My friends, I.
Hello and welcome to the West Tigers podcast is episode number 238. We've got the usual midweek panel of Eddie, Gary and Declan after a disappointing first up showing by
the West Tigers, 22 points to ten. Gary, your initial impression after Sunday, I know I've been my usual negative self for a couple of days, but I did for the first time get to review the game the full game last night because I had a very busy Sunday with cricket grand finals and celebrations and all that and it was a little bit more positive than what was maybe Monday, Tuesday.
I think that's the general trait, though. I think I was the same. I was quite disappointed. On Sunday night we recorded a podcast straight after the game and I think I came across fairly negative in that. And as the week's going on, I'm starting to see a few more of the positives and probably not as down on the performance on the weekend as I was on Sunday.
Like Declan, one thing we're going to get, win or lose, hopefully win this week is perhaps, you know, a distinctive style and brand. And I could see that at least on Sunday. It's not like they were going out there with no plan, even though there were, you know, 14 errors, which ultimately will lead to your demise. Yeah, I think.
That's probably going to be the balance of this team needs to strike this year. That balance between going forward and spreading the ball and identifying like what time is appropriate. But as you said, it was just impossible to to win the game with that many errors against a Gold Coast team. That's probably on the same level in terms
of talent. But I tend to agree with you guys think that, you know, if we held like even a little bit more ball, I think we would have won that game probably tonight.
Boys, We're going to get into a few of the main talking points out of Sunday without reviewing the game entirely because I know you did one on Sunday night. We're going to talk about Gary's interview with Justin Pascoe, which was alive at the ambush event just before the game on Sunday, which was some interesting talking points, very candid. Justin Pascoe and Gary pressing him a couple of times. Gary thought, you know, it wasn't just the usual fan
sort of fluff piece. I thought you did a good job, dare I say it, just just pressing him on a couple of little things that might have got a bit more information and thought we might.
Yeah, it was quite open. We have spent a little bit of time trying to build up a bit of a relationship with him and I think I think that came through in the discussion that we had with him on Sunday. I thought he was a little bit more open than he usually is in most interviews I've heard and even some some information in there about our home grounds moving forward. And and some interesting information came out from you.
And we'll, of course, be previewing the nights back at Lockhart straight away. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing in round two. And Gary, we're going to finish with your this quiz, which I haven't even opened yet. So that is a worry for me because he sent it to me at 630 tonight. He said there's a theme there, so I'm going to have to be on my toes reading it out.
Declan Yeah, and he told me at the ambush event to tell you not to change his quiz this time. Well.
Tell Jody he's more than welcome to apply to be the host, but I can do whatever I like. Is that so? Questions there are. They were hard to answer, but they're all so hard to spit out sometimes the way he just spins them a little bit. He's got his own little spin on things, which is interesting. Um, anyway, boys, let's get into it. The main talking point, I think, at least in the media from the wash up from Sunday,
was leaving AP on the bench, some very critical. So Cameron Smith you know a obviously probably the best number nine in the game seemed very critical. Cooper Cronk wasn't too critical because he said, you know, it's a formula that's worked, at least at a different club in the past for me. Declan Um, I just don't like the tone. It's set, you know, We made him captain your first game at Lockhart, and he comes on and. And the crowd sort of was out of the game at 12 two after 25 minutes.
Yeah, I think they're all really good points, but I don't think that was a football decision. In terms of tactics, I don't think ten was ever planning on saying, well, Jake Sampson will start the game, absorb all the pressure and he'll come in and, you know, score three tries a through crisis. I don't think that that was the
the point. I think it was just purely a conditioning thing because he hasn't played in the trials or and he also seems to have had pretty not a serious calf injury, but definitely one still plaguing him a little bit. So I think temporary is probably dead it purely for that reason and not for any tactical advantage that he thought he might have gone from moving up to the bench. But I do kind of agree with Cam Smith. You know, if he's not healthy enough to start and should have
even been played in the right place, feel like. That's an interesting question. It has a little bit of food for thought.
I have heard a little bit of information around that. That calf issue is still troubling him a little bit. And that may have been the reason behind it. And if you also have a look, the other player who played on the weekend who didn't play any trial games was off and he started from the bench. As well. So maybe it was just a way of easing them into the game. I think my opinion is if you've got AP and you can't play the full game, I
think you're better to play him at the start. Give him a break just before half time and just after half time and then have him on at the end of the game as well, because I think they're the crucial times. You need him at the start of the game and at the end of the game. So I'd like to see them kind of swap around a little bit.
Yeah, I mean, take your points, Declan, about the calf injury. I'm sure that was real because he didn't play in that last trial. But yeah, like you guys said, I just think we've had a couple of what turned out to be lame duck captains, you know, and by and Tamu who are both big name signings to the club and it's just I just think it sets the wrong tone when you've got your captain, you know, leading you out in front of your home crowd and then he's
not leading you out. He's sitting on the bench and by the time he comes on the Gold Coast have scored twice. And I just think it's I'm not sure they're trying to you know, they were going down that path of trying to replicate Penrith. I think it's probably more to do with nursing through but. But like. Like think Gary said, if he's good enough to play 50 minutes, I want 30 of those minutes to be the first 30 minutes of the game.
Well, it seems that tensions just from how he's approached the preseason and even the regular season, it seems like he's got a very long term view and he's not afraid to make decisions in the short term that are a little bit detrimental, which he obviously thinks will be better in the long term. So, for example, obviously we all do want to see John Bateman playing that week
against the against the Knights, especially against Jackson Hastings. I'm quite disappointed that we won't get to see that live because I was very interested to see how that would go, but not to be. And he's clearly identified that, look, that guy isn't ready to play long term. It's gonna be much better, even though it may hurt us in the short term. And I just think it's the same with AP. I think that, you know, short term, yes,
we did struggle. Yes, he should have started. But if he like if he can just rest them or ease them in to get a full season out of them, I think that's going to be much better long term for this season.
I mean, that's that's all well and good, Declan. But if if they if they're going to start own three or own four and I think fans are going to cop that.
Well that's the thing though. Like we always talk about like a quick start to the season and that's really important. Yes, but not so much. A quick start is where you finish at the end of the season. So we could
go in three. But then, you know, if we can't if we can't fire, if we catch fire, sorry, and then go on about a streak towards the middle of the season or at the end of the season, then, you know, like at the end of the day, you kind of have to judge it by its merits at the end of the season, don't you?
