September 11, 2024 • 28 mins
Catch up on all the Rugby League news from NRL 360, Wednesday the 11th of September, with hosts Braith Anasta and Gorden Tallis.
The NRL 360 panel are joined by James Hooper and Dean Ritchie to dicuss if the Roosters can finally break their run of losses against the Panthers. The boys also break down all the games from the first week of finals.
For more of the show tune in on Fox League CH 502 or stream full episodes on KAYO.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Blog on to L three sixty rug League from every anger.
What's you by Tel Fast joining me again?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
The great Gordon Dallas has been a journator straight in
James Hooper and Dean Richie and what a season it
has been on Fox League. Record breaking let's have a
look at it. Record breaking season for the Foxtel Group.
Foxtel Group's most watched NFL season of all time, Seventh
consecutive year of viewership growth, Las Vegas openers both the
(00:25):
highest rating games ever.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
For the Foxtel Group.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Gordy, what a year it has been for us here
at Fox League.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
It's just a game that keeps on giving.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
I've always known and believed that our product is the
best in the world, and I always said, if you
landed here from Mars and you put a game of
rugby league up there with every other sport, I know
that we would compete with all of them. And it's
great to see that the world's in it. The kickoff
in Vegas, I thought it was fantastic. Our product is
so good to go to the entertainment capital of the
(00:55):
world and it's just kicked on from there.
Speaker 5 (00:57):
The numbers don't lie, they Gordy absolutely off the charts
in terms of Foxtel and KO ratings, and then you
look at the crowds up and absolutely flying. We had
three or four sellouts last weekend. It's the same story
again this weekend. And the product and the quality of
the talent from Tommy Turbo back for the finals to
Nathan Cleary, the Cowboys are flying with Tommy did It's
(01:19):
an exciting time.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
It's been a big year Bulldog.
Speaker 6 (01:21):
It certainly has broth.
Speaker 7 (01:22):
I think we've now officially gone past the AFL, which
means we can clay claim to be the most watch
sport in Australia, which might keep some of the Mexicans
down south.
Speaker 6 (01:31):
They'll bit quiet.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Hoops. All right, let's have a look at week one
of the finals.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
We looked at him last night, but let's remind everyone
Panthers and the Roosters, Storm Sharks, Cowboys and Knights, Bulldogs
up against the seagulls. He gets bigger, he gets better,
and all of us can't wait for this weekend to come. Well,
I shouldn't say all of us, definitely three of us
spoiled old. But you were writing or reporting that it's
(01:56):
the weakest final series ever, did you say or.
Speaker 7 (01:59):
Break, you're going to get into trouble because I did
write last week that I think this is the weakest
finals I've seen in terms of the standard of teams.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
It doesn't mean I'm not excited.
Speaker 7 (02:10):
It doesn't mean there won't be some great games, and
it doesn't mean that there won't be upsets.
Speaker 6 (02:14):
But if you look at all.
Speaker 8 (02:15):
The sides, you look you've done a backflip with a.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Hoops.
Speaker 6 (02:20):
I'm saying what I said last week.
Speaker 7 (02:22):
I think the top three sides are weaker than what
they have been in recent years, but that doesn't preclude them.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
When you expanded, that doesn't make it.
Speaker 6 (02:30):
Penrith have gone back to the field, the Roosters have injuries.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
And the side that's snuck into the eight last week
in front of a sale crowd's got Kleon Ponger, who
won the Dalian medal and his statue that he's better
than now.
Speaker 6 (02:41):
A great side Newcastle I know.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I'll tell you what.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
It's a great foot he plays and they've got the
best player in the game and he got his side
into the finals again and I think they've got enough
talent to challenge.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
But just because some of the top teams aren't playing
as they were. Doesn't make the final series weaker. He
makes it more entertaining.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
It's tighter.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Who do you support? Dog? In order to me? Are
you as a kid?
Speaker 6 (03:06):
I was a mad Easton Suburbs fan.
Speaker 9 (03:08):
I was a mad Rooster. Kevin Hastings Royce a crusher. Clear,
They're all my hero about right now. Right now, I
don't really care.
Speaker 6 (03:14):
I just support you.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
You're a in the game supporter.
Speaker 7 (03:18):
The game he likes to the former players like you
and you and the job that you're.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Bringing us down.
Speaker 6 (03:24):
I'm not bringing it down at all. I'm looking forward.
Look at the games. They're brilliant. Cannot wait.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
We got him before the Roosters hop on the bus
the PREDI. They faced a few tough questions this morning.
Speaker 8 (03:37):
What's the gay with the nine times thing?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
And does that mean you you? What's that you've been
beaten nine Oh really no, someone asked me the other day.
There's they're a pretty good footy team.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
There's been better than us the last nine times, so hopefully,
hopefully we can be better.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
On the weekend against him.
Speaker 9 (03:53):
It's not just this year one twenty against those two teams, Yeah,
been better than us.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Do your best and see if you're better than them.
They've been better than us.
Speaker 6 (04:05):
Yeah, you're gonna go after you dat.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I know, no more than I usually would.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
I think. Yeah, we've had some good battles in the past.
Speaker 10 (04:16):
It'll be my job to try and lay that line
in between him and Marto, and like I said.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
We won't be changing that game.
Speaker 11 (04:21):
But yeah, a bit of mixed emotions, to be honest,
but obviously one of them, you.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Know, being really excited.
Speaker 11 (04:28):
We're obviously going to go back down in our West
and perform, perform in front of my old crowd, and I.
Speaker 6 (04:33):
Love those boys, but you.
Speaker 11 (04:35):
Know, when it comes to game time, it's going to
be a war.
Speaker 12 (04:38):
They're excited going up against sort of Nathan Cleary that
seven v. Seven. I've been pinching myself. You know, it's
really good opportunity and I'm excited to.
Speaker 6 (04:45):
Get out of there.
Speaker 12 (04:46):
We've had a good week of training and we've still
got a few more days and we'll be at our
best and we need to be and we can do
it too. You know. We have that total belief in
from the from the coach down to all the players.
So now we're excited to see what.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
We can do with the injury to see and Walker
sand and Smith has the biggest challenge of his.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Short enerial career, Bulldog. He spoke to him today.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
What's he like?
Speaker 9 (05:05):
Yes, I wouldn't say cocky, but he's very confident. Braith,
he came to the Kincumber cults.
Speaker 7 (05:11):
He's got a bit of that Central Coast niggering him,
which is quite open to discussing. But one of the
great quotes he gave me today was that because of
where I came from, I'm not afraid to take anybody
on and I'm not afraid of going ahead to heap
with a Nathan Cleary.
Speaker 6 (05:25):
So he's even name dropped Nathan in the interview today.
Speaker 7 (05:28):
And good on him. It's nice to see a confident
kid coming out and saying you know what, I'm ready
for you bring it on.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
It's a tough competition up there on the Central Coast.
But there's going to be a very different story Penrith Park.
This will be the Panthers' farewell game at that stadium
where they've enjoyed so much success. The bloke who I'm
excited about was in the interviews there as well, in
Spencer Lanu. Spencer starting the game with jwh up against
his couple old teammates in James Fisher Harris and Moses
(05:56):
Leada Gordy, that that's gonna be one.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Hell of Well, it's a great balant think, you know,
like when you talk there is oh crazy eyes, but
you see, you know we're talking about all the playmakers.
