March 31, 2025 • 31 mins
This week on The Big League Podcast - Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf reflects on the stunning come-from-behind victory over the Wests Tigers in Sydney - three wins in a row!
Newstalk ZB's Nathan Limm and NZ Herald's Alex Powell dissect where this team is at heading into the bye and the loss of Dylan Walker to Parramatta.
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 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio The.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Big League Podcast League Podcast by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Warriors halfback Luke
Metcalf reflects on the stunning come from behind victory over
the Wests Tigers in Sydney. Three wins in a row.
Alex powers and off the interchange for Michael Burgess as
we dissect where this team is a heading into the
by my name is Nathan Limb. Let's go good b LV.
(00:46):
For just the fifth time in history, the Warriors are
three and one to start the season. Grit, grit and composure,
the two qualities which for me typify an unlikely comeback
win over the Tigers in Western Sydney. They were down
and out, the Tigers six points up, bearing down on
the Warriors tri line, but with a little luck they
(01:08):
refer used to crack a breathtaking cameo from nineteen year
old Lequa Halaesima, evading three defenders for his maiden NRL try.
He should have run it under the posts, yes, but
in a way that gave Luke Metcalf even more of
a platform to display his calmness, nailing the conversion on
the angle in difficult conditions to tie the game, and
(01:29):
then slotting the match winning penalty from forty meters out.
Alex Powell, You, Zeeland Herald ride up. What impressed you
most about this performance?
Speaker 4 (01:38):
You've sort of hit the nail on the head right there.
It was the great it was the determination. That's two
ugly wins on the bounce for the Warriors. You know,
they say the difference between a good team and a
great team as the ability to win ugly, and that's
what they've now done twice.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
There are numerous players who stood out. We're going to
go through the game in detail later, but give me
one player that had your attention.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
For different reasons. I really liked what Wade Egan did
last night. I think that it's so easy to have
a look Wade Egan because he's doing it for so long.
But I think he might have actually gone to another
level to start this season.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
You yeah, I think so as well. Just the amount
of sp I mean, we talked about it last year
and he has been doing this for years, but the
amount of space he's able to create around the ruck
and We're going to hear from Luke Metcalf in a
bit as well about that. But his combination as well,
that the spine working between Chanell, Harris Dedvid and Luke Metcalff,
and the lead up to Luke Metcalf's trike was Egan, Chanell,
(02:32):
Luke Try and that comes from the space that he's
able to create and the Warriors are really utilizing that
and it's coming up trumps and what a victory. What
a victory that gets you hot, that should get you
very very excited as a Warriors fan. But we're going
to hear from as I said, Luke Metcalf shortly. But
first here are the highlights Warriors twenty six Tigers twenty four.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
The Tiger's kickoff.
Speaker 6 (02:59):
Here we go comes out here to Pumpy stept away
from Ballet and Gavin Puller. He'll reach out and plan
it down side the fire.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
There's another set race done.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
He crashes through.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
He's Egan has a bit of.
Speaker 6 (03:14):
Talk about here in a moment, including this Minifi and
the Runoleo tore try for the Warriors outside was stuff
with tower. He'll run away and score against the run
of plays of Caunter attack by the Tigers one on
que Egan makes a break his Harris de Vita and
then Metcalf the Tiger's defense shut the bits, blue wife
(03:38):
for Galvin Brothers, A real chance for type. They converts it.
Lovely kick comes to La too Faero, who sees a
quite now to a piggy down the edge. Calasiva is
the way showing speed coming across Buller is there, can't
get to him. Calasiva bats two. He kisses, points to
(04:03):
the sky and scores a reloveable try for the Warriors.
Speaker 5 (04:08):
That's unbelievable.
Speaker 6 (04:09):
What about that he hits the shoulders there, say fer
he was in a wrapping motion.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
I reckon, I get the penalty here.
Speaker 6 (04:19):
Strike is good, the distance is not an issue and
the flags go in the air at full time. The
Warriors twenty six have beaten the Tigers twenty four.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Audio Curtesy of sky Sport Big League Podcast. Michael Burgess
is absent today but has hustled superbly to get a
quick chat to Luke Metcalf over the phone. Let's take
a listen.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
What are your thoughts on the meta as the hell
of a way to win?
Speaker 7 (04:48):
Yeah, yeah, no, it was good to win like that.
Obviously replayed really good in parts and some parts we
can get a lot better up, but it's always nice
to win at the end of the day.
Speaker 8 (04:57):
What was going through your mind is you stepped up
to take their penalty at the end.
Speaker 7 (05:03):
About I've done, I've done. Hey, you so much practice?
Just yeah, just doing normals. Just go through my process
and then just try and nail it to put us ahead.
Nothing too crazy to go, I'll to our minders what
I do every kick.
Speaker 8 (05:17):
Pretty much because you look really confident though, I mean
there was there was talk the commentators are thinking, oh,
the Warriors might go for the corner here, but you
looked really confident the had of that kick.
Speaker 7 (05:28):
Yeah, yeah, no, I was confident. I knew that I
myself to be able to get out a little bit
we need, but I knew that I'd be fine.
Speaker 8 (05:35):
And as you say, really important was what does this
result mean for the team?
Speaker 5 (05:40):
Three on the bounce and winning like this ahead of
the buy.
Speaker 7 (05:45):
Yeah, they said I'd cliche four four point week and
you know you're going to the buy and you get
it to automate two points there. So yeah, it's awesome
to get the win going into the buy and that
gives this at the conference. Three wins on the trun
and we've still got a lot that we can improve on.
Exciting farm for the future games.
Speaker 8 (06:03):
How are you feeling midway through the second half? Look
when the Tigers had really come back into the match?
Speaker 7 (06:10):
Yeah, yeah, they feel they were kind of really wrong,
and probably about fifteen minutes into our second half that
was looking really look good. I felt we just had
to hang in with them and just and just again,
and we will confident that we would be able to
come over him in the end. We just had to
stay posing in the moment and just focus what we
can what we can.
Speaker 8 (06:26):
Control on some crucial decisions as well. And I guess
that how important was that Tarrell May dropping the ball
over the line?
Speaker 7 (06:37):
Yeah, that was good for us. I didn't even see
the replay. I just said the reaction and I went
straight up to the bunker and I didn't even actually
could I think all the voice were saying it knock on,
So yeah, I just I actually can see it live,
so I don't even really know.
Speaker 8 (06:54):
And can you just tell us about your view of
lekus try a remarkable if by the young guy.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Yeah, that was awesome, mom, I thought was just canning
May close to the post. That was awesome. Squad first
front and roll like that. That's find of the first
trive of all time. And he's a freaking he's just
going to keep them. But he's only twenty years old,
which is crazy. But they're so excarting to see how
goody or he is and just imagining how good he
can be.
Speaker 8 (07:23):
And as you say, it was a match where where
the Warriors sort of had their ups and downs. At
times looked really dominant, other times the Tigers come back
into the match.
Speaker 5 (07:34):
How tricky were those conditions though?
Speaker 7 (07:37):
Yeah, they were like the rain, we're both playing in it,
so we both like in the range, so we're both
ten just suffered for the same sort of conditions. But yeah,
like one team was on top of the final ten
and then the other momentum swing and then the other
team would get it. And it was sort of a
flowing game like that. So probably the whole eighty minutes, Yeah,
it was really The crowd was really cool. They were
(07:59):
into it and they're riding them home and so it's
so of awesome to get a wing like this away
from home.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
And what does this do for your confidence?
Speaker 8 (08:07):
Especially the way you finished the game with a with
a clutch conversion because he made it a bit more
difficult than it could have been, as you say, and
then and then the and then the penalty.
Speaker 7 (08:17):
Yeah, it's cool. It's something I've always wanted to do,
and they always think about you want to those moments.
I feel like I want the ball in my hands.
