August 24, 2025 • 33 mins
This week on The Big League Podcast - Warriors centre Rocco Berry talks through overcoming their hoodoo against the Gold Coast Titans and the mental toll of repeated injuries.
Newstalk ZB's Nathan Limm and NZ Herald's Michael Burgess discuss how much we can take from a win over the potential wooden-spooners and explain why the 14th-placed Eels are set to be a mighty challenge.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio The
Big League Podcast dat poet by News Talks V.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Warriors center Rock
o'berry talks through overcoming their hoodoo against the Gold Coast
Titans and the mental toll of repeated injuries. Michael Burgess
and I discussed how much we can take from a
win over the potential Wooden Spooners and explain why the
fourteenth placed Eels are said to be a mighty challenge.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
My name is Nathan Limb.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Let's go LV.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
It's been two long months, but the Warriors have finally
produced a performance they can be properly proud of. Thank
goodness for that. A comfortable victory of the Titans is
a welcome relief after weeks of struggle and loss of personnel.
Are they suddenly a premiership winning team? No, A considerable
step up will be needed for any success in the playoffs,
(01:08):
but somehow, despite everything, the Warriors remain fourth on the ladder,
two points clear of the Broncos with two rounds to go.
Michael Burgess, Senior, New Zealand Herald right at how much
confidence can we take from a win over the bottom
placed side?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yeah, first of all, two months you reckon it's been
about that, hasn't It.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Wasn't The Knights one was the last real good performance
six ones ago the Kuneller game and June was really good.
That was probably the one you're thinking of.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
But I thought I thought they played quite well against
the Tigers that win and Mount Smart against the Tigers
and Dolphins was pretty good part from it.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
But since they've had a consistent all round perform it
wasn't perfect, But since the game plan has looked like
it's working and it's been instead of them sort of
scratching over the line, it's been comprehensive all round.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
That's what I'm talking about. Okay, we're just yeah, okay, okay,
I can give you that. I mean, how much confidence.
I think it's just more about where they're going now.
I think we've both feel a lot better about where
they go and compare to how we failt a couple
of weeks ago. You know, we saw the grit and
guts and spirit to beat the dragons, and then we
saw a bit of flare and invention to beat the Titans.
(02:25):
It doesn't matter so much where the Titans are on
the table. They're a better team than we all think
they are. That's why they keep surprising. You know, they
almost spent penri few weeks ago they beat the Warriors,
so we won't no one to get carried away. But
real good step in the right direction. They've got some momentum,
they've got some belief and there's a bit of pressure off.
That's really what I sensed watching that game, just a
(02:47):
bit of pressure out of the bottle.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
And they need to win those last two games, really,
don't they, Because there are two points up on the Broncos.
To say they win one lose one, the Broncos win two,
Broncos have a much better points differential, So if they
want to stay top four, unless the Broncos are going
to drop a game, yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
I mean, there's all these permittations, and actually quite a
few of the teams chasing them got some hard games,
so that helps. So some teams might drop games. But
the team might be worried about to be the Sharks
because from memory, they've got pretty couple of pretty straight
forward games, so to speak. So the Warriors can't really
(03:22):
afford to drop a game. You're right, they've got a
beat parameter of this Friday and then it all come
down to the manly game next next Friday as well.
But they're in a much better space to do that
compared to what we're talking about a few weeks ago,
and were saying to you they've got to win the
last four. How's this going to happen? We're going to
hear from Warriors Center Rocco Beary next.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
But first, here are the highlights Warriors thirty two Titans eighteen.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
So here we go Game two on Super Saturday, Round
number twenty five. Farrells shut again turned up for so much.
How we has got through Warrior's atmosphere generated fever pitch
and there to time, My goodness mea color that they
(04:08):
had attacked the shots. I bought the kicks, get a ball,
hutches over up to that man out for boy. I'm Harris.
That's so good. Poppy after tell us a check he's
got a double lodger, the Harris de Beta and kid
the Poppy and time turn to serve us a check house.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Now, Mada shut he ya start getting a cry.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
He's gonna tell us to first grade any Elea there
to over. It's All Times Warriors thirty two That Titans
eighteen audio courtesy of Fox Sports.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
The Big League Podcast podcast.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Michael birders head a quick chet to Rock o'berry after
the game.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Let's take a listen. How are you going? It looked
like you stayed down a bit towards the end. How
are you?
Speaker 6 (05:02):
I was just pretty wonder there. Beat my breath back
and then ye I'm right now carrying on a little bit.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
It was just it was just a winding and nothing else.
Speaker 6 (05:10):
Yeah, I was heading the ribs and yeah, I was
just lost my breath for it.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Okay, that's a really.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
I guess first of all, what did what did you
think of tonight's performance?
Speaker 6 (05:21):
I think, you know, we're pretty pretty clinical there for
the most part. I think at the end just looked
at a little bit of points, which was which a
little bit annoying. But yeah, for the most part, we're
pretty clinical, and we just.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Probably finished off because what was the team's mindset coming
into this match.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
It was pretty much, I'm trying to try and take
the games. At the end, we just wanted to go
to be aggressive with our line to beat and just
go off of them.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Pretty much.
Speaker 6 (05:47):
And yeah, I felt that we did that for the
most part.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
I mean, when you were aware of this sort of
record that the Gold Coast have had, was when we
talk about that that they've dominated most of the last encounters.
Speaker 6 (06:00):
No, it wasn't really any book about it, but I
think probably if you was in the back of our
minds that we haven't been too successful.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
But we didn't bring it up.
Speaker 6 (06:08):
We just wanted to come over here and get a
game morning at the two points, and yeah, that was
a major focus.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
How do you feel that that you executed things with
the ball.
Speaker 6 (06:19):
I think we're pretty you know, we kind of got
our game on pretty well, and we'll I feel I
will flow in an attack. There was a couple of
tries we didn't the opportunities, we didn't finish off maybe
as good as as we wanted to. But yeah, I
feel like we trap from school and got our game
on for the most part.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
How did you feel being back out there?
Speaker 7 (06:37):
Yeah, I was.
Speaker 6 (06:38):
I was pretty gay, especially in the first in the
first half. In the first half, I was always give
me everything there, But I I was pretty high there
in the first half. But your mult second win there
in the second half and yeah, I hope the buildings
next week.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
When did you find that you were definitely going to
play this week? When did you sort of know that
you'd be right to.
Speaker 7 (06:57):
Play last week?
Speaker 6 (07:00):
I m that I've been in the full training full
training weekend and thet got to buildings another full training
week this week, and yeah on Tuesday or the big
day maybe it was, but I had took a few boxes,
which I kind of knew I was going to be
tweet anyway, but yeah, take.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Those boxes, and yeah, I wasn't How hard has the
season been for you, Rocco, with all the with all
the bad luck you've had with injuries.
Speaker 6 (07:22):
It's been pretty pretty frustrating. But I kind of had
I had a big shoulder injury last year, and that
was a pretty unknown injury was their nerves. So with
that injury, it was pretty much the biggest one I've had.
And after I've had that, these these ones, even though
they're still injuries, it's frustrating, they're pretty they're pretty min
it compared to that one they had last year, So
(07:45):
actually pretty positive. And I've been here and well he
showing my fumback. I just haven't been able to get
consecutive games and so I'm sure mychael, my luck returns
and hopefully, you know, I've had the rest of the
season I can gook footy together.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah, I mean that's the thing. It's been so stop
start for you. I mean, how have you dealt with it? Mentally?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
I'll stay pretty.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Positive, to be fair.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
I think the fust trades with their hamstrings where I was,
you know, it was the same one was gone and
you start probably pushing and you know what if I'm
doing the right things and stuff like that, and yeah,
I've kind of just stay positive and got a good
support career around men and teammates and whenever I've like,
you know, because that shoulder injury I had, it wasn't
really like a set time to come back. So that
(08:27):
was the frustrating. That was like I've never had something
like that. And then these ones this year you always
have that set return, Dawn. You just built through and
I like enjoyed training, working hard away from and training
and rehabs. So those ones have been pretty pretty easy
to handle.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Because the shoulder, it seemed did you sort of come
back ahead of schedule with that?