You've got to lay the platform. I'm a massive believer
that Ford win big games, but backs determined by how
much you win them by. And it's going to be
no different out here. So I know there's no j
(06:19):
w H. But this guy, he's trained against them. What
he said for the last five years, he said it's
going to be a war. Well, he's got to win
the battle.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
What he is.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
We saw it in Vegas, we saw it in Origin,
and he knows how to get it done at this
time of the year as well.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
And he's playing his old team.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
So I do expect fireworks and I expect Spencer to
stand up. Just watching those interviews, every player, they didn't
have a steely focus. You mentioned a little bit of arrogance,
confidence they were. They look ready and they look like
they've really got together. He to start this week and
they're going to take on the Panthers, and one of
the players that was interviewed Hoops was Kery. Didn't like
(07:02):
the line of questioning because of this. The reporter asked
him about that poor record, and he goes, oh, do
we know?
Speaker 6 (07:10):
He knows?
Speaker 2 (07:10):
We all know that, but you can't escape or hide
from it.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
It was interesting, wasn't it.
Speaker 5 (07:17):
I really like Luke Carey, great feller and has achieved
everything that there is to in the game, from winning
Grand Finals to Clive Churchill medals.
Speaker 8 (07:25):
But to me, break from an outside point of.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
View, I thought it looked as though it was in
their heads a little bit, and that there might have
even been a little bit of Bradley Charles Stubbs fingerprints
on the way they were trying to deflect and flat
baton what's on?
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Sorry?
Speaker 5 (07:39):
When aware of that, which is a concern leading into
a game of this, what are.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
You wanting to say that the way? Why would you
lock him this?
Speaker 8 (07:46):
Records are made to be broken.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I'll tell you what.
Speaker 7 (07:48):
After that Raiders game, I thought, like most of us here,
with those three key injuries, that their season was done.
Speaker 6 (07:55):
But after walking away from there today and I was.
Speaker 7 (07:57):
In the middle of all the players so he fell
to it. I could feel what you said, broke. There
was a real stealiness about that side. They've been in
the big games before. You've got the big name players there. Yes,
said down on troops. Marginally, there's no denying that.
Speaker 6 (08:10):
But I walked away to day.
Speaker 9 (08:11):
Thinking, you know what they're in up to their necks
and that fear factor I had three weeks ago two
weeks ago evaporated very.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Plain into their hands. Right.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
So they've got three players out, they've got no chance.
Nathan Cleary's coming back. They're going to the foot of
the mountains. They haven't won in twenty odd games.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Or Cross said it the other work. This is a
great opportunity for Trent Robinson. He's been there and done
it as a head coach, won three Premierships. But to
go to Penrith but the Triple Premiers on their home turf,
down on troops, through your biggest names and your most
important players in no sim walkerjwh no victor. That would
(08:48):
be an awesome coaching achievement. Then they get a week
off and all of a sudden that tips the final
series absolutely on its head. I don't think I don't
share the same confidence board I expect that it will
be a close guy, but I think Penrith with Nathan
back into that side. All the hype about how Angus
Crichton is going to try and take Nathan out of
the equation, He's going to have to get through Leiam
Martin first, so that's.
Speaker 6 (09:10):
Going to be a battle.
Speaker 8 (09:11):
It is a great rock.
Speaker 6 (09:12):
He is a roster that you die for. All beat
there down on troops all right.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has no doubt. It's about his
son's fitness ahead of their fifth straight final series.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
First question, Nathan is good to go?
Speaker 13 (09:25):
Yes, he is with him coming back in I think
been our chief playmaker of our captains is obviously his
leadership there and this is always the plan to player.
This week the stakes had moved up. He always want
to pick our best team and he's ready.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
This week.
Speaker 13 (09:37):
Rehabs gone really well. It's feeling really confident. So it
seventy he's gone to plan.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
A lot of experts and like yourself Bulldog, are saying
the Panthers a probably less primed than they have been
in previous years given their form.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Did you not say that at the start?
Speaker 6 (09:54):
Nice to hear you supporting me. Nice to hear you
supporting me, En Dorsey.
Speaker 5 (09:58):
Mike, wouldn't go I appreciate, wouldn't go that far.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I'm just happy to see a smile on your face
at the start.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
I'm here to enjoy myself.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
I'm having a good time with your bulldog.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
But you know, he's confident that Nathan will be fit,
which is great. They need him to be primed and fit,
because you're right, they haven't been at their best and
with this guy coming in, or this superstar, this generational player,
he can really lift them.
Speaker 5 (10:24):
A lot of people have highlighted the fact that over
the course of the last month. Yes, they have looked
at stages a little clunky and they had to fight
hard against the Gold Coast Titans, but you parachute Nathan
back in. I think they have had one eye on
September and this time of the year. For the past month,
they've known they're going to be in the top four.
They managed to secure a top two and a home
(10:44):
semi final. They're just stealing themselves for the occasion, and
I think they've been tuned to the minute the last
four final series breath, I think we see it again.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
No, I agree and Nathan was injured during the year,
came back and maybe he won them a couple of games.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
I don't know if it was in back to back,
but he.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Will go against his single headedly won and two games,
which shows that this significant impact he has on this team.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Gordy, Yeah, I think it's just his game management.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
And then I know that you know what everybody thinks,
Nathan's got to be at his best, but I don't
think he does. I think he's gone to the level
now when he's in the dress roo and pulls up
his socks, they're all like I think everybody gets more
confidence to be like an Arthur beats of melmurn Enger.
While he lost style of player, so he's kicking game, passing, game,
he's running, will still be a threat. The only question
(11:30):
mark is defensively. And then as you said, he's got
Leam Martin standing right beside it.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
And Cleary is better than nearly every other half of
the game.
Speaker 8 (11:40):
Probably the only exception is Jerome Hugh, But I.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Just said nearly then not playing the store.
Speaker 7 (11:46):
You know, the key question I think is Nathan's courage.
And I'm not doubting Nathan's courage, but will he have
the courage to dig into the line.
Speaker 6 (11:54):
Yes, with a bun shoulder. Will he show and go?
Will he link with his edge four?
Speaker 5 (11:58):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (11:59):
They will be actor ragged doubt.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Do you doubt that?
Speaker 6 (12:01):
I'm not doubting it, breath. I'm just saying that.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
You ask him the question, I'm asking the question. I
wouldn't even ask that question.
Speaker 5 (12:07):
Asking the question it is a fair question, bald. I
think he's done it before, He's shown it previously. He
played all of he played all of was the twenty
twenty two final series where he was out up until
the finals as well, and then he came back and
just steered them. And so he's got those runs on
the board. When it comes to dancing in the Valley
of Deaths, it's not his style.
Speaker 7 (12:27):
There's only two games left, potentially three, but he won't
plan a dinnisty.
Speaker 6 (12:30):
That's just not how Nathan Clearing plays. But they'll run
a lot of numbers that he'm in defense. He's in
for a torred night, Nathan.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Do you know whether he's going to have surgery at
the end of the year.
Speaker 6 (12:39):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (12:40):
All I do know though, is that they're claiming that
he won't play with needles and he's had contact up
there for the past week.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Beautiful alright, who's still in Edwards? Is he all good?
Speaker 5 (12:50):
I think he is breath but just watching his games closely.
Over the last couple of weeks, he's had one of
his knees heavily strapped, and you can see there were
a couple of moments in these tests where you don't
see Dylan Edwards accelerate as quickly as what he normally would,
so you can see he's got that right knee. They're
heavily strapped against South's and normally he is just a
(13:12):
million miles an hour and an effort player in every
area of the game. But there's a moment here where
you would normally see him in the years back and
drop it into sixth gear, and I just felt like
he's playing a little bit within himself. I'm not saying
that doesn't mean he won't go out. That is a
fantastic battle him up against James.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
He just don't think he's near one hundred percent either.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
Everyone at this stage of the year, if you get
this far, you're guarantee to be carrying some niggles, especially
when you've played as tough and as much as he has.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
It's been a bit down.
