Mick Henry is this week's guest on On The Bench with Mick McDonald and Gary Bridge
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00:00 It's nearly full time on the group three rugby league season with the grand finals to be played at Port Macquarie tomorrow
00:04 Old Bar of course will be playing Port Sharks in the grand final the first grade
00:08 Competition and we've got Mick Henry the captain coach of the Old Bar Poirot's with us today. Thanks for coming in Mick
00:14 Try scoring, try scoring
00:16 And of course Gary Bridge butting in before he's supposed to
00:18 Yeah sorry
00:20 Last time
00:22 We've got two southern sides of course in the on the grand final day tomorrow
00:26 Hurry City Bulls play Port City in the league tag, women's league tag from 10.30
00:31 The two port sides play in the 18s then Port Macquarie, Port City and
00:36 Maclay Valley in the reserve grade then from 3.15 there abouts the first grade clash
00:42 Late
00:44 Yeah a couple of minutes here and there for a presentation
00:46 Plus overtime too
00:48 And just before the first grade Chris Ollis, the New South Wales rugby league volunteer of the year with a celebrity kick off
00:53 Cool
00:55 You could do a hamstring
00:57 He hasn't got to kick it too far
00:59 Who ever got the celebrity kick off guys?
01:01 No, never, no
01:03 He'd do his knee
01:05 Could do it next year
01:07 And of course Mick you guys, minor premieres
01:09 All year we thought it was going to be you guys and the Port Brakers in the grand finals
01:14 Now you're playing Port Sharks, a little bit surprised?
01:16 Yeah I was surprised
01:18 It just sort of goes to show you've got to time your run right I guess
01:23 Injuries in that play a big part but they've just timed their run really well the Sharks
01:27 They were good last week against us and from all reports they were pretty clinical against the Breakers as well
01:32 So yeah, big surprise for me but nothing changes really
01:36 The very last competition game they were trailing the Taroo City 14-0 after 20 minutes
01:41 Now the Bulls have gone on with that, the Sharks didn't make it so that's how amazing it is I guess
01:45 Yeah, we always said that earlier in the year too, we said that they didn't start the year off really well
01:49 I think we all, sitting here on the bench, we all said that they're not going to finish like this
01:54 They'll be a lot stronger towards the back end of the year
01:57 Sure enough, they're in the grand finals
01:59 In saying that though, I think they probably ambushed Port City in the first week of the semi-final
02:03 They certainly ambushed you guys in the major semi-final
02:06 That won't happen this week, you're here for them this week
02:08 They're probably the favourites now
02:10 Yeah, well we're going up there as the underdogs I guess
02:12 We're happy to run with that underdog tag
02:15 Two weeks ago at Oldboy, they did the same thing to us
02:18 They sort of ambushed us
02:21 As much as you say, mentally we probably weren't ready for it
02:25 The results on the Saturday, I think a couple of us probably got our heads around the wrong way
02:30 And saw that the breakers were out and then you mentally drop the gear a bit
02:34 And you just don't keep your foot on the throat a bit
02:38 So I think for ourselves, we sort of went in underprepared
02:42 And they probably come out all guns blazing
02:44 They did, yeah
02:45 Yeah, perfect storm there
02:46 Speaking during the week, I thought the game was won and lost in the first 25 minutes
02:51 But you guys had the wind at your back, did all the attacking and had nothing to show for it
02:55 Well they proved that different last week, Oldboy, with the win with them
02:58 They used it, didn't you?
