May 31, 2024 • 19 mins
Raider Nick talks to a Blues legend to preview the big one!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, a bit of an Origin episode this one, and
a man we spoke to at large last year and
a bit of a fan favorite on this show because
he's a very good looking guy, even in his fifties.
He is the man that dominated at the Origin level
many many scores, many many records. He broke, of course,
part of that fifty six to twelve slacking back in
the year two thousand, scored thirty plus points, not very
(00:21):
easy to do in Origin. He was doing things that
no one can do. I speak of this man, Ryan
Girdler Gertz, how are you, mate?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good Nick? How are you buddy?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Did you like that intro back on? Did you like
that intro?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
I mate it It was just I wouldn't have expected
anything less from you. You know, sometimes I feel like
you're speaking about someone else, but you know it is
what it is.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
You deserve it. Mate. Let's go straight straight into the point.
Man of this big fan of this show who gets
been on regularly even in his time at the Tigers
and whatnot. Madge McGuire mentioned about a three weeks ago
that there might be some changes, some shock changes in
this Origin side without giving anything away, and we opened
the place on the Monday and see a total freshened
(01:03):
up Blues team. What do you make of the goods?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Yeah, look I was I was excited to be honest.
It's just good to see some guys get an opportunity.
It's origin for me, representative football for me. He has
always been about rewarding the guys that has been in
great form at an a real level, and I think
he's kind of done that. You know, obviously there's always
(01:30):
a few casualties and a few guys that have unfortunately
missed out. And I remember the moment where, you know,
I didn't make Gus cut me in like I think
it was two thousand and three, and you don't get
that call and your name doesn't come over in back then.
You know, it was sort of on the it was
on the radio. You'd sort of wait, the team has
been announced on radio. And I remember I was driving
(01:51):
home from somewhere and my name wasn't called out and
I had to pull over and take a couple of
breaths and regather myself. You know, That's how I found out.
So it's I really empathize for the guys that have
done a job for us in the past, regardless of results,
because going in there is a big commitment and I
know what it takes and I know what those guys
give and it's never easy. But in saying that, you know, yeah,
(02:13):
I was just really excited to see some guys that
have been waiting in the winds Wild get that opportunity.
And there's been some injuries. Both states have had some
considerable injuries to keep personnel and a little bit concerned
about the haas for New South Wales, as were most people,
and Nicko's performance against the Panthers the other day wasn't
(02:35):
probably what he would have liked or what we all
would have liked to see. But on the other side
of the coin, you know, I was really excited to
see your own Lewye played the way that he has
for the last couple of months and probably come in
not as you know, the partner of Nathan theory, but
as the guy that can potentially lead the state. I
think he kind of sits well in that space. I
(02:55):
think he feels like he's got a lot of balance,
he knows what sort of player he is, and I
think in your early sort of origins, you go in
there and it can be a little bit about you know,
you it's like I've made it, you know, and you're
having a good time and you enjoy playing with, you know,
those quality players that you've always admired. But there's a
point in your representative career where you go in there
(03:18):
and you feel like you actually belong and you've got
a responsibility to know the team and the state. And
I just kind of feel like he understands how important
he is this year to that environment, and I think
that'll sit well with him. So I'm really excited to
see how he goes. You know, Jakie as captain. I mean,
(03:40):
how can you not support what he does? I mean,
there's not a supporter in the game that doesn't you know,
respect the way that Jake goes about his business on
a weekly basis. And for him to lead the state,
what a great honor. I think you do a fantastic job.
And yeah, just happy to see those guys go out there,
and I know it's going to be a whole harder performance.
(04:00):
We know what sort of coach Madge is and the
people that he selected and why he selected them, you know,
the character that he's brought into the environment that he's
created there. So yeah, really really upbeatn positive about Wednesday.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
The great thing about the Siety is if you just
remove all the stuff you mentioned about incumbents that aren't there,
if you just look at that team, it's a great
combination between having some established connections, whether they're current Penrith
players or former Panthers that have played in ground finals.
