September 10, 2025 • 20 mins
Raider Nick at Night – Broncos Preview & RU OK? Day
This week, Raider Nick is joined by Raiders legend Allan Tongue to preview the massive clash against the Brisbane Broncos. The boys break down the key match-ups, talk tactics, and share what the Green Machine needs to do to get the job done. Plus, we take a moment to acknowledge RU OK? Day — a reminder to check in with your mates and keep the conversation around mental health going.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
He's not here for the clickbait all the count side critics.
It's real and full of deep and meaningfuls with the
Raiders in a circle, from laughs to hard truths. He'll
tell you ditch the negative noise and get behind the boys.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
This is Raider big episode, this one. We need to
chat to someone who's around town and knows what this
week means. And I speak of a guy called Alan Tung,
of course involved with the club two a couple of
days a week out there, but knows his rugby league,
of course, especially with his commentary for the ABC. And
I speak of this man again, Toney, how are.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
You mate that it's building into the finals first one
here in Camera Stadium on Sunday afternoon, And yeah, I'm
just really really looking forward to it, and you know,
both teams coming in with plenty of confidence. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I've had a chat to a couple of the guys
and seen him around HQ is seems to be a
little bit of a calm vibe. What's your make of
it down there this week?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yeah? I would agree with that too. I know they're
just being at the club early in the week, there's
certainly a different feeling to it. There's a calmness, which
is really great. But I think just everybody in the building,
there's an extra amount of media attention. I think you
can feel that you know there's something big around the corner,
which is great. But to the players, it's just businesses normal,
(01:28):
which is great because that's exactly all the coaching stuff
I've asked from them.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I think one of Ricky's attributes his year, and he's
done wonderful things with his club, and you know, the
likes of the assistant coaches in gits and crawls and whatnot,
But one of the main things that they ought to
be congratulated on is how they've just kept this team
level headed in regards to not really cashing into the
hype and just treating it as you know, one week
(01:53):
at a time. And probably that comes with winning two tonguey.
I mean, they've beaten seven of the top eight teams.
We've beaten been before. We can do this. We've got
that confidence that we are capable. We are minor premious,
so we are, you know, the most consistent team for
a reason. They can back themselves and just prepare without
Kino's extra nerves.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Yeah, I would certainly agree with it, and I'd actually
even break it down even more and some of the
language that has been used right throughout it's not actually
taking one game at a time, it's actually taking one
session at a time, and really just even narrowing that down, right,
we need to make the most of this video session
and we throw our whole heart into it. Or is
(02:36):
the field session, the wags, the wrestle, whatever that might be.
Is they just take it one session at a time,
and if we can just get all of those processes
right and those little little detailed areas right, the bigger
picture will take care of itself. But you're right, and
I think it shows a lot about this group too.
You know, I'm being a part of a number of
sporting teams right across my life. These they are a
(03:00):
great bunch of guys. They are really there's no egos
in them. They are all play with a team first mentality,
and that I believe is a wonderful contribution. And only
just emailed another word colleague that work alongside in lou
Dobson in the leadership space, and I was mentioning to
(03:20):
her that they're brought into this the younger guys in
the squad have really brought into this you know team
first B and that player that other players want to
play alongside. They're brought into it in such an early
part of their careers. Imagine if they hang on to that,
Imagine them in a five or six or seven year
period of time and the longevity that can have for
the club. But imagine what the player in person that
(03:43):
they are going to be if that continues on the
trajectory that it's on at the moment. It's so it's
so scary for opposition, I would say, I would think
it's just so great and promising for the Camaraders.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Well, you just see the evolution of these young players
had you know, I had Kyle Weeks on here a
fortnight ago and he told us his story how it
how we came from Manly, got offered a role at
Canberra and he essentially was just offered a role to
be part of the contingency in the backup plan post
Jack Whiteen as backup in halves and then gets to
(04:18):
run at fullback and then becomes a revelation back there
and really really stepped into his talent and has become
this one of the most exciting fullbacks, most striking fullbacks
in the competition. And you know that doesn't happen by accident.
It doesn't happen overnight. You look at you know, you
speak of Ethan Strange. We can speak from this from
(04:39):
this level. The fact that you know he might find
himself in a kangaroo too at the end of the year.
Just the fact that he's playing so well, and the
combination between winning and as you're saying, buying into the
culture and buying into the leadership there that they've put down.