Speaker 6 (08:46):
Oh, there was wasn't really a set time date that
was it wasn't.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
It was a nerve.
Speaker 6 (08:51):
So they kind of just like you kind of guess
when you can, you don't really know what you're going
to come back, And yeah, it was pretty much up
in the air, like I knew I was. I was
probably thinking it was gonna be a lot later, but
then I had a resturgeons with the strength and the shoulder,
and then he.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Ended up coming back pretty early from it. What does
it mean to you, Rocker to get to fifty l games?
Speaker 6 (09:13):
Yeah, I think it's Yeah, it's pretty colm. I don't
really look and think about it too much, but it's
definitely something I'll probably look back on and be pretty
proud about it. You know, I was probably not being
a Ben a Warrior's fan as gayhead and you know,
dreaming flavoring for them. So for your fifty games, you know,
it's aditional amount. Obviously there's bigger milestones, but yeah, something
I'll be able to look back on and my family
for sure will be proud of me too.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Yeah, there's a lot bigger ones to come, I'm sure.
But do you have any favorite memories of your first
fifty games?
Speaker 6 (09:42):
I think probably that that Newcastle game in the the finals,
was pretty cool in twenty twenty three, I think you
know that was one of the craziest atmospheres, and yeah,
it was a good performance too. That was probably when
I'd look back on and then yeah, there was obviously
a dab as well, which was smol to take that off.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
And I'm sure no one's getting carried away. But how's
the team feeling after tonight's wind? Does it feel like
you've got a bit of momentum going now?
Speaker 8 (10:08):
For sure?
Speaker 3 (10:09):
I think we've kind of had a game plan.
Speaker 6 (10:11):
We came over here and executed it for the most part,
so that'll give us a lot of confidence. I'm heading
to the rest of the effort. We're not going to
get ahead of ourselves. We'll take a week by week.
But yeah, it was definitely and hitting the right direction
and it was good that we backed up what was
never going to do.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
I mean, just finally, how do you you sort of
down play it, but how do you come back in
and managed to click so quickly with your defensive work.
You're attacking work after being out. You know how tricky
is that?
Speaker 6 (10:39):
That's pretty D's that's pretty The smaller matchfulness is probably
the hardest one, being able to you know, compete a
that high inneral level with the fitness, it's we don't
get that game like reps and rehabit. We've pretty much
had the same system the last couple of years that
I've really worked hard to fit into it, and so
I kind of know my job, We know my role
pretty well, but it's just back in that you know
(11:01):
that game match fitness is really the biggest thing.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
Did you feel like you were going to score when
you took that really smart take of bit Born.
Speaker 6 (11:09):
Yeah, I give myself good enough to should be able
to reach out, and they did pretty well to get
the numbers around.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
So yeah, I thought I wasn't but didn't get dry.
This is the Big League podcast.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
This is going Yeah, the Big League podcast on the
Warriors band Wagons.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
Sin's Day one.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Great to hear from rock O Berry there after his
return from injury in his fiftieth NRL game. I thought
he was pretty strong during that game, created kick pressure
which forced the turnover and led to that second Roger
to us try.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
He did, and that's what the mist You talk to
Andrew Webster and he'll tell you he is probably their
best kick. Chase guy, Derek the Warriors a good kick
chase team they've got. They've got a good bunch of chaser.
He's probably their best consistently.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
And I don't know just I still think he's underrated
Rocker because suddenly when he's there on the right edge,
it looks more secure. I don't know, he's sort of
stitches thing up things up or glues things up for
one of a better words.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
So he's only played seven games this year. It's absolutely
crazy that what he's been through and has he explained
really well. I really admire the mental strength. I mean,
you know what it's like to have injuries where you
can't do things and it affects you. But imagine you're
a full time athlete and you're getting injured, what four
or five times this season? It's just nuts, mate.
Speaker 7 (12:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Well, I mean that right edge storyline, the Warriors right
edge struggles that I know the Warriors felt pretty hard
done by with that storyline in regards to Yeah, the
media sort of latching onto it.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
True, but they came about when Rocco wasn't there. It did,
it did, and they had I think they've burned through.
I think they've had five different centers on the right
edge this season that that's a number in my mind.
But you know, they've had a lot, and they've had
a lot of different guys in second row and center
and now suddenly Roco. He seems quite polarizing in the
(12:58):
fan base. Is people who love them and people who think, ah,
people who are silly, he's a bit of a rated
or whatever. But now that he's back there, I think
you feel better about the next few games to come now.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Roger two Ivasak told Sky after the game, Barry didn't
miss a beat.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
He's been for a lot.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
You know, it's come back players fifty NRL game, it's.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Perform like there.
Speaker 8 (13:18):
I think Rocco was massive, and our left edge is
just too strong, and I think one of the best
edges out.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
There, one of the best edges out there. Yeah, and
he was talking about you know his edge, which which
is is Chanelle Pompey Roger and you have to say
that lifted just performing pretty damn well. There's been a
lot of tries down that edge. They've got a really
good fluency and because I've been the same guys there
(13:44):
for so long, so developing well. The defensively been pretty good,
not not out of this world, but pretty good.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
But yeah, I do like that edge and those those
first two tries just slick hands.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
You really want to see more of that. The way
the quick transfers of the ball that that's a that's
a promising sign.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Yeah, And speaking of let's go through this game in
a bit more detailed. Warriors coach Andrew Webster's pleased with
their all round performance.
Speaker 8 (14:11):
I think we had some blips along the way, but
I was happy with our goal line defense, probably right
until probably at the end. We lost concentration there, but
we got ourselves back in control just through honestly great
kick chase, and I thought we played a really good
brand footy.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
Yeah, I was really impressed with that first half.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
The kicking game in the first half I thought was
really good from both Tanner and Chanell. I think Chanell's
showed quite a lot of improvement just over the last
few weeks in that area in terms of the positioning
of the bonds. Tanner had a really nice sort of
curved grubber that we're forcing sort of repeat sets and
the Titans to be tackled in their own end goal.
The Titans obviously weren't helping themselves. Fifteen eras they were
(14:48):
choosing to throw the ball around and why not in
your bottom of the ladder. But there are a few
head scratches I suppose there from a Titans perspective, but
just on Tanner and Chanelle, they had the really good
performance as a combination. Still some concerns for me about
their ruthlessness in the twenty because the Warriors had a
lot of ball in that twenty and there was a
(15:10):
period going into the most of the second half where
they weren't scoring a lot of points coming out of it.
There was a long gap between tries in the game
and a few inaccurate kicks. Improvement overall, though, What did
you make of them?
Speaker 3 (15:22):
They were good? Andrew Webbs has said after the game,
I think he brought it up. It was a question
he brought it up. But it was probably their best
performance as a combination, So I think's about right. I mean,
they've had what four or five games. Really good response
from Tanner because he had been under a lot of
pressure playing the Titans again getting dropped two weeks ago.
Now you feel like he's not going to get dropped again.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
He's there, he's the guy, and he's getting more confidence
we're sort of forgetting that he's.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Only played I should know this, Nathan, I should know this.
Was he played six games or something, seven six, so
it's not much. And he's trying to run the team.