The thing is, I kind of agree with Eddie. I think I've never seen a crowd on the weekend react the way it did, especially at Lockhart Oval. For that first 20 minutes where we had a lot of ball down there under the field. It was a normal, typical Lockhart crowd. And then as soon as the Gold Coast got that first try, it was dead silent. I've never seen it kind of react that way. And and at the end of the game, there's quite a bit of
anger in that crowd as well. And I think I think it's really important for this side to get off to a good start because I think the pressure from the fan base is going to come fairly early this year. If we are struggling and I don't know that it's a good enough squad or or we're far enough into our rebuild that this squad can kind of come back from from what this fan base could throw at them in a couple of weeks time.
Yeah, but everyone like to counter that. Everyone is extremely excited for round one. As soon as the draw comes out, it start building, especially like our game and this entire offseason, everyone's been talking about just how much better the Tigers are, how much better their recruitment has been, and that hope gets to everyone. I dare say it's even going to
us as well. I think we got a lot more excited during the course of the off season for the team and obviously for them to come out and lose to a team that we thought we could realistically beat, we probably should have. That's disappointing. And I think what I saw through social media was a little bit of a back to reality in the sense that, you know, yes, it was better, but, you know, we still have a
long ways to go. So I think that's probably a big reason why the fans were really disappointed because obviously everyone wants to win round one.
And and what's that going to look like if we follow that up with two losses against the Knights and the Bulldogs in the next couple of weeks? And that's why that's where I think Eddie's point kind of comes in, is yes, we can like we can judge it into the season, but I don't know that this fan base is going to wait till the end of the season.
Well, that's ridiculous though. Like they have to like Temptu is here as an experienced coach because, you know, he doesn't care about what in three games against, you know, like eight teams cares about getting into the finals and yeah, obviously it's going to be a tough task. But you can't just say, Oh, if we don't beat these teams in the first few rounds, then the season is completely gone. That's just like kind of negative to me. Like the
Roosters lost, for God's sake. And they never usually care about that. Like the first few rounds. Obviously they're like title contenders and understand that, but think there's something to be said about, okay, this is a new sport. It's going to take time to assemble, so let's give them that time, especially in the halves, because Luke Brooks as well, like we talked about, Jofra and also AP, But that was Brooke's first game as well, and he's playing a
key halfback position. So can they do a little at times mesh before we get to critical on them?
Are you okay tonight, Declan? You're defending Luke Brooks in one of the first shows of the year. You sure? Everything. Everything's sweet.
No, I'm just. I'm just feeling a little bit argumentative tonight.
I just thought would make it interesting. But I do genuinely think that, you know, I'm not I do genuinely think that it's important not to just write off the team after one bad performance.
Anyone's riding off the team. I just think we're saying like off the back of a long last, if you start on three, which we haven't only lost one, but if you start on three and resting base and Bateman and castles coming off the bench against three bottom eight sides that's going to start that negative cycle that comes through in the media. And that for me only adds pressure to the squad and the coach. So I think a fast start for us is far more important than it is for a team like the Roosters.
No, I do understand your point of view, but.
You know, I think Adam Dooley said in the press conferences, like a lot of people don't know the full story with this injuries in terms of player selection. So I'm willing to give him the benefit of doubt for this one.
Okay, Fair enough. Uh, boys, Declan touched on the spine. Gary, I sort of. I was watching the game on my phone in the back of an Uber or something on Sunday, and every time I seem to turn it on, it was we were inside the 20 and we'd made an error and it just looked a little bit frantic. But then there were also, you know, good moments where Adam Dewey was dominating that second half. He obviously laid on or scored one try and laid on the other. Um, did you see rust in that pairing or, or hope
or what? What was the main takeaway for you out of that halves combination Sunday.
I think Adam Dewey had a really good 20 minutes in the second half. Um, thought he was striking the attack really well during that time. He was creating space for his outside men. The try he laid on for Dane Lowrie was was a really nice one. He scored one himself. I think he was really strong in that 20 minutes. I thought the rest of his game was a little bit of hit and miss. Um, and I thought Luke Brooks needs to do a lot better for us.
I thought a lot of the times, especially when we were in their 20, Luke Brooks and Adam Dooley, at times we're going too much, too far. Cross Field. Luke Brooks A number of times Randy's outside, man out of space. By just running that angle that he kind of runs towards the corner post, he needs to straighten that a little bit better to maintain the space outside him. I think if he does that and we straighten the attack a little. Bit more. We'll look a lot better in
those attacking zones. And I think I think that first 20 minutes, that was the biggest problem as well. We weren't training the attack enough or going too far, too much side to side. And our only real method for straightening the attack during during pretty much the entire game was to dump a ball off to Alex and have him do a head up inside the the 20. I couldn't couldn't count the amount of times he got tackled in the 20 try.
And whatever it looks like the team's. No no it's not the case Gary but you know three times in the first ten minutes, you know Tua was getting the ball five metres out and it looked like I just, just it's surely not a pep play.
Look, I think it was a. I don't like us doing it. I think it's a wasted tackle. I can understand they're trying to center the ball and play off the back of that, but I think we need to do a little bit better than that in the in the red zone. So there are a couple of little things I think. I think if we make small tweaks to our game, I think the game can be a
lot more effective. I think our forwards need to own that middle of the field before they start ball playing as much so that getting those guys over the line, getting a quick play the ball and then playing off the back of that and the forwards interchanging passes off the back of that I think will be a lot more, a lot stronger and show a better style of game and allow us to to dominate sides through the middle
a lot more. I think we're just a little bit still a little bit too pass happy and we need to kind of get that balance right.
I mean. Declan Yeah. Luke Brooks It was his first game of the year and there was there was obviously, I think, a lack of combination there with a couple of guys. But it's just for me, when he makes the errors, it just seemed to be key errors. Like just when you're trying to get back into the game, there's an error out of nowhere, which is like a momentum killer. And it just it just worries me when I hear little quotes. I think I heard one in the pre-season season where he said, I've just got to
go back to running the ball. And like, I just think he's got to evolve a little bit more as a halfback because there are a couple of those runs on the weekend which just sort of running or running sake. Um, but did you know, I look at the stats if I didn't see the game and I just saw the stats line breaks were six two to us, offloads were 20 to 4 to us run meters. We ran for over 2000m, which was over 300 more than the Gold Coast. Forced drop outs were three nil to us. So. On
another day, you know, if the passes stick. Maybe that could be a big win.
Yeah, definitely. That's why I'm not like overly sad that their lifestyle, obviously if they go out and lose to the Knights in the exact same fashion where they they drop so much ball and they attack you know is expansive but ineffective. At the end of the day, I think that's going to be a problem if it becomes a thing for two weeks in a row. But I think the thing with Luke Brooks and Adam do was it looked like there was two 5/8 out there on either side of the field. It didn't really look like
there was a half back, particularly there. I see it. Did we miss someone like Jackson Hastings just to kind of, you know, calm everyone down and get them back and direction because, you know, don't really think that Brooks or Adam do that, especially after the Titans scored that first try, which was kind of a punch to the face for us because we were so much on top at that point.
