2025 NRL/NRLW Draw Release - Livestream with Sam Shinazzi and Josh Bolling

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[00:01:53] Hey there, welcome to SharkCastPod.

[00:01:55] We are live, we are with the great Josh Bolling.

[00:01:58] My name is Sam Shnazzi, OG 2015 SharkCastPod, brought to you by Dyson Logistics,

[00:02:03] the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Port Hacking, and Jason Hawes at Crips & Crips Real Estate.

[00:02:07] And it's a big day in the NRL world because the draw has dropped and we knew some of it going into it,

[00:02:13] but now it's all being revealed.

[00:02:15] Some people love this day, some people think it's ridiculous, there's a lot in between.

[00:02:19] We're here to have a friendly chat about our beloved Sharks.

[00:02:23] Now Josh, I'm going to start off with what no one's talking about, and that's the preseason.

[00:02:30] Preseason has been announced.

[00:02:32] We got Thursday night football.

[00:02:34] I think we're playing the first game of NRL this year in a lot of ways.

[00:02:38] We're playing Canberra in Canberra on a Thursday in the preseason challenge, so that's kind of cool.

[00:02:44] You know what, I've mucked it up already.

[00:02:46] We're playing the Warriors first at home on February the 7th.

[00:02:52] Warriors at home preseason, then on Thursday night Raiders in Canberra February 13th.

[00:02:58] So a couple of good games there.

[00:03:00] You'd think the California bound team will play against the Raiders in the second week of the preseason,

[00:03:06] and possibly the first week against the Warriors at home will just be the younger fellas,

[00:03:12] the fringes and those kind of things.

[00:03:14] But of course we are here to talk about both NRL and NRLW,

[00:03:20] because we love NRLW despite the rumors that we don't for some reason.

[00:03:23] Josh, I can tell you that it's not the easiest of draws.

[00:03:28] Fox Sports have already said that we have the 12th,

[00:03:32] like we're ranked 12th as far as easy to hardest and we're 12th.

[00:03:37] There's a bit of travel involved.

[00:03:38] So you better get your passport and your frequent flyers and your hotels and everything else ready.

[00:03:44] In the first nine weeks, Josh, we go to California, we go to North Queensland,

[00:03:50] we go to Western Australia and we go to Brisbane.

[00:03:54] Now, if that's got you worried about the effect on the team,

[00:03:58] I can tell you that we have Melbourne in Melbourne.

[00:04:04] I think it's around 17.

[00:04:05] Then we don't leave Sydney, with the exception of a game in Gosford.

[00:04:09] So don't leave New South Wales after June 29th.

[00:04:14] So it's a pretty good run home for the boys in the black, white and blue.

[00:04:18] You've had a look at the draw.

[00:04:19] What are your initial thoughts?

[00:04:21] What are you thinking?

[00:04:22] What's going on?

[00:04:23] I've been doing a little talking.

[00:04:25] It's, I think it's a good draw.

[00:04:27] It might lend itself to more, I guess you could say,

[00:04:32] bigger challenges might lead to bigger rewards,

[00:04:34] I guess is how I'm looking at it.

[00:04:35] Trying to take that positive view of,

[00:04:37] there's some harder games than we've had in the previous years.

[00:04:39] I know we've been attacked for some of our easier draws over the last few seasons.

[00:04:44] So I'm looking forward to having a few more games against some bigger quality sides

[00:04:49] that may make us lift, or I could see maybe a drop in a position or two.

[00:04:55] So I'm not quite sure how it's going to go, but I'm choosing to go positive and saying,

[00:04:58] the better teams we play, the better we will be.

[00:05:01] So that's how I'm kind of looking at it.

[00:05:04] At the end of the day, you've got to win any game you can,

[00:05:07] or every game if possible, as many as you can.

[00:05:09] And it doesn't matter who's in front of you.

[00:05:11] Okay. I like that.

[00:05:12] Very mature.

[00:05:13] Again, folks, if we go a bit fuzzy on the TV, don't worry, we'll bounce back.

[00:05:17] Now we know we're opening up against the Panthers in California.

[00:05:22] Is it California?

[00:05:23] Vegas.

[00:05:24] It's Vegas.

[00:05:24] Nevada.

[00:05:25] Las Vegas, Nevada.

[00:05:26] It's not California, right?

[00:05:27] No.

[00:05:28] I'm an idiot.

[00:05:29] We were going to pull you up on it before, but I'll let you go.

[00:05:32] Because I'm thinking LA and it's just across here.

[00:05:35] It's a four hour drive or whatever.

[00:05:38] Nevada.

[00:05:38] Nevada.

[00:05:39] The Sharks are opening in Nevada against Penrith.

[00:05:41] And then we go to Townsville.

[00:05:43] Now there is a week off in between.

[00:05:45] So there's not a lot of major concern there, but it's still, as we said at the start of

[00:05:51] the show, a bit of travel happening.

[00:05:53] Now the Sharks have released a lot of nice information on their website.

[00:05:56] If you want to go check them out, I'm going to steal a little bit from there.

[00:05:59] Play at home in round three against the Rabbitohs.

[00:06:03] And then we have the Bulldogs as well.

[00:06:05] So two home games in a row, which is awesome.

[00:06:06] We're playing in Perth against Manly.

[00:06:09] And we're taking a home game there, Josh, against Manly.

[00:06:13] I don't know if the Sharks had the right to choose the team or not that they were going

[00:06:16] to play, but what's your thoughts on the fact that it's Manly?

[00:06:19] Does that concern you?

[00:06:21] Is it better over there?

[00:06:21] Is it worse?

[00:06:22] Is it indifferent?

[00:06:23] Maybe with the curse.

[00:06:25] So I know we've kind of broken it in the last few years, but maybe playing over there

[00:06:30] might just change things up.

[00:06:30] It's a bit annoying that we're losing, you know, one of our big rivals at home ground

[00:06:34] there and having to play at their joint a few weeks later.

[00:06:38] So it doesn't worry me too much.

[00:06:40] The last time we went over there, we had a good win.

[00:06:42] So you can only go from that.

[00:06:44] So we know about Magic Round.

[00:06:45] We've got the first opening game there.

[00:06:46] You can fly in, watch the lads, and then just relax after they beat the Eels.

[00:06:50] That'd be good.

[00:06:51] I can see you having a very long weekend there, Josh, at Magic Round.

[00:06:55] Six o'clock Friday, then business is all done.

[00:06:58] We have the buys in round 13, 18, and 25.

[00:07:03] What are your thoughts on this, Josh?

[00:07:05] Particularly that round 25.

[00:07:07] Good, bad, indifferent?

[00:07:08] I really like that.

[00:07:09] That was something I was going to bring up.

[00:07:10] I really...

[00:07:11] I think last year we got the buys a little too early.

[00:07:15] I prefer them later, as late in the season as possible.

[00:07:18] Mid-season when some of the guys are banged up.

[00:07:21] And if you kind of know your position, if we're in a good position, that's a good way to just rest up and recuperate for the business point of the season.

[00:07:30] So I'm really happy with the buys that we've gotten this year.

[00:07:33] I know a few too.

[00:07:33] Like Melbourne have got one in round two.

[00:07:35] So they lose one straight out the gate, basically, at the start of the season.

[00:07:38] So I much prefer ours than some of the others.

[00:07:41] Like the Titans have round one.

[00:07:43] That's pretty frustrating.

[00:07:45] Sean says, tougher than normal draw might toughen us up for the business end of the season, which I think is what Josh was hinting at as well.

[00:07:51] So good stuff there, Sean.

[00:07:53] Thanks for being in touch.

[00:07:55] If I go over to the YouTube page, there's some people there watching, which is awesome.

[00:08:00] Chad says, bring on Vegas, baby.

[00:08:04] Ed says, ouch for the waz.

[00:08:07] Our friend Ash, who's got the great Instagram, you have to follow all things Quarlesharks, was hoping the Perth game would be close to Vegas.

[00:08:16] Our friend Dana's watching.

[00:08:18] A lot of people watching.

[00:08:19] Hello, everyone watching.

[00:08:21] Actually, Dana says, hoping for a sneaky birthday trip to Perth to see them smash the husband's team.

[00:08:27] Yes, Dana married a Manly fan.

[00:08:29] Oh no.

[00:08:30] Yeah, he's a good guy though.

[00:08:31] He's a good guy.

[00:08:32] Greasy said, hey, it's my birthday, lunchtime beers.

[00:08:35] He goes, hey, happy birthday, Greasy Smitty.

[00:08:37] Great stuff.

[00:08:38] Happy birthday.

[00:08:39] I assume that's for today.

[00:08:40] We appreciate everyone being in touch.

[00:08:41] Please jump on in the comments.

[00:08:43] You can even jump on and have a chat.

