, and you know,
he was a big He was a big reason why
we ended up making a Grand Final of parents in
twenty eleven. You know, he brought that ex factor to
(09:55):
our side. He could he could break break open defenses
like no other could. He had the blueprint of how
to side step people. You had the blueprint how to
break down defenses. And you know, that's what Shawnee was
like in his first year and then you know, the
years got on, he built brick by bricks foundation of
his game. And then you know, obviously leaving the Warriors
and gone to Carnulla and then refinding himself. You know
(10:17):
what it was like to sort of go but to
Australian away from family, the real family guy and you know,
a great, humble, humble person that you know you want
to kind of be around. And the change she has
always got a smile on his face and even you know,
he's got so much resilience. I think that kind of
showed it. And the season he had last year, you know,
cut bouncing back from you know, a broken ankle, achilles
(10:38):
tendon snap. You know which is you know for for
a explosive player and expect a player like Sean. You
know that's you know, your power, your speed, your footwork,
that's what he brought to the game. And you know
those injuries can you help help pull that back. But
last year we've seen the IQ of the man, the
way that he reads the game and he as you
(10:59):
get older, you mature and you realize there's other ways
around the game that you can expose it. And I
think we really saw Sean last year. But I think
the biggest thing for me, man was like, you know,
he carried the weight of a mission on his shoulders
that carried the weight of a club on his shoulders
for numerous years from a young young age. And you know,
the resilience that he's built up with that just shows
(11:19):
what type of character is. He's such a strong man.
And you know the many a time he was exposed
out left the drive by the boyto media and you
know that's not easy. You know, he came into the
world I break the league when social media was first introduced,
and you know he left it as hide and peak
and you know, you know, for him, you know, he
was very scrutinized, but the way he carried himself made
(11:40):
sick of to none. You know, he's a great person.
He's someone that I call a friend and you know
he'd be very very dimmy miss. But you know, numerous
players around the NRL, ex players and current players are
you know, the messages they I've seen them them send him.
It just shows you what type of character and a
type of player that people want to be around.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
You talk about the scrutiny and that pressure, why do
you think Sean was so I guess I don't have
polarizings the right way between the fans and the media.
You're right, he handled so much pressure and so much scrutiny.
Why do you think he was the I guess, yeah, polarizing, Well.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
I guess at the end of the day, the man
came on the scene in twenty eleven. There's so much
X factor. He was the X factor that the Warriors
hadn't seen for a long long time. And you know
that twenty eleven season, he was just a kid, and
you know he he that became the standard of play.
So that's the standard of that people expect from him
each week. But we know, as you get on and
(12:38):
your role as a player, and the more experience you've become,
the more scrutinized you become, the more weight you carry,
and the more expectation you carry in. You know, a
lot of the time it was unjustified and scrutin that
he got because it's a team game. It's not it's
not an individual sport.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
But you know, a lot of.
Speaker 5 (12:55):
The times he took it on the chin himself, and
that's just that just shows what type of person Shorty is.
He's a he's a team first person. But you know,
he was always the first one to put his hand
up if we didn't get results. But I didn't think
that was really fair. I thought we're a team. You know,
A lot of the time the team would let him down,
you know what I mean. And you know he developed
that mindset, a positive mindset along the journey, and you know,
(13:18):
he he I think that was justified. The last few
weeks he did a post about you know, the cyber
bullying and stuff like the players received these pays and
you know, the people really digging into that, and you
know he was probably at the forefront of that for
a lot of his career. So I al really took
my hat to Shorty's the way he helped held the pressure,
held the scrutiny, and the way he did it in
(13:39):
such a passy way.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Is there a particular memory that you have of your
time with Sean bit on or off the field that
stands out or exemplifies him in a way.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
I just remember the young kid from high Business Coast
mate in the under twenties. He to be honest with you,
he's the main reason why a lot of us first
graders used to turn up early to watch the twenties
to see him actually develop and as a human that
was you know, as a player as well, and I'm
going to get in to announce smart early early, and
(14:10):
seeing this kid with his gear run around and you know,
doing stuff on the field that I've never seen done before.
