April 26, 2025 • 8 mins
Auckland FC is set to win the A-League premiership in their very first season no matter what happens this evening.
The Crowd Goes Wild's James McOnie speculates ahead of the final match.
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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 Yeah, hello mate.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Hello Piney.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
If you've got pre match nerves because it's such a
big day.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
Yeah, but Jeffery, Yeah, but but Jeffrey Also, although I mean,
I guess the players, I'd be interested to know to
know what you think about this. How will the players
be feeling for Auckland FC because they don't have to
do anything today and they still get the plate at
the end of it.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
I know it is strange. I'll have to fire up
somehow and play because they won't want to lose and
list the plate. No, No, at least that'll be they.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Need to put on a show.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
I think there'll be a festival atmosphere anyway, because you know,
even despite the rain, the fans will be out, the
port will be packed. There'll be an incredible atmosphere there
at Mount Smart. But yeah, it is a strange one
that they are the plate, the Premier's Plate winners. And
I looked at actually what happened next and it actually
(01:04):
it doesn't help them that much really because they have
to play a two league semi final. Presumably they get
the second league at home. Is that right, Piney, Yeah,
that's right.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Nick Becker was on the show earlier. He said that
will be on Saturday, the twenty fourth of May. So
this come So they've got another regular season game next weekend,
then they get a week off and then home and
away away first. So yeah, they get the second League
at home and then I guess the big price for
finishing top is that if you make the Grand Final,
you host the Grand Final.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
That's the one. So I mean there's a rub you
need to actually get through this minefield of a two
league semi final. I think that's really tricky for Auckland City.
I mean, Auckland is c but at the same time
they've built their whole season on defense, right, so conceided
the least amount of goals twenty three goals. Only Melbourne
(01:53):
City with twenty four goals conceded, came close. So they
are built around this wall. And of course you know
Hierarchi Sakai, the heroic captain, as the one who's kind
of led them and it's been probably one of the
best signings in a leagu's history.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Yeah, just absolutely brilliant and just on the two legged thing.
I mean, you know, Wellington Phoenix was second last year,
so they missed the first the first round of the
playoffs and they had the home and away. They couldn't
negotiate it. They couldn't make it through to the Grand Final.
So not that they would have hosted it because they
were second, but the fact remains, it's not a fat
to complete that you can get through, you know, two
(02:30):
ninety minute games and as it was last year, there
was extra time as well, so it's a lot of
football before you get to the Grand Final, it.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Is, and that's the whole thing. I think, you know,
you're going to appreciate this when I think Steve Curriker
has said to me a couple of weeks ago, this
is how most leagues around the world are measured, first
past the posts. Like this, the Grand Final, where you
played for the toilet seat is an oddity of the
A League and a few other places where they have,
(02:57):
you know, sort of they split the league in some
European countries for the final series. But look, it's been
a massive season for them. And I was just thinking
for you, Poney, because you're such a big Liverpool fan,
you've got quite quite a weekend on your hands. Haven't you,
Because they're pretty much going to win the Premier League
and and and actually there are similarities and only both
(03:20):
teams have only lost two games each. So I'm looking
at the way they stack up statistically. I know there's
more games in the EPL, but quite similar seasons.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
Yeah, I want the defense wins championships, as they often say.
And yeah, if you're if you're not conceding, you're not losing.
And you're right, Liverpool haven't lost many games. You're not
as civilized a time. Five o'clock this afternoon, in great
time for a game of football. Three point thirty tomorrow morning.
Not quite so much.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Yeah, you'll be up though, poneh.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
We'll be up. I'll be up having a look at it.
I'll be up having a look at it. Hey, can
we talk some super rugby? Do you think the Blues
are going to make the six?
Speaker 3 (03:55):
No? I feel bad for the Blues because they're actually
better than what their season has shown. And yesterday the
Reds were They're pretty German team, the Reds Michael lion
has Son Tom Liner having an absolute blinder at first
five as well, that didn't help them. And then also
the TMO getting involved pretty much every time they crossed
(04:17):
the line, the TMO was in there, and of course
having that television match official, I guess slow your flow
is really tough with me. And of course compounded by
a red card to there arguably the biggest attack weapon,
Mark Taalre, who got done for a spear tackle. So
(04:37):
it's not great for the Blues. But meanwhile for the Hurricanes,
let's look on the positives there. Their season looked down
and dusted there for a while, but with that when
they're against the Brumbies, that was pretty amazing stuff last night. Piney,
you would have loved that.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
I did. I did, And I was just talking about
Billy Procter before and how much of a difference he made.
It's interesting when you know, you talk about a guy
coming back into a team and making a difference, and
you often think about a raw boned, loose forward or
maybe you know your captain who's a lock, maybe your hooker.