He's got the keys to the car, as Webbs has said,
So he's getting better. But you're exactly right, there's still
a concern like that first quarters red hot, second quarter
a lot of ball didn't do that much, and then
(16:09):
that third quarter where they had chances as well, and
I felt like they're working the red zone. You contrast
to what the big teams do in the red zone
and what they were doing some of it. It's got
to get a lot better, you know, it's got to
get a lot better for when the business ends comes
and that if you if we're back over the episodes
(16:30):
of the podcast this year, I'd say a lot of
our topics, our themes have been around the attack. How
can you prove the attack? How can you get more
out of it? Because defensively most of the season are
worries me good. So that's still the theme and it's
it's not a surprise new spine new six and seven,
but you know, let's hope they continue to just improve
(16:54):
steadily in that area.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Yeah, and I've actually got that clip you're talking about here, Burge.
We're still believing the combination between Harris de Vita and Boyd.
Their best game is a six and seven.
Speaker 8 (17:04):
They've worked really hard on the detail and combining communicating well.
I love they both ran football and I thought when
we looked best, they were in control of the game.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Tanner.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Boyd also six from six off the tee as well,
which when you're heading towards the playoffs, that's going to
be really crucial, not giving away points potentially off the tee.
And I like the Warriors' willingness to go to the
posts from penalties. Two points is half a try. Do
that a couple of times you've scored an extra try.
I'm quite happy with that strategy, especially when they're up
by ten twelve.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
Yeah, it depends. I hated it when they did it
against the Bulldogs and in the first five minutes is
like Neil Nel and they kick a penalty. Yeah, but
the conditions Yeah, but far out it's like a sort
of a it's like, oh, we can't We're not going
to score a try here, so we aren't going to
try far out first five minutes, you've got to go
for it. The one on Saturday was a bit different.
It's kind of okay. They were twelve up so they
went to fourteen. Not bad, but you're right there were
(17:59):
seeing Patentny and a'rel of teams taking the two more
and more because the value of the two points, as
you say, it's it's always a debatable one. But Tanner Boyd,
the way he was striking the ball on Saturday, every
single conversion was like like I'd love one of my
golf things to be. It was just beautiful, just just
(18:20):
absolutely you know, clipping it so sweetly. So that's a
really good sign, as you say, because when the big
games come, if you're converting every try, it's such a
big difference. So he'll stay as the number one goal kicker.
They won't be going back to Adam Pompey and that
adds another string to their bow.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
And you mentioned the Warriors attack before and how that's
been a bit of a theme this year, and I
brought up the lack of ruthlessness. Perhaps I think where
at the point of the season now, with two games
to go, they're not going to get markedly better in
terms of that ruthlessness. I think that you know, Tanner
Boyd is a much different player to Luke Metcalfe. He
doesn't have the same X factor and that's just the
(19:03):
reality of it. However, they can make up for that
with their with accurate kicking and solid defense. And what
we saw in the first half was that accurate kicking
in terms of forcing those repeat sex and that, and
that went away in the second half and then we.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Saw the Titans get a couple of tries.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Right, So for me, that is the area in which
they make up Fine, if you can't run through the
entire team, that's that's totally fine.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
You're not their player.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
But let's keep it consistent with the kicking and the
defense to back it up to kick chase, that will
make up for it for me.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
Yeah, if they if they took all those other boxes
that have made them such a solid team, Like I
think for most of the year, they've led the completions,
haven't they. So the lead completions, they kick well, they
chase well. Every coach you talk to after a match,
especially when the Warriors beat them, will say, oh, they're
a hard team to play against because they don't make mistakes.
They're very consistent. If we said that, I would like
(19:53):
to see them add just just a few more angled
runs plays, inside balls, double rounds, variation, that kind of thing,
because they've they've got the skill to do it, and
you saw a bit of it on Saturday. So it's
the odd story they get me mentum to the ruck.
They can look really good. I take your point. They're
not going to suddenly become the Melbourne Storm or the
(20:13):
Penrith Panthers overnight the way they work their red zone.
But let's hope they can still improve in that area.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Just a shout out to to Chanceticker Cook Start and
Roger to Ivasda Shecheku a standout in the absence of
Jackson Ford who obviously someone who makes a lot of
tackles and has a lot of you know, one off
runs up the middle that worries missing much Barnett, those
sort of ball runners. Rts with nineteen carries, Chancelli could
Cook Start with twenty two them leading that in artes
be two hundred and forty five run meters.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Birch, What do you make of chance versus Taine? Yeah, yeah,
we talked about artsl last week, so we don't need
to re litigate that, but he's been amazing this season.
Chance versus Taine is an interesting one for me because
you know what Chance springs, and he brought a lot
on Saturday. The meters, Like you say, the carries. He's
so solid, work so hard, but Taine does have that
(21:06):
hint of X fact that does even on attack, and
that's that's the real we'ves is not going to change things,
but that is definitely that right edge looks more dangerous
when Taine's there compared to Chance. How Chance does things
just because I guess Tane's a bit quicker he holds
at the defensive line. So that's another piece of the
puzzle because I felt like Chance was creating a lot
(21:28):
more back in twenty twenty three. He was creating things
down that right edge. Tryasis scoring tries. We haven't seen
that so much. Hopefully as again, hopefully that comes. I
think he still won't be carrying a Niggel two chance,
but you're so important overall for the team.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
What did you make of Eddie Ilamir Toy he got
his first try. I think he's been solid and he's
had what three appearances great, so I think I've really
liked his impact and the impact of the bench overall.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Yeah, for a young guy to come in like he's
come in at a hard time of the season, like
pressure's on that Dragon's game was immense, pressure Saturday was pressure,
the Titans game, the Dolphins game. But he just goes
for it and really nice, really nice try so. He
looks a good one, he really does. I think he
can play a few positions. I'm pretty sure they've used
(22:17):
him in the bloody in the centers in New so
far was cut from member once or twice. But he's
a middle Ford but looking really really good. So another
another one to I do that The bench impact has
been great all season, hasn't it, Which is ironic because
we were worried about that. I remember you and I
talking in the about the fourth podcast when Dylan Walker left.
(22:39):
Dylan's our man, He's our impact man.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
He's the one who's come into that number fourteen Jersey
and he's adaptable in every role.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Not the same player, not the same player. But I
feel like Dylan has been replaced by Demetric and Lequa
with that sort of an aeron I guess does a
bit of it too, but just coming off the bench
and rolling up the middle and some nice ball playing.
I did notice a lot of chat about Lecker because
he hasn't played as much. He was on the bench
(23:08):
change on Saturday and only came on I think early
in the second half. Member of the second half. Didn't
get that much time against the Dragons. They took him
off and didn't put them on towards the end. But
I don't mind that because I feel like he just
needs a bit of recharging, like we all do at times,
you know, you you get tired mentally physically. So I
can see him coming back really strongly, maybe this week,
next week or in the finals, and that's when we
(23:30):
need him, you know, because I just got annoyed. But
the bloody commentators going on about, oh, he hasn't done
much lately the last few weeks and he's nineteen years old,
but you want him to just set the world on
fire every week, you know, just drop him, drop him? Washed,
I find it, so I think it's smart. I think
Webster must know he needs a bit of a break.
(23:51):
But watch out, just watch out, and just a wrap.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
No injuries, no one on a report, no injuries, don't
where are we were in almost September.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
No injuries, no on a report. This is well, there's
still a long list of injuries, but not from that game.
That's this is great, This is great, times amazing.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Okay, the Warriors host the Eels on Friday night at
Mount Smart for the first time this year. Bird they're
playing the Eels, which is crazy because I feel like
we've played the Titans about seven times.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
Yeah, it's funny how the draw works out. You play
sometimes twice and then the teams you play once to
not play them until now. And it's kind of a
shame to be playing them now because the Paramettera were awful.
