Catching Up With Kieran Over Coffee About Cronulla (16/9/24)

[00:00:00] SharkCast, SharkCast

[00:00:02] SharkCast, SharkCast

[00:00:08] Fafina tries to crack his way out, very tough

[00:00:12] Fafina dropped the ball over the line

[00:00:15] And all you people back in the Shire

[00:00:17] Tell you watch live drop, cause we're coming over to trophy

[00:00:31] Good morning SharkCast listeners and viewers

[00:00:34] My name is Sam Shnasi, this is SharkCast Pod

[00:00:37] Catching up with Kieran on a Monday over coffee

[00:00:41] I don't even know what the show's called anymore

[00:00:42] I'm so disorientated by what's happened on the weekend

[00:00:46] And what happened on the weekend was the mighty sharks

[00:00:48] Not so mighty losing 37 points to 10 at Amy Park

[00:00:52] Another finals loss for us unfortunately

[00:00:55] Storylines are just floating around the world

[00:00:57] I can't avoid them, it's like I'm in SharkNado, Kieran

[00:00:59] I'm eye-enzyring not eye-enzyring

[00:01:02] And they come and for me, but I'm just losing the ability to fend them off

[00:01:06] And they come and for me, Nico can't do this

[00:01:08] Sharks can't do that, Fitz can't do this

[00:01:11] I'm fighting man, but it's getting harder every second

[00:01:16] So we're here to talk about what happened on the weekend

[00:01:18] We're here to talk about what's going to happen this weekend

[00:01:20] We're going to keep it as light as we can, but there is also some serious stuff to talk about

[00:01:24] Like our inability to win finals

[00:01:25] So Kieran, how are you coping after the loss?

[00:01:30] I said last week that it was going to be a very tough task for us

[00:01:33] And I thought we had a small window of opportunity to get the job done

[00:01:38] But then as the week went on, I started to feel it a little bit more

[00:01:42] I started to see all the disrespect

[00:01:43] I started to see all the talk about how Melbourne was just going to run over the top of us

[00:01:48] I started to see all these things

[00:01:50] The podcast and Riccio that you did was great

[00:01:53] The one with Gaz as well, I was fired up

[00:01:55] And I really thought it was enough

[00:01:57] These guys are going to stand up and make a statement

[00:02:00] And then the ball was kicked off

[00:02:03] And it went downhill from there

[00:02:04] Let's talk about that one moment to start with

[00:02:08] And I'm going to tell the whole world that that one moment did not lose us the game

[00:02:15] However, that one moment set up a bit of a mood for a little while

[00:02:18] And obviously allowed them to score a try early on

[00:02:22] Will's completely at fault

[00:02:24] I know it was a windy day

[00:02:25] But his positioning when you look at it

[00:02:28] He was standing almost on the one meter line

[00:02:32] Now maybe he stands there every week

[00:02:34] But you got so much space behind you

[00:02:38] That was unusual

[00:02:39] And he obviously lost sight

[00:02:41] I'm not here to hang the bloke

[00:02:43] I think he's a good fullback

[00:02:45] But that was a really not great way to start things

[00:02:49] And then we saw the try a few minutes later

[00:02:51] From dummy half and that was almost as bad I thought

[00:02:57] But we got back into it

[00:02:59] So for all the negatives we're going to talk about

[00:03:02] This is a game that we got back into at half time

[00:03:06] We saw it, we had the wind in the second half

[00:03:09] And then we came out, gave away a penalty

[00:03:11] Gave away a six again

[00:03:13] Held on for another ten minutes

[00:03:16] And then just sort of let it go

[00:03:17] But it was such a strange game Kieran

[00:03:20] In that there were like six or seven moments that we blew it

[00:03:24] But they weren't necessarily missed tackles

[00:03:27] You know, they were not kicking out in the full

[00:03:30] They were not getting the ball first set

[00:03:32] Getting caught on the fifth, getting cute with the storm

[00:03:34] Like stuff like that is where we lost the game

[00:03:36] And they in hindsight could have done it so much better

[00:03:39] So much easier

[00:03:40] They defended pretty good for a large part of the game

[00:03:44] So it wasn't all doom and gloom

[00:03:46] But the fact that they let it slide at the end

[00:03:50] Meant that the pressure on them now was immense

[00:03:53] If they'd gotten within eight points of that game

[00:03:55] The storylines aren't as thick and fast

[00:03:58] Anyway, I've interrupted your train of thought

[00:04:00] Tell me about where you thought we went wrong

[00:04:04] Everything you said, right?