[00:08:45] If you promise not to swear, there's a link in there, but no pressure to do that.

[00:08:49] This is going to be an audio podcast later on.

[00:08:51] So that's the main reason we're doing this, but we wanted to jump on and say hello to everyone live.

[00:08:55] Now, yeah, rounds 13, 18, 25.

[00:08:58] Josh, I'm with you.

[00:09:05] 10 weeks.

[00:09:06] We spoke about it.

[00:09:07] Then we can start to heal.

[00:09:09] And I don't mind that at all.

[00:09:11] The people at Fox Sports, I said that we've got the 12th hardest draw.

[00:09:16] So we're playing teams from the top eight last year, 13 times, Josh.

[00:09:21] We face the top four teams five times, bottom nine teams 11 times, bottom four, five.

[00:09:30] It's not a great deal of difference there.

[00:09:31] This is who we play twice.

[00:09:33] Okay.

[00:09:34] Bulldogs, Manly, Melbourne, Newcastle, Cowboys, Rabideaus, Dragoons and Roosters.

[00:09:44] So we're playing these teams twice.

[00:09:47] Yes.

[00:09:47] Bulldogs, don't mind that.

[00:09:48] Seagulls, Storm, Knights, love it.

[00:09:52] Cowboys, whatever.

[00:09:55] Rabideaus, whatever.

[00:09:57] Dragons, love it.

[00:09:57] Roosters, good and bad there.

[00:10:00] What are your thoughts there?

[00:10:01] I think we get the roosters just on the precipice of when Cheese and the halfback Sam Walker come back.

[00:10:08] So they may still be out by the time.

[00:10:11] I think that we're round 12.

[00:10:12] I think we've got them.

[00:10:13] I think they were predicted around the 10 to 13, 14 return.

[00:10:18] So we might get them just before those two return, which would be good.

[00:10:22] Obviously, when we get them later in the year, they should be back.

[00:10:24] So I don't mind that.

[00:10:27] We usually have pretty good clashes with the Roosters.

[00:10:29] We have had some good games with them in the last few years.

[00:10:31] I think we match up well with them.

[00:10:32] So, and I also think they'll be struggling with a few of the guys they've lost or are missing.

[00:10:39] So that's not as worrisome as it has been probably in the last few years, getting them twice.

[00:10:44] Melbourne, if we're going to get, we have to get them or Pemreth twice, I'd probably rather Melbourne.

[00:10:49] I think the thing that we're forgetting about when you and I at least talk about who we're going to get is that we're a top four team.

[00:10:56] So really on our day, we should be able to meet anyone, anywhere.

[00:10:59] We're getting the world's second best prop.

[00:11:01] So, you know, I put that out there.

[00:11:03] This is where we're playing twice because it's important, but also they're looking at us going, ah, we're going to play Cronulla twice.

[00:11:09] 100%.

[00:11:09] That's the positive there.

[00:11:12] So that's what's going on with the strength of the draw.

[00:11:14] If we get into the draw itself, Joshy, have a bit of chat about that.

[00:11:18] So we know we're playing Penrith in Nevada, not in California, in Nevada.

[00:11:24] And then we go two weeks later, a bit under two weeks later up to Townsville.

[00:11:32] It's a Saturday 530 game.

[00:11:34] Classic, classic Townsville time slot.

[00:11:39] And it'll be hot.

[00:11:41] It'll be still hot.

[00:11:42] Yeah, that's a bummer.

[00:11:43] Good analysis there, Josh.

[00:11:45] And then a week later, we come home to the greatest place in the world.

[00:11:50] And we play Souths again.

[00:11:53] We'll be warmish.

[00:11:54] It'll be a Saturday 3 o'clock game.

[00:11:56] So should be a bumper crowd for that one.

[00:12:00] Souths will be energized by a new coach.

[00:12:03] The trails back.

[00:12:05] Is there an English halfback on his way as well?

[00:12:07] I think there's a bunch of things happening with that team.

[00:12:10] Yeah.

[00:12:11] Wayne Bennett.

[00:12:11] That'll be a good day though.

[00:12:13] That'll be great.

[00:12:14] Saturday afternoon.

[00:12:15] Fresh season.

[00:12:16] Still exciting.

[00:12:18] Souths will always travel.

[00:12:19] That'll be sold out a week before.

[00:12:21] Now we will probably on another episode do...

[00:12:23] I think we'll do a fun thing like where are we going to win?

[00:12:26] Where are we going to lose?

[00:12:27] What do we think is going to happen?

[00:12:29] But round one in Nevada against Penrith, who with or without their players are going to be tough.

[00:12:38] Cowboys away week two.

[00:12:41] Not easy.

[00:12:42] Where are we going to be at, Josh, coming into our first home game Souths round three?

[00:12:48] Is it going to be must win or will we be sweet?

[00:12:51] I think that's way too early to start talking must wins.

[00:12:54] Maybe if it's round five and you're one win or two wins, then it's a bit of drama.

[00:12:59] I feel confident about that opening game by the way.

[00:13:03] It won't matter to you, Josh, because you'll be high on cause light and money spilling out of your pockets if you've still got pockets left.

[00:13:12] Round four.

[00:13:14] Second game at home in two weeks.

[00:13:18] So Bulldogs Saturday night 735.

[00:13:21] And that'll be a nice tough game.

[00:13:23] But again, I don't mind that at home, Joshy playing the doggies.

[00:13:27] And then we move on slightly shorter turnaround.

[00:13:32] We've got Thursday night football round five against the Raiders.

[00:13:37] Now I like the fact that it won't be icy cold.

[00:13:40] Third of April.

[00:13:41] That's manageable, right?

[00:13:42] And Canberra.

[00:13:43] So what are your thoughts on that one?

[00:13:44] I like getting Canberra out of the way early typically.

[00:13:48] Just because I feel like they grow into seasons.

[00:13:51] I feel like they're just one of those sides that everyone writes off at the start and they struggle and then they always come back late season.

[00:13:57] So I like to get them.

[00:13:58] I always like to get them out of the way early.

[00:14:02] I'm not too concerned about Canberra though.

[00:14:04] I think they're going to struggle next year.

[00:14:06] Now on the home game situation, Adam says,

[00:14:10] How do we end up with no-shot park games between rounds four and round 11?

[00:14:15] And I can't really answer that with any clarity.

[00:14:17] I mean, if you say that's what's happening, that's what's happening.

[00:14:20] And I'm not sure why, but I appreciate you being in touch.

[00:14:24] And I guess that's a...

[00:14:26] That is true.

[00:14:26] I'm sure it's true.

[00:14:27] That's a tough stretch that you've got to get through because at home...

[00:14:30] Yeah, you know, it's always better to be at home no matter how good you are away.

[00:14:34] So then we go from Canberra to Perth.

[00:14:38] So there is a bit of traveling happening here.

[00:14:40] That's only round six.

[00:14:41] Oh man.

[00:14:43] So, Saturday, that's local time for us in Sydney, eastern side of Australia.

[00:14:51] Three o'clock Saturday against Manly at Optus Stadium, the big stadium where Coldplay play.

[00:14:57] And is that where we played the other year, Josh?

[00:14:58] Did we play there?

[00:15:00] Yeah, against us.

[00:15:00] That was the Hiroti game?

[00:15:03] It was.

[00:15:04] Okay, I don't mind that.

[00:15:05] I don't mind Sharky traveling.

[00:15:06] I mean, I'd rather watch them in Cronulla, but they tend to do these things pretty good.

[00:15:11] Luckily, they have success on the road under Fitzgibbon.

[00:15:15] So, that'll be part of a double header, I believe.

[00:15:19] So there'll be some excitement there.

[00:15:21] Get them ready for Magic Reef.

[00:15:23] Do you know, Sam, about the Optus deal, I guess you could say.

[00:15:27] Are we, I'm assuming we're getting paid for that?

[00:15:31] Are we getting money out of that for taking the game there?

[00:15:33] Yeah, it's a home game.

[00:15:34] Compensation?

[00:15:34] Yeah, it's a home game you take away.

[00:15:36] So something's going on.

[00:15:37] There'll be a little bit of cash all there somewhere.

[00:15:39] And that's the reason they'd agree to it.

[00:15:41] They wouldn't do it otherwise.

[00:15:43] I don't know if we're part of a deal there or not.

[00:15:45] We'll have to let Dino and Mace answer those ones.

[00:15:49] But there's no Coffs Harbour this year as a spoiler.

[00:15:52] And that deal is now up.

[00:15:53] So it was a five year deal, I think, or whatever it was, three or five years.

[00:15:57] That's up.

[00:15:58] I can't confirm whether it's Perth or not.

[00:16:01] Then we go to Newcastle.

[00:16:02] So more travelling, round seven.

[00:16:04] And I always like playing Newcastle.