So I think that's going to be really interesting. I think that, you know, Brooks or Adam, do you think they're both going to have to get better at it as the season goes on? Because it doesn't look like there was much of it on Sunday?
Gary, That's that's sort of the concern for me. Is that not so much the fact that Brooks is not a decent footy player, it's just can he can he lead a side around? And I was watching even Dolphins on Sunday and you know, Sean O'Sullivan, he's a bit
of a journeyman. I know he backed up Cleary last year, but he sort of, you know, does that six, seven out of ten game, you know, just does a simple things well and Brooks he might do a couple of good things but then there's a couple of errors or things where you just you go shouldn't shouldn't happen for a 9 or 10 year halfback.
Yeah, I think we've spoken about it so many times before, but I don't think he's the player to lead your team around. And Adam Dewey, if he's playing in the halves, he's a, he's A58. He's not the guy to lead the team around either. That's kind of why someone like Mitchell Moses I think that's exactly why they've gone so hard. Trying to get him across is because that's what we
really lack in this side. Um. So I think if we had found a way to score in that first 20 minutes, that might have relieved a little bit of the pressure and we may have performed better the rest of the game. But the amount of unforced errors, The Drop Ball by Dane Lawrie, the Drop Ball by Luke Brooks, really simple drop balls under very little pressure. Ultimately, in the end of the day when you're dropping balls like that more than one, it makes the game much so much harder to win.
And, um, yeah, I'm not going to be too.
Critical and brutal because obviously it was his first game this season. You know, it's going to be a little bit of rust. He doesn't really have a particularly good tackle percentage either. I think he made eight of 14. So which is interesting.
Uh, but at the end of the day.
I think that's going to be the biggest test for that season because they obviously hate Jackson Heath. They obviously picked Brooks over Jackson Hastings and it seems like, you know, Templeton was pretty adamant that was going to be the right thing to do. So obviously, if he can't get Luke Brooks to fill in that halfback role and you have to say that that was the wrong decision, wouldn't you, for that season?
That's why I think it's a huge game this Sunday. Like people are going to be judging it this Sunday.
If you listen to the media reports that we put Luke Brooks over Jackson Hastings or do we pick Bateman over Hastings, that's I think that may be a bit of a question as well.
Um.
Or is that just on the style of play? Like Gary didn't think like we're talking about the errors. They didn't look like a heap of errors that were because everyone was on a different wavelength. It looked like some of them were just simple ones like this. The final one, like, he's not going to do that again. He put no effort in that run and just drop the ball. I think Lawrie dropped the ball with no one around him. Like they're quite fixable. I think most of them, which I think is encouraging.
Hopefully we got them all out of the way in the one game because there was 3 or 4 of them where mistakes that you really don't see very often from players just dropping the ball cold. So hopefully we got them all out of the way in one game and this weekend they hang on to all the difficult ones.
Yeah. I'm not gonna lie. I was pretty.
Disappointed to find those first dent.
I feel that whenever he comes up.
Against great.
Opposition. Not always a little bit.
Underwhelming, isn't it? He doesn't really seem to be able to, like, break tackles, play the ball quickly, kind of what the stuff is on the field for. So. But his second stint was amazing, though.
When there was a little bit more fatigue in.
The game. He was really assertive and he looked really dangerous. So part.
Of me is thinking that maybe if.
You know when man is ready or when someone you know is ready to fill that 13 jersey. F maybe it's worthwhile to like puts the fan on the bench and start your offer because I thought that he was really good from like pretty much where I'd go from when he came on off the bench.
I'll definitely have Stefan coming off the bench for at least, at least the next first five weeks of the season or so, I think. I think you'd see a much better player build up his confidence a little bit. You got to remember he missed a lot of game time last year. So I think just losing him back again off the bench would be a much better idea. And I think you'd get to see a lot better player.
Um, boys thought, you know, looking at that.
Replay, we've been a bit critical of the.
Halves, Gary But like Brent Nathan.
He got some really good early ball. Thought he looks super dangerous and he looks super fit at the moment. I think he's, he could be in for a big year.
Yeah.
I was I was really disappointed last year when after the first three games he played in the centres, the first three games, then he got suspended and then we shoved him out on the wing for the rest of the season. And I, I really don't understand that decision. I don't think he's a winger. He's an out and out centre. He's big, he's powerful, he's quick. Um, exactly
what we want to see in our centre. And every time he touches ball, even on a, on a broken play where he's coming back inside infield, he looks like he could, could bust through and break the line and go through and scoring himself. He did. He did that in a try last year. He scored a try. May have been the game up in Tamworth where where he just broken play and he just busted straight through and ran through and scored and there was a couple of times on on Sunday where I thought he might do that.
He looks, looks incredibly dangerous. Um, and, and very good with the ball in his hands he's getting good ball to his outside men as well. So I think he's going to have a big season.
Yeah. I mean, Declan, he was the one that caught.
My eye, and the other one was probably even played 17 minutes with Sean Bloor. I just saw the money. He might have only made 2 or 3 runs, but you just look powerful. And I just hope he's not plagued by. I know this is not an injury, it's an HIA. But I thought, you know, he was a bit of a loss there to that on that right side on Sunday.
Yeah, because he was.
Very strong in the trials when he came on. And it was weird as well because he came off and he looked like he was a best shot at making him come off because obviously the independent doctor with concussions was a bit of a talking point with a lot of players saying they were fine, but then he actually failed the test. So it was a bit of a odd one, wasn't it? So hopefully he's all right for for next Sunday. But yeah, it just it just throws off your rotation off the bench because then had to
play pretty much the full game after that. And I don't think any of us were like kind of banking on that for a round on where we.
Nope. We went backing on his error with no one around him either, but hopefully he'll be better for the run. Like like a lot of them this Sunday. Let's talk about the Justin Pasco interview. Gary, I literally listened to it just before I come on. Um, you obviously did that on Sunday at the ambush event with Steve. Uh, there were a number of interesting talking points, I thought, uh,
starting with. The coaching setup, the Sheens Benji, because there has been some sort of, you know, rumours in the media and even ourselves have talked about a little bit about, you know, how much coaching is Benjy actually doing. Again, you pan up to the box at like that on Sunday and he's the one with the headset and she's just sort of sitting in behind him. Um, but Pascoe sort of downplayed that a little bit.