[00:04:06] In the first half there were three errors that we did

[00:04:08] And those three errors gave the storm 14 points

[00:04:11] Now if you were to beat the storm

[00:04:14] You can't let them score more than 14 or 16 points

[00:04:18] Because if the storm is scoring 20 points

[00:04:21] It's going to be very hard to score 21 points

[00:04:23] We just gave them way too much opportunity

[00:04:26] And yet the errors that stood out were very bad

[00:04:31] But again, it was just compounding

[00:04:33] And I don't think it's a

[00:04:35] Oh my god, I've got to get rid of a Nico type situation

[00:04:38] Because again, it was those three errors

[00:04:40] And Nico did one of them when he didn't kick out

[00:04:44] For the penalty and all that type of stuff

[00:04:46] So I'm definitely saying he didn't have a good game

[00:04:50] But again, we beat ourselves

[00:04:52] And I think that's the frustrating thing

[00:04:53] I think there's probably only been two times this season

[00:04:56] Where we've been completely outplayed

[00:04:58] And that was against Penrith

[00:04:59] And that was against Paramatta

[00:05:00] And the other games that the Sharks have lost

[00:05:03] Is they have not put themselves in a position to win

[00:05:06] And they've done stupid errors, bad penalties

[00:05:08] And then they've got too far behind

[00:05:10] And that was this

[00:05:12] And Melbourne were perfect

[00:05:14] Melbourne in that first half completed

[00:05:15] I think it was 20 from 20 sets

[00:05:17] But somehow we ended up having 51% of the possession

[00:05:21] Going in a half time

[00:05:23] Then there was that little period

[00:05:24] You know, I know there was a very bad start

[00:05:26] Again at the start of the second half

[00:05:28] But then there was a period there about 10 minutes

[00:05:30] Where we actually were looking like we were getting on top

[00:05:34] And then again, errors, penalties

[00:05:36] We took the foot off and the storm just ran home

[00:05:39] And the score blind blew out in the end

[00:05:42] But hey, the Sharks deserved that score

[00:05:45] That was put on them

[00:05:45] Because their line speed in defence was not existent

[00:05:49] You know, Hughes was running 10 metres

[00:05:51] Before he was kicking the ball

[00:05:53] There was no wonder we could not get off

[00:05:56] Our tri-line because again, we just gave them too much

[00:05:59] Yeah, it's a good point you raise

[00:06:00] I think when you watch the game back

[00:06:04] Like the enthusiasm that we expected

[00:06:07] Wasn't really there

[00:06:09] Like, I'm not saying they didn't try

[00:06:11] Because they did try

[00:06:11] They were in the game for 60 minutes against the storm

[00:06:13] They did a lot of things well

[00:06:15] It will shock you that they had a 93 completion rate

[00:06:20] The Kronolosh Sharks

[00:06:21] The storm had 96

[00:06:24] So it was a near perfect game from handling

[00:06:27] Absolutely

[00:06:29] The Sharks ended up missing 45 tackles

[00:06:32] But 15 of those were in the last 10, 15 minutes

[00:06:35] It still counts

[00:06:36] But they held their own when they needed to

[00:06:38] Up to a point

[00:06:40] It's just those moments and you wonder

[00:06:43] What it's going to take to change that cycle

[00:06:47] Is it more experience?

[00:06:49] Is it different game plan?

[00:06:50] Is it different positions?

[00:06:51] Is it different players?

[00:06:52] The other thing I want to hone in on

[00:06:55] Is the fact that I thought we just couldn't win the Ruck

[00:06:59] And we couldn't win the Ruck with our forwards

[00:07:02] For all the

[00:07:03] Let's get rid of Heinz

[00:07:05] Let's move him to fullback

[00:07:06] All the talk is floating around

[00:07:07] I'm in Sharknado, doom, doom, doom

[00:07:09] Here they come

[00:07:10] What is the guy supposed to do

[00:07:13] When they're attacking on their 40 meter line

[00:07:16] There's things you can do

[00:07:18] Of course there are

[00:07:19] Not many of them going to work against the storm

[00:07:21] That doesn't mean he can't do more in his game

[00:07:25] Or play better

[00:07:26] But this whole storyline that he didn't perform

[00:07:29] To a certain point of view

[00:07:30] How about the forwards do something?

[00:07:32] Not many of those forwards can really say

[00:07:35] That they dominated that game

[00:07:36] And I think our back five didn't have the same

[00:07:39] It didn't feel like we were getting

[00:07:41] The same yardage that we're normally getting

[00:07:43] So the storm did really well in slowing down

[00:07:45] The plateables

[00:07:46] And they were holding us down for a really long time

[00:07:49] And again, they'd have to really put the whistle away

[00:07:51] Unless it's a fifth tackle for Melbourne

[00:07:53] That's when he would pull his whistle back out again

[00:07:55] But I think if we could have done things

[00:07:58] A little bit better is

[00:07:59] Maybe we've got to then start kicking early

[00:08:02] And we saw that from Trindle

[00:08:03] At one point I think it was the third tackle

[00:08:04] Trindle just kicked it

[00:08:05] And he kicked it long, found some space

[00:08:07] So I think maybe from a Niko perspective

[00:08:10] If there's one thing he could do

[00:08:12] Is have a look at the game yesterday from Manley

[00:08:15] Manley were in a similar predicament

[00:08:16] To what we were in

[00:08:17] Not making any meters, not getting good yardage

[00:08:20] And DCE got them out of it

[00:08:22] Turbo got them out of it

[00:08:24] And those are the guys that have paid the big bucks

[00:08:26] And that's what we need to see from Niko

[00:08:28] Is maybe stepping up and owning those moments

[00:08:31] And kicking us out of trouble

[00:08:32] Because some of the kicks, there was no go forward

[00:08:35] So again, you're putting so much pressure

[00:08:37] On the kickers there

[00:08:38] When you're kicking it from your say 30 metre line

[00:08:41] And you've got the storm in your face

[00:08:43] One thing we didn't do

[00:08:45] Was we did not pressure their kickers at all

[00:08:47] And we did not move off the line in defence

[00:08:48] It was very passive

[00:08:50] So the one thing I think we need to see a lot more of

[00:08:52] Is a lot more aggression

[00:08:54] And that's what I thought we were going to bring

[00:08:56] I really thought that power game that we've got

[00:08:58] Was really going to take it to that storm team

[00:09:00] Because, you know, in that period

[00:09:02] Where our bench started to come on

[00:09:04] We were starting to get a little bit more physical than them

[00:09:06] And then it just would be an error, a bad kick

[00:09:09] And we were back to square one again

[00:09:11] So incredibly frustrating

[00:09:13] We saw Blake when he ran

[00:09:15] Looks really great

[00:09:16] But he didn't get many chances

[00:09:17] Because the forwards weren't doing their best job

[00:09:21] To get forward

[00:09:22] And I'm not going to blame it on the forwards either

[00:09:25] But the whole storyline that

[00:09:28] The halves didn't do enough

[00:09:29] Even the full, it's like

[00:09:32] You need against the storm

[00:09:33] You're not going to score many tries

[00:09:35] That a long range

[00:09:36] Like you need to camp down there

[00:09:38] And what? We were down...

[00:09:39] We were in their quarter for ten tackles

[00:09:42] In the whole game

[00:09:42] That was insane

[00:09:43] And again, the same thing happened to us when we played

[00:09:45] Penrith

[00:09:46] I think in that Penrith game

[00:09:48] We had even less than ten tackles inside their own

[00:09:50] Twenty meters, right?

[00:09:52] I'm just looking at our stats, right?