[00:16:06] I don't know why.

[00:16:06] I think because I think in my mind they're just not easy beats.

[00:16:10] But I feel like probably since 2015 on, we've had just had that knack to really give it to them.

[00:16:17] I know we've had a few losses there.

[00:16:20] But I feel like whenever we play Newcastle, it's like, ah, we're going to win this one, which isn't always true.

[00:16:25] But yeah, what are your thoughts on that one?

[00:16:27] Travelling away to Newcastle.

[00:16:28] I actually feel kind of the opposite.

[00:16:30] I'm always really concerned about Newcastle.

[00:16:32] I feel like at home, I'm like, yep, like no worries.

[00:16:35] But just something about playing in Newcastle always worries me.

[00:16:38] Just like the big crowd, they always like turn up regardless.

[00:16:41] And Honga puts on a show like he's just one of those kind of guys that seems to always have a banger against us.

[00:16:46] Like he could be quiet for weeks and then you'll have two tries and a try assistant kick goals from all over the place.

[00:16:52] And he just always seems to do it against us.

[00:16:54] So that's, look, I think we'll win that game.

[00:16:56] But I just always, I'm always a little, ah, not great going.

[00:17:01] It was tough work last year remembering Golden Points.

[00:17:03] I don't mean any disrespect.

[00:17:04] Yeah.

[00:17:05] And that's a Sunday four o'clock game.

[00:17:08] And there's, well, there's quite a few.

[00:17:09] We have to do all that mathematics as well.

[00:17:11] But it seems like there's quite a few afternoon games, which ideally suits our game style.

[00:17:20] And Daniel says, good day, Sharkar.

[00:17:22] Certainly making the work day easier.

[00:17:24] That is awesome.

[00:17:25] So thank you for tuning in, Daniel.

[00:17:27] And appreciate your support.

[00:17:28] Now this fella who we're going to put up on the screen is very excited because his favorite team is coming to Melbourne.

[00:17:35] And that's exciting.

[00:17:37] And we'll be seeing him.

[00:17:38] I made him a promise that we're going to go to Melbourne, Josh.

[00:17:41] So if you're in, you're in.

[00:17:43] If you're not, we'll have a shandy for you.

[00:17:47] And he also says, I'm with you, brother.

[00:17:52] I'm sick of Panther Town too.

[00:17:54] And you know what?

[00:17:54] They're an amazing team.

[00:17:57] In however many years time, we're going to look back and go, you know what?

[00:17:59] We, as much as we despise them, they were unbelievable.

[00:18:04] But I'm with you.

[00:18:06] I'm not a fan of Panther Town either.

[00:18:09] So a week later, Josh, you were heading to Leichhardt Oval.

[00:18:14] Classic.

[00:18:15] Sunday, four o'clock, playing the very much on paper improved West Tigers team.

[00:18:21] Drum was there last season for us early in the year at Leichhardt.

[00:18:24] We thought we'd swim it in, man.

[00:18:27] We thought this is going to be a walk in the park and it wasn't.

[00:18:31] And we lost.

[00:18:32] And it was the end of the world for a little while.

[00:18:35] I see a bit of retribution there.

[00:18:36] I see Fitzy getting out the video tape from last year and going, look what happened last year.

[00:18:40] I'm really excited for this one.

[00:18:42] I have a lot of Tigers mates, really close mates who are Tigers fans.

[00:18:45] I've already been messaged by three separate ones about 20 minutes after the draw saying, Leichhardt, we're on, we're going.

[00:18:52] Take the day off work next on Monday.

[00:18:54] Like it's the best.

[00:18:56] I know it's not a great ground.

[00:18:58] I get that.

[00:18:59] But the pubs around it and the vibe is always so much fun.

[00:19:02] And usually they're an easy beat.

[00:19:04] So that's always good going and thinking you're going to win.

[00:19:07] Might not be the same this year, but that'll be a cracker.

[00:19:10] Yeah.

[00:19:10] I had a look at their team on paper.

[00:19:12] On paper, there is vast improvement and good luck to them.

[00:19:14] And there's nothing wrong with not great grounds, by the way, Josh, because we're, we like not great grounds too.

[00:19:21] On the Insta, we want to say hello to merch king.

[00:19:25] Adam Barnes is watching.

[00:19:26] Hopefully he's approving of all this.

[00:19:28] And our friend, Ash, all things Carlshark says, Melbourne, I'm in.

[00:19:31] We won't back down.

[00:19:33] I like it.

[00:19:33] That'll be a challenge.

[00:19:35] West Tigers.

[00:19:36] Now, then we go to Magic Round and we open Magic Round.

[00:19:41] Friday, May 2nd, 6 o'clock.

[00:19:44] Josh, are you cool with the 6 o'clock?

[00:19:45] Does the fact that we're opening Magic Round take care of the fact that we're in a dodgy time slot?

[00:19:51] Is it a dodgy time slot at Magic Round?

[00:19:53] Well, I've never been to Magic Round, so I can't say on the vibe or whatever, but I guess everyone's fresh.

[00:19:59] I guess like the crowd, you know, no one's hung over or.

[00:20:03] There is women's origin the night before.

[00:20:05] Is there?

[00:20:06] Okay, well then I'll take that back.

[00:20:07] But I think, I mean, it's fine.

[00:20:09] I think it might be for the team.

[00:20:11] It might be good getting get out.

[00:20:12] Like we're not sitting around, you know, in the mini Vegas of teams everywhere.

[00:20:18] What could go wrong?

[00:20:19] Like fly in, get the two points and get out of there and sit back and enjoy the rest of the weekend and watch all the teams bash each other.

[00:20:26] And the most important thing is that we have the best version of the field.

[00:20:30] The grass won't be torn to shreds.

[00:20:32] Oh, nice.

[00:20:32] It'll be the safest and it'll be.

[00:20:34] This is why you're on Josh.

[00:20:35] You just see everything.

[00:20:36] You see everything.

[00:20:37] I didn't think about the grass.

[00:20:39] That's great.

[00:20:41] That's true.

[00:20:42] Yeah.

[00:20:43] We played halfway through, I think with the Saturday 730 last year.

[00:20:47] Yeah.

[00:20:48] So it was, it was pretty, it was getting torn up and like they do a great job considering

[00:20:53] they have eight teams playing 80 minutes of rugby league.

[00:20:56] I mean, sorry, eight games.

[00:20:58] So I think that's it.

[00:20:59] We had that in the first year when we versed the Titans.

[00:21:01] I think we kicked it off on the Thursday night.

[00:21:03] A similar thing.

[00:21:04] Oh, did we?

[00:21:04] Rip it up.

[00:21:05] Do whatever you need to do boys.

[00:21:06] Yeah.

[00:21:07] First one.

[00:21:08] I think we're not unfamiliar with this territory.

[00:21:11] Then we go to a place that we classically don't like, but lately it's been fine.

[00:21:18] Again, Sunday four o'clock.

[00:21:19] I mean, the sponsors are going to love all this mainstream free to air exposure.

[00:21:25] Brookvale Oval, Four Pines is now known as.

[00:21:28] Four o'clock against Manly.

[00:21:31] It's going to be tough.

[00:21:32] If Turbo's playing, it's going to be tough over there.

[00:21:35] Did we play Manly twice last year?

[00:21:36] I think we beat them again, didn't we?

[00:21:38] Yeah, we did, but they were turbo-less.

[00:21:40] I'm pretty sure.

[00:21:41] At least one of the games they were turbo-less.

[00:21:43] And we've been pretty lucky with turbo appearances against us.

[00:21:47] Whenever he has played, he has absolutely dominated us.

[00:21:50] So maybe a little touch wood, just a little hamstring strain for those two weeks we have

[00:21:55] him this year wouldn't be too bad.

[00:21:57] Kobe's saying Manly is going to be an easy win.

[00:21:59] So there you go.

[00:22:00] There's already confidence there.

[00:22:02] Ooh.

[00:22:02] Six nights later.

[00:22:04] This is a big one, Josh.

[00:22:06] This is a big tasty one.

[00:22:08] I can already feel it, man.

[00:22:10] At home.

[00:22:11] At home, which is at the moment called Sharks Stadium.

[00:22:15] Whether that stays...

[00:22:18] That's because of the new laws, right?

[00:22:20] Yeah, they're chasing a new sponsor.

[00:22:22] Whether they get one for the amount of money they want or not, who knows.

[00:22:25] But worst case, Sharks Stadium.

[00:22:27] I don't hate it.

[00:22:28] Saturday, 17th of May.

[00:22:30] Melbourne Storm at Cronulla.

[00:22:34] Always tasty, especially at Cronulla.

[00:22:36] Ooh, yeah.

[00:22:37] That's going to be a beauty.

[00:22:38] That one's got me actually really excited months and months and months away.