So yeah, for the more I get in those moments,
the more confident I'll get them. And yeah, I just
want to keep grabbing them with both hands.
Speaker 5 (08:32):
And it's early days.
Speaker 8 (08:33):
I mean it's only your fourth game at number seven
for this team. But but how are you feeling about things?
Speaker 5 (08:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (08:40):
I feel good for every game, learn like learning, and
there's always something that we get from the game or
something that we can that we can get better at,
and all things that we're doing well. So yeah, it's
cool to sort of have those three wins and still
not playing our best for you, but we're still getting
the job done and we go into the buy now
we need that time to sort of fix a few
things up and got a real big game come U
(09:02):
against Broncos next week.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
What was Andrew Wester's message to you guys that have to.
Speaker 7 (09:10):
Sort of similar to what we spoke about before the game,
just just stay in the in the in the ground
was twelve, I think it was twelve at half time,
so it was very similar to the messages before the
game is reiterated, just we just got to stay in it.
We don't have to do anything too too crazy, just
kicking at the corners and back out of fence and
then when we get the boards down and there and
(09:30):
just try and score score some trials. And yeah, it
was it was. Yeah, it was obviously tough. We probably
didn't go out and do what we wanted to. I've
scored a try only on but so we sort of
fell after that. But in the last ten minutes we
we went mattered. We got to it.
Speaker 5 (09:46):
And what did he say?
Speaker 8 (09:47):
What was the general message after the after the match
to you guys, Yeah, it.
Speaker 7 (09:52):
Was just that obviously it was just awesome to win.
But yea, there's a lot of stuff we can prove on,
but you're gotta just be happy that we stuck in
it and just stay present and the way to win
at the end, like I want to. They're a good
team and they weren't going to beat himself, so able
it was good to just just said it's good to
get away with the win.
Speaker 8 (10:11):
And how are you feeling things are going with the
with the spine now that you have played a few
a few matches together, I mean a really nice try
that weighed helped create. How are you feeling about how
the spines going.
Speaker 7 (10:23):
Yeah, that really easy for the playman. You've got someone
that way to dumb me after you just creates so
much space for everyone around him. And there's just a
really easy to sorder to just get the ball when
he creates that creates that for you. So it's been
awesome to be playing with two mentioned no, and I
can't wait to keep getting going our combination and getting
more games together.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
What's his secret mate?
Speaker 8 (10:45):
Because how does he keep doing these eighty minute games
at hooker?
Speaker 7 (10:50):
I don't know, but I'd love to have something. Whatever
he is taken, I'd probably golf plays at the golf
that might be that might be freeing him, freeing him
up a little bit and getting his body nice and loose.
Speaker 8 (10:59):
So, and you're talking to golf, I know you've probably
got really busy times at home at the moment, but
what are your plans for the buy?
Speaker 5 (11:07):
I assume you get you get a few days off.
Speaker 7 (11:10):
Yeah, yeah, we got a few days off. My partner's
third gay weeks pregnant shoes, So I'm planning on having
a baby, probably in the next week or so. So
they had nothing too crazy for me, just staying at
home and just yeah, it's relaxing.
Speaker 8 (11:22):
Oh gee, I didn't know it was that close. Yeah,
so well, the Jude data is sort of just around
the corner.
Speaker 7 (11:30):
Yeah, yeah, so probably in another week or so. The
Jue date is less than less than two weeks, so yeah,
but we might be having a little bit early, but
just hopefully by regain to work a real person.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
The Big League Podcast podcast. This is the Big League Podcast.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Right, let's go through this game in a little bit
more detail. Back and forth Tit for ten. I was
not hopeful when the Tigers were on the verge of
scoring to go up twelve with fifteen ish to play.
Coach Andrew Webster his sides performance was.
Speaker 9 (12:08):
There's moments there where I thought we were about to
get on top here, and then there's moments there I
thought we're in lots of trouble. But I was just
super proud that we found a way and we are fine.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
In a way at the moment.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
They did ride their luck. Alex Pow. Let's take a
look at the first half as well. For me, it
felt like the Warriors definitely had the ascendency. I thought
the Tigers were doing well to go into the break
at twelve or they started with a massive defensive statement
pushing the Tigers back into their own end goal in
the opening minute. For me, with ball in hand, they
just look powerful through the middle. You think about the
running lines of the likes of Val Mang and the
(12:40):
a quarter are four. Adam Pompey having a blinder, scoring
a try and making four tackle breaks in the game.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Good for Bed and Pompey al right, because he knows
now Rockerberry's back, he's breaking down his neck. He wants
to keep that first grade spot, all right, So it
props to Adam first to Adam, sorry first up, but
you're right. I think you remember back to twenty twenty three,
the first couple of wins they had when they were
really starting to find their style under Andrew Webster, and
it does remind me of that where they were playing
in good areas, in the right areas of the field,
but just weren't scoring points. But then we know that
(13:08):
when they do get it all together, they can just
blow teams off park and we've already seen that against Manly, right,
so it's coming. But like just to touch on the Tigers,
like they remind me of the Tigers when Benji was playing.
Now that he's the coach, you know, they chuck it round.
They play a really good, interesting style of football. They're
a really good defensive side as well. And you think
the team that has finished so low down these last
(13:29):
few years, like they genuinely could contend to the eight
this year.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
And you wonder how much of that is down to
Jerome Leua and I guess the effect he would have
on the teammates around because it gives you confidence, right,
having a guy like that four Premiership titles coming into
the side, that's going to lift everyone else. But the
Tigers were hamstring during this game and they had to
reshuffle their line a lot. They had a number of
injuries in that first half. They had middle Ford's playing center.
(13:57):
I remember listening to the comtators trying to work out
who was actually playing at center for the Tigers because
they had to reshuffle so many times. And the Warriors
sort of were able to take advantage of that, and
the Tigers were just opportunistic. I suppose with that last
try they scored before the break and they would have
been pretty happy at halftime.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
Yeah, I mean, I agree with what you said earlier.
The Warriors definitely didn't do enough in that first half
to cement the advantage that they actually had. But like
I said before, and you can always put this back
on the Tigers as well. That's what these good teams do.
They don't let you get away from them, and that's
what the Warriors did, I mean, obviously to their credit.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
You mentioned Wade Egan at the start, and he was
doing a superb job, as I said, opening that space
around the rookie. He linked with Chanelle Harris de Vita
and Luke Metcalff, and the lead up to Metcalf's trying,
that all starts with that space. He's able to the
sort of coaxing the defenders. You know, the defense for
(14:52):
me sometimes a little bit loose around the middle, a
little bit around the bunti af court lacking and the
lead up to Faynu's try leaving a huge hole within
the ten and fai Nu just absolutely sailed through and
if you look at that second, the Tigers were in
charge for most of it, and you know, they went
up and they were they were pressing on the Warrior's
(15:15):
line for large parts and the Warriors got really lucky
with toral May dropping the ball over the line. There
was also another one where there was an obstruction and
looked like one of the Tigers players had just sailed through.
What did you think of I guess the second half
as a whole, but just the Warrior's ability to hold
on that grip that we talked about.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
It felt like that was really missing last year, didn't it.
Like you look at the number of games they'd lose
by less than a converted try, you know, I think
it was about seven, you know. So to be in
these tight contests and to actually come away winning them,
because like I said, they lost seven, I think they
only won three by less than a committed trial less
rather so to have that experience, bank that experience as
they go further into this season, I think it's going
(15:55):
to be invaluable come the right time.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Let's talk about Lekahalaesima and his try that run down
the right edge evaded three defenders to the crowd, in
the lead up, which I mean, I don't mind, but
he was getting he was coughing up with a flat
from the commentator or the sky coverage afterwards, And obviously
(16:18):
Metcalf said in his interview with Birds There that he
woulted Hallo Sema to run the ball and under the post.