Yeah, he was quite adamant to me that it didn't. The setup is Tim trains as the head coach and and Benji's assistant coach. Um, I think I think it's going to be a transition. I don't think we're going to go through two years of Tim Sheens coach and then at the end of that two years, suddenly Benji Marshall's the head coach. To me, it doesn't look like
that's what's happening now to me. I think it's going to be Benji taking on more and more responsibility over this two years and Tim Sheens taking on less and less and kind of supporting Benji into developing into that role and I think part of that is Benji running the side from the box, which I think it appears everyone, he's the one with the microphone, with the walkie talkie in his hand. He's the one sending the message down the bench, down to the bench. So I think he's
doing a lot of that already. That doesn't mean that Tim Sheens isn't ultimately responsible. It just means Benji is taking on a little bit more than what a typical assistant coach would.
Pascoe did say Declan caught I think caught Gary a little bit off guard. Um, and he said we had no idea if Benji could coach. He sort of clarified that a little bit later, but you can see how it's going to be a storyline, you know, particularly if hopefully, you know, we're not. But if we're going on a losing streak, it's it's going to be well you know machines not coaching at all and blah blah blah. So I think I think it's probably not a bad thing to do because you've got to get this guy ready
for 2025 and he's got no coaching experience coming in. Um, so I think it's the right thing to do, but there will be a point where they're sort of I think they'll get pressed on it.
That's the same, though. They're going to get pissed on it.
Because it was a insanely crazy thing to do. And I don't mean crazy in a negative or a bad way or even a positive way. It was just like such a left of field option, wasn't it?
And I think it took everyone by surprise. And, you know, it's just so easy.
For media to kind of come in and, you know, kind of say what they want about it, because at the end of the day, no one really does know what the coaching structure is like at the Tigers at the moment unless you're actually inside the four walls, do you? So with situations like that, it becomes rife for speculation on certain TV shows that are on every night.
Yeah. Mean. I mean.
Declan, you like to, you know, praise your Bulldogs and Gus Gould. And, you know, he's a lot of the stuff they did, um, is about bringing back the Canterbury DNA. And I know they went after Suitor, but we had the same plan. We went out to the Cerrado. But you know, I see they've bought back, you know, their Willy Mason's and Marco Millie and it's sort of been
happening at the Tigers. You've got obviously Robbie and Benji back and Tim back and even Chris Huntington back Richard Scan though all those guys who do are invested in terms of passion they have for the club in the past. So at least they do seem to be committing to this plan. Like you said, it's a bit of a wild plan with having someone like Benji with no experience, but they've tried other things that haven't worked, so they're
going back to they keep saying this Tigers DNA. We'll see if it works.
Yeah, we will think it's just a good thing overall for every team.
To kind of embrace you know all that made them made the fans love them in the first place, especially the players. Because if you look at like the past ten years, it's not been that great, has it? So to have these guys who like zero five and, you know, 2010, 2010 or 2011 come back, I think it's only good because it remains the players who are there. You know,
the club can be successful. As you can see guys like Robbie Fowler, Benji Marshall, if you're training them with them every day, they remind you and it's something to strive towards because we just haven't really had that in recent years, have we?
No, we haven't.
Gary, your thoughts on, um.
Just the, the amount of change Pascoe touched it on Sunday. It's basically not just a coaching team, it's high performance team, medical team. I think he's had 14 of the top 30 roster turnover, a whole new facility. So it's not like they've been twiddling their thumbs after the wooden spoon sort of last year.
Yeah, I think he said that the, the only one that's still left is the club doctor. Um, and Simon Dwyer I think as well. Still still there. So it is a lot of change and, and I think that was my first question to him was about the amount of change and we're talking about last year how whether the wooden spoon would lead to a lot of a lot of change at the club. Most of that change happened before that. And I think that's that's probably a positive moving forward that we're it just hasn't been that
offseason to get that change implemented. It's been it's pushing 12 months now since changes were made about around the coaching staff. So hopefully we start to see that um, transfer to the footy field and we start to see a little bit more positive results than we've seen for the last 12 months.
Yeah. And I'm in line with that. Declan, which he was quite candid about, was, um, home ground debate. I know. Um, you know, Joel will be devastated to hear this, but it doesn't look like, you know, the old ANZ stadiums in the future plan for the Tigers. It looks like it's back to suburbia. It looks like if it wasn't the Women's World Cup, he said we'd be playing all
our home games there this year. I think he's, you know, not including Magic Round and Tamworth there but he, he did say uh, looking like potentially A55 split next year or A65 split in Campbelltown favour to Likert with one magic round game. I think. I think that's a good move. I know they want money and there's probably using it as leverage to try and get some money to upgrade
the grounds. But if you're going back to, you know, this philosophy that they're doing with Tigers DNA and trying to get the fan base sort of united a bit more, you can't just keep playing at five and six home grounds. It's ridiculous.
Yeah. And I think Joel will also be sad. There's no come apparently.
For the West.
Tigers next year as well. So I think we'll be devastated about that.
But I.
Do think that the clubs will be like fairly.
Consistent with.
Um, it's been fairly consistent.
With the fact that they do want to kind of split it between Campbelltown like and I just think the energy session at this point is probably a good decision, if you know what I mean. Just make it, commit to it and then hopefully they can get funding later
because yeah, completely agree with you Eddie. Feel like we've had so many home runs to the point where it's kind of eroded any, um, you know, like home crowd advantage that we might have had if we had just played like a split in Campbelltown and like and plus, if we want to develop our supporter base in Campbelltown, continue to play there and take good games out there to develop a fan base.
And the other thing you did say along those lines is that they're going to fight for funding for both Campbelltown and Lockhart Oval. So I think a lot of it depends on it. I think any long term commitment to those grounds will be reliant on on them being able to secure funding for upgrades. Um, so I think that's going to be a fairly important part of that strategy.
And I think no matter what you think of just one Pascoe, one thing he has done well while he's been at the club is organise money from government agencies for, for infrastructure, for the centre of Excellence at Concord. And now the the. Academy that they're building down in in Campbeltown.
I think he's done a really good job of that. So, um, that's a positive if he can if he can secure funding for both those stadiums and and get those stadiums upgraded, then I think that goes a long way to a really strong legacy at the club.
He was quite Gary. He was quite a little bit of wit there about, um, the fact that Pat seem to be getting this big upgrade and he's, you know, you mentioned it was your area and they should spend maybe 5 million there rather than 300 million.
I'd be quite happy with 5 million being spent there. And and I'll be honest, I do live in the area. And most of the talk, especially the talk around the not upgrading, um, Penrith Park, they're actually taking the, the trotting track next door and building the stadium there and, and that hasn't gone down very well with a lot of people in the Penrith district as well. So um, yeah, who knows.