[00:09:53] Our two best meter guys was Iro and Talakai

[00:09:56] Iro with 171

[00:09:58] And Talakai with 165

[00:09:59] Then it is a big drop off

[00:10:00] Into our best forward was 91 meters

[00:10:03] Which was Toby

[00:10:03] And when we have 93% completion

[00:10:08] That actually means we have the ball

[00:10:10] You know sometimes we say

[00:10:11] Oh, we didn't have much balls for the forwards

[00:10:13] Didn't get many meters

[00:10:14] We had the ball in this game

[00:10:15] It was end to end stuff for a long while

[00:10:18] And I don't know if it's the game plan

[00:10:21] If it's the way that we rely on our backs

[00:10:23] But I just feel like to win a Premiership

[00:10:26] Or even win a finals game

[00:10:27] You're going to need those big boys to do a bit more

[00:10:30] I was a little bit hesitant to blame

[00:10:34] The playmakers for not scoring enough, etc

[00:10:37] Or setting up enough tries

[00:10:38] When we just couldn't get down there

[00:10:41] And you're right

[00:10:42] It's not all about the forwards either

[00:10:43] The kicking should be better

[00:10:44] They all could have done better

[00:10:46] Let's talk about the other shark coming towards me

[00:10:49] Sharknado, Nico

[00:10:51] Let's talk about Nico

[00:10:52] Because everyone is obsessed with Nico

[00:10:54] And I get it

[00:10:55] I'm not talking it down

[00:10:56] I'm not shying away from it

[00:10:58] He had what would you call it?

[00:11:00] An average game

[00:11:01] I didn't think he was a bad game

[00:11:02] But whenever we don't win

[00:11:04] Whenever we don't get to where we want to be

[00:11:05] It's always

[00:11:06] Why didn't he do this

[00:11:07] Why didn't he do that

[00:11:08] Which I understand

[00:11:09] He's our highest paid player

[00:11:10] Who is going to be next year

[00:11:11] And he's an important part of what we do

[00:11:15] How did you think he went?

[00:11:16] What could he have done better?

[00:11:18] What was bad?

[00:11:20] Talk to me about Nico

[00:11:21] Yeah, look that missed kick

[00:11:23] For the penalty

[00:11:24] That really kind of just really deflated

[00:11:26] The whole team

[00:11:27] Right and it was never like

[00:11:29] He was the same again after that moment

[00:11:31] Right so

[00:11:33] From a Nico standpoint

[00:11:34] I think he definitely had a sub-par game

[00:11:37] I wouldn't score him over 5 out of 10

[00:11:40] In that game

[00:11:40] And that's not acceptable for our main guy

[00:11:44] And so obviously we need more from him to that

[00:11:47] I do concede on the point that

[00:11:50] Again the forwards weren't going forward

[00:11:51] We weren't getting the right positions on the field

[00:11:54] To actually attack and do the things that we need to do

[00:11:56] But then that's where we've got to see some creativity

[00:11:58] And some what's plan B

[00:12:01] Because plan A is not working

[00:12:02] Right so

[00:12:03] I think

[00:12:04] There's no way you can

[00:12:06] Rip Nico out of this team right now

[00:12:08] Considering what's going on

[00:12:10] And I don't think that he's our biggest issue

[00:12:12] He's the easiest issue to point to

[00:12:14] Because again he's the most high profile player

[00:12:16] And he's the guy that should be getting us across the line

[00:12:19] Now

[00:12:21] I've said all season there's two really good teams in this con

[00:12:23] There's Penrith and then there's the Storm

[00:12:25] And then we sit a level below with like the Roosters

[00:12:28] And then there's another level below that

[00:12:29] Which I think is the Cowboys and Manly's of the world

[00:12:32] And all that type of thing, right?

[00:12:33] Now we're in the finals

[00:12:35] We're seeing the Cowboys and Manly starting to

[00:12:37] You know put together some good performances

[00:12:39] And looking like they're going on the right direction

[00:12:41] I know we beat Manly very easily the week before

[00:12:44] But again I think that's a reflection of where we sit versus Manly

[00:12:47] So this whole narrative around the finals

[00:12:50] Is because we, you know, we're in the top four

[00:12:53] Now this is a completely different scenario to 2022

[00:12:57] When the team was completely busted against Souths

[00:12:59] And Souths were fit and firing

[00:13:01] So I'm not expecting us to have a bad performance this week

[00:13:05] I am expecting us to actually get the win this week

[00:13:07] But again it's going to come back to the Sharks playing Sharks football

[00:13:11] And not, you know, letting these narratives, these stories

[00:13:15] Get out of hand because if they do go out again

[00:13:17] Back to back in finals games

[00:13:20] It is going to be a hell of a long off season

[00:13:22] And again all you're going to hear for the next 12 months

[00:13:25] Until the finals is the Sharks can't do it

[00:13:28] Nico can't do it

[00:13:29] So again Nico is going to need to stand up this week

[00:13:32] And get the job done

[00:13:33] But it's going to be a good test because the Cowboys

[00:13:37] You just don't know what Cowboys you're going to get

[00:13:39] Cowboys could turn up and you know, it can make life very difficult for us

[00:13:42] I watched the game intensely as you can imagine

[00:13:46] And over several viewings

[00:13:49] And I don't want to buy into the Nico storyline

[00:13:52] I really don't

[00:13:54] And I'm not

[00:13:56] But if you can see the body language

[00:13:59] On a camera angle

[00:14:01] After he does the miss kick

[00:14:03] He wasn't chasing the ball

[00:14:06] He was in a hole and couldn't get out of it

[00:14:09] One moment

[00:14:11] I'm not suggesting it's anything more than one moment

[00:14:13] Was it just a miss kick?

[00:14:15] It was a complete shank

[00:14:16] Like it didn't even go close to the sideline

[00:14:18] It was like 10, 15 meters in from the touch line

[00:14:22] Like it could have done worse

[00:14:23] Why it happened? Like he just kicked it the wrong way

[00:14:26] Something happened, right?

[00:14:27] What I think was

[00:14:28] He was probably

[00:14:30] And again I'm trying to over-analyze this

[00:14:32] But I'm thinking he probably just was like

[00:14:34] I need to get this as far deep as possible

[00:14:36] We need to get some field position

[00:14:37] And he just, the attention to detail wasn't there

[00:14:40] And he just completely shanked it

[00:14:42] What I'd be doubling down on

[00:14:45] As a coach of this club this week

[00:14:47] And we talked about it last week

[00:14:49] And I know they talked about it during the week as a club

[00:14:51] But making the most of your opportunities

[00:14:53] But you gotta do it with a level head

[00:14:56] So if that was his theory of

[00:14:58] I've got to kick the crap out of this

[00:14:59] And do it quickly and get us out of here

[00:15:02] I'd be like, no, no, no

[00:15:04] Take the opposite approach

[00:15:06] Cool, calm, collected

[00:15:08] Get what you can get, we move on

[00:15:10] Your extra 5-10 meters really isn't gonna matter

[00:15:13] There were moments in that game

[00:15:14] They just would have back in a heartbeat

[00:15:16] And I would be circling nose

[00:15:18] That'd be my video analysis

[00:15:20] It wouldn't be about the Cowboys overly

[00:15:22] It wouldn't be about where you went wrong defensively

[00:15:25] Against the Storm, cause we could see what happened

[00:15:27] It would be about those moments that we've talked about

[00:15:29] How would you address it again?