I was laughing because as they showed a replay of
the coach's box when Halosima was running in to score
that try, Webster was cheering on. You can see Stacy
Jones go under the post, under the post and he
threw the pen on the ground when he scored the
(16:39):
try away out to the right. So I mean that's
an experience right there. He's nineteen, he's going to learn,
he's going to get better. But mits Barnett's lauded Halasima
for his performance.
Speaker 5 (16:49):
He's a special kiddo. He's going to have a long
career if he wants to.
Speaker 9 (16:52):
Like some of the things he can do on the
footy field, I wish I could do.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
But he's a humble kid and just happy he had
that moment. And Webster agrees with Barnett, but has one condition.
As Halosima, as we said, race his finger to his
lips fifteen meters from the line.
Speaker 9 (17:08):
I wish he went around and scored on the sticks,
and you said he was grounded. He was a bit
larry there, but the young guys like that learn.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
You know, what were you thinking when he was charging.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
To the line, So to be honest, I was watching
the game on a slight delay from my neighbor.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
Who is a big Words fan.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Anytime something happened, I got a little bit of an indication.
I just heard him start going off and the Warriors
were so deep in their own half at that point,
and Leker just breaks down the wing and you're just thinking, gay,
He's like you remember that game he played. I think it
was his debut, wasn't it where normally he had that
huge run playing at center and nearly got it over
the line. So it was great see him actually get
over for his first try. But I agree with everything
Barnett and Whibs have said that I absolutely love le Aho.
(17:47):
Seem like we heard when Adam Vanila Blake signed to
go to the Sharks, he said no, no. The young
Ford's coming through at the moment, not just Leger but
Dimitry Wager, Jacob laban Zimo who was part of that
Ben and he's gone to the board. I was like,
the development of this next generation of Warriors forwards, it
just looks so promising. I really hope that they can
(18:07):
all stay together have great careers at the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
And you forget Ali Lattala is sort of part of
that group as well, and he's now just the regular
Warriors starting center. Obviously, unfortunate for Rocker Berry, we thought
he was going to come back. Pompey shifted to the wing,
moved back to Sendecausebury. What he did is hamstring during
the week. Then obviously Ed Corsey comes onto the wing.
But Lataha has been outstanding and obviously, you know young players,
(18:34):
there are defensive areas from time to time, and that's
obviously going to happen. But the amount of power that
they're coming through, with the amount of talent, raw talent,
I think it says a lot. We're going to talk
about Dylan Walker leaving in a few moments, but that
Cameron George said after that that we're not going to
look outside for another lot. We're going to look within
the club. We're a development club and that just shows
(18:54):
the confidence they have and the young players that are
coming through and we're starting to see shades of that.
I mean, look, Ajlasima is nineteen. Can you imagine how
good he's going to be in seven eight years. He's
only going to be twenty six, twenty seven, Like he's
still even hit his peak. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
No, I agree with everything you've said that. It's like
the Warriors at all levels bar n RL do have
very good success. They've won the Harold Matthews they you know,
they're generally there are thereabouts of the New Southwa's Cup and
just making sure these guys have a pathway to come through.
I know that, like the issue of NROL recruitment is
you need guys who are ready to go now. You
can't really invest in a young half for a young
(19:30):
forward like that. But because of the stocks that the
Warriors do have at the moment and the leadership of
you know, guys like Adam fil Blake and Delawalker and
justifying the last year to be mentors and now Mitch
Barnett and James Fisher Harris and Kirk Capbole, like there
are such a good pathway for these young guys to
come into first grade now and I just hope it
keeps happening.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Now, let's discuss Luke Metcalf and we his composure off
the tee in this game. I do want to talk
about a bit of the kicking in game, but in
terms of off the tea, he held his own and
obviously he talked about he would have liked that closer
to the posts after the Hall of Sema try. But
he stepped up in difficult conditions, nailed it on the angle,
(20:09):
and then as soon as that penalty came with just
a few minutes to go, he immediately was like, ye,
give me the kick, forty meters out in front into
the wind. He immediately he had his hands up two points,
two points were taking the two. I'll take the kick.
I love that attitude and that sort of put me
in the box seat, put me in the driver's seat
(20:30):
and put the pressure on me. He relishes that we've
still admits that he had his doubts with those last kicks.
Speaker 9 (20:37):
The wind looked really strong in the second half ONLM.
We're kicking the ball and it was forty out and
I was like, if he wants it, let's take it,
and he wanted it, like straight away he wanted it,
so as I awsome and then I was nervous with
the distance, but he smashed it.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
I just loved how he stood up in wanted that moment.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
Luke Metcalf needed that, didn't he. Like we've spoken all
season about as he reads to be the main man,
and I think now he's done the show. Not only
can he be the main man he wants to. I
think that's so pivotal for a halfback to actually take
that burden on yourself, you know, and he's wet spot
around it. I think that half sparing was like they're
about the same age, they've got similar levels of experience
and how long they've actually been playing. Metcalfs lost a
(21:14):
lot of games because he's just been injured. But those
two are going to go together, you know, and they're
gonna wait. Like we saw Chanelle win a game last
week off his own pat and now Metcalf's done it
this week. And so for those two to be doing
this now, I think is such good signs.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Yeah, and it's props also to Webster to keep giving
him them that opportunity. Not swapping out for Tomartin Martin.
I was calling for Tomight and Martin to come and
not Christian now had played badly just because I thought
we needed more leadership in the halves. But those two
are playing, are going strength to strength.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
Yeah, and you've got Tanner Boyd in there as well.
Remember Tanner Boyd is probably the most experienced half they've
got on the box, isn't he.
Speaker 9 (21:48):
No.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
I think Tomarty Martin might just edge it. But they've
signed Tanner Boyd for a reason, you know. And now
he's just sort of sitting in reserve grade waiting for
a chance if and when it's given to him. And
I think the Warriors will want to say no, just
you stay there and they still be our guys.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Now, speaking of the halves, I do still have a
few thoughts around the Warrior's fifth tackle plays. And obviously
in Vegas that was the issue that there weren't didn't
seem to be any fifth tackle players. They said they
went away from the game. Pan that's sort of come
right in the last few weeks. But I was talking
to a Country Sport breakfast producer, Mark Kelly out in
the newsroom earlier and he pointed out that a lot
(22:23):
of the time the Warriors attacking inside the opposition twenty
metcalf is are shoveling the ball on. We're looking for
running options rather than kicking options. There were a few
grubbers on a Chanelle was playing his part with the boot.
I'm struggling to think of an attacking bomb that was
contestable next to the try line in that game from
the Warriors.
Speaker 4 (22:43):
Well, I mean you're looking at I mean, especially out
on the wings ta into a peck. He's not going
to beat anyone in the air, so you're not really
going to put an attacking bomb up there. But like
I mean, we saw it last week, but the Roosts
gam didn't even Chanelle mostly bombed it to himself, you know.
But I think it is just a natural instinct for
Metcalf as the attacking leader to run the ball like
we saw him, you know, run the ball on the
last tackle and get found out. Was it once or twice?
(23:05):
I think it was only once. But it is just
something that, like Web said, like, they're not the finished article.
You know, the fact that they are playing like this
and winning games is great, but they know that there
is still levels to go to and they know to
get there. They probably know how to get there because
they've got enough winners around them with guys like Fisher Harris.
So it's now up to the leadership at the club
and the coaches and the playing group to work out
(23:27):
how they get there together.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
Yeah. One with four rounds in three in one, they
sit sixth on the ladder and they've got to guarantee
two points with the buy this week, So they're going
to go Because teams on top out are playing each other,
they're going to go higher. They're going to be higher
than six going into a round six. What do you
give this team? If you give them a great ABCD,
where do you think they're at this point from the
(23:51):
first four weeks of competition.