It's just a it's a great recipe for not just success,
(05:00):
with great recipe for future success, absolutely right.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
You know, if I'm my mama or dad and I'm
thinking about which even i'm player manager, although they probably
just go to wherever the money is. But if I'm
looking at really building a young player and where can
I send him to to go? You know what, I
want to look at a club that has got a
track record with pathways that are going to make sure
(05:25):
that my young boy or young girl are going to
become the best footballer, but yet the best person they've
come I tell you what, Raiders would be right up
there with the number one of the picks, so good
little space. We've had some good stories, but which is
I can't wait for this game against Brisbane who are
coming in to be fair, you know, one of the
form teams, like they've had their late charge towards it
(05:48):
to make it into the fourth positions. But they're playing
some really good footy with a few injuries still but
a couple of big players in Paying Hears and Reese
Walsh at the back there, Paddy Carrigan and also been
in the halves. I thought he was outstanding last week
and they're going to really need to be up for it.
But Camera Stadium will be pumping. Well.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
They're headed in the right direction of the Broncos. They've
fixed up a bit of a mid season lull and
it just goes to show just the talent and coaching
from our man, our man Mads, the match factor have
got playing some good football and you mentioned that the
form team, and it's going to be interesting to see.
And I love how Ricky's not just saying this in
(06:31):
the media, he really means it. The fact that this
now new journey of finals football, we're going to see
where we are and either way it's going to be
education and you look at without getting spooky on our audience,
but you look at that the top four, let's just say,
top four, top five teams that can win it is
we're probably the least experienced when it comes to like,
(06:52):
you know, your finals where we were up against the
Broncos this week. Who a lot of them are still
hurting from twenty twenty three and know what it takes.
But just this year, this team has just a fight
all odds ever since. There might have been a week
we thought, okay, gee whiz, we've been high for so long,
I can take a loss to the russ this week,
but they've gone out there and got the w.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
So this team has surprised not just you know, the
educated fans, they've probably surprised themselves in a little way.
And hopefully that comes up on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, you're right, I think, yeah, I do agree. But
I also think too that when you look.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
At the games that their club has played right throughout
the year, you know, they've almost been playing, you know,
a semi final intensity, like they've been tight games.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
There hasn't been huge blowouts. On the lead on the
weekend by the Dolphins in a big blowout score, but
they've been in really tight games right throughout this season.
They've had to play games like against the Panthers going
in extra time right throughout, so they've been in you know,
they put some points on the Eels here a few ago,
(08:00):
and yes against the Knights, but they've been in a
lot of four six eight point games where they've really
had to dig deep and work hard for the victory.
So the game against the Melbourne Storm up their magic ground,
you know, like they've played in some big games and
these young guys, I suppose you can look at it. Yes,
(08:22):
they haven't had that experience in them in some of
those big finals matches, but they've got nothing to fit,
they're nothing to compare it to. They're just going out
and playing a similar style of football that they've just
been used to playing right throughout the season, and I
think that that's a real asset to them. In fact,
I actually think that Ethan Stranger are going to tear
(08:43):
this final series apart. I can just see him going
to a whole other level. There's confidence that the team
is putting in him. He's seems to be getting his
hands on the footy more than ever, and I can
just see him just going to a whole other level.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
You just mentioned Edan's strange there, and that's why I
think we're going'd be great. And that's even removing the
green blinkers. I've been saying this all year and every
call I've been involved with, it seems to be in
the modern era, youth and enthusiasm and kind of quite
confidence is the formula. Now we've seen that. You know,
we've seen the Panthers go really really well in the
last four or five seasons because they emulate that, and
(09:19):
you know yourself, you know, as life evolves, the game evolves,
and there was a point in time, you know the
Panthers did that first. But point in time where they
say you had to lose one to win one and
go through the range is I think the modern era now,
it's just that confidence. On the day, it's another game
of football. There's not too much emphasis on it. They're
in great hands with someone like Ricky who's been there
(09:40):
as a player and coach. You know, they do have
Papa and Taps in these big game players, and I
think that it just says shackles won't even be there.
They'll just come out and just rarely shin the atmosphere
I think we saw in Vegas. They're telling how they
really enjoyed that stage, and I think that's the kind
of being the blueprint for the whole season. So yeah,
(10:01):
I think that modern era, it's more of like an
NBA culture now into the NRL, which is exciting.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Yeah, you're right, and I mean at some point in time,
it's going to win outside of the top four as well.
