A Conversation About Cronulla with Dave Riccio at Mr Paisleys Cafe

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[00:00:34] SharkCast!

[00:00:53] Welcome to SharkCastPod, a podcast dedicated to the greatest sporting club in the history of the world, the mighty Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.

[00:01:14] This show is brought to you by Dyson Logistics, the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Port Hacking, and Jason Hawes at Crips & Crips Real Estate.

[00:01:19] And we have to declare that we are on the land of Mr. Paisley's right now, so thanks to them for dedicating their space to us.

[00:01:28] Appreciate it.

[00:01:29] My name is Sam Shinazioji, 2015.

[00:01:32] Supporting the team a lot longer, through good times and bad, for always and forever.

[00:01:37] And this is our post-Christmas party episode, pre-Christmas, last show before Christmas, possibly New Year.

[00:01:49] And it's a bumper.

[00:01:50] We've got a guy who is just appreciated and respected around the world of rugby league, dare I say around the world in general.

[00:01:58] And we appreciate his time, he's a busy guy.

[00:02:01] He comes on the show, you know, two, three times a year at least.

[00:02:05] And it is my pleasure to introduce to you the greatest rugby league journalist that ever existed,

[00:02:13] and that includes Steve Mascord, who listens sometimes.

[00:02:16] Mr. Dave Riccio, welcome back to SharkCast, my man.

[00:02:19] Wow, what an introduction.

[00:02:20] Thank you, Sammy.

[00:02:21] Great to be here for this special end of season, end of year episode.

[00:02:26] Thanks for having me.

[00:02:28] Thanks to Joe, for the coffee, here at Mr. Paisley's.

[00:02:31] Yeah.

[00:02:32] It's quality.

[00:02:33] He's done a great job.

[00:02:34] Yep, Joe's listening.

[00:02:35] I don't know if Joe made it, to be fair.

[00:02:37] I think Will or Charlotte...

[00:02:38] Joe just put the order in.

[00:02:39] Joe put it in.

[00:02:40] It was a good order, Joe.

[00:02:41] Joe's a new manager, so...

[00:02:43] Yeah, well done.

[00:02:43] He's a big shot around here, but Will and Charlotte are your baristas.

[00:02:48] We could talk about coffee all day.

[00:02:50] Yeah.

[00:02:50] You and I both would love a coffee.

[00:02:52] How are you?

[00:02:53] What's going on?

[00:02:54] What's been happening?

[00:02:54] Going great, Sam.

[00:02:55] Really good.

[00:02:56] I'm now currently on annual leave from News Corp.

[00:03:00] However, the cast of that is, Sam, is the phone never stops, really.

[00:03:05] Yeah.

[00:03:05] And when the phone calls come, you know, you can't say, I apologise.

[00:03:11] I can't break this story because I'm currently on leave.

[00:03:16] You keep doing your job.

[00:03:19] Because Rugby League really never sleeps, Sam.

[00:03:22] And it's probably one of the biggest changes I've noticed, certainly in the last decade of covering Rugby League.

[00:03:31] I think the change as far as the length of the season and the new cycle.

[00:03:36] And that is that, you know, probably 10 years ago, eight, seven years ago, grand final would finish.

[00:03:44] And a lot of the Rugby League journos, including the great Steve Mascord, would take their annual leave.

[00:03:50] Yeah.

[00:03:51] Straight away.

[00:03:52] Yeah.

[00:03:52] That is no longer the case, Sam.

[00:03:55] Where we are now in December, and as you said, you know, close to Christmas, and we have player movement galore going on and re-signings and transfers still going on.

[00:04:06] And it just, it fascinates fans and it fascinates readers and it's our job to keep reporting on the great game.

[00:04:17] And it really does make it a 12-month-a-year job.

[00:04:22] And, you know, that is the most, you know, without a shadow of a doubt, the number one question I get post-grand final.

[00:04:29] So, Dave, what are you going to get up to now?

[00:04:33] And it's difficult to answer, but it's simply just keep doing my job because the game keeps producing stories.

[00:04:41] Yeah.

[00:04:42] We're both, we both work for the same company as such, and I get the same question.

[00:04:47] My answer is a little bit different.

[00:04:49] But then with the podcast, everyone's like, hey, so you're wrapping up now?

[00:04:52] I'm like, no, there's plenty to talk about all year round.

[00:04:55] Why would I wrap it up?

[00:04:56] And I'm with you.

[00:04:57] Like, I remember, like, growing up and even, yeah, 10 years ago, grand final.

[00:05:01] Oh, well, it's a long off season.

[00:05:03] Yeah.

[00:05:03] You know, I'd look forward to your sort of articles about...

[00:05:06] Running the sand hills.

[00:05:08] The sand hills, player trades, whatever.

[00:05:11] And now it's, yeah, as you said, a daily thing, which as a fan is pretty cool.

[00:05:16] Yeah.

[00:05:16] It's hard to turn off, but oh, well, we love it all so much.

[00:05:19] So let's talk about some signings and letting goes, et cetera.

[00:05:24] Now, I'm struggling to keep up with the Sharks signings.

[00:05:29] Who do we have this week?

[00:05:30] We had...

[00:05:31] Teague Wilton.

[00:05:31] Teague Wilton signed.

[00:05:32] Yeah.

[00:05:32] Beautiful.

[00:05:33] Two years.

[00:05:34] That's right.

[00:05:34] An extension of a further two years.

[00:05:36] Now, my understanding is that, so post grand final and moving in towards November 1,

[00:05:45] the Sharks entered the November 1 transfer period.

[00:05:49] Now, for listeners out there, when they hear the November 1 and they don't really understand

[00:05:54] what it means, why are we saying they're off contract when they're still at my club next

[00:05:57] year?

[00:05:58] Effectively, it is this.

[00:06:00] Under the NRL contracting laws, you can negotiate with a rival club and receive an offer after

[00:06:08] November 1 in the final year of your contracted year.

[00:06:11] So anyone of the Sharks contracted for the 2025 season is effectively a free agent for 2026

[00:06:18] and can receive offers from rival clubs and also obviously extend at their current club,

[00:06:25] the Sharks.

[00:06:25] So that is why the Sharks entered the November 1 transfer period with a minimum, don't hold

[00:06:32] me to it, but a minimum of 12 players in their top 30 roster off contract at the end of 2025.

[00:06:40] Now, across the game, they would sit inside the top four teams with the most off contract

[00:06:47] players going into 2025, which is why the Sharks have been such a significant contract story.

[00:06:56] Now, to my understanding and knowledge, only Daniel Atkinson is the player that has decided

[00:07:03] to not go with the Sharks beyond 2025 of those 12 that I'm referencing.

[00:07:09] Now, I'm not including Jack Williams because he didn't have a contract in 2025 at the Sharks.

[00:07:15] He was off contract at the end of 2024 and signed a deal with the Parramatta Reels.

[00:07:21] Royce Hunt was told that he was contracted for 2025, but Royce, if you get a deal beyond 2025,

[00:07:29] feel free to go and negotiate with a rival club.

[00:07:32] That was several, obviously several weeks before the prelim.

[00:07:35] He was able to secure that West Tigers deal, therefore he was let go.

[00:07:40] And so this is where we sit.

[00:07:42] And your original question was where did the Sharks sit, Sam?

[00:07:46] It was straight out of the blocks.

[00:07:47] It was Braden Trindle, Britton Nakora, right?

[00:07:50] And from my understanding, they were the highest priority re-signings for the Sharks.

[00:07:57] Yep.

[00:07:58] Then they moved into, there's been some lower tier re-signings for one year.

[00:08:04] Jaden Beryls.

[00:08:06] Billy Burns.

[00:08:07] Billy Burns, that's right.

[00:08:08] Yep.

[00:08:08] Nephi Peru.

[00:08:10] Those were also re-signed.

[00:08:13] Then came Cameron McInnes.

[00:08:15] Yep.

[00:08:16] Last week on a one-year extension into 2026.

[00:08:21] And then Teague Wilton, as you mentioned.

[00:08:23] Which now leaves the Sharks pushing towards other players that are off contract at the end of 25, including Ronaldo Militaro, Sam Stone Street, Oregon Caffussi, Tom Hazleton.

[00:08:36] And I haven't got the list in front of me.

[00:08:38] Sorry, listeners, but I'm just going off the top of my head.

[00:08:40] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:08:41] I don't know if you can answer this or not, even if you know, but you mentioned the priority, the first priority was Trindle and then Britton.