Speaker 4 (23:54):
I'm probably looking at a B B plus. You know,
I think the last three weeks have been exceptional, but
that first week in Vegas cannot be overlooked yet.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
Yeah, I'm going to go for a B plus. Three
fantastic wins, showing plenty of heart and as we said,
composure and the willingness to put themselves in the pressure
box like Metcalfe did with the Kicks. However, because I'm
still not convinced around the Warrior's attack, and Chanelle and
Luc are still growing as a combination, it's almost exciting
(24:24):
that we know they are still way off their ceiling
in terms of what they are capable of, and Metcalf
obviously talked about that in his chat with Burge as well.
This team has got a long way to go, a
long way to go. But the fact that they're getting
these wins over the likes of the Roosters and the Tigers,
who are actually good this year, gives a hell of
(24:45):
a lot of promise.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
Well, not only that, but remember the one over Manly.
Remember after round Whine, everyone's saying, Oh, Manly are going
to be a top four side. No one's saying that
anymore because the war is really put into the sword
at Mount Smart.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
The Big League podcast for the biggest league fans.
Speaker 3 (25:00):
Right, Alex a story that we weren't expecting last week
and it is a big blow to the club. Dylan
wall Walker, utility forward, one of the one of my
favorite characters of the Warriors over the last few years.
He's leaving. He's gone to paramatter, returning to Australia on
compassionate grounds, is without his family for a number of
(25:23):
months and you just got to a point where he
decided he couldn't do it. I actually am really supportive
of the way the Warriors have handled this in terms
of Cameron George coming out and saying, look, we treat
our players. They're not, you know, just employees the humans.
Walker obviously needs to be with his family. He's making
this decision based off his kids, and that's completely understandable
and I don't I don't think there's anything wrong with
that at all. But in terms of the way the
(25:45):
Warriors use him as a facilitator and also as a leader,
this is a this is a tough hold of film.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
Yeah, agreed, complete with what you said about Dylan Walker.
He was a very important character at the club. You know,
he was great with media. He always answered questions, he
answered them as himself. He as authentic and to think
that he's been doing it tough is pretty hard to hear.
So great to see him actually go back to Australian
being with his If he'd gone to a better club
than the Eels, who are bobbins at the moment, then
(26:12):
I might be annoyed, but you're all right, I'm going
to them at the bottom of the table. But you're right,
that is such a big role to for like we
we tend to think of enter else sides as one
to thirteen, but they're really not. It's one to seventeen,
if not one to about thirty. You know, you need
every member of your squad to be able to do
a job at a certain point, and Dylan Walker has
done basically every job. He's played in the Falls, he's
(26:32):
played in the Senate, as he's played in the Harbs.
Remember that in his first year playing half back when
Sewn Johnson was injured. So that's a huge, huge loss
for the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
It's not just a loss, I suppose in terms of
his role on the field, in terms of what he does
with ball in hand, but also in leadership. If you
think about the fact that Shawn Johnson's gone to Harris
has gone my salem Ontoy, my salem on Toya, like
Dlan Martinis, Alesniks injured and phenomenal, it's a it's a
rotating door of people leaving the Warriors or being out
(27:03):
of action in the case of Dlan. But that leadership
has to come from somewhere, and Aaron Clark is a
very experienced player that for me, some of that does
fall on him. It's difficult because he's in terms of
ball play. He's very different to Taho and Walker. Both
Toho and Dylan are more facilitators playmaking styles. Aaron Clark
(27:24):
runs the ball straight and hard, so he's going to
pick up the mantle there. But also in a leadership capacity.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
Yeah, I mean I've been blown away by Aaron Clark,
to be honest, Like you remember back to his one
appearance he got four the Warriors before he left.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
That was as a half back.
Speaker 4 (27:38):
And he goes away and he goes to canber and
he goes to the Gold Coast and just comes back,
you know, because he a he wants to he wants
to be in Auckland, he wants his family to grow
up here. But he's come back and he has just
probably for me, been the most important player of this season,
which is a huge thing to put on someone in
their first well you say first year, his first year back,
but you look at like a James Fisher Harris and
the role he was expected to play and he is
(28:00):
playing it, you know, as as a forward and as
a leader. Aaron Clark. For me, if you look at
what Tah Harris brought to the club, Aaron Clark at
this point in time as an upgrade, you know, And like,
that's not saying he's going to have a better career
than Toy because Toyer Harris, you know, won premierships, he
played Test football. But at this exact moment of the
(28:21):
player that Toy Harris was when he retired and the
player Aaron Clark is now, Aaron Clark is a better
option for the Warriors. And that feels almost wrong to say,
but I don't think I'm incorrect.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
The Big League Podcast podcast, this is going the Big
League Podcast on the Warriors bad wagon since day one.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
All right, we'll go through quick fire predictions for a
round not involving the Warriors this week. Alex Poucer, Let's
have a but of fun with it. Let's get started.
Raiders versus the Sharks and Canberra Raiders. Yeah, interesting two
sides who looked very very strong at opening rounds and
they both had losses in Week four of the NRL,
(29:02):
the Raiders losing to the Cowboys, the Sharks to the Bulldogs,
who obviously look very good. I'm going to go with
the Sharks to bounce back here. Panthers versus the Cowboys.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
Oh, Panthers law of averages if you say the Panthers.
You'll be right eventually.
Speaker 3 (29:18):
I mean the Panthers. What is going on? Was anyone
picking the Bunnies to beat the Panthers twenty eight to eight?
Speaker 4 (29:24):
No, but off the last couple of weeks. That's now
three in a row the Panthers.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
They've dropped three in a row? Is it over? Is
the dynasty gone? It's gone? With Jerome Lewi to the Tigers.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
Fisher Haris to the Warriors. Oh yeah, Sidney Tarriva to
the Tigers. No, look, I think I'm gonna go to
the Cowboys. Just the you look at Nathan Cleary not
being there, Jerome Lewai not being there, Adam Vanila Blake,
like James Fisher Harris not being there. I think this
actually might be too much.
Speaker 3 (29:54):
They've lost now, I can't tip against I just it's
four years, man, They've got to win. They're at home.
Panthers to beat the Cowboys. Rabbit O's Roosters, Battle of
Sydney Bunnies. I'm gonna agree with you there, Eaels Dragons
don't pick the Eels, Yeah, surely not.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
I mean maybe if Dylan Walker gets a start and
they play Alright, No, look, I'm gonna go to the
Earls for Dylan.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
What yeah, your name's Michael Burgess backing the Eels every week.
Now I'm going to Dragons, Titans, Dolphins, Titans. I can
agree with that. Titans with a surprise victory over the Roosters.
The Roosters actually had the ascendency for most of that
game and then just felter bits in the last quarter,
(30:39):
conceding four tries. Broncos Tigers.
Speaker 4 (30:43):
Surely the Broncos at home you.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
Might pick for minor premiers this year. I'm just gonna
keep on saying it and maybe it'll come right the
house on it. Surely see Eagles versus the Storm stomp.
Speaker 4 (30:54):
I think they're gonna win.
Speaker 3 (30:55):
They will think I agree with you there and around
out Bulldogs versus the Knights.
Speaker 4 (31:00):
I really like the Doggies. I look what I look
what they look good last year as well. You look
at the You look at what the Warriors did in
twenty twenty three when they got backed into the finals
and then fellow the next season. The Bulldogs have shown
no sign of doing that. So huge props to Cameron
Surrealder four and oh yeah four and.
Speaker 3 (31:16):
Oh the Bulldogs and I'm packing them to go five
and oh and beat the Knights at home. Please follow
and rate the podcast That'll do us for this week.
Thank you Alex Power for your time, your wisdom, insight
coming off the bench for Michael Burgess. My name is
Nathan Lim. We will be back next Monday, so stay tuned,
enjoy bye week, have a great week.
