September 10, 2025 • 10 mins
It’s time for the business end of the NRL season.
The Warriors have finished 6th, securing a home final against the Penrith Panthers, but losing a couple more players to injury.
Coach Andrew Webster says after their loss to the Manly Sea Eagles over the weekend, the real season starts now.
Webster told Mike Hosking that he wants them to be judged on where they are now and what’s about to happen.
He says their mentality is to play the best football and see where it takes them, instead of putting a team on a pedestal and assuming they’re beaten before they get to the start line.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Finals time for the Warriors. We finished six, We face
the Panthers, we lose. The season, that's over upside, the
game is at home. Andrew Webster's back with us. Good morning,
morning mate. Your satisfaction levels, Let's do a one to ten.
Ten You couldn't be happier one year? Depressed your satisfaction
levels with where we're at as of now and how.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
We got here, I'd i'd say seven, seven and a
be a bit of context to it. I think it
starting you. We would have taken been in the top
six and having a crack at finals, but I don't
think where anyone's very happy with the back end of
that season. We could have played a lot better, certainly
(00:40):
been circumstances, but yeah, we're in control of that and
probably not playing our best footy. But new competition starts now.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Okay, injuries and lessons from the injuries? Are we and
you you would be across the NRL better than I am.
Are we any more badly injured than any other top team?
Or are we unlucky? What's happened there?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Well, I'd say we've had like big injuries, We've had
acl injuries, which means season ending for long periods of time. So,
but I think if you looked at say the Melbourne Storm,
what they're going through right this second, the jeromees Hues
he's now gone for the season, they're probably going through
(01:24):
a bit of pain right now. But as far as
losing your origin front rower for the season with an
acl and your your number one half back at the
time that metas that, they're they're pretty big blows. But
I'd say we've got very good depth and it's allowed
us to play a lot of young players and bring
(01:44):
them along for the future as well.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Right was that ideal in the sense that several part
questions the injuries that come of it. Is there something
that can be done about that, you know, fitness, preparation, whatever,
or is that just bad luck? And in bringing young
players through is that is that a positive choice or
a choice made because you have to.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
A bit of both. We've had, we've had options for
some more senior players to take people's spots, and we're
elected to go with the future. So that's one thing
we're much rather than the department on the field as round.
Are we bad luck as a bad luck or poor management?
It's bad luck, particularly these as health there are certain
(02:26):
things you can do around a fel prevention, But if
you look at the mechanics of those two injuries the
way they happened, they're just they're just extremely unfortunate and
put in a really unfortunate situation at the time.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
What do you think? What was you thinking for a
better part of the season, the four where we sat
in the top four and we were there for a
sustained period of time. What were you thinking during that
period that we were better than we deserve to be,
that this is about where we should be, and therefore
you now disappointed? What was you thinking? Then?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
We're there so long, So I thought different things at
different times, Like a week in rugby leagues a long time.
I remember we were top four, we got to one
of the buyers who played the Sharks were extremely dominant.
We just lost lost Mitch Barnett actually, and we're extremely
dominant even though he wasn't playing. I thought, you know,
we're a real good squatty. We're tracking while we're playing
(03:22):
and sole football we want to play. And then obviously
he asked me two weeks ago, we're still in the
fall and it's like we're not actually playing at this
football here. We don't look and resemble what we did
when we played the Sharks. But I'm one of those
guys that timing everything and if we play our best
(03:44):
football for the next four weeks, we could all be
very happy.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Well, it's tip so top four. We talked about put
this into context if you can, what happened from the
fall out of the top four and and you know,
so the last handful of games, what was the problem.
Is it just injuries or something else?
Speaker 2 (04:00):
No, no injuries. Yeah, like I'm happy to always put
our journey into context with injuries, but I'm not happy
to use it as an excuse, that's for sure. No
injuries aren't the team. I mean, concentration level has been
a big one for us, and that sounds like, well,
why they're concentrating, But we just we just had really
(04:22):
big moments. For an example, we played Paramatter Little twelve
all doubt, and they just scored real long range tries
when we nearly look to score. They were like, they're
like big momentum swings and viral parts of the game,
and that's kind of what's killing on us. So we
completely dominant, not dominated field position, get to Paramatter, but
(04:44):
yet we're down by twelve points. So just moments like that,
mainly on the weekend, we've gone from the best completion
team of competition to one of the worst. Yeah, it's
something we can completely fix and it's in our control.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
And do you feel that you can fix it by
this week?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah, definitely, definitely. I mean I'd be a poor coach
if I didn't believe it. And I may as well
tell the players, don't go out there this week. Let's
go on a holiday. Now. We're motivated and we believe
in ourself.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Once the scenario or your explanation behind well one of
my sort of observations. I mean it's everyone's observation. The Bulldogs,
the Storm, the Raiders. So we're sitting in the four
and they're the other three. We play them. We couldn't
beat them. We couldn't beat the sides we needed in
some way, shape or form to eventually need to beat.