02:59 Yeah
03:00 They used it to put that many points on the board in the first half
03:04 And then just remember in the second half
03:06 Tackled a lot in the second half
03:08 Yeah we did, but that comes from ill discipline which we've got to fix up again as well
03:12 So, yeah
03:14 Dan, there's been a bit of a surprising turnout during the week
03:17 Ruben Sofali, I think his surname is and I apologise if that's not correct
03:21 Was sent off late in the second half in the match against McLeay last week
03:26 Grade 1 striking charge which should have given him a weak suspension
03:29 Oldboy, I wouldn't say appealed, but went before the judiciary this week
03:33 Jonathan Tickle represented him and he's been allowed to play under
03:37 He's been given the leading seat to play in the grand final
03:40 He still has to serve the suspension, but this is because he needs to go through the incident
03:45 That he's been allowed to play, which must be something I've never heard of before, Gary
03:49 No, neither have I, Mick
03:50 It's opened up a can of worms there to see what happens
03:54 If you're being sent off, you're being given a weak
03:57 And that's the grand final
03:58 So, you know, I'd be looking at Kurt Lewis
04:01 I'd be saying, Kurt's served about 5-6 weeks now, so why doesn't he put in
04:05 So listen, grand final might be my last game I've ever played
04:09 I mean, look, there's nothing to take that from me
04:10 I don't think it's Mick
04:11 No, or Oliver
04:12 I just thought if I ever go to a quarter, then I'd be getting Jonathan Tickle to represent me
04:16 Tickle's gone, he's 4 from 4 at the moment
04:18 He's got a fair few of us off
04:21 I think you've got Kurt off Cutler times, he's got Cutler boys off
04:25 So he's doing really well, so everyone's to look at the second job and find out if he's playing
04:30 Perry Mason, yeah, he's unbeatable
04:33 But yeah, with the greatest respect to Ruben, he's probably not one of the highest profile players in the group
04:37 So imagine it being Mick or Jordan Warboys or Mitch Wilber
04:40 Yeah, not good
04:41 Anyway, he's playing, so good luck to him
04:47 You're happy with the response last week from the side?
04:49 I saw you guys talking to him after the week before
04:54 And I was pitting down the cast players, and I thought they may not bounce back from this
04:58 But you did respond fairly positively
05:00 Yeah, we sort of had to
05:03 We knew that Kempsey were going to come out, and they're one of them sides
05:06 If you don't show up on the day, you don't do as well as previously up at Maclay
05:09 They pulled their pants down pretty well
05:11 We knew we had to be there mentally
05:13 It was pretty hard to get the heads turning after that loss the week before
05:17 But yeah, that was our goal throughout the week
05:19 It was just to not dwell on that game against Port Shaft
05:22 Put it behind us, and it's a whole new ballgame
05:24 We're sort of playing sudden death footy
05:26 I think as well, in the back of your mind, when you know you've got that chance to lose a game of footy
05:30 It sort of mentally doesn't get you right enough for a game
05:33 Where you know, "Shit, it doesn't matter if we lose this game"
05:36 It doesn't let you go out there 110% and give everything you've got
05:39 So then, after that was behind us and we had that loss
05:42 I think right out of sudden death now, we can't afford to lose one here
05:45 So the boys sort of clicked into gear and got back to the way we wanted to play
05:49 You know, your outside backs last week, I mean actually, sat and watched
05:55 Perhett and Speed and Strength, they just get the ball to them
05:59 I mean, that's what you should be doing, and you did that last week
06:02 Yeah, you don't need to do too many flash plays or anything with them boys
06:07 If you can get a good quick play ball and get them to an early ball
06:10 They do the rest for them, they're pretty good to watch
06:13 Not only that, but coming out of our own end, they just get the footy
06:18 They seem to find their front, get in between players
06:21 Or use their footwork or their strength and get down and up
06:24 It makes it a lot easier for our middles to get back, get onside
06:27 And play through the middle, so yeah, they'll be imperative for us this week
06:31 They were pretty confident too last week
06:33 Because there was a movement there where I was standing last week
06:36 And it was only about 10 metres they had to run in
06:39 And they wanted the ball out to the right
06:41 And the dummy half just jumped out of the dummy half
06:44 And just threw it to his winger and dived over in the corner
06:47 I don't think they were really happy with what they did, but it resulted
06:50 So I think they're confident in what they're doing
06:52 Yeah, that's our thing too, they've played a lot of football together
06:56 So on one side we've got three of them there together
06:59 And they don't even really need to look at each other
07:02 They just know what they're doing with each other
07:04 They can pass and they just give each other the look
07:06 They don't need to talk too much
07:08 That's the joy of having them three there together
07:10 They're rock solid there
07:12 But on the other side we've got Johnny and Simon, our Fijian
07:15 They're pretty good to watch as well
07:17 Simon was in the opening 20 minutes or so last week
07:20 He was very good wasn't he?