And I thought even last year there could be a team.
But when you look at the Roosters, Panthers, Warriors, Sharks,
you know that's from eight through to five there. You
think the Roosters on their day, the way that they
play their footy, the Panthers, the Warriors have been really
(10:29):
in the top four the whole year and have just
dropped out. And then the Sharks, who I think have
probably got one of the best rosters in the competition
when you look at talent and the way that they
can throw the ball around. So yeah, I'm not getting
too caught up. I mean stats of stats, and you've
got to understand the trends that go with it. But yeah,
(10:50):
I probably want to look at the Raiders. I don't
buy into that too too. Much. The young guys have
been phenomenal this year and I think they'll continue to
do that.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Just the depth there too. And I've been really really
pressed with someone say, you know, Noah Martin, who's been
and he's got his opportunities. He's really taken it by,
you know, by the by the handle, you know, especially
last week against in a a in a bit of
a bit of a trial side, if you will, and
he stood out really well. But he made his debut
(11:21):
against the Warriors, and that's another game we played for
eighty minutes and meanwhile the Warriors were coming second. They
had Barnetti in there and they were full strength. Nick
Meanie was there playing when they were really doing some
great things coming second and we're on the back of
all this travel and we're to go to New Zealand
and that I still think that was one of our
best performances of the year. And so Tarp and you
go to another another level. So you're talking about going
(11:42):
up another level. We've we've done that, and we've done
that when we've needed to. And I think what's been
most impressive his tongue is we've found ways to win
in multiple ways. We've we've We've played top four teams
and been in been in the fight to the eighty
and I've got the w We've put teams to the sword,
We've come from behind deficits, and one we haven't played
(12:03):
our best football on a Sunday but still found a
way to win. So I think all those different, that
variety of ways to win, I think you take that
into finals and that's a great little tool belt to have.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
You. Oh, you're absolutely right, and you can see that.
I'm one of the things that I've really been impressed
with that. I actually seen that when the team might
get dropped down to twelve men so somebody gets in
bind or whatnot, they seem to go to another level.
(12:35):
They going in extra time, They've gone to another level.
It almost feels like them, you know that the more
pressure is implied, the bigger the moment they've actually risen
to it. You mentioned that game that was so important you.
I actually when we first called it there right at
the start of the year, when the Raiders played the Broncos,
(12:56):
gone to after the Broncos coming off at a crack
first up win there, I think they played the Roosters, sorry,
but they had one. This is the Broncos year, just
that they've got hugely talented roster. We all know that,
and no Joe Tarpening their leader. They're alpha male in
(13:20):
the Pact. There was out suspended. They come to Camera
Stadium and they just absolutely belted them and they belted
them for eighty minutes. They had nothing that was It
was one of the greatest performances I've seen for many,
many years out at Canberra Stadium. They just had this
desire and hunger that the Broncos could have matched. And
(13:40):
so they've done that. They've done that. Now you just
say we've done it. It's that mentality to go right,
this is what it's going to take. We're just going
to have to do it again. But they've shown us
right throughout that they've had a real consistently consistent season.
I'm sure they're can be up for it totally.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
And how much do you think think I mean, you
played finals football, how much do you think when you've
beat I mean, it's hard to measure, but psychologically, subconsciously,
if you will, known that you've taken care of a
team during the year, going into another game, going to
an important finals game, does that play with your confidence?
In the positive.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Yeah, well, I actually if you look through a lot
of statistics, it's really really hard to beat a team
twice in a season when you look at it, even
though you think psychologically yes, but that can probably put
you a little bit, you know, maybe a little bit
too far ahead of yourself. That opposition. They work hard,
they understand where they went wrong in the first game,
(14:40):
make those adjustments. So it's quite a big challenge to
beat a team twice in a year, and it hasn't
done that a few times this season to oppositions. But
there's no doubt about it. Michael moncwab really no credential.
He's toughing better than any other coach really in the competition.
(15:01):
So they'll come down here and it'll be a huge battle.