[00:22:42] Saturday night, 7.30.

[00:22:43] I like that.

[00:22:44] I like that vibe.

[00:22:45] It suits us.

[00:22:47] That's a perfect time slot for these two teams at this stadium.

[00:22:50] I think that 7.30 on a cold night, Shark Park.

[00:22:54] These two teams that typically have not liked each other.

[00:22:57] We've had some battles.

[00:22:58] They smashed us in the finals last year where they went revenge.

[00:23:01] There's so many storylines.

[00:23:02] They all just write themselves.

[00:23:04] Like, this is just quintessential Shark Storm game.

[00:23:07] Pappenhausen didn't come to Cronulla, but he was never coming anyway.

[00:23:11] 17th of May.

[00:23:11] It's starting to get cool at Shark Park.

[00:23:13] No doubt about that.

[00:23:14] You're probably not necessarily beaning it up.

[00:23:17] Although you might, depending on how the season's going.

[00:23:20] But it's getting colder.

[00:23:21] It's getting more beautiful, depending on what your vibe is.

[00:23:24] Now, again, depending on, as Josh said at the start of the show, who is playing for the Roosters.

[00:23:30] Saturday night, 7.35pm.

[00:23:32] Again, a big time feel for some big time teams.

[00:23:36] Roosters at...

[00:23:38] Well, it says TBA, Josh.

[00:23:40] What's that about?

[00:23:40] TBA, yeah.

[00:23:41] Well, hold the phone.

[00:23:42] Wait.

[00:23:43] I wonder what's going on there.

[00:23:44] Is that because there's, I don't know, some sort of something else happening at the ground around that time?

[00:23:52] Or a concert?

[00:23:53] Or pinks coming out?

[00:23:55] I wonder if the Roosters have one of their deals that maybe they haven't finalized yet.

[00:24:00] That they're taking a game somewhere.

[00:24:01] I noticed there was some other TBAs in the draw for other teams.

[00:24:03] So, anyway, it's away.

[00:24:05] It's not going to be at Shark Park.

[00:24:06] Even though Dino wants it there, it's not going to be at Shark Park.

[00:24:10] Now, that could be anywhere, I guess.

[00:24:12] I mean, let's just say it's going to be Allianz for now.

[00:24:14] But, tough game.

[00:24:16] Yeah.

[00:24:16] I do believe, correct me if I'm wrong, that this may be a pre-Origin match.

[00:24:22] This may be an Origin-affected round.

[00:24:24] Okay.

[00:24:25] I could be wrong.

[00:24:26] I was looking, like, earlier.

[00:24:27] But it may be, which could be a couple of Roosters out.

[00:24:30] Maybe an Angus Crichton.

[00:24:32] A couple of those kind of guys that I can't think of anyone else.

[00:24:36] But Teddy might be there if there's an injury.

[00:24:39] You know, like, a few things like that.

[00:24:40] But, so, they could be, if the other two are out, the two big injuries,

[00:24:45] and Angus Crichton's out, they could be maybe not as hard as we,

[00:24:49] you would envision just looking at that on paper.

[00:24:51] That would be good.

[00:24:52] Now, then we have the bye.

[00:24:54] And I believe it's our first bye, Josh, round 13.

[00:24:57] So, it's come at a good time.

[00:24:59] It's come at a good time for everyone.

[00:25:01] And then, round 14, Saturday the 7th of June, 5.30 on a Saturday night,

[00:25:08] Warriors come to town.

[00:25:09] Warriors at Shark Stadium.

[00:25:12] Not sure if Sean Johnson will be playing or not.

[00:25:14] You never know with this guy where he's going to pop up or not.

[00:25:17] He'll probably just pop up for a bit of a laugh and go,

[00:25:19] I could do that all over again.

[00:25:20] Three in a row against you guys.

[00:25:23] So, 7th of June, getting nice and cold, 5.30 p.m.

[00:25:27] We think the Warriors might be on a bit of a decline this year.

[00:25:30] And we've got Fanua Blake playing his old team.

[00:25:34] I don't think there's going to be a lot of angst there for him.

[00:25:37] It's not like they wanted him to go or anything.

[00:25:39] So, there's been no bad blood, I don't think.

[00:25:42] But, it's a good motivation for him if he needs one.

[00:25:46] Hopefully, he doesn't need one.

[00:25:48] So, that'll be round 14.

[00:25:50] I don't mind that at all.

[00:25:52] And then...

[00:25:54] So, that's a Saturday night.

[00:25:56] Then we've got a six-day turnaround.

[00:25:59] And this is the game of the year.

[00:26:00] Here we go, Josh.

[00:26:01] Here we go.

[00:26:02] Drum roll.

[00:26:05] Thursday, 12th of June.

[00:26:07] Mark your calendars.

[00:26:09] Local derby number one.

[00:26:11] The main derby at Shark Stadium.

[00:26:14] The one that matters the most.

[00:26:16] I like this.

[00:26:17] I like this a lot, Josh.

[00:26:18] Thursday night football.

[00:26:19] Middle of winter.

[00:26:21] Against your enemy.

[00:26:23] Not middle of winter.

[00:26:23] Start of winter.

[00:26:24] Another nine game as well.

[00:26:26] That's a couple already so far.

[00:26:28] Yeah.

[00:26:28] Which is really good.

[00:26:29] I think that's also reflective of how we've been the last few years.

[00:26:32] It's almost like a bit of a reward.

[00:26:34] We're a good side that teams, people, the casual might want to watch now.

[00:26:38] That we've got quite a star-studded side that's going to hopefully be in the top four again.

[00:26:42] But besides that, I'm a traditionalist.

[00:26:46] I think every derby should be on a Sunday afternoon.

[00:26:49] Or worse, a Saturday afternoon.

[00:26:51] Like at 3 or 5.30.

[00:26:53] I don't like night games for derbies.

[00:26:55] There's something about the sunshine with a derby.

[00:26:58] It just hits the spot for me.

[00:27:01] And I'm not sure.

[00:27:02] I can't remember if the Dragons one is.

[00:27:05] But there's still a couple of years now that we haven't had a Sunday or a day game against the Dragons at home.

[00:27:10] Which is disappointing.

[00:27:11] But alas, it's a nine game.

[00:27:13] It's free to air.

[00:27:14] Get it out of the way and enjoy the weekend with a derby win.

[00:27:17] I think it'll be just what the doctor ordered mid-season.

[00:27:20] I feel like the nighttime derbies are a bit more emotional.

[00:27:23] So, see how we go there.

[00:27:25] Yeah.

[00:27:25] The day is more fun though, I think.

[00:27:27] Yeah.

[00:27:27] Yeah.

[00:27:28] Kobe said, read the Manly game before.

[00:27:30] Tommy is going to be out.

[00:27:31] So, he's really got us winning against Manly.

[00:27:36] Our friend Fraser has joined.

[00:27:40] And Kobe also says it needs to be called Shark Park as opposed to Shark Stadium.

[00:27:44] Now, I'm with you.

[00:27:47] But I can see the business sense of calling it a stadium rather than a park.

[00:27:51] But I hear you.

[00:27:52] I hear you.

[00:27:52] You're not wrong.

[00:27:54] You're definitely not wrong.

[00:27:55] We have around 10-day turnaround here, which is beautiful.

[00:27:59] And we go to Brisbane.

[00:28:01] A two o'clock game.

[00:28:02] You want your sunshine.

[00:28:03] You're going to get it Sunday, June 22nd, round 16 against the Broncos.

[00:28:08] Broncos, we think, will be in somewhat of a decline.

[00:28:11] Although, new coach, you never know how that's going to go.

[00:28:13] He could be really good for them.

[00:28:15] It's never easy up there.

[00:28:16] We know that against them.

[00:28:18] That will be, what, our second game at Suncorp for the year.

[00:28:23] What are your thoughts on this one, Josh?

[00:28:25] I love this because we never verse the Broncos in the day.

[00:28:28] It's just these little things that I try and take.

[00:28:30] Like, the draw is exciting.

[00:28:33] But at the end of the day, it doesn't mean too much to me.

[00:28:34] It's these little things, though, that I take interest in.

[00:28:36] It's like getting a day game against a team we haven't played against in a day in a long time, or vice versa, and certain time slots.

[00:28:43] So, playing at Suncorp Sunday afternoon, I think a much improved Broncos next year, I actually think.

[00:28:50] That'll be a really good game.

[00:28:52] Sunday, bring it on.

[00:28:53] Like, let's just take them down a level.

[00:28:56] I don't want the Broncos to come back.

[00:28:58] Okay.

[00:28:58] Now, in the comments section, I'm going to throw something out, and everyone just stay calm, all right?

[00:29:04] We have one of them here.

[00:29:06] Oh, no.