With those players, speak of your critens of the world
that are ritten there, they will know their game really
(04:38):
really well, especially playing off you know Jerome Lui. But
then also those inform players too, like Zach Lomax, you know,
Joseph he gets his chance, you know, Reese Robson makes
his debut. So it's a really good blend. You spoke
about that time where you're pulled over and I want
to ask you about a big Teddy that the situation
(05:00):
with Teddy. But in that time, if you can go
back there, how how did you how did you process
that and how did you how did you kind of
like shake that off to get back into your club
level and just to kind of like let that go
and still remain positive and not let that really affect
a not just your football but your life goods.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah, Well, to be honest, I didn't Nick. You know,
it was the first time something like that had happened
to me. And it gets to the point where you
just without kind of sounding nonchalant or disrespectful to the jersey,
at some points in your career, you just kind of
you expect your name to be read out, you know,
you've been doing the job. And I remember Gus came
(05:37):
in as the coach and just wanted to change things up,
and there was a couple of decent players. Gasney was
coming through, and I was kind of you know at
that back end, and then you know, all of a
sudden and Gidley was coming through, and yeah, and all
of a sudden it was my time, and yeah, it
it really affected me. It affected you know, I remember
(05:58):
not sleeping for a couple of days. I remember, you know,
going into you know, I wasn't in great form, to
be fair, and Guss was probably right to leave me out,
and then you know, just having to get back to training,
get back to the boys, and then you know, try
and focus on the club form, and we were having
(06:18):
a really tough year at club level as well, so
you know, it was just a really ordinary year, to
be honest, and it just took time you know, but
I know Teddy's kind of been around for a long
time and he's been through a lot of different experiences
and he's got some really good people around him, and
he's in great club form, whereas I kind of wasn't,
(06:40):
so he would just keep doing what he's doing, and
he knows that if things don't work or there's injuries,
he's obviously the kind of personality that's going to put
his hand up and want to come in and make
a difference. Yeah, I'm sure it didn't sit that well
with him to start with, but I'm sure he understands. Unfortunately,
Mal gave him, you know, Madge gave him the call
(07:02):
and was able to explain to him the reasons and
if there's parts of his game that he needs to
work on, well I'm sure he'll be doing that. Well.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
The great thing about that his Magic did give him
the call, and he probably didn't find out on the
radio considering he was the captain as well, and people
have been saying, well, maybe he should have been told
earlier so we can have a bit of a swan
song and then maybe retire from Red Footing. But he
probably doesn't want to retire from Red footing. As you mentioned,
if Dylan, if Edwards goes down, then he's still up
for you know, he's the first one picked for game
(07:30):
two or three. Because the sad thing is for prior Teddy,
he's actually been playing in a real good form And
you know, I was right there on the sideline and
watched what he did to the Raiders on the weekend
and he was outstanding.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah, it's just parts of his game. Like if you
think about the way that the Dylan plays and you know,
watching him really closely on a weosly basis, you know,
the the amount of times he finds his front when
he chooses to run, how when he chooses to get
involved out the back of shape. You know, there's a
lot of decision making, like defensively, when how many times
(08:04):
he catches the ball on the full, how quick he's
played the ball speed is. I mean, there's a lot
of data out there these days that guys like Madge
that that you know, they represent the kind of the
kind of players that they want to see in their sides,
having you know, this sort of impact that he will have.
So I don't think you know, a lot of us
(08:25):
look at it at face value and say, oh, well,
they're playing pretty similar. You know, they're both in good form.
Teddy's incumbent, why would you make that decision? And I
think it comes down to exactly those things that I
just spoke about, actually looking through the detail, and that's
what the that's what the coaches do, That's that's what
Madge is all about. And he's obviously seen something there
(08:45):
that represents the way that he wants his team to
play to break down Queensland. And Dylan's obviously stronger in
those areas that we might all see that. I'm sure
Madge understands and we're probably able to explain to Teddy,
and that's why Dylan got the nine.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
It's glad to say something like Cameron McGinnis getting a
run as well. He just suits that origin format, doesn't he.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Yeah, he's definitely got a head for origin, doesn't he.