Speaker 7 (13:39):
I think since State of Origin hoops, since Origin finished,
he just looks like he's a fraction of his game.
It's still a high elite standard, but he just doesn't
seem to have the freedom he had pre Origin.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
I reckon it's because he has had this strapping.
Speaker 8 (13:51):
He's carrying a little bit of a niggle.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
You've been a bit down to just cheer up Storm
Star camera Monster was sending all the praise your own
huses away ahead of their finals showdown with Caromela.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
How much Driver is there?
Speaker 9 (14:03):
Win apprentiereship with this spine and you know you're the
main man.
Speaker 10 (14:06):
Now, Drive is a mad man. Now I'm just the
old man getting through and through a wheelchair. But he's
just probably a different developed half. You know, he's got
a good kicking game. You don't see a whole heap
of other half backs probably run the ball as much
as Jerome does, and he's probably a strong ball runner
as well. So yeah, I just know when he has
a ball in his hound pushing them in the middle
for support, so I.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Know something's going to happen.
Speaker 10 (14:28):
So I haven't had the opportunity to scord with so
many tries they keep going the other way. But yeah,
hopefully I can jag on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
I'm an old man getting through a wheelchair. Can someone
please getting interpreted?
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Just straight down sponsorship.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
It's embarrassing name.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
I love him, I love you Cameron now, but Jerome
Who's is the main man. Cameron has had to take
a backstep this year due to injury, but also because
due to the form of Jerome. But I kind of
feel like this sets up for a good final series
for Cameron because he can sit back and inject himself
whenever he wants.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
It's an unbelievable position to be in where Melbourne Papinez
has been injured, Harry Grant's been injured around Origin, he
had the stern on months, has been in and out
and it's been Hughes's team and he has owned it.
He's probably going to win the dally M. He's been
the master of the side and now all those guys
have just slided back.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
In, so it'll be his and they'll play their role.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Broo's imagine, Yeah for sure, And I think they're dangerous
because of that. Cameron hasn't He's been getting better every week.
But if he finds his best and combines with Jerome,
they're going to be lethal. Now, Jerome Hughes's running game
has been superb. The numbers don't lie up here, who
have a look at them. He's probably the best running
half definitely in the competition this year by far.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Well.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
I was watching the Mattie John's podcast last night break
something that prick my is was Matti said he thinks
Jerome Hughes might be the greatest running halfback possibly of
all time. And he's sitting there with Cooper Kronk and
I thought, jeez, that's a that's a big statement. He
referenced to Alan Langer and said that he would also
be in the conversation. So I went in, Look, it's
(16:10):
always yeah, brand He's in there. Absolutely, Brandy's in there.
You know, you can go back over the year as
Jonathan Thurston was another brilliant runner of the football. But
it's always dangerous whenever you led us too close to
the Fox Sports Lab. But we did saunter in there
to ay and they came up with these numbers where
Jerome Hughes has run over the course of the last
five seasons. Since he's been playing halfback every year, he's
(16:34):
absolutely blitzed the rest of the field in the NFL.
It's more than two thousand meters more than the next
half back, which is daily Cherry Evans. Then you go
to line breaks. He's had sixty nine line breaks in
the last five years. The next is Mitchell Moses with
thirty nine. In terms of it's number seven, so it
is dangerous when you let us near the lab.
Speaker 8 (16:52):
But those numbers.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Think to tell a good lesson for halves. Everyone tells
you to run the ball, look at this guy.
Speaker 4 (16:58):
But then so that means that all the number ones
are going to be pushed in a number seven once
they get to learn the game and they get the vision,
because that's what he's got. And I heard Cooper Kronk
talk about he's learnt the vision part of the game
first and he's always had the running game because he's
been a fullback.
Speaker 8 (17:13):
Well, you're right, Gordon.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
He began his career as a fullback and was let
go by the Gold coach, let go by the Cowboys.
Even in twenty nineteen, he played every game starting at
fullback until they decided to drop Brady Croft, and then
he went in, they made a prelim that year, then
they win the competition the following season.
Speaker 8 (17:31):
His evolution, it's been dynamic.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Well the numb one rule for half is to think
run first and with Jerome, with any half, it's easier
said than done, because if you just run all the time,
you become predictable. But he's found a way to be
deceptive and still have that dummy and go and still
have the players around him, and the art of deception
and the speed, the changing direction at speed, the players
(17:55):
he's got moving around him and still everyone's going to
run and he still has the impact that he's had.
Is why he's such a great player and our bulldogs
by it, why Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Are so successful. Bulldog, can you tell us.
Speaker 7 (18:10):
I did a little digging round breath more off the
field than on the field.
Speaker 6 (18:13):
And just the culture that they have down.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
There, how they teach their players basic stuff like manners,
looking corporates in the eye. No one is above anybody else,
They're all equal. The cleaner has the same status as
Cameron Munster.
Speaker 6 (18:27):
We pick up our bags. We don't leave it to
the gear steward. The dress room is spotless.
Speaker 7 (18:32):
They don't put tape on the ground they put it
in the bin. It might sound small, but I think
that snowballs that culture in the dressing room onto the.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Field spot on.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
And I don't know why other clubs don't do the
same or underestimate that. Like it's big and Melbourne have
always been that way and that's why the players and
their wives love going down there. And there's that big
respect and there's treating everyone the same as you treat
the guy at the front door.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
It is what it is and it.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Breeds success, it breeds discipline and you know, it makes
the group stronger as a whole.
Speaker 6 (19:08):
I mean, if you don't do.
Speaker 9 (19:09):
The task, you deem to be the odd man out.
Maybe it's a culture that the Brisbane Broncos could look at.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
It's good to see how your bought all back cowboys
couch Tod Peyton has encouraged their fans to make Queensland
Country Bank Stadium a hostile environment for the night's Saturday
do what I match.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Look.
Speaker 14 (19:25):
I love playing here at home, really do, and I
think our crowd get behind our boys, but probably like
our footy team, we're too nice. I'd like to make
it a cauldron, like to make it a hostile environment
for the opposition. All better off this week, and we've
been at some stadiums this year where it can be
quite uncomfortable with how the crowd interact with our team.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
I'd like to return the.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Favorite Cowboys fans get excited now. I have a look
at these stats wins against top eight teams, and the
Cowboys lead the seven from ten at seventy percent have
the best record against top eight teams, which to me
is a little bit surprising, but great news for not only.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Todd Payton the players.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
But if you follow the Cowboys, you've got a good
chance this year.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
Well, they made a statement last Saturday, didn't they against
the Bulldogs where they just came out and from Reuben
Codder to heel and LOOKI to that electric back line.
When you've got Scott Drinkwater Tom did in those style
of attacking dynamic players in your back line, you know
you're gonna be able to create points. They've also got
a hard working and relatively unsung forward pack. I think
(20:36):
Newcastle a right up against it this weegon.
Speaker 7 (20:37):
I think the Knights will have a crack hoops. They'll
play for each other, but I think they'll be fodder
up there. I think if they get in the mood
the Cowboys, We've seen it a few times, they will
run rough shot Luki Nanai Cotta Talmalola.
Speaker 6 (20:49):
I think the Knights won't.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Be I'm worried about the Knights this week.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
I really am.
Speaker 6 (20:53):
It was a big game for then.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
It was a big game and if you really break
it down, that first half was they weren't great. You know,
Kiln had some big plays and he was sensational on
the day. He made some errors too, but if it
wasn't for him, I think they are in big trouble.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Well, not in big trouble.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
They certainly don't win, but they're playing a lot better
team away from home or in form. If they don't
start well, I'm concerned.