07:22 Yeah, he's been probably our best the last 5 or 6 weeks
07:25 He's unstoppable at the moment
07:27 And they're back next year, the four of them are back next year?
07:29 Yeah, they've signed for next year
07:31 So we're still working out visas and whatnot with them
07:34 They're keen to stay forever
07:36 So yeah, we want to get them in and keep them here as long as possible
07:39 They've loved the change
07:41 They've obviously got families and that at home
07:43 A few of them, so they'll want to get back and see them a bit
07:46 But I think they're definitely keen to come back for footy next year
07:49 Some of them want to stay forever
07:51 But yeah, we're going to keep as many of them as we can for as long as we can
07:54 They're great for the community
07:56 They get down there a bit early on Tuesday and Thursday
07:58 And the juniors are sort of finishing up
08:00 And they run down and kick the footy to them
08:02 They just love it and the junior kids love it too
08:04 So it's been really good for the club
08:06 I think that's one thing you'll be trying to do on Saturday and Mick though
08:09 You're a bit one out in that major semi-final
08:11 And typically those guys we just spoke about
08:13 They were just crashing the ball in them without getting much space in them
08:16 Or you'd be looking to not be as one out as you were in that major semi
08:20 Yeah, we sort of notified that as a point of difference there after that game
08:26 But that Sharks full-pack, they've got a big hooker
08:29 Their two front rollers are pretty big
08:31 So you don't really want to go back through the middle at them
08:34 So whether that shifts it to an edge
08:36 Or just using our footwork and our speed
08:38 And just a slight change of angle on that around the ruck
08:41 We need to be better with just trying to get one-on-one tackles
08:43 And like you said, not bashing heavy against a brick wall
08:46 We thought we did a really good job of it against Kempsey
08:50 So we're sort of stuck to our game plan with that sort of set up there
08:54 And that's part of our game that we want to really rectify
08:57 Is fixing our one outs
08:59 What's your preparation been like this week?
09:01 It's been good, it's been good
09:02 We've only had a short turnaround
09:04 So we play on Sunday and then we play again Saturday
09:06 Manage all our talks Sunday night
09:08 We didn't want to overcook the boys
09:09 Because it's a big week mentally as it is
09:11 So Monday was just a team swim sort of thing down the beach
09:14 We haven't tried to do too much physically
09:16 We've just tried to be together as much as we can
09:18 And just bond as a team as much as we can
09:21 So Tuesday was a pretty light session
09:23 We didn't do a hell of a lot
09:24 Just tweaked a few things with our ruck and stuff like that
09:27 And then last night was a good session
09:29 We've had a lot of help with all...
09:32 Because obviously our 8N's reserve grader out
09:34 But a lot of the reserve graders and plenty of the old boys
09:37 Which have helped out a heap
09:38 They just keep coming down on a Thursday
09:40 And give us someone to run a bit of a pose against
09:42 And stuff like that
09:43 So that was last night
09:44 Tonight's just a team dinner
09:46 We'll have a bit of a...
09:47 Families and friends and old boys and life members come down
09:51 And they're going to present us with their jerseys for tomorrow
09:55 Have dinner at the club
09:56 Just another thing just to get together
09:58 Just to soak in the week
10:00 And then tomorrow we're getting the buses up there
10:03 Probably as late as possible
10:04 Even a bit after lunchtime
10:06 Just to get up there, stay out of the riffraff
10:08 Stay out of the...