You know, but he's Look, he's having a great he's
having a great season. He's a great character, he's got
a great work ethic. My concern, if there is one,
obviously through the middle is you know, like we don't
have a lot of great ball runners in the middle,
(09:32):
like Jake's ball running days, you know, He's solid, but
he's not you know, breaking through a lot of tackles,
getting quick play the balls. Obviously, Pain will do that
for us, and Cam's a little bit the same, Like
he's a smaller body, so he's got to you know,
get himself between defenders and make sure he generates ruck
speed that way. But I think that's why he went
(09:52):
with the back five that we did. You know, big
guys that are going to get us out of our
own end, that have a team first mentality, and on
the back of that, it's going to allow beginners to
tidy up and do what he does, you know, lead
the line speed with Reyes Robson and do those really small,
those gritty parts of the game that you that you
(10:12):
know you needed. Origin and Queensland have probably done better
than us in the past, so you know, yeah, it's
going to be a challenge for him physically because Origin
is such a physical game. But you know, without Teenail
and without Fleggler, I think that they've gone for a
smaller mobile sort of pack as well, but all played
big minutes, so it'll be physical, but it might be
(10:33):
as physical as as some of the Origins we've seen
in the past because there's not going to be as
many big bodies on there, and I think that'll be
a good thing for camp.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
I also think too, as you mentioned, they're the size
that it's more of a power more of a power
forward pack from both sides, and I think what suits
this young fellow who I've got to do with down here?
Good made in mind with Hutson Jal, I thought his
inclusion was good. Obviously, he's got a great raport with Madge,
and he knows his game really really well, and he's Gerz.
He's one of those guys where he's a big moment
(11:02):
player and for the Raiders, the kind of so called
success so far in the first half of the season,
you know, sitting in the top play have been on
the back of some of his efforts towards the end
of games to win them. And I think those big
moment players suit themselves for this origin level.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Yeah. Well, I felt sorry for him last year because
it was difficult, different difficult circumstances to come in and
everyone knows your first couple of games, you really don't
know how are you going to make an impact? You're
really trying to be out there to to stay out
of the way and to just trying to find your
rhythm at that level, it's really difficult. So it's good
(11:38):
to see him get another opportunity. You're right, he's in
great form. And I remember when he got picked last
year and they interviewed Ricky, and Ricky, who knows Origin
players better than most, just said, he's just a guy that,
you know, you know, needs to play Origin, he needs
to step up to that level. And Madges obviously been
down there under Ricky and been working closely with Hudson,
(12:00):
so I wasn't surprised to see that. How they use
him on the edge and what they do in that
regard is going to be interesting. But I'm sure, you know,
when he gets his opportunity, I mean, you know, he
could even play him in the middle. You know, he's
got great league speed. He's an animal. He's great, got
great line speed as well. You know, he'd do a
job for everyone's talking about, you know, because you've got
(12:23):
Martin and Crichton and guys like that on edges that
play big minutes, you know, but you can always throw
a guy like Hudson with the resilient sort of nature
the way that he plays in the middle for fifteen
or twenty minutes and he wouldn't let you down. So yeah,
looking forward to watching him go around again.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
He's got some aggression too in his toolkit. But speaking
of aggression, I like the inclusion of Spencer Lan you
love him or hating him. I think he's really under
Trent Robinson. He's really started to control that aggression. And
I mean again seeing him last week in his performance
for the Roosters was great. And those two mentioned players,
either whether they come off the bench in different rotations
(13:02):
that will bring some energy, aggression and the right formula
whether you're in front to really go the next level
or to maybe on some scoreboard pressure as well.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Yeah, I think balance is key for Spencer because he
does he plays on that line and sometimes he goes
over that line a little bit and you know there's
going to be eighty thousand people there and they're all
going to be egging him on and everyone sort of
expecting him to come on and do what he does.
So just making sure that you know there's a little
(13:33):
bit of control there with him and he's focused on
playing football because there'll be guys out there baiting him.
They get that Queensland, Jersey on and they know what
buttons to press. So it's going to be challenging in
a sense for him just to remain keep some of
the emotion out of it and stay nice and balanced
to make sure he does what he does in what's
the best interest for the team. But in saying that,
(13:57):
I just love having him on our side, you know,
I just love what he brings off the bench, and
he's just a guy that you speaking to the Penrith
guys that they used to you know, as soon as
he would come on the field they knew, you know,
he just changed moments in games, you know, with the
way that he would run the ball, or even some
(14:17):
of the small detail defensively, like his aggression in defense
or his willingness in defense. So yeah, he's no outstanding,
probably the best bench player in the competition, and he's
in great touch, as he said, for the Roosters and
he will do a great job for New South Wales
if he stays nice and controlled on Wednesday.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
I don't wait to see his impacts before we wrap up.
Just kind of you mentioned about going out there and playing.
I love having these chats to you in regards to
the human element that you communicate so well playing Origin.