[00:29:07] Chip, what's going on, Chip?

[00:29:08] Okay, man.

[00:29:10] That's cool you had your say.

[00:29:12] Let's talk in a few months.

[00:29:16] Thanks for chiming in, Chip.

[00:29:18] Appreciate you.

[00:29:18] Good luck to your season, whoever you may go for.

[00:29:22] All right.

[00:29:23] Josh, on the road again, and that is one week later.

[00:29:28] Sunday, 29th of June, in Melbourne, my friend.

[00:29:32] Our friend Lush, all our friends down there, they're going to be pumped.

[00:29:37] They got them home last time.

[00:29:39] Correction, last time regular season.

[00:29:42] Two o'clock, Sunday, day game.

[00:29:46] And that's going to be a big one again.

[00:29:48] Like, what a clash.

[00:29:49] Let's go.

[00:29:50] That's another one.

[00:29:51] The Storm matchups are just always, there's just something else about them.

[00:29:55] I think it's because of the aura they have and how good they've been for so long that they just mean a bit more.

[00:30:00] When you win them, they're the best ones of the season.

[00:30:02] Like, even probably more than Pemrith.

[00:30:04] I know we haven't beaten them in forever, but getting a win against two chances at Storm, if we could do them twice in one year.

[00:30:10] I don't know the last time that's ever happened, but...

[00:30:12] You're probably going to need to do it three times to be where you want to be.

[00:30:15] Exactly.

[00:30:16] So, we saw we only do it once last year.

[00:30:18] Well, sorry.

[00:30:19] What I mean is, if you're going to beat them twice in the regular season, you're going to need to do it again, maybe.

[00:30:24] Maybe.

[00:30:25] We then have a bye, which is pretty timely in round 18.

[00:30:28] So, I'm not going to call the Dragons a tough game, thanks to our friend Chip, but we've got Broncos away, Melbourne away, then we've got the bye.

[00:30:35] So that's pretty cool.

[00:30:37] We play on Friday, the 11th of July, 8 o'clock, Friday night.

[00:30:41] That'll be a cold one down at Shark Park.

[00:30:43] And we're playing the Dolphins.

[00:30:45] And all you're going to see that week is the hammer going nuts in the season just gone.

[00:30:50] That's the clip.

[00:30:51] That's the storyline.

[00:30:51] Can we stop the hammer?

[00:30:54] So, from Sunday, June, 20th of June against Melbourne, then the next game is the 11th of July.

[00:31:01] Good break.

[00:31:01] 8 o'clock, Friday night.

[00:31:04] Again, free to air, which the sponsors are loving.

[00:31:08] And then we have a Friday night game, 18th of July, round 20 at Shark Park, Shark Stadium, whatever you want to call it, against the Roosters.

[00:31:20] Now, you think by this point, Josh, although I think we're still in origin territory, you'd think the Roosters might be getting their act together.

[00:31:28] Yeah, I think so.

[00:31:29] Just the thing I've picked up here, though, after that round 18 bye, we have a lot of nice turnarounds.

[00:31:35] We have a Friday into another Friday into a Saturday and spoilers into a Sunday.

[00:31:41] So, there's a lot of good long, at least seven day minimum turnarounds in this little period, which I think will be really relieving for the squad.

[00:31:50] Because we're coming out of a tough period before that bye, there's a lot of travels, a lot of hard games.

[00:31:55] And going into those next four or five games, there's a lot of long turnarounds and not as hard of the draws, not as intense afterwards.

[00:32:04] Yeah, we'll get to that.

[00:32:04] But that Roosters game will be very interesting to see where they're at come the back end of the year with some of their boys back.

[00:32:12] Some of the comments coming through Kobe, he's been very vocal today and we appreciate that, sir.

[00:32:18] In regards to Chip the Dragons fan, if that's what he is, capital letters, get him out of here.

[00:32:23] So, OG, I'm going to say OG, our friend Nicky has joined.

[00:32:28] Shout out to our friend Retro Rugby League.

[00:32:31] He's got the amazing Instagram account with all the jerseys of all the clubs.

[00:32:37] He's one of those people, and I say that with immense respect, who's obsessed with uniform.

[00:32:43] And, you know, we've got Clinton, we've got RCB, we've got Cameron.

[00:32:49] I don't know, you're not in that category, are you, Josh, with obsessed with...

[00:32:52] Not really.

[00:32:53] Yeah, you're with me.

[00:32:54] You're just like a bit more normal about the jersey.

[00:32:56] Good jersey, bad jersey.

[00:32:57] But Retro Rugby League, if you like your jerseys, man, go give him a follow because he's awesome.

[00:33:02] He's a good dude.

[00:33:03] And we'll give him a shout out.

[00:33:04] I think he might be a chooks man himself.

[00:33:06] Apologies if I got that wrong.

[00:33:07] But a good fella, nevertheless.

[00:33:10] Now, next up, Josh, round 21, we go to Gosford.

[00:33:14] So, we're not going to be playing at that big empty stadium in Homebush.

[00:33:18] We're going to go to Gosford.

[00:33:20] And I don't mind that because there'll be some Sharks fans traveling.

[00:33:23] There's definitely some Sharks fans up there.

[00:33:25] Our friend Kane and Andy at Dyson Logistics, they're based up there now.

[00:33:31] And to be honest, it's probably a bit more appealing to go to Gosford than to go to Homebush.

[00:33:35] 7.35pm on Saturday, 26th of July.

[00:33:40] Souths, it'll be interesting to see where they're at at this time in the season.

[00:33:44] They might be first or second or they could be 10th and it'll be like, ooh, you don't want to play them in the finals.

[00:33:50] That kind of, you know, territory.

[00:33:52] So, see what happens there with the Bunnies.

[00:33:55] But I don't mind that in Gosford, Josh.

[00:33:57] Yeah, I guess that kind of makes up for the lack of Coffs Harbour.

[00:34:00] It is a bit of a, you know, getting out of the city.

[00:34:03] And that is an away game, I should say, an away game.

[00:34:05] It is, but I guess it's a good little counter to losing the Coffs game in a way.

[00:34:10] So, that'll be good for traveling fans or people who can't really get too many games.

[00:34:14] The Bunnies, again, I have no read on them.

[00:34:17] So, I'm not sure where they're going to be, let alone that far into the season.

[00:34:22] Okay, then, eight days later, we are back home at four o'clock, free-to-air game against the Cowboys at Shark Stadium, round 22.

[00:34:35] That's your classic afternoon game in winter for you, Josh, which is beautiful.

[00:34:39] And I don't mind that one at all, that time of it.

[00:34:42] And I think you'll see here with the last six or seven games, you'll see a bit of a trend here, guys and girls.

[00:34:47] So, stay tuned to what we're going to tell you.

[00:34:49] Then we roll into Saturday, round 23, the second biggest game of the year.

[00:34:56] And that is the Dragons away game.

[00:34:58] It's at Cogra.

[00:34:59] So, you just want to take some extra cleanser and just make sure that you're aware that you're going to Cogra.

[00:35:06] We spent two years there.

[00:35:08] It was the worst two years of our life.

[00:35:10] And we're going back to beat them again, round 23.

[00:35:14] We haven't spoken about it, Josh, because I'm not allowed to talk about it much.

[00:35:17] But one of their new recruits is, you know, a former Love.

[00:35:21] He's already in the colours.

[00:35:22] I saw him in the colours this week.

[00:35:23] It disturbed me down in my bones.

[00:35:26] They're probably not going to have a good halves combination, but the team will be improved from this year, you'd think.

[00:35:32] But I don't mind that.

[00:35:33] I don't mind around 23 at Stinky Cogra.

[00:35:35] Yeah, it's a pretty stock standard for the derbies.

[00:35:37] We get one at the start of the year, one near the end.

[00:35:39] So, I like that split because if there's a bit of form change over that, you can see different kind of performances and see maybe a different squad depending on injuries and form and what have you.

[00:35:50] I think the Dragons, as typical, will probably start on fire and then fade away into nothingness as they typically have.

[00:35:57] And I know we didn't mention it before, but that Val in that red V is going to make me sick.

[00:36:03] And I'll unfortunately want to see him have two real bad games.

[00:36:06] He's already got the polo.

[00:36:07] He's got the polo on.

[00:36:08] There was a new recruits photo.

[00:36:10] How bad was that?

[00:36:11] Yeah, our friend Kieran sent it to me knowing that it would shake me up.

[00:36:14] And it really did.

[00:36:15] My date was ruined.

[00:36:16] Didn't eat for a few hours, which is unlike me.

[00:36:18] And this is the life he's chosen.

[00:36:19] He's chosen.

[00:36:20] It's his choice.

[00:36:21] And he's a Coggera boy.

[00:36:24] So, you go do that, man.

[00:36:26] We go to round 24.