10:09 We're not too fussed on who really comes through in 8N's reserve grade
10:13 So it's a good way to stay away from it a bit
10:15 I think it's a little bit of a godsend for us being up there at Port Macquarie
10:19 We're not too tied up with the whole set up
10:22 We're not too tied up with the crowd
10:24 We can get up there when we want
10:25 We can stay out of the sun
10:26 We can sort of do our own thing
10:28 Slide in the back door and just play footy
10:30 So that's the plan
10:32 You said last year you were at Old Bar
10:34 It was a historic day for the club and for the group
10:36 First game at Old Bar, first grand final at Old Bar
10:38 But you guys were there early
10:40 The players were there early helping set up
10:41 And then there all day
10:42 Yeah, I was there for 3 or 4 days
10:44 We were down there, flat out
10:46 Saw it all set up
10:47 It was massive for us
10:48 It was one of the best experiences I've ever had
10:50 The town was buzzing and whatnot
10:52 But mentally I think a lot of us by the time Saturday Army rolled around
10:55 We were pretty drained
10:57 And then Saturday, the game day, we get there early
10:59 Because obviously it's at Old Bar
11:01 Everyone's trying to talk to you
11:03 Everyone's in your ear, do this, do that
11:05 You don't really have anywhere in Old Bar to get away from it
11:07 You're sort of stuck out in the crowd
11:09 I think tomorrow will be a lot better suited for us
11:12 Just to roll up on a bus, cruise in the back door
11:15 Porter's got a really good set up there
11:17 They've got your sheds and another room underneath the stands
11:19 That you can utilise as well
11:21 So we'll just cruise straight into there
11:23 Boys can listen to their music
11:24 Just shut off from all the crowd
11:26 Shut off from anything to do with footy
11:28 And prepare a bit better I guess
11:30 Last year of course there was added distraction
11:32 It started raining on Wednesday
11:34 And there was even speculation, well more than speculation
11:36 I think the group was actually looking into it
11:38 Moving the game
11:39 So that would have been a distraction you didn't really know
11:41 That you might be actually getting a game
11:43 So this day, tomorrow, just concentrate on footy
11:45 Yeah, that's it
11:46 I think footy was sending out SOS messages for us to move to Wigan
11:49 But we ignored all that
11:51 But it was stressful like I said
11:53 Don't get me wrong, one of the best experiences ever
11:56 Just the feel in the town and whatnot
11:58 We're still that same feel around town now
12:00 Pirates are out on the road everywhere and whatnot
12:02 And everyone's pretty keen and eager
12:04 But it just takes away that added stress of
12:06 I guess, especially myself and Geordie
12:08 And a couple of the senior blokes
12:10 To do all the set up and the hassle that goes with it
12:12 And everything like that
12:13 You play a couple of big games at Port
12:15 I've never seen a decent green fire at Port Macquarie
12:17 To be honest with you
12:18 Because there's no atmosphere there
12:20 Because it fits about five and a half thousand people
12:23 You're not going to get five and a half thousand people
12:25 To a group three green fire
12:26 Because there's a hundred thousand people at Port Macquarie
12:28 Is it a bit sort of flat?
12:30 I don't know if you've played a green fire
12:32 But you've played a couple of bigger games there
12:34 Is the whole ground a bit flat?
12:36 It is
12:37 We had 2010 under 18s green fire
12:40 And that was a big day for us
12:43 I guess when you're 18
12:44 The crowd looks a bit bigger than when you do now
12:46 But I think there were still then
12:48 Two or three old bar buses to get up to support us
12:50 That whole sort of eastern side there
12:52 Was all filled with old bar
12:54 Yeah I guess it is a bigger ground
12:57 Like last year it felt like it was 30,000 at the graveyard
13:00 That sort of thing
13:01 But playing surface wise
13:03 I think it's a good track
13:05 It's a good fast track
13:07 Which I think you get better footy out of as well
13:09 Obviously there's going to be plenty of poor people
13:11 Out there supporting
13:12 But I think green fire day is a bit different
13:15 I think you can still get a good sort of atmosphere
13:17 Out there then
13:18 Especially with five different clubs involved
13:20 I dare say there'll be a few toward people
13:22 That will be up there for the girls
13:23 And hang around as well
13:24 Obviously the KMC people aren't going too far
13:27 They're playing an eight-inner for reserves
13:28 They'll probably stick around and watch a bit of first
13:30 I think we'll get a good feel out there tomorrow
13:32 We always seem to play some good footy up there
13:34 We've come away with a couple of wins this year at Port
13:37 And then last year in that major semi
13:39 We played pretty well up there as well