[00:08:49] Can we look at it as a pecking order now or not really?

[00:08:53] I think that would be, no, look, I think it would be extremely unfair to the current players still remaining off contract to say that they're not on the, like, down the pecking order.

[00:09:02] We all know Ronaldo Militaro is a high priority re-signing for the Sharks.

[00:09:07] However, to your point, there are layers to negotiations.

[00:09:12] There are layers to the timelines of what, why a player can't re-sign at this point or et cetera.

[00:09:19] And my understanding is there's layers with those guys that still remain, including simply wanting to test the market.

[00:09:28] Okay.

[00:09:28] You know, like, of course, I'm sure you'd want to stay at a successful club like Cronulla are at the moment.

[00:09:34] But they also have the right to test the market.

[00:09:37] Yeah.

[00:09:37] And the Sharks aren't, they're not stressing hard about that.

[00:09:42] They know, talking to the powers that be down there, they know what they've got.

[00:09:47] They don't really have to sell too much.

[00:09:49] No.

[00:09:49] They're 80 minutes away from a grand final this season.

[00:09:52] They've got full grades in grand finals or prelims.

[00:09:56] Yeah.

[00:09:56] They've got a stealth coach, like, who's just getting better and better with every season that he understands NRL coaching.

[00:10:04] An elite coaching staff.

[00:10:07] Extremely well-run administration through CEO and chair.

[00:10:12] And they don't have to sell too much, Sam.

[00:10:15] Yeah.

[00:10:15] And it's a club where players would stay for a little bit less.

[00:10:18] Yeah.

[00:10:18] So, while fans might be stressed that, hang on a sec, why aren't all 12 re-signed?

[00:10:25] I would argue that it's a matter of time.

[00:10:29] That being said, Sam, I always felt one, and I may have said it on the previous pod, one to two, possibly three, we're going to drop out.

[00:10:38] Yeah.

[00:10:39] You just can't, you can't retain them all.

[00:10:41] When you're successful, players want pay rises.

[00:10:45] Yeah.

[00:10:45] Managers want upgrades.

[00:10:47] Yeah.

[00:10:47] And you can't keep them all.

[00:10:48] Is Will Kennedy off right now?

[00:10:49] There's another one.

[00:10:50] Will Kennedy.

[00:10:51] Yep.

[00:10:51] He's off right now?

[00:10:51] Yep.

[00:10:52] Okay.

[00:10:52] Because he's the one that, you know, turns up in the social media fan opinion.

[00:10:59] Yeah.

[00:10:59] This guy's the weak, you know.

[00:11:00] Yeah.

[00:11:01] And there's lots of different opinions on that.

[00:11:02] At no point, at no point have I felt as though Will Kennedy wouldn't be at the Sharks in 2025.

[00:11:08] Yeah.

[00:11:09] Now, I've seen some commentary around that at no point.

[00:11:12] He'll be there.

[00:11:13] Yeah.

[00:11:13] He'll absolutely be there, and he'll be given every right to try and win a new contract as

[00:11:17] well.

[00:11:18] Right.

[00:11:18] Okay.

[00:11:19] But, you know, it's nothing I haven't said previously, Sam.

[00:11:23] Like, Will, and I think I said it, I think my previous pod was before the Melbourne Storm

[00:11:29] semi.

[00:11:30] Yeah.

[00:11:31] And I spoke about the influence of fullbacks.

[00:11:35] And when you go back through premiership winning sides, the influence of your fullback

[00:11:40] is that they have to be an elite fullback.

[00:11:43] And that's where Will needs to get to.

[00:11:46] And I think that's the challenge for Will Kaye.

[00:11:49] I saw the commentary around Ryan Pappenhausen.

[00:11:53] Did every club in the game consider having a look at Ryan Pappenhausen?

[00:11:58] Absolutely.

[00:11:59] Did the Sharks make a formal offer?

[00:12:01] Did they sit down with Ryan Pappenhausen?

[00:12:02] No.

[00:12:03] It didn't even get off the ground.

[00:12:05] So, and I think it's interesting to note that Ryan Pappenhausen is also managed by the

[00:12:09] same manager as Will Kennedy.

[00:12:10] Oh.

[00:12:11] So, you can understand why it didn't get off the ground.

[00:12:15] Yeah.

[00:12:16] I can now.

[00:12:17] Also, we would have had to shed three or four players to get him.

[00:12:21] He's a million dollar re-signing.

[00:12:23] Yeah.

[00:12:23] A million dollar signing.

[00:12:25] So yeah, you're spot on.

[00:12:26] It just couldn't be done.

[00:12:28] The catch to all this is that in my discussions with the Sharks, Brains Trust,

[00:12:36] is that they firmly believe the roster that went around in 24 still haven't reached their

[00:12:44] potential as footballers.

[00:12:46] Mm-hmm.

[00:12:47] And let's just say, you know, some guys might be running on 95% of that potential

[00:12:55] and Fitzgibbon's trying to squeeze another 5%.

[00:12:57] Some guys are only at 70% and he still sees 30% more additional performance in those players.

[00:13:07] That's what they're striving for.

[00:13:09] But no matter which way they cut it, there's a belief down there that these players as a

[00:13:14] unit haven't reached their full potential.

[00:13:16] Now, there comes a time where you have to go, right, we've had a crack with this player.

[00:13:23] Yeah.

[00:13:24] We've attempted to squeeze the lemon with this player and it's time to turn the page on it.

[00:13:30] And we've already seen it happen with the players that Fitzgibbon has let go over the

[00:13:37] last two seasons.

[00:13:38] So, I think there will be players in the current roster that they make calls on for 2025.

[00:13:44] And if you look at the players...

[00:13:45] 2026, sorry.

[00:13:46] ...the players they let go just now to the two forwards in particular, one of them had a

[00:13:51] career best year, but still had his weaknesses that were quite glaring in Big Royce.

[00:14:00] And Jack, the same.

[00:14:03] Yeah.

[00:14:03] So, if you had a look at the list of forwards and they were like, well, these guys are up

[00:14:06] contract, we need to make room, big guys coming in.

[00:14:09] It appears that the right decision has been made.

[00:14:13] Royce was clearly an impact player, right?

[00:14:15] He brought that punch off the bench.

[00:14:18] But this is a loaded pack, right?

[00:14:20] Cronulla.

[00:14:21] They've got...

[00:14:21] They're a pretty deep pack.

[00:14:23] And when you consider some talented young forwards pushing through...

[00:14:28] Yeah.

[00:14:28] ...and this is where I'm saying you can't keep them all, because you also have to manage

[00:14:31] the development of your younger players coming up, of who you don't want to lose because

[00:14:36] they're the future.

[00:14:37] Yeah.

[00:14:38] Ultimately, Royce's minutes for what you are paying...

[00:14:41] Yeah.

[00:14:42] ...didn't equate.

[00:14:43] Yeah.

[00:14:44] And that's where, you know, and a significant counteroffer from the West Tigers...

[00:14:49] Yeah.

[00:14:49] ...was...

[00:14:50] You can't knock that back.

[00:14:52] Jack Williams absolutely loved down at the Sharks for his character, his training ethic,

[00:15:00] his work rate, and...

[00:15:03] And his development as a footballer.

[00:15:05] Yeah.

[00:15:05] I think he has gone up a few pegs as a footballer in the last couple of seasons.

[00:15:10] But again, the offer from the Parramatta Rills just blew the Sharks out of the water because

[00:15:15] of where the Sharks are trying to retain so many players.

[00:15:19] Yeah.

[00:15:19] If they'd re-signed both guys, I wouldn't have been unhappy.

[00:15:23] Yeah.

[00:15:23] But when I heard the news, I was like, oh, okay, well that makes some sense.

[00:15:26] Yeah.

[00:15:27] Like, big Tuku Haatapua, my understanding is he's about to re-sign as well.

[00:15:31] Yeah.

[00:15:31] Little scoop for Shark Cast.

[00:15:34] And so that's what I'm talking about where, yeah, Royce and Jack, you know, great contributors

[00:15:41] to the footy team, but how do you keep Tuku Haatapua if you also retain those two previous

[00:15:48] players?

[00:15:49] Yeah.

[00:15:49] So that's the management...

[00:15:51] Yeah.

[00:15:52] ...power struggle that you've got to have and the discussions you've got to have,

[00:15:55] of which he's probably allowed the Sharks to keep big Tuku.