Then obviously coming to full time training in twenty eleven,
you know what he could do in the training field
and then also what he could do on the playing field.
You know, I'm still memorized by it, you know, me
and me and me and Seawan also bonded over touch footy.
We both have a background in that and we were
fortunate enough to you know, join forces on a on
(14:33):
a Tuesday night down at Cox's Bay playing for Galaxy
if the great Peter Wolders and seeing him, seeing him
in his element on the touch footy field too, a
memory that I always carried. But It'll always be the
naive little Shawnee coming into first grade and and just
just being happy and really having that smile, that contagious
energy he has. But also you know that lethal X
(14:55):
fact there that he used to process process on the field.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
And when I spoke to Sean last week at the
press conference, he said that he would be keen to
return to the club. To the wires to the key
was in some sort of capacity role. The word coach
was thrown around, but I think he was meaning in
sort of a more of more of a sort of
mentoring way for young players coming up, young halfbacks and
the like, to have him there to guide them as
(15:21):
someone who's who's already been there and done that. Do
you think he has the potential to be a really
great mentor or coach?
Speaker 5 (15:29):
Oh, I think he's got all the attributes to be.
That's not more like you know what I mean. And
you know, Sean's a very very smart man. You know,
this is a decision that wouldn't have been made in
an instinct. He would have had time to think about it,
and you know, like you said, like Shawn's very in
touch with you know, the business side of things, and
he set himself up and you know, it's a decision
that I'm sure he would have made closer with Kaylor
(15:50):
his management, but more importantly his family, his mum and
his dad, his dad PJ, and his brothers, and I'm
sure that you know, he's got plenty of things up
his sleeve. And to have him back at the club,
or to have him in the Kiwi's mix, it's just
any strength to that side or in our nation, and
you know, I'm a little bit good at you know,
obviously designing a jumper for the Warriors career next year
(16:13):
that he won't be playing in it, but I'll be
certainly getting him and him and Stacy Jones probably the
two best Warriors and Simon Manoring probably my three best
Warriors I've ever had put on the jerseys. Make sure
they're in that photo shoot, mat for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
That sounds great, Laurien, just finally looking forward, I suppose
from a Warrior's perspective, what do you think about I
guess the future of the club without him, especially in
that Halves area.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
Oh listen, like you know, we saw Luke metcalf come
back in the weekend, and you know we saw the
glimpse of what Luke Metcalfe can do at the start
of the year. So he'll slot in there. Obviously, the
club hopefully have a bit of money now to free
up to to try and attract a young half to
come over. Obviously get Jack Clary coming over, who's been
in a great system, from a great family and you know,
(17:00):
has a tight relationship with Webby. But you know, it's
it's a hard man to replace. You know, he's a
he's a he's a once in a general player, Sean,
especially for our country, and he's someone that's not going
to be easy to replace, or if he can be replaced,
his his his his his toolbox, his X factor, his
skill set won't be replaced. There would never be another
(17:23):
Seawan Johnson. And you know it's going to be tough.
It's going to be tough to actually watch the NRL
without a Shawn Johnson in my honest opinion, because that's
all I've known him. But I'm really excited for Sean
to see what he does off the field, you know,
like you know someone that's transitioned to normal life, you know,
out with rugby league, with without rugby league in my life.
(17:43):
I'm excited about his skill set, what he can bring
to his normal life. And you know, I'm pretty sure
everyone else is excited for him as well, even though
it's such a sad, sad thing to see him hanging
up his boots. But no one knows that that feeling
much more than Sean. He knows it was the right time.
And you know, we saw the classic speech he gave.
That's just that just kind of describes what type of
(18:03):
person Sewan is and he puts the team first and
puts his family first. So I think for him that
the main point now would be being, you know, giving
back to his family, being a dad now and been
a loving husband that he has been with Pokla for
a long time.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Lewis Brown, thank you so much for your insight and
your time.