[00:15:31] How would you deal with it again?

[00:15:32] That's what I'd be working out

[00:15:34] Just so they're mentally prepared

[00:15:36] Look maybe they knew they had a second bite

[00:15:39] So maybe they weren't as amped up

[00:15:42] Or as desperate

[00:15:44] Or whatever word you want to use

[00:15:46] And maybe this week they'll know that they'll have to be

[00:15:48] I don't know, I find that hard to believe

[00:15:50] I'm just sort of trying to give you a theory on what went wrong

[00:15:53] But it just didn't look like all seven N guys

[00:15:57] Were completely ready to rock

[00:15:59] And that's disappointing

[00:16:01] Maybe the wrong analysis

[00:16:03] I don't know

[00:16:04] But the Storm were up for it and we knew that

[00:16:06] And I think we were just a bit behind that

[00:16:08] If Ramion's not fit

[00:16:11] And we're led to believe he will play

[00:16:12] But if he's not fit

[00:16:13] Are you going with the same back line?

[00:16:16] Yeah, I'm not moving Sif

[00:16:17] I thought Sif was one of our best players

[00:16:18] On the weekend

[00:16:19] And him and Eero

[00:16:22] They're the only two guys that made actually decent meters

[00:16:24] Wanted to just check the stats

[00:16:25] So again, Sif is a bit of a like for like replacement

[00:16:28] You've got to put yourself in the

[00:16:31] Oppositions standpoint too, right?

[00:16:32] Who do you want running at you?

[00:16:33] Do you want Daniel Atkinson running at you?

[00:16:35] Or do you want Sif?

[00:16:36] And it wasn't a perfect game

[00:16:39] There were some defensive issues that we saw

[00:16:41] But again, he caused a lot of havoc there

[00:16:44] I thought, geez, I hope Jesse's fit

[00:16:45] And I think for everything that I've heard

[00:16:47] He should be fine

[00:16:50] But yeah, because again, that changes our bench too

[00:16:52] Right, if you look at our bench

[00:16:53] Well, I was going to say, are you keeping

[00:16:54] Are you keeping your bench

[00:16:57] Atkinson Williams, Hunt and Hazelton?

[00:16:59] Because I don't know if I am

[00:17:00] Because it just felt like we didn't have a plan for DA

[00:17:04] And it just, you know, he came on at the end

[00:17:06] The game was already well far gone

[00:17:08] Right, and there's nothing he could really do

[00:17:09] To kind of affect the outcome there

[00:17:11] But if we can't work out a way to inject him

[00:17:15] And his skillset, because again, he's had a great year this year

[00:17:18] He's been one of our best playmakers

[00:17:20] He's clutching field goals and all that type of stuff

[00:17:23] You know, there is value in having him out there

[00:17:25] But you know, if the choice is between

[00:17:28] Tom Hazelton or DA

[00:17:30] I'm having to go Hazelton

[00:17:32] Because the Cowboys team is a really big forward pack

[00:17:35] And you know, we just didn't have the punch

[00:17:38] That we needed, right?

[00:17:39] So we bring Jesse in

[00:17:41] Jesse's probably good for 150 metres or so

[00:17:43] You again have Ziffer back on the bench

[00:17:45] Who can give you, you know, 170

[00:17:47] So you're starting to go back into that power again

[00:17:50] Let me ask you this

[00:17:50] Are you keeping Williams, Hunt and Hazelton

[00:17:53] On the bench?

[00:17:54] I'm keeping Hunt

[00:17:56] I'm definitely keeping Hunt

[00:17:57] Hunt now knows that this could be

[00:17:59] Every time he walks down the field

[00:18:00] It could be the last time he does it for the Sharks

[00:18:02] And you know, I'm expecting Hunt to do big things

[00:18:05] Jack has that defensive role

[00:18:07] That he plays for us

[00:18:08] And he locks up the middle

[00:18:10] You know, handling

[00:18:10] We've touched on that a couple of times over the season

[00:18:13] Can be a bit of a concern

[00:18:14] But again, you know, you need that work from him

[00:18:19] And I...

[00:18:19] Hazelton looked a little bit busted

[00:18:21] I don't know if he is 100% fit

[00:18:23] He looked a little bit better

[00:18:25] After probably about 10 minutes or so

[00:18:26] But he looked really cumbersome

[00:18:28] And there were a few tackles there

[00:18:29] Where he was running the ball

[00:18:30] Where he just looked like he was about to

[00:18:33] His knee was about to give away

[00:18:34] So if Hazelton is not 100% fit

[00:18:37] That makes the decision probably a little bit easier

[00:18:39] Because then you can use DA there

[00:18:41] I don't think you would bring in the talks at this point

[00:18:45] But yeah, I think that fourth spot on the bench

[00:18:49] Against the Cowboys

[00:18:50] I'm probably going the power

[00:18:52] Because again, you know, say you do get through the Cowboys

[00:18:55] You're then going to be going up against the Panthers

[00:18:57] And then Monster Park too, right?

[00:18:59] So you need to pick a style here

[00:19:02] And you need to pick a theory

[00:19:04] But to leave Daniel Atkinson out in the 17

[00:19:08] Would be crazy

[00:19:11] But it could happen

[00:19:12] And then if it does happen and the Sharks lose

[00:19:14] It's all we're going to hear about for the next spot

[00:19:17] I'm just interested in what a Tsukou could maybe do

[00:19:20] I'm talking more than a 5 minutes dent

[00:19:23] So I saw his stats from the Newtown Jets game

[00:19:26] And it looked like he had a pretty good game

[00:19:28] I think his stats from memory were a little bit better than

[00:19:32] Hamlin Uellies whose stats went too great

[00:19:36] But again, I heard that it was a bit of a mixed game

[00:19:41] So I didn't see the game

[00:19:42] I saw most of it

[00:19:44] I'm not really, to be honest, judging it on that

[00:19:47] I'm happy that he's had some big minutes

[00:19:50] And played some good footy

[00:19:51] But I'm just thinking outside the box

[00:19:54] And what these guys can bring

[00:19:57] If Hamlin Uellie was fit as in injury-wise

[00:20:02] I would throw him in ahead of the others

[00:20:06] But I don't know if he is

[00:20:07] Because there's a reason why he's not getting picked

[00:20:10] And I just wonder if a fit, or Tsukou's very fit

[00:20:14] I wonder what he could do around the 35 minute mark

[00:20:18] Around the 55 minute mark

[00:20:21] I know it messes with your bench

[00:20:22] I'm just sort of thinking outside the box a little bit

[00:20:24] Because I wasn't completely happy with what I saw on the weekend

[00:20:28] So who's dropping off your bench?