[00:15:59] So, on that theme, Dan Atkinson's gone to the Dirty Dragons year after next.

[00:16:04] And we kind of know the story there.

[00:16:06] We know why.

[00:16:07] Flano chased him hard.

[00:16:09] Too much money for the Sharks.

[00:16:10] A lot of people not happy with that given the year Atkinson had.

[00:16:15] Mm-hmm.

[00:16:16] But is it fair to say that, similar to the situation, Atkinson plays the year with us, beautiful,

[00:16:21] he goes to the Dragons.

[00:16:23] By that time, for example, O'Reilly Pollard is almost at the level where, okay, maybe you

[00:16:28] won't throw him in round one year after next if needed, but you probably could at the same

[00:16:33] time in the same way Isen came in.

[00:16:36] Mm-hmm.

[00:16:36] He's the next in line.

[00:16:38] Yeah.

[00:16:38] And we know he's of a certain standard.

[00:16:40] And the hope is he goes to another level.

[00:16:42] Also, I mean, Peru had a great year in Cup as well.

[00:16:45] Is that the plan?

[00:16:47] That's how they allowed Atkinson to go?

[00:16:50] Yeah.

[00:16:50] I mean, the Sharks won't run away from the fact that they desperately wanted to keep Atkinson.

[00:16:57] Like, they wanted to keep him.

[00:16:58] Yeah.

[00:16:58] They absolutely saw what every rugby league fan sees.

[00:17:03] And that's just a wholehearted player who leaves nothing, no stone unturned.

[00:17:08] But again, when a rival club is offering a starting position on such significant money,

[00:17:18] and of which you can't offer, unless, and I don't know whether the Sharks, you know,

[00:17:26] we're talking about Will Kennedy, whether they offered Atkinson the fullback position,

[00:17:30] but at the same time, it's completely sight unseen.

[00:17:34] Yeah.

[00:17:34] Like, you're about to offer him the fullback position, invest in him close to 500,000 a

[00:17:40] season and not know whether it's going to be a success or not.

[00:17:42] Yeah.

[00:17:42] Like, it's too much of a gamble.

[00:17:45] Atkinson gets a crack at the halves with Saints.

[00:17:48] And so, to your point, you have to look at what you can do without Atkinson in your squad.

[00:17:55] And I'm thinking of, you know, wishing all the well to Kay Dykes.

[00:17:59] Of course, yeah.

[00:17:59] You know?

[00:18:00] Of course.

[00:18:00] Who has the ability to play a number of positions like Atkinson can.

[00:18:05] Liam Eysen, everything I've watched of him, and that includes traveling out to Henson Park

[00:18:11] on Saturday afternoons to watch a bit of the Jets to get an understanding of how these

[00:18:15] players play and everything I've seen of him, he's an NRL player.

[00:18:19] Yeah.

[00:18:20] But an out-and-out fullback.

[00:18:21] Yes.

[00:18:22] An out-and-out fullback.

[00:18:22] Yes.

[00:18:23] Nephi Peru is a really, he's starting to warm, like, increasingly in the minds of the Sharks

[00:18:32] coaching staff.

[00:18:33] Okay.

[00:18:34] Like, he had some development to do.

[00:18:36] Yeah.

[00:18:36] And from my understanding, he's really ticked a lot of boxes in the fact that he's gone

[00:18:41] away with what they have said to him to go work on, and he's been doing that.

[00:18:46] He got a new deal.

[00:18:47] He got a new deal.

[00:18:48] Yeah.

[00:18:48] I would think that he's absolutely next in line should anyone go down in the halves.

[00:18:53] Yeah.

[00:18:55] Even over Atkinson?

[00:18:57] That'll be interesting.

[00:18:58] Look, I still, there's such a, there's still such a trust and respect.

[00:19:04] Yeah.

[00:19:04] Um, and Atkinson's of such a great character that I don't think there'll be any drama as

[00:19:10] far as 25 is concerned where, you know, uh, uh, uh, uh, Trindle or Hines goes down and

[00:19:17] I think Atko still fills that slot.

[00:19:20] Yeah.

[00:19:21] But at the same time, I think you have to put in the context of the season and, you know,

[00:19:26] this, this will probably be a discussion for later in the year, later next year or sometime

[00:19:30] through the year where let's say the Sharks are playing one of the weakest sides in the

[00:19:35] comp and, you know, maybe they're sitting second or third and, you know, I'm only spitballing.

[00:19:42] Yep.

[00:19:42] Do you, do you say Nephi Peru, let's, let's have a look at him because Atkinson isn't part

[00:19:50] of the future.

[00:19:52] Yeah.

[00:19:52] And, and I could, I could firmly see that happening in the right scenario.

[00:19:56] But when, when the, you know, when it's early doors and, you know, we're, you know,

[00:20:03] chasing points and competition points and the season's still a tightrope, I think they

[00:20:09] go with what they know and that's Atkinson.

[00:20:11] Uh, you mentioned Cade Dykes, uh, back in training.

[00:20:14] When can we, is he going to be right for round one or?

[00:20:17] Uh, my understanding is he will, uh, commence full team training and that's the opposed

[00:20:25] sessions and collision and contact, uh, in, in that return of January preseason training.

[00:20:31] So I think it's the first week of January that the players resume on the Friday, the

[00:20:38] 20th of December, we're recording this.

[00:20:40] Yeah.

[00:20:41] That is the Sharks final training session day of, of this block of training prior to Christmas.

[00:20:47] Yeah.

[00:20:47] They resume first week of January and I expect Dykes to, to be included in that part and then

[00:20:53] hopefully trial.

[00:20:54] Where do you see him?

[00:20:55] Hard to say, Sam.

[00:20:57] Hard to really.

[00:20:57] We had the whole, he was going to be a center.

[00:20:59] Yeah.

[00:21:00] Which you broke.

[00:21:00] Yeah.

[00:21:01] Uh, and the coach was all about.

[00:21:04] Yeah.

[00:21:04] Um, we've seen him play fullback two games in our level.

[00:21:07] He can play 5'8".

[00:21:08] Yeah.

[00:21:09] Where do you?

[00:21:10] I don't know.

[00:21:10] It's hard to say, Sam.

[00:21:12] Well, look, they just want him to get back on the par.

[00:21:15] Yeah.

[00:21:15] And, and just start playing with a smile on your face.

[00:21:20] Yeah.

[00:21:20] Find your confidence.

[00:21:22] I mean, this guy, you know, he's been to hell and back with injuries.

[00:21:25] If he's to spend, you know, the half a season in the New South Wales Cup, just to find his

[00:21:32] rhythm again, that's a great result.

[00:21:35] Yeah.

[00:21:35] You know, and then maybe you start to see him pop up at the back end of next season.

[00:21:39] But it really is about seeing where he best fits in the team.

[00:21:45] There's no doubt he can play all those positions, Sam.

[00:21:48] It's just about finding that confidence again, I reckon.

[00:21:51] Do we know what his contract situation is?

[00:21:53] He is off at the end of 25.

[00:21:56] I can double check that.

[00:21:58] I'm pretty sure he's off at the end of next season.

[00:21:59] He was a wanted man.

[00:22:00] Oh, yeah.

[00:22:01] I wonder if, I guess that doesn't go away necessarily, right?

[00:22:04] I think, I think it wasn't lost on, on Kaye, the fact that the Sharks re-signed him during

[00:22:09] Yeah.

[00:22:10] At that, I think he tore his ACL.

[00:22:12] Yeah.

[00:22:13] And within about three months they re-signed him.

[00:22:15] Yeah.

[00:22:15] Like that's, that's a pretty big call for an NRL franchise to make.

[00:22:21] But it's, it's a real sign of trust.

[00:22:23] Now we're just having a friendly coffee talking all things Sharks here.

[00:22:27] And we're jumping around a little bit.

[00:22:29] I got the email from the great Dino and all his crew down there.

[00:22:33] And it was saying that Mitch Healy is going to be an assistant coach to one of the lower

[00:22:39] grade teams, which is interesting given that his son just moved on to the Warriors.

[00:22:45] Yeah.

[00:22:45] Yeah.

[00:22:46] There's obviously no bad blood there, but do you know much about that kind of thing?

[00:22:50] Yeah.

[00:22:50] Look, there's no doubt Sam Healy, you know, Sharks saw a bright future in him also.

[00:22:57] So, the problem, the problem is the obvious.

[00:23:01] Yeah.

[00:23:02] Right?

[00:23:02] It's not a problem.