They were awful in March, Abril, June, July, June, and
now they're looking quite good. They're looking like the Paramettera
we come to know over the last few years. They've
got their mojo back. So good challenge. But on another way,
(24:47):
you want a good challenge, like you want to play
a good team because the Warriors don't want to limp
to the playoffs, so I want to come into the
playoffs with some momentum.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
So well, i'd rather play a crap team. I'd rather
play a crap team and skip the win. But Anyway,
as you said, they've come into form. Let me take
you through the situation. The Eels at fourteenth on the
ladder with eight wins and fourteen losses, but they've been
much better on the second half of the season since
the return of Mitchell Moses. They're coming off a thirty
to ten hiding of the Roosters who had been surging
(25:17):
burg exactly. They've won three of the last five games
and the two losses were close losses to the rabbit
O's and the Storm. Moses and Josh Papalti the Haves.
Josh had a car who had a double against the
Roosters is on one wing, Zach Lomax, state of origin
player on the other. Former Warrior Dylan Walker is in
(25:38):
the squad and you know he'll play out of his skin,
won't you. First time back at Mount Smart.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
And Dylan Brown, who has been moved into the centers.
Is that because he's signed with the Knights that are
they punishing him?
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Yes? Yeah, Old, I find that really wein in rugby league, Like,
I don't know, I don't know what you think, but okay,
he's moving on. But he just would not see that
in football that you just stopped using someone I don't know,
and they want to you know, blood someone for next year.
But I guess they're out of the playoffs. Maybe answered
my question.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
Yeah, I mean it has been weird since right, Like
they haven't they they're not going to make them buayoffs,
so will just be a way that way.
Speaker 3 (26:17):
Yeah, but it has been weird seeing himt since he's
done it right at center. And they'll be dangerous man.
And I can remember the Paramatta. I think they came
here last year and spoiled the party. Yes they did.
They beat the Warriors walking last year and a couple
other times, so they they won't have any fear. It
would be a good challenge.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Are there any in particular areas that the Eels will
threaten the Warriors? I mean, I'm quite happy not to.
I mean we've talked through the Warriors performance quite a lot.
I don't think there's going to be any major team
changes from a from a warrior's perspective. But what do
they have to look out for as opposed to the
Titans game?
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Oh well, the Eels have got a really good structure
and the Titans have got Titans no structure.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
They're really unstructured, aren't they. But the Eels, especially with
Moses he's here, I'll just throw the ball, yeah he sure.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Easier structure, guys, a really good structure, some nice dangerous
on the edge. But I feel like the Warriors can
get them in the forwards. I feel like if the
Warrior's forwards get rolling, that's where they get them. They
get them in the forwards, established dominance there and it
rolls on. But it won't be easy. It will not
be easy with their structure. And also Moses has got
(27:29):
a fantastic kicking game. So I'm fearing and sensing another
nervous one. Nathan, me too.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
I'm actually way more nervous about this than the Titans
games somehow.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
But there we have it. We'll see what happens.
Speaker 4 (27:44):
The Big League on the Warriors Bad Wagons since day one,
the Big League Podcast for the Biggest League fans.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
Well, we'll rattle through quick fire predictions, but we don't
need a labor on our picks from last week.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Yes, we can just mess with it, can we please?
I didn't check them, okay, I remember was you tipping
the who did you get the Dragons to beat the Rabbits?
Which was a good one. What was the What was
the final score of that game?
Speaker 7 (28:20):
I'm pretty sure. I'm pretty sure I picked the Dolphins
pretty sure too. So you know, fifty eight points. It
was tackling optional in that game. Ninety eight points in
an NRL game.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
I walked into work because I was coming in for commentary.
I saw the score. I was like, what happened? Yeah,
that's that's touch rugby mat, that's that's it's that's it's crazy.
That is crazy. Although we also, I think we're also
both of us supposed exits experts banging on about how
Manly's gone. They're all over and look now now Manly's looking. No.
(28:52):
I stand by that. Yeah, so I think your tips
wereent great, but you know, we we all have weeks.
Would rather get.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
Back Bulldogs Panthers on your favorite Thursday night burg again
the headline game ten o'clock on a Thursday.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
Is such a waste, such a waste. Actually, you tipped
the Raiders, So there you go. You did the Raiders
to beat the Panthers. I'm pretty sure. Did I think
it would sound like me? I'll take it. Bull Dogs Panthers, Panthers,
they just sending you playing everyone lately, haven't they played
the storm Yep, the.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Bulldogs they lost to the Raiders. They lost to the Storm.
They're on a two game losing streaks. See, this is
why they've searched up the ladders because actually they were
playing all the crap teams, so they're not actually that good.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
I think the Panthers will bounce back here, but the
Bulldogs coming off the loss as well to the Storm,
so this will be really really good game. The last
game between these two was decided by Nathan Cleary charged
down for a try. This will be beauty. I think
the last game is two points. Will be close again,
but I'll go for penrith. I am going to agree
with you Warriors versus the Eels. Surely smart, Surely here
(30:00):
we go. Surely the DV bitter Auckland Warriors.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Someone to just take Moses' head off in the first
four minutes, stretch it off the field, so they'll suspend
the players for basically nothing, so.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
We may as well get something for it. Yeah, if
they start well, they'll win, that's the key. Start well,
have a good first half hour, they'll gone with it.
No injuries players coming back, they should be all right.
But they have to play well. Eels are dangerous, no doubt.
Storm roosters again, Roosters got a hiding from the eels.
Yeah and weird. Like you said, the roosters have been
(30:35):
they've been looking really good. They've been looking at Wow,
they're coming, They're coming down the back straight. I can't
say they've beating the storm though, the storm not at home.
I mean, you've got to be a very special team
to beat the storm at home. No disagreements so far.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Raiders, Tigers, Raiders with one of the greatest Golden Point
victories of all time. I think Cleary's field goal bounces
off the left up right, collected by the Raiders and
they go nineteen meters and Kyle Weeks schoes the winning try.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
It's just crazy. Like I'm not a fan of Golden Point.
I hate it, but if there was no golden Golden Point,
you wouldn't get a moment like that. Bude. Yeah, I
still like the drawer. But yeah, okay, yeah, yeah, I mean,
I mean, well what I like is Golden Point. Now,
let's not start, let's not start Ers. Raiders. Yeah, Raiders, Raiders.
(31:26):
Raiders are looking great. They're looking at the green machine
of old Tigers were good too against the Cowboys, really good.
But the Raiders will have such a be on such
a high after the way they were in that game
at home too.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
Dragons Seagulls far I guess, I guess you picked the
Seagulls now, don't you? If they put fifty eight on
the Dolphins and the Dragons shelled forty to the.
Speaker 3 (31:49):
Points? Yeah, I mean we had to talk about the Dragons.
They had those three players. Can cuss they're getting missing players.
Speaker 2 (31:55):
I'm sure they front up and bounce back, but forty points,
but that's no excuse.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
I'll go with the Seagulls here.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
Still no disagreements Cowboys Broncos. I feel like I'm going
with every favorite here. This is not exactly courageous or insightful, isn't.
The Broncos are coming off of a forty six point
hiding of the forty six twelve they beat the Knights.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
Yeah, the poor Knights. I mean, Cowboys coming in for
a really good window, so this should be close. Cowboys
shod a lot of guts to beat the Tigers at
like and come back from a big deficit in the
second half. I think this will be close, But you
feel like, Oh, it's in town. Tal Wait a minute, wait, wait, hold,
hold hold, I'll go. I'll go the Cowboys here back
(32:40):
the Broncos. There we go. Sharks, Knights, Sharks. We don't
need to talk about that one. Dolphins versus the Titans, Dolphins, Titans.
I really feel for the Dolphins because always been so
good to make ground up. They could still make the eight.
They're still in the picture. If they win their last
two games, they can still make the finals two points
back from the roosters in eighth, whereas the Titans wouldn't
(33:02):
have anything to play for it all, So you'd think
the Dolphins will be too good here.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
I agree with you, Dolphins to bounce back. That'll do
us for this week on The Big League Podcast. Thank
you Mike Burgess for your time, your wisdom, your insight piece.
Follow and rate the podcast. My name is Nathan Lemmon.