13:41 So it's not too bad of a hunting ground for us at the moment
13:43 So we're pretty happy up there
13:44 It'll be pretty warm apparently
13:45 30, 31 degrees
13:46 Is that a factor
13:47 Or late in the afternoon it doesn't really matter so much
13:49 For us I think it's sort of a win for us
13:52 We're going to carry four fours on the bench
13:54 So obviously there's plenty of rotation to be done there
13:57 Obviously our outside backs are used to playing there
14:00 A bit warmer than 30 degree heat
14:02 So they're all pretty keen for it
14:04 It's been a bit cold from the start of the year
14:05 But they're pumped up now
14:06 It's starting to get a bit warmer
14:08 And also Port's a bigger side
14:11 I know a couple of their middles there
14:12 Like to play some big, big minutes
14:14 So I think good luck to them in a hot day
14:17 So we'll use that advantage I guess
14:19 And Boyd Corden will be there
14:20 He's making a big trip from Melbourne at the moment
14:22 With the Roosters
14:23 Yeah, he's in Melbourne
14:25 So they play Friday night
14:26 He's got a private jet I think from Melbourne
14:29 Saturday morning
14:30 Uncle Nick's flying home
14:31 Yeah, yeah
14:32 Or John O... John Owen Tickle
14:35 Back in the parachute
14:37 And he's going to jump out at Port
14:39 But no, he's been so good for us this year
14:42 Just to sort of bounce off
14:44 And as soon as he found out that he could make it
14:47 He was keen as and booked the first flight
14:50 So he's pretty keen and eager to come up and watch as well
14:52 He'll speak to the players?
14:54 It depends how busy he has the night before
14:56 I don't know if I'll let him in the shed or not
14:58 Depends where they are
14:59 How they finish tonight
15:00 Yeah, yeah
15:01 But I'll get in a word with the boys
15:03 A few of the P&G boys haven't met him yet
15:06 And they're pretty keen and eager and whatnot
15:09 So it'll be just not so much for game situation
15:12 But just the experience, just sort of advice
15:15 On how to bottle up all the emotion
15:17 And go out there and just treat it as another game I guess
15:19 Yeah, of course P&G, Rubber League is a national sport there
15:22 And NRL players have reportedly revered up there
15:25 And you said that you introduced them to Chris Gordon and the boys
15:28 Is that the other day?
15:29 And they were a little bit taken aback
15:31 Yeah, we ran into Spuddy down at Coles in Old Barn
15:34 I was with the boys
15:35 And we just got talking, they didn't realise who it was
15:37 And Spuddy walked away
15:38 And I sort of said, "That's boys old, man"
15:40 And their jaws nearly hit the ground just meeting Spud's
15:43 You've got to pass some shoes on to them, don't you?
15:45 No, no, hopefully they don't get too excited with the boys
15:48 Premiership window, Mick, we talk about these things
15:51 Now you said in paper today that you've been the most consistent side in the competition
15:55 For the last three years, and that's correct
15:57 But at this stage you haven't got anything to show for it
16:01 It's all got to do with the minor premiership issue other than that
16:03 But it is closing I suppose
16:05 Is tomorrow now on ever do you think?
16:08 I wouldn't say now on never
16:10 I think for myself, I think this is the best shot I'm going to have at a premiership in first grade
16:18 Like I said the other day, if I go away out of these three years
16:23 Saying that we're the most consistent side with no hardware to show for it
16:27 I think it's a big disappointment for me and for Geordie
16:30 There's a few boys that have been involved in the team that we're in now
16:35 For the last three years that are pretty happy
16:38 Like we would have been, but they won't be happy unless we get that sort of premiership
16:42 So definitely I think, no added pressure or anything
16:45 But definitely we'd expect to get at least one premiership over the last three years
16:50 And it's been a long time for the club, 1999 the last premiership
16:53 So the club hasn't won a grand final this century
16:56 So that's an added pressure, but it's about time
17:00 And those Port clubs have won enough, so it's about time we got one back here
17:05 Yeah definitely right mate, and it's not only that
17:07 We've had so much support from the community
17:10 Not just from Oldbio, but from Manning area in a whole
17:14 As being one of the southern clubs that have tried to be up there a bit each year
17:19 So just to do it for our Oldbio community as well that have been there
17:22 The crowds that walked off last week, it was a pretty special time to come off
17:27 They live and ride it just like us, so to get one for them as well would be pretty special
17:31 Because we said earlier on, you're the only southern side Gary
17:35 The Bulls in the under, sorry the league tag
17:38 What are their chances do you reckon?