[00:23:03] It's a, it's a, well it's a problem for Sam I guess.

[00:23:05] That's what, that's where I'm coming from.

[00:23:06] Yeah.

[00:23:07] The problem is the obvious and that's Blake Braley.

[00:23:10] For Sam to, to forge an NRL career, he found that the Warriors were, were of a better

[00:23:17] opportunity at this point in time.

[00:23:19] It's not to say that Sam doesn't end up back at the Sharks sometime in the future.

[00:23:24] But dad's going to be coaching.

[00:23:26] Yeah, for Mitch Healy down there.

[00:23:28] Of course.

[00:23:28] Absolutely.

[00:23:29] Absolutely.

[00:23:29] Let's hit that as well.

[00:23:31] You're part of the esteemed panel of Hall of Fame happening in February.

[00:23:37] What can you tell us about that process and the fun you've had doing that?

[00:23:42] Yeah, Sam, first of all, a huge credit to the Sharks management, Chair Steve Mays, CEO,

[00:23:49] Dean Omezzatester, but also to Ash Taylor, Sharks historian, for collaborating.

[00:23:54] What I believe Cronulla have done poorly over the years and that is respecting their history

[00:24:00] but also paying homage and celebrating it.

[00:24:03] And also engaging fans with a reminder every single time you go down to Shark Park or the

[00:24:15] Leagues Club or when that gets off the ground.

[00:24:17] Easy days.

[00:24:17] I don't know if I mentioned the war.

[00:24:20] And I think they've done a poor job of it in the past.

[00:24:23] Yep.

[00:24:23] And I reckon they're trying to turn the wheel on that, the Sharks.

[00:24:28] And the Hall of Fame speaks to that.

[00:24:31] There's never really been a firm status of recognition from the Sharks about their greatest players.

[00:24:39] And they have the Immortals clearly.

[00:24:41] Yeah.

[00:24:43] But what was the criteria around the Immortals?

[00:24:47] How was it structured?

[00:24:49] How do you add another Immortal?

[00:24:52] Ash Taylor is a fascinating discussion about this in relation.

[00:24:58] He said there's really no, there was never really any rules around it.

[00:25:01] Yeah.

[00:25:01] And so what has happened is there's been a firm structure and criteria now put in place.

[00:25:07] Did you put together that criteria?

[00:25:10] I didn't, no.

[00:25:11] It was more left to the administration.

[00:25:14] Then I was invited in to discuss the Sharks history.

[00:25:20] Now, Nick Graham never played Origin, did he?

[00:25:23] No.

[00:25:24] So he couldn't be in there.

[00:25:25] Is that correct?

[00:25:26] There is.

[00:25:26] I'm going to find you, there's a firm structure around it in relation to representative games,

[00:25:33] amount of Cronulla games.

[00:25:35] He might have played City Origin.

[00:25:37] Yeah, I don't think we went in the city or city country or Origin.

[00:25:41] Just putting one in for Nick Graham.

[00:25:43] I think this is now, and this will be forever more.

[00:25:47] So there's a firm structure now, and it's very much what the NRL have introduced in relation to their, the immortal status is the elite of the elite.

[00:25:57] Yeah.

[00:25:58] Below them are still your greatest of players, but maybe just short of immortal status.

[00:26:04] And Cronulla have a large string of those champion players that deserve recognition and deserve to sit in the Hall of Fame.

[00:26:13] So let me stop you for a sec.

[00:26:14] Are we getting more immortals this time around or just Hall of Fame?

[00:26:18] Um, that I can't reveal at this point in time.

[00:26:21] Oh, okay.

[00:26:21] Fair enough.

[00:26:23] Cause there's one guy I'd like to have go in there.

[00:26:26] Yeah, go for it.

[00:26:27] Well, we all know who he is.

[00:26:29] So he's the greatest player to ever play for the Sharks.

[00:26:32] Yeah.

[00:26:32] Topical discussions.

[00:26:34] I mean, I guess you probably couldn't give me the most random name that got mentioned, cause that would be unfair.

[00:26:41] One thing I will say to Sharks listeners.

[00:26:44] Yes.

[00:26:45] And to you, your great self Sammy.

[00:26:48] Is that like the NRL.

[00:26:50] Yep.

[00:26:51] When you introduce a Hall of Fame, sometimes you need to go backwards first to go forward.

[00:26:57] Yes.

[00:26:58] And if there are names that are included in the Hall of Fame that aren't necessarily your first of thought today.

[00:27:09] Yes.

[00:27:10] I wouldn't be surprised by that.

[00:27:12] That's a bit of a spoiler Dave.

[00:27:14] Well, hey.

[00:27:15] Am I editing this out?

[00:27:18] There's stacks of names.

[00:27:20] There are.

[00:27:20] That you could say deserve to be there tomorrow.

[00:27:24] And eventually they will be.

[00:27:26] But to start something as significant as this, to celebrate your history.

[00:27:32] Yes.

[00:27:33] You can't ignore so many great players of the past, despite the fact that they're not top of mind at the moment.

[00:27:43] How often are we going to be doing this?

[00:27:44] I don't think there's a, I don't think, I don't know if it's structured as far as every three years.

[00:27:50] And that's similar to the NRL.

[00:27:51] Sure.

[00:27:51] We don't have, there's not a Hall of Fame announcement every, or immortal inclusion every year.

[00:28:00] Okay.

[00:28:01] So I don't, I'm, look, one thing I'm extremely excited about, and certainly, you know, living

[00:28:08] here in the Shire, knowing how much the Sharks mean to the Shire, and to so many people far

[00:28:13] reaching than the Shire, is that when you get to Shark Park, and when you, once the Leagues

[00:28:18] Club's up and running, there will be a firm representation of the club's greatest players.

[00:28:24] In the Leagues Club?

[00:28:26] There, there'll be a presence that you'll be able to...

[00:28:28] Oh, this is an exclusive.

[00:28:30] Yeah.

[00:28:30] We were talking about this the other day, on the Christmas pod, and the thought was maybe,

[00:28:36] ah, but now you're saying...

[00:28:38] Well look, I think, and you know, like I said, I think the club's done a poor job in the past

[00:28:43] of recognising their greats.

[00:28:46] And I thought the mural of 18 Gow was the first stepping stone towards that.

[00:28:51] You know what podcast pushed that one?

[00:28:53] The mighty shark cast.

[00:28:54] Mate, we practically supplied the paint.

[00:28:58] Okay, Hall of Fame, that's exciting.

[00:29:00] Black tie?

[00:29:02] Yes, absolutely.

[00:29:03] So I'm going to have to wear a black tie when I'm sitting with you at the table.

[00:29:06] Yeah, so I understand...

[00:29:08] Could it be one of those things where I just suit up and don't wear a tie?

[00:29:11] It's black tie.

[00:29:13] A blue, black and white tie.

[00:29:14] You tell Dina I'll wear it.

[00:29:15] It might be a blue, black and white tie, Sam.

[00:29:16] You tell Dina I'll wear a tie for it.

[00:29:17] So I understand it's a formal event on Shark Park.

[00:29:48] Mm-hmm.

[00:29:51] And he will drill deep.

[00:29:53] Yes.

[00:29:54] Deep on the Sharks history.

[00:29:55] Yep.

[00:29:55] He's right across it.

[00:29:57] He's fantastic.

[00:29:58] A fantastic MC.

[00:30:00] Yeah.

[00:30:01] And after that, we are heading to Vegas, baby.

[00:30:05] And that's exciting.

[00:30:06] What have you got in Vegas?

[00:30:07] What's happening there?

[00:30:08] Yeah.

[00:30:08] So planning is underway as far as both the Telegraph's coverage, but also to the four teams.

[00:30:15] The four in our old teams heading over.

[00:30:17] The Sharks, obviously.

[00:30:19] The Sharks are one of the only of the four clubs to be residing outside of Vegas prior to their round one.

[00:30:27] And that is they'll be based in LA for five to six days.

[00:30:31] Now, as a joke from an old podcast, that's LA, California.

[00:30:35] Yeah.

[00:30:36] As opposed to?

[00:30:37] Vegas, California, which I said for about five minutes before Josh pulled me up.

[00:30:41] I went, no, I know.

[00:30:41] I just came out the wrong way.

[00:30:43] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:30:44] Okay, cool.

[00:30:45] So they're going to be in LA.

[00:30:46] Yep.

[00:30:46] Yep.

[00:30:46] So they'll base themselves in LA.

