March 1, 2025 • 7 mins
Warriors assistant coach Slade Griffin is hopeful the team can maintain their focus ahead of today's clash.
The Warriors are set to go up against the Raiders - in front of a crowd of 40,000 at the Allegiant Stadium.
Griffin joined Piney to discuss.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Just let's get inside the playing group and the coaching staff.
Earlier in the week I spoke with Warriors assistant coach
Slade Griffin to find out first of all, of this
was his first time in Vegas.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
No, actually, I was lucky enough to come here. I
come with my wife actually about six or seven years ago.
We only did three nights, so that was plenty enough.
And here we got in and out. Well.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Quite different this time around, obviously with a game of
rugby league to play. How have you kept the players
focused with so much going on around them.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Yeah, so when we got here, we we let the
boys go out, just let their hair down, kind of
feel the town.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
They had a really good night. They connected and they
all went to the same place and.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
The security guards and stuff with them. So it was
very well done. And then we refocused. So the boys
have trained really hard. We had a couple of really
good sessions. Has just had a possession against Wigan which
is really smooth, and yeah, they're ready to have a
really Obviously they know we've come here for a job
to do, so they'll focused on that and then after
the game, if we have a really good win, they'll
(01:19):
be able to have a few more beers there.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Indeed, what have your training facilities been?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Like?
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Really good. We trained at the UFC Gym, so that
was really cool.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Got a few fighting fans in the team so that
was a really awesome experience for them. And it's a
great facility there.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
The fields. Yeah, the field's not the greatest, but you
know that was all good.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
We got our work done, so you can't expect too much,
I guess in a foreign country.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Indeed, And what about the match venue? Allegiant Stadium, what
do you expect that to be?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Like, Oh, it's an amazing venue. We've driven past it.
It looks brand new. I've seen it on TV. But
it's going to be really cool to go inside. The
field will be a little bit narrower and a little
bit shorter. So we get to go there tomorrow. We
haven't been able to train there, will go out there tomorrow.
We'll walk around and just feel the stadium be amongst it.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
How much will that change the way you go about
things that the slightly smaller dimensions of the playing surface.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Yeah, it's hard to plan for I think it's a
bit of a feel thing when you're out.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
On the field.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
But we had a trial against Cronella on that type
of field, and it's maybe a little bit harder to
attack against. Like there's not obviously as much space, so
that might be a little bit different. But yeah, I
guess it just makes He'll probably just make it more
tough in the middle of the field. You know, there's
not as much space, so there'll be some more bigger clusions.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
I reckon just want to ask you about a couple
of players slayed James Fisher Harris obviously at the Warriors
for the first time. Can you give us some insight
into his early influence on this team.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Fish has been awesome. He's he's got his own aura.
You know, when he speaks, everyone listens. He doesn't say
a whole heat, but yeah, when he stands up in
front of the team, he just owns everyone's presence. So
as standards off the field, you know, he speaks with
his actions. He's always doing his extras. He's just a winner,
Like whatever it takes to whin he's willing to do.
(03:22):
He studies hard, which is very impressive for the type
of player. He is He's really aggressive, but he's very
diligent as well, So he's been awesome for the young
boys to see, you know, that professionalism and that work ethic,
and he's dragged a feel of them with him as well.
So he's lifted the team's standards just by how he
goes about his own business.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Aaron Clark back at the club after five years at
the Titans, so he'll start and the thirteen jumper. What
do you expect to see from him, not just this
weekend but across the season.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, he's he's really excited to be back. He's kind
of he was out of the game and now he's
back at the Warriors, Colors back at home. He's he's
he played really well the Trials. He brings a lot
of league speed, bit of ball playing, and he works
really hard defensively. So he's a strong guy and yeah,
we're just excited to get him out there.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
And your halves Combo Chanelle, Harris, Tavita, Luke metcalf in
six and seven. How did you land on that pairing?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
They both just like it was a really tough competition
for the half spots and the boys competed really well.
Chanel's kind of been in the system for a year
with Luke's been here for two years now learning under Sean,
and they're probably just used to the systems and the
way we attack and and the way we defend. But
they've they've just had a really good preseason, to be fair,
(04:46):
both of them ripped in really hard and it gives
us a really good left foot right foot combination for
our kicking game as well.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
And I know it's always hard right at the start
of a season, But how does it feel as you
look forward to Round one, even maybe comparatively to previous seasons?