Will be back next Monday to go through hopefully a
victory over the Eels and now it's smart on Friday
nights and enjoy your week and enjoy the game.
Speaker 3 (33:26):
See you next time.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
For more from News Talks ed B listen live on
air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio,
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcasts now on iHeartRadio The
Big League Podcast dat poet by News Talks V.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Warriors center Rock
o'berry talks through overcoming their hoodoo against the Gold Coast
Titans and the mental toll of repeated injuries. Michael Burgess
and I discussed how much we can take from a
win over the potential Wooden Spooners and explain why the
fourteenth placed Eels are said to be a mighty challenge.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
My name is Nathan Limb.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Let's go LV.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
It's been two long months, but the Warriors have finally
produced a performance they can be properly proud of. Thank
goodness for that. A comfortable victory of the Titans is
a welcome relief after weeks of struggle and loss of personnel.
Are they suddenly a premiership winning team? No, A considerable
step up will be needed for any success in the playoffs,
(01:08):
but somehow, despite everything, the Warriors remain fourth on the ladder,
two points clear of the Broncos with two rounds to go.
Michael Burgess, Senior, New Zealand Herald right at how much
confidence can we take from a win over the bottom
placed side?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yeah, first of all, two months you reckon it's been
about that, hasn't It.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Wasn't The Knights one was the last real good performance
six ones ago the Kuneller game and June was really good.
That was probably the one you're thinking of.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
But I thought I thought they played quite well against
the Tigers that win and Mount Smart against the Tigers
and Dolphins was pretty good part from it.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
But since they've had a consistent all round perform it
wasn't perfect, But since the game plan has looked like
it's working and it's been instead of them sort of
scratching over the line, it's been comprehensive all round.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
That's what I'm talking about. Okay, we're just yeah, okay, okay,
I can give you that. I mean, how much confidence.
I think it's just more about where they're going now.
I think we've both feel a lot better about where
they go and compare to how we failt a couple
of weeks ago. You know, we saw the grit and
guts and spirit to beat the dragons, and then we
saw a bit of flare and invention to beat the Titans.
(02:25):
It doesn't matter so much where the Titans are on
the table. They're a better team than we all think
they are. That's why they keep surprising. You know, they
almost spent penri few weeks ago they beat the Warriors,
so we won't no one to get carried away. But
real good step in the right direction. They've got some momentum,
they've got some belief and there's a bit of pressure off.
That's really what I sensed watching that game, just a
(02:47):
bit of pressure out of the bottle.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
And they need to win those last two games, really,
don't they, Because there are two points up on the Broncos.
To say they win one lose one, the Broncos win two,
Broncos have a much better points differential, So if they
want to stay top four, unless the Broncos are going
to drop a game, yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
I mean, there's all these permittations, and actually quite a
few of the teams chasing them got some hard games,
so that helps. So some teams might drop games. But
the team might be worried about to be the Sharks
because from memory, they've got pretty couple of pretty straight
forward games, so to speak. So the Warriors can't really
(03:22):
afford to drop a game. You're right, they've got a
beat parameter of this Friday and then it all come
down to the manly game next next Friday as well.
But they're in a much better space to do that
compared to what we're talking about a few weeks ago,
and were saying to you they've got to win the
last four. How's this going to happen? We're going to
hear from Warriors Center Rocco Beary next.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
But first, here are the highlights Warriors thirty two Titans eighteen.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
So here we go Game two on Super Saturday, Round
number twenty five. Farrells shut again turned up for so much.
How we has got through Warrior's atmosphere generated fever pitch
and there to time, My goodness mea color that they
(04:08):
had attacked the shots. I bought the kicks, get a ball,
hutches over up to that man out for boy. I'm Harris.
That's so good. Poppy after tell us a check he's
got a double lodger, the Harris de Beta and kid
the Poppy and time turn to serve us a check house.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Now, Mada shut he ya start getting a cry.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
He's gonna tell us to first grade any Elea there
to over. It's All Times Warriors thirty two That Titans
eighteen audio courtesy of Fox Sports.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
The Big League Podcast podcast.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Michael birders head a quick chet to Rock o'berry after
the game.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Let's take a listen. How are you going? It looked
like you stayed down a bit towards the end. How
are you?
Speaker 6 (05:02):
I was just pretty wonder there. Beat my breath back
and then ye I'm right now carrying on a little bit.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
It was just it was just a winding and nothing else.
Speaker 6 (05:10):
Yeah, I was heading the ribs and yeah, I was
just lost my breath for it.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Okay, that's a really.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
I guess first of all, what did what did you
think of tonight's performance?
Speaker 6 (05:21):
I think, you know, we're pretty pretty clinical there for
the most part. I think at the end just looked
at a little bit of points, which was which a
little bit annoying. But yeah, for the most part, we're
pretty clinical, and we just.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Probably finished off because what was the team's mindset coming
into this match.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
It was pretty much, I'm trying to try and take
the games. At the end, we just wanted to go
to be aggressive with our line to beat and just
go off of them.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Pretty much.
Speaker 6 (05:47):
And yeah, I felt that we did that for the
most part.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
I mean, when you were aware of this sort of
record that the Gold Coast have had, was when we
talk about that that they've dominated most of the last encounters.
Speaker 6 (06:00):
No, it wasn't really any book about it, but I
think probably if you was in the back of our
minds that we haven't been too successful.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
But we didn't bring it up.
Speaker 6 (06:08):
We just wanted to come over here and get a
game morning at the two points, and yeah, that was
a major focus.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
How do you feel that that you executed things with
the ball.
Speaker 6 (06:19):
I think we're pretty you know, we kind of got
our game on pretty well, and we'll I feel I
will flow in an attack. There was a couple of
tries we didn't the opportunities, we didn't finish off maybe
as good as as we wanted to. But yeah, I
feel like we trap from school and got our game
on for the most part.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
How did you feel being back out there?
Speaker 7 (06:37):
Yeah, I was.
Speaker 6 (06:38):
I was pretty gay, especially in the first in the
first half. In the first half, I was always give
me everything there, But I I was pretty high there
in the first half. But your mult second win there
in the second half and yeah, I hope the buildings
next week.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
When did you find that you were definitely going to
play this week? When did you sort of know that
you'd be right to.
Speaker 7 (06:57):
Play last week?
Speaker 6 (07:00):
I m that I've been in the full training full
training weekend and thet got to buildings another full training
week this week, and yeah on Tuesday or the big
day maybe it was, but I had took a few boxes,
which I kind of knew I was going to be
tweet anyway, but yeah, take.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Those boxes, and yeah, I wasn't How hard has the
season been for you, Rocco, with all the with all
the bad luck you've had with injuries.
Speaker 6 (07:22):
It's been pretty pretty frustrating. But I kind of had
I had a big shoulder injury last year, and that
was a pretty unknown injury was their nerves. So with
that injury, it was pretty much the biggest one I've had.
And after I've had that, these these ones, even though
they're still injuries, it's frustrating, they're pretty they're pretty min
it compared to that one they had last year, So
(07:45):
actually pretty positive. And I've been here and well he
showing my fumback. I just haven't been able to get
consecutive games and so I'm sure mychael, my luck returns
and hopefully, you know, I've had the rest of the
season I can gook footy together.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah, I mean that's the thing. It's been so stop
start for you. I mean, how have you dealt with it? Mentally?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
I'll stay pretty.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Positive, to be fair.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
I think the fust trades with their hamstrings where I was,
you know, it was the same one was gone and
you start probably pushing and you know what if I'm
doing the right things and stuff like that, and yeah,
I've kind of just stay positive and got a good
support career around men and teammates and whenever I've like,
you know, because that shoulder injury I had, it wasn't
really like a set time to come back. So that
(08:27):
was the frustrating. That was like I've never had something
like that. And then these ones this year you always
have that set return, Dawn. You just built through and
I like enjoyed training, working hard away from and training
and rehabs. So those ones have been pretty pretty easy
to handle.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Because the shoulder, it seemed did you sort of come
back ahead of schedule with that?