[00:30:48] This is a strategy that was used by the Roosters and the Broncos prior to the first expedition to Vegas last, earlier this year.

[00:30:58] Manly were the only club to reside in Vegas for the entire preparation.

[00:31:02] South Sydney went to San Diego, who I was the traveling journo with, with Souths down in San Diego.

[00:31:08] So it's really interesting that, I think it's a cost-saving exercise from some of the clubs that are going straight to Vegas.

[00:31:17] Yeah, right.

[00:31:18] There's a feeling that by getting to Vegas earlier, you can blow out the cobwebs.

[00:31:24] The players aren't as blown away by the bright lights as opposed to just flying in later in the prep.

[00:31:33] I can understand both methods, but the Sharks have decided that they're firm believers.

[00:31:40] They don't want their players too long in Vegas.

[00:31:42] I think with that notion, a lot of people maybe don't realize that a lot of these players have been to Vegas before.

[00:31:49] It doesn't mean that they're not going to have a great time and could maybe step out of line.

[00:31:54] But these guys travel the world every end of season.

[00:31:57] So I'm sure at some point, some of them, maybe some of the older guys have been to Vegas before.

[00:32:02] But we do want to keep an eye on that kind of thing.

[00:32:06] Yeah.

[00:32:06] And you're pumped?

[00:32:08] You ready to go?

[00:32:08] Yeah, yeah.

[00:32:09] No, it's fantastic.

[00:32:10] Having been on the ground there earlier this season, what I will say is it's really interesting

[00:32:14] that straight away we think Vegas and player atrocities, like players going rogue.

[00:32:21] Yeah.

[00:32:21] And what I feel is though, as soon as you hit the ground in Vegas is such the, I think the players are acutely aware of the responsibility that they are upholding once they step foot in Vegas as a flag bearer for the game.

[00:32:37] Yeah.

[00:32:38] And there's a real sense of that.

[00:32:40] I must admit, like the players are so, they're so blown away by the carnival atmosphere and celebration and the promotion of the game that they have to play.

[00:32:53] Yeah.

[00:32:53] And to go and stuff that up, it would take one absolute, what's the word I'm looking for here?

[00:33:00] Absolute dropkick.

[00:33:02] Yeah, I was going to say moron, but dropkick rocks.

[00:33:03] Of a player to go against that.

[00:33:05] Because you really get a sense, I'm being honest, you get a sense that this is something so special.

[00:33:11] Yeah.

[00:33:12] And...

[00:33:13] I know a lot of the fans, well the Sharks fans that have been in touch with us, just, they're so pumped.

[00:33:19] Yeah.

[00:33:19] Like I'm pumped, but I'll be more pumped, you know, mid-February.

[00:33:24] Yeah.

[00:33:24] That's how I am.

[00:33:25] But people have got their itinerary, like they're just, they're so amped, ready to rock.

[00:33:31] Yeah.

[00:33:32] Which is awesome.

[00:33:32] Like honestly, you, you, and I'd never been to Vegas, that was my first, first taste.

[00:33:38] And so I'm standing on the strip on a Friday morning and walking towards me is a manly jersey.

[00:33:48] Walking towards me is a rooster's jersey and a rabbit-o singlet.

[00:33:55] And I'm going, where, like honestly, am I in, in Oz?

[00:33:59] Like am I at home?

[00:34:00] It was just...

[00:34:01] Yeah.

[00:34:01] You'll be blown away by the rugby league takeover of Vegas.

[00:34:05] And it'll be even more so now with the English clubs and the women's teams also playing in Vegas.

[00:34:13] Yeah.

[00:34:13] It'll be huge, it'll be bigger.

[00:34:14] It'll be so much bigger.

[00:34:16] Recording and filming NRL 360 down on the strip was like something else to a live crowd of thousands of people.

[00:34:25] Did you appear on that?

[00:34:26] I did.

[00:34:26] You did.

[00:34:26] Thanks for watching.

[00:34:27] I did watch.

[00:34:28] I worked for them.

[00:34:29] I was feeding your stats probably.

[00:34:32] Yeah.

[00:34:32] So that was down on the strip earlier this year.

[00:34:35] I can tell you as a scoop, if you're going in February, it's actually going to be in Old Vegas.

[00:34:41] We're going to film in Old Vegas in Fremont Street.

[00:34:44] Yep.

[00:34:45] Now, if you've never been there, I suggest you go straight there.

[00:34:48] Because if you want a real sense and taste of Las Vegas, it's in Fremont Street, Old Vegas.

[00:34:54] It is such a colourful, exciting taste of what Vegas used to be like.

[00:35:02] And that's where 360.

[00:35:03] And for fans that are listening, that was where also the actual launch was held prior to this year's kickoff in Vegas, where the mascots were flying over the top on abseiling rigs.

[00:35:18] It was just enormous.

[00:35:19] It was literally...

[00:35:20] And that's happening again, they've announced.

[00:35:22] Yeah.

[00:35:23] Thousands.

[00:35:24] And get there early.

[00:35:25] Get there early.

[00:35:26] It looked crazy.

[00:35:27] There's thousands and thousands of people there.

[00:35:29] Okay.

[00:35:30] Okay, that's cool.

[00:35:31] I mean, there was the situation with the weather for 360 and then on game day, obviously we know about the weather then.

[00:35:37] It was freezing.

[00:35:38] It was freezing.

[00:35:39] Bring a jacket.

[00:35:39] Hurricane winds.

[00:35:41] Yeah, it was wicked winds.

[00:35:43] Bring a jacket.

[00:35:44] That was completely odd weather for that time of year, I've been told.

[00:35:49] Sure.

[00:35:49] So yeah, look, it's really, really cool.

[00:35:51] I know the Sharks are doing...

[00:35:52] They've got some surprises coming as far as celebrities are concerned.

[00:35:58] Okay.

[00:35:59] So think far and wide as far as Cronulla's most famous Sharks fans are concerned with a little bit of a US pull.

[00:36:10] They've got some surprises in store, which will be really cool.

[00:36:13] That brings us around to number one ticket holders.

[00:36:16] Is that how we...

[00:36:17] Are we going there?

[00:36:19] Hey, Sammy, what a wonderful chat that was with Brendan Cowell.

[00:36:22] Thank you.

[00:36:23] I thought it was terrific.

[00:36:24] Well done to Brendan.

[00:36:25] Good fellow.

[00:36:25] I had read Plum about a year ago and loved the book and now to see it in the...

[00:36:32] What did you make of him?

[00:36:34] He's outstanding, honestly.

[00:36:36] One, what a talent Brendan is.

[00:36:38] Yeah.

[00:36:39] And the portrayal of such a powerful story was...

[00:36:45] It's unreal.

[00:36:47] It all just came together.

[00:36:49] Like, you could tell that he was living a dream telling a rugby league story, but also there

[00:36:55] was so much more to it with the seriousness of the topics.

[00:36:57] Yeah.

[00:36:58] And then he added in his kind of...

[00:37:00] You know, he does that Australian male middle age kind of thing so well.

[00:37:05] Doesn't he what?

[00:37:05] Yeah.

[00:37:06] He just nails it.

[00:37:07] It was terrific.

[00:37:07] He talks about how he's got this fascination with it.

[00:37:11] And yeah, I was expecting a lot, but I got more.

[00:37:16] Yeah.

[00:37:17] Do you reckon anything will come out of that re...

[00:37:19] The subject of CTE and that kind of thing?

[00:37:21] Or is it a bit too intense for the corporation or...?

[00:37:25] Yeah.

[00:37:26] It's a really delicate scenario and something that I wouldn't mind personally investing

[00:37:32] some time into on the back of what Brendan was able to dig into.

[00:37:36] Yeah.

[00:37:37] And not that we haven't been reporting about CTE within the game for a number of years now.

[00:37:44] Yeah.

[00:37:45] But I think it's definitely worth a deeper look into.

[00:37:48] And certainly something that Brendan spoke about, and that is just routine scans.

[00:37:54] Yeah.

[00:37:55] For every single player.

[00:37:56] And why the NRL...

[00:37:59] You know, I don't want to say anything I don't know about.

[00:38:03] Yeah, yeah.

[00:38:03] But I want to understand the hurdles and the reluctance to go there at this point in time.

[00:38:08] I mean, I'm just guessing it opens up too many cans of worms for them.

[00:38:12] Yeah.

[00:38:12] Because there will be stuff they don't want to hear.