Speaker 1 (31:36):
For more from News Talks B listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on Irradio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio The.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Big League Podcast League Podcast by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Warriors halfback Luke
Metcalf reflects on the stunning come from behind victory over
the Wests Tigers in Sydney. Three wins in a row.
Alex powers and off the interchange for Michael Burgess as
we dissect where this team is a heading into the
by my name is Nathan Limb. Let's go good b LV.
(00:46):
For just the fifth time in history, the Warriors are
three and one to start the season. Grit, grit and composure,
the two qualities which for me typify an unlikely comeback
win over the Tigers in Western Sydney. They were down
and out, the Tigers six points up, bearing down on
the Warriors tri line, but with a little luck they
(01:08):
refer used to crack a breathtaking cameo from nineteen year
old Lequa Halaesima, evading three defenders for his maiden NRL try.
He should have run it under the posts, yes, but
in a way that gave Luke Metcalf even more of
a platform to display his calmness, nailing the conversion on
the angle in difficult conditions to tie the game, and
(01:29):
then slotting the match winning penalty from forty meters out.
Alex Powell, You, Zeeland Herald ride up. What impressed you
most about this performance?
Speaker 4 (01:38):
You've sort of hit the nail on the head right there.
It was the great it was the determination. That's two
ugly wins on the bounce for the Warriors. You know,
they say the difference between a good team and a
great team as the ability to win ugly, and that's
what they've now done twice.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
There are numerous players who stood out. We're going to
go through the game in detail later, but give me
one player that had your attention.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
For different reasons. I really liked what Wade Egan did
last night. I think that it's so easy to have
a look Wade Egan because he's doing it for so long.
But I think he might have actually gone to another
level to start this season.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
You yeah, I think so as well. Just the amount
of sp I mean, we talked about it last year
and he has been doing this for years, but the
amount of space he's able to create around the ruck
and We're going to hear from Luke Metcalf in a
bit as well about that. But his combination as well,
that the spine working between Chanell, Harris Dedvid and Luke Metcalff,
and the lead up to Luke Metcalf's trike was Egan, Chanell,
(02:32):
Luke Try and that comes from the space that he's
able to create and the Warriors are really utilizing that
and it's coming up trumps and what a victory. What
a victory that gets you hot, that should get you
very very excited as a Warriors fan. But we're going
to hear from as I said, Luke Metcalf shortly. But
first here are the highlights Warriors twenty six Tigers twenty four.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
The Tiger's kickoff.
Speaker 6 (02:59):
Here we go comes out here to Pumpy stept away
from Ballet and Gavin Puller. He'll reach out and plan
it down side the fire.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
There's another set race done.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
He crashes through.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
He's Egan has a bit of.
Speaker 6 (03:14):
Talk about here in a moment, including this Minifi and
the Runoleo tore try for the Warriors outside was stuff
with tower. He'll run away and score against the run
of plays of Caunter attack by the Tigers one on
que Egan makes a break his Harris de Vita and
then Metcalf the Tiger's defense shut the bits, blue wife
(03:38):
for Galvin Brothers, A real chance for type. They converts it.
Lovely kick comes to La too Faero, who sees a
quite now to a piggy down the edge. Calasiva is
the way showing speed coming across Buller is there, can't
get to him. Calasiva bats two. He kisses, points to
(04:03):
the sky and scores a reloveable try for the Warriors.
Speaker 5 (04:08):
That's unbelievable.
Speaker 6 (04:09):
What about that he hits the shoulders there, say fer
he was in a wrapping motion.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
I reckon, I get the penalty here.
Speaker 6 (04:19):
Strike is good, the distance is not an issue and
the flags go in the air at full time. The
Warriors twenty six have beaten the Tigers twenty four.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Audio Curtesy of sky Sport Big League Podcast. Michael Burgess
is absent today but has hustled superbly to get a
quick chat to Luke Metcalf over the phone. Let's take
a listen.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
What are your thoughts on the meta as the hell
of a way to win?
Speaker 7 (04:48):
Yeah, yeah, no, it was good to win like that.
Obviously replayed really good in parts and some parts we
can get a lot better up, but it's always nice
to win at the end of the day.
Speaker 8 (04:57):
What was going through your mind is you stepped up
to take their penalty at the end.
Speaker 7 (05:03):
About I've done, I've done. Hey, you so much practice?
Just yeah, just doing normals. Just go through my process
and then just try and nail it to put us ahead.
Nothing too crazy to go, I'll to our minders what
I do every kick.
Speaker 8 (05:17):
Pretty much because you look really confident though, I mean
there was there was talk the commentators are thinking, oh,
the Warriors might go for the corner here, but you
looked really confident the had of that kick.
Speaker 7 (05:28):
Yeah, yeah, no, I was confident. I knew that I
myself to be able to get out a little bit
we need, but I knew that I'd be fine.
Speaker 8 (05:35):
And as you say, really important was what does this
result mean for the team?
Speaker 5 (05:40):
Three on the bounce and winning like this ahead of
the buy.
Speaker 7 (05:45):
Yeah, they said I'd cliche four four point week and
you know you're going to the buy and you get
it to automate two points there. So yeah, it's awesome
to get the win going into the buy and that
gives this at the conference. Three wins on the trun
and we've still got a lot that we can improve on.
Exciting farm for the future games.
Speaker 8 (06:03):
How are you feeling midway through the second half? Look
when the Tigers had really come back into the match?
Speaker 7 (06:10):
Yeah, yeah, they feel they were kind of really wrong,
and probably about fifteen minutes into our second half that
was looking really look good. I felt we just had
to hang in with them and just and just again,
and we will confident that we would be able to
come over him in the end. We just had to
stay posing in the moment and just focus what we
can what we can.
Speaker 8 (06:26):
Control on some crucial decisions as well. And I guess
that how important was that Tarrell May dropping the ball
over the line?
Speaker 7 (06:37):
Yeah, that was good for us. I didn't even see
the replay. I just said the reaction and I went
straight up to the bunker and I didn't even actually
could I think all the voice were saying it knock on,
So yeah, I just I actually can see it live,
so I don't even really know.
Speaker 8 (06:54):
And can you just tell us about your view of
lekus try a remarkable if by the young guy.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Yeah, that was awesome, mom, I thought was just canning
May close to the post. That was awesome. Squad first
front and roll like that. That's find of the first
trive of all time. And he's a freaking he's just
going to keep them. But he's only twenty years old,
which is crazy. But they're so excarting to see how
goody or he is and just imagining how good he
can be.
Speaker 8 (07:23):
And as you say, it was a match where where
the Warriors sort of had their ups and downs. At
times looked really dominant, other times the Tigers come back
into the match.
Speaker 5 (07:34):
How tricky were those conditions though?
Speaker 7 (07:37):
Yeah, they were like the rain, we're both playing in it,
so we both like in the range, so we're both
ten just suffered for the same sort of conditions. But yeah,
like one team was on top of the final ten
and then the other momentum swing and then the other
team would get it. And it was sort of a
flowing game like that. So probably the whole eighty minutes, Yeah,
it was really The crowd was really cool. They were
(07:59):
into it and they're riding them home and so it's
so of awesome to get a wing like this away
from home.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
And what does this do for your confidence?
Speaker 8 (08:07):
Especially the way you finished the game with a with
a clutch conversion because he made it a bit more
difficult than it could have been, as you say, and
then and then the and then the penalty.
Speaker 7 (08:17):
Yeah, it's cool. It's something I've always wanted to do,
and they always think about you want to those moments.
I feel like I want the ball in my hands.
So yeah, for the more I get in those moments,
the more confident I'll get them. And yeah, I just
want to keep grabbing them with both hands.
Speaker 5 (08:32):
And it's early days.