17:40 Boris the underdog, Les the underdog
17:43 They haven't beaten Port City all year, but they've knocked over Foster twice
17:48 Who have beaten Port City twice
17:51 So it's just a matter of going out there and doing it
17:54 Now probably the good thing about this weekend is that Sarah O'Connor
17:58 She's got the grand final of soccer tonight at Foster
18:03 Oh right, she played for Gunneltown
18:05 Yeah, well so I think a couple of the Tari girls have rang her and wished her all the best for tonight
18:12 Hope they win and go out and enjoy yourself
18:14 End all deal to Hampton
18:16 Block Foster right off so she can't get home
18:20 So it's going to be a pretty tough ask for Tari
18:22 They came back last week, they were down 14-6 with 5 minutes to go
18:25 And to get up is what they just needed
18:28 So Sarah O'Connor's the girl that they know they've got to stop
18:32 Kelsey signed us back during the week and she said we can stop her
18:35 If we can stop her
18:36 They're very fast, those Bragg runners saw them play once, it was in the minor semifinal, the major semifinal
18:40 Tilly and Taya Hunter have both got some speed for the Bulls
18:43 So it's just a matter of if they can be in the moment and play what's in front of them
18:48 Not what they're used to doing and just put a lot of pressure on them
18:53 And yeah, it'd be a nice way to start the day, a Southern side winning the grand final
18:57 So good luck to the girls
18:59 They've got to ask for it, we're wearing our Bulls shirts for them
19:02 And they're all saying watch Old Bar too because we want Southern sides to win premierships
19:07 And we haven't done too many of them in the last few years
19:10 A bit of a premiership double possibly, Ash Semmon of course is a key player for the Bulls in the league tag
19:16 And a partner of mine in Jordan
19:18 So if Ash starts off a win, it all pans out well for Jordan
19:22 Because if it doesn't pan out for Jordan and it pans out for Ash, Ash will let him know
19:29 So it'll be a good way to start the day for the Southern side
19:35 They're on the front page of the Dowsemendinger of the Times if anyone wants to go out and buy them
19:38 It's four o'clock now isn't it, so you should have bought them by now
19:40 Yeah, exactly
19:42 And of course, the first premiership the Bulls have been looking for since 2016
19:48 Todd, your son Todd was the coach and Matty Croker was the captain
19:52 Yeah, Matty's over in New Zealand as a Wigan player
19:55 Playing against Mitch Barnett is also a Thari boy
19:58 Yeah, so
19:59 Oh, Wigan boys, I thought you said that
20:01 Yeah, yeah
20:03 No, he's a Wigan boy mate
20:06 So Mick, if you win tomorrow, that'll be the last one, you pull the boots off?
20:12 Yeah, me and Jordy have been speaking, we're both not coaching next year
20:16 We've sort of said if we're around and we're fit and healthy with the bodies
20:20 It'd be a bit hard to sit on the hill and watch the pirates run around without getting you out there
20:24 But then again, if we win one this weekend, I think I'll party for a month or so
20:29 And then have to think about it
20:31 But yeah, it's hard to sort of get a win and then go out like that
20:34 It'd be a great way to go out, but then also, I know myself, I get the itch
20:38 I couldn't sit on the hill and just watch the boys do it tough next year
20:42 So I'll reassess a couple of weeks into pre-season next year
20:47 I'll skip a few weeks of that and see how we go
20:49 Losing last year, and it's a horrible feeling losing a grand final
20:52 Will that act as a motivation, do you think, for the players who are there?
