April 12, 2025 • 8 mins
It's the calm before the Melbourne Storm for the Warriors heading into this afternoon's NRL clash - but one player is set to celebrate an important milestone.
Eight years after making his debut for the Warriors against the Melbourne Storm, Erin Clark will face off against the same opponents in his 100th first-grade game this afternoon.
He joined Piney to reminisce ahead of the clash at Melbourne's AAMI Park.
Kick-off is at 4pm.
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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 newstalksb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Relations on game number one hundred. It's a bit of
a full circle, isn't it. Your very first one was
for the Warriors against the Storm back in twenty seventeen.
That was before you set off on your NRL adventures.
So what do you remember of your first game in
the NRAL. I think you've only got about six minutes.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Not very much, mate, not very much. I just remember
sitting in there was pissing down that day. I was
sitting out in the rain, full of just waiting, waiting, waiting.
But lucky enough for mate. I think a lot of
kids dream of it. So whether it was six minutes
or one minute or seventy nine minutes, you know, people
dream of that. That's that, those things, And I was
(00:53):
lucky enough to get a debut hea at home.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
And here you are now on the cusp of one
hundred games. Of course, you went off shore, spend time
at Canberra, back to New Zealand and domestic rugby league,
then to the Titans in twenty twenty nine, four games
across five seasons there. How do you reflect back on
your your time on the Gold Coast.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Firstly, they gave me opportunity. They kind of took a
gable with me, had a lot of baggage, and yeah,
kind of inned the contract there. So pretty grateful for
them for showing a bit of faith in me and
giving this lost at the time kid ninety four rugby
(01:36):
League games. So I'm pretty lucky.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
I guess it kind of leads to a question about
you now compared to you back when you left the Worries.
I mean, how different a person and a player are
you compared to when you left the Warriores eight years ago.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
I think as a person made this kind of the
biggest change I've seen in myself. Just having kids kind
of changes your whole perspective and outlook and life. I
was a kid back then when I devid. I think
I was nineteen and kind of didn't realize what I
had at the time. I was young, like I've said
(02:12):
a lot of times, arrogant mate, and just thought I
had it all when really had nothing. And then just
I've learned like a lot of gratitude, being grateful for
where I am and it can all get taken away
like that, And because I've been through the hard route.
I've kind of taught myself to be grateful for where
(02:33):
I am. And you know, now, I've got three kids
looking up to me, and you know, you've got to
be the best role model for them, and I don't
want them making the same mistakes either. And yes, kind
of a bit of a full circle, like you said.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Yeah, well, it's a great outlook eron and you've come
back to the Warriors, slipped into the thirteen jersey that
Taho Harris wore many times before he was in Jim
midway through last season, have you felt any responsibility to
carry on a legacy of one of the Warriors greatest ever?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I beck you up on that. He probably he was
one of the greatest Warriors players. But I'm just trying
to sounds cliche, but be better every game. I tend
to not really put their pressure on myself or obviously
I know I got a big role to play because
I'm at thirteen, middle link to the Hars. But all
(03:26):
I can do is control what I can control, and
that's preparing well for game day and putting my best
foot foot on the game when it comes to game day.
So I focus on what I can control. Mate, then yeah,
other stuff take care takes care of itself.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Well, it certainly is at the moment. One number that
stands out on your game is your tackle efficiency. I
mean you hardly ever missed one. How much do you
pride yourself on that?
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Man? I think you might have to watch the Rooster's
game because I must have tackled that leads to the trial.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
So well, well, there's one. You can have one.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I miss the crucial one. I don't miss many tackles,
but I missed one crucial one.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Is there something that you pride yourself?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Ah? Yeah, I do, Bro, And I think with games
Fisher Harris coming to the club and Mitch Barnett there,
that's like they pride themselves on our defense, and that's
that's something that i'm and they pushed me to be
better defensively all the time. And I think having Fish
there kind of changes my perspective on rugby league. He's
(04:28):
kind of taught me the tough, the tough way rugby league,
and that's and that's all defense orientated. And that's like
defense is hard, Bro. But and this is what he
said to me, He said, defense is tough, but it
wins your games At wins your Grand Finals, it wins
you listen to that. So I think having fish there
is kind of helped me in that way. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Well, it's certainly been a main feature or a feature
of your last three performances as a as a team
that wins over the Sea Eagles, the Roosters, and the
Tigers off the back of what was a disappointing start
in Vegas. What else in the last three games, Erin
has been kind of really key to those three victories.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
I think, like you talk about team culture and team
like you put yourself, brothers and the team, and I
think we're seeing that bond. Like you look at back
in the games, we're still fighting, like we're down. I
think the Roosters we were down and mainly sorry not
mainly Tigers, we were down and to claw back that
(05:28):
just comes back to pure I think resilience and wanting
to do it for each other. Yeah. Like, and and
to be honest, we still haven't even hit our streps.