Everyone I've spoken to with a past or present that
have been involved in Origin as a player, it just
goes so quickly, it just screams straight past. And you
(14:57):
mentioned about having some apprehension how much of an impact
you're going to be part of the game and play.
Something tells me that you can very easily miss the
bus and then twenty five minutes can be gone and
you're just in you if you haven't got yourself in
the game, you could have missed the bus fare. But
then also saying that too opposition might expose that side
of things. How do you get your head right for Origin?
(15:19):
Because there's something he also tells me as well, if
you maybe internally, if you're thinking you're not doing such
a good job, you start to stress and start to panic.
And there's the great Steve Jackson who scored that try
for the Raiders naty nine Grand Final mentioned a great
he last year when he first got picked for Queensland
and he wasn't sure of his value whether he belonged there,
But after they started to reassure that he belonged there,
(15:40):
and he got his head out of it and just
stayed in the moment and then I ended up playing
some big minutes and have had a great had a
great little origin period there in his career. He found
his feet. How do you find your feet at that level?
And how do you go through the demons of O
my good enough? And then actually you're in the you're
in the contest, you're in the arena and actually be
involved and go to your assignments for the reason you've
(16:02):
been picked there to begin with.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Yeah, I think you're talking about different generations where you know,
guys are a lot more humble back in the day.
The confidence with these young guys coming through that have
been in systems for you know, you know since I
was fifteen or sixteen, and you know, I think there's
they come through with a different, different era of sort
of confidence. They go into these teams and they really
(16:26):
feel like they belong. And I think that's the benefit
of picking guys that have come out of club club
football in really good form, you know, the guys that
are on the boot. Sulity's in great touch, Low Max
is in great touch. You spoke about McGinnis before, so
Rhys Robson's had a taste. He knows what to expect
(16:47):
you know, the biggest concern for me going into this
one at the heart, Like I spoke about Jerram, I
think he's fine Nico for mine, he's been a guy
that has kind of been up and down and origin
you really need to know how to play off the
back foot because it's not often that you're getting through
your sets and always putting in attacking kicks. It's very
(17:10):
it's more often than not that you're coming out of
your own end and you're putting kicks in from your
twenty or your thirty lines. But he's different, kick pressures, different,
all those elements, So you know, you need to be
ready to go out there and sort of win off
the back foot. And it's not something he's done where
he's known to do, and that's what separates, you know,
the halves at that level. And also carrying the injury,
you know, his preparation has been limited, and then we
(17:33):
don't have really any cover for him. You know, if
you look at our bench, you know you spoke about
you Lean, you Len, You and Young and Olkuasu and Isao.
Now I know YOI played a little bit of center
and wing in his early days, but you wouldn't want
to see him out there now, and if something happens
to those halves, it's a real concern, especially if you've
(17:54):
got a guy going in that's been carrying an injury.
And so I think that's why you know, Maddie Burton
there on the bench and I know that they're same here.
It would go in if if he pulled out Nico,
heines through the week, but just to go in once
Nico says that he's okay to play with a soft
tissue injury like the calf, you just can't put load
(18:18):
into it at training through the week. It doesn't it
doesn't compare to what happens to you on game day.
I've been through calf injuries and you think you're right,
and the doctor tells you right, and the physio says
you're good to go, and all of a sudden, you're
running normally. You get out there and you know it
blows out after twenty or twenty five minutes. And if
something like that happens, I'm just not sure what's going
(18:40):
to happen to the makeup of that side. So that's
why Maddie Burton, I'm not sure you know with the
mage will do it. You see you see Queensland have
gone with Cabbo on the bench. I actually think with
the way that the game is these days, that's a
smart thing. You've got guys that play big minutes, smaller bodies,
they can carry it outside back on the bench. So
going to be interested to see in the lead up
(19:02):
what Madge does and if something does happen to one
of our playmakers during the contest, how we adapt because
you know it's a key position and you need to
have someone in there that knows what they're doing well.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
It's an exciting prospect and a lot of players picking
that New South Wales side not carrying the baggage of
the previous series losses, if you will, especially the last
two goods before I let you go, what's the tip
mate on New South Wales by how many?
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Two? Twill do two or four? That's all we need.
Just get this one in the bag. Got to win.
It's at home, you know. Then we got Melbourne and
the last game in Queensland, so need to get this
one away. And I don't care about how much, but
I think it'll be tight. I think it'll be closed
and hopefully we can just find a way.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Let's find the Way Goods.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
That's a sort of philosophical mate. Yeah. Sweet
Hey, a bit of an Origin episode this one, and
a man we spoke to at large last year and
a bit of a fan favorite on this show because
he's a very good looking guy, even in his fifties.