[00:38:14] Yeah, yeah.

[00:38:15] But at some point they need to confront that.

[00:38:17] Yeah.

[00:38:17] And I don't think that should ever take away from the decisions that footballers make.

[00:38:22] They want to be footballers.

[00:38:23] Yeah.

[00:38:24] You won't get a player regretting any minute that they play in the rugby league.

[00:38:28] No, no.

[00:38:28] They love it.

[00:38:29] And they choose to take that path.

[00:38:31] Yeah.

[00:38:31] And we applaud them for doing that because we love the game.

[00:38:35] But yeah, I definitely think it's worth a deeper discussion for sure.

[00:38:40] You happy with the draw for next year?

[00:38:42] Yeah.

[00:38:43] I've spoken to you about this before, Sam.

[00:38:45] I'm not a draw.

[00:38:46] You're not a draw guy.

[00:38:47] I'm not a draw guy.

[00:38:48] Okay.

[00:38:48] I will say one thing.

[00:38:50] It's...

[00:38:51] If you ask me about the Sharks, I think they've been stiffed.

[00:38:55] Oh.

[00:38:56] On...

[00:38:56] The travel.

[00:38:58] Coming back from Vegas.

[00:38:59] Okay, they get...

[00:39:00] They do get a weak loo...

[00:39:04] Yep.

[00:39:05] ...between playing in Vegas and then having to fly to Townsville.

[00:39:08] But, you know, I understand at least one request was made to the NRL and that was,

[00:39:13] can you please limit our travel post-Vegas?

[00:39:17] Yep.

[00:39:18] And the NRL have thrown the Sharks one of the worst road trips you can get in round two.

[00:39:25] But that's...

[00:39:27] There's a lot of travel that first ten or fifteen rounds.

[00:39:29] I hear fans talking about the Perth travel.

[00:39:31] That was another request by the Sharks, I understand, not to be in the first four to six weeks.

[00:39:38] I thought it would be like round 20 or something.

[00:39:40] And due to the fact that, say you've got Vegas, they didn't want it in the first four to six

[00:39:45] and they copped that too.

[00:39:46] So I don't think they're the happiest about that.

[00:39:49] But at the same time, that's a management decision to take that game to Perth.

[00:39:53] Yeah, it is.

[00:39:53] It is.

[00:39:55] We have noted though that from, I don't know, July or something, they're in Sydney pretty

[00:39:59] much or New South Wales for the rest of the time.

[00:40:02] Sure.

[00:40:03] Sure.

[00:40:03] If they can be in a good spot...

[00:40:05] Yeah.

[00:40:06] ...they'll be fine.

[00:40:07] Yep.

[00:40:08] Cade Dykes is off contract next season.

[00:40:10] Sam, there you go.

[00:40:11] Just...

[00:40:11] So people can talk to him now?

[00:40:12] He can sign with whoever he likes for 26.

[00:40:18] And so Gus Gould and Wayne Bennett were after him last time?

[00:40:20] They were, they were.

[00:40:21] Yeah, they certainly had discussions with him at the time.

[00:40:23] South Sydney, maybe.

[00:40:24] Well, look.

[00:40:26] Well, look.

[00:40:27] Again...

[00:40:28] Again, I just think...

[00:40:30] I reckon Cade goes...

[00:40:33] Yeah.

[00:40:34] Don't...

[00:40:34] Let's just not even talk about anything.

[00:40:36] Just let...

[00:40:37] Let's go...

[00:40:38] Let's come back in April.

[00:40:39] Because that would be an added pressure to him, wouldn't it?

[00:40:42] If he signed with a new club and he was still pretty ginger and...

[00:40:45] Well, let's think about the salary he would get now at a rival club.

[00:40:48] Yeah.

[00:40:48] Compared to coming through March, April, blowing the lights out.

[00:40:52] Yeah.

[00:40:53] Yeah, yeah.

[00:40:54] Sharks don't want to lose him.

[00:40:55] He gets an upgrade anyway.

[00:40:57] Yeah, okay.

[00:40:57] Wow, so he's on the list.

[00:40:58] I think everyone just calls their jets on re-signing there.

[00:41:02] Yeah, yeah.

[00:41:03] I mean, I would like to see him play again before we do that.

[00:41:07] Yep.

[00:41:07] What else is going on with you?

[00:41:08] What's happening?

[00:41:09] Talk to me about the Riccio.

[00:41:10] Riccio world.

[00:41:11] Yeah, look.

[00:41:13] It's...

[00:41:13] Again, I've found some annual leave, which is great.

[00:41:16] I'll take some time away now.

[00:41:19] I'll be back with the pen in hand late January.

[00:41:23] Okay.

[00:41:23] And that's when we start to see...

[00:41:26] It's starting to really heat up as far as pre-season trolls are concerned.

[00:41:30] Yes.

[00:41:31] It's going to come quick, Sam.

[00:41:32] It is.

[00:41:33] And then I just think there's just going to be so many great discussion points

[00:41:36] in and around the Sharks.

[00:41:38] Certainly from the most notable, I firmly believe he's the best front rower in the game.

[00:41:43] And that's Adam Fenul Blake.

[00:41:44] He's number one?

[00:41:45] Yeah, I think so.

[00:41:46] Yep.

[00:41:47] I think he's gone past Payne Haas.

[00:41:51] And I think Joey Toppen, he sits in that category as well.

[00:41:54] Big fan of his.

[00:41:54] He's good.

[00:41:55] What about the lad that went from Penrith to Warriors?

[00:41:58] James Fisher-Harris, absolutely outstanding.

[00:42:02] But what...

[00:42:03] Ironically, I did spend a week with the Warriors earlier this month over in New Zealand.

[00:42:09] And I spoke to the Warriors about James...

[00:42:12] How are they going to play different now that they've got James Fisher-Harris and Fenul Blake's gone?

[00:42:16] And Andrew Webster, the head coach of the Warriors, spoke to me about...

[00:42:20] Well, certainly they're two different props.

[00:42:22] It's not...

[00:42:23] You know, a lot of fans just see one prop in, one prop out.

[00:42:25] In you go.

[00:42:26] Same Warriors.

[00:42:27] It won't be the case.

[00:42:28] So, what's the difference in them?

[00:42:30] So, the difference is, Adam Fenul Blake is at his most destructive, 20 metres out from the trial line.

[00:42:36] Uh-huh.

[00:42:37] And so, they were able to...

[00:42:40] They were able to benefit greatly in attack from the damage that Fenul Blake does closer to the trial line.

[00:42:47] To the point where he would often score tries himself.

[00:42:50] Yep.

[00:42:51] Fisher-Harris can't bring that.

[00:42:53] Yeah, right.

[00:42:54] Well, I'm sitting here right now and I want you to think about the last time James Fisher-Harris...

[00:42:58] Hit, spin, carried, pushed, shoved through and scored.

[00:43:04] Not one try, but he's done like Fenul Blake did.

[00:43:07] We've seen it three, four, five times.

[00:43:09] Yeah.

[00:43:10] Fish is a work ethic guy.

[00:43:13] Yeah.

[00:43:13] Who does his best work in defence.

[00:43:18] Where...

[00:43:19] When...

[00:43:20] This is where the Warriors will benefit.

[00:43:22] Where, i.e. the Raiders are trying to get off their own trial line.

[00:43:26] Fisher-Harris, watch for him.

[00:43:29] He will lead the line, if not sprint the hardest himself and absolutely meet that first tackle.

[00:43:37] Yep.

[00:43:38] And lead the defensive attitude of...

[00:43:41] So, I would say an uplift in the defensive attitude of the Warriors through Fisher-Harris.

[00:43:45] Yep.

[00:43:46] And...

[00:43:47] And...

[00:43:48] So, they've got their pros and cons on the opposite sides of the ball.

[00:43:52] Not to say that Fisher-Harris, he's an absolute weapon carrying the footy.

[00:43:55] Yes.

[00:43:56] But then he's certainly his greatest strength is his defence and intimidation in, oh my God,

[00:44:01] I've got the ball and I'm about to get shot by...

[00:44:04] Yeah, right.

[00:44:04] Fisher-Harris.

[00:44:05] That's where his strength is.

[00:44:06] And for Fenul Blake, that's where Cronulla will benefit with his carries and power in

[00:44:14] that 30, 20...

[00:44:16] Is it as simple as saying he's Fafida part two kind of thing or...?

[00:44:20] I think he's the...

[00:44:22] I think he's been...