What was the issue there or what is the issue there?
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Well, it's one of them is different circumstances at different moments,
I'd say. But yeah, like I can't hide the fact
that they beat us all three times. I can't Raiders
beat us twice. I thought We were really good against
the Raiders at home in the fell away at the
end and they beat us. But I felt like a
(06:00):
little bit different to the Las Vegas experience. Round one.
I thought we were a lot better. We're up for
the fight, we knew what we were doing. I thought
we'd come a long way at that point. But yeah,
we got done by the Bulldogs in the pouring rain.
Round five against Melbourne. They are absolutely conscious in the faith,
(06:20):
so I did set believe those four games against those
three teams have been great lessons for us. But you're right.
The only top four team we knocked off of Coronola,
and that's where they were in the top four at
the time. They're not there. They're obviously sick. Yeah, that's
that's probably the only occasion.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
The observation for many was that, yes we're in the four,
but the Dogs are storm in the Raiders, they were
in a league of their own, and somehow it was
it was a different competition. Is that fair or not?
Speaker 2 (06:54):
I don't believe so. No, I don't believe so. But
as a result we fell out of the eight out
of the fall. So you could say that those people
were correct you. I'm like It's a good question, but
a question that I'm not going to put too much
energy into because I really have to care about them now.
But if we're going to dig into our seat and
(07:15):
am I commenting on where people right? In hindsight, they
probably work because we don't come, we don't make the
top four. But I just want to be judged on
where we are now and what's about to happen ahead
of us, because I think everyone would love a ticket
to the finals and the eight teams get one and
we're top six get our home final. So I just
(07:39):
want to be judged on how we are now.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
If I like care about are you talking to the
side when it comes to playoffs now? So do you
talk to them differently because it's the Panthers or is
it just a playoff game no matter who it is.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
No, we just take into consideration to the opponents every week,
like their strengths, that weakness is what we're good at.
Like we're not putting them like a pedestal. We respect them,
so we're not beating before we get to the start
line because we think they're better than it we Our
whole thing is that no matter who we play, let's
(08:14):
not beat ourselves. Let's play our best football and let's
see where it takes it as opposed to not playing
our football. And then everyone tells if Panthers are better
than you, but we don't want that leadt if they're
better than this. After this eighty minutes and we've played
our best football and I think we can all live
with that during our break and we've got to come
(08:34):
back and improve. So I just believe that we can
play our best football and we.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
I know you don't want to contemplate that. Nobody does.
But say the Panthers do win and they go on
to win the whole thing, where does that put them
new Reckon given where they were for a chunk of
the season at the back of the field, the reigning
champions who were nowhere and came back to win it
all again. I mean, that's that's surely one of the
great stories.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
I think. Yeah, I don't even really want to contemplate
that because that means they beat us. But I manifest victory,
so they don't manifest West. But I will repeat this.
They're a great thing. I got a lot of respect
for them. I think each year they've had a different
(09:21):
journey on how they've achieved things, they've got to lose
one day, you know. I don't know when that's going
to be, but hopefully it's just this Saturday night, and
that's a line manifesting right now.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Is a victory fair enough. I thought Fisher Harris's comments
were interesting that he likes the fact that no one
across the Tasman backs you. Do you share on that view?
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Yeah, I mean I think it's I think it's great.
There's no pressure on our side like not like if
I'm being honest, I think our fans love us and
respect us and care about us. We've got their backing,
But over there they they just think we're making up
the numbers. And I think it makes for a great
story when we prove them wrong. But it doesn't motivate
(10:05):
me like I just only the only time. The reason
why I turned up to be a coach is to
give all the fans what they've been craving for so
long and to make sure our players can fill their drink.
So if we can do that, that's my motivation and
they'd be the best day of the sun.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Well, it's a home crowd. I'm assume it's going to
be sold out. Isn't it.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Well, it was when I left yesterday. It was on
that path and I haven't had any official official notification,
but i'd say it definitely.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Good on you well. We wish you all the best.