[00:20:31] Potentially Royce

[00:20:34] Potentially

[00:20:35] And it's not a...

[00:20:37] I'm not dissing him

[00:20:38] I'm just...

[00:20:39] I think we need something different, man

[00:20:40] I think when Royce is on, he's very on

[00:20:43] And again, he can really bust open and middle

[00:20:46] Yeah, look, I may just be a bit jaded from the weekend in general

[00:20:49] And a bit negative on a few things

[00:20:51] I love him as a player, I love him as a person

[00:20:54] So I'm not saying he doesn't belong there

[00:20:55] I'm just trying to think of something different

[00:20:57] I wasn't overly happy with Jack's game on the weekend

[00:21:00] But you're right, he does bring some good defensive abilities

[00:21:05] Hazelton looked...

[00:21:06] Yeah, it looked like he was playing Ninja

[00:21:07] He gave you everything he had

[00:21:10] And he always does

[00:21:11] And the Akko things just...

[00:21:12] Akko things just a pickle

[00:21:15] I love the guy, I want him in the 17

[00:21:18] But if he's coming on as a lock, it's like...

[00:21:22] Yeah, especially when our other options are huge humans

[00:21:25] Who do a lot of work, right?

[00:21:27] So if you can't...

[00:21:28] I think if you can't find a spot for Akko in the starting 13

[00:21:32] He might have to be that 18th man for a HIA or something like that

[00:21:36] But jeez, that just feeds this whole niconarrative even more

[00:21:40] If the job isn't done

[00:21:41] Because everyone's going to say, hey, look who you had at 18th man

[00:21:44] Let's talk more about that

[00:21:45] The mailbox as you can imagine is...

[00:21:48] I had to write a Gmail and ask for an extent...

[00:21:51] Like a bigger storage unit

[00:21:53] And they're going to give it to me

[00:21:55] But a lot of it is about moving Nicko to fullback

[00:21:59] And bringing in Dan Atkinson in the halves

[00:22:00] Whether it's this week, or next year

[00:22:03] What are your thoughts on that?

[00:22:04] I think Akko would be a better fullback

[00:22:05] Yeah, I think Akko would be a better fullback than Nicko

[00:22:08] I think he's got that style

[00:22:11] Where he can pop up anywhere

[00:22:12] He bounces off tackles

[00:22:14] I think he's probably got more speed than Nicko

[00:22:16] And again, the fullback is an extremely important spot

[00:22:20] In terms of attack

[00:22:21] My criticism of Will this year

[00:22:24] Is he's been tremendous defensively

[00:22:26] But I haven't seen him be in the form with the ball

[00:22:31] That I saw last year

[00:22:33] Last year there was a lot of set up tries

[00:22:34] The same with the year before

[00:22:35] Whereas this year I keep waiting for Kennedy to kind of kick on

[00:22:39] So I think that's probably one thing I would probably look at

[00:22:42] Is maybe DA goes to fullback

[00:22:45] And you could give him a full preseason there

[00:22:47] Like they did with Conor Tracy

[00:22:48] So you're talking next year, not talking this week

[00:22:50] To change your spine

[00:22:53] This point of the finals is open heart surgery

[00:22:56] And we saw in 2016 where

[00:22:58] They hooked Chad from that game

[00:23:01] And they put Bird into the halves

[00:23:03] To get Bird more ball

[00:23:04] And to get Chad out of the way

[00:23:06] But again, the next week when they picked the team

[00:23:08] Chad was there, right?

[00:23:12] It's too hard

[00:23:13] And it's asking too much of the players

[00:23:14] To change these positions right now

[00:23:17] And to drop somebody like that right now

[00:23:20] Like that guy has been your fullback

[00:23:22] For 27 weeks, right?

[00:23:24] He's your rider, Dyer

[00:23:25] You need to dial in that heel, rightly or wrongly

[00:23:28] Because if you change it now

[00:23:30] It complicates not only just what they do in the field

[00:23:33] But the off-field dynamics of building a successful club

[00:23:37] And things like that as well

[00:23:38] Because Kennedy would have the runs

[00:23:41] For six months because of what happened

[00:23:43] Do you think that Kennedy deserves to be in that conversation

[00:23:47] About not being our fullback?

[00:23:49] Look, I think he's had a solid year for us

[00:23:51] But I think we need more

[00:23:53] And it's the same criticism that people have of Nico

[00:23:56] Is that we need Nico to step up and we need more

[00:23:58] Blake Brailey has stepped up this year

[00:24:00] And given us more

[00:24:01] I would argue Trindle, I think, has stepped up this year

[00:24:05] And given us more

[00:24:05] I think Trindle was one of our better players

[00:24:08] On the weekend as well

[00:24:09] In a very tough situation

[00:24:10] So I think those guys have shown me improvement

[00:24:14] Nico, we've spent the money on

[00:24:16] He's our guy

[00:24:17] Before Orogen, he was one of the best players in the comp

[00:24:20] It was a no-brainer to pick Nico for that position

[00:24:23] He needs to get back to that level quickly

[00:24:25] But we've seen that he can do it

[00:24:26] He's played red football, all that type of stuff

[00:24:29] So that's not changing

[00:24:30] It's just not realistic to expect that to be changed

[00:24:34] As much as you can want it or not

[00:24:35] There is a reality to we've just given this guy $7 million

[00:24:39] It's not changing

[00:24:40] So we're not getting out of that

[00:24:42] And then I look at the fullback and I say

[00:24:44] Well, that's the position that we need to improve on

[00:24:46] And that's where I go

[00:24:49] Well, that could potentially be the landing spot for Aco

[00:24:54] But then I also think, alright

[00:24:55] We've got Ice and doing really good things in the lower grades

[00:24:59] What's he look like to come round one next year

[00:25:01] I look at all the off-contract players that we've got

[00:25:04] Coming up in November 1st and I start thinking to myself

[00:25:06] Alright, we'll do we need to shift a bit of money around

[00:25:08] To use a younger player like that or a cheaper guy like DA

[00:25:12] All then I start to think to myself

[00:25:13] Is that the position we go into the player market for

[00:25:16] Because we are missing one piece

[00:25:18] And I think Fnall Blake is going to be a huge difference to us

[00:25:22] For being that piece

[00:25:23] But I still think in our spine we need another point of attack

[00:25:27] And I think, yeah, Kennedy

[00:25:29] I think he's probably the one that's probably the most likely to be switched around

[00:25:33] But then Trinnell's off-contract too, right?