You don't often think of your of your center coming
back and making such a big difference. But he was
(05:12):
terrific last night.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Billy Proctor, Yeah, he was exceptional. I really do like
the way that the Hurricanes forwards went about their business.
As well. I think there was a fifteen or five
minute period where they silenced the Aussie commentators, which has
no mean feat you know how biased that getting Justin Harrison.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Justin Harrison with his very very pro Brumby's commentary. But
the thing is when the Hurricanes showed their attack, it
was really slow forwards and backs and he said that's
the best rugby he's seen played this Super Rugby season,
but none, so the Hurricanes have got it in them.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Billy Procter, however, we need to talk about that. Yes,
as a center, I think he's eclipsing Rico Yowani at
the moment. I think, at age twenty five, he's at
the peak of his powers. He's showing what he can do.
The combo with Riley Higgins is what I guess everybody's
wanted to see, all rugby fans, but especially Hurricanes fans.
And to be honest, now that Reuben Love is settled
(06:09):
into that number ten, would you even move him when
Harry Godfrey comes back? I think not.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Yeah, it's it's so interesting and yeah, the bit about
Billy Proctor and what he could become. You know, you
don't want to pump a guy ties up too much.
But he's actually been around for a while, Billy Proctor.
They liked him as a as a teenager, and you
know he had to sort of live in the shadow
of his brother Matt for a while. But he's in
there now and yet look, I think he's making them
making a great fist of things. So good to have
(06:35):
him back from that, from that our killer's injury. Hey,
can we finish with the an Zach anthem at the AFL.
Did you happen to catch this over the weekend?
Speaker 3 (06:46):
I did. It was impressive. This is private Heavy Adams
from the New Zealand Army Band. Her anthem, her rendition
of God Defend New Zealand was so good that that
they had all the commentators and raptures saying, pipes of
an Angel, the greatest rendition of the national anthem I've
ever heard that. Ozzie's were loving it. They were saying
that our anthem slaps pony, which is very rare, and
(07:11):
results of praise for a national anthem which is much malign.
But she made it her own, as they say in
American idol. She was not pitching at all, but she
was on the pitch and fantastic rendition Maori and English verse.
There at the MCG we probably don't have time for
both verses, but I think we should go out with
(07:32):
Hettie Adams singing God Defend New Zealand. She made the
crowd go wild good.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Inble Heal Boys, Sweet.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Sady Army By. For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine,
(08:43):
listen live to News Talks It Be weekends from midday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from NEWSTALKSB Yeah, hello mate.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Hello Piney.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
If you've got pre match nerves because it's such a
big day.
Speaker 4 (00:18):
Yeah, but Jeffery, Yeah, but but Jeffrey Also, although I mean,
I guess the players, I'd be interested to know to
know what you think about this. How will the players
be feeling for Auckland FC because they don't have to
do anything today and they still get the plate at
the end of it.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
I know it is strange. I'll have to fire up
somehow and play because they won't want to lose and
list the plate. No, No, at least that'll be they.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Need to put on a show.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
I think there'll be a festival atmosphere anyway, because you know,
even despite the rain, the fans will be out, the
port will be packed. There'll be an incredible atmosphere there
at Mount Smart. But yeah, it is a strange one
that they are the plate, the Premier's Plate winners. And
I looked at actually what happened next and it actually
(01:04):
it doesn't help them that much really because they have
to play a two league semi final. Presumably they get
the second league at home. Is that right, Piney, Yeah,
that's right.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Nick Becker was on the show earlier. He said that
will be on Saturday, the twenty fourth of May. So
this come So they've got another regular season game next weekend,
then they get a week off and then home and
away away first. So yeah, they get the second League
at home and then I guess the big price for
finishing top is that if you make the Grand Final,
you host the Grand Final.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
That's the one. So I mean there's a rub you
need to actually get through this minefield of a two
league semi final. I think that's really tricky for Auckland City.
I mean, Auckland is c but at the same time
they've built their whole season on defense, right, so conceided
the least amount of goals twenty three goals. Only Melbourne
(01:53):
City with twenty four goals conceded, came close. So they
are built around this wall. And of course you know
Hierarchi Sakai, the heroic captain, as the one who's kind
of led them and it's been probably one of the
best signings in a leagu's history.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Yeah, just absolutely brilliant and just on the two legged thing.
I mean, you know, Wellington Phoenix was second last year,
so they missed the first the first round of the
playoffs and they had the home and away. They couldn't
negotiate it. They couldn't make it through to the Grand Final.