He is the man that dominated at the Origin level
many many scores, many many records. He broke, of course,
part of that fifty six to twelve slacking back in
the year two thousand, scored thirty plus points, not very
(00:21):
easy to do in Origin. He was doing things that
no one can do. I speak of this man, Ryan
Girdler Gertz, how are you, mate?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good Nick? How are you buddy?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Did you like that intro back on? Did you like
that intro?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
I mate it It was just I wouldn't have expected
anything less from you. You know, sometimes I feel like
you're speaking about someone else, but you know it is
what it is.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
You deserve it. Mate. Let's go straight straight into the point.
Man of this big fan of this show who gets
been on regularly even in his time at the Tigers
and whatnot. Madge McGuire mentioned about a three weeks ago
that there might be some changes, some shock changes in
this Origin side without giving anything away, and we opened
the place on the Monday and see a total freshened
(01:03):
up Blues team. What do you make of the goods?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Yeah, look I was I was excited to be honest.
It's just good to see some guys get an opportunity.
It's origin for me, representative football for me. He has
always been about rewarding the guys that has been in
great form at an a real level, and I think
he's kind of done that. You know, obviously there's always
(01:30):
a few casualties and a few guys that have unfortunately
missed out. And I remember the moment where, you know,
I didn't make Gus cut me in like I think
it was two thousand and three, and you don't get
that call and your name doesn't come over in back then.
You know, it was sort of on the it was
on the radio. You'd sort of wait, the team has
been announced on radio. And I remember I was driving
(01:51):
home from somewhere and my name wasn't called out and
I had to pull over and take a couple of
breaths and regather myself. You know, That's how I found out.
So it's I really empathize for the guys that have
done a job for us in the past, regardless of results,
because going in there is a big commitment and I
know what it takes and I know what those guys
give and it's never easy. But in saying that, you know, yeah,
(02:13):
I was just really excited to see some guys that
have been waiting in the winds Wild get that opportunity.
And there's been some injuries. Both states have had some
considerable injuries to keep personnel and a little bit concerned
about the haas for New South Wales, as were most people,
and Nicko's performance against the Panthers the other day wasn't
(02:35):
probably what he would have liked or what we all
would have liked to see. But on the other side
of the coin, you know, I was really excited to
see your own Lewye played the way that he has
for the last couple of months and probably come in
not as you know, the partner of Nathan theory, but
as the guy that can potentially lead the state. I
think he kind of sits well in that space. I
(02:55):
think he feels like he's got a lot of balance,
he knows what sort of player he is, and I
think in your early sort of origins, you go in
there and it can be a little bit about you know,
you it's like I've made it, you know, and you're
having a good time and you enjoy playing with, you know,
those quality players that you've always admired. But there's a
point in your representative career where you go in there
(03:18):
and you feel like you actually belong and you've got
a responsibility to know the team and the state. And
I just kind of feel like he understands how important
he is this year to that environment, and I think
that'll sit well with him. So I'm really excited to
see how he goes. You know, Jakie as captain. I mean,
(03:40):
how can you not support what he does? I mean,
there's not a supporter in the game that doesn't you know,
respect the way that Jake goes about his business on
a weekly basis. And for him to lead the state,
what a great honor. I think you do a fantastic job.
And yeah, just happy to see those guys go out there,
and I know it's going to be a whole harder performance.
(04:00):
We know what sort of coach Madge is and the
people that he selected and why he selected them, you know,
the character that he's brought into the environment that he's
created there. So yeah, really really upbeatn positive about Wednesday.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
The great thing about the Siety is if you just
remove all the stuff you mentioned about incumbents that aren't there,
if you just look at that team, it's a great
combination between having some established connections, whether they're current Penrith
players or former Panthers that have played in ground finals.