You know, do you what does it feel like Heather
the first game of the season inside the Warriors camp.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Oh, it's definitely, you know, it's a bigger, big event.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
The atmosphere is amazing the already you know, you can
a lot of fans have just started rolling in, so
it almost feels like a finals game. So there's there's
obviously a bit more around, a lot of sacrifice. The
boys they de leave their families to come over here,
so they want to make it worth it. So yeah,
I think it's got a bit more in it this
game than just a normal round game.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Have you managed to get a bit of a gauge
on on the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
We've watched their trials and stuff, and yeah, we know
they are always a really good They are a really
hard team, big forwards, strong ball carriers, Ricky Stewart. You know,
they compete really hard. They they fly off the line
and try belt you. So yeah, we know kind of
their style and and what we have to do against it.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
But it's on the day. It's easier said than done.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Do you think your favorites for this game?
Speaker 4 (06:05):
I wouldn't know, but.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
You know, anything can happen in a game of rugby league.
It's the greatest equalizer of all sports. I reckon who
wants it on the day, But we're always confident and
the boys.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
I've had a really good preseason.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
I've trained really hard, worked on things we identified we
need to fix from last year. So yeah, I guess
it's our first like real test in an n our
OL game.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
And you're seeing a few Warriors jerseys, Riplica jerseys along
the strip there and then and around where you're staying.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
Mate there everywhere like this, there is fans everywhere.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
All the teams have done well, but I don't know
if I'm biased, but I've just I've seen a lot
of Warriors jerseys are taken over, which is so cool.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Everyone's having a great time, doesn't matter what team you're from.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
You see Warriors, Raiders fans out. They're all just having
a good time there in Vegas. Yeah, it's like a
lot of Aussies and Kiwis over here. But the vibes awesome.
You know, there's so much to do and wherever you
go you see some in our old jerseys.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
So yeah, it's.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Cool, absolutely well cool time for the fans. Down to
business for you and the team. All the best against
the Raiders on Sunday. Slade, thanks for having a chat
to us.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
That is a Slave Griffin, assistant coach of the team,
who I caught up with a couple of days ago.
He wasn't available at this time. The game's about to start,
so that's probably fair enough.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Just let's get inside the playing group and the coaching staff.
Earlier in the week I spoke with Warriors assistant coach
Slade Griffin to find out first of all, of this
was his first time in Vegas.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
No, actually, I was lucky enough to come here. I
come with my wife actually about six or seven years ago.
We only did three nights, so that was plenty enough.
And here we got in and out. Well.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Quite different this time around, obviously with a game of
rugby league to play. How have you kept the players
focused with so much going on around them.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Yeah, so when we got here, we we let the
boys go out, just let their hair down, kind of
feel the town.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
They had a really good night. They connected and they
all went to the same place and.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
The security guards and stuff with them. So it was
very well done. And then we refocused. So the boys
have trained really hard. We had a couple of really
good sessions. Has just had a possession against Wigan which
is really smooth, and yeah, they're ready to have a
really Obviously they know we've come here for a job
to do, so they'll focused on that and then after
the game, if we have a really good win, they'll
(01:19):
be able to have a few more beers there.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Indeed, what have your training facilities been?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Like?
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Really good. We trained at the UFC Gym, so that
was really cool.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Got a few fighting fans in the team so that
was a really awesome experience for them. And it's a
great facility there.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
The fields. Yeah, the field's not the greatest, but you
know that was all good.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
We got our work done, so you can't expect too much,
I guess in a foreign country.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Indeed, And what about the match venue? Allegiant Stadium, what
do you expect that to be?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Like, Oh, it's an amazing venue. We've driven past it.
It looks brand new. I've seen it on TV. But
it's going to be really cool to go inside. The
field will be a little bit narrower and a little
bit shorter. So we get to go there tomorrow. We
haven't been able to train there, will go out there tomorrow.