Speaker 5 (21:18):
Well, they can only manufacture fourteen points against the Dolphins,
and in all seriousness, with respect of the Dolphins, they
were nowhere near at their best last Sunday, going up
there on the big stage, sudden death elimination, and the
Cowboys have got so many points in them.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
Gordon, Look, they had to get through Origin.
Speaker 4 (21:35):
I think that's six Origin players from like memory decide
that has the most Origin players normally wins the competition
with the best defensive. I think they're the dark r
sort of competition. They've got through there. All those players arise.
They've been sitting there. They haven't been consistent, right, They've
leaked points, they've done all that. But I think their
best game and approved their best game beats the top eight.
They've won the most against the top eight. I reckon
(21:58):
this is the challenge that they want and it starts
on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
In this game here, it was their attack was great
as it attack's been really good on e but it
was that's right and it was there. But it was
their defense that was on the improve, which they've had
to for the finals if they are to be any chance.
And it was their middle forwards. Their middle forwards were big,
powerful and really dominated. So it seems like they've got
it right right in time.
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Well you raise something there that I found interesting, Gordian
that Jake Clifford right, who has come in as a
half back for the last three games now, Todd Payton,
that's a brave decision to act as senior playmaker in
Chad Townsend who had been there for so long. Jake
Clifford went and Newcastle and had a couple of unhappy
seasons there. Ultimately it ended his NRL career for a
(22:43):
couple of years. Had to go over our whole car.
Now he's back and he has really found the keys
to lighting up this side. So as much as all
spent about Ponger going back up to Townsville to ruin
once upon a time his club's finals aspirations, I think
Clifford can have a big say.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
I do want to give Newcastle some hope though, because
they have been inconsistent this year, the Cowboys, and if
they're off and Pongers on Newcastle, they definitely have a chance. Now, Hoops,
you're looking forward to the ding Dong battle and the
Dogs up against the mainly Seagals.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Who is that ding Dong battle?
Speaker 5 (23:16):
Well, they locked horns a couple of weeks ago. Hamoli
Olokuado and Big Billy Kickout. They are two of the
most destructive, hard running and dangerous back rowers in the competition.
Hamoli got the points a couple of weeks ago, so
Big Billy he'll be a little bit scarred. But Gordy,
I know you're a huge fan of Kickout and especially
at this time of the year, I feel like you
(23:38):
can find a big performance.
Speaker 4 (23:39):
Both of them. They both got so much X factor.
If I'm them, I'd put I'd put the kill in
the rack with the workload because I think that they
can be explosive. I think they can break the game open.
I think they go in there with the mindset they
do what the team needs me to do. But they've
got to be there for the moment. And they are
both so damaging. Oli Kawat is so big on the
(23:59):
edge and you're watching, I think they use him a
little bit too much and kick out.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
Well, he's got everything.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
Is a brutal mouly.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
There's a weapon.
Speaker 6 (24:07):
Well, they're both on the wood can two weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
He can be one of the best forwards in the
in the game. He was as great against the Dog
three he does. That's what I mean, the potential he's got.
And when he's at his best, which was the Bulldogs game,
he was phenomenal. He wasn't so good a half back.
Wiped all the dirt off your face. That's how much
he liked you. Kick you know what they left it on.
(24:32):
I think it's still there, dog like yours.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
I've got to ask you another question that you're worried.
You're worried again about something.
Speaker 6 (24:39):
Bring it on.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
I'll pre warn you before I asked you. Now, the
fans are coming, man fans are coming. So you pumped
about that.
Speaker 6 (24:45):
I'm pumped.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
But you're worried about it or not.
Speaker 6 (24:46):
I'm not worried about it. I'm just concerned.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
Starting it.
Speaker 6 (24:52):
It's a dual response.
Speaker 7 (24:54):
I'm not worried about mainly in terms of how many
fans will show up. Yes, they say it's about thirty
percent of all members.
Speaker 6 (24:59):
Tickets have gone to manly fans. Amazing, it could be
around ten to twelve thousand.
Speaker 7 (25:04):
Clearly they'll be outnumbered that that beautifully written story right there.
Speaker 4 (25:07):
Well that's true because many fans know and like you've
got a great point. Because they don't travel, will they
get But I saw more in Vegas last year than
I see it.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
Are the team in Vegas? I'll ask you, though.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Intimidated beaching God's country that put this on me?
Speaker 9 (25:22):
No, as a Cannabury player, former Candy player, I was
going to ask you some of my mates and many fans.
Speaker 6 (25:26):
And they do.
Speaker 7 (25:27):
They get a bit intimidated going out there at the
call because we all know the bulldogs boisterous fans.
Speaker 6 (25:32):
So what I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I'm
just saying, though.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Oh my god, passion.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
It's called passion.
Speaker 8 (25:37):
It is what they get intimidated by the drums or what.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
We you know what it's like hoops out there?
Speaker 5 (25:45):
If all of the bulldogs feeds a been awesome?
Speaker 6 (25:51):
What demographics are well?
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Ones on the norm in the middle of them, And yeah,
I played against them.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
That's them.
Speaker 6 (25:59):
No, I'll be.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
I wouldn't go and sit next to him.
Speaker 9 (26:04):
Now, don't get forty, bro, they could even with a
late push that you get to fifty, which would be like.
Speaker 3 (26:17):
They should get fifty dogs. Fans should fill the joint. Mate.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
They're passionate, They're out, They're loud, they're proud, they have
they have loved this run. The Bulldog supporters, they have
loved this run.
Speaker 8 (26:26):
And I reckon you just.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Mainly, you know what, I'm covering that game.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
I wish camera all right for us.
Speaker 5 (26:36):
On the Tigers, well, I read Brent Reid, mister Peabody's
piece in the Sunday Telegraph on Sunday right and not
being over with a feather, I thought the Tigers are
just collected three wooden spoons. Here we've got a fatal
rich out with a premiership trophy right, which looks like
it's from two thousand and three when Penrith won the competition. Uh,
(26:57):
that is up there with all the best Goldie locks
in the Seven Dwarfs fairy Tales that I've ever read.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
That Q and A.
Speaker 5 (27:03):
So in all seriousness, just be honest with the members
and the supporters. It's been another awful season. Yes there's
some good recruits coming for next year, but don't bullshit
people like don't try and hop on and sugarcate it
and make it out like it's been a great season
even though we collect.
Speaker 6 (27:22):
But that's what that's my point.
Speaker 9 (27:23):
One one more game, it's hardly let's bring out the
champagne and start popping the cooks.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
He wants to go to England with him one and
the next.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
He wants a free just a free meal, and you
know where they may be able to get a free meal.
All the fans are pretty excited.
Speaker 6 (27:40):
Me, Oh yeah, I heard about this, the new West
Tigers Leeds club.
Speaker 8 (27:43):
Yes, just open up.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
That's ruth.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
That's not new, that's been you.
Speaker 6 (27:50):
But it just seems to be quite apt.
Speaker 9 (27:51):
At the moment that that's where about somewhere in Conkold,
currently in the heart of tigers.
Speaker 6 (27:57):
Gord, if you want to tuck her after this duck
down there, say you love the tigers, get temper cent on.
Speaker 1 (28:01):
Even avoid the dogs and avoid the tigers.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Jesus bet you Hoops. You can't leave the Northern Beach.
Speaker 6 (28:10):
You know what, It's been great having your support, Lie Broce,
I love you, I love that.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Thanks Journals.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Up next, it's time for our legends and gentlemen, Mark
Call and Jeff Tuby and this Sunday a once in
a lifetime event UFC three Oho six live from the
Sphere in Las Vegas, and the only place you
Speaker 1 (28:25):
Can watch it is on a Main Event
Blog on to L three sixty rug League from every anger.