Why is that not going down? Well just interested.
The pace wise. Been there for a long time now and, and pretty much that's getting taken away to build a new football stadium.
Okay.
All right. Um, let's talk about the game, boys. We're back to, like, this Sunday, or I'm back to like it Anyway. I missed last week, I reckon probably my first.
We were, like, for 20 years. I know you were there.
You were cursed. Scary. So I'm coming back to hopefully bring a victory.
I think it was the fact that Steve came down. Think yeah.
Yes he would have even he you know like his favourite player Brooks he.
Said even I can't defend him last week so depressing him on it tonight but not to be.
So Declan.
Took the role up for him.
Yeah. Yeah. I'm still I'm.
Still in shock about that. But I'll I'll try and find out the background of that later. There must be something, something behind it.
But what's the.
Medium on the game after the game on Sunday?
Yeah. He's a good bloke.
See our team. So the.
Only change is safe.
Outing for the injured for new poll to be confirmed the knee injury. So always a slight concern when you see that tbc next to someone's name. Declan.
Yeah, because I was. I initially thought he'd be.
Dropped because if you look.
Closely, I'm the.
Sorry the Bramson try wasn't 100% his fault. But, you know, you don't chase enough on the inside. And that's kind of where the whole kind of, um, kind of opened up when he got turned back on the inside and he bust through. So I actually thought he was dropped because, you know, C5 has he's a bit more safe, but then obviously came out here to me injury and I'm very scared because you know he was in for a
very premier. And as you said, you know, it doesn't sound like it's very good, does it, when, you know, they haven't confirmed it yet, which makes me kind of think that they're just waiting to give it some bad news. But on the bright.
Side, thought that.
James and Final Cut were really strong as well. So hopefully if he does end up missing some time, those guys get a chance as well because the new Turbos Cup team overall was very strong.
Yeah, apparently.
Brandon Wake have had a hand in four tries. Is that right?
Yeah. He dad he dad he was really good. He think he's one.
Of those guys where he's obviously too good for those cup you know style questions of him and frustrated but well Smith as well we had a great game I think they obviously they put a base during the roosters.
You know everyone's new.
Favorite guy Jeremy Burleigh you know had that amazing.
Full length try, which Joe wasn't very impressed.
With.
Must be said in the group chat. But I thought everyone.
Kind of played well and it's really good as well because they're actually a really young team. That New South Wales Cup team like a lot of guys intelligible for 20 and there's a lot of guys there that, you know, have a lot of years ahead of them and so hopefully they continue to play that well.
Speaking about that reserve grade game for a little bit, I actually didn't think that I'd made a try. That bull scored was the highlight of his game. I thought he's he's passing when timing into the line and under pressure Quick passes right on onto the chest of his centers They were beautiful balls and I think that really impressed me more than than the try did and the
try was really impressive as well. Um, so I'm really hopeful. I'm, I really want to watch some, some more of those reserve grade games this year to kind of see see him develop because I think he's going to be a good one.
Looking at.
The team.
Declan, it's.
No surprises, no real changes. I mean, it's not time to work out or throw out what you've worked on in the off season. I'd just, you know, I'd probably bet the house that our people start this week.
I don't care if his calf still whatever. I just think we can't afford.
To get to like out this week and be 12 nil down and have the crowd out of the game.
Well, I don't know about that. I think that tensions.
Are showing that he's not really too bothered about what his fans think.
And that's probably a good.
Yes, stop and don't worry about that. Remember his first thing, He doesn't care what the fans think in terms of picking sides, nor should you. But it's also about, um, you know, not ending up sacked like he did last time.
Well, I don't think he's going to get sacked. Think he's. He's. He said himself.
He's the longest interim coach there's ever been so that's an interesting one. But yeah, I'm hopeful as well that after course starts I actually had a feeling that he wasn't even going to play at all on Sunday because you could just tell that the club was kind of hiding something with him, that they weren't really hiding. But hopefully he starts and hopefully he gets through most of the game and lays on a few tries for the, for especially hopefully.
Alex Well, so they stop giving.
Them the ball every two times a set.
During the next the try line.
Yeah that storyline all year.
I'm tired of that storyline of Alex 12 Gary.
Speaking of hiding things or what is going on. John Bateman Gary seems to be, you know, enjoying Bondi Beach and stuff, looking at Instagram and acclimatising and maybe, maybe he's just going to, you know, spend six months on the beach and we'll see him next year. Is that the plan? What's going on?
I don't really know what the plan is. It has been hot this week. So. So maybe for a mom who's just coming into the country who when you have a look at him, he's he's very white like that. That skin needs a little bit of a tan. So spending some time at the beach might do him a little bit of good. But he's also he's fairly active out and about. Um, so hopefully there's not too much to the story that there may be, I think an
ankle injury. I think, uh, Declan said or 360 said, hopefully there's not too much of that story.
Oh yeah, it's got to be an injury, doesn't it? Because like, please acclimatize what I remember Alan Langen jumping off a plane and playing for Queensland two days after an Origin game. Like if he was fit, surely he'd be playing at least on the bench this week.
Yeah, I think there's even got to be an injury or he's conditioning isn't what they were hoping it was going to be when he got here. I'm not sure which one it is, but hopefully I'll be really worried. If we don't see him next week. I can give him the two weeks, but if we don't see him next week, I'm I'm going to start to get a little bit concerned.
And it'd be fair to the club. He hasn't had a pre-season. I know he's been training by himself, but that's just.
Not the same as, you know, being in.
An environment.
I trained by myself. Declan And that's the results I end up with.
Yeah, yeah. Ankle injury, all from his tag for three weeks. Yeah.
He hasn't had a pre-season. Declan We're paying in big money. We've lost our first game. If he's fit 70%, 80% fit. I want him playing this week because we need to win.
Yeah, but what if he comes out and he's just completely underdone and he plays terribly? And then.
Like, as you said, the pressure gets to us because we paid, you know, good money on a four year deal for.
Someone.
That, you know isn't ready yet to play in the NRL.
I disagree. I mean, if I just put it to bed and say he's injured, he's out with an ankle to round for, but don't say he's acclimatising like we we what are we going to do, lose the first ten games and acclimatise to the season Like I just can't cope it I just but then.
We'll coach it for you know signing a player with an ankle injury. So it's kind of a lose lose situation for the club. So can kind of just.
You might cop a little bit the saying he's got an ankle injury, but I think there'll be less frustration in the fan base than saying he's acclimatising, you know, and not playing. Gary, what do you think?