[00:36:28] 3 o'clock Saturday, Josh.

[00:36:30] Back to the 3 o'clock Saturdays.

[00:36:32] Shark Stadium.

[00:36:33] Titans come to town.

[00:36:35] You never know what you're going to get with the Titans.

[00:36:37] It could be an 18-19 loss or win, or it could be a 50-0 win to the Sharks.

[00:36:43] I mean, Titans, they're always the team that you think will probably do better than what

[00:36:49] they do, or they should do better than what they do, and they don't.

[00:36:52] Who knows what this year will bring.

[00:36:54] They have been improving, though.

[00:36:56] But again, we're not talking about a title contender here.

[00:36:59] And you'll see that trend in the run home.

[00:37:02] So, everyone freaking out about the start of the season being so tough and on the road

[00:37:05] against pretty good teams.

[00:37:07] The run home, like we've known, maybe not this year, but definitely a couple years before

[00:37:12] that, it's not the hardest.

[00:37:14] So, we'll take that one.

[00:37:15] Then we've got the bye, Josh, in round 25.

[00:37:19] Cowboys at home.

[00:37:20] Dragons away across the bridge.

[00:37:23] Titans at home.

[00:37:24] Bye in round 25.

[00:37:26] And that's really cool.

[00:37:29] Because then they still have two more games.

[00:37:31] So, it's not like bye finals or bye last game.

[00:37:36] There's a couple of games to get ready.

[00:37:38] So, bye in round 25.

[00:37:41] Round 26.

[00:37:42] Sunday, 2 o'clock.

[00:37:44] Knights are coming to town.

[00:37:46] Could be a tight contest, given what happened last year.

[00:37:49] Very winnable game, which I love.

[00:37:52] It'll be physical.

[00:37:53] But then we have the last round of the regular season.

[00:37:57] Certainly not the last time we're going to play this season coming.

[00:38:00] But the last game of the regular season, a 7.35 kickoff on a Saturday night at Homebush against the Bulldogs with their fancy new nice retro logo.

[00:38:12] As you pointed out, Josh, and I'm giving you all the credit here, we're playing on a Saturday, the week before the finals.

[00:38:20] So, whether it's extra day, however you want to look at it, it's not the Sunday 4 o'clock.

[00:38:26] It's not the Sunday 2 o'clock.

[00:38:27] It's the Saturday, 7.30.

[00:38:29] So, just a bit more time to rehab and rest up, which I like.

[00:38:32] Yeah, I think that's really important.

[00:38:34] I think it's the last two or three years we've had that Sunday game, which is just frustrating.

[00:38:39] A team that you know is probably going to make the finals and you're putting them on the last slot.

[00:38:43] Yeah.

[00:38:43] Giving you just that extra day is crucial.

[00:38:47] Like, they can do so much with a day, even if it's just a rest day.

[00:38:52] I think, like I said, like what you said earlier, the important thing is those last six weeks we don't leave Sydney.

[00:38:57] Yeah.

[00:38:58] That is crucial for travel.

[00:39:00] Like, we do a lot of that hard travel in the start of the year when the boys will be fresh anyway.

[00:39:04] That's the back end of the year where you want to do as little as possible and that we don't leave, which I think is really important.

[00:39:09] With that buy, I think that's the best buy slot you can have.

[00:39:12] Like you said, the two games instead of one or none before finals.

[00:39:16] I don't think you could have asked for any better.

[00:39:18] So, that finish to the year is really, it's going to be crucial, but I think it's really great for the whole side.

[00:39:24] So, really to me, when I'm just looking at that, I mean, I haven't studied it for very long.

[00:39:29] It's only an hour or two after the draw has been released.

[00:39:32] But when I look at that draw, I think, okay, challenging start due to the travel more than anything.

[00:39:39] Not so much the teams necessarily, but the travel is a bit of a challenge.

[00:39:43] But we have seen in the Fitzgibbon era that the boys like to travel.

[00:39:48] They win on the road.

[00:39:49] Was it the year before last when we had that Cowboys game that no one expected us to win in Townsville and we won that one?

[00:39:58] And obviously, yeah, it's the Melbourne game.

[00:40:00] Like, there's lots of examples.

[00:40:01] But they seem to not be affected by the road.

[00:40:05] Now, whether they're affected by this much road, only time will tell.

[00:40:09] But once that kind of finishes up around round 10, it's pretty manageable, especially with origin buyers, your own buyers, etc.

[00:40:17] Yeah, I don't think it's an outrageously difficult draw.

[00:40:23] And I particularly like the last quarter of it, to say the least.

[00:40:27] I would probably rather it this way than the other way of doing all the travel and the hard teams at the end of the year.

[00:40:33] I think the middle of the year is where you want those games where we had it last year when we did that Roosters, Broncos, Melbourne, all those.

[00:40:40] We've got a similar kind of run there in the middle.

[00:40:42] I think there's like a Rooster Storm, like something like that in the middle, which is a good test.

[00:40:48] Like, oh yeah, we go like Dragons, Broncos, Melbourne, Dolphins, Roosters.

[00:40:54] Like, that's a good little mid-season test, but it's not out of this world.

[00:40:57] And you just get sprinklings of that throughout the year, which is what I'm taking from the draw just at kind of first glance and only an hour or so after.

[00:41:06] And the finish is what I'm most excited about, I guess you could say.

[00:41:10] Yeah, because either way, it puts you in a good spot.

[00:41:14] If you've had a great season, then happy days, let's shoot for top two or whatever.

[00:41:19] If you've dropped a few and you're seventh or eighth, it's a good chance to put your foot down and potentially go for that fourth spot.

[00:41:26] So we're aiming pretty high this year.

[00:41:29] Already under injury issues with Toby Rudolph.

[00:41:33] What are your thoughts on that?

[00:41:34] Got any thoughts on Toby missing the first four weeks?

[00:41:37] It's frustrating that it happened in such a, you know, lackadaisical way, just surfing.

[00:41:42] Like, the guy's getting bashed, you know, every week for 25 weeks a year and it's kind of fine.

[00:41:48] And then he, like, falls off a surfboard into water and does something.

[00:41:52] You know what I mean?

[00:41:52] Like, it doesn't really make sense.

[00:41:54] So you don't have a problem with him surfing.

[00:41:56] It's more the, you're like, what?

[00:41:58] You got injured?

[00:41:58] No, not really.

[00:41:59] Like, it's kind of annoying, but he could have done that anyway, right?

[00:42:02] He could have slipped in the shower.

[00:42:03] He could have, you know, whatever.

[00:42:05] So you can't not live your life because you're worried about getting injured.

[00:42:08] That's no way to live.

[00:42:09] And I think it would make them worse players and worse people.

[00:42:12] So whatever.

[00:42:14] It happens.

[00:42:14] It is frustrating.

[00:42:15] Like, it's kind of a dumb way to get hurt, but it happens.

[00:42:18] How do you think it's going to affect us?

[00:42:20] Honestly, Sam, I don't think that much.

[00:42:24] He was probably struggling to make my bench.

[00:42:26] Like, he had a very indifferent season for me.

[00:42:29] Like, I thought he had some patches where he was outstanding, but I think most of that season he was pretty lackluster.

[00:42:35] But hang on, hang on.

[00:42:36] You said he was maybe going to struggle to make your bench.

[00:42:39] See, I've got him on my bench.

[00:42:40] I don't have him starting.

[00:42:41] But you're saying maybe not.

[00:42:43] Well, see, this is the thing.

[00:42:45] When you get injured like this, you give someone else an opportunity to take your spot when you're not cemented.

[00:42:49] He's not an Adam Vanewer Blake, right?

[00:42:51] So, like, if someone comes in and does a great job, he may find it hard to get back in pending injuries and form.

[00:42:58] Interesting.

[00:42:59] I'm just of the opinion.

[00:43:01] There's a lot of good guys coming through.

[00:43:03] Like, when Jesse Colquhoun's come back, Tooks.

[00:43:06] Let's not forget that Jesse won't be there.

[00:43:08] Of course.

[00:43:09] But I'm saying, like, that mid-to-end year, he'll be ready to go again.

[00:43:14] And obviously, that's not the first four weeks.

[00:43:16] But there's enough guys there that will be knocking on the door like Tooks.

[00:43:20] And Oregon's going to start.

[00:43:22] Hamlin Ueli's going to get a full preseason in.

[00:43:25] And then Atkinson's going to be pushing for a bench spot.

[00:43:27] All of a sudden, those spots are, you know, starting to dry up.

[00:43:31] Yeah, so I think it's, at this stage, depending on form, preseason form, injuries, I think you're possibly looking at a Tuku on the bench.

[00:43:41] Or perhaps, it's only perhaps, the Puru brother comes in and has an amazing offseason, amazing trials.