Speaker 8 (08:33):
I mean it's only your fourth game at number seven
for this team. But but how are you feeling about things?
Speaker 5 (08:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (08:40):
I feel good for every game, learn like learning, and
there's always something that we get from the game or
something that we can that we can get better at,
and all things that we're doing well. So yeah, it's
cool to sort of have those three wins and still
not playing our best for you, but we're still getting
the job done and we go into the buy now
we need that time to sort of fix a few
things up and got a real big game come U
(09:02):
against Broncos next week.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
What was Andrew Wester's message to you guys that have to.
Speaker 7 (09:10):
Sort of similar to what we spoke about before the game,
just just stay in the in the in the ground
was twelve, I think it was twelve at half time,
so it was very similar to the messages before the
game is reiterated, just we just got to stay in it.
We don't have to do anything too too crazy, just
kicking at the corners and back out of fence and
then when we get the boards down and there and
(09:30):
just try and score score some trials. And yeah, it
was it was. Yeah, it was obviously tough. We probably
didn't go out and do what we wanted to. I've
scored a try only on but so we sort of
fell after that. But in the last ten minutes we
we went mattered. We got to it.
Speaker 5 (09:46):
And what did he say?
Speaker 8 (09:47):
What was the general message after the after the match
to you guys, Yeah, it.
Speaker 7 (09:52):
Was just that obviously it was just awesome to win.
But yea, there's a lot of stuff we can prove on,
but you're gotta just be happy that we stuck in
it and just stay present and the way to win
at the end, like I want to. They're a good
team and they weren't going to beat himself, so able
it was good to just just said it's good to
get away with the win.
Speaker 8 (10:11):
And how are you feeling things are going with the
with the spine now that you have played a few
a few matches together, I mean a really nice try
that weighed helped create. How are you feeling about how
the spines going.
Speaker 7 (10:23):
Yeah, that really easy for the playman. You've got someone
that way to dumb me after you just creates so
much space for everyone around him. And there's just a
really easy to sorder to just get the ball when
he creates that creates that for you. So it's been
awesome to be playing with two mentioned no, and I
can't wait to keep getting going our combination and getting
more games together.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
What's his secret mate?
Speaker 8 (10:45):
Because how does he keep doing these eighty minute games
at hooker?
Speaker 7 (10:50):
I don't know, but I'd love to have something. Whatever
he is taken, I'd probably golf plays at the golf
that might be that might be freeing him, freeing him
up a little bit and getting his body nice and loose.
Speaker 8 (10:59):
So, and you're talking to golf, I know you've probably
got really busy times at home at the moment, but
what are your plans for the buy?
Speaker 5 (11:07):
I assume you get you get a few days off.
Speaker 7 (11:10):
Yeah, yeah, we got a few days off. My partner's
third gay weeks pregnant shoes, So I'm planning on having
a baby, probably in the next week or so. So
they had nothing too crazy for me, just staying at
home and just yeah, it's relaxing.
Speaker 8 (11:22):
Oh gee, I didn't know it was that close. Yeah,
so well, the Jude data is sort of just around
the corner.
Speaker 7 (11:30):
Yeah, yeah, so probably in another week or so. The
Jue date is less than less than two weeks, so yeah,
but we might be having a little bit early, but
just hopefully by regain to work a real person.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
The Big League Podcast podcast. This is the Big League Podcast.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Right, let's go through this game in a little bit
more detail. Back and forth Tit for ten. I was
not hopeful when the Tigers were on the verge of
scoring to go up twelve with fifteen ish to play.
Coach Andrew Webster his sides performance was.
Speaker 9 (12:08):
There's moments there where I thought we were about to
get on top here, and then there's moments there I
thought we're in lots of trouble. But I was just
super proud that we found a way and we are fine.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
In a way at the moment.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
They did ride their luck. Alex Pow. Let's take a
look at the first half as well. For me, it
felt like the Warriors definitely had the ascendency. I thought
the Tigers were doing well to go into the break
at twelve or they started with a massive defensive statement
pushing the Tigers back into their own end goal in
the opening minute. For me, with ball in hand, they
just look powerful through the middle. You think about the
running lines of the likes of Val Mang and the
(12:40):
a quarter are four. Adam Pompey having a blinder, scoring
a try and making four tackle breaks in the game.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Good for Bed and Pompey al right, because he knows
now Rockerberry's back, he's breaking down his neck. He wants
to keep that first grade spot, all right, So it
props to Adam first to Adam, sorry first up, but
you're right. I think you remember back to twenty twenty three,
the first couple of wins they had when they were
really starting to find their style under Andrew Webster, and
it does remind me of that where they were playing
in good areas, in the right areas of the field,
but just weren't scoring points. But then we know that
(13:08):
when they do get it all together, they can just
blow teams off park and we've already seen that against Manly, right,
so it's coming. But like just to touch on the Tigers,
like they remind me of the Tigers when Benji was playing.
Now that he's the coach, you know, they chuck it round.
They play a really good, interesting style of football. They're
a really good defensive side as well. And you think
the team that has finished so low down these last
(13:29):
few years, like they genuinely could contend to the eight
this year.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
And you wonder how much of that is down to
Jerome Leua and I guess the effect he would have
on the teammates around because it gives you confidence, right,
having a guy like that four Premiership titles coming into
the side, that's going to lift everyone else. But the
Tigers were hamstring during this game and they had to
reshuffle their line a lot. They had a number of
injuries in that first half. They had middle Ford's playing center.
(13:57):
I remember listening to the comtators trying to work out
who was actually playing at center for the Tigers because
they had to reshuffle so many times. And the Warriors
sort of were able to take advantage of that, and
the Tigers were just opportunistic. I suppose with that last
try they scored before the break and they would have
been pretty happy at halftime.
Speaker 4 (14:14):
Yeah, I mean, I agree with what you said earlier.
The Warriors definitely didn't do enough in that first half
to cement the advantage that they actually had. But like
I said before, and you can always put this back
on the Tigers as well. That's what these good teams do.
They don't let you get away from them, and that's
what the Warriors did, I mean, obviously to their credit.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
You mentioned Wade Egan at the start, and he was
doing a superb job, as I said, opening that space
around the rookie. He linked with Chanelle Harris de Vita
and Luke Metcalff, and the lead up to Metcalf's trying,
that all starts with that space. He's able to the
sort of coaxing the defenders. You know, the defense for
(14:52):
me sometimes a little bit loose around the middle, a
little bit around the bunti af court lacking and the
lead up to Faynu's try leaving a huge hole within
the ten and fai Nu just absolutely sailed through and
if you look at that second, the Tigers were in
charge for most of it, and you know, they went
up and they were they were pressing on the Warrior's
(15:15):
line for large parts and the Warriors got really lucky
with toral May dropping the ball over the line. There
was also another one where there was an obstruction and
looked like one of the Tigers players had just sailed through.
What did you think of I guess the second half
as a whole, but just the Warrior's ability to hold
on that grip that we talked about.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
It felt like that was really missing last year, didn't it.
Like you look at the number of games they'd lose
by less than a converted try, you know, I think
it was about seven, you know. So to be in
these tight contests and to actually come away winning them,
because like I said, they lost seven, I think they
only won three by less than a committed trial less
rather so to have that experience, bank that experience as
they go further into this season, I think it's going
(15:55):
to be invaluable come the right time.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Let's talk about Lekahalaesima and his try that run down
the right edge evaded three defenders to the crowd, in
the lead up, which I mean, I don't mind, but
he was getting he was coughing up with a flat
from the commentator or the sky coverage afterwards, And obviously
(16:18):
Metcalf said in his interview with Birds There that he
woulted Hallo Sema to run the ball and under the post.