But I know that the players will be confident in
their preparation.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
And knowing the fact that they're going to play against
a team that's well drilled with a coach that they
know all too well. Of course, Manage was here a
couple of seasons ago. He's been We've been a bit
of a the return home for him in between jobs
for him, yes, and quite recently, and I know for
a fact that you know with his role and you
know yourself with his role here in that time he
(15:32):
had a lot of his very hands on some players
development as well. Would do such a good job for
job with and he'll know he'll know players strengths and
weaknesses when he's talking, when he's thinking game plan, and
because he's been involved in the development of some which
means every reason to say, Okay, there's no where to
hide against this team.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
There's no way to hide.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
And the big stage on Sunday afternoon, especially with his coach,
that's bring it all out on the table. And I
wonder if the game play, I mean obviously have this
situation where you put everything out there and then hope
to god that at the eightieth minute, well as a
full time you're on front of the scoreboard, so then
you can kind of weak off and recover.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Absolutely, it's one hundred percent. It's all out effort here.
That's what makes these games so special that you see
players and teams go to another level that you probably went, well,
I actually didn't you go to that level? And this
is what it comes down to. You know, for me,
a big part of the game. Yes, there's speed and
their skill on the outside, But don't believe he and
(16:37):
Tarpany Carragan has that battle. I tell you what, whoever
gets on top of that battle there, there's going to
be a lot of other key contributors there. We've talked
about Strange and Boggett's kicking game and all of this,
but that battle there, I think if the Raiders can
get on top of the Broncos big men, that will
limit the likes of Reese, Walsh and Catoni, Stags and
(16:58):
Shibasaki Ol have got plenty of skill and speed. But
the battle through the middle is going to be enormous.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
It's going to be an absolute blockbuster of a game
one versus for Sunday afternoon at Goo Stadium. Hopefully we're
forecasting about twenty two degrees and mother nature does a
favor for us.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Yeah, perfect, perfect editions, and I think it really seens
both sides. Both teams love to throw the footy around.
They've got speed to burn, so it's going to be great.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Tony, as we get excited about the football, just quickly
and know you know you are a wonderful man of depth.
And we've had many, many conversations on this platform about
the well being and the mental side of things, you know,
for that kind of welfare stuff, not just in the
game of rugby league, but also just in society and
as a society, we acknowledge a day as this show
(17:46):
goes to air, are you okay day? You know, September
September eleventh, twenty twenty five, that lands, It always lands
every second Thursday and September. Are you okay day? Acknowledging
that side things in asking you, mate, but are you okay?
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Yeah? Is really important and you know we often use
that language too, that every day are you okay? But
we know that it is a really important one and
to check in on each other. And yes, the world
can be busy and confusing and challenging pace, but the
best thing that you can do is to be real
ex back and mate, just check in. And you know
(18:24):
your close friends better than any health service because you
can see their body language or the energy that they
might or might not come in with. And just a
chance for us to just stop and just check in
on each other and have that important conversation, go for
a cup of coffee, a game, a goal for walker,
whatever that might be. I really want to encourage you.
(18:47):
It's something that we often do, even just in the
raiders in a professional space, is just sit tight and
make that space to be able to just check in
on each other away from footing the professional stuff. So
it's important that we do that in every day and
with our families, with our kids, with our loved ones,
and with our good mates.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
And if you're listening too, that r UAK could be
a universal question to yourself, you know, in generally and
if that's not so much the case and things could
be a little bit better, even just making that phone
call to a mate, to anyone that you know that
you feel safe with and trust, that can also be enough,
you know, instead of bottle things, bottling things up and
keeping it in and just really really you know, fighting
(19:26):
on where you can actually just maybe have a nice
chat and that's all it could take is to have
a good chat, exercise the demons a little bit, get
things out in the open, and that that can be
all it takes. Whether that's just that's a big load
off your shoulders, but that can also open a bit
of a rabbit hole where you can go down a
path of getting some extra help if you need it,
you know.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Yeah, absolutely right. I think often we ask those questions
to others when we would probably deep down thinking, you know,
this should be something, or looking in the mirror and
doing it towards ourselves. So it's really important you do that.
And I think we've come a long way. Yes, we
can still do more in our culture and especially as men,
but not just men as well. But the more that
(20:06):
we can look after each other, I'll tell you what,
the better our communities and our country is going to be.
So certainly check in and just see if they are okay.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
All right, mate, we get excited about Sunday as well.
It's going to be a big one, all right, Tongy.
We'll see you.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Sunday as always. Thank you so much, Thank.