[00:25:35] So maybe that's a decision that we've got to look at as well

[00:25:38] Yeah, a bunch of press going around this week about the sharks

[00:25:42] I mean it's the journal's job to create these stories for everyone to read

[00:25:48] And one of them was about the number of players off-contract

[00:25:52] For the sharks coming up

[00:25:54] And that got me thinking about a few things

[00:25:56] And that'll be up for another podcast and conversation

[00:26:00] But there's a bit of thinking to be done by the staff moving forward over summer

[00:26:06] Cowboys this week

[00:26:08] Is there anything else you want to address from the Melbourne game?

[00:26:10] No, it never happened

[00:26:11] I don't ever want to think about it every game

[00:26:13] Sorry to those people that went

[00:26:14] A lot of people went man

[00:26:16] That's the other disappointing thing

[00:26:17] The familiar faces on the crowd I saw too

[00:26:20] Yeah, that's always disappointing

[00:26:21] But good on them for going

[00:26:23] Making the effort, paying the bucks

[00:26:25] Taking the time

[00:26:26] Cowboys this week

[00:26:27] They're in really good form

[00:26:30] They didn't blow me away in that game on the weekend

[00:26:32] I thought the Knights were the better team

[00:26:34] I thought the Knights can feel a little bit hard done by not getting that win

[00:26:37] Mainly driven by one player

[00:26:39] But they were really good

[00:26:41] Cowboys we know can be good as you said

[00:26:43] They're on, they're off as far as being lights out

[00:26:45] But to be fair

[00:26:47] They're one of the form teams of the comp

[00:26:49] Since I think Magic Round or Around Origin Time

[00:26:52] They've probably lost two games

[00:26:53] So they know how to win games

[00:26:56] We've seen

[00:26:57] Former Shark Chad be relegated

[00:26:59] And they brought in Clifford

[00:27:02] And he's going well with the other guys

[00:27:04] So it's a pretty stable team now

[00:27:06] And I think we're in for a pretty good game

[00:27:08] I do think we can do it

[00:27:10] And we'll get into that all out during the week

[00:27:12] But what are your initial thoughts on the cows

[00:27:14] Coming to town

[00:27:15] Coming to the Allianz Stadium

[00:27:17] They finally locked in a venue

[00:27:19] Which is great

[00:27:19] My initial thoughts are

[00:27:21] The cowboys again in the finals

[00:27:22] Here we go

[00:27:24] But my favorite night at the football

[00:27:26] Was 2016 when they played the cowboys in the finals

[00:27:28] Right, so

[00:27:31] The cowboys do worry me

[00:27:33] Because they have a lot of attacking threats

[00:27:35] That they can score points really quickly

[00:27:37] I think getting Jesse back

[00:27:39] Getting that combination back

[00:27:40] Is going to be huge for us

[00:27:41] That was the best defensive edge

[00:27:44] In the competition

[00:27:45] So I'd love to see that back together again

[00:27:47] And then also

[00:27:49] Strengthens our bench

[00:27:51] I do expect us to perform well

[00:27:53] I really need Nico to stand up

[00:27:56] And give a big game here

[00:27:57] And silence these people

[00:27:59] That are going after him at the moment

[00:28:02] I need to see that first half

[00:28:03] He had against the roosters last year in the finals

[00:28:05] That was a really good first half

[00:28:07] If we could see something like that

[00:28:08] For 80 minutes from Nico

[00:28:09] In a big game like that

[00:28:11] I think it's going to do

[00:28:13] A world of good for us to get the victory

[00:28:14] So it's not going to be easy

[00:28:16] But again, I look at it

[00:28:17] And 1-17

[00:28:19] I probably would prefer more of our players

[00:28:21] Than their players

[00:28:22] But I always want to take a step back

[00:28:25] Everyone's got that whole narrative

[00:28:26] Around the sharks in the finals

[00:28:28] And look at the sharks and the cowboys

[00:28:30] We both got our coaches at the same time

[00:28:33] Or maybe the cowboys did pay

[00:28:34] To study here before 50

[00:28:37] I think they're roughly the same

[00:28:38] I think it was this first year

[00:28:39] The same year as 50, right?

[00:28:41] So they've been on a similar trajectory

[00:28:42] We both finished top four that first year

[00:28:45] The cowboys beat us in Golden Point

[00:28:47] Fair credit to them

[00:28:49] I didn't give them a chance

[00:28:50] I thought we were going to do really well

[00:28:51] We didn't do well there

[00:28:52] That's the one final game

[00:28:53] That really burns me

[00:28:54] That was lost, okay?

[00:28:55] Then the next year

[00:28:57] The cowboys didn't make the finals

[00:28:58] We did

[00:28:59] We finished fifth

[00:29:00] And we got eliminated by the roosters

[00:29:02] Again, a bad loss

[00:29:03] We shouldn't have done it

[00:29:04] But now we go into this year, okay?

[00:29:06] And Payton gets a win against the Knights

[00:29:08] Now, I think if we played the Knights

[00:29:10] In Cronulla

[00:29:12] We're beating the Knights, right?

[00:29:14] So now the media goes on

[00:29:15] The cowboy side says, oh, look at this

[00:29:17] The cowboys, blah, blah

[00:29:18] But we beat them in almost every single statistic this year

[00:29:22] We finished higher than them on the ladder

[00:29:25] I would argue that I would prefer 50

[00:29:28] Over Payton any day of the week

[00:29:29] So I am confident around the club

[00:29:32] And what we're going to do here

[00:29:33] But again, it just shows you

[00:29:35] How the narratives can change

[00:29:36] Because he has, you know

[00:29:38] They beat us in that finals game

[00:29:39] Full credit to them

[00:29:40] But I win against the Knights

[00:29:42] Does that really make them

[00:29:42] A better finals team than the Sharks?