[00:43:49] And Fitz, he goes, all right, you're our fourth forward or third forward, whatever it's going to be.

[00:43:53] If someone else goes down from the middle or if Hamlin Ueli's not ready, I'm not suggesting he won't be.

[00:43:59] But if he wasn't, then I think we've got a problem.

[00:44:02] Yeah, I think maybe the last season, it would have been more of a problem.

[00:44:05] I think with Adam Fanul-Blake there, he's going to chew into a lot of minutes of those guys, like some one spot, right?

[00:44:12] He's going to probably play 20 minutes more of really high quality that Toby or Oregon weren't giving us.

[00:44:18] So, we had to find those minutes elsewhere.

[00:44:20] So, I think it's not going to be a problem.

[00:44:22] If Adam Fanul-Blake's playing 55, 60 minutes every week, Toby might have only been playing 15 to 20 anyway.

[00:44:29] Which is not the end of the world if we've got to give Tooks that spot or we've got to give a kid a go.

[00:44:34] Like, I'm not overly concerned just because of that factor.

[00:44:39] Yeah, John's birthday is the 29th of June, which is when we're in Melbourne.

[00:44:43] So, hopefully, they can get a win for John.

[00:44:45] Thanks for tuning in, John.

[00:44:46] Appreciate it.

[00:44:46] There is a bunch of people jumping in and out of the episode, which is great.

[00:44:50] This will be a podcast episode later on.

[00:44:53] And Josh and I are having a bit of fun talking about the draw.

[00:44:56] We are SharkCarsPod and we're on all the socials.

[00:45:00] We're on the podcasts.

[00:45:02] We're on the YouTubes.

[00:45:03] Follow us, like us, yada, yada, yada.

[00:45:05] Now, Josh, we want to talk a little bit about the NRLW because we love NRLW despite rumors out there that we don't.

[00:45:12] There is extra teams this year, Josh.

[00:45:14] There's the Bulldogs and the Warriors.

[00:45:15] So, that's pretty cool.

[00:45:16] We'll be right back.

[00:45:46] Canberra, 12th of July, round two.

[00:45:49] Canberra showed some improvement this year as well.

[00:45:51] Saturday, 5.15pm against the Cowboys at Shark Park.

[00:45:57] 5.15pm Saturday, 19th of July.

[00:46:00] Again, crisp weather there.

[00:46:01] Loving it.

[00:46:02] Round three.

[00:46:03] Round four at Shark Stadium.

[00:46:06] Sunday, 6.15pm, Josh.

[00:46:08] I don't mind that either.

[00:46:10] West Tigers come to town.

[00:46:12] Want some revenge against West Tigers.

[00:46:13] Remember that game last year, Josh?

[00:46:16] It was the last regular season round, I believe, and it was diabolical.

[00:46:19] And we need revenge on that game.

[00:46:21] And I'm sure that the women will be feeling the same way.

[00:46:25] Round five, which I believe is magic round for NRLW.

[00:46:31] I believe that's right.

[00:46:33] We play 4.15pm in Newcastle against Brisbane.

[00:46:38] It's a Brisbane home game in Newcastle.

[00:46:40] Then round six, local derby time, 9th of August, away at Cogra.

[00:46:48] So make sure you've got your extra cleanser and everything when you go there.

[00:46:53] Round seven, we play the Titans at Shark Stadium, Saturday, 12.45pm.

[00:46:59] All of these games are on 9.

[00:47:01] They're all on KO.

[00:47:02] Some are on Foxtel.

[00:47:03] Always best when you're there, though, if you can get there.

[00:47:06] Now, for the first time ever, Warriors NRLW versus Sharks NRLW, Sunday, 24th of August,

[00:47:13] in Auckland.

[00:47:15] Josh, at their stadium.

[00:47:16] So that's exciting.

[00:47:18] Round nine, Shark Park, 11.50 kickoff, Sunday, 31st of August, against the Newcastle Knights.

[00:47:26] That was a tasty game last year.

[00:47:28] And for the first time ever, including some ex-Sharks, I want to say, round 10 at Homebush,

[00:47:36] Saturday, 6th of September, we play the Bulldogs.

[00:47:39] And we finish with a venue TBA on a Thursday night, the 11th of September, against the Roosters,

[00:47:47] an away game.

[00:47:49] So that's the NRLW draw.

[00:47:53] They're under some pressure to have another great year.

[00:47:56] Great year last year.

[00:47:57] Who knows?

[00:47:58] A few more minutes in that grand final.

[00:47:59] Maybe they get the job done.

[00:48:00] Exciting day, Josh.

[00:48:02] NRLW's out.

[00:48:03] NRL.

[00:48:04] We've got the preseason.

[00:48:06] Origin is announced for both women and men.

[00:48:08] What are you thinking?

[00:48:09] What are your thoughts?

[00:48:09] What's going on?

[00:48:10] Just the rugby league world.

[00:48:12] It never stops, does it, Sam?

[00:48:14] I mean, we're a month or so into the offseason, and we're already talking about it again and

[00:48:20] getting excited and making plans.

[00:48:22] And it's...

[00:48:22] The cricket hasn't even started yet.

[00:48:23] We've got the whole test summer to get through.

[00:48:25] So I'm looking to probably decompress from rugby league a little bit and try and enjoy the

[00:48:31] cricket and miss it a little bit.

[00:48:33] You know what I mean?

[00:48:33] Sometimes it's hard to get away from the rugby league on the socials and the friends groups

[00:48:38] always talking about it.

[00:48:39] I'll try and decompress from footy a little bit to build that excitement.

[00:48:43] And once I see AFB maybe in the Sharks kit again, it'll all ramp up when the boys are

[00:48:47] back in preseason training, which I think shouldn't be too much longer.

[00:48:50] You're not going to have much time to decompress.

[00:48:52] Let's just say we'll give you this week to decompress.

[00:48:55] So after this, this is the end of your season, and your new season will probably start next

[00:48:59] week when I bug you to do a podcast.

[00:49:01] So just to go over what Josh said, SharkCastPod's not going anywhere.

[00:49:06] We've got heaps of episodes coming up over the spring and summertime, so do not go anywhere.

[00:49:11] And Josh will be on those, whether he's decompressing or not.

[00:49:14] It'll be like Han Solo.

[00:49:15] We'll get him out of the thing.

[00:49:18] Have a night.

[00:49:19] Yes.

[00:49:20] Exciting times.

[00:49:21] Are you going to make a prediction, Josh?

[00:49:23] We'll come back to it, but just give us your first prediction.

[00:49:26] We'll call it end of season for you, start of next year.

[00:49:28] Where are we going to finish?

[00:49:29] What's going to happen?

[00:49:30] How's the season going to pan out?

[00:49:32] I think it's going to be a really, really good season.

[00:49:35] I have, maybe in a bad way, have very high expectations.

[00:49:40] I think this is the squad and this is the time to do it.

[00:49:43] With some of the sides around us weakening, getting older, we're in prime time right now.

[00:49:50] I expect, probably at minimum, I'm expecting and want a grand final appearance.

[00:49:57] Couldn't tell you who we're going to play, though, if we were to make it.

[00:49:59] I don't know.

[00:50:00] Okay.

[00:50:02] It has it that it would probably be Melbourne, is my gut feeling at the start.

[00:50:06] I think a rematch of 2016 is what I'm thinking.

[00:50:10] I agree.

[00:50:11] If we were to get there and...

[00:50:13] It scares the crap out of me.

[00:50:15] There's no...

[00:50:16] I realised this when I was sitting in the crowd for the prelim.

[00:50:20] There's no...

[00:50:20] When you get to this point, there's no good feeling.

[00:50:23] Like, even if you're 2016 Sharks, you know, you're still not feeling good going into a prelim

[00:50:31] against whoever.

[00:50:32] Like, you're just not.

[00:50:33] Because, as you said before, something like, I've got high expectations and you said something

[00:50:40] about, you know, good or bad or whatever.

[00:50:43] The bad is, oh, well, they don't win.

[00:50:45] And then all that hope has broken your heart and it's all been a waste.

[00:50:49] But, yeah, you get to that point, Josh, whoever we play in the grand final, if we play someone

[00:50:53] in the grand final, it doesn't matter who it's going to be.

[00:50:55] It could be Melbourne.

[00:50:55] That's tough.

[00:50:56] It's Penrith.

[00:50:57] It's tough.

[00:50:57] It's Manly.

[00:50:58] Ooh, can't beat Manly.

[00:50:59] Like, there's always going to be a storyline about someone, within reason, you'd think.

[00:51:03] So, but I hear you.

[00:51:04] And I expect a really good season.

[00:51:07] I think it's top four for sure.

[00:51:10] How we get there, I'm not sure.