What's you by Tel Fast joining me again?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
The great Gordon Dallas has been a journator straight in
James Hooper and Dean Richie and what a season it
has been on Fox League. Record breaking let's have a
look at it. Record breaking season for the Foxtel Group.
Foxtel Group's most watched NFL season of all time, Seventh
consecutive year of viewership growth, Las Vegas openers both the
(00:25):
highest rating games ever.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
For the Foxtel Group.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Gordy, what a year it has been for us here
at Fox League.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
It's just a game that keeps on giving.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
I've always known and believed that our product is the
best in the world, and I always said, if you
landed here from Mars and you put a game of
rugby league up there with every other sport, I know
that we would compete with all of them. And it's
great to see that the world's in it. The kickoff
in Vegas, I thought it was fantastic. Our product is
so good to go to the entertainment capital of the
(00:55):
world and it's just kicked on from there.
Speaker 5 (00:57):
The numbers don't lie, they Gordy absolutely off the charts
in terms of Foxtel and KO ratings, and then you
look at the crowds up and absolutely flying. We had
three or four sellouts last weekend. It's the same story
again this weekend. And the product and the quality of
the talent from Tommy Turbo back for the finals to
Nathan Cleary, the Cowboys are flying with Tommy did It's
(01:19):
an exciting time.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
It's been a big year Bulldog.
Speaker 6 (01:21):
It certainly has broth.
Speaker 7 (01:22):
I think we've now officially gone past the AFL, which
means we can clay claim to be the most watch
sport in Australia, which might keep some of the Mexicans
down south.
Speaker 6 (01:31):
They'll bit quiet.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Hoops. All right, let's have a look at week one
of the finals.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
We looked at him last night, but let's remind everyone
Panthers and the Roosters, Storm Sharks, Cowboys and Knights, Bulldogs
up against the seagulls. He gets bigger, he gets better,
and all of us can't wait for this weekend to come. Well,
I shouldn't say all of us, definitely three of us
spoiled old. But you were writing or reporting that it's
(01:56):
the weakest final series ever, did you say or.
Speaker 7 (01:59):
Break, you're going to get into trouble because I did
write last week that I think this is the weakest
finals I've seen in terms of the standard of teams.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
It doesn't mean I'm not excited.
Speaker 7 (02:10):
It doesn't mean there won't be some great games, and
it doesn't mean that there won't be upsets.
Speaker 6 (02:14):
But if you look at all.
Speaker 8 (02:15):
The sides, you look you've done a backflip with a.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
Hoops.
Speaker 6 (02:20):
I'm saying what I said last week.
Speaker 7 (02:22):
I think the top three sides are weaker than what
they have been in recent years, but that doesn't preclude them.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
When you expanded, that doesn't make it.
Speaker 6 (02:30):
Penrith have gone back to the field, the Roosters have injuries.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
And the side that's snuck into the eight last week
in front of a sale crowd's got Kleon Ponger, who
won the Dalian medal and his statue that he's better
than now.
Speaker 6 (02:41):
A great side Newcastle I know.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I'll tell you what.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
It's a great foot he plays and they've got the
best player in the game and he got his side
into the finals again and I think they've got enough
talent to challenge.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
But just because some of the top teams aren't playing
as they were. Doesn't make the final series weaker. He
makes it more entertaining.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
It's tighter.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Who do you support? Dog? In order to me? Are
you as a kid?
Speaker 6 (03:06):
I was a mad Easton Suburbs fan.
Speaker 9 (03:08):
I was a mad Rooster. Kevin Hastings Royce a crusher. Clear,
They're all my hero about right now. Right now, I
don't really care.
Speaker 6 (03:14):
I just support you.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
You're a in the game supporter.
Speaker 7 (03:18):
The game he likes to the former players like you
and you and the job that you're.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Bringing us down.
Speaker 6 (03:24):
I'm not bringing it down at all. I'm looking forward.
Look at the games. They're brilliant. Cannot wait.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
We got him before the Roosters hop on the bus
the PREDI. They faced a few tough questions this morning.
Speaker 8 (03:37):
What's the gay with the nine times thing?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
And does that mean you you? What's that you've been
beaten nine Oh really no, someone asked me the other day.
There's they're a pretty good footy team.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
There's been better than us the last nine times, so hopefully,
hopefully we can be better.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
On the weekend against him.
Speaker 9 (03:53):
It's not just this year one twenty against those two teams, Yeah,
been better than us.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Do your best and see if you're better than them.
They've been better than us.
Speaker 6 (04:05):
Yeah, you're gonna go after you dat.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I know, no more than I usually would.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
I think. Yeah, we've had some good battles in the past.
Speaker 10 (04:16):
It'll be my job to try and lay that line
in between him and Marto, and like I said.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
We won't be changing that game.
Speaker 11 (04:21):
But yeah, a bit of mixed emotions, to be honest,
but obviously one of them, you.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Know, being really excited.
Speaker 11 (04:28):
We're obviously going to go back down in our West
and perform, perform in front of my old crowd, and I.
Speaker 6 (04:33):
Love those boys, but you.
Speaker 11 (04:35):
Know, when it comes to game time, it's going to
be a war.
Speaker 12 (04:38):
They're excited going up against sort of Nathan Cleary that
seven v. Seven. I've been pinching myself. You know, it's
really good opportunity and I'm excited to.
Speaker 6 (04:45):
Get out of there.
Speaker 12 (04:46):
We've had a good week of training and we've still
got a few more days and we'll be at our
best and we need to be and we can do
it too. You know. We have that total belief in
from the from the coach down to all the players.
So now we're excited to see what.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
We can do with the injury to see and Walker
sand and Smith has the biggest challenge of his.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Short enerial career, Bulldog. He spoke to him today.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
What's he like?
Speaker 9 (05:05):
Yes, I wouldn't say cocky, but he's very confident. Braith,
he came to the Kincumber cults.
Speaker 7 (05:11):
He's got a bit of that Central Coast niggering him,
which is quite open to discussing. But one of the
great quotes he gave me today was that because of
where I came from, I'm not afraid to take anybody
on and I'm not afraid of going ahead to heap
with a Nathan Cleary.
Speaker 6 (05:25):
So he's even name dropped Nathan in the interview today.
Speaker 7 (05:28):
And good on him. It's nice to see a confident
kid coming out and saying you know what, I'm ready
for you bring it on.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
It's a tough competition up there on the Central Coast.
But there's going to be a very different story Penrith Park.
This will be the Panthers' farewell game at that stadium
where they've enjoyed so much success. The bloke who I'm
excited about was in the interviews there as well, in
Spencer Lanu. Spencer starting the game with jwh up against
his couple old teammates in James Fisher Harris and Moses
(05:56):
Leada Gordy, that that's gonna be one.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Hell of Well, it's a great balant think, you know,
like when you talk there is oh crazy eyes, but
you see, you know we're talking about all the playmakers.
You've got to lay the platform. I'm a massive believer
that Ford win big games, but backs determined by how
much you win them by. And it's going to be
no different out here. So I know there's no j
(06:19):
w H. But this guy, he's trained against them. What
he said for the last five years, he said it's
going to be a war. Well, he's got to win
the battle.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
What he is.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
We saw it in Vegas, we saw it in Origin,
and he knows how to get it done at this
time of the year as well.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
And he's playing his old team.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
So I do expect fireworks and I expect Spencer to
stand up. Just watching those interviews, every player, they didn't
have a steely focus. You mentioned a little bit of arrogance,
confidence they were. They look ready and they look like
they've really got together. He to start this week and
they're going to take on the Panthers, and one of
the players that was interviewed Hoops was Kery. Didn't like
(07:02):
the line of questioning because of this. The reporter asked
him about that poor record, and he goes, oh, do
we know?