20:56 Most definitely, most definitely
20:58 I still can feel that feeling of walking off that field knowing that we'd lost
21:03 You probably should have won
21:04 Yeah, that's even harder to swallow
21:07 And same thing this weekend, we've got Sharks at Port
21:11 We've beaten them pretty comfortably twice this year
21:14 So obviously had a bit of a hiccup there last week
21:18 But same sort of thing, it's a very, very winnable game
21:21 So I'll be pretty upset with myself
21:23 And I dare say the boys will be feeling the same way that we lost this one
21:27 But yeah, it's definitely a bit of motivation behind the scenes
21:30 You'll be looking to give an awesome gig, will you?
21:32 It's a good one to win one
21:33 I've lost two now, yeah
21:34 Oh, sorry mate
21:35 I lost 2013 against Guards ball wipe at Wipe, so I'm due for one
21:39 That was my wipe
21:40 That was a pretty big one
21:42 Yeah, but you at least got first use of the shower that day, didn't you?
21:45 Yeah, I was off
21:47 A long time ago, you've grown up since then
21:50 Ten years ago, wow
21:52 Anyway, good luck mate
21:54 I'll be there of course covering it
21:57 I certainly hope you like to see a side win from Danny
22:01 Mitch Wilber, the halfback, you'll be trying to be a bit of an eye on him I would imagine
22:05 Yeah, he's sort of the head of the dragon I guess
22:08 We've done a fair bit of work this week and that with him
22:11 We gave him a bit too much space, a bit too much leeway there a couple of weeks ago
22:15 So we've done plenty of work on that
22:17 We've had a few of the old boys down there
22:19 D'Ainares, he still moves around pretty well
22:21 With an orange bib on, sort of emulating stuff like that
22:24 So there's no excuse for us to go out there and let him dictate to him
22:28 I think he's obviously their key to their points
22:31 Him along with their good couple outside backs, VG and backs
22:35 But they were lost last time in the forwards
22:38 So as a forward myself, us middles are sort of taking it upon us to lead the way I guess
22:43 Yeah, you're usually very good at a dummy half
22:46 We'd almost thought that major semi-final that they'd seen the game before him
22:49 Because it was almost like they were waiting for you
22:51 Every time you run they were ready for it
22:53 As well, for me to play my game, I sort of needed a couple of quick play of the balls to go our way
22:59 It just wasn't happening
23:01 Obviously you spoke about the one out runs we were having, we were tied
23:04 So we went one out and obviously they were winning the rucks
23:07 And it was gaining no momentum for me to get out and do my thing
23:10 So that's what we're going to change this weekend hopefully
23:13 Obviously Kempsey didn't watch any of the game anyway
23:16 Because they allowed you to score two tries
23:18 Exactly what you said, from quick play of the balls, out from the dummy half and off your game
23:21 Obviously Kempsey didn't have a video session before they come and played you
23:26 Yeah
23:27 Tay Cochran, your full-back, I think he's a bloke you could pay a big old amount
23:31 I thought he was very good in the first half last week
23:33 Yeah, he's one of them blokes too
23:35 As soon as the big games come on, Tay enjoys the spotlight
23:38 He knows how to play so he's been massive for us
23:41 Him and our back three, sorry our two wingers
23:45 They've been linking up pretty well in attack and then in defence
23:48 He drives us in defence, he stands back there, he barks us, he tells us which way to go
23:52 So he really drives us in defence, he's pivotal to us
23:55 So we keep him fit and healthy
23:58 Well mate, as I said before, I hope you bring home the trophy
24:02 This will be the last on the bench obviously for this year
24:05 I think a few people before we do that
24:08 This will be the 20th one we've done this year Gary
24:10 20th?
24:11 Yeah, we've only missed the one week
24:12 I figured it out, of the 20 ones we've done
24:15 You and I have only been on around once so we've got people in to have a talk to
24:20 A few backed up, like Mick's backed up a couple of times
24:23 Mitch Collins, one he remembers, he's been in about 11 times
24:26 He's lost the time of world I think
24:30 He's always wearing an open shirt
24:33 It's never a wingham shirt or anything like that
24:36 Kurt Lewis is the most popular with the most views, comfortably
24:40 From Chris Hollis and then Ash Simmons
24:42 They're the top three at this stage, unless we roll them over today Mick
24:45 So you'd better watch it a few times
24:47 Kurt would have put his up on every minute
24:50 We've had a few people travel, Geoff Kelly, the chairman, came down from Port Macquarie the first week
24:57 It's good to see him at the footy last week
24:59 A few issues you had this year?