[00:44:24] He's the absolute missing link since Fafida of someone...

[00:44:27] ...that Sharks haven't had since Fafida...

[00:44:29] Yep.

[00:44:30] ...in their pack.

[00:44:32] Um...

[00:44:33] How's he different as a player, do you reckon?

[00:44:35] To...

[00:44:36] To Andy, yeah.

[00:44:37] Um...

[00:44:38] Well, only time will tell.

[00:44:40] Yo, Andrew Fafida started on the wing as a kid.

[00:44:44] Right.

[00:44:44] He had immense speed.

[00:44:45] Right.

[00:44:46] For a big man, he was quick.

[00:44:47] He was.

[00:44:48] There's a famous try he scored down in Wollongong.

[00:44:51] It's the one against the Tigers as well where he did the lawnmower.

[00:44:54] The lawnmower, yeah.

[00:44:54] He had speed for a big man.

[00:44:56] He did.

[00:44:57] And then with that, he had that ability to skip and push across field and then offload.

[00:45:02] Yeah.

[00:45:03] Fenul Blake's all muscle, bustle and power.

[00:45:05] Right.

[00:45:06] With the offload.

[00:45:07] Right.

[00:45:08] Um...

[00:45:08] But again, like that...

[00:45:10] That's always been the concern area for me is up front for Cronulla.

[00:45:15] Yeah.

[00:45:15] And now they've found that answer.

[00:45:16] Yeah, yeah.

[00:45:17] Um...

[00:45:17] The benefit that Blake Braley will receive off...

[00:45:20] Oh, yeah.

[00:45:20] ...of the damage he'll do to the defensive line...

[00:45:23] Yeah.

[00:45:23] ...will be exciting to see for Sharks fans.

[00:45:26] Then you throw in the halves.

[00:45:28] Hines playing on the front foot.

[00:45:30] Trindle playing on the front foot.

[00:45:31] Yeah, yeah.

[00:45:32] It's happy days.

[00:45:35] The...

[00:45:35] The fear is that...

[00:45:39] What immense pressure it is on this million dollar front roller to go out and do exactly what I just said.

[00:45:44] Yeah.

[00:45:44] I've heard a few different...

[00:45:45] I don't know if they're straight from his mouth, but some quotes I've seen and heard and...

[00:45:49] And they're mostly like, yeah, I'm ready to rock.

[00:45:52] I'm the guy.

[00:45:53] But then there was a few where he was like, ah, I'm not the guy.

[00:45:56] And it's like, no, no, you are the guy.

[00:45:58] One of the...

[00:45:59] One of the major...

[00:46:01] I was fortunate to have a chat to Fitzy the other day.

[00:46:05] One of the major focus points hasn't...

[00:46:08] For Newell Blake's arrival at the Sharks in the first few weeks.

[00:46:12] It hasn't been about walking in and being the alpha male.

[00:46:15] Yeah.

[00:46:16] And going, hey, here I am.

[00:46:18] I'm the big dog out of my way.

[00:46:20] No, no.

[00:46:20] He won't win any friends down at the Sharks doing that.

[00:46:23] No, no, no.

[00:46:23] He has to win his relationships with his team.

[00:46:27] And I reckon this is something that's been missed.

[00:46:31] Moses Leota is such a damaging front rower for Penrith because of the damage that Fisher Harris does.

[00:46:38] So when...

[00:46:39] It's a one-two punch scenario.

[00:46:41] And so when Fanuel Blake hits it up, I'll be extremely surprised if we don't get an upgraded Toby Rudolph

[00:46:50] or Oregon Kafusi or Braden Hamlin-Yueli due to the fact of what damage Fanuel Blake's already done to the defensive line.

[00:46:58] For sure.

[00:46:59] Because they'll be backpeddling from what he's done and then here comes Kafusi.

[00:47:03] Yeah.

[00:47:03] And so he's coming off...

[00:47:05] He's running into a damaged defensive line.

[00:47:08] He's going to look better.

[00:47:09] Yeah.

[00:47:09] Rudolph's going to look better.

[00:47:11] Yeah.

[00:47:12] And that's the catch.

[00:47:14] They need to look better because of what the other guy can bring.

[00:47:18] Who have you got starting, personally?

[00:47:21] Uh...

[00:47:22] Kafusi for me.

[00:47:23] Yeah?

[00:47:23] Yeah.

[00:47:24] Big fan of Kafusi.

[00:47:25] Thought he's been able to achieve in a short and young career in the front row.

[00:47:31] Yeah, yeah.

[00:47:32] A couple of seasons ago, we played almost every game you can for Parramatta.

[00:47:37] Yeah.

[00:47:37] And that went into a World Cup on the back of a grand final, into a World Cup.

[00:47:42] And I thought that's a sure sign of a quality player.

[00:47:46] Yeah.

[00:47:47] Um...

[00:47:48] Where do you have a very fit and healthy Hamlin Welly?

[00:47:52] Where do you have...

[00:47:53] Is he up there?

[00:47:54] Yeah, he deserves to be in that discussion as well.

[00:47:56] Yeah.

[00:47:56] But your biggest catch is the fit and healthy part.

[00:47:59] Have you got any...

[00:47:59] Going great.

[00:48:00] Going really well.

[00:48:01] Yep.

[00:48:02] Okay.

[00:48:02] And he knows he needs to.

[00:48:05] Yeah.

[00:48:06] There's so much competition for that front row.

[00:48:08] The thing with him though is, I'm of the opinion that it's not through lack of trying.

[00:48:13] Mm.

[00:48:14] It's just health, so to speak.

[00:48:15] Oh, absolutely.

[00:48:16] Yeah, yeah.

[00:48:17] Yeah.

[00:48:17] No doubt in the world.

[00:48:18] Yeah.

[00:48:18] So, that's why I still believe in the guy.

[00:48:21] Yeah.

[00:48:21] And when he's damaging, he's unbelievable.

[00:48:23] Yeah.

[00:48:23] Yeah.

[00:48:23] And I think he could really prosper from the new fella coming in.

[00:48:28] One of the indicators for me is that Hugh Ellie has everything to play for next season

[00:48:40] is the fact that he was overlooked for the semi-final series.

[00:48:46] Yeah.

[00:48:46] And was played for Newtown in the New South Wales Cup.

[00:48:50] Yeah.

[00:48:52] And his attitude, if you go and watch those games, and his performance were quality, you

[00:48:57] know?

[00:48:57] Yeah.

[00:48:58] He really had a crap.

[00:48:59] I've spoken to him on the show about it and he's...

[00:49:01] I mean, at no point did I think he'd prefer to be in a cup than in a row, but his attitude

[00:49:06] was super.

[00:49:07] Yeah.

[00:49:08] About talking about it and his thoughts on it.

[00:49:11] Yeah.

[00:49:11] I mean, in his mind, he should be striving to be that starting front rower with Fanual

[00:49:15] Blake.

[00:49:16] Absolutely.

[00:49:17] And there's no reason why he can't be.

[00:49:18] I think if he's fit and healthy, I think he gives Oregon a bit of a shake.

[00:49:21] The only thing is they're two different players.

[00:49:23] Yeah.

[00:49:23] So, I understand that...

[00:49:24] Yeah.

[00:49:25] Like, I've already gone off as usual and said it.

[00:49:27] It's like, well, Fanual Blake is for feeder and Kofusi's going to be prior.

[00:49:32] Yeah.

[00:49:32] That's how good Kofusi's year was last year.

[00:49:34] Yeah.

[00:49:34] He's got a bit to prove to get the prior stage, but that's how I see that one too.

[00:49:38] And then you can have Hamlin Welley coming off.

[00:49:40] Yeah.

[00:49:40] And fans probably don't delve as deeply as what the coaching staff do.

[00:49:46] No.

[00:49:46] It's the balance of your starting pack compared to your bench pack, managing their minutes,

[00:49:54] their agility around the ruck.

[00:49:56] Are they great lateral defenders?

[00:50:00] Are they better?

[00:50:05] Yeah.

[00:50:05] This is a really interesting one.

[00:50:07] When you've had the ball for a longer period than the opposition, your front rowers can stay

[00:50:15] on the field longer because they haven't had to have defended as long.

[00:50:19] Yeah.

[00:50:19] And then therefore, you know, you can extend their minutes that way.

[00:50:24] But it's when they're in the tug of war scenario and going set for set and defending back

[00:50:30] and forth over a longer period.

[00:50:33] It's when you really need to manage.