I was laughing because as they showed a replay of
the coach's box when Halosima was running in to score
that try, Webster was cheering on. You can see Stacy
Jones go under the post, under the post and he
threw the pen on the ground when he scored the
(16:39):
try away out to the right. So I mean that's
an experience right there. He's nineteen, he's going to learn,
he's going to get better. But mits Barnett's lauded Halasima
for his performance.
Speaker 5 (16:49):
He's a special kiddo. He's going to have a long
career if he wants to.
Speaker 9 (16:52):
Like some of the things he can do on the
footy field, I wish I could do.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
But he's a humble kid and just happy he had
that moment. And Webster agrees with Barnett, but has one condition.
As Halosima, as we said, race his finger to his
lips fifteen meters from the line.
Speaker 9 (17:08):
I wish he went around and scored on the sticks,
and you said he was grounded. He was a bit
larry there, but the young guys like that learn.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
You know, what were you thinking when he was charging.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
To the line, So to be honest, I was watching
the game on a slight delay from my neighbor.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
Who is a big Words fan.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Anytime something happened, I got a little bit of an indication.
I just heard him start going off and the Warriors
were so deep in their own half at that point,
and Leker just breaks down the wing and you're just thinking, gay,
He's like you remember that game he played. I think it
was his debut, wasn't it where normally he had that
huge run playing at center and nearly got it over
the line. So it was great see him actually get
over for his first try. But I agree with everything
Barnett and Whibs have said that I absolutely love le Aho.
(17:47):
Seem like we heard when Adam Vanila Blake signed to
go to the Sharks, he said no, no. The young
Ford's coming through at the moment, not just Leger but
Dimitry Wager, Jacob laban Zimo who was part of that
Ben and he's gone to the board. I was like,
the development of this next generation of Warriors forwards, it
just looks so promising. I really hope that they can
(18:07):
all stay together have great careers at the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
And you forget Ali Lattala is sort of part of
that group as well, and he's now just the regular
Warriors starting center. Obviously, unfortunate for Rocker Berry, we thought
he was going to come back. Pompey shifted to the wing,
moved back to Sendecausebury. What he did is hamstring during
the week. Then obviously Ed Corsey comes onto the wing.
But Lataha has been outstanding and obviously, you know young players,
(18:34):
there are defensive areas from time to time, and that's
obviously going to happen. But the amount of power that
they're coming through, with the amount of talent, raw talent,
I think it says a lot. We're going to talk
about Dylan Walker leaving in a few moments, but that
Cameron George said after that that we're not going to
look outside for another lot. We're going to look within
the club. We're a development club and that just shows
(18:54):
the confidence they have and the young players that are
coming through and we're starting to see shades of that.
I mean, look, Ajlasima is nineteen. Can you imagine how
good he's going to be in seven eight years. He's
only going to be twenty six, twenty seven, Like he's
still even hit his peak. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
No, I agree with everything you've said that. It's like
the Warriors at all levels bar n RL do have
very good success. They've won the Harold Matthews they you know,
they're generally there are thereabouts of the New Southwa's Cup and
just making sure these guys have a pathway to come through.
I know that, like the issue of NROL recruitment is
you need guys who are ready to go now. You
can't really invest in a young half for a young
(19:30):
forward like that. But because of the stocks that the
Warriors do have at the moment and the leadership of
you know, guys like Adam fil Blake and Delawalker and
justifying the last year to be mentors and now Mitch
Barnett and James Fisher Harris and Kirk Capbole, like there
are such a good pathway for these young guys to
come into first grade now and I just hope it
keeps happening.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Now, let's discuss Luke Metcalf and we his composure off
the tee in this game. I do want to talk
about a bit of the kicking in game, but in
terms of off the tea, he held his own and
obviously he talked about he would have liked that closer
to the posts after the Hall of Sema try. But
he stepped up in difficult conditions, nailed it on the angle,
(20:09):
and then as soon as that penalty came with just
a few minutes to go, he immediately was like, ye,
give me the kick, forty meters out in front into
the wind. He immediately he had his hands up two points,
two points were taking the two. I'll take the kick.
I love that attitude and that sort of put me
in the box seat, put me in the driver's seat
(20:30):
and put the pressure on me. He relishes that we've
still admits that he had his doubts with those last kicks.
Speaker 9 (20:37):
The wind looked really strong in the second half ONLM.
We're kicking the ball and it was forty out and
I was like, if he wants it, let's take it,
and he wanted it, like straight away he wanted it,
so as I awsome and then I was nervous with
the distance, but he smashed it.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
I just loved how he stood up in wanted that moment.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
Luke Metcalf needed that, didn't he. Like we've spoken all
season about as he reads to be the main man,
and I think now he's done the show. Not only
can he be the main man he wants to. I
think that's so pivotal for a halfback to actually take
that burden on yourself, you know, and he's wet spot
around it. I think that half sparing was like they're
about the same age, they've got similar levels of experience
and how long they've actually been playing. Metcalfs lost a
(21:14):
lot of games because he's just been injured. But those
two are going to go together, you know, and they're
gonna wait. Like we saw Chanelle win a game last
week off his own pat and now Metcalf's done it
this week. And so for those two to be doing
this now, I think is such good signs.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Yeah, and it's props also to Webster to keep giving
him them that opportunity. Not swapping out for Tomartin Martin.
I was calling for Tomight and Martin to come and
not Christian now had played badly just because I thought
we needed more leadership in the halves. But those two
are playing, are going strength to strength.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
Yeah, and you've got Tanner Boyd in there as well.
Remember Tanner Boyd is probably the most experienced half they've
got on the box, isn't he.
Speaker 9 (21:48):
No.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
I think Tomarty Martin might just edge it. But they've
signed Tanner Boyd for a reason, you know. And now
he's just sort of sitting in reserve grade waiting for
a chance if and when it's given to him. And
I think the Warriors will want to say no, just
you stay there and they still be our guys.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Now, speaking of the halves, I do still have a
few thoughts around the Warrior's fifth tackle plays. And obviously
in Vegas that was the issue that there weren't didn't
seem to be any fifth tackle players. They said they
went away from the game. Pan that's sort of come
right in the last few weeks. But I was talking
to a Country Sport breakfast producer, Mark Kelly out in
the newsroom earlier and he pointed out that a lot
(22:23):
of the time the Warriors attacking inside the opposition twenty
metcalf is are shoveling the ball on. We're looking for
running options rather than kicking options. There were a few
grubbers on a Chanelle was playing his part with the boot.
I'm struggling to think of an attacking bomb that was
contestable next to the try line in that game from
the Warriors.
Speaker 4 (22:43):
Well, I mean you're looking at I mean, especially out
on the wings ta into a peck. He's not going
to beat anyone in the air, so you're not really
going to put an attacking bomb up there. But like
I mean, we saw it last week, but the Roosts
gam didn't even Chanelle mostly bombed it to himself, you know.
But I think it is just a natural instinct for
Metcalf as the attacking leader to run the ball like
we saw him, you know, run the ball on the
last tackle and get found out. Was it once or twice?
(23:05):
I think it was only once. But it is just
something that, like Web said, like, they're not the finished article.
You know, the fact that they are playing like this
and winning games is great, but they know that there
is still levels to go to and they know to
get there. They probably know how to get there because
they've got enough winners around them with guys like Fisher Harris.
So it's now up to the leadership at the club
and the coaches and the playing group to work out
(23:27):
how they get there together.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
Yeah. One with four rounds in three in one, they
sit sixth on the ladder and they've got to guarantee
two points with the buy this week, So they're going
to go Because teams on top out are playing each other,
they're going to go higher. They're going to be higher
than six going into a round six. What do you
give this team? If you give them a great ABCD,
where do you think they're at this point from the
(23:51):
first four weeks of competition.