Speaker 6 (08:46):
Oh, there was wasn't really a set time date that
was it wasn't.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
It was a nerve.
Speaker 6 (08:51):
So they kind of just like you kind of guess
when you can, you don't really know what you're going
to come back, And yeah, it was pretty much up
in the air, like I knew I was. I was
probably thinking it was gonna be a lot later, but
then I had a resturgeons with the strength and the shoulder,
and then he.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
Ended up coming back pretty early from it. What does
it mean to you, Rocker to get to fifty l games?
Speaker 6 (09:13):
Yeah, I think it's Yeah, it's pretty colm. I don't
really look and think about it too much, but it's
definitely something I'll probably look back on and be pretty
proud about it. You know, I was probably not being
a Ben a Warrior's fan as gayhead and you know,
dreaming flavoring for them. So for your fifty games, you know,
it's aditional amount. Obviously there's bigger milestones, but yeah, something
I'll be able to look back on and my family
for sure will be proud of me too.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Yeah, there's a lot bigger ones to come, I'm sure.
But do you have any favorite memories of your first
fifty games?
Speaker 6 (09:42):
I think probably that that Newcastle game in the the finals,
was pretty cool in twenty twenty three, I think you
know that was one of the craziest atmospheres, and yeah,
it was a good performance too. That was probably when
I'd look back on and then yeah, there was obviously
a dab as well, which was smol to take that off.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
And I'm sure no one's getting carried away. But how's
the team feeling after tonight's wind? Does it feel like
you've got a bit of momentum going now?
Speaker 8 (10:08):
For sure?
Speaker 3 (10:09):
I think we've kind of had a game plan.
Speaker 6 (10:11):
We came over here and executed it for the most part,
so that'll give us a lot of confidence. I'm heading
to the rest of the effort. We're not going to
get ahead of ourselves. We'll take a week by week.
But yeah, it was definitely and hitting the right direction
and it was good that we backed up what was
never going to do.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
I mean, just finally, how do you you sort of
down play it, but how do you come back in
and managed to click so quickly with your defensive work.
You're attacking work after being out. You know how tricky
is that?
Speaker 6 (10:39):
That's pretty D's that's pretty The smaller matchfulness is probably
the hardest one, being able to you know, compete a
that high inneral level with the fitness, it's we don't
get that game like reps and rehabit. We've pretty much
had the same system the last couple of years that
I've really worked hard to fit into it, and so
I kind of know my job, We know my role
pretty well, but it's just back in that you know
(11:01):
that game match fitness is really the biggest thing.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
Did you feel like you were going to score when
you took that really smart take of bit Born.
Speaker 6 (11:09):
Yeah, I give myself good enough to should be able
to reach out, and they did pretty well to get
the numbers around.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
So yeah, I thought I wasn't but didn't get dry.
This is the Big League podcast.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
This is going Yeah, the Big League podcast on the
Warriors band Wagons.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
Sin's Day one.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Great to hear from rock O Berry there after his
return from injury in his fiftieth NRL game. I thought
he was pretty strong during that game, created kick pressure
which forced the turnover and led to that second Roger
to us try.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
He did, and that's what the mist You talk to
Andrew Webster and he'll tell you he is probably their
best kick. Chase guy, Derek the Warriors a good kick
chase team they've got. They've got a good bunch of chaser.
He's probably their best consistently.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
And I don't know just I still think he's underrated
Rocker because suddenly when he's there on the right edge,
it looks more secure. I don't know, he's sort of
stitches thing up things up or glues things up for
one of a better words.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
So he's only played seven games this year. It's absolutely
crazy that what he's been through and has he explained
really well. I really admire the mental strength. I mean,
you know what it's like to have injuries where you
can't do things and it affects you. But imagine you're
a full time athlete and you're getting injured, what four
or five times this season? It's just nuts, mate.
Speaker 7 (12:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Well, I mean that right edge storyline, the Warriors right
edge struggles that I know the Warriors felt pretty hard
done by with that storyline in regards to Yeah, the
media sort of latching onto it.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
True, but they came about when Rocco wasn't there. It did,
it did, and they had I think they've burned through.
I think they've had five different centers on the right
edge this season that that's a number in my mind.
But you know, they've had a lot, and they've had
a lot of different guys in second row and center
and now suddenly Roco. He seems quite polarizing in the
(12:58):
fan base. Is people who love them and people who think, ah,
people who are silly, he's a bit of a rated
or whatever. But now that he's back there, I think
you feel better about the next few games to come now.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Roger two Ivasak told Sky after the game, Barry didn't
miss a beat.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
He's been for a lot.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
You know, it's come back players fifty NRL game, it's.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Perform like there.
Speaker 8 (13:18):
I think Rocco was massive, and our left edge is
just too strong, and I think one of the best
edges out.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
There, one of the best edges out there. Yeah, and
he was talking about you know his edge, which which
is is Chanelle Pompey Roger and you have to say
that lifted just performing pretty damn well. There's been a
lot of tries down that edge. They've got a really
good fluency and because I've been the same guys there
(13:44):
for so long, so developing well. The defensively been pretty good,
not not out of this world, but pretty good.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
But yeah, I do like that edge and those those
first two tries just slick hands.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
You really want to see more of that. The way
the quick transfers of the ball that that's a that's
a promising sign.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Yeah, And speaking of let's go through this game in
a bit more detailed. Warriors coach Andrew Webster's pleased with
their all round performance.
Speaker 8 (14:11):
I think we had some blips along the way, but
I was happy with our goal line defense, probably right
until probably at the end. We lost concentration there, but
we got ourselves back in control just through honestly great
kick chase, and I thought we played a really good
brand footy.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
Yeah, I was really impressed with that first half.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
The kicking game in the first half I thought was
really good from both Tanner and Chanell. I think Chanell's
showed quite a lot of improvement just over the last
few weeks in that area in terms of the positioning
of the bonds. Tanner had a really nice sort of
curved grubber that we're forcing sort of repeat sets and
the Titans to be tackled in their own end goal.
The Titans obviously weren't helping themselves. Fifteen eras they were
(14:48):
choosing to throw the ball around and why not in
your bottom of the ladder. But there are a few
head scratches I suppose there from a Titans perspective, but
just on Tanner and Chanelle, they had the really good
performance as a combination. Still some concerns for me about
their ruthlessness in the twenty because the Warriors had a
lot of ball in that twenty and there was a
(15:10):
period going into the most of the second half where
they weren't scoring a lot of points coming out of it.
There was a long gap between tries in the game
and a few inaccurate kicks. Improvement overall, though, What did
you make of them?
Speaker 3 (15:22):
They were good? Andrew Webbs has said after the game,
I think he brought it up. It was a question
he brought it up. But it was probably their best
performance as a combination, So I think's about right. I mean,
they've had what four or five games. Really good response
from Tanner because he had been under a lot of
pressure playing the Titans again getting dropped two weeks ago.
Now you feel like he's not going to get dropped again.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
He's there, he's the guy, and he's getting more confidence
we're sort of forgetting that he's.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Only played I should know this, Nathan, I should know this.
Was he played six games or something, seven six, so
it's not much. And he's trying to run the team.
He's got the keys to the car, as Webbs has said,
So he's getting better. But you're exactly right, there's still
a concern like that first quarters red hot, second quarter
a lot of ball didn't do that much, and then
(16:09):
that third quarter where they had chances as well, and
I felt like they're working the red zone. You contrast
to what the big teams do in the red zone
and what they were doing some of it. It's got
to get a lot better, you know, it's got to
get a lot better for when the business ends comes
and that if you if we're back over the episodes
(16:30):
of the podcast this year, I'd say a lot of
our topics, our themes have been around the attack. How
can you prove the attack? How can you get more
out of it? Because defensively most of the season are
worries me good. So that's still the theme and it's
it's not a surprise new spine new six and seven,
but you know, let's hope they continue to just improve
(16:54):
steadily in that area.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Yeah, and I've actually got that clip you're talking about here, Burge.