[00:29:44] I don't think so

[00:29:45] Again, we played Melbourne in Melbourne

[00:29:47] That's bloody tough

[00:29:48] And you look at the Roosters

[00:29:49] Who a lot of people are talking about the Roosters

[00:29:51] They got smacked by Penrits as well, okay?

[00:29:54] So there is a reality

[00:29:56] To where we sit in this competition

[00:29:57] We're not one of the top two yet

[00:29:58] There's a lot of work to do on that

[00:30:00] It's almost like our punishment

[00:30:01] For finishing the top four

[00:30:03] Was to be hammered by one of three teams

[00:30:07] Particularly one of two

[00:30:08] And we got Melbourne in Melbourne

[00:30:09] And I'd also argue

[00:30:11] We weren't hammered until probably

[00:30:12] The 55th minute on

[00:30:13] Up until then, we're up

[00:30:15] We were in it

[00:30:16] Like we were fighting hard

[00:30:17] So there's a lot of

[00:30:19] You know what it's like at finals times

[00:30:21] And I'm not putting shade

[00:30:22] On anyone who's watching or listening

[00:30:24] That falls into this category, right?

[00:30:25] But people at this time

[00:30:27] If you're a supporter of a team

[00:30:29] But maybe you're not that invested

[00:30:31] Which is not a crime

[00:30:33] You jump in, right?

[00:30:34] You jump in when it's finals time

[00:30:36] So we see it

[00:30:36] We saw it in 2016

[00:30:37] We see it every year with the Sharks

[00:30:38] For example, it's the only example

[00:30:40] I can give you is the Sharks

[00:30:41] I see it with the amount of

[00:30:44] Interaction I get personally

[00:30:46] Through the podcast

[00:30:47] There's a lot more people

[00:30:50] You don't hear from very much

[00:30:51] Jumping at this time of the year

[00:30:53] And that's awesome

[00:30:53] I love hearing from them

[00:30:54] We're gonna see them on Friday night

[00:30:55] I love it

[00:30:56] Like it's not me looking down

[00:30:57] On someone for being less invested

[00:31:00] That your team jump on whatever you want

[00:31:02] I don't care

[00:31:02] However, the amount of volume

[00:31:04] That you see, for example

[00:31:06] On social media multiplies

[00:31:08] And it multiplies when

[00:31:12] Niko doesn't do this

[00:31:13] Fitzgibbon doesn't do that

[00:31:14] The Sharks don't win this

[00:31:15] It multiplies

[00:31:16] And I get it

[00:31:17] I completely get it

[00:31:19] But the storyline you're talking about

[00:31:22] Stem from people like that

[00:31:23] Building this boulder that's coming towards you

[00:31:26] The Sharknado is coming towards me

[00:31:28] And I can't stop it

[00:31:29] Because more people are on board

[00:31:31] That bus of that Niko can't do this

[00:31:32] The Sharks can't do that

[00:31:33] Fitz, he can't do that

[00:31:34] The only way to silence it, as you said

[00:31:37] Is to win the freaking game

[00:31:38] And Niko be mad at the match

[00:31:40] Which is a lot of pressure

[00:31:41] But go do it

[00:31:43] And then you march on to Penrith

[00:31:44] The problem there is

[00:31:46] When you get to a prelim

[00:31:47] The expectations from particularly

[00:31:49] The same sort of people I'm talking about

[00:31:51] Go win the freaking game

[00:31:53] You and I

[00:31:54] And the majority of our listeners and viewers

[00:31:57] Know

[00:32:00] Penrith, prelim

[00:32:01] That's gonna be a bit tricky

[00:32:02] Not impossible

[00:32:04] But a bit tricky

[00:32:05] And particularly the one team

[00:32:07] You don't want to play in a prelim

[00:32:08] So the storyline just keeps building

[00:32:10] So we can win this week against the Cowboys

[00:32:13] And I'm just letting everyone know

[00:32:15] What they already know

[00:32:16] We can win this week

[00:32:17] Play Penrith

[00:32:19] At Homebush

[00:32:20] Next week

[00:32:21] What percentage do you give us a chance?

[00:32:23] 15, 20 tops, right?