So not that they would have hosted it because they
were second, but the fact remains, it's not a fat
to complete that you can get through, you know, two
(02:30):
ninety minute games and as it was last year, there
was extra time as well, so it's a lot of
football before you get to the Grand Final, it.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Is, and that's the whole thing. I think, you know,
you're going to appreciate this when I think Steve Curriker
has said to me a couple of weeks ago, this
is how most leagues around the world are measured, first
past the posts. Like this, the Grand Final, where you
played for the toilet seat is an oddity of the
A League and a few other places where they have,
(02:57):
you know, sort of they split the league in some
European countries for the final series. But look, it's been
a massive season for them. And I was just thinking
for you, Poney, because you're such a big Liverpool fan,
you've got quite quite a weekend on your hands. Haven't you,
Because they're pretty much going to win the Premier League
and and and actually there are similarities and only both
(03:20):
teams have only lost two games each. So I'm looking
at the way they stack up statistically. I know there's
more games in the EPL, but quite similar seasons.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
Yeah, I want the defense wins championships, as they often say.
And yeah, if you're if you're not conceding, you're not losing.
And you're right, Liverpool haven't lost many games. You're not
as civilized a time. Five o'clock this afternoon, in great
time for a game of football. Three point thirty tomorrow morning.
Not quite so much.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Yeah, you'll be up though, poneh.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
We'll be up. I'll be up having a look at it.
I'll be up having a look at it. Hey, can
we talk some super rugby? Do you think the Blues
are going to make the six?
Speaker 3 (03:55):
No? I feel bad for the Blues because they're actually
better than what their season has shown. And yesterday the
Reds were They're pretty German team, the Reds Michael lion
has Son Tom Liner having an absolute blinder at first
five as well, that didn't help them. And then also
the TMO getting involved pretty much every time they crossed
(04:17):
the line, the TMO was in there, and of course
having that television match official, I guess slow your flow
is really tough with me. And of course compounded by
a red card to there arguably the biggest attack weapon,
Mark Taalre, who got done for a spear tackle. So
(04:37):
it's not great for the Blues. But meanwhile for the Hurricanes,
let's look on the positives there. Their season looked down
and dusted there for a while, but with that when
they're against the Brumbies, that was pretty amazing stuff last night. Piney,
you would have loved that.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
I did. I did, And I was just talking about
Billy Procter before and how much of a difference he made.
It's interesting when you know, you talk about a guy
coming back into a team and making a difference, and
you often think about a raw boned, loose forward or
maybe you know your captain who's a lock, maybe your hooker.
You don't often think of your of your center coming
back and making such a big difference. But he was
(05:12):
terrific last night.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Billy Proctor, Yeah, he was exceptional. I really do like
the way that the Hurricanes forwards went about their business.
As well. I think there was a fifteen or five
minute period where they silenced the Aussie commentators, which has
no mean feat you know how biased that getting Justin Harrison.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Justin Harrison with his very very pro Brumby's commentary. But
the thing is when the Hurricanes showed their attack, it
was really slow forwards and backs and he said that's
the best rugby he's seen played this Super Rugby season,
but none, so the Hurricanes have got it in them.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Billy Procter, however, we need to talk about that. Yes,
as a center, I think he's eclipsing Rico Yowani at
the moment. I think, at age twenty five, he's at
the peak of his powers. He's showing what he can do.
The combo with Riley Higgins is what I guess everybody's
wanted to see, all rugby fans, but especially Hurricanes fans.
And to be honest, now that Reuben Love is settled
(06:09):
into that number ten, would you even move him when
Harry Godfrey comes back? I think not.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Yeah, it's it's so interesting and yeah, the bit about
Billy Proctor and what he could become. You know, you
don't want to pump a guy ties up too much.
But he's actually been around for a while, Billy Proctor.
They liked him as a as a teenager, and you
know he had to sort of live in the shadow
of his brother Matt for a while. But he's in
there now and yet look, I think he's making them
making a great fist of things. So good to have
(06:35):
him back from that, from that our killer's injury. Hey,
can we finish with the an Zach anthem at the AFL.
Did you happen to catch this over the weekend?
Speaker 3 (06:46):
I did. It was impressive. This is private Heavy Adams
from the New Zealand Army Band. Her anthem, her rendition
of God Defend New Zealand was so good that that
they had all the commentators and raptures saying, pipes of
an Angel, the greatest rendition of the national anthem I've
ever heard that. Ozzie's were loving it. They were saying
that our anthem slaps pony, which is very rare, and
(07:11):
results of praise for a national anthem which is much malign.
But she made it her own, as they say in
American idol. She was not pitching at all, but she
was on the pitch and fantastic rendition Maori and English verse.
There at the MCG we probably don't have time for
both verses, but I think we should go out with
(07:32):
Hettie Adams singing God Defend New Zealand. She made the
crowd go wild good.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Inble Heal Boys, Sweet.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Sady Army By. For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine,
(08:43):
listen live to News Talks It Be weekends from midday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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