Speaker 5 (18:20):
Thank you so much, bro.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
This is the Big League podcast. This is our the
Big League podcast on the Warriors bad Wagons since day one.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
So the Warriors going down to the Dolphins and Golden Point,
agonizing fashion for the Warriors top eight playoff hopes to end,
but they went down swinging. Here are the highlights of
your Sunday night in RL action. Dolphins thirty four Warriors
thirty two.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Dolphins of Warriors. We're underway them, little kid.
Speaker 6 (18:54):
It comes to fas what was chancey? We'll cook start
doing dolphinsby It's time to helmy.
Speaker 7 (19:03):
To ride again.
Speaker 6 (19:05):
Far comes down to be is the Dolphins have their
second try on the last tackle. Can they complete it in?
They shot? Can can't see what I've done? A back
lots kit. They're chasing clun it sits up.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
They've got the.
Speaker 6 (19:22):
Dry cut cake Corts goes for the Warriors. Little chant
the Carima gets out to farm Worth. Lovely slot of
hair candy. The Carena now Meagan and Marta kicks any
nickle clots than the Gonza. The tomorrow buttins care comes
(19:42):
de veda brilliant stepping. He that Regan had seven Connor scars.
Here's the dog cuts cat fantasys.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Th club what rollo?
Speaker 6 (19:54):
The Corena started up Botakis the cap Bonnet's chasing.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Says that you've got there first. Anyway, he's a penalty.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
Dry thirty two it is, and some ca backetball girl has.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
To be that this time? Why again? Going to take
the shot? I'm selling them? Audio courtesy of Fox League.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Now, let's go through this game briefly, Alex powellin a
little bit more detail, because irrespective of the context of
the season, the game itself was really great. It was
a good game to watch, It was exciting, it was
messy as but I really enjoyed I suppose the fight
that the Warriors showed, and the biggest thing that stood
out to me was well, I actually felt really proud.
(20:48):
That was just a good, hard game and the Warriors
finished second best because they couldn't quite ice their opportunities,
which has been the story of their season. But you
could see that the players were trying the hardest. They
didn't have one foot on the plane. As we've seen
Warriors and seasons gone by, they get to this point
of the season and they stopped trying. They weren't thinking
about the off season. They were fired up and wanted
(21:09):
to win. And you can't ask for more than that.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
No, that's a very good point. We have seen Warriors
teams in the past at this at this point of
the year just fall away, and they didn't do that.
Like you said, disappointing to come that close. There's been
so many of those games this year where the Warriors
are just there for the whole time and just lose
it on one moment, you know. I mean, it sort
(21:33):
of sucks watching the Dolphins because they're all either X
Warriors or Kiwi's. It feels like, and you know, go,
why is he there not the Warriors?
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Nikoima Shana Sullivan. It's grating, But I suppose the consistent
theme this year. If I just read you three stats
from the game, Warriors ten errors, four penalties, forty six
miss tackles.
Speaker 4 (21:57):
Wow, I didn't know. The forty six miss tackles. That's yeah,
too many. That's twice as many as you want if
you want to sort of close out a game, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (22:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
And in all three of those areas the Dolphins had
head least. So the war is really they forough hard,
but they're doing it to themselves.
Speaker 4 (22:13):
It feels like, you know, you can be guilty of
trying too hard, and it really does feel like that's
just been the Warriors year.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Coach Andrew Webster admits they had their chances, So.
Speaker 7 (22:21):
I'm just really proud that they kept fighting and wanted
to get back in the game, and they give usselves
a chance to win and had time to look like
we were going to win. We were going to be
the team if we took a couple of moments and
would have been cool. But really frustrating for the boys
because they's put so much for their board in this week.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
Two missed feed field goal attempts for the win from
Chanelle Harris to Veta. But I do feel for him
because it is hard. It are so difficult to kick
a field goal under pressure when you are exhausted. You've
already played a game, You've got players running at you,
and you've got a slot of field goal from thirty
five to forty meters out for the win.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
That is so difficult.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
It's an underrated scale being able to take field goals,
you know. Seann Johnson, like we were saying, has made
it almost look like it's an easy thing to attempt.
