The Decider! - Origin 3 preview with Blues legend...

Raider Nick and Ryan Girdler

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Nick, how anybody, I'm good mate, I'm good mate. What
a turnaround? What a turnaround? How do you go from
getting built a thirty eight ten yes, down to twelve men?
But they just looked shot in that first game, and
then Madge did something and it was pretty much the
identical game, but just different sides.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
Yeah, I mean, I don't think we can undervalue what
happened in game one. I actually didn't know how much
of an impact it had on the result. I didn't
know if Coinsland had a few more gears to go
up when they were playing twelve man, And because there
are moments in that first game where you felt that
new soth Woll somehow have the upper hand and sort
of the earlier part of that second half and almost

(00:38):
made a little bit of a charge, and I was
trying to get it. I was sort of sitting there
trying not to get too excited, thinking, surely Coinsland aren't
going to allow that to happen, and then you just
watching Hunt and Cherry Evans just knowing what to do
at the right moments, just to make sure that they
closed that game out. I actually came away from the
game not too excited, thinking, oh well, maybe had a

(01:00):
few more gears to go through, they didn't need them.
That experienced players in those key positions and they just
did it comfortably. So Game two for me, was always
going to be you couldn't take a lot of the
content out of one into two, so it was always
going to be a little bit of an unknown with
some of the guys that we brought in, obviously with
a new coach of Madge. But gee, they came out

(01:20):
of the block so played with intent, physicality, and I
know the word bully's been used a lot, especially up
in Brisbane to try and fire up the Queenslanders for
game through, but they just manhandled the Queensland guys and
just relentless. And I just thought, going into that contest,
if we've got an advantage, I really thought, and you
don't usually talk about the edges, but Crichton on that

(01:44):
left side with Latrelle and then Martin on that right
side with Crichton, you know, I mean, those guys did
so much damage, you know, the lines that they were running,
the intent that they played with, and I thought they
just sort of led the way. And then on the
back of that and then Mitchell Mason's kicking game and
the work that Dylan Edwards did and the way that

(02:04):
he finds his front and plays the ball quickly. They
just blew the hinges off. And yeah, Queensland sort of
recovered a little bit, made up a little bit of
ground in the second half, but the damage was well
and truly done and you know, they restored a little
bit of pride, but yeah, it was a totally dominant
performance by the Blues and game too.

Speaker 1 (02:24):
Speaking of some of the Blues boys and this sort
of love when I hear this from players goods because
we get all caught up into this machine that rugby
league is, whether we're working the media and commentators but
especially the fans that are on the outer side of it,
or just watching through the television and whatnot. And it's
so it's everything's such a big deal in regards to

(02:46):
results and why things have happened. And I was always
asking the question why, But he just talks to some
of the Blues boys and go, what happened? Hackening? Is
we just what happened to the Marine team in the
first half And their answer is it is just I
don't know. Sometimes in sport that just happened that way,
whether you're just got this win behind you and you're unstoppable,
or it's all the way around where you're just trying

(03:06):
every player, you're trying to throw at the defensive line
and just keep chilling you up. Nothing's happening. Is're all off,
that's just sport. Do you think that happened again in
game two?

Speaker 2 (03:17):
Look, I think what happens is and I've been in
that situation myself. You win game one, you've got game
three at home. Game two just kind of becomes I
don't know, I mean, you take every really, you enjoy
the week. It almost becomes like how you say it,

(03:38):
because you know you've got that fullback game at home
for the decider. So the build up is probably not
what it needed to be. Like, the desperation that you
take into a game two if you've lost game one
is so different than the attitude you take in if
you've won game one. And I know that might prove
might say Origin's Origin. I get that, but you know

(04:00):
it can be subconsciously. You go in there and you
know and it's more about I think the intent that
the losing side from game one brings into that second game.
And you could see that with New South Wales. You
could see that they you know, they were hurting from
game one. You kind of feel like that they didn't
get a fair go, you know, whether the Sawi leit

(04:21):
you call was right or not. You know, they would
had to do it with twelve men and they really
kind of wanted to show, you know, what they are about.
So yeah, they called Queensland off guard, but Queensland also
had Yeah, well we've got game three at some corp
and as you just said, they're one, i think two
deciders up there in New South Wales, so we know
we can fall back onto the crowd being the fourteenth

(04:44):
man up there, and we know there's going to be
fifty thousand Queensland of screaming, and we know that we're
going to get up for that one, so worst case scenario,
we can use that if we need it. Sure it'd
be good to get the job done down here in
Melbourne in game two and not have to worry about that,
but that just didn't happen.