I think we've still got so much to improve on
and hopefully we can slowly work on those things and
it will hopefully work. Wonders and team performance.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
So after the three wins, then the bye of course.
Did they come at a slightly inconvenient time given the
momentum you're built, or was it a chance to refresh
a little bit?
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah, I think it's it's how you look at the
buye or the way you look at it. I think
it was probably you can't control what's putting in front
of you, so I think we took it as more
of a risk recovery, reset and then get ready to
go again because it's got a tough couple of weeks
until the next one, so we've got to rest the
(06:21):
bodies and get to go again. Melbourne.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Yeah, fair enough. And just on the storm. How formidable
and opponents are they?
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Oh? Mate, They've been the benchmark for obviously, them and
Penrith have been the benchmark of the competition for since
I can remember, probably years, and they just they've got
key players all over the park and you can't just
you can't switch off. So defensively, we've got to be
ready and they'll throw the ball around from their own
half as good as anyone. Say, we just got to
(06:52):
be ready, ready to reset.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
I'm not sure if you're a numbers man or not,
but it's been I've read this today it's been sixteen
games since the Warriors last week the storm, But do
you feel like that'll fix you less because you haven't
actually been here for most of that.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
No, man, I think I got that same question today
earlier in the day, and it was My response was, like,
it's the new year. I think every year is a
new year, and this is a new team. And I
never read into that stuff, and I don't think anyone does.
But I think the team we got now is good
enough to do the job, and I'm actually looking forward
(07:29):
to them, and I'm I'm pretty happy that one hundreds
game falls on this game, So yeah, I'm looking forward
to it outstanding.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
And I know you're only looking at this one, But
have you got a bit of a sneaky ring around
round twenty one late July when you'll come.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Up against the time? I can even I heard the laugh.
You knew what I was talking about.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I just hate that it's so far away, mate, I'm
just I was it was. I wish it was like
next week or something, because but I still got good
relationships with a few of the boys, so there would
be a bit of laughs Saturday.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Definitely, it's been so good watching you guys, since you
got back from I Guess three in a row looks
hope you can make it four against the storm.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
Congrats on reaching number one hundred air and hope it's
a cracker.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
For you DearS mate. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to news Talks at B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalksb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Relations on game number one hundred. It's a bit of
a full circle, isn't it. Your very first one was
for the Warriors against the Storm back in twenty seventeen.
That was before you set off on your NRL adventures.
So what do you remember of your first game in
the NRAL. I think you've only got about six minutes.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Not very much, mate, not very much. I just remember
sitting in there was pissing down that day. I was
sitting out in the rain, full of just waiting, waiting, waiting.
But lucky enough for mate. I think a lot of
kids dream of it. So whether it was six minutes
or one minute or seventy nine minutes, you know, people
dream of that. That's that, those things, And I was
(00:53):
lucky enough to get a debut hea at home.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
And here you are now on the cusp of one
hundred games. Of course, you went off shore, spend time
at Canberra, back to New Zealand and domestic rugby league,
then to the Titans in twenty twenty nine, four games
across five seasons there. How do you reflect back on
your your time on the Gold Coast.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Firstly, they gave me opportunity. They kind of took a
gable with me, had a lot of baggage, and yeah,
kind of inned the contract there. So pretty grateful for
them for showing a bit of faith in me and
giving this lost at the time kid ninety four rugby
(01:36):
League games. So I'm pretty lucky.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
I guess it kind of leads to a question about
you now compared to you back when you left the Worries.
I mean, how different a person and a player are
you compared to when you left the Warriores eight years ago.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
I think as a person made this kind of the
biggest change I've seen in myself. Just having kids kind
of changes your whole perspective and outlook and life. I
was a kid back then when I devid. I think
I was nineteen and kind of didn't realize what I
had at the time. I was young, like I've said
(02:12):
a lot of times, arrogant mate, and just thought I
had it all when really had nothing. And then just
I've learned like a lot of gratitude, being grateful for
where I am and it can all get taken away
like that, And because I've been through the hard route.