Speaker 2 (20:27):
You, Tonguy. Now, just on a u Oka day, a
very important daily we aknowledge. I've got a special interview
with a lovely lady doing stuff around town, some big
stuff around town in the r UOK space. She goes
by the name of Courtney Chapman, a special presentation. If
you're out there and things aren't so rosy, things aren't
(20:48):
so swell, you can have a listen to the chat
on this platform as we speak right now,
He's not here for the clickbait all the count side critics.
It's real and full of deep and meaningfuls with the
Raiders in a circle, from laughs to hard truths. He'll
tell you ditch the negative noise and get behind the boys.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
This is Raider big episode, this one. We need to
chat to someone who's around town and knows what this
week means. And I speak of a guy called Alan Tung,
of course involved with the club two a couple of
days a week out there, but knows his rugby league,
of course, especially with his commentary for the ABC. And
I speak of this man again, Toney, how are.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
You mate that it's building into the finals first one
here in Camera Stadium on Sunday afternoon, And yeah, I'm
just really really looking forward to it, and you know,
both teams coming in with plenty of confidence. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I've had a chat to a couple of the guys
and seen him around HQ is seems to be a
little bit of a calm vibe. What's your make of
it down there this week?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yeah? I would agree with that too. I know they're
just being at the club early in the week, there's
certainly a different feeling to it. There's a calmness, which
is really great. But I think just everybody in the building,
there's an extra amount of media attention. I think you
can feel that you know there's something big around the corner,
which is great. But to the players, it's just businesses normal,
(01:28):
which is great because that's exactly all the coaching stuff
I've asked from them.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I think one of Ricky's attributes his year, and he's
done wonderful things with his club, and you know, the
likes of the assistant coaches in gits and crawls and whatnot,
But one of the main things that they ought to
be congratulated on is how they've just kept this team
level headed in regards to not really cashing into the
hype and just treating it as you know, one week
(01:53):
at a time. And probably that comes with winning two tonguey.
I mean, they've beaten seven of the top eight teams.
We've beaten been before. We can do this. We've got
that confidence that we are capable. We are minor premious,
so we are, you know, the most consistent team for
a reason. They can back themselves and just prepare without
Kino's extra nerves.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Yeah, I would certainly agree with it, and I'd actually
even break it down even more and some of the
language that has been used right throughout it's not actually
taking one game at a time, it's actually taking one
session at a time, and really just even narrowing that down, right,
we need to make the most of this video session
and we throw our whole heart into it. Or is
(02:36):
the field session, the wags, the wrestle, whatever that might be.
Is they just take it one session at a time,
and if we can just get all of those processes
right and those little little detailed areas right, the bigger
picture will take care of itself. But you're right, and
I think it shows a lot about this group too.
You know, I'm being a part of a number of
sporting teams right across my life. These they are a
(03:00):
great bunch of guys. They are really there's no egos
in them. They are all play with a team first mentality,
and that I believe is a wonderful contribution. And only
just emailed another word colleague that work alongside in lou
Dobson in the leadership space, and I was mentioning to
(03:20):
her that they're brought into this the younger guys in
the squad have really brought into this you know team
first B and that player that other players want to
play alongside. They're brought into it in such an early
part of their careers. Imagine if they hang on to that,
Imagine them in a five or six or seven year
period of time and the longevity that can have for
the club. But imagine what the player in person that
(03:43):
they are going to be if that continues on the
trajectory that it's on at the moment. It's so it's
so scary for opposition, I would say, I would think
it's just so great and promising for the Camaraders.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Well, you just see the evolution of these young players
had you know, I had Kyle Weeks on here a
fortnight ago and he told us his story how it
how we came from Manly, got offered a role at
Canberra and he essentially was just offered a role to
be part of the contingency in the backup plan post
Jack Whiteen as backup in halves and then gets to
(04:18):
run at fullback and then becomes a revelation back there
and really really stepped into his talent and has become
this one of the most exciting fullbacks, most striking fullbacks
in the competition. And you know that doesn't happen by accident.
It doesn't happen overnight. You look at you know, you
speak of Ethan Strange. We can speak from this from
(04:39):
this level. The fact that you know he might find
himself in a kangaroo too at the end of the year.
Just the fact that he's playing so well, and the
combination between winning and as you're saying, buying into the
culture and buying into the leadership there that they've put down.