Speaker 6 (07:10):
He knows?
Speaker 2 (07:10):
We all know that, but you can't escape or hide
from it.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
It was interesting, wasn't it.
Speaker 5 (07:17):
I really like Luke Carey, great feller and has achieved
everything that there is to in the game, from winning
Grand Finals to Clive Churchill medals.
Speaker 8 (07:25):
But to me, break from an outside point of.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
View, I thought it looked as though it was in
their heads a little bit, and that there might have
even been a little bit of Bradley Charles Stubbs fingerprints
on the way they were trying to deflect and flat
baton what's on?
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Sorry?
Speaker 5 (07:39):
When aware of that, which is a concern leading into
a game of this, what are.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
You wanting to say that the way? Why would you
lock him this?
Speaker 8 (07:46):
Records are made to be broken.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I'll tell you what.
Speaker 7 (07:48):
After that Raiders game, I thought, like most of us here,
with those three key injuries, that their season was done.
Speaker 6 (07:55):
But after walking away from there today and I was.
Speaker 7 (07:57):
In the middle of all the players so he fell
to it. I could feel what you said, broke. There
was a real stealiness about that side. They've been in
the big games before. You've got the big name players there. Yes,
said down on troops. Marginally, there's no denying that.
Speaker 6 (08:10):
But I walked away to day.
Speaker 9 (08:11):
Thinking, you know what they're in up to their necks
and that fear factor I had three weeks ago two
weeks ago evaporated very.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Plain into their hands. Right.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
So they've got three players out, they've got no chance.
Nathan Cleary's coming back. They're going to the foot of
the mountains. They haven't won in twenty odd games.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Or Cross said it the other work. This is a
great opportunity for Trent Robinson. He's been there and done
it as a head coach, won three Premierships. But to
go to Penrith but the Triple Premiers on their home turf,
down on troops, through your biggest names and your most
important players in no sim walkerjwh no victor. That would
(08:48):
be an awesome coaching achievement. Then they get a week
off and all of a sudden that tips the final
series absolutely on its head. I don't think I don't
share the same confidence board I expect that it will
be a close guy, but I think Penrith with Nathan
back into that side. All the hype about how Angus
Crichton is going to try and take Nathan out of
the equation, He's going to have to get through Leiam
Martin first, so that's.
Speaker 6 (09:10):
Going to be a battle.
Speaker 8 (09:11):
It is a great rock.
Speaker 6 (09:12):
He is a roster that you die for. All beat
there down on troops all right.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has no doubt. It's about his
son's fitness ahead of their fifth straight final series.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
First question, Nathan is good to go?
Speaker 13 (09:25):
Yes, he is with him coming back in I think
been our chief playmaker of our captains is obviously his
leadership there and this is always the plan to player.
This week the stakes had moved up. He always want
to pick our best team and he's ready.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
This week.
Speaker 13 (09:37):
Rehabs gone really well. It's feeling really confident. So it
seventy he's gone to plan.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
A lot of experts and like yourself Bulldog, are saying
the Panthers a probably less primed than they have been
in previous years given their form.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Did you not say that at the start?
Speaker 6 (09:54):
Nice to hear you supporting me. Nice to hear you
supporting me, En Dorsey.
Speaker 5 (09:58):
Mike, wouldn't go I appreciate, wouldn't go that far.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I'm just happy to see a smile on your face
at the start.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
I'm here to enjoy myself.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
I'm having a good time with your bulldog.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
But you know, he's confident that Nathan will be fit,
which is great. They need him to be primed and fit,
because you're right, they haven't been at their best and
with this guy coming in, or this superstar, this generational player,
he can really lift them.
Speaker 5 (10:24):
A lot of people have highlighted the fact that over
the course of the last month. Yes, they have looked
at stages a little clunky and they had to fight
hard against the Gold Coast Titans, but you parachute Nathan
back in. I think they have had one eye on
September and this time of the year. For the past month,
they've known they're going to be in the top four.
They managed to secure a top two and a home
(10:44):
semi final. They're just stealing themselves for the occasion, and
I think they've been tuned to the minute the last
four final series breath, I think we see it again.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
No, I agree and Nathan was injured during the year,
came back and maybe he won them a couple of games.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
I don't know if it was in back to back,
but he.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Will go against his single headedly won and two games,
which shows that this significant impact he has on this team.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Gordy, Yeah, I think it's just his game management.
Speaker 4 (11:09):
And then I know that you know what everybody thinks,
Nathan's got to be at his best, but I don't
think he does. I think he's gone to the level
now when he's in the dress roo and pulls up
his socks, they're all like I think everybody gets more
confidence to be like an Arthur beats of melmurn Enger.
While he lost style of player, so he's kicking game, passing, game,
he's running, will still be a threat. The only question
(11:30):
mark is defensively. And then as you said, he's got
Leam Martin standing right beside it.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
And Cleary is better than nearly every other half of
the game.
Speaker 8 (11:40):
Probably the only exception is Jerome Hugh, But I.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Just said nearly then not playing the store.
Speaker 7 (11:46):
You know, the key question I think is Nathan's courage.
And I'm not doubting Nathan's courage, but will he have
the courage to dig into the line.
Speaker 6 (11:54):
Yes, with a bun shoulder. Will he show and go?
Will he link with his edge four?
Speaker 5 (11:58):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (11:59):
They will be actor ragged doubt.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Do you doubt that?
Speaker 6 (12:01):
I'm not doubting it, breath. I'm just saying that.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
You ask him the question, I'm asking the question. I
wouldn't even ask that question.
Speaker 5 (12:07):
Asking the question it is a fair question, bald. I
think he's done it before, He's shown it previously. He
played all of he played all of was the twenty
twenty two final series where he was out up until
the finals as well, and then he came back and
just steered them. And so he's got those runs on
the board. When it comes to dancing in the Valley
of Deaths, it's not his style.
Speaker 7 (12:27):
There's only two games left, potentially three, but he won't
plan a dinnisty.
Speaker 6 (12:30):
That's just not how Nathan Clearing plays. But they'll run
a lot of numbers that he'm in defense. He's in
for a torred night, Nathan.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Do you know whether he's going to have surgery at
the end of the year.
Speaker 6 (12:39):
I don't know.
Speaker 7 (12:40):
All I do know though, is that they're claiming that
he won't play with needles and he's had contact up
there for the past week.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Beautiful alright, who's still in Edwards? Is he all good?
Speaker 5 (12:50):
I think he is breath but just watching his games closely.
Over the last couple of weeks, he's had one of
his knees heavily strapped, and you can see there were
a couple of moments in these tests where you don't
see Dylan Edwards accelerate as quickly as what he normally would,
so you can see he's got that right knee. They're
heavily strapped against South's and normally he is just a
(13:12):
million miles an hour and an effort player in every
area of the game. But there's a moment here where
you would normally see him in the years back and
drop it into sixth gear, and I just felt like
he's playing a little bit within himself. I'm not saying
that doesn't mean he won't go out. That is a
fantastic battle him up against James.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
He just don't think he's near one hundred percent either.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
Everyone at this stage of the year, if you get
this far, you're guarantee to be carrying some niggles, especially
when you've played as tough and as much as he has.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
It's been a bit down.
Speaker 7 (13:39):
I think since State of Origin hoops, since Origin finished,
he just looks like he's a fraction of his game.
It's still a high elite standard, but he just doesn't
seem to have the freedom he had pre Origin.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
I reckon it's because he has had this strapping.
Speaker 8 (13:51):
He's carrying a little bit of a niggle.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
You've been a bit down to just cheer up Storm
Star camera Monster was sending all the praise your own
huses away ahead of their finals showdown with Caromela.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
How much Driver is there?