Yeah, I guess if he's injured, you come out and say he's injured. I don't. Players get injured all the time and signing a player that he's carrying an injury as long as it's not a career threatening injury or a long term injury, signing a player who's going to be out for a few weeks isn't a major issue. So if that's the case, come out and say it. Um, who knows? Maybe he is acclimatising, maybe settling into his new house. I don't know.
I think maybe. Gary the Declan's part of the coaching staff this year has been very, very positive. I just. I just don't know if this would have happened last year under Madge.
Have you ever had jetlag before?
It can stay with you for definitely more than two weeks. Seriously.
He's very defensive.
Like they come out and say jetlag.
Then that will I will fly over the edge.
Yeah that might. That would be.
Funny wouldn't it? But yeah.
I was hopeful that he'd at least.
Be named on the extended bench this week just to keep people guessing and then probably not play. But yeah.
Hopefully next week.
He plays because we definitely need him, especially if Flora is out with the concussions because although it's just a head knock as low. But scary isn't it because he's he hasn't really managed to stay on the field for any amount of time in the last few years.
And the issue I do have is, is C5 plays a lot of games this season, then we're really going to the bottom of our depth. I don't think he's quite an aerial standard. And I I'd said on our forum today that I don't like to speak poorly of him because he's a guy that tries hard. He works incredibly hard, he's a great trainer, but he's just not NRL quality. And I think I think that's a little bit of an issue. If we have to rely on
him for more than a game here and there. Um, so hopefully we see Bateman back and, and can take that role and hopefully Paul is not out for too long because I don't want to see SIF there too often.
It might be. I'll probably said it in the past, Gary, but to be fair, like he sort of, you know, like he was.
Playing in a poor squad last year so far and there are times where you sort of think he can make an impact. I thought, I think it was maybe the first trial this year, Gary, where he might have started or played long minutes and was decent and.
Then.
It was good for the first 15 minutes of that first trial. I thought he kind of let out during that time. But then the typical one error again, 2 or 3 penalties that he shouldn't give away a game. And these are things that as a side coming off a wooden spoon and a side rebuilding and and with new players, we can't afford for him to be making those mistakes. And and for me he just makes too many of them.
I think it's interesting because.
They only played 20 minutes towards the end of the game, didn't they? So it's.
Not like.
We have to replace someone.
Who is playing huge minutes. It's very clear that playmaker played the entire first half, most of the second half so was obviously going to be there and try was a big minute player as well. So that's the one good thing about poly is that, you know, you're not really asking Alex to play sexy minutes, which could only be a good thing and.
Maybe a little bit more quality.
Over quantity for the big red head.
The issue I have with that is, Paul, I should have played a lot more minutes last week. I thought once he came onto the field he stiffened up that defence in the middle. He came on around that 60 minute mark. That's when our line speed really picked up and we hold them down on coming out from their own line. That's something we really haven't spoken about on
either the last two pods. How good that defense in that period was, the way they were getting up off the line quick and getting up in the faces that was led by by. I know they said so. That was led by Steph coming back on and Paul coming on onto the field. I thought they were really great on that. And I think if I'm really honest with the ball in hand, Polly is one of our more dangerous forwards. He's footwork at the line. He's a he's a threat of busting through that line almost every time
he runs the ball. And and he should be increasing minutes and I would love to see him getting up towards those 40 minutes a game. And that's where it's disappointing for me. Not that we've only got to replace him for 20 because he only played 20 last week. He should be playing more than 20 already because I thought he was really impressive on the weekend.
Uh, tackling some of the outside backs.
Much talked about outside backs in Dayne Lawrie and I thought Lawrie had some good touches on the weekend. Obviously there was an unacceptable moment where he did not contest the bomb. That just that just can't happen in first grade. And usually he's usually I'll think he's a fairly courageous player. So I don't know if that was just he thought someone else was going to catch it, but that was.
Not a good look. But.
Um, not for him is the one I'm concerned about. I just feel.
I know he's not that.
Old, but sometimes, you see, reminds me a bit of, you know, like a Jason Nightingale or Josh Mansoor. And winners get old quickly or they start to lose a little bit of their burst or power. I know he's never been a speedster, but.
I don't know.
I just think he may not see out the season and I don't wish that upon him. I hope he has a good season, but.
I'm just.
Concerned a bit.
Yeah, I.
Think that looking at him from the.
Second trial in this game, he just looks to take the easy way out in.
Terms of head ups. So what I mean by that is you never just.
Run the ball straight if there's nothing on and just take the contact. You always try and run sideways and kind of avoid it and, you know, try and break the line. And as you said before, he's not really that athletic where he can kind of make things pay that way. And it just looks like he's avoiding getting smashed. And sometimes you just need to get smashed.
Especially when you're a winger.
And you're starting to set off and the team is already there ready to jump at you. It's just unavoidable. And I think he really struggles with that part in his game and agree with you. I think I'd be surprised to see if he was still the starting winger towards the end of the season.
Gary, do you think, um, I mean, Laurie's.
Unsigned at the end of the year and offers obviously probably still got two years to go but think they're two guys to just to keep an eye on.
100% I stand up and stick up for Laurie quite a bit on this show, but I thought those two bombs sorry, those two bombs that he kind of let bounce were big errors that we can't have. He let the one that led to the McIntyre try he didn't contest that. There was another one a couple of minutes later that landed about 20m out from our tryline that he didn't he didn't contest as well. And this isn't
the first time that's happened. That's a trait in his game and it's something he really needs to work on. I think the real big thing that stands out for me with Norfolk though, is still attitude. There was a there was a time early in that second half where where the Titans dropped the ball and he celebrated. He danced around and and carried on like a little bit of a goose, only for it to be overturned on
a captain's challenge. And I think those attitude things that we've kind of all seen over the last couple of years are still there. And and I think for him, that really needs improvement. And if I was picking the side, I'd be going for Charlie Staines and Junior Tupou as our wingers. I think that would be a much better, better wing combination than what kind of what we're showing now.
Wait and see. Our Jackson Hastings boys, he's.
Obviously halfback of the Knights this week.
Declan, uh, should.
The faithful be booing him out there this week?
Um, not because these are not because of any particular reason. But that's what you do, isn't it?
You do the opposition team.
So, you know, I don't think there's anything malicious in.
It or anything. You know, he, he tried his.
Best.
For us. He was a good spokesperson. You know, he he had the club's best attention at heart, which I thought was really important. But, you know, a live part opposite teams get booed and don't think it's.
Personal or anything.
I think you'll get a few extra little boos.
Not that he sort of ditched us. Gary was more we.
Sort of ditched him. But.
You know, bottom line, you fair game, once you run out opposition colours.