With those players, speak of your critens of the world
that are ritten there, they will know their game really
(04:38):
really well, especially playing off you know Jerome Lui. But
then also those inform players too, like Zach Lomax, you know,
Joseph he gets his chance, you know, Reese Robson makes
his debut. So it's a really good blend. You spoke
about that time where you're pulled over and I want
to ask you about a big Teddy that the situation
(05:00):
with Teddy. But in that time, if you can go
back there, how how did you how did you process
that and how did you how did you kind of
like shake that off to get back into your club
level and just to kind of like let that go
and still remain positive and not let that really affect
a not just your football but your life goods.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah, Well, to be honest, I didn't Nick. You know,
it was the first time something like that had happened
to me. And it gets to the point where you
just without kind of sounding nonchalant or disrespectful to the jersey,
at some points in your career, you just kind of
you expect your name to be read out, you know,
you've been doing the job. And I remember Gus came
(05:37):
in as the coach and just wanted to change things up,
and there was a couple of decent players. Gasney was
coming through, and I was kind of you know at
that back end, and then you know, all of a
sudden and Gidley was coming through, and yeah, and all
of a sudden it was my time, and yeah, it
it really affected me. It affected you know, I remember
(05:58):
not sleeping for a couple of days. I remember, you know,
going into you know, I wasn't in great form, to
be fair, and Guss was probably right to leave me out,
and then you know, just having to get back to training,
get back to the boys, and then you know, try
and focus on the club form, and we were having
(06:18):
a really tough year at club level as well, so
you know, it was just a really ordinary year, to
be honest, and it just took time you know, but
I know Teddy's kind of been around for a long
time and he's been through a lot of different experiences
and he's got some really good people around him, and
he's in great club form, whereas I kind of wasn't,
(06:40):
so he would just keep doing what he's doing, and
he knows that if things don't work or there's injuries,
he's obviously the kind of personality that's going to put
his hand up and want to come in and make
a difference. Yeah, I'm sure it didn't sit that well
with him to start with, but I'm sure he understands. Unfortunately,
Mal gave him, you know, Madge gave him the call
(07:02):
and was able to explain to him the reasons and
if there's parts of his game that he needs to
work on, well I'm sure he'll be doing that. Well.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
The great thing about that his Magic did give him
the call, and he probably didn't find out on the
radio considering he was the captain as well, and people
have been saying, well, maybe he should have been told
earlier so we can have a bit of a swan
song and then maybe retire from Red Footing. But he
probably doesn't want to retire from Red footing. As you mentioned,
if Dylan, if Edwards goes down, then he's still up
for you know, he's the first one picked for game
(07:30):
two or three. Because the sad thing is for prior Teddy,
he's actually been playing in a real good form And
you know, I was right there on the sideline and
watched what he did to the Raiders on the weekend
and he was outstanding.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Yeah, it's just parts of his game. Like if you
think about the way that the Dylan plays and you know,
watching him really closely on a weosly basis, you know,
the the amount of times he finds his front when
he chooses to run, how when he chooses to get
involved out the back of shape. You know, there's a
lot of decision making, like defensively, when how many times
(08:04):
he catches the ball on the full, how quick he's
played the ball speed is. I mean, there's a lot
of data out there these days that guys like Madge
that that you know, they represent the kind of the
kind of players that they want to see in their sides,
having you know, this sort of impact that he will have.
So I don't think you know, a lot of us
(08:25):
look at it at face value and say, oh, well,
they're playing pretty similar. You know, they're both in good form.
Teddy's incumbent, why would you make that decision? And I
think it comes down to exactly those things that I
just spoke about, actually looking through the detail, and that's
what the that's what the coaches do, That's that's what
Madge is all about. And he's obviously seen something there
(08:45):
that represents the way that he wants his team to
play to break down Queensland. And Dylan's obviously stronger in
those areas that we might all see that. I'm sure
Madge understands and we're probably able to explain to Teddy,
and that's why Dylan got the nine.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
It's glad to say something like Cameron McGinnis getting a
run as well. He just suits that origin format, doesn't he.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Yeah, he's definitely got a head for origin, doesn't he.