Speaker 9 (14:03):
Win apprentiereship with this spine and you know you're the
main man.
Speaker 10 (14:06):
Now, Drive is a mad man. Now I'm just the
old man getting through and through a wheelchair. But he's
just probably a different developed half. You know, he's got
a good kicking game. You don't see a whole heap
of other half backs probably run the ball as much
as Jerome does, and he's probably a strong ball runner
as well. So yeah, I just know when he has
a ball in his hound pushing them in the middle
for support, so I.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Know something's going to happen.
Speaker 10 (14:28):
So I haven't had the opportunity to scord with so
many tries they keep going the other way. But yeah,
hopefully I can jag on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
I'm an old man getting through a wheelchair. Can someone
please getting interpreted?
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Just straight down sponsorship.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
It's embarrassing name.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
I love him, I love you Cameron now, but Jerome
Who's is the main man. Cameron has had to take
a backstep this year due to injury, but also because
due to the form of Jerome. But I kind of
feel like this sets up for a good final series
for Cameron because he can sit back and inject himself
whenever he wants.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
It's an unbelievable position to be in where Melbourne Papinez
has been injured, Harry Grant's been injured around Origin, he
had the stern on months, has been in and out
and it's been Hughes's team and he has owned it.
He's probably going to win the dally M. He's been
the master of the side and now all those guys
have just slided back.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
In, so it'll be his and they'll play their role.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Broo's imagine, Yeah for sure, And I think they're dangerous
because of that. Cameron hasn't He's been getting better every week.
But if he finds his best and combines with Jerome,
they're going to be lethal. Now, Jerome Hughes's running game
has been superb. The numbers don't lie up here, who
have a look at them. He's probably the best running
half definitely in the competition this year by far.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Well.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
I was watching the Mattie John's podcast last night break
something that prick my is was Matti said he thinks
Jerome Hughes might be the greatest running halfback possibly of
all time. And he's sitting there with Cooper Kronk and
I thought, jeez, that's a that's a big statement. He
referenced to Alan Langer and said that he would also
be in the conversation. So I went in, Look, it's
(16:10):
always yeah, brand He's in there. Absolutely, Brandy's in there.
You know, you can go back over the year as
Jonathan Thurston was another brilliant runner of the football. But
it's always dangerous whenever you led us too close to
the Fox Sports Lab. But we did saunter in there
to ay and they came up with these numbers where
Jerome Hughes has run over the course of the last
five seasons. Since he's been playing halfback every year, he's
(16:34):
absolutely blitzed the rest of the field in the NFL.
It's more than two thousand meters more than the next
half back, which is daily Cherry Evans. Then you go
to line breaks. He's had sixty nine line breaks in
the last five years. The next is Mitchell Moses with
thirty nine. In terms of it's number seven, so it
is dangerous when you let us near the lab.
Speaker 8 (16:52):
But those numbers.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Think to tell a good lesson for halves. Everyone tells
you to run the ball, look at this guy.
Speaker 4 (16:58):
But then so that means that all the number ones
are going to be pushed in a number seven once
they get to learn the game and they get the vision,
because that's what he's got. And I heard Cooper Kronk
talk about he's learnt the vision part of the game
first and he's always had the running game because he's
been a fullback.
Speaker 8 (17:13):
Well, you're right, Gordon.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
He began his career as a fullback and was let
go by the Gold coach, let go by the Cowboys.
Even in twenty nineteen, he played every game starting at
fullback until they decided to drop Brady Croft, and then
he went in, they made a prelim that year, then
they win the competition the following season.
Speaker 8 (17:31):
His evolution, it's been dynamic.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Well the numb one rule for half is to think
run first and with Jerome, with any half, it's easier
said than done, because if you just run all the time,
you become predictable. But he's found a way to be
deceptive and still have that dummy and go and still
have the players around him, and the art of deception
and the speed, the changing direction at speed, the players
(17:55):
he's got moving around him and still everyone's going to
run and he still has the impact that he's had.
Is why he's such a great player and our bulldogs
by it, why Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Are so successful. Bulldog, can you tell us.
Speaker 7 (18:10):
I did a little digging round breath more off the
field than on the field.
Speaker 6 (18:13):
And just the culture that they have down.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
There, how they teach their players basic stuff like manners,
looking corporates in the eye. No one is above anybody else,
They're all equal. The cleaner has the same status as
Cameron Munster.
Speaker 6 (18:27):
We pick up our bags. We don't leave it to
the gear steward. The dress room is spotless.
Speaker 7 (18:32):
They don't put tape on the ground they put it
in the bin. It might sound small, but I think
that snowballs that culture in the dressing room onto the.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Field spot on.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
And I don't know why other clubs don't do the
same or underestimate that. Like it's big and Melbourne have
always been that way and that's why the players and
their wives love going down there. And there's that big
respect and there's treating everyone the same as you treat
the guy at the front door.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
It is what it is and it.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Breeds success, it breeds discipline and you know, it makes
the group stronger as a whole.
Speaker 6 (19:08):
I mean, if you don't do.
Speaker 9 (19:09):
The task, you deem to be the odd man out.
Maybe it's a culture that the Brisbane Broncos could look at.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
It's good to see how your bought all back cowboys
couch Tod Peyton has encouraged their fans to make Queensland
Country Bank Stadium a hostile environment for the night's Saturday
do what I match.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Look.
Speaker 14 (19:25):
I love playing here at home, really do, and I
think our crowd get behind our boys, but probably like
our footy team, we're too nice. I'd like to make
it a cauldron, like to make it a hostile environment
for the opposition. All better off this week, and we've
been at some stadiums this year where it can be
quite uncomfortable with how the crowd interact with our team.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
I'd like to return the.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Favorite Cowboys fans get excited now. I have a look
at these stats wins against top eight teams, and the
Cowboys lead the seven from ten at seventy percent have
the best record against top eight teams, which to me
is a little bit surprising, but great news for not only.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Todd Payton the players.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
But if you follow the Cowboys, you've got a good
chance this year.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
Well, they made a statement last Saturday, didn't they against
the Bulldogs where they just came out and from Reuben
Codder to heel and LOOKI to that electric back line.
When you've got Scott Drinkwater Tom did in those style
of attacking dynamic players in your back line, you know
you're gonna be able to create points. They've also got
a hard working and relatively unsung forward pack. I think
(20:36):
Newcastle a right up against it this weegon.
Speaker 7 (20:37):
I think the Knights will have a crack hoops. They'll
play for each other, but I think they'll be fodder
up there. I think if they get in the mood
the Cowboys, We've seen it a few times, they will
run rough shot Luki Nanai Cotta Talmalola.
Speaker 6 (20:49):
I think the Knights won't.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Be I'm worried about the Knights this week.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
I really am.
Speaker 6 (20:53):
It was a big game for then.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
It was a big game and if you really break
it down, that first half was they weren't great. You know,
Kiln had some big plays and he was sensational on
the day. He made some errors too, but if it
wasn't for him, I think they are in big trouble.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Well, not in big trouble.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
They certainly don't win, but they're playing a lot better
team away from home or in form. If they don't
start well, I'm concerned.
Speaker 5 (21:18):
Well, they can only manufacture fourteen points against the Dolphins,
and in all seriousness, with respect of the Dolphins, they
were nowhere near at their best last Sunday, going up
there on the big stage, sudden death elimination, and the
Cowboys have got so many points in them.
Speaker 3 (21:33):
Gordon, Look, they had to get through Origin.
Speaker 4 (21:35):
I think that's six Origin players from like memory decide
that has the most Origin players normally wins the competition
with the best defensive. I think they're the dark r
sort of competition. They've got through there. All those players arise.