But it is difficult.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
You know.
Speaker 4 (23:03):
You think how many field goals you see that you know,
don't even hit. Look like a getty. We're close to
the time and that's sort of what she now said.
He's not a regular kicker off the tea or in
the drop goal situation like we saw.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
Yeah, I mean I thought the Warriors attack, especially in
that second half, looked, you know, look good to Mindy
Martin linking up with Kirk Capewell little grubber through and
obviously scored it to try himself to Mardy Martin. So
I do think he is, you know, Luke Metcalf's there
as well. It's interesting actually thinking about next year, do
you go to Mardy Martin at half back Luke Mcalff
at five eighth?
Speaker 4 (23:34):
Yeah, you do what because, like like we've said on
this podcast before, it feels like the ideal combination with
Andrew Webster's halves, as you want one that sits and
managers and one that will take the game on. So
Luke Metcalf and Sean Johnson. With that, Luke Luke Mtcalff runs,
Johnson sits, and if it's just a straight swap of
Martin for Johnson, then Metcalf still your guy to run.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
I know Luke Metcalff wants to be the you know,
he is the half back for in future seasons and
I could see him being that interesting to see how
Jack Cleary comes in as well, could to Mighty Mattin
be sort of his mentor in that regard. But it's
really interesting situation for next year. But as I said,
the story of this season, so many times this year
they've let it slip. If you think all the way
(24:16):
back to the Melbourne Storm game in Round two when
all of our hopes were oh so high, they can
see the two tries in the last three minutes, and
that just ended up continuing throughout the year.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Webster sort of explains this fate.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
If I'm being really honest, I feel like we've created
our own destiny this year. We haven't last moments. We've
been close, but I'm close to no good enough in
the NRL, and not one person's in there fieling sorry
for ourselves and saying that we deserve better.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
You think back to, like you say, the Storm game,
but even the week before that against the Sharks in
round one when they came flying out of the blocks
and then just fell away in the second half. You
know this isn't a new thing. This has been happening
from the opening round.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
So the Warriors playoff hopes are over right?
Speaker 3 (24:58):
They are five points outside the eight with three games
to go, or are they?
Speaker 7 (25:04):
Laders don't know who plays who and if teams are
going to win enough points to get in anyway we
can finish is on twenty nine, and mathematically they can.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Get us set. We'll never forgive ourselves if.
Speaker 7 (25:13):
We weren't professional in the next three weeks and work
hard and give ourselves a chance.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
But silly made it harder. Now, what is it over
or not?
Speaker 5 (25:22):
Well?
Speaker 4 (25:23):
I mean I hate doing this, but mathematically no.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Was it?
Speaker 4 (25:26):
Well?
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Yeah no, because don't the teams who are like around
the top eight, they play each other, don't they?
Speaker 4 (25:31):
Yeah, yeah, it's gonna be one of these ones where
we just watched the table for the next few weeks,
isn't it. But I mean all the rhetoricas that it's over,
it's got to be.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
It's over.
Speaker 4 (25:42):
Last week he said we need four from four otherwise
we got no chance. And now it's all mathematically whistle and.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Now okay, I don't know, I'm caughe. Look, we can
do them.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
I'm pretty sure at this point it's over if they're
five points outside ninth.
Speaker 4 (25:54):
Yeah, I mean, look, this is probably the most congest
that I've ever seen the NRL table, you know, but
even then, we're talking three from three and that doesn't
really feel doable.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
Oh, it's so sad. But mainly see Eagles are up next.
Let's say they do get the win. The mainly have
won four of the last five. They're sitting six on
the table. I suppose a question at this point for
me in the season is what's motivating people to watch?