We're still believing the combination between Harris de Vita and Boyd.
Their best game is a six and seven.
Speaker 8 (17:04):
They've worked really hard on the detail and combining communicating well.
I love they both ran football and I thought when
we looked best, they were in control of the game.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Tanner.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Boyd also six from six off the tee as well,
which when you're heading towards the playoffs, that's going to
be really crucial, not giving away points potentially off the tee.
And I like the Warriors' willingness to go to the
posts from penalties. Two points is half a try. Do
that a couple of times you've scored an extra try.
I'm quite happy with that strategy, especially when they're up
by ten twelve.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
Yeah, it depends. I hated it when they did it
against the Bulldogs and in the first five minutes is
like Neil Nel and they kick a penalty. Yeah, but
the conditions Yeah, but far out it's like a sort
of a it's like, oh, we can't We're not going
to score a try here, so we aren't going to
try far out first five minutes, you've got to go
for it. The one on Saturday was a bit different.
It's kind of okay. They were twelve up so they
went to fourteen. Not bad, but you're right there were
(17:59):
seeing Patentny and a'rel of teams taking the two more
and more because the value of the two points, as
you say, it's it's always a debatable one. But Tanner Boyd,
the way he was striking the ball on Saturday, every
single conversion was like like I'd love one of my
golf things to be. It was just beautiful, just just
(18:20):
absolutely you know, clipping it so sweetly. So that's a
really good sign, as you say, because when the big
games come, if you're converting every try, it's such a
big difference. So he'll stay as the number one goal kicker.
They won't be going back to Adam Pompey and that
adds another string to their bow.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
And you mentioned the Warriors attack before and how that's
been a bit of a theme this year, and I
brought up the lack of ruthlessness. Perhaps I think where
at the point of the season now, with two games
to go, they're not going to get markedly better in
terms of that ruthlessness. I think that you know, Tanner
Boyd is a much different player to Luke Metcalfe. He
doesn't have the same X factor and that's just the
(19:03):
reality of it. However, they can make up for that
with their with accurate kicking and solid defense. And what
we saw in the first half was that accurate kicking
in terms of forcing those repeat sex and that, and
that went away in the second half and then we.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Saw the Titans get a couple of tries.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Right, So for me, that is the area in which
they make up Fine, if you can't run through the
entire team, that's that's totally fine.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
You're not their player.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
But let's keep it consistent with the kicking and the
defense to back it up to kick chase, that will
make up for it for me.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
Yeah, if they if they took all those other boxes
that have made them such a solid team, Like I
think for most of the year, they've led the completions,
haven't they. So the lead completions, they kick well, they
chase well. Every coach you talk to after a match,
especially when the Warriors beat them, will say, oh, they're
a hard team to play against because they don't make mistakes.
They're very consistent. If we said that, I would like
(19:53):
to see them add just just a few more angled
runs plays, inside balls, double rounds, variation, that kind of thing,
because they've they've got the skill to do it, and
you saw a bit of it on Saturday. So it's
the odd story they get me mentum to the ruck.
They can look really good. I take your point. They're
not going to suddenly become the Melbourne Storm or the
(20:13):
Penrith Panthers overnight the way they work their red zone.
But let's hope they can still improve in that area.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Just a shout out to to Chanceticker Cook Start and
Roger to Ivasda Shecheku a standout in the absence of
Jackson Ford who obviously someone who makes a lot of
tackles and has a lot of you know, one off
runs up the middle that worries missing much Barnett, those
sort of ball runners. Rts with nineteen carries, Chancelli could
Cook Start with twenty two them leading that in artes
be two hundred and forty five run meters.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Birch, What do you make of chance versus Taine? Yeah, yeah,
we talked about artsl last week, so we don't need
to re litigate that, but he's been amazing this season.
Chance versus Taine is an interesting one for me because
you know what Chance springs, and he brought a lot
on Saturday. The meters, Like you say, the carries. He's
so solid, work so hard, but Taine does have that
(21:06):
hint of X fact that does even on attack, and
that's that's the real we'ves is not going to change things,
but that is definitely that right edge looks more dangerous
when Taine's there compared to Chance. How Chance does things
just because I guess Tane's a bit quicker he holds
at the defensive line. So that's another piece of the
puzzle because I felt like Chance was creating a lot
(21:28):
more back in twenty twenty three. He was creating things
down that right edge. Tryasis scoring tries. We haven't seen
that so much. Hopefully as again, hopefully that comes. I
think he still won't be carrying a Niggel two chance,
but you're so important overall for the team.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
What did you make of Eddie Ilamir Toy he got
his first try. I think he's been solid and he's
had what three appearances great, so I think I've really
liked his impact and the impact of the bench overall.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Yeah, for a young guy to come in like he's
come in at a hard time of the season, like
pressure's on that Dragon's game was immense, pressure Saturday was pressure,
the Titans game, the Dolphins game. But he just goes
for it and really nice, really nice try so. He
looks a good one, he really does. I think he
can play a few positions. I'm pretty sure they've used
(22:17):
him in the bloody in the centers in New so
far was cut from member once or twice. But he's
a middle Ford but looking really really good. So another
another one to I do that The bench impact has
been great all season, hasn't it, Which is ironic because
we were worried about that. I remember you and I
talking in the about the fourth podcast when Dylan Walker left.
(22:39):
Dylan's our man, He's our impact man.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
He's the one who's come into that number fourteen Jersey
and he's adaptable in every role.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Not the same player, not the same player. But I
feel like Dylan has been replaced by Demetric and Lequa
with that sort of an aeron I guess does a
bit of it too, but just coming off the bench
and rolling up the middle and some nice ball playing.
I did notice a lot of chat about Lecker because
he hasn't played as much. He was on the bench
(23:08):
change on Saturday and only came on I think early
in the second half. Member of the second half. Didn't
get that much time against the Dragons. They took him
off and didn't put them on towards the end. But
I don't mind that because I feel like he just
needs a bit of recharging, like we all do at times,
you know, you you get tired mentally physically. So I
can see him coming back really strongly, maybe this week,
next week or in the finals, and that's when we
(23:30):
need him, you know, because I just got annoyed. But
the bloody commentators going on about, oh, he hasn't done
much lately the last few weeks and he's nineteen years old,
but you want him to just set the world on
fire every week, you know, just drop him, drop him? Washed,
I find it, so I think it's smart. I think
Webster must know he needs a bit of a break.
(23:51):
But watch out, just watch out, and just a wrap.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
No injuries, no one on a report, no injuries, don't
where are we were in almost September.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
No injuries, no on a report. This is well, there's
still a long list of injuries, but not from that game.
That's this is great, This is great, times amazing.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Okay, the Warriors host the Eels on Friday night at
Mount Smart for the first time this year. Bird they're
playing the Eels, which is crazy because I feel like
we've played the Titans about seven times.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
Yeah, it's funny how the draw works out. You play
sometimes twice and then the teams you play once to
not play them until now. And it's kind of a
shame to be playing them now because the Paramettera were awful.
They were awful in March, Abril, June, July, June, and
now they're looking quite good. They're looking like the Paramettera
we come to know over the last few years. They've
got their mojo back. So good challenge. But on another way,
(24:47):
you want a good challenge, like you want to play
a good team because the Warriors don't want to limp
to the playoffs, so I want to come into the
playoffs with some momentum.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
So well, i'd rather play a crap team. I'd rather
play a crap team and skip the win. But Anyway,
as you said, they've come into form. Let me take
you through the situation. The Eels at fourteenth on the
ladder with eight wins and fourteen losses, but they've been
much better on the second half of the season since
the return of Mitchell Moses. They're coming off a thirty
to ten hiding of the Roosters who had been surging
(25:17):
burg exactly. They've won three of the last five games
and the two losses were close losses to the rabbit
O's and the Storm. Moses and Josh Papalti the Haves.