As always, fabulous to catch up with you. Go well
this weekend. Yes, he's a good bloker, isn't he. Andrew Webster,
the Warriors coach. For more from the Mic Asking Breakfast,
listen live to news talks. It'd be from six am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
Finals time for the Warriors. We finished six, We face
the Panthers, we lose. The season, that's over upside, the
game is at home. Andrew Webster's back with us. Good morning,
morning mate. Your satisfaction levels, Let's do a one to ten.
Ten You couldn't be happier one year? Depressed your satisfaction
levels with where we're at as of now and how.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
We got here, I'd i'd say seven, seven and a
be a bit of context to it. I think it
starting you. We would have taken been in the top
six and having a crack at finals, but I don't
think where anyone's very happy with the back end of
that season. We could have played a lot better, certainly
(00:40):
been circumstances, but yeah, we're in control of that and
probably not playing our best footy. But new competition starts now.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Okay, injuries and lessons from the injuries? Are we and
you you would be across the NRL better than I am.
Are we any more badly injured than any other top team?
Or are we unlucky? What's happened there?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Well, I'd say we've had like big injuries, We've had
acl injuries, which means season ending for long periods of time. So,
but I think if you looked at say the Melbourne Storm,
what they're going through right this second, the jeromees Hues
he's now gone for the season, they're probably going through
(01:24):
a bit of pain right now. But as far as
losing your origin front rower for the season with an
acl and your your number one half back at the
time that metas that, they're they're pretty big blows. But
I'd say we've got very good depth and it's allowed
us to play a lot of young players and bring
(01:44):
them along for the future as well.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Right was that ideal in the sense that several part
questions the injuries that come of it. Is there something
that can be done about that, you know, fitness, preparation, whatever,
or is that just bad luck? And in bringing young
players through is that is that a positive choice or
a choice made because you have to.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
A bit of both. We've had, we've had options for
some more senior players to take people's spots, and we're
elected to go with the future. So that's one thing
we're much rather than the department on the field as round.
Are we bad luck as a bad luck or poor management?
It's bad luck, particularly these as health there are certain
(02:26):
things you can do around a fel prevention, But if
you look at the mechanics of those two injuries the
way they happened, they're just they're just extremely unfortunate and
put in a really unfortunate situation at the time.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
What do you think? What was you thinking for a
better part of the season, the four where we sat
in the top four and we were there for a
sustained period of time. What were you thinking during that
period that we were better than we deserve to be,
that this is about where we should be, and therefore
you now disappointed? What was you thinking? Then?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
We're there so long, So I thought different things at
different times, Like a week in rugby leagues a long time.
I remember we were top four, we got to one
of the buyers who played the Sharks were extremely dominant.
We just lost lost Mitch Barnett actually, and we're extremely
dominant even though he wasn't playing. I thought, you know,
we're a real good squatty. We're tracking while we're playing
(03:22):
and sole football we want to play. And then obviously
he asked me two weeks ago, we're still in the
fall and it's like we're not actually playing at this
football here. We don't look and resemble what we did
when we played the Sharks. But I'm one of those
guys that timing everything and if we play our best
(03:44):
football for the next four weeks, we could all be
very happy.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Well, it's tip so top four. We talked about put
this into context if you can, what happened from the
fall out of the top four and and you know,
so the last handful of games, what was the problem.
Is it just injuries or something else?
Speaker 2 (04:00):
No, no injuries. Yeah, like I'm happy to always put
our journey into context with injuries, but I'm not happy
to use it as an excuse, that's for sure. No
injuries aren't the team. I mean, concentration level has been
a big one for us, and that sounds like, well,
why they're concentrating, But we just we just had really
(04:22):
big moments. For an example, we played Paramatter Little twelve
all doubt, and they just scored real long range tries
when we nearly look to score. They were like, they're
like big momentum swings and viral parts of the game,
and that's kind of what's killing on us. So we
completely dominant, not dominated field position, get to Paramatter, but
(04:44):
yet we're down by twelve points. So just moments like that,
mainly on the weekend, we've gone from the best completion
team of competition to one of the worst. Yeah, it's
something we can completely fix and it's in our control.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
And do you feel that you can fix it by
this week?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah, definitely, definitely. I mean I'd be a poor coach
if I didn't believe it. And I may as well
tell the players, don't go out there this week. Let's
go on a holiday. Now. We're motivated and we believe
in ourself.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Once the scenario or your explanation behind well one of
my sort of observations. I mean it's everyone's observation. The Bulldogs,
the Storm, the Raiders. So we're sitting in the four
and they're the other three. We play them. We couldn't
beat them. We couldn't beat the sides we needed in
some way, shape or form to eventually need to beat.