It'll be an interesting one I actually think. Yeah, he may get some boos, but I think you'll get some applause when his name's read out as well. I don't think.
So.
Won't be.
Why would you applaud a Newcastle player in the warm up to the game?
I won't, but there's a lot of people who are very disappointed when he moved on, so I think there will be a little bit of that reaction of giving him a cheer because we shouldn't have let him go. Now I won't be doing that, but I do think you'll hear it on Sunday. And if I do hear it on Sunday, there'll be a quick fire message off to you, Eddie.
But I can leave before kick off, Gary.
That's my opinion.
Yep. I won't be cheering him on. I won't be boo anymore. I'm not a big bore of anyone, but I won't be supporting him. I hope he has a terrible game. I hope. Hope he drops the ball about 15 times and get smashed. It wasn't great athlete.
He looks low last.
You know, the big debate over the off season is Shane's like pace in the halves and you know I'm probably talking up that will have a blinder this week but he did look pretty ordinary I thought last week.
I think if he plays the majority of the games the way he played last week, he probably proves the decision. Right. So he needs a big game for Newcastle. He needs a big year for Newcastle. I thought they were really poor last week. This is a side we should beat this weekend. Um. Hunger always scares me because he's the type of player who could set up a couple of tries or score a couple of tries against us. Quite easy. So he worries me. But this is a side we
should beat this weekend. I really believe the Knights are in the bottom couple of sides in the competition and and I'll be very disappointed if we walk away with a loss this weekend.
It's just I just think.
It's a huge game in the halves. Declan. There's going to be storylines coming out of it for Brooks and Hastings. I really think it's it's not do or die in round two for the season.
Don't get me wrong, but for the for the.
Narrative of.
Um, you know, the decisions.
We made in the off season.
It's a big one for Brooks.
Yeah. Especially Brooks because if he plays, if he plays really well.
He squashes it, doesn't it? It kind of ends a debate like it over against Hastings if he plays really well. But if he doesn't and then Hastings does play well. And I feel kind of bad now because I think Gary's jinxed the Tigers because he's probably going to have a blinder.
Now, which I'm a little bit worried about. But, you know, it's just that that's.
The thing about Brooks is and we kind of talked about in the off season, there's really no excuses anymore, is there, Because the four pack played really well last week. If they replicate that, he should play well last week. The Knights aren't, you know, going to be a finals team or if they do meet the fans, they're not going to go very far after that. So, you know, it's a they should be winning this game. There's no doubt about it.
Let's hope so, boys.
Let's talk before we give our tips and.
Predictions, let's just.
Go through the round very briefly and give a tip. Gary, you're you'll be at the Thursday night game, I assume, Panthers at home to the Rabbitohs.
Is that one that's on. Yeah. No I won't be at that.
I think Souths will beat him. I think I know it's only too early to judge but I think, I think they're the most impressive team this year. Souths. I just think they've stable.
Yeah. I think I tipped a couple of weeks ago that Souths will make the grand final. I think the Panthers have started the season really poorly thought. I think I thought, oh, quite disappointing when they played Saint Helens and they they weren't great against Parramatta last week either and I think they're really missing happy. Um, so I think Souths will get them tomorrow night as well.
Declan interesting game Friday. Ill sharks. Let's all back the sharks. If Moses hasn't still resigned I think.
Obviously.
The sharks win by 20.
I don't know. I just can't.
See the Eels losing two games in a row like that. And although the sharks were pretty against the the bunnies, you could tell they were missing the class of Heinz, who's obviously still out. So I think I'm going to tap the Eels for this one.
Uh, it's a good game this week.
The Broncos Cowboys Friday as well. Gary So it's three crackers to start the round. That's a really good game. Thought Broncos are super impressive.
Yeah, they were. I hate to say it though. A lot better than I was kind of expecting. Um. I like the look of the Cowboys, and I think they'll probably get away with this one.
Dolphins. Not dolphins.
Not yet. Roosters warriors Saturday. The clinics in in.
Sydney, you'd expect some sort of reaction.
From the Roosters, although they do.
Look a fair.
Bit off the pace last week.
Yeah, but even off.
The pace, it should be the Warriors. And they've gotten a.
Little bit of flak in the.
Media, so I'm expecting a bit of a bounce back from them.
The really interesting thing last week is I get, though, playing the Dolphins, who were a new team and had a lot to play for, it was their first game. But some of that defense by the Roosters, it just disappeared at times. They went down the short side a couple of times and there was one defender to like three Dolphins players coming at them and it was really roosters, not like the roosters to kind of defend in that way. So I found that really interesting on the weekend.
But like Benji Marshall's.
Brother, I reckon he's most improved player in the competition.
Gary I used to thought he was ordinary, but he was, he was great.
Sunday I was cheering last year when we announced Benji is Captain that he'd already signed for the Dolphins because I was really worried that he'd he would show up over here. But yeah, he was impressive last week.
Dolphins can do it again.
Declan They playing the Raiders at Redcliffe.
What? Wayne Bennett What what a genius. He's a.
Genius.
I've tapped the Raiders.
I think that.
It's all well and good to.
Win one round one game, but then to do it again.
Consistently think there's going to be a bit of a struggle for them, even though we're in Ben as a genius, I can't deny that. But I think that the Raiders for me were, even though they lost to.
The Cowboys, were still very impressive in terms of just being able to hang in there. So I think that will be a very, very grounded game. But about the Raiders to win as anyone.
Watch a Dolphins documentary, is it better than Tales from Tiger Town?
I heard it's pretty good.
You haven't seen it. Yeah.
Mean it straight away Gary. It'll be, I suppose not as entertaining for the fans because they actually won a game I think Tails from targeting and we lost every game for.
Two years.
So it might be a little less sweary.
Yeah. So.
Um, Declan, your side Sunday they take, they go to Melbourne Bulldogs, Melbourne. You'll be tipping the Bulldogs.
And no I will not be.
Tipping the Bulldogs. Think they've got a few things to work on. I think my best mate, Cameron Cerrado, you know he's done.
The coaching room look drawn out the.
Players. The attack looked pretty ordinary. I think.
Defense was pretty good and the up till the.
First half and then they kind of lost it. But I think offensively I think that's the biggest worry for them because they're very left side dominant with Barton and Peyton, that puts a lot of pressure on them, hence why he didn't really play well on the weekend because everyone knew where the ball was going to. Then they.
Yeah, I think our storm morals in that game for me.
Dragons titans that's an interesting game Gary because dragons have been the whipping boys in the off season but they start this game as favorites at home, which I found a bit surprising.