They've been sitting there. They haven't been consistent, right, They've
leaked points, they've done all that. But I think their
best game and approved their best game beats the top eight.
They've won the most against the top eight. I reckon
(21:58):
this is the challenge that they want and it starts
on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
In this game here, it was their attack was great
as it attack's been really good on e but it
was that's right and it was there. But it was
their defense that was on the improve, which they've had
to for the finals if they are to be any chance.
And it was their middle forwards. Their middle forwards were big,
powerful and really dominated. So it seems like they've got
it right right in time.
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Well you raise something there that I found interesting, Gordian
that Jake Clifford right, who has come in as a
half back for the last three games now, Todd Payton,
that's a brave decision to act as senior playmaker in
Chad Townsend who had been there for so long. Jake
Clifford went and Newcastle and had a couple of unhappy
seasons there. Ultimately it ended his NRL career for a
(22:43):
couple of years. Had to go over our whole car.
Now he's back and he has really found the keys
to lighting up this side. So as much as all
spent about Ponger going back up to Townsville to ruin
once upon a time his club's finals aspirations, I think
Clifford can have a big say.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
I do want to give Newcastle some hope though, because
they have been inconsistent this year, the Cowboys, and if
they're off and Pongers on Newcastle, they definitely have a chance. Now, Hoops,
you're looking forward to the ding Dong battle and the
Dogs up against the mainly Seagals.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Who is that ding Dong battle?
Speaker 5 (23:16):
Well, they locked horns a couple of weeks ago. Hamoli
Olokuado and Big Billy Kickout. They are two of the
most destructive, hard running and dangerous back rowers in the competition.
Hamoli got the points a couple of weeks ago, so
Big Billy he'll be a little bit scarred. But Gordy,
I know you're a huge fan of Kickout and especially
at this time of the year, I feel like you
(23:38):
can find a big performance.
Speaker 4 (23:39):
Both of them. They both got so much X factor.
If I'm them, I'd put I'd put the kill in
the rack with the workload because I think that they
can be explosive. I think they can break the game open.
I think they go in there with the mindset they
do what the team needs me to do. But they've
got to be there for the moment. And they are
both so damaging. Oli Kawat is so big on the
(23:59):
edge and you're watching, I think they use him a
little bit too much and kick out.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
Well, he's got everything.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
Is a brutal mouly.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
There's a weapon.
Speaker 6 (24:07):
Well, they're both on the wood can two weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
He can be one of the best forwards in the
in the game. He was as great against the Dog
three he does. That's what I mean, the potential he's got.
And when he's at his best, which was the Bulldogs game,
he was phenomenal. He wasn't so good a half back.
Wiped all the dirt off your face. That's how much
he liked you. Kick you know what they left it on.
(24:32):
I think it's still there, dog like yours.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
I've got to ask you another question that you're worried.
You're worried again about something.
Speaker 6 (24:39):
Bring it on.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
I'll pre warn you before I asked you. Now, the
fans are coming, man fans are coming. So you pumped
about that.
Speaker 6 (24:45):
I'm pumped.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
But you're worried about it or not.
Speaker 6 (24:46):
I'm not worried about it. I'm just concerned.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
Starting it.
Speaker 6 (24:52):
It's a dual response.
Speaker 7 (24:54):
I'm not worried about mainly in terms of how many
fans will show up. Yes, they say it's about thirty
percent of all members.
Speaker 6 (24:59):
Tickets have gone to manly fans. Amazing, it could be
around ten to twelve thousand.
Speaker 7 (25:04):
Clearly they'll be outnumbered that that beautifully written story right there.
Speaker 4 (25:07):
Well that's true because many fans know and like you've
got a great point. Because they don't travel, will they
get But I saw more in Vegas last year than
I see it.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
Are the team in Vegas? I'll ask you, though.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Intimidated beaching God's country that put this on me?
Speaker 9 (25:22):
No, as a Cannabury player, former Candy player, I was
going to ask you some of my mates and many fans.
Speaker 6 (25:26):
And they do.
Speaker 7 (25:27):
They get a bit intimidated going out there at the
call because we all know the bulldogs boisterous fans.
Speaker 6 (25:32):
So what I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I'm
just saying, though.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Oh my god, passion.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
It's called passion.
Speaker 8 (25:37):
It is what they get intimidated by the drums or what.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
We you know what it's like hoops out there?
Speaker 5 (25:45):
If all of the bulldogs feeds a been awesome?
Speaker 6 (25:51):
What demographics are well?
Speaker 3 (25:54):
Ones on the norm in the middle of them, And yeah,
I played against them.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
That's them.
Speaker 6 (25:59):
No, I'll be.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
I wouldn't go and sit next to him.
Speaker 9 (26:04):
Now, don't get forty, bro, they could even with a
late push that you get to fifty, which would be like.
Speaker 3 (26:17):
They should get fifty dogs. Fans should fill the joint. Mate.
Speaker 5 (26:20):
They're passionate, They're out, They're loud, they're proud, they have
they have loved this run. The Bulldog supporters, they have
loved this run.
Speaker 8 (26:26):
And I reckon you just.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Mainly, you know what, I'm covering that game.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
I wish camera all right for us.
Speaker 5 (26:36):
On the Tigers, well, I read Brent Reid, mister Peabody's
piece in the Sunday Telegraph on Sunday right and not
being over with a feather, I thought the Tigers are
just collected three wooden spoons. Here we've got a fatal
rich out with a premiership trophy right, which looks like
it's from two thousand and three when Penrith won the competition. Uh,
(26:57):
that is up there with all the best Goldie locks
in the Seven Dwarfs fairy Tales that I've ever read.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
That Q and A.
Speaker 5 (27:03):
So in all seriousness, just be honest with the members
and the supporters. It's been another awful season. Yes there's
some good recruits coming for next year, but don't bullshit
people like don't try and hop on and sugarcate it
and make it out like it's been a great season
even though we collect.
Speaker 6 (27:22):
But that's what that's my point.
Speaker 9 (27:23):
One one more game, it's hardly let's bring out the
champagne and start popping the cooks.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
He wants to go to England with him one and
the next.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
He wants a free just a free meal, and you
know where they may be able to get a free meal.
All the fans are pretty excited.
Speaker 6 (27:40):
Me, Oh yeah, I heard about this, the new West
Tigers Leeds club.
Speaker 8 (27:43):
Yes, just open up.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
That's ruth.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
That's not new, that's been you.
Speaker 6 (27:50):
But it just seems to be quite apt.
Speaker 9 (27:51):
At the moment that that's where about somewhere in Conkold,
currently in the heart of tigers.
Speaker 6 (27:57):
Gord, if you want to tuck her after this duck
down there, say you love the tigers, get temper cent on.
Speaker 1 (28:01):
Even avoid the dogs and avoid the tigers.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Jesus bet you Hoops. You can't leave the Northern Beach.
Speaker 6 (28:10):
You know what, It's been great having your support, Lie Broce,
I love you, I love that.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
Thanks Journals.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Up next, it's time for our legends and gentlemen, Mark
Call and Jeff Tuby and this Sunday a once in
a lifetime event UFC three Oho six live from the
Sphere in Las Vegas, and the only place you
Speaker 1 (28:25):
Can watch it is on a Main Event
Popular Podcasts
Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
Betrayal: Season 4
Karoline Borega married a man of honor – a respected Colorado Springs Police officer. She knew there would be sacrifices to accommodate her husband’s career. But she had no idea that he was using his badge to fool everyone. This season, we expose a man who swore two sacred oaths—one to his badge, one to his bride—and broke them both. We follow Karoline as she questions everything she thought she knew about her partner of over 20 years. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-3 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.