We'll walk around and just feel the stadium be amongst it.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
How much will that change the way you go about
things that the slightly smaller dimensions of the playing surface.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Yeah, it's hard to plan for I think it's a
bit of a feel thing when you're out.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
On the field.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
But we had a trial against Cronella on that type
of field, and it's maybe a little bit harder to
attack against. Like there's not obviously as much space, so
that might be a little bit different. But yeah, I
guess it just makes He'll probably just make it more
tough in the middle of the field. You know, there's
not as much space, so there'll be some more bigger clusions.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
I reckon just want to ask you about a couple
of players slayed James Fisher Harris obviously at the Warriors
for the first time. Can you give us some insight
into his early influence on this team.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Fish has been awesome. He's he's got his own aura.
You know, when he speaks, everyone listens. He doesn't say
a whole heat, but yeah, when he stands up in
front of the team, he just owns everyone's presence. So
as standards off the field, you know, he speaks with
his actions. He's always doing his extras. He's just a winner,
Like whatever it takes to whin he's willing to do.
(03:22):
He studies hard, which is very impressive for the type
of player. He is He's really aggressive, but he's very
diligent as well, So he's been awesome for the young
boys to see, you know, that professionalism and that work ethic,
and he's dragged a feel of them with him as well.
So he's lifted the team's standards just by how he
goes about his own business.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Aaron Clark back at the club after five years at
the Titans, so he'll start and the thirteen jumper. What
do you expect to see from him, not just this
weekend but across the season.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, he's he's really excited to be back. He's kind
of he was out of the game and now he's
back at the Warriors, Colors back at home. He's he's
he played really well the Trials. He brings a lot
of league speed, bit of ball playing, and he works
really hard defensively. So he's a strong guy and yeah,
we're just excited to get him out there.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
And your halves Combo Chanelle, Harris, Tavita, Luke metcalf in
six and seven. How did you land on that pairing?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
They both just like it was a really tough competition
for the half spots and the boys competed really well.
Chanel's kind of been in the system for a year
with Luke's been here for two years now learning under Sean,
and they're probably just used to the systems and the
way we attack and and the way we defend. But
they've they've just had a really good preseason, to be fair,
(04:46):
both of them ripped in really hard and it gives
us a really good left foot right foot combination for
our kicking game as well.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
And I know it's always hard right at the start
of a season, But how does it feel as you
look forward to Round one, even maybe comparatively to previous seasons?
You know, do you what does it feel like Heather
the first game of the season inside the Warriors camp.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Oh, it's definitely, you know, it's a bigger, big event.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
The atmosphere is amazing the already you know, you can
a lot of fans have just started rolling in, so
it almost feels like a finals game. So there's there's
obviously a bit more around, a lot of sacrifice. The
boys they de leave their families to come over here,
so they want to make it worth it. So yeah,
I think it's got a bit more in it this
game than just a normal round game.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Have you managed to get a bit of a gauge
on on the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
We've watched their trials and stuff, and yeah, we know
they are always a really good They are a really
hard team, big forwards, strong ball carriers, Ricky Stewart. You know,
they compete really hard. They they fly off the line
and try belt you. So yeah, we know kind of
their style and and what we have to do against it.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
But it's on the day. It's easier said than done.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Do you think your favorites for this game?
Speaker 4 (06:05):
I wouldn't know, but.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
You know, anything can happen in a game of rugby league.
It's the greatest equalizer of all sports. I reckon who
wants it on the day, But we're always confident and
the boys.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
I've had a really good preseason.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
I've trained really hard, worked on things we identified we
need to fix from last year. So yeah, I guess
it's our first like real test in an n our
OL game.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
And you're seeing a few Warriors jerseys, Riplica jerseys along
the strip there and then and around where you're staying.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
Mate there everywhere like this, there is fans everywhere.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
All the teams have done well, but I don't know
if I'm biased, but I've just I've seen a lot
of Warriors jerseys are taken over, which is so cool.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Everyone's having a great time, doesn't matter what team you're from.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
You see Warriors, Raiders fans out. They're all just having
a good time there in Vegas. Yeah, it's like a
lot of Aussies and Kiwis over here. But the vibes awesome.
You know, there's so much to do and wherever you
go you see some in our old jerseys.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
So yeah, it's.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Cool, absolutely well cool time for the fans. Down to
business for you and the team. All the best against
the Raiders on Sunday. Slade, thanks for having a chat
to us.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
That is a Slave Griffin, assistant coach of the team,
who I caught up with a couple of days ago.
He wasn't available at this time. The game's about to start,
so that's probably fair enough.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.