[00:51:12] Like, maybe it's a slower start than past Craig Fitzgibbon seasons and maybe some of

[00:51:18] the travel affects them.

[00:51:20] Maybe they drop a game here or two.

[00:51:23] But, I think that we need to stop being, as a fan base, on the negative side and just

[00:51:28] look at the team we've got.

[00:51:30] And even if you're not overly confident in, and I'll pull a name out of a hat, in the

[00:51:34] fullback, we've been top four for two out of the past three years.

[00:51:38] Three years made finals.

[00:51:40] Like, we're a good team.

[00:51:41] So, I think we need to stop worrying so much about other teams and we need to worry about

[00:51:46] ourselves.

[00:51:48] And that's the reason I think we'll be top four.

[00:51:50] Again, I don't know how we'll get there.

[00:51:51] Whether it'll be a great start and then just throughout, or if it'll be a slow start,

[00:51:56] great finish.

[00:51:58] I mean, there could be lots of scenarios.

[00:51:59] Maybe it's a great start.

[00:52:01] Bad finish, which I don't really see happening.

[00:52:02] But, I think we'll be top four.

[00:52:05] I'd love top two.

[00:52:06] And I do think that it's got to be prelim or bust.

[00:52:10] I'm not going to say grand final or bust.

[00:52:12] In my heart, I believe grand final or bust.

[00:52:14] In my head, given how hard it is to do these things in reality, I'm going to say prelim or

[00:52:19] bust.

[00:52:20] You see what happens when you get that far into the comp.

[00:52:23] I want to see what people's expectations are of us, Josh.

[00:52:25] I think that with Fanua Blake coming, there's been a respect coming, but also it's Cronulla.

[00:52:30] Therefore, it's, or they come in finals games, or their home ground sucks, or whatever it

[00:52:35] is.

[00:52:37] There's always some sort of negative from fan bases, certain media outlets, etc.

[00:52:42] But, I want to see what people think.

[00:52:45] Because I think the Cowboys win in the semifinal kind of helped us.

[00:52:49] I really do.

[00:52:51] I think Trindle's rise to prominence has helped us.

[00:52:55] It's not just the Nico show.

[00:52:57] That's a whole other storyline.

[00:52:58] Nico's, how he's going to go, etc.

[00:53:01] So, plenty to talk about.

[00:53:02] That's why you're not going to have too much of a break, Josh.

[00:53:04] This is your break.

[00:53:05] I'm warning you.

[00:53:05] This is your, we'll put you in the chamber.

[00:53:08] And then in about a week, we'll get Princess Leia and Chewie and Luke to get you out.

[00:53:13] And then we'll go after that Lando Caruscio.

[00:53:16] NRLW, what are your thoughts there?

[00:53:17] Do you think they can do what they did this year?

[00:53:19] Like, such an amazing start.

[00:53:20] But, the most inspiring thing for me is that Jada should be coming back and play a part in the season.

[00:53:27] I'm not sure how she's tracking.

[00:53:29] She did it quite early in the year.

[00:53:30] So, you'd think she'd be there or thereabouts for the start of the year.

[00:53:35] Start of their season.

[00:53:36] Which is really exciting.

[00:53:37] Yeah.

[00:53:38] Which is July.

[00:53:39] So, that's a big point.

[00:53:41] I think as well, just exciting for the league that another two teams, another two rounds, like all of a sudden it's getting to that.

[00:53:47] It's now half a season of the men's, which two years ago was what, six games or something?

[00:53:53] Well, I think to start with, was there four teams in the first season maybe?

[00:53:57] Yeah.

[00:53:57] Yeah.

[00:53:58] Exactly.

[00:53:58] And so, like, just to see that development, the skill improving, we're going to see in 20 years the fruits of our labor of investing in this in 10 and 15 years when this is, you know, this is the staple.

[00:54:13] We're going to see the skill and the execution and the fitness just take another level.

[00:54:16] And it's exciting to be at the start of this, you know, like what people would have, what it would have been like to watch the development of league in the 60s and 70s.

[00:54:26] And, you know, it's that professionalism.

[00:54:28] I'm excited to be a part of this journey now and having a good team and having a bunch of good girls there that I just want to win.

[00:54:36] And that's, I think, the most exciting part for me.

[00:54:38] And we're a good destination club of the men and women.

[00:54:42] Like, it's a good place to be.

[00:54:43] It's a good place to live.

[00:54:44] And we're successful.

[00:54:45] And I think that will continue, hopefully, for the girls as well.

[00:54:48] And it has to be pointed out, great rep seasons for both men and women postseason in the respective games they played.

[00:54:54] So that's always a positive with a shorter turnaround to preseason and then into trials next year.

[00:55:01] So that's a big bonus.

[00:55:03] Much maligned Sione.

[00:55:05] Yeah, Sione.

[00:55:06] My boy Sione.

[00:55:08] He's maligned by some.

[00:55:09] I'm not going to say he's by all.

[00:55:10] Like, I mean, I'll go on record and say he was our former winger of the year.

[00:55:15] So you can't do better than that, right?

[00:55:17] No.

[00:55:18] I know I'm biased.

[00:55:19] I just love the guy.

[00:55:20] And I think he's great.

[00:55:21] And I think he proved it on a big page.

[00:55:22] You are biased, but he did prove it on a big stage.

[00:55:25] And he's doing just great.

[00:55:26] And there's three wingers that go into two.

[00:55:28] And that's not really his problem.

[00:55:30] His problem is to go out there and do the best he can.

[00:55:32] And what will be, will be.

[00:55:33] The problem is for the fans and for the media and for the podcasters and everyone else to have the debate.

[00:55:39] And I don't even think there's a great disrespect there for him.

[00:55:41] I think it's more, you might be an older guy.

[00:55:43] You might be a Stone Street guy.

[00:55:45] There are other people like you and me who are kind of, well, me in particular.

[00:55:48] I like all three of them.

[00:55:49] You're potentially a Katoa guy than the rest.

[00:55:52] But, yeah, a lot of great storylines.

[00:55:54] Again, this is why you can only decompress for one.

[00:55:56] This is it.

[00:55:57] One week and then you're back.

[00:55:59] We'll be back soon, ladies and gentlemen.

[00:56:01] Thanks so much for your time.

[00:56:02] Appreciate it.

[00:56:03] These live ones are always a bit of a challenge for us to do with tech and with the Wi-Fi and with throwing up the comments.

[00:56:09] But we appreciate you all.

[00:56:10] That's for sure.

[00:56:11] If you're listening on the podcast version of this, then thanks for tuning in as always.

[00:56:17] Do not go anywhere.

[00:56:18] If you've missed some of the stream, you can go back and watch it at some point really soon.

[00:56:23] I'll just have to upload it.

[00:56:25] If you want to listen on the audio, that'll be a bit later on.

[00:56:27] So we'll talk to you real soon, sooner than you think, most likely.

[00:56:30] Appreciate everyone being in touch.

[00:56:32] Enjoy the draw.

[00:56:33] Go book your hotels.

[00:56:34] Go book your plane tickets, your bus tickets, your train tickets.

[00:56:39] Get your car ready and we'll see you out on the road.

[00:56:43] And we'll definitely see you down at Sharks Stadium until we talk to you again very, very soon.

[00:56:48] This has been Shark House Pod.

[00:56:49] That's Josh Bolling.

[00:56:50] I'm Sam Shinazzi.

[00:56:51] And this is Shark House Pod.

[00:56:53] And as always, we got one word for you.

[00:56:56] We got two words for you.

[00:56:57] We got three words for you with some exclamation marks.

[00:56:59] Up, up, Cronulla.

[00:57:01] Plenty of time for the Melbourne Storm, but they'd dearly love to get it off this kick,

[00:57:05] which doesn't have much trajectory on it.

[00:57:06] And it's a terrific catch by Moulatalo.

[00:57:09] And he got away.

[00:57:10] He burned Welsh.

[00:57:12] Then he got through.

[00:57:13] Now the pass to Talika!

[00:57:27] ...scalp and take the Melbourne Storm out in Melbourne here at Amy Park.

[00:57:33] Oh, this is, this is some night for the Cronulla Shark.

[00:57:39] Dyson Logistics have been on board with SharkCast since day one.

[00:57:42] And because of that, and their excellent service, we are proud to be associated with them.

[00:57:47] Dyson Logistics provides tailored logistical solutions to meet your individual client needs

[00:57:53] and is set apart by its personalized service.

[00:57:55] Dyson is a strong worldwide agent network, enabling highly competitive rates.

[00:58:00] And I should also point out their head honcho is a lifelong season ticket holder

[00:58:04] of the mighty Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.

[00:58:07] Find them online, www.dysonlogistics.com

[00:58:11] or call them on 0283391844.

[00:58:17] Dyson Logistics, service delivered.

[00:58:19] Sharky!