Speaker 1 (04:59):
For It's interesting you say that because he's peaked to
people at club land level saying when you're playing a
desperate side, it's a hard game because they're playing for
their season, and then it's a similar approach, isn't it.
When you're play in the Origin it's down one Niel.
In the series you've got that, you've got that desperation
and wanting to get things right and there's no room
for error. Whereas, like you said, subconsciously, you've got one

(05:21):
in the bag, it's one, there's a there's a cushion
of the next week. You're probably a bit more relaxed.
But what the beauty this is both teams Now, it's
the last game, it's the cider. What will the mentalities
be in camps and what was it like from your
experience when you were in camp for a decider, especially
having to go to sun Corpul the old Lang Park
if you will.

Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, all I played in two deciders up here. We
drew one in I think ninety nine and lost one
in that famous game when Alfie they brought Alfie back
from England the day before. So yeah, this place, like Queensland,
just becomes so Rugby League centric during this like Origin
is like everything to them. It's a little bit different

(06:02):
to when the deciders are down in New South Wales.
So yeah, it's hard to it's hard to ignore it
up here. Everyone's like I'm at the Triple M studios
up here now and like all through the studio up
here is like go coins Land, like you know, everyone's
just on board. So yeah, the build up up here
is unbelievable. But the players also, you know, I mean

(06:27):
they really connect with their with their people up here
when they're when they're playing at some corps, they really
do have an impact of fans on the referee and
the decisions. Coins New south Wales physicality they played with
in game two was incredible and they need to bring
that same sort of mentality up here. The problem is
going to be every time that you know, there's an

(06:48):
opportunity for the crowd to get involved and make a
noise and try and get the referee to to blow
a decision. Coinsland way they're going to do it. And
the referees, as much as they like to come up
here and be impartial, they's human. It's really hard to
go out there and referee to get the game, you know,
ignoring you know what the fans, the noise that they

(07:09):
make and the carry on from the crowd. So that's
going to be the challenge. I think the New South
Wales they need to be really clean and disciplined, but
they need to play with that physicality and getting that
balance right so that they don't get the crowd and
the referee involve is going to be like a key
to whether or not I believe they win or lose.
And also they need to go after it early because

(07:30):
the last thing they want to be doing up he
is trying to chase points. When you've got the crowd
and you've got Coen Bland sort of they're great front
runners in that regard. They've got experiencing those key positions.
They can close out games, so you know it Goes
are saying they need to get off to a good start.
They need to try and keep the crowd quiet, and
they need to be physical but very disciplined and clean

(07:53):
so that they don't give coins Land the leg ups
that the crowds are going to be baying for.

Speaker 1 (07:58):
You're a man of awareness, good you can see things,
probably more than the average bear may be with the
disciplines you have in your life. What heck if you
can explain that feeling of going to sun Corp on
a decider. You mentioned the energy of the crowd and
the influences and whatnot. What is it like compared to
say Sydney, Because you've got screaming Sydney, you know, you've
got squeap screaming, you know, batchy blues, all that kind

(08:20):
of stuff. Why is it different at SUNCRP.

Speaker 2 (08:23):
It's just a different stadium. You know, they're so close
to the to the action, the fans, the way that
the stadium's been built. You know, everyone's got a really
good view. And yeah, something about the atmosphere that has
been created by the way that the stadium has been
I love playing at a and Zed or Home Bush
or a call whatever they call it these days as well.
But there's just something about this stadium. And there's also

(08:45):
probably you know, something to do with the amount of
rum that gets drunken on Capton Street before the before
the fans come down. And look, don't worry that that
all adds to it, right. So in Sydney there you've
got a couple of pubs and that people will go
and have a bind. I'll cover the footy. You know,
if you've ever done an origin up here, and you
know Caston Street there's about five or six different watering

(09:05):
holes on the way down there. They're full you know
they roll out of there, you know, about half an
hour before kickoff after being there since lunch time, and
you know they get down there to go, they're lubricated
and they're ready to roll. So look, one thing though,
I do I do think you know it was in
New South Wales favor a couple of things. I like

(09:27):
the faith that manage maguire is. You know, one, a
comp at club level, you don't have a lot of
really successful club coaches come in and do much and
I know Bennett's done it before and that's the success
he had. But taking those experiences from taking it team
to a title in the NFL, I think is a
really good thing for MAT's to be able to call
on this week. You know, with the preparation. There's no

(09:49):
bigger preparation for a coach than to get a Grand Final, right,
So this would be very similar to that for him.
And then the other thing is I look at the
players within that New South Wales side that have made
history over the last couple of years. You know the Edwards,
the Crichton, the Louie, you know the Martin, you know
these guys that lend you. These guys have you know

(10:12):
in the face of all sorts of adversity, won three
premierships pretty much back to back, and we haven't seen
something like that happened since, like maybe the eighties with Parramatta.
So they also they like to play, you know, that
villain a role as well. They're not They don't want
everyone to like them, Louie, you know, crighton, they get

(10:34):
in your face, they upset people. People call them arrogant,
and you know, they and and they think that they're
not humble, and they like it. And this is a
perfect place to come up and be the villain. You know.
No one's going to like them here, you know, and
that could put certain players off. But these guys are
going to come up and in the face of all
that adversity, I think they're going to they're going to

(10:56):
stand tall and give it a good run.