Josh had a car who had a double against the
Roosters is on one wing, Zach Lomax, state of origin
player on the other. Former Warrior Dylan Walker is in
(25:38):
the squad and you know he'll play out of his skin,
won't you. First time back at Mount Smart.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
And Dylan Brown, who has been moved into the centers.
Is that because he's signed with the Knights that are
they punishing him?
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Yes? Yeah, Old, I find that really wein in rugby league, Like,
I don't know, I don't know what you think, but okay,
he's moving on. But he just would not see that
in football that you just stopped using someone I don't know,
and they want to you know, blood someone for next year.
But I guess they're out of the playoffs. Maybe answered
my question.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
Yeah, I mean it has been weird since right, Like
they haven't they they're not going to make them buayoffs,
so will just be a way that way.
Speaker 3 (26:17):
Yeah, but it has been weird seeing himt since he's
done it right at center. And they'll be dangerous man.
And I can remember the Paramatta. I think they came
here last year and spoiled the party. Yes they did.
They beat the Warriors walking last year and a couple
other times, so they they won't have any fear. It
would be a good challenge.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Are there any in particular areas that the Eels will
threaten the Warriors? I mean, I'm quite happy not to.
I mean we've talked through the Warriors performance quite a lot.
I don't think there's going to be any major team
changes from a from a warrior's perspective. But what do
they have to look out for as opposed to the
Titans game?
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Oh well, the Eels have got a really good structure
and the Titans have got Titans no structure.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
They're really unstructured, aren't they. But the Eels, especially with
Moses he's here, I'll just throw the ball, yeah he sure.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Easier structure, guys, a really good structure, some nice dangerous
on the edge. But I feel like the Warriors can
get them in the forwards. I feel like if the
Warrior's forwards get rolling, that's where they get them. They
get them in the forwards, established dominance there and it
rolls on. But it won't be easy. It will not
be easy with their structure. And also Moses has got
(27:29):
a fantastic kicking game. So I'm fearing and sensing another
nervous one. Nathan, me too.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
I'm actually way more nervous about this than the Titans
games somehow.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
But there we have it. We'll see what happens.
Speaker 4 (27:44):
The Big League on the Warriors Bad Wagons since day one,
the Big League Podcast for the Biggest League fans.
Speaker 2 (27:55):
Well, we'll rattle through quick fire predictions, but we don't
need a labor on our picks from last week.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Yes, we can just mess with it, can we please?
I didn't check them, okay, I remember was you tipping
the who did you get the Dragons to beat the Rabbits?
Which was a good one. What was the What was
the final score of that game?
Speaker 7 (28:20):
I'm pretty sure. I'm pretty sure I picked the Dolphins
pretty sure too. So you know, fifty eight points. It
was tackling optional in that game. Ninety eight points in
an NRL game.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
I walked into work because I was coming in for commentary.
I saw the score. I was like, what happened? Yeah,
that's that's touch rugby mat, that's that's it's that's it's crazy.
That is crazy. Although we also, I think we're also
both of us supposed exits experts banging on about how
Manly's gone. They're all over and look now now Manly's looking. No.
(28:52):
I stand by that. Yeah, so I think your tips
wereent great, but you know, we we all have weeks.
Would rather get.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
Back Bulldogs Panthers on your favorite Thursday night burg again
the headline game ten o'clock on a Thursday.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
Is such a waste, such a waste. Actually, you tipped
the Raiders, So there you go. You did the Raiders
to beat the Panthers. I'm pretty sure. Did I think
it would sound like me? I'll take it. Bull Dogs Panthers, Panthers,
they just sending you playing everyone lately, haven't they played
the storm Yep, the.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Bulldogs they lost to the Raiders. They lost to the Storm.
They're on a two game losing streaks. See, this is
why they've searched up the ladders because actually they were
playing all the crap teams, so they're not actually that good.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
I think the Panthers will bounce back here, but the
Bulldogs coming off the loss as well to the Storm,
so this will be really really good game. The last
game between these two was decided by Nathan Cleary charged
down for a try. This will be beauty. I think
the last game is two points. Will be close again,
but I'll go for penrith. I am going to agree
with you Warriors versus the Eels. Surely smart, Surely here
(30:00):
we go. Surely the DV bitter Auckland Warriors.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Someone to just take Moses' head off in the first
four minutes, stretch it off the field, so they'll suspend
the players for basically nothing, so.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
We may as well get something for it. Yeah, if
they start well, they'll win, that's the key. Start well,
have a good first half hour, they'll gone with it.
No injuries players coming back, they should be all right.
But they have to play well. Eels are dangerous, no doubt.
Storm roosters again, Roosters got a hiding from the eels.
Yeah and weird. Like you said, the roosters have been
(30:35):
they've been looking really good. They've been looking at Wow,
they're coming, They're coming down the back straight. I can't
say they've beating the storm though, the storm not at home.
I mean, you've got to be a very special team
to beat the storm at home. No disagreements so far.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Raiders, Tigers, Raiders with one of the greatest Golden Point
victories of all time. I think Cleary's field goal bounces
off the left up right, collected by the Raiders and
they go nineteen meters and Kyle Weeks schoes the winning try.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
It's just crazy. Like I'm not a fan of Golden Point.
I hate it, but if there was no golden Golden Point,
you wouldn't get a moment like that. Bude. Yeah, I
still like the drawer. But yeah, okay, yeah, yeah, I mean,
I mean, well what I like is Golden Point. Now,
let's not start, let's not start Ers. Raiders. Yeah, Raiders, Raiders.
(31:26):
Raiders are looking great. They're looking at the green machine
of old Tigers were good too against the Cowboys, really good.
But the Raiders will have such a be on such
a high after the way they were in that game
at home too.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
Dragons Seagulls far I guess, I guess you picked the
Seagulls now, don't you? If they put fifty eight on
the Dolphins and the Dragons shelled forty to the.
Speaker 3 (31:49):
Points? Yeah, I mean we had to talk about the Dragons.
They had those three players. Can cuss they're getting missing players.
Speaker 2 (31:55):
I'm sure they front up and bounce back, but forty points,
but that's no excuse.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
I'll go with the Seagulls here.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
Still no disagreements Cowboys Broncos. I feel like I'm going
with every favorite here. This is not exactly courageous or insightful, isn't.
The Broncos are coming off of a forty six point
hiding of the forty six twelve they beat the Knights.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
Yeah, the poor Knights. I mean, Cowboys coming in for
a really good window, so this should be close. Cowboys
shod a lot of guts to beat the Tigers at
like and come back from a big deficit in the
second half. I think this will be close, But you
feel like, Oh, it's in town. Tal Wait a minute, wait, wait, hold,
hold hold, I'll go. I'll go the Cowboys here back
(32:40):
the Broncos. There we go. Sharks, Knights, Sharks. We don't
need to talk about that one. Dolphins versus the Titans, Dolphins, Titans.
I really feel for the Dolphins because always been so
good to make ground up. They could still make the eight.
They're still in the picture. If they win their last
two games, they can still make the finals two points
back from the roosters in eighth, whereas the Titans wouldn't
(33:02):
have anything to play for it all, So you'd think
the Dolphins will be too good here.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
I agree with you, Dolphins to bounce back. That'll do
us for this week on The Big League Podcast. Thank
you Mike Burgess for your time, your wisdom, your insight piece.
Follow and rate the podcast. My name is Nathan Lemmon.
Will be back next Monday to go through hopefully a
victory over the Eels and now it's smart on Friday
nights and enjoy your week and enjoy the game.
Speaker 3 (33:26):
See you next time.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
For more from News Talks ed B listen live on
air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
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