25:00 Marty Borg, the Port Macquarie New Journal, she came down
25:03 And Ellie Markowitz from Warhawk also came down for one session with us
25:07 Now last week I was in Torvus
25:09 I just checked how the figures went and we did alright
25:12 But I looked at the likes and I guess it was at the top of the list of people who liked last week's segment
25:17 Who?
25:19 Wayne Bennett
25:20 Wayne Bennett?
25:22 Now I don't think it was the Wayne Bennett, the super coach
25:26 I did actually look at the debate
25:28 Nevertheless, Wayne Bennett liked last week's segment
25:30 Did he?
25:31 We're going to say that
25:33 Now listen, when you're talking to Boyd, there's only a chance to get him to like it as well
25:36 He doesn't have to watch it
25:37 If it's got my name on it, he won't like it
25:39 Well this might be a good laugh, I think
25:41 Wayne Bennett, yeah, actually I did bring him last week
25:45 You did not
25:46 I'd certainly like to thank the sponsors
25:49 Classic Design Jewelers, of course our great friend Georgie Molanas of the Menning Hotel
25:53 Who sponsored the $50 Player of the Week award
25:55 And there's another thing, for two years we've had the Player of the Weeks, not one player has won it twice
25:59 Ah, beautiful
26:00 Yeah, so it's been spread out
26:01 You win one of those, Mick?
26:03 Nah, you've got to be a good player to win them
26:05 I don't know, some of them are great
26:06 Well we might have had it, we might have just spent it ourselves
26:09 Because if you're back in work in Newcastle, you can't come up with more
26:14 But Classic Design Jewelers will also be putting a watch up
26:17 So you might win that Mick
26:19 A watch for the first grade Player of the Year, the Women's League Tag Player of the Year
26:23 We'll announce that after the group three presentation next Friday
26:28 And particularly also to Scott Calvin who does the filming and does all the tricky little things
26:34 He splices the photos in there and all the rest of that sort of stuff
26:38 And to Bidgie for making himself available, he even went to a few games this year, that made it a bit easier
26:43 Especially at an old bar, I've gone to a couple out there
26:46 Yeah, it's been good this year
26:47 Best facilities in the group
26:48 Yeah, it's beautiful, you get up there and catch up with a lot of people
26:52 You just get everybody there
26:54 You're bringing up people to tell them to go and get you a beer
26:56 Yeah
26:57 I said I know what I'm telling them to do, but anyway
27:01 Just so they're close to the beer tent, they might as well bring you one now
27:05 Yeah, they weren't, but anyway, that's beside the point
27:08 Well, what can I say, good luck to Mick and the Pirates tomorrow and to the Tarry City Bulls
27:13 It's going to be warm up there at Port Macquarie
27:15 We'll have a report on the game on the Meninger of Time's website
27:19 An hour or so after full time, so hopefully I'll be reporting on an old bar win
27:23 But anyway, thanks to those people who watch us this year, it's been a bit of fun
27:27 And yeah, this is full time, we should have a siren go off
27:30 Yeah, full time, yes
27:32 Full time, all over, and whether we're back next year, I don't think I'll be doing it, but maybe I'll get another ACG
27:37 You said that last year too
27:38 No, I'm a year older, mate
27:40 But if you go on the footy at Port Macquarie tomorrow, enjoy it and hopefully you get a Pirates win
27:45 Get up there for the 10.30 game between the Tarry City League Tag and Port City
27:51 You're determined at the last say, aren't you?
27:53 Yeah, just got to get in there and get the girls
27:55 Got to support the girls, they've got a chance to win something for the Tarry City's
27:59 You beauty
28:00 OK, all good
28:01 All good
28:02 [BLANK_AUDIO]