Speaker 1 (10:59):
I see the Pendrith culture. They bounce in with the
stereo and whatnot. Ive spoken to. We've got Zachi Hosking
who was at the Panthers obviously last couple of years.
He's a big raider now and just I'm really fascinated
girls by the new generation because what can be perceived
as arrogance and whatnot. I see it as they're just
sure of themselves. It's almost like the NBA culture, you know,

(11:20):
coming into the NRL now, which it's healthy. They're not,
you know, they when it's game on, they still get nervous,
but they but they've got what they do is they
put that kind of not that pressure one on themselves,
but they've got this assurance where they can fall back on.
And then it's it's we're seeing it now in New
South Wales, which is great and I'm one to just
applaud that behavior like it's I reckon. It's great that

(11:41):
them they're sure of themselves, Michael Jordan. You know, even
Billy Slater, they knew what they were capable of and
they were just going out there and doing it.

Speaker 2 (11:48):
You know, Well, it's the game's all about entertainment these days,
isn't it really? And these players understand that. They watch
a lot of those different games and look, it's taken
me a while to get used to, to be honest,
like watching Penrith and loving that club for the last
thirty years, you know, it's been sometimes hard to see

(12:09):
those guys come through with that sort of attitude and
that little swagger and then you know, on the back
of their success, and then you hear the guys speak
like you know, when they're down the barrel of the camera,
and how much respect they have for the opposition, how
much respect they have for their teammates. And they're good
family men, and it's kind of it's kind of all
just part of the show, and it's how they get

(12:31):
themselves ready to be their best. And if that's what
it takes for that, well then who are we to judge?
You know, I mean, if they're out there doing doing
the job, but they're coming off and they're respectful and humble,
and they're good family people and they've got all the
other parts of their life in order. Most of these guys,
they don't drink anymore. They don't go out and party.
They're at home. They're ice and up. You know, they're

(12:51):
getting ready for that next week. Like you look at
the way that that Stephen Crichton and that has gone
to the Bulldogs and what he's done to that for
that club leadership that he's shown. You know, I mean,
these guys might have a bit of a swagger and
they might be a bit arrogant, but you know, god,
they know how to play. They know how to prepare,
they know how to lead, and I believe they're going
to know how to get out there in front of

(13:12):
fifty two thousand people and you know, up here in
Queen Brand and find a way to win.

Speaker 1 (13:18):
I think the same and no the trail. But Bradman
best comes in. He was pretty much mount of the
match in Game three when he got his start last year.
And seeing him last week terrorize my Raiders boys on
Sunday during alcohols down here and then chatting to win
postgame like he's a guy that just is so ignorant
to any of the baggage and any pressure that one
might yield to such a big occasion, he'll be just

(13:39):
wound up ready to go.

Speaker 2 (13:42):
Yeah, well, hopefully the hamstrings are okay. You know. Never
good to see guys, you know, early part of the preparation.
Battling soft tissue injuries as always a concern because you
never know how they're going to react when there's some
load put into that. But I think he's having the
test done today and he needs to get through that. Look.
I like Bradman as a player. He was exceptional in

(14:02):
the last year's series when he was called to come
in I think game three. I also think sometimes you know,
the byproduct of playing for a club like Newcastle that
doesn't have a lot of success, hasn't had a lot
of success while the time he's been there, you know,
they don't really have those players in the hearts and
when you're a seni, you're dependent on the people inside you.

(14:22):
You know, he can do so much, but you know
there's some players out there at some of those other
clubs that have got you know, the top, really high
quality halves that are getting a lot more opportunities, and
I would say Bradman gets you know, obviously when Kaylen
comes back, he's offered more opportunities, you know, with the
way that they play with Kaitlyn out the back of shape.