I've kind of taught myself to be grateful for where
(02:33):
I am. And you know, now, I've got three kids
looking up to me, and you know, you've got to
be the best role model for them, and I don't
want them making the same mistakes either. And yes, kind
of a bit of a full circle, like you said.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Yeah, well, it's a great outlook eron and you've come
back to the Warriors, slipped into the thirteen jersey that
Taho Harris wore many times before he was in Jim
midway through last season, have you felt any responsibility to
carry on a legacy of one of the Warriors greatest ever?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I beck you up on that. He probably he was
one of the greatest Warriors players. But I'm just trying
to sounds cliche, but be better every game. I tend
to not really put their pressure on myself or obviously
I know I got a big role to play because
I'm at thirteen, middle link to the Hars. But all
(03:26):
I can do is control what I can control, and
that's preparing well for game day and putting my best
foot foot on the game when it comes to game day.
So I focus on what I can control. Mate, then yeah,
other stuff take care takes care of itself.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Well, it certainly is at the moment. One number that
stands out on your game is your tackle efficiency. I
mean you hardly ever missed one. How much do you
pride yourself on that?
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Man? I think you might have to watch the Rooster's
game because I must have tackled that leads to the trial.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
So well, well, there's one. You can have one.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I miss the crucial one. I don't miss many tackles,
but I missed one crucial one.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Is there something that you pride yourself?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Ah? Yeah, I do, Bro, And I think with games
Fisher Harris coming to the club and Mitch Barnett there,
that's like they pride themselves on our defense, and that's
that's something that i'm and they pushed me to be
better defensively all the time. And I think having Fish
there kind of changes my perspective on rugby league. He's
(04:28):
kind of taught me the tough, the tough way rugby league,
and that's and that's all defense orientated. And that's like
defense is hard, Bro. But and this is what he
said to me, He said, defense is tough, but it
wins your games At wins your Grand Finals, it wins
you listen to that. So I think having fish there
is kind of helped me in that way. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Well, it's certainly been a main feature or a feature
of your last three performances as a as a team
that wins over the Sea Eagles, the Roosters, and the
Tigers off the back of what was a disappointing start
in Vegas. What else in the last three games, Erin
has been kind of really key to those three victories.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
I think, like you talk about team culture and team
like you put yourself, brothers and the team, and I
think we're seeing that bond. Like you look at back
in the games, we're still fighting, like we're down. I
think the Roosters we were down and mainly sorry not
mainly Tigers, we were down and to claw back that
(05:28):
just comes back to pure I think resilience and wanting
to do it for each other. Yeah. Like, and and
to be honest, we still haven't even hit our streps.
I think we've still got so much to improve on
and hopefully we can slowly work on those things and
it will hopefully work. Wonders and team performance.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
So after the three wins, then the bye of course.
Did they come at a slightly inconvenient time given the
momentum you're built, or was it a chance to refresh
a little bit?
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah, I think it's it's how you look at the
buye or the way you look at it. I think
it was probably you can't control what's putting in front
of you, so I think we took it as more
of a risk recovery, reset and then get ready to
go again because it's got a tough couple of weeks
until the next one, so we've got to rest the
(06:21):
bodies and get to go again. Melbourne.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Yeah, fair enough. And just on the storm. How formidable
and opponents are they?
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Oh? Mate, They've been the benchmark for obviously, them and
Penrith have been the benchmark of the competition for since
I can remember, probably years, and they just they've got
key players all over the park and you can't just
you can't switch off. So defensively, we've got to be
ready and they'll throw the ball around from their own
half as good as anyone. Say, we just got to
(06:52):
be ready, ready to reset.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
I'm not sure if you're a numbers man or not,
but it's been I've read this today it's been sixteen
games since the Warriors last week the storm, But do
you feel like that'll fix you less because you haven't
actually been here for most of that.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
No, man, I think I got that same question today
earlier in the day, and it was My response was, like,
it's the new year. I think every year is a
new year, and this is a new team. And I
never read into that stuff, and I don't think anyone does.
But I think the team we got now is good
enough to do the job, and I'm actually looking forward
(07:29):
to them, and I'm I'm pretty happy that one hundreds
game falls on this game, So yeah, I'm looking forward
to it outstanding.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
And I know you're only looking at this one, But
have you got a bit of a sneaky ring around
round twenty one late July when you'll come.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Up against the time? I can even I heard the laugh.
You knew what I was talking about.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I just hate that it's so far away, mate, I'm
just I was it was. I wish it was like
next week or something, because but I still got good
relationships with a few of the boys, so there would
be a bit of laughs Saturday.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Definitely, it's been so good watching you guys, since you
got back from I Guess three in a row looks
hope you can make it four against the storm.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
Congrats on reaching number one hundred air and hope it's
a cracker.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
For you DearS mate. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to news Talks at B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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