Yeah, I think the Titans will get them. I, I actually think the Dragons will probably run last and I think they will probably show that this weekend.
All right boys out game it's 4:00 Sunday like they will.
Um.
I got to be honest, I've got.
No idea what to expect. Again, like I said last week, that tipped us to win 2826. So I'm going to stick with that scoreline this week that we're going to win 2826 and I don't care. Declan Like if we make 75 errors and win, I'd take that over a good performance and a loss. We've just got to find a way to win so that the negativity doesn't set in early, especially against. I agree with Gary.
I think this is a.
Poor Newcastle side, but you know, on paper they've probably got pretty close to the same talent we do.
I'll say that we definitely have a better forward pack.
Obviously Kalyn Ponga is probably the best player on the field. You know, I think that's a.
Pretty fair summation of what's.
Happening. But I think for Black.
A four pack is definitely.
Much more dynamic and explosive than theirs. So and obviously their been, you know, it had even less time to prepare than ours have because Lochie Miller just got there as well. Caleb Hong is still new to the position. So yeah, I think we should.
Win and can't really.
See the night scoring a ton of points. If they were to win, I think it'd be a bit of a grinding game. So I'm going to go 20 points to eight for us and David Klemmer to be Man of the Match.
Yeah, he'll be up for a big one.
Gary, what's your crystal ball saying?
Uh, as I said earlier, I think we should get them. What I really want to see is, is is to establish that that dominance through the middle of the ruck quite early in the game and have our forwards going forward before we start to spread it a bit wider. I think if we do that it will be far too good for, for Newcastle. And um, yeah, I'll agree with Declan. I'm about 20 to 8. I think that's a pretty good prediction. So, um, but we do have to establish the dominance in the middle of the field.
All right, Let's hope we're right, boys. We've all tipped the Tigers.
Um, yards quiz to finish with fellas.
I'm just scrolling through it now. Um, good luck with all.
Have you changed any questions yet?
I've left one out because we've decided. Make an executive.
Decision to leave one out of them.
Um, but let's go.
All right. It's buzzing with your name. Who was the only West Tigers player to kick the goal for the club while starting As in the forward pack?
Interesting one.
I will say that I remember being at a game in 2003 when Scandal had a shot at goal and missed. So it's not him.
Do we have a clue as to what year it was?
It was 2014.
Um. Declan, was it?
No, that was a good guess, though.
That was a very good guess. Yeah. Uh.
I'll give you another clue. He's not currently playing in Australia. He's still playing the.
And famous surname.
Declan. Gary. Gary.
Declan got in first.
Was it Saarinen?
Yeah.
I can't say I.
Remember that goal, but.
There you go. He was the only forward.
To kick.
Off.
This question.
Which past West Tigers player has the lowest amount of letters in their first and last name Combine? First and last name. Smallest amount of letters.
In.
Total.
This is too late for this. It was not utai.
That's not bad.
That's seven. I'll give you a clue. His first name is Ben. Three letters in the first name. Obviously three letters in the last name played around that 20 Yo.
Gary Bento.
Bento.
So that's one all, uh, Premiership winning centre. Shane Elford uh, one are released to stay with us in the 2006 season, but apparently sacrifice 190,000 in doing so. Which NRL club was he to join?
Gary Was it South.
Sydney.
Was Rabbitohs two one to Gary.
The great Daniel Craig.
Tonight.
Well, so far. I'm going to bet on keeping up.
Daniel Henry debuted for the club in 2002, left after 3007. Returned in 2010 to finish. Which season did he first wear? The number two wingers jersey think Shane's put him in about 400 different numbers. Which season The first where the number two Jerry.
2005.
Spot on, Gary. That was probably his best season. I think Shane's kept him on the wing for the majority of the season. All right. This one name all the West Tigers players whose name contained John first, all last. There's no one that I can see on this list or there's.
One there's one sort of curveball.
There were seven. John's with the starting first name Declan. Come on, you name at least one for me, John.
So John Morris got John scandalous. Um.
John Simon.
Yeah, that's pretty good, boys. That's three.
There's one in the current squad who we just spoke about being on the beach.
Oh, John Bateman. Well, guy. Who is that? John Bateman.
Well.
He called us over me, so I didn't get it all out.
A couple one from the initial team. 2000.
On the way. John Wilson.
Well, yeah, that's another one.
John.
John Carlo. And then the curveball is thrown in is Jack Littlejohn.
Actually.
I actually think he may have asked Joel that question when we were sitting at Lidcombe Oval. So I think I'd heard the little John answer before.
All right, boys, let's.
Do this last.
One. It's a long one.
Round 17 in 2000, West Tigers played Canberra in the snow. Declan might remember that because he probably wasn't alive.
But I certainly remember it.
Um, first and only NRL match to be played in the snow still. We lost 2422 at the end of the game. Broncos were first on 24 points with a plus 156 differential storm were third. With a plus 159 differential. We were still second. What was our differential?
That's a tough one.
What were the what were the other two?
Well, Bridge, would you know.
If you're at the top of the table Brisbane or plus 159 Melbourne were third plus 156 Tigers were second. What was their differential up to?
17 rounds?
157.
Declan.
I have no idea.
158.
I don't care if you've got no idea. Declan you got to have a guess. It's nearest to the pen.
All right. One 159.
Yeah, that was very close, boys. It was -30, so. I think.
So. I thought we're on the same amount of points. Obviously we were. Yeah. Thanks, Geordie.
Don't you remember? I would have. I wouldn't have nailed it. But just remember that 2000 season, I think we won like seven of our first nine, and a lot of them were just really tight games. And the ones we lost, we got blown out.
We're running Second Life up until about round 15. 16, yeah, 19 or something. And then we had that Penrith game where we were winning by like 20 and they go back and beat us.
31 eight and we got beat.
3231 All right, boys, it's been a long good show. I'll might see you at like Sunday because I'll be there. Gary, are you going to be in your, like, double seats or you're roaming Gary now?
No, I'll be in my seat.
So Johnny sits behind me now, so I'll definitely be in my seats.
I don't have a seat at like that, so I'm just going to be wherever I can fit in. I'm just going to see it.
Right? You don't even have a seat. You can share.
I'm up for that.
Declan, where will you be?
I'll be up in the grandstand, as per usual.
Up in the grandstand. Oh, my boys.
Enjoy Sunday. Speak to me this week.
Thanks, boys.
Thank you. Straight to the top. Can't the guts got the glory? Whether this. We're not gonna stop just the team with a will to. Of weather. Yes, I guess it's the thrill of the. Rising up to the challenge of. And the watching us in the behind. Where it's. I guess. I guess. I guess. West Tigers. Let's go.