What is motivating people to watch? You know, the Warriors
go and play manly away. We know the Bulldogs game
has sold out, so hopefully people all come through, and
I'm sure they will. What's motivating people to watch this
(26:28):
Warriors team?
Speaker 4 (26:29):
I think I mean we said this a couple of weeks,
didn't we that It's not you know, this isn't entertainment now,
this is support your club, you know, and that means
through good and bad. This is bad, stick with them.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
It's loyalty. Yeah, it's loyal I'll be watching, of course,
but it is your job.
Speaker 3 (26:45):
Yeah, that's a good point, but I would watch anyway
out of out of loyalty.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
The Big League Podcast on the Warriors Bad Wagons since
day one, The Big League Podcast for the biggest league fans.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
Now Alex Powell, we've actually got a really good round
ahead of us of NRAL Action just incidentally, because I
feel like at this point, you know, you are watching
to see how the top eight shapes, and it's going
to be a great final series given how congested the
table is and how even a lot of these teams are.
And it starts off in brilliant fashion. Panthers versus the
Storm in Penrith. Can I get a prediction? Why you're
(27:27):
backing Storm? You're back in the Storm?
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Yeah, this close to the finals. The Storm normally get
everything right, don't they, But so to Penrith they do.
But Penrith that we've seen this year are very different
to the ones that have won three year thro around
the bounce. You know, Storm are largely settled, whereas Penrith
it doesn't feel like they've had everything fire at once yet,
although they did did do very well against the Eels
(27:51):
to come back.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
Yeah, what was the three tries in the last seven
minutes to beat the Eels?
Speaker 2 (27:56):
So you're going with a Storm, I am.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
I'm going to back the Panthers to come right at
this point in the season upset the Storm in they're
winning run Sea Eagles versus the Warriors in Manly.
Speaker 4 (28:10):
You know, and the Olympics and the polvar where you
can just skip one.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
I want to do that, just pass it.
Speaker 4 (28:16):
I look, I think probably the Seagals, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
Yeah, well we'll see. We will see on Sunday. But
I'm gonna agree with you there. Roosters versus the Eels,
races it was to surprise me against Penrith, but obviously
didn't quite get to win.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Bulldogs Dolphins Bulldogs.
Speaker 4 (28:36):
Yeah, I think I've tipped Bulldogs every time I've been
in here.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
I'm going to agree with you on that. Although the Dolphins.
The Dolphins do look good based on that performance. That's
going to be a really good game.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
Actually, yeah, both teams vying for I guess the Bulldogs
are really pushing for that top four, Dolphins to remain
in the eight. Cowboys versus the Raiders, it's got Cowboys.
Both teams lost on the weekend, but Cowboys with the
most recent win. I'm going to go for the Raiders. Tigers, Bunnies,
Bunnies Bunnies, Dragons, Titans.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
Let's got Dragons.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Dragons are level with the Dolphins. Dragons ninth, the Dolphins eighth.
I'm gonna go with the Dragons. Go with you your
result as well, Sharks Knights to finish round twenty four night.
So both of us last week predicted the Titans would
beat the Sharks, and the Sharks turn around and smack
the Titans forty four nil. You cannot predict anything and
(29:27):
that these I mean, I hate to, you know, pull
on my own podcast, but you cannot predict the season.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
It's just been out the gate. Yeah, that's awesome. You know,
we talk about the Sporting Link zero watch how predictible
they are. This is just completely opposite.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
You went with the Knights to you, I did.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
I'll go with the Sharks, seeing as that performance was great,
but who knows they could get thresh. Thank you Alex
Powell for your time, your wisdom, your insight. This is
my last podcast of the season.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
I'm going on a.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
Little trip overseas to have a few beerbies and explore
the Europe, but I will be back next season. I'm
gonna leave you with the capable voice Nick Beauley, who
will take the reins from here. But thank you so
much for making us a part of your week. Please
follow and rate the podcast. We'll be back with Nick
Buley next Monday. My name is Nathan Limb.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
Have a great week.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
For more from News Talk sed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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