It's just a it's a great recipe for not just success,
(05:00):
with great recipe for future success, absolutely right.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
You know, if I'm my mama or dad and I'm
thinking about which even i'm player manager, although they probably
just go to wherever the money is. But if I'm
looking at really building a young player and where can
I send him to to go? You know what, I
want to look at a club that has got a
track record with pathways that are going to make sure
(05:25):
that my young boy or young girl are going to
become the best footballer, but yet the best person they've
come I tell you what, Raiders would be right up
there with the number one of the picks, so good
little space. We've had some good stories, but which is
I can't wait for this game against Brisbane who are
coming in to be fair, you know, one of the
form teams, like they've had their late charge towards it
(05:48):
to make it into the fourth positions. But they're playing
some really good footy with a few injuries still but
a couple of big players in Paying Hears and Reese
Walsh at the back there, Paddy Carrigan and also been
in the halves. I thought he was outstanding last week
and they're going to really need to be up for it.
But Camera Stadium will be pumping. Well.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
They're headed in the right direction of the Broncos. They've
fixed up a bit of a mid season lull and
it just goes to show just the talent and coaching
from our man, our man Mads, the match factor have
got playing some good football and you mentioned that the
form team, and it's going to be interesting to see.
And I love how Ricky's not just saying this in
(06:31):
the media, he really means it. The fact that this
now new journey of finals football, we're going to see
where we are and either way it's going to be
education and you look at without getting spooky on our audience,
but you look at that the top four, let's just say,
top four, top five teams that can win it is
we're probably the least experienced when it comes to like,
(06:52):
you know, your finals where we were up against the
Broncos this week. Who a lot of them are still
hurting from twenty twenty three and know what it takes.
But just this year, this team has just a fight
all odds ever since. There might have been a week
we thought, okay, gee whiz, we've been high for so long,
I can take a loss to the russ this week,
but they've gone out there and got the w.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
So this team has surprised not just you know, the
educated fans, they've probably surprised themselves in a little way.
And hopefully that comes up on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, you're right, I think, yeah, I do agree. But
I also think too that when you look.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
At the games that their club has played right throughout
the year, you know, they've almost been playing, you know,
a semi final intensity, like they've been tight games.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
There hasn't been huge blowouts. On the lead on the
weekend by the Dolphins in a big blowout score, but
they've been in really tight games right throughout this season.
They've had to play games like against the Panthers going
in extra time right throughout, so they've been in you know,
they put some points on the Eels here a few ago,
(08:00):
and yes against the Knights, but they've been in a
lot of four six eight point games where they've really
had to dig deep and work hard for the victory.
So the game against the Melbourne Storm up their magic ground,
you know, like they've played in some big games and
these young guys, I suppose you can look at it. Yes,
(08:22):
they haven't had that experience in them in some of
those big finals matches, but they've got nothing to fit,
they're nothing to compare it to. They're just going out
and playing a similar style of football that they've just
been used to playing right throughout the season, and I
think that that's a real asset to them. In fact,
I actually think that Ethan Stranger are going to tear
(08:43):
this final series apart. I can just see him going
to a whole other level. There's confidence that the team
is putting in him. He's seems to be getting his
hands on the footy more than ever, and I can
just see him just going to a whole other level.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
You just mentioned Edan's strange there, and that's why I
think we're going'd be great. And that's even removing the
green blinkers. I've been saying this all year and every
call I've been involved with, it seems to be in
the modern era, youth and enthusiasm and kind of quite
confidence is the formula. Now we've seen that. You know,
we've seen the Panthers go really really well in the
last four or five seasons because they emulate that, and
(09:19):
you know yourself, you know, as life evolves, the game evolves,
and there was a point in time, you know the
Panthers did that first. But point in time where they
say you had to lose one to win one and
go through the range is I think the modern era now,
it's just that confidence. On the day, it's another game
of football. There's not too much emphasis on it. They're
in great hands with someone like Ricky who's been there
(09:40):
as a player and coach. You know, they do have
Papa and Taps in these big game players, and I
think that it just says shackles won't even be there.
They'll just come out and just rarely shin the atmosphere
I think we saw in Vegas. They're telling how they
really enjoyed that stage, and I think that's the kind
of being the blueprint for the whole season. So yeah,
(10:01):
I think that modern era, it's more of like an
NBA culture now into the NRL, which is exciting.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Yeah, you're right, and I mean at some point in time,
it's going to win outside of the top four as well.
And I thought even last year there could be a team.