[00:50:34] You might see a front row come off the field and you go, hang on a sec.

[00:50:37] Why is he coming off so early?

[00:50:38] It's because the pattern of the game isn't suited to the way that front rower is suited.

[00:50:45] So, love the way the coaches strategize and think and have to pull, you know, know their

[00:50:53] players so well to when to pull them on and off.

[00:50:56] Yeah.

[00:50:57] Now on that, what were your thoughts on the Panthers prelim?

[00:51:02] Wasn't surprised with the result due to the class of the Panthers.

[00:51:07] And in the crunch moments, their stars stood up.

[00:51:11] Yeah.

[00:51:12] And that included Louie Cleary Edwards, Fisher Harris.

[00:51:18] What I will say is that I thought Cronulla did a pretty good job that night to stay in

[00:51:25] the fight as long as they did.

[00:51:26] Yeah.

[00:51:27] Um, they had to defend for longer periods than what they would have liked.

[00:51:32] Uh, I thought there was some very, um, uh, some pretty harsh lessons learned that, that

[00:51:41] the Sharks need to, I'd, uh, keep persisting with and don't.

[00:51:46] And I'm talking about the likes of Toby Rudolph coming up with a trip penalty, um, uh, a wild

[00:51:51] off, uh, a wild offload.

[00:51:53] I think it was from Royce Hunt in the middle of field.

[00:51:55] Those are the, they're the smallest of margins.

[00:51:59] Yeah.

[00:52:00] Um, against the elite that you just cannot afford.

[00:52:03] Yeah.

[00:52:03] And, and if you can get growth from your mistakes.

[00:52:07] Yeah.

[00:52:08] That's where, that's where Cronulla can turn into a grand final side.

[00:52:11] And yeah, Rudolph's a really good example.

[00:52:14] Like he was dropped to reserve grade halfway through last season.

[00:52:18] Yeah.

[00:52:19] And came back a better player for it.

[00:52:21] Yeah.

[00:52:21] Well, you know, I think we saw in the semifinal series that he needs to go up another level

[00:52:26] again.

[00:52:26] And I'm not just picking on Rudolph here, but.

[00:52:29] No, no.

[00:52:29] There's a lot of guys.

[00:52:30] A lot of lessons learned from that Penrith game, I reckon.

[00:52:32] Yeah.

[00:52:33] It still frustrates me to this day because they were really in it.

[00:52:36] They, they were the better team at times.

[00:52:39] They defended so well.

[00:52:40] Mm-hmm.

[00:52:41] Uh, and for me, it was just the drop ball.

[00:52:43] Like just, they just kept dropping the ball and they kept the other mob in it.

[00:52:46] Yeah.

[00:52:46] Uh, a few little things like there was the Nico No Try and was there almost a 40-20 from

[00:52:52] Trindle?

[00:52:52] Yeah.

[00:52:52] Like there was little moments that just didn't go your way.

[00:52:54] I thought that 40-20, no, the, the, the tap back from Dylan Edwards to save the Trindle

[00:53:00] 40-20 was a huge turning point.

[00:53:02] Yeah.

[00:53:03] Because only a couple of sets later, Cleary.

[00:53:06] Might have been one or two.

[00:53:07] Might have been, yeah.

[00:53:07] Uh, Cleary.

[00:53:08] You got one.

[00:53:09] Nails one.

[00:53:09] Yeah.

[00:53:09] That's the difference when you're playing the elite.

[00:53:13] Yeah.

[00:53:13] Yeah.

[00:53:13] They're not that far away, Sam.

[00:53:15] No, I know.

[00:53:15] I know.

[00:53:16] And I, I, yeah, my, I guess my point is if they had played to their potential on that

[00:53:20] night, they'd probably win.

[00:53:21] I don't, I don't know if they win eight out of 10 times they play that mob, but that

[00:53:25] night they were going to win.

[00:53:26] I don't know if the halves, I don't know if that, and I'm not, I'm not bashing

[00:53:30] Hines here.

[00:53:31] I don't, or, or, I just don't think the halves played to their absolute ability either.

[00:53:36] Yeah.

[00:53:37] Uh, the other thing that grates me a little bit, and I'm sure Fitzy would have an answer

[00:53:40] for it is that, uh, coming out of the sheds after half time, they knew they had to score

[00:53:46] some points and they shut up shop until it was too late.

[00:53:50] Yeah.

[00:53:50] Then they tried.

[00:53:51] I was like, nah, you need to score some points here.

[00:53:54] Yeah.

[00:53:55] Yep.

[00:53:56] Yeah.

[00:53:56] And they just sort of, they stuck to their processes and I get that, but time was running

[00:54:01] out.

[00:54:03] Um, so I don't know if you want to learn from that.

[00:54:05] Yeah.

[00:54:05] And you know, the Penrith come back a pig, um, in 25, uh, due to the losses of Jerome

[00:54:11] Loy.

[00:54:12] Well, yeah, hopefully they come back a little bit cause it'd be fun for someone else to

[00:54:15] win it.

[00:54:16] And we're, we're close enough.

[00:54:18] I'm, I'm a firm believer that, uh, we'll be top four and I think it'll just be, you

[00:54:25] know, those things in the league that kill you during the year, injuries, suspensions,

[00:54:28] whatever.

[00:54:29] Yeah.

[00:54:30] That'll stop them going quite far.

[00:54:32] I think otherwise, there's a lot of hard work to do and everything, but I just think

[00:54:36] the way they're trending.

[00:54:37] Yeah.

[00:54:38] I reckon Vegas is a massive statement game, Sam.

[00:54:41] Really?

[00:54:41] Out of the blocks against Penrith.

[00:54:44] If you can, if you can jag that, let's think about the discussion point of Cronulla coming

[00:54:49] back to Australia with a win over the Panthers on the biggest stage of all.

[00:54:53] Yeah.

[00:54:54] The confidence that gives you to, to launch your season of having knocked off the premieres,

[00:55:00] the four time premieres.

[00:55:03] And it's a win that not many teams are going to get through the year.

[00:55:07] Yeah.

[00:55:07] So, you know, and they've got a couple, Nathan's coming off a shoulder surgery.

[00:55:11] Dylan Edwards is coming off a shoulder surgery.

[00:55:13] So it's not a bad, I'm not saying the Panthers are going to like, they're just too

[00:55:16] good though.

[00:55:17] They're so good.

[00:55:18] They're going to be underdone or anything, but it's a huge opportunity for Cronulla.

[00:55:22] Yeah.

[00:55:22] It's not a bad time and place to get them round one in Vegas.

[00:55:24] Absolutely.

[00:55:25] That's fine.

[00:55:25] Yeah.

[00:55:26] We can do that.

[00:55:26] Thanks for your time, Dave.

[00:55:28] It's always great to have you on the show.

[00:55:30] We could, we usually do.

[00:55:31] We will talk to you in the new year.

[00:55:33] We will see you overseas in Nevada, no doubt.

[00:55:37] Maybe California as well, in all seriousness.

[00:55:40] Yes.

[00:55:40] Be well, you have a good Christmas and new year and that kind of thing.

[00:55:44] And for all of our listeners, thanks for tuning in.

[00:55:47] Not sure when we'll talk to you next, but it will be as soon as we can.

[00:55:50] And appreciate all your support.

[00:55:51] You know how to find us, you know where to reach us, you know where to follow us.

[00:55:54] We appreciate all that kind of stuff.

[00:55:56] Until then, thank you to our sponsors, Dyson Logistics, the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Port Hacking,

[00:56:03] Jason Hawes of Crips and Crips Real Estate.

[00:56:05] And we'll give a shout out to Mr. Paisley's for giving us a bit of space today.

[00:56:07] Appreciate that.

[00:56:08] We will talk to you all soon until we talk to you.

[00:56:11] Take care.

[00:56:12] Up, up.

[00:56:15] Before we go, folks, we want to give Dave Riccio's new Instagram a shout.

[00:56:20] It's David underscore Riccio, all little letters with a one on the end.

[00:56:25] So David underscore Riccio one, that's on your Instagram.

[00:56:28] You'll get all your latest news and stories and breaking news and lots of shark info on there.

[00:56:34] So if you could give David underscore Riccio one a follow, he and I would appreciate it.

[00:56:47] SharkCast is supported by the best and most honest real estate agent in the Sutherland Shire,

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[00:56:58] Lifelong Sharks fan and supporter of this podcast.

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[00:57:20] Back in the Shire.

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