[00:32:26] And that's being respectful to the guys

[00:32:27] That I love

[00:32:28] Not impossible

[00:32:29] Go play your hearts out

[00:32:30] And you never know what's gonna happen

[00:32:32] The fan that's not overly invested

[00:32:34] Loses their mind when we don't win

[00:32:36] A prelim against Penrith

[00:32:37] Loses their mind

[00:32:39] And I hope this is coming out the right way

[00:32:41] I don't want to be abused on social media please

[00:32:43] So put it away, don't at me

[00:32:46] I'm just trying to say

[00:32:47] That there's so many storylines floating around

[00:32:50] They're kind of in a bind now, Kieran

[00:32:51] Cause as I said

[00:32:52] If they win this week

[00:32:54] Okay

[00:32:55] Pressures off a little bit

[00:32:57] The expectation

[00:32:58] Go beat Penrith

[00:33:00] I'm with him

[00:33:01] Go do it

[00:33:02] But I'm also

[00:33:03] You know, post-storm game

[00:33:05] I was deflated

[00:33:07] But I was also like

[00:33:08] Well

[00:33:08] That's what happens

[00:33:09] When you don't

[00:33:11] Play to your strengths

[00:33:12] When you don't kick the ball out

[00:33:13] When you drop the ball on the first tackle

[00:33:15] When you get caught on the fifth

[00:33:16] That's what happens

[00:33:18] You're gonna lose to the storm

[00:33:20] I don't think people see it the same way

[00:33:21] It's very rare to get a grand final

[00:33:23] That's verse 1v2

[00:33:25] But this year

[00:33:26] It looks

[00:33:26] Like I mean

[00:33:27] Penrith are gonna be playing at Homebush

[00:33:29] Or Paramata

[00:33:30] I'm not sure which one they're gonna play at

[00:33:32] So they're gonna be at Home

[00:33:33] And Melbourne's gonna be in Melbourne

[00:33:34] For that pre-learn spot

[00:33:36] So the grand final

[00:33:38] I don't know what the odds are

[00:33:39] But the odds are pretty short

[00:33:40] That it's gonna be a storm

[00:33:41] Penrith grand final

[00:33:42] Cause they're avoiding each other

[00:33:43] That was our real chance

[00:33:45] To completely blow the competition open

[00:33:47] And that's what I was getting excited for

[00:33:48] Because I thought

[00:33:49] If there was ever a time

[00:33:50] For them to step up and deliver

[00:33:52] This is the chance, right

[00:33:54] And it didn't happen

[00:33:55] I don't want to get fanboy

[00:33:58] On our listeners and viewers

[00:33:59] And I'm sorry to interrupt you

[00:34:00] But

[00:34:02] I'm also not suggesting that

[00:34:03] When we win this week

[00:34:05] And we both think we'll win this week

[00:34:07] When we play Penrith next week

[00:34:08] I can tell you

[00:34:09] With my hand on my heart

[00:34:12] Cam McKinnis

[00:34:14] It's gonna give you everything he's got

[00:34:16] I can tell you

[00:34:17] Craig Fitzgibbon will not sleep next week

[00:34:19] And work so hard to get the team

[00:34:21] Prepped, ready, perfect

[00:34:23] To go win the game

[00:34:25] So I'm not ruling out

[00:34:26] They can beat Penrith

[00:34:27] But looking at it realistically

[00:34:30] You just have to go

[00:34:31] It's gonna be an uphill battle

[00:34:33] Like Melbourne

[00:34:34] But what we did in Melbourne was

[00:34:35] We almost got there for a period of time

[00:34:37] So anything is possible

[00:34:39] They can change the narrative

[00:34:40] And I hope they do

[00:34:42] We're right behind them

[00:34:43] It's just they have to

[00:34:45] Somehow they have to

[00:34:47] Remove themselves from the noise

[00:34:48] Otherwise

[00:34:50] They're dead men walking

[00:34:51] And the Cowboys are not

[00:34:52] Gonna be an easy beat this week, right

[00:34:54] So they're gonna have to absolutely stand up

[00:34:56] And to deliver

[00:34:57] They're gonna have to be physical

[00:34:58] They're gonna have to kick well

[00:34:59] They're gonna have to complete well

[00:35:01] They're gonna have to be disciplined

[00:35:02] And not give away stupid penalties

[00:35:04] But again, if we

[00:35:06] If Nico and Trendall can kick us

[00:35:08] Into the right positions on the field

[00:35:10] Our defence should be able to handle them

[00:35:12] And I think that their defence

[00:35:14] Would not be able to handle our attack

[00:35:17] If we control the actual field

[00:35:20] And the momentum of the game

[00:35:22] And that all goes back to the kicking

[00:35:24] The kicking is the one thing

[00:35:25] That is driving me nuts at the moment

[00:35:28] And we've got to get better at it

[00:35:29] Because, you know, right now

[00:35:31] We're just not there

[00:35:32] It does matter about the kicking

[00:35:33] But you have to concede

[00:35:35] And you already have

[00:35:36] Not concede

[00:35:37] You have to also go along with my narrative that

[00:35:39] They have to get them in a position to kick

[00:35:43] You can't be making 20 metres off a set

[00:35:46] And then giving it to the guy to kick the ball

[00:35:49] Fords gotta do their forwards job

[00:35:50] And if they can't do it

[00:35:52] The backs gotta do what they can do

[00:35:53] I appreciate Melvin's strong amount of the game

[00:35:56] Kieran, we've got to get out of here

[00:35:57] There's no fun and games

[00:35:58] There's no games today

[00:35:59] There's no random shark at the week

[00:36:02] There's no who would you prefer

[00:36:03] David Hatch or David Peachy

[00:36:06] There's no games this week

[00:36:08] It's finals time

[00:36:08] Particularly because you have to go buy us

[00:36:10] Some finals tickets

[00:36:11] That's the only reason I'm only kidding

[00:36:14] We're not being that serious about it

[00:36:15] But we do appreciate your time, Kieran

[00:36:17] Shark fans

[00:36:18] I'm not going to give you some speech

[00:36:20] About sticking with the team

[00:36:21] And that kind of stuff

[00:36:22] What I will say is

[00:36:24] If you respect what Kieran and I talk about

[00:36:26] Week in, week out

[00:36:27] And I know a bunch of you do

[00:36:28] Because you listen every week

[00:36:29] And watch us every week

[00:36:30] Think about what we said

[00:36:31] In regards to just expectations

[00:36:35] Throwing it all out

[00:36:37] Based on a 20 minute period

[00:36:39] Of a game last week

[00:36:41] And I also want you to enjoy the week

[00:36:43] Because we don't appreciate finals time enough

[00:36:46] Sorry I might have said box the whole time

[00:36:48] Get to the game

[00:36:49] Oh, Kieran

[00:36:50] You've opened a freaking can of worms

[00:36:52] Where are we going to play?

[00:36:54] We know where we're playing

[00:36:55] It was always going to be Allianz

[00:36:57] When I say always, that's not always true

[00:36:59] It wasn't always Allianz

[00:37:01] But that's where we were headed

[00:37:02] That's where we're going

[00:37:04] Absolutely

[00:37:05] It's a great point, Kieran

[00:37:06] If you're physically able

[00:37:07] If you can afford it

[00:37:08] If you have the time

[00:37:10] Get out to the game

[00:37:12] Have some fun

[00:37:14] Watch us win a finals game

[00:37:16] And support the team in the best way you can

[00:37:18] Which is getting out there

[00:37:19] If you can

[00:37:19] If you can't enjoy it from wherever you are

[00:37:22] Kieran, we've been way too serious this Monday morning

[00:37:24] This is not our style

[00:37:26] Usually we talk about how wrestling is real

[00:37:28] And people are fake and that kind of stuff

[00:37:31] Now I've got to go calm down

[00:37:33] Actually, we both got to go face to day

[00:37:35] It's early

[00:37:36] Justin Jefferson is going for 97 yards

[00:37:38] I can't complain about anything

[00:37:39] We'll talk to you all soon

[00:37:41] SharkCastPod heaps more coming this week

[00:37:42] Kieran, love you brother

[00:37:43] Talk to you soon

[00:37:45] Up, up, Cronola

[00:37:46] Let's go get them

[00:37:47] SharkCast!