What was the issue there or what is the issue there?
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Well, it's one of them is different circumstances at different moments,
I'd say. But yeah, like I can't hide the fact
that they beat us all three times. I can't Raiders
beat us twice. I thought We were really good against
the Raiders at home in the fell away at the
end and they beat us. But I felt like a
(06:00):
little bit different to the Las Vegas experience. Round one.
I thought we were a lot better. We're up for
the fight, we knew what we were doing. I thought
we'd come a long way at that point. But yeah,
we got done by the Bulldogs in the pouring rain.
Round five against Melbourne. They are absolutely conscious in the faith,
(06:20):
so I did set believe those four games against those
three teams have been great lessons for us. But you're right.
The only top four team we knocked off of Coronola,
and that's where they were in the top four at
the time. They're not there. They're obviously sick. Yeah, that's
that's probably the only occasion.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
The observation for many was that, yes we're in the four,
but the Dogs are storm in the Raiders, they were
in a league of their own, and somehow it was
it was a different competition. Is that fair or not?
Speaker 2 (06:54):
I don't believe so. No, I don't believe so. But
as a result we fell out of the eight out
of the fall. So you could say that those people
were correct you. I'm like It's a good question, but
a question that I'm not going to put too much
energy into because I really have to care about them now.
But if we're going to dig into our seat and
(07:15):
am I commenting on where people right? In hindsight, they
probably work because we don't come, we don't make the
top four. But I just want to be judged on
where we are now and what's about to happen ahead
of us, because I think everyone would love a ticket
to the finals and the eight teams get one and
we're top six get our home final. So I just
(07:39):
want to be judged on how we are now.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
If I like care about are you talking to the
side when it comes to playoffs now? So do you
talk to them differently because it's the Panthers or is
it just a playoff game no matter who it is.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
No, we just take into consideration to the opponents every week,
like their strengths, that weakness is what we're good at.
Like we're not putting them like a pedestal. We respect them,
so we're not beating before we get to the start
line because we think they're better than it we Our
whole thing is that no matter who we play, let's
(08:14):
not beat ourselves. Let's play our best football and let's
see where it takes it as opposed to not playing
our football. And then everyone tells if Panthers are better
than you, but we don't want that leadt if they're
better than this. After this eighty minutes and we've played
our best football and I think we can all live
with that during our break and we've got to come
(08:34):
back and improve. So I just believe that we can
play our best football and we.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
I know you don't want to contemplate that. Nobody does.
But say the Panthers do win and they go on
to win the whole thing, where does that put them
new Reckon given where they were for a chunk of
the season at the back of the field, the reigning
champions who were nowhere and came back to win it
all again. I mean, that's that's surely one of the
great stories.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
I think. Yeah, I don't even really want to contemplate
that because that means they beat us. But I manifest victory,
so they don't manifest West. But I will repeat this.
They're a great thing. I got a lot of respect
for them. I think each year they've had a different
(09:21):
journey on how they've achieved things, they've got to lose
one day, you know. I don't know when that's going
to be, but hopefully it's just this Saturday night, and
that's a line manifesting right now.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Is a victory fair enough. I thought Fisher Harris's comments
were interesting that he likes the fact that no one
across the Tasman backs you. Do you share on that view?
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Yeah, I mean I think it's I think it's great.
There's no pressure on our side like not like if
I'm being honest, I think our fans love us and
respect us and care about us. We've got their backing,
But over there they they just think we're making up
the numbers. And I think it makes for a great
story when we prove them wrong. But it doesn't motivate
(10:05):
me like I just only the only time. The reason
why I turned up to be a coach is to
give all the fans what they've been craving for so
long and to make sure our players can fill their drink.
So if we can do that, that's my motivation and
they'd be the best day of the sun.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Well, it's a home crowd. I'm assume it's going to
be sold out. Isn't it.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Well, it was when I left yesterday. It was on
that path and I haven't had any official official notification,
but i'd say it definitely.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Good on you well. We wish you all the best.
As always, fabulous to catch up with you. Go well
this weekend. Yes, he's a good bloker, isn't he. Andrew Webster,
the Warriors coach. For more from the Mic Asking Breakfast,
listen live to news talks. It'd be from six am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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