Speaker 4 (23:54):
I'm probably looking at a B B plus. You know,
I think the last three weeks have been exceptional, but
that first week in Vegas cannot be overlooked yet.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
Yeah, I'm going to go for a B plus. Three
fantastic wins, showing plenty of heart and as we said,
composure and the willingness to put themselves in the pressure
box like Metcalfe did with the Kicks. However, because I'm
still not convinced around the Warrior's attack, and Chanelle and
Luc are still growing as a combination, it's almost exciting
(24:24):
that we know they are still way off their ceiling
in terms of what they are capable of, and Metcalf
obviously talked about that in his chat with Burge as well.
This team has got a long way to go, a
long way to go. But the fact that they're getting
these wins over the likes of the Roosters and the Tigers,
who are actually good this year, gives a hell of
(24:45):
a lot of promise.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
Well, not only that, but remember the one over Manly.
Remember after round Whine, everyone's saying, Oh, Manly are going
to be a top four side. No one's saying that
anymore because the war is really put into the sword
at Mount Smart.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
The Big League podcast for the biggest league fans.
Speaker 3 (25:00):
Right, Alex a story that we weren't expecting last week
and it is a big blow to the club. Dylan
wall Walker, utility forward, one of the one of my
favorite characters of the Warriors over the last few years.
He's leaving. He's gone to paramatter, returning to Australia on
compassionate grounds, is without his family for a number of
(25:23):
months and you just got to a point where he
decided he couldn't do it. I actually am really supportive
of the way the Warriors have handled this in terms
of Cameron George coming out and saying, look, we treat
our players. They're not, you know, just employees the humans.
Walker obviously needs to be with his family. He's making
this decision based off his kids, and that's completely understandable
and I don't I don't think there's anything wrong with
that at all. But in terms of the way the
(25:45):
Warriors use him as a facilitator and also as a leader,
this is a this is a tough hold of film.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
Yeah, agreed, complete with what you said about Dylan Walker.
He was a very important character at the club. You know,
he was great with media. He always answered questions, he
answered them as himself. He as authentic and to think
that he's been doing it tough is pretty hard to hear.
So great to see him actually go back to Australian
being with his If he'd gone to a better club
than the Eels, who are bobbins at the moment, then
(26:12):
I might be annoyed, but you're all right, I'm going
to them at the bottom of the table. But you're right,
that is such a big role to for like we
we tend to think of enter else sides as one
to thirteen, but they're really not. It's one to seventeen,
if not one to about thirty. You know, you need
every member of your squad to be able to do
a job at a certain point, and Dylan Walker has
done basically every job. He's played in the Falls, he's
(26:32):
played in the Senate, as he's played in the Harbs.
Remember that in his first year playing half back when
Sewn Johnson was injured. So that's a huge, huge loss
for the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
It's not just a loss, I suppose in terms of
his role on the field, in terms of what he does
with ball in hand, but also in leadership. If you
think about the fact that Shawn Johnson's gone to Harris
has gone my salem Ontoy, my salem on Toya, like
Dlan Martinis, Alesniks injured and phenomenal, it's a it's a
rotating door of people leaving the Warriors or being out
(27:03):
of action in the case of Dlan. But that leadership
has to come from somewhere, and Aaron Clark is a
very experienced player that for me, some of that does
fall on him. It's difficult because he's in terms of
ball play. He's very different to Taho and Walker. Both
Toho and Dylan are more facilitators playmaking styles. Aaron Clark
(27:24):
runs the ball straight and hard, so he's going to
pick up the mantle there. But also in a leadership capacity.
Speaker 4 (27:31):
Yeah, I mean I've been blown away by Aaron Clark,
to be honest, Like you remember back to his one
appearance he got four the Warriors before he left.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
That was as a half back.
Speaker 4 (27:38):
And he goes away and he goes to canber and
he goes to the Gold Coast and just comes back,
you know, because he a he wants to he wants
to be in Auckland, he wants his family to grow
up here. But he's come back and he has just
probably for me, been the most important player of this season,
which is a huge thing to put on someone in
their first well you say first year, his first year back,
but you look at like a James Fisher Harris and
the role he was expected to play and he is
(28:00):
playing it, you know, as as a forward and as
a leader. Aaron Clark. For me, if you look at
what Tah Harris brought to the club, Aaron Clark at
this point in time as an upgrade, you know, And like,
that's not saying he's going to have a better career
than Toy because Toyer Harris, you know, won premierships, he
played Test football. But at this exact moment of the
(28:21):
player that Toy Harris was when he retired and the
player Aaron Clark is now, Aaron Clark is a better
option for the Warriors. And that feels almost wrong to say,
but I don't think I'm incorrect.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
The Big League Podcast podcast, this is going the Big
League Podcast on the Warriors bad wagon since day one.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
All right, we'll go through quick fire predictions for a
round not involving the Warriors this week. Alex Poucer, Let's
have a but of fun with it. Let's get started.
Raiders versus the Sharks and Canberra Raiders. Yeah, interesting two
sides who looked very very strong at opening rounds and
they both had losses in Week four of the NRL,
(29:02):
the Raiders losing to the Cowboys, the Sharks to the Bulldogs,
who obviously look very good. I'm going to go with
the Sharks to bounce back here. Panthers versus the Cowboys.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
Oh, Panthers law of averages if you say the Panthers.
You'll be right eventually.
Speaker 3 (29:18):
I mean the Panthers. What is going on? Was anyone
picking the Bunnies to beat the Panthers twenty eight to eight?
Speaker 4 (29:24):
No, but off the last couple of weeks. That's now
three in a row the Panthers.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
They've dropped three in a row? Is it over? Is
the dynasty gone? It's gone? With Jerome Lewi to the Tigers.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
Fisher Haris to the Warriors. Oh yeah, Sidney Tarriva to
the Tigers. No, look, I think I'm gonna go to
the Cowboys. Just the you look at Nathan Cleary not
being there, Jerome Lewai not being there, Adam Vanila Blake,
like James Fisher Harris not being there. I think this
actually might be too much.
Speaker 3 (29:54):
They've lost now, I can't tip against I just it's
four years, man, They've got to win. They're at home.
Panthers to beat the Cowboys. Rabbit O's Roosters, Battle of
Sydney Bunnies. I'm gonna agree with you there, Eaels Dragons
don't pick the Eels, Yeah, surely not.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
I mean maybe if Dylan Walker gets a start and
they play Alright, No, look, I'm gonna go to the
Earls for Dylan.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
What yeah, your name's Michael Burgess backing the Eels every week.
Now I'm going to Dragons, Titans, Dolphins, Titans. I can
agree with that. Titans with a surprise victory over the Roosters.
The Roosters actually had the ascendency for most of that
game and then just felter bits in the last quarter,
(30:39):
conceding four tries. Broncos Tigers.
Speaker 4 (30:43):
Surely the Broncos at home you.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
Might pick for minor premiers this year. I'm just gonna
keep on saying it and maybe it'll come right the
house on it. Surely see Eagles versus the Storm stomp.
Speaker 4 (30:54):
I think they're gonna win.
Speaker 3 (30:55):
They will think I agree with you there and around
out Bulldogs versus the Knights.
Speaker 4 (31:00):
I really like the Doggies. I look what I look
what they look good last year as well. You look
at the You look at what the Warriors did in
twenty twenty three when they got backed into the finals
and then fellow the next season. The Bulldogs have shown
no sign of doing that. So huge props to Cameron
Surrealder four and oh yeah four and.
Speaker 3 (31:16):
Oh the Bulldogs and I'm packing them to go five
and oh and beat the Knights at home. Please follow
and rate the podcast That'll do us for this week.
Thank you Alex Power for your time, your wisdom, insight
coming off the bench for Michael Burgess. My name is
Nathan Lim. We will be back next Monday, so stay tuned,
enjoy bye week, have a great week.
Speaker 1 (31:36):
For more from News Talks B listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on Irradio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
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
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.