But when you look at the Roosters, Panthers, Warriors, Sharks,
you know that's from eight through to five there. You
think the Roosters on their day, the way that they
play their footy, the Panthers, the Warriors have been really
(10:29):
in the top four the whole year and have just
dropped out. And then the Sharks, who I think have
probably got one of the best rosters in the competition
when you look at talent and the way that they
can throw the ball around. So yeah, I'm not getting
too caught up. I mean stats of stats, and you've
got to understand the trends that go with it. But yeah,
(10:50):
I probably want to look at the Raiders. I don't
buy into that too too. Much. The young guys have
been phenomenal this year and I think they'll continue to
do that.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Just the depth there too. And I've been really really
pressed with someone say, you know, Noah Martin, who's been
and he's got his opportunities. He's really taken it by,
you know, by the by the handle, you know, especially
last week against in a a in a bit of
a bit of a trial side, if you will, and
he stood out really well. But he made his debut
(11:21):
against the Warriors, and that's another game we played for
eighty minutes and meanwhile the Warriors were coming second. They
had Barnetti in there and they were full strength. Nick
Meanie was there playing when they were really doing some
great things coming second and we're on the back of
all this travel and we're to go to New Zealand
and that I still think that was one of our
best performances of the year. And so Tarp and you
go to another another level. So you're talking about going
(11:42):
up another level. We've we've done that, and we've done
that when we've needed to. And I think what's been
most impressive his tongue is we've found ways to win
in multiple ways. We've we've We've played top four teams
and been in been in the fight to the eighty
and I've got the w We've put teams to the sword,
We've come from behind deficits, and one we haven't played
(12:03):
our best football on a Sunday but still found a
way to win. So I think all those different, that
variety of ways to win, I think you take that
into finals and that's a great little tool belt to have.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
You. Oh, you're absolutely right, and you can see that.
I'm one of the things that I've really been impressed
with that. I actually seen that when the team might
get dropped down to twelve men so somebody gets in
bind or whatnot, they seem to go to another level.
(12:35):
They going in extra time, They've gone to another level.
It almost feels like them, you know that the more
pressure is implied, the bigger the moment they've actually risen
to it. You mentioned that game that was so important you.
I actually when we first called it there right at
the start of the year, when the Raiders played the Broncos,
(12:56):
gone to after the Broncos coming off at a crack
first up win there, I think they played the Roosters, sorry,
but they had one. This is the Broncos year, just
that they've got hugely talented roster. We all know that,
and no Joe Tarpening their leader. They're alpha male in
(13:20):
the Pact. There was out suspended. They come to Camera
Stadium and they just absolutely belted them and they belted
them for eighty minutes. They had nothing that was It
was one of the greatest performances I've seen for many,
many years out at Canberra Stadium. They just had this
desire and hunger that the Broncos could have matched. And
(13:40):
so they've done that. They've done that. Now you just
say we've done it. It's that mentality to go right,
this is what it's going to take. We're just going
to have to do it again. But they've shown us
right throughout that they've had a real consistently consistent season.
I'm sure they're can be up for it totally.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
And how much do you think think I mean, you
played finals football, how much do you think when you've
beat I mean, it's hard to measure, but psychologically, subconsciously,
if you will, known that you've taken care of a
team during the year, going into another game, going to
an important finals game, does that play with your confidence?
In the positive.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Yeah, well, I actually if you look through a lot
of statistics, it's really really hard to beat a team
twice in a season when you look at it, even
though you think psychologically yes, but that can probably put
you a little bit, you know, maybe a little bit
too far ahead of yourself. That opposition. They work hard,
they understand where they went wrong in the first game,
(14:40):
make those adjustments. So it's quite a big challenge to
beat a team twice in a year, and it hasn't
done that a few times this season to oppositions. But
there's no doubt about it. Michael moncwab really no credential.
He's toughing better than any other coach really in the competition.
(15:01):
So they'll come down here and it'll be a huge battle.
But I know that the players will be confident in
their preparation.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
And knowing the fact that they're going to play against
a team that's well drilled with a coach that they
know all too well. Of course, Manage was here a
couple of seasons ago. He's been We've been a bit
of a the return home for him in between jobs
for him, yes, and quite recently, and I know for
a fact that you know with his role and you
know yourself with his role here in that time he
(15:32):
had a lot of his very hands on some players
development as well. Would do such a good job for
job with and he'll know he'll know players strengths and
weaknesses when he's talking, when he's thinking game plan, and
because he's been involved in the development of some which
means every reason to say, Okay, there's no where to
hide against this team.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
There's no way to hide.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
And the big stage on Sunday afternoon, especially with his coach,
that's bring it all out on the table. And I
wonder if the game play, I mean obviously have this
situation where you put everything out there and then hope
to god that at the eightieth minute, well as a
full time you're on front of the scoreboard, so then
you can kind of weak off and recover.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Absolutely, it's one hundred percent. It's all out effort here.