You know, but he's Look, he's having a great he's
having a great season. He's a great character, he's got
a great work ethic. My concern, if there is one,
obviously through the middle is you know, like we don't
have a lot of great ball runners in the middle,
(09:32):
like Jake's ball running days, you know, He's solid, but
he's not you know, breaking through a lot of tackles,
getting quick play the balls. Obviously, Pain will do that
for us, and Cam's a little bit the same, Like
he's a smaller body, so he's got to you know,
get himself between defenders and make sure he generates ruck
speed that way. But I think that's why he went
(09:52):
with the back five that we did. You know, big
guys that are going to get us out of our
own end, that have a team first mentality, and on
the back of that, it's going to allow beginners to
tidy up and do what he does, you know, lead
the line speed with Reyes Robson and do those really small,
those gritty parts of the game that you that you
(10:12):
know you needed. Origin and Queensland have probably done better
than us in the past, so you know, yeah, it's
going to be a challenge for him physically because Origin
is such a physical game. But you know, without Teenail
and without Fleggler, I think that they've gone for a
smaller mobile sort of pack as well, but all played
big minutes, so it'll be physical, but it might be
(10:33):
as physical as as some of the Origins we've seen
in the past because there's not going to be as
many big bodies on there, and I think that'll be
a good thing for camp.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
I also think too, as you mentioned, they're the size
that it's more of a power more of a power
forward pack from both sides, and I think what suits
this young fellow who I've got to do with down here?
Good made in mind with Hutson Jal, I thought his
inclusion was good. Obviously, he's got a great raport with Madge,
and he knows his game really really well, and he's Gerz.
He's one of those guys where he's a big moment
(11:02):
player and for the Raiders, the kind of so called
success so far in the first half of the season,
you know, sitting in the top play have been on
the back of some of his efforts towards the end
of games to win them. And I think those big
moment players suit themselves for this origin level.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Yeah. Well, I felt sorry for him last year because
it was difficult, different difficult circumstances to come in and
everyone knows your first couple of games, you really don't
know how are you going to make an impact? You're
really trying to be out there to to stay out
of the way and to just trying to find your
rhythm at that level, it's really difficult. So it's good
(11:38):
to see him get another opportunity. You're right, he's in
great form. And I remember when he got picked last
year and they interviewed Ricky, and Ricky, who knows Origin
players better than most, just said, he's just a guy that,
you know, you know, needs to play Origin, he needs
to step up to that level. And Madges obviously been
down there under Ricky and been working closely with Hudson,
(12:00):
so I wasn't surprised to see that. How they use
him on the edge and what they do in that
regard is going to be interesting. But I'm sure, you know,
when he gets his opportunity, I mean, you know, he
could even play him in the middle. You know, he's
got great league speed. He's an animal. He's great, got
great line speed as well. You know, he'd do a
job for everyone's talking about, you know, because you've got
(12:23):
Martin and Crichton and guys like that on edges that
play big minutes, you know, but you can always throw
a guy like Hudson with the resilient sort of nature
the way that he plays in the middle for fifteen
or twenty minutes and he wouldn't let you down. So yeah,
looking forward to watching him go around again.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
He's got some aggression too in his toolkit. But speaking
of aggression, I like the inclusion of Spencer Lan you
love him or hating him. I think he's really under
Trent Robinson. He's really started to control that aggression. And
I mean again seeing him last week in his performance
for the Roosters was great. And those two mentioned players,
either whether they come off the bench in different rotations
(13:02):
that will bring some energy, aggression and the right formula
whether you're in front to really go the next level
or to maybe on some scoreboard pressure as well.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Yeah, I think balance is key for Spencer because he
does he plays on that line and sometimes he goes
over that line a little bit and you know there's
going to be eighty thousand people there and they're all
going to be egging him on and everyone sort of
expecting him to come on and do what he does.
So just making sure that you know there's a little
(13:33):
bit of control there with him and he's focused on
playing football because there'll be guys out there baiting him.
They get that Queensland, Jersey on and they know what
buttons to press. So it's going to be challenging in
a sense for him just to remain keep some of
the emotion out of it and stay nice and balanced
to make sure he does what he does in what's
the best interest for the team. But in saying that,
(13:57):
I just love having him on our side, you know,
I just love what he brings off the bench, and
he's just a guy that you speaking to the Penrith
guys that they used to you know, as soon as
he would come on the field they knew, you know,
he just changed moments in games, you know, with the
way that he would run the ball, or even some
(14:17):
of the small detail defensively, like his aggression in defense
or his willingness in defense. So yeah, he's no outstanding,
probably the best bench player in the competition, and he's
in great touch, as he said, for the Roosters and
he will do a great job for New South Wales
if he stays nice and controlled on Wednesday.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
I don't wait to see his impacts before we wrap up.
Just kind of you mentioned about going out there and playing.
I love having these chats to you in regards to
the human element that you communicate so well playing Origin.
Everyone I've spoken to with a past or present that
have been involved in Origin as a player, it just
goes so quickly, it just screams straight past. And you
(14:57):
mentioned about having some apprehension how much of an impact
you're going to be part of the game and play.