(14:43):
But while he's out trying to get the football out
of him in those moments where he can really shine,
is you know, not something that the Knights have been
able to do a lot in the last couple of seasons.
So you saw what happened when they took him out
of that roster and put him into the new South
Wales roster last year and you put him around those
good players and you see what that brings out in him,

(15:04):
and I think for a goal like him, to get
another opportunity to be playing out there with the best
players in our game, it excites him. It elevates him
to the next level because he knows that, you know,
a sent if you run to a certain a certain space,
there might only be three or four opportunities a game

(15:27):
for you to run to that space and get the
ball exactly when you need it from the players on
the inside. He might do that, you know, half a
dozen times a week at Newcastle and get the ball.
Once he hits those spaces, you know, when those opportunity
arise with guys insite him that are at the best,
at the top of their game, he's going to get
the ball three or four times. And that's what happened

(15:48):
to him with Cody Walker, when Cody Walker was putting
him all that space, you know. So we're going to
really get to see what he can do with the
players around him. He's a big game player. He kind
of got some swagger out him. He's physical. So yeah,
I really hope his hamstring comes through and he's able
to play because I think he can do a really

(16:09):
wonderful job. They're filling into La trail.

Speaker 1 (16:11):
Now, you being a bluesman, what's your score prediction for
a Wednesday night boss?

Speaker 2 (16:17):
I wrote one one team in the eighteen fourteen New
South Wales Edwards. I think we saw what Edwards could
do in game two, but it wasn't his style of
contest because he doesn't like those runaway, easy games and
he likes it when everyone's backs against the wall and
you're bringing the ball off your own lines. I reckon
Edwards is going to be man of the match, and

(16:40):
I reckon low Max is going to score first try.
There you go.

Speaker 1 (16:45):
Put a sneaky pineapple on that, mate.

Speaker 2 (16:48):
There you go.

Speaker 1 (16:50):
I've got to ask him for I let you go Girds.
Now to tighten up your you just say your media
journalistic cap if you will. But you did play against
this era, and now they talk about this next to
Myrtle A mortal thing. Goods the next to mortal Now.
Blokes like Lang have been tossed up. You played with
and against him through the nineties. You know Darren Locke
here as well. I you know, I'm a bit biased,

(17:11):
but blokes like Bradley Clyde, who probably you know who
doesn't really get mentioned too much. But you ask Big Mau,
Big George, Who's who's the best you've seen? He'll tell
you it's Clytie even like Lass, you know, he's closest
on many of things for the game. Who do you
think and they obviously Ron cooters Well needs to be
backdated and probably acknowledged in Immortalization. Who do you feel
should be or could be going in to be the

(17:32):
next of Mortal Well?

Speaker 2 (17:34):
I heard something about this this morning, but I don't
know who the nominees are, but yeah, I guess that
there's so much. I mean, it just depends on what
they're going to do, Like what's the plan. How many
are they going to roll out? Because if they're only
going to name one or two more, because we're on
what eight for a long time, so they're going to
roll one out every five years, and there's going to

(17:56):
be room down the down the track for like guys
like and Can, Yeah, well then I will give it
to someone like Ron. But if they're only going to
throw another couple out in the next forty or so years,
maybe we've got to you know, I think what Cameron
Smith has done at some point he needs to be acknowledged.
The amount of origins and tests and the success that

(18:17):
he had at every level like phenomenal. I wasn't didn't
have the luxury of seeing guys like Ronnie Coot in
that play. I was too young, so it's hard to
always validate those different those generations. But I'll have to
take someone else's word for Ron's what he was able

(18:37):
to achieve. But some of those new guys, like it's
some lucky as well, and Cam Smith, i'd say, would
be the guys that I would be at some point
trying to make sure they're acknowledged at that level. And yeah,
some of those older guys, I guess that's for the
other judges because I really I'm really not one that's

(18:58):
seen a lot of their work.

Speaker 1 (19:00):
The murmurs I've heard, and I think it's the most
logical conclusion is to do induct a couple maybe two
or three, and to have to just kind of get
up to date someone from the past, or maybe a
Ronnie Cook of Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling, and then
have an inductee from the most you know, the most
recent years. Maybe you could even you could see like
a ron Peter Sterling and a Darren Locke here maybe.

Speaker 2 (19:21):
Yeah, yeah, Well, it just depends on what they have.
Any they're going to roll out, like I mean, at
the same time, they've got a Hall of Fame. So
you know how many immortals are there at the moment, Well,
it's thirteen Laster model, Yeah, email is there?

Speaker 1 (19:34):
Yeah, because male and your mal was given the last one.
I think it was.

Speaker 2 (19:39):
Yeah, he's the third, okay, yeah. So yeah, So I mean,
how many do they want to have. I'd imagine they
don't want to, you know, they don't they don't want
to blow it out too, you don want to overcook
it it actually is. Yeah, So I would ear mark,
you know, out of those nominees, maybe you know, another
three or four in the next twenty years. Maybe yeah,

(19:59):
that'll be I don't know. And then and then you know,
you've got that Hall of Fame and those guys can
be on it in that way. So I don't know, mate,
that's the job for someone else. That's way out of
my pay grade.