That's what makes these games so special that you see
players and teams go to another level that you probably went, well,
I actually didn't you go to that level? And this
is what it comes down to. You know, for me,
a big part of the game. Yes, there's speed and
their skill on the outside, But don't believe he and
(16:37):
Tarpany Carragan has that battle. I tell you what, whoever
gets on top of that battle there, there's going to
be a lot of other key contributors there. We've talked
about Strange and Boggett's kicking game and all of this,
but that battle there, I think if the Raiders can
get on top of the Broncos big men, that will
limit the likes of Reese, Walsh and Catoni, Stags and
(16:58):
Shibasaki Ol have got plenty of skill and speed. But
the battle through the middle is going to be enormous.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
It's going to be an absolute blockbuster of a game
one versus for Sunday afternoon at Goo Stadium. Hopefully we're
forecasting about twenty two degrees and mother nature does a
favor for us.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Yeah, perfect, perfect editions, and I think it really seens
both sides. Both teams love to throw the footy around.
They've got speed to burn, so it's going to be great.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Tony, as we get excited about the football, just quickly
and know you know you are a wonderful man of depth.
And we've had many, many conversations on this platform about
the well being and the mental side of things, you know,
for that kind of welfare stuff, not just in the
game of rugby league, but also just in society and
as a society, we acknowledge a day as this show
(17:46):
goes to air, are you okay day? You know, September
September eleventh, twenty twenty five, that lands, It always lands
every second Thursday and September. Are you okay day? Acknowledging
that side things in asking you, mate, but are you okay?
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Yeah? Is really important and you know we often use
that language too, that every day are you okay? But
we know that it is a really important one and
to check in on each other. And yes, the world
can be busy and confusing and challenging pace, but the
best thing that you can do is to be real
ex back and mate, just check in. And you know
(18:24):
your close friends better than any health service because you
can see their body language or the energy that they
might or might not come in with. And just a
chance for us to just stop and just check in
on each other and have that important conversation, go for
a cup of coffee, a game, a goal for walker,
whatever that might be. I really want to encourage you.
(18:47):
It's something that we often do, even just in the
raiders in a professional space, is just sit tight and
make that space to be able to just check in
on each other away from footing the professional stuff. So
it's important that we do that in every day and
with our families, with our kids, with our loved ones,
and with our good mates.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
And if you're listening too, that r UAK could be
a universal question to yourself, you know, in generally and
if that's not so much the case and things could
be a little bit better, even just making that phone
call to a mate, to anyone that you know that
you feel safe with and trust, that can also be enough,
you know, instead of bottle things, bottling things up and
keeping it in and just really really you know, fighting
(19:26):
on where you can actually just maybe have a nice
chat and that's all it could take is to have
a good chat, exercise the demons a little bit, get
things out in the open, and that that can be
all it takes. Whether that's just that's a big load
off your shoulders, but that can also open a bit
of a rabbit hole where you can go down a
path of getting some extra help if you need it,
you know.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Yeah, absolutely right. I think often we ask those questions
to others when we would probably deep down thinking, you know,
this should be something, or looking in the mirror and
doing it towards ourselves. So it's really important you do that.
And I think we've come a long way. Yes, we
can still do more in our culture and especially as men,
but not just men as well. But the more that
(20:06):
we can look after each other, I'll tell you what,
the better our communities and our country is going to be.
So certainly check in and just see if they are okay.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
All right, mate, we get excited about Sunday as well.
It's going to be a big one, all right, Tongy.
We'll see you.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Sunday as always. Thank you so much, Thank.
Speaker 2 (20:27):
You, Tonguy. Now, just on a u Oka day, a
very important daily we aknowledge. I've got a special interview
with a lovely lady doing stuff around town, some big
stuff around town in the r UOK space. She goes
by the name of Courtney Chapman, a special presentation. If
you're out there and things aren't so rosy, things aren't
(20:48):
so swell, you can have a listen to the chat
on this platform as we speak right now,
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