Something tells me that you can very easily miss the
bus and then twenty five minutes can be gone and
you're just in you if you haven't got yourself in
the game, you could have missed the bus fare. But
then also saying that too opposition might expose that side
of things. How do you get your head right for Origin?
(15:19):
Because there's something he also tells me as well, if
you maybe internally, if you're thinking you're not doing such
a good job, you start to stress and start to panic.
And there's the great Steve Jackson who scored that try
for the Raiders naty nine Grand Final mentioned a great
he last year when he first got picked for Queensland
and he wasn't sure of his value whether he belonged there,
But after they started to reassure that he belonged there,
(15:40):
and he got his head out of it and just
stayed in the moment and then I ended up playing
some big minutes and have had a great had a
great little origin period there in his career. He found
his feet. How do you find your feet at that level?
And how do you go through the demons of O
my good enough? And then actually you're in the you're
in the contest, you're in the arena and actually be
involved and go to your assignments for the reason you've
(16:02):
been picked there to begin with.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Yeah, I think you're talking about different generations where you know,
guys are a lot more humble back in the day.
The confidence with these young guys coming through that have
been in systems for you know, you know since I
was fifteen or sixteen, and you know, I think there's
they come through with a different, different era of sort
of confidence. They go into these teams and they really
(16:26):
feel like they belong. And I think that's the benefit
of picking guys that have come out of club club
football in really good form, you know, the guys that
are on the boot. Sulity's in great touch, Low Max
is in great touch. You spoke about McGinnis before, so
Rhys Robson's had a taste. He knows what to expect
(16:47):
you know, the biggest concern for me going into this
one at the heart, Like I spoke about Jerram, I
think he's fine Nico for mine, he's been a guy
that has kind of been up and down and origin
you really need to know how to play off the
back foot because it's not often that you're getting through
your sets and always putting in attacking kicks. It's very
(17:10):
it's more often than not that you're coming out of
your own end and you're putting kicks in from your
twenty or your thirty lines. But he's different, kick pressures, different,
all those elements, So you know, you need to be
ready to go out there and sort of win off
the back foot. And it's not something he's done where
he's known to do, and that's what separates, you know,
the halves at that level. And also carrying the injury,
you know, his preparation has been limited, and then we
(17:33):
don't have really any cover for him. You know, if
you look at our bench, you know you spoke about
you Lean, you Len, You and Young and Olkuasu and Isao.
Now I know YOI played a little bit of center
and wing in his early days, but you wouldn't want
to see him out there now, and if something happens
to those halves, it's a real concern, especially if you've
(17:54):
got a guy going in that's been carrying an injury.
And so I think that's why you know, Maddie Burton
there on the bench and I know that they're same here.
It would go in if if he pulled out Nico,
heines through the week, but just to go in once
Nico says that he's okay to play with a soft
tissue injury like the calf, you just can't put load
(18:18):
into it at training through the week. It doesn't it
doesn't compare to what happens to you on game day.
I've been through calf injuries and you think you're right,
and the doctor tells you right, and the physio says
you're good to go, and all of a sudden, you're
running normally. You get out there and you know it
blows out after twenty or twenty five minutes. And if
something like that happens, I'm just not sure what's going
(18:40):
to happen to the makeup of that side. So that's
why Maddie Burton, I'm not sure you know with the
mage will do it. You see you see Queensland have
gone with Cabbo on the bench. I actually think with
the way that the game is these days, that's a
smart thing. You've got guys that play big minutes, smaller bodies,
they can carry it outside back on the bench. So
going to be interested to see in the lead up
(19:02):
what Madge does and if something does happen to one
of our playmakers during the contest, how we adapt because
you know it's a key position and you need to
have someone in there that knows what they're doing well.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
It's an exciting prospect and a lot of players picking
that New South Wales side not carrying the baggage of
the previous series losses, if you will, especially the last
two goods before I let you go, what's the tip
mate on New South Wales by how many?
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Two? Twill do two or four? That's all we need.
Just get this one in the bag. Got to win.
It's at home, you know. Then we got Melbourne and
the last game in Queensland, so need to get this
one away. And I don't care about how much, but
I think it'll be tight. I think it'll be closed
and hopefully we can just find a way.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Let's find the Way Goods.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
That's a sort of philosophical mate. Yeah. Sweet
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